EX-99.B(H(16) 4 a18-5093_1ex99dbh16.htm EX-99.B(H(16)

<PAGE>

 

                            PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

                                     AMONG

 

                   LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST,

 

                   LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE INCOME TRUST,

 

                       LEGG MASON INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC,

 

                     LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC

 

                                      AND

 

                   LINCOLN LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

 

     THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 1st day of November, 2013 by and

among Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, a New York corporation (the

"Company"), 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 Legg Mason

Partners Variable Equity Trust, a Maryland Statutory Trust and Legg Mason

Partners Variable Income Trust, a Maryland Statutory Trust (each a "Fund",

collectively the "Funds"), Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, a Maryland limited

liability company (the "Distributor"), and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor,

LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (the "Adviser").

 

     WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment

company and is available to act as (i) 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 Adviser and

the Distributor (each, a "Participating Insurance Company" and collectively, the

"Participating Insurance Companies"), and (ii) the investment vehicle for

certain qualified pension and retirement plans ("Qualified Plans") for which the

shares of the Fund are either held by Participating Insurance Companies on

behalf of the

 

 

                                       1

<PAGE>

 

 

 

Qualified Plans through omnibus accounts or are held by Qualified Plans without

any financial intermediary through direct accounts on the books of the Fund;

 

     WHEREAS, the beneficial interests in the Fund are divided into several

series of shares, (each designated a "Portfolio") and, in certain cases classes

of shares, which represent the interest in a particular managed portfolio of

securities and other assets;

 

     WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange

Commission (the "SEC"), granting the Participating Insurance Companies and

variable annuity and variable 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, (the "1940 Act" which for the purposes of this Agreement includes

the rules and regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time, as may

apply to a Fund or any Portfolio or Class thereof, including pursuant to any

exemptive, interpretive or other relief or guidance issued by the Commission or

the staff of the Commission under such 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 (the

"Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order");

 

     WHEREAS, the 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 (the "1933 Act");

 

     WHEREAS, the Distributor is duly registered as a broker-dealer under the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and any applicable state

securities law;

 

     WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the

Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;

 

     WHEREAS, the Distributor is a distributor of shares of the Portfolios of

the Fund;

 

     WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Contracts

under the 1933 Act, or such Contracts are or will be exempt from registration

thereunder;

 

 

                                       2

<PAGE>

 

 

     WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated

asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the

Company to set aside and invest assets attributable to one or more Contracts;

 

     WHEREAS, each Account is or will be registered as an investment company

under the 1940 Act, or the Account is or will be exempt from registration under

the 1940 Act;

 

     WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and

regulations, the Company intend to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf

of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Contracts, and

 

     WHEREAS, the parties intend that this agreement will supersede all prior

agreements among the parties or their predecessor entities with respect to the

subject matter of this agreement.

 

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises the Company, the

Fund and the Distributor agree as follows:

 

                             SALE OF FUND SHARES

 

          The Fund 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

Fund shares. 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: (i) the orders are

received by the Company (or their designee) in good order prior to the time the

net asset value of each Portfolio is priced in accordance with its Prospectus(1)

(generally at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the

"NYSE") at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), and (ii) the Fund receives notice of such

order by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on

 

 

 

-----------------------

  (1) The term "Prospectus" as used herein, refers to the prospectus and related

statement of additional information (the "Statement of Additional Information")

incorporated therein by reference (each as amended or supplemented) on file with

the SEC at the time in question.

 

 

 

 

 

                                       3

<PAGE>

 

 

 

the next following "Business Day."  "Business Day" shall mean any day on which

the NYSE is open for regular trading and on which the Fund calculates its net

asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.  If, on any Business Day, the

Company determines that it is unable to meet the 10:00 a.m. time stated

immediately above due to a systems error, then the Company shall immediately

notify the Fund of such systems error. Provided that notice is received prior to

10:00 a.m. and the Fund determines that no harm will be caused to existing

shareholders or the Fund's investment program, the Fund will allow The Company

additional time to notify the Fund of purchase orders.

 

     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 SEC and the Fund shall use its best efforts to calculate such net asset

value on each day which the NYSE is open for trading. Notwithstanding the

foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (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 any regulatory

authority 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 interest of the shareholders of

such Portfolio.

 

     The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor agree that shares of the Fund

will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate

accounts and, in accordance with the terms of the Mixed and Shared Funding

Exemptive Order, certain Qualified Plans. No shares of any Portfolio will be

sold to the general public.

 

     The Fund will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company or separate

account unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as

Articles I, III, V, VI and Section 2.5 of Article II of this Agreement is in

effect to govern such sales.

 

     The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's 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

 

 

                                       4

<PAGE>

 

Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of

requests for redemption from the Account and receipt by such designee shall

constitute receipt by the Fund, provided that: (i) the orders are received by

the Company (or its designee) in good order prior to the time the net asset

value of each Portfolio is priced in accordance with its Prospectus (generally

at the close of regular trading on the NYSE at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), and (ii)

provided that the Fund receives notice of such request for redemption by 10:00

a.m. Eastern Time on the next following "Business Day." If, on any Business Day,

the Company determines that it is unable to meet the 10:00 a.m. time stated

immediately above due to a systems error, then the Company shall immediately

notify the Fund of such systems error. Provided that notice is received prior to

10:00 a.m. and the Fund determines that no harm will be caused to existing

shareholders or the Fund's investment program, and the Fund will allow The

Company additional time to notify the Fund of purchase orders. The Fund may

impose redemption fees, as described in the Prospectus.

