0000089024-11-000268.txt : 20110426
0000089024-11-000268.hdr.sgml : 20110426
20110426165124
ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000089024-11-000268
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1
FILED AS OF DATE: 20110426
DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110426
FILER:
COMPANY DATA:
COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AXA EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE CO
CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000727920
STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
IRS NUMBER: 135570651
STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY
FISCAL YEAR END: 1231
FILING VALUES:
FORM TYPE: 424B3
SEC ACT: 1933 Act
SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-165396
FILM NUMBER: 11780582
BUSINESS ADDRESS:
STREET 1: 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
CITY: NEW YORK
STATE: NY
ZIP: 10104
BUSINESS PHONE: 2125541234
MAIL ADDRESS:
STREET 1: 1290 AVENUE OF AMERICAS
CITY: NEW YORK
STATE: NY
ZIP: 10104
FORMER COMPANY:
FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AXA-EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE CO
DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20040928
FORMER COMPANY:
FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES /NY/
DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703
424B3
1
e13587.txt
DEFINITIVE MATERIALS
424(b)(3)
333-165396
Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
A variable and index-linked deferred annuity contract
PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2011
Please read and keep this Prospectus for future reference. It contains
important information that you should know before purchasing or taking any
other action under your contract. This Prospectus supersedes all prior
prospectuses and supplements. You should read the prospectuses for each Trust
which contain important information about the portfolios.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT IS STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM)?
Structured Capital Strategies(SM) is a variable and index-linked deferred
annuity contract issued by AXA EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. It provides for
the accumulation of retirement savings. The contract also offers a number of
payout options. You invest to accumulate value on a tax-deferred basis in one or
more of our variable investment options and/or in one or more of the Segments
comprising the Structured Investment Option. See "Definition of key terms" later
in this Prospectus for a more detailed explanation of terms associated with the
Structured Investment Option.
This Prospectus is a disclosure document and describes all of the contract's
material features, benefits, rights and obligations, as well as other
information. The description of the contract's material provisions in this
Prospectus is current as of the date of this Prospectus. If certain material
provisions under the contract are changed after the date of this Prospectus in
accordance with the contract, those changes will be described in a supplement
to this Prospectus. You should carefully read this Prospectus in conjunction
with any applicable supplements. The contract should also be read carefully.
The contract may not currently be available in all states. In addition, certain
features described in this Prospectus may vary in your state. Not all indices
are available under all contracts, and may not be available in all states. For
a state-by-state description of all material variations to this contract, see
"Appendix II" later in this Prospectus. We can refuse to accept any application
or contribution from you at any time, including after you purchase the
contract.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DISCONTINUE THE ACCEPTANCE OF, AND/OR PLACE ADDITIONAL
LIMITATIONS ON, CONTRIBUTIONS INTO CERTAIN INVESTMENT OPTIONS, INCLUDING ANY OR
ALL OF THE SEGMENTS COMPRISING THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION. IF WE EXERCISE
THIS RIGHT, YOUR ABILITY TO INVEST IN YOUR CONTRACT, INCREASE YOUR CONTRACT
VALUE AND, CONSEQUENTLY, INCREASE YOUR DEATH BENEFIT WILL BE LIMITED.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 13 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A DISCUSSION OF RISK FACTORS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our variable investment options are subaccounts offered through Separate
Account No. 49. Each variable investment option, in turn, invests in a
corresponding securities portfolio ("portfolio") of the EQ Advisors Trust (the
"Trust"). Your investment results in a variable investment option will depend
on the investment performance of the related portfolio. Below is a complete
list of the variable investment options:
----------------------------
VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
----------------------------
o EQ/Core Bond Index o EQ/Equity 500 Index o EQ/Money Market
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also offer our Structured Investment Option, which permits you to invest in
one or more segments, each of which provides performance tied to the
performance of a securities or commodities index for a set period (1 year, 3
years or 5 years). The Structured Investment Option does not involve an
investment in any underlying portfolio. Instead, it is an obligation of AXA
Equitable Life Insurance Company. Unlike an index fund, the Structured
Investment Option provides a return at maturity designed to provide a
combination of protection against certain decreases in the index and a
limitation on participation in certain increases in the index. The extent of
the downside protection at maturity varies by segment, ranging from the first
10%, 20% or 30% of loss. THERE IS A RISK OF A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF YOUR
PRINCIPAL BECAUSE YOU AGREE TO ABSORB ALL LOSSES TO THE EXTENT THEY EXCEED THE
PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION AT MATURITY. IF YOU
WOULD LIKE A GUARANTEE OF PRINCIPAL, WE OFFER OTHER PRODUCTS THAT PROVIDE SUCH
GUARANTEES.
