As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2020

 

File No. 333-240193

File No. 811-23594

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-4

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  

 

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1  

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.  

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940  

 

AMENDMENT NO.  2  

 

PLAIC Variable Annuity

Account S

(Exact Name of Registrant)

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

(Name of Depositor)

 

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, Alabama 35223

(Address of Depositor’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

(205) 268-1000

(Depositor’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 

ALYSON SAAD, Esquire

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, Alabama, 35223

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

Copy to:

 

STEPHEN E. ROTH, Esquire

THOMAS E. BISSET, Esquire

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

700 Sixth Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20001-3980

 

Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

Title of Securities Being Registered: Interests in a separate
account issued through variable annuity contracts.

 

 

 

2

Supplement Dated December 1, 2020
(for Applications signed on or after December 17, 2020) to the
Prospectuses dated December 1, 2020 for
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity
Issued by
Protective Life Insurance Company
PLICO Variable Annuity Account S
and
Schwab Genesis NY Variable Annuity
Issued by
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
 
This Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement should be read carefully and retained with the Prospectus dated December 1, 2020 for the Schwab Genesis or Schwab Genesis NY variable annuity. You may obtain a current Prospectus by calling 1-800-456-6330.
 
This Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement provides the current SecurePay Fee as described in the “PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFIT-SecurePay Fee” section of the Prospectus. It also describes the current Maximum Withdrawal Percentage under the SecurePay living benefit rider as described in the “PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFIT-Determining the Amount of Your SecurePay Withdrawals” section of the Prospectus. This Supplement must be used in conjunction with an effective Schwab Genesis or Schwab Genesis NY variable annuity Prospectus.
The Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement and rates below are effective until superseded by a subsequent Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement. For applications signed on or after December 17, 2020, and that we receive in Good Order, we will apply the rates in this supplement up until ten calendar days after we issue a new rate sheet supplement.  We must also receive at least the minimum initial Purchase Payment ($5,000) within the ten calendar days. No new Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement that supersedes a prior Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement will become effective unless written notice of effectiveness of the new Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement is given at least 10 business days in advance.
Before submitting your application for a Schwab Genesis or Schwab Genesis NY variable annuity, please obtain a current Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement. To obtain a current Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement:
 
The current SecurePay Fee applicable to your Contract is as follows:
 
Purchase of SecurePay Life rider at Contract Purchase
1.10%
Purchase of SecurePay Life rider under RightTime
1.10%
 
 
The Maximum Withdrawal Percentage applicable to your Contract will not change for the life of your Contract.
 
MAXIMUM WITHDRAWAL PERCENTAGE
 
                   
       
 
 
Age of (Younger) Covered Person
on the Benefit Election Date
Withdrawal Percentage -
(One Covered Person)
Withdrawal Percentage -
(Two Covered Persons)
At least 60 but less than 65 years old
3.75%
3.25%
At least 65 but less than 70 years old
5.00%
4.50%
At least 70 but less than 80 years old
5.25%
4.75%
At least 80 or more
5.75%
5.25%
 
If you have any questions regarding this Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement, please contact us toll free at 1-800-456-6330. Please keep this Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement for future reference.
 
 
2

PROSPECTUS
December 1, 2020

Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY™

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
P.O. Box 10648
Birmingham, Alabama 35202-0648
Telephone: 1-800-456-6330
www.protective.com

This Prospectus describes an individual flexible premium deferred variable and fixed annuity contract offered by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the "Contract"). The Contract is designed for investors who desire to accumulate capital on a tax deferred basis for retirement or other long term investment purposes. It may be purchased on a non-qualified basis or for use with certain qualified retirement plans.

You generally may allocate your investment in the Contract among the Guaranteed Account and the Sub-Accounts of the PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S. If you elect the SecurePay Life rider, the options for allocating Purchase Payments and Contract Value will be restricted.The value of your Contract that is allocated to the Sub-Accounts will vary according to the investment performance of the Funds in which the selected Sub-Accounts are invested. You bear the investment risk on amounts you allocate to the Sub-Accounts. Once you begin taking withdrawals under the SecurePay Life rider or beginning two years after the date the SecurePay Life rider is issued, whichever comes first, you will not be able to make any additional Purchase Payments under the Contract. This restriction on further Purchase Payments may limit: (1) the ability to increase Contract Value; (2) death benefits (such as the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit); and (3) the values under the SecurePay Life rider. The Sub-Accounts invest in the following Funds:

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I.Global Fund, Series II

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund, Series I

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Main Street Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. Balanced Risk Allocation Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. Comstock Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. Equity and Income Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II

Invesco V.I. International Growth Fund, Series II


American Funds Insurance Series®

IS Asset Allocation Fund, Class 4

IS Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund, Class 4

IS Bond Fund, Class 4

IS Capital Income Builder® Fund, Class 4

IS Global Growth Fund, Class 4

IS Global Growth and Income Fund, Class 4

IS Global Small Capitalization Fund, Class 4

IS Growth Fund, Class 4

IS Growth-Income Fund, Class 4

IS International Fund, Class 4

IS New World Fund®, Class 4

IS US Government, Class 4


Clayton Street Trust

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series- Conservative Portfolio

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series- Growth Portfolio

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series- Moderate Portfolio


Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products

VIP Investment Grade Bond Portfolio, SC2

VIP Mid Cap Portfolio, SC2


Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund, Class 2

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund, Class 2

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund, Class 2

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund, Class 2


Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Core Fixed Income Fund, Service Class

Global Trends Allocation Fund, Service Class

Growth Opportunities Fund, Service Class

Mid Cap Value Fund, Service Class

Strategic Growth Fund, Service Class


Great-West Funds, Inc.

Great-West Bond Index Fund, Investor Class


Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Portfolio, Class II

ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio, Class II


Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

Bond-Debenture Portfolio, Value Class

Dividend Growth Portfolio, Value Class (formerly Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio, Value Class)

Fundamental Equity Portfolio, Value Class

Growth Opportunities Portfolio, Value Class


PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust

All Asset Portfolio, Advisor Class

Global Diversified Allocation Portfolio, Advisor Class

Long-Term US Government Portfolio, Advisor Class

Low Duration Portfolio, Advisor Class

Real Return Portfolio, Advisor Class

Short-Term Portfolio, Advisor Class

Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class


Royce Capital Fund

Small-Cap Fund, Service Class


Schwab® Variable Insurance Trust

Schwab® Government Money Market Portfolio

Schwab® S&P 500 Index Portfolio

Schwab® VIT Balanced Portfolio

Schwab® VIT Balanced with Growth Portfolio

Schwab® VIT Growth Portfolio


Beginning January 1, 2021, we will no longer send you paper copies of shareholder reports for the Funds (“Reports”) unless you specifically request paper copies from us. Instead, the Reports will be available on a website. We will notify you by mail each time the Reports are posted. The notice will provide the website links to access the Reports as well as instructions for requesting paper copies. If you wish to continue receiving your Reports in paper free of charge from us, please call 1-855-920-9713. Your election to receive the Reports in paper will apply to all Funds available with your Contract. If you have already elected to receive the Reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and need not take any action. If you wish to receive the Reports and other SEC disclosure documents from us electronically, please contact us at 1-855-920-9713.

This Prospectus sets forth a description of all material features about the Contract and the Variable Account that a prospective investor should know before investing. This Prospectus also describes all material state variations to the Contract. The Statement of Additional Information, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), contains additional information about the Contract and the Variable Account. The Statement of Additional Information is dated the same date as this Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information is on the last page of this Prospectus. You may obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information free of charge by writing or calling Protective Life at the address or telephone number shown above. You may also obtain an electronic copy of the Statement of Additional Information, as well as other material that we file electronically and certain material incorporated by reference, at the SEC web site (http://www.sec.gov).

Please read this Prospectus carefully. You should keep a copy for future reference.

The Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY Contract is not a deposit or obligation of, or guaranteed by, any bank or financial institution. It is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, and it is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

PRO.SGNY.12.20



TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS
FEES AND EXPENSES
SUMMARY
     The Contract
     Federal Tax Status
THE COMPANY, VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND FUNDS
     Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
     Administration
     The Funds
     AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)
     American Funds Insurance Series®
     Clayton Street Trust
     Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products
     Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust
     Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust
     Great-West Funds, Inc.
     Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
     Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.
     PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust
     Royce Capital Fund
     Schwab® Variable Insurance Trust
     Selection of Funds
     Other Information about the Funds
     Certain Payments We Receive with Regard to the Funds
     Addition, Deletion or Substitution of Investments
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT
     The Contract
     Use of the Contract in Qualified Plans
     Parties to the Contract
     Issuance of a Contract
     Purchase Payments
     Right to Cancel
     Allocation of Purchase Payments
     Variable Account Value
     Transfers
     Surrenders and Withdrawals
THE GUARANTEED ACCOUNT
DEATH BENEFIT
     Payment of the Death Benefit
     Continuation of the Contract by a Surviving Spouse
     Selecting a Death Benefit
     Escheatment of Death Benefit
PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS
     THE SECUREPAY RIDER
     ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS
SUSPENSION OR DELAY IN PAYMENTS
SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
     Administration Charge
     Death Benefit Fees
     SecurePay Fee
     Transfer Fee
     Fund Expenses
     Premium Taxes
     Other Taxes
     Other Information
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
     Annuity Date
     Annuity Value
     Annuity Income Payments
     Annuity Options
     Minimum Amounts
     Death of Annuitant or Owner After Annuity Date
YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS
     Yields
     Total Returns
     Standardized Average Annual Total Returns
     Non-Standard Average Annual Total Returns
     Performance Comparisons
     Other Matters
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
     Introduction
     Temporary Rules under CARES Act
     The Company's Tax Status
TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL
     Tax Deferral During Accumulation Period
     Taxation of Withdrawals and Surrenders
     Taxation of Annuity Payments
     Tax Consequences of Protected Lifetime Income Benefits
     Taxation of Death Benefit Proceeds
     Assignments, Pledges, and Gratuitous Transfers
     Penalty Tax on Premature Distributions
     Aggregation of Contracts
     Exchanges of Annuity Contracts
     Medicare Hospital Insurance Tax on Certain Distributions
     Loss of Interest Deduction Where Contract Is Held By or For the Benefit of Certain Nonnatural Persons
QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
     In General
     Temporary Rules under the CARES Act
     Required Minimum Distributions In General
     Required Minimum Distributions Upon Your Death
     Additional Tax on Premature Distributions
     Other Considerations
     Protected Lifetime Income Benefits
     Direct Rollovers
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
GENERAL MATTERS
     Error in Age or Gender
     Incontestability
     Non-Participation
     Assignment or Transfer of a Contract
     Notice
     Modification
     Reports
     Settlement
     Receipt of Payment
     Protection of Proceeds
     Minimum Values
     Application of Law
     No Default
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS
     Distribution
     Inquiries
CEFLI
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS DISRUPTION AND CYBER-SECURITY RISKS
VOTING RIGHTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APPENDIX A: DEATH BENEFIT CALCULATION EXAMPLES
APPENDIX B: Superceded Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement Information
APPENDIX C: EXPLANATION OF THE VARIABLE INCOME PAYMENT CALCULATION
APPENDIX D: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
APPENDIX E: Example of SecurePay Life Rider

DEFINITIONS

"We", "us", "our", "Protective Life", and "Company":   refer to Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company. "You", "your" and "Owner" refer to the person(s) who has been issued a Contract.

Accumulation Unit::   A unit of measure used to calculate the value of a Sub-Account prior to the Annuity Date.

Administrative Office:   Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, P. O. Box 10648, Birmingham, Alabama 35202-0648 (for Written Notice sent by U.S. postal service) or Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, 2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223 (for Written Notice sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service).

Annual Withdrawal Amount or AWA:   The maximum amount that may be withdrawn from the Contract under the SecurePay rider each Contract Year after the Benefit Election Date without reducing the Benefit Base.

Annuity Date:   The date as of which the Annuity Value is applied to an Annuity Option.

Annuity Option:   The payout option under which the Company makes annuity income payments.

Annuity Value:   The amount we apply to the Annuity Option you have selected. In general, this is equal to the Contract Value minus applicable premium tax.

Assumed Investment Return:   The assumed annual rate of return used to calculate the amount of the variable income payments.

Benefit Election Date:   The date you choose to start your SecurePay Withdrawals.

Benefit Period:   The period between the Benefit Election Date and any event which would cause the rider to terminate.

Code:   The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Contract:   The Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY, a flexible premium, deferred, variable and fixed annuity contract.

Contract Anniversary:   The same month and day as the Issue Date in each subsequent year of the Contract.

Contract Value:   Before the Annuity Date, the sum of the Variable Account value and the Guaranteed Account value.

Contract Year:   Any period of 12 months commencing with the Issue Date or any Contract Anniversary.

Covered Person:   The person or persons upon whose lives the benefits of the SecurePay rider, as applicable, are based. There may not be more than two Covered Persons.

DCA:   Dollar cost averaging.

DCA Accounts:   A part of the Guaranteed Account, but separate from the Fixed Account. The DCA Accounts are designed to transfer amounts to the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account systematically over a designated period.

Death Benefit:   The amount we pay to the beneficiary if an Owner dies before the Annuity Date.

Due Proof of Death:   Receipt at our Administrative Office of a certified death certificate or judicial order from a court of competent jurisdiction or similar tribunal.

Excess Withdrawals:   Any portion of a withdrawal that, when aggregated with all prior withdrawals during a Contract Year, exceeds the maximum withdrawal amount permitted under one of the Protected Lifetime Income Benefits.

Fixed Account:   A part of the Guaranteed Account, but separate from the DCA Accounts. Amounts allocated or transferred to the Fixed Account earn interest from the date the funds are credited to the account.

Fund:   Any investment portfolio in which a corresponding Sub-Account invests.

Good Order ("good order"):   A request or transaction generally is considered in "Good Order" if we receive it in our Administrative Office within the time limits, if any, prescribed in this Prospectus for a particular transaction or instruction, it includes all information necessary for us to execute the requested instruction or transaction, and is signed by the individual or individuals authorized to provide the instruction or engage in the transaction. A request or transaction may be rejected or delayed if not in Good Order. Good Order generally means the actual receipt by us of the instructions relating to the request or transaction in writing (or, when permitted, by telephone or Internet as described above) along with all forms, information and supporting legal documentation we require to effect the instruction or transaction. This information and documentation generally includes, to the extent applicable: the completed application or instruction form; your contract number; the transaction amount (in dollars or percentage terms); the names and allocations to and/or from the Investment Options affected by the requested transaction; the signatures of all Owners (exactly as indicated on the Contract), if necessary; Social Security Number or Tax I.D.; and any other information or supporting documentation that we may require, including any spousal or Joint Owner's consents. With respect to Purchase Payments, Good Order also generally includes receipt by us of sufficient funds to effect the purchase. We may, in our sole discretion, determine whether any particular transaction request is in Good Order, and we reserve the right to change or waive any Good Order requirement at any time. If you have any questions, you should contact us or your registered representative before submitting the form or request.

Guaranteed Account:   The Fixed Account, the DCA Accounts and any other Investment Option we may offer with interest rate guarantees.

Investment Option:   Any account to which you may allocate Purchase Payments or transfer Contract Value under this Contract. The Investment Options are the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account and the Guaranteed Account available in this Contract.

Issue Date:   The date as of which we credit the initial Purchase Payment to the Contract and the date the Contract takes effect.

Maximum Annuity Date:   The latest date on which you must surrender or annuitize the Contract, currently the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 95th birthday.

Monthly Anniversary Date:   The same day each month as the Issue Date, or the last day of any month that does not have the same day as the Issue Date.

Owner:   The person or persons who own the Contract and are entitled to exercise all rights and privileges provided in the Contract.

Prohibited Allocation Instruction:   An instruction from you to allocate Purchase Payments or Contract Value or to take withdrawals that is not consistent with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions required in order to maintain SecurePay rider. If we receive a Prohibited Allocation Instruction, we will terminate your SecurePay rider.

Protected Lifetime Income Benefits:   The optional SecurePay benefit offered with the Contract.

Purchase Payment:   The amount(s) paid by the Owner and accepted by the Company as consideration for this Contract.

Qualified Contracts:   Contracts issued in connection with retirement plans that receive favorable tax treatment under Sections 401, 408, 408A or 457 of the Code.

Qualified Plans:   Retirement plans that receive favorable tax treatment under Sections 401, 408, 408A or 457 of the Code.

Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement:   A periodic supplement to this Prospectus which sets forth the current fees for the SecurePay rider as well as Maximum Withdrawal percentage under the SecurePay living benefit rider available when you purchase your Contract. See “PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFIT (‘SECUREPAY") – Determining the Amount of Your SecurePay Withdrawals.”

Rider Issue Date:   The date a Protected Lifetime Income Benefit rider is issued.

RightTime:   The ability to purchase the Protected Lifetime Income Benefit rider, SecurePay, after your Contract is issued, so long as you satisfy the rider’s issue requirements and the rider is still available for sale.

Sub-Account:   A separate division of the Variable Account.

Valuation Date:   Each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.

Valuation Period:   The period which begins at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 3:00 p.m. Central Time) on any Valuation Date and ends at the close of regular trading on the next Valuation Date. A Valuation Period ends earlier if the New York Stock Exchange closes early on certain scheduled days (such as the Friday after Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve) or in case of an emergency.

Variable Account:   The PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S, a separate investment account of Protective Life.

Written Notice:   A notice or request submitted in writing in Good Order that we receive at the Administrative Office via U.S. postal service or nationally recognized overnight delivery service. Please note that we use the term "written notice" in lower case to refer to a notice that we may send to you.

FEES AND EXPENSES

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering the Contract. The first table describes the fees and charges that you will pay at the time you buy the Contract, take a withdrawal from or surrender the Contract, or transfer amounts among the Sub-Accounts and/or the Guaranteed Account.


OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

Sales Charge Imposed on Purchase Payments None
Transfer Fee(1) $25
Premium Tax(2) 0.0%


(1) Protective Life currently does not charge this Transfer Fee, but reserves the right to do so in the future for each transfer after the first 12 transfers in any Contract Year. We will give written notice thirty (30) days before we impose a Transfer Fee. (See "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS.")

(2) New York does not currently impose premium taxes on variable annuities.


The next table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay periodically during the time that you own the Contract, not including Fund fees and expenses.


PERIODIC FEES AND CHARGES

(other than Fund expenses)

Variable Account Annual Expenses

(as a percentage of average Variable Account value)

Mortality and Expense Risk Charge  0.35% 
Administration Charge  0.10% 
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses (excluding optional benefit charges)  0.45% 

Optional Benefit Charges

Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit Fee (as an annualized percentage of the death benefit, beginning on the 1st Monthly Anniversary Date) 0.20%
Protected Lifetime Income BenefitsSecurePay Life Rider Fee(1) (as an annualized percentage of the Benefit Base(2) on each Monthly Anniversary Date, beginning with the 1st Monthly Anniversary Date following election of the rider)
    Maximum  Current 
Purchase of SecurePay Life rider at Contract Purchase  2.00%  See Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement for current rates. 
Purchase of SecurePay Life rider under RightTime  2.20%  See Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement for current rates. 



(1) We will give you at least 30 days' written notice before any increase in the SecurePay Fee. You may elect not to pay the increase in your SecurePay Fee. If you do, your SecurePay rider will not terminate, but your current Benefit Base will be capped at its then current value. You will continue to be assessed your current SecurePay Fee, however, even though you will have given up the opportunity for any future increases in your SecurePay Benefit Base. See "THE SECUREPAY RIDER" in this Prospectus.

(2) The Benefit Base is a value used to calculate the Annual Withdrawal Amounts, and the fees charged, under the SecurePay rider. If the rider is purchased at issue, your initial Benefit Base is equal to your initial purchase payments. If the rider is added through RightTime, your initial Benefit Base is equal to your Contract Value on the Rider Issue Date. For more information on the SecurePay rider, the Benefit Base and how it is calculated, please see "THE SECUREPAY RIDER" in this Prospectus.


The next table shows the minimum and maximum total operating expenses charged by the Funds that you may pay periodically during the time that you own the Contract. More detail concerning each Fund's fees and expenses is contained in the prospectus for each Fund.

The Fund expenses used to prepare the next table were provided to Protective Life by the Funds. The expenses shown are based on expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2019. Current or future expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.

RANGE OF EXPENSES FOR THE FUNDS

    Minimum    Maximum 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(*)  0.03 %  1.87% 
(total of all expenses that are deducted from Fund assets, including management fees, 12b-1 fees, and other expenses)       


(*) The range of Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses shown here does not take into account contractual and voluntary arrangements under which the Funds' advisers currently reimburse Fund expenses or waive fees. Please see the prospectus for each Fund for more information about that Fund's expenses.


Example of Charges

The following examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Contract with the cost of investing in other variable annuity contracts. The examples show the costs of investing in the Contract, including owner transaction expenses, Variable Account Annual Expenses (mortality and expense risk charge, administration charge, and any optional rider charges), and both maximum and minimum Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses.

The examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the Contract for the periods indicated. The examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year.

  1. If you purchased the SecurePay rider under RightTime:

  2. If you surrender, annuitize or remain invested in the Contract at the end of the applicable time period:

        1 year  3 years  5 years  10 years 
    Maximum Fund Expense  $423  $1278  $2145  $4362 
    Minimum Fund Expense  $277  $848  $1444  $3052 

  3. If you have not purchased the SecurePay rider:

  4. If you surrender, annuitize(*) or remain invested in the Contract at the end of the applicable time period:

        1 year  3 years  5 years  10 years 
    Maximum Fund Expense  $223  $688  $1179  $2528 
    Minimum Fund Expense  $75  $236  $410  $915 


(*) You may not choose an Annuity Date that is less than 1 year after the Issue Date. For more information, see "ANNUITY PAYMENTS, Annuity Date, Changing the Annuity Date." The death benefit fee does not apply after the Annuity Date.


Please remember that the examples are an illustration and do not guarantee the amount of future expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown. Similarly, your rate of return may be more or less than the 5% rate of return assumed in the examples.

SUMMARY

The Contract

What is the Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY Contract?

The Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY is an individual flexible premium deferred variable and fixed annuity contract issued by Protective Life. (See "The Contract.")

What are the Company's obligations under the Contract?

The benefits under the Contract are paid by us from our general account assets and/or your Contract Value held in the Variable Account. You assume all of the investment risk for Purchase Payments and Contract Value allocated to the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account, which is not part of our general account. Our general account assets support our insurance and annuity obligations and are subject to our general liabilities from business operations and to claims by our creditors. Because amounts allocated to the Fixed Account and the DCA Accounts, plus any guarantees under the Contract that exceed your Contract Value (such as those associated with any enhanced death benefits, or the SecurePay rider) are paid from our general account, any amounts that we may pay under the Contract in excess of Variable Account value are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability.

It is important to note that there is no guarantee that we will always be able to meet our claims-paying obligations, and there are risks to purchasing any insurance product. For this reason, you should consider our financial strength and claims paying ability to meet our obligations under the Contract when purchasing a Contract and making investment decisions under the Contract.

How may I purchase a Contract?

Protective Life sells the Contracts through registered representatives of broker-dealers. We pay commissions and other compensation to the broker-dealers for selling the Contracts. (See "DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS.")

Protective Life will issue your Contract when it receives and accepts your complete application information and an initial Purchase Payment through the broker-dealer you have selected. (See "Issuance of a Contract.")

What are the Purchase Payments?

The minimum amount that Protective Life will accept as an initial Purchase Payment is $5,000. Purchase Payments may be made at any time prior to the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 86th birthday. The minimum subsequent Purchase Payment we will accept is $100, or $50 if the payment is made under our current automatic purchase payment plan. If you purchase the SecurePay rider, the automatic purchase payment plan will terminate two years after the Rider Issue Date. The maximum aggregate Purchase Payment(s) we will accept without prior Administrative Office approval is $1,000,000. We may impose conditions for our acceptance of aggregate Purchase Payments greater than $1,000,000, such as limiting the death benefit options that are available under your Contract.

If you purchase the SecurePay rider, you cannot make any Purchase Payments two years or more after the Rider Issue Date, or on or after the Benefit Election Date, whichever comes first. (See "SecurePay"). We reserve the right to limit, suspend, or reject any and all Purchase Payments at any time. We will give written notice at least five (5) days before any changes to Purchase Payment limitations go into effect. (See "Purchase Payments.")

Can I cancel the Contract?

You have the right to return the Contract within 10 days after you receive it. The returned Contract will be treated as if it were never issued. Protective Life will refund the Contract Value, which may be more or less than the Purchase Payments. (See "Right to Cancel.")

Can I transfer amounts in the Contract?

Before the Annuity Date, you may transfer amounts among the Investment Options. There are, however, limitations on transfers: any transfer must be at least $100; no amounts may be transferred into a DCA Account.

No amounts may be transferred to the Fixed Account within six months after any transfer from the Guaranteed Account to the Variable Account; transfers out of the Fixed Account are limited to the greater of (a) $2,500 or (b) 25% of the value of the Fixed Account in any Contract Year.

After the Annuity Date, if you have selected variable income payments, you may transfer amounts among the Sub-Accounts, but no more frequently than once per month, and you may not transfer within the Guaranteed Account or between a Sub-Account and the Guaranteed Account.

We reserve the right to charge a transfer fee of $25 for each transfer after the 12th transfer in any Contract Year. We will give written notice thirty (30) days before we impose a transfer fee or limit the number of transfers. We also reserve the right to limit the number of transfers to no more than 12 per Contract Year. We may restrict or refuse to honor transfers when we determine that they may be detrimental to the Funds or Contract Owners, such as frequent transfers and market timing transfers by or on behalf of an Owner or group of Owners. (See "Transfers.") For purposes of calculating the number of transfers, we treat instructions received on the same business day as a single transfer without regard to the number of Sub-Accounts involved. If you purchase the SecurePay rider, your options for transferring Contract Value among the Investment Options will be restricted in accordance with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. (See "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

For more information about transfers, how to request transfers and limitations on transfers, see "Transfers — Limitations on Transfers."

Can I surrender the Contract?

Upon Written Notice before the Annuity Date, you may surrender the Contract and receive its surrender value. (See "Surrenders and Withdrawals.") Surrenders may have federal and state income tax consequences, as well as a 10% federal penalty tax if the surrender occurs before the Owner reaches age 59-1/2. (See "Taxation of Withdrawals and Surrenders.")

Can I withdraw my money from the Contract?

Any time before the Annuity Date, you may request by Written Notice a withdrawal from your Contract provided the Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal is at least $5,000. Under certain conditions we may also accept withdrawals requested by facsimile and telephone. You also may elect to participate in our automatic withdrawal plan, which allows you to pre-authorize periodic withdrawals prior to the Annuity Date. (See "Surrenders and Withdrawals.") Withdrawals may be available under certain Annuity Options. (See "ANNUITY PAYMENTS — Annuity Options.") Withdrawals reduce your Contract Value and death benefit. Federal and state income taxes may apply, as well as a 10% federal penalty tax if the withdrawal occurs before the Owner reaches age 59-1/2. (See "Taxation of Withdrawals and Surrenders.") If you purchase the SecurePay rider, special withdrawal rules apply, especially on or after the Benefit Election Date. (See "PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

What happens when the Owner dies?

In the event of the Owner's death, all automatic transfer programs under the Contract, such as dollar cost averaging and portfolio rebalancing will cease upon our receipt of Due Proof of Death of the Owner at our Administrative Office. (See "Dollar Cost Averaging" and "Portfolio Rebalancing.")

Is there a death benefit?

If any Owner dies before the Annuity Date and while this Contract is in force, a death benefit, less any applicable premium tax, will be payable to the Beneficiary. The death benefit is determined as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive Due Proof of Death of the Owner at our Administrative Office. (See "DEATH BENEFIT.")

The Contract Value Death Benefit is included with your Contract at no additional charge. You may select the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit for an additional fee, but only if the oldest Owner is younger than age 76 on the Issue Date of the Contract. You must select your Death Benefit at the time you apply for your Contract, and your selection may not be changed after the Contract is issued. See "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS, Death Benefit Fee."

What charges do I pay under the Contract?

We apply a charge to the daily net asset value of the Variable Account that consists of a mortality and expense risk charge and an administration charge. We do not currently impose a transfer fee, but we reserve the right to charge a $25 fee for the 13th and each additional transfer during any Contract Year if we determine, in our sole discretion, that the number of transfers or the cost of processing such transfers is excessive. We will give written notice thirty (30) days before we impose a transfer fee or limit the number of transfers. For more information about transfers, how to request transfers and limitations on transfers, see "Transfers — Limitations on Transfers". We also deduct from your Contract Value charges for any optional benefits and riders applicable to your Contract, such as the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit and the SecurePay rider.

The Funds' investment management fees and other operating expenses are more fully described in the prospectuses for the Funds.

(See the "FEES AND EXPENSES" tables preceding this Summary and the "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS" section later in this Prospectus.)

What is the SecurePay Rider?

The SecurePay rider guarantees the right to make withdrawals based upon the value of a protected lifetime income benefit base ("Benefit Base") that will remain fixed even if your Contract Value declines due to poor market performance. You may select the SecurePay rider when you purchase your Contract, or later, under the RightTime option, provided you satisfy the rider's age requirements. The SecurePay rider provides for increases in your Benefit Base on your Contract Anniversary if your Contract Value has increased.

Note: We do not accept Purchase Payments after the Benefit Election Date or those we receive two years or more after the Rider Issue Date, whichever comes first.

Under the SecurePay rider, withdrawals may be made over the lifetime of persons designated under the rider, provided the rider's requirements are satisfied. Annual aggregate withdrawals on or after the Benefit Election Date that exceed the Annual Withdrawal Amount (AWA) will result in a reduction of rider benefits, and may even significantly reduce or eliminate the value of such benefits, because we will reduce the Benefit Base and corresponding AWA. Any withdrawals made on or after the Rider Issue Date but prior to the Benefit Election Date – including automatic withdrawals – will similarly result in a reduction in the Benefit Base and corresponding AWA, and may even significantly reduce or eliminate the value of such benefits. All withdrawals, including SecurePay Withdrawals, will reduce the Contract Value and the death benefit under the Contract, and may be subject to federal and state income taxes, as well as a 10% federal tax penalty if made prior to age 59½.

Under the SecurePay rider your options for allocating Purchase Payments and Contract Value will be restricted, because you must make all allocations in accordance with the rider's Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. These Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions require you to allocate all of your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with Allocation by Investment Category guidelines or eligible Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios. Therefore, if you are seeking a more aggressive growth strategy, the portfolio allocations required for participation in the SecurePay rider are probably not appropriate for you. Please see "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS."

We charge an additional fee if you purchase the SecurePay rider. If you elect the rider, you will begin paying this fee as of the date the SecurePay rider is issued. You may not cancel the SecurePay rider for the first ten years following the date of its issue. To purchase the SecurePay rider, the youngest Owner and Annuitant must be age 60 or older and the oldest Owner and Annuitant must be age 85 or younger on the Rider Issue Date. (See "THE SECUREPAY RIDER.")

Withdrawals under the SecurePay rider while your Contract Value is greater than zero are withdrawals of your own money and will be deducted from your Contract Value and not from our General Account assets. If your Contract Value is reduced to zero (other than due to an Excess Withdrawal), the Company will make lifetime income benefit payments from its own assets. It is possible the Company will not have to make lifetime benefit income payments to the Owner from the Company's own assets.

What is the RightTime Option?

You may elect the SecurePay rider at the time you purchase your Contract, or you may purchase the rider later under our RightTime option so long as you satisfy the rider's issue requirements and the rider is still available for sale. If you purchase the rider under the RightTime option, the rider will be subject to the terms and conditions in effect at the time the rider is issued.

What Annuity Options are available?

We apply the Annuity Value to an Annuity Option on the Annuity Date, unless you choose to receive that amount in a lump sum. Annuity Options include: payments for a certain period and life income with or without payments for a certain period. Annuity Options are available on either a fixed or variable payment basis. (See "ANNUITY PAYMENTS.")

We will terminate a SecurePay rider if in effect on the Annuity Date. (See "Protected Lifetime Income Benefits.") If your SecurePay rider is in effect on the Maximum Annuity Date, in addition to the other Annuity Options available to you under your Contract, one of your Annuity Options will be to receive monthly annuity payments equal to the AWA divided by 12 for the life of the Covered Person (or the last surviving Covered Person if Joint Life Coverage was selected). If you choose to annuitize before the Maximum Annuity Date, we will contact you if the Annuity Value would result in smaller payments than the Annual Withdrawal Amount value. We will inform you of the smaller payments associated with annuitizing and we will confirm which option you would prefer.

You should discuss annuity options with your financial professional.

Is the Contract available for qualified retirement plans?

You may purchase the Contract for use within certain qualified retirement plans or arrangements that receive favorable tax treatment, such as individual retirement accounts and individual retirement annuities (IRAs), and pension and profit sharing plans (including H.R. 10 Plans). Many of these qualified plans, including IRAs, provide the same type of tax deferral as provided by the Contract. The Contract, however, provides a number of benefits and features not provided by such retirement plans or arrangements alone. For example, the Contract gives you the right to annuitize and receive annuity payments, and it offers several benefits such as the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit and the SecurePay rider. There may be costs and expenses under the Contract related to these benefits and features. You should consult a qualified tax or financial professional for information specific to your circumstances to determine whether the use of the Contract within a qualified retirement plan is an appropriate investment for you. (See "DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT, The Contract," and "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS, Qualified Retirement Plans.")

Where may I find financial information about the Sub-Accounts?

You may find financial information about the Sub-Accounts in Appendix D to this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.

Other contracts

We issue other types of annuity contracts and insurance policies that also invest in the same Funds in which your Contract invests. These other types of contracts and policies may have different charges that could affect the value of their sub-accounts and may offer different benefits than the Contract. To obtain more information about these other contracts and policies, you may contact our Administrative Office in writing or by telephone.

Federal Tax Status

Generally all earnings on the investments underlying the Contract are tax-deferred until withdrawn or until annuity income payments begin. A distribution from a non-Qualified Contract, which includes a surrender or withdrawal or payment of a death benefit, will generally result in taxable income if there has been an increase in the Contract Value. In the case of a Qualified Contract, a distribution generally will result in taxable income even if there has not been an increase in the Contract Value. In certain circumstances, a 10% penalty tax may also apply to distributions from non-Qualified as well as Qualified Contracts. All amounts includable in income with respect to the Contract are taxed as ordinary income; no amounts are taxed at the special lower rates applicable to long term capital gains and corporate dividends. (See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS.")

THE COMPANY, VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND FUNDS

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

The Contracts are issued by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (formerly American Foundation Life Insurance Company), a wholly owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company, which is the principal operating subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation ("PLC"), a U.S. insurance holding company and subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. ("Dai-ichi"). Dai-ichi's stock is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. As of December 31, 2019, PLC had total assets of approximately $121.1 billion. Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company ("Protective Life") was organized as an Alabama company in 1978. Protective Life is authorized to transact business as an insurance company or a reinsurance company in 47 states (including New York) and Washington D.C. and offers a variety of individual life, individual and group annuity insurance products. The Company's statutory assets for fiscal year ending in 2019 were approximately $6.0 billion.

The assets of Protective Life's general account support its insurance and annuity obligations and are subject to its general liabilities from business operations and to claims by its creditors. Because amounts allocated to the Fixed Account and the DCA Accounts, plus any guarantees under the Contract that exceed your Contract Value (such as those associated with any enhanced death benefits or the SecurePay rider), are paid from Protective Life's general account, any amounts that Protective Life may pay under the Contract in excess of Variable Account value are subject to its financial strength and claims-paying ability. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that Protective Life will always be able to meet its claims-paying obligations, and that there are risks to purchasing any insurance product. For this reason, you should consider Protective Life's financial strength and claims paying ability to meet its obligations under the Contract when purchasing a Contract and making investment decisions under the Contract.

PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S

The PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S, also called the Variable Account, is a separate investment account of Protective Life. The Variable Account was established under Alabama law by the Board of Directors of Protective Life on July 2, 2020. The Variable Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and meets the definition of a separate account under federal securities laws.

Protective Life owns the assets of the Variable Account. These assets are held separate from other assets and are not part of Protective Life's general account. You assume all of the investment risk for Purchase Payments and Contract Value allocated to the Sub-Accounts. Your Contract Value in the Sub-Accounts is part of the assets of the Variable Account. The portion of the assets of the Variable Account equal to the reserves and other contract liabilities (which is equal to Contract Value) of the Variable Account will not be charged with liabilities that arise from any other business Protective Life conducts. Protective Life may transfer to its general account any assets which exceed the reserves and other contract liabilities (which is equal to Contract Value) of the Variable Account. Protective Life may accumulate in the Variable Account the charge for mortality and expense risks and investment results applicable to those assets that are in excess of the net assets supporting the contracts. The income, gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, from the assets of the Variable Account are credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to any other income, gains or losses of Protective Life. The obligations under the Contracts are obligations of Protective Life.

Administration

Pursuant to an agreement with Protective Life, Protective Life Insurance Company performs the Contract administration at its Administrative Office at 2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223. Contract administration includes processing applications for the Contracts and subsequent Owner requests; processing Purchase Payments, transfers, surrenders and death benefit claims as well as performing record maintenance and disbursing annuity income payments.

The Funds

The assets of each Sub-Account are invested solely in a corresponding Fund. Each Fund is an investment portfolio of one of the investment companies listed below.

If you select the SecurePay rider your options for allocating Purchase Payments and Contract Value will be restricted, to limit the risk that we will be required to make lifetime payments from our General Account. You must allocate your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. In general, the required allocations under these guidelines focus on conservative, high quality bond funds, combine bond funds and growth stock funds, or emphasize growth stock funds while including a significant weighting of bond funds with a goal of seeking to provide income and/or capital appreciation while avoiding excessive risk. (See "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

Fund    Fund Manager/
Investment Adviser 
Subadvisor(s) 
AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)  Invesco Advisers, Inc.   
American Funds Insurance Series  Capital Research and Management Company   
Clayton Street Trust  Janus Capital Management LLC   
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products  Fidelity Management and Research Company  FMR Co., Inc.
Strategic Advisors, Inc.
Fidelity Investments Money Management, Inc. 
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust  Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Income VIP Fund, Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund, Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund and the Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund)

Franklin Advisory Services, LLC (Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund and the Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund)

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC(Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund and Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund)

Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC(Templeton Foreign VIP Fund)

Templeton Global Advisors Limited (Templeton Growth VIP Fund)

Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund) 
 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust  Goldman Sachs Asset Management L.P.
 
 
Great-West Funds, Inc.  Great-West Capital Management, LLC   
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust  Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC  ClearBridge Advisors, LLC; 
Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.  Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC   
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust  Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC.  Research Affiliates, LLC 
Royce Capital Fund  Royce & Associates, LLC   
Schwab Variable Insurance Trust  Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.   

Shares of the Funds are offered only to:

  1. the Variable Account;
  2. other separate accounts of Protective Life and its affiliates supporting variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies;
  3. separate accounts of other life insurance companies supporting variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies; and
  4. certain qualified retirement plans.

For a discussion of the potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the sale of Fund shares to separate accounts that support variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and certain qualified pension and retirement plans as well as the sale of Fund shares to the separate accounts of insurance companies that are not affiliated with Protective Life, see the prospectuses for the Funds. Fund shares are not offered directly to investors but are available only through the purchase of such contracts or policies or through such plans. See the prospectus for each Fund for details about that Fund.

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I.Global Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund

This Fund seeks income consistent with stability of principal.

You could lose money by investing in the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund's sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The yield of this Fund may become very low during periods of low interest rates. After deduction of Variable Account Annual Expenses, the yield in the Sub-Account that invests in this Fund could be negative. If the yield in the Sub-Account becomes negative, Contract Value invested in the Sub-Account may decline.

Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Main Street Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Invesco V.I. Balanced Risk Allocation Fund, Series II Shares

The Fund seeks total return with a low to moderate correlation to traditional financial market indices.

Invesco V.I. Comstock Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks capital growth and income through investments in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common and preferred stocks.

Invesco V.I. Equity and Income Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks both capital appreciation and current income.

Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks total return through growth of capital and current income.

Invesco V.I. Government Securities Fund, Series II Shares

The Fund seeks total return, comprised of current income and capital appreciation.

Invesco V.I. Growth and Income Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income.

Invesco V.I. International Growth Fund, Series II Shares

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

American Funds Insurance Series®

IS Asset Allocation Fund, Class 4

The Fund seeks high total return (including income and capital gains) consistent with preservation of capital over the long term.

IS Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund, Class 4

The Fund's investment objectives are to produce income exceeding the average yield on U.S. stocks generally and to provide an opportunity for growth of principal consistent with sound common stock investing.

IS Bond Fund, Class 4

The Fund's investment objective is to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital.

IS Capital Income Builder®, Class 4

The Fund has two primary investment objectives. It seeks (1) to provide a level of current income that exceeds the average yield on U.S. stocks generally and (2) to provide a growing stream of income over the years. The Fund’s secondary objective is to provide growth of capital.

IS Global Growth Fund, Class 4

The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital.

IS Global Growth and Income Fund, Class 4

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital while providing current income.

IS Global Small Capitalization Fund, Class 4

The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital.

IS Growth Fund, Class 4

The Fund's investment objective is to provide growth of capital.

IS Growth-Income Fund, Class 4

The Fund’s investment objectives are to achieve long-term growth of capital and income.

IS International Fund, Class 4

The Fund's investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital.

IS New World Fund®, Class 4

The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.

IS US Government, Class 4

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital.

Clayton Street Trust

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series- Conservative Portfolio

This Fund seeks total return through income and growth of capital, balanced by capital preservation.

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series- Growth Portfolio

This Fund seeks total return through growth of capital, balanced by capital preservation.

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series- Moderate Portfolio

This Fund seeks total return through growth of capital and income, balanced by capital preservation.

Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products

VIP Investment Grade Bond Portfolio, Service Class 2

This Fund seeks as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital.

VIP Mid Cap Portfolio, Service Class 2

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in equity securities of companies that the investment manager believes have the potential for capital appreciation.

Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks to maximize income while maintaining prospects for capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of debt and equity securities.

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, this Fund invests primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the investment manager believes are undervalued.

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks capital appreciation, with income as a secondary goal. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the investment manager believes are undervalued.

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation, with preservation of capital as an important consideration. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of financially sound companies that have paid consistently rising dividends.

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks long-term total return. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of small capitalization companies.

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies.

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks a high level of current income, with capital appreciation over the long-term as a secondary goal. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily to predominantly in U.S. and foreign debt securities, including those in emerging markets.

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets investments.

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of issuers located outside the U.S., including those in emerging markets.

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund, Class 2

This Fund seeks high current income, consistent with preservation of capital, with capital appreciation as a secondary consideration. Under normal market conditions, this Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in debt securities of any maturity.

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust

Core Fixed Income Fund, Service Class

This Fund seeks a total return consisting of capital appreciation and income that exceeds the total return of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

Global Trends Allocation Fund, Service Class

This Fund seeks total return while seeking to provide volatility management.

Growth Opportunities Fund, Service Class

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

Mid Cap Value Fund, Service Class

This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Strategic Growth Fund, Service Class

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

Great-West Funds, Inc.

Great-West Bond Index Fund, Investor Class

The fund seeks investment results that track the total return of the debt securities that comprise the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the "benchmark index").

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Portfolio, Class II

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio, Class II

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

Bond-Debenture Portfolio, Value Class

The Fund seeks high current income and the opportunity for capital appreciation to produce a high total return.

Dividend Growth Portfolio, Value Class (formerly Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio, Value Class)

The Fund seeks current income and capital appreciation.

Fundamental Equity Portfolio, Value Class

The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income without excessive fluctuations in market value.

Growth Opportunities Portfolio, Value Class

The Fund seeks capital appreciation.

PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust

All Asset Portfolio, Advisor Class

This Portfolio seeks maximum real return, consistent with preservation of real capital and prudent investment management.

Global Diversified Allocation Portfolio, Advisor Class

The Portfolio seeks to maximize risk-adjusted total return relative to a blend of 60% MSCI World Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index.

Long-Term US Government Portfolio, Advisor Class

This Portfolio seeks maximum total return, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment management.

Low Duration Portfolio, Advisor Class

This Portfolio seeks maximum total return, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment management.

Real Return Portfolio, Advisor Class

This Portfolio seeks maximum real return, consistent with preservation of real capital and prudent investment management.

Short-Term Portfolio, Advisor Class

This Portfolio seeks maximum current income, consistent with preservation of capital and daily liquidity.

Total Return Portfolio, Advisor Class

This Portfolio seeks maximum total return, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment management.

Royce Capital Fund

Small-Cap Fund, Service Class

This Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

Schwab® Variable Insurance Trust

Schwab® Government Money Market Portfolio

The fund seeks the highest current income consistent with stability of capital and liquidity.

Schwab® S&P 500 Index Portfolio

The fund's goal is to track the total return of the S&P 500 Index.

Schwab® VIT Balanced Portfolio

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income.

Schwab® VIT Balanced with Growth Portfolio

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation and income.

Schwab® VIT Growth Portfolio

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

There is no assurance that the stated objectives and policies of any of the Funds will be achieved. More detailed information concerning the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Funds, the expenses of the Funds, the risks attendant to investing in the Funds and other aspects of their operations can be found in the current prospectuses for the Funds and the current Statement of Additional Information for each of the Funds. You may obtain a prospectus or a Statement of Additional Information for any of the Funds by contacting Protective Life or by asking your financial professional. You should read the Funds' prospectuses carefully before making any decision concerning the allocation of Purchase Payments or transfers among the Sub-Accounts.

Certain Funds may have investment objectives and policies similar to other mutual funds (sometimes having similar names) that are managed by the same investment adviser or manager. The investment results of the Funds, however, may be more or less favorable than the results of such other mutual funds. Protective Life does not guarantee or make any representation that the investment results of any Fund is, or will be, comparable to any other mutual fund, even one with the same investment adviser or manager.

Selection of Funds

We select the Funds offered through the Contracts based on several criteria, including but not limited to the following:

Another factor we consider during the selection process is whether the Fund, its adviser, its sub-adviser, or an affiliate will make payments to us or our affiliates. For a discussion of these arrangements, see "Certain Payments We Receive with Regard to the Funds." We also consider whether the Fund, its adviser, sub-adviser, or distributor (or an affiliate) can provide marketing and distribution support for sale of the Contracts. We review each Fund periodically after it is selected. Upon review, we may remove a Fund or restrict allocation of additional Purchase Payments and/or transfers of Contract Value to a Fund if we determine the Fund no longer meets one or more of the criteria and/or if the Fund has not attracted significant contract owner assets. We do not recommend or endorse any particular Fund, and we do not provide investment advice.

Asset Allocation Model Portfolios  Four asset allocation models ("Model Portfolios") are available at no additional charge as Investment Options under your Contract.

Each Model Portfolio invests different percentages of Contract Value in some or all of the Sub-Accounts under your Contract, and these Model Portfolios range from conservative to aggressive. The Model Portfolios are intended to provide a diversified investment portfolio by combining different asset classes to help you reach your investment goal. Also, while diversification may help reduce overall risk, it does not eliminate the risk of losses and it does not protect against losses in a declining market. There can be no assurance that any of the Model Portfolios will achieve their investment objectives.

Pursuant to an agreement with Protective Life, Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC ("Milliman"), a diversified financial services firm and registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, provides consulting services to Protective Life regarding the composition and review of the Model Portfolios and is compensated by Protective Life for doing so. There is no investment advisory relationship between Milliman and Owners with respect to the Model Portfolios. In the future, Protective Life may modify or discontinue its arrangement with Milliman, in which case Protective Life may contract with another firm to provide similar asset allocation models, provide its own asset allocation models, or cease offering asset allocation models. Protective Life does not provide investment advisory services in making the Model Portfolios or any other service or feature available under the Contract.

The selection of Investment Options in the Model Portfolios involves balancing a number of factors including, but not limited to, the investment objectives, policies and expenses of the Funds in each Model Portfolio, the overall historical performance and volatility of the Funds. In addition, Protective Life considers the marketability of individual Funds and Fund families, as well as marketing support provided to Protective Life and the firms who sell the Contracts and administrative services and marketing support payments made by the Fund or its manager to Protective Life or Investment Distributors, Inc. ("IDI"). The receipt of greater administrative services or marketing support payments from certain Funds may present a conflict of interest for Protective Life.

The available Model Portfolios may change from time to time. In addition, the target asset allocations of these Model Portfolios may vary from time to time in response to market conditions and changes in the portfolio holdings of the Funds in the underlying Sub-Accounts. We will provide written notice if the composition of a model portfolio changes, if there is a material change in our arrangement with Milliman, or if we cease offering asset allocation models altogether. We will not reallocate your Contract Value or change the allocations of your future Purchase Payments in response to these changes, however. If you desire to change your Contract Value or Purchase Payment allocation or percentages to reflect a revised or different Model Portfolio, you must submit new allocation instructions to our Administrative Office in writing. If you have elected the SecurePay rider, your new allocation instructions must meet the current Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions for the living benefit, and we will rebalance your Contract Value at the time we receive your new allocation.

The following is a brief description of the four Model Portfolios currently available. They are more fully described in a separate brochure. Your sales representative can provide additional information about the Model Portfolios and help you select which Model Portfolio, if any, may be suitable for you. Please talk to him or her if you have additional questions about these Model Portfolios.

Other Information about the Funds

Each Fund sells its shares to the Variable Account in accordance with the terms of a participation agreement between the appropriate investment company and Protective Life. The termination provisions of these agreements vary. If a participation agreement relating to a Fund terminates, the Variable Account may not be able to purchase additional shares of that Fund. In that event, Owners may no longer be able to allocate Variable Account value or Purchase Payments to Sub-Accounts investing in that Fund. In certain circumstances, it is also possible that a Fund may refuse to sell its shares to the Variable Account despite the fact that the participation agreement relating to that Fund has not been terminated. Should a Fund decide to discontinue selling its shares to the Variable Account, Protective Life would not be able to honor requests from Owners to allocate Purchase Payments or transfer Contract Value to the Sub-Account investing in shares of that Fund.

Certain Payments We Receive with Regard to the Funds

We (and our affiliates) may receive payments from the Funds, their advisers, sub-advisers, and their distributors, or affiliates thereof. These payments are negotiated and thus differ by Fund (sometimes substantially), and the amounts we (or our affiliates) receive may be significant. These payments are made for various purposes, including payment for the services provided and expenses incurred by us (and our affiliates) in promoting, marketing and administering the Contracts, and in our role as intermediary to, the Funds. We (and our affiliates) may profit from these payments.

12b-1 Fees.  We receive 12b-1 fees from the Funds, their advisers, sub-advisers, and their distributors, or affiliates thereof that are based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the particular Fund attributable to the Contracts and to certain other variable insurance contracts issued or administered by us. Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of Fund assets as part of the Fund's total annual operating expenses. Payments made out of Fund assets will reduce the amount of assets that you otherwise would have available for investment, and will reduce the return on your investment. The chart below shows the maximum 12b-1 fees we anticipate we will receive from the Funds on an annual basis:

Incoming 12b-1 Fees

Fund    Maximum 12b-1 fee 
Paid to us:   
American Funds Insurance Series  0.25% 
Clayton Street Trust  0.25% 
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products  0.25% 
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Protucts Trust  0.25% 
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust  0.25% 
Royce Capital Fund  0.25% 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust  0.25% 
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust  0.25% 
AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)  0.25% 

Payments From Advisers and/or Distributors.  As of the date of this prospectus, we (or our affiliates) also receive payments from the investment advisers, sub-advisers, or distributors (or affiliates thereof) of all of the Funds other than the 12b-1 fees. These payments are not paid out of Fund assets. These payments may be derived, in whole or in part, from the investment advisory fee deducted from Fund assets. Owners, through their indirect investment in the Funds, bear the costs of these investment advisory fees (see the Funds' prospectuses for more information). The amount of the payments we receive is based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the particular Fund attributable to the Contracts and to certain other variable insurance contracts issued or administered by us (or our affiliate). The payments we receive from the investment advisers, sub-advisers or distributors of the Funds currently range from 0.10% to 0.50% of Fund assets attributable to our variable insurance contracts.

Other Payments.  A Fund's adviser, sub-adviser, or distributor or its affiliates may provide us (or our affiliates) and/or broker-dealers that sell the Contracts ("selling firms") with marketing support, may pay us (or our affiliates) and/or selling firms amounts to participate in national and regional sales conferences and meetings with the sales desks, and may occasionally provide us (or our affiliates) and/or selling firms with items of relatively small value, such as promotional gifts, meals, tickets, or other similar items in the normal course of business.

For details about the compensation payments we make in connection with the sale of the Contracts, see "DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS."

Addition, Deletion or Substitution of Investments

Protective Life reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to make additions to, deletions from, or substitutions for the shares that are held in the Variable Account or that the Variable Account may purchase. If the shares of a Fund are no longer available for investment or if in Protective Life's judgment further investment in any Fund should become inappropriate in view of the purposes of the Variable Account, Protective Life may redeem the shares, if any, of that Fund and substitute shares of another registered open-end management company or unit investment trust. The new Funds may have higher fees and charges than the ones they replaced. Protective Life will not substitute any shares attributable to a Contract's interest in the Variable Account without notice and any necessary approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission and state insurance authorities. Because the plan fiduciary retains the right to select the investments in an employee benefit plan, when the fiduciary receives notice of an addition, deletion, or substitution of an investment (for example, either through this prospectus or a supplement to the prospectus), a plan fiduciary should consider whether the Contract will remain a prudent investment for the plan. If a plan fiduciary wishes to reject the change after receiving notice, it can do so by surrendering the Contract.

Protective Life also reserves the right to establish additional Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account, each of which would invest in shares of a new Fund. Subject to applicable law and any required SEC approval, Protective Life may, in its sole discretion, establish new Sub-Accounts or eliminate one or more Sub-Accounts if marketing needs, tax considerations or investment conditions warrant. We may make any new Sub-Accounts available to existing Owner(s) on a basis we determine. All Sub-Accounts and Funds may not be available to all classes of contracts.

If we make any of these substitutions or changes, Protective Life may by appropriate endorsement change the Contract to reflect the substitution or other change. If Protective Life deems it to be in the best interest of Owners and Annuitants, and subject to any approvals that applicable law may require, we may operate the Variable Account as a management company under the 1940 Act, we may de-register it under that Act if registration is no longer required, or we may combine it with other Protective Life separate accounts. Protective Life reserves the right to make any changes to the Variable Account that the 1940 Act or other applicable law or regulation requires or permits.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT

The following sections describe the Contracts currently being offered.

The Contract

The Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY Contract is an individual flexible premium deferred variable and fixed annuity contract issued by Protective Life.

Use of the Contract in Qualified Plans

You may purchase the Contract on a non-qualified basis. You may also purchase it for use within certain qualified retirement plans or in connection with other employee benefit plans or arrangements that receive favorable tax treatment. Such qualified plans include individual retirement accounts and individual retirement annuities (IRAs), and pension and profit sharing plans (including H.R. 10 Plans). Many of these qualified plans, including IRAs, provide the same type of tax deferral as provided by the Contract. The Contract, however, provides a number of benefits and features not provided by such retirement plans and employee benefit plans or arrangements alone. For example, the Contract gives you the right to annuitize and receive annuity payments, and it offers several benefits such as the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit and the SecurePay rider. There may be costs and expenses under the Contract related to these benefits and features. You should consult a qualified tax and/or financial professional regarding the use of the Contract within a Qualified Plan or in connection with other employee benefit plans or arrangements. You should carefully consider the benefits and features provided by the Contract in relation to their costs as they apply to your particular situation.

Parties to the Contract

Owner

The Owner is the person or persons who own the Contract and is entitled to exercise all rights and privileges provided in the Contract. Two persons may own the Contract together. In the case of two Owners, provisions relating to action by the Owner means both Owners acting together. Protective Life may accept instructions from one Owner on behalf of all Owners via the internet and only to transfer Contract Value among and/or between Sub-Accounts. Protective Life will only issue a Contract prior to each Owner's 86th birthday. Individuals as well as nonnatural persons, such as corporations or trusts, may be Owners. In the case of Owners who are nonnatural persons, age restrictions apply to the Annuitant.

The Owner of this Contract may be changed by Written Notice provided:

  1. each new Owner's 86th birthday is after the Issue Date; and
  2. each new Owner's 95th birthday is on or after the Annuity Date.

For a period of 1 year after any change of ownership involving a natural person, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value regardless of whether the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit has been selected. Naming a nonnatural person as an Owner or changing the Owner may result in a tax liability. (See "TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL.") If you select the SecurePay rider, changing and/or adding Owners may result in termination of the rider. (See "PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

Beneficiary

The Beneficiary is the person or persons who may receive the benefits of this Contract upon the death of the Owner.

Primary — The Primary Beneficiary is the surviving Owner, if any. If there is no surviving Owner, the Primary Beneficiary is the person or persons designated by the Owner and named in our records.

Contingent — The Contingent Beneficiary is the person or persons designated by the Owner and named in our records to be Beneficiary if the Primary Beneficiary is not living at the time of the Owner's death.

If no Beneficiary designation is in effect or if no Beneficiary is living at the time of the Owner's death, the Beneficiary will be the estate of the deceased Owner. If any Owner dies on or after the Annuity Date, the Beneficiary will become the new Owner.

Unless designated irrevocably, the Owner may change the Beneficiary by Written Notice prior to the death of any Owner. An irrevocable Beneficiary is one whose written consent is needed before the Owner can change the Beneficiary designation or exercise certain other rights. In the case of certain Qualified Contracts, Treasury Department regulations prescribe certain limitations on the designation of a Beneficiary. If you select the SecurePay rider, changing and/or adding Beneficiaries may result in termination of the rider. (See "PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

Annuitant

The Annuitant is the person or persons on whose life annuity income payments may be based. The first Owner shown on the application for the Contract is the Annuitant unless the Owner designates another person as the Annuitant. The Contract must be issued prior to the Annuitant's 86th birthday. If the Annuitant is not an Owner and dies prior to the Annuity Date, the Owner will become the new Annuitant unless the Owner designates otherwise. However, if the Owner is a nonnatural person, the death of the Annuitant will be treated as the death of the Owner.

The Owner may change the Annuitant by Written Notice prior to the Annuity Date. However, if any Owner is not a natural person, then the Annuitant may not be changed. The new Annuitant's 95th birthday must be on or after the Annuity Date in effect when the change of Annuitant is requested. If you select the SecurePay rider, changing the Annuitant will result in termination of the rider. (See "PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

Payee

The Payee is the person or persons designated by the Owner to receive the annuity income payments under the Contract. The Annuitant is the Payee unless the Owner designates another party as the Payee. The Owner may change the Payee at any time.

Issuance of a Contract

To purchase a Contract, you must submit certain application information and an initial Purchase Payment to Protective Life through a licensed representative of Protective Life. Any such licensed representative must also be a registered representative of a broker/dealer having a distribution agreement with Investment Distributors, Inc. Protective Life reserves the right to accept or decline a request to issue a Contract, for any reason permitted or required by law. Contracts may be sold to or in connection with retirement plans which do not qualify for special tax treatment as well as retirement plans that qualify for special tax treatment under the Code.

If the necessary application information for a Contract accompanies the initial Purchase Payment, we will allocate the initial Purchase Payment (less any applicable premium tax) to the Investment Options as you direct on the appropriate form within two business days of receiving such Purchase Payment at the Administrative Office at the Accumulation Unit Value next determined for the portion of the Purchase Payment allocated to the Sub-Account. If we do not receive the necessary application information, Protective Life will retain the Purchase Payment for up to five business days while it attempts to complete the information. If the necessary application information is not complete after five business days, Protective Life will inform the applicant of the reason for the delay and return the initial Purchase Payment immediately unless the applicant specifically consents to Protective Life retaining it until the information is complete. Once the information is complete, we will allocate the initial Purchase Payment to the appropriate Investment Options within two business days. You may transmit information necessary to complete an application to Protective Life by telephone, facsimile, or electronic media.

Purchase Payments

We will only accept Purchase Payments before the earlier of the oldest Owner's and Annuitant's 86th birthday. The minimum initial Purchase Payment is $5,000. The minimum subsequent Purchase Payment is $100 or $50 if made by electronic funds transfer. We reserve the right not to accept any Purchase Payment in our sole discretion. Under certain circumstances, we may be required by law to reject a Purchase Payment.

If you select the SecurePay rider, you cannot make any Purchase Payments two years or more after the Rider Issue Date, or on or after the Benefit Election Date, whichever is first. (See "THE SECUREPAY RIDER.")

Purchase Payments are payable at our Administrative Office. You may make them by check payable to Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company or by any other method we deem acceptable. We will process Purchase Payments as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive your payment and a completed transaction service form at our Administrative Office at the Accumulation Unit Value next determined for the portion of the Purchase Payment allocated to the Sub-Account. Valuation Periods end at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. We will process any Purchase Payment received at our Administrative Office after the end of the Valuation Period on the next Valuation Date.

The maximum aggregate Purchase Payment(s) that can be made without prior Administrative Office approval is currently $1,000,000.

We reserve the right to change the maximum aggregate Purchase Payment(s) that we will accept at any time, and to condition acceptance of Purchase Payments over any established maximum amount upon prior approval by our Administrative Office and to impose conditions upon the acceptance of aggregate Purchase Payments greater than the established maximum, such as limiting the death benefit options that are available under your Contract. We also reserve the right to limit, suspend, or reject any and all Purchase Payments at any time. We would suspend, reject, and/or place limitations on the acceptance of initial and/or subsequent Purchase Payments in order to limit our exposure to the risks associated with offering the Contracts or riders under the Contracts. We also reserve the right to limit the Investment Options to which you may direct Purchase Payments for the same reasons, because changes in our arrangements with a Fund, or the investment manager or distributor of a Fund, or because a Fund has or will become unavailable for purchase under the Contracts. We will give written notice at least five (5) days before any changes regarding Purchase Payment limitations, or the allocation of Purchase Payments go into effect unless otherwise required to do so earlier by law or order of a government authority with appropriate jurisdiction.

If we exercise our right to suspend, reject, and/or place limitations on the acceptance and/or allocation of subsequent Purchase Payments, you may be unable to, or limited in your ability to, increase your Contract Value through subsequent Purchase Payments and therefore may limit increases in the Death Benefit, including the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit, and the values of the SecurePay Rider. This could also prevent you from making future contributions to a Qualified Contract, including periodic contributions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or an IRA. (See "QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS."). The Company restricts Purchase Payments in connection with the SecurePay Rider. (See "THE SECUREPAY RIDER.") Before you purchase this Contract and determine the amount of your initial Purchase Payment, you should consider the fact that we may suspend, reject, or limit subsequent Purchase Payments at some point in the future. You should consult with your sales representative prior to purchase.

Under the current automatic purchase payment plan, you may select a monthly or quarterly payment schedule pursuant to which Purchase Payments will be automatically deducted from a bank account. We currently accept automatic Purchase Payments on the 1st through the 28th day of each month. Each automatic Purchase Payment must be at least $50. You may not allocate payments made through the automatic purchase payment plan to any DCA Account. You may not elect the automatic purchase payment plan and the automatic withdrawal plan simultaneously. (See "Surrenders and Withdrawals".) If you purchase the SecurePay rider, the automatic purchase payment plan will terminate two years after the Rider Issue Date. Upon receipt of Due Proof of Death of the Owner, the Company will terminate deductions under the automatic purchase payment plan.

We do not always receive your Purchase Payment or your application on the day you send it or give it to your sales representative. In some circumstances, such as when you purchase a Contract in exchange for an existing annuity contract from another company, we may not receive your Purchase Payment from the other company for a substantial period of time after you sign the application and send it to us.

Right to Cancel

You have the right to return the Contract within 10 days after you receive it by returning it, along with a written cancellation request, to our Administrative Office or the sales representative who sold it. Return of the Contract by mail is effective on being post-marked, properly addressed and postage pre-paid. We will treat the returned Contract as if it had never been issued. Protective Life will refund the Contract Value plus any fees deducted from either Purchase Payments or Contract Value. This amount may be more or less than the aggregate amount of your Purchase Payments up to that time.

For individual retirement annuities, we reserve the right to allocate all or a portion of your initial Purchase Payment (and any subsequent Purchase Payment made during the right-to-cancel period) that you allocated to the Sub-Accounts to the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account until the expiration of the right-to-cancel period. When we allocate your initial Purchase Payment (and any subsequent Purchase Payments) to the Invesco Oppenheimer V. I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account for the right-to-cancel period, we will refund the greater of the Contract Value without any deductions for fees or charges or the Purchase Payment. Thereafter, we will allocate all Purchase Payments according to your allocation instructions then in effect.

Allocation of Purchase Payments

Owners must indicate in the application how their initial and subsequent Purchase Payments are to be allocated among the Investment Options. If your allocation instructions are indicated by percentages, whole percentages must be used.

Owners may change allocation instructions by Written Notice at any time. Owners may also change instructions by telephone, facsimile, automated telephone system or via the Internet at www.protective.com ("non-written instructions"). For non-written instructions regarding allocations, we may require a form of personal identification prior to acting on instructions and we will record any telephone voice instructions. If we follow these procedures, we will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. We reserve the right to limit or eliminate any of these non-written communication methods for any Contract or class of Contracts at any time for any reason.

If you select the SecurePay rider, your options for allocating Purchase Payments will be restricted. You must allocate your Purchase Payments (and Contract Value) in accordance with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. (See "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

Variable Account Value

Sub-Account Value

A Contract's Variable Account value at any time is the sum of the Sub-Account values and therefore reflects the investment experience of the Sub-Accounts to which it is allocated. There is no guaranteed minimum Variable Account value. The Sub-Account value for any Sub-Account as of the Issue Date is equal to the amount of the initial Purchase Payment allocated to that Sub-Account. On subsequent Valuation Dates prior to the Annuity Date, the Sub-Account value is equal to that part of any Purchase Payment allocated to the Sub-Account and any Contract Value transferred to the Sub-Account, adjusted by income, dividends, net capital gains or losses (realized or unrealized), decreased by withdrawals (including any applicable premium tax), Contract Value transferred out of the Sub-Account and fees deducted from the Sub-Account.

The Sub-Account value for a Contract may be determined on any day by multiplying the number of Accumulation Units attributable to the Contract in that Sub-Account by the Accumulation Unit value for the Accumulation Units in that Sub-Account on that day.

Determination of Accumulation Units

Purchase Payments allocated and Contract Value transferred to a Sub-Account are converted into Accumulation Units. An Accumulation Unit is a unit of measure used to calculate the value of a Sub-Account prior to the Annuity Date. We determine the number of Accumulation Units to be credited to a Contract by dividing the dollar amount directed to the Sub-Account by the Accumulation Unit value of the appropriate class of Accumulation Units of that Sub-Account for the Valuation Date as of which the allocation or transfer occurs. Purchase Payments allocated or amounts transferred to a Sub-Account under a Contract increase the number of Accumulation Units of that Sub-Account credited to the Contract. We execute such allocations and transfers as of the end of the Valuation Period in which we receive a Purchase Payment or Written Notice or other instruction requesting a transfer.

Certain events reduce the number of Accumulation Units of a Sub-Account credited to a Contract. The following events result in the cancellation of the appropriate number of Accumulation Units of a Sub-Account:

Accumulation Units are canceled as of the end of the Valuation Period in which we receive Written Notice of or other instructions regarding the event. The deduction of the monthly death benefit fee and the monthly SecurePay Fee results in the cancellation of Accumulation Units without notice or instruction. The monthly fee is deducted from a Sub-Account in the same proportion that the Sub-Account value bears to the total Contract Value in the Variable Account on that date.

Determination of Accumulation Unit Value

The Accumulation Unit value for each class of Accumulation Units in a Sub-Account at the end of every Valuation Date is the Accumulation Unit value for that class at the end of the previous Valuation Date times the net investment factor.

Net Investment Factor

The net investment factor measures the investment performance of a Sub-Account from one Valuation Period to the next. For each Sub-Account, the net investment factor reflects the investment performance of the Fund in which the Sub-Account invests and the charges assessed against that Sub-Account for a Valuation Period. Each Sub-Account has a net investment factor for each Valuation Period which may be greater or less than one. Therefore, the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. The net investment factor for any Sub-Account for any Valuation Period is determined by dividing (1) by (2) and subtracting (3) from the result, where:

  1. is the result of:
    1. the net asset value per share of the Fund held in the Sub-Account, determined at the end of the current Valuation Period; plus
    2. the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions made by the Funds held in the Sub-Account, if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period.
  2. is the net asset value per share of the Fund held in the Sub-Account, determined at the end of the most recent prior Valuation Period.
  3. is a factor representing the mortality and expense risk charge and the administration charge for the number of days in the Valuation Period and a charge or credit for any taxes attributed to the investment operations of the Sub-Account, as determined by the Company.

Transfers

Before the Annuity Date, you may instruct us to transfer Contract Value between and among the Investment Options. When we receive your transfer instructions on a completed transaction service form at our Administrative Office, we will allocate the Contract Value you transfer at the next price determined for the Investment Options you indicate. Prices for the Investment Options are determined as of the end of each Valuation Period. Accordingly, transfer requests received in "good order" at our Administrative Office before the end of a Valuation Period are processed at the price determined as of the end of the Valuation Period on the day the requests are received; transfer requests received at our Administrative Office after the end of a Valuation Period are processed at the price determined as of the end of the next Valuation Period. A transaction request will be deemed in "good order" if the transaction service form is fully and accurately completed and signed by the Owner(s) and received by us at our Administrative Office. We may defer transfer requests under the same conditions that payment of withdrawals and surrenders may be delayed. (See "Suspension or Delay in Payments.") There are limitations on transfers, which are described below.

After the Annuity Date, when variable income payments are selected, transfers are allowed between Sub-Accounts, but are limited to one transfer per month. Dollar cost averaging and portfolio rebalancing are not allowed. No transfers are allowed within the Guaranteed Account or from a Sub-Account and Guaranteed Account.

If you select the SecurePay rider, your options for transferring Contract Value will be restricted. You must transfer Contract Value in accordance with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. (See "Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions for Protected Lifetime Income Benefits.")

In the event of the Owner's death, all automatic transfers under the Contract, such as dollar cost averaging and portfolio rebalancing will cease upon our receipt of Due Proof of Death at our Administrative Office.

A surviving spouse who elects to continue the Contract as the new Owner may decide to participate in either dollar cost averaging or portfolio rebalancing, or both, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Prospectus.

Any Beneficiary who elects a Death Benefit payment option that provides for the payment of Death Benefit proceeds either over the lifetime of the Beneficiary or within 5 years of the Owner’s death may transfer Contract Value among the Sub-Accounts and participate in the portfolio rebalancing program. Because that Beneficiary may not make additional premium payments, however, the Beneficiary may not participate in dollar cost averaging. See “DEATH BENEFIT-Payment of the Death Benefit.”

How to Request Transfers

Before or after the Annuity Date, owners may request transfers by Written Notice at any time. Owners also may request transfers by telephone, facsimile, automated telephone system or via the Internet at www.protective.com ("non-written instructions"). From time to time and at our sole discretion, we may introduce additional methods for requesting transfers or discontinue any method for making non-written instructions for such transfers. We will require a form of personal identification prior to acting on non-written instructions and we will record telephone requests. We will send you a confirmation of all transfer requests communicated to us. If we follow these procedures, we will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transfer requests.

Reliability of Communications Systems

The Internet and telephone systems may not always be available. Any computer or telephone system, whether it is yours, your service providers', your registered representative's, or ours, can experience unscheduled outages or slowdowns for a variety of reasons. Such outages or delays may delay or prevent our processing of your request. Although we have taken precautions to help our systems handle heavy use, we cannot promise complete reliability under all circumstances. If you experience problems, you can request your transaction by writing to us at our Administrative Office.

Limitations on Transfers

We reserve the right to modify, limit, suspend or eliminate the transfer privileges (including acceptance of non-written instructions submitted by telephone, automated telephone system, the Internet or facsimile) with prior notice for any Contract or class of Contracts at any time for any reason.

Minimum amounts.  You must transfer at least $100 each time you make a transfer. If the entire amount in the Investment Option is less than $100, you must transfer the entire amount. If less than $100 would be left in an Investment Option after a transfer, then we may transfer the entire amount out of that Investment Option instead of the requested amount.

Number of transfers.  Currently we do not generally limit the number of transfers that may be made. We reserve the right, however, to limit the number of transfers to no more than 12 per Contract Year and we also reserve the right to charge a transfer fee for each additional transfer over 12 during any Contract Year if Protective Life determines, in its sole discretion, that the number of transfers or the cost of processing such transfers is excessive. The transfer fee will not exceed $25 per transfer. We will give written notice thirty (30) days before we impose a transfer fee or limit the number of transfers. We will deduct any transfer fee from the amount being transferred. See "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS, Transfer Fee."

Limitations on transfers involving the Guaranteed Account.  No amounts may be transferred into a DCA Account. No amounts may be transferred to the Fixed Account within six months after any transfer from the Guaranteed Account to the Variable Account. The maximum amount that may be transferred from the Fixed Account during a Contract Year is the greater of (a) $2,500 or (b) 25% of the Contract Value in the Fixed Account. Due to this limitation, if you want to transfer all of your Contract Value from the Guaranteed Account to the Variable Account, it may take several years to do so. The limitation on transfers from the Fixed Account does not apply, however, to dollar cost averaging transfers from the Fixed Account.

Limitations on frequent transfers, including "market timing" transfers.  Frequent transfers may involve an effort to take advantage of the possibility of a lag between a change in the value of a Fund's portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Fund's share price. This strategy, sometimes referred to as "market timing," involves an attempt to buy shares of a Fund at a price that does not reflect the current market value of the portfolio securities of the Fund, and then to realize a profit when the Fund shares are sold the next Valuation Date or thereafter.

When you request a transfer among the Sub-Accounts, your request triggers the purchase and redemption of Fund shares. Frequent transfers cause frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares. Frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares can cause adverse effects for a Fund, Fund shareholders, the Variable Account, other Owners, beneficiaries, annuitants, or owners of other variable annuity contracts we issue that invest in the Variable Account. Frequent transfers can result in the following adverse effects:

In order to try to protect our Owners and the Funds from the potential adverse effects of frequent transfer activity, we have implemented certain market timing policies and procedures (the "Market Timing Procedures"). Our Market Timing Procedures are designed to detect and prevent frequent, short-term transfer activity that may adversely affect the Funds, Fund shareholders, the Variable Account, other Owners, beneficiaries, annuitants and owners of other variable annuity contracts we issue that invest in the Variable Account. We discourage frequent transfers of Contract Value between Sub-Accounts.

We monitor transfer activity in the Contracts to identify frequent transfer activity in any Contract. Our current Market Timing Procedures are intended to detect transfer activity in which the transfers exceed a certain dollar amount and a certain number of transfers involving the same Sub-Accounts within a specific time period. We regularly review transaction reports in an attempt to identify transfers that exceed our established parameters. We do not include transfers made pursuant to the dollar-cost averaging and portfolio rebalancing programs when monitoring for frequent transfer activity.

When we identify transfer activity exceeding our established parameters in a Contract or group of Contracts that appear to be under common control, we suspend non-written methods of requesting transfers for that Contract or group of Contracts. All transfer requests for the affected Contract or group of Contracts must be made by Written Notice. We notify the affected Owner(s) in writing of these restrictions.

In addition to our Market Timing Procedures, the Funds may have their own market timing policies and restrictions. While we reserve the right to enforce the Funds' policies and procedures, Owners and other persons with interests under the Contracts should be aware that we may not have the contractual authority or the operational capacity to apply the market timing policies and procedures of the Funds, except that, under SEC rules, we are required to: (1) enter into a written agreement with each Fund or its principal underwriter that obligates us to provide to the Fund promptly upon request certain information about the trading activity of individual Owners, and (2) execute instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or transfers by specific Owners who violate the market timing policies established by the Fund.

Some of the Funds have reserved the right to temporarily or permanently refuse payments or transfer requests from us if, in the judgment of the Fund's investment adviser, the Fund would be unable to invest effectively in accordance with its investment objective or policies, or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. To the extent permitted by law, we reserve the right to delay or refuse to honor a transfer request, or to reverse a transfer at any time we are unable to purchase or redeem shares of any of the Funds because of the Fund's refusal or restriction on purchases or redemptions. We will notify the Owner(s) of any refusal or restriction on a purchase or redemption by a Fund relating to that Owner's transfer request. Some Funds also may impose redemption fees on short-term trading (i.e., redemptions of mutual Fund shares within a certain number of business days after purchase). We reserve the right to implement, administer, and collect any redemption fees imposed by any of the Funds. You should read the prospectus of each Fund for more information about its ability to refuse or restrict purchases or redemptions of its shares, which may be more or less restrictive than our Market Timing Procedures and those of other Funds, and to impose redemption fees.

We apply our Market Timing Procedures consistently to all Owners without special arrangement, waiver or exception. We reserve the right to change our Market Timing Procedures at any time without prior notice as we deem necessary or appropriate to better detect and deter potentially harmful frequent transfer activity, to comply with state or federal regulatory requirements, or both. We may change our parameters to monitor for different dollar amounts, number of transfers, time period of the transfers, or any of these.

Owners seeking to engage in frequent transfer activity may employ a variety of strategies to avoid detection. Our ability to detect and deter such transfer activity is limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Furthermore, the identification of Owners determined to be engaged in transfer activity that may adversely affect others involves judgments that are inherently subjective. Accordingly, despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee that our Market Timing Procedures will detect or deter every potential market timer. In addition, because other insurance companies, retirement plans, or both may invest in the Funds, we cannot guarantee that the Funds will not suffer harm from frequent transfer activity in contracts or policies issued by other insurance companies or by retirement plan participants.

Dollar Cost Averaging

Before the Annuity Date, you may instruct us by Written Notice to transfer automatically, on a monthly basis, amounts from a DCA Account or the Fixed Account to any Sub-Account of the Variable Account. This is known as the "dollar-cost averaging" ("DCA") method of investment. By transferring equal amounts of Contract Value on a regularly scheduled basis, as opposed to allocating a larger amount at one particular time, an Owner may be less susceptible to the impact of market fluctuations in the value of Sub-Account Accumulation Units. Protective Life, however, makes no guarantee that the dollar cost averaging method will result in a profit or protection against loss.

DCA transfers are made monthly; you may choose to make the transfers on the 1st through the 28th day of each month. Dollar cost averaging transfers cease upon our receipt of Due Proof of Death of the Owner at our Administrative Office. Any remaining balance designated for DCA transfers will be automatically transferred to the Sub-Accounts according to the Owner's current dollar cost averaging instructions.

There is no charge for dollar cost averaging. Automatic transfers made to facilitate dollar cost averaging will not count toward the 12 transfers permitted each Contract Year if we elect to limit transfers, or the designated number of free transfers in any Contract Year if we elect to charge for transfers in excess of that number in any Contract Year. We reserve the right to restrict the Sub-Accounts into which you may make DCA transfers or discontinue dollar cost averaging upon written notice to the Owner at any time for any reason.

In states where, upon cancellation during the right-to-cancel period, we are required to return your Purchase Payment, we reserve the right to delay commencement of dollar cost averaging transfers until the expiration of the right-to-cancel period.

If you select the SecurePay rider, you may allocate your Purchase Payments to a DCA Account. Your dollar-cost averaging transfers from the DCA Account must be allocated, however, in accordance with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. You may not allocate Purchase Payments to the Fixed Account if you select the SecurePay rider. (See "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS.")

Transfers from the DCA Accounts.  If you allocate a Purchase Payment to one of the DCA Accounts, you must include instructions regarding the day of the month on which the transfers should be made, the period during which the dollar cost averaging transfers should occur, and the Sub-Accounts into which the transferred funds should be allocated. Currently, you may establish monthly transfers of equal amounts of Contract Value from DCA Account 1 monthly for a minimum of three to a maximum of six months and from the DCA Account 2 for a minimum of seven to a maximum of twelve months

From time to time, we may offer different maximum periods for dollar cost averaging amounts from a DCA Account. At times, the Company may credit a higher annual rate of interest to the balance held in DCA Account 2 than the balance held in DCA Account 1. Dollar cost averaging transfers will be made monthly. The periodic amount transferred from a DCA Account will be equal to the Purchase Payment allocated to the DCA Account divided by the number of dollar cost averaging transfers to be made.

The interest rates on the DCA Accounts apply to the declining balance in the account. Therefore the amount of interest actually paid with respect to a Purchase Payment allocated to the DCA Account will be substantially less than the amount that would have been paid if the full Purchase Payment remained in the DCA Account for the full period. Interest credited will be transferred from the DCA Account after the last dollar cost averaging transfer.

We will process dollar cost averaging transfers until the earlier of the following: (1) the DCA Account Value equals $0, or (2) the Owner instructs us by Written Notice to cancel the automatic transfers. If you terminate transfers from a DCA Account before the amount remaining in that account is $0, we will immediately transfer any amount remaining in that DCA Account according to your instructions. If you do not provide instructions, we will transfer the remaining amount to the Sub-Accounts according to your dollar cost averaging allocation instruction in effect at that time.

Transfers from the Fixed Account.  You may also establish dollar-cost averaging transfers from the Fixed Account. The minimum period for dollar cost averaging transfers from the Fixed Account is twelve months; there is no maximum transfer period. If you wish to establish dollar-cost averaging transfers from the Fixed Account, you must include instructions regarding the day of the month on which the transfers should be made, the amount of the transfers (you must transfer the same amount each time), the period during which the dollar cost averaging transfers should occur, and the Sub-Accounts into which the transferred funds should be allocated.

Portfolio Rebalancing

Before the Annuity Date, you may instruct Protective Life by Written Notice to periodically transfer your Variable Account value among specified Sub-Accounts to achieve a particular percentage allocation of Variable Account value among such Sub-Accounts ("portfolio rebalancing"). The portfolio rebalancing percentages must be in whole numbers and must allocate amounts only among the Sub-Accounts. Unless you instruct otherwise, portfolio rebalancing is based on your Purchase Payment allocation instructions in effect with respect to the Sub-Accounts at the time of each rebalancing transfer. We deem portfolio rebalancing instructions from you that differ from your current Purchase Payment allocation instructions to be a request to change your Purchase Payment allocation.

You may elect portfolio rebalancing to occur on the 1st through the 28th day of a month on either a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. If you do not select a day, transfers will occur on the same day of the month as your Contract Anniversary, or on the 28th day of the month if your Contract Anniversary occurs on the 29th, 30th or 31st day of the month. You may change or terminate portfolio rebalancing by Written Notice, or by other non-written communication methods acceptable for transfer requests. Portfolio rebalancing ceases when we receive Due Proof of Death of the Owner at our Administrative Office. The Contract Value will remain in the Investment Options as of the date we receive Due Proof of Death of the Owner. A surviving spouse who elects to continue the Contract and become the new Owner, or any Beneficiary who elects to receive payment of the Death Benefit over their lifetime or within 5 years of the Owner’s death, may provide us with new Contract allocation instructions. See ”DEATH BENEFIT – Payment of the Death Benefit.”

There is no charge for portfolio rebalancing. Automatic transfers made to facilitate portfolio rebalancing will not count toward the 12 transfers permitted each Contract Year if we elect to limit transfers, or the designated number of free transfers in any Contract Year if we elect to charge for transfers in excess of that number in any Contract Year. We reserve the right to discontinue portfolio rebalancing upon written notice to the Owner at any time for any reason.

Surrenders and Withdrawals

At any time before the Annuity Date, you may request a surrender of or withdrawal from your Contract. Federal and state income taxes may apply to surrenders and withdrawals (including withdrawals made under the SecurePay rider), and a 10% federal penalty tax may apply if the surrender or withdrawal occurs before the Owner reaches age 59-1/2. (See "TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL, Taxation of Withdrawals and Surrenders.") A surrender value may be available under certain Annuity Options. (See "Annuitization.") In accordance with SEC regulations, surrenders and withdrawals are payable within 7 calendar days of our receiving your request in "good order" at our Administrative Office. (See "Suspension or Delay in Payments.") A transaction request will be deemed in "good order" if the transaction service form is fully and accurately completed and signed by the Owner(s) and received by us at our Administrative Office.

Surrenders

At any time before the Annuity Date, you may request a surrender of your Contract for its surrender value either by Written Notice or by facsimile. Surrenders requested by facsimile are subject to limitations. Currently, we accept requests by facsimile for surrenders of Contracts that have a Contract Value of $50,000 or less. For Contracts that have a Contract Value greater than $50,000, we will only accept surrender requests by Written Notice. We may eliminate your ability to request a surrender by facsimile or change the requirements for your ability to request a surrender by facsimile for any Contract or class of Contracts at any time without prior notice. We will pay you the surrender value in a lump sum.

Withdrawals

At any time before the Annuity Date, you may request a withdrawal of your Contract Value provided the Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal is at least $5,000. We will treat a request for withdrawal that reduces your Contract Value below $5,000 or a request for withdrawal while your Contract Value is below $5,000, as a request to surrender your Contract. If you make such a request, we will first attempt to contact you to confirm your instruction to surrender the Contract before we process the request and pay you the surrender value in a lump sum. If we are unable to contact you within five days of our receipt of your request in Good Order, we will process your request as a request for surrender.

You may request a withdrawal by Written Notice or by facsimile. If we have received your completed telephone withdrawal authorization form, you also may request a withdrawal by telephone. Withdrawals requested by telephone or facsimile are subject to limitations. Currently we accept requests for withdrawals by telephone or by facsimile for amounts not exceeding 25% of Contract Value, up to a maximum of $50,000. For withdrawals exceeding 25% of the Contract Value and/or $50,000 we will only accept withdrawal requests by Written Notice. We may eliminate your ability to make withdrawals by telephone or facsimile or change the requirements for your ability to make withdrawals by telephone or facsimile for any Contract or class of Contracts at any time without prior notice.

You may specify the amount of the withdrawal to be made from any Investment Option. If you do not so specify, or if the amount in the designated Investment Option(s) is inadequate to comply with the request, the withdrawal will be made from each Investment Option based on the proportion that the value of each Investment Option bears to the total Contract Value.

Signature Guarantees

Signature guarantees are required for withdrawals or surrenders of $50,000 or more.

Signature guarantees are relied upon as a means of preventing the perpetuation of fraud in financial transactions, including the disbursement of funds or assets from a victim's account with a financial institution or a provider of financial services. They provide protection to investors by, for example, making it more difficult for a person to take another person's money by forging a signature on a written request for the disbursement of funds.

An investor can obtain a signature guarantee from more than 7,000 financial institutions across the United States and Canada that participate in a Medallion signature guarantee program. The best source of a signature guarantee is a bank, savings and loan association, brokerage firm, or credit union with which you do business. Guarantor firms may, but frequently do not, charge a fee for their services.

A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. Notarization will not substitute for a signature guarantee.

Surrender Value

The surrender value of any surrender or withdrawal request is equal to the Contract Value surrendered or withdrawn minus any applicable premium tax. We will determine the surrender value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive your request in "good order" at our Administrative Office. A transaction request will be deemed in "good order" if the transaction service form is fully and accurately completed and signed by the Owner(s) and received by us at our Administrative Office. Valuation Periods end at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. We will process any request received at our Administrative Office after the end of the Valuation Period on the next Valuation Date.

If you request a withdrawal, the amount you will receive depends on whether you request a “gross” withdrawal or a “net” withdrawal. If you request a “net” withdrawal, you will receive the exact amount you requested although any applicable premium taxes will be withdrawn from the Contract Value in excess of your requested net withdrawal amount. If you request a “gross” withdrawal, you will receive an amount equal to the Contract Value withdrawn minus any applicable premium tax.

Cancellation of Accumulation Units

Surrenders and withdrawals will result in the cancellation of Accumulation Units from each applicable Sub-Account(s) and/or in a reduction of the Guaranteed Account value.

Surrender and Withdrawal Restrictions

The Owner's right to make surrenders and withdrawals is subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable law or employee benefit plan.

In the case of certain Qualified Plans, federal tax law imposes restrictions on the form and manner in which benefits may be paid. For example, spousal consent may be needed in certain instances before a distribution may be made.

Automatic Withdrawals

Currently, we offer an automatic withdrawal plan. This plan allows you to pre-authorize periodic withdrawals before the Annuity Date. You may elect to participate in this plan at the time of application or at a later date by properly completing an election form. Payments to you under this plan will only be made by electronic fund transfer. To participate in the plan you must have:

  1. made an initial Purchase Payment of at least $5,000; or
  2. a Contract Value as of the previous Contract Anniversary of at least $5,000.

The automatic withdrawal plan and the automatic purchase payment plan may not be elected simultaneously. (See "Purchase Payments.") There may be federal and state income tax consequences to automatic withdrawals from the Contract, including the possible imposition of a 10% federal penalty tax if the withdrawal occurs before the Owner reaches age 59-1/2. You should consult your tax adviser before participating in any withdrawal program. (See "Taxation of Surrenders and Withdrawals.")

When you elect the automatic withdrawal plan, you will instruct Protective Life to withdraw a level dollar amount from the Contract on a monthly or quarterly basis. Automatic withdrawals may be made on the 1st through the 28th day of each month. The amount requested must be at least $100 per withdrawal. We will process withdrawals for the designated amount until you instruct us otherwise. Automatic withdrawals will be taken pro-rata from the Investment Options in proportion to the value each Investment Option bears to the total Contract Value. We will pay you the amount requested each month or quarter as applicable and cancel the applicable Accumulation Units.

If any automatic withdrawal transaction would result in a Contract Value of less than $5,000 after the withdrawal, the transaction will not be completed and the automatic withdrawal plan will terminate. Once automatic withdrawals have terminated due to insufficient Contract Value, they will not be automatically reinstated in the event that your Contract Value should reach $5,000 again. The automatic withdrawal plan may be discontinued by the Owner by Written Notice at any time for any reason. Upon receipt of Due Proof of Death of an Owner at our Administrative Office, we will terminate the automatic withdrawal plan.

There is no charge for the automatic withdrawal plan. We reserve the right to discontinue the automatic withdrawal plan upon written notice to you. If you select the SecurePay rider under your Contract, any automatic withdrawal plan in effect will terminate on the Benefit Election Date.

Note: If you purchase the SecurePay rider, however, you should consider whether to elect an automatic withdrawal plan, keeping in mind that any withdrawals taken before the Benefit Election Date will proportionately reduce the rider’s Benefit Base, which is used to determine the amount of the SecurePay withdrawals available to you, in the same proportion that each withdrawal reduces the Contract Value on the date of the withdrawal. Automatic withdrawals will ultimately reduce the value of the SecurePay withdrawals available to you. See “PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS (‘SECUREPAY RIDER’) – Calculating the Benefit Base before the Benefit Election Date.”

THE GUARANTEED ACCOUNT

The Guaranteed Account has not been, and is not required to be, registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and neither these accounts nor the Company's general account have been registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, neither the Guaranteed Account, the Company's general account, nor any interests therein are generally subject to regulation under the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act. The disclosures relating to the Guaranteed Account included in this Prospectus are for the Owner's information. However, such disclosures are subject to certain generally applicable provisions of federal securities law relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.

The Guaranteed Account consists of the Fixed Account and the DCA Accounts. We may not always offer the Fixed Account or the DCA Accounts in new Contracts. If we are offering the Fixed Account or any of the DCA Accounts at the time you purchase your Contract, however, those accounts will always be available in your Contract. Please ask your sales representative whether the Fixed Account or any DCA Accounts are available in your Contract.

From time to time and subject to regulatory approval, we may offer Fixed Accounts or DCA Accounts with different interest guaranteed periods. We, in our sole discretion, establish the interest rates for each account in the Guaranteed Account. We will not declare a rate that yields values less than those required by the state in which the Contract is delivered. You bear the risk that we will not declare a rate that is higher than the minimum rate. Because these rates vary from time to time, allocations made to the same account within the Guaranteed Account at different times may earn interest at different rates. The guaranteed minimum interest for each account in the Guaranteed Account is 1%. However, the guaranteed minimum interest is reset annually on May 1st of every year for new Contracts we issue on or after May 1st. If you previously submitted an application but your Contract has not been issued by May 1st, then the guaranteed minimum interest may not be what is disclosed here. The current interest rate for each account in the Guaranteed Account under your Contract is available to you through your myprotective.com account or by calling toll-free 1-800-456-6330.

Our General Account

The Guaranteed Account is part of our general account. Unlike Purchase Payments and Contract Value allocated to the Variable Account, we assume the risk of investment gain or loss on amounts held in the Fixed Account and the DCA Accounts.

The assets of our general account support our insurance and annuity obligations and are subject to our general liabilities from business operations and to claims by our creditors. Because amounts allocated to the Fixed Account and the DCA Accounts, plus any guarantees under the Contract that exceed your Contract Value (such as those associated with any enhanced death benefits, the SecurePay rider), are paid from our general account, any amounts that we may pay under the Contract in excess of Variable Account value are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that we will always be able to meet our claims-paying obligations, and that there are risks to purchasing any insurance product. For this reason, you should consider our financial strength and claims-paying ability to meet our obligations under the Contract when purchasing a Contract and making investment decisions under the Contract.

We encourage both existing and prospective Owners to read and understand our financial statements. We prepare our financial statements on a statutory basis as required by state regulators.

Our audited statutory financial statements are included in the Statement of Additional Information (which is available at no charge by calling us at 1-800-456-6330 or writing us at the address shown on the cover page of this Prospectus). In addition, the Statement of Additional Information is available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

You also will find on our website information on ratings assigned to us by one or more independent rating organizations. These ratings are opinions of our financial capacity to meet the obligations of our insurance and annuity contracts based on our financial strength and/or claims-paying ability.

The Fixed Account

You generally may allocate some or all of your Purchase Payments and may transfer some or all of your Contract Value to the Fixed Account. Amounts allocated or transferred to the Fixed Account earn interest from the date the funds are credited to the account. There are limitations on transfers involving the Fixed Account. Due to this limitation, if you want to transfer all of your Contract Value from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account, it may take several years to do so. You should carefully consider whether the Fixed Account meets your investment needs. (See "Transfers.")

The interest rates we apply to Purchase Payments and transfers into the Fixed Account are guaranteed for one year from the date the Purchase Payment or transfer is credited to the account. When an interest rate guarantee expires, we will set a new interest rate, which may not be the same as the interest rate then in effect for Purchase Payments and transfers allocated to the Fixed Account. The new interest rate is also guaranteed for one year.

If you elect the SecurePay rider, you may not allocate any portion of your Purchase Payments or Contract Value to the Fixed Account. (See "Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions for Protected Lifetime Income Benefits.")

The DCA Accounts

DCA Accounts are designed to systematically transfer amounts to the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account over a designated period. (See "Transfers, Dollar Cost Averaging.") We currently offer two DCA Accounts. The maximum period for dollar cost averaging transfers from DCA Account 1 is six months and from DCA Account 2 is twelve months.

The DCA Accounts are available only for Purchase Payments designated for dollar cost averaging. Purchase Payments may not be allocated into any DCA Account when that DCA Account value is greater than $0, and all funds must be transferred from a DCA Account before allocating a Purchase Payment to that DCA Account. Where we agree, under current administrative procedures, to allocate a Purchase Payment to any DCA Account in installments from more than one source, we will credit each installment with the interest rate applied to the first installment we receive. The interest rate we apply to Purchase Payments allocated to a DCA Account is guaranteed for the period over which dollar cost averaging transfers are allowed from that DCA Account.

Guaranteed Account Value

Any time prior to the Annuity Date, the Guaranteed Account value is equal to the sum of:

  1. Purchase Payments allocated to the Guaranteed Account; plus
  2. amounts transferred into the Guaranteed Account; plus
  3. interest credited to the Guaranteed Account; minus
  4. amounts transferred out of the Guaranteed Account including any transfer fee; minus
  5. the amount of any surrenders removed from the Guaranteed Account, including any premium tax; minus
  6. fees deducted from the Guaranteed Account, including the fees for any optional benefit you have purchased.

For the purposes of interest crediting, amounts deducted, transferred or withdrawn from accounts within the Guaranteed Account will be separately accounted for on a "first-in, first-out" (FIFO) basis.

DEATH BENEFIT

If any Owner dies before the Annuity Date and while the Contract is in force, we will pay a death benefit, less any applicable premium tax, to the Beneficiary. The death benefit terminates on the Annuity Date.

We will determine the death benefit as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive at our Administrative Office Due Proof of Death of the Owner, either by certified death certificate or by judicial order from a court of competent jurisdiction or similar tribunal. If we receive Due Proof of Death of the Owner after the end of the Valuation Period, we will determine the death benefit on the next Valuation Date. Only one death benefit is payable under the Contract, even though the Contract may, in some circumstances, continue beyond the time of an Owner's death. If any Owner is not a natural person, the death of the Annuitant is treated as the death of an Owner. In the case of certain Qualified Contracts, Treasury Department regulations prescribe certain limitations on the designation of a Beneficiary. The following discussion generally applies to Qualified Contracts and Non-Qualified Contracts, except where noted otherwise. In that regard, the post-death distribution requirements for Qualified Contracts and Non-Qualified Contracts are similar, but there are some significant differences. For a discussion of the post-death distribution requirements for Qualified Contracts, see "QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, Required Minimum Distributions Upon Your Death."

The death benefit provisions of this Contract shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Section 72(s) of the Code in the case of a Non-Qualified Contract, and Section 401(a)(9) of the Code in the case of a Qualified Contract. We reserve the right to endorse the Contract, as necessary, to conform with regulatory requirements. We will send you a copy of any endorsement containing such Contract modifications.

Please note that any death benefit payment we make in excess of the Variable Account value is subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability.

Payment of the Death Benefit

The Beneficiary may take the death benefit in one sum immediately, in which event the Contract will terminate.

If the death benefit is not taken in one sum immediately, the death benefit will become the new Contract Value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive Due Proof of Death of the Owner, and the entire Contract Value must be distributed under one of the following options:

  1. the entire Contract Value must be distributed over the life of the Beneficiary, or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Beneficiary, with distributions beginning within one year of the Owner's death, and subject to certain further limits in the case of a Qualified Contract; or,
  2. the entire Contract Value must be distributed (i) within 5 years of the Owner's death if the Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract or, in some cases, a Qualified Contract, or (ii) within 10 years of the Owner's death if the Contract is a Qualified Contract and the 5-year requirement does not apply under applicable federal tax rules.

If no option is elected, we will distribute the entire Contract Value within 5 years of the Owner's death in the case of a Non-Qualified Contract or, if applicable tax rules permit, within 10 years of the Owner's death in the case of a Qualified Contract. The tax rules for Qualified Contracts differ in some material respects from the tax rules for Non-Qualified Contracts, including by limiting the types of beneficiaries who can elect option a above and the circumstances in which a 5-year or 10-year distribution requirement will apply. See "QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, Temporary Rules under the CARES Act and Required Minimum Distributions Upon Your Death."

If there is more than one Beneficiary, each Beneficiary must submit instructions in Good Order specifying the manner in which the Beneficiary wishes to receive his or her portion of the death benefit, and the value of each Beneficiary's portion of the claim is established as of date we receive that Beneficiary's claim. Until the death benefit is fully distributed, however, the undistributed portion of the death benefit will remain invested in accordance with the Owner's allocation instruction. Accordingly, if we do not receive instructions in Good Order from the Beneficiary (or Beneficiaries) to make an immediate distribution or transfer all or part of the Beneficiary's portion of the death benefit to the Fixed Account, the value of the portion of the death benefit that remains invested in the Sub-Account will be subject to the investment performance of the underlying Funds, and may increase or decrease in value.

Automatic Transfers Upon the Death of an Owner. Regardless of whether your Contract is Qualified or non-Qualified, in the event of the Owner's death, all automatic transfers under the Contract, such as dollar cost averaging and portfolio rebalancing will cease upon receipt of Due Proof of Death of the Owner at our Administrative Office. If the surviving spouse elects to continue the Contract as the new Owner, they may also elect to participate in the dollar cost averaging and portfolio rebalancing programs by sending us new instructions, subject to the requirements governing those programs described in this Prospectus. Any eligible Beneficiary who elects a Death Benefit payment option that provides for the payment of Death Benefit proceeds either over the lifetime of the Beneficiary or within 5 or 10 years following the Owner's death (as applicable under federal tax rules) may transfer Contract Value among the Sub-Accounts and participate in the portfolio rebalancing program. Because that Beneficiary may not make additional premium payments, however, the Beneficiary may not participate in dollar cost averaging. See, "DEATH BENEFIT-Payment of the Death Benefit."

Continuation of the Contract by a Surviving Spouse

In the case of non-Qualified Contracts and Contracts that are individual retirement annuities within the meaning of Code Section 408(b), if the Beneficiary is the deceased Owner's spouse, the surviving spouse may elect, in lieu of receiving a death benefit, to continue the Contract and become the new Owner.

  1. the surviving spouse's age on the Contract Issue Date would not have prevented her or his purchase of the Contract on that date;
  2. the surviving spouse's age on either the Contract Issue Date or any date prior to the date on which we accept the request for continuation, would not have prevented the purchase of any optional benefit associated with the Contract on the requested continuation date; and
  3. the Maximum Annuity Date on the requested continuation date is on or after the Annuity Date in effect on the deceased spouse's date of death, unless we agree otherwise.

The Contract will continue with the value of the death benefit having become the new Contract Value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we received Due Proof of Death. The death benefit is not terminated by a surviving spouse's continuation of the Contract. The surviving spouse may select a new Beneficiary. Upon this spouse's death, the death benefit may be taken in one sum immediately and the Contract will terminate. If the death benefit is not taken in one sum immediately, the death benefit will become the new Contract Value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive Due Proof of Death and must be distributed to the new Beneficiary according to option (1) or (2) described above under "Payment of the Death Benefit."

A Contract may be continued by a surviving spouse only once. This benefit will not be available to any subsequent surviving spouse under the continued Contract.

The rights of a Beneficiary under an annuity contract depend in part upon whether the Beneficiary is recognized as a “spouse” under federal tax law. A Beneficiary who is recognized as a spouse is treated more favorably than a Beneficiary who is not a spouse for federal tax purposes. Specifically, a Beneficiary who is the spouse of the deceased Owner may continue the Contract and become the new Owner, as described above. In contrast, a Beneficiary who is not recognized as a spouse of the deceased Owner generally must surrender the Contract within 5 or 10 years of the Owner’s death, or take distributions from the Contract over the Beneficiary’s life or life expectancy, beginning within one year of the deceased Owner’s death, with the applicable rules different depending on whether the Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract or a Qualified Contract.

U.S. Treasury Department regulations provide that for federal tax purposes, the term "spouse" does not include individuals (whether of the opposite sex or the same sex) who have entered into a registered domestic partnership, civil union, or other similar formal relationship that is not denominated as a marriage under the laws of the state where the relationship was entered into, regardless of domicile. As a result, if a Beneficiary of a deceased Owner and the Owner were parties to such a relationship, the Beneficiary will be required by federal tax law to take distributions from the Contract in the manner applicable to non-spouse Beneficiaries and will not be able to continue the Contract.