 

     The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each Portfolio

offered by the then current Prospectus of the Fund and in accordance with the

provisions of such Prospectus. The Company agrees that all net amounts available

under the Contracts which are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and

incorporated herein by this reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from

time to time hereafter by mutual written agreement of all the parties hereto,

shall be invested in the Fund, in such other Funds selected by the Company or in

the Company's general account. The Company agrees to comply with the terms of

the Rule 12b-1 Plan described in Section 2.8 hereof. The Company agrees to

comply with the provisions of Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act as applicable to the

Fund (including reporting procedures adopted to comply with the Rule).

 

     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 Sections 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.

 

 

                                       5

<PAGE>

 

 

     Issuance and transfer of the Fund's 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.

 

     The Fund shall furnish same day notice by wire, telephone (followed by

written confirmation), electronic media or fax 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 Portfolio shares in additional shares of the

applicable 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.

 

     The Fund shall provide (electronically or by fax) the closing net asset

value per share for each Portfolio to the Company on a daily basis as soon as

reasonably practical after the closing 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. In the event that

the Fund is unable to meet the 7:00 p.m. time stated immediately above, then the

Fund shall immediately notify the Company and provide the Company with

additional time to notify the Fund of purchase or redemption orders pursuant to

Sections 1.1 and 1.5, respectively, above. Such additional time shall be equal

to the additional time that the Fund takes to make the closing net asset values

available to the Company. If the Fund provides the Company with the incorrect

closing share net asset value information, the Company, on behalf of the

Account, shall be entitled to a prompt adjustment to the number of shares

purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct share net asset value, and the Fund

or the Distributor shall bear the cost of correcting such errors. Upon a final

determination that there has been an error in the calculation of the closing net

asset value, dividend or capital gain, the Fund shall promptly report such error

to the Company.

 

     1.11 The Fund shall, upon request of the Company, provide a manual daily

confirmation of trade activity from the previous "Business Day." Such

confirmation shall include the dollar amount of purchases or redemptions

submitted by the Company for each Portfolio, price per share of each Portfolio,

 

 

                                       6

<PAGE>

 

 

and the corresponding total share amount of such purchase or redemption, and

shall be transmitted to the Company on the Business Day following the request.

 

 

      1.12 The Fund shall, upon request of the Company, provide on a monthly

basis, a screen printed report of the monthly trade activity for the Account

which shall be transmitted to the Company on the "Business Day" following the

request.

 

      1.13 Any material errors in the calculation of the net asset value of the

Fund, dividends or capital gains information shall be reported to the company

immediatley upon discovery. An error shall be deemed "material" based on the

parties intrepretation of the SECs position and policy with respect to

materiality, as it may be modified from time to time. If the Fund provides

inaccurate and material information with respect to the calculation of the net

asset value of the Fund, dividends, or capital gains information, then the

Company will be entitled to: (i) an adjustment to the number of shares purchased

or redeemed by the Fund to reflect the correct net asset value per share, and

(ii) reimbursment by the Distributor for reasonable administrative costs

incurred by the Company with respect to correcting Contract or contract owner

accounts. Neither the Fund, the Distributor, nor any of their affiliates shall

be liable for any information provided to the Company pursuant to this

Agreement, which information is based on incorrect information supplied by or on

behalf of the Company to the Fund or Distributor.

 

      1.14 If transactions in Fund shares are to be entered and settled through

the NSCC's Fund/SERV system, the following provisions shall apply:

 

           (a) Each party to this Agreement represents that it or one of its

affiliates has entered into the Standard Networking Agreement with the NSCC and

it desires to participate in the programs offered by the NSCC Fund/SERV system

which provide (i) an automated process whereby shareholder purchases and

redemptions, exchanges and transactions of mutual fund shares are executed

through the Fund/SERV system, and (ii) a centralized and standardized

communication system for the exchange of customer-level information and account

activity through the Fund/SERV Networking system ("Networking").

 

 

                                       7

<PAGE>

 

 

 

      (b) Each party to this Agreement represents that:

 

                  (i) it has full power and authority under applicable law, and

     has taken all action necessary, to enter into and perform its obligations

     with respect to the NSCC, and the performance of its obligations hereunder

     does not and will not violate or conflict with any governing documents or

     agreements it maintains.

 

                  (ii) it has the necessary and adequate personnel, space, data

     processing capacity or other operational capability, facilities and

     equipment to perform its duties and obligations hereunder in accordance

     with the terms of this amendment, in a businesslike and competent manner,

     in conformance with all laws, rules and regulations and the Fund's and

     Contract's prospectuses and SAIs, and customary industry standards.

 

      (c) For each Fund/SERV transaction, including transactions establishing

accounts with the Underwriter or its affiliates, the Company shall provide the

Funds and Distributor or its affiliates 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 Underwriter or the Funds to effect Fund/SERV transactions. Each

instruction shall be deemed to be accompanied by a representation by the Company

that it has received proper authorization from each person whose purchase,

redemption, account transfer or exchange transaction is effected as a result of

such instruction.

 

      (d) Fund/SERV instructions will be transmitted by the Company to the

 

 

                                       8

<PAGE>

 

 

     NSCC by 9:00 a.m. EST on the next Business Day after the Company receives

such instructions from the Account/Contractholders in accordance with Section

1.1 and 1.5, respectively above. If extenuating circumstances prevent the

Company from providing the instructions by 9:00 a.m. EST on the next Business

Day after the Company receives such instructions from the

Account/Contractholders, the Company may provide the instructions by 10:00 a.m.

EST upon notification to the Funds.