The total amount earned on an investment in a segment of the Structured
Investment Option is only applied at maturity. If you take a withdrawal from a
segment on any date prior to maturity, we calculate the interim value of the
segment as described in "Appendix III -- Segment Interim Value". This amount
may be less than the amount invested and may be less than the amount you would
receive had you held the investment until maturity. The Segment Interim Value
will generally be negatively affected by increases in the expected volatility
of index prices, interest rate decreases, and by poor market performance. All
other factors being equal, the Segment Interim Value would be lower the earlier
a withdrawal or surrender is made during a Segment. Also, participation in
upside performance for early withdrawals is pro-rated based on the period those
amounts were invested in a Segment. This means you participate to a lesser
extent in upside performance the earlier you take a withdrawal.
We currently offer the Structured Investment Option using the following
indices:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDICES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o S&P 500 Price o Russell 2000 o MSCI EAFE Price
Return Index Price Return Return Index
Index
o London Gold o NYMEX West
Market Fixing Texas Intermedi-
Ltd PM Fix Price/ ate Crude Oil
USD (the "Gold Generic
Index")(1) Front-Month
Futures (the
"Oil Index")(1)
(1) Available in IRA contracts only
THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY. THEY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK AND ARE NOT BANK
GUARANTEED. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL.
e13500
SCS
TYPES OF CONTRACTS. We offer the contracts for use as:
o A nonqualified annuity ("NQ") for after-tax contributions only.
o An individual retirement annuity ("IRA"), either traditional IRA or Roth
IRA.
A minimum contribution of $25,000 is required to purchase a contract.
You can purchase this contract in one of two ways: (i) as a Series B contract,
which has withdrawal charges, or (ii) as a Series ADV contract, if you are a
participant in an account established under a fee-based program sponsored by a
registered investment adviser that we accept, which has no withdrawal charges.
The principal underwriters of the contract are AXA Advisors, LLC and AXA
Distributors, LLC. The offering of the contract is intended to be continuous.
Registration statements relating to this offering have been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The statement of additional
information ("SAI") dated May 1, 2011, is a part of the registration statement
filed on Form N-4. The SAI is available free of charge. You may request one by
writing to our processing office at P.O. Box 1547, Secaucus, NJ 07096-1547 or
calling 1-800-789-7771. The SAI is incorporated by this reference into this
Prospectus. This Prospectus and the SAI can also be obtained from the SEC's
website at www.sec.gov. The table of contents for the SAI appears at the back
of this Prospectus.
CONTENTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We,""our" and "us" refer to AXA Equitable.
When we address the reader of this Prospectus with words such as "you" and
"your," we mean the person who has the right or responsibility that the
Prospectus is discussing at that point. This is usually the contract owner.
When we use the word "contract" it also includes certificates that are issued
under group contracts in some states.
Who is AXA Equitable? 4
Definitions of key terms 5
Structured Capital Strategies(SM) at a glance -- key features 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEE TABLE 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples 11
Condensed financial information 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RISK FACTORS 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. HOW TO REACH US 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How you can purchase and contribute to your contract 17
Owner and annuitant requirements 19
How you can make your contributions 19
Allocating your contributions 20
What are your investment options under the contract? 20
Portfolios of the Trust 21
Structured Investment Option 22
Your right to cancel within a certain number of days 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. DETERMINING YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your account value and cash value 29
Your contract's value in the variable investment options and Segment Type
Holding Accounts 29
Your contract's value in the Structured Investment Option 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS 31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transferring your account value 31
Disruptive transfer activity 31
CONTENTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. ACCESSING YOUR MONEY 33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Withdrawing your account value 33
How withdrawals are taken from your account value 33
Surrendering your contract to receive its cash value 34
Withdrawals treated as surrenders 34
When to expect payments 34
Your annuity payout options 34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. CHARGES AND EXPENSES 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charges that AXA Equitable deducts 37
Charges under the contracts 37
Charges that the Trust deducts 38
Group or sponsored arrangements 39
Other distribution arrangements 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your beneficiary and payment of benefit 40
Beneficiary continuation option 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. TAX INFORMATION 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview 43
Buying a contract to fund a retirement arrangement 43
Transfers among investment options 43
Taxation of nonqualified annuities 43
Individual retirement arrangements ("IRAs") 45
Roth individual retirement annuities
("Roth IRAs") 49
Federal and state income tax withholding and information reporting 52
Impact of taxes to AXA Equitable 53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. MORE INFORMATION 54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Separate Account No. 49 54
About Separate Account No. 68 54
About the Trust 54
About the general account 54
About other methods of payment 55
Dates and prices at which contract events occur 55
About your voting rights 56
Statutory compliance 56
About legal proceedings 56
Financial statements 56
Transfers of ownership, collateral assignments, loans, and borrowing 56
About Custodial IRAs 56
Distribution of the contracts 57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDICES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I -- Condensed financial information I-1
II -- State contract availability and/or variations of II-1
certain features and benefits
III -- Segment Interim Value III-1
IV -- Index Publishers IV-1
V -- Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date V-1
examples
VI -- Purchase considerations for defined benefit VI-1
plans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 CONTENTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS
WHO IS AXA EQUITABLE?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company ("AXA Equitable") a New York stock
life insurance corporation. We have been doing business since 1859. AXA
Equitable is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc., a
holding company, which is itself an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA SA
("AXA"). AXA is a French holding company for an international group of
insurance and related financial services companies. As the ultimate sole
shareholder of AXA Equitable, and under its other arrangements with AXA
Equitable and AXA Equitable's parent, AXA exercises significant influence over
the operations and capital structure of AXA Equitable and its parent. AXA holds
its interest in AXA Equitable through a number of other intermediate holding
companies, including Oudinot Participations, AXA America Holdings, Inc. and AXA
Equitable Financial Services, LLC. AXA Equitable is obligated to pay all
amounts that are promised to be paid under the contracts. No company other than
AXA Equitable, however, has any legal responsibility to pay amounts that AXA
Equitable owes under the contracts.