If you have questions concerning your status as a spouse for federal tax purposes and how that status might affect your rights under the Contract, you should consult your legal adviser.

Whether a beneficiary continues the Contract as a spouse could also affect the rights and benefits under the Protected Lifetime Income Benefit riders. If state law affords legal recognition to domestic partnerships or civil unions, the riders will treat individuals who are in a bona fide civil union or domestic partnership as married and spouses for purposes of the riders. However, as described above, for federal tax law purposes such individuals are not treated as "spouses." As a result, if a beneficiary of a deceased owner and the owner were parties to such a relationship, the beneficiary will be required by federal tax law to take distributions from the Contract in the manner applicable to non-spouse beneficiaries and will not be able to continue the Contract. In some circumstances, these required distributions could substantially reduce or eliminate the riders' benefit while the surviving Beneficiary is still alive.

In addition, if the rider allows the surviving spouse of a deceased owner who continues the Contract and becomes the new owner to either continue the rider or purchase a new rider (depending on the date of death and whether the rider provides single or joint life coverage), this right is only available to an individual who was the spouse of the deceased owner within the meaning of federal tax law because only such a spouse is eligible to continue the Contract under federal tax law.

You should carefully consider each of these death benefits and consult a qualified financial professional to help you carefully consider the death benefits offered with the Contract, and if you select the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit, the relative costs, benefits and risks of the fee options in your particular situation.

Selecting a Death Benefit

This Contract offers two different death benefits: (1) the Contract Value Death Benefit and (2) the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit. These death benefits are described more completely below.

You must determine the type of death benefit you want when you apply for your Contract. You may not change your death benefit selection after your Contract is issued.

The Contract Value Death Benefit is included with your Contract at no additional charge. You may select the optional Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit for an additional fee.

You should carefully consider each of these death benefits and consult a qualified financial adviser to help you carefully consider the death benefits offered with the Contract, and if you select the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit, the relative costs, benefits and risks of the fee options in your particular situation.

Contract Value Death Benefit

The Contract Value Death Benefit will equal the Contract Value as of the date we receive Due Proof of Death.

Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit

The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit will equal the greater of (1) the Contract Value, or (2) the aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal (including a withdrawal made under the SecurePay rider); provided, however, that the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit will never be more than the Contract Value plus $1,000,000. The adjustment for each withdrawal in item (2) is the amount that reduces the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit at the time of the withdrawal in the same proportion that the amount withdrawn reduces the Contract Value. Deduction of the fee(s) for any optional benefit purchased (including the fee for the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit) are not treated as withdrawals for purposes of adjusting the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit. However, these ongoing deductions will reduce the Contract Value and could therefore reduce the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit amount. If the value of the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater than the Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal, the downward adjustment to the death benefit will be larger than the amount withdrawn. See Appendix A for an example of the calculation of the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit. Please note that election of the SecurePay rider will limit the Owner’s ability to make additional Purchase Payments, and therefore may limit the value of the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit

Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit Fee

We assess a fee for the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit. If you select this death benefit, you must pay a fee based on the value of the death benefit on the day the fee is assessed. This fee is assessed on a monthly basis. (See "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS, Death Benefit Fee.") It is possible that this fee (or some portion thereof) could be treated for federal tax purposes as a withdrawal from the Contract. (See "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS.")

Suspension of the Enhanced Value of the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit

For a period of one year after any change of ownership involving a natural person, the death benefit will equal the Contract Value, regardless of whether the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit option is selected (or purchased). During the one-year suspension period, we will continue to calculate the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit; however, if any Owner dies during this period we will only pay the Contract Value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive Due Proof of Death at our Administrative Office. The Company will continue to assess the fee for Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit during the one-year period of suspension. If death occurs after the one-year period has ended, we will include the value of the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit option when calculating the death benefit payable to the beneficiary.

Escheatment of Death Benefit

Every state has unclaimed property laws which generally declare annuity contracts to be abandoned after a period of inactivity of 3 to 5 years from the contract's annuity date or date the death benefit is due and payable. For example, if the payment of a death benefit has been triggered, but, if after a thorough search, we are still unable to locate the beneficiary of the death benefit, or the beneficiary does not come forward to claim the death benefit in a timely manner, the death benefit will be paid to the abandoned property division or unclaimed property office of the state in which the beneficiary or the contract owner last resided, as shown on our books and records, or to our state of domicile. We will withhold tax and tax report on the amount that escheats to the state. This "escheatment" is revocable, however, and the state is obligated to pay the death benefit (without interest) if your beneficiary steps forward to claim the death benefit with the proper documentation. To prevent such escheatment, it is important that you update your beneficiary designations, including addresses, if and as they change. Such updates should be communicated in writing, by telephone, or other approved electronic means to our Administrative Office.

PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS

If you are concerned that poor investment performance or market volatility in the Sub-Accounts may adversely impact the amount of money you can withdraw from your Contract, we offer for an additional charge an optional protected lifetime income benefit rider — the SecurePay rider. Under this rider, we guarantee the right to make withdrawals each Contract Year for life (subject to certain conditions) — even if your Contract Value declines, or reduces to zero, due to poor market performance.

Please note that any amounts in excess of the Variable Account value that we make available through withdrawals, lifetime payments, or guaranteed values under these riders are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability.

THE SECUREPAY RIDER

In general, the SecurePay rider guarantees the right to make withdrawals ("SecurePay Withdrawals") based upon the value of a protected lifetime income benefit base ("Benefit Base") that will remain fixed if your Contract Value has declined due to poor market performance, provided you comply with the terms and conditions of the rider. Withdrawals from your Contract before the Benefit Election Date, and Excess Withdrawals on or after the Benefit Election Date, reduce the Annual Withdrawal Amount and the Benefit Base, perhaps significantly. If said withdrawals reduce the Contract Value to zero, the Contract and the SecurePay Rider will terminate. (For more information regarding the effect of withdrawals and Excess Withdrawals on the Benefit Base, see "Calculating the Benefit Base Before the Benefit Election Date" and "Calculating the Benefit Base On or After the Benefit Election Date.") In order to maintain your SecurePay rider, you must allocate Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with specific Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions that are designed to limit our risk under the rider. The SecurePay rider provides for increases in your Benefit Base on your Contract Anniversary if your Contract Value has increased.

Under the SecurePay rider, the Owner or Owner(s) may designate certain persons as "Covered Persons" under the Contract. See "Selecting Your Coverage Option." These Covered Persons will be eligible to make SecurePay Withdrawals each Contract Year up to a specified amount — the Annual Withdrawal Amount ("AWA") — during the life of the Covered Person(s). Annual aggregate withdrawals that exceed the AWA will result in a reduction of rider benefits (and may even significantly reduce or eliminate such benefits) because we will reduce the Benefit Base and corresponding AWA. SecurePay Withdrawals are guaranteed, even if the Contract Value falls to zero after the Benefit Election Date (which is the earliest date you may begin taking SecurePay Withdrawals), if you satisfy the SecurePay rider requirements.

Withdrawals under the SecurePay rider while your Contract Value is greater than zero are withdrawals of your own money and will be deducted from your Contract Value and not from our General Account assets. If your Contract Value is reduced to zero (other than due to an Excess Withdrawal), the Company will make lifetime income benefit payments from its own assets. It is possible the Company will not have to make lifetime benefit income payments to the Owner from the Company's own assets.

You may purchase the SecurePay rider when you purchase your Contract, or later, under the RightTime option, provided you satisfy the rider's age requirements. See "Purchasing the Optional SecurePay Rider."

SecurePay does not guarantee Contract Value or the performance of any Investment Option.

Important Considerations

The ways to purchase the SecurePay rider, conditions for continuation of the benefit, process for beginning SecurePay Withdrawals, and the manner in which your AWA is calculated are discussed below.

You should not purchase the SecurePay rider if:

Appendix E demonstrates the operation of the SecurePay rider using hypothetical examples. You should review Appendix E and consult your sales representative to discuss whether SecurePay suits your needs.

Purchasing the Optional SecurePay Rider

You may purchase the SecurePay rider when you purchase your Contract, or later, under the RightTime option, provided you satisfy the rider's age requirements. The Owner (or older Owner) or Annuitant must be age 85 or younger and the youngest Owner and Annuitant must be age 60 or older on the Rider Issue Date. Where the Owner is a corporation, partnership, company, trust, or other "non-natural person," eligibility is determined by the age of the Annuitant.

Important Considerations:

Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions

In order to maintain your SecurePay rider, you must allocate your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions that we have established. The Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions are designed to limit our risk under the SecurePay rider. Please see "Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions for Protected Lifetime Income Benefits."

Designating the Covered Person(s)

The Covered Person is the person upon whose life the SecurePay rider benefit is based. You may designate one Covered Person (Single Life Coverage) or two Covered Persons (Joint Life Coverage).

Note: A change of Covered Persons after the Benefit Election Date will cause your SecurePay rider to terminate and any scheduled SecurePay Withdrawals to cease. If you remove a Covered Person (which may occur, for example, if you remove a spouse Beneficiary or add additional Primary Beneficiaries or change the Owner or Annuitant), or if you add a Covered Person (which may occur, for example, if you add a spouse as a sole Primary Beneficiary), then this would constitute a change of Covered Persons. If we terminate your rider due to a change in Covered Person, you may reinstate the rider subject to certain conditions. See "Reinstating Your SecurePay Rider Within 30 Days of Termination." In addition, whether a spouse continues the Contract could affect the rights and benefits under the SecurePay rider and could have tax consequences. (See "Spousal Continuation" and "Tax Consequences — Treatment of Civil Unions and Domestic Partners.")

Selecting Your Coverage Option.  If both Owners of the Contract are spouses, or if there is one Owner and a spouse who is the sole Primary Beneficiary, you must indicate on the SecurePay Benefit Election Form whether there will be one or two Covered Persons. Please pay careful attention to this designation, as it will impact the Maximum Withdrawal Percentage and whether the SecurePay Withdrawals will continue for the life of the surviving spouse. The various coverage options are illustrated in the following table:

    Single Life Coverage  Joint Life Coverage 
Single Owner/Non-spouse Beneficiary  Covered Person is the Owner. SecurePay rider expires upon death of Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date.  Not applicable. 
Single Owner/Spouse Beneficiary  Covered Person is the Owner. SecurePay rider expires upon death of Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date. Upon death of Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date, the surviving spouse may purchase a new SecurePay rider if he or she continues the Contract under the spousal continuation provisions and certain conditions are met. (See, "Continuation of the Contract by a Surviving Spouse.")  Both are Covered Persons. SecurePay rider expires upon death of last surviving Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date. 
Joint Owner/Non-spouse 2nd Owner  Covered Person is older Owner. SecurePay rider expires upon death of Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date.  Not applicable. 
Joint Owner/ Spouse 2nd Owner  Covered Person is older Owner. SecurePay rider expires upon death of Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date. Upon death of older Owner, the surviving spouse may purchase a new SecurePay rider if he or she continues the Contract under the spousal continuation provisions and certain conditions are met. (See, "Continuation of the Contract by a Surviving Spouse.")  Both are Covered Persons. SecurePay rider expires upon death of last surviving Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date. 

Changing Beneficiaries — Single Owner with Joint Life Coverage.  After selecting Joint Life Coverage, a single Owner may decide to remove a spouse Beneficiary or add additional Primary Beneficiaries. This would constitute a change of Covered Persons after the Benefit Election Date, and upon notification of the change, we will terminate the SecurePay rider. If we terminate your rider due to a change in Covered Person, you may reinstate the rider subject to certain conditions. See "Reinstating Your SecurePay Rider Within 30 Days of Termination. In addition, whether a spouse continues the Contract could affect the rights and benefits under the SecurePay rider and could have tax consequences. (See "Spousal Continuation" and "Tax Consequences — Treatment of Civil Unions and Domestic Partners.")

Beginning Your SecurePay Withdrawals

You must submit a completed SecurePay Benefit Election Form to our Administrative Office to establish the Benefit Election Date and begin taking SecurePay Withdrawals under the rider.

Any withdrawals made on or after the Rider Issue Date but prior to the Benefit Election Date – including automatic withdrawals – will similarly result in a reduction in the Benefit Base and corresponding AWA, and may even significantly reduce or eliminate the value of such benefits.

Please consult your sales representative regarding the appropriate time for you to establish the Benefit Election Date and begin taking SecurePay Withdrawals.

Important Considerations

The SecurePay rider is designed for you to take SecurePay Withdrawals each Contract Year after the Benefit Election Date. SecurePay Withdrawals are aggregate withdrawals during any Contract Year on or after the Benefit Election Date that do not exceed the Annual Withdrawal Amount. Aggregate withdrawals during any Contract Year on or after the Benefit Election Date that exceed the Annual Withdrawal Amount are "Excess Withdrawals." You should not purchase the SecurePay rider if you intend to take Excess Withdrawals.

If you would like to make an Excess Withdrawal and are uncertain how an Excess Withdrawal will reduce your future guaranteed withdrawal amounts, then you may contact us prior to requesting the withdrawal to obtain a personalized, transaction-specific calculation showing the effect of the Excess Withdrawal.

Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement Information

The Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement contains the Maximum Withdrawal Percentage(s) and the current fee for the SecurePay rider applicable to contracts applied for while that Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement remains in effect (the “Effective Period”). The Effective Period is described in each Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement. See “Maximum Withdrawal Percentage”.

In order for us to use the percentages and fees in any particular Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement, your necessary application information must be signed during it’s Effective Period. We must receive your necessary application information and payment of at least the minimum initial Purchase Payment ($5,000) within ten calendar days of the end of the Effective Period. If you plan to pay the initial Purchase Payment by exchanging another annuity contract that you own, we must receive your necessary application information within ten calendar days of the end of the Effective Period and the exchanged amount within 90 calendar days of the end of the Effective Period. If those conditions (the “Rate Sheet Eligibility Conditions”) are met, or if the then current Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement percentages and fees are identical to those set forth in the Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement attached to your prospectus, we will follow our established procedures for issuing the Contract. See “Issuance of a Contract.”

If any of these conditions are not met, we will consider your application not to be in Good Order. In that case, we will inform your financial adviser and request instructions as whether to apply the initial Purchase Payment and issue the Contract with the percentages and fees in effect under the current Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement or cancel the application and return your Purchase Payment. If your financial adviser instructs us to issue the Contract, we will provide you with the Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement that applies to your Contract and an amendment to your application upon delivery of the Contract. If we are unable to contact your financial adviser within five business days after we determine the application is not in Good Order, we will return your Purchase Payment. You, or your financial adviser may also instruct us to issue the Contract without the SecurePay rider. Once we receive both the necessary application information and at least the minimum initial Purchase Payment, we will follow our established procedures for issuing the Contract.

If any of the Rate Sheet Eligibility Conditions are not met because of reasons reasonably beyond your control, Protective Life may, in its sole discretion, modify, terminate, suspend or waive the Rate Sheet Eligibility Conditions on such terms and conditions as it deems advisable (each a "Rate Sheet Eligibility Condition Change"). Any such Rate Sheet Eligibility Condition Change shall be effected by the Company on a basis that is not unfairly discriminatory.

Percentages and fees reflected in a Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement with an Effective Period that does not include the date you signed your application will not apply to your Contract. You should not purchase the SecurePay rider without first obtaining the applicable Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement. Please contact us at 1-800-456-6330 to obtain the current Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement. The current Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement is also available online at https://protective.onlineprospectus.net/protective/SchwabGenesisVariableAnnuityNYindex.html and www.sec.gov under File Number 333-240193. No new Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement that supersedes a prior Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement will become effective unless written notice of effectiveness of the new Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement is given at least 10 business days in advance. The relevant information from all superseded Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplements can be found in Appendix B to the Prospectus.

Determining the Amount of Your SecurePay Withdrawals

The AWA is the maximum amount of SecurePay Withdrawals permitted each Contract Year. We determine your initial AWA as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive your completed SecurePay Benefit Election form at our Administrative Office in "good order" by multiplying your Benefit Base on that date by the "Maximum Withdrawal Percentage" applicable to your Contract and determined according to the Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement effective when you purchase it. The Benefit Election form will be deemed in "good order" if it is fully and accurately completed and signed by the Owner(s) and received by us at our Administrative Office.

Maximum Withdrawal Percentage

The Maximum Withdrawal Percentage is set forth in the Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement attached to your prospectus. See "Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement Information."

Under certain circumstances, we may increase your AWA. See "Required Minimum Distributions." In no event will the AWA increase once the Contract Value is reduced to zero and an Annuity Date is established. (See "Reduction of Contract Value to Zero.")

Calculating the Benefit Base Before the Benefit Election Date

The Benefit Base is used to calculate the AWA and determine the SecurePay Fee. As the Benefit Base increases, both the AWA and the amount of the SecurePay Fee increase. Your Benefit Base can never be more than $5 million.

Note: The Benefit Base is only used to calculate the AWA and the SecurePay Fee; it is not a cash value, surrender value, or death benefit, it is not available to Owners, it is not a minimum return for any Sub-Account, and it is not a guarantee of any Contract Value.

If the rider is purchased at issue, your initial Benefit Base is equal to your initial purchase payments. If the rider is added through RightTime, your initial Benefit Base is equal to your Contract Value on the Rider Issue Date.

Thereafter, we increase the Benefit Base dollar-for-dollar for each Purchase Payment made within 2 years of the Rider Issue Date. We reduce the Benefit Base for each withdrawal from the Contract prior to the Benefit Period in the same proportion that each withdrawal reduces the Contract Value as of the date we process the withdrawal request.

Example: Assume your Benefit Base is $100,000, but because of poor Sub-Account performance your Contract Value has fallen to $90,000. If you make a $9,000 withdrawal, thereby reducing your Contract Value by 10% to $81,000, we would reduce your Benefit Base also by 10%, or $10,000, to $90,000.

Because all withdrawals made prior to the Benefit Election Date reduce the Benefit Base, you should carefully consider the impact of these withdrawals prior to scheduling them. Withdrawals prior to the Benefit Election Date could significantly reduce or even eliminate the value of the SecurePay Benefit.

On each Contract Anniversary following the Rider Issue Date, we also will increase the Benefit Base to equal the "SecurePay Anniversary Value" if that value is higher than the Benefit Base. On each Contract Anniversary, the "SecurePay Anniversary Value" is equal to your Contract Value on that Contract Anniversary. If we receive a withdrawal request on a Contract Anniversary, we will deduct the withdrawal from Contract Value before calculating the SecurePay Anniversary Value.

Calculating the Benefit Base On or After the Benefit Election Date

We continue calculating the Benefit Base after the Benefit Election Date in the same manner as we did prior to the Benefit Election Date, except withdrawals are treated differently. The effect of a withdrawal on the Benefit Base depends on whether the withdrawal is a SecurePay Withdrawal or an Excess Withdrawal. An Excess Withdrawal is any withdrawal after the Benefit Election Date which, when aggregated with all prior withdrawals during that Contract Year, exceeds the Contract Year's Annual Withdrawal Amount.

SecurePay Withdrawals

SecurePay Withdrawals do not reduce the Benefit Base. Therefore, if all your withdrawals during the Benefit Period are SecurePay Withdrawals, your Annual Withdrawal Amount will never decrease and you may continue to withdraw at least that amount for the lifetime of the Covered Person (or the last surviving Covered Person, if you selected Joint Life Coverage).

If your Benefit Base increases on a Contract Anniversary because the SecurePay Anniversary Value exceeds the Benefit Base on that date, your Annual Withdrawal Amount and therefore SecurePay Withdrawals available to you in subsequent Contract Years will also increase.

Important Consideration

SecurePay Withdrawals are not cumulative. If you choose to receive only a part of, or none of, your AWA in any given Contract Year, you should understand that you cannot carry over any unused SecurePay Withdrawals to any future Contract Years.

For example, assume your Maximum Withdrawal Percentage is 5.0% and your Benefit Base is $100,000, which means your AWA is $5,000 ($100,000 x .05). If you withdraw only $4,000 during the Contract Year, the AWA will not increase the next Contract Year by the $1,000 you did not withdraw.

Excess Withdrawals

During the Benefit Period any portion of a withdrawal that, when aggregated with all prior withdrawals during that Contract Year, exceeds the Annual Withdrawal Amount constitutes an Excess Withdrawal. Therefore, a withdrawal during the Benefit Period that causes the aggregate withdrawals for that Contract Year to exceed the Annual Withdrawal Amount may include amounts that qualify as a SecurePay Withdrawal as well as amounts that are Excess Withdrawals.

An Excess Withdrawal will reduce the Benefit Base. The effect of the Excess Withdrawal on the Benefit Base depends, in part, on the relationship of the Benefit Base to the Contract Value at that time.

  1. If, at the time of the Excess Withdrawal, your Contract Value minus the non-excess portion of the withdrawal (the portion of the withdrawal that qualifies as a SecurePay Withdrawal) is greater than the Benefit Base, we will reduce the Benefit Base by the amount of the Excess Withdrawal.
  2. If, at the time of Excess Withdrawal, your Contract Value minus the non-excess portion of the withdrawal (the portion of the withdrawal that qualifies as a SecurePay Withdrawal) is less than or equal to the Benefit Base, we will reduce the Benefit Base in the same proportion that the Excess Withdrawal bears to the Contract Value minus the SecurePay Withdrawal.

For example, suppose your Benefit Base is $100,000, your Maximum Withdrawal Percentage is 5.0% (i.e., your AWA is $5,000), your Contract Value is $110,000. If you have already taken $3,000 of SecurePay Withdrawals in the Contract Year and then request another $3,000 withdrawal you will exceed your AWA by $1,000, and we will consider $2,000 of that withdrawal to be a SecurePay Withdrawal and $1,000 to be an Excess Withdrawal. In this case, rule (a) above applies because the Contract Value less the SecurePay Withdrawal ($110,000 – $2,000 = $108,000) is greater than your Benefit Base ($100,000). We will therefore reduce your Benefit Base by the Excess Withdrawal and your new Benefit Base will be $99,000 ($100,000 – $1,000).

However, if in the example above your Contract Value is $70,000 then rule (b) applies. In this case, we determine the reduction in your Benefit Base first by determining the proportion that the Excess Withdrawal bears to the Contract Value less SecurePay Withdrawal. We calculate this by dividing the $1,000 Excess Withdrawal by the Contract Value less the $2,000 SecurePay Withdrawal ($1,000 ÷ ($70,000 – $2,000) = 1.4706%). We will then apply this same percentage to reduce your Benefit Base. Thus your new Benefit Base will be equal to $98,529 ($100,000 – ($100,000 * 0.014706)). An Excess Withdrawal could reduce the Benefit Base by substantially more than the actual amount of the withdrawal. Furthermore, a $1,000 Excess Withdrawal will reduce the Benefit Base by more than $1,000.

We will recalculate the Annual Withdrawal Amount on the next Contract Anniversary by multiplying the Benefit Base on that date by the Maximum Withdrawal Percentage.

Reduction of Contract Value to Zero

If the Contract Value is reduced to zero due to the deduction of fees or a SecurePay Withdrawal, the Contract will terminate and we will settle the benefit under your SecurePay rider as follows:

If you request a surrender and your Contract Value at the time of the request is less than your remaining AWA for that Contract Year, we will pay you a lump sum equal to such remaining AWA.

If your Contract Value reduces to zero due to an Excess Withdrawal, we will terminate your Contract and the SecurePay rider. You will not be entitled to receive any further benefits under the SecurePay rider.

As with any distribution from the Contract, there may be tax consequences. In this regard, we intend to treat any amounts that you receive before the Annuity Date is established as described above and that are in the form of SecurePay Withdrawals as withdrawals. We intend to treat any amounts that you receive after the Annuity Date is established as described above and that are a settlement of the benefit under your SecurePay rider as annuity payments for tax purposes. See "TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL."

Benefit Available on Maximum Annuity Date (oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 95th birthday)

If the Owner annuitizes before the oldest Owner’s or Annuitant’s 95th birthday (“Maximum Annuity Date”) the SecurePay rider will terminate and the Owner will not be entitled to any benefits under the rider, including the Annual Withdrawal Amount. The annuity payments may be less than the Annual Withdrawal Amount. Please discuss with your financial advisor whether it is in your best interest to annuitize prior to the Maximum Annuity Date since you will have paid for the SecurePay rider without having received the benefit payable under the rider. The SecurePay rider may not be suitable for you if you intend to annuitize the Contract prior to the Maximum Annuity Date (oldest Owner’s or Annuitant’s 95th birthday).

You must annuitize the Contract no later than the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 95th birthday ("Maximum Annuity Date"). The SecurePay rider will terminate on the Annuity Date, whether or not you have begun your SecurePay Withdrawals.

If your SecurePay rider is in effect on the Maximum Annuity Date, in addition to the other Annuity Options available to you under your Contract, one of your Annuity Options will be to receive monthly annuity payments equal to the AWA divided by 12 for the life of the Covered Person (or the last surviving Covered Person if Joint Life Coverage was selected). If you do not select an Annuity Option, your monthly annuity payments will be the greater of (i) the AWA divided by 12 or (ii) payments based upon the Contract Value for the life of the Annuitant with a 10-year Certain Period. We must receive written notification of your election of such annuity payments at least three days but no earlier than 90 days before the Maximum Annuity Date. For more information regarding Annuity Options, including Certain Period options, see "ANNUITY PAYMENTS, Annuity Options."

SecurePay Fee

We deduct a fee for the SecurePay rider that compensates us for the costs and risks we assume in providing this benefit. This SecurePay Fee is a percentage of the Benefit Base. We deduct this fee from your Contract Value on the Valuation Date that occurs after each Valuation Period containing a Monthly Anniversary Date. The SecurePay Fee is deducted from the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account only; it is not deducted from the assets in the DCA Account. The monthly fee is deducted from the Sub-Accounts in the same proportion that the value of each Sub-Account bears to the total Contract Value in the Variable Account on that date. The monthly fee is deducted from a Sub-Account in the same proportion that the Sub-Account value bears to the total Contract Value in the Variable Account on that date.

Information regarding the current fee for the SecurePay Life rider can be found in the Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement that accompanies your Prospectus. See "Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement Information." We may increase the SecurePay Life Fee. However, we will not increase the SecurePay Life Fee above a maximum 2.00% (2.20% under RightTime) of the Benefit Base.

We reserve the right to increase the SecurePay fee up to the maximum stated above if, in our sole discretion, the increase is necessary or appropriate to cover the costs Protective Life incurs to mitigate the risks associated with offering the rider. If we increase the SecurePay Fee, we will give you at least 30 days' written notice prior to the increase which notice will identify the date the increase in the SecurePay Fee will take place and provide instructions on how to accept or decline the increase. You may elect not to pay the increase in your SecurePay Fee. If you elect not to pay the increased SecurePay Fee, your SecurePay rider will not terminate, but your Benefit Base will be capped at its then current value and you will give up the opportunity for any future increases in the Benefit Base if your Contract Value exceeds your Benefit Base on subsequent Contract Anniversaries. You will continue to be assessed your current SecurePay Fee. See "SecurePay Rider."

Terminating the SecurePay Rider

The SecurePay rider will terminate upon the earliest of:

Deduction of the monthly fee for the SecurePay rider ceases upon termination. We will not refund the SecurePay fees you have paid if your SecurePay rider terminates for any reason. If your SecurePay rider terminates, you may not reinstate it or purchase a new rider except as described below under "Spousal Continuation" and "Reinstating Your SecurePay Rider Within 30 Days of Termination."

Spousal Continuation

Upon the death of the Owner before the Benefit Election Date, if the surviving spouse elects to continue the Contract and become the new Owner, the surviving spouse may also continue the SecurePay rider, provided the surviving spouse meets the rider's issue age requirements as of the Rider Issue Date or as of any date prior to the date we receive the written request to continue the Contract. On the next Contract Anniversary, the Benefit Base will be the greater of (1) the Contract Value (which will reflect the Death Benefit), or (2) the current Benefit Base.

If the SecurePay Benefit Election Form indicates Single Life Coverage and the SecurePay rider terminates due to the death of the Covered Person following the Benefit Election Date and the surviving spouse elects to continue the Contract and become the new Sole Owner, then the surviving spouse may purchase a new SecurePay rider before the Annuity Date if we are offering the rider at that time. If all the conditions to purchase a new SecurePay rider have been met, we will issue the rider upon our receipt of the surviving spouse's written request. The new rider will be subject to the terms and conditions of the SecurePay rider in effect at the time it is issued. This means:

The surviving spouse may not purchase a new SecurePay rider if he or she does not meet the rider's issue age requirements as of the Rider Issue Date or the date we receive the written request to continue the Contract. Only the surviving spouse is eligible to be a Covered Person under the new rider, and the rider will terminate upon the death of that Covered Person. Please note that the SecurePay rider may not be available in all states and that we may limit the availability of the SecurePay rider at any time.

If the SecurePay Benefit Election Form indicates Joint Life Coverage and a Covered Person dies following the Benefit Election Date, and if the surviving spouse elects to continue the Contract and the SecurePay rider, the Annual Withdrawal Amount remains the same until the next Contract Anniversary. On the next Contract Anniversary, the Benefit Base will be the greater of the Contract Value (which will reflect the addition of the Death Benefit) or the current Benefit Base and we will recalculate the Annual Withdrawal Amount, if necessary, using the Maximum Withdrawal Percentage associated with Joint Life Coverage.

Reinstating Your SecurePay Rider Within 30 Days of Termination

If your SecurePay rider terminated due to a Prohibited Allocation instruction (see "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS") or due to a change in Covered Person after the Benefit Election Date (see "Designating the Covered Person(s)"), and you made no additional Purchase Payment after the termination, you may request that we reinstate the rider.

If termination occurred due to a Prohibited Allocation instruction, your written reinstatement request must correct the previous Prohibited Allocation instruction by either directing us to allocate your Contract Value in accordance with the rider's Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions and/or resume portfolio rebalancing. If termination occurred due to a change in Covered Person after the Benefit Election Date, your written reinstatement request must correct the change in Covered Person by directing us to designate under the reinstated rider the original Covered Person(s) that had been selected on the Benefit Election Date.

We must receive your written reinstatement request within 30 days of the date the rider terminated. The reinstated rider will have the same terms and conditions, including the same SecurePay Rider Issue Date, Benefit Base, AWA, SecurePay Fee and, if applicable, Maximum Withdrawal Percentage, as it had prior to termination.

Tax Consequences

Treatment of Civil Unions and Domestic Partners.  If state law affords legal recognition to domestic partnerships or civil unions, the Rider will treat individuals who are in a bona fide civil union or domestic partnership as married and spouses for purposes of the Rider. However, as described above in "Death Benefit — Continuation of the Contract by a Surviving Spouse," for federal tax law purposes such individuals are not treated as "spouses." As a result, if a beneficiary of a deceased owner and the owner were parties to such a relationship, the beneficiary will be required by federal tax law to take distributions from the Contract in the manner applicable to non-spouse beneficiaries and will not be able to continue the Contract. In some circumstances, these required distributions could substantially reduce or eliminate the SecurePay rider benefit while the surviving Beneficiary is still alive.

In addition, the rider allows the surviving spouse of a deceased owner who continues the Contract and becomes the new owner to either continue the SecurePay rider or purchase a new rider (depending on the date of death and whether the rider provides single or joint life coverage). This right is only available to an individual who was the spouse of the deceased owner within the meaning of federal tax law because only such a spouse is eligible to continue the Contract under federal tax law.

An individual who is a party to a civil union or a domestic partnership should not purchase the SecurePay rider before consulting legal and financial advisers and carefully evaluating whether the SecurePay rider is suitable for his or her needs.

Other Tax Matters.  For a discussion of other tax consequences specific to the SecurePay rider, please see TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL, Tax Consequences of Protected Lifetime Income Benefits and QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, Protected Lifetime Income Benefits.

Required Minimum Distributions

If the SecurePay rider is purchased for use with a Qualified Contract, the Qualified Contract must comply with the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules under the Code Section 401(a)(9). The SecurePay rider, and certain other benefits that the IRS may characterize as "other benefits" for purposes of the regulations under Code Section 401(a)(9), may increase the amount of the RMD that must be taken from your Qualified Contract. See "QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS."

After the Benefit Election Date, we permit withdrawals from a Qualified Contract that exceed the AWA in order to satisfy the RMD for the Qualified Contract without compromising the SecurePay guarantees. In particular, if you provide us with Written Notice of an RMD at the time you request a SecurePay Withdrawal from your Qualified Contract, we will compute an amount that is treated under the SecurePay rider as the RMD for the calendar year with respect to your Qualified Contract. Note that although the tax law may permit you in certain circumstances to take distributions from your Qualified Contract to satisfy the RMDs with respect to other retirement plans established for your benefit, only the amount computed by us as the RMD with respect to your Qualified Contract is treated as an RMD for purposes of the SecurePay rider. Also, if you do not provide us with Written Notice of an RMD at the time you request a SecurePay Withdrawal, the entire amount by which the withdrawal exceeds any remaining AWA for the Contract Year will reduce the amount of your future AWA and could reduce your Benefit Base.

In the future, we may institute certain procedures, including requiring that RMD be established as automatic, periodic distributions, in order to ensure that RMDs for a calendar year do not exceed the AWA for the corresponding Contract Year.

In general, under the SecurePay rider, you may withdraw the greater of (i) your AWA for a contract year or (ii) the RMD attributable to your Contract that is determined as of December 31st immediately preceding the beginning of your contract year.

Note: If you submit your Benefit Election Form before the first RMD under Code Section 401(a)(9) is due, we may adjust the amount of your maximum SecurePay Withdrawal for the contract year that includes the due date for the first RMD so that the maximum amount of your withdrawal under the SecurePay rider will be the greater of your first RMD or AWA plus the greater of your second RMD or AWA minus your actual withdrawals in the previous contract year. Thereafter, the maximum allowed is the greater of the AWA or the RMD determined as of the preceding December 31st.

ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS

In order to maintain the SecurePay rider, you must allocate your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions that we have established. The Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions are designed to limit our risk under these riders.

Specifically, you must: (1) allocate all of your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with the Allocation by Investment Category guidelines (described below), (2) allocate all of your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with one of the three eligible Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios (described below) or (3) allocate all of your Purchase Payments and Contract Value to one of the permissible single investment options. All of the investment options available under the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions are described below. You may also allocate your Purchase Payments to the dollar cost averaging ("DCA") Account(s), provided that transfers from the DCA Account are allocated to the Sub-Accounts in accordance with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions described above.

Note: The Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions, as well as the inclusion of Funds that employ volatility management strategies in the Investment Options available under your Contract, are intended in part to reduce risks of investment losses that would require us to use our own assets to make payments in connection with the guarantees provided by the SecurePay rider. The Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions, and the inclusion of Funds that employ volatility management strategies are designed to reduce the overall volatility of your Contract Value. During rising markets, the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions and the Funds that employ volatility management strategies could cause Contract Value to rise less than would have been the case had you been invested in Funds with more aggressive investment strategies. Conversely, investing according to the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions, and in Funds that employ volatility management strategies, may be helpful in a declining market when high market volatility triggers a reduction in the Funds' equity exposure, because during these periods of high volatility, the risk of losses from investing in equity securities may increase. In these instances, your Contract Value may decline less than would have been the case had you not been invested in a Fund or Funds that feature volatility management strategies.

There is no guarantee that the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions, or Funds with volatility management strategies, can limit volatility in your investment portfolio, and you may lose principal.

To the extent that the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions and the Funds with managed volatility strategies are successful in reducing overall volatility, we will benefit from a reduction of the risk arising from our guarantee obligations under the riders and we will have less risk to hedge under the riders than would be the case if Owners did not invest in accordance with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions and in the Funds with managed volatility strategies. The Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions and investment in Funds with managed volatility strategies may not be consistent with an aggressive investment strategy. You should consult with your registered representative to determine if they are consistent with your investment objectives.

NOTE: You may not allocate any of your Purchase Payments or Contract Value to the Fixed Account.

Allocation by Investment Category.  The following Allocation by Investment Category guidelines specify the minimum and maximum percentages of your Contract Value that must be allocated to each of the four categories of Sub-Accounts listed below in order for you to remain eligible for benefits under the SecurePay rider (unless you are fully invested in a Benefit Allocation Model or a permissible single investment option, as described above). You can select the percentage of Contract Value to allocate to individual Sub-Accounts within each group, but the total investment for all Sub-Accounts in a group must comply with the specified minimum and maximum percentages for that group.

These Allocation by Investment Category guidelines may not be consistent with an aggressive investment strategy. You should consult with your registered representative to determine if they are consistent with your investment objectives.

Allocation by Investment Category

Category 1
Minimum Allocation: 40%
Maximum Allocation: 100%

American Funds IS Bond
American Funds IS US Government
Fidelity VIP Investment Grade Bond
Goldman Sachs VIT Core Fixed Income
Invesco V.I. Government Securities
Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money
PIMCO VIT Low Duration
PIMCO VIT Short-Term
PIMCO VIT Total Return
Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series - Conservative
Schwab® Government Money Market

Category 2
Minimum Allocation: 0%
Maximum Allocation: 60%

American Funds IS Asset Allocation
American Funds IS Capital Income Builder
Franklin Income VIP
Franklin Strategic Income VIP
Goldman Sachs VIT Global Trends Allocation(1)
Invesco V.I. Equity and Income
Invesco V.I. Balanced Risk Allocation(1)
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture
PIMCO VIT All Asset
PIMCO VIT Global Diversified Allocation
PIMCO VIT Long-Term US Government
PIMCO VIT Real Return
Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series - Moderate
Schwab® VIT Balanced Portfolio
Schwab® VIT Balanced with Growth
Templeton Global Bond VIP

Category 3
Minimum Allocation: 0%
Maximum Allocation: 25%

American Funds IS Blue Chip Income and Growth
American Funds IS Global Growth
American Funds IS Global Growth and Income
American Funds IS Growth
American Funds IS Growth-Income
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap
Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP
Franklin Mutual Shares VIP
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP
Goldman Sachs VIT Strategic Growth
Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Main Street
Invesco V.I. Comstock
Invesco V.I. Growth and Income
Invesco V.I. International Growth
Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth
Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity
Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series - Growth
Schwab® S&P 500 Index
Schwab® VIT Growth

Category 4
No Allocation Permitted if SecurePay is Selected

American Funds IS Global Small Capitalization
American Funds IS International
American Funds IS New World
Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP
Franklin Small Cap Value VIP
Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP
Goldman Sachs VIT Growth Opportunities
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value
Invesco Oppenheimer V.I.Global
Invesco V.I. Global Real Estate
Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap
Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth
Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities
Royce Capital Small-Cap
Templeton Developing Markets VIP
Templeton Foreign VIP


(1) The Fund includes a volatility management strategy as part of the Fund's investment objective and/or principal investment strategy. (See "Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions for Protected Lifetime Income Benefits, Volatility Management Strategies.")


The Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios.  Each of the Model Portfolios except the Growth Focus model will satisfy our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions, (the "Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios"). See "Asset Allocation Model Portfolios."

In general, the investment strategies employed by the Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios all include allocations that focus on conservative, high quality bond funds, that combine bond funds and blended stock funds, or that emphasize blended stock funds while including a significant weighting of bond funds. Each of these allocation models seeks to provide income and/or capital appreciation while avoiding excessive risk. If you are seeking a more aggressive growth strategy, the Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios are probably not appropriate for you.

The Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios may include Funds that employ volatility management strategies. For more information on how Funds with volatility management strategies may affect your Contract Value, and how such Funds may benefit us, see "ALLOCATION GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFITS" above.

If you allocate your Purchase Payments and Contract Value in accordance with one of the eligible Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios, we will allocate your Purchase Payments and transfers out of the DCA Accounts, as the case may be, in accordance with the Benefit Allocation Model Portfolio you selected. Although you may allocate all or part of your Purchase Payments and Contract Value to a Benefit Allocation Model Portfolio, you may only select one Benefit Allocation Model Portfolio at a time. You may, however, change your Benefit Allocation Model Portfolio selection provided the new portfolio is one specifically permitted for use with the SecurePay rider.

Permissible Single Investment Options.  You may also satisfy the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions by allocating 100% of your Purchase Payments and Contract Value to one of the following permissible single investment options:

If more than one single investment option is available, you must allocate your Purchase Payments and Contract Value to only one of these options.

Changes to the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions.  For purposes of the Allocation by Investment Category guidelines, we determine in our sole discretion whether a Sub-Account is classified as Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, or Category 4. We will provide you with at least five business days prior written notice of any changes in classification of Investment Options. We may change the list of Sub-Accounts in a group, change the number of groups, change the minimum or maximum percentages of Contract Value allowed in a group, or change the Investment Options that are or are not available to you, at any time, in our sole discretion. We may make such modifications at any time when we believe the modifications are necessary to protect our ability to provide the guarantees under the SecurePay rider.

With respect to the Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios, we determine in our sole discretion whether a Benefit Allocation Model Portfolio will continue to be available with the SecurePay rider. We may offer additional Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios or discontinue existing Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios at any time in our sole discretion. We may make such modifications at any time when we believe the modifications are necessary to protect our ability to provide the guarantees under the SecurePay rider. We will provide you with written notice at least five business days before any changes to the Benefit Allocation Model Portfolios take effect.

We may add to, or remove from, the list of single investment options available to satisfy the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions in our sole discretion at any time.

If you receive notice of a change to the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions (including changes to your Benefit Allocation Model Portfolio), you are not required to take any action. We will continue to apply Purchase Payments you submit without allocation instructions, and process automatic DCA and portfolio rebalancing transfers, according to your Contract allocation established before the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions changed. We will only apply the new Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions to additional Purchase Payments submitted with new allocation instructions or to future transfers of Contract Value (not including DCA transfers or transfers made to reallocate your Contract Value under the portfolio rebalancing program) because allocation instructions that accompany a Purchase Payment and instructions to transfer Contract Value change your current Contract allocation. This means you will not be able to make additional Purchase Payments submitted with new allocation instructions or transfers of Contract Value until your current allocation instructions meet the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions in effect at that time (although you will still be required to participate in the portfolio rebalancing program).

Portfolio Rebalancing.  You must elect portfolio rebalancing if you select the SecurePay rider. Under this program, we will "re-balance" your Variable Account value based on your allocation instructions in effect at the time of the rebalancing. You may specify rebalancing on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. If you do not specify the period, we will rebalance your Variable Account value semi-annually based on the Rider Issue Date. We will also rebalance your Variable Account value each time your Contract allocation is changed, for example, when we receive a request to transfer Contract Value (not including DCA or portfolio rebalancing transfers) or when we receive a subsequent Purchase Payment that is accompanied by new allocation instructions. (See "Portfolio Rebalancing.")

Confirmation of the rebalancing will appear on your quarterly statement and you will not receive an individual confirmation after each reallocation. We reserve the right to change the rebalancing frequency, at any time if, in our sole discretion, such change is necessary or appropriate to mitigate the risks and costs Protective Life assumes in offering the riders. We will not make changes more than once per calendar year. You will be notified at least 30 days prior to the date of any change in frequency.

If you terminate the rebalancing of your Variable Account value, we will consider this to be a Prohibited Allocation Instruction and we will terminate your SecurePay rider (see below).

Note: Changes to the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions, to the frequency of portfolio rebalancing or to the composition of the Model Portfolios, when and if applied to your Contract Value allocations, may negatively affect the overall performance of the Investment Options in the affected Sub-Accounts.

Prohibited Allocation Instructions.  If you instruct us to allocate Purchase Payments or Contract Value, or to take withdrawals, in a manner that is not consistent with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions (a "Prohibited Allocation instruction"), we will terminate your SecurePay rider. For example, if you are following the Allocation by Investment Category guidelines and you provide new instructions allocating 30% of your Contract Value to the Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Sub-Account, we will consider this to be a Prohibited Allocation Instruction because the maximum allocation you may make to the Sub-Accounts in Category 3 is 25% of your Contract Value.

For purposes of allocating your Purchase Payments and Contract Value, a Prohibited Allocation Instruction includes:

  1. allocating a Purchase Payment so that the allocation of your Contract Value following the Purchase Payment is inconsistent with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions;
  2. directing a dollar cost averaging transfer so that the allocation of your Contract Value following the transfer is inconsistent with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions;
  3. transferring any Contract Value so that the allocation of your Contract Value following the transfer is inconsistent with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions;
  4. deducting the proceeds of a withdrawal from an Investment Option so that the allocation of your Contract Value following the withdrawal is inconsistent with the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions; or
  5. terminating the rebalancing of your Contract Value.

If we terminate your SecurePay rider due to a Prohibited Allocation instruction, you may reinstate the rider subject to certain conditions. See "Reinstating Your SecurePay Rider Within 30 Days of Termination," as applicable.

SUSPENSION OR DELAY IN PAYMENTS

Payments of a withdrawal or surrender of the Variable Account value or death benefit or transfers or variable income payments from the Variable Account are usually made within seven (7) calendar days. However, we may delay such payment of a withdrawal, surrender or transfer of the Variable Account value or variable income payments or death benefit for any period in the following circumstances where permitted by state law:

  1. when the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than the customary weekend and holiday closures;
  2. when trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;
  3. when an emergency exists (as determined by the SEC as a result of which (a) the disposal of securities in the Variable Account is not reasonably practical; or (b) it is not reasonably practical to determine fairly the value of the net assets of the Variable Account);
  4. when the SEC, by order, so permits for the protection of security holders; or
  5. your premium check has not cleared your bank.

If, pursuant to SEC rules, the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund suspends payment of redemption proceeds in connection with a liquidation of the Fund, we will delay payment of any transfer, withdrawal, surrender, death benefit or variable income payments from the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I Government Money Fund Sub-Account until the Fund is liquidated.

We may delay payment of a withdrawal, surrender, fixed income payment or death benefit or transfer from the Guaranteed Account for up to six months where permitted.

SUSPENSION OF CONTRACTS

If mandated under applicable law, we may be required to reject a Purchase Payment. We also may be required to provide additional information about you and your account to government regulators or law enforcement authorities. In addition, we may be required to block an Owner's account and thereby refuse to pay any request for transfers, withdrawals, surrenders, or death benefits until instructions are received from the appropriate regulator or law enforcement authorities.

CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

Mortality and Expense Risk Charge

To compensate Protective Life for assuming mortality and expense risks, we deduct a daily mortality and expense risk charge. We deduct the mortality and expense risk charge only from the Variable Account. The charge is equal, on an annual basis, to 0.35% of the average daily net assets of the Variable Account attributable to your Contract.

The mortality risk Protective Life assumes is that Annuitant(s) may live for a longer period of time than estimated when the guarantees in the Contract were established. Because of these guarantees, each payee is assured that longevity will not have an adverse effect on the annuity payments received. The expense risk that Protective Life assumes is the risk that the administration charge and transfer fees may be insufficient to cover actual future expenses. We expect to make a reasonable profit with respect to the Contracts. We may make a profit or incur a loss from the mortality and expense risk charge. Any profit, including profit from the mortality and expense risk charge, may be used to finance distribution and other expenses.

Administration Charge

We will deduct an administration charge equal, on an annual basis, to 0.10% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account attributable to your Contract. We make this deduction to reimburse Protective Life for expenses incurred in the administration of the Contract and the Variable Account. We deduct the administration charge only from the Variable Account value.

Death Benefit Fees

Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit. If you select the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit, we assess a fee to compensate us for the cost of providing this optional death benefit. The fee is deducted from Contract Value and equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.20% of your death benefit value measured on each Monthly Anniversary Date. The value of your Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit on any Monthly Anniversary Date is the greatest of (1) your Contract Value or (2) your Purchase Payments less withdrawals. (See “DEATH BENEFIT, Return of Purchase Payment Death Benefit" for a more complete description.)

SecurePay Fee

We deduct a fee for the SecurePay rider that compensates us for the costs and risks we assume in providing this benefit. This SecurePay Fee is a percentage of the Benefit Base. We deduct this fee from your Contract Value on the Valuation Date that occurs after each Valuation Period containing a Monthly Anniversary Date. The SecurePay Fee is deducted from the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account only; it is not deducted from the assets in the DCA Account. Accordingly, you must have transferred some assets from your DCA Account to Sub-Accounts in accordance with our Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions before the fee is charged.

Information regarding the current fee for the SecurePay Life rider can be found in the Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement that accompanies your Prospectus. See "Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement Information." We reserve the right to increase the SecurePay Fee up to the maximum if, in our sole discretion, such change is necessary or appropriate to mitigate the risks and costs Protective Life assumes in offering the riders. We will not increase the SecurePay Fee above a maximum of 2.00% (2.20% under RightTime) of the Benefit Base, however.

If we increase the SecurePay Fee, we will give you at least 30 days' written notice prior to the increase. You may elect not to pay the increase in your SecurePay Fee. If you elect not to pay the increased SecurePay Fee, your SecurePay rider will not terminate, but your Benefit Base will be capped at its then current value (i.e., your SecurePay Anniversary Value will be reset to $0) and you will give up the opportunity for any future increases in the Benefit Base if your Contract Value exceeds your Benefit Base on subsequent Contract Anniversaries. You will continue to be assessed your current SecurePay Fee. See "SecurePay."

Transfer Fee

Currently, there is no charge for transfers. Protective Life reserves the right, however, to charge $25 for each transfer after the first 12 transfers in any Contract Year if Protective Life determines, in its sole discretion, that the number of transfers or the cost of processing such transfers is excessive. We will give written notice thirty (30) days before we impose a transfer fee or limit the number of transfers. For the purpose of assessing the fee, we would consider each request to be one transfer, regardless of the number of Investment Options affected by the transfer in one day. We would deduct the fee from the amount being transferred.

Fund Expenses

The net assets of each Sub-Account of the Variable Account will reflect the investment management fees and other operating expenses the Funds incur. For each Fund, an investment manager receives a daily fee for its services. Some Funds also deduct 12b-1 fees from Fund assets. Over time these fees, which are paid out of a Fund's assets on an ongoing basis, will increase the cost of an investment in Fund shares. (See the prospectuses for the Funds for information about the Funds.)

Premium Taxes

New York does not currently impose premium taxes on variable annuities. If premium taxes did apply to your Contract, we would deduct them from the Purchase Payment(s) when accepted or from the Contract Value upon a withdrawal or surrender, death or annuitization.

Other Taxes

Currently, no charge will be made against the Variable Account for federal, state or local taxes other than premium taxes. We reserve the right, however, to deduct a charge for taxes attributable to the operation of the Variable Account.

Other Information

  We sell the Contracts through registered representatives of broker-dealers. These registered representatives are also appointed and licensed as insurance agents of Protective Life. We pay commissions and other compensation to the broker-dealers for selling the Contracts. You do not directly pay the commissions and other compensation, we do. We intend to recover commissions and other compensation, marketing, administrative and other expenses and costs of Contract benefits through the fees and charges imposed under the Contracts. See "DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS" for more information about payments we make to the broker-dealers.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Annuity Date

On the Issue Date, the Annuity Date is the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 95th birthday. You may elect a different Annuity Date, provided that it is no later than the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 95th birthday (the "Maximum Annuity Date"). You may not choose an Annuity Date that is less than 1 year after the Issue Date. Distributions from Qualified Contracts may be required before the Annuity Date.

If you choose to annuitize before the Maximum Annuity Date, the SecurePay rider will terminate and you will not be entitled to any benefits under the rider, including the Annual Withdrawal Amount. We will contact you if the Annuity Value would result in smaller payments than the Annual Withdrawal Amount value. We will inform you of the smaller payments associated with annuitizing and we will confirm which option you would prefer.

If you annuitize on the Maximum Annuity Date and your SecurePay rider is in effect, in addition to the other Annuity Options available to you under your Contract, one of your Annuity Options will be to receive monthly annuity payments equal to the AWA divided by 12 for the life of the Covered Person (or the last surviving Covered Person if Joint Life Coverage was selected). If you do not select an Annuity Option, your monthly annuity payments will be the greater of (i) the AWA divided by 12 or (ii) payments based upon the Contract Value for the life of the Annuitant with a 10-year Certain Period.

You should discuss annuity options with your financial professional.

Changing the Annuity Date

The Owner may change the Annuity Date by Written Notice. The new Annuity Date must be at least 30 days after the date we receive Written Notice and no later than the oldest Owner’s or Annuitant’s 95th birthday. You may not choose a new Annuity Date that is less than 1 year after the Issue Date. Also, you may not choose an Annuity Option for a certain period of less than 10 years.

Annuity Value

The Annuity Value is the amount we will apply to the Annuity Option you have selected. Generally the Annuity Value is your Contract Value on the Annuity Date, less any applicable fees, charges and premium tax on that date. In the circumstances described below, however, we may use an Annuity Value that is higher than the Contract Value.

PayStream Plus® Annuitization Benefit

If your Annuity Date is on or after your 10th Contract Anniversary and you select Annuity Option B (life income with or without a certain period) with a certain period of at least 10 years, your Annuity Value will be your Contract Value on the Annuity Date plus 2% of the Contract Value on that date, less any applicable fees, charges and premium tax.

Annuity Income Payments

On the Annuity Date, we will apply your Annuity Value to the Annuity Option you have selected to determine your annuity income payment. You may elect to receive a fixed income payment, a variable income payment, or a combination of both using the same Annuity Option and certain period. You have the option of choosing to receive annuity income payments monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. If variable income payments are elected, the mortality and expense risk charge and the administration charge will continue to be imposed as part of the net investment factor.

Fixed Income Payments

Fixed income payments are periodic payments from Protective Life to the designated Payee, the amount of which is fixed and guaranteed by Protective Life. Fixed income payments are not in any way dependent upon the investment experience of the Variable Account. Once fixed income payments have begun, they may not be surrendered.

Variable Income Payments

Variable income payments are periodic payments from Protective Life to the designated Payee, the amount of which varies from one payment to the next as a reflection of the net investment experience of the Sub-Account(s) you select to support the payments. You may fully or partially surrender variable income payments for a commuted value if those payments are being made under Annuity Option A (payments for a certain period). "Commuted value" is the present value of the future variable income payments made over the selected certain period, discounted back at an Assumed Investment Return. Refer to Appendix C for an explanation of the commuted value calculation. You may not surrender variable income payments if those payments are being made under Annuity Option B (life income with or without a certain period).

Annuity Units

On the Annuity Date, we will apply the Annuity Value you have allocated to variable income payments (less applicable charges and premium taxes) to the variable Annuity Option you have selected. Using an interest assumption of 5%, we will determine the dollar amount that would equal a variable income payment if a payment were made on that date. (No payment is actually made on that date.) We will then allocate that dollar amount among the Sub-Accounts you selected to support your variable income payments, and we will determine the number of Annuity Units in each of those Sub-Accounts that is credited to your Contract. We will make this determination based on the Annuity Unit values established at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the Annuity Date. If the Annuity Date is a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, we will determine the number of Annuity Units on the next day the New York Stock Exchange is open. The number of Annuity Units attributable to each Sub-Account under a Contract generally remains constant unless there is an exchange of Annuity Units between Sub-Accounts.

Determining the Amount of Variable Income Payments

We will determine the amount of your variable income payment no earlier than five Valuation Dates before the date on which a payment is due, using values established at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange that day.

We determine the dollar amount of each variable income payment attributable to each Sub-Account by multiplying the number of Annuity Units of that Sub-Account credited to your Contract by the Annuity Unit value (described below) for that Sub-Account on the Valuation Period during which the payment is determined. The dollar value of each variable income payment is the sum of the variable income payments attributable to each Sub-Account.

The Annuity Unit value of each Sub-Account for any Valuation Period is equal to (a) multiplied by (b) divided by (c) where:

  1. is the net investment factor for the Valuation Period for which the Annuity Unit value is being calculated;
  2. is the Annuity Unit value for the preceding Valuation Period; and
  3. is a daily Assumed Investment Return (AIR) factor adjusted for the number of days in the Valuation Period.

The AIR is equal to 5%.

If the net investment return of the Sub-Account for a variable income payment period is equal to the AIR during that period, the variable income payment attributable to that Sub-Account for that period will equal the payment for the prior period. To the extent that such net investment return exceeds the AIR for that period, the payment for that period will be greater than the payment for the prior period; to the extent that such net investment return falls short of the AIR for that period, the payment for that period will be less than the payment for the prior period.

Refer to Appendix C for an explanation of the variable income payment calculation.

Exchange of Annuity Units

After the Annuity Date, you may exchange the dollar amount of a designated number of Annuity Units of a particular Sub-Account for an equivalent dollar amount of Annuity Units of another Sub-Account. On the date of the exchange, the dollar amount of a variable income payment generated from the Annuity Units of either Sub-Account would be the same. We allow only one exchange between Sub-Accounts in any calendar month, and allow no exchanges between the Guaranteed Account and the Variable Account.

Annuity Options

You may select an Annuity Option, or change your selection by Written Notice that Protective Life receives no later than 30 days before the Annuity Date. You may not change your selection of an Annuity Option less than 30 days before the Annuity Date. We will send you a notice in advance of your Annuity Date which asks you to select your Annuity Option. Your choice of Annuity Option may be limited, depending on your use of the Contract. If you have not selected an Annuity Option within 30 days of the Annuity Date, we will apply your Annuity Value to Option B — Life Income with Payments for a 10 Year Certain Period, with the Variable Account value used to purchase variable income payments and the Guaranteed Account value used to purchase fixed income payments.

Generally, you may select from among the Annuity Options described below. However, certain Annuity Options and/or certain period durations may not be available, depending on the age of the Annuitant and whether your Contract is a Qualified Contract that is subject to limitations under the Required Minimum Distribution rules of Section 401(a)(9) of the Code. In addition, once annuity payments start under an Annuity Option, it may be necessary to modify those payments following the Annuitant's death in order to comply with the Required Minimum Distribution rules, if your Annuity is a Qualified Annuity. For a discussion of the post-death distribution requirements for Qualified Contracts, see "QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, Required Minimum Distributions Upon Your Death."

Option A — Payments For a Certain Period:

We will make payments for the period you select. No certain period may be longer than 30 years. Payments under this Annuity Option do not depend on the life of an Annuitant.

Option B — Life Income With Or Without A Certain Period:

Payments are based on the life of the named Annuitant(s). If you elect to include a certain period, we will make payments for the lifetime of the Annuitant(s), with payments guaranteed for the certain period you select. No certain period may be longer than 30 years. Payments stop at the end of the selected certain period or when the Annuitant(s) dies, whichever is later. We reserve the right to demand proof that the Annuitant(s) is living prior to making any payment under Option B. If no certain period is selected, no payments will be made after the death of the Annuitant(s), no matter how few or how many payments have been made. This means the Payee will receive no annuity payments if the Annuitant(s) dies before the first scheduled payment, will receive only one payment if death occurs before the second scheduled payment, and so on.

Additional Option:

You may use the Annuity Value to purchase any annuity contract that we offer on the date you elect this option.

When selecting an Annuity Option, you should bear in mind that the amount of each payment for a certain period compared to the amount of each payment for life (either with or without a certain period) depends on the length of the certain period chosen and the life expectancy of the Annuitant(s). The longer the life expectancy, the lower the payments. Generally, the shorter the certain period chosen, the higher the payments. In addition, more frequent payments will generally result in lower payment amounts, and conversely, less frequent payments will result in higher payment amounts. You also should consider that, assuming Annuitants with the same life expectancy, choosing Option B — Life Income Without a Certain Period will result in larger annuity payments than Option B — Life Income with a Certain Period (although the Payee will receive more payments under Option B — Life Income with a Certain Period if the Annuitant dies before the end of the certain period). You should consult your sales representative to discuss which Annuity Option would be most appropriate for your circumstances.

At this time Protective does not allow a "partial annuitization," i.e., we do not allow you to apply a portion of your Contract Value to an annuity option while maintaining the remaining Contract Value available for withdrawals or a surrender. However, in the future we may allow a partial annuitization subject to our then applicable rules and procedures.

Minimum Amounts

If your Annuity Value is less than $2,000 on the Annuity Date, we reserve the right to pay the Annuity Value in one lump sum if, in our sole discretion, we determine that a single payment is necessary to avoid excessive administrative costs. If at any time your annuity income payments are less than the minimum payment amount according to the Company's rules then in effect, we reserve the right to change the frequency to an interval that will result in a payment at least equal to the minimum. The current minimum payment amount is $50, but we reserve the right to change that amount in the future.

Death of Annuitant or Owner After Annuity Date

In the event of the death of any Owner on or after the Annuity Date, the Beneficiary will become the new Owner. If any Owner or Annuitant dies on or after the Annuity Date and before all benefits under the Annuity Option you selected have been paid, we generally will pay any remaining portion of such benefits at least as rapidly as under the Annuity Option in effect when the Owner or Annuitant died. However, in the case of a Qualified Contract, the Required Minimum Distribution rules of Code Section 401(a)(9) may require any remaining portion of such benefits to be paid more rapidly than originally scheduled. In that regard, it is important to understand that in the case of a Qualified Contract, once annuity payments start under an Annuity Option it may be necessary to modify those payments following the Annuitant's death in order to comply with the Required Minimum Distribution rules. See "QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS, Required Minimum Distributions Upon Your Death." After the death of the Annuitant, any remaining payments shall be payable to the Beneficiary unless you specified otherwise before the Annuitant's death.

YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS

From time to time, Protective Life may advertise or include in sales literature yields, effective yields, and total returns for the Sub-Accounts. These figures are based on historic results and do not indicate or project future performance.

Yields, effective yields, and total returns for the Sub-Accounts are based on the investment performance of the corresponding Funds. The Funds' performance also reflects the Funds' expenses, including any 12b-1 fees. Certain of the expenses of each Fund may be reimbursed by the investment manager. See the prospectuses for the Funds.

Yields

The yield of the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account refers to the annualized income generated by an investment in the Sub-Account over a specified seven-day period. The SEC Standardized yield is calculated by assuming that the income generated for that seven-day period is generated each seven day period over a 52 week period and is shown as a percentage of the investment. The SEC Standardized effective yield is calculated similarly but when annualized the income earned by an investment in the Sub-Account is assumed to be reinvested. The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.

The yield of a Sub-Account (except the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account) refers to the annualized income generated by an investment in the Sub-Account over a specified 30 day or one-month period. The yield is calculated by assuming that the income generated by the investment during that 30 day or one month period is generated each period over a 12 month period and is shown as a percentage of the investment.

Information regarding the current yield of the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account as well as the performance of the other Sub-Accounts can be found at https://apps.myprotective.com/vavulperformance/Views/default.aspx. Both SEC standardized and non-SEC standardized data are available.

Total Returns

The total return of a Sub-Account refers to return quotations assuming an investment under a Contract has been held in the Sub-Account for various periods of time including a period measured from the date the Sub-Account commenced operations. Average annual total return refers to total return quotations that are based on an average return over various periods of time.

Certain Funds have been in existence prior to the investment by the Sub-Accounts in such Funds. Protective Life may advertise and include in sales literature the performance of the Sub-Accounts that invest in these Funds for these prior periods. The performance information of any period prior to the investments by the Sub-Accounts is calculated as if the Sub-Accounts had invested in those Funds during those periods, using current charges and expenses associated with the Contract.

Standardized Average Annual Total Returns

The average annual total return quotations represent the average annual compounded rates of return that would equate an initial investment of $1,000 under a Contract to the redemption value of that investment as of the last day of each of the periods for which the quotations are provided. Average annual total return information shows the average percentage change in the value of an investment in the Sub-Account from the beginning date of the measuring period to the end of that period. This SEC standardized version of average annual total return reflects all historical investment results, less all charges and deductions applied under the Contract if you terminated the Contract at the end of each indicated period, but excluding any deductions for premium taxes.

When a Sub-Account has been in operation prior to the commencement of the offering of the Contract described in this Prospectus, Protective Life may advertise and include in sales literature the performance of the Sub-Accounts for these prior periods. The Sub-Account performance information of any period prior to the commencement of the offering of the Contract is calculated as if the Contract had been offered during those periods, using current charges and expenses.

Until a Sub-Account (other than the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account) has been in operation for 10 years, Protective Life will always include quotes of standard average annual total return for the period measured from the date that Sub-Account began operations. When a Sub-Account (other than the Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Government Money Fund Sub-Account) has been in operation for one, five and ten years, respectively, the standard version average annual total return for these periods will be provided.

Non-Standard Average Annual Total Returns

In addition to the standard version of average annual total return described above, total return performance information computed on non-standard bases may be used in advertisements or sales literature. In addition, Protective Life may from time to time disclose average annual total return in other non-standard formats and cumulative total return for Contracts funded by the Sub-Accounts.

Protective Life may, from time to time, also disclose yield, standard average annual total returns, and non-standard total returns for the Funds.

Non-standard performance data will only be disclosed if the standard performance data for the periods described in "Standardized Average Annual Total Returns," above, is also disclosed.

Performance Comparisons

Protective Life may, from time to time, advertise or include in sales literature Sub-Account performance relative to certain performance rankings and indices compiled by independent organizations. In advertising and sales literature, the performance of each Sub-Account may be compared to the performance of other variable annuity issuers in general or to the performance of particular types of variable annuities investing in mutual funds, or investment portfolios of mutual funds with investment objectives similar to each of the Sub-Accounts. Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), the Variable Annuity Research Data Service ("VARDS"), and Morningstar Inc. ("Morningstar") are independent services which monitor and rank the performance of variable annuity issuers in each of the major categories of investment objectives on an industry-wide basis.

Lipper and Morningstar rankings include variable life insurance issuers as well as variable annuity issuers. VARDS rankings compare only variable annuity issuers. The performance analyses prepared by Lipper, Morningstar and VARDS each rank such issuers on the basis of total return, assuming reinvestment of distributions, but do not take sales charges, redemption fees, or certain expense deductions at the separate account level into consideration. In addition, VARDS prepares risk adjusted rankings, which consider the effects of market risk on total return performance. This type of ranking provides data as to which funds provide the highest total return within various categories of funds defined by the degree of risk inherent in their investment objectives.

Advertising and sales literature may also compare the performance of each Sub-Account to the Standard & Poor's Index of 500 Common Stocks, a widely used measure of stock performance. This unmanaged index assumes the reinvestment of dividends but does not reflect any "deduction" for the expense of operating or managing an investment portfolio. Other independent ranking services and indices may also be used as a source of performance comparison.

Other Matters

Protective Life may also report other information including the effect of tax-deferred compounding on a Sub-Account's investment returns, or returns in general, which may be illustrated by tables, graphs, or charts.

All income and capital gains derived from Sub-Account investments are reinvested and can lead to substantial long-term accumulation of assets, provided that the underlying Fund's investment experience is positive.

FEDERAL TAX MATTERS

Introduction

The following discussion of the federal income tax treatment of the Contract is not exhaustive, does not purport to cover all situations, and is not intended as tax advice. The federal income tax treatment of the Contract is unclear in certain circumstances, and you should always consult a qualified tax adviser regarding the application of law to individual circumstances. This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury Department regulations, and interpretations existing on the date of this Prospectus. These authorities, however, are subject to change by Congress, the Treasury Department, and judicial decisions.

This discussion does not address Federal estate, gift, or generation skipping transfer taxes, or any state or local tax consequences associated with the purchase of the Contract. In addition, Protective Life makes no guarantee regarding any tax treatment — federal, state or local — of any Contract or of any transaction involving a Contract.

Temporary Rules under CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). Among other provisions, the CARES Act includes temporary relief from certain tax rules applicable to IRAs and qualified plans. This relief generally only applies during 2020. These changes are discussed below under “Qualified Retirement Plans.” The CARES Act does not change the tax rules applicable to nonqualified contracts.

The Company's Tax Status

Protective Life is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since the operations of the Variable Account are a part of, and are taxed with, the operations of the Company, the Variable Account is not separately taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. Under existing federal income tax laws, investment income and capital gains of the Variable Account are not taxed to the extent they are applied under a Contract. Protective Life does not anticipate that it will incur any federal income tax liability attributable to such income and gains of the Variable Account, and therefore does not intend to make provision for any such taxes. If Protective Life is taxed on investment income or capital gains of the Variable Account, then Protective Life may impose a charge against the Variable Account in order to make provision for such taxes.

TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL

Tax Deferral During Accumulation Period

Under existing provisions of the Code, except as described below, any increase in an Owner's Contract Value is generally not taxable to the Owner until received, either in the form of annuity payments as contemplated by the Contracts, or in some other form of distribution. However, this rule applies only if:

  1. the investments of the Variable Account are "adequately diversified" in accordance with Treasury Department regulations;
  2. the Company, rather than the Owner, is considered the owner of the assets of the Variable Account for federal income tax purposes; and
  3. the Owner is an individual (or an individual is treated as the Owner for tax purposes).

Diversification Requirements

The Code and Treasury Department regulations prescribe the manner in which the investments of a segregated asset account, such as the Variable Account, are to be "adequately diversified." If the Variable Account fails to comply with these diversification standards, the Contract will not be treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes and the Owner would generally be taxable currently on the excess of the Contract Value over the premiums paid for the Contract. Protective Life expects that the Variable Account, through the Funds, will comply with the diversification requirements prescribed by the Code and Treasury Department regulations.

Ownership Treatment

In certain circumstances, variable annuity contract owners may be considered the owners, for federal income tax purposes, of the assets of a segregated asset account, such as the Variable Account, used to support their contracts. In those circumstances, income and gains from the segregated asset account would be currently includable in the contract owners' gross income. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has stated in published rulings that a variable contract owner will be considered the owner of the assets of a segregated asset account if the owner possesses incidents of ownership in those assets, such as the ability to exercise investment control over the assets.

The ownership rights under the Contract are similar to, but differ in certain respects from, the ownership rights described in certain IRS rulings where it was determined that contract owners were not owners of the assets of a segregated asset account (and thus not currently taxable on the income and gains). For example, the Owner of this Contract has the choice of more Investment Options to which to allocate Purchase Payments and Variable Account values than were addressed in such rulings. These differences could result in the Owner being treated as the owner of the assets of the Variable Account and thus subject to current taxation on the income and gains from those assets. In addition, the Company does not know what standards will be set forth in any further regulations or rulings which the Treasury Department or IRS may issue. Protective Life therefore reserves the right to modify the Contract as necessary to attempt to prevent Contract Owners from being considered the owners of the assets of the Variable Account. However, there is no assurance such efforts would be successful.

Nonnatural Owner

As a general rule, Contracts held by "nonnatural persons" such as a corporation, trust or other similar entity, as opposed to a natural person, are not treated as annuity contracts for federal tax purposes. The income on such Contracts (as defined in the tax law) is taxed as ordinary income that is received or accrued by the Owner of the Contract during the taxable year. There are several exceptions to this general rule for nonnatural Owners. First, Contracts will generally be treated as held by a natural person if the nominal owner is a trust or other entity which holds the Contract as an agent for a natural person. Thus, if a group Contract is held by a trust or other entity as an agent for certificate owners who are individuals, those individuals should be treated as owning an annuity for federal income tax purposes. However, this special exception will not apply in the case of any employer who is the nominal owner of a Contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for its employees.

In addition, exceptions to the general rule for nonnatural Owners will apply with respect to:

  1. Contracts acquired by an estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the decedent;
  2. Certain Qualified Contracts;
  3. Contracts purchased by employers upon the termination of certain Qualified Plans;
  4. Certain Contracts used in connection with structured settlement agreements; and
  5. Contracts purchased with a single purchase payment when the annuity starting date is no later than a year from purchase of the Contract and substantially equal periodic payments are made, not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period.

Delayed Annuity Dates

If the Contract's Annuity Date occurs (or is scheduled to occur) at a time when the Annuitant has reached an advanced age (e.g., past age 95), it is possible that the Contract would not be treated as an annuity for federal income tax purposes. In that event, the income and gains under the Contract could be currently includable in the Owner's income.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Contract will be treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes.

Taxation of Withdrawals and Surrenders

In the case of a withdrawal, amounts you receive are generally includable in income to the extent your Contract Value before the surrender exceeds your "investment in the contract" (defined below). All amounts includable in income with respect to the Contract are taxed as ordinary income; no amounts are taxed at the special lower rates applicable to long term capital gains and corporate dividends. Amounts received under an automatic withdrawal plan are treated for tax purposes as withdrawals, not annuity payments. In the case of a surrender, amounts received are includable in income to the extent they exceed the "investment in the contract." For these purposes, the "investment in the contract" at any time equals the total of the Purchase Payments made under the Contract to that time (to the extent such payments were neither deductible when made nor excludable from income as, for example, in the case of certain contributions to Qualified Contracts) less any amounts previously received from the Contract which were not includable in income.

Withdrawals and surrenders may be subject to a 10% penalty tax. (See "Penalty Tax on Premature Distributions.") Withdrawals and surrenders may also be subject to federal income tax withholding requirements. (See "FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.")

As described elsewhere in this Prospectus, the Company assesses a fee with respect to the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit. The Company also assesses a fee for determining whether it will allow an increased amount of SecurePay Withdrawals for certain medical conditions. It is possible that these fees (or some portion thereof) could be treated for federal tax purposes as a withdrawal from the Contract.

Taxation of Annuity Payments

Normally, the portion of each annuity income payment taxable as ordinary income equals the excess of the payment over the exclusion amount. In the case of variable income payments, the exclusion amount is the "investment in the contract" (defined above) you allocate to the variable Annuity Option when payments begin, adjusted for any period certain or refund feature, divided by the number of payments expected (as determined by Treasury Department regulations which take into account the Annuitant's life expectancy and the form of annuity benefit selected). In the case of fixed income payments, the exclusion amount is determined by multiplying (1) the payment by (2) the ratio of the investment in the contract you allocate to the fixed Annuity Option, adjusted for any period certain or refund feature, to the total expected amount of annuity income payments for the term of the Contract (determined under Treasury Department regulations).

Once the total amount of the investment in the contract is excluded using the above formulas, annuity income payments will be fully taxable. If annuity income payments cease because of the death of the Annuitant and before the total amount of the investment in the contract is recovered, the unrecovered amount generally will be allowed as a deduction.

There may be special income tax issues present in situations where the Owner and the Annuitant are not the same person and are not married to one another within the meaning of federal tax law. You should consult a tax adviser in those situations.

Annuity income payments may be subject to federal income tax withholding requirements. (See "FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.")

Tax Consequences of Protected Lifetime Income Benefits

Withdrawals, pledges, or gifts.  In general, SecurePay Withdrawals are treated for tax purposes as withdrawals. As described elsewhere, in the case of a withdrawal, an assignment or pledge of any portion of a Contract, or a transfer of the Contract without adequate consideration, the Owner will be required to include in income an amount determined by reference to the excess of his or her Contract Value ("cash surrender value" in the case of a transfer without adequate consideration) over the "investment in the contract" at the time of the transaction. If you purchase the SecurePay rider, the IRS may determine that the income in connection with such transactions should be determined by reference to the excess of the greater of (1) the AWA , or (2) the Contract Value ("cash surrender value" in the case of a transfer without adequate consideration) over the "investment in the contract."

Annuity Payments.  If the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's 95th birthday occurs while the SecurePay rider is in effect, and we provide monthly payments equal to the greater of (1) the AWA, as applicable, divided by 12, and (2) payments under a life annuity with a 10 year certain period, we will treat such monthly payments as annuity income payments. Also, if the Contract Value is reduced to zero due to the deduction of fees and charges or a SecurePay Withdrawal, we will treat periodic payments made on or after the Annuity Date established under the SecurePay settlement as annuity income payments. As described above, annuity income payments are includable in gross income to the extent they exceed the exclusion amount. Once the total amount of the investment in the contract is excluded from income, annuity income payments will be fully taxable. It is possible that the total amount of the investment in the contract will be excluded from income as a result of withdrawals taken prior to the Annuity Date established under the SecurePay settlement, in which case all payments made on or after that date will be fully includable in income.

Taxation of Death Benefit Proceeds

Prior to the Annuity Date, we may distribute amounts from a Contract because of the death of an Owner or, in certain circumstances, the death of the Annuitant. Such death benefit proceeds are includable in income as follows:

  1. if distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed in the same manner as a surrender, as described above; or
  2. if distributed under an Annuity Option, they are taxed in the same manner as annuity income payments, as described above.

After the Annuity Date, if a guaranteed period exists under a life income Annuity Option and the Annuitant dies before the end of that period, payments we make to the Beneficiary for the remainder of that period are includable in income as follows:

  1. if received in a lump sum, they are included in income to the extent that they exceed the unrecovered investment in the contract at that time; or
  2. if distributed in accordance with the existing Annuity Option selected, they are fully excluded from income until the remaining investment in the contract is deemed to be recovered, and all annuity income payments thereafter are fully includable in income.

Proceeds payable on death may be subject to federal income tax withholding requirements. (See "FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.")

Assignments, Pledges, and Gratuitous Transfers

Other than in the case of Qualified Contracts (which generally cannot be assigned or pledged), any assignment or pledge of (or agreement to assign or pledge) any portion of the Contract Value is treated for federal income tax purposes as a withdrawal of such amount or portion. If the entire Contract Value is assigned or pledged, subsequent increases in the Contract Value are also treated as withdrawals for as long as the assignment or pledge remains in place. The investment in the contract is increased by the amount includable as income with respect to such assignment or pledge, though it is not affected by any other aspect of the assignment or pledge (including its release). If an Owner transfers a Contract without adequate consideration to a person other than the Owner's spouse (or to a former spouse incident to divorce), the Owner will be required to include in income the difference between the "cash surrender value" and the investment in the contract at the time of transfer. In such case, the transferee's "investment in the contract" will increase to reflect the increase in the transferor's income. The exceptions for transfers to the Owner's spouse (or to a former spouse) are limited to individuals that are treated as spouses under federal tax law.

Penalty Tax on Premature Distributions

Where we have not issued the Contract in connection with a Qualified Plan, there generally is a 10% penalty tax on the amount of any payment from the Contract (e.g. withdrawals, surrenders, annuity payments, death benefit proceeds, assignments, pledges, and gratuitous transfers) that is includable in income unless the payment is:

  1. received on or after the Owner reaches age 59-1/2;
  2. attributable to the Owner's becoming disabled (as defined in the tax law);
  3. made on or after the death of the Owner or, if the Owner is not an individual, on or after the death of the primary annuitant (as defined in the tax law);
  4. made as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) for the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Owner and a designated beneficiary (as defined in the tax law); or
  5. made under a Contract purchased with a single Purchase Payment when the annuity starting date is no later than a year from purchase of the Contract and substantially equal periodic payments are made, not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period.

Certain other exceptions to the 10% penalty tax not described herein also may apply. (Similar rules, discussed below, apply in the case of certain Qualified Contracts.)

Aggregation of Contracts

In certain circumstances, the IRS may determine the amount of an annuity income payment, withdrawal, or a surrender from a Contract that is includable in income by combining some or all of the annuity contracts a person owns that were not issued in connection with Qualified Plans. For example, if a person purchases a Contract offered by this Prospectus and also purchases at approximately the same time an immediate annuity issued by Protective Life (or its affiliates), the IRS may treat the two contracts as one contract. In addition, if a person purchases two or more deferred annuity contracts from the same insurance company (or its affiliates) during any calendar year, all such contracts will be treated as one contract for purposes of determining whether any payment that was not received as an annuity (including surrenders or withdrawals prior to the Annuity Date) is includable in income. The effects of such aggregation are not always clear; however, it could affect the amount of a withdrawal, surrender, or an annuity payment that is taxable and the amount which might be subject to the 10% penalty tax described above.

Exchanges of Annuity Contracts

We may issue the Contract in exchange for all or part of another annuity contract that you own. Such an exchange will be tax free if certain requirements are satisfied. If the exchange is tax free, your investment in the Contract immediately after the exchange will generally be the same as that of the annuity contract exchanged, increased by any additional Purchase Payment made as part of the exchange. Your Contract Value immediately after the exchange may exceed your investment in the Contract. That excess may be includable in income should amounts subsequently be withdrawn or distributed from the Contract (e.g., as a withdrawal, surrender, annuity income payment, or death benefit).

If you exchange part of an existing contract for the Contract, and within 180 days of the exchange you receive a payment other than certain annuity payments (e.g., you make a withdrawal) from either contract, the exchange may not be treated as a tax free exchange. Rather, some or all of the amount exchanged into the Contract could be includible in your income and subject to a 10% penalty tax.

You should consult your tax advisor in connection with an exchange of all or part of an annuity contract for the Contract, especially if you may make a withdrawal from either contract within 180 days after the exchange.

Medicare Hospital Insurance Tax on Certain Distributions

A Medicare hospital insurance tax of 3.8% will apply to some types of investment income. This tax will apply to all taxable distributions from non-Qualified Contracts. This tax only applies to taxpayers with "modified adjusted gross income" above $250,000 in the case of married couples filing jointly or a qualifying widow(er) with dependent child, $125,000 in the case of married couples filing separately, and $200,000 for all others. For more information regarding this tax and whether it may apply to you, please consult your tax advisor.

Loss of Interest Deduction Where Contract Is Held By or For the Benefit of Certain Nonnatural Persons

In the case of Contracts issued after June 8, 1997, to a nonnatural taxpayer (such as a corporation or a trust), or held for the benefit of such an entity, that entity's general interest deduction under the Code may be limited. More specifically, a portion of its otherwise deductible interest may not be deductible by the entity, regardless of whether the interest relates to debt used to purchase or carry the Contract. However, this interest deduction disallowance does not affect Contracts where the income on such Contracts is treated as ordinary income that the Owner received or accrued during the taxable year. Entities that are considering purchasing the Contract, or entities that will be Beneficiaries under a Contract, should consult a tax adviser.

QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS

In General

The Contracts are also designed for use in connection with certain types of retirement plans which receive favorable treatment under the Code. Many Qualified Plans provide the same type of tax deferral as provided by the Contract. The Contract, however, provides a number of benefits and features not provided by such retirement plans and employee benefit plans or arrangements alone. For example, the Contract gives you the right to annuitize and receive annuity payments, and it offers several benefits such as the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit and the SecurePay rider. There may be costs and expenses under the Contract related to these benefits and features. Those who are considering the purchase of a Contract for use in connection with a Qualified Plan should consider, in evaluating the suitability of the Contract, that additional Purchase Payments may be limited or not accepted. Numerous special tax rules apply to the participants in Qualified Plans and to Contracts used in connection with Qualified Plans. Therefore, we make no attempt in this Prospectus to provide more than general information about use of the Contract with the various types of Qualified Plans. State income tax rules applicable to Qualified Plans and Qualified Contracts often differ from federal income tax rules, and this prospectus does not describe any of these differences. Those who intend to use the Contract in connection with Qualified Plans should seek competent advice.

The tax rules applicable to Qualified Plans vary according to the type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. For example, for surrenders, automatic withdrawals, withdrawals, and annuity income payments under Qualified Contracts, there may be no "investment in the contract" and the total amount received may be taxable. Both the amount of the contribution that you and/or your employer may make, and the tax deduction or exclusion that you and/or your employer may claim for such contribution, are limited under Qualified Plans.

Temporary Rules under the CARES Act

As noted above, on March 27, 2020, Congress passed and the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which includes temporary relief from certain of the tax rules applicable to IRAs and qualified plans. The scope and availability of this temporary relief may vary depending on a number of factors, including (1) the type of plan or IRA with which the contract is used, (2) whether a plan sponsor implements a particular type of relief, (3) your specific circumstances, and (4) future guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor. You should consult with a tax and/or legal adviser to determine if relief is available to you before taking or failing to take any actions involving your IRA or other qualified contract.

Required Minimum Distributions.  The CARES Act waives the requirement to take minimum distributions from IRAs and defined contribution plans in 2020. The waiver applies to any minimum distribution due from such arrangements in 2020, including minimum distributions with respect to the 2019 tax year that are due in 2020.

This relief applies both to lifetime and post-death minimum distributions due in 2020. In that regard, the CARES Act also provides that if the post-death 5-year rule described below under “Required Distributions upon Your Death, Prior law” applies, the 5-year period is determined without regard to calendar year 2020.

Distributions.  The CARES Act provides relief for coronavirus-related distributions made from an “eligible retirement plan” (defined below) to a “qualified individual” (also defined below). The relief —

The distribution must come from, and any recontribution must be made to, an “eligible retirement plan” within the meaning of section 402(c)(8)(B) of the Code, i.e., an IRA, 401(a) plan, 403(a) plan, 403(b) plan, or governmental 457(b) plan, including Roth arrangements. The relief is limited to aggregate distributions of $100,000. The relief applies to such distributions made at any time during the 2020 calendar year.

Plan Loans.  The CARES Act provides the following relief with respect to plan loans taken by any “qualified individual” (as defined below) —

Individuals Eligible for Withdrawal and Loan Relief.  Only a “qualified individual” is eligible for the withdrawal and loan relief provided under the CARES Act. A “qualified individual” is an individual in one of the following categories:

The CARES Act provides that the administrator of an eligible retirement plan may rely on an employee’s certification that the employee is a qualified individual as defined above.

Required Minimum Distributions In General

In the case of Qualified Contracts, special tax rules apply to the time at which distributions must commence and the form in which the distributions must be paid. For example, the length of any guarantee period may be limited in some circumstances to satisfy certain minimum distribution requirements under the Code. Furthermore, failure to comply with minimum distribution requirements applicable to Qualified Plans will result in the imposition of an excise tax. This excise tax generally equals 50% of the amount by which a minimum required distribution exceeds the actual distribution from the Qualified Plan. Distributions of minimum amounts (as specified in the tax law) must commence from Qualified Plans by the "required beginning date." In the case of Individual Retirement Accounts or Annuities (IRAs), this generally means April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Owner attains age 72 (or 70 1/2 for Owners born before July 1, 1949). In the case of certain other Qualified Plans, distributions of such minimum amounts must generally commence by the later of this date or April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee retires. The death benefit under your Contract, the PayStream Plus annuitization benefit, the benefits under the SecurePay rider, and certain other benefits that the IRS may characterize as "other benefits" for purposes of the regulations under Code Section 401(a)(9), may increase the amount of the minimum required distribution that must be taken from your Contract.

Required Minimum Distributions Upon Your Death

Upon your death under an IRA, Roth IRA, or other employer sponsored defined contribution plan, any remaining interest must be distributed in accordance with federal income tax requirements under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code. The death benefit provisions of your Qualified Contract shall be interpreted to comply with those requirements. The post-death distribution requirements were amended, applicable generally with respect to deaths occurring after 2019, by the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act), which was part of the larger Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. The post-death distribution requirements under prior law continue to apply in certain circumstances.

Prior law.  Under prior law, if an employee under an employer sponsored plan or the owner of an IRA dies prior to the required beginning date, the remaining interest must be distributed (1) within 5 years after the death (the “5-year rule”), or (2) over the life of the designated beneficiary, or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary, provided that such distributions commence within one year after death (the “lifetime payout rule”). If the employee or IRA owner dies on or after the required beginning date (including after the date distributions have commenced in the form of an annuity), the remaining interest must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of death (the “at-least-as-rapidly rule”).

The new law.  Under the new law, if you die after 2019, and you have a designated beneficiary, any remaining interest must be distributed within 10 years after your death, unless the designated beneficiary is an “eligible designated beneficiary” (“EDB”) or some other exception applies. A designated beneficiary is any individual designated as a beneficiary by the employee or IRA owner. An EDB is any designated beneficiary who is (1) your surviving spouse, (2) your minor child, (3) disabled, (4) chronically ill, or (5) an individual not more than 10 years younger than you. An individual’s status as an EDB is determined on the date of your death.

This 10-year post-death distribution period applies regardless of whether you die before your required beginning date or you die on or after that date (including after distributions have commenced in the form of an annuity). However, if the beneficiary is an EDB and the EDB dies before the entire interest is distributed under this 10-year rule, the remaining interest must be distributed within 10 years after the EDB’s death.

Instead of taking distributions under the new 10-year rule, an EDB can stretch distributions over life, or over a period not extending beyond life expectancy, provided that such distributions commence within one year of your death, subject to certain special rules. In particular, if the EDB dies before the remaining interest is distributed under this stretch rule, the remaining interest must be distributed within 10 years after the EDB’s death (regardless of whether the remaining distribution period under the stretch rule was more or less than 10 years). In addition, if your minor child is an EDB, the child will cease to be an EDB on the date the child reaches the age of majority, and any remaining interest must be distributed within 10 years after that date (regardless of whether the remaining distribution period under the stretch rule was more or less than 10 years).

If your beneficiary is not an individual, such as a charity, your estate, or in some cases a trust, any remaining interest after your death generally must be distributed under prior law in accordance with the 5-year rule or the at-least-as-rapidly rule, as applicable (but not the lifetime payout rule). However, if your beneficiary is a trust and all the beneficiaries of the trust are individuals, the new law may apply pursuant to special rules that treat the beneficiaries of the trust as designated beneficiaries, including special rules allowing a beneficiary of a trust who is disabled or chronically ill to stretch the distribution of their interest over their life or life expectancy in some cases. You may wish to consult a professional tax advisor about the federal income tax consequences of your beneficiary designations, particularly if a trust is involved.

More generally, the new law applies if you die after 2019, subject to several exceptions. In particular, if you are an employee under a governmental plan, such as a governmental 457(b) plan, the new law applies to your interest in that plan only if you die after 2021. In addition, if your plan is maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements, the new law generally applies to your interest in that plan only if you die after 2021 (unless the collective bargaining agreements terminate earlier).

In addition, the new post-death distribution requirements generally do not apply if the employee or IRA owner died prior to January 1, 2020. However, if the designated beneficiary of the deceased employee or IRA owner dies after January 1, 2020, any remaining interest must be distributed within 10 years of the designated beneficiary’s death. Hence, this 10-year rule generally will apply to (1) a contract issued prior to 2020 which continues to be held by a designated beneficiary of an employee or IRA owner who died prior to 2020, and (2) an inherited IRA issued after 2019 to the designated beneficiary of an employee or IRA owner who died prior to 2020.

It is important to note that under prior law, annuity payments that commenced under a method that satisfied the distribution requirements while the employee or IRA owner was alive could continue to be made under that method after the death of the employee or IRA owner. Under the new law, however, if you commence taking distributions in the form of an annuity that can continue after your death, such as in the form of a joint and survivor annuity or an annuity with a guaranteed period of more than 10 years, any distributions after your death that are scheduled to be made beyond the applicable distribution period imposed under the new law might need to be accelerated at the end of that period (or otherwise modified after your death if permitted under federal tax law and by Protective Life) in order to comply with the new post-death distribution requirements.

As a general matter, however, the new post-death distribution requirements do not apply if annuity payments that comply with prior law commenced prior to December 20, 2019. Also, even if annuity payments have not commenced prior to December 20, 2019, the new requirements generally do not apply to annuity contracts purchased prior to that date, if you have made an irrevocable election before that date as to the method and amount of the annuity.

Spousal continuation.  Under the new law, as under prior law, if your beneficiary is your spouse, your surviving spouse can delay the application of the post-death distribution requirements until after your surviving spouse’s death by transferring the remaining interest tax-free to your surviving spouse’s own IRA, or by treating your IRA as your surviving spouse’s own IRA.

The post-death distribution requirements are complex and unclear in numerous respects. The Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of the Treasury have issued very little guidance on the new law. In addition, the manner in which these requirements will apply will depend on your particular facts and circumstances. You may wish to consult a professional tax adviser for tax advice as to your particular situation.

Additional Tax on Premature Distributions

There may be a 10% additional tax under section 72(t) of the Code on the taxable amount of payments from certain Qualified Contracts. There are exceptions to this additional tax which vary depending on the type of Qualified Plan. In the case of an IRA, exceptions provide that the additional tax does not apply to a payment:

  1. received on or after the date the Owner reaches age 59-1/2;
  2. received on or after the Owner's death or because of the Owner's disability (as defined in the tax law); or
  3. made as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) for the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or for the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Owner and his designated beneficiary (as defined in the tax law).

These exceptions generally apply to taxable distributions from other Qualified Plans (although, in the case of plans qualified under Section 401, exception "c" above for substantially equal periodic payments applies only if the Owner has separated from service). In addition, the additional tax does not apply to certain distributions from IRAs which are used for qualified first time home purchases, for higher education expenses, or in the case of a birth or adoption. You must meet special conditions to be eligible for these three exceptions to the additional tax. Those wishing to take a distribution from an IRA for these purposes should consult their tax adviser. Certain other exceptions to the 10% additional tax not described herein also may apply.

Other Considerations

When issued in connection with a Qualified Plan, we will amend a Contract as generally necessary to conform to the requirements of the plan. However, Owners, Annuitants, and Beneficiaries are cautioned that the rights of any person to any benefits under Qualified Plans may be subject to the terms and conditions of the plans themselves, regardless of the terms and conditions of the Contract. In addition, the Company shall not be bound by terms and conditions of Qualified Plans to the extent such terms and conditions contradict the Contract, unless the Company consents.

Following are brief descriptions of various types of Qualified Plans in connection with which the Company may issue a Contract.

Individual Retirement Accounts and Annuities

Section 408 of the Code permits eligible individuals to contribute to an individual retirement program known as an IRA. If you use this Contract in connection with an IRA, the Owner and Annuitant generally must be the same individual and generally may not be changed. IRAs are subject to limits on the amounts that may be contributed and deducted and on the time when distributions must commence. Also, subject to the direct rollover and mandatory withholding requirements (discussed below), you may "roll over" distributions from certain Qualified Plans on a tax-deferred basis into an IRA.

However, you may not use the Contract in connection with a "Coverdell Education Savings Account" (formerly known as an "Education IRA") under Section 530 of the Code, a "Simplified Employee Pension" under Section 408(k) of the Code, or a "Simple IRA" under Section 408(p) of the Code.

Roth IRAs

Section 408A of the Code permits eligible individuals to contribute to a type of IRA known as a "Roth IRA." Roth IRAs are generally subject to the same rules as non-Roth IRAs, but differ in several respects. Among the differences is that, although contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible, "qualified distributions" from a Roth IRA will be excludable from income.

A qualified distribution is a distribution that satisfies two requirements. First, the distribution must be made in a taxable year that is at least five years after the first taxable year for which a contribution to any Roth IRA established for the Owner was made. Second, the distribution must be either (1) made after the Owner attains the age of 59-1/2; (2) made after the Owner's death; (3) attributable to the Owner being disabled; or (4) a qualified first-time homebuyer distribution within the meaning of Section 72(t)(2)(F) of the Code. In addition, distributions from Roth IRAs need not commence during the Owner's lifetime. A Roth IRA may accept a "qualified rollover contribution" from a (1) non-Roth IRA, (2) a "designated Roth account" maintained under a Qualified Plan, and (3) certain Qualified Plans of eligible individuals. Special rules apply to rollovers to Roth IRAs from Qualified Plans and from designated Roth accounts under Qualified Plans. You should seek competent advice before making such a rollover.

A conversion of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, and a rollover from any other eligible retirement plan to a Roth IRA, made after December 31, 2017, cannot be recharacterized as having been made to a traditional IRA.

IRA to IRA Rollovers and Transfers

A rollover contribution is a tax-free movement of amounts from one IRA to another within 60 days after you receive the distribution. In particular, a distribution from a non-Roth IRA generally may be rolled over tax-free within 60 days to another non-Roth IRA, and a distribution from a Roth IRA generally may be rolled over tax-free within 60 days to another Roth IRA. A distribution from a Roth IRA may not be rolled over (or transferred) tax-free to a non-Roth IRA.

A rollover from any one of your IRAs (including IRAs you have with another company) with another IRA is allowed only once within a one-year period. This limitation applies on an aggregate basis and applies to all types of your IRAs, meaning that you cannot make an IRA to IRA rollover if you have made such a rollover involving any of your IRAs in the preceding one-year period. For example, a rollover between your Roth IRAs would preclude a separate rollover within the one-year period between your non-Roth IRAs, and vice versa. The one-year period begins on the date that you receive the IRA distribution, not the date it is rolled over into another IRA.

If the IRA distribution does not satisfy the rollover rules, it may be (1) taxable in the year distributed, (2) subject to a 10% tax on early distributions, and (3) treated as a regular contribution to the recipient IRA, which could result in an excess contribution.

If you inherit an IRA from your spouse, you generally can roll it over into an IRA established for you, or you can choose to make the inherited IRA your own. If you inherited an IRA from someone other than your spouse, you cannot roll it over, make it your own, or allow it to receive rollover contributions.

A rollover from one IRA to another is different from a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer of your IRA assets from one IRA trustee to another IRA trustee. A "trustee-to-trustee" transfer is not considered a rollover and is not subject to the 60-day rollover requirement or the one rollover per year rule. In addition, a rollover between IRAs is different from direct rollovers from certain Qualified Plans to non-Roth IRAs and "qualified rollover contributions" to Roth IRAs.

Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans

Section 401(a) of the Code permits employers to establish various types of tax-favored retirement plans for employees. The Self-Employed Individuals' Tax Retirement Act of 1962, as amended, commonly referred to as "H.R. 10" or "Keogh," permits self-employed individuals also to establish such tax-favored retirement plans for themselves and their employees. Such retirement plans may permit the purchase of the Contract in order to provide benefits under the plans. These types of plans may be subject to rules under Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 of the Code that provide rights to a spouse or former spouse of a participant. In such a case, the participant may need the consent of the spouse or former spouse to change annuity options, to elect a partial automatic withdrawal option, or to make a partial or full surrender of the Contract.

Pension and profit sharing plans are subject to nondiscrimination rules. The nondiscrimination rules generally require that benefits, rights or features of the plan not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees. In evaluating whether the Contract is suitable for purchase in connection with such a plan, you should consider the extent to which certain aspects of the Contract may affect the plan's compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements. Violation of these rules can cause loss of the plan's tax favored status under the Code. Employers intending to use the Contract in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.

Section 403(b) Annuity Contracts

Protective Life does not issue Contracts under Section 403(b) of the Code (i.e., tax sheltered annuities or "TSAs").

Deferred Compensation Plans of State and Local Governments and Tax-Exempt Organizations.

Section 457 of the Code permits employees of state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations to defer a portion of their compensation without paying current taxes. The employees must be participants in an eligible deferred compensation plan. Generally, a Contract purchased by a state or local government or a tax-exempt organization under a Section 457 plan will not be treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes. The Contract will be issued in connection with a Section 457 deferred compensation plan sponsored by a state or local government only if the plan has established a trust to hold plan assets, including the Contract.

Protected Lifetime Income Benefits

The Company offers for an additional charge an optional Protected Lifetime Income Benefit rider – the SecurePay rider. As noted above, Qualified Plans are subject to numerous special requirements and there is no authoritative guidance from the IRS on the effects on a Qualified Plan of the purchase of a benefit such as the SecurePay rider. Plan fiduciaries should consult a tax adviser before purchasing a Qualified Contract with a SecurePay rider because the purchase of a SecurePay rider could affect the qualification of the Contract and/or the Qualified Plan associated with the Contract.

For example, it is unclear whether a SecurePay rider is part of the "balance of the employee's account" within the meaning of Code Section 411(a)(7), and, if so, whether a discontinuance or adjustment in SecurePay coverage (such as upon the participant taking an "excess" withdrawal, or reallocating to another investment option within the plan) can result in an impermissible forfeiture under Code Section 411(a). In addition, certain types of Qualified Plans, such as a profit sharing plan under Section 401(a) of the Code, must comply with certain qualified joint and survivor annuity rules ("QJSA rules") if a participant elects to receive a life annuity. The manner in which the QJSA rules apply to the SecurePay rider is unclear. For example, it is unclear what actions under a SecurePay rider could be viewed as the election of a life annuity triggering certain spousal consent requirements. Noncompliance with the QJSA rules could affect the qualification of the Qualified Plan associated with your Contract. There may be other aspects of the SecurePay rider that could affect a Qualified Plan's tax status which are not discussed here.

Direct Rollovers

If your Contract is used in connection with a pension or profit-sharing plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or is used with an eligible deferred compensation plan that has a government sponsor and that is qualified under Section 457(b) of the Code, any "eligible rollover distribution" from the Contract will be subject to direct rollover and mandatory withholding requirements. An eligible rollover distribution generally is any taxable distribution from a qualified pension plan under Section 401(a) of the Code, or an eligible Section 457(b) deferred compensation plan that has a government sponsor, excluding certain amounts (such as minimum distributions required under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code, distributions which are part of a "series of substantially equal periodic payments" made for life or a specified period of 10 years or more, or hardship distributions as defined in the tax law).

Under these requirements, federal income tax equal to 20% of the eligible rollover distribution will be withheld from the amount of the distribution. Unlike withholding on certain other amounts distributed from the Contract, discussed below, you cannot elect out of withholding with respect to an eligible rollover distribution. However, this 20% withholding will not apply if, instead of receiving the eligible rollover distribution, you elect to have it directly transferred to certain eligible retirement plans (such as an IRA). Prior to receiving an eligible rollover distribution, you will receive a notice (from the plan administrator or the Company) explaining generally the direct rollover and mandatory withholding requirements and how to avoid the 20% withholding by electing a direct transfer.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

In General

Protective Life will withhold and remit to the federal government a part of the taxable portion of each distribution made under a Contract, including amounts that escheat to the state, unless the distributee notifies Protective Life at or before the time of the distribution that he or she elects not to have any amounts withheld. In certain circumstances, Protective Life may be required to withhold tax. The withholding rates applicable to the taxable portion of periodic annuity payments (other than eligible rollover distributions) are the same as the withholding rates generally applicable to payments of wages. In addition, a 10% withholding rate applies to the taxable portion of non-periodic payments (including surrenders prior to the Annuity Date) and conversions of, or rollovers from, non-Roth IRAs and Qualified Plans to Roth IRAs. Regardless of whether you elect not to have federal income tax withheld, you are still liable for payment of federal income tax on the taxable portion of the payment. As discussed above, the withholding rate applicable to eligible rollover distributions is 20%.

Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations

The discussion above provides general information regarding federal withholding tax consequences to annuity contract purchasers or beneficiaries that are U.S. citizens or residents. Purchasers or beneficiaries that are not U.S. citizens or residents will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on taxable distributions from annuity contracts at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies. Prospective purchasers that are not U.S. citizens or residents are advised to consult with a tax advisor regarding federal tax withholding with respect to the distributions from a Contract.

FATCA Withholding

In order for the Company to comply with income tax withholding and information reporting rules which may apply to annuity contracts, the Company may request documentation of "status" for tax purposes. "Status" for tax purposes generally means whether a person is a "U.S. person" or a foreign person with respect to the United States; whether a person is an individual or an entity; and if an entity, the type of entity. Status for tax purposes is best documented on the appropriate IRS Form or substitute certification form (IRS Form W-9 for a U.S. person or the appropriate type of IRS Form W-8 for a foreign person). If the Company does not have appropriate certification or documentation of a person's status for tax purposes on file, it could affect the rate at which the Company is required to withhold income tax. Information reporting rules could apply not only to specified transactions, but also to contract ownership. For example, under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act ("FATCA"), which applies to certain U.S.-source payments, and similar or related withholding and information reporting rules, the Company may be required to report contract values and other information for certain contractholders. For this reason the Company may require appropriate status documentation at purchase, change of ownership, and affected payment transactions, including death benefit payments. FATCA and its related guidance is extraordinarily complex and its effect varies considerably by type of payor,type of payee and type of distributee or recipient.