 

     Fund/SERV instructions received in proper form by the Underwriter after the

Cut-Off on any Business Day shall be price protected; however, settlement may be

delayed upon agreement of the parties. The Company warrants that all Fund/SERV

instructions the Company transmits to NSCC for processing were received by the

Company from Account/Contractholder by Close of Trading. The Company shall

transmit payment for purchase of Fund/SERV instructions to NSCC the same

Business Day after receipt of Fund/SERV instructions to purchase shares is made

in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.14 (d) hereof. If Distributor has

not received payment by such date, the purchase may be canceled and the Company

shall be responsible for any losses incurred by the Fund as a result of such

cancellation. Payment of redemptions shall be transmitted via the NSCC to the

Company on the same Business Day as the instructions were transmitted via

Fund/SERV. Daily share balance confirmations will be provided by Trust via the

Fund/SERV networking system.

 

           (e) In the event the Company seeks to correct or cancel a previously

placed Fund/SERV instruction after the Cut-Off, such cancellation or correction

must be approved by the Distributor and will be processed outside of NSCC. The

Distributor shall have complete and sole discretion as to whether or not to

allow the cancellation or correction to be made. The Company agrees to promptly

pay each Fund the amount of any loss incurred by the Fund as a result of such

cancellation or correction.

 

 

                                       9

<PAGE>

 

 

           (f) The Distributor and the Funds reserve the right, in their sole

discretion, to reject or cancel:

 

                  (1) any Fund/SERV instruction for the purchase of shares,

including Fund/SERV instructions that have been confirmed through NSCC;

 

                  (2) any Fund/SERV instruction received: (a) in connection with

an Account if such Account's registration is pending with NSCC; and (b) in

connection with an Account prior to receipt of such Account's registration

information.

 

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

     The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be

registered under the 1933 Act, unless exempt from such registration, and that

the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material respects

with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations. The Company shall

amend the registration statements for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and 1940

Act from time to time as required to effect the continuous offering of its

Contracts. The Company 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 their domiciliary state insurance laws and has

registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register

each 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, unless

exempt from such registration. The Company represents and warrants that the

Company and the Account are in compliance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act

pursuant to the requirements of federal law or of any state insurance

department. The Company represents and warrants that it has implemented controls

designed to prevent, and

 

 

                                       10

<PAGE>

 

 

will provide any reasonable assistance requested by the Fund related to the

deterrence of, market timing and/or late trading of shares of the Fund. Further,

the Company represents and warrants that:

 

           (a) The Company has in place an anti-money laundering program ("AML

program") that does now and will continue to comply with applicable laws and

regulations, including the relevant provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act and the

USA PATRIOT Act (Pub. L. No. 107-56 (2001)), as they may be amended, and the

regulations issued thereunder by duly vested regulatory authority and the Rules

of Conduct of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") ("Anti-Money

Laundering Law and Regulation").

 

           (b) The Company has, after undertaking reasonable inquiry, no

information or knowledge that (i) any Contract owners of all separate accounts

investing in the Fund, or (ii) any person or entity controlling, controlled by

or under common control with such Contract owners is an individual or entity or

in a country or territory that is on an Office of Foreign Assets Control

("OFAC") list or similar list of sanctioned or prohibited persons maintained by

a U.S. governmental or regulatory body.

 

           (c) The Company has in place policies, procedures and internal

controls reasonably designed (i) to verify the identity of Contract owners, and

(ii) to identify those Contract owners' sources of funds, and has no reason to

believe that any of the invested funds were derived from illegal activities.

 

           (d) The Company will provide the Fund or the Distributor (or their

respective service providers) upon reasonable request any information regarding

specific accounts that may be reasonably necessary for the Fund and its service

providers to fulfill their responsibilities relating to their anti-money

laundering programs or any other information reasonably requested by the Fund or

the Distributor (or their respective service providers) to assist with

compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Law and Regulation, as may be

permitted by law or regulation.

 

           (e) The Company will promptly notify the Fund and the Distributor

should the Company become aware of any change in the above representations and

warranties to the extent that the change relates to the relationship between the

Company and the Fund and/or Distributor. In addition, the Fund and the

Distributor hereby provide notice to the Company that the Fund and/or the

Distributor

 

 

                                       11

<PAGE>

 

 

reserve the right to make inquires of and request additional information from

the Company regarding its AML program.

 

           (f) That the Company understands the requirements of all applicable

laws, rules or regulations relating to bribery and corruption both in the

Company's home jurisdiction and in any other jurisdictions which may have a

connection to the services performed by the Company in connection with this

Agreement. The Company further represents and warrants that it will fully and

faithfully comply with all requirements of such laws, rules or regulations in

connection with all activities under or in any way connected with this Agreement

and such requirements that the Fund or the Distributor may notify to Company.

 

     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 Maryland, as applicable,

and all applicable federal and state securities laws. Further, the Fund

represents and warrants that the Fund is in compliance with Rule 38a-1 under the

1940 Act. 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. The Fund shall provide to the

Company upon request a list of the various jurisdictions in which the Portfolios

are registered.

 

     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. The parties acknowledge that compliance with Subchapter M is an

essential element of compliance with Section 817(h) of the Code.

 

 

                                       12

<PAGE>

 

 

     The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as

endowment, annuity or life 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 Funds 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.

 

     The Company represents that the Company does not make the Fund available as

an investment vehicle for any clients of the Company other than through

Contracts.