AXA Financial, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries managed approximately
$575.3 billion in assets as of December 31, 2010. For more than 150 years AXA
Equitable has been among the largest insurance companies in the United States.
We are licensed to sell life insurance and annuities in all fifty states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our home office
is located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104.
WHO IS AXA EQUITABLE? 4
Definitions of key terms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCOUNT VALUE -- Your "account value" is the total of: (i) the values you have
in the variable investment options, (ii) the values you have in the Segment
Type Holding Accounts and (iii) your Segment Interim Values.
ANNUITANT -- The "annuitant" is the person who is the measuring life for
determining the contract's maturity date. The annuitant is not necessarily the
contract owner. Where the owner of a contract is non-natural, the annuitant is
the measuring life for determining contract benefits.
BUSINESS DAY -- Our "business day" is generally any day the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") is open for regular trading and generally ends at 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time (or as of an earlier close of regular trading). If the Securities
and Exchange Commission determines the existence of emergency conditions on any
day, and consequently, the NYSE does not open, then that day is not a business
day.
CASH VALUE -- At any time before annuity payments begin, your contract's cash
value is equal to the account value less any applicable withdrawal charges.
CONTRACT DATE -- The "contract date" is the effective date of a contract. This
usually is the business day we receive the properly completed and signed
application, along with any other required documents, and your initial
contribution. Your contract date will be shown in your contract.
CONTRACT DATE ANNIVERSARY -- The end of each 12 month period is your "contract
date anniversary." For example, if your contract date is May 1, your contract
date anniversary is April 30.
CONTRACT YEAR -- The 12 month period beginning on your contract date and each
12 month period after that date is a "contract year."
INDEX -- An Index is used to determine the Segment Rate of Return for a
Segment. We currently offer Segment Types based on two types of Indices:
Indices based on the performance of securities ("Securities Indices") and
Indices based on the performance of commodities ("Commodities Indices"). In the
future, we may offer Segment Types based on other types of Indices.
INDEX PERFORMANCE RATE -- For a Segment, the percentage change in the value of
the related Index from the Segment Start Date to the Segment Maturity Date. The
Index Performance Rate may be positive or negative.
IRS -- Internal Revenue Service
OWNER -- The "owner" is the person who is the named owner in the contract and,
if an individual, is the measuring life for determining contract benefits.
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE -- The highest Segment Rate of Return that can be
credited on a Segment Maturity Date. The Performance Cap Rate is not an annual
rate of return.
PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD -- A minimum rate you may specify as a participation
requirement that the Performance Cap Rate for a new Segment must equal or
exceed in order for amounts to be transferred from a Segment Type Holding
Account into a new Segment.
SAI -- Statement of Additional Information.
SEC -- Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEGMENT -- An investment option we establish with a specific Index, Segment
Duration, Segment Buffer, Segment Maturity Date and Performance Cap Rate.
SEGMENT BUFFER -- The portion of any negative Index Performance Rate that we
absorb on a Segment Maturity Date for a particular Segment. Any percentage
decline in a Segment's Index Performance Rate in excess of the Segment Buffer
reduces your Segment Maturity Value. We currently offer Segment Buffers of
-10%, -20% and -30%.
SEGMENT BUSINESS DAY -- A business day that all Indices underlying available
Segments are scheduled to be open and to publish prices. A scheduled holiday
for any one Index disqualifies that day from being scheduled as a Segment
Business Day for all Segments. We use Segment Business Days in this manner so
that, based on published holiday schedules, we mature all Segments on the same
day and start all new Segments on a subsequent day. This design, among other
things, facilitates the roll over of maturing Segment Investments into new
Segments. It is possible that due to emergency conditions, an Index cannot
provide a price on a day that was scheduled to be a Segment Business Day. These
unforeseen events can have two results. (1) If the NYSE experiences an
emergency close and cannot publish a price, we cannot mature or start any
Segments for any Index. (2) If any Index other than the NYSE experiences an
emergency close and cannot publish a price, we will mature or start Segments
for all unaffected Indices.