GENERAL MATTERS

Error in Age or Gender

When a benefit of the Contract is contingent upon any person's age or gender, we may require proof of such. We may suspend payments until we receive proof. When we receive satisfactory proof, we will make the payments which were due during the period of suspension. Where the use of unisex mortality rates is required, we will not determine or adjust benefits based upon gender.

If after we receive proof of age and gender (where applicable), we determine that the information you furnished was not correct, we will adjust any benefit under this Contract to that which would be payable based upon the correct information. If we have underpaid a benefit because of the error, we will make up the underpayment in a lump sum. If the error resulted in an overpayment, we will deduct the amount of the overpayment from any current or future payment due under the Contract. We will deduct up to the full amount of any current or future payment until the overpayment has been fully repaid. Underpayments and overpayments will bear interest at an annual effective interest rate of 3% when permitted by the state of issue.

Incontestability

We will not contest the Contract.

Non-Participation

The Contract is not eligible for dividends and will not participate in Protective Life's surplus or profits.

Assignment or Transfer of a Contract

You have the right to assign or transfer a Contract if it is permitted by law. Generally, you do not have the right to assign or transfer a Qualified Contract. We do not assume responsibility for any assignment or transfer. Any claim made under an assignment or transfer is subject to proof of the nature and extent of the assignee's or transferee's interest before we make a payment. Assignments and transfers have federal income tax consequences. An assignment or transfer may result in the Owner recognizing taxable income. See "TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL, Assignments, Pledges and Gratuitous Transfers."

Notice

All instructions and requests to change or assign the Contract must be received in Good Order. The instruction, change or assignment will relate back to and take effect on the date it was signed, except we will not be responsible for following any instruction or making any change or assignment before we receive it.

Modification

No one is authorized to modify or waive any term or provision of this Contract unless we agree to the modification or waiver in writing and it is signed by our President, Vice-President or Secretary. We reserve the right to change or modify the provisions of this Contract to conform to any applicable laws, rules or regulations issued by a government agency, or to assure continued qualification of the Contract as an annuity contract under the Code. We will send you a copy of the endorsement that modifies the Contract, and where required we will obtain all necessary approvals, including that of the Owner(s).

Reports

At least annually prior to the Annuity Date, we will send to you at the address contained in our records a report showing the current Contract Value and any other information required by law.

Settlement

Benefits due under this Contract are payable from our Administrative Office. You may apply the settlement proceeds to any payout option we offer for such payments at the time you make the election. Unless directed otherwise in writing, we will make payments according to the Owner's instructions as contained in our records at the time we make the payment. We shall be discharged from all liability for payment to the extent of any payments we make.

Receipt of Payment

If any Owner, Annuitant, Beneficiary or Payee is incapable of giving a valid receipt for any payment, we may make such payment to whomever has legally assumed his or her care and principal support. Any such payment shall fully discharge us to the extent of that payment.

Protection of Proceeds

To the extent permitted by law and except as provided by an assignment, no benefits payable under this Contract will be subject to the claims of creditors.

Minimum Values

The values available under the Contract are at least equal to the minimum values required in New York.

Application of Law

The provisions of the Contract are to be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, with the Code and with applicable regulations.

No Default

The Contract will not be in default if subsequent Purchase Payments are not made.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS

Distribution

We offer the Contract on a continuous basis. While we anticipate continuing to offer the Contracts, we reserve the right to discontinue the offering at any time.

We have entered into an agreement with Investment Distributors, Inc. ("IDI") under which IDI has agreed to distribute the Contracts on a "best efforts" basis. Under the agreement, IDI serves as principal underwriter (as defined under Federal securities laws and regulations) for the Contracts. IDI is a Tennessee corporation and was established in 1993. IDI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PLC, is an affiliate of Protective Life, and its home office shares the same address as Protective Life. IDI is registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a broker-dealer and is a member firm of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA").

IDI does not retain any commission payment or other payment amounts as principal underwriter for the Contracts. However, we may pay some or all of IDI's operating and other expenses.

IDI does not sell Contracts directly to purchasers. IDI, together with Protective Life, entered into a distribution agreement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab is registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is a member of FINRA. Schwab’s principal offices are located at 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105. Contracts are sold in those states where the Contract may lawfully be sold by Schwab registered representatives and licensed insurance agents (“Schwab Representatives”) who are appointed as agents of Protective Life in order to sell the Contracts. IDI, together with Protective Life, has also entered into a distribution agreement with TD Ameritrade. TD Ameritrade is registered as a broker/dealer under the Exchange Act and is a member of FINRA. TD Ameritrade’s principal offices are located at 200 South 108th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. Contracts are sold in those states where the Contract may lawfully be sold by TD Ameritrade registered representatives and licensed insurance agents (“TD Ameritrade Representatives”, together with Schwab Representatives, “Representatives”) who are appointed as agents of Protective Life in order to sell the Contracts.

Compensation

Protective Life (or its affiliates) pays Schwab and TD Ameritrade compensation for the promotion and sale of the Contract as described below. Protective Life (or its affiliates) funds this compensation through fees and charges imposed under the Contract and payable to it (or its affiliates), and from profits on payments received by Protective Life from Funds’ advisers or administrators for providing administrative, marketing, and other support and services to the Funds. See “Certain Payments We Receive with Regard to the Funds” above. Protective Life (or its affiliates) pays a portion of these proceeds to Schwab and TD Ameritrade for distribution services. These amounts vary from Fund to Fund, but the combined compensation generally ranges up to 0.50% annually of the assets invested in the relevant Sub-Accounts.

As compensation for distribution services and some Contract administrative services, Protective Life (or its affiliates) pays Schwab and TD Ameritrade each an annual fee equal to 0.30% of average daily Variable Account assets invested in the Sub-Accounts with Schwab Annuity Portfolio Funds and 0.50% of average daily Variable Account assets invested in any other Sub-Account. Due to the varying nature of this compensation, the annual rate paid under this fee alternative is higher for certain Sub-Accounts than for other Sub-Accounts. This may create a conflict of interest by influencing Schwab or TD Ameritrade Representatives to recommend certain Sub-Accounts over other Sub-Accounts. You should ask your Schwab or TD Ameritrade Representative for further information about what compensation he or she, or Schwab or TD Ameritrade, may receive in connection with your purchase of a Contract.

Under certain circumstances, Schwab and TD Ameritrade may receive payments as well as non-cash compensation from us so that we have access to Schwab and/or TD Ameritrade Representatives in order to educate them about the Contracts, as well as other products offered by Protective Life, and to encourage sales of this Contract. You may wish to speak with your registered representative or an appropriate person at his/her branch about these payments, sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing arrangements”, and the potential conflict of interest that they may create for Schwab or TD Ameritrade. More detailed information about these payments and other compensation is described below in the discussion of “Additional Payments.” We may also enter into agreements with other broker-dealers if their customers are Owners of Contracts for which those broker-dealers have become agent of record. The compensation paid to these firms is not expected to exceed the amounts payable to Schwab and TD Ameritrade described above.

Compensation paid to Schwab, TD Ameritrade, or other broker-dealers is not paid directly by the Owner or the Variable Account. We intend to recoup sales and marketing expenses through fees and charges deducted under the Contracts or from our general account. In the normal course of business, we may also provide non-cash compensation in connection with the promotion of the Contracts, including conferences and seminars (including travel, lodging and meals in connection therewith), and items of relatively small value, such as promotional gifts, meals, or tickets to sporting or entertainment events in accordance with all applicable federal and state rules, including FINRA’s non-cash compensation rules.

Additional Payments.  Subject to FINRA, broker-dealer and other rules, we or our affiliates also may pay the following types of fees to, among other things, encourage the sale of this Contract. These additional payments could create an incentive for Schwab and TD Ameritrade to recommend products that pay them more than others, which may not necessarily be to your benefit. All or a portion of the payments we make to Schwab and TD Ameritrade may be passed on to the Representatives according to the broker-dealer's internal compensation practices.

We may also pay Schwab and TD Ameritrade additional compensation in the form of (1) payments for participation in meetings and conferences that include presentations about our products (including the Contracts), and (2) payments to help defray the costs of sales conferences and educational seminars for the Schwab Representatives.

Inquiries

You may make inquiries regarding a Contract by writing to Protective Life at its Administrative Office.

CEFLI

Protective Life Insurance Company is a member of The Compliance & Ethics Forum for Life Insurers ("CEFLI"), and as such may include the CEFLI logo and information about CEFLI membership in its advertisements. Companies that belong to CEFLI subscribe to a set of ethical standards covering the various aspects of sales and service for individually sold life insurance and annuities.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Protective Life and its subsidiaries, like other insurance companies, in the ordinary course of business are involved in some class action and other lawsuits, or alternatively in arbitration. In some class action and other lawsuits involving insurance companies, substantial damages have been sought and material settlement payments have been made. Although the outcome of any litigation or arbitration cannot be predicted, Protective Life believes that at the present time there are no pending or threatened lawsuits that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on IDI's, Protective Life's or the Variable Account's financial position. We are currently being audited on behalf of multiple states' treasury and controllers' offices for compliance with laws and regulations concerning the identification, reporting, and escheatment of unclaimed benefits or abandoned funds. The audits focus on insurance company processes and procedures for identifying unreported death claims, and their use of the Social Security Death Master File to identify deceased insureds and contract owners. In addition, we are the subject of a multistate market conduct examination with a similar focus on the handling of unreported claims and abandoned property. The audits and related examination activity may result in additional payments to beneficiaries, escheatment of funds deemed abandoned, administrative penalties, and changes in our procedures for the identification of unreported claims and handling of escheatable property. We do not believe that any regulatory actions or agreements that result from these examinations will have a material adverse impact on the separate account, on IDI's ability to perform under its principal underwriting agreement, or on our ability to meet our obligations under the Contract.

BUSINESS DISRUPTION AND CYBER-SECURITY RISKS

We rely heavily on interconnected computer systems and digital data to conduct our variable product business activities. Because our variable product business is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems and those of our business partners, our business is vulnerable to disruptions from utility outages, and susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from information systems failure (e.g., hardware and software malfunctions), and cyber-attacks. These risks include, among other things, the theft, misuse, corruption and destruction of data maintained online or digitally, interference with or denial of service, attacks on websites and other operational disruption and unauthorized release of confidential Owner information. Such systems failures and cyber-attacks affecting us, the Funds, intermediaries and other affiliated or third-party service providers may adversely affect us and your Contract Value. For instance, systems failures and cyber-attacks may interfere with our processing of Contract transactions, including the processing of orders from our website or with the Funds, impact our ability to calculate Contract Value, cause the release and possible destruction of confidential customer or business information, impede order processing, subject us and/or our service providers and intermediaries to regulatory fines and financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. Cyber security risks may also impact the issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which may cause the Funds underlying your Contract to lose value. There can be no assurance that we or the Funds or our service providers will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to cyber-attacks or information security breaches in the future.

We are also exposed to risks related to natural and man-made disasters and catastrophes, such as storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, epidemics, pandemics, malicious acts, and terrorist acts, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct business. A natural or man-made disaster or catastrophe, including a pandemic (such as the coronavirus COVID-19), could affect the ability, or willingness, of our workforce and employees of service providers and third party administrators to perform their job responsibilities. Catastrophic events may negatively affect the computer and other systems on which we rely and may interfere with our processing of Contract-related transactions, including processing of orders from Owners and orders with the Funds, impact our ability to calculate Contract Value, or have other possible negative impacts. These events may also impact the issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which may cause the Funds underlying your Contract to lose value. There can be no assurance that we, the Funds or our service providers will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to a natural disaster or catastrophe.

VOTING RIGHTS

In accordance with its view of applicable law, Protective Life will vote the Fund shares held in the Variable Account at special shareholder meetings of the Funds in accordance with instructions received from persons having voting interests in the corresponding Sub-Accounts. If, however, the 1940 Act or any regulation thereunder should be amended, or if the present interpretation thereof should change, or Protective Life determines that it is allowed to vote such shares in its own right, it may elect to do so.

The number of votes available to an Owner will be calculated separately for each Sub-Account of the Variable Account, and may include fractional votes. The number of votes attributable to a Sub-Account will be determined by applying an Owner's percentage interest, if any, in a particular Sub-Account to the total number of votes attributable to that Sub-Account. An Owner holds a voting interest in each Sub-Account to which that Owner has allocated Accumulation Units or Annuity Units. Before the Annuity Date, the Owner's percentage interest, if any, will be the percentage of the dollar value of Accumulation Units allocated for his or her Contract to the total dollar value of that Sub-Account. On or after the Annuity Date, the Owner's percentage interest, if any, will be the percentage of the dollar value of the liability for future variable income payments to be paid from the Sub-Account to the total dollar value of that Sub-Account. The liability for future payments is calculated on the basis of the mortality assumptions, (if any), the Assumed Investment Return and the Annuity Unit Value of that Sub-Account. Generally, as variable income payments are made to the payee, the liability for future payments decreases as does the number of votes.

The number of votes which are available to the Owner will be determined as of the date coincident with the date established by the Fund for determining shareholders eligible to vote at the relevant meeting of that Fund. Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication prior to such meeting in accordance with procedures established by the Fund.

It is important that each Owner provide voting instructions to Protective Life because shares as to which no timely instructions are received and shares held by Protective Life in a Sub-Account as to which no Owner has a beneficial interest will be voted in proportion to the voting instructions which are received with respect to all Contracts participating in that Sub-Account. As a result, a small number of Owners may control the outcome of a vote. Voting instructions to abstain on any item to be voted upon will be applied to reduce the votes eligible to be cast on that item.

Protective Life will send or make available to each person having a voting interest in a Sub-Account proxy materials, reports, and other material relating to the appropriate Fund.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

There are no financial statements for PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S because it had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2019.

The audited statutory statements of admitted assets, liabilities, and capital and surplus of Protective Life as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the related statutory statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flow for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, as well as the Reports of Independent Auditors are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Table of Contents

Page
SAFEKEEPING OF ACCOUNT ASSETS 1
STATE REGULATION 1
RECORDS AND REPORTS 1
LEGAL MATTERS 1
EXPERTS 1
OTHER INFORMATION 2
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2

APPENDIX A

DEATH BENEFIT CALCULATION EXAMPLES

The purpose of the following examples is to illustrate the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit when the SecurePay Life rider has been elected and when the SecurePay Life rider has not been elected. Each example is based on hypothetical Contract Values and transactions and assumes hypothetical positive and negative investment performance of the Variable Account. The examples reflect the deduction of fees and charges. The examples are not representative of past or future performance and are not intended to project or predict future investment results. There is, of course, no assurance that the Variable Account will experience positive investment performance. Actual results may be higher or lower.

Example of Death Benefit Calculation – Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit When Owning the SecurePay Life Rider

Assumptions:

Transaction
Date   
Transaction
Type 
Hypothetical
Contract
Value
Before
Transaction 
Purchase
Payments 
Net
Withdrawals 
Hypothetical
Contract
Value 
Benefit
Base 
Adjusted
Withdrawal
Amount 
Return
of Purchase
Payments
Death
Benefit 
1/1/20  Contract Issue  N/A  100,000(A)  N/A  100,000  100,000  —  100,000 
1/1/21  Anniversary  120,000(B)  —  —  120,000  120,000  —  120,000 
5/15/21  Purchase Payment  130,000  80,000(C)  —  210,000(D)  210,000  —  210,000 
1/1/22  Anniversary  202,000  —  —  202,000  210,000  —  202,000 
4/1/22  Withdrawal  208,000  —  25,000(E)  183,000(F)  184,760  21,635(G)  183,000(H) 
1/1/23  Anniversary  190,000  —  —  190,000  190,000  —  190,000 
1/1/24  Anniversary  180,000  —  —  180,000  190,000  —  180,000 
11/30/24  SecurePay WD  175,000  —  9,500(I)  165,500  190,000  8,597(J)  165,500(K) 
1/1/25  SecurePay WD  165,000    9,500(L)  155,500  190,000  8,623  155,500 
3/31/25  Excess Withdrawal  158,000  —  16,000(M)  142,000  182,184  14,293(N)  142,000(O) 
7/1/25  Owner Death  125,000(P)  —  —  125,000  182,184  —  126,852(Q) 


(A) Contract is issued with a Purchase Payment of $100,000.

(B) This column shows the Contract Values before any transactions occur. In this case the Contract Value is $120,000.

(C) A Purchase Payment of $80,000 is made on 5/15/2021 (no purchase payments are allowed more than two years after the rider issue date or election date, whichever comes first).

(D) $210,000 = $130,000 + $80,000.

(E) A withdrawal of $25,000 is made. This withdrawal is made before the SecurePay Life rider's Benefit Election Date.

(F) $183,000 = $208,000 - $25,000.

(G) The Adjusted Withdrawal Amount is used to adjust the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit for withdrawals. The adjustment for each withdrawal before the Benefit Election Date is the amount that reduces the death benefit at the time of withdrawal in the same proportion that the amount withdrawn reduces Contract Value. Assuming the death benefit at the time of withdrawal is $180,000, the adjusted withdrawal amount is $21,635 is equal to $25,000 / $208,000 x $180,000.

(H) The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater of Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is $183,000. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit of $183,000 is equal to the greater of $183,000 or $158,365 ($100,000 + $80,000 - $21,635), respectively.

(I) The SecurePay Life Benefit Election Date is set on 11/30/2024, and the first SecurePay Life Withdrawal of $9,500 is taken. Since the Maximum Withdrawal Percentage is 5%, we have $9,500 = $190,000 x 5%.

(J) The Adjusted Withdrawal Amount is used to adjust the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit for withdrawals. The Adjusted Withdrawal Amount is $8,597.

(K) The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater of Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. $165,500 is equal to the greater of $165,500 or $149,768 ($100,000 + $80,000 - $21,635 - $8,597) respectively.

(L) A withdrawal of $9,500 is made on 1/1/2025. This amount is equal to the Annual Withdrawal Amount for this Contract Year. Since the Maximum Withdrawal Percentage is 5%, we have $9,500 = $190,000 x 5%.

(M) An Excess Withdrawal under the SecurePay Life rider of $16,000 is made on 3/31/2025.

(N) The adjustment for each Excess Withdrawal under the SecurePay rider is the amount that reduces the death benefit at the time of withdrawal in the same proportion that the amount withdrawn reduces Contract Value. Assuming the death benefit at the time of withdrawal is $149,768, the adjusted withdrawal amount is $14,293 = $16,000 / $158,000 x $149,768.

(O) The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater of Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is $142,000. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit of $142,000 is equal to the greater of $142,000 or $126,852 ($100,000 + $80,000 - $21,635 - $8,597 - $8,623 - $14,293) respectively.

(P) The Owner dies on 7/1/2025 and the Contract Value at that time has declined to $125,000.

(Q) The actual Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater of Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is $126,852. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit of $126,852 is equal to the greater of $125,000 or $126,852 ($100,000 + $80,000 - $21,635 - $8,597 - $8,623 - $14,293), respectively.


Example of Death Benefit Calculation – Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit Without the SecurePay LIfe Rider

Assumptions:

  • Owner is 60 years old on the Issue Date (1/1/2020)
  • Selected Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit at the time of Contract purchase
  • Owner passed away on 7/1/2025
Transaction
Date   
Transaction
Type 
Hypothetical
Contract
Value
Before
Transaction 
Purchase
Payments 
Net
Withdrawals 
Hypothetical
Contract
Value 
Adjusted
Withdrawal
Amount 
Return of
Purchase
Payments
Death
Benefit 
1/1/20  Contract Issue  N/A  100,000(A)  N/A  100,000  —  100,000 
1/1/21  Anniversary  120,000(B)    —  120,000  —  120,000 
1/1/22  Anniversary  130,000  —  —  130,000  —  130,000 
4/1/22  Withdrawal  125,000  —  25,000(C)  100,000(D)  26,000(E)  100,000(F) 
1/1/24  Anniversary  103,000  —  —  103,000  —  103,000 
10/1/24  Purchase Payment  85,000  80,000(G)  —  165,000  —  165,000 
11/30/24  Withdrawal  155,000  —  5,500(H)  149,500  5,465(I)  149,500(J) 
1/1/25  Anniversary  152,000  —  —  152,000  —  152,000 
3/31/25  Withdrawal  160,000  —  16,000(K)  144,000  14,854  144,000 
7/1/25  Owner Death  135,000(L)  —  —  135,000  —  135,000(M) 


(A) Contract is issued with a Purchase Payment of $100,000.

(B) This column shows the Contract Values before any transactions occur. In this case the Contract Value is $120,000.

(C) A withdrawal of $25,000 is made.

(D) $100,000 = $125,000 - $25,000.

(E) The "Adjusted Withdrawal Amount" is used to adjust the Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit for withdrawals. The adjustment for each withdrawal is the amount that reduces the death benefit at the time of withdrawal in the same proportion that the amount withdrawn reduces Contract Value. Assuming the death benefit at the time of withdrawal is $130,000, the adjusted withdrawal amount is $26,000. The adjusted withdrawal amount of $26,000 is equal to $25,000 / $125,000 x $130,000.

(F) The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater of Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is $100,000. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit of $100,000 is equal to the greater of $100,000 or $74,000 ($100,000 - $26,000), respectively.

(G) A Purchase Payment of $80,000 is made on 10/1/2024.

(H) A withdrawal of $5,500 is made on 11/30/2024.

(I) The adjustment for each withdrawal is the amount that reduces the death benefit at the time of withdrawal in the same proportion that the amount withdrawn reduces Contract Value. Assuming the death benefit at the time of withdrawal is $154,000, the adjusted withdrawal amount is $5,465. The adjusted withdrawal amount of $5,465 equal to $5,500 / $155,000 x $154,000.

(J) The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is greater of Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is $149,500. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit of $149,500 is equal to the greater of $149,500 or $148,535 ($100,000 + $80,000 - $26,000 - $5,465), respectively.

(K) A withdrawal of $16,000 is made on 3/31/2025.

(L) The Owner dies on 7/1/2025 and the Contract Value at that time has declined to $135,000.

(M) The actual Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is the greater of the Contract Value or aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each withdrawal amount. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit is $135,000. The Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit of $135,000 is equal to the greater of $135,000 or $133,682 ($100,000 + $80,000 - $26,000 - $5,465 - $14,854), respectively.


APPENDIX B

SUPERCEDED RATE SHEET PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, there is no superseded Rate Sheet Prospectus Supplement information.

APPENDIX C

EXPLANATION OF THE VARIABLE INCOME PAYMENT CALCULATION

The purpose of the following example is to illustrate variable income payments under the Contract. The example is based on hypothetical Annuity Values and transactions and assumes hypothetical positive and negative investment performance of the Variable Account. The example is not representative of past or future performance and is not intended to project or predict future investment results. There is, of course, no assurance that the Variable Account will experience positive investment performance. Actual results may be higher or lower.

Assuming an Annuity Value of $100,000 on the Annuity Date and annual variable income payments selected under Option A with a 5 year certain period, the dollar amount of the payment determined, but not paid, on the Annuity Date is calculated using an interest assumption of 5%, as shown below.

There are 5 annual payments scheduled. Assuming an interest rate of 5%, the applied Annuity Value is then assumed to have a balance of $0 after the last payment is made at the end of the 5th year. The amount of the payment determined on the Annuity Date is the amount necessary to force this balance to $0.

Date    Interest
Earned
During Year
at 5% 
Annuity
Value
Before
Payment 
Payment
Made 
Annuity
Value
After
Payment 
Annuity Date    $100,000.00  $0.00  $100,000.00 
End of 1st year  $5,000.00  $105,000.00  $23,097.48  $81,902.52 
End of 2nd year  $4,095.13  $85,997.65  $23,097.48  $62,900.17 
End of 3rd year  $3,145.01  $66,045.17  $23,097.48  $42,947.69 
End of 4th year  $2,147.38  $45,095.08  $23,097.48  $21,997.60 
End of 5th year  $1,099.88  $23,097.48  $23,097.48  $0.00 

Assuming an interest rate of 5%, a payment of $23,097.48 is determined, but not paid, on the Annuity Date.

The actual variable income payment made at the end of the 1st year will equal $23,097.48 only if the net investment return during the 1st year equals 5%. If the net investment return exceeds 5%, then the 1st payment will exceed $23,097.48. If the net investment return is less than 5%, then the 1st payment will be less than $23,097.48.

Subsequent variable payments will vary based on the net investment return during the year in which the payment is scheduled to be made. A payment will equal the payment made at the end of the prior year only if the net investment return equals 5%. If the net investment return exceeds 5%, then the payment will exceed the prior payment. If the net investment return is less than 5%, then the payment will be less than the prior payment.

EXPLANATION OF THE COMMUTED VALUE CALCULATION

A Contract may be fully or partially surrendered for a commuted value while variable income payments under Annuity Option A are being made. (See "Annuity Options.") If the Contract is surrendered, the amount payable will be the commuted value of future payments at the assumed interest rate of 5%, which will be equal to the values shown in the column titled "Annuity Value after Payment," above.

APPENDIX D

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Sub-Accounts

The date of inception of each of the Sub-Accounts available in the Contract is December 1, 2020.

Accumulation Units

Because no sub-accounts offered under the Contract had commenced operations prior to December 31, 2019, there is no Accumulation Unit value information for the Sub-Accounts.

APPENDIX E

EXAMPLE OF SECUREPAY LIFE RIDER

The purpose of the following example is to demonstrate the operation of the SecurePay Life rider. The example is based on hypothetical Contract Values and transactions and assumes hypothetical positive and negative investment performance of the Variable Account. The example is not representative of past or future performance and is not intended to project or predict future investment results. There is, of course, no assurance that the Variable Account will experience positive investment performance. Actual results may be higher or lower. The example does not reflect the deduction of fees and charges.

Assumptions:

Contract
Year   
End
of Year
Attained Age 
Maximum
Allowed
Withdrawal
Percentage 
Purchase
Payments 
Actual
Withdrawals 
Annual
Withdrawal
Amount 
Annual
Withdrawal
Amount
Balance 
Excess
Withdrawal 
Hypothetical
Contract
Value 
End of
Year
Benefit
Base 
At issue  60    100,000  N/A  —  —  —  100,000  100,000(A) 
61  3.50%  50,000(B)  —  —  —  —  153,975  153,975 
62  3.50%  —  —  —  —  —  161,676  161,676 
63  3.50%  —  —  —  —  —  160,300  161,676 
64  3.50%  —  —  —  —  —  176,543  176,543 
65  4.00%  —  —  —  —  —  185,796  185,796 
66  5.00%  —  —  —  —  —  192,345  192,345 
67  5.00%  —  —  —  —  —  232,976  232,976 
68  5.00%  —  10,000(C)  —  —  —  228,630  228,630(D) 
69  5.00%  —  —  —  —  —  249,675  249,675 
10  70  5.25%  —  —  —  —  —  265,498  265,498 
11  71R  5.25%  —  13,939  13,939(E)  —  —  256,438  265,498 
12  72  5.25%  —  13,939  13,939(E)  —  —  245,854  265,498 
13  73  5.25%  —  13,939  13,939(E)  —  —  243,965  265,498 
14  74  5.25%  —  5,000  13,939(F)  8,939(F)  —  240,951  265,498 
15  75  5.25%  —  13,939  13,939(G)  —  —  236,710  265,498 
16  76  5.25%  —  13,939  13,939(G)  —  —  227,843  265,498 
17  77  5.25%  —  13,939  13,939(G)  —  —  201,496  265,498 
18  78  5.25%  —  50,000  13,939(H)  —  36,061H  161,985  214,451(I) 


(A) The initial Benefit Base is equal to the initial Purchase Payment of $100,000.

(B) The $50,000 Purchase Payment is added to the current Benefit Base of $100,000 (no purchase payments are allowed beyond the second contract anniversary since SecurePay was purchased). The new Benefit Base is $150,000.

(C) The Benefit Base is reduced due to the $10,000 withdrawal in the same proportion that the withdrawal reduces the Contract Value. The Benefit Base is reduced by 4.2%. The 4.2% reduction is determined by dividing the withdrawal amount ($10,000) by the Contract Value prior to the withdrawal ($238,630). After the withdrawal, the reduced Benefit Base equals $223,213, which is the prior Benefit Base of $232,976 reduced by 4.2%.

(D) The recalculated Benefit Base is equal to $228,630. The recalculated Benefit Base is equal to the greatest of: (a) the reduced Benefit Base of $223,213 or (b) the Contract Value on anniversary of $228,630

(E) For the next three years, Joe takes the full Annual Withdrawal Amount of $13,939. The full Annual Withdrawal Amount of $13,939 is determined by multiplying the Benefit Base ($265,498) by the Maximum Allowed Withdrawal Percentage (5.25%).

(F) In year 14, Joe only takes $5,000 of the available $13,939. The remaining $8,939 is not carried over to the next year.

(G) For years 15-17, Joe takes the full Annual Withdrawal Amount of $13,939, which equals the Benefit Base ($265,498) by the Maximum Allowed Withdrawal Percentage (5.25%).

(H) In year 18, Joe takes a $50,000 withdrawal. Since the Annual Withdrawal Amount is only $13,939, the remaining portion of his withdrawal ($36,061) is considered an Excess Withdrawal.

(I) At the time of the Excess Withdrawal, the Benefit Base is reduced because the Contract Value minus the non-excess part of the withdrawal ($201,496 - $13,939 = $187,557) is less than the Benefit Base ($265,498). The Benefit Base is reduced in the same proportion that the excess part of the withdrawal reduces the Contract Value less the non-excess part of the withdrawal: 19.2% = ($50,000 - $13,939)/($201,496 - $13,939). After the Excess Withdrawal, the reduced Benefit Base equals $214,451, which is the prior Benefit Base of $265,498 reduced by 19.2%.


If you would like to receive a free Statement of Additional Information for the Contracts offered under this Prospectus, please complete, tear off and return this form to Protective Life – Life and Annuity Division, Customer Service Center at the address shown on the front cover. If you would prefer an electronic copy, please include your email address below to receive a link to view and download the document.

Please send me a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information for the Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY.

Name:

Address

City, State, Zip

Daytime Telephone Number


PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

P.O. Box 10648
Birmingham, Alabama 35202-0648
Telephone: 1-800-456-6330

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PLAIC VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT S
A FLEXIBLE PREMIUM
DEFERRED VARIABLE AND FIXED ANNUITY CONTRACT

This Statement of Additional Information contains information in addition to the information described in the Prospectuses for an individual flexible premium deferred variable and fixed annuity contract (the "Contract") offered by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company. This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It should be read only in conjunction with the Prospectuses for the Contract and the Funds. The Prospectus for the Contracts is dated December 1, 2020. You may obtain a copy of the Prospectus by writing or calling us at our address or phone number shown above.

THE DATE OF THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS December 1, 2020.

1


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   

Page

 

SAFEKEEPING OF ACCOUNT ASSETS

   

1

   

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

   

1

   

STATE REGULATION

   

1

   

RECORDS AND REPORTS

   

1

   

LEGAL MATTERS

   

1

   

EXPERTS

   

1

   

OTHER INFORMATION

   

2

   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   

2

   
2


SAFEKEEPING OF ACCOUNT ASSETS

Title to the assets of the Variable Account is held by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company ("Protective Life"). The assets are kept physically segregated and held separate and apart from the Company's General Account assets and from the assets in any other separate account.

Records are maintained of all purchases and redemptions of Fund shares held by each of the Sub-Accounts.

The officers and employees of Protective Life are covered by an insurance company blanket bond issued in the amount of $50 million dollars. The bond insures against dishonest and fraudulent acts of officers and employees.

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

Each Fund sells its shares to the Variable Account in accordance with the terms of a participation agreement between the appropriate investment company and Protective Life. The termination provisions of these agreements vary. If a participation agreement relating to a Fund terminates, the Variable Account may not be able to purchase additional shares of that Fund. In that event, Owners may no longer be able to allocate Variable Account value or Purchase Payments to Sub-Accounts investing in that Fund. In certain circumstances, it is also possible that a Fund may refuse to sell its shares to the Variable Account despite the fact that the participation agreement relating to that Fund has not been terminated. Should a Fund decide to discontinue selling its shares to the Variable Account, Protective Life would not be able to honor requests from Owners to allocate Purchase Payments or transfer Contract Value to the Sub-Account investing in shares of that Fund.

STATE REGULATION

Protective Life is subject to regulation and supervision by the Department of Insurance of the State of Alabama which periodically examines its affairs. It is also subject to the insurance laws and regulations of all jurisdictions where it is authorized to do business. Where required, a copy of the Contract form has been filed with, and, if applicable, approved by, insurance officials in each jurisdiction where the Contracts are sold. Protective Life is required to submit annual statements of its operations, including financial statements, to the insurance departments of the various jurisdictions in which it does business for the purposes of determining solvency and compliance with local insurance laws and regulations.

RECORDS AND REPORTS

Protective Life will maintain all records and accounts relating to the Variable Account. As presently required by the 1940 Act and regulations promulgated thereunder, reports containing such information as may be required under the Act or by any other applicable law or regulation will be sent to Owner(s) periodically at the last known address.

LEGAL MATTERS

Eversheds Sutherland (US) of Washington, D. C. has provided advice on certain matters relating to the federal securities laws.

EXPERTS

There are no financial statements for PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S because it had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2019.

The statutory financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended have been included herein in this Statement of Additional Information in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 
1


 

The business address for KPMG LLP is 420 20th Street North, Suite 1800, Birmingham, Alabama 35203.

The financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company as of December 31, 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018 (prepared using accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Alabama) included in this SAI have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The principal business address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 569 Brookwood Village Suite 851, Birmingham, Alabama 35209.

OTHER INFORMATION

A registration statement has been filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, with respect to the Contracts discussed in this Statement of Additional Information. Not all the information set forth in the registration statement, amendments and exhibits thereto has been included in this Statement of Additional Information. Statements contained in this Statement of Additional Information concerning the content of the Contracts and other legal instruments are intended to be summaries. For a complete statement of the terms of these documents, reference should be made to the instruments filed with the SEC at 100 F Street, N. E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

There are no financial statements for PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S because it had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2019.

The audited statutory financial statements of Protective Life as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the related statutory statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flow for the three years then ended in the period December 31, 2019 as well as the Reports of Independent Auditors are contained herein. Protective Life's Financial Statements should be considered only as bearing on its ability to meet its obligations under the Contracts. They should not be considered as bearing on the investment performance of the assets held in PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S of Protective Life.

Financial Statements follow this page.

 
2


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PLAIC VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT S

 

There are no financial statements for PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S because it had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2019

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

 

Report of Independent Auditors

 

F-1

 
Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus ended December 31, 2019,
and 2018
 

F-5

 

Statement of Operations as of December 31, 2019, and 2018

 

F-6

 

Statement of Changes in Capital and Surplus

 

F-7

 

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018

 

F-8

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-10

 

Supplemental Schedules:

 

Selected Financial Data Schedule

 

S-1

 

Summary Investment Schedule

 

S-4

 

Investment Risk Interrogatories

 

S-5

 

All other schedules to the statutory financial statements required by Article 7 of Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.


FSA-1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, which comprise the statutory statement of admitted assets, liabilities, and capital and surplus as of December 31, 2019, and the related statutory statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flow for the year then ended, and the related notes to the statutory financial statements.

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance. Management is also responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors' Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors' judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

As described in Notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements, the financial statements are prepared by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company using statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance, which is a basis of accounting other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the financial statements are not intended to be presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory accounting practices described in Note 2 and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.


F-1



Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

In our opinion, because of the significance of the variances between statutory accounting practices and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles discussed in the Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the financial position of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company as of December 31, 2019, or the results of its operations or its cash flows for the year then ended.

Opinion on Statutory Basis of Accounting

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities, and capital and surplus of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flow for the year then ended, in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance described in Notes 1 and 2.

Other Matters

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements as a whole. The supplementary information included in the supplemental schedule of selected financial information, summary investment schedule, and investment risk interrogatories is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Alabama Department of Insurance. Such information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements or to the financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the information is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
April 24, 2020


F-2



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

To the Board of Directors of
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying statutory financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company) (the "Company"), which comprise the statutory statements of admitted assets, liabilities and capital and surplus as of December 31, 2018, and the related statutory statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance. Management is also responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors' Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the Company's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

As described in Notes 1 and 2 to the financial statements, the financial statements are prepared by the Company on the basis of the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis of accounting described in Notes 1 and 2 and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.


F-3



Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

In our opinion, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the "Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018, or the results of its operations or its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Opinion on Statutory Basis of Accounting

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities and capital and surplus of the Company as of December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance described in Notes 1 and 2.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
April 29, 2019


F-4



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

STATEMENTS OF ADMITTED ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND CAPITAL AND SURPLUS

(Statutory Basis)

 

December 31

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

  ($ in thousands, except
share amounts)
 

ADMITTED ASSETS

 

Bonds (fair value: 2019 — $5,811,563; 2018 — $4,645,544)

 

$

5,395,862

   

$

4,615,171

   

Preferred stocks (fair value: 2019 — $23,252; 2018 — $25,704)

   

21,301

     

26,897

   

Common stocks-unaffiliated (cost: 2019 — $1; 2018 — $1)

   

1

     

1

   

Mortgage loans on real estate

   

96,994

     

98,310

   

Contract loans

   

55,127

     

56,551

   

Cash

   

3,409

     

(1,699

)

 

Cash equivalents

   

131,723

     

40,996

   

Short term investments

   

1,036

     

8,576

   

Receivable for securities

   

71

     

75

   

Derivatives

   

7,423

     

1,056

   

Derivative collateral and receivables

   

1,191

     

525

   

Other invested assets

   

18,296

     

8,992

   

Total cash and investments

   

5,732,434

     

4,855,451

   

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers

   

4,743

     

2,887

   

Deferred and uncollected premiums

   

3,369

     

(1,347

)

 

Investment income due and accrued

   

53,144

     

46,516

   

Deferred tax asset

   

18,027

     

12,400

   

Other assets

   

7,033

     

9,382

   

Assets held in Separate Accounts

   

180,072

     

183,375

   

Total admitted assets

 

$

5,998,822

   

$

5,108,664

   

LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL AND SURPLUS

 

Aggregate reserves:

 

Life policies and contracts

 

$

5,319,758

   

$

4,550,470

   

Accident and health

   

2,384

     

2,422

   

Liability for deposit-type contracts

   

26,835

     

24,006

   

Policy and contract claims:

 

Life

   

20,271

     

15,904

   

Accident and health

   

11

     

32

   

Other policyholders' funds and policy and contract liabilities

   

2,662

     

3,458

   

Interest maintenance reserve (IMR)

   

51,498

     

29,704

   

Transfers from Separate Accounts due or accrued, net

   

(7,410

)

   

(831

)

 

Taxes, licenses and fees due or accrued

   

310

     

245

   

Current federal income tax

   

0

     

578

   

Remittances and items not allocated

   

11,873

     

8,713

   

Asset valuation reserve (AVR)

   

24,318

     

17,889

   

Payable to parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates

   

9,367

     

952

   

Funds held under coinsurance

   

0

     

12

   

Derivatives

   

4,870

     

226

   

Derivative collateral and payables

   

2,000

     

25

   

Other liabilities

   

4,512

     

3,224

   

Liabilities held in Separate Accounts

   

180,072

     

183,375

   

Total liabilities

   

5,653,331

     

4,840,404

   

Capital and surplus:

 

Common stock, $10.00 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; 250,000 shares issued and outstanding

   

2,500

     

2,500

   

Preferred stocks, $1 par value, shares authorized, issued and outstanding: 2,000

   

2

     

2

   

Gross paid-in and contributed surplus

   

429,569

     

374,569

   

Unassigned funds — surplus

   

(86,580

)

   

(108,811

)

 
Total capital and surplus    

345,491

     

268,260

   
Total liabilities and capital and surplus  

$

5,998,822

   

$

5,108,664

   

See notes to the financial statements (statutory basis).
F-5



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Statutory Basis)

  Year Ended
December 31
 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

Premiums and annuity considerations

 

$

1,339,177

   

$

3,190,493

   

$

248,725

   
Considerations for supplementary contracts with
life contingencies
   

901

     

1,849

     

810

   

Net investment income

   

217,920

     

159,597

     

83,739

   
Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance
ceded
   

3,064

     

3,179

     

3,057

   

Amortization of interest maintenance reserve

   

4,138

     

3,136

     

2,520

   

Net gain (loss) from operations from Separate Accounts

   

303

     

(291

)

   

643

   

Reserve adjustments on reinsurance ceded

   

(17,690

)

   

(19,051

)

   

(18,144

)

 

Other income

   

7,933

     

5,880

     

6,051

   
Total revenue    

1,555,746

     

3,344,792

     

327,401

   

Benefits and expenses:

 

Death and annuity benefits

   

119,321

     

92,232

     

31,121

   

Accident and health benefits

   

726

     

742

     

691

   

Surrender benefits and other fund withdrawals

   

345,134

     

263,648

     

120,221

   

Other policy and contract benefits

   

3,926

     

2,876

     

1,415

   

Increase in aggregate reserves

   

769,250

     

2,898,686

     

131,029

   
Commissions and expense allowances on
reinsurance assumed
   

16,167

     

140,559

     

14

   

Commissions

   

13,464

     

13,535

     

9,079

   

General expenses

   

24,254

     

19,188

     

12,092

   

Insurance taxes, licenses, and fees

   

3,978

     

3,177

     

626

   

Transfers from Separate Accounts, net

   

(20,449

)

   

(17,336

)

   

(15,268

)

 

Change in MODCO reserves

   

238,543

     

0

     

0

   

Other expenses

   

(206

)

   

99

     

2

   
Total benefits and expenses    

1,514,108

     

3,417,406

     

291,022

   
Net income (loss) from operations before dividends to
policyholders and federal income taxes
   

41,638

     

(72,614

)

   

36,379

   

Dividends to policyholders

   

1,075

     

1,597

     

72

   

Federal income taxes

   

14,902

     

43,464

     

9,911

   

Net income (loss) from operations

   

25,661

     

(117,675

)

   

26,396

   
Net realized capital gains (losses) (less $2,172, $115, and
$625 of capital gains tax in 2019, 2018, and 2017,
respectively, and excluding $6,908, $792, and $2,259
transferred to the IMR in 2019, 2018, and 2017,
respectively)
   

(1,252

)

   

(1,029

)

   

(3,107

)

 
Net income (loss)  

$

24,409

   

$

(118,704

)

 

$

23,289

   

See notes to the financial statements (statutory basis).
F-6



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL AND SURPLUS

(Statutory Basis)

 

($ in thousands)

 

Capital and surplus, December 31, 2016

 

$

172,001

   

Net income for 2017

   

23,289

   

Change in nonadmitted assets and related items

   

3,021

   

Change in asset valuation reserve

   

(1,666

)

 

Change in net deferred income tax

   

(5,361

)

 

Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses

   

(328

)

 

Dividend to parent

   

(34,600

)

 

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

   

(361

)

 

Prior period adjustment

   

(93

)

 

Capital and surplus, December 31, 2017

   

155,902

   

Net loss for 2018

   

(118,704

)

 

Change in nonadmitted assets and related items

   

(47,127

)

 

Change in asset valuation reserve

   

(5,022

)

 

Change in net deferred income tax

   

56,099

   

Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses

   

308

   

Contribution from parent

   

225,000

   

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

   

(342

)

 

Prior period adjustment

   

2,146

   

Capital and surplus, December 31, 2018

 

$

268,260

   

Net income for 2019

   

24,409

   

Change in nonadmitted assets and related items

   

1,155

   

Change in unauthorized reinsurance

   

(6

)

 

Change in asset valuation reserve

   

(6,429

)

 

Change in net deferred income tax

   

4,063

   

Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses

   

(630

)

 

Contribution from parent

   

55,000

   

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

   

(331

)

 

Capital and surplus, December 31, 2019

 

$

345,491

   

See notes to the financial statements (statutory basis).
F-7



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Statutory Basis)

  Year Ended
December 31
 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Cash from operations

 

Premiums and annuity considerations

 

$

461,768

   

$

636,443

   

$

249,494

   

Commission and expense allowances ceded

   

3,064

     

3,179

     

3,057

   

Net investment income

   

221,978

     

160,793

     

84,492

   

Miscellaneous income

   

9,864

     

5,248

     

6,332

   

Benefit and loss related payments

   

(486,690

)

   

(364,143

)

   

(171,077

)

 

Commissions and expenses paid

   

6,633

     

(76,683

)

   

(22,491

)

 

Net transfers from Separate Accounts

   

13,870

     

19,265

     

17,086

   

Dividends paid to policyholders

   

(1,064

)

   

(710

)

   

(76

)

 

Federal and foreign income taxes paid

   

(21,787

)

   

(50,498

)

   

(3,054

)

 
Net cash from operations    

207,636

     

332,894

     

163,763

   

Cash from investments

 

Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid:

 
Bonds    

657,215

     

423,539

     

149,894

   
Stocks    

5,856

     

2,651

     

969

   
Mortgage loans    

13,194

     

11,112

     

5,644

   
Other invested assets    

215

     

0

     

0

   
Net gains (losses) on cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments
   

1

     

(24

)

   

20

   
Miscellaneous proceeds    

4

     

602

     

1,250

   
Total investment proceeds    

676,485

     

437,880

     

157,777

   

Cost of investments acquired:

 
Bonds    

(874,415

)

   

(974,207

)

   

(240,811

)

 
Stocks    

(221

)

   

(390

)

   

(99

)

 
Mortgage loans    

0

     

(5,000

)

   

(13,660

)

 
Miscellaneous applications    

(7,781

)

   

0

     

(4,306

)

 
Total investments acquired    

(882,417

)

   

(979,597

)

   

(258,876

)

 
Net decrease (increase) in contract loans and premium
notes
   

2,857

     

1,625

     

2,298

   
Net cash from investments    

(203,075

)

   

(540,092

)

   

(98,801

)

 

See notes to the financial statements (statutory basis).
F-8



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(Statutory Basis)

  Year Ended
December 31
 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Cash from financing and miscellaneous sources

 

Cash provided (applied):

 
Funds held under coinsurance  

$

(12

)

 

$

(2

)

 

$

(2

)

 
Capital contribution from parent    

55,000

     

184,976

     

0

   
Dividends and distributions to parent    

0

     

0

     

(34,600

)

 
Borrowed funds    

0

     

0

     

(10,000

)

 
Net deposits (withdrawals) from deposit-type contracts    

2,932

     

(493

)

   

2,210

   
Other cash provided (applied), net    

25,814

     

35,948

     

1,532

   
Net cash from financing and miscellaneous sources    

83,734

     

220,429

     

(40,860

)

 
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and
short term investments
   

88,295

     

13,231

     

24,102

   
Cash, cash equivalents, and short term investments,
beginning of year
   

47,873

     

34,642

     

10,540

   
Cash, cash equivalents, and short term investments,
end of year
 

$

136,168

   

$

47,873

   

$

34,642

   

Non-cash exchanges of securities (Investing activities)

 

$

84,416

   

$

27,864

   

$

8,413

   
Non-cash change in retained asset account (Operations,
Financing and Miscellaneous sources)
 

$

689

   

$

830

   

$

323

   
Non-cash contribution of bonds from Protective
Life Insurance Company (Investing, Financing and  
Miscellaneous sources)
 

$

0

   

$

39,701

   

$

0

   
Accrued interest on bonds contributed from
Protective Life Insurance Company (Operations,  
Financing and Miscellaneous sources)
 

$

0

   

$

323

   

$

0

   
Reclassification of securities from Bonds to Other
Invested Assets (Investing activities)
 

$

6,917

   

$

8,991

   

$

0

   
Great-West reinsurance transaction initial impact
(Operations) (See Note 9)
 

$

562,991

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
Great-West reinsurance transaction initial impact
(Investing activities) (See Note 9)
 

$

582,489

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
Great-West reinsurance transaction initial impact
(Financing and Miscellaneous sources) (See Note 9)
 

$

19,498

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
Liberty reinsurance transaction initial impact (Operations)
(See Note 9)
 

$

0

   

$

2,430,726

   

$

0

   
Liberty reinsurance transaction initial impact
(Investing activities) (See Note 9)
 

$

0

   

$

2,427,588

   

$

0

   
Liberty reinsurance transaction initial impact
(Financing and Miscellaneous sources) (See Note 9)
 

$

0

   

$

3,138

   

$

0

   

See notes to the financial statements (statutory basis).
F-9



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL

Basis of Presentation — The statutory basis financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the "Company") have been prepared in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Alabama Department of Insurance (the "Department"). The Company is a stock, legal reserve, life, and accident and health insurer.

All outstanding shares of the Company's common stock are owned by Protective Life Insurance Company ("PLICO"), a life insurance company domiciled in the State of Tennessee. All outstanding shares of the Company's preferred stock are owned by Protective Life Corporation ("PLC"), an insurance holding company domiciled in the State of Delaware. PLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. ("Dai-ichi Life"), a kabushiki kaisha organized under the laws of Japan. PLICO is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLC. Other affiliated insurers include Golden Gate Captive Insurance Company, Golden Gate II Captive Insurance Company, Golden Gate III Vermont Captive Insurance Company, Golden Gate IV Vermont Captive Insurance Company, Golden Gate V Vermont Captive Insurance Company, Shades Creek Captive Insurance Company, Protective Property & Casualty Insurance Company, MONY Life Insurance Company, and West Coast Life Insurance Company.

The Department recognizes only statutory practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Alabama for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company, and for determining its solvency under Alabama Insurance Law. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' ("NAIC") Accounting Practices and Procedures manual, effective January 1, 2001, ("NAIC SAP") has been adopted as a component of prescribed or permitted practices by the State of Alabama. The State of Alabama has adopted certain prescribed accounting practices that differ from those found in NAIC SAP, none of which had a material impact on the Company's Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, or Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019.

The Company has no permitted practices as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, or for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with NAIC SAP requires management to make various estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Nature of Operations — The Company is an entity through which PLC markets, distributes and services life insurance and annuity products primarily in the State of New York. New York direct premiums were 96.9%, 97.3%, and 96.7% of the Company's total direct premiums and New York direct annuity premiums accounted for 85.8%, 93.4%, and 89.5% of the Company's total direct premiums in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. In addition, on June 3, 2019, the Company assumed a block of life and annuity policies issued in New York from Great-West Life & Annuity Company of New York. On May 1, 2018, the Company assumed a block of life and annuity policies issued in New York from Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston. See Note 9 for more details of these reinsurance transactions.

The Company has no employees, and therefore, has no employee benefit plans.


F-10



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — The Company uses the following significant accounting policies:

Cash and Investments

Investments are stated at values determined by methodologies prescribed by the NAIC. Bonds not backed by other loans are stated at amortized cost using the interest method, except for bonds with a NAIC designation of 6 which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. For bonds carried at fair value, the difference between cost and fair value is reflected in "Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses" in unassigned funds.

Loan-backed bonds and structured securities stated at amortized cost utilize anticipated prepayments to determine the effective yield at purchase. The majority of prepayment assumptions for loan-backed bonds and structured securities are obtained from Bloomberg; other sources are broker-dealer surveys, trustee information, and internal estimates. These assumptions are consistent with current interest rates and the economic environment. Changes in the timing of estimated future cash flows from the original purchase assumptions are accounted for using the retrospective method.

Bond and preferred stock fair values are obtained from a nationally recognized pricing service. The Company uses quotes obtained from brokers and internally developed pricing models to price those bonds that are not priced by this service.

Preferred stocks are stated at amortized cost or fair values, depending on the assigned NAIC designation. For preferred stocks carried at fair value, the difference between cost and fair value is reflected in "Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses" in unassigned funds.

The Company's investments in surplus notes with an NAIC Credit Rating Providers ("NAIC CRP") designation of NAIC 1 or NAIC 2 are reported at amortized cost. Surplus notes held with no NAIC CRP designation, or with a designation of NAIC 3, 4, 5, or 6, are carried at the lesser of amortized cost or fair value. Investments in surplus notes are reported as "Other invested assets."

Common stocks are generally stated at a fair value obtained from a nationally recognized pricing service.

Mortgage loans on real estate are stated at the aggregate unpaid principal balance. Book value adjustments are made for other-than-temporary declines. Temporary declines in value are reflected in in "Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses" in unassigned funds.

Contract loans are carried at the unpaid principal balance. The excess of unpaid contract loan balances over the cash surrender value, if any, is nonadmitted and reflected as an adjustment to surplus. Interest is capitalized on the anniversary date.

Cash includes all demand deposits reduced by the amount of outstanding checks. The Company has deposits with certain financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits; however, total deposits are maintained within the bank-specific deposit level guidelines established by the Investments Policy Committee (IPC). The Company reviews the creditworthiness of these financial institutions and believes there is minimal risk of material loss.


F-11



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

Short-term investments are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The short-term investment category includes those investments whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less. Money market mutual funds are classified as cash equivalents with measurement at fair value.

Receivables and payables for securities represent balances outstanding with brokers related to purchase and sale transactions. These balances are cleared as amounts are received or paid.

Investment income is recorded when earned.

Realized gains and losses on the sale or maturity of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification and are included in the Statements of Operations on the trade date, net of the amount transferred to the Interest Maintenance Reserve ("IMR") and net of applicable federal income taxes. The Company analyzes various factors to determine if any specific other-than-temporary asset impairment ("OTTI") exists. Once a determination has been made that a specific OTTI exists, a realized loss is incurred and the cost basis of the impaired asset, other than loan-backed and structured securities, is adjusted to its fair value. Impaired loan-backed and structured securities are adjusted to the sum of their discounted future expected cash flows.

Derivatives

Derivative instruments expose the Company to credit and market risk. The Company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with highly-rated counterparties. The Company manages market risk by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degrees of risk that may be undertaken. The Company monitors its use of derivatives in connection with its overall asset/liability management programs and risk management strategies. In addition, all derivative programs are monitored by the Company's risk management department.

The Company uses various derivative instruments to manage risks related to certain annuity products, including the guaranteed living withdrawal benefit ("GLWB") rider associated with variable annuity ("VA") contracts. The derivative instruments the Company may use include interest rate swaps, interest rate swaptions, interest rate futures, equity futures, equity options, foreign currency futures, variance swaps, volatility futures, volatility options, and credit derivatives. The Company can use these derivatives as economic hedges against risks inherent in the products. These risks have a direct impact on the cost of the VA GLWB products and are correlated with the equity markets, interest rates, foreign currency levels, and overall volatility.

The Company uses equity options to manage its equity risk in its fixed indexed annuity products. The Company may purchase and sell index call and put options which have underlyings based upon the S&P equity index. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had paid a net amount of $0.4 million for its open call options.

The Company uses US equity index futures to manage its equity risk in its fixed indexed annuity products. These positions are traded on recognized exchanges, and they require the posting of margin through the broker. Because the counterparties also are required to post margin, these positions do not contain significant counterparty credit risk.


F-12



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

The Company uses a combination of derivative instruments to mitigate volatility, equity, and currency risk related to certain guaranteed minimum benefits, including GLWB benefits within its VA products.

The Company uses US and foreign equity market index futures and foreign currency futures transactions. These positions are traded on recognized exchanges, and they require the posting of margin through the broker. Because the counterparties also are required to post margin, these positions do not contain significant counterparty credit risk.

The Company uses index put options which have underlyings based upon several equity indexes, both U.S. and foreign. As of December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company had paid $2.8 million, $0.7 million, and $0.7 million, respectively, for its open put options.

None of the Company's derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. Therefore, all derivative instruments are reported at fair value and are included in the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus. The changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized immediately as changes in unrealized gains (losses) in surplus. Upon termination, the realized gain or loss is recorded in realized capital gains and losses.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company had $0.8 million of unrealized losses, $0.4 million of unrealized gains, and $0.4 million of unrealized gains, respectively, related to derivatives that did not qualify for hedge accounting.

Premium Revenue and Related Commissions

Annuity considerations are recognized as revenue when received. Premiums for flexible premiums/universal life policies and single premium credit life are recognized as revenues when collected. Premiums for traditional life insurance products are recognized as revenue when due. Accident and health premiums are earned ratably over the terms of the related insurance contracts.

Considerations for deposit type contracts, which do not have any life contingencies, are recorded directly to the related liability.

Acquisition costs, such as commissions and other costs related to new business, are expensed as incurred.

The amount of dividends to be paid to policyholders is determined annually by the Company's Board of Directors. The aggregate amount of policyholders' dividends is related to actual interest, mortality, morbidity and expense experience for the year and judgment as to the appropriate level of statutory surplus to be retained by the Company.

Aggregate Reserves for Policies and Contracts

Policy reserves for future policy benefits are actuarially computed using methods and assumptions in accordance with certain state statutes and administrative regulations. The mortality table and interest assumptions currently being used on the majority of policies in force are the 1941, 1958, 1980, and 2001 Commissioner's Standard Ordinary tables with 2.25% to 6.0% interest.


F-13



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

The Company waives deduction of deferred fractional premiums upon death of the insureds and returns any portion of the final premium beyond the month of death. The Company has certain surrender values in excess of the legally computed reserves which are included in "Aggregate reserves: Life policies and contracts" in the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus.

The method used in the valuation of substandard policies is based on the normal tabular reserves plus a portion of the substandard extra premium. For policies with a Mean reserve method, the extra substandard reserve is one half of the annualized extra premium (less a deferred premium). For policies with a Mid-Terminal reserve method, the extra substandard reserve is the unearned modal substandard extra premium.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, of insurance in force for which the gross premiums are less than the net premiums according to the standard valuation set by the State of Alabama. Reserves to cover this insurance totaled $11.0 million and $9.2 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are reported in "Aggregate reserves: Life policies and contracts" in the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities and Capital and Surplus. Tabular interest, tabular less actual reserves released, and tabular cost are determined by formula. Other net changes in reserves for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

2019

         

ORDINARY

     

GROUP

 
                       

ITEM

 

Total

  Industrial
Life
  Life
Insurance
  Individual
Annuities
  Supplementary
Contracts
  Credit Life
Group and
Individual
  Life
Insurance
 

Annuities

 
                   

($ in thousands)

             
Excess interest on universal life
products
 

$

9,323

   

$

0

   

$

7,958

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1,365

   

$

0

   
Acquisition via reinsurance of
policies from Great-West Life &
Annuity Insurance Company
of NY *
   

634,834

     

0

     

592,172

     

2,422

     

30,158

     

0

     

0

     

10,082

   

Total

 

$

644,157

   

$

0

   

$

600,130

   

$

2,422

   

$

30,158

   

$

0

   

$

1,365

   

$

10,082

   

*  See Note 9 for more information regarding this reinsurance transaction

2018

         

ORDINARY

     

GROUP

 
                       

ITEM

 

Total

  Industrial
Life
  Life
Insurance
  Individual
Annuities
  Supplementary
Contracts
  Credit Life
Group and
Individual
  Life
Insurance
 

Annuities

 
                   

($ in thousands)

             
Excess interest on universal life
products
 

$

5,083

   

$

0

   

$

4,558

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

525

   

$

0

   
Acquisition via reinsurance of
policies from Liberty Life
Assurance Company of
Boston *
   

2,547,918

     

0

     

1,573,241

     

779,975

     

520

     

0

     

181,183

     

12,999

   

Total

 

$

2,553,001

   

$

0

   

$

1,577,799

   

$

779,975

   

$

520

   

$

0

   

$

181,708

   

$

12,999

   

*  See Note 9 for more information regarding this reinsurance transaction


F-14



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

2017

         

ORDINARY

     

GROUP

 

ITEM

 

Total

  Industrial
Life
  Life
Insurance
  Individual
Annuities
  Supplementary
Contracts
  Credit Life
Group and
Individual
  Life
Insurance
 

Annuities

 
Excess interest on universal life
products
 

$

1,617

   

$

0

   

$

1,085

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

532

   

$

0

   

Total

 

$

1,617

   

$

0

   

$

1,085

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

532

   

$

0

   

For the determination of investment earnings on funds not involving life contingencies, for each valuation rate of interest the tabular interest is calculated as one-hundredth of the product of such valuation rate of interest times the mean of the amounts of funds subject to such valuation rate of interest held at the beginning and the end of the year of valuation. The tabular interest on funds not involving life contingencies is generally the interest actually credited or paid on such funds.

Liabilities for policy reserves on fixed annuity contracts are calculated based on the Commissioner's Annuity Reserve Valuation Method ("CARVM"). The reserve calculation considers the interest credited rates and guarantee periods specific to each policy as well as the appropriate mortality table depending on the contract issue date.

Certain of the Company's VA contracts contain guaranteed minimum death benefit ("GMDB") and GLWB features. The VA GMDB becomes payable upon death. The guaranteed amount varies by the particular contract and option elected and may be based on amounts deposited or maximum account value on prior anniversaries. All guarantees are reduced for prior partial withdrawal activity. The charge for the GMDB is based on a percentage of account value. The Company does not reinsure the GMDB feature. The VA GLWB applies to amounts withdrawn. The charge is a percentage of the guaranteed benefit base, and the annual guaranteed withdrawal amount is equal to 3.5% to 7% depending on the contract owner's age. Statutory reserves are calculated according to Actuarial Guideline 43, "VACARVM".

Reserves for deposit type funds are equal to deposits received and interest credited to contract holders less surrenders and withdrawals that represent a return to the contract holder. Interest rates credited ranged from 2.5% to 6.0% for immediate annuities during 2019. Interest rates credited ranged from 0.59% to 5.0% for immediate annuities during 2018. Interest rates credited ranged from 0.7% to 6.6% for immediate annuities during 2017.

Liabilities for Single Premium Deferred Annuity ("SPDA") contracts are calculated in accordance with Actuarial Guideline 33. The reserves are calculated using a CARVM approach such that the reserve equals the greatest present value of future benefits floored at the cash surrender value of the contract. Future benefits include death, surrender and annuitization. Mortality and discount rates used in the reserve calculation are specified by regulatory authorities.

Certain of the Company's policy reserves relate to universal life policies with secondary guarantees ("ULSG"), which guarantee that insurance coverage will remain in force (subject to the payment of specified premiums). These products do not allow the Company to adjust policyholder premiums after a policy is issued, and most of these products do not have significant account values upon which interest is credited. Policy reserves for these products are actuarially computed using methods and assumptions in accordance with Actuarial Guideline 38 ("AG38"). Total reserves for ULSG policies reserved for under AG38 were $42.9 million and $34.1 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.


F-15



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

Liabilities for accident and health policies include unearned premiums and additional reserves. The liability for future policy benefits and claims on life and health insurance products includes estimated unpaid claims that have been reported to the Company and claims incurred but not yet reported. Changes in estimates are reflected in operations currently.

Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses for accident and health contracts are estimated by the Company's valuation actuary using statistical claim development models to develop best estimates of liabilities for medical expense business and using tabular reserves employing mortality/morbidity tables and discount rates specified by regulatory authorities for disability income business.

The Company anticipates investment income as a factor in the premium deficiency calculation, in accordance with Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles ("SSAP") No. 54, "Individual and Group Accident and Health Contracts."

Policy and Contract Claims

Policy and contract claims include provisions for reported life, accident and health claims in process of settlement, valued in accordance with the terms of the related policies and contracts, as well as provisions for claims incurred but not reported based primarily on prior experience of the Company. As such amounts are necessarily estimates, the ultimate liability may differ from the amount recorded and will be reflected in the results of operations when additional information becomes known.

Asset Valuation Reserve ("AVR") and Interest Maintenance Reserve ("IMR")

The Company established certain reserves as required by NAIC SAP. The AVR is based upon a statutory formula as prescribed by the NAIC to provide a standardized reserve for realized and unrealized losses from default and/or equity risks associated with all invested assets, excluding cash, contract loans, premium notes, collateral loans, and investment receivables. Realized gains and losses related to fixed maturities resulting from changes in credit quality and capital gains and losses related to all other investments, net of applicable federal income taxes, are reflected in the calculation of AVR. Unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable deferred federal income taxes, are also reflected in the calculation. Changes in AVR are charged or credited directly to unassigned funds.

The IMR captures realized gains and losses, net of applicable federal income taxes, from the sale of fixed maturity investments. The portion of these realized gains and losses resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates is not recognized currently but is amortized into income over the approximate remaining life of the investment sold.

Federal Income Taxes

The provision for federal income taxes is computed in accordance with those sections of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to life insurance companies. Deferred income taxes are provided based upon the expected future impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The admission of gross deferred income tax assets is subject to various limitations as specified by NAIC SAP. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized as a separate component of gains and losses in unassigned funds.


F-16



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

1.  GENERAL — (Continued)

Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit aggregate and single exposure to losses on large risks by purchasing reinsurance from other reinsurers. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers related to paid policy claims are included in "Amounts recoverable from reinsurers" and insurance liabilities are reported net of reinsurance recoverables in the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus. Receivables and payables from the same reinsurer, including funds withheld, are generally offset. For reserve credits taken related to reinsurers considered to be unauthorized by the Department, the Company must obtain letters of credit, funds withheld, or other forms of collateral in amounts at least equal to reserve credits. To the extent such collateral is not obtained, the Company must record a liability for reinsurance in unauthorized companies.

Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on policy claims are netted against the respective "Premiums and annuity considerations" and "Death and annuity benefits" in the Statements of Operations. Revenues from commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance ceded are recognized in the period in which the transaction occurs and recorded in "Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance ceded" in the Statements of Operations. The change in modified coinsurance ("MODCO") reserves ceded and related expenses are included in "Reserve adjustments on reinsurance ceded" in the Statements of Operations.

The Company remains liable with respect to ceded insurance should any reinsurer fail to meet the obligations it assumed. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors the associated concentration of credit risk.

Separate Accounts

The Company issues both market value adjusted annuities and variable annuities. Excluding any contract guarantees for either a minimum return or account value upon death or annuitization, variable annuity policyholders bear the investment risk that the Separate Accounts funds may not meet their stated investment objectives. The assets and liabilities related to Separate Accounts are recorded at fair value and reported separately as assets and liabilities held in Separate Accounts. Fees charged on Separate Account contract owner deposits are included in the Statements of Operations. In the event that the asset value of certain contract holder accounts are projected to be below the value guaranteed by the Company, a liability is established through a charge to operations.

2.  STATUTORY AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES DIFFERENCES

Accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Department vary in some respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). A summary of significant accounting practices, which differ from GAAP, are as follows:

(1)  the costs related to acquiring business, principally commissions and certain policy issue expenses, are charged to operations in the year incurred and thus are not amortized over the period benefited, whereas premiums are taken into revenue over the premium paying period of the related policies;

(2)  deposits to universal life contracts, investment contracts and limited payment contracts are credited to revenue;


F-17



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

2.  STATUTORY AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES DIFFERENCES — (Continued)

(3)  policy reserves for future policy benefits are actuarially computed in accordance with certain state statutes and administrative regulations including both net level and modified reserve bases. These liabilities are computed using statutory actuarial tables which do not allow for modification based on the Company's experience, investment yields, mortality, or withdrawals. Aggregate reserves are shown net of the credit taken for reinsurance;

(4)  assets must be included in the statutory financial statements at "admitted asset value" and "nonadmitted assets" must be excluded through a charge against surplus;

(5)  bonds and short-term investments are generally carried at amortized cost and preferred stocks at cost, irrespective of the Company's investment portfolio activity;

(6)  subsidiaries and affiliates are carried as investments at net statutory book value, their periodic net income or loss is recorded in "Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses" in unassigned funds, and dividends are recorded as investment income;

(7)  certain assets and liabilities are reported net of ceded reinsurance balances;

(8)  realized capital gains and losses are reflected net of transfers to IMR and federal income tax in the Statements of Operations;

(9)  deferred federal income tax is provided based upon the expected future impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The admission of gross deferred income taxes is subject to various limitations as specified by NAIC SAP. In addition, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized as a separate component of gains and losses in unassigned funds;

(10)  adjustments reflecting the valuation of investments at the statement date are carried to the surplus account as unrealized investment gains or losses, without providing for federal income tax or income tax reductions;

(11)  sales of assets between affiliated companies are generally recorded at fair value;

(12)  the AVR is reported as a liability rather than as a reduction in investments and is charged directly to surplus;

(13)  the IMR is reported as a liability and the amortization of the IMR is reported in the revenue section of the Statements of Operations;

(14)  the Statements of Cash Flow are presented in the required statutory format;

(15)  the changes in nonadmitted assets, net deferred income taxes, reserves on account of a change in valuation basis, AVR, liability for unauthorized reinsurance, and net unrealized capital gains and losses are recorded as direct increases and decreases to surplus;

(16)  life insurance premiums deferred and uncollected represent annual or fractional premiums, either due and uncollected or not yet due, where policy reserves have been provided on the assumption that the full premium for the current policy year has been collected;


F-18



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

2.  STATUTORY AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES DIFFERENCES — (Continued)

(17)  for reserve credits taken related to reinsurers considered "unauthorized" by the Department, the Company must obtain letters of credit, funds withheld or other forms of collateral in amounts at least equal to the reserve credits. To the extent such collateral is not obtained, the Company must record a liability for reinsurance in unauthorized companies with a charge to unassigned funds;

(18)  market value adjusted annuities are included in the Company's general account for GAAP purposes, but are included in Separate Accounts on a statutory basis;

(19)  goodwill of entities acquired is recorded at the parent level for NAIC SAP, rather than at the subsidiary level;

(20)  contracts that contain an embedded derivative are not bifurcated between components and are accounted for as part of the host contract, whereas under GAAP, the embedded derivative would be bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for separately.

(21)  acquisitions and reinsurance transactions can be subject to different accounting treatments due to differences in risk transfer and business combination assessments. On a GAAP basis, PLC and its subsidiaries, including the Company, accounted for its February 1, 2015 acquisition by Dai-ichi Life under the acquisition method of accounting prescribed in ASC Topic 805, "Business Combinations." In accordance with this guidance, "pushdown" accounting was elected, including the initial recognition of most of PLC's and its subsidiaries' assets and liabilities at fair value as of the acquisition date. For Statutory reporting purposes, no similar accounting or adjustments occurred on February 1, 2015. Similarly, certain acquisitions of inforce business are accounted for as reinsurance pursuant to Statutory guidelines, but are subject to Purchase GAAP accounting ("PGAAP") guidelines for GAAP reporting purposes due to their qualification as a business combination.

The differences between NAIC SAP and GAAP have not been quantified as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 or the three year period ended December 31, 2019; however, the differences are presumed to be material.

3.  ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS

Accounting Changes

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted revisions to SSAP No. 30, "Unaffiliated Common Stock" ("SSAP No. 30R"), which update the common stock definition to include U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered closed-end funds and unit-investment trusts in accordance with the initiatives of the Investment Classification Project. The adoption of these revisions had no effect on the Company's financial statements.

Effective December 31, 2018, the Company adopted revisions to SSAP No. 21, "Other Admitted Assets" (SSAP No. 21R), which detail that period-certain structured settlements acquired in accordance with all state and federal laws are admitted assets. Life-contingent structured settlements and period-certain structured settlements not acquired pursuant to state and federal laws are nonadmitted assets. The adoption of these revisions did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.


F-19



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

3.  ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS — (Continued)

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted revisions to SSAP No. 100, "Fair Value" ("SSAP No. 100R"), which allows net asset value ("NAV") per share as a practical expedient to fair value when an SSAP specifically identifies NAV as a permitted practical expedient or when certain other conditions are met. The adoption of these revisions did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.

Prior Period Adjustments

For the June 30, 2018 statutory filing, the Company corrected its calculation of fixed indexed annuity ("FIA") reserves as reported on its December 31, 2017 statutory annual statement. The correction was due to the use of incorrect interest rates and annuitization path in the computation of the Company's FIA reserves as of December 31, 2017. The effect of this adjustment resulted in a decrease to "Aggregate reserves: Life policies and contracts" of $2.7 million and a decrease to "Deferred tax asset" of $0.6 million. The net effect of these changes was an increase in "Unassigned funds — surplus" of $2.1 million. In accordance with the provisions of SSAP No. 3, "Accounting Changes and Corrections of Errors," this change represents the January 1, 2018 impact of the correction.

4.  INVESTMENTS

Net Investment Income

Net investment income for the years ended December 31 consists of the following:

   

December 31

 
   

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds

 

$

216,720

   

$

156,281

   

$

79,722

   

Stocks

   

1,508

     

1,543

     

1,624

   

Mortgage loans

   

5,358

     

5,655

     

5,262

   

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments

   

2,598

     

1,264

     

115

   

Contract loans

   

3,299

     

3,312

     

2,145

   

Other invested assets

   

893

     

345

     

0

   

Miscellaneous investment income

   

(34

)

   

43

     

0

   

Total investment income

   

230,342

     

168,443

     

88,868

   

Investment expenses

   

(12,422

)

   

(8,846

)

   

(5,129

)

 

Net investment income

 

$

217,920

   

$

159,597

   

$

83,739

   

Due and accrued income is excluded from investment income on the following basis:

Mortgage loans — Income is excluded on loans delinquent more than 90 days. For loans less than 90 days delinquent, interest is accrued unless it is determined that the accrued interest is not collectible.

Bonds — When the Company determines collection of interest to be uncertain or interest is 90 days past due, the accrual of interest receivable is discontinued.

There was no due and accrued investment income excluded at December 31, 2019 or 2018.


F-20



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

Realized Gains and Losses

Realized investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:

   

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds

 

$

8,598

   

$

2,139

   

$

3,416

   

Common stock-unaffiliated

   

1

     

95

     

124

   

Preferred stock

   

39

     

250

     

19

   

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

   

1

     

(24

)

   

20

   

Derivative instruments

   

(1,006

)

   

73

     

(3,787

)

 

Other invested assets

   

394

     

0

     

0

   

Other investments

   

(26

)

   

5

     

37

   

Other-than-temporary impairments

   

(173

)

   

(2,660

)

   

(52

)

 

Less:

 
Amounts transferred to interest maintenance
reserve
   

6,908

     

792

     

2,259

   

Federal income taxes

   

2,172

     

115

     

625

   

Net realized investment losses

 

$

(1,252

)

 

$

(1,029

)

 

$

(3,107

)

 

Proceeds from the sales of investments in bonds, common stocks, and preferred stocks during 2019, 2018, and 2017 were approximately $356.5 million, $336.7 million, and $106.3 million, respectively. The Company realized gross gains of $9.6 million, $5.3 million, and $4.1 million on those sales for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Gross losses of $1.0 million, $2.9 million, and $0.5 million were realized on those sales for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Unrealized Gains and Losses

The change in net unrealized investment gains and losses included in surplus for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

   

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds

 

$

1

   

$

(5

)

 

$

0

   

Common stocks

   

0

     

(1

)

   

1

   

Derivative instruments

   

(798

)

   

396

     

(446

)

 

Less:

 

Federal income taxes

   

(167

)

   

82

     

(117

)

 

Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses

 

$

(630

)

 

$

308

   

$

(328

)

 

During 2019, the Company recorded $0.8 million in unrealized losses on derivative instruments due to changes in fair value. The losses included $0.6 million related to equity futures and $0.5 million related to equity options, which were used to mitigate risks associated with the Company's VA In addition,


F-21



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

there were gains of $0.2 million related to equity futures and $0.1 million of gains related to equity options, which were used to mitigate risks associated with the Company's FIA products.

During 2018, the Company recorded $0.4 million in unrealized gains on derivative instruments due to changes in fair value. The gains included $0.4 million of gains related to equity futures and $0.2 million of gains related to equity options, which were used to mitigate risks associated with the Company's VA products. In addition, there were losses of $0.2 million related to equity futures, which were used to mitigate risks associated with the Company's FIA products.

During 2017, the Company recorded $0.4 million in unrealized losses on derivative instruments due to changes in fair value. The losses included $0.2 million of losses related to foreign currency futures, $0.1 million of losses related to equity futures, and $0.1 million of losses related to equity options, which were used to mitigate risks associated with the Company's VA products.

Bonds and Preferred Stocks

The statement value and estimated fair value of the Company's bond and preferred stock investments at December 31 are as follows:

    Statement
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds:

 

US Government

 

$

49,862

   

$

997

   

$

(91

)

 

$

50,768

   

Other governments

   

32,892

     

4,287

     

0

     

37,179

   

US states, territories and possessions

   

20,664

     

1,215

     

0

     

21,879

   

US political subdivisions

   

88,480

     

4,035

     

0

     

92,515

   

US special revenue and assessment

   

377,891

     

35,256

     

(578

)

   

412,569

   

Industrial and miscellaneous

   

3,376,025

     

329,315

     

(3,135

)

   

3,702,205

   

Hybrids

   

41,734

     

5,287

     

(75

)

   

46,946

   
Total bonds, excluding loan-backed and
structured securities
   

3,987,548

     

380,392

     

(3,879

)

   

4,364,061

   

Loan-backed and structured securities:

 

Residential mortgage backed securities

   

862,292

     

23,012

     

(1,433

)

   

883,871

   

Commercial mortgage backed securities

   

413,046

     

15,646

     

(205

)

   

428,487

   
Other loan-backed and structured
securities
   

132,976

     

2,847

     

(679

)

   

135,144

   

Total loan-backed and structured securities

   

1,408,314

     

41,505

     

(2,317

)

   

1,447,502

   

Total bonds

   

5,395,862

     

421,897

     

(6,196

)

   

5,811,563

   

Preferred stocks

   

21,301

     

2,980

     

(1,029

)

   

23,252

   

Total bonds and preferred stocks

 

$

5,417,163

   

$

424,877

   

$

(7,225

)

 

$

5,834,815

   


F-22



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

    Statement
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds:

 

US Government

 

$

55,826

   

$

135

   

$

(670

)

 

$

55,291

   

Other governments

   

29,277

     

24

     

(984

)

   

28,317

   

US states, territories and possessions

   

36,416

     

453

     

(15

)

   

36,854

   

US political subdivisions

   

78,942

     

800

     

0

     

79,742

   

US special revenue and assessment

   

392,148

     

12,913

     

(3,045

)

   

402,016

   

Industrial and miscellaneous

   

2,873,898

     

82,062

     

(64,165

)

   

2,891,795

   

Hybrids

   

37,579

     

1,195

     

(1,130

)

   

37,644

   
Total bonds, excluding loan-backed and
structured securities
   

3,504,086

     

97,582

     

(70,009

)

   

3,531,659

   

Loan-backed and structured securities:

 

Residential mortgage backed securities

   

527,557

     

6,076

     

(4,837

)

   

528,796

   

Commercial mortgage backed securities

   

442,702

     

3,748

     

(2,128

)

   

444,322

   
Other loan-backed and structured
securities
   

140,826

     

1,445

     

(1,504

)

   

140,767

   

Total loan-backed and structured securities

   

1,111,085

     

11,269

     

(8,469

)

   

1,113,885

   

Total bonds

   

4,615,171

     

108,851

     

(78,478

)

   

4,645,544

   

Preferred stocks

   

26,897

     

542

     

(1,735

)

   

25,704

   

Total bonds and preferred stocks

 

$

4,642,068

   

$

109,393

   

$

(80,213

)

 

$

4,671,248

   

The statement value and estimated fair value of bonds at December 31, 2019, by expected maturity is shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain of these obligations.

    Statement
Value
  Estimated
Fair Value
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds, excluding loan-backed and structured securities:

 

Due in 1 year or less

 

$

125,268

   

$

126,508

   

Due after 1 year through 5 years

   

752,986

     

781,074

   

Due after 5 years through 10 years

   

1,312,408

     

1,401,542

   

Due after 10 years

   

1,796,886

     

2,054,937

   
Total bonds, excluding loan-backed and structured
securities
   

3,987,548

     

4,364,061

   

Total loan-backed and structured securities

   

1,408,314

     

1,447,502

   

Total bonds

 

$

5,395,862

   

$

5,811,563

   


F-23



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

The statement value and estimated fair value of bonds at December 31, 2018, by expected maturity is shown below.

    Statement
Value
  Estimated
Fair Value
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds, excluding loan-backed and structured securities:

 

Due in 1 year or less

 

$

121,888

   

$

123,077

   

Due after 1 year through 5 years

   

767,784

     

770,904

   

Due after 5 years through 10 years

   

933,173

     

918,833

   

Due after 10 years

   

1,681,241

     

1,718,845

   
Total bonds, excluding loan-backed and structured
securities
   

3,504,086

     

3,531,659

   

Total loan-backed and structured securities

   

1,111,085

     

1,113,885

   

Total bonds

 

$

4,615,171

   

$

4,645,544

   

The Company's investment gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, at December 31 are as follows:

   

Less Than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 
    Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Loss
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Loss
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds:

 

US Governments

 

$

3,180

   

$

(31

)

 

$

5,827

   

$

(60

)

 

$

9,007

   

$

(91

)

 
US special revenue and
assessment
   

19,422

     

(578

)

   

0

     

0

     

19,422

     

(578

)

 

Industrial and miscellaneous

   

83,978

     

(1,637

)

   

21,200

     

(1,498

)

   

105,178

     

(3,135

)

 

Hybrids

   

2,662

     

(46

)

   

540

     

(29

)

   

3,202

     

(75

)

 
Total bonds, excluding
loan-backed and structured
securities
   

109,242

     

(2,292

)

   

27,567

     

(1,587

)

   

136,809

     

(3,879

)

 
Loan-backed and structured
securities:
 
Residential mortgage backed
securities
   

163,783

     

(1,359

)

   

5,019

     

(74

)

   

168,802

     

(1,433

)

 
Commercial mortgage backed
securities
   

40,799

     

(181

)

   

801

     

(24

)

   

41,600

     

(205

)

 
Other loan-backed and
structured securities
   

9,131

     

(37

)

   

1,932

     

(642

)

   

11,063

     

(679

)

 
Total loan-backed and
structured securities
   

213,713

     

(1,577

)

   

7,752

     

(740

)

   

221,465

     

(2,317

)

 

Total bonds

   

322,955

     

(3,869

)

   

35,319

     

(2,327

)

   

358,274

     

(6,196

)

 

Preferred stocks

   

107

     

(4

)

   

2,171

     

(1,025

)

   

2,278

     

(1,029

)

 
Total bonds and preferred
stocks
 

$

323,062

   

$

(3,873

)

 

$

37,490

   

$

(3,352

)

 

$

360,552

   

$

(7,225

)

 


F-24



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

   

Less Than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 
    Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Loss
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Loss
  Estimated
Fair
Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds:

 

US Governments

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

25,640

   

$

(670

)

 

$

25,640

   

$

(670

)

 

Other Governments

   

22,670

     

(983

)

   

0

     

0

     

22,670

     

(983

)

 
US states, territories and
possessions
   

15,685

     

(15

)

   

0

     

0

     

15,685

     

(15

)

 

US political subdivisions

   

3,093

     

(1

)

   

0

     

0

     

3,093

     

(1

)

 
US special revenue and
assessment
   

53,196

     

(920

)

   

19,310

     

(2,125

)

   

72,506

     

(3,045

)

 

Industrial and miscellaneous

   

1,522,164

     

(53,130

)

   

113,506

     

(11,035

)

   

1,635,670

     

(64,165

)

 

Hybrids

   

22,203

     

(1,130

)

   

0

     

0

     

22,203

     

(1,130

)

 
Total bonds, excluding
loan-backed and structured
securities
   

1,639,011

     

(56,179

)

   

158,456

     

(13,830

)

   

1,797,467

     

(70,009

)

 
Loan-backed and structured
securities:
 
Residential mortgage backed
securities
   

197,694

     

(4,068

)

   

22,056

     

(769

)

   

219,750

     

(4,837

)

 
Commercial mortgage backed
securities
   

61,510

     

(442

)

   

49,927

     

(1,686

)

   

111,437

     

(2,128

)

 
Other loan-backed and
structured securities
   

50,596

     

(1,424

)

   

3,124

     

(80

)

   

53,720

     

(1,504

)

 
Total loan-backed and
structured securities
   

309,800

     

(5,934

)

   

75,107

     

(2,535

)

   

384,907

     

(8,469

)

 

Total bonds

   

1,948,811

     

(62,113

)

   

233,563

     

(16,365

)

   

2,182,374

     

(78,478

)

 

Preferred stocks

   

10,899

     

(535

)

   

1,800

     

(1,200

)

   

12,699

     

(1,735

)

 
Total bonds and preferred
stocks
 

$

1,959,710

   

$

(62,648

)

 

$

235,363

   

$

(17,565

)

 

$

2,195,073

   

$

(80,213

)

 

For securities other than loan-backed securities, the Company generally considers a number of factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary (please see the "Loan-backed and Structured Securities" section for information on loan-backed security OTTIs). These include, but are not limited to: 1) actions taken by rating agencies, 2) default by the issuer, 3) the significance of the decline, 4) an assessment of the Company's intent to sell the security (including a more likely than not assessment of whether the Company will be required to sell the security) before recovering the security's amortized cost, 5) the duration of the decline, 6) an economic analysis of the issuer's industry, and 7) the financial strength, liquidity, and recoverability of the issuer. Management performs a security by security review each quarter in evaluating the need for any OTTIs. Although no set formula is used in this process, the investment performance, collateral position, and continued viability of the issuer are significant measures considered. For securities in an unrealized loss position for which an OTTI was not recognized, the Company believes that it will collect all amounts contractually due and


F-25



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

has the intent and the ability to hold these securities until recovery. The Company recognized $0.2 million, $2.6 million, and less than $0.1 million of OTTIs on non-loan-backed securities during 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

The Company had securities with a fair value of $37.5 million in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at December 31, 2019, and the related unrealized loss of $3.4 million pertains primarily to banking, asset-backed, and energy securities. The Company had securities with a fair value of $235.4 million in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at December 31, 2018, composed primarily of mortgage-backed, U.S. Treasury, U.S. government related agencies, and banking securities. The aggregate decline in fair value of these securities was deemed temporary due to positive factors supporting the recoverability of the respective investments. Positive factors considered included credit ratings, the financial health of the investee, the continued access of the investee to capital markets, and other pertinent information.

The Company had no individual bonds that exceeded 10% of capital and surplus at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, bonds and cash having a fair value of $6.7 million and $6.5 million were on deposit with various governmental authorities as required by law.

The Company held no securities with a 5GI NAIC rating as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Loan-backed and Structured Securities

For the impairment review of loan-backed and structured securities, the Company employed the retrospective method during the period, basing its assumptions regarding expected maturity dates on market interest rates and overall economic conditions. The information that was used for these assumptions was provided by a nationally-recognized, real-time database.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, no OTTIs were recorded due to an intent to sell these securities. Also, no such impairments were recorded due to an inability or lack of intent to retain the securities for a period of time sufficient to recover their amortized cost.

The Company recognized no OTTIs in 2019 for loan-backed securities for loan-backed securities held at December 31, 2019.

During 2018, the Company recognized the following OTTIs for loan-backed securities held at December 31, 2018.

CUSIP

  Book/Adjusted
Carrying Value
Amortized Cost
Before Current
Period OTTI
  Present Value
of Projected
Cash Flows
  Recognized
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
  Amortized
Cost After
Other-Than-
Temporary
Impairment
  Fair Value
at time
of OTTI
  Date of
Financial
Statement
Where
Reported
 
               

($ in thousands)

         
 

12544

AAE5

 

$

298

   

$

279

   

$

19

   

$

279

   

$

267

   

12/31/2018

 

During 2017, the Company recognized no OTTIs for loan-backed securities held at December 31, 2017.


F-26



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

All impaired securities (fair value is less than cost or amortized cost) for which an OTTI has not been recognized in the Statements of Operations as a realized loss (including securities with a recognized OTTI for non-interest related declines when a non-recognized interest related impairment remains) are as follows as of December 31:

   

2019

 

2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

a. The aggregate amount of unrealized losses:

 

1. Less than 12 months

 

$

1,577

   

$

5,935

   

2. Twelve months or longer

 

$

716

   

$

2,522

   

b. The aggregate related fair value of securities with unrealized losses:

 

1. Less than 12 months

 

$

213,707

   

$

309,800

   

2. Twelve months or longer

 

$

7,383

   

$

74,839

   

In determining whether a loan-backed security had experienced an OTTI, the Company considered the delinquency (and foreclosure status, if applicable) of the underlying loans or mortgages, the expected recovery value of the underlying collateral (if any) in relation to the current amount of the investment, and the degree to which such losses, based upon the foregoing factors, will first be absorbed by tranches that are subordinate to the Company's securities.

The Company's exposure to subprime mortgage related risk is limited to investments in residential mortgage-backed securities that are backed by loans to borrowers with lower credit ratings. These securities are classified as subprime at issuance. The Company has exposure to Alt-A bonds which were made to borrowers with less than conventional documentation of their income and/or net assets. The Company may be exposed to unrealized losses on these holdings from time to time as the fair values of these securities are sensitive to widening spreads that can occur in difficult and illiquid market environments. In addition, the Company has exposure to realized losses if it is determined that the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired. These risks are mitigated somewhat by the Company's ability and intent to hold these securities to recovery, which may be at maturity. These securities are reviewed monthly to ensure they are performing as expected and to ensure sufficient credit support. The Company has no direct exposure through investments in subprime mortgage loans.

The following information relates to the Company's other investments with subprime exposure:

   

Actual Cost

  Book/Adjusted
Carrying Value
(excluding
interest)
 

Fair Value

  Other Than
Temporary
Impairment
Losses
Recognized
 

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 

a. Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

$

1,527

   

$

1,553

   

$

1,646

   

$

216

   

b. Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

c. Collateralized debt obligations

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

d. Structured securities

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

e. Equity investment in SCAs

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

f. Other assets

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

g. Total

 

$

1,527

   

$

1,553

   

$

1,646

   

$

216

   


F-27



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

   

Actual Cost

  Book/Adjusted
Carrying Value
(excluding
interest)
 

Fair Value

  Other Than
Temporary
Impairment
Losses
Recognized
 

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 

a. Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

$

1,002

   

$

1,030

   

$

1,103

   

$

216

   

b. Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

c. Collateralized debt obligations

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

d. Structured securities

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

e. Equity investment in SCAs

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

f. Other assets

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

g. Total

 

$

1,002

   

$

1,030

   

$

1,103

   

$

216

   

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had recognized $1.2 million of OTTI losses on residential mortgage-backed securities with subprime exposure held as of December 31, 2017.

Prepayment Penalties and Acceleration Fees

The Company had the following prepayment penalties or acceleration fees for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

    General
Account
  Separate
Account
 

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 
(1) Number of CUSIPs    

28

     

0

   

(2) Aggregate amount of investment income

 

$

2,196

   

$

0

   
    General
Account
  Separate
Account
 

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 
(1) Number of CUSIPs    

21

     

0

   

(2) Aggregate amount of investment income

 

$

3,053

   

$

0

   
    General
Account
  Separate
Account
 

2017

 

($ in thousands)

 
(1) Number of CUSIPs    

16

     

0

   

(2) Aggregate amount of investment income

 

$

1,904

   

$

0

   


F-28



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

Mortgage Loans

The Company's mortgage loan portfolio had the following concentrations by type of property as of December 31:

   

Percent of Portfolio

 
   

2019

 

2018

 

Retail

   

50.6

%

   

50.9

%

 

Apartment

   

20.5

     

7.6

   

Industrial

   

16.3

     

22.5

   

Office

   

9.2

     

10.8

   

Other commercial

   

2.4

     

3.8

   

Hotel

   

0.0

     

4.4

   

Mixed Use

   

1.0

     

0.0

   
     

100.0

%

   

100.0

%

 

The Company's mortgage loan portfolio had the following concentrations by location as of December 31:

   

Percent of Portfolio

 
   

2019

 

2018

 

Tennessee

   

14.8

%

   

16.2

%

 

California

   

11.3

     

0.8

   

Michigan

   

10.8

     

11.3

   

Nebraska

   

8.4

     

8.6

   

Texas

   

8.3

     

8.7

   

Illinois

   

6.7

     

5.9

   

Alabama

   

6.5

     

7.8

   

North Carolina

   

5.7

     

5.9

   

Mississippi

   

5.2

     

5.4

   

Florida

   

3.9

     

4.2

   

Wisconsin

   

3.5

     

3.5

   

Nevada

   

2.8

     

2.8

   

Kentucky

   

2.6

     

2.7

   

Missouri

   

2.2

     

2.4

   

Delaware

   

1.6

     

1.7

   

Utah

   

1.5

     

3.8

   

Colorado

   

1.4

     

1.5

   

Ohio

   

1.0

     

3.4

   

Indiana

   

1.0

     

1.1

   

Idaho

   

0.6

     

0.6

   

Pennsylvania

   

0.2

     

0.0

   

Minnesota

   

0.0

     

1.7

   
     

100.0

%

   

100.0

%

 


F-29



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

The Company issued no new mortgage loans during 2019. The Company issued one new commercial mortgage loan during 2018, and the lending rate was 4.37%. The Company did not exclude any interest due to delinquency or uncollectibility or reduce interest rates on any outstanding loans during either 2019 or 2018.

The target percentage of any one loan to the value of collateral at the time of the loan, exclusive of insured or guaranteed or purchase money mortgages, is generally 75%. The Company uses this loan-to-value ratio as a credit quality indicator, which is a component of the Company's ongoing monitoring of the credit risk of its mortgage loan portfolio. The Company also monitors borrower conditions such as payment practices, borrower credit, operating performance, and property conditions, as well as ensuring the timely payment of property taxes and insurance. Through this monitoring process, the Company assesses the risk of each loan. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no mortgage loans that exceeded a 75% loan to value ratio based on the most recent appraisal. For loans the Company held as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the maximum percentage of any one loan to the value of security at the time of the loan was 68% and 75%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any mortgages with interest more than 90 days past due.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, no taxes and/or assessments had been advanced but not repaid or included in the mortgage loan total.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no foreclosed properties or impaired loans. The Company reported no valuation allowances on any loans at either December 31, 2019 or 2018. No activity occurred in the allowance for credit losses during 2019 or 2018.

The following is an aging analysis of the Company's mortgage loans:

       

Residential

 

Commercial

         
   

Farm

 

Insured

 

All Other

 

Insured

 

All Other

 

Mezzanine

 

Total

 
               

($ in thousands)

             

Current Year

 

1. Recorded Investment (All)

                                                         

(a) Current

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

96,994

   

$

0

   

$

96,994

   

(b) 30-59 Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c) 60-89 Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(d) 90-179 Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(e) 180+ Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
2. Accruing Interest              
90-179 Days Past Due
                                                         

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(b) Interest Accrued

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   


F-30



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

       

Residential

 

Commercial

         
   

Farm

 

Insured

 

All Other

 

Insured

 

All Other

 

Mezzanine

 

Total

 
               

($ in thousands)

             

Current Year

 
3. Accruing Interest 1              
80+ Days Past Due
                                                         

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(b) Interest Accrued

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

4. Interest Reduced

 

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(b) Number of Loans

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c) Percent Reduced

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

 
5. Participant or Co-lender in a              
Mortgage Loan Agreement
                                                         

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

Prior Year

 

1. Recorded Investment (All)

                                                         

(a) Current

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

98,310

   

$

0

   

$

98,310

   

(b) 30-59 Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c) 60-89 Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(d) 90-179 Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(e) 180+ Days Past Due

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
2. Accruing Interest              
90-179 Days Past Due
                                                         

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(b) Interest Accrued

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
3. Accruing Interest              
180+ Days Past Due
                                                         

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(b) Interest Accrued

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

4. Interest Reduced

 

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(b) Number of Loans

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c) Percent Reduced

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

 
5. Participant or Co-lender in a              
Mortgage Loan Agreement
                                                         

(a) Recorded Investment

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   


F-31



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

Restricted Assets

The Company's restricted assets as of December 31 are as follows:

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 
   

Gross (Admitted and Nonadmitted) Restricted

 

Current Year

 
   

Current Year

                 

Percentage

 
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 

11

 
Restricted Asset
Category
  Total
General
Account
(G/A)
  G/A
Supporting
S/A
Activity (a)
  Total
Separate
Account
(S/A)
Restricted
Assets
  S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A
Activity (b)
  Total
(1 plus 3)
  Total
From
Prior
Year
  Increase/
(Decrease)
(5 minus 6)
  Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
  Total
Admitted
Restricted
(5 minus 8)
  Gross
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets
  Admitted
Restricted
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 
a. Subject to
contractual
obligation for
which liability
is not
shown
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
b. Collateral
held under
security
lending
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
c. Subject to
Repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
d. Subject to
reverse
repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
e. Subject to
dollar
repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
f. Subject to
dollar
reverse
repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
g. Placed under
option
contracts
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
h. Letter stock or
securities
restricted
as to sale-
excluding
FHLB capital
stock
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 


F-32



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 
   

Gross (Admitted and Nonadmitted) Restricted

 

Current Year

 
   

Current Year

                 

Percentage

 
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 

11

 
Restricted Asset
Category
  Total
General
Account
(G/A)
  G/A
Supporting
S/A
Activity (a)
  Total
Separate
Account
(S/A)
Restricted
Assets
  S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A
Activity (b)
  Total
(1 plus 3)
  Total
From
Prior
Year
  Increase/
(Decrease)
(5 minus 6)
  Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
  Total
Admitted
Restricted
(5 minus 8)
  Gross
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets
  Admitted
Restricted
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 
I. Federal home
loan bank
capital
stock
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
j. On deposit
with states
   

6,499

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

6,499

     

6,484

     

15

     

0

     

6,499

     

0.11

%

   

0.11

%

 
k. On deposit
with other
regulatory
bodies
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
l. Pledged as
collateral to
FHLB
(including
assets
backing
funding
agreements)
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
m. Pledged as
collateral not
captured in
other
categories
   

6,266

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

6,266

     

5,626

     

640

     

0

     

6,266

     

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

 
n. Other
restricted
assets
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
o. Total
Restricted
Assets
 

$

12,765

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

12,765

   

$

12,110

   

$

655

   

$

0

   

$

12,765

     

0.21

%

   

0.21

%

 


F-33



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

Restricted Assets

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 
   

Gross (Admitted and Nonadmitted) Restricted

 

Current Year

 
   

Current Year

                 

Percentage

 
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 

11

 
Restricted Asset
Category
  Total
General
Account
(G/A)
  G/A
Supporting
S/A
Activity (a)
  Total
Separate
Account
(S/A)
Restricted
Assets
  S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A
Activity (b)
  Total
(1 plus 3)
  Total
From
Prior
Year
  Increase/
(Decrease)
(5 minus 6)
  Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
  Total
Admitted
Restricted
(5 minus 8)
  Gross
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets (c)
  Admitted
Restricted
to Total
Admitted
Assets (d)
 
a. Subject to
contractual
obligation for
which liability
is not
shown
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
b. Collateral
held under
security
lending
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
c. Subject to
Repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
d. Subject to
reverse
repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
e. Subject to
dollar
repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
f. Subject to
dollar reverse
repurchase
agreements
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
g. Placed under
option
contracts
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
h. Letter stock or
securities
restricted
as to sale-
excluding
FHLB capital
stock
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 


F-34



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 
   

Gross (Admitted and Nonadmitted) Restricted

 

Current Year

 
   

Current Year

                 

Percentage

 
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 

11

 
Restricted Asset
Category
  Total
General
Account
(G/A)
  G/A
Supporting
S/A
Activity (a)
  Total
Separate
Account
(S/A)
Restricted
Assets
  S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A
Activity (b)
  Total
(1 plus 3)
  Total
From
Prior
Year
  Increase/
(Decrease)
(5 minus 6)
  Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
  Total
Admitted
Restricted
(5 minus 8)
  Gross
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets (c)
  Admitted
Restricted
to Total
Admitted
Assets (d)
 
I. Federal home
loan bank
capital
stock
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
j. On deposit
with states
   

6,484

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

6,484

     

6,557

     

(73

)

   

0

     

6,484

     

0.13

%

   

0.13

%

 
k. On deposit
with other
regulatory
bodies
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
l. Pledged as
collateral to
FHLB
(including
assets
backing
funding
agreements)
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
m. Pledged as
collateral not
captured in
other
categories
   

5,626

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

5,626

     

6,069

     

(443

)

   

0

     

5,626

     

0.11

%

   

0.11

%

 
n. Other
restricted
assets
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 
o. Total
Restricted
Assets
 

$

12,110

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

12,110

   

$

12,626

   

$

(516

)

 

$

0

   

$

12,110

     

0.24

%

   

0.24

%

 


F-35



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

The detail of assets pledged as collateral, not captured in other categories, as of December 31 are as follows:

2019

 

($ in thousands)

 
   

Gross (Admitted and Nonadmitted) Restricted

     

Percentage

 
   

Current Year

                     
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 
Description of
Assets
  Total
General
Account (G/A)
  G/A
Supporting
S/A Activity
  Total
Separate
Account (S/A)
Restricted
Assets
  S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A
Activity
  Total
(1 plus 3)
  Total
From
Prior Year
  Increase/
(Decrease)
(5 minus 6)
  Total
Current
Year
Admitted
Restricted
  Gross
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets
  Admitted
Restricted
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 
Collateral for
derivative
instruments
 

$

6,266

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

6,266

   

$

5,626

   

$

640

   

$

6,266

     

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

 

Total

 

$

6,266

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

6,266

   

$

5,626

   

$

640

   

$

6,266

     

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

 

2018

 

($ in thousands)

 
   

Gross (Admitted and Nonadmitted) Restricted

     

Percentage

 
   

Current Year

                     
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

9

 

10

 
Description of
Assets
  Total
General
Account (G/A)
  G/A
Supporting
S/A Activity
  Total
Separate
Account (S/A)
Restricted
Assets
  S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A
Activity
  Total
(1 plus 3)
  Total
From
Prior Year
  Increase/
(Decrease)
(5 minus 6)
  Total
Current
Year
Admitted
Restricted
  Gross
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
Restricted
to Total
Assets
  Admitted
Restricted
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 
Collateral for
derivative
instruments
 

$

5,626

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

5,626

   

$

6,069

   

$

(443

)

 

$

5,626

     

0.11

%

   

0.11

%

 

Total

 

$

5,626

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

5,626

   

$

6,069

   

$

(443

)

 

$

5,626

     

0.11

%

   

0.11

%

 

The Company had no other restricted assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.