 

      The Fund represents and warrants that it has adopted, or has caused to be

adopted, written procedures under which (i) financial intermediaries may only

make the Fund available to its Qualified Plan clients if any such financial

intermediary is a Participating Insurance Company, (ii) if any such

Participating Insurance Company requests that the Fund be made available as an

investment vehicle for its Qualified Plan clients (other than through

Contracts), such Participating Insurance Company will be required to represent

in writing that it has adopted Procedures for Qualified Plan Clients, and (iii)

shares of the Fund may only be held by Qualified Plans without a financial

intermediary through direct accounts on the books of the Fund if the Fund has

adopted Procedures for Qualified Plans.

 

     The Funds represent and warrants that each Fund:

 

     (i) qualifies as a look-through entity within the meaning of Treas.Reg.

section 1.817-5(f), and

 

     (ii) shall at all times invest money from the Contracts and conduct its

operations to ensure that: (a) the assets of the Fund are diversified within the

meaning of Treas. Reg. section 1.817-5(b), (b) the Contracts shall be treated as

variable contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder, and(c)

no Contract owner shall be treated as the owner of the assets of an Account

solely due to purchase of shares of a Fund by an Account.

 

     The Funds will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable

basis for believing that a Fund is in breach of the foregoing representation and

warranty or that a Fund might be in breach in the future. In addition, the Fund

will immediately take all steps necessary to cure any breach to achieve

compliance with the foregoing representations and warranties.

 

 

                                       13

<PAGE>

 

 

     The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan under which it makes payments to

finance administrative, service, and distribution expenses with respect to

certain Portfolios. The Fund represents and warrants that its Board, a majority

of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, has approved such Rule 12b-1

Plan to finance administrative, service, and distribution expenses of the Fund's

Portfolios that are subject to a 12b-1 fee, and that any changes to the Fund's

Rule 12b-1 Plan will be approved, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940

Act.

 

     If Distributor's payments to Company under Section 2.8 hereof 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 Section 2.8 hereof until such time, if ever, as Distributor receives

payment.

 

     The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its operations

(including, but not limited to, fees, expenses and investment policies) complies

with the insurance laws or regulations of 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 its state of domicile, and

the Fund represents that its respective operations are and shall at all times

remain in material compliance with the laws of its state of domicile, to the

extent required to perform this Agreement.

 

     The Distributor represents and warrants that the Distributor is and shall

remain duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and

state laws and regulations and that the Distributor shall perform its

obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of

the State of Maryland, and any applicable state and federal laws and

regulations.

 

     The Adviser represents and warrants that the Adviser is and shall remain

duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state

laws and regulations and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the

Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of

Maryland, and any applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

 

 

                                       14

<PAGE>

 

 

     The Fund represents and warrants that its trustees, officers, employees,

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-1 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.

 

     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 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

entities subject to the requirements of Rule 17g-1 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.

 

     Each party to this Agreement will maintain all records required by law,

including records detailing the services it provides. Such records will be

preserved, maintained and made available to the extent required by law and in

accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. Upon request by the Fund,

the Adviser or the Distributor, the Company agrees promptly to make copies or,

if required, originals of all records pertaining to the performance of services

under this Agreement available to the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor, as

the case may be. The Fund agrees that the Company will have the right to

inspect, audit and copy all records pertaining to the performance of services

under this Agreement pursuant to the requirements of any state insurance

department. Each party also agrees promptly to notify the other parties if it

experiences any difficulty in maintaining the records in an accurate and

complete manner. This provision shall survive termination of the Agreement.

 

 

                                       15

<PAGE>

 

 

 

                   PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY STATEMENTS; VOTING

 

     The Distributor shall provide the Company (at the Company's expense) with

as many copies of the Fund's current Prospectus as the Company may reasonably

request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide

such documentation (including a final copy of the new Prospectus as set in type

at the Fund's expense - in lieu thereof, such final copy may be provided, if

requested by the Company, electronically or through camera ready film) and other

assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year

(or more frequently, if the Prospectus for the Fund is amended) to have the

prospectus for each Contract and the Fund's Prospectus printed together in one

document (such printing to be at the Company's expense).

 

     The Fund's Prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional

Information for the Fund is available from the Distributor (or in the Fund's

discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such Statement is available from the

Fund), and the Distributor (or the Fund), at its expense, shall print and

provide such Statement free of charge to the Company and to any owner of a

Contract or prospective owner who requests such Statement.

 

     The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its

proxy material, reports to shareholders, and other communications to

shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for

distributing to Contract owners.

 

     If and to the extent required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law the

        Company shall:

 

          (a) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;

 

          (b) vote Fund shares in accordance with instructions received from

      Contract owners; and vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been

      received in the same proportion as Fund shares of such Portfolio for which

      instructions have been received. 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. Each

 

 

                                       16

<PAGE>

 

 

 

      Participating Insurance Company shall be responsible for assuring that

      each of its separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting

      privileges in a manner consistent with this Section.

 

     The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting

by shareholders

 

                         SALES MATERIAL AND INFORMATION

 

     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 any of its underwriters is named, at

least fifteen (15) "Business Days" prior to its use. No such material shall be

used if the Fund or its designee objects to such use within fifteen (15)

"Business Days" after receipt of such material.

 

     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 the Distributor or the

designee of either, except with the permission of the Fund or the Distributor or

the designee of either.

 

     The Fund and the Distributor, or the designee of either 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

Account(s), is named at least fifteen (15) "Business Days" prior to its use. No

such material shall be used if the Company or its designee objects to such use

within fifteen (15) "Business Days" after receipt of such material.