SEGMENT DURATION -- The period from the Segment Start Date to the Segment
Maturity Date. We currently offer Segment Durations of 1 year, 3 years or 5
years.
SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE -- The value of your investment in a Segment prior to
the Segment Maturity Date.
SEGMENT INVESTMENT -- The amount transferred to a Segment on its Segment Start
Date, as adjusted for any withdrawals from that Segment.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE -- The Segment Business Day on which a Segment ends.
This is generally the first Segment Business Day occurring after the 13th of
the same month as the Segment Start Date in the calendar year in which the
Segment Duration ends.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE REQUIREMENT -- You will not be invested in a Segment if
the Segment Maturity Date is later than your contract maturity date.
SEGMENT MATURITY VALUE -- The value of your investment in a Segment on the
Segment Maturity Date.
SEGMENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS -- The requirements that must be met before
we transfer amounts from a Segment Type Holding Account to a new Segment on a
Segment Start Date.
SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN -- If the Index Performance Rate is positive, then the
Segment Rate of Return is a rate equal to the Index Performance Rate, but not
more than the Performance Cap Rate. If the Index Performance Rate is negative,
but declines by a percentage less than
5 DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS
or equal to the Segment Buffer, then the Segment Rate of Return is 0%. If the
Index Performance Rate is negative, and declines by more than the Segment
Buffer, then the Segment Rate of Return is negative, but will not reflect the
first -10%, -20% or -30% of downside performance, depending on the Segment
Buffer applicable to that Segment.
SEGMENT RETURN AMOUNT -- Equals the Segment Investment multiplied by the
Segment Rate of Return.
SEGMENT START DATE -- The Segment Business Day on which a new Segment is
established. This is generally the second Segment Business Day occurring after
the 13th of each month.
SEGMENT TYPE -- All Segments having the same Index, Segment Duration, and
Segment Buffer. Each Segment Type has a corresponding Segment Type Holding
Account. We currently offer 15 Segment Types.
SEGMENT TYPE HOLDING ACCOUNT -- An account that holds all contributions and
transfers allocated to a Segment Type pending investment in a Segment. There is
a Segment Type Holding Account for each Segment Type. The Segment Type Holding
Accounts are part of the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION -- An investment option that permits you to
invest in various Segments, each tied to the performance of an Index, and
participate in the performance of that Index.
DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS 6
STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM) AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TWO CONTRACT SERIES This Prospectus describes two contract series of
Structured Capital Strategies(SM) -- Series B and Series
ADV. Series B contracts are subject to a withdrawal
charge schedule, while the Series ADV contracts are not
subject to a withdrawal charge schedule, but can only be
purchased through an account established under a
fee-based program offered by a registered investment
adviser. The fees and expenses of your fee-based program
are separate from and in addition to the fees and
expenses of the contract and generally provide for
various advisory and other services. We do not create or
approve these fee-based programs, which are the sole
responsibility of the registered investment adviser that
maintains them.
Each series provides for the accumulation of retirement
savings and income, and provides for the payment of
account value to your beneficiary upon death, and offers
various payout options.
Each series has a different charge structure. For
details, please see the "Fee table" and "Charges and
expenses" sections later in this Prospectus.
Throughout the Prospectus, any differences in the series
are identified. Also see "Definition of key terms" ear-
lier in this Prospectus for a more detailed explanation
of terms associated with the Structured Investment
Option.
You should work with your financial professional to
decide which series of the contract may be appropriate
for you based on a thorough analysis of your particular
insurance needs, financial objectives, investment goals,
time horizons and risk tolerance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE INVESTMENT Structured Capital Strategies(SM) variable investment
OPTIONS options invest in portfolios sub-advised by professional
investment advisers. The contract currently offers three
variable investment options. Depending upon the perfor-
mance of the variable investment options, you could lose
money by investing in one or more variable investment
options.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT See "Definition of key terms" on the prior page and
OPTION "Contract features and benefits" later in this
Prospectus for more detailed explanations of terms
associated with the Structured Investment Option.
o 15 Segment Types with Segment Durations of 1, 3
and 5 years.
o Investments in Segments are not investments in
underlying mutual funds; Segments are not "index
funds." Each Segment Type offers an opportunity to
invest in a Segment that is tied to the
performance of a Securities or Commodities Index.