F-36



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

The following shows the collateral received and reflected as assets within the Company's Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus as of December 31:

2019

 

Collateral Assets

  Book/Adjusted
Carrying
Value (BACV)
 

Fair Value

  % of BACV to
Total Assets
(Admitted and
Nonadmitted *
  % of BACV to
Total Admitted
Assets **
 

General Account

 
a. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and
Short-Term Investments
 

$

2,000

   

$

2,000

     

0.034

%

   

0.034

%

 

b. Schedule D, Part 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

c. Schedule D, Part 2, Section 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

d. Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

e. Schedule B

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

f. Schedule A

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

g. Schedule BA, Part 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

h. Schedule DL, Part 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

i. Other

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   
j. Total Collateral Assets
(a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i)
 

$

2,000

   

$

2,000

     

0.034

%

   

0.034

%

 

*  Total assets excluding Separate Accounts

**  Total admitted assets excluding Separate Accounts

    Amount in
thousands
  % of Liability to
Total Liabilities ***
 

k. Recognized Obligation to Return Collateral Asset

 

$

2,000

     

0.037

%

 

***  Total liabilities excluding Separate Accounts

2018

 
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

Collateral Assets

  Book/Adjusted
Carrying
Value (BACV)
 

Fair Value

  % of BACV to
Total Assets
(Admitted and
Nonadmitted *
  % of BACV to
Total Admitted
Assets **
 

General Account

 
a. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and
Short-Term Investments
 

$

25

   

$

25

     

0.000

%

   

0.001

%

 

b. Schedule D, Part 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

c. Schedule D, Part 2, Section 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

d. Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

e. Schedule B

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

f. Schedule A

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   


F-37



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

2018

 
   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

Collateral Assets

  Book/Adjusted
Carrying
Value (BACV)
 

Fair Value

  % of BACV to
Total Assets
(Admitted and
Nonadmitted *
  % of BACV to
Total Admitted
Assets **
 

General Account

 

g. Schedule BA, Part 1

 

$

0

   

$

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

h. Schedule DL, Part 1

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   

i. Other

   

0

     

0

     

0.000

     

0.000

   
j. Total Collateral Assets
(a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i)
 

$

25

   

$

25

     

0.000

%

   

0.001

%

 

*  Total assets excluding Separate Accounts

**  Total admitted assets excluding Separate Accounts

    Amount in
thousands
  % of Liability to
Total Liabilities ***
 

k. Recognized Obligation to Return Collateral Asset

 

$

25

     

0.001

%

 

***  Total liabilities excluding Separate Accounts

There was no collateral received and reflected as assets within the Company's Separate Accounts as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Repurchase Agreements, Securities Lending Transactions, and Wash Sales

For repurchase agreements, the Company initiates short-term (typically less than 30 days) collateralized borrowings whereby cash is received, and securities are posted as collateral. The Company reports the cash proceeds as a liability, and the difference between the cash proceeds and the amount at which the securities are reacquired as interest expense. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no balances outstanding under these agreements.

The Company is not involved in securities lending transactions.

In the normal course of the Company's investment management, securities can be sold and reacquired within 30 days. This practice is known as wash sales. The Company did not record any wash sales for the years ending December 31, 2019 or 2018.

Repurchase Agreements Transactions Accounted for as Secured Borrowing

While the Company anticipates that its cash flows will be sufficient to meet its investment commitments and operating cash needs in a normal credit market environment, the Company recognizes that investment commitments scheduled to be funded may, from time to time, exceed the funds then available. Therefore, the Company has established repurchase agreement programs to provide liquidity when needed. The Company expects that the rate received on its investments will equal or exceed its borrowing rate. Under this program, the Company may, from time to time, sell an investment


F-38



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

security at a specific price and agree to repurchase that security at another specified price at a later date. These borrowings are typically for a term less than 90 days. The fair value of securities to be repurchased is monitored and collateral levels are adjusted where appropriate to protect the counterparty against credit exposure. Cash received is invested in fixed maturity securities, and the agreements provided for net settlement in the event of default or on termination of the agreements. Due to the short tenor of the repurchase agreements, the Company would not expect any stress on liquidity to be an issue.

If market deterioration is detected and/or additional sources of liquidity are needed to manage asset/liability mismatches, the Company would draw down short-term investment positions and conserve cash by ceasing new investment activity. The Company also has an intercompany loan agreement set up with the Company's parent, PLICO, if needed.

The Company did not enter into any repurchase agreements during 2019.

The types of repurchase agreement trades used during 2018 are as follows:

   

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 
   

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

(a) Bilateral (Yes/No)

 

No

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

No

 

(b) Tri-Party (Yes/No)

 

No

 

No

 

No

 

No

 

A summary of the maturity time frame and ending balance of repurchase agreement transactions during 2018 is as follows:

   

$ in thousands

 
   

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

a. Maximum Amount

 

1. Open — No Maturity

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

2. Overnight

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

3. 2 Days to 1 Week

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

4. > 1 Week to 1 Month

   

0

     

35,970

     

18,594

     

0

   

5. > 1 Month to 3 Months

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

6. > 3 Months to 1 Year

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

7. > 1 Year

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

b. Ending Balance

 

1. Open — No Maturity

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

2. Overnight

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

3. 2 Days to 1 Week

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

4. > 1 Week to 1 Month

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

5. > 1 Month to 3 Months

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

6. > 3 Months to 1 Year

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

7. > 1 Year

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   


F-39



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

4.  INVESTMENTS — (Continued)

The Company had no securities "sold" and/or acquired that resulted in default during 2018.

A summary of securities "sold" under repurchase agreement — secured borrowing during 2018 is as follows:

   

$ in thousands

 
   

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

a. Maximum Amount

 

1. BACV

 

XXX

 

XXX

 

XXX

 

$

0

   
2. Nonadmitted — Subset
of BACV
 

XXX

 

XXX

 

XXX

   

0

   

3. Fair Value

 

$

0

   

$

37,628

   

$

18,909

     

0

   

b. Ending Balance

 

1. BACV

 

XXX

 

XXX

 

XXX

 

$

0

   
2. Nonadmitted — Subset
of BACV
 

XXX

 

XXX

 

XXX

   

0

   

3. Fair Value

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0

   

The Company had no repurchase agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

Details of the collateral received — secured borrowing for the year ended December 31, 2018, is as follows:

   

$ in thousands

 
   

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

a. Maximum Amount

 

1. Cash

 

$

0

   

$

35,970

   

$

18,594

   

$

0

   

2. Securities (FV)

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

b. Ending Balance

 

1. Cash

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

2. Securities (FV)

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

The Company recognized the following liability to return cash collateral during the year ended December 31, 2018:

   

$ in thousands

 
   

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

a. Maximum Amount

 

1. Cash(Collateral-All)

 

$

0

   

$

35,970

   

$

18,594

   

$

0

   

2. Securities collateral (FV)

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

b. Ending Balance

 

1. Cash(Collateral-All)

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

2. Securities collateral (FV)

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   


F-40



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES

The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of PLC and its subsidiaries. The method of allocation of current income taxes between the affiliates is subject to a written agreement under which the Company incurs a liability to PLC to the extent that a separate return calculation indicates that the Company has a federal income tax liability. If the Company has an income tax benefit, the benefit is recorded currently to the extent that it can be carried back against prior years' separate company income tax expense. Any amount not carried back is carried forward on a separate company basis. Income taxes recoverable (payable) are recorded in the federal income taxes receivable (payable) account and are settled periodically, per the tax sharing agreement.

The components of the net deferred tax asset/(deferred tax liability) ("DTA"/("DTL")) at December 31 are as follows:

   

$ in thousands

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 

Change

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(6)

 

(7)

 

(8)

 

(9)

 
           

(Col 1+2)

         

(Col 4+5)

         

(Col 7+8)

 

1.

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 
(a) Gross Deferred
Tax Assets
 

$

74,506

   

$

395

   

$

74,901

   

$

64,340

   

$

741

   

$

65,081

   

$

10,166

   

$

(346

)

 

$

9,820

   
(b) Statutory Valuation
Allowance
Adjustments
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(c) Adjusted Gross
Deferred Tax
Assets (1a-1b)
   

74,506

     

395

     

74,901

     

64,340

     

741

     

65,081

     

10,166

     

(346

)

   

9,820

   
(d) Deferred Tax Assets
Nonadmitted
   

48,342

     

0

     

48,342

     

49,738

     

0

     

49,738

     

(1,396

)

   

0

     

(1,396

)

 
(e) Subtotal Net
Admitted Deferred
Tax Asset) (1c-1d)
   

26,164

     

395

     

26,559

     

14,602

     

741

     

15,343

     

11,562

     

(346

)

   

11,216

   
(f) Deferred Tax
Liabilities
   

8,532

     

0

     

8,532

     

2,943

     

0

     

2,943

     

5,589

     

0

     

5,589

   
(g) Net Admitted
Deferred Tax Asset/
(Net Deferred Tax
Liability) (1e-1f)
 

$

17,632

   

$

395

   

$

18,027

   

$

11,659

   

$

741

   

$

12,400

   

$

5,973

   

$

(346

)

 

$

5,627

   


F-41



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

   

$ in thousands

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 

Change

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(6)

 

(7)

 

(8)

 

(9)

 
           

(Col 1+2)

         

(Col 4+5)

         

(Col 7+8)

 

2.

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Admission Calculation Components — SSAP No. 101

 
(a) Federal Income
Taxes Paid in Prior
Years Recoverable
Through Loss
Carryback
 

$

0

   

$

395

   

$

395

   

$

0

   

$

741

   

$

741

   

$

0

   

$

(346

)

 

$

(346

)

 
(b) Adjusted Gross
Deferred Tax Assets
Expected To Be
Realized (Excluding
The Amount of
Deferred Tax Assets
from 2(a) above)
After Application Of
The Threshold
Limitation (The
Lesser of 2(b)1 and
2(b)2 Below)
   

17,632

     

0

     

17,632

     

11,659

     

0

     

11,659

     

5,973

     

0

     

5,973

   
1) Adjusted Gross
Deferred Tax
Assets Expected
to be Realized
Following the
Balance Sheet
Date
   

17,632

     

0

     

17,632

     

11,659

     

0

     

11,659

     

5,973

     

0

     

5,973

   
2) Adjusted Gross
Deferred Tax Assets
Allowed per
Limitation
Threshold
 

XXX

 

XXX

   

49,120

   

XXX

 

XXX

   

38,379

   

XXX

 

XXX

   

10,741

   


F-42



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

   

$ in thousands

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 

Change

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(6)

 

(7)

 

(8)

 

(9)

 
           

(Col 1+2)

         

(Col 4+5)

         

(Col 7+8)

 

2.

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 
(c) Adjusted Gross
Deferred Tax
Assets (Excluding
The Amount Of
Deferred Tax
Assets From
2(a) and 2(b)
above) Offset by
Gross Deferred
Tax Liabilities
 

$

8,532

   

$

0

   

$

8,532

   

$

2,943

   

$

0

   

$

2,943

   

$

5,589

   

$

0

   

$

5,589

   
(d) Deferred Tax Assets
Admitted as the
result of Application
of SSAP No. 101.
Total 2(a) +2(b)+2(c)
 

$

26,164

   

$

395

   

$

26,559

   

$

14,602

   

$

741

   

$

15,343

   

$

11,562

   

$

(346

)

 

$

11,216

   

 

   

$ in thousands

 

3.

 

2019

 

2018

 
(a) Ratio Percentage Used To Determine Recovery Period And Threshold
Limitation Amount
   

913

%

   

753

%

 
(b) Amount Of Adjusted Capital And Surplus Used To Determine
Recovery Period And Threshold Limitation In 2(b)2 Above.
 

$

352,256

   

$

274,222

   

 

   

$ in thousands

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 

Change

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(6)

 

4.

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

  (Col 1-3)
Ordinary
  (Col 2-4)
Capital
 

Impact of Tax Planning Strategies

 
(a) Determination Of Adjusted Gross Deferred
Tax Assets and Net Admitted Deferred Tax
assets, By Tax Character as a Percentage
                                                 
1. Adjusted Gross DTA Amount From
Note 9A1(c)
 

$

74,506

   

$

395

   

$

64,340

   

$

741

   

$

10,166

   

$

(346

)

 


F-43



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

   

$ in thousands

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 

Change

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(6)

 

4.

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

  (Col 1-3)
Ordinary
  (Col 2-4)
Capital
 
2. Percentage of Adjusted Gross DTAs By Tax
Character Attributable To the Impact of
Tax Planning Strategies
   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

 
3. Net Admitted Adjusted Gross
DTA Amount From Note 9A1(e)
 

$

26,164

   

$

395

   

$

14,602

   

$

741

   

$

11,562

   

$

(346

)

 
4. Percentage of Net Admitted
Adjusted Gross DTAs by Tax
Character Admitted Because of
the Impact of Tax Planning Strategies
   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

   

0

%

 
(b) Does the Company's tax-planning
strategies include the use of
reinsurance?
                 

Yes

         

No

   

X

   

The Company has no DTLs that are not recognized.

Current income taxes incurred consist of the following major components:

   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

1.

 

2019

 

2018

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

(a)   Federal

 

$

14,902

   

$

43,464

   

$

(28,562

)

 

(b)   Foreign

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c)   Subtotal

   

14,902

     

43,464

     

(28,562

)

 

(d)   Federal income tax on capital gains

   

2,172

     

115

     

2,057

   

(e)   Utilization of capital loss carryforwards

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(f)   Other

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(g)   Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

 

$

17,074

   

$

43,579

   

$

(26,505

)

 
   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

1.

 

2018

 

2017

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

(a)   Federal

 

$

43,464

   

$

9,911

   

$

33,553

   

(b)   Foreign

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c)   Subtotal

   

43,464

     

9,911

     

33,553

   

(d)   Federal income tax on capital gains

   

115

     

625

     

(510

)

 


F-44



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

1.

 

2018

 

2017

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

(e)   Utilization of capital loss carryforwards

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(f)    Other

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(g)   Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

 

$

43,579

   

$

10,536

   

$

33,043

   

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

Deferred Tax Assets

   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

2.

 

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

(a) Ordinary:

             

(1) Discounting of unpaid losses

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

(2) Unearned premium reserve

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(3) Policyholder reserves

   

28,610

     

21,009

     

7,601

   
(4) Investments    

51

     

0

     

51

   

(5) Deferred acquisition costs

   

44,445

     

35,864

     

8,581

   

(6) Policyholder dividends accrual

   

202

     

199

     

3

   
(7) Fixed assets    

0

     

0

     

0

   

(8) Compensation and benefits accrual

   

0

     

0

     

0

   
(9) Pension accrual    

0

     

0

     

0

   

(10) Receivables — nonadmitted

   

86

     

45

     

41

   

(11) Net operating loss carryforward

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(12) Tax credit carryforward

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(13) Other (including items <5% of total ordinary tax assets)

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(14) Due & deferred premium

   

0

     

283

     

(283

)

 
(15) Intangibles    

1,112

     

6,940

     

(5,828

)

 
(99) Subtotal    

74,506

     

64,340

     

10,166

   

(b) Statutory valuation allowance adjustment

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c) Nonadmitted

   

48,342

     

49,738

     

(1,396

)

 

(d) Admitted ordinary deferred tax assets (2a99-2b-2c)

   

26,164

     

14,602

     

11,562

   


F-45



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

2.

 

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

(e) Capital:

             
(1) Investments  

$

395

   

$

741

   

$

(346

)

 

(2) Net capital loss carryforward

   

0

     

0

     

0

   
(3) Real estate    

0

     

0

     

0

   

(4) Other (including items <5% of total capital tax assets)

   

0

     

0

     

0

   
(99) Subtotal    

395

     

741

     

(346

)

 

(f) Statutory valuation allowance adjustment

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(g) Nonadmitted

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(h) Admitted capital deferred tax assets (2e99-2f-2g)

   

395

     

741

     

(346

)

 

(i) Admitted deferred tax assets (2d+2h)

 

$

26,559

   

$

15,343

   

$

11,216

   

Deferred Tax Liabilities

   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 

3.

 

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

(a) Ordinary:

 
(1) Investments  

$

5,581

   

$

1,341

   

$

4,240

   
(2) Fixed assets    

0

     

0

     

0

   

(3) Deferred and uncollected premium

   

0

     

0

     

0

   

(4) Policyholder reserves

   

1,953

     

1,602

     

351

   

(5) Other (including items <5% of total ordinary tax liabilities)

   

16

     

0

     

16

   

(6) Due and deferred premium

   

707

     

0

     

707

   
(7) Policy loans    

275

     

0

     

275

   

(8) Other (including items <5% of total ordinary tax assets)

   

0

     

0

     

0

   
(99) Subtotal    

8,532

     

2,943

     

5,589

   

(b) Capital:

   

0

     

0

     

0

   
(1) Investments    

0

     

0

     

0

   
(2) Real estate    

0

     

0

     

0

   

(3) Other (including items <5% of total capital tax liabilities)

   

0

     

0

     

0

   
(99) Subtotal    

0

     

0

     

0

   

(c) Deferred tax liabilities (3a99+3b99)

 

$

8,532

   

$

2,943

   

$

5,589

   

Net deferred tax assets/liabilities (2i-3c)

 

$

18,027

   

$

12,400

   

$

5,627

   


F-46



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

The change in net deferred income taxes as of December 31 is comprised of the following (this analysis is exclusive of nonadmitted assets as the change in nonadmitted assets is reported separately from the change in net deferred income tax in the Statement of Changes in Capital and Surplus):

   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

Adjusted gross deferred tax assets

 

$

74,901

   

$

65,081

   

$

9,820

   

Total deferred tax liabilities

   

8,532

     

2,943

     

5,589

   

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

 

$

66,369

   

$

62,138

     

4,231

   

Tax effect of unrealized gains/(losses)

           

168

   

Change in net deferred income tax [(charge)/benefit]

         

$

4,063

   
   

$ in thousands

 
   

(1)

 

(2)

 

(3)

 
   

2018

 

2017

  (Col 1-2)
Change
 

Adjusted gross deferred tax assets

 

$

65,081

   

$

6,738

   

$

58,343

   

Total deferred tax liabilities

   

2,943

     

47

     

2,896

   

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

 

$

62,138

   

$

6,691

     

55,447

   

Tax effect of unrealized gains/(losses)

           

(82

)

 

Tax effect of prior period adjustment

           

(570

)

 

Change in net deferred income tax [(charge)/benefit]

         

$

56,099

   

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, a reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Company's federal income tax expense for periods beginning in 2018 is based on the new rate.

The NAIC's SAP Working Group released INT 18-01, "Updated Tax Estimates under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", on February 8, 2018, and provided guidance on reporting and updating estimates when an insurer does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. Due to software limitations, the Company did not have the information available in order to make a reasonable estimate of the transitional adjustment related to the new life reserve computation method required by the Tax Act as of December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2018, the transitional amount resulted in a deferred tax liability of $1.2 million, but also increased the life reserve deferred tax asset by the same amount. All accounting impacts were completed within one year of the enactment date.

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, on March 27, 2020, H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, (the "CARES Act"), was signed into legislation which includes tax provisions


F-47



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

relevant to businesses that during 2020 will impact taxes related to 2018 and 2019. Some of the significant changes are reducing the interest expense disallowance for 2019 and 2020, allowing the five year carryback of net operating losses for 2018-2020, suspension of the 80% limitation of taxable income for net operating loss carryforwards for 2018-2020, and the acceleration of depreciation expense from 2018 and forward on qualified improvement property. The Company is required to recognize the effect on the financial statements in the period the law was enacted, which is 2020. At this time, the Company does not expect the CARES Act to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.

The provision for federal and foreign income taxes incurred is different from that which would be obtained by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes. The significant items causing this difference at December 31 are as follows:

   

$ in thousands

 
    December 31
2019
  Effective
Tax Rate
(%)
 

Provision computed at statutory rate

 

$

8,518

     

21.0

%

 

Tax on STAT capital gains (losses)

   

5,639

     

13.9

   

Amortization of IMR

   

(869

)

   

(2.1

)

 

Change in non-admits

   

(51

)

   

(0.1

)

 

Nondeductible expense

   

5

     

0.0

   

Dividends received deduction

   

(141

)

   

(0.3

)

 

Tax-exempt income deduction

   

(13

)

   

0.0

   

Prior year deferred tax true-up

   

4,947

     

12.2

   

Prior year current tax true-up

   

(4,929

)

   

(12.2

)

 

Gain/(loss) on reinsurance

   

(69

)

   

(0.2

)

 

Foreign tax credit

   

(26

)

   

(0.1

)

 

Total

 

$

13,011

     

32.1

%

 

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

 

$

14,902

     

36.7

%

 

Tax on capital gains/(losses)

   

2,172

     

5.4

   

Change in net deferred income taxes charge/(benefit)

   

(4,063

)

   

(10.0

)

 

Total statutory income taxes

 

$

13,011

     

32.1

%

 
   

$ in thousands

 
    December 31
2018
  Effective
Tax Rate
(%)
 

Provision computed at statutory rate

 

$

(15,584

)

   

21.0

%

 

Tax on STAT capital gains (losses)

   

(26

)

   

(0.1

)

 

Amortization of IMR

   

(658

)

   

0.9

   

IMR transferred through acquisition

   

4,057

     

(5.4

)

 

Change in non-admits

   

(31

)

   

0.0

   

Nondeductible expense

   

8

     

0.0

   

Dividends received deduction

   

(155

)

   

0.2

   


F-48



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

   

$ in thousands

 
    December 31
2018
  Effective
Tax Rate
(%)
 

Prior year deferred tax true-up

 

$

(9

)

   

0.0

   

Prior year current tax true-up

   

(12

)

   

0.0

   

Gain/(loss) on reinsurance

   

(72

)

   

0.1

   

Foreign tax credit

   

(38

)

   

0.1

   

Total

 

$

(12,520

)

   

16.8

%

 

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

 

$

43,464

     

(58.6

)%

 

Tax on capital gains/(losses)

   

115

     

(0.2

)

 

Change in net deferred income taxes charge/(benefit)

   

(56,099

)

   

75.6

   

Total statutory income taxes

 

$

(12,520

)

   

16.8

%

 
   

$ in thousands

 
    December 31
2017
  Effective
Tax Rate
(%)
 

Provision computed at statutory rate

 

$

12,707

     

35.0

%

 

Tax on STAT capital gains

   

(78

)

   

(0.2

)

 

Amortization of IMR

   

(882

)

   

(2.4

)

 

Change in non-admits

   

135

     

0.4

   

Nondeductible expense

   

8

     

0.0

   

Dividends received deduction

   

(251

)

   

(0.7

)

 

Prior year deferred tax true-up

   

(17

)

   

0.0

   

Gain on reinsurance

   

(126

)

   

(0.3

)

 

Foreign tax credit

   

(21

)

   

(0.1

)

 

Effect of change in tax law

   

4,422

     

12.1

   

Total

 

$

15,897

     

43.8

%

 

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

 

$

9,911

     

27.3

%

 

Tax on capital gains/(losses)

   

625

     

1.7

   

Change in net deferred income taxes charge/(benefit)

   

5,361

     

14.8

   

Total statutory income taxes

 

$

15,897

     

43.8

%

 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no operating loss, no capital loss, and no foreign tax credit carryforwards available to offset future net income subject to federal income taxes.


F-49



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

The Company incurred the following amount of income taxes in the current year and preceding years that are available for recoupment in the event of future net losses:

   

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Total

 
       

($ in thousands)

     

2017

 

$

0

   

$

2,094

   

$

2,094

   

2018

   

0

     

238

     

238

   

2019

   

0

     

2,336

     

2,336

   

Total

 

$

0

   

$

4,668

   

$

4,668

   

The Company has no deposits admitted under Section 6603 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Company recorded federal income tax receivable of $4.1 million at December 31, 2019, and a federal income tax payable of $0.6 million at December 31, 2018.

The Company had no state transferable tax credits at December 31, 2019 or 2018.

The Company's federal income tax return for 2019 will be consolidated with the following entities:

Asset Protection Financial, Inc.

Chesterfield International Reinsurance Limited

Dealer Services Reinsurance, Ltd.

Empower Financial Resources, Inc.

First Protection Company

First Protection Corporation

First Protection Corporation of Florida

First Protective Insurance Group, Inc.

Golden Gate Captive Insurance Company

Golden Gate II Vermont Captive Insurance Company

Golden Gate III Vermont Captive Insurance Company

Golden Gate IV Vermont Captive Insurance Company

Golden Gate V Vermont Captive Insurance Company

Investment Distributors, Inc.

MONY Life Insurance Company

New World Re

New World Warranty Corp.

ProEquities, Inc.

Protective Administrative Services, Inc.

Protective Asset Protection, Inc.

Protective Finance Corporation

Protective Finance Corporation II

Protective Finance Corporation IV

Protective Investment Advisors, Inc.

Protective Life Corporation

Protective Life Insurance Company

Protective Property & Casualty Insurance Company

Protective Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

Shades Creek Captive Insurance Company

The Advantage Warranty Corporation

United States Warranty Corp.

USWC Holding Company

USWC Installment Program, Inc.

Warranty Business Services Corporation

West Coast Life Insurance Company

Western Diversified Services, Inc.

Western General Dealer Services, Inc.

Western General Warranty Corporation


F-50



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

5.  INCOME TAXES — (Continued)

The Company does not have any federal income tax loss contingencies for which it is reasonably possible that the total liability will significantly increase within twelve months of the reporting date.

The Company does not owe the Repatriation Transition Tax under the Tax Act.

The Company does not have an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) credit.

6.  INFORMATION CONCERNING PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES, AND AFFILIATES

In conjunction with the Great-West reinsurance transaction described in Note 9, the Company received cash capital contributions of $25.0 million and $30.0 million from its parent, PLICO, in the first and second quarters of 2019, respectively.

In conjunction with the Liberty Mutual reinsurance transaction described in Note 9, the Company received cash capital contributions totaling $180.0 million from its parent, PLICO, in the second quarter of 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company received capital contributions totaling $45.0 million from PLICO, consisting of $5.0 million in cash and $40.0 million in bonds (including accrued interest of $0.3 million).

The Company paid no dividends in 2019 and 2018. In 2017, the Company paid ordinary dividends totaling $34.6 million to its parent, PLICO.

The Company routinely receives from or pays to affiliates under the control of PLC reimbursements for expenses incurred on one another's behalf. Receivables and payables among affiliates are generally settled monthly. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had an intercompany receivable from its affiliates of $0 and a payable of $9.4 million. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had an intercompany receivable from its affiliates of $7.5 million and a payable of $1.0 million.

PLC has contracts with its affiliates under which it supplies investment, legal and data processing services on a fee basis and other managerial and administrative services on a shared cost basis. In addition, the affiliates have a joint contract relating to allocation of costs for services performed by employees of one affiliate for another. The Company paid $37.1 million, $28.6 million, and $17.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, for these services.

PLICO entered into a guaranty agreement on October 27, 1993, with the Company. PLICO has guaranteed the payment of all insurance policy claims made by the holders or beneficiaries of any policies, which were issued after the date of the guaranty agreement in accordance with the terms of said policies. Total liabilities for policies covered by this agreement were $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

PLICO entered into a guaranty agreement with the Company on December 31, 1995, whereby PLICO guaranteed that the Company will perform all of the obligations of PLICO pursuant to the terms and conditions of an indemnity coinsurance agreement between PLICO and an unaffiliated life insurance company. Total liabilities related to this coinsurance agreement were $5.8 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company entered into an agreement with PLICO in 2012 in which a loan can be given to or received from PLICO subject to certain limitations as described in the agreement. The Company had no loaned or borrowed amounts as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.


F-51



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

7.  CAPITAL AND SURPLUS, SHAREHOLDERS' DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

Dividends and distributions on preferred and common stock are non-cumulative and are paid as determined by the Board of Directors. Dividends and distributions may be paid without approval of the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Alabama in an amount up to the greater of 10% of policyholders' surplus as of the preceding December 31, or the Company's net gain from operations for the preceding year reduced by dividends or distributions paid within the preceding twelve months. In 2019 and 2018, the Company paid no dividends. In 2017, the Company paid ordinary dividends totaling $34.6 million to its parent, PLICO. The Company did not pay dividends on the preferred stock in 2019 and 2018. During 2020, the Company can pay $34.5 million in distributions without the approval of the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Alabama. The participating preferred stock can be redeemed at the option of the Company at $1,000 per share.

The portion of unassigned funds (surplus) represented or reduced for cumulative unrealized gains and losses was $(683) thousand and $114 thousand as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The portion of unassigned funds (surplus) reduced for nonadmitted assets was $48.8 million and $50.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The NAIC's risk-based capital requirements require insurance companies to calculate and report information under a risk-based capital formula. These requirements are intended to allow insurance regulators to identify inadequately capitalized insurance companies based upon the types and mixtures of risk inherent in the insurer's operations. The formula includes components for asset risk, liability risk, interest rate exposure, and other factors. The Company was adequately capitalized under the formula at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

8.  LIABILITIES, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND ASSESSMENTS

Assessments

In most states, under insurance guaranty fund laws, insurance companies doing business therein can be assessed up to prescribed limits for policyholder losses incurred by insolvent companies. It is possible that the Company could be assessed with respect to product lines not offered by the Company. In addition, legislation may be introduced in various states with respect to guaranty fund assessment laws related to insurance products, including long term care insurance and other specialty products, that alters future premium tax offsets received in connection with guaranty fund assessments. Most of these laws do provide, however, that an assessment may be excused or deferred if it would threaten an insurer's own financial strength. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company accrued liabilities of less than $1 thousand and less than $1 thousand, respectively, for future assessments. The Company accrued related assets for future premium tax credits of less than $1 thousand and less than $1 thousand for December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, assets of $3 thousand and $3 thousand, respectively, relate to assessments already paid that will be taken as credits on future premium tax returns.


F-52



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

8.  LIABILITIES, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND ASSESSMENTS — (Continued)

A reconciliation of guaranty assets during 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

   

2019

 

2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
Assets recognized from paid and accrued premium tax offsets and
policy surcharges prior year-end
 

$

4

   

$

359

   

Decreases current year:

 

Decrease in offsets related to estimated future assessments

   

1

     

1

   

Premium tax offset applied

   

0

     

1

   

NY state tax offset

   

0

     

354

   

Increases current year:

 

Assessments paid

   

0

     

1

   
Assets recognized from paid and accrued premium tax offsets and
policy surcharges current year-end
 

$

3

   

$

4

   

On March 1, 2017, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued orders placing affiliated companies Penn Treaty Network American Insurance Company ("Penn Treaty") and American Network Insurance Company ("ANIC") in liquidation. As of March 1, 2017, the life and health insurance guaranty associations in the states where Penn Treaty and ANIC were licensed to do business have assumed responsibility for their policies. Insurance issued by Penn Treaty and ANIC consisted primarily of long-term care contracts. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no remaining liabilities or recoverables related to future assessments for these insolvencies.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has not entered into any contingent commitments or guarantees. The Company did not recognize any gain contingencies during the three-year period ended December 31, 2019.

The Company paid no claims in the reporting period to settle claims-related extra contractual obligations or bad faith claims stemming from lawsuits during 2019 and 2018.

Scottish Re (U.S.), Inc. ("SRUS") was placed in rehabilitation on March 6, 2019 by the State of Delaware. Under the related order, the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Delaware has been appointed the receiver of SRUS and provided with authority to conduct and continue the business of SRUS in the interest of its cedents, creditors, and stockholder. The order was accompanied by an injunction requiring the continued payment of reinsurance premiums to SRUS and temporarily prohibiting cedents, including the Company, from offsetting premiums payable against receivables from SRUS. On June 20, 2019, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an order approving a Revised Offset Plan, which allows cedents, including the Company, to offset premiums under certain circumstances.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding claim reserves from SRUS of $0.2 million, including a recoverable of $0.1 million. In addition, the Company had a statutory reserve credit of approximately $4.8 million at December 31, 2019. The Company continues to monitor SRUS and the actions of the receiver through discussions with legal counsel and review of publicly available information. However, management does not have sufficient information about the current assets or


F-53



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

8.  LIABILITIES, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND ASSESSMENTS — (Continued)

capital position of SRUS. Additionally, it is unclear how the rehabilitation process will proceed or whether or to what extent the ultimate outcome of the rehabilitation process will be unfavorable to the Company.

The Company considered whether the accrual of a loss contingency under SSAP No. 5R, "Liabilities, Contingencies, and Impairment of Assets", was appropriate with respect to amounts receivable from SRUS for ceded claims and reserves as of December 31, 2019. Due to the lack of sufficient information to support an analysis of SRUS's financial condition as of December 31, 2019 and uncertainty regarding whether and to what extent the ultimate outcome of the rehabilitation process will result in an outcome unfavorable to the Company, management concluded that any possible impairment of its reinsurance receivables balance could not be reasonably estimated.

A number of judgments have been returned against insurers, broker dealers and other providers of financial services involving, among other things, sales, underwriting practices, product design, product disclosure, administration, denial or delay of benefits, charging excessive or impermissible fees, recommending unsuitable products to customers, breaching fiduciary or other duties to customers, refund or claims practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise representatives, relationships with agents or persons with whom the insurer does business, payment of sales and other contingent commissions, and other matters. Often these legal proceedings have resulted in the award of substantial judgments that are disproportionate to actual damages, including material amounts of punitive and non-economic compensatory damages. In some states, juries, judges, and arbitrators have substantial discretion in awarding punitive non-economic compensatory damages which creates the potential for unpredictable material adverse judgments or awards in any given legal proceeding. Arbitration awards are subject to very limited appellate review. In addition, in some legal proceedings, companies have made material settlement payments. In some instances, substantial judgments may be the result of a party's perceived ability to satisfy such judgments as opposed to the facts and circumstances regarding the claims made.

The Company, as well as certain of its insurance affiliates and certain other insurance companies for which the Company or its affiliates have co-insured blocks of life insurance and annuity policies, are under audit for compliance with the unclaimed property laws of a number of states. The audits are being conducted on behalf of the treasury departments or unclaimed property administrators in such states. The focus of the audits is on whether there have been unreported deaths, maturities, or policies that have exceeded limiting age with respect to which death benefits or other payments under life insurance or annuity policies should be treated as unclaimed property that should be escheated to the state. The Company is presently unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss that may result from the audits due to a number of factors, including uncertainty as to the legal theory or theories that may give rise to liability and the early stages of the audits being conducted. The Company will continue to monitor the matter for any developments that would make the loss contingency associated with the audits reasonably estimable.

The Company and its affiliated life insurance companies are under a targeted multi-state examination with respect to their claims paying practices and their use of the U.S. Social Security Administration's Death Master File or similar databases (a "Death Database") to identify unreported deaths in their life insurance policies, annuity contracts and retained asset accounts. There is no clear basis in previously existing law for requiring a life insurer to search for unreported deaths in order to determine whether a


F-54



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

8.  LIABILITIES, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND ASSESSMENTS — (Continued)

benefit is owed, and substantial legal authority exists to support the position that the prevailing industry practice was lawful. A number of life insurers, however, have entered into settlement or consent agreements with state insurance regulators under which the life insurers agreed to implement procedures for periodically comparing their life insurance and annuity contracts and retained asset accounts against a Death Database, treating confirmed deaths as giving rise to a death benefit under their policies, locating beneficiaries and paying them the benefits and interest, escheating the benefits and interest to the state if the beneficiary could not be found, and paying penalties to the state, if required. It has been publicly reported that the life insurers have paid administrative and/or examination fees to the insurance regulators in connection with the settlement or consent agreements. The Company believes that insurance regulators could demand from the Company administrative and/or examination fees relating to the targeted multi-state examination. Based on publicly reported payments by other life insurers, the Company does not believe such fees, if assessed, would have a material effect on its financial statements.

The Company, like other insurance companies, in the ordinary course of business, is involved in legal proceedings. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any legal proceeding nor can it provide an estimate of the possible loss, or range of loss, that may result from such legal proceeding. However, with respect to such legal proceedings, the Company does not expect that its ultimate liability, if any, will be material to its financial condition.

9.  REINSURANCE

The Company remains liable with respect to ceded insurance should any reinsurer fail to meet the obligations it assumed. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company's maximum retention limit was $5.0 million or less on a single risk, depending on the life product. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors the associated concentration of credit risk.

The Company has ceded the following to affiliated insurers as of and for the years ended December 31:

   

2019

 

2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Life:

 

Insurance in force

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

Policy reserves ceded

   

0

     

0

   

Policy claim liabilities ceded

   

0

     

0

   

Premiums ceded

   

0

     

0

   

Accident and health:

 

Policy reserves ceded

   

0

     

11

   

Policy claim liabilities ceded

   

0

     

1

   

Premiums ceded

   

1

     

2

   

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company ceded accident and health premiums of $2 thousand to affiliated insurers.


F-55



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

9.  REINSURANCE — (Continued)

The Company has ceded the following to non-affiliated insurers as of and for the years ended December 31:

   

2019

 

2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Life:

 

Insurance in force

 

$

7,019,559

   

$

7,548,065

   

Policy reserves ceded

   

186,574

     

198,319

   

Policy claim liabilities ceded

   

7,606

     

6,736

   

Premiums ceded

   

28,907

     

30,759

   

Accident and health:

 

Policy reserves ceded

   

293

     

292

   

Policy claim liabilities ceded

   

0

     

0

   

Premiums ceded

   

0

     

0

   

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company ceded life insurance premiums of $31.8 million to non-affiliated insurers.

The Company has assumed from non-affiliated insurers as of and for the years ended December 31 as follows:

   

2019

 

2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Life:

 

Insurance in force

 

$

9,821,665

   

$

6,598,643

   

Policy reserves assumed

   

3,524,218

     

2,971,102

   

Policy claim liabilities assumed

   

23,950

     

18,881

   

Premiums assumed

   

1,008,133

     

2,773,890

   

Accident and health:

 

Policy reserves assumed

   

789

     

560

   

Policy claim liabilities assumed

   

0

     

2

   

Premiums assumed

   

321

     

4

   

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company assumed life insurance premiums of $19.3 million and accident and health premiums of $5 thousand from non-affiliated insurers.

Great-West Reinsurance Transaction

On January 23, 2019, PLICO and the Company entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (the "GWL&A Master Transaction Agreement") with Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company ("GWL&A"), Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York ("GWL&A of NY"), The Canada Life Assurance Company ("CLAC") and The Great-West Life Assurance Company ("GWL" and, together with GWL&A, GWL&A of NY and CLAC, the "Sellers"), pursuant to which PLICO and the Company acquired via coinsurance (the "Transaction") substantially all of the Sellers' individual and


F-56



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

9.  REINSURANCE — (Continued)

group life and A&H insurance and annuity business (the "Business"), except for the Separate Account business, which was assumed via a MODCO agreement.

On June 3, 2019, PLICO and the Company completed the Transaction (the "GWL&A Closing"). Pursuant to the GWL&A Master Transaction Agreement, PLICO and the Company entered into reinsurance agreements (the "GWL&A Reinsurance Agreements") and related ancillary documents at the Closing. On the terms and subject to the conditions of the GWL&A Reinsurance Agreements, the Sellers ceded to PLICO and the Company, effective as of the closing of the Transaction, substantially all of the insurance policies related to the Business. The aggregate ceding commission for the reinsurance of the Business was $905.4 million, which is subject to adjustment in accordance with the GWL&A Master Transaction Agreement. Of this amount, approximately $11.2 million was reported by the Company in "Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance assumed." All policies issued in states other than New York were ceded to PLICO under reinsurance agreements between the applicable Seller and PLICO, and all policies issued in New York were ceded to the Company under a reinsurance agreement between GWL&A of NY and the Company. The aggregate statutory reserves and deposit-type contracts of the Sellers ceded to PLICO and the Company as of the Closing were approximately $20.6 billion (including MODCO reserves of $10.8 billion), which amount was based on initial estimates and is subject to adjustment following the Closing. To support its obligations under the GWL&A Reinsurance Agreements, PLICO established trust accounts for the benefit of GWL&A, CLAC and GWL, and the Company established a trust account for the benefit of GWL&A of NY. The Sellers retained a block of participating policies which will be administered by PLICO.

The GWL&A Master Transaction Agreement and other transaction documents contain certain customary representations and warranties made by each of the parties, and certain customary covenants regarding the Sellers and the Individual Life Business, and provide for indemnification, among other things, for breaches of those representations, warranties, and covenants.

In conjunction with the transaction, the Company assumed approximately $639.3 million of life and accident and health policy reserves, $0.6 million of deposit-type contracts, an Interest Maintenance Reserve of approximately $19.0 million, and other liabilities of approximately $(4.7) million. Among the assets received by the Company upon assumption were bonds of approximately $565.2 million, mortgage loans of $12.0 million, contract loans of $1.5 million, other invested assets of $3.8 million, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $53.2 million, and other assets of approximately $7.3 million. In addition, the Company assumed initial MODCO reserves of approximately $238.5 million, which are reported as "Change in MODCO reserves" as included in "benefits and expenses", with an offsetting amount reported as "premiums and annuity considerations" as included in "total revenue".

Liberty Mutual Reinsurance Transaction

On May 1, 2018, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company ("Lincoln Life") completed its previously announced acquisition (the "Closing") of Liberty Mutual Group Inc.'s ("Liberty Mutual") Group Benefits Business and Individual Life and Annuity Business (the "Life Business") through the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston ("Liberty"). In connection with the Closing and pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, dated January 18, 2018 (the "Master Transaction Agreement"), the Company's parent, PLICO, and the Company entered


F-57



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

9.  REINSURANCE — (Continued)

into reinsurance agreements (the "Liberty Reinsurance Agreements") and related ancillary documents (including administrative services agreements and transition services agreements) providing for the reinsurance and administration of the Life Business.

Pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreements, Liberty ceded to PLICO and the Company the insurance policies related to the Life Business on a 100% coinsurance basis. The aggregate ceding commission for the reinsurance of the Life Business was $422.4 million, which is the purchase price. The ceding commission was subsequently updated via customary adjustments to $402.5 million. Of this amount, approximately $134.4 million was reported by the Company.

All policies issued in states other than New York were ceded to PLICO under a reinsurance agreement between Liberty and PLICO, and all policies issued in New York were ceded to the Company under a reinsurance agreement between Liberty and the Company. The aggregate statutory reserves and policyholder liabilities of Liberty ceded to PLICO and the Company as of the closing of the transaction were approximately $13.2 billion, which amount was based on initial estimates. The final reserve amount determined, as adjusted during the measurement period, was $13.2 billion. In addition, there are certain pending items which remain subject to adjustment in accordance with the Master Transaction Agreement and could result in a gain in future periods. In conjunction with the transaction, the Company assumed approximately $2.549 billion of life policy reserves, $11.7 million of deposit-type contracts, policy contract claims of $12.6 million, an Interest Maintenance Reserve of approximately $19.3 million, and other net liabilities of approximately $2.1 million. Among the assets received by the Company upon assumption were bonds (including short-term investments and cash equivalents) and accrued interest of approximately $2.463 billion, contract loans of $29.0 million, and other net assets of approximately $41.7 million. In addition, the Company had a net cash outflow of $74.0 million related to the transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Liberty Reinsurance Agreements, each of PLICO and the Company are required to maintain assets in trust for the benefit of Liberty to secure their respective obligations to Liberty under the Liberty Reinsurance Agreements. The trust accounts were initially funded by each of PLICO and the Company principally with the investment assets that were received from Liberty. Additionally, PLICO and the Company have each agreed to provide, on behalf of Liberty, administration and policyholder servicing of the Life Business reinsured by it pursuant to administrative services agreements between Liberty and each of PLICO and the Company.

None of the reinsurers included as "non-affiliated" in the above tables are owned in excess of 10% or controlled, either directly or indirectly, by the Company or any representative, officer, trustee, or director of the Company. No policies issued by the Company have been reinsured with a company chartered in a country other than the United States (excluding U.S. Branches of such companies) which is owned in excess of 10% or controlled directly or indirectly by an insured, a beneficiary, a creditor of an insured or any other person not primarily engaged in the insurance business.

The Company does not have any reinsurance agreements in effect under which the reinsurer may unilaterally cancel any reinsurance for reasons other than for nonpayment of premium or other similar credits. The Company does not have any reinsurance agreements in effect such that the amount of losses paid or accrued through the statement date may result in a payment to the reinsurer of amounts which, in aggregate and allowing for offset of mutual credits from other reinsurance agreements with the same reinsurer, exceed the total direct premium collected under the reinsured policies.


F-58



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

9.  REINSURANCE — (Continued)

The Company had no aggregate reductions to surplus for terminations of reinsurance agreements during 2019 and 2018. No new agreements were executed nor existing agreements amended during 2019 and 2018, to include policies or contracts which were in-force or which had existing reserves established by the Company as of the effective date of the agreement.

The Company has not written any receivables off as uncollectible during the three-year period ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no nonadmitted reinsurance receivables.

The Company had no commutation of ceded reinsurance during the three-year period ended December 31, 2019.

The Company had the following reinsurance recoverable balances relating to paid losses as of December 31, 2019:

Company

  Amount
Recoverable
  % of
Total
 

Rating

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
SCOR Global Life Americas
Reinsurance Company
 

$

2,031

     

42.8

%

 

A.M. Best Company A+

 

RGA Reinsurance Company

   

1,376

     

29.0

   

A.M. Best Company A+

 
Security Life of Denver Insurance
Company
   

730

     

15.4

   

Not rated

 

All other companies

   

606

     

12.8

           

Total

 

$

4,743

     

100.0

%

         

Approximately 44% of the reinsurance recoverable balance at December 31, 2018 related to one insurance company rated "A+" (Superior) by the A. M. Best Company, an independent rating organization.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, the Company had $1 thousand and $14 thousand of accident and health recoverables and reinsurance credits with PLICO, which represented less than 0.1% of capital and surplus.


F-59



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

10.  INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

The table below summarizes the notional amount of the Company's financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

   

Assets

 

Liabilities

 
   

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 

12/31/2019

 

12/31/2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Swaps

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

Futures

   

11,845

     

8,085

     

24,623

     

8,645

   

Options

   

65,309

     

19,318

     

45,233

     

14,633

   

Totals

 

$

77,154

   

$

27,403

   

$

69,856

   

$

23,278

   

Derivative instruments expose the Company to credit and market risk. The Company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with highly-rated counterparties. The Company manages market risk by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degrees of risk that may be undertaken. The Company monitors its use of derivatives in connection with its overall asset/liability management programs and risk management strategies. In addition, all derivative programs are monitored by the Company's risk management department. A description of the Company's objectives for using derivatives is described more fully in Note 1.

None of the Company's derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting. Therefore, they are reported at fair value and are included in the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus. The changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized immediately as unrealized gains and losses.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had posted cash and securities (at fair value) for its derivatives as collateral of approximately $1.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Of this amount, approximately $0.9 million and $5.0 million of cash and securities, respectively, related to outstanding futures, and approximately $0.3 million of cash was posted as collateral for outstanding options. As of December 31, 2019, the Company received $2.0 million of cash as collateral related to options.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had posted cash and securities (at fair value) for its derivatives as collateral of approximately $0.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively. Of this amount, approximately $0.1 million and $4.9 million of cash and securities, respectively, related to outstanding futures, and approximately $0.4 million of cash was posted as collateral for outstanding options. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had not received cash as collateral.

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments, but it does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations given their high credit ratings. The credit exposure of over-the-counter options is represented by the fair value of contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had received $2.0 million of cash pledged as collateral. Because exchange-traded futures


F-60



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

10.  INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK — (Continued)

and options are effected through a regulated exchange and positions are marked to market on a daily basis, the Company has little exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to such financial instruments.

The current credit exposure of the Company's derivative contracts is limited to the fair value at the reporting date. Credit risk is managed by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties. The Company also attempts to minimize its exposure to credit risk through the use of multiple highly rated counterparties.

11. CHANGE IN INCURRED LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

Activities in the liability for accident and health policy and contract claims are summarized as follows:

   

2019

 

2018

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Balance at January 1

 

$

2,087

   

$

2,238

   

Less reinsurance recoverables

   

10

     

10

   

Net balance at January 1

   

2,077

     

2,228

   

Incurred:

 

Related to current year

   

149

     

252

   

Related to prior years

   

(11

)

   

(11

)

 

Total incurred

   

138

     

241

   

Paid:

 

Related to current year

   

45

     

38

   

Related to prior years

   

336

     

354

   

Total paid

   

381

     

392

   

Net balance at December 31

   

1,834

     

2,077

   

Plus reinsurance recoverables

   

10

     

10

   

Balance at December 31

 

$

1,844

   

$

2,087

   

Reserves and liabilities as of January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018 were $2.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, have been paid for incurred claims attributable to insured events of prior years. Reserves remaining for prior years at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, as a result of re-estimation of unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses on disability income and credit lines of insurance. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims. No additional premiums or return premiums have been accrued as a result of the prior year effects.

There were no significant changes in methodologies or assumptions used in calculating the liability for unpaid losses during 2019 and 2018.


F-61



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

12.  PARTICIPATING POLICIES

Direct and assumed premiums under individual life participating policies were $12.1 million and 1.6% $147.6 million and 8.0%, and $0.1 million and 0.2% for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, of total direct and assumed individual life premium earned. The Company accrues dividends when declared by the Board of Directors. The Company paid dividends in the amount of $1.1 million, $1.6 million, and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The Company has not allocated any additional income to participating policyholders.

13.  ANALYSIS OF ANNUITY ACTUARIAL RESERVES AND DEPOSIT LIABILITIES BY WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS

Withdrawal characteristics of annuity actuarial reserves and deposit liabilities as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

Individual Annuities

    General
Account
  Separate
Account with
Guarantees
  Separate
Account Non-
guaranteed
 

Total

  % of
Total
 
   

($ in thousands)

 
(1Subject to discretionary withdrawal:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
a.  With market value
adjustments
 

$

9,053

   

$

301

   

$

0

   

$

9,354

     

0.3

%

 
b. At book value less current
surrender charge of 5% or
more at book value less
surrender charge
   

584,434

     

0

     

0

     

584,434

     

21.2

   

c. At fair value at market

   

0

     

0

     

168,174

     

168,174

     

6.1

   
d. Total with market value
adjustment or at fair value
(total of a through c)
   

593,487

     

301

     

168,174

     

761,962

     

27.7

   
e. At book value without
adjustment (minimal or no
charge or adj.)
   

1,940,059

     

0

     

0

     

1,940,059

     

70.5

   
(2Not subject to discretionary
withdrawal provision
   

50,234

     

0

     

0

     

50,234

     

1.8

%

 
(3Total (gross: direct + assumed)    

2,583,780

     

301

     

168,174

     

2,752,255

     

100.0

%

 
(4Reinsurance ceded    

1,175

     

0

     

0

     

1,175

           
(5Total (net) (3) — (4)  

$

2,582,605

   

$

301

   

$

168,174

   

$

2,751,080

           
(6Amount included in A(1)b above
that will move to A(1)e in the year
after the statement date
 

$

53,155

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

53,155

   

 

 


F-62



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

13.  ANALYSIS OF ANNUITY ACTUARIAL RESERVES AND DEPOSIT LIABILITIES BY WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS — (Continued)

Group Annuities

    General
Account
  Separate
Account with
Guarantees
  Separate
Account Non-
guaranteed
 

Total

  % of
Total
 
   

($ in thousands)

 
(1Subject to discretionary withdrawal:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
a. With market value
adjustments
 

$

0

   

$

8,437

   

$

0

   

$

8,437

     

27.5

%

 
b. At book value less current
surrender charge of 5% or
more
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.0

   

c. At fair value

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.0

   
d. Total with market value
adjustment or at fair value
(total of a through c)
   

0

     

8,437

     

0

     

8,437

     

27.5

   
e. At book value without
adjustment (minimal or no
charge or adj.)
   

169

     

517

     

0

     

686

     

2.2

   
(2Not subject to discretionary
withdrawal provision
   

21,510

     

0

     

0

     

21,510

     

70.2

   
(3Total (gross: direct + assumed)    

21,679

     

8,954

     

0

     

30,633

     

100.0

%

 
(4Reinsurance ceded    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

           
(5Total (net) (3) — (4)  

$

21,679

   

$

8,954

   

$

0

   

$

30,633

           
(6Amount included in B(1)b above
that will move to B(1)e in the year
after the statement date
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

           


F-63



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

13.  ANALYSIS OF ANNUITY ACTUARIAL RESERVES AND DEPOSIT LIABILITIES BY WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS — (Continued)

Deposit-Type Contracts (no life contingencies)

    General
Account
  Separate
Account with
Guarantees
  Separate
Account Non-
guaranteed
 

Total

  % of
Total
 
   

($ in thousands)

 
(1Subject to discretionary withdrawal:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a. With market value adjustments

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

     

0.0

%

 
b. At book value less current
surrender charge of 5% or
more
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.0

   

c. At fair value

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.0

   
d. Total with market value
adjustment or at fair value
(total of a through c)
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0.0

   
e. At book value without
adjustment (minimal or no
charge or adj.)
   

11,646

     

0

     

0

     

11,646

     

41.9

   
(2Not subject to discretionary
withdrawal provision
   

16,126

     

0

     

0

     

16,126

     

58.1

   
(3Total (gross: direct + assumed)    

27,772

     

0

     

0

     

27,772

     

100.0

%

 
(4Reinsurance ceded    

938

     

0

     

0

     

938

           
(5Total (net) (3) — (4)  

$

26,834

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

26,834

           
(6Amount included in C(1)b above
that will move to C(1)e in the year
after the statement date
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

           

Reconciliation of Total Annuity Actuarial Reserves and Deposit Fund Liabilities

Life & Accident & Health Annual Statement:

1. Exhibit 5, Annuities Section, Total (net)

 

$

2,597,314

   
2. Exhibit 5, Supplementary Contracts with Life Contingencies
Section, Total (net)
   

6,970

   

3. Exhibit 7, Deposit-Type Contracts, Line 14, column 1

   

26,835

   

4. Subtotal

   

2,631,119

   

Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

 

5. Exhibit 3, Line 0299999, Column 2

   

177,428

   

6. Exhibit 3, Line 0399999, Column 2

   

0

   

7. Policy dividend and coupon accumulations

   

0

   

8. Policyholder premiums

   

0

   

9. Guaranteed interest contracts

   

0

   

10.Other contract deposit funds

   

0

   

11.Subtotal

   

177,428

   

12.Combined Total

 

$

2,808,547

   


F-64



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

14.  ANALYSIS OF LIFE ACTUARIAL RESERVES BY WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS

Withdrawal characteristics of the Company's life actuarial reserves of December 31, 2019, are as follows:

   
General Account
  Separate Account -
Nonguaranteed
 
    Account
Value
 
Cash Value
 
Reserve
  Account
Value
  Cash
Value
 
Reserve
 
   

($ in thousands)

 
A. Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or
policy loans:
 
(1) Term Policies with
Cash Value
 

$

0

   

$

134

   

$

134

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
(2) Universal Life    

2,229,765

     

2,307,514

     

2,410,967

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(3) Universal Life with
Secondary Guarantees
   

4,923

     

2,670

     

20,448

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(4) Indexed Universal Life

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(5) Indexed Universal Life
with Secondary
Guarantees
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(6) Indexed Life    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(7) Other Permanent Cash
Value Life Insurance
   

0

     

211,722

     

229,902

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(8) Variable Life    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

(9) Variable Universal Life

   

2,205

     

2,204

     

2,157

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
(10) Miscellaneous
Reserves
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

B. Not subject to discretionary withdrawal or no cash values

                 
(1) Term Policies without
Cash Value
   

XXX

     

XXX

     

218,385

     

XXX

     

XXX

     

0

   
(2) Accidental Death
Benefits
   

XXX

     

XXX

     

96

     

XXX

     

XXX

     

0

   
(3) Disability — Active
Lives
   

XXX

     

XXX

     

1,313

     

XXX

     

XXX

     

0

   
(4) Disability — Disabled
Lives
   

XXX

     

XXX

     

4,059

     

XXX

     

XXX

     

0

   
(5) Miscellaneous
Reserves
   

XXX

     

XXX

     

12,473

     

XXX

     

XXX

     

0

   
C. Total (gross: direct +
assumed)
   

2,236,893

     

2,524,244

     

2,899,934

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

D. Reinsurance Ceded

   

2,206

     

2,279

     

184,461

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

E. Total (net) (C) - (D)

 

$

2,234,687

   

$

2,521,965

   

$

2,715,473

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   


F-65



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

14.  ANALYSIS OF LIFE ACTUARIAL RESERVES BY WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS — (Continued)

F. Amount

 

Life & Accident & Health Annual Statement:

 
(1Exhibit 5, Life Insurance Section, Total (net)  

$

2,697,967

   
(2Exhibit 5, Accidental Death Benefits Section, Total (net)    

59

   
(3Exhibit 5, Disability — Active Lives Section, Total (net)    

1,176

   
(4Exhibit 5, Disability — Disabled Lives Section, Total (net)    

4,054

   
(5Exhibit 5, Miscellaneous Reserves Section, Total (net)    

12,217

   
(6Subtotal    

2,715,473

   

Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

 
(7Exhibit 3, Line 0199999, Column 2    

0

   
(8Exhibit 3, Line 0499999, Column 2    

0

   
(9Exhibit 3, Line 0599999, Column 2    

0

   
(10Subtotal (Lines (7) through (9))    

0

   
(11Combined Total ((6) and (10))  

$

2,715,473

   

15.  PREMIUMS AND ANNUITY CONSIDERATIONS DEFERRED AND UNCOLLECTED

Life insurance premiums and annuity considerations deferred and uncollected represent annual or fractional premiums, either due and uncollected or not yet due, where policy reserves have been provided on the assumption that the full premium for the current policy year has been collected.

Deferred and uncollected life insurance premiums and annuity considerations as of December 31 were as follows:

2019

Type

 

Gross

  Net of
Loading
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Industrial

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

Ordinary new business

   

15

     

(4

)

 

Ordinary renewal

   

4,217

     

4,264

   

Credit Life

   

0

     

0

   

Group Life

   

(823

)

   

(891

)

 

Group Annuity

   

0

     

0

   

Totals

 

$

3,409

   

$

3,369

   


F-66



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

15.  PREMIUMS AND ANNUITY CONSIDERATIONS DEFERRED AND UNCOLLECTED — (Continued)

2018

Type

 

Gross

  Net of
Loading
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Industrial

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

Ordinary new business

   

(10

)

   

(10

)

 

Ordinary renewal

   

(263

)

   

(446

)

 

Credit Life

   

0

     

0

   

Group Life

   

(826

)

   

(891

)

 

Group Annuity

   

0

     

0

   

Totals

 

$

(1,099

)

 

$

(1,347

)

 

16.  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

The Company utilizes Separate Accounts to record and account for assets and liabilities for particular lines of business. For the current reporting year, the Company reported assets and liabilities from the following product lines into a Separate Account:

•  Market value adjusted annuities

•  Variable annuities

Separate Accounts held by the Company are for variable annuity and individual and group market value adjusted annuity contracts. The Separate Account for market value adjusted annuities provides the opportunity for the policyholder to invest in one or any combination of interest rate guarantee periods. The assets for this account are carried at fair value and are held in a non-unitized Separate Account. Amounts withdrawn from the contract in excess of the free withdrawal amount are subject to market value adjustment, which can be positive or negative. The market value adjusted annuity business has been included as "Non-indexed Guarantee less than 4%" and "Non-indexed Guarantee more than 4%" in the table disclosing information regarding the Company's Separate Accounts as shown later in Note 16.

The Separate Accounts for the variable annuities invest in shares of various mutual funds with external investment advisors. The net investment experience of the Separate Account is credited directly to the policyholder and can be positive or negative. Variable annuities have been included as "Nonguaranteed Separate Accounts" in the table disclosing information regarding the Company's Separate Accounts as shown later in Note 16.

Some of the variable annuity contracts contain GMDB and GLWB features, which are described in Note 1.

These products are included within the Separate Accounts pursuant to Alabama Code § 27-38-1.

In accordance with the products recorded within the Separate Account, all of the Company's assets are considered legally insulated from the General Account. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company Separate Account statement included legally insulated assets of $180.1 million and


F-67



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

16.  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS — (Continued)

$183.4 million, respectively. The assets legally insulated from the General Account as of December 31 are attributed to the following products:

2019

($ in thousands)

 
Product  

Legally Insulated Assets

  Separate Account Assets
(Not Legally Insulated)
 

Market value adjusted annuities

 

$

10,261

   

$

0

   

Variable annuities

   

169,811

     

0

   

Total

 

$

180,072

   

$

0

   

2018

($ in thousands)

 
Product  

Legally Insulated Assets

  Separate Account Assets
(Not Legally Insulated)
 

Market value adjusted annuities

 

$

8,494

   

$

0

   

Variable annuities

   

174,881

     

0

   

Total

 

$

183,375

   

$

0

   

In accordance with the products recorded within the Separate Account, some Separate Account liabilities are guaranteed by the General Account. To compensate the General Account for the risk taken, the Separate Account paid risk charges of $4.7 million, $5.1 million, $5.3 million, $5.3 million, and $5.5 million during 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, $6 thousand was paid by the General Account toward Separate Account guarantees. For the preceding four years, $2 thousand, $5 thousand, $24 thousand, and $65 thousand were paid by the General Account toward Separate Account guarantees in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

The Company did not have securities lending transactions within the Separate Accounts during 2019 or 2018.

Information regarding the Company's Separate Accounts is as follows:

   

2019

 
   

Index

  Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than
4%
  Nonindexed
Guarantee
More Than
4%
  Nonguaranteed
Separate
Account
 

Total

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
(1Premiums, consideration or deposits
for the year ended 12/31/2019
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

240

   

$

240

   

Reserves at 12/31/2019

 
(2For accounts with assets at:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
a. Fair value  

$

0

   

$

9,254

   

$

0

   

$

168,174

   

$

177,428

   
b. Amortized cost    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
c. Total reserves *  

$

0

   

$

9,254

   

$

0

   

$

168,174

   

$

177,428

   


F-68



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

16.  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS — (Continued)

   

2019

 
   

Index

  Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than
4%
  Nonindexed
Guarantee
More Than
4%
  Nonguaranteed
Separate
Account
 

Total

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
(3By withdrawal characteristics:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
a. Subject to discretionary withdrawal:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.With market value adjustment

 

$

0

   

$

9,254

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

9,254

   
2.At book value without market value
adjustment and with current
surrender charge of 5% or more
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

3.At fair value

   

0

     

0

     

0

     

168,174

     

168,174

   
4.At book value without market value
adjustment and with current surrender
charge less than 5%
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

5.Subtotal

   

0

     

9,254

     

0

     

168,174

     

177,428

   
b. Not subject to discretionary withdrawal    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
c. Total  

$

0

   

$

9,254

   

$

0

   

$

168,174

   

$

177,428

   
Line 2(c) should equal Line 3(c)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4Reserves for Asset Default Risk in Lieu
of AVR
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
   

2018

 
   

Index

  Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than
4%
  Nonindexed
Guarantee
More Than
4%
  Nonguaranteed
Separate
Account
 

Total

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
(1Premiums, consideration or deposits
for the year ended 12/31/2018
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

983

   

$

983

   

Reserves at 12/31/2018

 
(2For accounts with assets at:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
a. Fair value  

$

0

   

$

10,481

   

$

0

   

$

171,195

   

$

181,676

   
b. Amortized cost    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
c. Total reserves *  

$

0

   

$

10,481

   

$

0

   

$

171,195

   

$

181,676

   
(3By withdrawal characteristics:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
a. Subject to discretionary withdrawal:                                          
1. With market value adjustment  

$

0

   

$

10,481

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

10,481

   
2. At book value without market value
adjustment and with current surrender
charge of 5% or more
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
3. At fair value    

0

     

0

     

0

     

171,195

     

171,195

   


F-69



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

16.  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS — (Continued)

   

2018

 
   

Index

  Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than
4%
  Nonindexed
Guarantee
More Than
4%
  Nonguaranteed
Separate
Account
 

Total

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
4. At book value without market value
adjustment and with current
surrender charge less than 5%
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
5. Subtotal    

0

     

10,481

     

0

     

171,195

     

181,676

   
b. Not subject to discretionary withdrawal    

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
c. Total  

$

0

   

$

10,481

   

$

0

   

$

171,195

   

$

181,676

   
Line 2(c) should equal Line 3(c)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(4Reserves for Asset Default Risk in Lieu
of AVR
 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

Premiums in Nonguaranteed Separate Accounts were $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

A reconciliation of net transfers to (from) Separate Accounts is as follows:

   

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 
   

($ in thousands)

 
Transfers as reported in the Summary of Operations of the
Separate Accounts Statement:
 

Transfers to Separate Accounts

 

$

246

   

$

989

   

$

1,107

   

Transfers from Separate Accounts

   

21,176

     

17,671

     

16,375

   

Net transfers from Separate Accounts

   

(20,930

)

   

(16,682

)

   

(15,268

)

 

Reconciling adjustments

 

Transfers assumed under reinsurance agreements

   

481

     

(654

)

   

0

   

Transfers as reported in the Statements of Operations

 

$

(20,449

)

 

$

(17,336

)

 

$

(15,268

)

 

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with SSAP No. 100R, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The definition of fair value in SSAP No. 100R focuses on an "exit price", the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability. Included in various line items in the statutory financial statements are certain financial instruments carried at fair value. Other financial instruments are periodically measured at fair value, such as when impaired, or, for certain bonds and preferred stocks, when carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified, for disclosure purposes, based on a hierarchy defined by SSAP No. 100R. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest


F-70



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. The hierarchy can be defined as follows:

  Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.

  Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or significant inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include the following:

(a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets,

(b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets,

(c) Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable, and

(d) Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means.

  Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The following tables provide information as of December 31 about the Company's financial assets and liabilities (other than derivative instruments) measured at fair value:

2019

Description

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

  Net Asset
Value (NAV)
 

Total

 
   

($ In thousands)

 

Assets at fair value

 

Bonds

 

Residential Mortgage-backed Securities

 

$

0

   

$

11

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

11

   

Total bonds

   

0

     

11

     

0

     

0

     

11

   

Common stocks

 

Industrial and misc.

   

0

     

0

     

1

     

0

     

1

   

Total common stocks

   

0

     

0

     

1

     

0

     

1

   

Separate Account assets

   

174,937

     

5,135

     

0

     

0

     

180,072

   

Total assets at fair value

 

$

174,937

   

$

5,146

   

$

1

   

$

0

   

$

180,084

   


F-71



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

2018

Description

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

  Net Asset
Value (NAV)
 

Total

 
   

($ In thousands)

 

Assets at fair value

 

Bonds

 

Residential Mortgage-backed Securities

 

$

0

   

$

12

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

12

   

Total bonds

   

0

     

12

     

0

     

0

     

12

   

Common stocks

 

Industrial and misc.

   

0

     

0

     

1

     

0

     

1

   

Total common stocks

   

0

     

0

     

1

     

0

     

1

   

Separate Account assets

   

175,048

     

8,327

     

0

     

0

     

183,375

   

Total assets at fair value

 

$

175,048

   

$

8,339

   

$

1

   

$

0

   

$

183,388

   

The following is a Level 3 rollforward for 2019:

Description

  Beginning
Balance at
1/1/2019
  Transfers
into
Level 3
  Transfers
out of
Level 3
  Total
gains
and
(losses)
included
in Net
Income
  Total
gains
and
(losses)
included
in Surplus
 

Purchases

 

Issuances

 

Sales

 

Settlements

  Ending
Balance at
12/31/2019
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Assets

 
Common stock-
indust and
misc.
 

$

1

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1

   

Total assets

 

$

1

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1

   

The following is a Level 3 rollforward for 2018:

Description

  Beginning
Balance at
1/1/2018
  Transfers
into
Level 3
  Transfers
out of
Level 3
  Total
gains
and
(losses)
included
in Net
Income
  Total
gains
and
(losses)
included
in Surplus
 

Purchases

 

Issuances

 

Sales

 

Settlements

  Ending
Balance at
12/31/2018
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Assets

Common stock-
indust and
misc.
 

$

2

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

(1

)

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1

   

Total assets

 

$

2

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

(1

)

 

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1

   

There were no transfers between levels for the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value (other than derivative instruments) during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.


F-72



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

Fair Value Methodology

Description of Pricing Inputs

The Company predominantly uses a third-party pricing service and broker quotes to determine fair values. The third-party pricing service and brokers use certain inputs to determine the value of asset backed securities, including residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities. For these securities, the valuation would consist of inputs such as, but not limited to: 1) monthly principal and interest payments on the underlying assets, 2) average life of the security, 3) prepayment speeds, 4) credit spreads, 5) treasury and swap yield curves, 6) discount margin, and 7) credit ratings of the securities.

To price corporate bonds, U.S. government-related securities, and other government-related securities, the brokers and third-party pricing service utilize a valuation model that consists of a hybrid income and market approach to valuation, while the Company uses a discounted cash flow model with both observable and unobservable inputs to determine a price when the securities are illiquid bonds. The external and internal pricing models include inputs such as, but not limited to: 1) principal and interest payments, 2) coupon, 3) maturity, 4) treasury yield curve, 5) credit spreads from new issue and secondary trading markets, 6) dealer quotes with adjustments for issues with early redemption features, 7) illiquidity premiums, 8) discount margins from dealers in the new issue market, 9) underlying collateral, and 10) comparative bond analysis.

The third-party pricing service prices equity securities using market observable prices for the same or similar securities traded in an active market.

Mortgage loan valuations are categorized as Level 3. The Company utilizes an internally developed model to estimate fair value. This model includes inputs derived by the Company based on assumed discount rates relative to the Company's current mortgage lending rate and an expected cash flow analysis based on a review of the mortgage loan terms. The model also contains the Company's determined representative risk adjustment assumptions related to nonperformance and liquidity risks.

The Company's Separate Account assets consist of financial instruments similar to those held in the general account. The Company utilizes the same valuation methodology as described above in determining the fair value of Separate Account assets as the Company does for general account assets. All assets in the Separate Account are held at fair value. The Separate Account liability matches the Separate Account asset value and its fair value is determined from valuation methods that are consistent with the Separate Account assets.

Determination of Fair Values

The valuation methodologies used to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities reflect market participant assumptions and are based on the application of the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable market inputs over unobservable inputs. The Company determines the fair values of certain financial assets and financial liabilities based on quoted market prices, where available. The Company also determines certain fair values based on future cash flows discounted at the appropriate current market rate. Fair values reflect adjustments for counterparty credit quality, the Company's credit standing, liquidity, and where appropriate, risk margins on unobservable parameters. The following is a


F-73



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

discussion of the methodologies used to determine fair values for financial instruments owned by the Company.

The fair value of corporate bonds, government securities, equity securities, and mortgage-backed securities is determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: third-party pricing services, non-binding independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices. Security pricing is applied using a "waterfall" approach whereby publicly available prices are first sought from third-party pricing services, and the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers for non-binding prices. Typical inputs used by these pricing methods include, but are not limited to: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, third-party pricing services derive the majority of security prices from observable market inputs such as recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information outlined above. If there are no recent reported trades, the third-party pricing services and brokers may use matrix or model processes to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Certain securities are priced via independent non-binding broker quotations, which are considered to have no significant unobservable inputs. When using non-binding independent broker quotations, the Company obtains two quotes per security when available. Where multiple broker quotes are obtained, the Company reviews the quotes and selects the quote that provides the best estimate of the price a market participant would pay for these specific assets in an arm's-length transaction. A pricing matrix is used to price securities for which the Company is unable to obtain or effectively rely on either a price from a third-party pricing service or an independent broker quotation.

The Company has analyzed the third-party pricing services' valuation methodologies and related inputs and has also evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Based on this evaluation and investment class analysis, each price was classified into Level 1, 2, or 3. Most prices provided by third-party pricing services are classified into Level 2 because the significant inputs used in pricing the securities are market observable and the observable inputs are corroborated by the Company. Since the matrix pricing of certain debt securities includes significant non-observable inputs, they are classified as Level 3.

The pricing matrix used by the Company begins with current spread levels to determine the market price for the security. The credit spreads, assigned by brokers, incorporate the issuer's credit rating, liquidity discounts, weighted-average of contacted cash flows, risk premium, if warranted, due to the issuer's industry, and the security's time to maturity. The Company uses credit ratings provided by nationally recognized rating agencies.

For securities that are priced via non-binding independent broker quotations, the Company assesses whether prices received from independent brokers represent a reasonable estimate of fair value through an analysis using internal and external cash flow models developed based on spreads and, when available, market indices. The Company uses a market-based cash flow analysis to validate the


F-74



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

reasonableness of prices received from independent brokers. These analytics, which are updated daily, incorporate various metrics (yield curves, credit spreads, prepayment rates, etc.) to determine the valuation of such holdings. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines there is a more appropriate fair value based upon the analytics, the price received from the independent broker is adjusted accordingly. The Company did not adjust any quotes or prices received from brokers during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The fair value hierarchy for derivative instruments measured at fair value at December 31 is as follows:

2019

   

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Value (NAV)

  Net Asset
Total
 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Derivative assets

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

$

2

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

2

   

Equity contracts

   

311

     

7,110

     

0

     

0

     

7,421

   

Total derivative assets

 

$

313

   

$

7,110

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

7,423

   

Derivative liabilities

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

$

36

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

36

   

Equity contracts

   

264

     

4,570

     

0

     

0

     

4,834

   

Total derivative liabilities

 

$

300

   

$

4,570

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

4,870

   

2018

   

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

  Net Asset
Value (NAV)
 

Total

 
   

($ in thousands)

 

Derivative assets

 

Equity contracts

 

$

1,056

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1,056

   

Total derivative assets

 

$

1,056

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

1,056

   

Derivative liabilities

 

Foreign currency contracts

 

$

34

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

34

   

Equity contracts

   

192

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

192

   

Total derivative liabilities

 

$

226

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

0

   

$

226

   

Derivative instruments are valued using exchange prices or counterparty quotations. Derivative instruments classified as Level 1 include futures and options, all of which are traded on active exchange markets. Derivative instruments classified as Level 2 include options which are traded over-the-counter. These Level 2 derivative valuations are determined using independent broker quotations, which are corroborated with observable market inputs. There were no derivative instruments categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.


F-75



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

The following table presents the Company's fair value hierarchy for its financial instruments as of December 31:

Type of
Financial Instrument
  Aggregate
Fair Value
  Carrying
Value
 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

  Net Asset
Value
(NAV)
  Not
Practicable
(Carrying Value)
 

2019

 

$ In thousands

 
ASSETS  

Bonds

 

$

5,811,563

   

$

5,395,862

   

$

50,769

   

$

5,709,225

   

$

51,569

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
Common
stocks
   

1

     

1

     

0

     

0

     

1

     

0

     

0

   
Preferred
stocks
   

23,252

     

21,301

     

23,252

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Mortgage
loans
   

101,701

     

96,994

     

0

     

0

     

101,701

     

0

     

0

   

Cash

   

3,409

     

3,409

     

3,409

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Cash
equivalents
   

131,723

     

131,723

     

131,723

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Short term
investments
   

1,036

     

1,036

     

0

     

1,036

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Other invested
assets
   

22,229

     

18,296

     

0

     

22,229

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

Contract loans

   

55,127

     

55,127

     

0

     

0

     

55,127

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
assets
   

7,423

     

7,423

     

313

     

7,110

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
collateral and
receivables
   

1,191

     

1,191

     

1,191

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Separate
Accounts
   

180,072

     

180,072

     

174,937

     

5,135

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

LIABILITIES

 
Deposit-type
contracts
   

26,976

     

26,835

     

0

     

0

     

26,976

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
liabilities
   

4,870

     

4,870

     

300

     

4,570

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
collateral and
payables
   

2,000

     

2,000

     

2,000

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   


F-76



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

Type of
Financial Instrument
  Aggregate
Fair Value
  Carrying
Value
 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

  Net Asset
Value
(NAV)
  Not
Practicable
(Carrying Value)
 

2018

 

$ In thousands

 
ASSETS  

Bonds

 

$

4,645,544

   

$

4,615,171

   

$

55,291

   

$

4,577,712

   

$

12,541

   

$

0

   

$

0

   
Common
stocks
   

1

     

1

     

0

     

0

     

1

     

0

     

0

   
Preferred
stocks
   

25,704

     

26,897

     

25,704

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Mortgage
loans
   

98,449

     

98,310

     

0

     

0

     

98,449

     

0

     

0

   
Cash and cash
equivalents
   

39,297

     

39,297

     

39,297

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Short term
investments
   

8,576

     

8,576

     

0

     

8,576

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Other invested
assets
   

10,981

     

8,992

     

0

     

10,981

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

Contract loans

   

56,551

     

56,551

     

0

     

0

     

56,551

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
assets
   

1,056

     

1,056

     

1,056

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
collateral and
receivables
   

525

     

525

     

525

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Separate
Accounts
   

183,375

     

183,375

     

175,048

     

8,327

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

LIABILITIES

 
Deposit-type
contracts
   

23,781

     

24,006

     

0

     

0

     

23,781

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
liabilities
   

226

     

226

     

226

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
Derivative
collateral and
payables
   

25

     

25

     

25

     

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   

The fair value of bonds, preferred stocks, and certain surplus notes reported as "Other invested assets" are determined using methodologies prescribed by the NAIC. The fair value of bonds, preferred stock, and certain surplus notes are determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: third-party pricing services, non-binding independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices.

Publicly traded unaffiliated common stock is valued based on market trades and is a Level 1 valuation under SSAP No. 100R. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018 the Company held approximately $1 thousand of Hercules Inc. publicly traded common stock warrants, which are classified as Level 3. These publicly traded common stock warrants classified as Level 3 consist of holdings obtained through a tender offer.


F-77



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

17.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — (Continued)

The book value of the Company's cash and short-term investments approximates fair value.

Cash equivalent fair values are determined using methodologies prescribed by the NAIC and are provided by a third-party pricing service.

The Company estimates the fair value of mortgage loans using an internally developed model. This model includes inputs derived by the Company based on assumed discount rates relative to the Company's current mortgage loan lending rate and an expected cash flow analysis based on a review of the mortgage loan terms. The model also contains the Company's determined representative risk adjustment assumptions related to nonperformance and liquidity risks.

Contract loans are funds provided to policy holders in return for a claim on the account value of the policy. The funds provided are limited to a certain percent of the account balance. The nature of contract loans is to have low default risk as the loans are fully collateralized by the value of the policy. The majority of contract loans do not have a stated maturity and the balances and accrued interest are repaid with proceeds from the policy account balance. Due to the collateralized nature of contract loans and unpredictable timing of repayments, the Company's fair value of contract loans approximates carrying value.

The Separate Account assets are carried at fair value and are equal to the Separate Account liabilities, which represent the policyholder's equity in those assets. These amounts are reported separately as assets and liabilities related to Separate Accounts in the accompanying financial statements. Separate Account assets are invested in bonds, mortgage loans, preferred stocks, and open-ended mutual funds. The fair value of bonds and preferred stock held in Separate Accounts are determined using methodologies prescribed by the NAIC. The fair value of bonds and preferred stocks is determined by management after considering one of four primary sources of information: published NAIC rates, third-party pricing services, non-binding independent broker quotations, or pricing matrices. These valuations are generally categorized as a level 2 valuation as defined by SSAP No. 100R. The fair value of open-ended mutual funds held in Separate Accounts was obtained from unadjusted quoted market prices. These valuations are categorized as a Level 1 valuation as defined by SSAP No. 100R.

Deposit-type contracts include annuities certain, supplemental contracts, and dividend accumulations. The Company estimates the fair values of annuities certain and supplemental contracts using models based on discounted estimated cash flows. The discount rates used in the models were based on a current market rate for similar financial instruments. The Company estimates that the fair value of dividend accumulations approximates carrying value.

The Company held no financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, for which it was not practicable to estimate fair value. The Company held no investments measured at NAV as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

18.  RETAINED ASSETS

The Company accounts for retained assets in a manner similar to supplementary contracts. Claims expense is reported "Death and annuity benefits" in the Statements of Operations. In lieu of a cash payment to the beneficiary, a liability is established in "Liability for deposit-type contracts" in the Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities, and Capital and Surplus. For 2019, the credited rate for direct retained asset accounts was 0.40% for accounts opened prior to May 1, 2019 and 1.0% for


F-78



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

18.  RETAINED ASSETS — (Continued)

accounts opened on or after May 1, 2019. For 2018 and 2017, the credited rate for direct retained asset accounts was 0.40%. The credited rate for Liberty Mutual assumed retained asset accounts was 2.0% prior to May 1, 2019 and 1.0% on or after May 1, 2019 and 2.0% in 2018. The credited rate for Great-West assumed retained asset accounts ranged from 1.68% to 2.38%.

No fees were charged to direct retained asset account owners and most assumed retained asset account owners during 2019, 2018, and 2017. For Liberty Mutual assumed retained asset accounts, nominal fees were charged prior to May 1, 2019.

In the event of a claim, the beneficiary is given the option of a direct payment, a settlement option provided by the policy, or a retained asset account. For direct business, retained asset accounts are generally used as the default method for settlement of claims when an election for payment has not been made. For assumed business, however, retained asset accounts are not the default method for settlement of claims.

The table below summarizes the number and balance of retained asset accounts in force, by aging category, as of December 31:

    In Force
($ in thousands)
 
   

2019

 

2018

 
   

Number

 

Balance

 

Number

 

Balance

 
a. Up to and including 12 Months    

26

   

$

1,612

     

50

   

$

2,719

   
b. 13 to 24 Months    

35

     

1,817

     

35

     

1,651

   
c. 25 to 36 Months    

22

     

886

     

30

     

983

   
d. 37 to 48 Months    

28

     

1,048

     

34

     

1,227

   
e. 49 to 60 Months    

27

     

773

     

22

     

1,003

   
f. Over 60 Months    

69

     

2,342

     

55

     

1,431

   
g. Total    

207

   

$

8,478

     

226

   

$

9,014

   

The table below segregates retained asset components between individual and group contracts as of December 31, 2019:

   

($ in thousands)

 
   

Individual

 

Group

 
   

Number

  Balance/
Amount
 

Number

  Balance/
Amount
 
a. Number/Balance of Retained
Asset Accounts at the Beginning of the Year
   

226

   

$

9,014

     

0

   

$

0

   
b. Number/Amount of Retained
Asset Account Issued/Added During the Year
   

42

     

3,204

     

0

     

0

   
c. Investment Earnings Credited to Retained
Asset Accounts During the Year
   

XXX

     

153

     

XXX

     

0

   
d. Fees and Other Charges Assessed to Retained
Asset Accounts During the Year
   

XXX

     

0

     

XXX

     

0

   


F-79



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

18.  RETAINED ASSETS — (Continued)

   

($ in thousands)

 
   

Individual

 

Group

 
   

Number

  Balance/
Amount
 

Number

  Balance/
Amount
 
e. Number/Amount of Retained Asset Accounts
Transferred to State Unclaimed Property
funds During the Year
   

0

   

$

0

     

0

     

0

   
f. Number/Amount of Retained Asset Accounts
Closed/Withdrawn During the Year
   

61

     

3,893

     

0

     

0

   
g. Number/Balance of Retained Asset Accounts
at the End of the Year g=a+b+c-d-e-f
   

207

   

$

8,478

     

0

   

$

0

   

The table below segregates retained asset components between individual and group contracts as of December 31, 2018:

   

($ in thousands)

 
   

Individual

 

Group

 
   

Number

  Balance/
Amount
 

Number

  Balance/
Amount
 
a. Number/Balance of Retained
Asset Accounts at the Beginning of the Year
   

21

   

$

1,388

     

0

   

$

0

   
b. Number/Amount of Retained
Asset Account Issued/Added During the Year
   

353

     

13,620

     

0

     

0

   
c. Investment Earnings Credited to Retained
Asset Accounts During the Year
   

XXX

     

95

     

XXX

     

0

   
d. Fees and Other Charges Assessed to Retained
Asset Accounts During the Year
   

XXX

     

0

     

XXX

     

0

   
e. Number/Amount of Retained Asset Accounts
Transferred to State Unclaimed Property
funds During the Year
   

0

     

0

     

0

     

0

   
f. Number/Amount of Retained Asset Accounts
Closed/Withdrawn During the Year
   

148

     

6,089

     

0

     

0

   
g. Number/Balance of Retained Asset Accounts
at the End of the Year g=a+b+c-d-e-f
   

226

   

$

9,014

     

0

   

$

0

   

19.  BORROWED MONEY

For repurchase agreements, the Company initiates short-term (typically less than 30 days) collateralized borrowings whereby cash is received, and securities are posted as collateral. The Company reports the cash proceeds as a liability, and the difference between the cash proceeds and the amount at which the securities are reacquired as interest expense. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have a borrowed money obligation.


F-80



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Statutory Basis)

19.  BORROWED MONEY — (Continued)

The Company entered into an agreement with PLICO in 2012 in which a loan can be given to or received from PLICO subject to certain limitations as described in the agreement. The Company had no loaned or borrowed amounts as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

20.  RECONCILIATION FROM STATUTORY FILING

The Company is required to prepare and file annual financial statements ("Annual Statement") with insurance regulatory authorities. The 2018 audited results included herein contain adjustments not recorded by the Company in its Annual Statement. The following is reconciliation between the audited financial statements and the Annual Statement filed with the insurance regulatory authorities as of December 31, 2018:

    Statement of Cash Flow
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Per Statutory
Annual
Statement
 

Reclassification

  As Reported
Herein
 
       

($ in thousands)

     

Premiums and annuity considerations

 

$

3,192,658

   

$

(2,556,215

)

 

$

636,443

   

Net investment income

   

136,495

     

24,298

     

160,793

   

Benefit and loss related payments

   

(365,657

)

   

1,514

     

(364,143

)

 

Commissions and expenses paid

   

(176,357

)

   

99,674

     

(76,683

)

 

Net transfers from Separate Accounts

   

19,262

     

3

     

19,265

   

Net cash from operations

   

2,763,620

     

(2,430,726

)

   

332,894

   

Cost of investments acquired: Bonds

   

(3,372,830

)

   

2,398,623

     

(974,207

)

 

Total investments acquired

   

(3,378,220

)

   

2,398,623

     

(979,597

)

 
Net decrease (increase) in contract loans and
premium notes
   

(27,340

)

   

28,965

     

1,625

   

Net cash from investments

   

(2,967,680

)

   

2,427,588

     

(540,092

)

 

Net deposits from deposit-type contracts

   

11,227

     

(11,720

)

   

(493

)

 

Other cash provided (applied), net

   

21,090

     

14,858

     

35,948

   

Net cash from financing and miscellaneous sources

   

217,291

     

3,138

     

220,429

   

Adjustments noted above are the result of a restatement of the 2018 Statement of Cash Flow as reported in the Company's 2018 Annual Statement to change the reporting of the initial impact of the Liberty reinsurance transaction (see Note 9) to reflect only the net initial cash settlement, which included a cash payment, in addition to the receipt of cash equivalents and short-term investments at inception. These adjustments had no impact on the Admitted Assets, Liabilities, Capital and Surplus, or Net Income as reported in the Company's 2018 Annual Statement.

21.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated the effects of events subsequent to December 31, 2019, and through April 24, 2020 (the date of the issuance of the Statutory statements included herein). Subsequent to December 31, 2019, equity and financial markets have experienced significant volatility and interest rates have continued to decline due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Company is currently unable to determine the extent of the impact of the pandemic to its operations and financial condition.

The Company has no other material subsequent events to report.


F-81



SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019

 

($ in thousands)

 

Investment income earned:

 

Government bonds

 

$

1,521

   

Other bonds (unaffiliated)

   

215,199

   

Preferred stock (unaffiliated)

   

1,508

   

Mortgage loans

   

5,358

   

Contract loans

   

3,299

   

Cash, cash equivalents, and short term investments

   

2,598

   

Other invested assets

   

893

   

Aggregate write-ins for investment income

   

(34

)

 

Gross investment income

 

$

230,342

   

Mortgage loans — book value:

 

Commercial mortgages

 

$

96,994

   

Total mortgage loans

 

$

96,994

   

Mortgage loans by standing — book value:

 

Good standing

 

$

96,994

   

Other long-term invested assets — book value

 

$

18,296

   

Bonds and short term investments by NAIC designation and maturity:

 

Bonds and short term investments by maturity — statement value

 
Due within one year  

$

366,967

   
Over 1 year through 5 years    

1,571,455

   
Over 5 years through 10 years    

1,642,342

   
Over 10 years through 20 years    

958,692

   
Over 20 years    

857,442

   
Total by maturity  

$

5,396,898

   

Bonds and short term investments by NAIC designation — statement value

 
NAIC 1  

$

3,546,908

   
NAIC 2    

1,746,297

   
NAIC 3    

80,086

   
NAIC 4    

14,159

   
NAIC 5    

4,282

   
NAIC 6    

5,166

   
Total by NAIC designation  

$

5,396,898

   
Total bonds and short term publicly traded  

$

3,650,757

   
Total bonds and short term privately placed  

$

1,746,141

   

Preferred stocks — statement value

 

$

21,301

   

Common stocks — fair value

 

$

1

   

Short-term investments — book value

 

$

1,036

   

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-1



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019

 

($ in thousands)

 

Options, caps and floors owned — statement value

 

$

(4,570

)

 

Options, caps and floors written and inforce — statement value

 

$

7,348

   

Futures contracts open — current value

 

$

(226

)

 

Cash on deposit

 

$

3,409

   

Life insurance in force:

 

Ordinary

 

$

16,028,208

   

Credit life

 

$

14,640

   

Group

 

$

939,744

   

Amount of accidental death insurance in force under Ordinary policies

 

$

85,294

   

Life insurance policies with disability provisions in force:

 

Ordinary

 

$

779,242

   

Group

 

$

75,184

   

Supplementary contracts in force:

 

Ordinary — not involving life contingencies

 
Amount on deposit  

$

5,387

   
Income payable  

$

1,151

   

Ordinary — involving life contingencies

 
Income payable  

$

1,233

   

Annuities:

 

Ordinary

 
Immediate — amount of income payable  

$

8,004

   
Deferred — fully paid — account balance  

$

2,972,358

   
Deferred — not fully paid — account balance  

$

0

   

Group

 
Amount of income payable  

$

5,348

   
Deferred — fully paid — account balance  

$

10,303

   

Accident and health insurance — premiums in force:

 

Credit

 

$

647

   

Other

 

$

36

   

Deposit funds and dividends accumulations:

 

Deposit funds — account balance

 

$

9,047

   

Dividends accumulations — account balance

 

$

1,893

   

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-2



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019

Claims payments 2019:

 

Other accident and health

 
2019  

$

9

   
2018  

$

0

   
2017  

$

1

   
2016  

$

8

   
2015  

$

0

   
Prior  

$

252

   

Other coverages that use development methods to calculate claims reserves

 
2019  

$

45

   
2018  

$

30

   
2017  

$

15

   
2016  

$

12

   
2015  

$

9

   
Prior  

$

0

   

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-3



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

SUMMARY INVESTMENT SCHEDULE

as of December 31, 2019

  Gross Investment
Holdings
 

Admitted Assets

 

 

Amounts

 

Percentage

  As Reported
in the
Annual
Statement
Amount
  Securities
Lending
Reinvested
Collateral
Amount
  As Reported
in the Annual
Statement
Amount
(Col. 3 + 4)
 

Percentage

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Bonds:

 

US Government

 

$

54,007

     

0.9

%

 

$

54,007

   

$

0

   

$

54,007

     

0.9

%

 

All other governments

   

32,892

     

0.6

     

32,892

     

0

     

32,892

     

0.6

   
U.S. states, territories and
possessions, etc.
   

20,664

     

0.4

     

20,664

     

0

     

20,664

     

0.4

   
U.S. political subdivisions of
states, territories, and
possessions
   

88,480

     

1.5

     

88,480

     

0

     

88,480

     

1.5

   
U.S. special revenue and
special assessment
obligations, etc.
   

727,994

     

12.7

     

727,994

     

0

     

727,994

     

12.7

   

Industrial and miscellaneous

   

4,430,091

     

77.3

     

4,430,091

     

0

     

4,430,091

     

77.3

   

Hybrid securities

   

41,734

     

0.7

     

41,734

     

0

     

41,734

     

0.7

   

Total bonds

   

5,395,862

     

94.1

     

5,395,862

     

0

     

5,395,862

     

94.1

   

Preferred stocks:

 
Industrial and miscellaneous
(Unaffiliated)
   

21,301

     

0.4

     

21,301

     

0

     

21,301

     

0.4

   

Total preferred stocks

   

21,301

     

0.4

     

21,301

     

0

     

21,301

     

0.4

   

Common stocks:

 
Industrial and miscellaneous
publicly traded
(Unaffiliated)
   

1

     

0.0

     

1

     

0

     

1

     

0.0

   

Total common stocks

   

1

     

0.0

     

1

     

0

     

1

     

0.0

   

Mortgage loans:

 

Commercial mortgages

   

96,994

     

1.7

     

96,994

     

0

     

96,994

     

1.7

   

Total mortgage loans

   

96,994

     

1.7

     

96,994

     

0

     

96,994

     

1.7

   
Cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments:
 

Cash

   

3,409

     

0.1

     

3,409

     

0

     

3,409

     

0.1

   

Cash equivalents

   

131,723

     

2.3

     

131,723

     

0

     

131,723

     

2.3

   

Short-term investments

   

1,036

     

0.0

     

1,036

     

0

     

1,036

     

0.0

   
Total cash, cash equivalents
and short-term investments
   

136,168

     

2.4

     

136,168

     

0

     

136,168

     

2.4

   

Contract loans

   

55,217

     

1.0

     

55,127

     

0

     

55,127

     

1.0

   

Derivatives

   

7,423

     

0.1

     

7,423

     

0

     

7,423

     

0.1

   

Other invested assets

   

18,296

     

0.3

     

18,296

     

0

     

18,296

     

0.3

   

Receivables for securites

   

71

     

0.0

     

71

     

0

     

71

     

0.0

   
Derivative collateral and
receivables
   

1,191

     

0.0

     

1,191

     

0

     

1,191

     

0.0

   

Total invested assets

 

$

5,732,524

     

100.0

%

 

$

5,732,434

   

$

0

   

$

5,732,434

     

100.0

%

 

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-4



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

INVESTMENT RISK INTERROGATORIES

as of December 31, 2019

1.  The Company's total admitted assets (excluding Separate Accounts) as of December 31, 2019 were $5.8 billion.

2.  State by investment category the 10 largest exposures to a single issuer/borrower/investment, excluding (i) U.S. Government, U.S. Government agency securities and those U.S. Government money market funds listed in the Appendix to the SVO Purposes and Procedures Manual as exempt, (ii) property occupied by the Company and (iii) policy loans.

Issuer   Investment
Category
 

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

     

($ in thousands)

 

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co

 

ABS, Bonds, MBS

 

$

211,996

     

3.6

%

 

Fannie Mae

 

MBS

   

170,553

     

2.9

   

Sequoia Mortgage Trust

 

MBS

   

133,294

     

2.3

   

Freddie Mac

 

ABS, MBS

   

104,142

     

1.8

   

Wells Fargo & Co

  ABS, Bonds, MBS,
Preferred Stock, MMMF
   

97,869

     

1.7

   

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital

 

MBS

   

51,382

     

0.9

   

PSMC Trust

 

MBS

   

47,549

     

0.8

   

Flagstar Mortgage Trust

 

MBS

   

47,349

     

0.8

   

Small Business Administration

 

ABS

   

40,777

     

0.7

   

Federal Farm Credit Banks Fund

 

Bonds

   

40,000

     

0.7

   

3.  State the amounts and percentages of the reporting entity's total admitted assets held in bonds, short-term investments, and preferred stocks by NAIC rating.

Investment Category  

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

Bonds and short-term investments:

 

NAIC Rated 1

 

$

3,546,908

     

61.0

%

 

NAIC Rated 2

   

1,746,297

     

30.0

   

NAIC Rated 3

   

80,086

     

1.4

   

NAIC Rated 4

   

14,159

     

0.2

   

NAIC Rated 5

   

4,282

     

0.1

   

NAIC Rated 6

   

5,166

     

0.1

   

Preferred stocks:

 

NAIC Rated 1

   

1,052

     

0.0

   

NAIC Rated 2

   

20,249

     

0.3

   

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-5



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

INVESTMENT RISK INTERROGATORIES

as of December 31, 2019

4.  State the amounts and percentages of the reporting entity's total admitted assets held in foreign investments:

  4.01  Are assets held in foreign investments less than 2.5% of the reporting entity's total admitted assets. No.

  4.02  Total admitted assets held in foreign investments of $670.0 million (11.5% of total admitted assets).

  4.03  Foreign-currency denominated investments of $0

  4.04  Insurance liabilities denominated in that same foreign currency of $0

5.  Aggregate foreign investment exposure categorized by NAIC sovereign rating:

NAIC Rating  

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

Countries rated NAIC-1

 

$

601,160

     

10.3

%

 

Countries rated NAIC-2

   

67,936

     

1.2

   

Countries rated NAIC-3 or below

   

898

     

0.0

   

6.  The Company's largest foreign investment exposures in a single country, categorized by the country's NAIC rating:

NAIC Rating  

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

Countries rated NAIC-1

 
United Kingdom  

$

122,396

     

2.1

%

 
Australia    

117,531

     

2.0

   

Countries rated NAIC-2

 
Mexico    

32,433

     

0.6

   
Italy    

10,741

     

0.2

   

Countries rated NAIC-3 or below

 
Brazil    

898

     

0.0

   

10.  The Company's largest non-sovereign (i.e. non-governmental) foreign issues:

Issuer  

NAIC Rating

 

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

     

($ in thousands)

 

 

UBS Group Ag

  1FE  

$

14,050

     

0.2

%

 

Commonwealth Bank Of Australia

  1FE, 2FE    

14,000

     

0.2

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking

  1FE    

13,985

     

0.2

   

BNP Paribas Sa

  1FE, 2FE    

13,940

     

0.2

   

Lloyds Banking Group Plc

  1FE, 3FE    

12,873

     

0.2

   

People's Republic Of China

  1FE, 2FE    

12,802

     

0.2

   

Aercap Holdings Nv

  2FE    

12,466

     

0.2

   

ING Groep Nv

  1FE    

12,433

     

0.2

   

Barclays Plc

  2FE, 3FE    

12,038

     

0.2

   

Banco Santander Sa

  1FE, 2FE    

11,638

     

0.2

   

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-6



PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Company)

INVESTMENT RISK INTERROGATORIES

as of December 31, 2019

21.  The amounts and percentages of admitted assets for warrants not attached to other financial instruments, options, caps, and floors are as follows:

 

Owned

 

 

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

Hedging

 

$

7,348

     

0.1

%

 

 

Written

 

 

Book Value

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

Hedging

 

$

(4,570

)

   

(0.1

)%

 

23.  The Company's exposure with respect to future contracts is as follows:

 

Year End

  % of Admitted
Assets
 

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

         

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

         

($ in thousands)

     

 

Hedging

 

$

1,209

     

0.0

%

 

$

588

   

$

768

   

$

1,234

   

Note: Interrogatories 7 through 9, 11 through 20, and 22 were not applicable.

See Independent Auditors' Report and Notes to the Statutory Basis Financial Statements
S-7



 

PART C

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)  Financial Statements:

 

All required financial statements are included in Part A and Part B of this Registration Statement.

 

(b)  Exhibits:

 

1. Resolution of the Board of Directors of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company authorizing establishment of the PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S is incorporated herein by reference to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-240103), filed with the Commission on July 27, 2020.

 

2. Not Applicable

 

3. (a) Selling Agreement between Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Investment Distributors, Inc. and broker-dealers

- Filed herein.

 

3. (b) Second Amended Distribution Agreement between IDI and PLAIC, is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-179963), filed with the Commission on April 29, 2014.

 

3. (b) (i) Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended Distribution Agreement between IDI and PLAIC is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240103), filed with the Commission on July 27, 2020. 

 

3. (b) (ii) Revised Schedule to the Second Amended Distribution Agreement between IDI and PLAIC

- Filed herein.

 

4. (a) Form of Individual Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (b) Contract Schedule for Individual Contracts

- Filed herein. 

 

4. (c) Guaranteed Account Endorsement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (d)  SecurePay Rider is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (e)  Qualified Retirement Plan Endorsement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (f)  Roth IRA Endorsement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (g)  Traditional IRA Endorsement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (h)  Return of Purchase Payments Death Benefit Rider is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

4. (i)  Annuitization Bonus Endorsement is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

C-1

 

 

5. Form of Contract Application for Individual Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract

 - Filed herein.

   

6. (a) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company dated as of December 12, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-201920), filed with the Commission on April 29, 2020.

 

6. (b) Amended and Restated By-Laws of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company dated as of September 26, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-201920), filed with the Commission on April 29, 2020.

 

7. Not applicable.

 

8. (a) Participation Agreement dated April 30, 2002 (Lord Abbett Series Funds) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

 

8. (b) Participation Agreement dated December 19, 2003 (Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

 

8. (b) (i) Amendment to Participation Agreement re Summary Prospectus dated April 12, 2011 (Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-146508), filed with the Commission on April 28, 2011.

 

8. (b) (ii) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (c) Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2008 (Fidelity Variable Insurance Products)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (c) (i) Amendment dated October 15, 2020 to Participation Agreement (Fidelity Variable Insurance Products)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (d) Form of Participation Agreement (Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust)

- Filed herein. 

 

8. (e) Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement dated May 1, 2008 (Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

 

8. (f) Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement dated April 1, 2008 (Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

 

8. (g) Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement dated October 16, 2007 (Lord Abbett Series Funds) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

 

8. (h) Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (Legg Mason) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on October 29, 2009.

 

8. (h) (i) Amendment dated March 1, 2012 to Participation Agreement (Legg Mason)

- Filed herein.

C-2

 

8. (h) (ii) Amendment dated August 11, 2020 to Participation Agreement (Legg Mason)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (h) (iii) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (Legg Mason)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (i) Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (PIMCO) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on October 29, 2009.

 

8. (i) (i) Novation of and Amendment to Participation Agreement (PIMCO)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (i) (ii) Amendment to Participation Agreement re Summary Prospectus (PIMCO Variable Insurance Products Trust)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (i) (iii) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (PIMCO)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (j) Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (Royce Capital) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on October 29, 2009.

 

8. (j) (i) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (Royce Capital)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (k) Rule 22c-2 Information Sharing Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (Royce Capital) is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Form N-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-153043), filed with the Commission on October 29, 2009.

 

8. (l) Participation Agreement dated June 1, 2010 (AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds))

- Filed herein.

 

8. (m) Participation Agreement dated June 18, 2015 (American Funds)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (m) (i) Form of Addendum to Exhibit of Participation Agreement (American Funds)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (n) Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2015 (Clayton Street Funds)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (n) (i) Amendment dated September 1, 2020 to Participation Agreement (Clayton Street Funds)

- Filed herein.

 

8. (o) Form of Participation Agreement (Great-West Funds, Inc. )

- Filed herein.

 

8. (p) Form of Participation Agreement (Schwab® Variable Insurance Trust)

- Filed herein.

 

C-3

9.  Opinion and Consent of Alyson Saad, Esq.is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020.

 

10. (a) Consent of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

 - Filed herein.

 

10. (b) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 - Filed herein.

 

10. (c) Consent of KPMG LLP

 - Filed herein.

 

11. No financial statements will be omitted from Item 23

 

12. Not applicable

 

13. Powers of Attorney is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193), filed with the Commission on July 30, 2020

C-4

 

 

Item 25. Directors and Officers of Depositor.

 

Name and Principal Business Address*

 

Position and Offices with Depositor

Adams, D. Scott

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer

Bartlett, Malcolm Lee

 

Senior Vice President, Corporate Tax

Bedwell, Robert R. III

 

Senior Vice President, Mortgage Loans

Bielen, Richard J.