 

     The Fund and the Distributor shall not give any information or make any

representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, an Account,

or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in a

registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such registration

statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in

 

 

                                       17

<PAGE>

 

 

 

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.

 

     Upon request, 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.

 

     Upon request, the Company will provide to the Fund 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 the Account.

 

     For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other

promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as

materials 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, prospectuses,

statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials

and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the

FINRA rules, the 1940 Act, the 1933 Act, or rules thereunder.

 

                               FEES AND EXPENSES

 

     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

 

 

                                       18

<PAGE>

 

 

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

Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's Prospectus and registration

statement, proxy material, information statements and reports, setting the

Fund's Prospectus for printing, setting in type and printing the proxy material,

information statements and reports to shareholders, and the preparation of all

statements and notices required by any federal or state law.  The Fund shall

bear the cost of printing and distributing the Fund's Prospectus, periodic

reports to shareholders, proxy materials and other shareholder communications to

existing Contract owners.  The Company shall see to it that each of the

Contracts and the Accounts are registered and are authorized for issuance in

accordance with applicable federal law. The Company shall bear the expenses for

the cost of registration and qualification of the Contracts and the Accounts,

preparation and filing of the applicable prospectus and registration statements,

setting each Contract prospectus for printing, and the preparation of all

statements and notices required by any federal or state law. In addition, the

Company shall bear the cost of printing and distributing the Fund's Prospectus

to be delivered to prospective Contract owners.

 

                              POTENTIAL CONFLICTS

 

     The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material

irreconcilable conflict among 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 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 any

Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by

variable annuity contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners; or

(f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of Contract

owners.

 

 

                                       19

<PAGE>

 

 

The Board shall promptly inform the Company if they determine that an

irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.

 

     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 owners' voting instructions

are disregarded.

 

     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 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.

 

     If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the

Company to disregard Contract owners' 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 affected Account's

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

 

 

                                       20

<PAGE>

 

 

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 Fund shares.

 

     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 affected

Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to

such Account 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 of the Board.

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 Fund shares.

 

     For purposes of Sections 6.3 through 6.6 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 6.3 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 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

of the Board.

 

     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 Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and

 

 

                                       21

<PAGE>

 

 

conditions materially different from those contained in the Mixed and Shared

Funding Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance

Company, 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 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 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.

 

                                INDEMNIFICATION

 

         INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY

 

           The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the

Adviser and the Distributor and each of its directors, trustees 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 7.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including

amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company, which

consent will not be unreasonably withheld) 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 the Fund's shares or the Contracts

and:

 

                          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 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, the Adviser or the Distributor for use

 

 

                                       22

<PAGE>

 

 

in the registration statement or prospectus for 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

 

                           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 their control) or wrongful conduct of the

Company or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution

of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or

 

                           arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue

statement of a material fact contained in the 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

information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or

 

                           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

 

                           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 7.1(b)

and 7.1(c) hereof.

 

           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

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 or duties under this Agreement or to the Fund,

whichever is applicable.

 

           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

 

 

                                       23

<PAGE>

 

 

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 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.

 

           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 operations of

the Fund.

 

     INDEMNIFICATION BY THE FUND, THE ADVISER AND THE DISTRIBUTOR

 

           The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor agree to indemnify and hold

harmless the Company and its directors, employees 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 7.2)

against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid

in settlement with the written consent of the Fund, 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 are related to the sale

or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:

 

 

                                       24

<PAGE>

 

 

 

                           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

Distributor, Adviser 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

 

                           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 Distributor or Fund or persons under its control) or wrongful

conduct of the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor or persons under their

control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund

shares; or

 

                           arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue

statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus

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 the Company by or on behalf of the Fund;

or

 

                           arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, the

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 requirements

specified in Article II of this Agreement); or

 

 

                                       25

<PAGE>

 

 

                           arise out of or result from any material breach of

any representation and/or warranty made by the Fund, the Adviser or the

Distributor in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material

breach of this Agreement by the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor; as limited

by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.2(b) and 7.2(c) hereof.

 

           The Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor 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 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 Company or Account, whichever is applicable.

 

           The Fund, the Adviser and 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 Fund,

the Adviser and 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 Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor of any

such claim shall not relieve the Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor from any

liability which they 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, the

Adviser and the Distributor will be entitled to participate, at their own

expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund, the Adviser and 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 Fund, the Adviser and the

Distributor to such party of the Fund's, the Adviser's and 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 Fund, the

Adviser and the Distributor will not be liable to such party under this

Agreement for any legal or other expenses

 

 

                                       26

<PAGE>

 

 

 

subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense

thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.

 

           The Company agrees promptly to notify the Fund, the Adviser and the

Distributor of the commencement of any material litigation or proceedings that

involves the Fund, the Adviser, and/or the Distributor 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.

 

                                 APPLICABLE LAW

 

     This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted

under and in accordance with the laws of New York.

 

     This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the federal securities

laws, and the rules, regulations and rulings thereunder, including such

exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant

(including, but not limited to, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order)

and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.

