EXHIBIT 4(d)

                                 OPTIONAL RIDERS



                     Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company
                          Home Office: Cedar Rapids, IA

                      RETURN OF PREMIUM DEATH BENEFIT RIDER

This Rider has been made a permanent part of your Contract. This Rider adds a
cost provision and a coverage provision that replaces the Death Benefit section
of your Contract. This Rider is issued in consideration of the Contract Owner's
agreement to the changes described below:

                                      Cost

The Mortality and Expense Risk Charge will be assessed daily at a rate of 0.20%
annually. For the Death Benefit described below, there will be an additional
charge of 0.0125% to be assessed quarterly based on the Contract Anniversary
Date. This additional equivalent annual charge of 0.05% will be assessed for a
period of 10 years from the Contract Date. Therefore, the total Mortality and
Expense Risk Charge for that specific 10 year period will be 0.25% annually.

                                  Death Benefit

This Rider replaces "The Death Benefit" section of your Contract with the
following:

The Death Benefit payable upon the death of the Annuitant will be the greater
of:

1) The Accumulated Value of the Contract as of the date due Proof of Death of
   the Annuitant is received by the Company; or
2) The sum of all Premium Payments, less any Adjusted Partial Withdrawals and
   Premium Taxes, if any.

This Rider takes effect and expires concurrently with the Contract to which it
is attached.

Signed for the Company at the Home Office.


Craig D. Vermie                             Bart Herbert, Jr.
Secretary                                   President


VVAP RP 1101



                     Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company
                          Home Office: Cedar Rapids, IA

                       ANNUAL STEP-UP DEATH BENEFIT RIDER

This Rider has been made a permanent part of your Contract. This Rider adds a
cost provision and a coverage provision that replaces the Death Benefit section
of your Contract. This Rider is issued in consideration of the Contract Owner's
agreement to the changes described below:

                                      Cost

The Mortality and Expense Risk Charge will be assessed daily at a rate of 0.20%
annually. For the Death Benefit described below, there will be an additional
charge of 0.03% to be assessed quarterly based on the Contract Anniversary Date.
This additional equivalent annual charge of 0.12% will not be assessed on or
after the Annuitant's 80th birthday. Therefore, the total Mortality and Expense
Risk Charge for the period up until the Annuitant's 80th birthday will be 0.32%
annually.

                                  Death Benefit

This Rider replaces "The Death Benefit" section of your Contract with the
following:

The Death Benefit payable upon the death of the Annuitant will be the greatest
of:

1) the Accumulated Value of the Contract as of the date due Proof of Death of
   the Annuitant is received by the Company;
2) the sum of all Premium Payments, less any Adjusted Partial Withdrawals and
   Premium Taxes, if any; or
3) the highest Accumulated Value on any Contract Anniversary prior to the
   earlier of the Annuitant's date of death or the Annuitant's 80th birthday,
   plus any subsequent Premium Payments received by the Company after such
   date, less any Adjusted Partial Withdrawals after such date, and Premium
   Taxes, if any.

This Rider takes effect and expires concurrently with the Contract to which it
is attached.

Signed for the Company at the Home Office.


Craig D. Vermie                             Bart Herbert, Jr.
Secretary                                   President

VVAP SU 1101