 

Director, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board

Black, Lance P.

 

Senior Vice President, Treasurer

Borie, Kevin B.

 

Chief Valuation Actuary, Senior Vice President

Callaway, Steve M.

 

Senior Counsel, Senior Vice President

Casey, Sean

 

Senior Vice President

Cramer, Steve

 

Chief Product Officer, Senior Vice President

Creutzmann, Scott E.

 

Chief Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President

Drew, Mark L.

 

Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President

Earle, Phillip P.

 

Chief Financial Actuarial LAD

Harrison, Wade V.

 

President, Protection Division, Senior Vice President

Kane, Nancy

 

Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Corporate Development

Kohler, Matthew

 

Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President

Laeyendecker, Ronald

 

Senior Vice President, Executive Benefit Markets

Lawrence, Mary Pat

 

Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Loper, David M

 

Senior Counsel, Senior Vice President

McDonald, Laura Y.

 

Chief Mortgage and Real Estate Officer, Senior Vice President

Moloney, Michelle

 

Chief Risk Officer, Senior Vice President

Moschner, Christopher

 

Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President

Passafiume, Philip E.

 

Chief Investment Officer, Senior Vice President

Radnoti, Francis

 

Chief Product Officer, Senior Vice President

Riebel, Matthew A.

 

Chief Distribution Officer, Senior Vice President

Seurkamp, Aaron C.

 

President, Retirement Division, Senior Vice President

Temple, Michael G.

 

Director, Chief Operating Officer

Thompson, E. Allen

 

Chief Information Security Officer

Wagner, James

 

Chief Distribution Officer, Senior Vice President

Walker, Steven G.

 

Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Wells, Paul R.

 

Chief Accounting Officer, Senior Vice President

Williams, Lucinda S.

 

Chief Customer Officer, Senior Vice President

 


*  Unless otherwise indicated, principal business address is 2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223

 

Item 26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control With the Depositor or the Registrant.

 

 

The registrant is a segregated asset account of the Company and is therefore owned and controlled by the Company. All of the Company’s outstanding voting common stock is owned by Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. Protective Life Corporation is described more fully in the prospectus included in this registration statement.

 

For more information regarding the company structure of Protective Life Corporation and Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., please refer to the attached organizational chart.

 

a. Protective Life Corporation and Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc Organizational Chart filed as an exhibit herein

 

 

C-5

 

 

Item 27. Number of Contractowners.

 

As of November 24, 2020, sales of Protective Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY Individual Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract had not yet commenced, and therefore as of that date, there were no owners of the Contracts.

 

Item 28. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Article XI of the By-laws of Protective Life provides, in substance, that any of Protective Life’s directors and officers, who is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, other than an action by or in the right of Protective Life, by reason of the fact that he is or was an officer or director, shall be indemnified by Protective Life against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such claim, action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Protective Life and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. If the claim, action or suit is or was by or in the right of Protective Life to procure a judgment in its favor, such person shall be indemnified by Protective Life against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Protective Life, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to Protective Life unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper. To the extent that a director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such action, suit or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified by Protective Life against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith, not withstanding that he has not been successful on any other claim issue or matter in any such action, suit or proceeding. Unless ordered by a court, indemnification shall be made by Protective Life only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the officer or director is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct. Such determination shall be made (a) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to, or who have been successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to, such claim action, suit or proceeding, or (b) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (c) by the shareholders.

 

In addition, the executive officers and directors are insured by PLC’s Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance Policy including Company Reimbursement and are indemnified by a written contract with PLC which supplements such coverage.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

C-6

 

 

Item 29. Principal Underwriter.

 

(a)  Investment Distributors, Inc. (“IDI”) is the principal underwriter of the Contracts as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. IDI is also principal underwriter for the Protective Variable Life Separate Account, Protective Variable Annuity Separate Account, Protective Acquired Variable Annuity Separate Account and Variable Annuity Account A of Protective Life.

 

(b)  The following information is furnished with respect to the officers and directors of Investment Distributors, Inc.

 

Name and Principal
Business Address* 

 

Position and Offices

 

Position and Offices with Registrant

Brown, Barry K.

 

President and Director

 

Vice President, Operations

Callaway, Steve M.

 

Secretary and Director

 

Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel and Secretary

Creutzmann, Scott E.

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer

Debnar, Lawrence J.

 

Assistant Financial Officer

 

Vice President, Financial Reporting, Chase

Gilmer, Joseph F.

 

Assistant Financial Officer and Director

 

Assistant Vice President, Financial Reporting

Johnson, Julena G.

 

Assistant Compliance Officer

 

Compliance Director

Leopard, Ramona M.

 

Assistant Secretary

 

Paralegal III

Majewski, Carol L.

 

Assistant Compliance Officer

 

Assistant Vice President, Compliance

Morsch, Letitia

 

Assistant Secretary

 

Vice President, New Business Operations

Tennent, Rayburn

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Financial Analyst III

 


*  Unless otherwise indicated, principal business address is 2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham, Alabama, 35223.

 

(c)  The following commissions were received by each principal underwriter, directly or indirectly, from the Registrant during the Registrant’s last fiscal year:

 

(1) Name of Principal
Underwriter

 

(2) Net Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions

 

(3) Compensation on
Redemption

 

(4) Brokerage
Commissions

 

(5) Other
Compensation

Investment Distributors, Inc.

 

N/A

 

None

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

All accounts and records required to be maintained by Section 31(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company at 2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223.

 

Item 31. Management Services.

 

All management contracts are discussed in Part A or Part B.

 

Item 32. Undertakings.

 

(a)  Registrant hereby undertakes to file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited financial statements in the registration statement are never more than sixteen (16) months old for so long as payments under the variable annuity contracts may be accepted.

 

(b)  Registrant hereby undertakes to include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a contract offered by the Prospectus, a space that an applicant can check to request a Statement of Additional Information, or (2) a postcard or similar written communication affixed to or included in the Prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for a Statement of Additional Information.

 

(c)  Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any financial statement required to be made available under this Form promptly upon written or oral request.

 

(d)  Protective Life hereby represents that the fees and charges deducted under the Contract, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by Protective Life.

 

 

C-7

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant of this Registration Statement has duly caused this Pre-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Birmingham, State of Alabama, on November 24, 2020.

 

PLAIC Variable Annuity

 

Account S

 

 

 

By:

                       *                       

 

 

Richard J. Bielen, President

 

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

 

 

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY

 

INSURANCE COMPANY

 

 

 

By:

                        *                          

 

 

Richard J. Bielen, President

 

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

 

 

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Pre-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

                        *                      

 

Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

November 24, 2020

Richard J. Bielen

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               *                            

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Director

 

November 24, 2020

Steven G. Walker 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   *                            

 

Executive Committee, Director, Vice Chairman, Finance and Risk

 

November 24, 2020

Michael G. Temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*BY:

/S/ ALYSON SAAD

 

 

 

November 24, 2020

Alyson Saad

 

 

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

 

 

           

 

C-8

 

Exhibit List

 

3. (a) Selling Agreement between Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Investment Distributors, Inc. and broker-dealers

 

3. (b) (ii) Revised Schedule to the Second Amended Distribution Agreement between IDI and PLAIC

 

4. (b) Contract Schedule for Individual Contracts

 

5. Form of Contract Application for Individual Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract

 

8. (b) (ii) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust)

 

8. (c) Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2008 (Fidelity Variable Insurance Products)

 

8. (c) (i) Amendment dated October 15, 2020 to Participation Agreement (Fidelity Variable Insurance Products)

 

8. (d) Form of Participation Agreement (Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust)

 

8. (h) (i) Amendment dated March 1, 2012 to Participation Agreement (Legg Mason)

 

8. (h) (ii) Amendment dated August 11, 2020 to Participation Agreement (Legg Mason)

 

8. (h) (iii) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (Legg Mason)

 

8. (i) (i) Novation of and Amendment to Participation Agreement (PIMCO)

 

8. (i) (ii) Amendment to Participation Agreement re Summary Prospectus (PIMCO Variable Insurance Products Trust)

 

8. (i) (iii) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (PIMCO Variable Insurance Products Trust)

 

8. (j) (i) Form of Addendum to Schedule of Participation Agreement (Royce Capital)

 

8. (l) Participation Agreement dated June 1, 2010 (AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds))

 

8. (m) Participation Agreement dated June 18, 2015 (American Funds)

 

8. (m) (i) Form of Addendum to Exhibit of Participation Agreement (American Funds)

 

8. (n) Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2015 (Clayton Street Funds)

 

8. (n) (i) Amendment dated September 1, 2020 to Participation Agreement (Clayton Street Funds)

 

8. (o) Participation Agreement (Great-West Funds, Inc.)

 

8. (p) Participation Agreement (Schwab Variable Insurance Trust)

 

10. (a) Consent of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

 

10. (b) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

 

10. (c) Consent of KPMG LLP 

 

26. (a) Protective Life Corporation and Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. Organizational Chart   

 

 

 

 

 

 

C-9

Exhibit 99.3(a)
 
 Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement
For Sales of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
Life Insurance and Annuity Contracts
FINRA Firm
 
Name  
(herein referred to as “Selling Firm”)
 
Effective Date____________________ (“Effective Date”)
 
  1. PURPOSE
  2.  
    Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (“Protective”) has appointed Investment Distributors, Inc. (“IDI,” and together with Protective, the “Company”), a registered broker-dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), as the principal underwriter of the variable life insurance and annuity contracts that are issued by Protective. This Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement (the “Agreement”) allows IDI to compensate Selling Firm for the sale by Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel (defined below) of certain Protective life insurance policies and annuity contracts (individually, a “Contract” and collectively, the “Contracts”) set forth on the Product and Compensation Schedule(s), Schedule A, of this Agreement.  The Product and Compensation Schedule is subject to change at any time upon notice to Selling Firm.
     
  3. AGREEMENT
 
Selling Firm agrees to represent Company in sales of the Contracts as an independent contractor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the rules of Company provided to Selling Firm in writing, as amended from time to time by Company in its sole discretion (“Company Rules”), the rules, regulations, and requirements of FINRA, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and all other applicable state insurance laws, federal and state laws governing the activities of broker-dealers, and the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction(s) in which Selling Firm operates, including the regulations of any agency authorized under such laws, both federal and state, that are in effect as of the Effective Date and as such laws and regulations may be amended thereafter, and that may be adopted after the Effective Date and apply to Selling Firm, Licensed Personnel and/or the activities conducted hereunder (“Applicable Laws”).  
 
3.
LICENSING
 
1

  1. Selling Firm will be at all times: duly registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and each state or other jurisdiction in which Selling Firm acts hereunder in connection with sales of the Contracts, and a member of FINRA.
  2.  
  3. Selling Firm agrees, on its behalf and on behalf of Licensed Personnel, to obtain and maintain insurance license(s) in the State of New York and any other states that may be necessary to solicit business on behalf of Protective in the jurisdiction(s) in which Selling Firm operates while this Agreement is in effect, and agrees further not to solicit business on behalf of Protective in any jurisdiction until Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel have obtained such licenses. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Licensed Personnel” means any registered representative who is duly licensed and qualified under applicable securities and insurance laws, rules, and regulations to perform such activities on Selling Firm’s behalf and is appointed by Protective to sell the Contracts. Protective may appoint, terminate or decline to renew the appointment of any person so designated in Protective’s sole discretion.
  4.  
  5. Selling Firm shall promptly notify Company if any insurance license held by Selling Firm or any of Licensed Personnel lapses or is terminated, revoked or not renewed by any jurisdiction, or if Selling Firm or any of Licensed Personnel withdraw or elect not to renew any insurance license in any jurisdiction that had been previously identified to Company as a jurisdiction in which Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel had been licensed.  Selling Firm represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, subcontractors, nor any Licensed Personnel or other person authorized to act on Selling Firm’s behalf has ever been convicted of any state or federal criminal felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust or any crime under Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. § 1033.  Selling Firm agrees to report to Company any criminal convictions that occur after the Effective Date against Selling Firm or any other person listed in the preceding sentence.
 
2

  1. APPOINTMENT
    1. Selling Firm is hereby appointed as an insurance producer entity authorized to solicit the Contracts on behalf of Protective. Selling Firm is authorized to promote sales of the Contracts through Licensed Personnel. Selling Firm shall promptly notify Company whenever the association between Selling Firm and any Licensed Personnel is terminated for whatever reason.
    2.  
    3. Selling Firm is authorized under this Agreement with power and authority to select and recommend individuals associated with Selling Firm for appointment as an agent of Protective, and only such individuals so recommended by Selling Firm shall become Licensed Personnel, provided that the conditions of Section 3 are satisfied. Protective may appoint, terminate or decline to renew the appointment of any person so designated in Protective’s sole discretion. Initial and renewal state appointment fees for Licensed Personnel will be paid by Protective in accordance with its then-applicable requirements.
     
  2. RELATIONSHIP
    1. Selling Firm is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement between Selling Firm and Company shall be construed to create the relationship of employee and employer between Selling Firm and Company or between any Licensed Personnel and Company.
    2.  
    3. As an independent contractor, Selling Firm is free to operate its business in the manner it deems appropriate and Selling Firm is solely responsible for all expenses incurred in its operation, including expenses incurred in the performance of this Agreement.  Further, Selling Firm will not be treated as an employee for purposes of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act, the Social Security Act, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, or income tax withholding.  The filing and payment of self-employment and income taxes with the Federal and appropriate state governments are Selling Firm’s sole responsibility.  Selling Firm agrees to comply with the requirements of the federal and appropriate state government(s) with respect to the filings and payment of self-employment and income taxes on any remuneration from Company.
    4.  
    5. As an independent contractor, it is contemplated that Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel may engage in non-insurance and non-annuity business, and Selling Firm may represent insurance and annuity companies other than Protective.
     
  3. COMPENSATION
    1. So long as this Agreement is in force, IDI agrees to pay Selling Firm a commission on Contracts sold by Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel for which Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel are designated “agent of record.” Such commissions shall be paid in accordance with Product and Compensation Schedule(s) attached hereto and made a part hereof as if set forth in full at this point, which is in effect when a contract is issued. Unless otherwise specified in the Product and Compensation Schedule(s), commissions are paid only on premiums paid to and actually received by Company and will be paid in accordance with Company rules and procedures then in effect.  The Product and Compensation Schedule(s) is (are) subject to change at any time upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to Selling Firm by Company and will affect business issued on and after the effective date of the change.  If a premium is refunded for any reason by Company on any Contract on which Selling Firm received any commission, Selling Firm agrees to repay any amounts received on that Contract to Company, and such amount that remains unpaid may be offset against compensation owed to Selling Firm in the future.  Selling Firm will be responsible for all expenses it incurs in the performance of this Agreement with no right of reimbursement, except for any expense allowance payment provided hereunder or under any separate agreement between Company and Selling Firm.  Selling Firm agrees that it will not share or otherwise pay any commissions received under this Agreement with a person who is not duly licensed, appointed and qualified to receive such commissions.
    2.  
    3. Company will designate Selling Firm and the applicable Licensed Personnel as “agent of record” on all Contracts issued on applications submitted by Selling Firm and such Licensed Personnel, thereby entitling Selling Firm and such Licensed Personnel to the compensation payable by Company to an “agent of record” with respect to such Contracts. Selling Firm acknowledges and agrees that the owner(s) of any Contract(s) may request a change in, or termination of, the “agent of record” designated for their Contract(s), and further may request that another duly licensed person be designated as “agent of record” for their Contract(s) in place of Selling Firm.  Selling Firm further acknowledges and agrees that Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to make the requested change, upon receipt of a valid written request from such owner(s).  Selling Firm hereby waives any right to compensation that may become payable to Selling Firm as “agent of record” with respect to a Contract(s) on or after the date on which Company makes any such change.  
    4.  
    5. Selling Firm shall be solely responsible for the payment of any commission or consideration of any kind to Licensed Personnel with respect to the sales of the Contracts.
     
  4. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY
  5.  
    Selling Firm agrees, on its behalf and on behalf of Licensed Personnel, not to perform in the name of Company any acts for which Selling Firm is not authorized, including but not limited to the following:
    1. Accept risks, incur debt or liability, or make contracts for Company;
    2.  
    3. Waive, alter, modify, or change any Company policy, terms, rates, or customary requirements;
    4.  
    5. Endorse checks payable to Company;
    6.  
    7. Accept annuity deposits or premium payments, except in accordance with written Company procedures;
    8.  
    9. Extend, or offer to extend, the time for payment of annuity deposits or premium payments, or rebate, or offer to rebate, any annuity deposits or premium payments;
    10.  
    11. Make any misrepresentation or make an incomplete comparison in connection with the purchase, sale, offer to purchase or sell, conversion, exchange, lapse, or forfeiture of a Contract;
    12.  
    13. Solicit sales of the Contracts in any jurisdiction where such Contracts may not lawfully be sold;
    14.  
    15. Solicit applications for Contracts without delivering to the applicant a current prospectus or other offering documents as required by Applicable Laws;
    16.  
    17. Represent that Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel are an employee, associate, joint venture, or partner of Company; and
    18.  
    19. Use personal or business checks or funds (either Selling Firm’s or those of Licensed Personnel) for the applicant’s or Contract holder’s premium payment or annuity deposit.
     
  6. DUTIES OF THE PARTIES
    1. On behalf of Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel, Selling Firm agrees as follows:
      1. To transmit or submit, promptly upon receipt, all applications for Contracts directly to Company, all applications for Contracts solicited and annuity deposits or premiums received on behalf of Company;
      2. To comply with and ensure compliance by Licensed Personnel with all Company Rules and Applicable Laws, including Applicable Laws  of each jurisdiction where Selling Firm and/or Licensed Personnel are authorized to solicit sales of the Contracts;
      3. To ensure that Licensed Personnel do not offer or sell the Contracts until such individuals are associated, licensed, and duly registered with FINRA and any applicable state securities and insurance authorities;
      4. To establish such rules and procedures as required to ensure diligent supervision of Licensed Personnel with regards to the offer or sale of the Contracts;
      5. In the event Licensed Personnel fails to observe the standards and rules imposed by Selling Firm and Company regarding the sales of the Contracts, to notify Company immediately that such Licensed Personnel is no longer authorized to sell the Contracts and to take whatever action is necessary to terminate the sales activities or services of such Licensed Personnel regarding the Contracts;
      6. To be solely responsible for training and supervising Licensed Personnel regarding solicitation and sales of the Contracts;
      7. To obtain written approval from a duly authorized officer of Company prior to the publication, broadcast or other dissemination of any material whatsoever regarding Company, the Contracts or any products offered by Company, unless such material has been furnished to Selling Firm by Company for such purpose;
      8. To become fully informed as to the provisions and benefits of each Contract and to represent such products adequately and fairly to prospects;
      9. To use best efforts to provide service to customers and to maintain in force any business in place with Protective;
      10. To cooperate fully in any securities or insurance regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial proceeding arising in connection with the Contracts marketed or sold under this Agreement;
      11. To provide prompt notice and reasonable cooperation to Company in the event that any paper is served upon Selling Firm and/or Licensed Personnel in connection with any complaint or legal proceeding against or involving Company;
      12. To submit all applications on forms authorized by Company and review all applications for completeness and correctness;
      13. With respect to the recommendations, as defined in Amended Regulation 187, involving both new and in-force annuity products or life insurance products delivered or issued for delivery in the state of New York (each a “Transaction”), to comply with, and ensure that Licensed Personnel comply with, the requirements of First Amendment to New York Insurance Regulation 187, at 11 NYCRR 224.0 et seq., (“Amended Regulation 187”) applicable to Licensed Personnel acting as producers (as such term is defined in Amended Regulation 187), as set forth in Amended Regulation 187 and in Section 8.c. of this Agreement, including without limitation compliance with all applicable best interest, suitability, training, disclosure, information collection, documentation and determination requirements as in effect (1) as of the latter of the Effective Date or August 1, 2019 with respect to Contracts that are annuity contracts, (2) as of the latter of the Effective Date or February 1, 2020 with respect to Contracts that are life insurance policies, and (3) as of the effective date(s) of any subsequent amendments to Amended Regulation 187 that become effective after the Effective Date;
      14. With respect to recommendations and advice involving Contracts sold or serviced by Selling Firm and/or Licensed Personnel, to comply with, and ensure that Licensed Personnel comply with, all standards and requirements for recommendations and/or advice as defined therein with respect to Contracts and/or transactions in connection therewith in effect as of the Effective Date or that may be adopted and/or amended by federal or state legislatures, federal or state regulators, and/or various self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”) after the Effective Date of this Agreement (“Other Standard of Care Initiatives”), commencing with the respective effective date of each such Other Standard of Care Initiative, and Section 8.c. of this Agreement, including without limitation compliance with all applicable training, disclosure, information collection, documentation, determination, supervision, supervision system, reporting, audit and surveillance requirements imposed by such Other Standard of Care Initiative;
      15. To deliver Contracts only in accordance with Company’s instructions as previously provided in writing to Selling Firm;
      16. To keep accurate records on behalf of Protective and to make such records available for examination at any time by authorized representatives of Protective; and
      17. In the event that Company chooses, or is required, to return any annuity deposit or premium or make some other accommodation for a policy or contract owner on any policy or contract written on an application Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel placed with Company, Selling Firm agrees to return to Company any commission, service fee, and expense allowance payment Selling Firm received from Company with respect to that annuity deposit or premium. This obligation to repay commission, service fees and expense allowance payments shall apply even if the applicant does not accept the annuity deposit or premium refund.
       
    2. Company agrees as follows:
      1. Company shall make training about the Contracts available to Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel;
      2. Company shall, subject to applicable regulatory requirements and approvals, make the Contracts available for sale by Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel, and shall provide standard Contract brochures, prospectuses, forms, and support material necessary in its sole discretion, to solicit and process sales of the Contracts;
      3. Company or its affiliates shall provide all administrative, accounting, and policyholder services necessary in its sole discretion to support the Contracts; and
      4. Company and its affiliates shall comply with all Applicable Laws related to the offer and sale of the Contracts.
       
    3. Amended Regulation 187 and Other Standard of Care Initiatives.
    1. Pursuant to Amended Regulation 187, Company hereby delegates to Selling Firm the obligation to establish and maintain a system of supervision for recommendations of sales transactions (as such term is defined in Amended Regulation 187, herein “sales transactions”) by Licensed Personnel involving the Products, which shall include but not be limited to, standards and procedures for (1) the collection of a consumer’s suitability information with respect to sales transactions involving the Contracts; (2) the documentation and disclosure of the basis for any recommendation with respect to sales transactions involving the Contracts; and (3) the auditing and/or contemporaneous review of recommendations of sales transactions involving the Contracts to monitor Licensed Personnel’s compliance with the obligation to act in the best interest of consumers.
    2. To the extent that any Other Standard of Care Initiative that takes effect after the Effective Date imposes a supervision responsibility on Company and permits Company to delegate certain or all of its supervision obligations to a third party, Company hereby delegates to Selling Firm, to the fullest extent possible, all supervision responsibility for activities conducted by Selling Firm and Licensed Personnel with respect to the Contracts, which shall include but not be limited to, establishing, maintaining, enforcing and auditing reasonable and appropriate written policies, procedures and controls to perform such obligations and responsibilities. Such delegation to take effect upon the effective date of such Other Standard of Care Initiative. Before the effective date, Company will send a communication to Selling Firm describing any limitations or restrictions on the delegation. Selling Firm shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to such delegation if Selling Firm has not objected in writing within thirty (30) days after the date of such communication. Communications pursuant to this Section shall be governed by the notice provisions of the Agreement.
    3. Pursuant to Amended Regulation 187, Selling Firm hereby certifies, and shall hereafter annually certify in writing, the following or a substantially similar certification: “Selling Firm has established and maintains a system of supervision for recommendations of sales transactions involving both new and in-force Contracts that are or were delivered or issued for delivery in the state of New York and such system of supervision includes, but is not limited to, standards and procedures for:  (i) the collection of a consumer’s suitability information with respect to sales transactions involving the Contracts; (ii) the documentation and disclosure of the basis for any recommendation with respect to sales transactions involving the Contracts; and (iii) the auditing and/or contemporaneous review of recommendations of sales transactions involving the Contracts to monitor Licensed Personnel’s compliance with the obligation to act in the best interest of consumers.”  It is understood and agreed by the parties that Company, at its election, may rely upon the written certification Selling Firm provides pursuant to this Section to satisfy Company’s supervision and audit obligations with respect to sales transactions that result from the exercise of contractual rights under the Contracts.
    4. To the extent that Company delegates to Selling Firm pursuant to Section 8.c.ii. of this Agreement any of Company’s obligations and responsibilities under Other Standard of Care Initiatives that take effect after the Effective Date, Selling Firm shall provide certifications similar to those set forth in Section 8.c.iii. to Company upon Company’s request.  
    5. Certifications provided pursuant to Sections 8.c.iii or 8.c.iv. shall be signed by an authorized senior officer or manager of Selling Firm with responsibility for overseeing the relevant sales practices and who has a reasonable basis on which to make the certification on Selling Firm’s behalf.
    6. Selling Firm shall cooperate with Company in connection with reasonable requests related to Company’s audits of supervision functions delegated to Selling Firm by Company under Amended Regulation 187 and/or Other Standard of Care Initiatives. Selling Firm shall maintain and make available upon reasonable request by Company any and all records relating to supervision functions delegated to Selling Firm under this Agreement.
    7. To the extent Selling Firm desires to utilize training other than Company-approved training to satisfy the training requirements of Amended Regulation 187, Selling Firm shall provide information about such other training to Company for consideration, and shall not implement such training without Company’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
    8. To the extent that Company is required to provide training or otherwise make training available to Licensed Personnel under any Other Standard of Care Initiative that takes effect after the Effective Date and Selling Firm desires to utilize training other than Company-approved training to satisfy such training requirement, Selling Firm shall provide information about such other training to Company for consideration, and shall not implement such training without Company’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
     
  7. CONFIDENTIALITY
    1. Company may furnish Selling Firm with Confidential Information (as defined below), and Selling Firm may furnish Company with Confidential Information.  Except as required in order to perform its obligations and duties under this Agreement, to perform joint marketing efforts with Company, or as required by law, (i) Selling Firm shall not use or disclose such Confidential Information received from Company, and (ii) Company shall not use or disclose such Confidential Information received from Selling Firm.
    2.  
    3. Selling Firm and Company will each maintain and enforce safety and physical security procedures with respect to its access and maintenance of nonpublic personal information (“NPI”) of customers or potential customers that provide reasonably appropriate technical and organizational safeguards against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration or unauthorized disclosure or access.  NPI includes, but is not limited to, names, addresses, account balances, account numbers, account activity, social security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, and financial and health information.  NPI includes information on each party’s forms or in a database of any kind, information created by each party, and information collected on behalf of a party or by a party. Each party will notify the other party of any breach of security and use diligent efforts to remedy any breach of security or unauthorized access in a timely manner.  Selling Firm and Company each agrees to cooperate with the other party’s efforts to remedy any breach of security or unauthorized access.
    4.  
    5. “Confidential Information” of any party shall mean ideas, expressions, trade secrets, customer lists, products, policies, forms, business methods, business plans, software and information from third parties (such as software and its related documentation) for which such party has a duty of confidentiality, and treasury or securities information which the protected party considers confidential, as well as information which from all relevant circumstances should reasonably be assumed by a party to be confidential information, whether any of which is marked “Confidential Information” or not, including without limitation the following: (i) employee or customer or lists, employee, customer or supplier identities or characteristics, details of products or contracts, marketing knowledge or information, sales figures, pricing information, marketing or business plans, strategies, forecasts or projections, legal documents, financial information, budgets, software, source and object code, research papers, procedures, processes, formulas, copyrighted matter, patented or patentable inventions, trade secrets, innovations, improvements or discoveries, research or development, test results, specifications, data, know-how, plans, sketches, drawings or models; (ii) information that is designated secret, private or confidential by the disclosing party or its customers or potential customers; (iii) information which the disclosing party is obligated to maintain confidential or otherwise safeguard in accordance with (a) United States Public Law 106-102 (the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999), (b) United States Public Law 104-191 (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), or (c) any regulations adopted pursuant to (a) or (b), as (a)-(c) may be amended; and (iv) personal information regarding a disclosing party’s employees, including without limitation information regarding any such employee’s insurance coverage, benefits or claims, physical or mental disability, health or medical information, credit rating or history and background investigation(s).  
    6.  
    7. Confidential Information relating to a party shall be held in confidence by the other party to the same extent and in at least the same manner as such party protects its own Confidential Information, but in no case to a lesser extent or manner than a reasonable degree of care under the circumstances. Confidential Information shall not be disclosed to third parties without specific written permission of the protected party.  Each party shall, however, be permitted to disclose relevant aspects of the other party’s Confidential Information to its officers, agents, subcontractors and employees to the extent that such disclosure is reasonably necessary for the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement; provided, however that such party shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that Confidential Information of the other party is not disclosed or duplicated in contravention of the provisions of this Agreement by such officers, agents, subcontractors and employees.  A disclosing party shall retain all rights, title and interest in the Confidential Information disclosed by it.  Where in doubt or necessary for the receiving party’s compliance or other purposes, the receiving party shall promptly notify the disclosing party and provide a reasonable opportunity and period of time for the disclosing party to object or seek to limit disclosure of Confidential Information.  
    8.  
    9. The obligations in this Section 9 shall not restrict any disclosure by either party pursuant to any applicable state or federal laws, or by order of any court or government agency (provided that the disclosing party shall give prompt notice to the non-disclosing party of such order) and shall not apply with respect to information which (i) is independently developed by the other party without violating the disclosing party's proprietary rights and without any use of Confidential Information of the disclosing party or any of its customers or potential customers, (ii) is or becomes publicly known (other than through unauthorized disclosure, including a breach of any duty to the disclosing party or any of its customers or potential customers), (iii) is intentionally disclosed by the owner of such information to a third party free of any obligation of confidentiality, (iv) is already known by such party without an obligation of confidentiality other than pursuant to this Agreement or any confidentiality agreements entered into before the Effective Date of this Agreement as evidenced by the written records of such party, or (v) is rightfully received by a party free of any obligation of confidentiality.  In the event of service upon the receiving party of any subpoena, request for production or other legal process seeking the disclosure of any Confidential Information, the receiving party shall promptly notify the disclosing party of such service in writing, and provide a reasonable opportunity and period of time for the disclosing party to object to or seek the limitation of such disclosure.  
    10.  
    11. In addition to protecting Confidential Information as described above, the parties mutually agree that in accordance with Applicable Laws and the terms of this Agreement they shall keep private and confidential any NPI of customers or potential customers.  There will be instances where each party will have the same NPI that may be subject to different privacy policies and procedures according to the notices provided to the customer by the respective parties to this Agreement.  All NPI which either party obtains from the other as a result of this relationship shall not be used, disclosed, reused or redisclosed to any third party, except to carry out the purposes for which the information was disclosed. The parties agree that they shall abide by the provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and other applicable privacy laws and shall establish and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure the confidentiality and security of the NPI.  This would include procedures to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the information and unauthorized access to or use of the information.
    12.  
    13. The receiving party shall promptly notify the disclosing party, in writing, of any use or disclosure of Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement.  The receiving party’s obligations arising pursuant to this Agreement shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
    14.  
    15. The receiving party agrees and acknowledges that unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information may result in immediate and irreparable injury to the disclosing party or its customers or employees for which monetary damages would be inadequate relief.  Accordingly, in the event that the disclosing party proves any actual or threatened use or disclosure of Confidential Information in breach of this Agreement by the receiving party, its employees or agents, the disclosing party shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief (e.g., specific performance) in accordance with Applicable Laws and judicial procedures, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies available to the disclosing party.
    16.  
    17. In accordance with Regulation S-P, if any NPI of customers is disclosed to either party in connection with this Agreement, the party receiving such information shall not disclose or use that information other than as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.  Any privacy notice that Selling Firm delivers to customers shall comply with Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Regulations S-P, as each may be amended, and shall notify customers that NPI may be provided to financial service providers such as Selling Firm as permitted by law.
    18.  
    19. Upon  request,  each party shall return to the other party or  destroy (and provide an appropriate written destruction certificate) all Confidential Information in its possession or control unless such information is stored  on an electronic backup system for ordinary business purposes or if the receiving party is required to maintain a copy of the information pursuant to any applicable law, rule, regulation or regulatory guidance.   No disclosure by a party hereto of Confidential Information of such party to the other party shall constitute a grant to the other of any interest or right whatsoever in such Confidential Information, which shall remain the sole property of the disclosing party.
     
  8. OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS; RIGHT TO USE
3

 
  1. Selling Firm’s Ownership of Records and Data Regarding Customers; Company’s Ownership of Annuity Records.  It is understood and agreed that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.b. below,  all records and data, in whatever form, of or relating to customers with which Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel independently have relationships (“Selling Firm Customers”), and who are referred by Selling Firm to Company for the purchase of a Contract,  are and shall remain the exclusive and proprietary property of Selling Firm; provided, however, that (i) Contracts, and (ii) data developed and/or maintained by Company in connection with the sale and subsequent servicing of the Contracts by Company (together, “Contract Records”), in whatever form, are and shall remain the exclusive and proprietary property of Company;  and provided further that Company’s use of the Contract Records is limited to its performance of its obligations under this Agreement and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Selling Firm will be allowed to keep a copy of Contracts Records that are deemed necessary for Selling Firm’s continued servicing of customers, and those of Licensed Personnel and for compliance with regulatory requirements or this Agreement.
  2.  
  3. Use by Company of Contract Records and Other Records and Data.  Notwithstanding Section 10.a., in addition to its ownership of the Contract Records, Company shall be entitled to keep a copy of, and to use solely for purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, any other records and data relating to Selling Firm Customers referred to Company by Selling Firm for the purchase of Contracts (i) that are necessary to enable Company to determine whether and on what terms to sell a Contract to any such Selling Firm Customer, (ii) that are reasonably necessary for Company’s continued servicing of such Selling Firm Customers who purchase Contracts from Company, or (iii) for compliance by Company with regulatory requirements related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
 
4

  1. STATUS AND AUTHORITY OF COMPANY AND SELLING FIRM
    1. Company and Selling Firm are each corporations duly organized and validly existing, in good standing, under the laws of the state of its incorporation, and each of Company and the Selling Firm has all requisite corporate power and authority, and all licenses and permits required by any governmental authority, to carry on its business as presently conducted, and to fulfill, satisfy and perform its obligations and responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.  Company and Selling Firm will at all times perform its obligations in a manner that complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
    2.  
    3. Each party shall notify the other party immediately in writing in the event of the revocation, termination or discontinuance of any authorization or permit referred to in Section 11.a., or in the event of any material violation of Applicable Laws and, in such event, each party may cancel this Agreement at any time without penalty and without prejudice to any other rights the cancelling party may have as a result of any such event.
     
  2. BUSINESS CONTINUITY/DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN
  3.  
    The parties agree to maintain adequate business continuity/disaster recovery plans covering the records created and maintained with respect to the activities conducted under this Agreement, including provisions that require the parties to test, review and update such plans on an annual basis. In the event that a disaster occurs, each party will fully cooperate with the other party.
     
  4. RECORD RETENTION AND AUDITS; COOPERATION
    1. Each party agrees to maintain all books and records arising under this Agreement on a basis consistent with Applicable Laws for record retention in effect from time to time and generally accepted practices in the insurance and annuity industry, to safeguard such records for so long as they are held, which shall be for at least the minimum periods prescribed by U.S. law and normal business practice in the U.S. insurance and annuity industry, and if any records are disposed of, to dispose of such records only through use of reasonable measures to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the information in connection with its disposal.
    2.  
    3. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, each party will cooperate with the other party and its designees in providing information and records reasonably required by such other party or its designees in connection with such other party’s audit functions or examination by regulatory authorities.  Any and all such information and records shall be provided in a mutually convenient manner reasonably designed to minimize interference to the providing party’s day-to-day business functions, taking into due account: (A) any and all legal obligations or liabilities of the party to whom such information and records are to be provided; and, (B) the parties’ respective obligations with respect to Confidential Information as more fully set forth in Section 9, above, and recordkeeping obligations pursuant to Sections 8.a. and 8.c. of this Agreement.
     
  5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEMNIFICATION     
  6.  
    Company represents, warrants and covenants that all deliverables and services provided to Selling Firm, and all intellectual property that is proprietary to Company or a third party, is licensed or made available to Selling Firm and is necessary to enable Selling Firm to use such deliverables or services, does not and will not infringe or misappropriate any third party intellectual property rights.   Company will indemnify, defend, and hold Selling Firm harmless if any such representations are false, or warranties or covenants are breached.  If Selling Firm’s use of Company’s services or deliverables under this Agreement is, or is reasonably likely to be, enjoined due to such infringement, then Company will make all reasonable efforts to correct or replace the infringing part of the services or deliverables with substantially similar functionality so as to avoid the infringement.
     
  7. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING
5

 
  1. Company and Selling Firm shall each comply with Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended (“USA Patriot Act”), and the rules promulgated thereunder, and all related federal and state rules and regulations, including  compliance with all Applicable Laws and regulations aimed at preventing, detecting, and reporting money laundering and suspicious transactions, including applicable provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA Patriot Act, as well as regulations administered by the U. S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), as further described below (together, “Applicable AML Laws”).
  2.  
  3. Company and Selling Firm shall each maintain an anti-money laundering (“AML”) program (“AML Program”) in compliance with Applicable AML Laws that at a minimum, must include the following elements: (1) policies, procedures, and controls that are tailored to the party’s business, including the distribution of Contracts; (2) designation of a compliance officer to administer and oversee the AML Program; (3) employee and agent training, in compliance with Applicable AML Laws; (4) an independent audit function to test the effectiveness of the AML Program; (5) a Customer Identification  Program adopted pursuant to Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act; (6) provisions for the filing of all necessary AML reports, including currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports; (7) provisions for screening of all new and existing customers against the OFAC list and any other government list that is or becomes required under the Bank Secrecy Act; and (8) provisions to allow appropriate examiners and regulators to examine information, books, and records maintained by each party in connection with its AML Program.
  4.  
  5. The parties acknowledge that Company has established an AML Program.  As permitted by Applicable AML Laws, the parties acknowledge that Company will rely on Selling Firm to, and Selling Firm agrees to (1) verify and identify each customer’s identity and the source(s) of funds to be used to purchase Contracts and (2) provide appropriate AML training to the Licensed Personnel involved in the solicitation, sale, and/or servicing of Contracts.  Selling Firm agrees to provide to Company, upon request, written verification of the AML training. Company and the Selling Firm further acknowledge that upon issuance of a Contract to an applicant brought to Company by the Selling Firm, the party to whom the Contract is issued becomes Company’s customer, from which point Company has AML duties under Applicable AML Laws.
 
6

  1. TERMINATION
    1. This Agreement may be terminated as follows:
      1. By Selling Firm or by Company, without cause, 30 days after the mailing of written notice by either party to the other party;
      2. Automatically upon dissolution of Selling Firm or Company;
      3. By Company if Selling Firm commits a material breach of this Agreement and Selling Firm fails to cure said breach to Company’s reasonable satisfaction within ten (10) days of its receipt of written notice from Company setting forth the nature of the breach; or
      4. By the Selling Firm if Company commits a material breach of this Agreement and Company fails to cure said breach to the Selling Firm’s reasonable satisfaction within ten (10) days of its receipt of written notice from the Selling Firm setting forth the nature of the breach.
       
    2. In the event of termination of this Agreement, Company will pay Selling Firm all amounts due and payable under this Agreement through the date of termination, in accordance with the applicable Product and Compensation Schedule(s). Unless termination is due to Selling Firm’s bankruptcy, dissolution, failure to obtain or maintain the proper licenses with appropriate state, federal or self-regulatory authorities, or other material breach of the Agreement, at the termination of this Agreement the parties agree that all commissions and trail commissions payable to Selling Firm will be governed at all times by the Product and Compensation Schedule in effect at the time the Contract was issued and, regardless of whether the compensation schedule is thereafter amended, such commissions will continue to be payable to the Selling Firm for as long as it is listed as the broker-dealer of record associated with such Contract.
    3.  
    4. Except as provided in Section 16.d., termination of this Agreement shall automatically terminate any schedules, supplements, addenda or amendments made a part of this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement, Selling Firm agrees to return to Company all supplies, marketing materials and equipment in its possession that are the property of Company, and Company agrees to return to Selling Firm all supplies and equipment in its possession that are the property of the Selling Firm.
    5.  
    6. Upon termination of this Agreement, all authorizations, rights and obligations shall cease, except Sections 5.a. [Relationship], 8.a.xiii. [Amended Regulation 187], 8.a.xiv. [Other Standard of Care Initiatives], 9 [Confidentiality], 13 [Record Retention and Audits; Cooperation], 16 [Termination], 17 [Indemnification for Third Party Claims, Contractual Claims, Including Breaches, Etc.], 18.b. [Advertising and Sales Materials], 20.c. [Prior Agreements], 22 [Arbitration; Judicial Proceedings], and 24 [New York Law Governs].  
     
  2. INDEMNIFICATION FOR THIRD PARTY CLAIMS, CONTRACTUAL CLAIMS, INCLUDING BREACHES, ETC.
    1. By the Selling Firm:  Selling Firm agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Company, its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively “Indemnified Parties”) from any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (excluding any consequential damages of Indemnified Parties), fines, penalties, costs, or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, joint or several (including but not limited to any investigative, legal, and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted) (together, “Losses”), to which any of such Indemnified Parties becomes subject based on, resulting from, or arising out of any of the following:
      1. Any material violation or alleged material violation by Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel of any Applicable Laws, including without limitation insurance laws and regulations, or Company Rules in regard to this Agreement or the Contracts;
      2. Any unauthorized use or alleged unauthorized use by Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel of promotional, sales or advertising material relating to the Contracts;
      3. Claims by Licensed Personnel for commissions or other compensation or remuneration of any type;
      4. Any failure by Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel to submit annuity deposits or applications to Company, or to submit the correct amount of an annuity deposit, on a timely basis and in accordance with this Agreement and Company’s written procedures provided to Selling Firm in advance by Company, subject to Applicable Laws;
      5. Any material breach by Selling Firm or Licensed Personnel of any provision of this Agreement;
      6. Any unauthorized act or transaction by Selling Firm, its agents, employees, or representatives, or Licensed Personnel; or
      7. Any claim asserted by a third party (a “Third Party Claim”) caused by or resulting from any negligence, negligent error, negligent omission, misconduct or unauthorized act by Selling Firm, Licensed Personnel, or its employees or representatives, including but not limited to independent contractors engaged by the indemnifying party to perform any of its duties under this Agreement.
       
      This indemnification will be in addition to any liability that the Selling Firm or its associated persons may otherwise have. Company may withhold commissions or any other payments owed to Selling Firm, and/or to apply such amounts against the indemnification amounts owed by, or claimed to be owed by, Selling Firm under this Agreement.
       
    2. By Company:  Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Selling Firm, Licensed Personnel, and its respective directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively “Indemnified Parties”) from any and all Loss to which any of such Indemnified Parties becomes subject based on, resulting from or arising out of any of the following:
      1. Any Material violation or alleged material violation by Company, or its directors, officer or employees (“Company associated persons”), of any Applicable Laws, including without limitation insurance laws and regulations, in regard to this Agreement or the Contracts;
      2. Any material breach by Company or Company associated persons of any provision of this Agreement;
      3. Any unauthorized act or transaction by Company or Company associated persons;  or
      4. Any Third Party Claim caused by or resulting from any negligence, negligent error, negligent omission, misconduct or unauthorized act by Company or Company associated persons.
       
      This indemnification will be in addition to any liability that the Company or their associated persons may otherwise have.
       
    3. Limitation.  No person otherwise required to provide indemnification under the terms of this Section 17 shall be liable under this Section with respect to any Loss to which an Indemnified Party under this Section would otherwise be subject solely by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party’s duties, or solely by reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
    4.  
    5. Notification of Third Party Claims.  The Indemnified Parties shall notify the indemnifying party (“Indemnitor”) in writing promptly after they become aware of any Third Party Claim threatened or brought against any Indemnified Parties that the Indemnified Parties reasonably believe may trigger an obligation of Indemnitor pursuant to this Section 17, provided that any delay or failure to so notify shall not affect any Indemnified Party’s rights to indemnification hereunder unless, and then only to the extent that, Indemnitor has been materially prejudiced thereby.  Company and Selling Firm will cooperate in defending any such Third Party Claim, reserving until resolution of each Third Party Claim any issues between them concerning allocation of responsibility, liability or obligations to indemnify such Third Party Claim.  Except to the extent necessary to preserve claims against each other, Company and Selling Firm will present a united defense to such Third Party Claims.  All issues relating to whether the Third Party Claim is covered by Section 17, or the relative responsibility, liability or blameworthiness of Company and Selling Firm for such Third Party Claim will be resolved in a separate arbitration proceeding after the Third Party Claim is resolved.  The parties acknowledge and agree that any statute of limitations relating to claims, actions or causes of action between each other under this Section 17 relating to a Third Party Claim will be tolled during the pendency of such Third Party Claim.
     
  3. ADVERTISING AND SALES MATERIALS; MARKS 
    1. Company and Selling Firm, on its behalf and on behalf of its Licensed Personnel, each agrees not to conduct any advertising or distribute any sales materials involving the other party, its name or products, including the Contracts, without the prior written approval of the other party, except that the Selling Firm may distribute advertising and sales materials that were provided to it by Company for that purpose and Company may distribute advertising and sales materials that were provided to it by the Selling Firm for that purpose.  Advertising and sales materials include, but are not limited to, printed material, television, radio, print media, Internet and other electronic or information networks, and computer or electronic demonstrations or Contract illustrations.
    2.  
    3. Company and Selling Firm each represents and warrants that all such sales advertising and sales materials it provides to the other conforms to Applicable Laws in all material respects.  
    4. In the advertising and solicitation of any Contract, Selling Firm agrees to provide on behalf of Company, the customer disclosures required by law, rule, regulation, or pursuant to Company Rules.  Such disclosures include, but are not limited to, Contract illustrations, and other miscellaneous notices.
    5.  
    6. Company represents and warrants that Company and its affiliates are the owner of all right, title and interest in and to: (i) the names of the Contracts, as may be amended by Company from time to time; (ii) the trademarked names and service marks used in any of the marketing or advertising materials; (iii) any words or phrases that include the names of the Contracts; and (iv) all of Company’s and its affiliates’ trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos or other commercial or product designation(s), whether or not registered with a governmental entity (collectively, the “Marks”).
    7.  
    8. Company and its affiliates hereby grant Selling Firm a non-exclusive limited license to use the Marks, solely in connection with Selling Firm’s performance of the services contemplated under this Agreement.
    9.  
    10. Selling Firm shall not use Marks in any written, oral or electronic material or communication without the prior written consent of Company.  Any material developed by Selling Firm proposed to contain any of the Marks shall be furnished to Company for such consent prior to its use.  Company shall endeavor to respond to any request for written consent within 10 calendar days; provided, however, that failure to respond shall not relieve Selling Firm of the obligation to obtain Company’s prior written consent.  After receiving Company’s consent to the use of any such material, no changes may be made to such material without obtaining Company’s consent to such changes.  Company may at any time in its sole discretion revoke such written consent, and upon notification of such revocation, Selling Firm shall no longer use, publish, or distribute the material subject to such revocation.
     
  4. COLLECTION OF ANNUITY DEPOSITS OR PREMIUM PAYMENTS 
  5.  
    Selling Firm agrees, on its behalf and on behalf of Licensed Personnel, to hold any and all monies collected on behalf of Company and/or in the name of Company in trust and to remit them promptly to IDI.
     
  6. GENERAL PROVISIONS
    1. Waiver. Failure of either party to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or rule shall not constitute a waiver of the provision.
    2.  
    3. Modification, Amendment and Assignment. No modification or amendment of this Agreement will be valid unless it is in writing signed by an authorized officer of Company, except that Company can revise the Schedule(s) to this Agreement from time to time and any such changes shall be effective upon delivery to Selling Firm.  Selling Firm shall be deemed to have consented to any amendment to this Agreement signed by Company if Selling Firm accepts compensation or submits an application after delivery of such amendment to Selling Firm by or on behalf of Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Selling Firm and Company and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that except as provided in the following sentence neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated by Selling Firm without the prior written consent of Company.  This Agreement may be assigned by Selling Firm to, and shall be binding on (i) any affiliate of Selling Firm, and (ii) any successor to Selling Firm by merger, consolidation, conversion or other reorganization, including an assignment in connection with the sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of Selling Firm to an assignee, provided the assignee assumes in writing the obligations of Selling Firm hereunder.
    4.  
    5. Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes any and all previous agreements between Selling Firm and Company regarding the subject matter hereof.  Any superseded agreement under which commissions or overrides are payable to Selling Firm shall be considered as continuing in force solely for the purpose of such payments.  This Agreement does not release Selling Firm from obligations, which are owed by Selling Firm to Company nor does it release Company from any obligations covered by it to Selling Firm under any prior agreement.
    6.  
    7. Notices.  All notices or communications shall be sent to the parties at the addresses shown in this Agreement.  Any changes to these addresses must be made in writing and sent to the other party in accordance with this paragraph.
    8.  
    9. Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
     
  7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
  8.  
    1. Limitation of Liability—Caused Beyond a Party’s Control.  Neither party will be liable for any failure to perform any obligation hereunder, or from any delay in the performance thereof, due to causes beyond its control, including industrial disputes of whatever nature, acts of God, public enemy, acts of government, failure of telecommunications, fire or other casualty.
    2.  
    3. Limitation of Liability—No Consequential Damages, etc.  Except for (i) breach of the provisions of Section 9 [Confidentiality], (ii) Company’s breach of Section 14 [Intellectual Property Indemnification], or (iii) indemnification by a party under Section 17 [Indemnification for Third Party Claims, Contractual Claims, Including Breaches, Etc.], under no circumstances will either party, its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages with respect to its obligations under this Agreement, regardless of whether such damages could have been foreseen or prevented.
     
  9. ARBITRATION; JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
    1. Arbitration.  Any dispute between IDI and the Selling Firm, or any dispute between Protective and/or IDI, on the one hand, and the Selling Firm, on the other hand, arising pursuant to this Agreement that involves a policy or annuity with a face amount of less than $100,000, shall be settled under FINRA arbitration rules. The determination of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on all parties. The costs of arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties to the arbitration, provided however, that the arbitrators may assess one party more heavily than the other for these costs upon a finding that such party did not make a good faith effort to settle the dispute informally when it first arose.
    2.  
    3. Judicial Proceedings for Certain Controversies.  Protective and the Selling Firm agree that in the event of any controversy between them (a) arising out of their business or pursuant to this Agreement that involves a policy or annuity with a face amount of $100,000 or more, or (b) involving a controversy between Protective and the Selling Firm that is not based on a specific policy or annuity, and that in either case cannot be settled by agreement, the parties may commence litigation against the other party in any state or federal court having jurisdiction over the matter and the parties.  Venue for any such action between the parties shall be in Alabama. IN ANY SUCH JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BOTH COMPANY AND THE SELLING FIRM KNOWINGLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY A JURY.
     
  10. INSURANCE
  11.  
    Selling Firm agrees to obtain and maintain at least $1,000,000 in errors and omissions insurance covering acts and omissions by Selling Firm and/or by Licensed Personnel, and to add Company as an additional insured under such insurance coverage.
     
  12. NEW YORK LAW GOVERNS
7

 
It is mutually agreed that all questions and issues relating to the validity of or performance under this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
 
SELLING FIRM UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION THAT MAY BE ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES, AND THAT BY SIGNING BELOW SELLING FIRM IS GIVING UP ANY RIGHTS IT MAY POSSESS TO HAVE CERTAIN DISPUTES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DECIDED IN A COURT OR JURY TRIAL.
 
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; Signature Page to follow]
 
 
 
The parties hereto have caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Agreement and deliver it to the other as of the Effective Date.
 
 
8

INSURANCE COMPANY:
 
PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL 35223
 
 
By:  ___________________________________
 
Date:  _____________________
Print Name: _____________________________
 
   
 
UNDERWRITING FIRM:
INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL 35223
 
 
By:  ___________________________________
 
Date:  _____________________
Print Name: ____________________________
 
   
   
SELLING FIRM:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Company Name)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Address)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(City, State, Zip Code)
 
 
By:  ____________________________________
Date:  ___________________
[Name]
 
[Title]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9

PRODUCT AND COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
Schedule A
to Selling Agreement
for Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company  
10

Exhibit 99.3(b)(ii)
 
SCHEDULE 1
TO SECOND AMENDED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND CONTRACTS
COVERED BY AGREEMENT
Revised November 1, 2020
 
 
Separate Account
Contracts
 
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
Protective NY COLI VUL
Protective Executive Benefits Registered VUL NY
Variable Annuity Account A of Protective Life
Protective Rewards Elite NY
Protective Access XL NY
Protective Rewards II NY
Protective Variable Annuity NY
Elements Classic NY
Protective Variable Annuity NY, Series B, C and L
Protective Variable Annuity II B Series NY
Protective Investors Benefit Advisory NY Variable Annuity
 
 
 
1

Exhibit 99.4(b)
 
VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT SCHEDULE
 
 
CONTRACT NUMBER
ISSUE DATE
 
[ VA00000001 ]
[ June 1, 2020 ]
 
OWNER 1
BIRTH DATE OF OWNER 1
 
[ John Doe ]
[ January 1, 1950 ]
 
OWNER 2
BIRTH DATE OF OWNER 2
 
[ None ]
[ Not Applicable ]
 
ANNUITANT
BIRTH DATE OF ANNUITANT
 
[ John Doe ]
[ January 1, 1950 ]
 
BENEFICIARY
ANNUITY DATE
 
As contained in our records
[ January 1, 2045 ]
 
PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME OPTION
DEATH BENEFIT
 
[ Not Included on Issue Date ]
[ Contract Value ]
 
AGENT
INSURANCE REGULATORY AUTHORITY
 
[ Allen Agent ]
[ New York State Department of Financial Services ]
[ Brisk Financial Services ]
[ 800-342-3736 ]
[ 5678 High Street ]
[ www.dfs.ny.gov ]
[ Anycity, NY 12345 ]
 
INITIAL PURCHASE PAYMENT
TAX-QUALIFIED STATUS
 
[ $100,000.00 ]
[ Non-Qualified ]
 
 
1

INTEREST RATES FOR THE GUARANTEED ACCOUNT
 
 
Annual Effective Interest Rates for the
Guaranteed Account on the Issue Date:
FIXED ACCOUNT – [ 1.00% ]
DCA ACCOUNT 1 – [ 2.00% ]
DCA ACCOUNT 2 – [ 3.00% ]
 
Non-Forfeiture Interest Rate (NFIR) for the
 
   [ 1.00% ]
Guaranteed Account:
 
[ The Contract's NFIR for the Guaranteed Account was established on the Issue Date and will not change. It was determined by taking the 5-Year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate as of the January 31 prior to the May 1 – April 30 annual period during which the Contract was issued, subtracting 1.25%, and rounding the result to the nearest 0.05%. The NFIR cannot be less than 1.00% and will not be more than 3.00%. Interest rates declared by the Company for the Guaranteed Account will be at least equal to the Contract's NFIR. ]
 
 
 NY-VDA-A-2006SG-1                                                  A                                                                                    [6/20]
2

VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT SCHEDULE, continued
 
 
CONTRACT LIMITATIONS, FEES, AND CHARGES
 
Maximum Issue Date:                                                    We will not issue a Contract on or after the oldest
Owner's or Annuitant's [ 86th ] birthday.
 
Maximum Annuity Date:
 
 
 
The oldest Owner's or Annuitant's [ 95th ] birthday.
 
Additional Purchase Payments:                                  Not permitted on or after the oldest Owner's or Annuitant's [ 86th ] birthday.
 
Minimum Additional Purchase Payment:                    $100.00
 
Maximum Aggregate Purchase Payments:                 $1,000,000.00
 
Mortality & Expense Risk Charge:
 
 
[ 0.35% ] per year
The Mortality & Expense Risk Charge was established on the Issue Date and will not change.
 
Administration Charge:                                                 [ 0.10% ] per year
The Administration Charge was established on the Issue Date and will not change.
 
Transfer Fee for Transfers in Excess of Limit:
$25 for each transfer in excess of 12 per Contract Year. The Transfer Fee was established on the Issue Date and will not change.
 
Assumed Investment Return
 
 
 
5.00% per year
The Assumed Investment Return was established on the Issue Date and will not change. It is used in the
calculation of variable annuity income payments as described in the ANNUITY INCOME PAYMENTS section of
the Contract.
 
 
 NY-VDA-A-2006SG-1                                                   B                                                                                    [6/20]
 
3

VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT SCHEDULE, continued
INVESTMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE ON THE ISSUE DATE
Protective Life Guaranteed Account
 
Fixed Account
DCA Account 1
 
DCA Account 2
 
Sub-Accounts of the Protective Variable Annuity Separate Account
 
[ American Funds IS
Invesco
Asset Allocation Class 4
Balanced-Risk Allocation  Series II
Blue Chip Income & Growth Class 4
Comstock  Series II
Bond Class 4
Equity and Income  Series II
Capital Income Builder Class 4
 
 
 
Global Real Estate  Series II
Global Growth Class 4
 
 
 
 
Government Securities  Series II
Global Growth & Income
Class 4
 
 
 
Growth and Income Series II
Global Small Cap
Class 4
 
 
 
 
International Growth  Series II
Growth
Class 4
 
 
 
 
 
Oppenheimer Global  Series II
Growth-Income Class 4
 
 
 
 
Oppenheimer Government Money  Series I
International Class 4 
 
 
 
 
Oppenheimer Main Street  Series II
New World Class 4
 
U.S. Government/AAA-Rated Securities Class 4
        Legg Mason
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap  Class II
Clayton Street (Managed by Janus Capital Management, LLC)
ClearBridge Variable Small Cap  Class II
Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series Conservative
Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series Moderate                Lord Abbett
Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series Growth                  
Bond Debenture Value Class
 
 
Dividend Growth Value Class
Fidelity Investments
Fundamental Equity Value Class
Investment-Grade Bond Portfolio SC2
Growth Opportunities Value Class
Mid Cap Portfolio SC2
Global Moderate Allocation Institutional Shares
PIMCO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All Asset
Advisor Class
Franklin Templeton Investments
Global Diversified Allocation Advisor Class
Franklin Flex Cap Growth Class 2
Long-Term U.S. Government Advisor Class
Franklin Income Class 2
 
 
 
 
Low Duration Advisor Class
Franklin Mutual Global Discovery Class 2
 
 
Real Return Advisor Class
Franklin Mutual Shares Class 2
 
 
       
Short Term Advisor Class
Franklin Rising Dividends Class 2
Total Return Advisor Class
Franklin Small Cap Value Class 2
 
 
Franklin Small Mid Cap Growth Class 2
 
       Royce
Franklin Strategic Income Class 2
 
 
       
Small-Cap Service Class
Templeton Developing Markets Class 2
Templeton Foreign Class 2
 
 
 
       Schwab Funds
Templeton Global Bond Class 2
 
 
       
Balanced
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balanced with Growth
Goldman Sachs
 
 
 
 
 
Government Money Market Portfolio™
Core Fixed Income Service Class
 
 
 
Growth
Global Trends Allocation Service Class
 
 
       
S&P 500 Index Portfolio ]
Growth Opportunities Service Class
Mid Cap Value Service Class
Strategic Growth Service Class
 
Great-West Funds
Bond Index Fund
 
NY-VDA-A-2006SG-1                                                   C                                                                                    [6/20]
 
 
4

Exhibit 99.5

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY Home Office: Birmingham, Alabama VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION CONTRACT # AF-2119-R7 APPLICATION COVER PAGE SCG VA 12/20 STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING FOR OPTIONAL PROTECTED LIFETIME INCOME BENEFIT: (SECUREPAY LIFE) Required Minimum Distributions: A protected lifetime income benefit rider, if purchased, permits withdrawals in excess of the Annual Withdrawal Amount to satisfy the required minimum distributions (RMD) under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9) as they apply to amounts attributable to this Contract. These withdrawals will not be treated as ‘excess withdrawals’ provided: a) you notify us in writing at the time you request the withdrawal that it is intended to satisfy RMD requirements; and, b) we calculate the RMD amount based solely on the applicable end-of-year value of this Contract. The timing and amount of the non-excess RMD protected lifetime income benefit withdrawal we permit from this Contract may be more restrictive than allowed under IRS rules, and may not satisfy the annual RMD requirements for all of the tax-qualified contracts you own. You should consult your tax advisor. Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions: While a protected lifetime income benefit rider is in effect, your Contract’s Investment Option allocations are restricted, as described on page 2 of the application. Either the entire allocation must be to a single permissible Model Portfolio (the Growth Focus model is not available); or the entire allocation must be to a single permissible Individual Option; or the entire allocation must comply with investment risk category restrictions: At least 40% of your total Contract allocation must be allocated to sub-accounts in Category 1. Not more than 60% of your total Contract allocation may be allocated to sub-accounts in Category 2. Not more than 25% of your total Contract allocation may be allocated to sub-accounts in Category 3. Sub-accounts in Category 4 are not available. The Fixed Account is not available. You may allocate Purchase Payments directly to the sub-accounts or a permissible Model Portfolio or Individual Option, or to any of the available DCA Accounts subject to the limitations in the Contract's 'Dollar Cost Averaging' provision. We systematically and automatically transfer amounts allocated to the DCA Accounts to the Variable Account according to your Contract allocation. We systematically and automatically rebalance to your current Variable Account allocation quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, according to your current portfolio rebalancing instructions. Purchase Payments, Transfers, and Withdrawals: While a protected lifetime income benefit rider is in effect, we will not accept any purchase payment that we receive after the earlier of the Benefit Election Date or the 2nd anniversary of the Rider Effective Date. You may transfer Contract Value among the Investment Options, but the Contract Value immediately after the transfer must meet the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. You may also change your Contract allocation provided it meets the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions. A change in your Contract allocation will result in an automatic rebalancing of the Contract Value. Partial surrenders and withdrawals including applicable surrender charges, if any, are deducted from the Investment Options in the same proportion that the value of each bears to the total Contract Value. Prohibited Instructions: The protected lifetime income benefit rider, every benefit it provides, and deduction of the monthly fee terminate at the end of the Valuation Period on which we execute your instruction to: 1.Do any of the following in a manner that violates the Allocation Guidelines and Restrictions or rider provisions: allocate a Purchase Payment, process dollar cost averaging transfers, transfer Contract Value, or deduct a partial surrender or withdrawal; or, 2. Stop portfolio rebalancing; or 3. Terminate the rider more than 10 years after its Rider Effective Date; or 4. Change a Covered Person at any time after the Benefit Election Date; or 5. Annuitize or terminate the Contract to which the rider(s) are attached. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Mailing Address for Applications: Overnight U. S. Postal Mail Annuity New BusinessAnnuity New Business 2801 Hwy 280 SouthP. O. Box 10648 Birmingham, AL 35223Birmingham, AL 35202-0648 Percentages: Always use whole (not fractional) percentages. Percentage totals must equal 100% per category (i.e. "Primary" and "Contingent" Beneficiaries; "Purchase Payment" and "DCA Allocation" instructions; etc.). Withholding on Withdrawals: All withdrawals from the Contract, including SecurePay Life and Automatic Withdrawals, must include your instructions regarding Federal Tax Withholding. Complete "Federal Tax Withholding on Non-Periodic Annuity Payments" form # LAD-1133. If not completed, Federal Tax Withholding at a rate of 10% will automatically apply.

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY Home Office: Birmingham, Alabama Page 1 VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION CONTRACT # Select Product: X Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY An annuity contract is not a deposit or obligation of, nor guaranteed by any bank or financial institution. It is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, and is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal. CONTRACT BENEFITS ARE VARIABLE, MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE, AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED AS TO FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT. AF-2119-R7 SCG VA 12/20 Owner 1 Name: Male Female Address: Birthdate: City: State: Zip: Tax ID: Email Address: Phone: Owner 2 Name: Male Female Address: Birthdate: City: State: Zip: Tax ID: Email Address: Phone: Annuitant Name: Male Female Address: Birthdate: City: State: Zip: Tax ID: Email Address: Phone: Beneficiary, if there is no surviving Owner Use Administrative Form LAD-1225 to name or change a beneficiary anytime before the death of an owner. Initial Purchase Payment: $ (minimum: $5,000.) Funding Source: Cash Non-Qualified 1035 Exchange Non-Insurance Exchange Transfer Direct Rollover Indirect Rollover Plan Type: Non-Qual IRA Roth IRA Other: Complete if an IRA and includes new contributions: $ (Amount) (Tax Year) $ (Amount) (Tax Year) Replacement: Do you currently have an annuity contract or life insurance policy? Yes No Will this annuity change or replace an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy? Yes No (If yes, please provide the company name and contract or policy number below.) Company 1 Contract or Policy # Company 2 Contract or Policy # Company 3 Contract or Policy #

 

VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION CONTRACT # PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY Home Office: Birmingham, Alabama Page 2 AF-2119-R7 SCG VA 12/20 ALLOCATE PURCHASE PAYMENTS - Unless you give us instructions for allocating subsequent Purchase Payments when you make them, we will use the Variable Account allocation in effect at that time. Use whole percentages. Purchase Payment and DCA Allocation percentage totals must equal 100%, each. If using a Model Portfolio, allocate to the Guaranteed Account and one Model Portfolio, only. If purchasing a protected lifetime income benefit (PLIB) and using a Model Portfolio, do not also allocate to individual sub-accounts. Purchase Payment Protective Life Guaranteed Account %Fixed Account – Not Available if a protected lifetime income benefit (PLIB) is purchased. %DCA Account 1 – Make DCA transfers on the day (1st – 28th) of the month for months (3 – 6 months). %DCA Account 2 – Make DCA transfers on the day (1st – 28th) of the month for months (7 – 12 months). Sub-Accounts of Variable Annuity Account A PurchaseDCACategory 1 – ConservativePurchaseDCACategory 3 – Aggressive Payment Allocation (Min. 40% allocation if a PLIB is purchased.)Payment Allocation (Max. 25% allocation if a PLIB is purchased.) % %American Funds IS Bond % %American Funds IS Blue Chip Income & Growth % %American Funds IS U.S.Govt/AAA-Rated Securities % %American Funds IS Global Growth % %**Clayton St Protective Life Dynamic Allocation - Conservative % %American Funds IS Global Growth and Income % %Fidelity Investment Grade Bond % %American Funds IS Growth % %Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income % %American Funds IS Growth-Income % %Great-West Bond Index Fund % %**Clayton St Protective Life Dynamic Allocation - Growth % %Invesco Government Securities % %Fidelity Mid Cap % %Invesco Oppenheimer Government Money % %Franklin Mutual Global Discovery % %PIMCO Low Duration % %Franklin Mutual Shares % %PIMCO Short-Term % %Franklin Rising Dividends % %PIMCO Total Return % %Goldman Sachs Strategic Growth % %Schwab Funds Government Money Market Portfolio % %Invesco Comstock % %Invesco Growth and Income % %Invesco International Growth Purchase DCACategory 2 – Moderate % %Invesco Oppenheimer Main Street® Payment Allocation (Max. 60% allocation if a PLIB is purchased.) % %Lord Abbett Dividend Growth % % American Funds IS Asset Allocation % %Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity % % American Funds IS Capital Income Builder % %Schwab Growth % %**Clayton St Protective Life Dynamic Allocation - Moderate % %Schwab S&P 500 % %Franklin Income % %Franklin Strategic Income % %Goldman Sachs Global Trends AllocationPurchase DCAPERMISSABLE MODEL PORTFOLIOS % %Invesco Balanced Risk AllocationPayment Allocation (Do not allocate to more than one Model Portfolio.) % %Invesco Equity and Income % %Conservative Growth % %Lord Abbett Bond Debenture % %Balanced Growth & Income % %PIMCO All Asset % %Balanced Growth % %PIMCO Global Diversified Allocation % %Growth Focus - Not Available if a PLIB is purchased. % %PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government % %PIMCO Real Return % %Schwab BalancedPurchase DCA % %Schwab Balanced with GrowthPayment Allocation *PERMISSABLE INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS % %Templeton Global Bond % %**Clayton St Protective Life Dynamic Allocation - Conservativ % %**Clayton St Protective Life Dynamic Allocation – Moderate *If purchasing a protected lifetime income benefit (PLIB), as an alternative to o allocation options you may choose to allocate 100% of your purchase payment to (and only one) of the two “Individual Options” sub-accounts (with or without the us dollar cost averaging). If you choose this option, do not also allocate to any o individual sub-accounts or any Model Portfolios. **Clayton Street Protective Life Dynamic AllocationSee next page for Category 4 Sub-Series Managed by Janus Capital Management, LLC.Accounts (Not Available if a PLIB is purchased.) Portfolio Rebalancing – Must be completed if a protected lifetime income benefit (PLIB) is purchased. Rebalance to my current Variable Account allocation quarterly semi-annually annually on the day (1st – 28th) of the month. e ther one e of ther

 

VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION CONTRACT # PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY Home Office: Birmingham, Alabama Page 2A AF-2119-R7 SCG VA 12/20 ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS (continued) Sub-Accounts of Variable Annuity Account A (continued) PurchaseDCACategory 4 Payment Allocation (Not Available if a PLIB is purchased.) % %American Funds IS International % %American Funds IS New World % %American Funds IS Global Small Cap Fund % %Franklin Flex Cap Growth % %Franklin Small Cap Value % %Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth % %Goldman Sachs Growth Opportunities % %Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value % %Invesco Global Real Estate % %Invesco Oppenheimer Global % %Legg Mason ClearBridge Mid Cap % %Legg Mason ClearBridge Small Cap Growth % %Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities % %Royce Small-Cap % %Templeton Developing Markets % %Templeton Foreign

 

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY Home Office: Birmingham, Alabama Page 3 VARIABLE ANNUITY APPLICATION CONTRACT # _ AF-2119-R7 A B C D SCG VA 12/20 OPTIONAL BENEFITS AND FEATURES - Not Required. Select the options to be included in your Contract. Optional Death Benefit: Return of Purchase Payments Optional Protected Lifetime Income Benefit: You may purchase a rider now or use RightTime® to purchase a rider later, provided the age limits are met when the rider is purchased. SecurePay Not available if any Owner or Annuitant is younger than age 60 or older than age 85 when the rider is purchased. SecurePay Life Automatic Purchase Plan: Not available with Automatic Withdrawals. Attach a voided check. Draft $ per month -or-quarter from my account on the day (1st – 28th) of the month and apply to my Contract. Automatic Withdrawals: Not available with Automatic Purchase Plan. Attach a voided check. Withdraw $ per month -or-quarter from the Contract on the day (1st – 28th) of the month and deposit to my account. SPECIAL REMARKS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND SIGNATURES Did you receive a current prospectus for this annuity? Yes No I understand this application will be part of the annuity contract. The information I provide is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. The company will treat statements made by me or under my authority as representations and not warranties. The company may accept instructions from any Owner on behalf of all Owners. Variable annuities involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Contract Value, annuity payments and termination values, when based upon the investment experience of the separate account, are variable and are not guaranteed as to any fixed dollar amount. Application signed at: (City & State) on (Date) . Owner 1: Owner 2: Annuitant: Federal law requires the following notice: We may request or obtain additional information to establish or verify your identity. PRODUCER REPORT - This section must be completed and signed by the agent for the Contract to be issued. To the best of your knowledge and belief… Does this annuity change or replace an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy? Yes No Does the applicant have any existing annuity contract or life insurance policy? Yes No This annuity is suitable based on information I obtained from the applicant after reasonable inquiry into the applicant's financial and tax status, investment objectives, and other relevant information. Producer Remarks: Type of unexpired government issued photo I.D. used to verify applicant’s identity: # I certify that I have truly and accurately recorded on this application the information provided to me by the applicant. Signature: Print Name: Producer#Brokerage: Florida License # (if applicable) Phone #

 

Exhibit 99.8(b)(ii)
 
Form of ADDENDUM TO SCHEDULE OF
PARTICIPATON AGREEMENT
 
This Addendum (“Addendum”) to the original Schedule of the Participation Agreement executed on December 19, 2003 is entered into by and among Goldman, Sachs & Co., (the “Distributor”), Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”), and Protective Life Insurance Company (the “Company”), collectively (the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated December 19, 2003 (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:
 
1. The following subaccounts and corresponding information are added to Schedule 1 of the Agreement:
 
Name of Accounts and Subacounts
Date Established by the Board of Directors of the Company
SEC 1940 Act Registration Number
Type of Product Supported by Account
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
07/02/2020
811-23594
Variable Annuity Policies
 
2. The following classes of Contracts and corresponding information are added to Schedule 2 of the Agreement:
 
Policy Marketing Name
SEC 1933 Act Registration Number
Contract Form Number
Annuity or Life
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
333-240193
[]
Annuity
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
333-240103
[]
Annuity
 
3. The following Trust Classes and Series are added to Schedule 3 of the Agreement:
 
Contract Marketing Name
Trust Classes and Series
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
Core Fixed Income Fund, Service Class
Global Trends Allocation Fund, Service Class
Growth Opportunities Fund, Service Class
Mid Cap Value Fund, Service Class
Strategic Growth Fund, Service Class
 
 
For the purpose of referring to this Amendment, the date of this Amendment shall be [DATE].
 
 
 
[SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
 
 
 
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
Goldman SachsVariable Insurance Trust
 
 
 
 
 
By:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
 
Date:    ___________________________
 
 
2

 Exhibit 99.8(c)

 

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

 

Among

 

 

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS,

 

FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION

 

and

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

 

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 1st day of May, 2008 by and among PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, (hereinafter the Company), an Alabama corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the Account); and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION (hereinafter the Underwriter), a Massachusetts corporation; and each of VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III and VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV, each an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (each referred to hereinafter as the Fund).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, each 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 policies and variable annuity contracts (collectively, the Variable Insurance Products) and qualified pension and retirement plans within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.817-5(f)(3)(iii) (Qualified Plans) to be offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter Participating Insurance Companies); and

 

WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in each Fund is divided into several series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a Portfolio); and

 

1

 

 

WHEREAS, each Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission, dated October 15, 1985 (File No. 812-6102) or September 17, 1986 (File No. 812-6422), 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, 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 Exemptive Order); and

 

WHEREAS, each Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the 1933 Act); and

 

WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the Adviser) is duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any applicable state securities law; and

 

WHEREAS, the variable life insurance and/or variable annuity products identified on Schedule A hereto (Contracts) have been or will be registered by the Company under the 1933 Act, unless such Contracts are exempt from registration thereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Contracts; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act, unless such Account is exempt from registration thereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (hereinafter the 1934 Act), and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (hereinafter FINRA); and

 

WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to each Account at net asset value;

 

2

 

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the Underwriter and each Fund agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE A. Form of Agreement

 

Although the parties have executed this Agreement in the form of a Master Participation Agreement for administrative convenience, this Agreement shall create a separate participation agreement for each Fund, as though the Company and the Underwriter had executed a separate, identical form of participation agreement with each Fund. No rights, responsibilities or liabilities of any Fund shall be attributed to any other Fund.

 

ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares

 

1.1.  The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund which each Account orders, 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 Fund. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by 9:00 a.m. Boston time on the next following Business Day. Beginning within three months of the effective date of this Agreement, the Company agrees that all order for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares on behalf of the Accounts will be placed by the Company with the Funds or their transfer agent by electronic transmission. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

1.2.  The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the Board) may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.

 

3

 

 

1.3.  The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and Qualified Plans. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.

 

1.4.  The Fund and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company, separate account or Qualified Plan unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as Articles I, III, V, VII and Section 2.5 of Article II of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.

 

1.5.  The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Companys request, any full or fractional shares of the Fund 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. For purposes of this Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such request for redemption on the next following Business Day. This section shall not apply to VIP Fund shares or share classes that are subject to redemption fees. The Company shall not purchase or redeem VIP Fund shares that are subject to redemption fees, including shares of Portfolios or share classes that later become subject to redemption fees, in the absence of an additional written agreement signed by all parties.

 

1.6.  The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus.

 

1.7.  The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire. For purpose of Section 2.10 and 2.11, 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 Funds shares will be by book entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares 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 the Fund’s shares. The Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that 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.

 

4

 

 

 

1.10.  The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each 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. Boston time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 7 p.m. Boston time.

 

1.11.  The parties agree that the Contracts are not intended to serve as vehicles for frequent transfers among the Portfolios in response to short-term stock market fluctuations.

 

A.            Accordingly, the Company represents and warrants that:

 

(a) all purchase and redemption orders it provides under this Article I shall result solely from Contract Owner transactions fully received and recorded by the Company before the time as of which each applicable VIP Portfolio net asset value was calculated (currently 4:00 p.m. e.s.t);

 

(b) it will comply with its policies and procedures designed to prevent excessive trading as approved by the Fund, or will comply with the Funds policies and procedures regarding excessive trading as set forth in the Funds prospectus;

 

(c) any annuity contract forms or variable life insurance policy forms not in use at the time of execution of this Agreement, but added to in the future via amendment of Schedule A hereto, will contain language reserving to the Company the right to refuse to accept instructions from persons that engage in market timing or other excessive or disruptive trading activity.

 

B.            The Company agrees to provide the Fund, upon written request, the taxpayer identification number (TIN), if known, of any or all Contract Owner(s) of the account and the amount, date, name or other identifier of any investment professional(s) associated with the Contract Owner (s) or account (if known), and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Purchase and Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Redemption through an account maintained by the Company during the period covered by the request.

 

(a) “Contract owner-initiated Transfer Purchase” means a transaction that is initiated or directed by a Contract owner that results in a transfer of assets within a Contract to a Portfolio, but does not include transactions that are executed: (i) automatically pursuant to contractual or systematic programs or enrollments such as transfers of assets within a Contract to a Portfolio as a result of “dollar cost averaging” programs, asset allocation programs and automatic rebalancing programs; (ii) pursuant to a Contract death benefit; (iii) a step-up (or comparable benefit) in Contract value (or comparable benefit base) pursuant to a Contract death benefit or guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit; or (iv) allocation of assets to a Portfolio through a Contract as a result of payments such as loan repayments, scheduled contributions, or retirement plan salary reduction contributions, or planned premium payments to the Contract.

 

5

 

 

 

(b) Contract owner-initiated Transfer Redemption means a transaction that is initiated or directed by a Contract owner that results in a transfer of assets within a Contract out of a Portfolio, but does not include transactions that are executed: (i) automatically pursuant to contractual or systematic programs or enrollments such as transfers of assets within a Contract out of a Portfolio as a result of annuity payouts, loans, systematic withdrawal programs, asset allocation programs and automatic rebalancing programs; (ii) as a result of any deduction of charges or fees under a Contract; (iii) within a Contract out of a Portfolio as a result of scheduled withdrawals or surrenders from a Contract; or (iv) as a result of the payment of a death benefit from a Contract.

 

(c) The Fund will request information pursuant to Section 1.11B. which sets forth a specific period for which Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Purchase and Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Redemption information is sought.. The Fund may request transaction information it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Fund which may include a request for information for each trading day.

 

(d) The Company agrees to transmit the requested information that is on its books and records to the Fund or its designee promptly, but in any event not later than ten business days, after receipt of a request. If the requested information is not on the Companys books and records, the Company agrees to: (i) provide or arrange to provide to the Fund the requested information from Contract Owners who hold an account with an indirect intermediary; or (ii) if directed by the Fund, block further purchases of Fund Shares from such indirect intermediary. In such instance, the Company agrees to inform the Fund whether it plans to perform (i) or (ii). Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing and in a format mutually agreed upon by the parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided to the Fund should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format. For purposes of this provision, an indirect intermediary has the same meaning as in SEC Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act.

 

(e) The Fund agrees not to use the information received for marketing or any other similar purpose without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

C.            The Company agrees to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by a Contract Owner that has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions of the Fund’s Shares (directly or indirectly through the Company’s account) that violate policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares issued by the Fund.

 

6

 

 

 

(a) Instructions from the Fund will include the TIN, if known, and the specific restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN is not known, the instructions will include an equivalent identifying number of the Contract Owner(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the instruction relates.

 

(b) The Company agrees to execute instructions as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five business days after receipt of the instructions by the Company.

 

(c) The Company must provide written confirmation to the Fund that instructions have been executed. The Company agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than five business days after the instructions have been executed.

 

D.            For purposes of this paragraph:

 

(a) The term Fund includes the Funds principal underwriter and transfer agent. The term not does include any excepted funds as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the 1940 Act.

 

(b) The term Shares means the interests of Shareholders corresponding to the redeemable securities of record issued by the Fund under the 1940 Act that are held by the Company.

 

(c) The term Contract Owner means the holder of interests in a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract issued by the Company.

 

(d) The term written includes electronic writings and facsimile transmissions.

 

1.12

 

A.            Company agrees to comply with its obligations under applicable anti-money laundering (AML) laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to its obligations under the United States Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended (by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and other laws), and the rules, regulations and official guidance issued thereunder (collectively, the BSA).

 

B.            The Company agrees to undertake inquiry and due diligence regarding the customers to whom the Company offers and/or sells Portfolio shares or on whose behalf the Company purchases Portfolio shares and that the inquiry and due diligence is reasonably designed to determine that the Company is not prohibited from dealing with any such customer by (i) any sanction administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (collectively, the Sanctions); or (ii) any of the Special Measures, measures required by the Department of Treasury with regard to a foreign jurisdiction, institution, class of transactions or type of account that the Department determines is a primary money laundering concern as authorized by the BSA.

 

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C.            The Company hereby represents, covenants and warrants to the Fund and the Underwriter that:

 

(a)                                 None of the Companys employees who are authorized in connection with their employment to transact business with the Fund or Underwriter in accounts in the Companys name, in any nominee name maintained for the Company, or for which the Company serves as financial institution of record are designated or targeted under any of the Sanctions or Special Measures and that no transactions placed in any such accounts by any of the Companys authorized employees will contravene any of the Sanctions or Special Measures;

 

(b)                                 As the Sanctions or Special Measures are updated, the Company shall periodically review them to confirm that none of the Companys employees that are authorized to transact business with the Fund or Underwriter are designated or targeted under any of the Sanctions or Special Measures; and

 

(c)                                  The Company, including any of the Companys affiliates, does not maintain offices in any country or territory to which any of the Sanctions or Special Measures prohibit the export of services or other dealings.

 

D.            The Company agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter or the Portfolios transfer agent promptly when and if it learns that the establishment or maintenance of any account holding, or transaction in or relationship with a holder of, Portfolio shares pursuant to this Agreement violates or appears to violate any of the Sanctions or Special Measures.

 

ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties

 

2.1.  The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be registered under the 1933 Act or are exempt from registration thereunder; that the Contracts will be issued 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 to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under Section 27-38-1 of the Alabama Insurance Code and that each Account is either registered or exempt from registration as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account for the Contracts.

 

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2.2.  The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Alabama and all applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act. 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 for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.

 

2.3.  The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the Code) and that it will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.

 

2.4.  The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as endowment, 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 and the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.

 

2.5.  (a) With respect to Initial Class shares, the Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise, although it may make such payments in the future. The Fund has adopted a no fee or defensive Rule 12b-1 Plan under which it makes no payments for distribution expenses. To the extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.

 

(b) With respect to Service Class shares and Service Class 2 shares, the Fund has adopted Rule 12b-1 Plans under which it makes payments to finance distribution expenses. The Fund represents and warrants that it has a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, which has formulated and approved each of its Rule 12b-1 Plans to finance distribution expenses of the Fund and that any changes to the Funds Rule 12b-1 Plans will be approved by a similarly constituted board of trustees.

 

2.6.  The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states except that the Fund represents that the Funds investment policies, fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the State of Alabama and the Fund and the Underwriter represent that their respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the State of Alabama to the extent required to perform this Agreement.

 

2.7.  The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of FINRA and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all applicable state and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act.

 

2.8.  The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.

 

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2.9.  The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and shall remain duly registered in all material respects 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 the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and any applicable state and federal securities laws.

 

2.10.  The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/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 minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(l) of the 1940 Act or 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.

 

2.11.  The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund, and that said bond is issued by a reputable bonding company, includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5 million. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer applies.

 

 

 

ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting

 

3.1.  The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many printed copies of the Funds current prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide camera-ready film containing the Funds prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Fund is amended during the year) to have the prospectus, private offering memorandum or other disclosure document (Disclosure Document) for the Contracts and the Funds prospectus printed together in one document, and to have the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund and the Statement of Additional Information for the Contracts printed together in one document. Alternatively, the Company may print the Funds prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional Information in combination with other fund companies prospectuses and statements of additional information. Except as provided in the following three sentences, all expenses of printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information provided by the Company to its existing owners of Contracts in order to update disclosure annually as required by the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to receive camera-ready film in lieu of receiving printed copies of the Funds prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the product of A and B where A is the number of such prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and B is the Funds per unit cost of typesetting and printing the Funds prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with respect to the Funds Statement of Additional Information.

 

The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Funds expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or Statements of Additional Information other than those actually distributed to existing owners of the Contracts.

 

3.2.  The Funds prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or the Company (or in the Funds discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such Statement is available from the Fund).

 

3.3.  The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except for prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, which are covered in Section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to Contract owners.

 

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3.4.  If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:

(i)                                solicit voting instructions from Contract owners:

(ii)                            vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received from Contract owners; and

(iii)                               vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in a particular separate account in the same proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio for which instructions have been received in that separate account,

 

so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating Insurance Companies.

 

3.5.  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, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commissions interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.

 

ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information

 

4.1.  The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.

 

4.2.  The Company shall not give any information or make any representations or statements 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 or prospectus for the Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material 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.

 

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4.3.  The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its separate account(s), is named at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.

 

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, each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in a registration statement or Disclosure Document for the Contracts, as such registration statement or Disclosure Document may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales literature or other promotional material 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, Statements of Additional Information, reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials, 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 Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.

 

4.6.  The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all registration statements, Disclosure Documents, Statements of Additional Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to or affect the Fund, the Contracts or each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities or, if a Contract and its associated Account are exempt from registration, at the time such documents are first published.

 

4.7.  For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase “sales literature or other promotional material” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: 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, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements, Disclosure Documents, Statements of Additional Information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials.

 

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ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses

 

5.1.  The Fund and Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under this agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing and such payments will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable to the Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter or other resources available to the Underwriter. No such payments shall be made directly by the Fund.

 

5.2.  All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Funds shares, preparation and filing of the Funds prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Funds shares.

 

5.3.  The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Funds prospectus and reports to owners of Contracts issued by the Company. The Fund shall bear the costs of soliciting Fund proxies from Contract owners, including the costs of mailing proxy materials and tabulating proxy voting instructions, not to exceed the costs charged by any service provider engaged by the Fund for this purpose. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not be responsible for the costs of any proxy solicitations other than proxies sponsored by the Fund.

 

ARTICLE VI. Diversification

 

6.1.  The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.

 

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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 Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.

 

7.2.  The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive 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.

 

7.3.  If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its disinterested trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1), 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 (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected Contract owners 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 (2), establishing a new registered management investment company or managed separate account.

 

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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 Funds election, to withdraw the affected Accounts investment in the Fund 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. 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 end of that six month period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.

 

7.5.  If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state insurance regulators decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected Accounts investment in the Fund 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 end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.

 

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 Contracts 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 the Accounts investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs 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 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 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then (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, 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.

 

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ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification

 

8.1.  Indemnification By The Company

 

8.1(a).  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each trustee of the Board and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund 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, 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, or investment in, the Funds shares or the Contracts and:

 

(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Disclosure Documents 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 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 Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in any Disclosure Document relating to the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; 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 of the Fund not supplied by the Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; 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 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 and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or

 

(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or

 

(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company,

 

as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.

 

8.1(b).  The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Partys willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Partys duties or by reason of such Indemnified Partys reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to the Fund, whichever is applicable.

 

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8.1(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 which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Companys 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.

 

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8.1(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 Fund Shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.

 

8.2.  Indemnification by the Underwriter

 

8.2(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, 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, or investment in, the Funds shares 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 or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; 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, Adviser or Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or

 

(iii)       arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Disclosure Document or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with 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 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.

 

8.2(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 Partys willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Partys duties or by reason of such Indemnified Partys reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.

 

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8.2(c).  The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the Underwriters 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.

 

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8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of each Account.

 

8.3. Indemnification By the Fund

 

8.3(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, 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 become subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, 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 to comply with the diversification 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;

 

as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and 8.3(c) hereof.

 

8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Partys willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Partys duties or by reason of such Indemnified Partys reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.

 

8.3(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 which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the 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. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Funds 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.

 

8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either the Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.

 

 
20

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 those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.

 

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 by sixty (60) days advance written notice delivered to the other parties; or

 

(b)                                 termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Companys determination that shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or

 

(c)                                  termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolios shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or

 

(d)                                 termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or

 

(e)                                  termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or

 

(f)                                   termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or

 

(g)                                  termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund 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; or

 

10.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall at the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as Existing Contracts). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.

 

21

 

 

10.3. The provisions of Articles II (Representations and Warranties), VIII (Indemnification), IX (Applicable Law) and XII (Miscellaneous) shall survive termination of this Agreement. In addition, all other applicable provisions of this Agreement shall survive termination as long as shares of the Fund are held on behalf of Contract owners in accordance with section 10.2, except that the Fund and Underwriter shall have no further obligation to make Fund shares available in Contracts issued after termination.

 

10.4. The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Companys assets held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or approved transactions, 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) or (iii) as permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its intention to do so.

 

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:

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Attention: Treasurer

 

If to the Company:

Financial Operations Principal

Investment Distributors, Inc.

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, AL 35223

 

With Copies to:

 

Senior Associate Counsel – Variable Annuities

Protective Life Corporation

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, AL 35223

 

If to the Underwriter:

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Attention: Treasurer

 

 
22

ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous

 

12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.

 

12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.

 

12.3 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.

 

12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

12.5 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.

 

12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, FINRA 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 California Insurance Commissioner with any information or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California Insurance Regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.

 

12.7 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.

 

12.8. 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; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify the Fund and the Underwriter of any change in control of the Company.

 

12.9. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee copies of the following reports:

 

(a)                                 the Companys annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year;

 

(b)                                 the Companys quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each quarterly period:

 

(c)                                  any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical after the delivery thereof to stockholders;

 

(d)                                 any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof;

 

(e)                                  any other report submitted to the Company by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt thereof.

 

23

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:

/s/ Carolyn M. Johnson

 

Name:

Carolyn M. Johnson

 

Its:

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND,

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III, and

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV

 

 

By:

/s/ Kimberly Monasterio

 

Name:

Kimberly Monasterio

 

Their:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION

 

By:

/s/ Bill Loehning

 

Name:

Bill Loehning

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

Date:

5/1/08

 

 

24

 

Schedule A

 

Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts

 

Name of Separate Account and

 

Policy Form Numbers of Contracts

Date Established by Board of Directors

 

Funded By Separate Account

 

 

 

Variable Annuity Account A of

 

 

Protective Life

 

AF-2121 (ProtectiveRewards II NY)

Date: 12/05/97

 

 

 

 

AF-2122-R2

 

25

 

 

SCHEDULE B

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE

 

The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and the Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the Participation Agreement except that the term Company shall also include the department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the steps delineated below.

 

1.                                      The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter as early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At this time the Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates. This will be done verbally approximately two months before meeting.

 

2.                                      Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a tape run, or other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number of units which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the Customer) as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the Customers accounts as of the Record Date.

 

Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in the number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks after the Record Date.

 

3.                                      The Funds Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each Customer by the Company either before or together with the Customers receipt of a proxy statement. Underwriter will provide the last Annual Report to the Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which this Schedule relates.

 

4.                                      The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards (Cards or Card) is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense, shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal Department of the Underwriter or its affiliate (Fidelity Legal) must approve the Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business days for printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found on the Cards includes:

 

a.                                      name (legal name as found on account registration)

b.                                      address

c.                                       Fund or account number

d.                                      coding to state number of units

e.                                       individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund)

 

(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)

 

26

 

 

5.                                      During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund will pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid for by the Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by Company will include:

 

a.                                      Voting Instruction Card(s)

b.                                      One proxy notice and statement (one document)

c.                                       return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the Company or its tabulation agent

d.                                      urge buckslip - optional, but recommended. (This is a small, single sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly as possible and that their vote is important. One copy will be supplied by the Fund.)

e.                                       cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and approved in advance by Fidelity Legal.

 

6.                                      The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5 business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.

 

7.                                      Package mailed by the Company.

 

*                                         The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.) Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from (but not including) the meeting, counting backwards.

 

8.                                      Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes place in another department or another vendor depending on process used. An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data entry.

 

Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information would be due to an insurance companys internal procedure and has not been required by Fidelity in the past.

 

9.                                      Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which was printed on the Card.

 

Note: For Example, If the account registration is under Bertram C. Jones, Trustee, then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the Card and is the signature needed on the Card.

 

27

 

 

10.                               If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory letter, a new Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card is disregarded and considered to be not received for purposes of vote tabulation. Any Cards that have kicked out (e.g. mutilated, illegible) of the procedure are hand verified, i.e., examined as to why they did not complete the system. Any questions on those Cards are usually remedied individually.

 

11.                               There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the initial estimates and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal audit of that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.

 

12.                               The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted to shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations stated in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity Legal must review and approve tabulation format.

 

13.                               Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston time. Fidelity Legal may request an earlier deadline if required to calculate the vote in time for the meeting.

 

14.                               A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote. Fidelity Legal will provide a standard form for each Certification.

 

15.                               The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from the Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.

 

16.                               All approvals and signing-off may be done orally, but must always be followed up in writing.

 

28

 

 

SUB-LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

Agreement effective as of this 1st day of May, 2008, by and between Fidelity Distributors Corporation (hereinafter called Fidelity), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with a principal place of business at 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts, and PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter called Company), a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Alabama, with a principal place of business at 2801 Highway 280 South, Birmingham , Alabama 35223.

 

WHEREAS, FMR Corp., a Massachusetts corporation, the parent company of Fidelity, is the owner of the trademark and the tradename FIDELITY INVESTMENTS and is the owner of a trademark in a pyramid design (hereinafter, collectively the Fidelity Trademarks), a copy of each of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and

 

WHEREAS, FMR Corp, has granted a license to Fidelity (the Master License Agreement) to sub-license the Fidelity Trademarks to third parties for their use in connection with Promotional Materials as hereinafter defined; and

 

WHEREAS, Company is desirous of using the Fidelity Trademarks in connection with distribution of sales literature and other promotional material with information, including the Fidelity Trademarks, printed in said material (such material hereinafter called the Promotional Material). For the purpose of this Agreement, sales literature and other promotional material shall have the same meaning as in the certain Participation Agreement dated as of the 1st day of May, 2008, among Fidelity, Company and the Variable Insurance Products Funds (hereinafter Participation Agreement); and

 

WHEREAS, Fidelity is desirous of having the Fidelity Trademarks used in connection with the Promotional Material.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy whereof is hereby acknowledged, and of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Fidelity hereby grants to Company a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Fidelity Trademarks in connection with the promotional distribution of the Promotional Material and Company accepts said license, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

2. Company acknowledges that FMR Corp. is the owner of all right, title and interest in the Fidelity Trademarks and agrees that it will do nothing inconsistent with the ownership of the Fidelity Trademarks by FMR Corp., and that it will not, now or hereinafter, contest any registration or application for registration of the Fidelity Trademarks by FMR Corp., nor will it, now or hereafter, aid anyone in contesting any registration or application for registration of the Fidelity Trademarks by FMR Corp.

 

29

 

 

 

3.     Company agrees to use the Fidelity Trademarks only in the form and manner approved by Fidelity and not to use any other trademark, service mark or registered trademark in combination with any of the Fidelity Trademarks without approval by Fidelity.

 

4.     Company agrees that it will place all necessary and proper notices and legends in order to protect the interests of FMR Corp. and Fidelity therein pertaining to the Fidelity Trademarks on the Promotional Material including, but not limited to, symbols indicating trademarks, service marks and registered trademarks. Company will place such symbols and legends on the Promotional Material as requested by Fidelity or FMR Corp. upon receipt of notice of same from Fidelity or FMR Corp.

 

5.     Company agrees that the nature and quality of all of the Promotional Material distributed by Company bearing the Fidelity Trademarks shall conform to standards set by, and be under the control of, Fidelity.

 

6.     Company agrees to cooperate with Fidelity in facilitating Fidelitys control of the use of the Fidelity Trademarks and of the quality of the Promotional Material to permit reasonable inspection of samples of same by Fidelity and to supply Fidelity with reasonable quantities of samples of the Promotional Material upon request.

 

7.     Company shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and obtain any and all licenses or other necessary permits pertaining to the distribution of said Promotional Material.

 

8.     Company agrees to notify Fidelity of any unauthorized use of the Fidelity Trademarks by others promptly as it comes to the attention of Company. Fidelity or FMR Corp. shall have the sole right and discretion to commence actions or other proceedings for infringement, unfair competition or the like involving the Fidelity Trademarks and Company shall cooperate in any such proceedings if so requested by Fidelity or FMR Corp.

 

9.     This agreement shall continue in force until terminated by Fidelity. This agreement shall automatically terminate upon termination of the Master License Agreement. In addition, Fidelity shall have the right to terminate this agreement at any time upon notice to Company, with or without cause. Upon any such termination, Company agrees to cease immediately all use of the Fidelity Trademarks and shall destroy, at Companys expense, any and all materials in its possession bearing the Fidelity Trademarks, and agrees that all rights in the Fidelity Trademarks and in the goodwill connected therewith shall remain the property of FMR Corp. Unless so terminated by Fidelity, or extended by written agreement of the parties, this agreement shall expire on the termination of that certain Participation Agreement.

 

10.  Company shall indemnify Fidelity and FMR Corp, and hold each of them harmless from and against any loss, damage, liability, cost or expense of any nature whatsoever, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and all court costs, arising out of use of the Fidelity Trademarks by Company.

 

30

 

 

 

11.  In consideration for the promotion and advertising of Fidelity as a result of the distribution by Company of the Promotional Material, Company shall not pay any monies as a royalty to Fidelity for this license.

 

12.  This agreement is not intended in any manner to modify the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions herein and thereof, the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement shall control.

 

13.  This agreement shall be interpreted according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereunto set their hands and seals, and hereby execute this agreement, as of the date first above written.

 

 

FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bill Loehning

 

 

 

 

Name:

Bill Loehning

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

Date:

5/1/08

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Carolyn M. Johnson

 

 

 

 

Name:

Carolyn M. Johnson

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

31

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Int. Cl.: 36

 

 

 

Prior U.S. Cls.: 101 and 102

 

 

 

 

Reg. No. 1,481,040

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office Registered Mar. 15, 1988

 

 

SERVICE MARK

PRINCIPAL REGISTER

 

 

 

FMR CORP. (MASSACHUSETTS

FIRST USE 2-22-1984; IN COMMERCE 2-

CORPORATION)

22-1984.

82 DEVONSHIRE STREET

 

BOSTON, MA 02109, ASSIGNEE OF

NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE

FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS

EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE

CORPORATION (MASSACHUSETTS

“INVESTMENTS”, APART FROM THE

CORPORATION) BOSTON, MA 02109

MARK AS SHOWN.

 

 

FOR: MUTUAL FUND AND STOCK

SER. NO. 641,707, FILED 1-28-1987

BROKERAGE SERVICES, IN CLASS 36

 

(U.S. CLS. 101 AND 102)

RUSS HERMAN, EXAMINING

 

ATTORNEY

 

32

Exhibit 99.8(c)(i)
 
AMENDMENT TO PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II And Variable Insurance Products Fund III Variable Insurance Products Fund IV, and Variable Insurance Products Fund V and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC hereby amend the Participation Agreement (“Agreement”) dated April 11, 2007, as amended, by doing the following:
 
  1. Schedule A. Schedule A of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the attached Schedule A:
  2.  
  3. Except as modified and amended hereby, the Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereto affixed their respective authorized signatures, intending that this Amendment be effective as of the 15th day of October, 2020.
Protective LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Steve Cramer                             
 
 
 
 
 
Name:
 Steve Cramer
 
 
 
 
 
Title:  Chief Product Officer - Retirement Division
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND V
By: /s/ Colm Hogan                               
Name: Colm Hogan
Title: Authorized Signatory
            
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS COMPANY LLC
By: /s/ Robert Bachman                       
 
 
 
 
Name: Robert Bachman
Title:   EVP
 
1

Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts (PLAIC)
(October 1, 2020)
Name of Separate Account and Date Established by the Board of Directors
Contracts Funded by Separate Account
and Policy Form Numbers
   
Variable Account A of Protective Life (12/01/1997)
Protective Elements Classic Variable Annuity NY
 
Protective Variable Annuity NY
 
ProtectiveAccess XL NY Variable Annuity
 
ProtectiveRewards NY Variable Annuity
 
ProtectiveRewards Elite NY Variable Annuity
 
Protective Variable Annuity NY B, C, & L Series
 
Protective Variable Annuity II B Series NY
 
Protective Investors Benefit Advisory Variable Annuity NY
   
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S (07/22/2020)
Schwab Genesis Advisory NY Variable Annuity
 
 
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
 
Protective COLI VUL Separate Account (02/25/2020)
Protective Executive Benefits Registered VUL
   
Protective COLI PPVUL Separate Account
Protective Executive Benefits Private Placement VUL
   
 
2

Exhibit 99.8(d) 
 
Participation Agreement
as of __________, 2020
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
[Company]
[Company Distributor]
 
 
CONTENTS
 
Section
Subject Matter
 
1.
Parties and Purpose
2.
Representations and Warranties
3.
Purchase and Redemption of Trust Portfolio Shares
4.
Fees, Expenses, Prospectuses, Proxy Materials and Reports
5.
Voting
6.
Sales Material, Information and Trademarks
7.
Indemnification
8.
Notices
9.
Termination
10.
Miscellaneous
 
Schedules to this Agreement
 
A.
The Company and its Distributor
B.
Accounts of the Company
C.
Available Portfolios and Classes of Shares of the Trust
D.
Contracts of the Company
E.
[this schedule is not used]
F.
Rule 12b-1 Plans of the Trust
G.
Addresses for Notices
H.
Shared Funding Order
 
 
1

1.
Parties and Purpose
This agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered by and between certain portfolios and classes thereof, specified below and in Schedule C, of Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a statutory trust under Delaware law (the “Trust”), Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., a California corporation which is the principal underwriter for the Trust (the “Underwriter,” and together with the Trust, “we” or “us”), the insurance company identified on Schedule a (the “Company” or “you”) and your distributor, on your own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account maintained by you that is listed on Schedule B, as that schedule may be amended from time to time (“Account” or “Accounts”).
The purpose of this Agreement is to entitle you, directly on behalf of the Accounts, to purchase the shares, and classes of shares, of portfolios of the Trust (“Portfolios”) that are identified on Schedule C, consistent with the terms of the prospectuses of the Portfolios, solely for the purpose of funding benefits of your variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts (“Contracts”) that are identified on Schedule D.  This Agreement does not authorize any other purchases or redemptions of shares of the Trust.  
2.
Representations and Warranties  
2.1
Representations and Warranties by You
You represent and warrant that:
 
 
2.1.1
You are an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of your state of incorporation.
 
 
2.1.2
All of your directors, officers, employees, and other individuals or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Trust are and shall be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Trust, in an amount not less than $5 million.  Such bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.  You agree to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing such provisions is always in effect, and you agree to notify us in the event that such coverage no longer applies.
 