 

                                  TERMINATION

 

         This Agreement shall terminate:

 

                           at the option of any party upon six months advance

written notice to the other parties unless otherwise agreed in a separate

written agreement among the parties; or

 

                           at the option of the Company if shares of the

Portfolios delineated in Schedule B are not reasonably available to meet the

requirements of the Contracts as determined by the Company; or

 

                           at the option of the Fund upon institution of formal

proceedings against the Company by the FINRA, the SEC, the insurance commission

of any state or any other regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under

this Agreement that would have a material adverse impact on the sale of the

Contracts, the administration of the Contracts, the operation of an Account, or

the purchase of Fund shares; or

 

 

                                       27

<PAGE>

 

 

                           at the option of the Company upon institution of

formal proceedings against the Fund by the FINRA, the SEC, or any state

securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body that would have

a material adverse impact on the Fund or upon the sale or administration of the

Contracts, or upon the operation of the Accounts; or

 

                           at the option of the Company upon receipt of any

necessary regulatory approvals and/or the vote of the Contract owners having an

interest in the Account (or any subaccount) to substitute the shares of another

investment company for the corresponding Portfolio shares of the Fund in

accordance with the terms of the Contracts for which those Portfolio shares had

been selected to serve as the underlying investment media. The Company will give

thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Fund of the date of any proposed

vote or other action taken to replace the Fund's shares; or

 

                           at the option of the Company or the Fund upon a

determination by a majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of the

disinterested Fund Board members, that an irreconcilable material conflict

exists among the interests of (i) all Contract owners of Contracts of all

separate accounts, or (ii) the interests of the Participating Insurance Company

investing in the Fund as delineated in Article VI of this Agreement; or

 

                           at the option of the Company if the Fund 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

 

                           at the option of the Company if the Fund fails to

meet the diversification requirements specified in Article II hereof or the

Company has a reasonable expectation that the Fund will fail to meet these

diversification requirements in the future; or

 

                           at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon

another party's material breach of any provision of this Agreement; or

 

                           at the option of the Company, if the Company

determines in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund,

the Adviser or the Distributor has suffered a material adverse change in its

business, operations or financial condition since the date of this Agreement or

is the subject of material

 

 

                                       28

<PAGE>

 

 

adverse publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the

business and operations of the Company; or

 

                           at the option of the Fund, the Adviser or the

Distributor, if the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor respectively, shall

determine in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company has

suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations or financial

condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse

publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business

and operations of the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor, or

 

                           at the option of the Fund in the event any of the

Contracts are not issued or sold in accordance with applicable federal and/or

state law. Termination shall be effective immediately upon such occurrence

without notice.

 

         NOTICE REQUIREMENT

 

           In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the

provisions of Article VI, such prior written notice shall be given in advance of

the effective date of termination as required by such provisions.

 

           In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the

provisions of Sections 9.1(b) - (d) or 9.1(g) - (i), prompt written notice of

the election to terminate this Agreement for cause shall be furnished by the

party terminating the Agreement to the non-terminating parties, with said

termination to be effective upon receipt of such notice by the non-terminating

parties.

 

           In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the

provisions of Sections 9.1(i) or 9.1(k), prior written notice of the election to

terminate this Agreement for cause shall be furnished by the party terminating

this Agreement to the non-terminating parties. Such prior written notice shall

be given by the party terminating this Agreement to the non-terminating parties

at least thirty (30) days before the effective date of termination.

 

     NO REASON REQUIRED FOR TERMINATION. It is understood and agreed that the

right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1 (a) may be exercised

for any reason or for no reason.

 

 

                                       29

<PAGE>

 

 

         EFFECT OF TERMINATION

 

           Notwithstanding any termination pursuant to Section 9.1 of this

Agreement, the Fund may, at its option, or in the event of termination of this

Agreement by the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor pursuant to Section 9.1

(a) of this Agreement, the Company may require the Fund, the Adviser and the

Distributor to continue to make available additional shares of the Fund for so

long after the termination of this Agreement as the Fund or the Company, if the

Company so requires, desires pursuant to the terms and conditions of this

Agreement as provided in paragraph (b) below for all Contracts in effect on the

effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as

"Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, if the Fund so elects

to make available additional shares of the Fund, 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 9.4 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VI and the effect

of such Article VI terminations shall be governed by Article VI of this

Agreement.

 

           In the event of a termination pursuant to Section 9.1 of this

Agreement, the Fund shall promptly notify the Company whether the Fund will

continue to make available shares of the Fund after such termination, except

that, with respect to a termination by the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor

pursuant to Section 9.1 (a) of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly notify

the Fund whether it wishes the Fund to continue to make available additional

shares of the Fund. If shares of the Fund continue to be made available after

such termination, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect except

for Section 9.1(a) and thereafter the Fund or the Company may terminate the

Agreement, as so continued pursuant to this Section 9.4 upon written notice to

the other party, such notice to be for a period that is reasonable under the

circumstances.

 

           In the event of termination purusant to Section 9.1(l), or such laws

preclude the use of such shares as the underlying investment medium for the

Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company, and if through no fault of the

Company, the need for substitution of Fund shares for the shares

 

 

                                       30

<PAGE>

 

 

 

of another "registered investment company" arises out of this event, the

expenses of obtaining such an order shall be reimbursed by the Fund. The Fund,

the Adviser and the Distributor shall cooperate fully with the Company in

connection with such application.

 

     SURVIVING PROVISIONS. Each party's obligations under Section 2.12 and

Article VII will survive and will not be affected by any termination of this

Agreement. In addition, with respect to Existing Contracts, all provisions of

this Agreement also will survive and not be affected by any termination of this

Agreement.

 

                                    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:

 

         Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

         125 Broad Street - 10th Floor

         New York, NY 10004

 

         Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust

         125 Broad Street - 10th Floor

         New York, NY 10004

 

 

If to the Company:

 

                 Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York

                 1300 S. Clinton Street

                 Fort Wayne, IN 46802

                 Attention: Funds Management Operations

 

 

                                       31

<PAGE>

 

 

If to the Distributor:

 

         Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC

         100 First Stamford Place - 5th Floor

         Stamford, CT 06902

         Attn: Business Implementation

 

If to the Adviser:

 

         Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC

         100 First Stamford Place - 6th Floor

         Stamford, CT 06902

         Attn: Robert I. Frenkel

 

 

 

                              INFORMATION SHARING.