You participate in the performance of that Index
by investing in the Segment. You do not
participate in the investment results of any
assets we hold in relation to the Segments. We
hold assets in a "non-unitized" separate account
we have established under the New York Insurance
Law to support our obligations under the
Structured Investment Option. We calculate the
results of an investment in a Segment pursuant to
one or more formulas described later in this
Prospectus. Depending upon the performance of the
Indices, you could lose money by investing in one
or more Segments.
o An "Index" is used to determine the Segment Rate
of Return for a Segment. We currently offer
Segment Types based on two types of Indices:
Indices based on the performance of securities
("Securities Indices") and Indices based on the
performance of commodities ("Commodities
Indices"). In the future, we may offer Segment
Types based on other types of Indices. The Indices
are as follows:
-- S&P 500 Price Return Index;
-- Russell 2000 Price Return Index;
-- MSCI EAFE Price Return Index;
-- London Gold Market Fixing Ltd PM Fix Price/USD
(the "Gold Index") (only available for IRA
contracts); and
-- NYMEX West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil
Generic Front-Month Futures (the "Oil Index")
(only available for IRA contracts).
o The Segment Return Amount (which equals the
Segment Investment multiplied by the Segment Rate
of Return) will only be applied on the Segment
Maturity Date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM) AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT o The Segment Rate of Return could be positive, zero,
OPTION (CONTINUED) or negative. THERE IS A RISK OF A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS
OF YOUR PRINCIPAL BECAUSE YOU AGREE TO ABSORB ALL
LOSSES TO THE EXTENT THEY EXCEED THE APPLICABLE
SEGMENT BUFFER.
o On any date prior to maturity, we calculate the
Segment Interim Value for each Segment as described
in "Appendix III -- Segment Interim Value". This
amount may be less than the amount invested and may
be less than the amount you would receive had you
held the investment until maturity. The Segment
Interim Value will generally be negatively affected
by increases in the expected volatility of index
prices, interest rate increases, and by poor market
performance. All other factors being equal, the
Segment Interim Value would be lower the earlier a
withdrawal or surrender is made during a Segment.
Also, participation in upside performance for early
withdrawals is pro-rated based on the period those
amounts were invested in a Segment. This means you
participate to a lesser extent in upside performance
the earlier you take a withdrawal.
o BOTH THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE AND THE SEGMENT BUFFER
ARE RATES OF RETURN FROM THE SEG- MENT START DATE TO
THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE, NOT ANNUAL RATES OF
RETURN, EVEN IF THE SEGMENT DURATION IS LONGER THAN
ONE YEAR. THEREFORE YOUR PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD
IS ALSO NOT AN ANNUAL RATE, AS IT IS BASED ON THE
SEGMENT DURATION.
o THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROTECTION AT MATURITY IS THE
-30% SEGMENT BUFFER AND LOWEST LEVEL OF PROTECTION
IS THE -10% SEGMENT BUFFER.
o THIS PRODUCT GENERALLY OFFERS GREATER UPSIDE
POTENTIAL, BUT LESS DOWNSIDE PROTECTION, AT MATURITY
THAN FIXED INDEXED ANNUITIES, WHICH PROVIDE A
GUARANTEED MINIMUM RETURN.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX CONSIDERATIONS o On earnings inside No tax until you make
the contract withdrawals from your
contract or receive annuity
payments.
o On transfers inside No tax on transfers among
the contract investment options,
including on a Segment
Maturity Date.
--------------------------------------------------------
If you are purchasing an annuity contract as an
Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA), you should be aware
that such annuities do not provide tax deferral benefits
beyond those already provided by the Internal Revenue
Code for individual retirement arrangements. Before
purchasing this contract, you should consider whether
its features and benefits beyond tax deferral meet your
needs and goals. You may also want to consider the rela-
tive features, benefits and costs of this contract with
any other investment that you may use in connection with
your individual retirement arrangement. You should also
be aware that income received under the contract is
taxable as ordinary income and not as capital gain. For
more information, see "Tax information" later in this
Prospectus.
--------------------------------------------------------
CONTRIBUTION AMOUNTS o NQ $25,000 (initial) (minimum)
$500 (additional) (minimum)
o Traditional or Roth IRA $25,000 (initial)
(minimum) $50 (subsequent) (minimum)
o Maximum contribution limitations apply to all
contracts.
--------------------------------------------------------
In general, contributions are limited to $1.5 million
under all Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contracts
with the same owner or annuitant and $2.5 million under
all AXA Equitable annuity accumulation contracts with
the same owner or annuitant. Upon advance notice to you,
we may exercise certain rights we have under the con-
tract regarding contributions, including our rights to
(i) change minimum and maximum contribution requirements
and limitations, and (ii) discontinue acceptance of
contributions including contributions in general, or to
particular investment options. In addition, we may, at
any time, exercise our right to limit or terminate
transfers into any variable investment option. For more
information, see "How you can purchase and contribute to
your contract" in "Contract features and benefits" later
in this Prospectus.
--------------------------------------------------------
ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY o Partial withdrawals
o Contract surrender
o You may be subject to tax on any income you
receive and, unless you are 59-1/2 or another
exception applies, an additional 10% federal
income tax penalty. For Series B, you may also
incur a withdrawal charge for certain withdrawals
or if you surrender your contract.
