GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFIT RIDER
                           Annual Ratchet to Age [85]


This rider is part of your [Contract/Certificate], and the same definitions
apply to the capitalized terms used herein. The benefit described in this rider
is subject to all the terms contained in your [Contract/ Certificate], except as
modified below. In this rider, "we", " our" and "us" mean Equitable Life
Assurance Society of the United States and "you" and "your" mean the Owner.


THIS RIDER'S BENEFIT

If you have elected this rider, on the Contract Date, the Guaranteed Minimum
Death Benefit (GMDB) is equal to your initial Contribution. Thereafter, on each
Contract Date anniversary through the Annuitant's age [85], if the Annuity
Account Value is greater than the current GMDB, the GMDB is reset to equal the
Annuity Account Value. The GMDB is also adjusted for any subsequent
Contributions, [Credits] and withdrawals as described under "Effects of
Withdrawals" below.



EFFECT OF WITHDRAWALS

During each Contract Year, the Annual Ratchet to Age [85] GMDB will be reduced
by withdrawals. The reduction of the GMDB is on a dollar-for-dollar basis as
long as the sum of your withdrawals in that Contract Year is [6%] or less of the
GMDB as of the beginning of the Contract Year. Once a withdrawal is made that
causes cumulative withdrawals in a Contract Year to exceed [6%] of the GMDB as
of the beginning of the Contract Year, the portion of the withdrawal that
exceeds [6%] and any subsequent withdrawals in that Contract Year will cause a
pro rata reduction of the GMDB. A pro rata reduction is determined as follows:

1)   Determine the amount of the withdrawal that exceeds [6%] of the GMDB as of
     the beginning of the Contract Year;

2)   Divide the amount determined in 1) by your Annuity Account Value
     immediately preceding the withdrawal;

3)   Multiply the fraction calculated in 2) by the amount of your GMDB
     immediately preceding the withdrawal. This is the amount of the pro rata
     reduction. We will reduce your GMDB by this amount. We will make this
     reduction as of the Transaction Date of each withdrawal.



THE COST OF THIS RIDER

The charge for this benefit is [.30%] of the GMDB determined on the Contract
Date anniversary and deducted annually on the Processing Date. This charge will
be deducted from the Annuity Account Value in the Investment Funds and the
Guaranteed Interest Account on a pro rata basis. [If there is insufficient value
in the Investment Funds and the Guaranteed Interest Account, all or a portion of
the charge will be deducted from the Annuity Account Value in the Fixed Maturity
Options in order of the earliest expiration dates.]

2002 GMDB -- 6% Rollup




GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THIS RIDER

This rider will terminate, and any charges associated therein, when the
[Contract/Certificate] terminates or when the [Contract/Certificate] is
continued under the Beneficiary Continuation Option, if applicable, or if the
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (also referred to as Living Benefit) is
exercised.


THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES



/s/ Christopher M. Condron                /s/ Pauline Sherman
    ------------------------------------      --------------------------------
    Christopher M. Condron                    Pauline Sherman
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer      Senior Vice President, Secretary
                                              and Associate General Counsel




2002 GMDB -- 6% Rollup