 

     11.1 The Distributor and the Company, confirm their Agreement for the

sharing of transaction information relating to any and all of the fund families

that may be offered by LMIS from time to time with respect the implementation

and compliance with SEC Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act.

 

      (a) The Company agrees to provide to the Distributor and/or its designee,

upon written request, the taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), the

Individual/International Taxpayer Identification Number ("ITIN"), or other

government issued identifier ("GII"), if known, of any or all clients of the

Account. The Company also agrees to provide the number of shares, dollar value,

date, name or other identifier (including broker identification number) of any

investment professional(s) associated with the client(s) or Account (if known),

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. Requests

must set forth a specific period, generally not to exceed 90 days from the date

of the request, for which transaction information is sought. The Fund and/or its

designee may request transaction information older than 90 days from the date of

the request as it deems

 

 

                                       32

<PAGE>

 

 

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.

 

           (b) The Company agrees to transmit the requested information that is

on its books and records to the Distributor and/or its designee promptly, but in

any event not later than five (5) business days, or as otherwise agreed to by

the parties, after receipt of a request. If the requested information is not on

the Company's books and records, the Company agrees to (i) provide or arrange to

provide to the Fund and/or its designee the requested information pertaining to

shareholders who hold accounts with an indirect intermediary; or (ii) if

directed by the Distributor, block further purchases of Shares from such

indirect intermediary. In such instance, the Company agrees to inform the

Distributor 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 distributor 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.

 

           (c) The Distributor agrees not to use the information received for

marketing or any other similar purpose without the Company's prior written

consent.

 

           (d) The Company agrees to execute written instructions from the

Distributor to restrict or prohibit further purchases (including shares acquired

by exchanges) of shares by a client that has been identified by the Distributor

as having engaged in transactions of the shares (directly or indirectly through

the intermediary's account) that violates policies established by the Fund.

 

           (e). Instructions must include the TIN, ITIN or GII if known, and the

specific restriction(s) to be executed.  If the TIN, ITIN or GII is not known,

the instructions must include an

 

 

                                       33

<PAGE>

 

 

equivalent identifying number of the client(s) or account(s) or other agreed

upon information to which the instruction relates.

 

           (f) The Company agrees to execute instruction as soon as practicable,

but not later than five (5) business days, or as otherwise agreed to by the

parties, after receipt of the instructions by the intermediary.

 

           (g) The Company must provide written confirmation to the Distributor

that instructions 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) The provisions of this Article 11 shall survive termination of

this Agreement for at least 60 days after the termination date.

 

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

 

     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.

 

     This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,

each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

     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.

 

     Each party hereto 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 authorities reasonable access

to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry

relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 

                                       34

<PAGE>

 

 

     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.

 

     Each party will keep confidential any information acquired as a result of

this Agreement regarding the business and affairs of the other parties to this

Agreement and their affiliates.

 

     Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each

party hereto (and on behalf of its affiliates and third party vendors) shall

treat as confidential the names and address of 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 in order to carry out the

specified purposes specified herein, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize

such names and addresses and other confidential information until such time as

it may come into public domain without express written consent of the affected

party. In addition, each party (and on behalf of its affiliates and third party

vendors) shall adopt policies and procedures that address administrative,

technical and physical safeguards for the protection of such customer records.

 

     Each party will comply with all applicable laws and regulations aimed at

preventing, detecting, and reporting money laundering and suspicious

transactions. To the extent required by applicable regulation and generally

accepted industry practices, each party shall take all necessary and appropriate

steps to: (i) obtain, verify, and retain information with regard to contract

owner identification, and (ii) maintain records of all contract owner

transactions. The Company will (but only to the extent consistent with

applicable law) take all steps necessary and appropriate to provide the Fund

with any requested information about Contract owners and their accounts in the

event that the Fund shall request such information due to an inquiry or

investigation by any law enforcement, regulatory, or administrative authority.

To the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, the Company will

notify the Fund of any concerns that the Company may have in connection with any

Contract owners in the context of relevant anti-money laundering laws or

regulations.

 

 

                                       35

<PAGE>

 

 

     The Fund agrees to consult with the Company concerning whether any

Portfolio of the Fund qualifies to provide a foreign tax credit pursuant to

Section 853 of the Code.

 

     The Fund, Distributor and Advisor will use reasonable best efforts to

prevent the Fund from engaging, directly or indirectly, in a transaction that,

as of the date the Fund enters into a binding contract to engage in such

transaction, is a "listed transaction" as defined in Treas. Regs. ss.

1.6011-4(b)(2) or successor provision (a "Listed Transaction"). If the Fund

Distributor or Advisor reasonably determines that the Fund has engaged in a

Listed Transaction, it will (i) provide the Company with prompt notice thereof

and (ii) with respect to any such transaction, the Fund will provide the

Company, upon the Company's request, (A) with all information relating to such

Listed Transaction which the Company would need in order to comply with its

disclosure obligations under the Code and applicable regulations and state laws.

In addition, the Fund will promptly notify the Company if the Fund must file (or

has filed) Form 8886 ("Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement"), or

successor form.

 

                                  ARTICLE XIII

 

                        TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS

 

     13.1 This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements among the parties or

their predecessor entities with respect to the subject matter of this agreement.