--------------------------------------------------------
PAYOUT OPTIONS o Fixed annuity payout options
o Other payout options through other contracts
--------------------------------------------------------
STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM) AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND CHARGES Please see "Fee table" later in this section for
complete details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OWNER AND ANNUITANT 0-85
ISSUE AGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL To exercise your cancellation right you must notify us,
with a signed letter of instruction electing this right,
to our processing office within 10 days after you
receive your contract. If state law requires, this "free
look" period may be longer. See "Your right to cancel
within a certain number of days" in "Contract features
and benefits" later in this Prospectus for more
information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TABLE ABOVE SUMMARIZES ONLY CERTAIN CURRENT KEY FEATURES OF THE CONTRACT.
THE TABLE ALSO SUMMARIZES CERTAIN CURRENT LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND
EXCEPTIONS TO THOSE FEATURES THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE UNDER THE
CONTRACT AND THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE. IN SOME CASES, OTHER
LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS MAY APPLY. THE CONTRACT MAY NOT
CURRENTLY BE AVAILABLE IN ALL STATES. ALL SEGMENT TYPES ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN
ALL CONTRACTS, AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ALL STATES. FOR A STATE-BY-STATE
DESCRIPTION OF ALL MATERIAL VARIATIONS TO THIS CONTRACT, SEE "APPENDIX II"
LATER IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
For more detailed information, we urge you to read the contents of this
Prospectus, as well as your contract. This Prospectus is a disclosure document
and describes all of the contract's material features, benefits, rights and
obligations, as well as other information. The Prospectus should be read
carefully before investing. Please feel free to speak with your financial
professional, or call us, if you have any questions.
OTHER CONTRACTS
We offer a variety of fixed and variable annuity contracts. They may offer
features, including investment options, and have fees and charges, that are
different from those in the contracts offered by this Prospectus. Not every
contract we issue is offered through every selling broker-dealer. Some selling
broker-dealers may not offer and/or limit the offering of certain features or
options, as well as limit the availability of the contracts, based on issue age
or other criteria established by the selling broker-dealer. Upon request, your
financial professional can show you information regarding other AXA Equitable
annuity contracts that he or she distributes. You can also contact us to find
out more about the availability of any of the AXA Equitable annuity contracts.
You should work with your financial professional to decide whether this
contract is appropriate for you based on a thorough analysis of your particular
insurance needs, financial objectives, investment goals, time horizons and risk
tolerance.
9 STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM) AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES
FEE TABLE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you will pay when
buying, owning, and surrendering the contract. Each of the charges and expenses
is more fully described in "Charges and expenses" later in this Prospectus.
The first table describes fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that
you surrender the contract, make certain withdrawals, purchase a Variable
Immediate Annuity payout option or make certain transfers and exchanges.
Charges designed to approximate certain taxes that may be imposed on us, such
as premium taxes in your state, may also apply.(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARGES WE DEDUCT FROM YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE AT THE TIME YOU REQUEST CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum withdrawal charge as a percentage of contributions with- SERIES B(2) SERIES ADV
drawn (deducted if you surrender your contract or make certain 5.00% N/A
withdrawals or apply your cash value to certain payout options).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charge for each additional transfer in excess of 12 transfers per Maximum Charge: $35
contract year:(3) Current Charge: $0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay periodically during the time that you own
the contract, not including underlying
Trust portfolio fees and expenses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARGES WE DEDUCT FROM YOUR VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS (INCLUDING THE SEGMENT
TYPE HOLDING ACCOUNTS) EXPRESSED AS AN ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF DAILY NET ASSETS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate account annual expenses:
SERIES B SERIES ADV
Contract fee(4) 1.25% 0.65%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADJUSTMENTS FOR EARLY SURRENDER OR WITHDRAWAL FROM A SEGMENT
WHEN CALCULATION IS MADE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT MAY BE LOST(5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-10% Buffer -20% Buffer -30% Buffer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value is applied on surrender or withdrawal from a 90% of Segment 80% of Segment 70% of Segment
Segment prior to its Segment Maturity Date Investment Investment Investment
You also bear your proportionate share of all fees and expenses paid by a
"portfolio" that corresponds to any variable investment option you are using.
This table shows the lowest and highest total operating expenses charged by any
of the portfolios that you will pay periodically during the time that you own
the contract. These fees and expenses are reflected in the portfolio's net
asset value each day. Therefore, they reduce the investment return of the
portfolio and the related variable investment option. Actual fees and expenses
are likely to fluctuate from year to year. More detail concerning each
portfolio's fees and expenses is contained in the Trust Prospectus for the
portfolio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO OPERATING EXPENSES EXPRESSED AS AN ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF DAILY NET ASSETS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses for 2010 (expenses that are Lowest Highest
------ ------
deducted from portfolio assets including management fees, 12b-1 fees, 0.62% 0.72%
service fees, and/or other expenses) (6)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The current tax charge that might be imposed varies by jurisdiction and
currently ranges from 0% to 3.5%.