 
 
2.1.3
Each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset account under applicable insurance law and interests in each Account are offered exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract" within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) and the regulations thereunder.  You will use your best efforts to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and will notify us 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.
 
 
2.1.4
Each Account either: (i) has been registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will be registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”); or (ii) has not been so registered in proper reliance upon an exemption from registration under Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act; if the Account is exempt from registration as an investment company under Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act, you will use your best efforts to maintain such exemption and will notify us immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such exemption no longer applies or might not apply in the future.
 
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2.1.5
The Contracts or interests in the Accounts: (i) are or, prior to any issuance or sale will be, registered as securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”); or (ii) are not registered because they are properly exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(2) of the 1933 Act or will be offered exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from registration under Section 4(2) or Regulation D of the 1933 Act, in which case you will make every effort to maintain such exemption and will notify us immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such exemption no longer applies or might not apply in the future.
 
 
2.1.6
The Contracts: (i) will be sold by broker-dealers, or their registered representatives, who are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and who are members in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”); (ii) will be issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws; and (iii) will be sold in compliance in all material respects with state insurance suitability requirements and FINRA suitability guidelines.  Without limiting the foregoing, you agree that in recommending to a Contract owner the purchase, sale or exchange of any subaccount units under the Contracts, you shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the recommendation is suitable for such Contract owner and, to the extent such recommendations are made by broker-dealers not affiliated with you, you shall require in written agreements with such broker-dealers that they have reasonable grounds for believing that such recommendation is suitable for such Contract owner.
 
 
 
2.1.7
The Contracts currently are and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable provisions of the Code and you will use your best efforts to maintain such treatment; you will notify us 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.
 
 
2.1.8
The fees and charges deducted under each Contract, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by you.
 
 
2.1.9
You will use shares of the Trust only for the purpose of funding benefits of the Contracts through the Accounts.
 
 
2.1.10
Contracts will not be sold outside of the United States.
 
 
2.1.11
With respect to any Accounts which are exempt from registration under the 1940 Act in reliance on Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) thereof:
2.1.11.1
the principal underwriter for each such Account and any subaccounts thereof is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act;
2.1.11.2
the shares of the Portfolios of the Trust are and will continue to be the only investment securities held by the corresponding subaccounts; and
2.1.11.3
with regard to each Portfolio, you, on behalf of the corresponding subaccount, will:
 
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(a)
vote such shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such shares; and
(b)
refrain from substituting shares of another security for such shares unless the SEC has approved such substitution in the manner provided in Section 26 of the 1940 Act.
2.1.12
As covered financial institutions we, only with respect to Portfolio shareholders, and you each undertake and agree to comply, and to take full responsibility in complying with any and all applicable laws, regulations, protocols and other requirements relating to money laundering including, without limitation, the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act).
2.2
Representations and Warranties by the Trust
The Trust represents and warrants that:
 
 
2.2.1
It is duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
 
 
2.2.2
All of its directors, officers, employees and others dealing with the money and/or securities of a Portfolio are and shall be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Trust in an amount not less than the minimum coverage required by Rule 17g-1 or other regulations under the 1940 Act.  Such bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and be issued by a reputable bonding company.
 
 
2.2.3
It is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act.
 
 
2.2.4
Each class of shares of the Portfolios of the Trust is registered under the 1933 Act.
 
 
2.2.5
It will amend its registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares.
 
 
2.2.6
It will comply, in all material respects, with the 1933 and 1940 Acts and the rules and regulations thereunder.
 
 
2.2.7
It is currently qualified as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code, it will make every effort to maintain such qualification, and will notify you immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
 
 
2.2.8
The Trust will use its best efforts to comply with the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including without limitation Treasury Regulation 1.817-5.  Upon having a reasonable basis for believing any Portfolio has ceased to comply and will not be able to comply within the grace period afforded by Regulation 1.8175, the Trust will notify you immediately and will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Portfolio to achieve compliance.  
 
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2.2.9
It currently intends for one or more classes of shares (each, a “Class”) to make payments to finance its distribution expenses, including service fees, pursuant to a plan (“Plan”) adopted under rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12b-1”), although it may determine to discontinue such practice in the future.  To the extent that any Class of the Trust finances its distribution expenses pursuant to a Plan adopted under rule 12b-1, the Trust undertakes to comply with any then current SEC interpretations concerning rule 12b-1 or any successor provisions.
2.3
Representations and Warranties by the Underwriter
The Underwriter represents and warrants that:
 
 
2.3.1
It is registered as a broker dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act, and is a member in good standing of FINRA.
 
 
2.3.2
Each investment adviser (each, an “Adviser”) of a Portfolio, as indicated in the current prospectus of the Portfolio, is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended or exempt from such registration.
  1. 2.4
    Warranty and Agreement by Both You and Us
We received an order from the SEC dated November 16, 1993 (file no. 8128546), which was amended by a notice and an order we received on September 17, 1999 and October 13, 1999, respectively (file no. 81211698) (collectively, the “Shared Funding Order,” attached to this Agreement as Schedule H).  The Shared Funding Order grants exemptions from certain provisions of the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Trust to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies and qualified pension and retirement plans outside the separate account context.
  1. You and we both warrant and agree that both you and we will comply with the “Applicants’ Conditions” prescribed in the Shared Funding Order as though such conditions were set forth verbatim in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions regarding potential conflicts of interest between the separate accounts which invest in the Trust and regarding contract owner voting privileges.  In order for the Trust’s Board of Trustees to perform its duty to monitor for conflicts of interest, you agree to inform us of the occurrence of any of the events specified in condition 2 of the Shared Funding Order to the extent that such event may or does result in a material conflict of interest as defined in that order.
  2. As covered financial institutions we, only with respect to Portfolio shareholders, and you each undertake and agree to comply, and to take full responsibility in complying with any and all applicable laws, regulations, protocols and other requirements relating to money laundering including, without limitation, the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act).
 
 
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3.
Purchase and Redemption of Trust Portfolio Shares
 
3.1
Availability of Trust Portfolio Shares
3.1.1
We will make shares of the Portfolios available to the Accounts for the benefit of the Contracts.  The shares will be available for purchase by the Accounts at the net asset value per share next computed after we (or our agent, or you as our designee) receive a purchase order, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust.  All such orders are subject to acceptance by us and by the Portfolio or its transfer agent, and become effective only upon confirmation by us.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or may suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Trustees, they deem such action to be in the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.  
3.1.2
Without limiting the other provisions of this Section 3.1, among other delegations by the Trustees, the Trustees have determined that there is a significant risk that the Trust and its shareholders may be adversely affected by investors with short term trading activity and/or whose purchase and redemption activity follows a market timing pattern as defined in the prospectus for the Trust, and have authorized the Trust, the Underwriter and the Trust’s transfer agent to adopt procedures and take other action (including, without limitation, rejecting specific purchase orders in whole or in part) as they deem necessary to reduce, discourage, restrict or eliminate such trading and/or market timing activity.  You agree that your purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares are subject to, and that you will assist us in implementing, the Market Timing Trading Policy and Additional Policies (as described in the Trust’s prospectus) and the Trust’s restrictions on excessive and/or short term trading activity and/or purchase and redemption activity that follows a market timing pattern. You further agree to cooperate fully in the implementation and fulfillment of the Trust’s obligations pursuant to Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act.
3.1.3
We agree that shares of the Trust will be sold only to: (i) life insurance companies which have entered into fund participation agreements with the Trust (“Participating Insurance Companies”) and their separate accounts or to qualified pension and retirement plans in accordance with the terms of the Shared Funding Order; and (ii) investment companies in the form of funds of funds.  No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.  
 
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 3.2
Manual or Automated Portfolio Share Transactions
 
3.2.1
Section 3.3 of this Agreement shall govern and Section 3.4 shall not be operative, unless we receive from you at the address provided in the next sentence, written notice that you wish to communicate, process and settle purchase and redemptions for shares (collectively, “share transactions”) via the Fund/SERV and Networking systems of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”).  The address for you to send such written notice shall be:  Retirement Services, Franklin Templeton Investments, 910 Park Place, 1st Floor, San Mateo, California 94403-1906.  After giving ten (10) days’ advance written notice at the address provided in the previous sentence of your desire to use NSCC processing, Section 3.4 of this Agreement shall govern and Section 3.3 shall not be operative.
 
3.2.2
At any time when, pursuant to the preceding paragraph, Section 3.4 of this Agreement governs, any party to this Agreement may send written notice to the other parties that it chooses to end the use of the NSCC Fund/SERV and Networking systems and return to manual handling of share transactions.  Such written notice shall be sent:  (i) if from you to us, to the address provided in the preceding paragraph; (ii) if from us to you, to your address in Schedule G of this Agreement.  After giving ten (10) days’ advance written notice at the address as provided in the previous sentence, Section 3.3 of this Agreement shall govern and Section 3.4 shall not be operative.  
3.3
Manual Purchase and Redemption
 
 
3.3.1
You are hereby appointed as our designee for the sole purpose of receiving from Contract owners purchase and exchange orders and requests for redemption resulting from investment in and payments under the Contracts that pertain to subaccounts that invest in Portfolios (“Instructions”).  “Business Day” shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC and its current prospectus.  “Close of Trading” shall mean the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  You represent and warrant that all Instructions transmitted to us for processing on or as of a given Business Day (the “Designated Day”) shall have been received in proper form and time stamped by you prior to the Close of Trading on the Designated Day.  Such Instructions shall receive the Portfolio share price next calculated following the Close of Trading on the Designated Day (the “Designated Day Price”), provided that we receive the Instructions from you before 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day following the Designated Day (the “Submission Time”).  Any such Instructions that we receive after the Submission Time may, but are not guaranteed to, receive the Designated Day Price.  You assume responsibility for any loss to a Portfolio caused by our receipt of Instructions after the Submission Time, including but not limited to, losses caused by such Instructions receiving the Designated Day Price, or any cancellation or correction made subsequent to the Submission Time.  You will immediately pay the amount of such loss to a Portfolio upon notification by us.  You represent and warrant that you have, maintain and periodically test, procedures and systems in place reasonably designed to prevent Instructions received after the Close of Trading on a Designated Day from being executed with Instructions received before the Close of Trading on that Designated Day.
3.3.2
We shall calculate the net asset value per share of each Portfolio on each Business Day, and shall communicate these net asset values to you or your designated agent on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after the calculation is completed (normally by 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time).
 
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3.3.3
You shall submit payment for the purchase of shares of a Portfolio on behalf of an Account in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Trust or to its designated custodian, which must receive such wires no later than the close of the Reserve Bank, which is currently 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on the same Business Day on which such purchase orders are transmitted to us for processing on that Business Day in conformance with section 3.3.1.
3.3.4
We will redeem any full or fractional shares of any Portfolio, when requested by you on behalf of an Account, at the net asset value next computed after receipt by us (or our agent or you as our designee) of the request for redemption, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust.  We shall make payment for such shares in the manner we establish from time to time, but in no event shall payment be delayed for a greater period than is permitted by the 1940 Act.
3.3.5
Issuance and transfer of the Portfolio shares will be by book entry only.  Stock certificates will not be issued to you or the Accounts.  Portfolio shares purchased from the Trust will be recorded in the appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
3.3.6
We shall furnish, on or before the ex-dividend date, notice to you of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable to the Accounts on the shares of any Portfolio.  You hereby elect to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on shares of a Portfolio in additional shares of that Portfolio, and you reserve the right to change this election in the future.  We will notify you of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.  
3.3.7
Each party to this Agreement agrees that, in the event of a material error resulting from incorrect information or confirmations, the parties will seek to comply in all material respects with the provisions of applicable federal securities laws.  
3.4
Automated Purchase and Redemption
3.4.1
“Fund/SERV” shall mean NSCC's Mutual Fund Settlement, Entry and Registration Verification System, a system for automated, centralized processing of mutual fund purchase and redemption orders, settlement, and account registration; “Networking” shall mean NSCC's system that allows mutual funds and life insurance companies to exchange account level information electronically; and “Settling Bank” shall mean the entity appointed by the Trust or you, as applicable, to perform such settlement services on behalf of the Trust and you, as applicable, which entity agrees to abide by NSCC's then current rules and procedures insofar as they relate to same day funds settlement.  In all cases, processing and settlement of share transactions shall be done in a manner consistent with applicable law.  
3.4.2
You are hereby appointed as our designee for the sole purpose of receiving from Contract owners purchase and exchange orders and requests for redemption resulting from investment in and payments under the Contracts that pertain to subaccounts that invest in Portfolios ("Instructions").  "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC and its current prospectus.  "Close of Trading" shall mean the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  Upon receipt of Instructions, and upon your determination that there are good funds with respect to Instructions involving the purchase of shares, you will calculate the net purchase or redemption order for each Portfolio.
 
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3.4.3
On each Business Day, you shall aggregate all purchase and redemption orders for shares of a Portfolio that you received prior to the Close of Trading. You represent and warrant that all orders for net purchases or net redemptions derived from Instructions received by you and transmitted to Fund/SERV for processing on or as of a given Business Day (the “Designated Day”) shall have been received in proper form and time stamped by you prior to the Close of Trading on the Designated Day.  Such orders shall receive the Portfolio share price next calculated following the Close of Trading on the Designated Day (the “Designated Day Price”), provided that we receive Instructions from Fund/SERV by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day following the Designated Day (the “Submission Time”).  Any such Instructions that we receive after the Submission Time may, but are not guaranteed to, receive the Designated Day Price.  You assume responsibility for any loss to a Portfolio caused by our receipt of Instructions after the Submission Time including, but not limited to, losses caused by such Instructions receiving the Designated Day Price, or any cancellation or correction made subsequent to the Submission Time.  You will immediately pay the amount of such loss to a Portfolio upon notification by us.  You represent and warrant that you have, maintain and periodically test, procedures and systems in place reasonably designed to prevent Instructions received after the Close of Trading on a Designated Day from being executed with Instructions received before the Close of Trading on that Designated Day.
3.4.4
We shall calculate the net asset value per share of each Portfolio on each Business Day, and shall furnish to you through NSCC's Networking or Mutual Fund Profile System: (i) the most current net asset value information for each Portfolio; and (ii) in the case of fixed income funds that declare daily dividends, the daily accrual or the interest rate factor.  All such information shall be furnished to you by 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on each Business Day or at such other time as that information becomes available.
3.4.5
You will wire payment for net purchase orders by the Trust's NSCC Firm Number, in immediately available funds, to an NSCC settling bank account designated by you in accordance with NSCC rules and procedures on the same Business Day such purchase orders are communicated to NSCC.  For purchases of shares of daily dividend accrual funds, those shares will not begin to accrue dividends until the day the payment for those shares is received.
3.4.6
We will redeem any full or fractional shares of any Portfolio, when requested by you on behalf of an Account, at the net asset value next computed after receipt by us (or our agent or you as our designee) of the request for redemption, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust.  NSCC will wire payment for net redemption orders by the Trust, in immediately available funds, to an NSCC settling bank account designated by you in accordance with NSCC rules and procedures on the Business Day such redemption orders are communicated to NSCC, except as provided in the Trust's prospectus and statement of additional information.
3.4.7
Issuance and transfer of the Portfolio shares will be by book entry only.  Stock certificates will not be issued to you or the Accounts.  Portfolio shares purchased from the Trust will be recorded in the appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
3.4.8
We shall furnish through NSCC's Networking or Mutual Fund Profile System on or before the ex-dividend date, notice to you of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable to the Accounts on the shares of any Portfolio.  You hereby elect to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on shares of a Portfolio in additional shares of that Portfolio, and you reserve the right to change this election in the future.  We will notify you of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.  
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3.4.9
All orders are subject to acceptance by Underwriter and become effective only upon confirmation by Underwriter.  Underwriter reserves the right: (i) not to accept any specific order or part of any order for the purchase or exchange of shares through Fund/SERV; and (ii) to require any redemption order or any part of any redemption order to be settled outside of Fund/SERV, in which case the order or portion thereof shall not be “confirmed” by Underwriter, but rather shall be accepted for redemption in accordance with Section 3.4.11 below.
3.4.10
All trades placed through Fund/SERV and confirmed by Underwriter via Fund/SERV shall settle in accordance with Underwriter's profile within Fund/SERV applicable to you.  Underwriter agrees to provide you with account positions and activity data relating to share transactions via Networking.  
3.4.11
If on any specific day you or Underwriter are unable to meet the NSCC deadline for the transmission of purchase or redemption orders for that day, a party may at its option transmit such orders and make such payments for purchases and redemptions directly to you or us, as applicable, as is otherwise provided in the Agreement; provided, however, that we must receive written notification from you by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on any day that you wish to transmit such orders and/or make such payments directly to us.
3.4.12
In the event that you or we are unable to or prohibited from electronically communicating, processing or settling share transactions via Fund/SERV, you or we shall notify the other, including providing the notification provided above in Section 3.4.11.  After all parties have been notified, you and we shall submit orders using manual transmissions as are otherwise provided in the Agreement.
3.4.13
These procedures are subject to any additional terms in each Portfolio's prospectus and the requirements of applicable law.  The Trust reserves the right, at its discretion and without notice, to suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the sale of shares of any Portfolio.
3.4.14
Each party to the Agreement agrees that, in the event of a material error resulting from incorrect information or confirmations, the parties will seek to comply in all material respects with the provisions of applicable federal securities laws.  
3.4.15
You and Underwriter represent and warrant that each:  (a) has entered into an agreement with NSCC; (b) has met and will continue to meet all of the requirements to participate in Fund/SERV and Networking; (c) intends to remain at all times in compliance with the then current rules and procedures of NSCC, all to the extent necessary or appropriate to facilitate such communications, processing, and settlement of share transactions; and (d) will notify the other parties to this Agreement if there is a change in or a pending failure with respect to its agreement with NSCC.
 
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4.
Fees, Expenses, Prospectuses, Proxy Materials and Reports
 
4.1
We shall pay no fee or other compensation to you under this Agreement except as provided on Schedule F, if attached.  
4.2
We shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the SEC, and any state regulators requiring such filing, all shareholder reports, notices, proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting instruction solicitation materials), prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Trust.  We shall bear the costs of preparation and filing of the documents listed in the preceding sentence, registration and qualification of the Trust’s shares of the Portfolios.
4.3
We shall use reasonable efforts to provide you, on a timely basis, with such information about the Trust, the Portfolios and each Adviser, in such form as you may reasonably require, as you shall reasonably request in connection with the preparation of disclosure documents and annual and semi-annual reports pertaining to the Contracts.
 
4.4
Designated Portfolio Document” means the following documents we create with respect to each Portfolio and provide to you:  (1) a Portfolio’s prospectus, including a summary prospectus (together, “Prospectus”) if the Trust chooses to create one for a Portfolio and we and you have signed the necessary Participation Agreement Addendum; (2) its annual report to shareholders; (3) its semi-annual report to shareholders; (4) amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing if we direct you to deliver them to Contract owners; and (5) other shareholder communications including, without limitation, proxy statements, if we direct you to deliver them to Contract owners.  
 
Document Event” means (1) with respect to the Prospectus, the effectiveness of a new annual post-effective amendment to the Prospectus to update financial statements and make other disclosure changes or other post-effective amendment to the Prospectus; (2) with respect to the Trust’s annual report and semi-annual reports to shareholders, the Trust’s creation of reports intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 30(a) of the 1940 Act applicable to the Trust; or (3) with respect to amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing or other shareholder communications, the Trust’s creation of such documents and provision of them to you.
 
Printing Expenses” means expenses of the physical creation of Designated Portfolio Documents, and not of their distribution to Contract owners (including, without limitation, mailing and postage expenses) or the provision of other services.  
 
Each time there is a Document Event with respect to a Designated Portfolio Document we shall, at your option, provide you with one of the following:  
 
(1)
one copy of the applicable Designated Portfolio Document for each Contract owner with investments allocated to a subaccount corresponding to the Portfolio before the date of the Designated Portfolio Document (the “Contract Owner Recipients”); or
 
(2)
a copy suitable for reproduction of such Designated Portfolio Document, in which case we will reimburse you, as provided below under “Reimbursement Procedures,” for Printing Expenses you incur to create Designated Portfolio Documents in sufficient quantity so that one such Designated Portfolio Document is available for you to have delivered to each Contract Owner Recipient.  
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Reimbursement Procedures
 
Routine Reimbursements.  Within six months following the delivery date of the Designated Portfolio Document (“Delivery Date”), we must receive your request for reimbursement and: (i) a statement of the number of Contract Owner Recipients; (ii) copies of all printing company invoices applicable to the Printing Expenses that you request we reimburse; (iii) a description of the methodology used to determine the amount of reimbursement requested; and (iv) your representation that the reimbursement request covers only Printing Expenses covered by Section 4.4 of this Agreement; the date we have received all these items is the “Request Date.”  If we are able to validate your request based on the information you provided as well as, among other things we believe to be appropriate, our analysis of your previous reimbursement requests, if applicable, and/or third party industry benchmarking information, then we will reimburse you within sixty days of the Request Date.  
 
Reimbursements requiring additional information.  If we cannot validate your reimbursement request based on the information you have provided to us and our analysis described in the preceding paragraph, then we will request additional information from you and work with you to validate your request.
 
Expenses not subject to reimbursement. We will not reimburse expenses related to:  (1) creation or provision of any Designated Portfolio Document for or to a person who is not a Contract Owner Recipient of such document; (2) creation or provision of any Designated Portfolio Document to a person accompanying, or at the time of the delivery of, a confirmation of their purchase of or exchange into subaccount shares corresponding to a Portfolio; (3) posting any Designated Portfolio Document on your website; or (4) electronic filing of Designated Portfolio Documents or other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (using its EDGAR or other system).
 
Statement of Additional Information.  We shall provide you with a copy of the Trust’s current statement of additional information, including any amendments or supplements to it (“SAI), in a form suitable for reproduction , but we will not pay Printing Expenses or other expenses with respect to the SAI.
4.5
We shall provide you, at our expense, with copies of any Trust-sponsored proxy materials in such quantity as you shall reasonably require for distribution to Contract owners who are invested in a designated subaccount.  You shall bear the costs of distributing proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting solicitation instructions) to Contract owners.
4.6
You assume sole responsibility for ensuring that the Trust’s Designated Portfolio Documents and proxy materials are delivered to Contract owners in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws.  For Designated Portfolio Documents and other Trust materials provided by you on your website or by other electronic means, you assume sole responsibility for ensuring that such delivery is in compliance with applicable state and federal requirements pertaining to electronic delivery, including consent, access, searchability by users, notice and evidence of delivery.
 
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5.
Voting
5.1
All Participating Insurance Companies shall have the obligations and responsibilities regarding pass-through voting and conflicts of interest corresponding to those contained in the Shared Funding Order.
5.2
If and to the extent required by law, you shall: (i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners; (ii) vote the Trust shares in accordance with the instructions received from Contract owners; and (iii) vote Trust shares owned by subaccounts for which no instructions have been received from Contract owners in the same proportion as Trust shares of such Portfolio for which instructions have been received from Contract owners; 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.  You reserve the right to vote Trust shares held in any Account in your own right, to the extent permitted by law.
5.3
So long as, and to the extent that, the SEC interprets the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for Contract owners, you shall provide pass-through voting privileges to Contract owners whose Contract values are invested, through the Accounts, in shares of one or more Portfolios of the Trust.  We shall require all Participating Insurance Companies to calculate voting privileges in the same manner and you shall be responsible for assuring that the Accounts calculate voting privileges in the manner established by us.  With respect to each Account, you will vote shares of each Portfolio of the Trust held by an Account and for which no timely voting instructions from Contract owners are received in the same proportion as those shares held by that Account for which voting instructions are received.  You and your agents will in no way recommend or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for Portfolio shares held to fund the Contracts without our prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in our sole discretion.
6.
Sales Material, Information and Trademarks
6.1
Sales Literature/ Promotional Material” includes, but is not limited to, portions of the following that use any logo or other trademark related to the Trust, or Underwriter or its affiliates, or refer to the Trust:  advertisements (such as material published or designed for use in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, web-sites and other electronic communications or other public media), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts or any other advertisement, sales literature or published article or electronic communication), educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees in any media, and disclosure documents, shareholder reports and proxy materials.  “Disclosure Documents” shall mean each item of the following if prepared, approved or used by you and relating to a Contract, an Account, or a Portfolio, and any amendments or revisions to such document:  registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, private placement memoranda, retirement plan disclosure information or other disclosure documents or similar information, as well as any solicitation for voting instructions.
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6.2
You may use the name of the Trust and trademarks and the logo of the Underwriter in Sales Literature/Promotional Material as reasonably necessary to carry out your performance and obligations under this Agreement provided that you comply with the provisions of this Agreement.  You agree to abide by any reasonable use guidelines regarding use of such trademarks and logos that we may give from time to time.  You shall, as we may request from time to time, promptly furnish, or cause to be furnished to us or our designee, one complete copy of each item of the following:  (i) Sales Literature/Promotional Material prepared, approved or used by you; and (ii) Disclosure Documents.  
 
6.3
You and your agents shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust, the Underwriter or an Adviser, other than information or representations contained in and accurately derived from the registration statement or prospectus for the Trust shares (as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time), annual and semi-annual reports of the Trust, Trust-sponsored proxy statements, or in Sales Literature/Promotional Material created by us for the Trust and provided by the Trust or its designee to you, except as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with the written permission of the Trust or its designee.
6.4
You agree, represent and warrant that you are solely responsible for any Sales Literature/ Promotional Material prepared by you and that such material will:  (a) conform to all requirements of any applicable laws or regulations of any government or authorized agency having jurisdiction over the offering or sale of shares of the Portfolios or Contracts; (b) be solely based upon and not contrary to or inconsistent with the written information or materials provided to you by us or a Portfolio, including the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information; and (c) be made available promptly to us upon our request. You agree to file any Sales Literature/Promotional Material prepared by you with FINRA, or other applicable legal or regulatory authority, within the timeframes that may be required from time to time by FINRA or such other legal or regulatory authority. Unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing, it is understood that we will neither review nor approve for use any materials prepared by you and will not be materially involved in the preparation of, or have any responsibility for, any such materials prepared by you.  You are not authorized to modify or translate any materials we have provided to you.
6.5
You shall promptly notify us of any written customer complaint or notice of any regulatory investigation or proceeding received by you relating to any Sales Literature/Promotional Material.  
6.6
Other than naming you as a Trust shareholder, we shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of you or concerning you, the Accounts or the Contracts other than information or representations contained in and accurately derived from Disclosure Documents (as such Disclosure Documents may be amended or supplemented from time to time), or in materials approved by you for distribution, including Sales Literature/ Promotional Material, except as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with your written permission.  
6.7
Except as provided in Section 6.2, you shall not use any designation comprised in whole or part of the names or marks “Franklin” or “Templeton” or any logo or other trademark relating to the Trust or the Underwriter without prior written consent, and upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, you shall cease all use of any such name or mark as soon as reasonably practicable.
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6.8
You shall furnish to us ten (10) Business Days prior to its first submission to the SEC or its staff, any request or filing for no-action assurance or exemptive relief naming, pertaining to, or affecting, the Trust, the Underwriter or any of the Portfolios.
 
6.9
You agree that any posting of Designated Portfolio Documents on your website or use of Designated Portfolio Documents in any other electronic format will result in the Designated Portfolio Documents:  (i) appearing identical to the hard copy printed version or .pdf format file provided to you by us (except that you may reformat .pdf format prospectus files in order to delete blank pages and to insert .pdf format prospectus supplement files provided by us to you); (ii) being clearly associated with the particular Contracts in which they are available and posted in close proximity to the applicable Contract prospectuses; (iii) having no less prominence than prospectuses of any other underlying funds available under the Contracts; (iv) in compliance with any statutory prospectus delivery requirements and (v) being used in an authorized manner.  Notwithstanding the above, you understand and agree that you are responsible for ensuring that participation in the Portfolios, and any website posting, or other use, of the Designated Portfolio Documents is in compliance with this Agreement and applicable state and federal securities and insurance laws and regulations, including as they relate to paper or electronic delivery or use of fund prospectuses.  We reserve the right to inspect and review your website if any Designated Portfolio Documents and/or other Trust documents are posted on your website and you shall, upon our reasonable request, provide us timely access to your website materials to perform such inspection and review.
In addition, you agree to be solely responsible for maintaining and updating the Designated Portfolio Documents’ .pdf files and removing and/or replacing promptly any outdated prospectuses and other documents, as necessary, ensuring that any accompanying instructions by us, for using or stopping use, are followed.  You agree to designate and make available to us a person to act as a single point of communication contact for these purposes.  We are not responsible for any additional costs or additional liabilities that may be incurred as a result of your election to place the Designated Portfolio Documents on your website.  We reserve the right to revoke this authorization, at any time and for any reason, although we may instead make our authorization subject to new procedures.
 
6.10
Each of your and your distributor’s registered representatives, agents, independent contractors and employees, as applicable, will have access to our websites at franklintempleton.com, and such other URLs through which we may permit you to conduct business concerning the Portfolios from time to time (referred to collectively as the “Site”) as provided herein: (i) upon registration by such individual on a Site, (ii) if you cause a Site Access Request Form (an “Access Form”) to be signed by your authorized supervisory personnel and submitted to us, as a Schedule to, and legally a part of, this Agreement, or (iii) if you provide such individual with the necessary access codes or other information necessary to access the Site through any generic or firm-wide authorization we may grant you from time to time.  Upon receipt by us of a completed registration submitted by an individual through the Site or a signed Access Form referencing such individual, we shall be entitled to rely upon the representations contained therein as if you had made them directly hereunder and we will issue a user identification, express number and/or password (collectively, “Access Code”).  Any person to whom we issue an Access Code or to whom you provide the necessary Access Codes or other information necessary to access the Site through any generic or firm-wide authorization we may grant you from time to time shall be an “Authorized User.”
 
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We shall be entitled to assume that such person validly represents you and that all instructions received from such person are authorized, in which case such person will have access to the Site, including all services and information to which you are authorized to access on the Site.  All inquiries and actions initiated by you (including your Authorized Users) are your responsibility, are at your risk and are subject to our review and approval (which could cause a delay in processing).  You agree that we do not have a duty to question information or instructions you (including Authorized Users) give to us under this Agreement, and that we are entitled to treat as authorized, and act upon, any such instructions and information you submit to us.  You agree to take all reasonable measures to prevent any individual other than an Authorized User from obtaining access to the Site.  You agree to inform us if you wish to restrict or revoke the access of any individual Access Code.   If you become aware of any loss or theft or unauthorized use of any Access Code, you agree to contact us immediately. You also agree to monitor your (including Authorized Users’) use of the Site to ensure the terms of this Agreement are followed.  You also agree that you will comply with all policies and agreements concerning Site usage, including without limitation the Terms of Use Agreement(s) posted on the Site (“Site Terms”), as may be revised and reposted on the Site from time to time, and those Site Terms (as in effect from time to time) are a part of this Agreement. Your duties under this section are considered “services” required under the terms of this Agreement.  You acknowledge that the Site is transmitted over the Internet on a reasonable efforts basis and we do not warrant or guarantee their accuracy, timeliness, completeness, reliability or non-infringement.  Moreover, you acknowledge that the Site is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to comply with any requirements established by any regulatory or governmental agency.
 
7.
Indemnification
 
7.1
Indemnification By You
 
 
 
7.1.1
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter, the Trust and each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” and individually the “Indemnified Party” for purposes of this Section 7) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with your written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, “Losses”), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses are related to the sale or acquisition of shares of the Trust or the Contracts and
 
 
 
 
7.1.1.1 arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in a Disclosure Document for the Contracts or in the Contracts themselves or in sales literature generated or approved by you on behalf of the Contracts or Accounts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively, “Company Documents” for the purposes of this Section 7), 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 indemnity shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and was accurately derived from written information furnished to you by or on behalf of the Trust for use in Company Documents or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
 
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7.1.1.2
arise out of or result from statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in and accurately derived from Trust Documents as defined below in Section 7.2) or wrongful conduct of you or persons under your control, with respect to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
 
 
 
7.1.1.3
arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in Trust Documents as defined below in Section 7.2 or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and accurately derived from written information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of you; or
 
 
 
7.1.1.4
arise out of or result from any failure by you to provide the services or furnish the materials required under the terms of this Agreement;
 
 
 
7.1.1.5
arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by you in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by you;
 
 
 
 
7.1.1.6
arise out of or result from a Contract failing to be considered a life insurance  policy or an annuity Contract, whichever is appropriate, under applicable provisions of the Code thereby depriving the Trust of its compliance with Section 817(h) of the Code; or
 
 
 
7.1.1.7 arise out of or result from any failure by you to satisfy requirements, including but not limited to compliance with all applicable laws, relating to your electronic delivery of Designated Portfolio Documents or your making such documents available on-line.
 
 
7.1.2
You shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any Losses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party’s duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Trust or Underwriter, whichever is applicable.  You shall also not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified you 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 you of any such claim shall not relieve you from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision.  In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, you shall be entitled to participate, at your own expense, in the defense of such action.  Unless the Indemnified Party releases you from any further obligations under this Section 7.1, you also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.  After notice from you to such party of your election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and you 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.
 
 
7.1.3
The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify you of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with the issuance or sale of the Trust shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Trust.
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7.2
Indemnification By The Underwriter
 
 
7.2.1
The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless you, and each of your directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls you within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” and individually an “Indemnified Party” for purposes of this Section 7.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, “Losses”) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses are related to the sale or acquisition by the Accounts of the shares of the Trust or the Contracts and:
 
 
 
7.2.1.1
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Trust (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively, the “Trust Documents”) or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission of such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to us by or on behalf of you for use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the Trust or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
 
 
 
7.2.1.2
arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in the Disclosure Documents or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Trust, Adviser or Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Trust shares to the Accounts; or
 
 
 
7.2.1.3
arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Disclosure Document or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to you by or on behalf of the Trust; or
 
 
 
7.2.1.4
arise as a result of any failure by us to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the qualification representation specified above in Section 2.2.7 and the diversification requirements specified above in Section 2.2.8); or
 
 
 
7.2.1.5
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 7.2.2 and 7.2.3 hereof.
 
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7.2.2
The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any Losses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party’s willful 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 you or the Accounts, whichever is applicable.
7.2.3
The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision.  In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof.  Unless the Indemnified Party releases the Underwriter from any further obligations under this Section 7.2, the Underwriter also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.  After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the Underwriter’s election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.2.4
You agree promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against you or the Indemnified Parties in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of each Account.
7.3
Indemnification By The Trust
7.3.1
The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless you, and each of your directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls you within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 7.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Trust, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the operations of the Trust, and arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Trust; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.3.2 and 7.3.3 hereof.  It is understood and expressly stipulated that neither the holders of shares of the Trust nor any Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust shall be personally liable hereunder, nor shall any resort be had to other private property for the satisfaction of any claim or obligation hereunder, but the Trust only shall be liable.
 
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7.3.2
The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against any Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified Party’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party’s duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to you, the Trust, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.
7.3.3
The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Trust in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claims shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Trust of any such claim shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision.  In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Trust will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof.  Unless the Indemnified Party releases the Trust from any further obligations under this Section 7.3, the Trust also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.  After notice from the Trust to such party of the Trust’s election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Trust will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.3.4
You agree promptly to notify the Trust of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against you or the Indemnified Parties in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of the Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Trust.
 
8.
Notices
Any notice, except for those provided in Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 of the Agreement, shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail, or by nationally recognized overnight courier services, to the other party at the address of such party set forth in Schedule G below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party.
 
9.
Termination
 
9.1
This Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement at any time. If this Agreement is so terminated, we shall, at your option, continue to make available additional shares of any Portfolio and redeem shares of any Portfolio for any or all Contracts or Accounts existing on the effective date of termination of this Agreement,  pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 
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9.2
This Agreement may be terminated by any party in its entirety or with respect to one, some or all Portfolios for any reason by sixty (60) days’ advance written notice delivered to the other parties.  If this Agreement is so terminated, we may, at our option, continue to make available additional shares of any Portfolio and redeem shares of any Portfolio for any or all Contracts or Accounts existing on the effective date of termination of this Agreement, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; alternatively, we may, at our option, redeem the Portfolio shares held by the Accounts, provided that such redemption shall not occur prior to six (6) months following written notice of termination, during which time we will cooperate with you in effecting a transfer of Portfolio assets to another underlying fund pursuant to any legal and appropriate means. If termination by you occurs in connection with the substitution of securities, as provided for in Section 26(c) of the 1940 Act, advance written notice to us shall be no later than the date of the filing of the application for approval of the proposed substitution of securities.
9.3
This Agreement may be terminated immediately by us upon written notice to you if you materially breach any of the representations and warranties made in this Agreement or you are materially in default in the performance of any of your duties or obligations under the Agreement, receive a written notice thereof and fail to remedy such default or breach to our reasonable satisfaction within 30 days after such notice. If this Agreement so terminates, the parties shall cooperate to effect an orderly windup of the business which may include, at our option, a redemption of the Portfolio shares held by the Accounts, provided that such redemption shall not occur prior to a period of up to six (6) months following written notice of termination, during which time we will cooperate reasonably with you in effecting a transfer of Portfolio assets to another underlying fund pursuant to any legal and appropriate means.
 
9.4
This Agreement may be terminated immediately by us upon written notice to you if, with respect to the representations and warranties made in sections 2.1.3, 2.1.5, 2.1.7 and 2.4.2 of this Agreement:  (i) you materially breach any of such representations and warranties; or (ii) you inform us that any of such representations and warranties may no longer be true or might not be true in the future; or (iii) any of such representations and warranties were not true on the effective date of this Agreement, are at any time no longer true, or have not been true during any time since the effective date of this Agreement.  If this Agreement is so terminated, the Trust may redeem, at its option in kind or for cash, the Portfolio shares held by the Accounts on the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
 
9.5
This Agreement may be terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, either upon its determination that such termination is a necessary and appropriate remedy for a material breach of this Agreement which includes a violation of laws, or upon its determination to completely liquidate a Portfolio.  Pursuant to such termination, the Trust may redeem, at its option in kind or for cash, the Portfolio shares held by the Accounts on the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
 
9.6
This Agreement shall terminate immediately in the event of its assignment by any party without the prior written approval of the other parties, or as otherwise required by law.  If this Agreement is so terminated, the Trust may redeem, at its option in kind or for cash, the Portfolio shares held by the Accounts on the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
9.7
This Agreement shall be terminated as required by the Shared Funding Order, and its provisions shall govern.
 
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9.8
The provisions of Sections 2 (Representations and Warranties) and 7 (Indemnification) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  All other applicable provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement, as long as shares of the Trust are held on behalf of Contract owners, except that we shall have no further obligation to sell Trust shares with respect to Contracts issued after termination.
9.9
You shall not redeem Trust shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to Trust shares attributable to your assets held in the Account) except: (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or approved transactions; (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application (hereinafter referred to as a “Legally Required Redemption”); or (iii) as permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(c) of the 1940 Act.  Upon request, you shall promptly furnish to us the opinion of your counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to us) to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 9.9 is a Legally Required Redemption.  Furthermore, you shall not prevent Contract owners from allocating payments to any Portfolio that has been available under a Contract without first giving us ninety (90) days advance written notice of your intention to do so.
 
10.
Miscellaneous
10.1
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
10.2
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
10.3
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.
10.4
This Agreement shall be construed and its provisions interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.  It shall also be subject to the provisions of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, to any orders of the SEC on behalf of the Trust granting it exemptive relief, and to the conditions of such orders.  We shall promptly forward copies of any such orders to you.
10.5
The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement, of any and every nature whatsoever, shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer, agent or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be personally liable for any such liabilities.
10.6
The parties to this Agreement agree that the assets and liabilities of each Portfolio of the Trust are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Portfolio.  No Portfolio shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Portfolio.
10.7
Each party to this Agreement shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, FINRA, 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.
 
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10.8
Each party shall treat as confidential all information of the other party which the parties agree in writing is confidential (“Confidential Information”).  Except as permitted by this Agreement or as required by appropriate governmental authority (including, without limitation, the SEC, FINRA, or state securities and insurance regulators) the receiving party shall not disclose or use Confidential Information of the other party before it enters the public domain, without the express written consent of the party providing the Confidential Information.
10.9
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 to this Agreement are entitled to under state and federal laws.
10.10
The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that this Agreement shall not be exclusive in any respect.
10.11
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations created by it may be assigned by any party without the prior written approval of the other parties.
 
10.12
No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both parties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing:  (i) the Site Terms may be separately amended as provided therein and, as so amended and in effect from time to time, shall be a part of this Agreement; and (ii) Schedule C may be separately amended as provided therein and, as so amended shall be a part of this Agreement.
 
10.13
Each party to the Agreement agrees to limit the disclosure of nonpublic personal information of Contract owners and customers consistent with its policies on privacy with respect to such information and Regulation S-P of the SEC.  Each party hereby agrees that it will comply with all applicable requirements under the regulations implementing Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and any other applicable federal and state consumer privacy acts, rules and regulations.  Each party further represents that it has in place, and agrees that it will maintain, information security policies and procedures for protecting nonpublic personal customer information adequate to conform to applicable legal requirements.
 
23

 
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24

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Agreement.
 
 
The Trust:
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust
Only on behalf of each
Portfolio listed on
Schedule C hereof.
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:  
 
 
The Underwriter:
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:  
 
 
Title:    
 
 
The Company:
________________________
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 
 
Distributor for the Company:
_______________________
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 
 
25

Schedule A
 
The Company and its Distributor
 
THE COMPANY
 
[name]
[address]
 
An insurance company organized under the laws of the State of __________.
 
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
[name of Distributor]
[address of Distributor]
 
A corporation organized under the laws of the State of _________.
 
 
26

Schedule B
 
Accounts of the Company
 
Name of Account
SEC Registration Yes/No
 
Smith VA Account
Yes
Smith VLI Account
No
 
 
27

Schedule C
 
Available Portfolios and Classes of Shares of the Trust
 
 
[List funds and classes to be used for your products]
 
In addition to portfolios and classes of shares listed above, any additional Portfolios and classes of shares other than Class 3 shares are included in this Schedule C listing provided that:  
 
(1)
the General Counsel of Franklin Templeton Investments receives from a person authorized by you a written notice in the form attached (which may be electronic mail or sent by electronic mail) (“Notice”) identifying this Agreement as provided in the Notice and specifying: (i) the names and classes of shares of additional Portfolios that you propose to offer as investment options of the Separate Accounts under the Contracts; and (ii) the date that you propose to begin offering Separate Account interests investing in the additional Portfolios under the Contracts; and
 
(2)
we do not within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of the Notice send you a writing (which may be electronic mail) objecting to your offering such Separate Accounts investing in the additional Portfolios and classes of shares under the Contracts.
 
Provided that we do not object as provided above, your Notice shall amend, supplement and become a part of this Schedule C and the Agreement.     
 
28

Form of Notice Pursuant to Schedule C of Participation Agreement
 
 
To:  
General Counsel c/o
Aivy Castillo (linda.lai@franklintempleton.com) or
Kevin Kirchoff (kevin.kirchoff@franklintempleton.com)
Fax: 650 525-7059
Franklin Templeton Investments
1 Franklin Parkway,
Bldg. 920, 2nd Floor
San Mateo, CA  94402
 
With respect to the following agreement(s) (altogether, the “Agreement”)
(please reproduce and complete table for multiple agreements):
 
Date of Participation Agreement:
 
 
Insurance Company(ies):
 
 
 
Insurance Company Distributor(s):
 
 
 
 
As provided by Schedule C of the Agreement, this Notice proposes to Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. the addition as of the offering date(s) listed below of the following Portfolios as additional investment options listed on Schedule C:
 
Names and Classes of Shares of Additional Portfolios
Listing of current classes for your reference:
Class 1 (no 12b-1 fee);
Class 2 (12b-1 fee of 25 bps);
Class 4 (12b-1 fee of 35 bps); or
Class 5 (12b-1 fee of 10 bps).
 
Offering Date(s)
   
   
   
   
 
Name and title of authorized person of insurance company:
Contact Information:
 
29

Schedule D
 
Contracts of the Company
 
 
All variable life and variable annuity contracts issued by separate accounts listed on Schedule B of this Agreement.  
 
 
30

Schedule E
 
 
This schedule is not used
 
 
31

Schedule F
 
Rule 12b-1 Plans of the Trust
 
Compensation
 
Each Class 2, Class 4 or Class 5 Portfolio named or referenced on Schedule C of this Agreement may make payments at a rate stated in its prospectus pursuant to the terms and conditions of its Rule 12b-1 distribution plan.
 
Agreement Provisions
 
If the Company, on behalf of any Account, purchases Trust Portfolio shares (“Eligible Shares”) that are subject to a Rule 12b-1 plan adopted under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”), the Company, on behalf of its distributor, may participate in the Plan.
 
To the extent the Company or its affiliates, agents or designees (collectively “you”) provide any activity or service that is primarily intended to assist in the promotion, distribution or account servicing of Eligible Shares (“Rule 12b-1 Services”) or variable contracts offering Eligible Shares, the Underwriter, the Trust or their affiliates (collectively, “we”) may pay you a Rule 12b-1 fee.  “Rule 12b-1 Services” may include, but are not limited to, printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, preparing and distributing sales literature and related expenses, advertisements, education of dealers and their representatives, and similar distribution-related expenses, furnishing personal services to owners of Contracts which may invest in Eligible Shares (“Contract Owners”), education of Contract Owners, answering routine inquiries regarding a Portfolio, coordinating responses to Contract Owner inquiries regarding the Portfolios, maintaining such accounts or providing such other enhanced services as a Trust Portfolio or Contract may require, or providing other services eligible for service fees as defined under FINRA rules.  
 
Your acceptance of such compensation is your acknowledgment that eligible services have been rendered.  All Rule 12b-1 fees shall be based on the value of Eligible Shares owned by the Company on behalf of its Accounts, and shall be calculated on the basis and at the rates set forth in the compensation provision stated above.  The aggregate annual fees paid pursuant to each Plan shall not exceed the amounts stated as the “annual maximums” in the Portfolio’s prospectus, unless an increase is approved by shareholders as provided in the Plan.  These maximums shall be a specified percent of the value of a Portfolio’s net assets attributable to Eligible Shares owned by the Company on behalf of its Accounts (determined in the same manner as the Portfolio uses to compute its net assets as set forth in its effective Prospectus).  The Rule 12b1 fee will be paid to you within thirty (30) days after the end of the three-month periods ending in January, April, July and October.
 
You shall furnish us with such information as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust’s Boards of Trustees (“Trustees”) with respect to the Rule 12b-1 fees paid to you pursuant to the Plans.  We shall furnish to the Trustees, for their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended under the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
 
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The Plans and provisions of any agreement relating to such Plans must be approved annually by a vote of the Trustees, including the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no financial interest in the Plans or any related agreement (“Disinterested Trustees”).  Each Plan may be terminated at any time by the vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares as provided in the Plan, on sixty (60) days’ written notice, without payment of any penalty, or as provided in the Plan.  Continuation of the Plans is also conditioned on Disinterested Trustees being ultimately responsible for selecting and nominating any new Disinterested Trustees.  Under Rule 12b-1, the Trustees have a duty to request and evaluate, and persons who are party to any agreement related to a Plan have a duty to furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary to an informed determination of whether the Plan or any agreement should be implemented or continued.  Under Rule 12b-1, the Trust is permitted to implement or continue Plans or the provisions of any agreement relating to such Plans from year-to-year only if, based on certain legal considerations, the Trustees are able to conclude that the Plans will benefit each affected Trust Portfolio and class.  Absent such yearly determination, the Plans must be terminated as set forth above.  In the event of the termination of the Plans for any reason, the provisions of this Schedule F relating to the Plans will also terminate.  You agree that your selling agreements with persons or entities through whom you intend to distribute Contracts will provide that compensation paid to such persons or entities may be reduced if a Portfolio’s Plan is no longer effective or is no longer applicable to such Portfolio or class of shares available under the Contracts.  
 
Any obligation assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Trust and no person shall seek satisfaction thereof from shareholders of the Trust.  You agree to waive payment of any amounts payable to you by Underwriter under a Plan until such time as the Underwriter has received such fee from the Trust.
 
The provisions of the Plans shall control over the provisions of the Participation Agreement, including this Schedule F, in the event of any inconsistency. You agree to provide complete disclosure as required by all applicable statutes, rules and regulations of all rule 12b-1 fees received from us in the prospectus of the Contracts.
 
 
33

Schedule G
 
Addresses for Notices
 
 
To the Company:
[        ] Insurance Company
 
 
[address]
 
 
[address]
 
 
Attention:  [name, title]
 
 
To the Distributor:
______________
 
 
Address
 
 
__________
 
 
Attention:
 
 
To the Trust:
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust
 
 
One Franklin Parkway, Bldg. 920 2nd Floor
 
 
San Mateo, California 94403
 
 
Attention:  General Counsel
 
 
To the Underwriter:
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
 
 
100 Fountain Parkway, Bldg. 140 7th Floor
 
 
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
 
 
Attention:  General Counsel
 
If to the Trust or Underwriter
with a copy to:
Franklin Templeton Investments
 
 
One Franklin Parkway, Bldg. 920 2nd Floor
 
 
San Mateo, California 94403
 
 
Attention:  General Counsel
 
 
34

Schedule H
 
Shared Funding Order
 
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund, et al.
 
File No. 812-11698
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Release No. IC-24018
 
1999 SEC LEXIS 1887
 
September 17, 1999
 
ACTION:  Notice of application for an amended order of exemption pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder.  
 
TEXT: Summary of Application: Templeton Variable Products Series Fund (the "Templeton Trust"), Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (formerly Franklin Valuemark Funds) (the "VIP Trust," and together with the Templeton Trust, the "Funds"), Templeton Funds Annuity Company ("TFAC") or any successor to TFAC, and any future open-end investment company for which TFAC or any affiliate is the administrator, sub-administrator, investment manager, adviser, principal underwriter, or sponsor ("Future Funds") seek an amended order of the Commission to (1) add as parties to that order the VIP Trust and any Future Funds and (2) permit shares of the Funds and Future Funds to be issued to and held by qualified pension and retirement plans outside the separate account context.  
 
   Applicants: Templeton Variable Products Series Fund, Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust, Templeton Funds Annuity Company or any successor to TFAC, and any future open-end investment company for which TFAC or any affiliate is the administrator, sub-administrator, investment manager, adviser, principal underwriter, or sponsor (collectively, the "Applicants").  
 
   Filing Date: The application was filed on July 14, 1999, and amended and restated on September 17, 1999.  
 
   Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the application will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Secretary of the Commission and serving Applicants with a copy of the request, personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 5:30 p.m., on October 12, 1999, and should be accompanied by proof of service on the Applicants in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Hearing requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.  
 
   Addresses: Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549-0609.
 
   Applicants: Templeton Variable Products Series Fund and Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust, 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, San Mateo, California 94404, Attn: Karen L. Skidmore, Esq.  
 
   For Further Information Contact: Kevin P. McEnery, Senior Counsel, or Susan M. Olson, Branch Chief, Office of Insurance Products, Division of Investment Management, at (202) 942-0670.  
 
   Supplementary Information: The following is a summary of the application. The complete application is available for a fee from the SEC's Public Reference Branch, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 (tel. (202) 9428090).  
 
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   Applicants' Representations:  
 
   1. Each of the Funds is registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end management investment company and was organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Templeton Trust currently consists of eight separate series, and the VIP Trust consists of twenty-five separate series. Each Fund's Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to create additional series of shares at any time. The Funds currently serve as the underlying investment medium for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by various insurance companies. The Funds have entered into investment management agreements with certain investment managers ("Investment Managers") directly or indirectly owned by Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Resources"), a publicly owned company engaged in the financial services industry through its subsidiaries.  
 
   2. TFAC is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Resources. TFAC is the sole insurance company in the Franklin Templeton organization, and specializes in the writing of variable annuity contracts. The Templeton Trust has entered into a Fund Administration Agreement with Franklin Templeton Services, Inc. ("FT Services"), which replaced TFAC in 1998 as administrator, and FT Services subcontracts certain services to TFAC. FT Services also serves as administrator to all series of the VIP Trust. TFAC and FT Services provide certain administrative facilities and services for the VIP and Templeton Trusts.  
 
   3. On November 16, 1993, the Commission issued an order granting exemptive relief to permit shares of the Templeton Trust to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (Investment Company Act Release No. 19879, File No. 812-8546) (the "Original Order"). Applicants incorporate by reference into the application the Application for the Original Order and each amendment thereto, the Notice of Application for the Original Order, and the Original Order, to the extent necessary, to supplement the representations made in the application in support of the requested relief. Applicants represent that all of the facts asserted in the Application for the Original Order and any amendments thereto remain true and accurate in all material respects to the extent that such facts are relevant to any relief on which Applicants continue to rely. The Original Order allows the Templeton Trust to offer its shares to insurance companies as the investment vehicle for their separate accounts supporting variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts (collectively, the "Variable Contracts"). Applicants state that the Original Order does not (i) include the VIP Trust or Future Funds as parties, nor (ii) expressly address the sale of shares of the Funds or any Future Funds to qualified pension and retirement plans outside the separate account context including, without limitation, those trusts, plans, accounts, contracts or annuities described in Sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408(b), 408(k), 414(d), 457(b), 501(c)(18) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and any other trust, plan, contract, account or annuity that is determined to be within the scope of Treasury Regulation 1.817.5(f)(3)(iii) ("Qualified Plans").  
 
   4. Separate accounts owning shares of the Funds and their insurance company depositors are referred to in the application as "Participating Separate Accounts" and "Participating Insurance Companies," respectively. The use of a common management investment company as the underlying investment medium for both variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of a single insurance company (or of two or more affiliated insurance companies) is referred to as "mixed funding." The use of a common management investment company as the underlying investment medium for variable annuity and/or variable life insurance separate accounts of unaffiliated insurance companies is referred to as "shared funding."  
 
   Applicants' Legal Analysis:  
 
   1. Applicants request that the Commission issue an amended order pursuant to Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act, adding the VIP Trust and Future Funds to the Original Order and exempting scheduled premium variable life insurance separate accounts and flexible premium variable life insurance separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies (and, to the extent necessary, any principal underwriter and depositor of such an account) and the Applicants from Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) (and any comparable rule) thereunder, respectively, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Funds and any Future Funds to be sold to and held by Qualified Plans. Applicants submit that the exemptions requested are appropriate in the public interest, consistent with the protection of investors, and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 1940 Act.  
 
36

   2. The Original Order does not include the VIP Trust or Future Funds as parties nor expressly address the sale of shares of the Funds or any Future Funds to Qualified Plans. Applicants propose that the VIP Trust and Future Funds be added as parties to the Original Order and the Funds and any Future Funds be permitted to offer and sell their shares to Qualified Plans.  
 
   3. Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act provides, in part, that the Commission, by order upon application, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any person, security or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, securities or transactions from any provisions of the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder, if and to the extent that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 1940 Act.  
 
   4. In connection with the funding of scheduled premium variable life insurance contracts issued through a separate account registered under the 1940 Act as a unit investment trust ("UIT"), Rule 6e-2(b)(15) provides partial exemptions from various provisions of the 1940 Act, including the following: (1) Section 9(a), which makes it unlawful for certain individuals to act in the capacity of employee, officer, or director for a UIT, by limiting the application of the eligibility restrictions in Section 9(a) to affiliated persons directly participating in the management of a registered management investment company; and (2) Sections 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act to the extent that those sections might be deemed to require "pass-through" voting with respect to an underlying fund's shares, by allowing an insurance company to disregard the voting instructions of contractowners in certain circumstances.  
 
   5. These exemptions are available, however, only where the management investment company underlying the separate account (the "underlying fund") offers its shares "exclusively to variable life insurance separate accounts of the life insurer, or of any affiliated life insurance company." Therefore, Rule 6e-2 does not permit either mixed funding or shared funding because the relief granted by Rule 6e-2(b)(15) is not available with respect to a scheduled premium variable life insurance separate account that owns shares of an underlying fund that also offers its shares to a variable annuity or a flexible premium variable life insurance separate account of the same company or of any affiliated life insurance company. Rule 6e-2(b)(15) also does not permit the sale of shares of the underlying fund to Qualified Plans.  
 
   6. In connection with flexible premium variable life insurance contracts issued through a separate account registered under the 1940 Act as a UIT, Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(15) also provides partial exemptions from Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act. These exemptions, however, are available only where the separate account's underlying fund offers its shares "exclusively to separate accounts of the life insurer, or of any affiliated life insurance company, offering either scheduled contracts or flexible contracts, or both; or which also offer their shares to variable annuity separate accounts of the life insurer or of an affiliated life insurance company." Therefore, Rule 6e-3(T) permits mixed funding but does not permit shared funding and also does not permit the sale of shares of the underlying fund to Qualified Plans. As noted above, the Original Order granted the Templeton Trust exemptive relief to permit mixed and shared funding, but did not expressly address the sale of its shares to Qualified Plans.  
 
   7. Applicants note that if the Funds were to sell their shares only to Qualified Plans, exemptive relief under Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) would not be necessary. Applicants state that the relief provided for under Rule 6e-2(b)(15) and Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(15) does not relate to qualified pension and retirement plans or to a registered investment company's ability to sell its shares to such plans.  
 
   8. Applicants state that changes in the federal tax law have created the opportunity for each of the Funds to increase its asset base through the sale of its shares to Qualified Plans. Applicants state that Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), imposes certain diversification standards on the assets underlying Variable Contracts. Treasury Regulations generally require that, to meet the diversification requirements, all of the beneficial interests in the underlying investment company must be held by the segregated asset accounts of one or more life insurance companies. Notwithstanding this, Applicants note that the Treasury Regulations also contain an exception to this requirement that permits trustees of a Qualified Plan to hold shares of an investment company, the shares of which are also held by insurance company segregated asset accounts, without adversely affecting the status of the investment company as an adequately diversified underlying investment of Variable Contracts issued through such segregated asset accounts (Treas. Reg. 1.817-5(f)(3)(iii)).
 
   9. Applicants state that the promulgation of Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) under the 1940 Act preceded the issuance of these Treasury Regulations. Thus, Applicants assert that the sale of shares of the same investment company to both separate accounts and Qualified Plans was not contemplated at the time of the adoption of Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15).  
37

 
   10. Section 9(a) provides that it is unlawful for any company to serve as investment adviser or principal underwriter of any registered open-end investment company if an affiliated person of that company is subject to a disqualification enumerated in Section 9(a)(1) or (2). Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) provide exemptions from Section 9(a) under certain circumstances, subject to the limitations on mixed and shared funding. These exemptions limit the application of the eligibility restrictions to affiliated individuals or companies that directly participate in the management of the underlying portfolio investment company.  
 
   11. Applicants state that the relief granted in Rule 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) from the requirements of Section 9 limits, in effect, the amount of monitoring of an insurer's personnel that would otherwise be necessary to ensure compliance with Section 9 to that which is appropriate in light of the policy and purposes of Section 9. Applicants submit that those Rules recognize that it is not necessary for the protection of investors or the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 1940 Act to apply the provisions of Section 9(a) to the many individuals involved in an insurance company complex, most of whom typically will have no involvement in matters pertaining to investment companies funding the separate accounts.  
 
   12. Applicants to the Original Order previously requested and received relief from Section 9(a) and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) to the extent necessary to permit mixed and shared funding. Applicants maintain that the relief previously granted from Section 9(a) will in no way be affected by the proposed sale of shares of the Funds to Qualified Plans. Those individuals who participate in the management or administration of the Funds will remain the same regardless of which Qualified Plans use such Funds. Applicants maintain that more broadly applying the requirements of Section 9(a) because of investment by Qualified Plans would not serve any regulatory purpose. Moreover, Qualified Plans, unlike separate accounts, are not themselves investment companies and therefore are not subject to Section 9 of the 1940 Act.  
 
   13. Applicants state that Rules 6e-2(b)(15)(iii) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)(iii) provide exemptions from the pass-through voting requirement with respect to several significant matters, assuming the limitations on mixed and shared funding are observed. Rules 6e-2(b)(15)(iii)(A) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)(iii)(A) provide that the insurance company may disregard the voting instructions of its contractowners with respect to the investments of an underlying fund or any contract between a fund and its investment adviser, when required to do so by an insurance regulatory authority (subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b)(5)(i) and (b)(7)(ii)(A) of the Rules). Rules 6e-2(b)(15)(iii)(B) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)(iii)(A)(2) provide that the insurance company may disregard contractowners' voting instructions if the contractowners initiate any change in such company's investment policies, principal underwriter, or any investment adviser (provided that disregarding such voting instructions is reasonable and subject to the other provisions of paragraphs (b)(5)(ii) and (b)(7)(ii)(B) and (C) of the Rules).
 
   14. Applicants assert that Qualified Plans, which are not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act, have no requirement to pass-through the voting rights to plan participants. Applicants state that applicable law expressly reserves voting rights to certain specified persons. Under Section 403(a) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), shares of a fund sold to a Qualified Plan must be held by the trustees of the Qualified Plan. Section 403(a) also provides that the trustee(s) must have exclusive authority and discretion to manage and control the Qualified Plan with two exceptions: (1) when the Qualified Plan expressly provides that the trustee(s) are subject to the direction of a named fiduciary who is not a trustee, in which case the trustees are subject to proper directions made in accordance with the terms of the Qualified Plan and not contrary to ERISA; and (2) when the authority to manage, acquire or dispose of assets of the Qualified Plan is delegated to one or more investment managers pursuant to Section 402(c)(3) of ERISA. Unless one of the two above exceptions stated in Section 403(a) applies, Qualified Plan trustees have the exclusive authority and responsibility for voting proxies. Where a named fiduciary to a Qualified Plan appoints an investment manager, the investment manager has the responsibility to vote the shares held unless the right to vote such shares is reserved to the trustees or the named fiduciary. Where a Qualified Plan does not provide participants with the right to give voting instructions, Applicants do not see any potential for material irreconcilable conflicts of interest between or among variable contract holders and Qualified Plan investors with respect to voting of the respective Fund's shares. Accordingly, Applicants state that, unlike the case with insurance company separate accounts, the issue of the resolution of material irreconcilable conflicts with respect to voting is not present with respect to such Qualified Plans since the Qualified Plans are not entitled to pass-through voting privileges.  
 
38

   15. Even if a Qualified Plan were to hold a controlling interest in one of the Funds, Applicants believe that such control would not disadvantage other investors in such Fund to any greater extent than is the case when any institutional shareholder holds a majority of the voting securities of any open-end management investment company. In this regard, Applicants submit that investment in a Fund by a Qualified Plan will not create any of the voting complications occasioned by mixed funding or shared funding. Unlike mixed or shared funding, Qualified Plan investor voting rights cannot be frustrated by veto rights of insurers or state regulators.  
 
   16. Applicants state that some of the Qualified Plans, however, may provide for the trustee(s), an investment adviser (or advisers), or another named fiduciary to exercise voting rights in accordance with instructions from participants. Where a Qualified Plan provides participants with the right to give voting instructions, Applicants see no reason to believe that participants in Qualified Plans generally or those in a particular Qualified Plan, either as a single group or in combination with participants in other Qualified Plans, would vote in a manner that would disadvantage Variable Contract holders. In sum, Applicants maintain that the purchase of shares of the Funds by Qualified Plans that provide voting rights does not present any complications not otherwise occasioned by mixed or shared funding.  
 
   17. Applicants do not believe that the sale of the shares of the Funds to Qualified Plans will increase the potential for material irreconcilable conflicts of interest between or among different types of investors. In particular, Applicants see very little potential for such conflicts beyond that which would otherwise exist between variable annuity and variable life insurance contractowners.  
 
   18. As noted above, Section 817(h) of the Code imposes certain diversification standards on the underlying assets of variable contracts held in an underlying mutual fund. The Code provides that a variable contract shall not be treated as an annuity contract or life insurance, as applicable, for any period (and any subsequent period) for which the investments are not, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Treasury Department, adequately diversified.  
 
   19. Treasury Department Regulations issued under Section 817(h) provide that, in order to meet the statutory diversification requirements, all of the beneficial interests in the investment company must be held by the segregated asset accounts of one or more insurance companies.  However, the Regulations contain certain exceptions to this requirement, one of which allows shares in an underlying mutual fund to be held by the trustees of a qualified pension or retirement plan without adversely affecting the ability of shares in the underlying fund also to be held by separate accounts of insurance companies in connection with their variable contracts (Treas. Reg. 1.817-5(f)(3)(iii)). Thus, Applicants believe that the Treasury Regulations specifically permit "qualified pension or retirement plans" and separate accounts to invest in the same underlying fund. For this reason, Applicants have concluded that neither the Code nor the Treasury Regulations or revenue rulings thereunder presents any inherent conflict of interest.  
 
   20. Applicants note that while there are differences in the manner in which distributions from Variable Contracts and Qualified Plans are taxed, these differences will have no impact on the Funds. When distributions are to be made, and a Separate Account or Qualified Plan is unable to net purchase payments to make the distributions, the Separate Account and Qualified Plan will redeem shares of the Funds at their respective net asset value in  conformity with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act (without the imposition of any sales charge) to provide proceeds to meet distribution needs. A Qualified Plan will make distributions in accordance with the terms of the Qualified Plan.  
 
   21. Applicants maintain that it is possible to provide an equitable means of giving voting rights to Participating Separate Account contractowners and to Qualified Plans. In connection with any meeting of shareholders, the Funds will inform each shareholder, including each Participating Insurance Company and Qualified Plan, of information necessary for the meeting, including their respective share of ownership in the relevant Fund. Each Participating Insurance Company will then solicit voting instructions in accordance with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as applicable, and its participation agreement with the relevant Fund. Shares held by Qualified Plans will be voted in accordance with applicable law. The voting rights provided to Qualified Plans with respect to shares of the Funds would be no different from the voting rights that are provided to Qualified Plans with respect to shares of funds sold to the general public.  
 
39

   22. Applicants have concluded that even if there should arise issues with respect to a state insurance commissioner's veto powers over investment objectives where the interests of contractowners and the interests of Qualified Plans are in conflict, the issues can be almost immediately resolved since the trustees of (or participants in) the Qualified Plans can, on their own, redeem the shares out of the Funds. Applicants note that state insurance commissioners have been given the veto power in recognition of the fact that insurance companies usually cannot simply redeem their separate accounts out of one fund and invest in another. Generally, time-consuming, complex transactions must be undertaken to accomplish such redemptions and transfers. Conversely, the trustees of Qualified Plans or the participants in participant-directed Qualified Plans can make the decision quickly and redeem their interest in the Funds and reinvest in another funding vehicle without the same regulatory impediments faced by separate accounts or, as is the case with most Qualified Plans, even hold cash pending suitable investment.  
 
   23. Applicants also state that they do not see any greater potential for material irreconcilable conflicts arising between the interests of participants under Qualified Plans and contractowners of Participating Separate Accounts from possible future changes in the federal tax laws than that which already exist between variable annuity contractowners and variable life insurance contractowners.  
 
   24. Applicants state that the sale of shares of the Funds to Qualified Plans in addition to separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies will result in an increased amount of assets available for investment by the Funds. This may benefit variable contractowners by promoting economies of scale, by permitting increased safety of investments through greater diversification, and by making the addition of new portfolios more feasible.  
 
   25. Applicants assert that, regardless of the type of shareholders in each Fund, each Fund's Investment Manager is or would be contractually and otherwise obligated to manage the Fund solely and exclusively in accordance with that Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions as well as any guidelines established by the Board of Trustees of such Fund (the "Board"). The Investment Manager works with a pool of money and (except in a few instances where this may be required in order to comply with state insurance laws) does not take into account the identity of the shareholders. Thus, each Fund will be managed in the same manner as any other mutual fund. Applicants therefore see no significant legal impediment to permitting the sale of shares of the Funds to Qualified Plans.  
 
   26. Applicants state that the Commission has permitted the amendment of a substantially similar original order for the purpose of adding a party to the original order and has permitted open-end management investment companies to offer their shares directly to Qualified Plan in addition to separate accounts of affiliated or unaffiliated insurance companies which issue either or both variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts. Applicants state that the amended order sought in the application is identical to precedent with respect to the conditions Applicants propose should be imposed on Qualified Plans in connection with investment in the Funds.  
 
   Applicants' Conditions:  
 
   If the requested amended order is granted, Applicants consent to the following conditions:  
 
   1. A majority of the Board of each Fund shall consist of persons who are not "interested persons" thereof, as defined by Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the Commission, except that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification or bona fide resignation of any Board Member or Members, then the operation of this condition shall be suspended: (a) for a period of 45 days if the vacancy or vacancies may be filled by the remaining Board Members; (b) for a period of 60 days if a vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for such longer period as the Commission may prescribe by order upon application.  
 
   2. The Board will monitor their respective Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict among the interests of the Variable Contract owners of all Separate Accounts investing in the Funds and of the Qualified Plan participants investing in the Funds. The Board will determine what action, if any, shall be taken in response to such conflicts. A material irreconcilable 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 interpretive 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 the Funds are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity contract owners, variable life insurance contract owners, and trustees of Qualified Plans; (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of Variable Contract owners; or (g) if applicable, a decision by a Qualified Plan to disregard the voting instructions of Qualified Plan participants.  
40

 
 
   3. Participating Insurance Companies, the Investment Managers, and any Qualified Plan that executes a fund participation agreement upon becoming an owner of 10 percent or more of the assets of an Fund (a "Participating Qualified Plan"), will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it becomes aware to the Board of any relevant Fund. Participating Insurance Companies, the Investment Managers and the Participating Qualified Plans will be responsible for assisting the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under these conditions by providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any issues raised. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by each Participating Insurance Company to inform the Board whenever voting instructions of Contract owners are disregarded and, if pass-through voting is applicable, an obligation by each Participating Qualified Plan to inform the Board whenever it has determined to disregard Qualified Plan participant voting instructions. The responsibility to report such information and conflicts, and to assist the Board, will be contractual obligations of all Participating Insurance Companies investing in the Funds under their agreements governing participation in the Funds, and such agreements shall provide that these responsibilities will be carried out with a view only to the interests of the Variable Contract owners. The responsibility to report such information and conflicts, and to assist the Board, will be contractual obligations of all Participating Qualified Plans under their agreements governing participation in the Funds, and such agreements will provide that their responsibilities will be carried out with a view only to the interests of Qualified Plan participants.  
 
   4. If it is determined by a majority of the Board of a Fund, or by a majority of the disinterested Board Members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the relevant Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans will, at their own 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 material irreconcilable conflict, which steps could include: (a) in the case of Participating Insurance Companies, withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Separate Account s from the Fund or any portfolio thereof and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including another portfolio of an Fund or another Fund, or submitting the question as to whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected Variable Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., variable annuity contract owners or variable life insurance contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Variable Contract owners the option of making such a change; (b) in the case of Participating Qualified Plans, withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Qualified Plans from the Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium; and (c) establishing a new registered management investment company or managed Separate Account. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard Variable Contract owner voting instructions, and that decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, then the insurer may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the insurer's Separate Account investment in such Fund, and no charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a Participating Qualified Plan's decision to disregard Qualified Plan participant voting instructions, if applicable, and that decision represents minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Participating Qualified Plan may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw its investment in such Fund, and no charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal. The responsibility to take remedial action in the event of a determination by a Board of a material irreconcilable conflict and to bear the cost of such remedial action will be a contractual obligation of all Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans under their agreements governing participation in the Funds, and these responsibilities will be carried out with a view only to the interest of Variable Contract owners and Qualified Plan participants.  
 
   5. For purposes of Condition 4, a majority of the disinterested Board Members of the applicable Board will determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material irreconcilable conflict, but in no event will the relevant Fund or the Investment Managers be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contract. No Participating Insurance Company shall be required by Condition 4 to establish a new funding medium for any Variable Contract if any offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of the Variable Contract owners materially and adversely affected by the material irreconcilable conflict. Further, no Participating Qualified Plan shall be required by Condition 4 to establish a new funding medium for any Participating Qualified Plan if (a) a majority of Qualified Plan participants materially and adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict vote to decline such offer, or (b) pursuant to governing Qualified Plan documents and applicable law, the Participating Qualified Plan makes such decision without a Qualified Plan participant vote.  
 
   6. The determination of the Board of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict and its implications will be made known in writing promptly to all Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans.
41

 
   7. Participating Insurance Companies will provide pass-through voting privileges to Variable Contract owners who invest in registered Separate Accounts so long as and to the extent that the Commission continues to interpret the 1940 Act as requiring pass-through voting privileges for Variable Contract owners. As to Variable Contracts issued by unregistered Separate Accounts, pass-through voting privileges will be extended to participants to the extent granted by issuing insurance companies. Each Participating Insurance Company will also vote shares of the Funds held in its Separate Accounts for which no voting instructions from Contract owners are timely received, as well as shares of the Funds which the Participating Insurance Company itself owns, in the same proportion as those shares of the Funds for which voting instructions from contract owners are timely received. Participating Insurance Companies will be responsible for assuring that each of their registered Separate Accounts participating in the Funds calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with other Participating Insurance Companies. The obligation to calculate voting privileges in a manner consistent with all other registered Separate Accounts investing in the Funds will be a contractual obligation of all Participating Insurance Companies under their agreements governing their participation in the Funds. Each Participating Qualified Plan will vote as required by applicable law and governing Qualified Plan documents.  
 
   8. All reports of potential or existing conflicts received by the Board of a Fund and all action by such Board with regard to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans of a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, will be properly recorded in the minutes of the meetings of such Board or other appropriate records, and such minutes or other records shall be made available to the Commission upon request.  
 
   9. Each Fund will notify all Participating Insurance Companies that separate disclosure in their respective Separate Account prospectuses may be appropriate to advise accounts regarding the potential risks of mixed and shared funding. Each Fund shall disclose in its prospectus that (a) the Fund is intended to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts offered by various insurance companies and for qualified pension and retirement plans; (b) due to differences of tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of various Contract owners participating in the Fund and/or the interests of Qualified Plans investing in the Fund may at some time be in conflict; and (c) the Board of such Fund will monitor events in order to identify the existence of any material irreconcilable conflicts and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to any such conflict.  
 
   10. Each Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders (which, for these purposes, will be the persons having a voting interest in the shares of the Funds), and, in particular, the Funds will either provide for annual shareholder meetings (except insofar as the Commission may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, although the Funds are not the type of trust described in Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act, as well as with Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act and, if and when applicable, Section 16(b) of the 1940 Act. Further, each Fund will act in accordance with the Commission's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of Board Members and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
 
   11. If and to the extent Rules 6e-2 or 6e-3(T) under the 1940 Act is amended, or proposed Rule 6e-3 under the 1940 Act 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 on terms and conditions materially different from any exemptions granted in the order requested in the application, then the Funds and/or Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with such Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, or proposed Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent that such Rules are applicable.  
 
   12. The Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans and/or the Investment Managers, at least annually, will submit to the Board such reports, materials or data as the Board may reasonably request so that the Board may fully carry out obligations imposed upon it by the conditions contained in the application. Such reports, materials and data will be submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the Board. The obligations of the Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans to provide these reports, materials and data to the Board, when the Board so reasonably requests, shall be a contractual obligation of all Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Qualified Plans under their agreements governing participation in the Funds.  
 
   13.  If a Qualified Plan should ever become a holder of ten percent or more of the assets of a Fund, such Qualified Plan will execute a participation agreement with the Fund that includes the conditions set forth herein to the extent applicable. A Qualified Plan will execute an application containing an acknowledgment of this condition upon such Qualified Plan's initial purchase of the shares of any Fund.  
42

 
   Conclusion:  
 
   Applicants assert that, for the reasons summarized above, the requested exemptions are appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 1940 Act.  
 
   For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority.  
43

Templeton Variable Products Series Fund, et al.
 
File No. 812-11698
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Release No. IC-24079
 
1999 SEC LEXIS 2177
 
October 13, 1999
 
ACTION:  Order Granting Exemptions  
 
TEXT: Templeton Variable Products Series Fund ("Templeton Trust"), Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust ("VIP Trust"), Templeton Funds Annuity Company ("TFAC") or any successor to TFAC, and any future open-end investment company for which TFAC or any affiliate is the administrator, sub-administrator, investment manager, adviser, principal underwriter, or sponsor ("Future Funds") filed an application on July 14, 1999, and an amendment on September 17, 1999 seeking an amended order of the Commission pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") exempting them from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15). The prior order (Rel. No. IC-19879) granted exemptive relief to permit shares of the Templeton Trust to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies. The proposed relief would amend the prior order to add as parties to that order the VIP Trust and any Future Funds and to permit shares of the Templeton Trust, the VIP Trust, and Future Funds to be issued to and held by qualified pension and retirement plans outside the separate account context.  
 
   A notice of the filing of the application was issued on September 17, 1999 (Rel. No. IC-24018). The notice gave interested persons an opportunity to request a hearing and stated that an order granting the application would be issued unless a hearing should be ordered. No request for a hearing has been filed, and the Commission has not ordered a hearing.  
 
   The matter has been considered, and it is found that granting the requested exemptions is appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes intended by the policy and provisions of the 1940 Act.  
 
   Accordingly,  
 
   IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act, that the requested exemptions from Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, be, and hereby are, granted, effective forthwith.  
 
   For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority.
 
 
44

 Exhibit 99.8(h)(i)

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

This First Amendment to Participation Agreement (“Amendment”), effective March 1, 2012 is entered into by and among Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, (the “Distributor”), Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (the “Fund”), Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Advisor”) and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”), collectively (the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;

 

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 policies and variable annuity contracts (collectively, the “Contracts”) to be offered by insurance companies that have entered into participation agreements with the Fund, the Advisor and the Distributor;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.   Schedule B of this Amendment, attached hereto, supersedes and replaces in its entirety the Schedule B of the Agreement.

 

2.            The Parties represent and warrant that they understand the requirements of all applicable laws, rules or regulations relating to bribery and corruption both in the Parties’ home jurisdictions and in any other jurisdictions which may have a connection to the services performed by the Parties in connection with the Agreement. The Parties further represent and warrant that they will fully and faithfully comply in all material respects with the requirements of such laws, rules or regulations in connection with all activities under or in any way connected with the Agreement and such reasonable requirements that the Fund, Advisor or the Distributor may notify to Company.

 

3.            If Distributor’s payments to Company under Section 2.8 of the Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 in whole or in part are financed by a Fund in accordance with a Fund’s plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, then in the event of the termination, cancellation or modification of such 12b-1 plan by a Fund’s board of directors or trustees or shareholders, Company agrees upon notification at the Distributor’s option to waive its right to receive such compensation pursuant to aforesaid Section 2.8 until such time, if ever, as Distributor receives payment.

 

4.            Other Terms. Other than the foregoing, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are ratified and confirmed in all respects by the Parties to this Amendment.

 

1

 

 

Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeremiah O’Shea

 

By:

/s/ Todd Thompson

 

Name:

Jeremiah O’Shea

 

Name:

Todd Thompson

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Title:

SVP Annuity sales

 

Date:

4/11/14

 

Date:

3.26.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kenneth Fuller

 

 

 

 

Name:

Kenneth Fuller

 

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

Date:

4/11/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kenneth Fuller

 

 

 

 

Name:

Kenneth Fuller

 

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

Date:

4/11/14

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

SCHEDULE B

 

PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS

 

Trust Name

Fund Name

Class

CUSIP

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Core Portfolio

II

52467X856

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio

II

52467M819

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

Legg Mason BW Absolute Return Opportunities VIT

I

52471F107

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

Legg Mason BW Absolute Return Opportunities VIT

II

52471F206

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy VIT Portfolio

I

52467M793

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy VIT Portfolio

II

52467M785

 

3

 Exhibit 99.8(h)(ii)
 
SECOND AMENDMENT TO
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
 
This Third Amendment to Participation Agreement (“Amendment”) is entered into by and among Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, (the “Distributor”), Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (the “Fund”), Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Advisor”) and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”), collectively (the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009, as amended (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;
 
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:
 
1.
Schedule B of this Amendment, attached hereto, supersedes and replaces in its entirety the Schedule B of the Agreement.  
 
2. The Agreement is hereby amended to add Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust to the definition of “Funds” and the list of Parties to the Agreement.
 
3.
Other Terms.  Other than the foregoing, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and are ratified and confirmed in all respects by the Parties to this Amendment.
 
For the purpose of referring to this Amendment, the date of this Amendment shall be the date of acceptance by Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC.
 
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC
 
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
 
By:
/s/ Jeremy O’Shea
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Aaron Seurkamp
 
Name:
Jeremy O’Shea
 
 
 
 
Name:
Aaron Seurkamp
Title:
COO US Distribution
 
 
 
Title:
SVP
Date:    8/10/2020
 
 
 
 
Date:   Aug 11, 2020
 
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Jane Trust
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Jane Trust
 
 
Name:
Jane Trust
 
 
 
 
Name:
Jane Trust
Title:
President & CEO
 
 
 
Title:
President & CEO
Date:    8/10/2020
 
 
 
 
Date:   8/10/2020
 
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Jane Trust
 
 
 
 
Name:
Jane Trust
 
 
 
 
Title:
President & CEO
 
 
 
Date:    8/10/2020
 
 
 
 
 
1

 
SCHEDULE B
 
PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
 
All Funds shall pay 12b-1 fees in the amount as stated in each Fund’s then current prospectus.
 
 
Fund Trust Name
Portfolio Fund Name
Class
CUSIP
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Portfolio
I
52467X708
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Portfolio
II
52467X856
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio
I
52467M843
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio
II
52467M819
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy VIT Portfolio
I
52467M793
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
QS Legg Mason Dynamic Multi-Strategy VIT Portfolio
II
52467M785
Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust
Western Asset Core Plus VIT Portfolio
I
52467K771
 
2

Exhibit 99.8(h)(iii)
 
Form of ADDENDUM TO SCHEDULE OF
PARTICIPATON AGREEMENT
 
This Addendum (“Addendum”) to the original Schedule of the Participation Agreement executed on November 1, 2009 is entered into by and among Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, collectively (the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009, as amended (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:
 
1. The following Separate Accounts and Associated Products are added to Schedule A of the Agreement:
 
Separate Accounts
Associate Products
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
 
 
For the purpose of referring to this Addendum, the date of this Addendum shall be [DATE].
 
 
 
 
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC
 
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
 
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
 
 
 
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

 Exhibit 99.8(i)(i)

 

NOVATION OF AND AMENDMENT TO
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS NOVATION OF AND AMENDMENT TO PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT made this 25th day of April, 2011 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC (“AGID”), PIMCO Investments LLC (“PI”), PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust (the “Fund”) and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, AGID has served as the principal underwriter for the Fund and its several series of shares (each a “Portfolio”) pursuant to a Distribution Contract with the Fund;

 

WHEREAS, AGID, the Fund and the Company have entered into a Participation Agreement, as amended (or amended and restated) through the date hereof (the “Participation  Agreement”), pursuant to which AGID has made available for purchase by the Company, on behalf of segregated asset accounts of the Company, shares of the Portfolios and performs various other functions;

 

WHEREAS, as of February 14, 2011, PI replaced AGID as the principal underwriter for the Fund by entering into a distribution agreement with the Fund that took effect immediately following the termination of the existing Distribution Contract between AGID and the Fund; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Fund, AGID and PI desire that PI be substituted for AGID as a party for all purposes under the Participation Agreement effective as of the Effective Date pursuant to a novation by AGID to PI as specified herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, which consideration is full and complete, the Company, the Fund, AGID and PI hereby agree as follows:

 

I.             Novation. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, (i) AGID hereby irrevocably novates and transfers to PI all of AGID’s rights, title and interests and duties, liabilities and obligations under the Participation Agreement so as to substitute PI for AGID as a party to the Participation Agreement for all purposes as of the Effective Date (the “Novation”), (ii) PI hereby irrevocably accepts such rights, title and interests and assumes such duties, liabilities and obligations from AGID under the Participation Agreement as of the Effective Date and releases AGID from all such duties, liabilities and obligations thereunder which would otherwise be required or occur on and after the Effective Date, (iii) the Company and the Fund hereby consent to such Novation for all purposes, and (iv) the Company and the Fund hereby irrevocably release AGID from all of its duties, liabilities and obligations under the Participation Agreement which would otherwise be required or occur on and after the Effective Date. Pursuant to the Novation, on and after the Effective Date, PI agrees to duly perform and discharge all liabilities and obligations arising out of or related to the Participation Agreement from time to time to be performed or discharged by it by virtue of this instrument in all respects as if PI was (and had at all times been) named therein as a party instead of AGID.

 

 

II.            Representations and Warranties. PI hereby makes and agrees to all of the representations, warranties, covenants and undertakings made or agreed to by AGID under the Participation Agreement (assuming PI is the party thereto in place of AGID) as of the Effective Date and represents and warrants that the same will continue in full force and effect on and after the Effective Date until further notice by PI to the Company and the Fund.

 

III.          Effective Date and Term. The Novation shall become effective as of the Effective Date and shall extend until the Participation Agreement is thereafter terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

1

IV.          Amendments. (i) The parties agree that all references in the Agreement to “Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC” or the name of its predecessors shall be changed to “PIMCO Investments LLC” as of the Effective Date. Any notice to be provided to PI under the Participation Agreement shall be provided to the address as shown below, and the applicable notice provisions of the Participation Agreement are hereby revised accordingly:

 

PIMCO Investments LLC

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

Telephone: (212) 739-3000

Facsimile: (212) 739-3926

E-mail: IntermediaryAgtReviewTeam@pimco.com

 

Any notice to be provided to the Company under the Participation Agreement or any other agreement entered into between the Company and AGID or its affiliates shall be provided to the address identified on the signature page to this Agreement, and the applicable notice provisions of these agreements are hereby revised accordingly.

 

(ii)           Without limiting the scope of any privacy-related or similar agreement or term in the Participation Agreement, each of the Company, the Fund, AGID and PI hereby agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to the collection, storage, handling, processing and transfer of non-public personal information (“Applicable Laws”), including without limitation the Massachusetts Standards for the Protection of Personal Information, 201 CMR 17.00, et. seq., and to implement and maintain appropriate security measures to protect the confidentiality, security and integrity of non-public personal information in the manner provided for under and to the extent required by all such Applicable Laws, and the Participation Agreement is hereby amended to include this provision (as applicable to PI on and after the Effective Date).

 

V.            Counterparts. This Novation of and Amendment to Participation Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.

 

2

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Novation of and Amendment to Participation Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

 

PIMCO VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

 

 

/s/ Henrik P. Larsen

By:

Henrik P. Larsen

Title:

Vice President

 

 

ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS DISTRIBUTORS LLC

 

 

/s/ Robert Rokose

By:

Robert Rokose

Title:

Managing  Director

 

 

 

PIMCO INVESTMENTS LLC

 

 

/s/ Gregory A. Bishop

By:

Gregory A. Bishop

Title:

Head of Business Management

 

 

 

Protective Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John B.Deremo

 

 

By:

John B.Deremo

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

Address and Related Information for Notices to Company:

 

Address:

Protective Life Insurance Company

 

600 Vine Street, Suite 1800

 

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Attention:

John R. Sawyer, Vice President and Managing Director – Annuities

Telephone:

513-362-1513

Facsimile:

513 362-1513

E-mail:

John.Sawyer@protective.com

 

 

With a copy to:

Senior Associate Counsel – Variable Annuities

 

Protective Life Corporation

 

2801 Highway 280 South

 

Birmingham, AL 35223

 

 

3

Exhibit 99.8(i)(ii) 

 

Amendment to Participation Agreement

 

This Amendment to that certain Participation Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and among PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust (the “Fund”), PIMCO Investments LLC (the “Underwriter”) and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”) effective as of April 25, 2011.

 

WHEREAS, the Fund, the Underwriter and the Company formed the Agreement pursuant to that certain Novation of and Amendment to Participation Agreement dated and effective as of even date herewith, by and among the Fund, the Underwriter, Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC (“AGID”) (the previous principal underwriter for the Fund) and the Company, which substituted Underwriter for AGID as party for all purposes under the Participation Agreement and made certain other amendments described therein.

 

WHEREAS, the Company, pursuant to the Agreement, purchases shares of Portfolios of the Fund on behalf of the Company’s Accounts to fund certain Contracts issued by the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund, the Underwriter, and the Company (each a “Party” and, together, the “Parties”) seek to enter into this Amendment in order to permit the Parties to deliver the Fund’s Summary Prospectuses pursuant to the requirements of Rule 498 (“Rule 498”) as promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.              Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Agreement. For purposes of this Amendment, the terms “Summary Prospectus” and “Statutory Prospectus” shall have the same meanings as set forth in Rule 498.

 

2.              The Agreement is amended to provide as follows:

 

a.              The Fund represents, warrants and covenants that the availability of the Fund’s Statutory Prospectuses and certain other Fund documents will comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 498, including, in particular, paragraph (e).

 

b.              (i) The Fund shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of Rule 498(f)(1) involving Contract owners’ requests for additional Fund documents made directly to the Fund.

 

(ii) The Company shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of Rule 498(f)(1) involving Contract owners’ requests for additional Fund documents made directly to the Company. In connection with the Company’s obligation to deliver the documents pursuant to a request made directly to it, the Company shall obtain all such documents from the website maintained by Fund and/or the Underwriter for purposes of complying with Rule 498(e), and shall not alter, in any way, such documents.

 

c.          The Company represents and warrants that any bundling and delivery of Summary Prospectuses and Statutory Prospectuses will be compliant with Rule 498(c) and the greater prominence requirements of 498(f)(2).

 

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3.              The Parties agree that all other provisions of the Agreement, including the indemnification provisions, will apply to the terms of this Amendment as applicable.

 

4.              The parties agree that the Company is not required to use or distribute Summary Prospectuses to its Contract owners, but rather use of the Summary Prospectus will be at the discretion of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized officer.

 

Dated as of April 25, 2011

 

 

PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust (Fund)

 

 

 

/s/ Henrik P. Larsen

 

By:

Henrik P. Larsen

 

Its:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

PIMCO Investments LLC (Underwriter)

 

 

 

 

/s/ Gregory A. Bishop

 

By:

Gregory A. Bishop

 

Its:

Head of Business Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (Company)

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John B.Deremo

 

 

By:

John B.Deremo

 

 

Its:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

2

Exhibit 99.8(i)(iii)
 
 Form of ADDENDUM TO SCHEDULE OF
PARTICIPATON AGREEMENT
 
This Addendum (“Addendum”) to the original Schedule of the Participation Agreement executed on November 1, 2009 is entered into by and among Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC, (the “Underwriter”), PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust (the “Fund”), and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”), collectively (the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:
 
1. The following Designated Portfolios/Classes are added to Schedule A of the Agreement:
 
Global Diversified Allocation Portfolio, Advisor Class
 
2. The following segregated asset accounts and associated products are added to Schedule A of the Agreement:
 
Separate Accounts
Products
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
 
 
For the purpose of referring to this Amendment, the date of this Amendment shall be [DATE].
 
 
 
 
 
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust
 
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
 
 
 
 
 
By:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
 
Date:    ___________________________
 
 
1

Exhibit 99.8(j)(i)
 
Form of ADDENDUM TO SCHEDULE OF
PARTICIPATON AGREEMENT
 
This Addendum (“Addendum”) to the original Schedule of the Participation Agreement executed on December 19, 2003 is entered into by and among Royce Fund Services, Inc., (the “Distributor”), Royce Capital Fund (the “Fund”), and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”), collectively (the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2009 (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:
 
1. The following Separate Accounts and Contracts are added to Schedule B of the Agreement:
 
Separate Accounts
Contracts
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
 
 
For the purpose of referring to this Amendment, the date of this Amendment shall be [DATE].
 
 
 
Royce Fund Services, Inc.
 
 
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
Royce Capital Fund
 
 
 
 
 
By:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
 
Date:    ___________________________
 
 
1

Exhibit 99.8(l)

 

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

BY AND AMONG

 

AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
(INVESCO VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS),

 

INVESCO DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY,

ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND

ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,

 

AND

 

INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

OF VARIABLE CONTRACTS AND POLICIES

 

 
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PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 1st day of June, 2010 (“Agreement”), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds (lnvesco Variable Insurance Funds), a Delaware Trust (“AVIF (IVIF)”), Invesco Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“INVESCO”), Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, a New York life insurance company (“LIFE COMPANY”), on behalf of itself and each of its segregated asset accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto may amend from time to time (each, an “Account,” and collectively, the “Accounts”); and Investment Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY and the principal underwriter of the Contracts (“UNDERWRITER”) (collectively, the “Parties”).

 

WITNESSETH THAT:

 

WHEREAS, AVIF (IVIF) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, AVIF (IV IF) currently consists of separate series portfolios (“Series”), offering shares (“Shares”) each of which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and are currently sold to one or more separate accounts of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts; and

 

WHEREAS, AVIF (IVIF) will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A hereto as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a “Fund”; reference herein to “AVIF (IVIF)” includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the context requires) available for purchase by the Accounts; and

 

WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance contracts (“Contracts”) as set forth on Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time, which Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the “Contracts”), if required by applicable law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and

 

WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will fund the Contracts through the Accounts, each of which may be divided into two or more subaccounts (“Subaccounts”; reference herein to an “Account” includes reference to each Subaccount thereof to the extent the context requires); and

 

WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of which is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under the 1940 Act (or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued by the Accounts under the Contracts will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act (or exempt therefrom); and

 

WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the Funds on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and

 

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WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“1934 Act”) and a member in good standing of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”);

 

WHEREAS, INVESCO is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act and a member in good standing of FINRA;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.  Available Funds

 

1.1                              Availability

 

AVIF (IVIF) will make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for purchase and redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of AVIF (IVIF) (the “Board”) may refuse to sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of Shares of any Fund (a) if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, (b) if, in the sole discretion of the Trustees acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best interests of the shareholders of such Fund, or (c) if such action is required by any policies that the Board has adopted and that apply to all Participating Insurance Companies.

 

1.2                             Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds

 

The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to provide additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF (IVIF), or its Shares herein shall include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended from time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.

 

1.3                              No Sales to the General Public

 

AVIF (IVIF) represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or will be sold to the general public.

 

Section 2.  Processing Transactions

 

2.1                               Timely Pricing and Orders

 

(a)                                 AVIF (IVIF) or its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide LIFE COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m. Central Time on each Business Day. As used herein, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading, (ii) AVIF (IVIF) calculates the Fund’s net asset value, and (iii) LIFE COMPANY is open for business.

 

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(b)                                 LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF (IVIF) each Business Day pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values and to process transactions that receive that same Business Day’s Account unit values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business Day, and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF (IVIF) by 9:00 a.m. Central Time the following Business Day; provided, however, that AVIF (IVIF) shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY in the event that AVIF (IVIF) is unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above. Such additional time shall be equal to the additional time that AVIF (IVIF) takes to make the net asset values available to LIFE COMPANY.

 

(c)                                     With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and of redemption proceeds by AVIF (IVIF), LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (IVIF) shall net purchase and redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below.

 

(d)                                   If AVIF (IVIF) provides materially incorrect Share net asset value information (as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value per Share. Any material error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per Share, dividend or capital gain information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY. Materiality and reprocessing cost reimbursement shall be determined in accordance with standards established by the Parties as provided in Schedule B, attached hereto and incorporated herein (except that for any money market fund, materiality shall be determined in a manner consistent with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act).

 

2.2                               Timely Payments

 

LIFE COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account designated by AVIF (IVIF) by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for Shares is placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF (IVIF) will wire payment for net redemptions to an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as may be required by law.

 

2.3                               Applicable Price

 

(a)                                Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from purchase payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under Contracts (collectively, “Contract transactions”) and that LIFE COMPANY receives prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other time set by the Board for purposes of determining the current net asset value of a Fund in accordance with Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act) on a Business Day will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after receipt by AVIF (IVIF) or its designated agent of the orders. For purposes of this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of AVIF (IVIF) for receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions, , in accordance with Section 22(c) and Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act, on each Business Day and receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF (IVIF); provided that AVIF (IVIF) receives notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on the next following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance with Section 2.1(b) hereof. In connection with this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it will not submit any order for Shares or engage in any practice, nor will it allow or suffer any person acting on its behalf to submit any order for Shares or engage in any practice, that would violate or cause a violation of applicable law or regulation including, without limitation Section 22 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.

 

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(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will be effected at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after receipt by AVIF (IVIF) or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders will be irrevocable.

 

(c) Without limiting the scope or effect of Section 1.1 hereof, pursuant to which the Board may reject a Share purchase order by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY under the circumstances described therein, LIFE COMPANY and [NAME OF UNDERWRITER] agree to cooperate with the Fund and INVESCO to prevent any person exercising, or purporting to exercise, rights or privileges under one or more Contracts (including, but not limited to Contract owners, annuitants, insureds or participants, as the case may be (collectively, “Participants”)) from engaging in any trading practices in any Fund that the Board or INVESCO determines, in good faith and in their sole discretion, to be detrimental or potentially detrimental to the other shareholders of the Fund, or to be in contravention of any applicable law or regulation including, without limitation, Section 22 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Such cooperation may include, but shall not be limited to, identifying the person or persons engaging in such trading practices, facilitating the imposition of any applicable redemption fee on such person or persons, limiting the telephonic or electronic trading privileges of such person or persons, and taking such other remedial steps, all to the extent permitted or required by applicable law.

 

2.4                                Dividends and Distributions

 

AVIF (IVIF) will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund. LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions in additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at the ex-dividend date net asset values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF (IV IF) in writing, it being agreed by the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the payment date with respect to any dividend or distribution will be the same Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.

 

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2.5                              Book Entry

 

Issuance and transfer of AVIF (IVIF) Shares will be by book entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF (IVIF) will be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its Account.

 

Section 3.  Costs and Expenses

 

3.1                              General

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided in Schedule C, attached hereto and made a part hereof, each Party will bear, or arrange for others to bear, all expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.

 

3.2                              Parties To Cooperate

 

Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in arranging to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or coordinated prospectuses or other materials of AVIF (IVIF) and the Accounts.

 

Section 4.  Legal Compliance

 

4.1                             Tax Laws

 

(a)                                AVIF (IVIF) represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and represents that it will use its best efforts to qualify and to maintain qualification of each Fund as a RIC. AVIF (IVIF) will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.

 

(b)                              AVIF (IV IF) represents that it will use its best efforts to comply and to maintain each Fund’s compliance with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under the Code. AVIF (IVIF) will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a Fund might not so comply in the future. In the event of a breach of this Section 4.1 (b) by AVIF (IVIF), it will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the regulations under the Code.

 

(c)                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but without limiting the ability of AVIF (IVIF) and/or INVESCO to assume the defense of any action pursuant to Section 12.2(d) hereof, LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of LIFE COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY’s knowledge, of any Participants, that any Fund has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure:

 

5

 

 

(i)                                   LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF (IVIF) of such assertion or potential claim (subject to the Confidentiality provisions of Section 18 as to any Participant);

 

(ii)                                LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF (IVIF) as to how to minimize any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged failure;

 

(iii)                             LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates resulting from such failure, including, without limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was inadvertent;

 

(iv)                            LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF (IVIF), its affiliates and their legal and accounting advisors to participate in any conferences, settlement discussions or other administrative or judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to liability to AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure; provided, however, that LIFE COMPANY will retain control of the conduct of such conferences discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals;

 

(v)                               any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)), (a) shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (IVIF) (together with any supporting information or analysis); subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten ( 10) business days or such shorter period to which the Parties hereto agree prior to the day on which such proposed materials are to be submitted, and (b) shall not be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to any such person without the express written consent of AVIF (IVIF) which shall not be unreasonably withheld;

 

(vi)                            LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates and their accounting and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF (IVIF) shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by permitting AVIF (IVIF) and its accounting and legal advisors to review the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in order to facilitate review by AVIF (IVIF) or its advisors of any written submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding clause or its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against its arising from such a failure or alleged failure;

 

(vii)                         LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any Participant that would give rise to a claim against AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates (a) compromise or settle any claim, (b) accept any adjustment on audit, or (c) forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the express written consent of A VIP (IVIF) or its affiliates, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that LIFE COMPANY shall not be required, after exhausting all administrative remedies, to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and provided further that the costs of any such appeal shall be borne equally by the Parties hereto; and

 

6

 

 

 

(viii)                  A VIP (IVIF) and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result of such failure or alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to comply with any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), and such failure could be shown to have materially contributed to the liability.

 

Should A VIP (IVIF) or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE COMPANY may, in its discretion, authorize A VIP (IVIF) or its affiliates to act in the name of LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences, discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial appeals thereof, and in that event A VIP (IVIF) or its affiliates shall bear the fees and expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so authorized to control; provided, that in no event shall LIFE COMPANY have any liability resulting from AVIF (IVIF)’s refusal to accept the proposed settlement or compromise with respect to any failure caused by A VIP (IVIF). As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliates” shall have the same meaning as “affiliated person” as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.

 

(d)                               LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts currently are and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its best efforts to maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify A VIP (IVIF) immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.

 

(e)                                 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a “segregated asset account” and that interests in each Account are offered exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a “variable contract,” within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will use its best efforts to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify A VIP (IVIF) immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or that they might not be met in the future.

 

4.2                              Insurance and Certain Other Laws

 

(a)                               A VIP (IVIF) will use its best efforts to comply with any applicable state insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically requested in writing by LIFE COMPANY, which efforts shall include, without limitation, the furnishing of information that is not otherwise available to LIFE COMPANY and that is required by state insurance law to enable LIFE COMPANY to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any applicable state.

 

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(b) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established and maintains each Account as a segregated asset account under Section 4240 of the New York Insurance Law and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Contracts comply in all material respects with all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

 

(c) AVIF (IVIF) represents and warrants that it is lawfully organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.

 

4.3                               Securities Laws

 

(a)                                     LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each Account pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and the law(s) of LIFE COMPANY’s state(s) of organization and domicile, (iii) each Account is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account’s 1933 Act registration statement relating to the Contracts, together with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will amend the registration statement for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts under the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Contracts or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, and (vii) each Account Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and then-current stickers (collectively referred to herein as “Account Prospectus”), will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.