The parties agree that all such prior agreements are hereby terminated in their

entirety.

 

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 and

its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified below.

 

 

                                       36

<PAGE>

 

 

Company:

 

        LINCOLN LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

         By its authorized officer:

 

                 By: /s/ Daniel R. Hayes

                     ---------------------

                 Name: Daniel R. Hayes

                 Title: Vice President

                 Date: 11/6/13

 

Fund:

 

         LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

         By its authorized officer:

 

 

                 By: Kenneth D. Fuller

                     ---------------------

                 Name: Kenneth D. Fuller

                 Title: President

                 Date: 11/12/13

 

Fund:

 

         LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE INCOME TRUST

         By its authorized officer:

 

 

                 By: /s/ Kenneth D. Fuller

                     ---------------------

                 Name: Kenneth D. Fuller

                 Title: President

                 Date: 11/12/13

 

Adviser:

 

         LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISER, LLC

         By its authorized officer:

 

                 By: /s/ Kenneth D. Fuller

                     ---------------------

                 Name:  Kenneth D. Fuller

                 Title: President

                 Date: 11/12/13

 

 

                                       37

<PAGE>

 

 

 

 

Distributor:

 

         LEGG MASON INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC

         By its authorized officer:

 

                 By: /s/ Michael P. Mattera

                     ----------------------

                 Name:  Michael P. Mattera

                 Title: Director

                 Date: 11/11/13

 

 

                                       38

<PAGE>

 

 

                                   SCHEDULE A

 

                               SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     LLANY Separate Account S for Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Lincoln Life & Annuity Flexible Premium Variable Life Account Z

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

                                       39

<PAGE>

 

 

                                   SCHEDULE B

 

 

                    PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS

 

 

 

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

-------------------------------------------------- --------- -------------------

FUND NAME                                            CLASS          CUSIP

-------------------------------------------------- --------- -------------------

ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Core Portfolio           I           52467X708

-------------------------------------------------- --------- -------------------

ClearBridge Variable Mid Cap Core Portfolio           II          52467X856

-------------------------------------------------- --------- -------------------

ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio       I           52467M843

-------------------------------------------------- --------- -------------------

ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio       II          52467M819

-------------------------------------------------- --------- -------------------

 

 

 

 

                                       40

 

<PAGE>

 

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO

                             PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

     This First Amendment to Participation Agreement ("Amendment") is entered

into by and among LEGG MASON INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC (the "Distributor"), LEGG

MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST and LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE INCOME

TRUST (each a "Fund", collectively the "Funds"), LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND

ADVISOR, LLC (the "Adviser") and LINCOLN LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK (the

"Company"), collectively (the "Parties").

 

     WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November

1, 2013, (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. 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            LINCOLN LIFE & ANNUITY COMPANY OF

                                             NEW YORK

 

 

By:    /s/ Jeremiah O'Shea                   By:    /s/ Daniel R. Hayes

       -------------------------------              ----------------------------

Name:  Jeremiah O'Shea                       Name:  Daniel R. Hayes

Title: Managing Director                     Title: Vice President

Date:  4/17/14                               Date:  4/25/14

 

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE

                                             INCOME TRUST

 

 

By:    /s/ Kenneth Fuller                    By:    /s/ Kenneth Fuller

       -------------------------------              ----------------------------

Name:  Kenneth Fuller                        Name:  Kenneth Fuller

Title: President                             Title: President

Date:  4/21/14                               Date:  4/21/14

 

                                       1

 

<PAGE>

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC

 

 

By:    /s/ Kenneth Fuller

       ----------------------------------

Name:  Kenneth Fuller

Title: President

Date:  4/21/14

 

                                       2

 

<PAGE>

 

                                   SCHEDULE A

 

                                SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      LLANY Separate Account S for Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Lincoln Life & Annuity Flexible Premium Variable Life Account Z

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                Lincoln New York Account N for Variable Annuities

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

                                       3

 

<PAGE>

 

                                   SCHEDULE B

 

                    PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST PORTFOLIOS

ClearBridge Variable Series Portfolios Class I & II

Legg Mason BW Absolute Return Opportunities VIT Class I & II

 

                                       4


 

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

This Second Amendment to Participation Agreement (“Amendment”), effective May 1, 2017, is entered into by and among Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust and Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”), Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Adviser”) and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York (the “Company”), collectively (the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Participation Agreement dated November 1, 2013, 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 A and Schedule B of this Amendment, attached hereto, supersede and replace in their entirety the Schedule A and Schedule B of the Agreement.

 

2.              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.

 

Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC

 

Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael P. Mattera

 

By:

/s/ Jayson R. Bronchetti

Name:

Michael P. Mattera

 

Name:

Jayson R. Bronchetti

Title:

Director

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

Date:

4/19/2017

 

Date:

April 11, 2017

 

 

 

 

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 — Mutual Fund Boards

 

Title:

President & CEO — Mutual Fund Boards

Date:

4/19/2017

 

Date:

4/19/2017

 

 

 

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jane Trust

 

 

Name:

Jane Trust

 

 

Title:

President & CEO — Mutual Fund Boards

 

 

Date:

4/19/2017

 

 

 

1



 

Schedule A

 

Separate Accounts

 

Separate Accounts

 

LLANY Separate Account S for Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance

 

Lincoln Life & Annuity Flexible Premium Variable Life Account Z

 

Lincoln New York Account N for Variable Annuities

 

2



 

SCHEDULE B

 

PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS

 

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust Portfolios

ClearBridge Variable Series Portfolios Class I & II

QS Variable Conservative Growth Class I & II

 

3