(2) Deducted upon a withdrawal of amounts in excess of the 10% free withdrawal
amount. Important exceptions and limitations may eliminate or reduce this
charge.
The withdrawal charge percentage we use is determined by the contract year in
which you make the withdrawal, surrender your contract to receive its cash
value, or surrender your contract to apply your cash value to a non-life
contingent annuity payment option. For each contribution, we consider the
contract year in which we receive that contribution to be "contract year 1").
CONTRACT YEAR
-------------
1..................................... 5.00%
2..................................... 5.00%
3..................................... 5.00%
4..................................... 4.00%
5..................................... 3.00%
6+.................................... 0.00%
(3) Currently, we do not charge for transfers among variable investment options
under the contract. However, we reserve the right to charge for transfers in
excess of 12 transfers per contract year. We will charge no more than $35
for each variable transfer at the time each transfer is processed. See
"Transfer charge" in "Charges and expenses" later in this Prospectus. We
will not count transfers from Segment Type Holding Accounts into Segments on
a Segment Start Date, or the allocation of Segment Maturity Value on a
Segment Maturity Date in calculating the number of transfers subject to this
charge.
(4) On a non-guaranteed basis, we may waive any portion of the contract fee as
it applies to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option to the extent
that the fee exceeds the income distributed by the underlying EQ/Money
Market Portfolio. This waiver is limited to the contract fee, and it is not
a fee waiver or performance guarantee for the underlying EQ/Money Market
Portfolio. See "Contract fee" in "Charges and expenses" later in this
Prospectus.
FEE TABLE 10
(5) The actual amount of the Interim Value Calculation is determined by a
formula that depends on, among other things, the Segment Buffer and how the
Index has performed since the Segment Start Date, as discussed in detail under
"Appendix III" later in this Prospectus. The maximum loss would occur if there
is a total distribution for a Segment with a 10%, 20% or 30% buffer at a time
when the Index price has declined to zero. If you surrender or cancel your
contract, die or make a withdrawal from a Segment before the Segment Maturity
Date, the Segment Buffer will not necessarily apply to the extent it would on
the Segment Maturity Date, and any upside performance will be limited to a
percentage lower than the Performance Cap Rate.
(6) "Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses" are based, in part, on
estimated amounts for options added during the fiscal year 2010 and for the
underlying portfolios. In addition, the "Lowest" represents the total annual
operating expenses of the EQ/Equity 500 Index Portfolio. The "Highest"
represents the total annual operating expenses of the EQ/Core Bond Index
Portfolio.
EXAMPLES
These examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the
contract with the cost of investing in other variable annuity contracts. These
costs include contract owner transaction expenses, separate account annual
expenses, and underlying Trust fees and expenses (including underlying
portfolio fees and expenses). For a complete description of portfolio charges
and expenses, please see the prospectuses for the Trust.
The examples below show the expenses that a hypothetical contract owner would
pay in the situations illustrated first under a Series B contract and then
under a Series ADV contract.
The Structured Investment Option is not covered by the fee table and examples.
However, the withdrawal charge, if any, and the charge if you elect a Variable
Immediate Annuity payout option do apply to the Structured Investment Option.
These examples should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses for any variable investment option. Actual expenses may be greater or
less than those shown. Similarly, the annual rate of return assumed in the
examples is not an estimate or guarantee of future investment performance.
The examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the contract for the time
periods indicated and that your investment has a 5% return each year. The
examples also assume (i) the total annual expenses of the portfolios set forth
in the previous tables; and (ii) there is no waiver of any withdrawal charge.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions,
your costs would be:
11 FEE TABLE
SERIES B
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU ANNUITIZE AT THE END OF THE
APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, AND SELECT A
NON-LIFE CONTINGENT PERIOD CERTAIN
IF YOU SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT AT THE ANNUITY OPTION WITH LESS THAN FIVE
END OF THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD YEARS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio Name 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Core Bond Index $707 $1,139 $1,397 $2,364 N/A $1,139 $1,397 $2,364
EQ/Equity 500 Index $696 $1,107 $1,343 $2,255 N/A $1,107 $1,343 $2,255
EQ/Money Market $706 $1,136 $1,391 $2,353 N/A $1,136 $1,391 $2,353
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT
AT THE END OF THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO NAME 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Core Bond Index $207 $639 $1,097 $2,364
EQ/Equity 500 Index $196 $607 $1,043 $2,255
EQ/Money Market $206 $636 $1,091 $2,353
SERIES ADV
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU SURRENDER OR DO NOT SURRENDER
IF YOU ANNUITIZE AT THE END OF THE YOUR CONTRACT AT THE END
APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD OF THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO NAME 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Core Bond Index N/A $447 $772 $1,692 $144 $447 $772 $1,692
EQ/Equity 500 Index N/A $415 $717 $1,576 $133 $415 $717 $1,576
EQ/Money Market N/A $444 $767 $1,681 $143 $444 $767 $1,681
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Please see Appendix I at the end of this Prospectus for the unit values and the
number of units outstanding as of the end of the periods shown for each of the
variable investment options available as of December 31, 2010.