 

(b)                                 AVIF (IV IF) represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the 1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with Delaware law, (ii) AVIF (IVIF) is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF (IVIF) will amend the registration statement for its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares, (iv) AVIF (IVIF) does and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF (IVIF)’s 1933 Act registration statement, together with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules thereunder, and (vi) AVIF (IVIF)’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and then-current stickers (collectively referred to herein as “AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus”), will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.

 

(c)                                        AVIF (IVIF) will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale in accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the extent reasonably deemed advisable by AVIF (IVIF).

 

(d)                                      AVIF (IVIF) represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having access to the funds and/or securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17 g-(1) of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable bonding company.

 

4.4                               Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances

 

(a)                                    AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other similar order with respect to AVIF (IVIF)’s registration statement under the 1933 Act or AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF (IVIF), (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the registration or offering of AVIF (IVIF)’s Shares, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of Shares of any Fund in any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in which (a) such Shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law, or (b) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY. AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance, with respect to any Fund, of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.

 

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(b)                                 LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER will immediately notify AVIF (IVIF) of (i) the issuance by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other similar order with respect to each Account’s registration statement under the 1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or Account Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF (IVIF), (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the registration or offering of each Account’s interests pursuant to the Contracts, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law. LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.

 

4.5                              LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF (IVIF)

 

(a)                                LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF (IVIF) or its designated agent at least one (l) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

 

(b)                                LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF (IVIF) or its designated agent at lea-;t one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which AVIF (IVIF) or any of its affiliates is named, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be used if AVIF (IVIF) or its designated agent objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. AVIF (IVIF) hereby designates INVESCO as the entity to receive such sales literature, until such time as AVIF (IVIF) appoints another designated agent by giving notice to LIFE COMPANY in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.

 

(c)                                 Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than (i) the information or representations contained in the registration statement, including the AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares, as such registration statement and AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF (IVIF); or (iii) in published reports for AVIF (IVIF) that are in the public domain and approved by AVIF (IVIF) for distribution; or (iv) in sales literature or other promotional material approved by AVIF (IVIF), except with the express written permission of AVIF (IVIF).

 

(d)                                LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning AVIF (IVIF) and its affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not intended for distribution to Participants) (“broker only materials”) is so used, and neither AVIF (IVIF) nor any of its affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only materials.

 

(e)                                 For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase “sales literature or other promotional material” includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g., on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under FINRA rules, the 1933 Act, or the 1940 Act.

 

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4.6                                  AVIF (IVIF) To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY

 

(a)                                 AVIF (IVIF) will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, AVIF (IVIF) Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF (IVIF) or the Shares of a Fund, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.

 

(b)                                AVIF (IVIF) will provide to LIFE COMPANY a camera ready copy of all AVIF (IVIF) prospectuses and printed copies, in an amount specified by LIFE COMPANY, of AVIF (IVIF) statements of additional information, proxy materials, periodic reports to shareholders and other materials required by law to be sent to Participants who have allocated any Contract value to a Fund. AVIF (IVIF) will provide such copies to LIFE COMPANY in a timely manner so as to enable LIFE COMPANY, as the case may be, to print and distribute such materials within the time required by law to be furnished to Participants.

 

(c)                                 AVIF (IV IF) will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at least one ( 1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates is named, or that refers to the Contracts, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. LIFE COMPANY shall receive all such sales literature until such time as it appoints a designated agent by giving notice to AVIF (IVIF) in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.

 

(d)                              Neither AVIF (IVIF) nor any of its affiliates will give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE COMPANY, each Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or representations contained in the registration statement, including each Account Prospectus contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such registration statement and Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in published reports for the Account or the Contracts that are in the public domain and approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in sales literature or other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates, except with the express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.

 

(e)                                AVIF (IV IF) shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not intended for distribution to Participants) (“broker only materials”) is so used, and neither LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only materials.

 

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(f)                         For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase “sales literature or other promotional material” includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g., on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under FINRA rules, the 1933 Act, or the 1940 Act.

 

Section 5.  Mixed and Shared Funding

 

5.1                              General

 

The SEC has granted an order to AVIF (IVIF) exempting it from certain provisions of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF (IVIF) may be available for investment by certain other entities, including, without limitation, separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts, separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with LIFE COMPANY, and trustees of qualified pension and retirement plans (collectively, “Mixed and Shared Funding”). The Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed terms and conditions for such orders that are substantially identical to many of the provisions of this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply pursuant to the exemptive order granted to AVIF (IVIF). AVIF (IVIF) hereby notifies LIFE COMPANY that, in the event that AVIF (IVIF) implements Mixed and Shared Funding, it may be appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is offered disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.

 

5.2                              Disinterested Trustees

 

AVIF (IVIF) agrees that its Board shall at all times consist of trustees a majority of whom (the “Disinterested Trustees”) are not interested persons of AVIF (IVIF) within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or bona fide resignation of any director, then the operation of this condition shall be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or vacancies may be filled by the Board; (b) for a period of sixty (60) days if a vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies or (c) for such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.

 

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5.3                              Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts

 

AVIF (IVIF) agrees that its Board will monitor for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the Participants in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF (IVIF) (“Participating Insurance Companies”), including each Account, and participants in all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF (IVIF) (“Participating Plans”). LIFE COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of AVIF (IVIF) of the existence of or any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of which it is aware. The concept of a “material irreconcilable conflict” is not defined by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that such a conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation:

 

(a)                                 an action by any state insurance or other regulatory authority;

 

(b)                                  a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax or securities regulatory authorities;

 

(c)                                  an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding;

 

(d)                                 the manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;

 

(e)                                  a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of different Participating Insurance Companies;

 

(f)                                   a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of Participants; or

 

(g)                                  a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting instructions of Plan participants.

 

Consistent with the SEC’s requirements in connection with exemptive orders of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities by providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any issue raised, including information as to a decision by LIFE COMPANY to disregard voting instructions of Participants. LIFE COMPANY’s responsibilities in connection with the foregoing shall be carried out with a view only to the interests of Participants.

 

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5.4                                Conflict Remedies

 

(a)                                 It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members of the Board or a majority of the Disinterested Trustees that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will, if it is a Participating Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is relevant, at its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which steps may include, but are not limited to:

 

(i)                                     withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts from AVIF (IVIF) or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including another Fund of AVIF (IVIF), or submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected Participants and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any particular group (e.g., annuity Participants, life insurance Participants or all Participants) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Participants the option of making such a change; and

(ii)                                  establishing a new registered investment company of the type defined as a “management company” in Section 4(3) of the 1940 Act or a new separate account that is operated as a management company.

 

(b)                               If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE COMPANY’s decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE COMPANY may be required, at AVIF (IVIF)’s election, to withdraw each Account’s investment in AVIF (IVIF) or any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six (6) months after AVIF (IVIF) gives notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is being implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF (IVIF) shall continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares of AVIF (IVIF).

 

(c)                                  If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state insurance regulator’s decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will withdraw each Account’s investment in AVIF (IVIF) within six (6) months after AVIF (IVIF)’s Board informs LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such decision has created a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal AVIF (IVIF) shall continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares of AVIF (IVIF). No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal.

 

(d)                                 LIFE COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in resolving any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its expense and with a view only to the interests of Participants.

 

(e)                                  For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Trustees will determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF (IVIF) or any of its affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts. LIFE COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the material irreconcilable conflict.

 

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5.5                              Notice to LIFE COMPANY

 

AVIF (IVIF) will promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board’s determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict, a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications of such conflict.

 

5.6                              Information Requested by Board

 

LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (IVIF) (or its investment adviser) will at least annually submit to the Board of AVIF (IVIF) such reports, materials or data as the Board may reasonably request so that the Board may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof or any exemptive order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared Funding, and said reports, materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed appropriate by the Board. All reports received by the Board of potential or existing conflicts, and all Board actions with regard to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying Participating Insurance Companies and Participating Plans of a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, will be property recorded in the minutes of the Board or other appropriate records, and such minutes or other records will be made available to the SEC upon request.

 

5.7                             Compliance with SEC Rules

 

If, at any time during which AVIF (IVIF) is serving as an investment medium for variable life insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable, 6e-2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with respect to Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF (IVIF) agrees that it will comply with the terms and conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be deemed modified if and only to the extent required in order also to comply with the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of said rules that are applicable.

 

5.8                              Other Requirements

 

AVIF (IVIF) will require that each Participating Insurance Company and Participating Plan enter into an agreement with AVIF (IVIF) that contains in substance the same provisions as are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(b), 4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.  Termination

 

6.1                              Events of Termination

 

Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:

 

(a)                                at the option of any party, with or without cause with respect to the Fund, upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other parties, or, if later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief from the SEC, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties; or

 

(b)                                 at the option of AVIF (IVIF) upon institution of formal proceedings against LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates by FINRA, the SEC, any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY’s obligations under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of each Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF (IVIF) reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences on the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or

 

(c)                                 at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal proceedings against AVIF (IVIF), its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by FINRA, the SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding AVIF (IVIF)’s obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or management of AVIF (IVIF) or the purchase of AVIF (IVIF) Shares, if, in each case, LIFE COMPANY reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences on LIFE COMPANY, or the Subaccount corresponding to the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or

 

(d)                                  at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund’s Shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY; or

 

(e)                                  upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount’s investment in the Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or

 

(f)                                   at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund ceases to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or

 

(g)                                 at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund fails to comply with Section 817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so comply; or

 

(h                                 at the option of AVIF (IVIF) if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY cease to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code (other than by reason of the Fund’s noncompliance with Section 817(h) or Subchapter M of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts are not registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or

 

(i)                                  upon another Party’s material breach of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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6.2                              Notice Requirement for Termination

 

No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other Party to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth the basis for such termination. Furthermore:

 

(a)                                 in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Sections 6.1 (a) or 6.l(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;

 

(b)                                 in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Sections 6.1(b) or 6.l(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and

 

(c)                            in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.l(i) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after the terminating Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.

 

6.3                              Funds To Remain Available

 

Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement by LIFE COMPANY, AVIF (IVIF) will, at the option of LIFE COMPANY, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Existing Contracts”), unless INVESCO or the Board determines that doing so would not serve the best interests of the shareholders of the affected Funds or would be inconsistent with applicable law or regulation. Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund (as in effect on such date), redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 6.3 will not apply to any (i) terminations under Section 5 and the effect of such terminations will be governed by Section 5 of this Agreement or (ii) any rejected purchase and/or redemption order as described in Section 2.3( c) hereof.

 

6.4                             Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications

 

All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

6.5                             Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes

 

If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant to Sections 6.l(b), 6.1(c), 6.l(d), 6.l(f), 6.l(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, this Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that Fund that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the “Initial Termination Date”). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date as of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the “Final Termination Date”) six (6) months following the Initial Termination Date, except that LIFE COMPANY may, by written notice shorten said six (6) month period in the case of a termination pursuant to Sections 6.l(d), 6.1(f), 6.l(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i).

 

Section 7.  Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination

 

The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to one another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 6.1 (a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps may include combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or otherwise terminating participation by the Contracts in such Fund.

 

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Section 8.  Assignment

 

This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written consent of each other Party.

 

Section 9.  Notices

 

Notices and communications required or permitted will be given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other notice or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to the following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:

 

AIM Variable Insurance Funds

(lnvesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco Distributors, Inc.

11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas  77046

Facsimile:  (713) 993-9185

 

Attn:                   Peter Davidson, Esq.

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, Alabama 35223

Facsimile:  205-268-3597

 

Attn:                   Eric Miller

 

With a copy to:

 

Protective Life Corporation

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, Alabama 35223

 

Attn:                  Senior Associate Counsel - Variable Insurance Products

 

Investment Distributors, Inc.

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, Alabama 35223

Facsimile:  205-268-3597

 

Attn:                   Eric Miller

 

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Section 10.  Voting Procedures

 

Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF (IVIF) to Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote Shares in accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants. Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the Shares held for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. LIFE COMPANY shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding Shares calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed and Shared Funding exemptive order obtained by AVIF (IVIF). AVIF (IVIF) will notify LIFE COMPANY of any changes of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared Funding exemptive order it has obtained. AVIF (IVIF) will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular, AVIF (IVIF) either will provide for annual meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or will comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although AVIF (IVIF) is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, AVIF (IVIF) will act in accordance with the SEC’s interpretation of the requirements of Section 16( a) with respect to periodic elections of trustees and with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.

 

Section 11.  Foreign Tax Credits

 

AVIF (IVIF) agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any decision to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass through the benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.

 

Section 12.  Indemnification

 

12.1                        Of AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER

 

(a)                              Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c), below, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF (IVIF), INVESCO, their affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF (IVIF), INVESCO, or their affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective trustees and officers, (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 12.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY and UNDER WRITER) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise; provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:

 

(i)          arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account’s 1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or advertising for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER by or on behalf of AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO for use in any Account’s 1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or

 

(ii)          arise out of or as a result of any other statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in AVIF (IVIF)’s 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF (IVIF), or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of LIFE COMPANY, UNDER WRITER or their respective affiliates or persons under their control (including, without limitation, their employees and “persons associated with a member,” as that term is defined in paragraph ( q) of Article I of FINRA’s By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Shares; or

 

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(iii)        arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF (IVIF)’s 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF (IV IF), or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to AVIF (IVIF), INVESCO or their affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates for use in AVIF (IVIF)’s 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF (IVIF), or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or

 

(iv)         arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials required of them under the terms of this Agreement, or any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER; or

 

(v)          arise as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code, otherwise than by reason of any Fund’s failure to comply with Subchapter M or Section 817(h) of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this Section 12.1with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO.

 

(c)                                 Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this Section 12.1with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO shall have notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER of any such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER from any liability which they may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 12.1. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER shall be entitled to participate, at their own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to such Indemnified Party of LIFE COMPANY’s or UNDER WRITER’s election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDER WRITER will be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.

 

12.2                       Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO

 

(a)                                 Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e), below, AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO agree to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, their respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective trustees and officers, (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 12.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of AVIF (IVIF) and/or INVESCO) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law, or otherwise; provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:

 

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(i)           arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF (IVIF)’s 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus or sales literature or advertising of AVIF (IV IF) (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates for use in AVIF (IVIF)’s 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF (IVIF) Prospectus, or in sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or

 

(ii)          arise out of or as a result of any other statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in any Account’s 1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of AVIF (IVIF), INVESCO or their affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of AVIF (IVIF), INVESCO or their affiliates or persons under their control (including, without limitation, their employees and “persons associated with a member” as that term is defined in Section (q) of Article I of FINRA By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of AVIF (IVIF) Shares; or

 

(iii)         arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account’s 1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or on behalf of AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO for use in any Account’s 1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or

 

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(iv)         arise as a result of any failure by AVIF (IVIF) to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials required of it under the terms of this Agreement, or any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by AVIF (IVIF) in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by AVIF (IVIF).

 

(b)                                 The parties agree that the foregoing indemnification by AVIF (IV IF) shall not apply to any acts or omissions of INVESCO. Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2( c), 12.2( d) and 12.2(e) hereof, AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement thereof with, the written consent of AVIF (IV IF) and/or INVESCO) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or indirectly under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions directly or indirectly result from or arise out of the failure of any Fund to operate as a regulated investment company in compliance with (i) Subchapter M of the Code and regulations thereunder, or (ii) Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, any income taxes and related penalties, rescission charges, liability under state law to Participants asserting liability against LIFE COMPANY pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of any ruling and closing agreement or other settlement with the IRS, and the cost of any substitution by LIFE COMPANY of Shares of another investment company or portfolio for those of any adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for each Account that LIFE COMPANY reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result of the noncompliance.

 

(c)                                  Neither AVIF (IVIF) nor INVESCO shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, each Account or Participants.

 

(d)                                 Neither AVIF (IVIF) nor INVESCO shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have notified AVIF (IVIF) and/or INVESCO in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO of any such action shall not relieve AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, AVIF (IVIF) and/or INVESCO will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing agreement or other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF (IVIF) and/or INVESCO to such Indemnified Party of AVIF (IVIF)’s or INVESCO’s election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and AVIF (IVIF) and INVESCO 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.

 

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(e)                                  In no event shall AVIF (IVIF) or INVESCO be liable under the indemnification provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including, without limitation, LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other Participating Insurance Company or any Participant, with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result from (i) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDER WRITER hereunder or by any other Participating Insurance Company under an agreement containing substantially similar representations, warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any other Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset account (which invests in any Fund) as a legally and validly established segregated asset account under applicable state law and as a duly registered unit investment trust under the provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any other Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity or life insurance contracts (with respect to which any Fund serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable provisions of the Code.

 

12.3                        Effect of Notice

 

Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party referred to in Sections 12.1 (c) or 12.2( d) above of participation in or control of any action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an admission by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility, and the indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to the claim among the Parties or otherwise.

 

12.4                        Successors

 

A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification contained in this Section 12.

 

Section 13.  Applicable Law

 

This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in accordance with Delaware law, without regard for that state’s principles of conflict of laws.

 

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Section 14.  Execution in Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 15.  Severability

 

If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby.

 

Section 16.  Rights Cumulative

 

The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations, at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state laws.

 

Section 17.  Headings

 

The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 18.  Confidentiality

 

AVIF (IVIF) acknowledges that the identities of the customers of LIFE COMPANY or any of its affiliates (collectively, the “LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties” for purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers, and all computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with LIFE COMPANY’s performance of its duties under this Agreement are the valuable property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties. AVIF (IVIF) agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties’ customers, or any other information or property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties, other than such information as may be independently developed or compiled by AVIF (IVIF) from information supplied to it by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties’ customers who also maintain accounts directly with AVIF (IVIF), AVIF (IVIF) will hold such information or property in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other property except: (a) with LIFE COMPANY’s prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process. LIFE COMPANY acknowledges that the identities of the customers of AVIF (IVIF) or any of its affiliates (collectively, the “AVIF (IVIF) Protected Parties” for purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers, and all computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the AVIF (IVIF) Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with AVIF (IVIF)’s performance of its duties under this Agreement are the valuable property of the AVIF (IV IF) Protected Parties. LIFE COMPANY agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the AVIF (IVIF) Protected Parties’ customers or any other information or property of the AVIF (IVIF) Protected Parties, other than such information as may be independently developed or compiled by LIFE COMPANY from information supplied to it by the AVIF (IVIF) Protected Parties’ customers who also maintain accounts directly with LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY will hold such information or property in confidence and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or other property except: (a) with AVIF (IVIF)’s prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial process. Each party acknowledges that any breach of the agreements in this Section 18 would result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other parties for which there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree that in the event of such a breach, the other parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way of temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any court of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.

 

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Section 19.  Trademarks and Fund Names

 

(a)                                 Except as may otherwise be provided in a License Agreement among Invesco Aim Management Group Inc., LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER, neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER or any of their respective affiliates, shall use any trademark, trade name, service mark or logo of AVIF (IVIF), INVESCO or any of their respective affiliates, or any variation of any such trademark, trade name, service mark or logo, without AVIF (IVIF)’s or INVESCO’s prior written consent, the granting of which shall be at AVIF (IVIF)’s or INVESCO’s sole option.

 

(b)                                 Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither AVIF (IV IF), its investment adviser, its principal underwriter, or any affiliates thereof shall use any trademark, trade name, service mark or logo of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any of their affiliates, or any variation of any such trademark, trade name, service mark or logo, without LIFE COMPANY’s or UNDERWRITER’s prior written consent, the granting of which shall be at LIFE COMPANY’s or UNDERWRITER’s sole option.

 

Section 20.  Parties to Cooperate

 

Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the SEC, FINRA and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and such authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 21.  Amendments; Need For

 

No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by mutual written agreement executed by all parties hereto. The Parties shall, from time to time, review this Agreement to determine the extent to which an amendment thereto may be necessary or appropriate to reflect changes in applicable law or regulation, and shall cooperate in implementing any such amendment in a timely manner, it being understood and agreed to that no such amendment shall take effect except upon mutual written agreement of all Parties as stated above.

 

 Section 22.  Force Majeure

 

Each Party shall be excused from the performance of any of its obligations to the other where such nonperformance is occasioned by any event beyond its control which shall include, without limitation, any applicable order, rule or regulation of any federal, state or local body, agency or instrumentality with jurisdiction, work stoppage, accident, natural disaster, war, acts of terrorism or civil disorder, provided that the Party so excused shall use all reasonable efforts to minimize its nonperformance and overcome, remedy, cure or remove such event as soon as is reasonably practicable, and such performance shall be excused only for so long as, in any given case, the force or circumstances making performance impossible shall exist.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers signing below.

 

 

 

AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
(INVESCO VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS)

 

 

 

Attest:

/s/ Peter Davidson

 

By:

/s/ John M. Zerr

 

 

 

 

 

Name: 

Peter Davidson

 

Name:

John M. Zerr

 

 

 

 

 

Title: 

Assistant Secretary

 

Title: 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESCO DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

/s/ Peter Davidson

 

By:

/s/ John S. Cooper

 

 

 

 

 

Name: 

Peter Davidson

 

Name:

John S. Cooper

 

 

 

 

 

Title: 

Assistant Secretary

 

Title: 

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, on behalf of itself and its separate accounts

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

By:

/s/ John Sawyer

 

 

 

 

 

Name: 

 

 

Name:

John Sawyer

 

 

 

 

 

Title: 

 

 

Title: 

Senior, Vice President, Annuities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

By:

/s/ Barry Brown

 

 

 

 

 

Name: 

 

 

Name:

Barry Brown

 

 

 

 

 

Title: 

 

 

Title: 

Assistant Secretary

 

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SCHEDULE A

 

 

FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS

 

ALL SERIES I SHARES AND SERIES II SHARES OF

AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS (INVESCO VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS)

 

 

SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS

 

ALL SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS

 

 

CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

 

ALL CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

 

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SCHEDULE B

 

INVESCO’s PRICING ERROR POLICIES

 

 

Determination of Materiality

 

In the event that INVESCO discovers an error in the calculation of the Fund’s net asset value, the following policies will apply:

 

If the amount of the error is less than $.01 per share, it is considered immaterial and no adjustments are made.

 

If the amount of the error is $.01 per share or more, then the following thresholds are applied:

 

a.                                      If the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and the correct net asset value is less than .5% of the correct net asset value, INVESCO will reimburse the affected Fund to the extent of any loss resulting from the error. No other adjustments shall be made.

 

b.                                     If the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and the correct net asset value is .5% of the correct net asset value or greater, then INVESCO will determine the impact of the error to the affected Fund and shall reimburse such Fund (and/or LIFE COMPANY, as appropriate, such as in the event that the error was not discovered until after LIFE COMPANY processed transactions using the erroneous net asset value) to the extent of any loss resulting from the error. To the extent that an overstatement of net asset value per share is detected quickly and LIFE COMPANY has not mailed redemption checks to Participants, LIFE COMPANY and INVESCO agree to examine the extent of the error to determine the feasibility of reprocessing such redemption transaction (for purposes of reimbursing the Fund to the extent of any such overpayment).

 

Reprocessing Cost Reimbursement

 

To the extent a reprocessing of Participant transactions is required pursuant to paragraph (b), above, INVESCO shall reimburse LIFE COMPANY for LIFE COMPANY’s reprocessing costs in an amount not to exceed $1.00 per contract affected by $10 or more.

 

The Pricing Policies described herein may be modified by AVIF (IVIF) as approved by its Board. INVESCO agrees to use its best efforts to notify LIFE COMPANY at least five (5) days prior to any such meeting of the Board of AVIF (IVIF) to consider such proposed changes.

 

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SCHEDULEC

 

EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS

 

 

 

 

LIFE COMPANY

 

 

AVIF (IVIF) / INVESCO

 

preparing and filing the Account’s registration statement

 

Preparing and filing the Fund’s registration statement

text composition for Account prospectuses and supplements

 

text composition for Fund prospectuses and supplements

text alterations of prospectuses (Account) and supplements (Account)

 

text alterations of prospectuses (Fund) and supplements (Fund)

printing Account and Fund prospectuses and supplements

 

a camera ready Fund prospectus

text composition and printing Account SAIs

 

text composition and printing Fund SAIs

mailing and distributing Account SAIs to policy owners upon request by policy owners

 

mailing and distributing Fund SAIs to policy owners upon request by policy owners

mailing and distributing prospectuses (Account and Fund) and supplements (Account and Fund) to policy owners of record as required by Federal Securities Laws and to prospective purchasers

 

 

text composition (Account), printing, mailing, and distributing annual and semi-annual reports for Account (Fund and Account as, applicable)

 

text composition of annual and semi-annual reports (Fund)

text composition, printing, mailing, distributing, and tabulation of proxy statements and voting instruction solicitation materials to policy owners with respect to proxies related to the Account

 

text composition, printing, mailing, distributing and tabulation of proxy statements and voting instruction solicitation materials to policy owners with respect to proxies related to the Fund

preparation, printing and distributing sales material and advertising relating to the Funds, insofar as such materials relate to the Contracts and filing such materials with and obtaining approval from, the SEC, FINRA, any state insurance regulatory authority, and any other appropriate regulatory authority, to the extent required

 

 

 

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Exhibit 99.8(m) 

 

FUND PARTICIPATION AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

 

Protective Life and Annuity Company (“Insurance Company”), for itself and on behalf of one or more separate accounts of the Insurance Company (“Separate Accounts”), American Funds Distributors, Inc. (“AFD”), American Funds Service Company (“Transfer Agent”), Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), and the American Funds Insurance Series (the “Series”), an open-end investment company for which AFD, CRMC and Transfer Agent provide services and which is divided into funds (hereinafter collectively called the “Funds” and, individually, a “Fund”), for good and valuable consideration, hereby agree on this 18th day of June 2015, that Class 2 shares of the Funds and Class 4 shares of the Funds (“Class 2 or 4 Shares” together , the “shares”) shall be made available to serve as underlying investment media for certain variable annuity contracts (hereinafter called “Contract(s)”; holders of such Contracts hereinafter called “Contractholder(s)”) to be offered by the Insurance Company subject to the following provisions:

 

1.                                    Authorization; Services.

 

a.                                     As distributor of the Series, AFD agrees to make Class 2 shares and Class 4 shares of the Funds that offer such share classes available to the Insurance Company for itself and on behalf of the Separate Accounts on the attached Exhibit A pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Exhibit B lists the initial Funds that will be made available as underlying investment options to the Contracts. Insurance Company agrees to give the Series and CRMC at least (thirty) 30 days’ notice prior to adding any additional Funds or share classes of a Fund as underlying investment options to the Contracts. AFD reserves the right to approve any such addition. The Insurance Company will offer shares of the Funds in connection with the sale of Contracts to Contractholders. Fund shares to be made available to Separate Accounts for the Contracts shall be sold by the Series and purchased by the Insurance Company for a given account in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and at the net asset value of the respective class of the respective Fund (without the imposition of a sales load) computed in accordance with the provisions of the then current Prospectus of the Series. This Agreement is in all respects subject to statements regarding the sale and repurchase or redemption of shares made in the offering prospectuses of the Funds, and to the applicable Rules of FINRA, which shall control and override any provision to the contrary in this Agreement.

 

b.                                    Transfer Agent hereby appoints Insurance Company as limited agent and designee with respect to shares of the Funds purchased, held, and redeemed by the Separate Accounts solely for purposes of the provisions of this Agreement, and Insurance Company accepts such appointment, on the terms set forth herein.

 

c.                                     During the term of this Agreement, Insurance Company shall perform the administrative services (“Services”) set forth on Exhibit C hereto, as such exhibit may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of the parties, in respect of Separate Accounts holding Class 4 shares of each Fund. In consideration of Insurance Company performing the Services, the Series agrees to pay Insurance Company an administrative services fee of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of all Class 4 shares of the Funds held by each Separate Account, payable quarterly, in arrears pursuant to an Insurance Administrative Services Plan adopted by the Series. The Series shall pay all fees within forty-five (45) days following the end of each calendar quarter for fees accrued during that quarter. The fee will be calculated as the product of (a) the average daily net asset value of all Class 4 shares, as applicable, of the Funds held by each Separate Account during the quarter; (b) the number of days in the quarter; and (c) the quotient of 0.0025 divided by 365. The Series shall not be responsible for payment of fees for Services more than six (6) months in arrears in respect of accounts that were not timely identified by Company as eligible for compensation pursuant to this Agreement. CRMC will evaluate periodically Insurance Company’s service levels, including compliance with established NSCC guidelines, transaction errors, compliance with the prospectus and complaints from Contract owners, in determining whether to continue making payments under the Insurance Administrative Services Plan. Insurance Company represents to the Series and CRMC that it will not receive compensation for the Services from contractholder fees or any other source.

 

 

 

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The Insurance Company, directly or through subcontractors (including a designated affiliate), shall provide the certain services described in this Agreement in respect of Separate Accounts holding Class 2 shares on behalf of AFD, Transfer Agent and the Funds in connection with the sale and servicing of the Contracts. The services to be provided by the Insurance Company to its Separate Accounts include, (i) mailing and otherwise making available to Contractholders, shareholder communications including, without limitation, prospectuses, proxy materials, shareholder reports, unaudited semi-annual and audited annual financial statements, and other notices; (ii) handling general questions regarding the Funds from Contractholders including, without limitation, advising as to performance, yield being earned, dividends declared, and providing assistance with other questions concerning the Funds; (iii) preparing and mailing periodic account statements showing the total number of Separate Account units owned by the Contractholder in that account, the value of such units, and purchases, redemptions, dividends, and distributions in the account during the period covered by the statement; and (iv) preparing and mailing IRS Form 1099R, IRS Form W-2 and/or other IRS forms as required by applicable Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations. Administrative services to Contractholders shall be the responsibility of the Insurance Company and shall not be the responsibility of AFD, Transfer Agent or any of their affiliates.

 

d.                                    Insurance Company shall transmit to Transfer Agent or the Funds (or to any agent designated by either of them) such information in the possession of Insurance Company concerning the Contractholders as shall reasonably be necessary for Transfer Agent to provide services as transfer agent for the Funds and as any Fund shall reasonably conclude is necessary to enable that Fund to comply with applicable state Blue Sky laws or regulations.

 

2.                                    The Insurance Company will be entitled to a Rule 12b-1 distribution fee paid by the Series, to be accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class 2 and Class 4 shares of each Fund attributable to the Contracts for as long as the Series’ Plans of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for such share class remains in effect.

 

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3.                                    Compliance with Laws; Reliance on Instructions.

 

a.                                     AFD and CRMC acknowledge and agree that Insurance Company is not responsible for: (i) any information contained in any prospectus, registration statement, annual report, proxy statement, or item of advertising or marketing material prepared by AFD and/or CRMC, which relates to any Fund; (ii) registration or qualification of any shares of any Fund under any federal or state laws; or (iii) compliance by AFD, CRMC and the Funds with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of any self-regulatory organization with jurisdiction (the foregoing laws, rules and regulations are collectively referred to herein as “Applicable Law”) over AFD, CRMC or Funds, and the provisions of the Funds’ prospectus and statement of additional information.

 

b.                                    Insurance Company acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for (i) any representations concerning the Funds made by Insurance Company or its agents that are not included in the prospectuses, statements of additional information or advertising or marketing material relating to the Funds and prepared or approved in writing by AFD; (ii) satisfying prospectus delivery requirements, to the extent required by law; and (iii) in connection with the services performed in connection with this Agreement, the compliance or failure to comply with any Applicable Law with jurisdiction over Insurance Company.

 

c.                                     Insurance Company and its affiliates shall make no representations concerning the Funds’ shares except those contained in the then current Prospectus of the Series, in such printed information subsequently issued on behalf of the Series or other funds managed by CRMC as supplemental to the Series’ Prospectus, in information published on the Series’ or CRMC’s internet site, or in materials approved by AFD, as provided in the Business Agreement in effect among Insurance Company, Investment Distributors, Inc., AFD and CRMC dated September 2018, as amended October 17, 2014 and June 18, 2015 (the “Business Agreement”).

 

d.                                    Each party is entitled to rely on any written records or instructions provided to it by responsible persons of the other party(ies).

 

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4.                                    Insurance Company Representations and Warranties.

 

a.                                     The Insurance Company represents and warrants that:

 

(i)                                  it has the corporate power and the authority to enter into and perform all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(ii)                              this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against each above-named party in accordance with its terms;

 

(iii)                          no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement;

 

(iv)                          it will or has established the Separate Accounts as separate accounts under New York Insurance law;

 

(v)                              it has registered the Separate Accounts as unit investment trusts under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), to serve as investment vehicles for certain Contracts or, alternatively, has not registered one or more of the Separate Accounts in proper reliance upon an exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act;

 

(vi)                          the Contracts are or will be and at the time of issuance will be treated as annuity contracts and life insurance policies, as applicable, under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (the “Code”), that Insurance Company will maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Series immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future;

 

(vii)                      the offer of the Contracts has been registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or it is properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, and each such registration statement and any further amendments or supplements thereto will, when they become effective, conform in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with the information furnished in writing to Insurance Company by AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC or the Series expressly for use therein;

 

(viii)                  the Contracts provide for the allocation of net amounts received by the Insurance Company to the Separate Accounts, for investment in the shares of specified investment companies selected among those companies available through the Separate Accounts to act as underlying investment media;

 

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(ix)                          (a) it, or its affiliate, is a properly registered or licensed broker or dealer under applicable federal laws and regulations and is complying with and will continue to comply with all applicable federal laws, rules and regulations, (b) it, or its affiliate, is a member of FINRA, and (c) its, or its affiliate’s, membership with FINRA is not currently suspended or terminated. Insurance Company agrees to notify AFD immediately in writing if any of the foregoing representations ceases to be true to a material extent.

 

(x)                              any information furnished in writing by Insurance Company for use in the registration statement or annual report of the Series will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, nor result in the Series’ registration statement’s failing to materially conform in all respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;

 

(xi)                          investment by each Separate Account in a Fund is in reliance on and consistent with the terms of the Series’ Mixed and Shared Funding Order; and

 

(xiii)                  the Separate Accounts invest in the Funds in reliance on the status of each Separate Account as a “Permitted Investor” within the meaning of Section 817(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

5.                                    Representations and Warranties of AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC and the Series.

 

a.                                     AFD and Transfer Agent each represents and warrants (as applicable) that:

 

(i)                                       this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, and is enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;

 

(ii)                                   no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of any governmental authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement;

 

(iii)                               the execution, performance and delivery of this Agreement by it will not result in its violating any Applicable Law or breaching or otherwise impairing any of its contractual obligations;

 

(iv)                               AFD represents that the Funds are registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act and Fund shares sold by the Funds are, and will be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

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(v)                                   AFD represents that it is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may properly cause Fund shares to be made available for the purposes of this Agreement;

 

(vi)                               Shares of the Series may be offered to separate accounts of various insurance companies in addition to Insurance Company. AFD represents, warrants and covenants that no shares of the Series shall be sold to the general public in contravention of Section 817 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (the “Code”).

 

(vii)                           it has the corporate power and the authority to enter into and perform all of its duties and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(viii)                       AFD and its affiliates are solely responsible for information contained in any prospectus, registration statement, annual report, proxy statement, or item of advertising or marketing material prepared by AFD relating to any Fund; and

 

(ix)                               AFD represents that prospectuses, other materials concerning the Funds are complete and accurate in all material respects and do not contain any material omission or misstatement of a material fact necessary to make the information not misleading or untrue.

 

b.                                    CRMC and the Series represent and warrant that:

 

(i)                                       the Series is, and shall be at all times while this Agreement is in force, lawfully organized, validly existing, and properly qualified as an open-end management investment company in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

 

(ii)                                   a registration statement under the 1933 Act and under the 1940 Act with respect to the Series has been filed with the SEC in the form previously delivered to Insurance Company and the Series’ registration statement and any further amendments thereto will, when they become effective, and all definitive prospectuses and statements of additional information and any further supplements thereto (the “Prospectus”) shall, conform in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to CRMC or the Series by Insurance Company expressly for use therein.

 

(iii)                               Each Fund has complied and will comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817 and the regulations issued thereunder and shall maintain its qualification as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under the Code. CRMC and the Funds will provide to Insurance Company upon request certifications of compliance with these diversification requirements within 60 days of such request.

 

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(iv)                          The Series makes no representation or warranty as to whether any aspect of its operations (including but not limited to fees expenses and investment policies) complies or will comply with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states.

 

6.                                    Omnibus Accounts. The Funds recognize that the Insurance Company, for itself or on behalf of the Separate Accounts, will be the sole shareholder of shares of the Funds issued pursuant to the Contracts, and that the Insurance Company intends to establish one or more omnibus accounts per Fund. Such arrangement will result in aggregated share orders. In the event that the aggregate Contractholder accounts maintained by the Insurance Company do not balance with the omnibus accounts maintained by the Transfer Agent, neither the Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates nor the Funds shall be liable to the Contractholders for any shortfall, provided that such shortfall is not a result of an error or omission on the part of the Transfer Agent, its affiliates or the Funds.

 

7.                                    Pricing Information. The Series or the Transfer Agent will compute the closing net asset value, and any distribution information (including the applicable ex-date, record date, payable date, distribution rate per share, income accrual and capital gains information) for each Fund as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business (a “Business Day”) or at such other time as the net asset value of a Fund is calculated, as disclosed in the relevant Funds’ current prospectuses. The Series or the Transfer Agent will use their best efforts to communicate to the Insurance Company such information by 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on each Business Day. Such information shall be accurate and true in all respects and updated continuously.

 

8.                                    Pricing Adjustments.

 

a.                                     In the event an adjustment is made to the computation of the net asset value of Fund shares as reported to Insurance Company under paragraph 7, (1) the correction will be handled in a manner consistent with SEC guidelines and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and (2) the Funds or Transfer Agent shall notify Insurance Company as soon as practicable after discovering the need for any such adjustment. Notification may be made in the following manner:

 

Method of Communication

 

(i)                                  Fund/SERV Transactions. If Insurance Company uses the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s Mutual Fund Settlement, Entry and Registration Verification (“Fund/SERV”) system, any corrections to the fund prices for the prior trade date may be submitted through the Mutual Fund Profile in Fund/SERV with the correct fund prices and applicable date.

 

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(ii)                                   Manual Transactions. If the parties are not able to transmit or receive information through Fund/SERV, any corrections to the fund prices should be communicated by facsimile or by electronic transmission acceptable to Transfer Agent, and will include for each day on which an adjustment has occurred the incorrect Fund price, the correct price, and, to the extent communicated to the applicable Fund’s shareholders, the reason for the adjustment. Funds and Transfer Agent agree that the Insurance Company may send this notification or a derivation thereof (so long as such derivation is approved in advance by Funds or AFD, as applicable) to Contractholders whose accounts are affected by the adjustment.

 

b.                                    To the extent a price adjustment results in a deficiency or excess to a Contractholder’s account, Insurance Company and Transfer Agent agree to evaluate the situation together on a case-by-case basis with the goal towards pursuing an appropriate course of action. To the extent the price adjustment was due to Transfer Agent’s error, Transfer Agent shall reimburse Contractholder’s account. Any administrative costs incurred for correcting Contractholder accounts will be at Insurance Company’s expense.

 

9.                                    Purchases and Redemption Orders; Settlement of Transactions

 

a.                                     Manual Transactions. Insurance Company may submit orders for purchase or redemption of shares by means of manual transactions via facsimile or other electronic transmission acceptable to Transfer Agent In the event manual transactions are used, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i)                                  Next Day Transmission of Orders. The Insurance Company will notify the Transfer Agent by 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, on the next Business Day the aggregate amounts of purchase orders and redemption orders, that were placed by Contractholders in each Separate Account by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the prior Business Day (the “Trade Date”). Insurance Company represents that orders it receives after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on any given Business Day will be transmitted to the Transfer Agent using the following Business Day’s net asset value. Transfer Agent may process orders it receives after the 9:30 a.m. deadline using the net asset value next determined.

 

(ii)                              Purchases. All orders received by Insurance Company by 4:00 p.m. on a Business Day and communicated to the Transfer Agent by the 9:30 a.m. deadline shall be treated by the Transfer Agent as if received as of the close of trading on the Trade Date and the Transfer Agent will therefore execute orders at the net asset values determined as of the close of trading on the Trade Date. Insurance Company will initiate payment by wire transfer to a custodial account designated by the Funds for the aggregate purchase amounts prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the next Business Day following Trade Date.

 

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(iii)                          Redemptions. Aggregate orders for redemption of shares of the Funds will be paid in cash and wired from the Funds’ custodial account to an account designated by the Insurance Company. Transfer Agent will initiate payment by wire to Insurance Company or its designee proceeds of such redemptions two (2) Business Days following the Trade Date (T+2).

 

b.                                    Fund/SERV Transactions. If the parties mutually agree to use the Fund/SERV system, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i)                                  Without limiting the generality of the following provisions of this section, the Insurance Company and Transfer Agent each will perform any and all duties, functions, procedures and responsibilities assigned to it and as otherwise established by the NSCC applicable to Fund/SERV and the Networking Matrix Level utilized.

 

(ii)                              Any information transmitted through the NSCC’s Networking system (“Networking”) by any party to the other and pursuant to this Agreement will be accurate, complete, and in the format prescribed by the NSCC. Each party will adopt, implement and maintain procedures reasonably designed to ensure the accuracy of all transmissions through Networking and to limit the access to, and the inputting of data into, Networking to persons specifically authorized by such party.

 

(iii)                          Same Day Trades. On each Business Day, the Insurance Company shall aggregate and calculate the purchase orders and redemption orders for each Separate Account received by the Insurance Company prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Insurance Company shall communicate to Transfer Agent for that Trade Date, by Fund/SERV, the aggregate purchase orders and redemption orders (if any) for each Separate Account received by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on such Trade Date by no later than the NSCC’s Defined Contribution Clearance & Settlement (“DCC&S”) Cycle 8 (generally, 6:30 a.m. Eastern time) on the following Business Day. Transfer Agent shall treat all trades communicated to Transfer Agent in accordance with the foregoing as if received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Trade Date. All orders received by the Insurance Company after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on a Business Day shall not be transmitted to NSCC prior to the conclusion of the DCC&S Cycle 8 on the following Business Day, and Insurance Company represents that orders it receives after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on any given Business Day will be transmitted to the Transfer Agent using the following Business Day’s net asset value. Transfer Agent may process orders it receives after the DCC&S Cycle 8 deadline using the net asset value next determined.

 

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(iv)                          When transmitting instructions for the purchase and/or redemption of shares of the Funds, Insurance Company shall submit one order for all contractholder purchase transactions and one order for all contractholder redemption transactions, unless otherwise agreed to by the Insurance Company and the Transfer Agent.

 

c.                                     Procedures. Insurance Company represents and warrants that it has policies and procedures in place to ensure that only those orders received by it by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on any Business Day will be submitted with that business day’s net asset value.

 

d.                                    Contingencies. All orders are subject to acceptance by Transfer Agent and become effective only upon confirmation by Transfer Agent. Upon confirmation, the Transfer Agent will verify total purchases and redemptions and the closing share position for each fund/account. In the case of delayed settlement, Transfer Agent and Insurance Company shall make arrangements for the settlement of redemptions by wire no later than the time permitted for settlement of redemption orders by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Such wires for Insurance Company should be sent to:

 

Protective Life and Annuity Company

Regions Bank

Birmingham, AL

ABA #062000019

Account Name: Protective Life and Annuity Company

Acct #336319

OBI Attn: Group 11 – PL20IP9

 

 

Such wires for Transfer Agent should be sent to:

 

Wells Fargo Bank

707 Wilshire Blvd. 13th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

ABA#: 121000248

AFS Account#: 4100-060532

For Credit to AFS acct. no. (account number and fund)

FBO                               (Insurance Company)

 

 

e.                                     Processing Errors. Processing errors which result from any delay or error caused by Insurance Company may be adjusted through the NSCC System by Insurance Company by the necessary transactions on a current basis.

 

f.                                      Coding. If applicable, orders for the purchase of Fund shares shall include the appropriate coding to enable Transfer Agent to properly calculate commission payments to any broker-dealer firm assigned to the Separate Account.

 

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g.                                     Reconciliation. Insurance Company shall reconcile share positions with respect to each Fund for each Separate Account daily as reflected on its records to those reflected on statements from Transfer Agent and shall, on request, certify that each Separate Account’s share positions with respect to each Fund reported by Transfer Agent reconcile with Insurance Company’s share positions for that Separate Account. Insurance Company shall promptly inform Transfer Agent of any record differences and shall identify and resolve all non-reconciling items within five (5) business days.

 

h.                                    Verification. Within a reasonable period of time after receipt of a confirmation relating to an instruction, Insurance Company shall verify its accuracy in terms of such instruction and shall notify Transfer Agent of any errors appearing on such confirmation.

 

i.                                        Order Processing. Any order by Insurance Company for the purchase of shares of the respective Funds through AFD shall be accepted at the time when it is received by AFD/Transfer Agent (or any clearinghouse agency that AFD/Transfer Agent may designate from time to time), and at the offering and sale price determined in accordance with this Agreement, unless rejected by AFD, Transfer Agent or the respective Funds. In addition to the right to reject any order, the Funds have reserved the right to withhold shares from sale temporarily or permanently. AFD/Transfer Agent will not accept any order from Insurance Company that is placed on a conditional basis or subject to any delay or contingency prior to execution. The procedure relating to the handling of orders shall be subject to instructions that AFD shall forward from time to time. The shares purchased will be issued by the respective Funds only against receipt of the purchase price, in collected New York or Los Angeles Clearing House funds. If payment for the shares purchased is not received within three (3) days after the date of confirmation, the sale may be cancelled by AFD or by the respective Funds without any responsibility or liability on the part of AFD or the Funds, and AFD and/or the respective Funds may hold the Insurance Company responsible for any loss, expense, liability or damage, including loss of profit suffered by AFD and/or the respective Funds, resulting from Insurance Company’s delay or failure to make payment as aforesaid.

 

j.                                        Dividends and Distributions. The Transfer Agent shall furnish notice promptly to the Insurance Company of any dividend or distribution payable on any Funds held by the Separate Accounts. The Insurance Company hereby elects to receive all such dividends and distributions as are payable on shares of a Fund recorded in the title for the corresponding Separate Account in additional shares of that Fund. The Series shall notify the Insurance Company of the number of shares so issued. All such dividends and distributions shall be automatically reinvested at the ex-dividend date net asset value. The Insurance Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.

 

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k.                                    Right to Suspend. The Series reserves the right to temporarily suspend sales if the Board of Trustees of the Series, acting in good faith and in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, deems it appropriate and in the best interests of shareholders or in response to the order of an appropriate regulatory authority. Insurance Company shall abide by requirements of the Funds’ frequent trading policy as described in the Series’ prospectus and statement of additional information.

 

1.                                    Book Entry. Transfer of the Series’ shares will be by book entry only. No stock certificates will be issued to the Separate Accounts. Shares ordered from a particular Fund will be recorded by the Series as instructed by Insurance Company in an appropriate title for the corresponding Separate Account.

 

m.                                Limitations on Redemptions. The Insurance Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Insurance Company’s assets held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contractholder-initiated transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application (a “Legally Required Redemption”). Upon request, the Insurance Company will promptly furnish to the Series and AFD an opinion of counsel for the Insurance Company (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Series and AFD) to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption.

 

10.                            Account Activity. Upon request, the Transfer Agent shall send to the Insurance Company, (i) confirmations of activity in each Separate Account within five (5) Business Days after each Trade Date on which a purchase or redemption of shares of a Fund is effected for a Separate Account; (ii) statements detailing activity in each Separate Account no less frequently than quarterly; and (iii) such other information as may reasonably be requested by Insurance Company and agreed upon by Transfer Agent.

 

11.                            Expenses. All expenses incident to each party’s performance of this Agreement shall be paid by the respective party.

 

The Funds shall pay the cost of registration of their shares with the SEC, preparation of the Fund’s prospectuses, proxy materials and reports, or the preparation of other related statements and notices required by Applicable Law. The Funds shall pay the cost of qualifying Fund shares in states where required.

 

12.                            Proxy and Other Communication Materials. The Funds shall distribute to the Insurance Company their proxy material and periodic Fund reports to shareholders. AFD, Transfer Agent or the Funds shall provide the Insurance Company with a reasonable quantity of the Funds’ prospectuses and sales literature upon request to be used for the Separate Accounts in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. AFD, Transfer Agent or the Funds shall provide to Insurance Company, or its authorized representative, at no expense to Insurance Company, the following Contractholder communication materials prepared for circulation to Contractholders in quantities reasonably requested by Insurance Company which are sufficient to allow mailing thereof by Insurance Company, to the extent required by Applicable Law, to all Contractholders in the Separate Accounts: proxy or information statements, annual reports, semi-annual reports, and all updated prospectuses, supplements and amendments thereof. AFD, Transfer Agent or the Funds shall provide Insurance Company with other documents and materials as Insurance Company may reasonably request from time to time.

 

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AFD will provide Insurance Company on a timely basis with investment performance information for each Fund, including (a) the top ten portfolio holdings on a quarterly basis; and (b) on a monthly basis, average annual total return for the prior one-year, three year, five-year, ten-year and life of the Fund. AFD will endeavor to provide the information in clause (a) to Insurance Company within twenty (20) business days after the end of each quarter, and will endeavor to provide the information in clause (b) to Insurance Company within five (5) business days after the end of each month.

 

13.                            Proxy MaterialsNoting. The Insurance Company will distribute all proxy material furnished by the Funds to the extent required by Applicable Law. For so long as the SEC interprets the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting by insurance companies whose separate accounts are registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act (“Registered Separate Accounts”), the Insurance Company shall vote shares of the Funds held in Registered Separate Accounts at shareholder meetings of the Funds in accordance with instructions timely received by the Insurance Company (or its designated agent) from owners of Contracts funded by such Registered Separate Accounts having a voting interest in the Funds. The Insurance Company shall vote shares of the Funds held in Registered Separate Accounts that are attributable to the Contracts as to which no timely instructions are received, as well as shares held in such Registered Separate Account that are not attributable to the Contracts and owned beneficially by the Insurance Company (resulting from charges against the Contracts or otherwise), in the same proportion as the votes cast by owners of the Contracts funded by the Registered Separate Account having a voting interest in the Funds from whom instructions have been timely received. The Insurance Company shall vote shares of the Funds held in its general account or in any Separate Account that is not registered under the 1940 Act, if any, in its discretion.

 

14.                            Future Registration of Separate Account(s). If Insurance Company registers a Separate Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act, Insurance Company will provide to each Fund, as appropriate, at least one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or any Separate Account contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC, FINRA or other regulatory authority.

 

15.         Independent Contractor Status. The Insurance Company shall, for all purposes herein, be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, no authority to act for or represent AFD or the Funds in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of AFD or the Funds.

 

16.         Termination. At the terminating party’s election and the other party’s concurrence, termination of this Agreement may be limited solely as to new Contracts. This Agreement shall terminate:

 

a.                                     at the option of the Insurance Company, AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC or the Series upon ninety (90) days’ advance written notice to the other parties;

 

b.                                    at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by the other party that is not cured during such 30-day period;

 

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c.                                     at the option of the Insurance Company, CRMC, AFD or the Series, upon institution of formal proceedings relating to (i) the marketing of the Contracts, (ii) the Separate Accounts, (iii) the Insurance Company, (iv) AFD or (v) the Funds by FINRA, the SEC or any other regulatory body;

 

d.                                    at the option of Insurance Company immediately upon written notice, if the Series or CRMC fails to meet the requirements for either diversification under Section 817 or RIC status under the Code;

 

e.                                     at the option of any party upon termination of CRMC’s investment advisory agreement with the Series. Notice of such termination shall be promptly furnished. This paragraph (e) shall not be deemed to apply if, contemporaneously with such termination, a new contract of substantially similar terms is entered into between CRMC and the Series;

 

f.                                      except for Insurance Company’s delegation of its duties to a subcontractor or to an affiliate, upon assignment of this Agreement, at the option of any party not making the assignment, unless made with the written consent of the other parties;

 

g.                                     in the event interests in the Separate Accounts, the Contracts, or Fund shares are not registered, issued or sold in conformity with Applicable Law or such Applicable Law precludes the use of Fund shares as an underlying investment medium of Contracts issued or to be issued by the Insurance Company. Prompt notice shall be given by the terminating party to the other parties in the event the conditions of this provision occur;

 

h.                                    for Registered Separate Accounts, they may terminate upon a decision by the Insurance Company, in accordance with regulations of the SEC for Registered Separate Accounts, to substitute Fund shares with the shares of another investment company for Contracts for which the Fund shares have been selected to serve as the underlying investment medium for Registered Separate Accounts, in which case the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i)         The Insurance Company will give sixty (60) days’ written notice to the applicable Fund and AFD upon the occurrence of the earlier of the following actions taken for the purpose of substituting shares of the Fund: (1) an application made to the SEC, (2) a proposed Contractholder vote, or (3) the Insurance Company’s determination to substitute Fund shares with the shares of another investment company; and

 

(ii)        The Funds or AFD will in no way recommend action in connection with, or oppose or interfere with any application made to the SEC by the Insurance Company with regard to the substitution of Fund shares with shares of another investment company or seek in any manner to oppose or interfere with a proposed Contractholder vote; or

 

i.                                        upon such shorter notice as is required by law, order or instruction by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body or self-regulatory organization with jurisdiction over the terminating party.

 

Upon termination and at the request of the requesting party, the other party shall deliver to the requesting party, any records which the requesting party may be required by law or regulations to have access to or to maintain.

 

14

 

17.         Notices.                                             All notices under this Agreement, unless otherwise specified in the Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered via overnight delivery (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or registered or certified mail, as follows:

 

 

If to the Insurance Company:

 

Wayne Stuenkel, President

Protective Life and Annuity Company

2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL 35223

 

with a copy to:

 

Senior Associate Counsel — Variable Products

Protective Life Corporation

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, AL 35223

 

If to AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC or to the Series:

 

Kenneth R. Gorvetzian

Capital Research and Management Company

333 South Hope Street

55th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

with a copy to:

 

Stephen T. Joyce

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

333 South Hope Street

55th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

And:

 

American Funds Service Company
Attn: Contract Administration
3500 Wiseman Blvd.

San Antonio, TX 78251-4321
phone: 800/421-5475, ext. 8
facsimile: 210/474-4088

 

or to such other address or person as may be specified in a written notice given to the other parties. The date of service of any notice shall be the date it is received by the recipient.

 

15

 

18.         Books and Records. Each party hereto shall cooperate with the other parties and all appropriate governmental authorities and shall permit authorities reasonable access to its books and records upon proper notice in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party shall maintain and preserve all records in its possession as required by law to be maintained and preserved in connection with the provision of the services contemplated hereunder. Upon the request of a party, the other party shall provide copies of all records as may be necessary to (a) monitor and review the performance of either party’s activities, (b) assist either party in resolving disputes, reconciling records or responding to auditor’s inquiries, (c) comply with any request of a governmental body or self-regulatory organization, (d) verify compliance by a party with the terms of this Agreement, (e) make required regulatory reports, or (f) perform general customer service. The parties agree to cooperate in good faith in providing records to one another under this provision.

 

19.         Indemnification.

 

a.                                     Insurance Company shall indemnify and hold harmless AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC, the Series, each of the Funds, and each of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person who controls them within the meaning of the 1933 Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (“Losses”), they may incur, insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon (i) Insurance Company’s negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, (ii) Insurance Company’s violation of any Applicable Law in connection with the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, and (iii) any breach by Insurance Company of any provision of this Agreement, including any representation, warranty or covenant made in the Agreement. Insurance Company shall also reimburse AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC, the Series, the Funds and their respective affiliates for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or defending against such Losses. This indemnity provision is in addition to any other liability which Insurance Company may otherwise have to AFD, the Transfer Agent, CRMC, the Series, the Funds or their respective affiliates.

 

b.                                    AFD, Transfer Agent or CRMC, as applicable, shall indemnify and hold harmless, Insurance Company and its directors, officers, employees and agents and each person who controls them within the meaning of the 1933 Act, from and against any and all Losses they may incur, insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon (i) AFD’s, Transfer Agent’s or CRMC’s negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, (ii) AFD’s, Transfer Agent’s or CRMC’s violation of any Applicable Law in connection with the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, and (iii) any breach by AFD, Transfer Agent or CRMC of any provision of this Agreement, including any representation, warranty or covenant made in the Agreement by AFD, Transfer Agent or the Series. AFD, Transfer Agent or CRMC, as applicable, shall also reimburse Insurance Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending against such Losses. This indemnity provision is in addition to any other liability which AFD, Transfer Agent or CRMC may otherwise have to Insurance Company.

 

16

 

c.                                     Promptly after receipt by a party entitled to indemnification under this paragraph 19 (an “Indemnified Party”) of notice of the commencement of an investigation, action, claim or proceeding, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this paragraph 19, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party will be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice from the indemnifying party of its intention to assume the defense of an action and the appointment of satisfactory counsel, Indemnified Party shall bear the expenses of any additional counsel obtained by it, and the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this paragraph for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The indemnifying party shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, settle or compromise the liability of the Indemnified Party; provided, however, that in the event that the Indemnified Party fails to provide its written consent, the indemnifying party shall thereafter be liable to provide indemnification only to the extent of the amount for which the action could otherwise have been settled or compromised.

 

20.         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York exclusive of conflicts of laws.

 

21.         Subchapter M. CRMC will endeavor to have each Fund comply with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder and shall qualify as a regulated investment company thereunder.

 

22.         Entire Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement (together with the Business Agreement) contains the entire understanding and agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any and all prior agreements, understandings, documents, projections, financial data, statements, representations and warranties, oral or written, express or implied, between the parties hereto and their respective affiliates, representatives and agents in respect of the subject matter hereof. This agreement may not be amended except by written agreement of the parties. If there should be any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and those of the Business Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

 

23.         Assignability. This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the Insurance Company, the Series, AFD, CRMC and the Transfer Agent and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. Neither this Agreement nor any rights, privileges, duties or obligations of the parties hereto may be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that a merger of, reinsurance arrangement by, or change of control of a party shall not be deemed to be an assignment for purposes of this Agreement.

 

24.         Proprietary Information. AFD and the Funds agree that the names, addresses, and other information relating to the Contractholders or prospects for the sale of the Contracts developed by Insurance Company are the exclusive property of the Insurance Company and may not be used by AFD, Transfer Agent, CRMC or the Funds without the written consent of the Insurance Company except for carrying out the terms of this Agreement or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement and any amendments thereto. Each party to this Agreement agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information (including personal financial information of the customers of either party) received from the other party pursuant to this Agreement. Each party agrees not to use any such information for any purpose, or disclose any such information to any person, except as permitted or required by applicable laws, rules and regulations, including applicable state privacy laws and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and any regulations promulgated thereunder. This provision, to the extent permissible by applicable law, shall not be construed to limit the parties’ obligation to comply with paragraph 19, above.

 

17

 

 

AFD, the Transfer Agent, CRMC and the Series hereby consent to the Insurance Company’s use of the names of the Series, the Funds, AFD, the Transfer Agent and CRMC in connection with marketing the Funds and Contracts, subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Business Agreement. Insurance Company acknowledges and agrees that AFD, CRMC and/or their affiliates own all right, title and interest in and to the names American Funds, American Funds Distributors, American Funds Insurance Series, American Funds Service Company and Capital Research and Management Company and covenants not, at any time, to challenge the rights of AFD, CRMC and/or its affiliates to such name or design, or the validity or distinctiveness thereof. AFD, the Transfer Agent, CRMC and the Series hereby consent to the use of any trademark, trade name, service mark or logo used by AFD, the Transfer Agent, CRMC and the Series, subject to AFD, the Transfer Agent, CRMC or the Series approval of such use and in accordance with reasonable requirements of that party. Such consent will terminate with the termination of this Agreement. The Insurance Company agrees and acknowledges that all use of any designation comprised in whole or in part of the name, trademark, trade name, service mark and logo under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of AFD, the Transfer Agent, CRMC and/or the Series.

 

 

25.         Severability. 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.

 

26.         No Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and executed by the party granting such waiver. Any valid waiver of a provision set forth herein shall not constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement. In addition, any such waiver shall constitute a present waiver of such provision and shall not constitute a permanent future waiver of such provision.

 

27.         No Joint Venture, Etc. Neither the execution nor performance of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture by and among Insurance Company, Transfer Agent, AFD, CRMC and the Funds.

 

28.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any amendment shall become effective until all counterparts have been fully executed and delivered.

 

29.         Survival. The provisions of paragraphs 4, 5, 19 and 24 survive termination of this Agreement. If this Agreement terminates, the Series, at Insurance Company’s option, will continue to make additional shares of the Funds available for all existing Contracts as of the effective date of termination (under the same terms and conditions as were in effect prior to termination of this Agreement with respect to existing Contractholders), unless the applicable Fund liquidates or applicable laws prohibit further sales.

 

18

 

 

30.         Non-exclusivity. Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the arrangements described herein are intended to be non-exclusive and that each of the parties is free to enter into similar agreements and arrangements with other entities.

 

31.         Insurance. At all times Insurance Company shall maintain insurance coverage that is reasonable and customary in light of all its responsibilities hereunder. Such coverage shall insure for losses resulting from the criminal acts or errors and omissions of Insurance Company’s employees and agents.

 

32.         Oversight of Insurance Company. Insurance Company will permit Transfer Agent or its representative to have reasonable access to Insurance Company’s personnel and records pertaining to this Agreement in order to facilitate the monitoring of the quality of the services performed by Insurance Company under this Agreement.

 

33.         Independent Audit. In the event Transfer Agent determines, based on a review of complaints received in accordance with paragraph 18, above, that Insurance Company is not processing Contractholder transactions accurately, Transfer Agent reserves the right to require that Insurance Company’s data processing activities as they relate to this Agreement be subject to an audit by an independent accounting firm to ensure the existence of, and adherence to, proper operational controls. Insurance Company shall make available upon Transfer Agent’s request a copy of any report by such accounting firm as it relates to said audit. Insurance Company shall immediately notify Transfer Agent in the event of a material breach of operational controls.

 

34.         Arbitration. In the event of a dispute between the parties with respect to this Agreement, and in the event the parties are unable to resolve the dispute between them, such dispute shall be settled by arbitration; one arbitrator to be named by each party to the disagreement and a third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators named by the parties. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on all parties to the arbitration. The expenses of such arbitration shall be paid by the non-prevailing party.

 

35.         No Recourse. The obligations of the Series under this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, employees or shareholders (except CRMC if it is a shareholder) of the Series individually, but bind only the Series’ assets. When seeking satisfaction for any liability of the Series in respect of this Agreement, Insurance Company and the Account agree not to seek recourse against said Trustees, officers, employees or shareholders, or any of them, or any of their personal assets for such satisfaction.

 

36.         Conflicts. The parties to this Agreement recognize that due to differences in tax treatment or other considerations, the interests of various Contractholders participating in one or more Funds might, at some time, be in conflict. Each party shall report to the other party any potential or existing conflict of which it becomes aware. The Board of Trustees of the Series shall promptly notify Insurance Company of the existence of irreconcilable material conflict and its implications. If such a conflict exists, Insurance Company will, at its own expense, take whatever action it deems necessary to remedy such conflict; in any case, Contractholders will not be required to bear such expenses.

 

19

 

37.         Mixed and Shared Funding. The Series hereby notifies Insurance Company that it may be appropriate to include in the Prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is offered disclosure regarding the risks of mixed and shared funding.

 

38.         Shareholder Information Agreement. The Insurance Company has executed or will execute an agreement with Transfer Agent pursuant to Rule 22c-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, under which the Insurance Company is required, upon request, to provide the Funds with certain account information and to prohibit transactions that violate the policies established by the Funds for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Funds.

 

39.         Confidentiality of Holdings Information. The Insurance Company may receive certain holdings information (the “Holdings Information”) related to the Funds on a daily, weekly, monthly or other periodic basis from the Series, CRMC or one of their designees in order to help evaluate the Funds for inclusion in the Contracts and to evaluate and coordinate with Insurance Company’s internal hedging program (the “Purpose”). Insurance Company agrees that the Holdings Information is confidential and may only be used by Insurance Company for the Purpose. Insurance Company agrees that it (a) will hold any and all Holdings Information it obtains in strictest confidence; (b) may disclose or provide access to its employees who have a need to know and may make copies of Holdings Information only to the extent reasonably necessary to carry out the Purpose; (c) currently has, and in the future will maintain in effect and enforce, rules and policies to protect against access to or use or disclosure of Holdings Information other than in accordance with this Agreement, including without limitation written instruction to and agreements with employees and agents who are bound by an obligation of confidentiality no less stringent than set forth in this Agreement to ensure that such employees and agents protect the confidentiality of Holdings Information; (d) will instruct its employees and agents not to disclose Holdings Information to third parties, including without limitation customers, sub-contractors or consultants; and (e) will notify the Series and CRMC immediately of any unauthorized disclosure or use, and will cooperate with them in taking action to ensure that the Holdings Information is not used by such receiving party.Without limiting the foregoing, Insurance Company shall use at least the same degree of care, but no less than reasonable care, to avoid disclosure or use of this Holdings Information as it employs with respect to its own confidential information of a like importance.

 

20

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY COMPANY,

 

for itself and on behalf of the Separate Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Wayne Stuenkel

 

 

Name:

Wayne Stuenkel

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Timothy W. McHale

 

 

Name:

Timothy W. McHale

 

Title:

Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS INSURANCE SERIES

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven I. Koszalka

 

 

Name:

Steven I. Koszalka

 

Title:

Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Angela M. Mitchell

 

 

Name:

Angela M. Mitchell

 

Title:

Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael J. Downer

 

 

Name:

Michael J. Downer

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Secretary

 

21

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Insurance Company Accounts

 

 

 

Variable Annuity Account A of Protective Life

 

22

 

 

EXHIBIT B – Initial Funds

 

 

 

 

American Funds Insurance Series



 

Class 4:

American Funds IS Asset Allocation Fund

American Funds IS Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund

American Funds IS Global Growth Fund

American Funds IS Global Small Capitalization Fund

American Funds IS Growth Fund

American Funds IS International Fund

American Funds IS New World Fund

 

23

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Administrative Services

 

1.         Periodic Reconciliation. The Insurance Company shall provide the Funds with sufficient information to allow for the periodic reconciliation of outstanding units of Insurance Company separate accounts and shares of the Funds.

 

2.         Record Maintenance. To facilitate the reconciliation activities described in paragraph 1, the Insurance Company shall maintain with respect to each Separate Account holding the Funds’ Class 4 Shares and each Contract owner for whom such shares are beneficially owned the following records:

 

a.             Number of shares;

b.            Date, price and amount of purchases and redemptions (including dividend reinvestments) and dates and amounts of dividends paid for at least the current year to date;

c.             Name and address and taxpayer identification numbers;

d.            Records of distributions and dividend payments; and

e.             Any transfers of shares.

 

3.         Fund Information. The Insurance Company shall respond to inquiries from Contract owners regarding the Funds, including questions about the Funds’ objectives and investment strategies.

 

4.         Shareholder Communications. The Insurance Company shall provide for the delivery of certain Fund-related materials as required by applicable law or as requested by Contract owners. The Fund related materials shall consist of updated prospectuses and any supplements and amendments thereto, statements of additional information, annual and other periodic reports, proxy or information statements and other appropriate shareholder communications. The Insurance Company shall respond to inquiries from Contract owners relating to the services provided by it and inquiries relating to the Funds.

 

5.         Transactional Services. The Insurance Company shall (a) communicate to the Funds’ transfer agent, purchase, redemption and exchange orders; and (b) communicate to the Separate Accounts and Contract owners, mergers, splits and other reorganization activities of the Funds.

 

6.         Other Information. The Insurance Company shall provide to the Separate Accounts and Contract owners such other information as shall be required under applicable law and regulations.

 

 

24

Exhibit 99.8(m)(i)
 
Form of ADDENDUM TO EXHIBIT OF
PARTICIPATON AGREEMENT
 
This Addendum (“Addendum”) to the original Exhibit of the Participation Agreement executed on June 18, 2015 is entered into by and among American Funds Distributors, Inc., American Funds Insurance Series, American Funds Service Company, Capital Research and Management Company and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, collectively (the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated June 18, 2015 (the “Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties agree as follows:
 
1. The following Insurance Company Accounts are added to Exhibit A of the Agreement:
 
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
 
2. The following funds are added to Exhibit B of the Agreement:
 
American Funds IS Bond Fund, Class 4
American Funds IS Capital Income Builder Fund, Class 4
American Funds IS Global Growth and Income Fund, Class 4
American Funds IS Growth-Income Fund, Class 4
American Funds IS US Government Fund, Class 4
 
For the purpose of referring to this Addendum, the date of this Addendum shall be [DATE].
 
 
 
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
 
 
American Funds Insurance Series
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
American Funds Service Company
 
 
Capital Research and Management Company
 
By:
___________________________
 
By:
___________________________
Name:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
Title:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
Date:    ___________________________
 
Date:   ____________________________
 
 
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
 
 
 
By:
___________________________
 
Name:
___________________________
 
Title:
___________________________
 
Date:    ___________________________
 
 
 
1

 Exhibit 99.8(n)

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

Clayton Street Trust

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made this 1st day of May 2016. between Janus Distributors LLC (the Distributor) and Janus Services LLC (Janus Services), each a Delaware limited liability company, and Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, a life insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Alabama (the Company), on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time (the Accounts).

 

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Distributor serves as the Distributor and principal underwriter for Clayton Street Trust ( the Trust), an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act); and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is comprised of a number of investment portfolios (each, a Portfolio) and issues a separate series of shares of beneficial interest (the Shares) for each Portfolio representing a fractional undivided interest in that Portfolio. Each series of shares may be divided into several classes (Classes); and

 

WHEREAS, all Shares of the Trust are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) on Form N-l A. The term registration statement, as used herein, means the Trusts 1933 Act registration statement on Form N-lA filed with the SEC, including all prospectuses therein (each, a Prospectus), statements of additional information therein (each, an SAI) and exhibits thereto, as of the effective date of the most recent post- effective amendment thereto; and

 

WHEREAS, Janus Services serves as the transfer agent for the Trust and has been designated by the Trust and the Distributor as the party authorized to receive orders for transactions in Shares; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to submit orders to effect transactions in Shares of one or more of the Portfolios as set forth on Schedule B (attached hereto) for separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts to be offered by the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, the Distributor and Company are members in good standing of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the NSCC) and have access to the NSCCs Defined Contribution Clearance and Settlement system (DCC&S) and/or Fund/SERV system (Fund/SERV) (collectively, the NSCC Systems); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register (unless registration is not required under applicable law) certain variable life insurance policies and/or variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act (the Contracts); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to utilize the Shares of one or more Portfolios as an investment vehicle of the Accounts.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties agree as follows:

 

1

 

 EXECUTION COPY
 
 
 ARTICLE I

Sale of Trust Shares

 

1.1                               The Distributor agrees to make Shares available for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Trust calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC. The Trust shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.

 

1.2                               The Company shall submit orders for the purchase, redemption or exchange of Shares in accordance with Schedule C to this Agreement. The Distributor shall make Shares of the Portfolios listed on Schedule B available to the Accounts at the net asset value next computed after receipt of such purchase order by Janus Services, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current Prospectus of the Trust. Shares of a particular Portfolio of the Trust shall be ordered in such quantities and at such times as determined by the Company to be necessary to meet the requirements of the Contracts. The Trustees of the Trust (the Trustees) may refuse to sell Shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of Shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Trustees acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio (it being understood that for this purpose shareholders means Contract owners). The Distributor or Janus Services shall provide to Company, on behalf of the Trust, notice of the Trustees election to suspend or terminate the offering of Shares at least 10 business days, or as soon as otherwise reasonably practicable before such suspension or termination in order to give the Company sufficient time to prepare for such suspension or termination. With respect to payment of purchase price by the Company and of redemption proceeds by the Trust, the Company and Janus Services shall remit gross purchase and sale orders with respect to each Portfolio and shall transmit one net payment per Portfolio in accordance with the provisions of this Article I.

 

1.3                               Janus Services will redeem any full or fractional Shares of any Portfolio when requested by the Company on behalf of an Account at the net asset value next computed after receipt by Janus Services of the request for redemption, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current Prospectus of the Trust. Janus Services shall make payment for such Shares in the manner established from time to time by Janus Services, but in no event shall payment be delayed for a greater period than is permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

1.4                               For the purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.2, Janus Services hereby appoints the Company as its agent for the limited purpose of receiving and accepting purchase and redemption orders resulting from investment in and payments under the Contracts, and receipt by such agent shall constitute receipt by Janus Services and the Trust.

 

1.5                               Janus Services shall furnish prompt notice to the Company of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Trusts Shares. The Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a Portfolios Shares in additional Shares of that Portfolio. Janus Services shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.

 

1.6                               Janus Services shall make the net asset value per Share for each Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value per Share is calculated (normally 6:30 p.m. Eastern time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per Share available by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. If Janus Services is unable to meet the 7:00 p.m. Eastern time for the communication of net asset value information, Janus Services shall provide additional time for the Company to place orders for the purchase and redemption of Shares and make any applicable purchase payment. If Janus Services provides the Company with materially incorrect share net asset value information, Janus Services shall make an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed for the Accounts to reflect the correct net asset value per share. Janus Services shall make the determination as to whether an error in net asset value has occurred and is a material error in accordance with its own internal policies, which are consistent with SEC materiality guidelines. Any material error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per share, dividend or capital gains information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to the Company. Any administrative or other costs or losses incurred for correcting underlying Contract owner accounts shall be at the Trusts or Janus Services expense.

 

1.7                               The Distributor agrees that Shares will be sold only to insurance companies and their separate accounts and to certain qualified pension and retirement plans, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. No Shares of any Portfolio will be sold directly to the general public. The Company agrees that Trust Shares will be used only for the purposes of funding the Contracts and Accounts listed in Schedule A, as amended from time to time.

 

 
2

 
 EXECUTION COPY
 
 

1.8                               (a)                                 All orders accepted by the Company shall be subject to the terms of the then current Prospectus of each Portfolio, including without limitation, policies regarding excessive trading. The Company shall use its best efforts, and shall reasonably cooperate with. Janus Services to enforce stated Prospectus policies regarding transactions in Shares, particularly those related to excessive trading and short-term trading. The Company acknowledges that orders accepted by it in violation of the Trusts stated policies may be subsequently revoked or cancelled by the Trust or Janus Services and that neither the Trust, Janus Services nor the Distributor shall be responsible for any losses incurred by the Company or Contract or Account as a result of such cancellation. Janus Services shall notify the Company of such cancellation prior to 12:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day after any such cancellation.

 

(b)                                 The Company acknowledges and agrees that all orders for Shares are subject to acceptance or rejection by the Trust in its sole discretion and the Trust may, in its discretion, suspend or withdraw the sale of Shares of any Portfolios, including the sale of such Shares to the Company for the account of any Contract owner. In addition, the Company acknowledges that the Trust has the right to refuse any purchase order for any reason, particularly if the Trust determines that a Portfolio would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment policies or would otherwise be adversely affected due to the size of the transaction, frequency of trading by the account, or other factors. Janus Services shall provide to Company, on behalf of the Trust, notice of the Trustees election to suspend or terminate the offering of Shares at least 10 business days, or as soon as otherwise reasonably practicable, before such suspension or termination in order to give the Company sufficient time to prepare for such suspension or termination. In an effort to reduce the risk of the Trust or Janus Services rejecting a purchase order or delaying a redemption order for a large trade, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to provide advance notice to Janus Services of an order in the amount of or over $1 million as soon as the Company has a reasonable basis to believe such order is valid.

 

1.9                               The Company certifies that it is following all relevant rules and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures, regarding forward pricing and the handling of mutual fund orders on a timely basis. As evidence of its compliance, the Company shall provide, upon request, certification to Janus Services or the Distributor that it is following all relevant rules, regulations, and internal policies and procedures regarding forward pricing and the handling of mutual fund orders on a timely basis.

 

ARTICLE II

Obligations of the Parties

 

2.1                               The Trust shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the SEC and any state regulators requiring such filing all shareholder reports, notices, proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting instruction solicitation materials). Prospectuses and SAIs of the Trust. The Trust shall bear the costs of registration and qualification of its shares, preparation and filing of the documents listed in this Section 2.1 and all taxes to which an issuer is subject on the issuance and transfer of its shares.

 

2.2                               At the option of the Company, the Distributor on behalf of the Trust shall either (a) provide the Company (at the Company’s expense) with as many copies of the Trust’s Shares’ current Prospectus, annual report, semi-annual report and other shareholder communications, including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, as the Company shall reasonably request: or (b) provide the Company with a camera ready copy of such documents in a form suitable for printing. The Distributor shall provide the Company with a copy of the Shares’ SAI in a form suitable for duplication by the Company. The Distributor (at its or the Trusts expense) shall provide the Company with copies of any Trust-sponsored proxy materials in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distribution to Contract owners.

 

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2.3                               (a)                                 If the Company elects to print shareholder communications pursuant to 2.2(b) above, the Company shall bear the costs of printing and distributing the Trusts prospectus, SAI, shareholder reports and other shareholder communications to owners of and applicants for policies for which Shares of the Trust are serving or are to serve as an investment vehicle. The Company shall bear the costs of distributing proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting solicitation instruction) to Contract owners. The Company assumes sole responsibility for ensuring that such materials are delivered to Contract owners in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

(b)                                 If the Company elects to include any materials provided by the Distributor, specifically Prospectuses, SAIs, shareholder reports and proxy materials, on its web site or in any other computer or electronic format, the Company assumes sole responsibility for maintaining such materials in the form provided by the Distributor and for promptly replacing such materials with all updates provided by the Distributor.

 

2.4                               The Company agrees and acknowledges that Janus International Holding LLC (Janus Holding) or its affiliate is the sole owner of the name and mark Janus. All references contained in this Agreement to the name or mark Janus’” shall include but not be limited to the Janus logo, the website www.janus.com and any and all electronic links relating to such website. Neither the Company, nor its affiliates, employees, or agents shall, without prior written consent of Janus Holding, use the name or mark Janus or make representations regarding the Distributor, Janus Services, the Trust, Janus Holding, or their affiliates, or any products or services sponsored, managed, advised, or administered by the Trust. Janus Holding, or their affiliates, except those contained in the then-current Prospectus and the then-current printed sales literature for the Shares of the Portfolios. The Company will make no use of the name or mark Janus except as expressly provided in this Agreement or expressly authorized by Janus Holding in writing. All goodwill associated with the name and mark Janus shall inure to the benefit of Janus Holding or its affiliate. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Company shall immediately cease any and all use of any Janus mark(s).

 

2.5                               The Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Distributor or its designee, a copy of each Contract prospectus or statement of additional information in which the Trust or its investment adviser is named prior to the filing of such document with the SEC. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Distributor or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Trust or its investment adviser is named, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use, or such lesser time as the Distributor may agree to in writing for a specific piece from time to time. No such material shall be used if the Distributor or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such material. The Distributor may, but is not obligated, to agree to a lesser time for review for a specific piece, upon reasonable request by the Company.

 

2.6                               The Company shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust or its investment adviser in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than information or representations contained in and accurately derived from the registration statement or Prospectus for the Trust Shares (as such registration statement and Prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time), reports of the Trust, Trust-sponsored proxy statements, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Distributor or its designee, except as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with the written permission of the Distributor or its designee.

 

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2.7                               The Distributor, or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its Accounts, are named at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use. The Company reserves the right to reasonably object to the continued use of such material and no material shall be used if the Company so objects. The Company may, but is not obligated, to agree to a lesser time for review for a specific piece, upon reasonable request by the Distributor.

 

2.8                               Neither the Distributor, the Portfolios investment manager nor any of their designees, shall give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the Accounts or the Contracts other than information or representations contained in and accurately derived from the registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts (as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time), or in materials approved by the Company for distribution including sales literature or other promotional materials, except as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with the written permission of the Company.

 

2.9                               The Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, will provide to the Company at least one definitive copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy materials, sales literature and other promotional materials, and all supplements and amendments thereto, that relate to the Trust or its Shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) or as soon as reasonably practical thereafter.

 

2.10                        The Company will provide to the Distributor at least one definitive copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, and all supplements and amendments thereto, that relate to the Trust or its Shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC, or as soon as reasonably practical thereafter.

 

2.11                        So long as, and to the extent that the SEC interprets the 1940 Act to require pass- through voting privileges for variable Contract owners, the Company will provide pass-through voting privileges to Contract owners whose cash values are invested, through the Accounts, in shares of the Trust. The Distributor shall require all Participating Insurance Companies to calculate voting privileges in the same manner and the Company shall be responsible for assuring that the Accounts calculate voting privileges in the manner established by the Distributor. With respect to each Account, the Company will vote Shares of the Trust held by the Account and for which no timely voting instructions from Contract owners are received as well as Shares it owns that are held by that Account, in the same proportion as those Shares for which voting instructions are received.

 

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ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

 

3.1                               The Company represents and warrants that:

 

(a)                                 it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Tennessee and that it has legally and validly established each Account as a segregated asset account under such law on the date set forth in Schedule A;

 

(b)                                 each Account has been registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will be registered as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act;

 

(c)                                  the Contracts or interests in the Accounts (1) are or, prior to issuance, will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act or, alternatively (2) are not registered because they are properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or will be offered exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. The Company further represents and warrants that the Contracts will be issued in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws, and that it has adopted procedures reasonably designed to comply in all material respects with applicable suitability and/or fiduciary requirements imposed by state or federal law in connection with the offer and sale of Contracts. The Company acknowledges that the Distributor is not responsible for the offering and sale of the Contracts.

 

(d)                                 it is, and shall carry out its activities under this Agreement, in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act of 2001, P.L. 107-56. The Company further represents that it has policies and procedures in place to detect money laundering and terrorist financing, including the reporting of suspicious activity.

 

(e)                                  The Company is a financial intermediary as defined by SEC Rule 22c-2 of the 1940 Act (The Rule), and has entered into an appropriate agreement with the Distributor or one of its affiliates pursuant to the requirements of The Rule.

 

3.2                               The Distributor represents and warrants that:

 

(a)                                 it is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

 

(b)                                 it is a member in good standing of the FINRA and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC;

 

(c)                                  the Trust is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and that it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act;

 

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(d)                                 the Trust Shares offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act and the Trust shall be registered under the 1940 Act prior to any issuance or sale of such Shares. The Trust shall amend its registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares. The Trust shall register and qualify its Shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Trust;

 

(e)                                  the investment adviser for the Trust is and shall remain duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that the investment adviser shall perform its obligations for the Trust in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of Delaware and any applicable state and federal securities laws; and

 

3.3                               (a)                                 The Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, represents that the Trust will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Trust will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817.5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations.

 

(b)                                 Under the terms of the Trusts investment advisory agreement with the investment adviser, the investment adviser is and will be responsible for managing each Portfolio in compliance with that Portfolios investment objectives, policies and restrictions as set forth in the Trust prospectus. The Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, represents that these investment objectives, policies, and restrictions do and will include operating as a regulated investment company (RIC) in compliance with Subchapter M of the Code and Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder.

 

(c)                                  The Trust has adopted and will maintain procedures for ensuring that each Portfolio is managed in compliance with Subchapter M and regulations thereunder. The Trusts investment adviser will maintain procedures for ensuring that each Portfolio is managed in compliance with Section 817(h) and regulations thereunder. In the event of a breach of this Section, the Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, represents that the Trust will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify the Company of such breach and the (b) to adequately diversify the affected Portfolio so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.

 

(d)                                 No later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter, the Trust will provide a certification to the Company stating that each Portfolio has complied with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code, or if it has not complied with those requirements, setting forth the reason(s) for failing to comply and the steps the Trust will take to achieve compliance with these diversification requirements as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.

 

(e)                                  The Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, represents that each Portfolio is or will be qualified as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and that the Trust will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provisions) and that the Trust will notify the Company 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.

 

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3.4                               In the event of any noncompliance regarding the status of any Portfolio as a RIC in compliance with Subchapter M and/or noncompliance under Section 817(h), the Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, represents that the Trust will pursue those efforts necessary to enable that Portfolio to qualify once again for treatment as a RIC in compliance with Subchapter M and/or to be in compliance with Section 817(h), including cooperation in good faith with the Company. If the Trust does not so cure the noncompliance regarding that Portfolios status as a RIC under Subchapter M and/or the noncompliance under Section 817(h), the Distributor, on behalf of the Trust, represents that the Trust will cooperate in good faith with the Companys efforts to obtain a ruling and closing agreement, as provided in Revenue Procedure 92-25 issued by the Internal Revenue Service (or any applicable ruling or procedure subsequently issued by the Internal Revenue Service), that the Portfolio satisfies the requirements of Subchapter M and/or compliance with Section 817(h), for the period or periods of noncompliance.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

Indemnification

 

4.1                               Indemnification By the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust. Distributor, Janus Services and each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Trust, Distributor or Janus Services within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, excluding any other insurance company whose separate account(s) invests in shares of the Trust, (collectively, the Janus Indemnified Parties for purposes of this Article IV) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, Losses), to which the Janus Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses relate to the sale or acquisition of, or investment in, the Trusts Shares or the Contracts and:

 

(a)                                 arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts themselves or in sales literature relating to the Company on behalf of the Contracts or Accounts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively, the Company Documents for the purposes of this Article IV), 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 indemnity shall not apply as to any Janus Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and was in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Distributor, the Trust, or the investment adviser to the Trust for use in Company Documents or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or the Shares; or

 

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(b)                         arise out of or result from statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in and accurately derived from the Trust Documents as defined in Section 4.2(a)) or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or the Shares; or

 

(c)                          arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust Documents or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Distributor by or on behalf of the Company; or

 

(d)                         arise out of or result from any material failure by the Company to provide the services or furnish the materials required under the terms of this Agreement; or

 

(e)                          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.

 

The Janus Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with the issuance or sale of the Trust Shares (or shares of any Portfolio) or the Contracts or the operation of the Trust (or any Portfolio) to the extent such litigation or proceedings impact the Companys indemnification obligations.

 

4.2                               Indemnification By the Distributor and Janus Services. The Distributor and Janus Services agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the ‘‘Company Indemnified Parties for purposes of this Article IV) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Distributor and/or Janus Services) or expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, Losses), to which the Company Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses:

 

(a)                                 arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration statement or Prospectus for the Trust (or any amendment or supplement thereto), (collectively, the Trust Documents for the purposes of this Article IV), 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 indemnity shall not apply as to any Company Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and was accurately derived from written information furnished to the Distributor or its agent by or on behalf of the Company for use in the Trust Documents or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or the Shares; or

 

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(b)                                 arise out of or result from statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in and accurately derived from the Company Documents) or wrongful conduct of the Distributor or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or the Shares; or

 

(c)                                  arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Company Documents or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Distributor, the Trust, or the investment adviser to the Trust; or

 

(d)                                 arise out of or result from any material failure by the Distributor or Janus Services to provide the services or furnish the materials required under the terms of this Agreement; or

 

(e)                                  arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Distributor in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Distributor or Janus Services.

 

4.3                               Neither the Company, the Distributor nor Janus Services shall be liable under the indemnification provisions of Sections 4.1 or 4.2, as applicable, with respect to any Losses incurred or assessed against an indemnified party that arise from such indemnified partys willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of such indemnified partys duties or by reason of such indemnified partys reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.

 

4.4                               Neither the Company, the Distributor nor Janus Services shall be liable under the indemnification provisions of Sections 4.1 or 4.2, as applicable, with respect to any claim made against an indemnified party unless such indemnified party shall have notified the other party in writing within a reasonable time after the summons, or other first written notification, giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon or otherwise received by such indemnified party (or after such indemnified party shall have received notice of service upon or other notification to any designated agent), but failure to notify the party against whom indemnification is sought of any such claim shall not relieve that party from any liability which it may have to the indemnified party in the absence of Sections 4.1 and 4.2.

 

4.5                               In case any such action is brought against the indemnified parties, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The indemnifying party also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of an election to assume such defense, the indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified 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.

 

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ARTICLE V

Termination

 

5.1                               This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to occur:

 

(a)                                 termination by either party for any reason by one hundred and eighty (180) days advance written notice delivered to the other party.

 

(b)                                 termination by the Company by written notice to the Distributor with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Companys determination that shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts, provided that such termination shall apply only to the Portfolio not reasonably available; or

 

(c)                                  termination by the Company by written notice to the Distributor with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolios shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or

 

(d)                                 termination by the Company or Distributor by written notice to the other party, if the party determines, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Distributor, Trust, investment adviser to the Trust, or Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or

 

(e)                                  termination by the Company by written notice to the Distributor upon the sale, acquisition or change of control of the investment adviser to the Trust; or

 

(f)                                   termination by the Company or the Distributor by written notice to the other party upon a material breach of the Agreement by the other party; provided that the non-breaching counter party determines in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that such breach would not be cured within a reasonable period of time or that such breach would have a material adverse effect upon the ability of any party to perform their obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(g)                                  termination by the Company in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the Trust, the investment adviser to the Trust, or the Distributor by the FINRA, 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 Trust to serve as a funding vehicle for the Contracts or the Distributor to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(h)                                 termination by the Company by written notice to the Distributor with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or

 

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(i)                                     termination by the Company by written notice to the Distributor with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in Article III hereof.

 

5.2                               Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Distributor shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the Trust (or any 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). The parties agree to work in good faith, considering the circumstances that brought about the termination of the Agreement, to accommodate existing shareholders that continue to invest in the Trust, provided Sections 2.2 and 2.3 remain in effect.

 

5.3                               The provisions of Article IV shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and the provisions of Section 2.11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement as long as Shares of the Trust are held on behalf of Contract owners in accordance with Section 5.2.

 

ARTICLE VI

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

Distributor:

 

Janus Distributors LLC

151 Detroit Street

Denver, Colorado 80206

Attention: General Counsel

 

Janus Services:

 

Janus Services LLC

151 Detroit Street

Denver, Colorado 80206

Attention: General Counsel

 

If to the Company:

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, AL 35223

Attention: Todd Thompson, Senior Vice President. Annuities

 

With a copy to:

 

Senior Associate Counsel – Variable Products

Protective Life Corporation

2801 Highway 280 South

Birmingham, AL 35223

 

 
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ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

 

7.1                               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.

 

7.2                               This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.3                               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.

 

7.4                               This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of State of New York.

 

7.5                               Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority 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, to the extent practicable and except where a partys respective interests are adverse to or in conflict with another partys interests.

 

7.6                               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.

 

7.8                               Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either party without the prior written approval of the other party.

 

7.9                               No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both parties.

 

7.10                        Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Participation Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

Janus Distributors LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Russell P. Shipman

 

Name: 

Russell P. Shipman

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

Janus Services LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ John Mari

 

Name: 

John Mari

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Todd Thompson

 

Name: 

Todd Thompson

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

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Schedule A

Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts

 

 

 

 

Contracts Funded

Name of Separate Account

 

By Separate Account

 

 

 

Variable Annuity Account A of Protective Life

 

Protective Variable Annuity NY II, B Series

 

 
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Schedule B

List of Portfolios

 

 

The Company may purchase Shares of the following Portfolios of the Trust. This Schedule B may be updated from time to time by written agreement of the Company and the Distributor.

 

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series – Conservative Portfolio

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series – Moderate Portfolio

Protective Life Dynamic Allocation Series – Growth Portfolio

 

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Schedule C

Order Submission and Processing

 

1.                                      Receipt of Instructions and Transmittal of Orders. The Company represents that it has adopted and implemented procedures reasonably designed to ensure that all Instructions delivered to Janus Services on any Business Day shall have been received by the Company from the Account by the close of trading (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)) on the New York Stock Exchange (the Close of Trading) on such Business Day and that any Instructions received by it after the Close of Trading on any given Business Day will be transmitted to Janus Services on the next Business Day.

 

2.                                      Manual Transactions. Company may submit orders for purchase or redemption of shares by means of manual transactions via facsimile or other electronic transmission acceptable to Janus Services, in accordance with the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)                                 Next Day Transmission of Orders. The Company will notify the Janus Services by 9:30 a.m. ET, on the next Business Day the aggregate amounts of purchase orders and redemption orders, that were placed by Contractholders in each Account by 4:00 p.m. ET on the prior Business Day (the Trade Date). Company represents that orders it receives after 4:00 p.m. ET on any given Business Day will be transmitted to the Janus Services using the following Business Days net asset value. Janus Services may process orders it receives after the 9:30 a.m. deadline using the net asset value next determined.

 

(i)                                     Purchases. All orders received by Company by 4:00 p.m. on a Business Day and communicated to the Janus Services by the 9:30 a.m. deadline shall be treated by the Janus Services as if received as of the close of trading on the Trade Date and the Janus Services will therefore execute orders at the net asset values determined as of the close of trading on the Trade Date. Company will initiate payment by wire transfer to a custodial account designated by Janus Services for the aggregate purchase amounts prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on the next Business Day following Trade Date.

 

(ii)                                  Redemptions. Aggregate orders for redemption of shares of the Portfolios will be paid in cash and wired from the Trusts custodial account to an account designated by the Company. Janus Services will initiate payment by wire to Company or its designee proceeds of such redemptions on the next Business Day following Trade Date.

 

3.                                      Submission of Orders through NSCC. If the parties mutually agree to use the Fund/SERV system, Janus Services will accept trades submitted via the NSCC Systems in accordance with the following terms.

 

(a)                                 Obligations of Janus Services.

 

(i)                                     Transactions Subject to Fund/SERV. On each business day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business on which the Portfolios determine their per share net asset values (“Business Day”), Janus Services shall accept, and effect, changes in its records upon receipt of purchase, redemption, exchanges, and registration instructions from the Company electronically through Fund/SERV (Instructions) without supporting documentation from the Accounts in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Schedule 4. On each Business Day, Janus Services shall accept for processing any Instructions from the Company and shall process such Instructions in a timely manner. Purchases to an Accounts Portfolio account shall be posted to such account through nightly processing after both the account registration and purchase settlement have been received. Such purchase shall appear on the account record the following Business Day. Shares are ineligible for redemption until they are posted and appear on the account record.

 

(ii)                                  Performance of Duties. Janus Services shall perform any and all duties, functions, procedures and responsibilities assigned to it under this Agreement and as otherwise established by the NSCC. Janus Services shall maintain facilities, equipment and skilled personnel sufficient to perform the foregoing activities and to otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement. Janus Services shall conduct each of the foregoing activities in a competent manner and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including NSCC rules and procedures relating to Fund/SERV. and in compliance with the then-current Prospectuses and SAIs of the Portfolios.

 

 
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(iii)                               Accuracy of Information, Transmissions Through, and Access to Fund/SERV. Confirmed trades and any other information provided by Janus Services to the Company through Fund/SERV and pursuant to this Agreement shall be accurate, complete, and in the format prescribed by the NSCC. Janus Services shall adopt, implement and maintain procedures reasonably designed to ensure the accuracy of all transmissions through Fund/SERV and to limit the access to, and the inputting of data into, Fund/SERV to persons specifically authorized by Janus Services.

 

(iv)                              Notice of Prospectus and SAI Revisions. The Portfolios shall provide the Company with reasonable notice of any material revisions to the Portfolios Prospectuses and SAIs as are necessary to enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

(b)                         Obligations of the Company.

 

(i)                                     Transactions Subject to Fund/SERV. Except with respect to Instructions on behalf of business trading under NSCC indicator codes F through O (which include 529 underlying fund trades, share class conversion, health savings account, insurance fund transaction, non-qualified retirement plan, qualified retirement plan, omnibus distribution reconciliation, variable annuity, wrap program, and/or defined benefit plan) (DCC&S Platform Business), the Company represents that it has adopted and implemented procedures reasonably designed to ensure that all such Instructions received by it from an Account by the Close of Trading on any Business Day will be delivered to Janus Services on such Business Day. With respect to processing of Instructions on behalf of DCC&S Platform Business that the Company received by the Close of Trading on a Business Day, the Company will exercise its best efforts to:

 

(1)                                 transmit such Instructions to Janus Services through Fund/SERV by 6:00 a.m. ET on the next Business Day, or

 

(2)                                 otherwise notify Janus Services of such Instructions by 10:00 a.m. ET on the next Business Day. If the Company must deliver any Instructions to Janus Services on a certain Business Day for processing as of the prior Business Day due to systems problems or errors, such Instructions must be delivered by 10:00 a.m. ET to Janus Services on such Business Day. If Janus Services receives such Instructions after the 10:00 a.m. ET deadline and processes the Instructions, resulting in a loss to the Portfolios, the Company agrees to reimburse Janus Services for such loss upon receipt of a reclaim letter from Janus Services. Janus Services appoints the Company as its agent for the limited purpose of accepting orders for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Portfolios by the Company on behalf of its Accounts.

 

(ii)                                  Performance of Duties. The Company shall perform any and all servicing, duties, functions, procedures and responsibilities assigned to it under this Agreement and as otherwise established by the NSCC for customer accounts. The Company acknowledges that it may not set up customer accounts which require Janus Services to provide any services directly to underlying investors. The Company shall maintain facilities, equipment and skilled personnel sufficient to perform the foregoing activities and to otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall conduct each of the forgoing activities in a competent manner and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including NSCC rules and procedures relating to Fund/SERV, and in compliance with the then-current Prospectuses and SAIs of the Portfolios.

 

(iii)                               Accuracy of Information, Transmissions Through, and Access to Fund/SERV. The Company has adopted and implemented procedures reasonably designed to ensure that trade, registration, and if applicable, broker/dealer information provided by the Company to Janus Services through Fund/SERV and pursuant to this Agreement shall be accurate, complete and, in the format prescribed by the NSCC. All Instructions by the Company regarding each Fund/SERV account shall be true and correct and will have been duly authorized by the Account under whose name the account appears in the records of the Company. The Company shall adopt, implement and maintain procedures reasonably designed to ensure the accuracy of all transmissions through Fund/SERV and to limit the access to, and the inputting of data into, Fund/SERV to persons specifically authorized by the Company.

 

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(iv)                              Information Relating to Fund/SERV Transactions. For each Fund/SERV transaction, including transactions establishing a customer account with Janus Services, the Company shall provide the Portfolios and Janus Services with all information necessary or appropriate to establish and maintain each Fund/SERV transaction (and any subsequent changes to such information) which the Company hereby certifies is, and shall remain, true and correct. The Company shall maintain documents required by the Portfolios or by applicable law, rules or regulations to effect Fund/SERV transactions.

 

(v)                                 As-of Transactions. Processing errors which result from any delay or error caused by the Company may be adjusted through Fund/SERV by the Company by the necessary transactions on an as-of basis and the cost to the Portfolio or Janus Services of such transactions shall be borne by the Company. As-of transactions more than 180 days old must be processed manually by Janus Services.

 

(vi)                              Duplicate Transactions and Payments. The Company acknowledges that as a result of the automated settlement features of NSCCs Fund/SERV program. Janus Services compliance with redemption and/or settlement instructions involves a risk that the shareholder whose account is being redeemed may issue an inconsistent instruction, that the account being redeemed may be subject to backup or penalty withholding, or that a record date may occur while the redemption transaction is pending, resulting in a duplication transaction, overpayment, or dividend payment to the record owner. If Janus Services compliance with redemption and settlement instructions result in a duplicate transaction or overpayment, in addition to the procedures described above, the Company will, within two (2) business days after receipt of notice, refund all or any appropriate portion of any sums received by it in connection with such duplicate transaction or overpayment.

 

(vii)                           Trade Confirmation. Any information provided by Janus Services to the Company electronically through Fund/SERV and pursuant to this Agreement, shall satisfy the delivery obligations as outlined by SEC Rule 10b-10 and, as such. Janus Services has the informed consent of the Company to suppress the delivery of this information using paper-media. The Company will promptly verify accuracy of confirmations of transactions and records received by Janus Services through Fund/SERV.

 

(viii)                        Shareholder Reports and Other Documents; Solicitation of Proxies. The Company shall timely deliver to each Account all reports and other documents provided to it by the Portfolios or the Distributor as is required by applicable securities law and the Companys agreement with the Account, provided that the Company has timely received copies of such reports and/or documents. The Portfolio or the Distributor and the Company shall cooperate with each other in the solicitation and voting of proxies on behalf of the Portfolios according to the Companys fiduciary responsibility as written in the trust agreement or as required by state law or Federal Regulation.

 

(ix)                              Settlement of Transactions. For any purchase or redemption of Shares processed through Fund/SERV, Janus Services and the Company will settle all trades on the next Business Day following transmission of Instructions by the Company to Janus Services (the Settlement Date) in the manner provided by NSCC Fund/SERV Rules unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

 

4.                                      Overpayments.

 

(a)                                 By Janus Services. In the event any overpayment is made to the Company by Janus Services, the Company shall promptly repay such overpayment to Janus Services after the Company receives notice of such overpayment.

 

(b)                                 By the Company. In the event any overpayment is made to Janus Services by the Company, Janus Services shall promptly repay such overpayment to the Company after Janus Services receives notice of such overpayment.

 

 
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5.                                      Pricing Adjustments. In the event an adjustment is made to the computation of the net asset value of Portfolio shares as reported to Company under paragraph 7, (1) the correction will be handled in a manner consistent with SEC guidelines and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and (2) Janus Services shall notify Company as soon as practicable after discovering the need for any such adjustment. Notification may be made in the following manner:

 

(a)                                 Method of Communication

 

(i)                                     Manual Transactions. If the parties are not able to transmit or receive information through Fund/SERV, any corrections to the Portfolio prices should be communicated by electronic transmission acceptable to Janus Services, and will include for each day on which an adjustment has occurred the incorrect Portfolio price, the correct price, and corrective action to the Companys back-office. Janus Services agrees that the Company may send a derivation of this notification (so long as such derivation is approved in advance by Janus Services) to Contract owners whose accounts are affected by the adjustment.

 

(ii)                                  Fund/SERV Transactions. If Company uses the National Securities Clearing Corporations Mutual Fund Settlement, Entry and Registration Verification (Fund/SERV) system, any corrections to the Portfolio prices for the prior trade date may be submitted through the Mutual Fund Profile in Fund/SERV with the correct Portfolio prices and applicable date.

 

(b)                                 To the extent a price adjustment results in a deficiency or excess to a Contractholders account, Company and Janus Services agree to evaluate the situation together on a case-by-case basis with the goal towards pursuing an appropriate course of action. To the extent the price adjustment was due to Janus Services error, Janus Services shall reimburse Contractholders account. Any administrative costs incurred for correcting Contractholder accounts will be at Companys expense.

 

20

Exhibit 99.8(n)(i)
 
AMENDMENT TO FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Clayton Street Trust
 
This Amendment to the Fund Participation Agreement (the “Amendment”) entered into as of ________________, September 1, 2020 (“Effective Date”) amends the Fund Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2016 (the “Agreement”) between Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (the “Company”), on its behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time (“the Accounts”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Agreement.
 
WHEREAS, the parties desire to update Schedule A of the Agreement and update terms of the Agreement as provided herein. 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
 
  1. Schedule A is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the attached Schedule A.
 
      2.   Article 2.4 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“2.4
The Company agrees and acknowledges that Janus Henderson Group plc (“Janus Henderson”) or its affiliate is the sole owner of the name and mark “Janus” and/or “Janus Henderson.” All references contained in this Agreement to “the name or mark ‘Janus’ and/or ‘Janus Henderson’” shall include but not be limited to the Janus Henderson logo, the website www.janushenderson.com and any and all electronic links relating to such website.  Neither the Company, nor its affiliates, employees, or agents shall, without prior written consent of Janus Henderson, use the name or mark “Janus” and/or “Janus Henderson,” including any derivations thereof, or make representations regarding the Trust, Janus Henderson, or their affiliates, or any products or services sponsored, managed, advised, or administered by the Trust, Janus Henderson, or their affiliates, except those contained in the then-current Prospectus and the then-current printed sales literature for the Shares of the Portfolios.  The Company will make no use of the name or mark “Janus” and/or “Janus Henderson,” including any derivations thereof, except as expressly provided in this Agreement or expressly authorized by Janus Henderson in writing.  All goodwill associated with the name and mark “Janus” and/or “Janus Henderson,” including any derivations thereof, shall inure to the benefit of Janus Henderson or its affiliate.  Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Company shall immediately cease any and all use of any Janus and/or Janus Henderson mark(s).”
 
Except as modified herein, all other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain in  
full force and effect. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms defined in the Agreement shall have the same meaning in this Amendment.
 
This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.
1

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers to execute this Amendment as of September 1, 2020.
 
 
PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY  
JANUS DISTRIBUTORS LLC
 
 
By: /s/ Aaron Seurkamp                            
By: /s/ Russell P. Shipman                            
Name:  Aaron Seurkamp
Name:   Russell P. Shipman
Title:    SVP
Title:     Vice President
 
 
JANUS SERVICES LLC
 
By: /s/ David Kelley                                    
Name:   David Kelley
Title:     Vice President
 
 
 
2

 
Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts
 
 
Name of Separate Account 
 
 
        Contracts Funded by Separate Account
 
Protective Variable Annuity Separate Account
Protective Variable Annuity II, B Series
 
 
Protective Dimensions IV Variable Annuity
 
 
Protective Variable Annuity Investor Series
 
 
Protective Investors Benefit Advisor Variable Annuity
   
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Schwab Genesis Advisory Variable Annuity NY
 
 
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
3

Exhibit 99.8(o)
 
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
 
  Among
 
  PROTECTIVE LIFE AND INSURANCE COMPANY
 
GREAT-WEST FUNDS, INC
 
GREAT-WEST CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
  and
 
 GWFS EQUITIES, INC.
 
THIS FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this ____ day of _______________, 2020 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (hereinafter “PLAIC”), an Alabama life insurance company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its separate account(s) listed on Schedule B attached hereto (the “Accounts”);; Great-West Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation consisting of the separate series described in Schedule A (hereinafter the “Fund”); Great-West Capital Management, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company and registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (hereinafter the “Adviser”), and GWFS Equities, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter the “Distributor”) (each a “Party” and collectively the “Parties”).
 
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the “1933 Act”); and
 
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; and
 
WHEREAS, the Distributor is duly registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (the “FINRA”); and
 
WHEREAS, PLAIC has certain registered and unregistered variable annuity and variable life contracts supported wholly or partially by the Accounts (the “Contracts”) to be made available to owners thereof, including any participants or employees of such owners as applicable (“Contract Owners”); and
 
WHEREAS, to the extent required by applicable law, PLAIC has registered the Account(s) as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act unless excepted from registration pursuant to Section 3(c)(7) or Section 3(c)(11) of the 1940 Act, and has registered the securities deemed to be issued by the Account(s) under the 1933 Act unless exempt from registration; and
 
1

 
WHEREAS, the PLAIC Account(s) is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of PLAIC, under the insurance laws of the State of Alabama, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the PLAIC Contracts; and
 
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, PLAICPLAIC intends to purchase shares in the Fund(s) listed in Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement (the “Designated Portfolio(s)”), on behalf of their respective Accounts to fund the applicable Contracts, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to unregistered unit investment trusts such as the Accounts at net asset value; and
 
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, the Accounts also intend to purchase shares in other open-end investment companies or series thereof not affiliated with the Fund (the “Unaffiliated Funds”) on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
 
2

ARTICLE I.
Sale of Fund Shares 
 
  1. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolios available for purchase by the Company and its Accounts on each Business Day as defined herein.  Shares of the Designated Portfolios shall be sold by the Fund through Distributor and purchased by the Company for the appropriate subaccount of each Account, at the net asset value (“NAV”) next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of each order of the Accounts, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the then current prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information of the relevant Designated Portfolio, and the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts (the “Contracts”) that use the Designated Portfolio(s) as underlying investment media; provided, however, that if any conflicts exist among any such documents, then the terms of the Fund’s current prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information shall control.
  2.  
  3. Distributor and the Fund hereby appoint the Company as agent for the limited purpose of accepting orders for an Account, and the Company hereby accepts such appointment.  The Company shall have no authority to act as agent for the Fund or the Distributor for any other purpose.
  4.  
  5. Subject to the terms of this Article 1 and the other provisions of this Agreement, the Fund shall make Shares of the Designated Portfolios available to the Accounts, and the Company shall engage in transactions with respect to such Shares, at net asset value in accordance with the operational procedures mutually agreed to by the Fund and the Company from time to time and the provisions of the then current prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Portfolios (collectively, the “Prospectus”).  Shares of a particular Designated Portfolio of the Fund shall be ordered in such quantities and at such times as determined by the Company to be necessary to meet the requirements of the Contracts.  The Fund may refuse to sell Shares of any Portfolio to any person (including the Company and the Accounts) or suspend or terminate the offering of Shares of any Portfolio or take any action it reasonably may deem appropriate or advisable in connection with all matters relating to the operation of the Fund and/or sale of Shares of the Portfolios. The Fund may require the Company to refuse redemption orders for a Portfolio if permitted by the Fund’s Prospectus or if the Fund has suspended redemptions with respect to such Portfolio in accordance with Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act, Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act or any other applicable rule or regulation.  Fund Parties shall have no liability for any such action.  It is understood that for purposes of this Agreement, an exchange involves a redemption order and a purchase order for Shares of a Portfolio.
  6.  
  7. Fund/SERV Transactions.  If the parties choose to use the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s Mutual Fund Settlement, Entry and Registration Verification (“Fund/SERV”) or any other NSCC service, the following provisions shall apply:
    1. The Company and the Fund or their designees will each be bound by the rules of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and the terms of any NSCC agreement filed by it or its designee with the NSCC.  Without limiting the generality of the following provisions of this section, the Company and the Fund or its designee will each perform any and all duties, functions, procedures and responsibilities assigned to it and as otherwise established by the NSCC applicable to Fund/SERV, the Mutual Fund Profile Service, the Networking Matrix Level utilized and any other relevant NSCC service or system (collectively, the “NSCC Systems”).
    2.  
    3. Any information transmitted through the NSCC Systems by any party or its designee to the other or its designee and pursuant to this Agreement will be accurate, complete, and in the format prescribed by the NSCC.  Each party or its designee will adopt, implement and maintain procedures reasonably designed to ensure the accuracy of all transmissions through the NSCC Systems and to limit the access to, and the inputting of data into, the NSCC Systems to persons specifically authorized by such party.
    4.  
    5. On each 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 (“Business Day”), the Company shall aggregate and calculate the net purchase and redemption orders for each Account received by the Company by the close of the New York Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) (the “Close of Trading”) on the Business Day.  The Company shall communicate to the Fund or its designee for that Business Day, by Fund/SERV, the net aggregate purchase or redemption orders (if any) for each Account received by the Close of Trading on such Business Day (the “Trade Date”) no later than 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as may be agreed by the parties from time to time) (the “Fund/SERV Transactions Deadline”) on the Business Day following the Trade Date. All such aggregated orders communicated to the Fund or its designee by the Fund/SERV Transactions Deadline on the Business Day following the Trade Date shall be treated by the Fund or its designee as if received prior to the Close of Trading on the Trade Date.
    6.  
    7. All orders received by the Company after the Close of Trading on a Business Day shall not be aggregated with Orders received by the Company prior to the Close of Trading on such Business Day and shall be communicated to BRIL or its designee as part of an aggregated order no sooner than after the FUND/SERV Transactions Deadline or such other time as may be agreed by the parties from time to time) the following Business Day.  
    8.  
    9. Cash settlement shall be transmitted pursuant to the normal NSCC settlement process.  In the case of delayed settlement, the Fund or its designee shall make arrangements for the settlement of redemptions by wire no later than the time permitted for settlement of redemption orders by the 1940 Act. Unless otherwise informed in writing, such redemption wires should be sent to an account specified by the Company and agreed to by Fund Parties.   
  8.  
  9. Manual Transactions.  If the parties choose not to use Fund/SERV, if there are technical problems with Fund/SERV, or if the parties are not able to transmit or receive information through Fund/SERV, the following provisions shall apply:
    1. Next Day Transmission of Orders.  On each Business Day, the Company shall aggregate and calculate the net purchase and redemption orders for each Account received by the Company by the Close of Trading on such Business Day.  By 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as may be agreed by the parties from time to time) (the “Manual Transactions Deadline”) on the next following Business Day, the Company shall communicate to the Fund or its designee by facsimile or, in the Company’s discretion, by telephone or any other method agreed upon by the parties, the net aggregate purchase or redemption orders (if any) for each Account received by the Close of Trading on the prior Business Day.  All orders communicated to the Fund or its designee by the Manual Transactions Deadline on the Business Day following the Trade Date shall be treated by the Fund or its designee as if received prior to the Close of Trading on the Trade Date.
    2.  
    3. All orders received by the Company after the Close of Trading on a Business Day shall not be aggregated with orders received by the Company prior to the Close of Trading on such Business Day and shall be communicated to Fund or its designee as part of an aggregated order no sooner than after the Manual Transactions Deadline (or such other time as may be agreed by the parties from time to time) the following Business Day.  
    4.  
    5. Purchases.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to transmit each purchase order to the Fund or its designee in accordance with written instructions provided by the Fund or its designee to the Company.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to initiate by wire transfer to Fund or its designee through the Federal Reserve Wire Transfer System (the “Fedwire System”) purchase amounts prior to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the next Business Day following the Trade Date.
    6.  
    7. Redemptions.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to transmit each redemption order to the Fund in accordance with written instructions provided by the Fund or its designee to the Company. With respect to redemption orders submitted by the Company by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (or such other time as may be agreed by the parties from time to time) on the next Business Day following the Trade Date, the Fund or its designee will use commercially reasonable efforts to initiate by wire transfer to the Company proceeds of such redemptions no later than the close of the Fedwire System on the next Business Day following the Trade Date.
    8.  
    9. Unless otherwise informed in writing, such redemption wires should be sent to an account specified by the Company and agreed to by Fund Parties.
     
  10. All Transactions.
    1. The Company shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of any orders submitted by it through any means.  All orders are subject to acceptance by the Fund or its designee and become effective only upon confirmation by the Fund or its designee.
    2.  
    3. Orders submitted on an as-of basis subsequent to the Trade Date for the Order, including post-settlement trade correction orders (hereinafter defined as an “As-of Order”), shall be acceptable only as permitted by the Fund and shall be subject to the Fund’s policies pertaining thereto.  The Company shall be responsible for any loss or liability to Fund Parties or any of their respective affiliates, including any costs or expenses incurred by any of them, caused by an As-of Order and will promptly pay any such amount to Fund Parties upon demand therefor.  The Company agrees that any gains from one As-of Order shall not be netted against losses generated from another.    
    4.  
    5. Subject to this Article 1, the Fund will redeem any full or fractional Shares of any Portfolio when requested by the Company on behalf of an Account pursuant to a redemption order meeting the requirements of this Agreement at net asset value in accordance with the operational procedures mutually agreed to by the Fund and the Company from time to time and the provisions of the Prospectus of the Portfolios.  In no event shall payment be delayed for a greater period than is permitted by the 1940 Act (including any Rule or order of the SEC thereunder).
    6. The Company represents and warrants that its internal control structure concerning the processing and transmission of orders is suitably designed to prevent or detect on a timely basis orders received after the Close of Trading from being aggregated with orders received before the Close of Trading and to minimize errors that could result in late transmission of orders. Orders received by the Company before the Close of Trading are eligible to receive that Business Day’s net asset value, and orders received by the Company after the Close of Trading are eligible to receive the next Business Day’s net asset value.  
    7.  
    8. The Fund may reject purchase and redemption orders which are not in the form prescribed in the Fund’s Prospectus.  In the event that the Company and the Fund agree to use a form of written or electronic communication which is not capable of recording the time, date and recipient of any communication and confirming good transmission, the Company agrees that it shall be responsible for confirming that any communication sent by the Company was in fact received by the Fund or its designee, in good order and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Fund and its agents or designees shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected from all liability in acting upon, instructions reasonably believed by them to be from the Company or its designee.
    9.  
    10. In the event that the Company shall fail to pay in a timely manner for any purchase order validly received by the Fund or its designee pursuant to this Article 1, the Company shall hold the Fund or its designee harmless from any losses reasonably sustained by the Fund or its designee as the result of acting in reliance on such purchase order.  In the event that the Fund or its designee shall fail to pay in a timely manner for any redemption order validly received by the Fund or its designee pursuant to this Article 1, the Fund or its designee shall hold the Company harmless from any losses reasonably sustained by the Company as the result of acting in reliance on such redemption order.
    11.  
    12. Issuance and transfer of Shares of the Portfolios will be by book entry only. Share certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account.  Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in the appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate sub-account of each Account.
    13.  
    14. The Fund or its designee shall furnish prompt notice to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain distribution payable on Shares.  The Company hereby elects to receive all such income, dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a Portfolio’s Shares in additional Shares of that Portfolio, unless the Fund or its designee is otherwise notified in writing by the Company.  The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so issued as payment of such income, dividends and distributions.
    15.  
    16. The Fund shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make the net asset value per Share for each Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis after the Close of Trading and by 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
    17.  
    18. If the Fund provides materially incorrect net asset value information, it shall make an adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed for any affected Account to reflect the correct net asset value.  The Company shall make such corresponding adjustments to the Accounts as are necessary to complete the sub-accounting for the adjustment.  If an adjustment is necessary to correct a pricing error which has caused the Account to receive less than the amount to which it is entitled, the number of Shares of the Account will be adjusted and the amount of any underpayments shall be credited by the Fund to the Company for crediting of such amounts to the Account.  Upon notification by the Fund of any overpayment due to an error, the Company shall promptly remit to the Fund any overpayment that has not been paid to Contract owners.  If the Account has underpaid for Shares due to a pricing error, the number of Shares of the Account will be adjusted.  
    19. Fund Parties shall not be liable for any reprocessing costs or out-of-pocket costs associated with a price correction.
     
  11. The Company agrees that it will not take any action to operate an Account as a management investment company under the 1940 Act without the Fund’s and the Underwriter’s prior written consent.
  12.  
  13. The Fund agrees that its Shares will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts.  No Shares of any Portfolio will be sold directly to the general public.  The Company agrees that Shares will be used only for the purposes of funding the Contracts and Accounts listed in fees, as amended from time to time.
  14.  
  15. The Fund agrees that all Participating Insurance Companies shall have the obligations and responsibilities regarding conflicts of interest corresponding to those contained in Article 4 of this Agreement.  
  16.  
  17. The Company agrees to cooperate with the Distributor and the Fund to monitor for Market Timing by its Contract Owners, to provide such relevant information about Market Timing to the Fund as it may reasonably request, including, but not limited to, such Contract Owner’s identity, and to prevent Market Timing from occurring by or because of Contract Owners, in accordance with Schedule E attached hereto.  Failure of the Fund to reject any purchase orders that might be deemed to be Market Timing shall not constitute a waiver of the Fund’s rights under this section. 
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ARTICLE II.  
Representations and Warranties
 
2.1.
 PLAIC 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 the PLAICPLAIC Account prior to any issuance or sale of units thereof as a segregated asset account under Tennessee Law.
 
2.2.
The Fund represents and warrants that Designated Portfolio(s) shares 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 including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act.  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.  
 
2.3.
The Fund and Adviser agree to comply with applicable provisions and SEC staff interpretations of the 1940 Act to assure that the investment advisory or management fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund are in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.  To the extent that the Fund finances distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have its Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance distribution expenses.
 
2.4.
The Fund represents and warrants that the investment policies, fees and expenses of the Designated Portfolio(s) are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the Fund's Prospectus and Applicable Law.  The Fund and Distributor represent and warrant that they will make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that Designated Portfolio(s) shares will be sold in compliance with all Applicable Law.  The Fund and Distributor shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states if and to the extent required by Applicable Law.  PLAICPLAIC will endeavor to keep the Adviser informed of any change in state insurance laws, regulations or interpretations of the foregoing that affect the Designated Portfolio(s) (a “Law Change”).  In the event of a Law Change, the Fund agrees that it may (in its sole discretion) take any action required by a Law Change.
 
2.5.
The Fund represents and warrants that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
 
2.6
The Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance with the laws of the State of Colorado and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
 
2.7.
The Distributor represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance with the laws of the State of Delaware and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
 
2.8.
The Fund will provide PLAICPLAIC with as much advance notice as is reasonably practicable of any material change affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) (including, but not limited to, any material change in the registration statement or prospectus affecting the Designated Portfolio(s)) and any proxy solicitation affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) and consult with PLAICPLAIC in order to implement any such change in an orderly manner.
 
4

ARTICLE III.
Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
 
3.1.
If applicable state or federal laws or regulations require that prospectuses for the Fund be distributed to all Contract owners, then at least annually, the Adviser or Distributor shall provide PLAIC with as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s) as PLAIC may reasonably request for marketing purposes (including distribution to Contract owners with respect to new sales of a Contract), with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C.  If requested by PLAIC in lieu thereof, the Adviser, Distributor or Fund shall provide such documentation (including a camera-ready copy and computer diskette of the current prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s)) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for PLAIC once each year (or more frequently if the prospectuses for the Designated Portfolio(s) are amended) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s) printed together in one document. The Fund and Adviser agree that in the future, PLAIC may request that the prospectus (and semi-annual and annual reports) for the Designated Portfolio(s) describe only the Designated Portfolio(s) and not name or describe any other portfolios or series that may be in the Fund, unless required by law.  Should PLAIC determine that they will make the prospectuses available in an electronic format, the Fund, Adviser or Distributor, as applicable agree to assist PLAIC in obtaining the required information from EDGAR and the expenses associated with this form of distribution will be borne in accordance with Schedule C.
 
3.2.
If applicable state or federal laws or regulations require that the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for the Fund be distributed to all Contract owners, then the Fund, Distributor and/or the Adviser shall provide PLAIC with copies of the Fund's SAI or documentation thereof for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantities, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C, as PLAIC may reasonably require to permit timely distribution thereof to Contract owners.  The Adviser and/or the Fund shall also provide SAIs to any Contract owner or prospective owner who requests such SAI from the Fund (although it is anticipated that such requests will be made to PLAIC).  
 
3.3.
The Fund, Distributor and/or Adviser shall provide PLAIC with copies of the Fund's proxy material, reports to stockholders and other communications to stockholders for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantity, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C.  
 
3.4.
It is understood and agreed that, except with respect to information regarding PLAIC provided in writing by PLAIC, PLAIC is not responsible for the content of the prospectus or SAI for the Designated Portfolio(s).
 
3.5.
If and to the extent required by law PLAIC shall:
 
 
 
(i)
solicit voting instructions from Contractowners;
 
 
 
(ii)
vote the Designated Portfolio(s) shares held in the Accounts in accordance with instructions received from Contractowners; and
 
 
 
(iii)
vote Designated Portfolio shares held in the Accounts for which no instructions have been received in the same proportion as Designated Portfolio(s) shares for which instructions have been received from Contractowners, 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.  PLAIC reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
 
5

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 (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or, as the Fund currently intends, 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, 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 Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
 
ARTICLE IV.
Sales Material and Information
 
4.1.
PLAIC shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material that PLAIC develop or propose to use and in which the Fund (or a Portfolio thereof), its Adviser or one of its sub-advisers or the Distributor is named in connection with the Contracts, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use.  No such material shall be used if the Fund reasonably objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material.
 
4.2.
PLAIC shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of 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 Fund shares, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, except with the permission of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser.
 
4.3.
The Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to PLAIC, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which PLAIC and/or their separate account(s) are named at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use.  No such material shall be used if PLAIC reasonably object to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material.
 
4.4.
The Fund and the Adviser shall not give any information or make any representations on behalf of PLAIC or concerning PLAIC, the Accounts, or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in the Contracts, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by PLAIC or their designee, except with the permission of PLAIC.
 
4.5.
The Fund will provide to PLAIC at least one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, sales literature and other promotional materials that relate to the Designated Portfolio(s), contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or FINRA or other regulatory authorities.
 
4.6.
PLAIC will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests 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, FINRA, or other regulatory authority.
 
6

4.7.
For purposes of Articles IV and VII, the phrase “sales literature and other promotional material” includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media; e.g., on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic media), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, and shareholder reports, and proxy materials (including solicitations for voting instructions) and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the FINRA rules, the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
 
4.8.
At the request of any Party to this Agreement, each other Party will make available to the other Party's independent auditors and/or representative of the appropriate regulatory agencies, all records, data and access to operating procedures that may be reasonably requested in connection with compliance and regulatory requirements related to this Agreement or any Party's obligations under this Agreement.
 
ARTICLE V.  
Fees and Expenses
 
5.1.
The Fund and the Adviser will pay certain fees in accordance with Schedule D.  In addition, the Parties will bear certain expenses in accordance with Schedule C, as well as Articles III and V of this Agreement.  
 
5.2.
All expenses incident to performance by the Fund, Distributor and the Adviser under this Agreement shall be paid by the appropriate Party, as further provided in Schedule C.  The Fund shall ensure that all shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent required, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale.
 
5.3.
The Parties shall bear the expenses of routine annual distribution (mailing costs) of the Fund's prospectus and distribution (mailing costs) of the Fund's proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts offered by PLAIC, which may be required by law, in accordance with Schedule C.
 
7

 
ARTICLE VI.   Diversification and Qualification
 
6.1.
The Fund, Distributor and Adviser represent and warrant that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio thereof will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.  Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations.  In the event of a breach of this Article VII by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation §1.817-5. Upon request, Find or the Adviser will provide PLAIC with a certificate of compliance with Section 817(h) no later than 60 days following the end of each calendar quarter.
 
6.2.
The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser represent and warrant that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (hereinafter the “Code”), and that each Designated Portfolio will maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provisions) as long as this Agreement is in effect.
 
6.3.
The Fund, Distributor or Adviser will notify PLAIC promptly upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund or any Designated Portfolio has ceased to comply with the aforesaid Subchapter M qualification requirements or might not so comply in the future.
 
6.4.
Upon reasonable request from PLAIC or their designees, the Fund shall provide PLAIC with reports certifying compliance with the aforesaid Subchapter M qualification requirements, at the times provided for.
 
8

 
ARTICLE VII.      Indemnification
 
7.1.
Indemnification by PLAIC
 
(a)
PLAIC agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser and each of their respective  officers and directors or trustees 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 7.1) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of PLAIC) or litigation (including reasonable 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, expenses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
 
(i)
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to PLAIC by or on behalf of the Adviser or Fund for use in the Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
(ii)
arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund not supplied by PLAIC or persons under their control) or wrongful conduct of PLAIC or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
 
(iii)
arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in sales literature or other promotional material 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 in writing to the Fund by or on behalf of PLAIC; or
 
(iv)
arise as a result of any failure by PLAIC to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
 
(v)
arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by PLAIC in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by PLAIC,
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.1(b) and 7.1(c) of this Agreement.
 
(b)  PLAIC shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
9

(c)  PLAIC shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party has notified PLAIC in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim has been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party has received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify PLAIC of any such claim shall not relieve PLAIC 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 PLAIC has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, PLAIC shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action.  PLAIC also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  After notice from PLAIC to such Party of PLAIC's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and PLAIC 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 PLAIC of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
 
7.2.
Indemnification by the Adviser
 
(a)  The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless PLAIC and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls PLAIC within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 7.2) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including reasonable 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 Fund's shares 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 or prospectus or SAI or sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund prepared by the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Adviser, the Distributor or the Fund by or on behalf of PLAIC for use in the registration statement, prospectus or SAI for the Fund or in sales literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or the Fund shares; or
 
(ii)
arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in sales literature or other promotional material for the Contracts not supplied by the Adviser or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
10

(iii)
arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in sales literature or other promotional material covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished in writing to PLAIC by or on behalf of the Adviser, the Distributor or the Fund; or
 
(iv)
arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser 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 Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Adviser, the Distributor or the Fund; or
 
(vi)
arise out of or result from the incorrect or untimely calculation or reporting by the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser of the daily net asset value per share or dividend or capital gain distribution rate;
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.2(b) and 7.2(c).  This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the responsibilities and obligations of the Adviser specified in Article VI.
 
(b)  The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
(c)  The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party has notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim has been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party has received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Adviser 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 Adviser has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof.  The Adviser also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  After notice from the Adviser to such Party of the Adviser'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 Adviser 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)  PLAIC agrees to promptly notify the Adviser 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 Accounts.
 
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7.3.
Indemnification by the Fund
 
(a)  The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless PLAIC and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls PLAIC within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 7.3) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or 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 other 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;
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.3(b) and 7.3(c).
 
(b)  The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
(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 has 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 has been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party has received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve it 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 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 shall also be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  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)  PLAIC agrees to promptly notify the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against itself or any of its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, the operation of the Accounts, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
 
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7.4.
Indemnification by the Distributor
 
(a)
The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless PLAIC and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls PLAIC within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 7.4) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Distributor) or litigation (including reasonable 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 Fund's shares 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 or prospectus or SAI or sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund prepared by the Fund, Adviser or Distributor (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Adviser, the Distributor or Fund by or on behalf of PLAIC for use in the registration statement or SAI or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; 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, sales literature or other promotional material for the Contracts not supplied by the Distributor or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund, the Distributor or Adviser or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
(iii)
arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, SAI, sales literature or other promotional material covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished in writing to PLAIC by or on behalf of the Adviser, the Distributor or Fund; or
 
(iv)
arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, Adviser or Distributor 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 Fund, Adviser or Distributor in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund, Adviser or Distributor; or
 
(vi)
arise out of or result from the incorrect or untimely calculation or reporting of the daily net asset value per share or dividend or capital gain distribution rate;
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.4(b) and 7.4(c).  This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the responsibilities and obligations of the Distributor specified in Article VI.
 
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(b)
The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 negligence in the performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
(c)
The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party has notified the Distributor in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim has been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party has received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Distributor of any such claim shall not relieve the Distributor 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 Distributor has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Distributor will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof.  The Distributor also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  After notice from the Distributor to such Party of the Distributor'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 Distributor 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)
PLAIC agrees to promptly notify the Distributor 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 Accounts.
 
ARTICLE VIII.  
Applicable Law
 
8.1.
This Agreement will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to the Colorado Conflict of Laws provisions.
 
8.2.
This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934, and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant and the terms of this Agreement will be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
 
14

ARTICLE IX.
Termination
 
9.1.
This Agreement will terminate:
 
(a)  
at the option of any Party, with or without cause, with respect to some or all Portfolios, upon six (6) months advance written notice delivered to the other Parties; provided, however, that such notice shall not be given earlier than six (6) months following the Effective Date of this Agreement; or
 
(b)  
at the option of PLAIC by written notice to the other Parties with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/ or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by PLAIC; or
 
(c)  
at the option of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against PLAIC by the FINRA, the SEC, the Insurance Commissioner or like official of any state or any other regulatory body regarding PLAIC’s duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, if, in each case, the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, as the case may be, reasonably determines in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the ability of PLAIC to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
 
(d)  
at the option of PLAIC in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser by the FINRA, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body, if PLAIC reasonably 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, the Distributor or the Adviser to perform their obligations under this Agreement; or
 
(e)  
at the option of either the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser, if (i) the Fund, the Distributor or Adviser, respectively, determines, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that PLAIC has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and that material adverse change or publicity will have a material adverse impact on PLAIC's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the Fund, the Distributor or Adviser notifies PLAIC of that determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken by PLAIC and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the determination of the Fund, the Distributor or Adviser continues to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which sixtieth day will be the effective date of termination; or
 
15

(f)  
at the option of PLAIC, if (i) PLAIC determines, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that the Fund, the Distributor or Adviser has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and that material adverse change or publicity will have a material adverse impact on the Fund's, Distributor's or Adviser's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) PLAIC notifies the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, as appropriate, of that determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken by the Fund, Distributor or Adviser and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the determination of PLAIC continues to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which sixtieth day will be the effective date of termination; or
 
(g)  
at the option of any non-defaulting Party in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by any Party (the “Defaulting Party”) other than as described in 9.1(a)-(f); provided, that the non-defaulting Party gives written notice thereof to the Defaulting Party, with copies of such notice to all other non-defaulting Parties, and if such breach has not been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then the non-defaulting Party giving such written notice may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination to the Defaulting Party.
 
9.2.
Notice Requirement. No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless the Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to all other Parties of its intent to terminate, which notice must set forth the basis for the termination.  Furthermore:
 
(a)
in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 9.1(a), 9.1(e),  9.1(f) or 9.1(g) of this Agreement, the prior written notice must be given in advance of the effective date of termination as required by those provisions unless such notice period is shortened by mutual written agreement of the Parties;
 
(b)
in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 9.1(c) or 9.1(d) of this Agreement, the prior written notice must be given at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination; and
 
(c)
in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 9.1(c), the prior written notice must be given in advance of the effective date of termination, which date will be determined by the Party sending the notice.
 
9.3.
Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the owners of Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of the Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Existing Contracts”), shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Designated Portfolio(s), redeem investments in the Designated Portfolio(s) and/or invest in the Designated Portfolio(s) upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts.  
 
9.4.
Surviving Provisions.  Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each Party's obligations under Article VII, Section 11.1, and Section 11.5 will survive and not be affected by any termination of this Agreement.  In addition, with respect to Existing Contracts, all provisions of this Agreement will also survive and not be affected by any termination of this Agreement.
 
16

ARTICLE X.
Notices
 
Any notice will 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 Parties.
 
 
If to PLAIC:
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL  35223
Attention: Senior Vice President, Chief Product Officer
 
With a copy to:
 
Senior Counsel – Variable Products
Protective Life Corporation
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL  35223
 
If to the Fund:
 
Great-West Funds, Inc.
8525 East Orchard Road, 2T3
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
 
Attention: Adam Kavan, Counsel & Assistant Secretary
 
 
If to the Adviser:
 
Great-West Capital Management, LLC
8525 East Orchard Road, 2T3
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
 
Attention:  Adam Kavan, Counsel & Assistant Secretary
 
 
If to the Distributor:
 
GWFS Equities, Inc.
8525 East Orchard Road, 2T3
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
 
Attention:
Mike Kavanagh, Head of Compliance
 
17

 
ARTICLE XI.
Miscellaneous
 
11.1.
Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each Party shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as confidential in writing by any other Party and, except as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent of the affected Party until such time as such information may come into the public domain.  Without limiting the foregoing, no Party shall disclose any information that another Party has designated as proprietary.
 
11.2.
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.
 
11.3.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together constitutes one and the same instrument.  Any signature that is delivered by facsimile transmission or by email delivery of a ‘pdf’ format data file will create a valid and binding obligation of the Party executing with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or ‘pdf’ signature were an original thereof.  
 
11.4.
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.
 
11.5.
Each Party shall cooperate with each other Party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the FINRA and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such other Party and authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
11.6.
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 are entitled to under state and federal laws.
 
11.7
This Agreement may not be amended except by a writing signed by each of the Parties.  The terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived only by a writing signed by the Party waiving compliance.  No waiver by any Party of any term or provision of this Agreement will be deemed to be a continuing waiver, or deemed to be a waiver of any other term or provision of this Agreement.  
 
11.8.
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.
 
18

11.9.
PLAIC is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declarations of Trust of the Fund and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement are limited in any case to the Fund and Adviser and their respective assets and PLAIC shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Fund, officers, employees or agents of the Fund, if an applicable trust.
 
11.10.
The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree that the obligations assumed by PLAIC pursuant to this Agreement are limited in any case to PLAIC and its assets and neither the Fund, Distributor nor Adviser shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of PLAIC, the directors, officers, employees or agents of PLAIC, or any of them, except to the extent permitted under this Agreement.
 
11.11.
No provision of this Agreement may be deemed or construed to modify or supersede any contractual rights, duties, or indemnifications, as between the Adviser, the Distributor and the Fund.
 
11.12.  None of the Parties shall be liable to the other for any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses or liability due to any failure, delay or interruption in performing its obligations under this Agreement, and without the fault or negligence of such Party, due to causes or conditions beyond its control including, without limitation, labor disputes, strikes (whether legal or illegal), lock outs (whether legal or illegal), civil commotion, riots, war and war-like operations including acts of terrorism, embargoes, epidemics, invasion, rebellion, hostilities, insurrections, explosions, floods, unusually severe weather conditions, earthquakes, military power, sabotage, governmental regulations or controls, failure of power, fire or other casualty, accidents, national or local emergencies, boycotts, picketing, slow-downs, work stoppages, acts of God or natural disasters, provided that such failure or delay was not capable of mitigation pursuant to a prudent business continuity, disaster recovery or similar program.  
 
1A3.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all other prior agreements, arrangements, and understandings, whether written or oral, between the Parties.  
 
(The remainder of this page intentionally left blank; signature page to follow)
 
19

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized representative, to be effective as of the Effective Date.
 
 
PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:  ______________________________
 
 
 
 
Name: ____________________________
 
 
 
 
 
Title: ____________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GREAT-WEST FUNDS, INC
 
By:  ______________________________
 
 
 
 
Name: ____________________________
 
 
 
 
Title: ____________________________
 
 
 
GREAT-WEST CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
By:  ____________________________
 
 
 
 
Name: __________________________
 
 
 
 
Title: __________________________
 
 
 
GWFS EQUITIES, INC
 
By:  ____________________________
 
 
 
 
Name: __________________________
 
 
 
 
Title: __________________________
 
 
(Schedule A to follow)
 
20

 
 
SCHEDULE A
 
DESIGNATED PORTFOLIOS
 
 
Any portfolios or series of the Fund that are available as listed below, or which become available to new investors on or after the Effective Date of this Agreement:
Fund Name
Class
12b-1 Fee
Administrative Services Fee (STA)
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Bond Index Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Bond Index Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Bond Index Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Core Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Core Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Core Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: Flexible Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Core Strategies: Flexible Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: Flexible Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Core Strategies: Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: International Equity Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
23

Great-West Core Strategies: International Equity Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: International Equity Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: Short Duration Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Core Strategies: Short Duration Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: Short Duration Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: U.S. Equity Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Core Strategies: U.S. Equity Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Core Strategies: U.S. Equity Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Global Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Global Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Global Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Government Money Market Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Government Money Market Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West High Yield Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West High Yield Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
24

Great-West High Yield Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West International Growth Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West International Growth Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West International Growth Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West International Index Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West International Index Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West International Index Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West International Value Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West International Value Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West International Value Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Invesco Small Cap Value Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Large Cap Growth Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Large Cap Growth Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Large Cap Growth Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
25

Great-West Large Cap Value Fund (formerly Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund)
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Large Cap Value Fund (formerly Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund)
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Large Cap Value Fund (formerly Great-West Putnam Equity Income Fund)
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Loomis Sayles Small Cap Value Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Mid Cap Value Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Multi-Sector Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Multi-Sector Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Multi-Sector Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Real Estate Index Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West S&P 500® Index Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
26

Great-West S&P MidCap 400® Index Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West S&P MidCap 400® Index Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West S&P MidCap 400® Index Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West S&P Small Cap 600® Index Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Short Duration Bond Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Small Cap Growth Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Small Cap Value Fund
(to be available 10/26/20)
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Small Cap Value Fund
(to be available 10/26/20)
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Small Cap Value Fund (to be available 10/26/20)
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
27

Great-West U.S. Government Securities Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West U.S. Government Securities Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West U.S. Government Securities Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Aggressive Profile Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Aggressive Profile Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Aggressive Profile Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Conservative Profile Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Conservative Profile Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Conservative Profile Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Moderate Profile Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Moderate Profile Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Moderate Profile Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Moderately Aggressive Profile Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Moderately Conservative Profile Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
28

Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2015 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2020 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2020 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2020 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2020 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2025 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2030 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2030 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2030 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2030 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2035 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2040 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
29

Great-West Lifetime 2040 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great -West Lifetime 2040 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2040 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2045 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2050 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2055 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2060 Fund
Institutional Class
0.00%
0.00%
Great-West Lifetime 2060 Fund
Investor Class
0.00%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2060 Fund
Service Class
0.10%
0.35%
Great-West Lifetime 2060 Fund
Class L
0.25%
0.35%
 
 
 
 
(Schedule B to follow)
28

SCHEDULE B
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
 
 
PLAIC Accounts
 
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
Protective COLI NY VUL Separate Account
Protective COLI NY PPVUL Separate Account
 
 
(Schedule C to follow)
 
 
29

 
SCHEDULE C
 
EXPENSES
 
The Fund and/or Adviser, and PLAIC will coordinate the functions and pay the costs of completing these functions based upon an allocation of costs in the tables below.  
 
Item
Function
Party Responsible for Coordination
Party Responsible for Expense
Mutual Fund Prospectus
Printing of combined prospectuses, or compiling of electronic prospectus, if needed in the future
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser, as applicable
 
Fund or Adviser shall supply PLAIC with such numbers of the Designated Portfolio(s) prospectus(es) as PLAIC reasonably requests
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser, as applicable
 
Distribution to New and Inforce Clients
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser, as applicable
 
Distribution to Prospective Clients
PLAIC
PLAIC
Mutual Fund Prospectus Update & Distribution
If Required by Fund or Adviser
Fund or Adviser
Fund or Adviser
 
If Required by PLAIC
PLAIC
PLAIC
Mutual Fund SAI
Printing
Fund or Adviser
Fund or Adviser
 
Distribution
PLAIC
PLAIC
Proxy Material for Mutual Fund:
Printing if proxy required by Law
Fund or Adviser
Fund or Adviser
 
Distribution to Contractowners (including labor, if required) if proxy required by Law
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser
 
Printing & distribution if required by PLAIC
PLAIC
PLAIC
Mutual Fund Annual & Semi-Annual Report
Printing of combined reports
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser
 
Distribution
PLAIC
PLAIC
Other communication to New and Prospective clients
If Required by the Fund or Adviser
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser
 
If Required by PLAIC
PLAIC
PLAIC
Other communication to Inforce Clients
Distribution (including labor and printing) if required by the Fund or Adviser
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser
 
Distribution (including labor and printing) if required by PLAIC
PLAIC
PLAIC
Errors in Share Price calculation
Cost of error to participants
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser
 
Cost of administrative work to correct error
PLAIC
Fund or Adviser
34

Operations of the Fund
All operations and related expenses, including the cost of registration and qualification of  shares, taxes on the issuance or transfer of shares, cost of management of the business affairs of the Fund, and expenses paid or assumed by the fund pursuant to any Rule 12b-1 plan
Fund or Adviser
Fund or Adviser
 
 
(Schedule D to follow)
 
31

SCHEDULE D
 
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
 
  1. PLAIC, or an affiliate, will provide the properly registered and licensed personnel and systems needed for all customer servicing and support – for both fund and annuity information and questions – including:
  2.  
    responding to Contract owner inquiries;
    delivering prospectuses – both fund and annuity;
    entering initial and subsequent orders;
    transferring cash to insurance company and/or funds;
    explaining fund objectives and characteristics;
    entering transfers between funds;
    responding to fund balance and allocation inquiries;
    mailing fund prospectus.
     
  3. PLAIC, or an affiliate, will communicate all purchase, withdrawal, and exchange orders it receives from its customers to each Designated Portfolio.
 
Administrative Service Fee
(if applicable)
 
For the services, PLAIC or their affiliate shall receive a fee per annum of the average aggregate daily net asset value of shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) held in the Accounts, payable by the Adviser directly to PLAIC or their affiliate, as described in Schedule A. If applicable, such fee shall be paid in arrears quarterly.  Each quarterly fee will be determined based on assets in the Accounts and each quarterly fee will be independent of every other quarterly fee.  Such fee shall be due and payable automatically within 20 (twenty) days after the last day of the quarter to which such payment relates.  
 
 
12b-1 Distribution Related Fees 
(if applicable)
 
The Adviser, or its designee, agrees to pay PLAIC or their affiliate a fee per annum of the average aggregate daily net asset value of shares of Designated Portfolio(s) held in the Accounts, as described in Schedule A. If applicable, such fee shall be paid in arrears, quarterly.  Each quarterly fee will be determined based on assets in the Accounts and each quarterly fee will be independent of every other quarterly fee.  Such fee shall be due and payable automatically within 20 (twenty) days after the last day of the quarter to which such payment relates.
 
 
32

SCHEDULE E
 
 
 
FORM OF 22c-2 SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
 
For the purposes of this Schedule E, ‘Intermediary’ refers to PLAIC or its designated agent.  
 
Intermediary has entered into trading and/or fund participation and/or administrative services agreement(s) with the Fund to make certain mutual funds and variable insurance funds available to certain shareholders serviced by Intermediary.  The Fund has adopted policies and procedures to protect certain fund(s) and their respective shareholders from potentially harmful trading activity (“Frequent Trading”).  Such policies and procedures include reserving the right to reject certain transactions initiated by Plan participants, beneficiaries, individual annuity owners and beneficiaries, and IRA owners (collectively the “Participant(s)”).  The Parties desire to have the Intermediary assist the Fund in meeting its goal of restricting potentially harmful Frequent Trading within the fund(s).  
 
Intermediary agrees to perform standardized Frequent Trading monitoring of Participant-Initiated transactions in the Restricted Fund(s) specified by the Fund as outlined below.  The Fund agrees that the standardized Frequent Trading monitoring and purchase restriction policies and procedures set out herein satisfy the Fund’s Frequent Trading standards and hereby instructs Intermediary to implement such monitoring policies and procedures.
 
1.
Definitions specific to this Schedule E.
(a)
Exchange Purchase – Participant-Initiated fund transfer of any portion of a Participant’s assets into a Restricted Fund (not including purchases into the Restricted Fund made with new assets contributed or rolled into a Plan).
(b)
Exchange Redemption – Participant-Initiated fund transfer of any portion of a Participant’s assets in a Plan out of a Restricted Fund (not including the withdrawal or distribution of assets out of a Plan).
 
(c)
Participant-Initiated – A voluntary trade or other transaction effected at the direction of the Participant rather than the direction of the sponsor or fiduciary of a Plan.
 
(d)
Purchase Restriction Period – The 30 Day period during which a Participant will be restricted from initiating Exchange Purchases into the affected Restricted Fund(s).
 
(e)
Restricted Fund(s) Each of the funds subject to the Frequent Trading policy.  Restricted Funds do not include any “excepted funds” as defined in SEC Rule 22c-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940,  or any funds identified as such by the Fund.
 
(f)
Round Trip – A Participant-Initiated transfer into a Restricted Fund(s) followed by a Participant-Initiated transfer out of that same Restricted Fund within a 30 calendar day period.  
 
(g)
Second Round Trip – A Participant-Initiated transfer into a Restricted Fund followed by a Participant-Initiated transfer out of that same Restricted Fund within a 30 calendar-day period beginning on the calendar day a Round Trip was completed.  
 
(h)
Shares – The interests of Participants corresponding to the securities of record issued by the Restricted Fund(s) held by Intermediary.
 
(i)   Written – Includes electronic writings and facsimile transmissions and communications.
2.
Intermediary Frequent Trading Monitoring and Purchase Restriction Period.  The Fund hereby instructs and directs Intermediary to monitor for Frequent Trading.  Intermediary agrees to use reasonable efforts to monitor Participant-Initiated Exchange Purchases and Exchange Redemptions in accordance with the terms set forth herein.  
 
33

(a)
Intermediary will monitor Participant-Initiated Exchange Purchases and Exchange Redemptions and will identify any Participant who initiates a Round Trip in a particular Restricted Fund during a 30 calendar-day period beginning with each Exchange Purchase into such Restricted Fund.  Such monitoring will be done on a plan by plan basis (not across multiple plans).  
 
(b)
Any Participant identified as executing a Round Trip in a particular Restricted Fund(s) will be notified by Intermediary as soon as administratively practicable that a second Round Trip within such Restricted Fund(s) will subject such Participant to the Purchase Restriction Period set forth herein.  
 
(c)
The Fund hereby instructs Intermediary to notify the Participant and to impose the Purchase Restriction Period as soon as administratively possible on any Participant identified as completing a Second Round Trip within a particular Restricted Fund(s).  Such restriction will apply only with respect to the affected Restricted Fund(s) in the Participant’s account in the Plan.  
 
(d)
Intermediary is instructed to restore the Participant’s Exchange Purchase privileges upon the expiration of the Purchase Restriction Period.  
 
(e)
The Fund agrees that the Round Trip, Second Round Trip, and Purchase Restriction Period set out within this Agreement are no more restrictive than any other periods agreed to between the Fund and any other intermediary.  To the extent the Fund agrees to a shorter Round Trip, Second Round Trip, and/or Purchase Restriction Period with any other Intermediary, the Fund agrees to promptly notify GWFS, and send an amendment to this agreement reflecting the provisions more favorable to GWFS.
 
3.
Exempt Transactions.  The Fund understands and acknowledges that the following transactions will not be subject to monitoring or data requests by Intermediary:
 
(a)
Any and all transactions other than Participant-Initiated Exchange Purchases and Exchange Redemptions.
 
(b)
Any transaction that is an error correction or “as-of” adjustment.  
 
(c)
Pre-scheduled systematic transactions such as Participant or model-driven automatic rebalancing.
 
4.
Monitoring In Lieu of Routine Data Requests by the Fund Company.
 
(a)
As long as Intermediary is complying with the Frequent Trading Monitoring policies and procedures set out herein, the Fund agrees not to make routine requests for data from Intermediary.  Intermediary will, however, provide reports and information to the Fund, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as requested in writing for due diligence or audit purposes.  
 
(b)
If the Fund identifies a Participant that has been subject to the Purchase Restriction Period more than once because of repeated Frequent Trading, the Fund may provide written direction to Intermediary to implement special restrictions on such Participant as the Fund deems necessary.  Intermediary will use reasonable efforts to impose such restrictions to the extent they are administratively feasible.  
 
(c)
Intermediary will provide the Fund with a quarterly report summarizing the total number of Participants who were restricted from purchasing during the previous calendar quarter.
 
5.
Information Reporting Upon Written Request of the Fund. 
 
34

(a)
Upon receipt of a written request by the Fund as set forth herein, Intermediary agrees to provide certain information with respect to Participant-Initiated Exchange Purchases and Participant-Initiated Exchange Redemptions as such terms are defined herein through a Plan Participant’s account maintained by Intermediary.  Such information will include:
 
 
(b)
The Fund acknowledges and agrees that Intermediary will only provide such information regarding a Participant that Intermediary is permitted to provide without Participant consent under applicable laws, rules, and regulations.  If Intermediary is required by law to obtain Participant consent in order to provide certain information to the Fund, Intermediary will use reasonable efforts to obtain such consent.
 
(c)
Written requests for data must set forth the specific period, not to exceed 90 days from the date of the request, for which transaction information is sought.  The Fund or its designee may request transaction information older than 90 days from the date of the request, as it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by the Fund.  
 
(d)
Intermediary agrees to transmit the requested information that is on its books and records to the Fund or their designee as soon as reasonably practicable, and agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to transmit the requested information within five business days after receipt of the request.  Intermediary has no information housed by an indirect intermediary.  The requested information will be communicated in accordance with standards that are mutually agreed upon by the Parties.  
(e)
The Fund or its designee agree not to use the information received from Intermediary for any purpose other than to comply with SEC Rule 22c-2, and such other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.  The Fund shall treat the information as strictly confidential and shall take such steps as are reasonably necessary to protect its confidentiality and prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of such information.
 
(f)
Intermediary agrees to take reasonable steps to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by a Participant that has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions involving a Restricted Fund (directly or indirectly through the Intermediary’s account) that violate the trading policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing potentially harmful market timing or frequent trading. Intermediary agrees to provide written confirmation to the Fund or its designee that instructions have been executed.  Intermediary agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such confirmation not later than ten business days after the instructions have been executed.  
 
6.
Modifications.  Intermediary and the Fund reserve the right to modify the Frequent Trading monitoring practices at any time by mutual agreement.  
 
 
35

 Exhibit 99.8(p)
 
 
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
 
 
Schwab Annuity Portfolios
 
 
 
  PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
 
  Among
 
PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY,
 
  SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS,
 
  and
 
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
 
 
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 9th day of November, 2020 by and among Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (“Company”), on its own behalf and on behalf of each of its segregated asset accounts named on Schedule A (the "Account"); SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS, a business trust organized under the laws of Massachusetts ("Fund"); and CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC., a California corporation ("Schwab” or the ”Distributor") (each a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties”).
 
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 policies and/or variable annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance companies, including the Company, which have entered into participation agreements similar to this Agreement ("Participating Insurance Companies"); and
 
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; and
 
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), dated September 25, 1996 (File No. 812-10052), 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 ("1940 Act"), and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, 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 life insurance companies that may or may not be affiliated with one another and qualified pension and retirement plans ("Qualified Plans") ("Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
 
1

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolio(s) are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"); and
 
WHEREAS, the Distributor is duly registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, ("1934 Act") and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"); and
 
WHEREAS, the Company has registered interests under certain variable annuity contracts that are supported wholly or partially by the Account under the 1933 Act and that are listed in Schedule A hereto (“Contracts”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset account, established under the insurance laws of the State of Alabama, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the Contracts; and
 
WHEREAS, the Company has registered the Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act and has registered (or will register prior to sale) the securities deemed to be issued by the Account under the 1933 Act to the extent required; and
 
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,  the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolio(s) listed in Schedule B hereto (the "Designated Portfolio(s)"), on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the Account at net asset value; and
 
WHEREAS, the Company will perform certain services for the Fund in connection with the Contracts; and
 
WHEREAS, the Fund, acting through the Fund's transfer agent, has established a master account on its mutual fund shareholder account system (the "T/A Account") reflecting the aggregate ownership of shares of the Portfolios and all transactions involving such shares by the Company on behalf of the Accounts; and
 
WHEREAS, in the event both parties agree to use National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC") Fund/SERV System ("Fund/SERV System"), upon notification to the Fund of such availability, the parties may permit the Fund to receive, and the Company to transmit, purchase and redemption orders of Portfolio shares using the NSCC Fund/SERV System; and
 
WHEREAS, upon such notification, in order to receive and transmit orders for Portfolio shares via Fund/SERV, it is intended that the Fund and the Company, or their duly authorized agents, will establish an account using Fund/SERV (the "Fund/SERV Account") that will reflect corresponding transactions and Portfolio share balances in the T/A Account;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Parties agree as follows:
 
2

ARTICLE I.
Sale of Fund Shares
 
1.1.
The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) available for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and the Account on those days on which the Fund calculates its Designated Portfolio(s)' net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Fund shall use its best efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "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 interests of the shareholders of such Designated Portfolio.
 
1.2.
The Fund and Distributor will not sell shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) to any other Participating Insurance Company separate account unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as Sections 2.1, 2.4 and 2.9 of Article II, and Article VII of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
 
1.3.
The Fund agrees to (a) sell to the Company those full and fractional shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) that the Company, on behalf of the Account, orders, and (b) redeem, on  the Company's order, any full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, in each case executing such orders on each Business Day 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, 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 sales thereunder, and in accordance with the procedures and policies of the Fund as described in the then current prospectus of the Fund (“Fund Prospectus”).  For purposes of this Section 1.3, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund, provided that:
 
(i) if the Company transmits such request to the Fund via the National Securities Clearing Corporation's (the "NSCC") Fund/SERV System and/or Defined Contribution Clearance & Settlement ("DCC&S") platform, such request must be received by the Company by the close of regular trading on the NYSE and must be received from Fund/SERV by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day; or
 
(ii) If there are technical problems with Fund/SERV, or if the Parties are not able to transmit or receive information through Fund/SERV (e.g., by fax), such request must be received by the Fund by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day.
 
With regard to purchase and redemptions of Shares under this Section 1.3, the Company is solely responsible for ensuring that each such purchase or redemption is the net result of requests from Contract owners for Contract transactions received by it or its duly designated agent each Business Day before the time(s) that the Fund calculates its net asset value. In the event that any Party is prohibited from communicating, processing or settling Portfolio share transactions via Fund/SERV or networking, such Party shall notify the other Parties by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Designated Portfolio calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.  The Company shall provide the Fund with net purchase and redemption requests computed in accordance with Section 1.7 hereof.  The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each Designated Portfolio offered by the Fund Prospectus in accordance with the provisions of such Prospectus.
3

 
1.4.
In the event of net purchases, the Company shall pay for Fund shares the Business Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.3 hereof.  Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted to the Fund by wire by 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. With respect to orders submitted via NSCC, payment shall be from the designated NSCC Settling Bank on behalf of the Company by the time specified by the Fund’s transfer agent (the “NSCC Wire Cut-off Time”). If payment in federal funds for any purchase is not received or is received by the Fund after 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on such Business Day or by the NSCC Wire Cut-Off Time, the Company shall promptly, upon the Fund's request, reimburse the Fund for any charges, costs, fees, interest or other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with any advances to, or borrowings 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. 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. “Settling Bank” shall mean the entity appointed by the party to perform such settlement services which entity agrees to abide by NSCC’s then current rules and procedures insofar as they related to funds settlement.
 
1.5.
In the event of net redemptions, the Fund shall pay and transmit the proceeds of redemptions of Fund shares the same Business Day after a redemption order is received in accordance with Section 1.3 hereof (with respect to orders submitted via NSCC), from the designated NSCC Settling Bank on behalf of the Fund. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted to the Company or its designee by wire.
 
1.6.
The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Designated Portfolio available to  the Company on each Business Day as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.   In the event that the Fund is unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated herein, the Fund shall provide additional time for  the Company to place orders received in good order for the purchase and redemption of shares equal to the additional time it takes the Fund to make the net asset value available to  the Company.  However, if net asset values are not available for inclusion in the next business cycle and purchase orders/redemptions are not able to be calculated and available for the Company to execute within the time frame identified in Section 1.3 hereof, the Company on behalf of the Account, shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct share net asset value.
 
1.7.
At the end of each Business Day, the Company shall use the information described herein to calculate Account unit values for the day.  Using these unit values, the Company shall process each such Business Day’s separate account transactions based on requests and premiums received by it by the close of regular trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) to determine the net dollar amount of Fund shares which shall be purchased or redeemed at that day’s closing net asset value per share.
 
4

1.8.
In the event of an error in the computation of a Designated Portfolio's net asset value per share ("NAV") or any dividend or capital gain distribution (each, a "pricing error"), the Fund’s adviser or the Fund shall immediately notify  the Company as soon as possible after discovery of the error.  Such notification may be verbal, but shall be confirmed promptly in writing in accordance with Article XI of this Agreement.  A pricing error shall be corrected as follows:  (a) if the pricing error results in a difference between the erroneous NAV and the correct NAV of less than $0.01 per share, then no corrective action need be taken; (b) if the pricing error results in a difference between the erroneous NAV and the correct NAV equal to or greater than $0.01 per share, but less than 1/2 of 1% of the Designated Portfolio's NAV at the time of the error, then the Fund’s adviser shall reimburse the Designated Portfolio for any loss, after taking into consideration any positive effect of such error; however, no adjustments to Contract owner accounts need be made; and (c) if the pricing error results in a difference between the erroneous NAV and the correct NAV equal to or greater than 1/2 of 1% of the Designated Portfolio's NAV at the time of the error, then the Fund’s adviser shall reimburse the Designated Portfolio for any loss (without taking into consideration any positive effect of such error) and shall reimburse  the Company for the costs of adjustments made to correct Contract owner accounts in accordance with the provisions of Schedule C hereto.  If an adjustment is necessary to correct a material error which has caused Contract owners to receive less than the amount to which they are entitled, the number of shares of the appropriate Designated Portfolio(s) attributable to the accounts of the Contract owners will be adjusted and the amount of any underpayments shall be credited by the Fund’s adviser to the Company for crediting of such amounts to the applicable Contract owners’ accounts.  Upon notification by the Fund’s adviser of any overpayment due to a material error, the Company shall promptly remit to Fund’s adviser any overpayment that has not been paid to Contract owners; however, Fund’s adviser acknowledges that the Company does not intend to seek additional payments from any Contract owner who, because of a pricing error, may have underpaid for units of interest credited to his/her account.  In no event shall the Company be liable to Contract owners for any such adjustments or underpayment amounts.  A pricing error within categories (b) or (c) above shall be deemed to be "materially incorrect" or constitute a "material error" for purposes of this Agreement.
 
The standards set forth in this Section 1.8 are based on the Parties' understanding of the views expressed by the staff of the SEC as of the date of this Agreement.  In the event the views of the SEC staff are later modified or superseded by SEC or judicial interpretation, the Parties shall amend the foregoing provisions of this Agreement to comport with the appropriate applicable standards, on terms mutually satisfactory to all Parties.
 
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 the Designated Portfolio(s)' shares.  The Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the Designated Portfolio shares 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.
 
1.10.
Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.  Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account.  Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for the Account or the appropriate sub-account of the Account.
 
5

1.11.
The Parties acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated by this Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other Participating Insurance Companies (subject to Section 1.2 and Article VI hereof) and the cash value of the Contracts may be invested in other investment companies.
 
ARTICLE II.  
Representations and Warranties
 
2.1.
The Company represents and warrants that the securities deemed to be issued by the Account under the Contracts are or will be registered under the 1933 Act or exempt from registration thereunder, and that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations (collectively, “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 the Account prior to any issuance or sale of units thereof as a segregated asset account under the applicable state insurance laws and has registered the Account as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account for the Contracts and that it will maintain such registration for so long as any Contracts are outstanding as required by applicable law.
 
2.2.
The Fund and Distributor each represents and warrants that Designated Portfolio(s) shares sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act, and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act. 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 for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the Distributor.
 
2.3.
The Fund reserves the right to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and to impose an asset-based or other charge to finance distribution expenses as permitted by applicable law.  To the extent that the Fund decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have its Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance distribution expenses.
 
2.4.
The Fund makes no representations as to whether any aspect of its operations, including but not limited to, investment policies, fees and expenses, complies with the insurance and other applicable laws of the various states, except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the state of Massachusetts to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
 
2.5.
The Fund represents and warrants that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
 
2.6.
The Distributor represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly qualified and registered under all applicable laws and that it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
 
6

2.7.
The Fund represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are, and shall continue to be at all times, covered by one or more blanket fidelity bonds or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage required by Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time.  The aforesaid bonds shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
 
2.8.
The Fund will provide the Company with as much advance notice as is reasonably practicable of any material change affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) (including, but not limited to, any material change in the registration statement or prospectus affecting the Designated Portfolio(s)) and any proxy solicitation affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) and will consult with the Company in order to implement any such change in an orderly manner, recognizing the expenses of changes and attempting to minimize such expenses by implementing them in conjunction with regular annual updates of the prospectus for the Contracts.  
 
2.9.
The Fund represents and warrants that it has adopted a compliance program in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, which includes appointing a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) for the Fund. The CCO is responsible for monitoring the operation of the Fund’s compliance program, and for reviewing the compliance programs of service providers to the Fund covered under Rule 38a-1 (“Covered Service Providers”). The CCO has completed or is in the process of completing an annual review to assess the adequacy of the Fund’s and Covered Service Providers’ policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation.
 
2.10.
The Company represents and warrants, for purposes other than diversification under Section 817 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (“the Code”), that the Contracts are currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will notify Schwab, the Fund, and the Distributor immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.  In addition, the Company represents and warrants that the Account is a "segregated asset account" and that interests in the Account are offered exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract" within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.  The Company will use every effort to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify Schwab, the Fund or the 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.   The Company represents and warrants that it will not purchase Fund shares with assets derived from tax-qualified retirement plans except, indirectly, through Contracts purchased in connection with such plans.
 
2.11
Each of the Parties represents and warrants to the other that it has, or shall, to the extent required by applicable law, adopt, implement and maintain effective “disclosure controls and procedures” and “internal controls” (as such phrases are defined pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (hereinafter collectively the “S-Ox Act”)) and will cooperate with one another in exchanging copies of such policies and procedures and facilitating the filing by the relevant Parties and/or their respective officers and auditors of any and all certifications or attestations as required by the S-Ox Act, including, without limitation, furnishing such sub-certifications from relevant officers of each Party as such Party shall reasonably request from time to time.
 
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2.12
The Fund and the Company (if the Company uses NSCC) each represents and warrants to the other that it: (a) has entered into an agreement with NSCC, (b) has met and will continue to meet all of the requirements to participate in Fund/SERV and Networking, and (c) intends to remain at all times in compliance with the then current rules and procedures of NSCC, all to the extent necessary or appropriate to facilitate such communications, processing, and settlement of Portfolio share transactions.
 
ARTICLE III.  
Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
 
3.1.
At least annually, the Distributor shall provide the Company and Schwab with as many printed copies of the Fund Prospectus or the Fund’s then current summary prospectus (as such term is defined in Rule 498 under the 1933 Act or any successor provision) (“Fund Summary Prospectus”), and any supplements thereto, for each Designated Portfolio as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to Contract owners.  If requested by the Company or Schwab, the Fund or Distributor shall provide such documentation (including a camera-ready copy of the Fund Prospectus or Fund Summary Prospectus for each Designated Portfolio as set in type, a diskette containing such documents in the form sent to the financial printer, or an electronic copy (in print ready PDF format) of the documents, all as the Company and Schwab may reasonably request) and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for  the Company and Schwab once each year (or more frequently if the such prospectuses are amended) to have the Fund's Prospectus or Fund Summary Prospectus printed, as the case may be, to the extent permitted by applicable law or other applicable guidance received from the SEC, including Rule 498, or posted on a website maintained by or for the Company or Schwab. Expenses associated with providing such documentation shall be allocated in accordance with Schedule C hereto.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the delivery or use of Fund Summary Prospectuses shall be in the Fund’s sole discretion. The Fund shall use its best efforts to provide the Fund’s summary prospectuses and statutory prospectuses (which only includes the Designated Portfolios offered by the Company) and full SAI by specified date as mutually agreed upon by the Fund and the Company.
 
  1. The Fund shall host and manage all of the electronic documents for purposes of compliance with Rule 498 requirements.
  2.  
  3. The Company shall be permitted, but not required, to post a copy of the Fund’s statutory prospectuses on the Company’s website. The Fund documents posted on the Company website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to comply with Rule 498. Notwithstanding the above, the Fund shall be and remain solely responsible for ensuring that the Fund electronic documents are hosted and managed by the Fund’s website and fully comply with the requirements of Rule 498.
 
3.2.
If applicable laws require that the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund be distributed to all Contract owners, then the Fund or Distributor, as appropriate, shall provide the Company with copies of the Fund's SAI, and any supplements thereto, for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantities, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereto, as the Company may reasonably require to permit timely distribution thereof to Contract owners. If requested by the Company, the Fund or Distributor shall provide an electronic copy of the Fund SAI in a format suitable for posting on an Internet website maintained by or on behalf of the Company and/or Schwab.  The Company shall send an SAI to any Contract owner within 3 Business Days of the receipt of a request or such shorter time as may be required by applicable law. The Fund, and/or Distributor, as appropriate, shall also provide SAIs to any Contract owner or prospective owner who requests such SAI from the Fund (although it is anticipated that such requests will be made to the Company).
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3.3.
The Fund and/or Distributor shall use their best efforts to provide the Company, within 10 (ten) business days of scheduled mailing date, with printed copies of the Fund's proxy material, reports to stockholders, and other communications to stockholders for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantity, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereto, as the Company may reasonably require to permit timely distribution thereof to Contract owners. If requested by the Company or Schwab, the Fund or Distributor shall provide an electronic copy of such documentation in a format suitable for posting on an Internet website maintained by or on behalf of the Company and/or Schwab. In lieu of all or part of the foregoing, the Fund may elect to retain, at its own expense, a proxy solicitation firm to perform some or all of the tasks necessary for the Company to obtain voting instructions from Contract owners.
 
  1. The Fund shall provide the Company with printed copies of Fund annual and semiannual reports in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to Contract owners, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereto.
 
3.4.
If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
 
 
 
(i)
solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
 
 
(ii)
vote the Designated Portfolio(s) shares held in the Account in accordance with instructions received from Contract owners; and
 
 
(iii)
vote Designated Portfolio shares held in the Account for which no instructions have been received in the same proportion as Designated Portfolio(s) shares for which instructions have been received from Contract owners, 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.   The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in its general account and in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
 
3.5.
Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate accounts participating in a Designated Portfolio calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order and consistent with any reasonable standards that the Fund may adopt, provided however, the Company shall be free to vote Designated Portfolio shares attributable to the Account in any manner permitted by applicable law, to the extent the Mixed and Shared Funding Order is superseded by SEC or administrative practice (including no-action relief).
 
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 (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or, as the Fund currently intends, 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, 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 Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
 
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ARTICLE IV.
Sales Material and Information
 
4.1.
The Company and Schwab shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material that the Company or Schwab develops or proposes to use and in which the Fund (or a Designated Portfolio thereof), its adviser, any of its sub-advisers, or the Distributor is named in connection with the Contracts, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use.  No such material shall be used if the Fund or Distributor objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material.  The Fund and Distributor reserve the right to reasonably object to the continued use of any such sales literature or other promotional material in which the Fund (or a Designated Portfolio thereof), its adviser, any of its sub-advisers, or the Distributor is named and no such material shall be used if the Fund or Distributor, or any designee thereof, so objects.
 
4.2.
The Company and Schwab shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of 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 Fund shares, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund Distributor, except with the permission of the Fund or Distributor.
 
4.3.
The Fund or Distributor shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Company and Schwab, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Company, its separate account(s), any Contract or Schwab is named ten (10) Business Days prior to its intended date of first use.  No such material shall be used if the Company or Schwab reasonably objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material.   The Company or Schwab reserves the right to reasonably object to the continued use of any such sales literature or other promotional material in which the Company or Schwab, its separate account(s), or any Contract is named, and no such material shall be used if  the Company or Schwab so objects.
 
4.4.
The Fund and the Distributor 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 (which shall include an offering memorandum, if any, if the Contracts issued by  the Company or interests therein are not registered under the 1933 Act) or SAI for the Contracts, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by  the Company or its designee, except with the permission of  the Company.
 
4.5.
The Company shall not give any information or make any representations on behalf of or concerning Schwab, or use Schwab's name except with the permission of Schwab.
 
4.6.
The Fund or its designee will provide to the Company upon request, at least one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments or supplements to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares (collectively, “Fund materials”).
 
4.7.
The Company or its designee will provide to the Fund upon request, at least one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments or supplements to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts, (collectively, “Contract materials”).
 
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4.8.
For purposes of Articles IV and VIII, the phrase "sales literature and other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media; e.g., on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic media), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, shareholder reports, proxy materials (including solicitations for voting instructions), and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under FINRA rules, the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
 
4.9.
At the request of any Party to this Agreement, each other Party will make available to the other Party's independent auditors and/or representative of the appropriate regulatory agencies, all records, data and access to operating procedures that may be reasonably requested in connection with compliance and regulatory requirements related to this Agreement or any Party's obligations under this Agreement.
 
ARTICLE V.  
Fees and Expenses
 
5.1.
The Fund, Distributor, and the Fund’s adviser shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Fund, Distributor, or Fund’s adviser under this Agreement, although the Parties hereto will bear certain expenses in accordance with Schedule C hereto, Articles III, V, and other provisions of this Agreement.
 
5.2.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, including without limitation Schedule C hereto, each Party shall bear all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Parties hereto from otherwise agreeing to perform, and arranging for appropriate compensation for, other services relating to the Fund and /or to the Account pursuant to this Agreement.  The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws to the extent required or deemed advisable by the Fund.  Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule C of this Agreement, the Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund Prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the Fund Prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders, the preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.  
 
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ARTICLE VI.
Diversification and Qualification.
 
6.1.
The Fund and the Distributor each represents and warrants that the Fund will at all times sell its shares and invest its assets in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as annuity contracts under the Code, and the regulations issued thereunder.  Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, each Designated Portfolio thereof will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.817-5, as amended from time to time, 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 by the Fund, the Fund and Distributor will take all reasonable steps to: (a) notify the Company of such breach, and (b) adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the 30-day grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
 
6.2.
The Fund and the Distributor each represents and warrants that shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to Qualified Plans, and that no person has or will purchase shares in any Portfolio for any purpose or under any circumstances that would preclude  the Company from “looking through” to the investments of each Designated Portfolio in which it invests, pursuant to the “look through” rules found in Treasury Regulation 1.817-5.  No shares of any Designated Portfolio of the Fund will be sold to the general public.
 
6.3.
The Fund and the Distributor each represents and warrants that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code, and that each Designated Portfolio will maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provisions) as long as this Agreement is in effect.
 
6.4.
The Fund and Distributor each will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund or any Designated Portfolio has ceased to comply with the aforesaid Section 817(h) diversification or Subchapter M qualification requirements or might not so comply in the future.  The Fund or the Distributor shall provide Company a certification of each Fund’s compliance with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5 within sixty (60) days of the end of each calendar quarter.
 
6.5.
The Company agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of  the Company or, to  the Company's knowledge, or any Contract owner that any Designated Portfolio has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or  the Company otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against the Fund and Distributor as a result of such a failure or alleged failure:
 
(a)   the Company shall promptly notify the Fund and the Distributor of such assertion or potential claim;
 
(b)   the Company shall consult with the Fund and the Distributor as to how to minimize any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged failure;
 
(c)  the Company shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of the Fund and the Distributor resulting from such failure, including, without limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations, Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the commissioner of the IRS that such failure was inadvertent;
 
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(d)  any written materials to be submitted by the Company to the IRS, any Contract owner or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations, Section 1.817-5(a)(2)) shall be provided by  the Company to the Fund and the Distributor (together with any supporting information or analysis) within at least two (2) Business Days prior to submission;
 
(e)  the Company shall provide the Fund and the Distributor with such cooperation as the Fund and the Distributor shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by permitting the Fund and the Distributor to review the relevant books and records of  the Company) in order to facilitate review by the Fund and the Distributor of any written submissions provided to it or its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against it arising from such failure or alleged failure;
 
(f)  the Company shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any Contract owner that would give rise to a claim against the Fund and the Distributor(i) compromise or settle any claim, (ii) accept any adjustment on audit, or (iii) forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the express written consent of the Fund and the Distributor, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided that,  the Company shall not be required to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless the Fund shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal;  and further provided that the Fund and the Distributor shall bear the costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by  the Company in complying with this clause (f).
 
ARTICLE VII.
Potential Conflicts and Compliance With
                        Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order
 
7.1.
The Fund represents that 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.  A material irreconcilable 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 by contract owners of different Participating Insurance Companies; or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance  to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.  The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists and the implications thereof.
 
7.2.
The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to the Board.   The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive 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 to be disregarded.  Such responsibilities shall be carried out by the Company with a view only to the interests of its Contract owners.
 
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7.3.
If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its members who are not interested persons of the Fund, the Distributor, the adviser or any sub-adviser to any of the Designated Portfolios (the "Disinterested Members "), that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, and it is a Participating Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is relevant,  the Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Members), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, up to and including:  (1) withdrawing the assets 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, including (but not limited to) another portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected contract owners 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 (2) 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 Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement; 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.  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 end of that six month period the Fund and the Distributor shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal.  The responsibility to take such remedial action shall be carried out with a view only to the interest of the Contract owners.
 
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 Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) 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.  Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Fund and the Distributor shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The responsibility to take such action shall be carried out with a view only to the interest of the Contract owners.
 
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7.6.
For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of the Disinterested Members shall determine whether any proposed action adequately remedies any material irreconcilable 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 Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners affected by the material irreconcilable conflict.  In the event that the Board determines that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any material irreconcilable conflict, then  the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs 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.
 
7.7.
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 Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different from those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive 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 Distributor and the Fund’s adviser and each of their respective  officers and directors or trustees, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser 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, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of  the Company) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) (collectively, a “Loss”) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Loss is related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
 
(i)
arises out of or is based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in any Contract materials, 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 in writing to the Company, or otherwise approved for use by the Company in accordance with the provisions of section 4, by or on behalf of the Fund, Distributor, or Fund’s adviser for use in the Contract materials or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
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(ii)
arises out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in Fund materials not supplied by the Company or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
(iii)
arises out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Fund materials, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon and conformity with information furnished in writing to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
 
(iv)
arises as a result of any failure by the Company to perform the obligations, provide the services, and furnish the materials required of it under the terms of this Agreement; or
 
(v)
arises out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arises out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by  the Company, including without limitation Section 2.10 and Section 6.7 hereof,
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
 
(b).   The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any Loss to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
(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 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 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, and unless the Indemnified Parties release the Company from any further obligation under this Section 8.1 with respect to such claim(s), the Company also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  After notice from the Company to such Party of the Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to such Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
 
(d).
Each Indemnified Party will promptly notify the Company of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
 
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8.2.
Indemnification By the Fund.
 
(a).  The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of their respective directors and officers,  employees 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 Loss to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Loss, is related to the operations of the Fund and:
 
(i)
arises as a result of any material failure by the Fund to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials required of it 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
 
(ii)
arises out of or results from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arises out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
 
(b).  The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any Loss to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
(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 it 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 Fund has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof and unless the Indemnified Parties release the Fund from any further obligation under this Section 8.2 with respect to such claim(s), the Fund shall also be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  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 agree to notify the Fund promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against itself or any of its respective officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
 
 
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8.3.
Indemnification by the Distributor.
 
(a).
The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of their respective directors and officers, employees 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 Loss to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Loss is related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
 
(i)
arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in Fund materials, 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 in writing to the Fund or Distributor, or otherwise approved for use by the Fund or Distributor in accordance with the provisions of section 4, by or on behalf of  the Company for use in the Fund materials or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
(ii)
arises out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than statements or representations contained in Fund materials not supplied by the Distributor or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Distributor or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
 
(iii)
arises out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Contract materials, 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 and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Distributor; or
 
(iv)
arises as a result of any failure by the Distributor to perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials required of it under the terms of this Agreement; or
 
(v)
arises out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by the Distributor in this Agreement or arises out of or results from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Distributor;
 
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and 8.3(c) hereof.  This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the responsibilities and obligations of the Distributor specified in Article VI hereof.
 
(b).
The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any Loss to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.
 
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(c)
The Distributor 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 Distributor 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 Distributor of any such claim shall not relieve the Distributor 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 Distributor has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, the Distributor will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof and unless the Indemnified Parties release the Distributor from any further obligation under this Section 8.3 with respect to such claim(s), the Distributor also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Party named in the action.  After notice from the Distributor to such Party of the Distributor'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 Distributor 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 to promptly notify the Distributor 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.
 
ARTICLE IX.  
Applicable Law
 
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
 
ARTICLE X.
Termination
 
10.1.
This Agreement shall terminate:
 
 
 
(a)  at the option of any Party, with or without cause, with respect to some or all Designated Portfolios, upon three (3) months advance written notice delivered to the other Parties; provided, however, that such notice shall not be given earlier than six (6) months following the date of this Agreement; or
 
 
 
(b)  at the option of the Company or Schwab by written notice to the other Parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio based upon the Company's or Schwab's determination that shares of such Designated Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
 
 
 
(c)  at the option of the Company or Schwab by written notice to the other Parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event any of the Designated Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
 
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(d)  at the option of the Fund or Distributor upon written notice to the other Parties in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against  the Company by FINRA, the SEC, 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 Fund shares, if, in each case, the Fund or Distributor, as the case may be, reasonably 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 Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
 
 
 
(e)  at the option of  the Company upon written notice to the other Parties in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund or the Distributor by FINRA, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body, if the Company reasonably 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 the Distributor to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement; or
 
 
 
(f)  at the option of  the Company or Schwab by written notice to the other Parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio fails to meet the requirements and comply with the representations and warranties specified in Article VI hereof; or
 
 
 
(g) at the option of  the Company or Schwab by written notice to the other Parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar provision; or
 
 
 
(h)  at the option of the Fund or the Distributor, if (i) the Fund or Distributor, respectively, shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that either the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity, (ii) the Fund or Distributor notifies the Company of that determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken by the Company and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the determination of the Fund or Distributor shall continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination; or
 
 
 
(i)  at the option of the Company, if (i) the Company, shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that the Fund or Distributor has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity, (ii) the Company notifies the Fund or Distributor, as appropriate, of that determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken by the Fund or Distributor and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the determination of  the Company shall continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination; or
 
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(j)  at the option of  the Company in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against Schwab by FINRA, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding Schwab's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Fund's shares or the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, 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 Schwab to perform its obligations related to the Contracts; or
 
 
 
(k)  at the option of Schwab in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against  the Company by FINRA, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding  the Company's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Fund's shares or the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, provided, however, that Schwab 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 Company to perform its obligations related to the Contracts; or 
 
 
 
(l)
termination by the Fund or Distributor by written notice to the Company in the event that the Contracts fail to meet the qualifications specified in Section 2.9 hereof; or
 
 
 
(m)  at the option of any non-defaulting Party hereto in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by any Party hereto (the "defaulting Party") other than as described in 10.1(a)-(l); provided, that the non-defaulting Party gives written notice thereof to the defaulting Party, with copies of such notice to all other non-defaulting Parties, and if such breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then the non-defaulting Party giving such written notice may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination to the defaulting Party.
 
10.2.
Notice Requirement. No termination of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until the Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to all other Parties of its intent to terminate, which notice shall set forth the basis for the termination.  Furthermore,
 
(a) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Article VII, or the provisions of Section 10.1(a), 10.1(h) or 10.1(i) of this Agreement, the prior written notice shall be given in advance of the effective date of termination as required by those provisions unless such notice period is shortened by mutual written agreement of the Parties;
 
(b) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 10.1(d), 10.1(e), 10.1(j) or 10.1(k) of this Agreement, the prior written notice shall be given at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination; and
 
(c) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 10.1(b), 10.1(c) or 10.1(f), 10.1(g) or 10.1(l), the prior written notice shall be given in advance of the effective date of termination, which date shall be determined by the Party sending the notice.
 
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10.3.
Effect of Termination.
  
(a) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, other than as a result of a failure by either the Fund or  the Company to meet Section 817(h) of the Code diversification requirements, the Fund and the Distributor shall, at the option of  the Company, continue,  until the one year anniversary from the date of termination, and from year to year thereafter if deemed appropriate by the Fund and Distributor, to make available additional shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) 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") unless such further sale of Designated Portfolio shares is proscribed by law, regulation, or applicable regulatory authority, or unless the Board determines that the sale of Designated Portfolio shares to the Existing Contract owners is not in the best interests of the Designated Portfolio or that liquidation of the Designated Portfolio following termination of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Designated Portfolio.  Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments among the Designated Portfolio(s), redeem investments in the Designated Portfolio(s) and/or invest in the Designated Portfolio(s) upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts.
 
The Company agrees, promptly after any termination of this Agreement, to take all steps necessary to redeem the investment of the Accounts in the Designated Portfolios within one year from the date of termination of the Agreement as provided in Article X. Such steps shall include, but not be limited to, obtaining an order pursuant to Section 26(c) of the 1940 Act to permit the substitution of other securities for the shares of the Designated Portfolios. The Fund may, in its discretion, permit the Accounts to continue to invest in the Designated Portfolios beyond such one year anniversary for an additional year beginning on the first annual anniversary of the date of termination, and from year to year thereafter; provided that the Fund agrees in writing to permit the Accounts to continue to invest in the Designated Portfolios at the beginning of any such year.
 
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event (i) the Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 10.1(l), at the option of the Fund or Distributor; or (ii) the one year anniversary of the termination of the Agreement is reached or, after waiver as provided in Section 10.3(a), such subsequent anniversary is reached (each of (i) and (ii) referred to as a “triggering event” and the date of termination as provided in (i) or the date of such anniversary as provided in (ii) referred to as the “request date”), the Parties agree that such triggering event shall be considered a request for immediate redemption of shares of the Designated Portfolios held by the Accounts, received by the Fund and its agents as of the request date, and the Fund agrees to process such redemption request in accordance with the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder and the Fund’s registration statement. 
 
(c) The Parties agree that this Section 10.3 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
 
10.4.
Surviving Provisions. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the following provisions shall survive: Article V, Article VIII and Section 12.1 of Article XII.  In addition, with respect to Existing Contracts assets under which continue to be invested in the Designated Portfolios, all provisions of this Agreement shall also survive and not be affected by any termination of this Agreement to the extent such assets remain invested in the Designated Portfolios.
 
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10.5.
 Redemptions The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company’s assets held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or approved transactions, 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”) or (iii) as permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(c) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Distributor an opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Distributor) to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Designated Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the Distributor 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
 
ARTICLE XI.
Notices
 
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail by the notifying Party to each other Party entitled to notice at the addresses set forth below or at such other address as a Party may from time to time specify in writing to the other Parties.
 
If to the Fund:
 
Schwab Annuity Portfolios
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
Attention:  Schwab Funds Chief Legal Officer
 
If to the Company:
 
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL  35223
Attention: Senior Vice President, Chief Product Officer
 
With a copy to:
 
Senior Counsel – Variable Products
Protective Life Corporation
2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL  35223
 
If to Schwab:
 
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA  94105
Attention:  Vice President, Insurance Services
 
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ARTICLE XII.  Miscellaneous
 
12.1.
 
 
(a)  Each Party agrees that all information supplied by one Party and its affiliates and agents (collectively, the “Disclosing Party”) to another (“Receiving Party”) including, without limitation,  any unpublished information concerning research activities and plans, customers, marketing or sales plans, sales forecasts or results of marketing efforts, pricing or pricing strategies, costs, operational techniques, strategic plans, portfolio holdings, and unpublished financial information, including information concerning revenues, profits and profit margins will be deemed confidential and proprietary to the Disclosing Party, regardless of whether such information was disclosed intentionally or unintentionally or marked as “confidential” or “proprietary” (“Confidential Information”).  In addition,  the Company will not use any Confidential Information concerning each Fund’s portfolio holdings, including, without limitation, the names of the portfolio holdings and the values thereof or other Schwab Confidential Information, for purposes of making any decision about whether to purchase or redeem shares of each Fund or to execute any other securities transaction.  The foregoing definition shall also include any Confidential Information provided by any Party’s vendors.
 
(b)  Confidential Information will not include any information or material, or any element thereof, whether or not such information or material is Confidential Information for the purposes of this Agreement, to the extent any such information or material, or any element thereof:
 
(i) has previously become or is generally known, unless it has become generally known through a breach of this Agreement or a similar confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement;
 
(ii) was already rightfully known to the Receiving Party prior to being disclosed by or obtained from the Disclosing Party as evidenced by written records kept in the ordinary course of business of or by proof of actual use by the Receiving Party;
 
(iii) has been or is hereafter rightfully received by the Receiving Party from a third person (other than the Disclosing Party) without restriction or disclosure and without breach of a duty of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party;
 
(iv) has been independently developed by the Receiving Party without access to Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or
 
(v) must be disclosed to third party vendors, to the extent reasonably necessary for the Disclosing Party to perform its duties and obligations assigned under the Agreement.  In the event such information is disclosed to a third party vendor, the Disclosing Party will require such third party vendor to protect Confidential Information to the same extent the Disclosing Party is required to protect such Confidential Information under this Agreement.
 
It will be presumed that any Confidential Information in a Receiving Party’s possession is not within exceptions (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, and the burden will be upon the Receiving Party to prove otherwise by records and documentation.
 
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(c)  Each Party recognizes the importance of each other Party’s Confidential Information.  In particular, each Party recognizes and agrees that the Confidential Information of another Party is critical to its business and that no Party would enter into this Agreement without assurance that such information and the value thereof will be protected as provided in this Section 12.1 and elsewhere in this Agreement.  Accordingly, each Party agrees as follows:
 
(i)
The Receiving Party will hold any and all Confidential Information it obtains in strictest confidence and will use and permit use of Confidential Information solely for the purposes of this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Receiving Party shall use at least the same degree of care, but no less than reasonable care, to avoid disclosure or use of this Confidential Information as the Receiving Party employs with respect to its own Confidential Information of a like importance;
 
(ii)
The Receiving Party may disclose or provide access to its responsible employees who have a need to know and may make copies of Confidential Information only to the extent reasonably necessary to carry out its obligations hereunder;
 
(iii)
The Receiving Party currently has, and in the future will maintain in effect and enforce, rules and policies to protect against access to or use or disclosure of Confidential Information other than in accordance with this Agreement, including without limitation written instruction to and agreements with employees and agents who are bound by an obligation of confidentiality no less stringent than set forth in this Agreement to ensure that such employees and agents protect the confidentiality of Confidential Information. The Receiving Party expressly will instruct its employees and agents not to disclose Confidential Information to third parties, including without limitation customers, subcontractors or consultants, without the Disclosing Party’s prior written consent; and
 
(iv)
The Receiving Party will notify the Disclosing Party immediately of any unauthorized disclosure or use, and will cooperate with the Disclosing Party to protect all proprietary rights in and ownership of its Confidential Information.
 
12.2.
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.
 
12.3.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
12.4.
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.
 
12.5.
Each Party hereto shall cooperate with each other Party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, FINRA 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.  
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12.6.
Any dispute, controversy or claim between or among the Parties arising under, out of, in connection with or in relation to this Agreement, or the breach, termination, validity, or enforceability of any provision hereof (a “Dispute”) hereunder will be resolved by final and binding arbitration conducted in accordance with and subject to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA then applicable.  One arbitrator will be selected by the disputing Parties’ mutual agreement or, failing that, by the AAA, and the arbitrator will allow such discovery as is appropriate, consistent with the purposes of arbitration in accomplishing fair, speedy and cost effective resolution of disputes.  The arbitrator will reference the rules of evidence of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure then in effect in setting the scope of discovery, except that no requests for admissions will be permitted and interrogatories will be limited to identifying (a) persons with knowledge of relevant facts and (b) expert witnesses and their opinions and the bases therefore.  Judgment upon the award rendered in any such arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  Other than those matters involving injunctive relief or any action necessary to enforce the award of the arbitrator, the Parties agree that the provisions of this Section are a complete defense to any suit, action, or other proceeding instituted in any court or before any administrative tribunal with respect to any jurisdiction or venue in any Dispute.  Nothing in this Section prevents any Party from exercising its right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10 hereof.  The agreement to arbitrate does not entitle any Party to arbitrate claims that would be time barred by the applicable statute of limitations if such claims were brought in a court of competent jurisdiction. Any Party may initiate arbitration by serving or mailing a written notice to the other Party or Parties stating the nature of its dispute and the remedy sought.  Any award entered by the arbitrator(s) shall be final and judgment thereon may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.  The prevailing Party shall be entitled to recovery of costs, fees (including attorney’s fees) and/or taxes paid or incurred in obtaining the award.  Furthermore, any costs, fees or taxes involved in enforcing the award shall be fully assessed against and paid by the Party resisting enforcement of the award.  The Parties acknowledge that under this Section, they are waiving their rights to a jury trial. Any negotiation, mediation or arbitration conducted pursuant to this Section will take place in San Francisco, California.  
 
12.7.
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.
 
12.8.
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.
 
12.9.
The Company is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declarations of Trust of the Fund and agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations assumed by the Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any case to the Fund and its assets, and in the case of a Designated Portfolio listed on Schedule A hereto, shall be limited to the assets of such Designated Portfolio as if it had separately contracted with the Company and the Distributor for the enforcement of any claims against it, and  the Company shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Fund or a Designated Portfolio (solely by reason of their status as such), the Trustees, officers, employees, or agents of the Fund, or any of them.
 
12.10.
The Fund and the Distributor agree that the obligations assumed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any case to the Company and its assets and neither the Fund nor Distributor shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Company, the directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Company, or any of them, except to the extent permitted under this Agreement.
 
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12.11.
Schedules A through C hereto, as the same may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement of the Parties, are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
 
12.12
Upon request, the Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee copies of the following reports: 
 
 
(a)
the Company’s annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year;
 
 
(b)
the Company’s quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each quarterly period:
 
 
(c)
any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical after the delivery thereof to stockholders;
 
 
(d)
any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports of the Company filed with the SEC or any state insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof; and
 
 
(e)
any other report submitted to the Company by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt thereof.
 
ARTICLE XIII.  Anti-Money Laundering
 
13.1.
The Company represents and warrants that it is in compliance and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act, and implementing regulations of the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA Regulations”) and applicable guidance issued by the SEC and the guidance and rules of the applicable Exchanges, SROs and FINRA (collectively, “Guidance”).
13.2.
In connection with the Fund’s reliance on the Company to perform Customer Identification Program (“CIP”) procedures on its behalf, the Company represents and warrants that (1) the Company is subject to a rule implementing 31 U.S.C. 5318(h) and maintains an anti-money laundering program consistent with the USA PATRIOT Act and the rules thereunder; (2) the Company is regulated by a Federal functional regulator as that term is defined under 31.C.F.R. §103.120(a)(2); (3) the Company has implemented a CIP compliant with Section 326 and 31 C.F.R. §103.137(b) that enables the Company to form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of its customers, including procedures to obtain information from and verify the identity of customers, maintain records of the information used to verify identity, determine whether the customer appears on any government list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations, and provide customers with adequate notice that the institution is requesting information to verify their identities; and (4) the Company, upon request, will certify annually that it has implemented its anti-money laundering program and that it or its agent will perform all aspects of its CIP procedures with respect to customers referred to the Fund by the Company.
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13.3.
The Company represents and warrants that to the extent that any owner of a Contract which provides for the allocation of purchase payments and Contract value to subaccounts investing in shares of a Portfolio is a current or former Senior Foreign Political Figure (“SFPF”), an immediate family member of a SFPF, a person who is widely known (or is actually known by the Company) to maintain a close personal relationship with any such individual, or a corporation, business or other entity that has been formed by or for the benefit of such individual, it has conducted appropriate due diligence of such customer consistent with Section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act and any applicable BSA Regulations and Guidance.
13.4.
The Company represents and warrants that to the extent any owner of a Contract is a foreign bank, it has taken reasonable measures and has obtained certifications and will obtain re-certifications that indicate that such Contract owner is not a foreign shell bank, as defined in the BSA Regulations.
13.5.
The Company will take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure that it does not accept or maintain investments in any Contract from:
(i)  a person or entity (A) who is or becomes subject to sanctions administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), is included in any executive order or is on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC, or (B) whose name appears on such other lists of prohibited persons and entities as may be mandated by applicable U.S. law or regulation, or
 
(ii)  a foreign shell bank (i.e., a bank with no physical presence in any country).
 
13.6
The Company agrees to immediately notify in writing the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the Fund if it becomes aware of any suspicious activity or pattern of activity or any activity that may require further review to determine whether it is suspicious in connection with the Funds.
13.7
The Company agrees that if the Fund or Distributor is required to supply information, documentation, or guidance to a securities regulatory organization ("SRO") or government department or agency about the CIP of the Fund or the Distributor or the measures taken to obtain information and to verify the identity of  any owner of a Contract who has allocated purchase payments or Contract value to Portfolios available under the Contract, the Company shall allow such SRO or government department or agency to examine its files pertaining to such Contract owner.
ARTICLE IX.  Shareholder Information (Rule 22c-2)
 
14.1 Pursuant to Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act, the Company agrees to provide to the Fund, upon written request, the taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), the Individual/International Taxpayer Identification Number (“ITIN”), or other government-issued identifier (“GII”) and the Contract Owner number or participant account number, if known, of any or all Contract Owner(s) of the account, and the amount, date and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of shares held through an account maintained by the Company during the period covered by the request.  Unless otherwise specifically requested by the Fund, the Company shall only be required to provide information relating to Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Purchases or Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Redemptions.
 
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(a)
Period Covered by Request.  Requests must set forth a specific period, not to exceed 90 days from the date of the request, for which transaction information is sought.  The Fund may request transaction information older than 90 days from the date of the request as it deems necessary to investigate compliance with policies established or utilized by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by a Portfolio. If requested by the Fund, the Company will provide the information specified in this Section 14.1 for each trading day.
 
(b)
Form and Timing of Response.  The Company agrees to provide, promptly upon request of the Fund, the requested information specified in this Section 14.1.  The Company agrees to use its best efforts to determine promptly whether any specific person about whom it has received the identification and transaction information specified in this section is itself a “financial intermediary,” as that term is defined in Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act (an “Indirect Intermediary”) and, upon request of the Fund, promptly either (i) provide (or arrange to have provided) the information set forth in this section for those Contract Owners who hold an account with an Indirect Intermediary or (ii) restrict or prohibit the Indirect Intermediary from purchasing shares in nominee name on behalf of other persons.  The Company additionally agrees to inform the Fund whether it plans to perform (i) or (ii) above.  Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing and in a format mutually agreed upon by the parties.  To the extent practicable, the format for any Contract Owner and transaction information provided to the Fund should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format.
(c)
Limitations on Use of Information.  The Fund agrees not to use the
information received under this section for marketing or any other similar purpose without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that this provision shall not limit the use of publicly available information, information already in the possession of the Fund or their affiliates at the time the information is received or information which comes into the possession of the Distributor, the Fund or their affiliates from a third party.
(d)
Agreement to Restrict Trading.  The Company agrees to execute written instructions from the Fund to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Portfolio shares by a Contract Owner that has been identified by the Fund as having engaged in transactions in Portfolio shares (directly or indirectly through the Company’s account) that violate policies established or utilized by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing any dilution of the value of the outstanding shares issued by a Portfolio.  Unless otherwise directed by the Fund, any such restrictions or prohibitions shall only apply to Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Purchases or Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Redemptions that are affected directly or indirectly through the Company.
(e)
Form of Instructions.  Instructions must include the TIN, ITIN or GII and the specific individual Contract Owner number or participant account number associated with the Contract Owner, if known, and the specific restriction(s) to be executed.  If the TIN, ITIN, GII or the specific individual Contract Owner number or participant account number associated with the Contract Owner is not known, the instructions must include an equivalent identifying number of the Contract Owner(s) or account(s) or other agreed upon information to which the instruction relates.
(f)
Timing of Response.  The Company agrees to execute instructions from the Fund as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the instructions by the Company.
29

(g)
Confirmation by the Company.  The Company must provide written confirmation to the Fund that the Fund’s instructions to restrict or prohibit trading have been executed. The Company agrees to provide confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten (10) Business Days after the instructions have been executed.
(h)
Definitions. For purposes of this Section 14.1, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:
(i)The term “Contract Owner” means the holder of interests in a Contract or a participant in an employee benefit plan with a beneficial interest in a Contract.
(ii) The term “Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Purchase” means a transaction that is initiated or directed by a Contract owner that results in a transfer of assets within a Contract to a Portfolio, but does not include transactions that are executed:  (i) automatically pursuant to a contractual or systematic program or enrollment such as a transfer of assets within a Contract to a Portfolio as a result of “dollar cost averaging” programs, insurance company approved asset allocation programs, or automatic rebalancing programs; (ii) pursuant to a Contract death benefit; (iii) as a result of a one-time step-up in Contract value pursuant to a Contract death benefit; (iv) as a result of an allocation of assets to a Portfolio through a Contract as a result of payments such as loan repayments, scheduled contributions, retirement plan salary reduction contributions, or planned premium payments to the Contract; or (v) pre-arranged transfers at the conclusion of a required "free look" period.
(iii) The term “Contract Owner Initiated Transfer Redemption” means a transaction that is initiated or directed by a Contract Owner that results in a transfer of assets within a Contract out of a Portfolio, but does not include transactions that are executed:  (i) automatically pursuant to a contractual or systematic program or enrollments such as transfers of assets within a Contract out of a Portfolio as a result of annuity payouts, loans, systematic withdrawal programs, insurance company approved asset allocation programs and automatic rebalancing programs; (ii) as a result of any deduction of charges or fees under a Contract; (iii) within a Contract out of a Portfolio as a result of scheduled withdrawals or surrenders from a Contract; or (iv) as a result of payment of a death benefit from a Contract.
(iv) The term “Portfolios” shall mean the constituent series of the Fund, but for purposes of this Section 14.1 shall not include Portfolios excepted from the requirements of paragraph (a) of Rule 22c-2 by paragraph (b) of Rule 22c-2.
(v) The term “promptly” shall mean as soon as practicable but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days from the Company’s receipt of the request for information from the Underwriter.
(vi) The term “written” includes electronic writings and facsimile transmissions.
(vii) In addition, for purposes of this Section 14.1, the term “purchase” does not include the automatic reinvestment of dividends or distributions.
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date specified below.
 
 
 
 
 
PROTECTIVE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
By its authorized officer,
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:______________________________
 
 
 
 
Name:
Steve Cramer
 
 
 
 
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SCHWAB ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS
 
 
 
 
 
By its authorized officer,
 
 
 
 
 
By:______________________________
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
 
Title:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By its authorized officer,
 
 
 
 
 
By:______________________________
 
 
 
 
Name:
 
 
 
 
Title:
 
31

 
 
SCHEDULE A
 
The terms “Account” and “Contracts” of the Company include any existing segregated asset Accounts and Contracts (as listed below) as well as any segregated asset Accounts and/or Contracts created subsequent to the date hereof, that offer Designated Portfolios.  
 
Segregated Asset Accounts:
 
PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S
 
Contracts:
 
Schwab Genesis Advisory NY Variable Annuity
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY
 
 
 
 
32

SCHEDULE B
 
 
Designated Portfolios
 
Schwab Government Money Market Portfolio
Schwab S&P 500 Index Portfolio
Schwab VIT Balanced Portfolio
Schwab VIT Balanced with Growth Portfolio
Schwab VIT Growth Portfolio
33

SCHEDULE C
EXPENSES
 
 
The Fund and/or the Distributor and/or Fund’s adviser, and the Company will coordinate the functions and pay the costs of the completing these functions based upon an allocation of costs in the tables below.  
 
Item
Function
Party Responsible for Coordination
Party Responsible for Expense
Mutual Fund Prospectus  and, if applicable, Summary Prospectus
Printing of prospectuses
Schwab
Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser, as applicable
 
Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser shall supply  the Company with such numbers of the Designated Portfolio(s) prospectus(es) as  the Company may reasonably request or in lieu of a pre-printed supply, provide the Company with a print ready PDF of the Designated Portfolios(s) prospectus(es) for printing and expense reimbursement
Company
Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser, as applicable
 
Distribution to Inforce Contract owners
Company
Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser, as applicable
 
Distribution to Prospective Contract owners
Schwab
Schwab
Product Prospectus
Printing for Inforce Contract owners  
Company
Company
 
Printing for Prospective Contract owners,  the Company shall supply Schwab with such numbers of the Product Prospectus as Schwab shall reasonably request
Company
Company
 
Distribution to Inforce Contract owners
Company
Company
 
Distribution to Prospective Contract owners
Schwab
Schwab
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Mutual Fund Prospectus  and, if applicable, Summary Prospectus Update & Distribution (Supplements)
If Required by Fund or Distributor
Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser
Fund or Distributor
 
Distribution to Inforce Contract owners
Company
Fund, Distributor or Fund’s adviser, as applicable
 
Distribution to Prospective Contract owners
Schwab
Schwab
Product Prospectus Update & Distribution
If Required by Fund or Distributor
Company
Fund or Distributor
 
If Required by the Company
Company
Company
 
If Required by Schwab
Schwab
Schwab
Mutual Fund SAI
Printing
Fund or Distributor
Fund or Distributor
 
Distribution
Company
Fund or Distributor
Product SAI
Printing
Company
Company
 
Distribution
Company
Company
Proxy Material for Mutual Fund:
Printing if proxy required by Law
Fund or Distributor
Fund or Distributor
 
Distribution (including labor and postage) if proxy required by Law
Company, Schwab or a proxy solicitation firm
Fund or Distributor
       
 
Printing & distribution if required by Schwab
Company, Schwab or a proxy solicitation firm
Schwab
Mutual Fund Annual & Semi-Annual Report
Distribution (including postage)
Company
Schwab
Other communication to Prospective clients
If Required by the Fund or Distributor
Schwab
Fund or Distributor
 
If Required by  the Company
Schwab
Company
 
If Required by Schwab
Schwab
Schwab
Other communication to inforce Contract owners
Distribution (including labor and printing) if required by the Fund or Distributor
Company
Fund or Distributor
 
Distribution (including labor and printing) if required by  the Company
Company
Company
36

 
Distribution (including labor and printing if required by Schwab
Company
Schwab
Errors in Share Price calculation pursuant to Section 1.8
Cost of error to participants
Company
Fund or Fund’s adviser
 
Cost of administrative work to correct error
Company
Fund or Fund’s adviser
Operations of the Fund
All operations and related expenses, including the cost of registration and qualification of  shares, taxes on the issuance or transfer of shares, cost of management of the business affairs of the Fund, and expenses paid or assumed by the Fund pursuant to any Rule 12b-1 plan
Fund or Distributor
Fund or Fund’s adviser
Operations of the Account
Federal registration of units of separate account (24f-2 fees)
Company
Company
36

 
 
 Exhibit 99.10(a)
 
EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND (US) LLP
 
THOMAS E. BISSET
DIRECT LINE: 202.383.0118
E-mail: ThomasBisset@eversheds-sutherland.com
 
November 24, 2020
 
VIA EDGAR
 
Board of Directors
Protective Life Insurance Company 2801 Highway 280 South
Birmingham, AL 35223
 
Re:
 
Schwab Genesis Variable Annuity NY Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
 
Directors:
 
We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Statement of Additional Information filed as part of the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-240193) by Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company and PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
Very truly yours,
 
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
 
 
By:  /s/ Thomas E. Bisset
                                           Thomas E. Bisset
 
 
144772.14
 
1

Exhibit 99.10(b)
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
We hereby consent to the use in this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form N-4 (“Registration Statement”) of PLAIC Variable Annuity Account S of our report dated April 29, 2019, relating to the statutory financial statements and financial statement schedules of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company (prepared using accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Alabama) as of December 31, 2018 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
 
 
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Birmingham, Alabama
November 24, 2020
 
1

Exhibit 99.10(c)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company:
We consent to the use of our report dated April 24, 2020, with respect to the statutory financial statements of Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company as of December 31, 2019 and for the year then ended included in the Statement of Additional Information which is part of this registration statement on Form N-4 and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
November  24, 2020
 
1

 
 
 Exhibit 99.26(a)
 
 

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3

 

 
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