FEE TABLE 12
1. RISK FACTORS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section discusses risks associated with some features of the contract. See
"Definition of key terms" earlier in this Prospectus and "Contract features and
benefits" later in this Prospectus for more detailed explanations of terms
associated with the Structured Investment Option.
o There is a risk of a substantial loss of your principal because you agree to
absorb all losses from the portion of any negative Index Performance Rate
that exceeds the Segment Buffer for any Segment at maturity. The highest
level of protection is the -30% Segment Buffer and the lowest level of
protection is the -10% Segment Buffer at maturity.
o Your Segment Rate of Return for any Segment is limited by its Performance
Cap Rate, which could cause your Segment Rate of Return to be lower than it
would otherwise be if you invested in a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund
designed to track the performance of the applicable Index.
o The Performance Cap Rate is determined on the Segment Start Date. You will
not know the rate in advance. Prior to the Segment Start Date, you may elect
a Performance Cap Threshold. The threshold represents the minimum
Performance Cap Rate you find acceptable for a particular Segment. If we
declare a cap that is lower than the threshold you specify, you will not be
invested in that Segment and your contribution will remain in that Segment
Type Holding Account, until the next available Segment for which your
threshold is met or you provide us with alternative instructions. If you do
not specify a threshold, you risk the possibility that the Performance Cap
Rate established will have a lower cap than you would find acceptable.
Currently, we will not establish a Segment if the Performance Cap Rate would
be less than 2% for a 1-Year Segment, 6% for a 3-Year Segment or 10% for a
5-Year Segment. The Performance Cap Rate is a rate of return from the
Segment Start Date to the Segment Maturity Date, NOT an annual rate of
return, even if the Segment Duration is longer than one year. We reserve the
right to reduce or remove our current minimum threshold for setting the
Performance Cap Rate. Please see "Appendix II" later in this Prospectus for
state variations.
o The method we use in calculating your Segment Interim Value may result in an
amount lower than your Segment Investment, even if the corresponding Index
has experienced positive investment performance since the Segment Start
Date. Also, this amount may be less than the amount you would receive had
you held the investment until maturity.
-- If you take a withdrawal, including required minimum distributions, and
there is insufficient value in the variable investment options and the
Segment Type Holding Accounts, we will withdraw amounts from any active
Segments in your contract. Amounts withdrawn from active Segments will
be valued using the formula for calculating the Segment Interim Value.
-- If you die or cancel or surrender your contract before the Segment
Maturity Date, we will pay the Segment Interim Value.
-- Any calculation of the Segment Interim Value will generally be affected
by changes in both the volatility and level of the relevant Index, as
well as interest rates. The calculation of the Segment Interim Value is
linked to various factors, including the value of a basket of put and
call options on the relevant Index as described in "Appendix III" of
this Prospectus. The Segment Interim Value will generally be negatively
affected by increases in the expected volatility of index prices,
interest rate increases, and by poor market performance. All other
factors being equal, the Segment Interim Value would be lower the
earlier a withdrawal or surrender is made during a Segment. Also,
participation in upside performance for early withdrawals is pro-rated
based on the period those amounts were invested in a Segment. This means
you participate to a lesser extent in upside performance the earlier you
take a withdrawal.
o You cannot transfer out of a Segment prior to its maturity to another
investment option. You can only make withdrawals out of a Segment or
surrender your contract. The amount you would receive would be calculated
using the formula for the Segment Interim Value.
o We may not offer new Segments of any or all Segment Types, so a Segment may
not be available for you to transfer your Segment Maturity Value into after
the Segment Maturity Date.
o We have the right to substitute an alternative index prior to Segment
Maturity if the publication of one or more Indices is discontinued or at our
sole discretion we determine that our use of such Indices should be
discontinued or if the calculation of one or more of the Indices is
substantially changed. If we substitute an index for an existing Segment, we
would not change the Segment Buffer or Performance Cap Rate. We would
attempt to choose a substitute index that has a similar investment objective
and risk profile to the replaced index.
o If a Segment cannot be matured until after the scheduled Segment Start Date
for a particular month, we may create new Segments of Segment Types that
utilize unaffected Indices on the scheduled Segment Start Date. This may
occur if the Segment Maturity Date for a Segment is delayed more than once
because the value for the relevant underlying Index of the Segment is not
published on the designated Segment Maturity Date. If your instructions
include an allocation from a Segment whose Segment Maturity Date has been
delayed to a new Segment whose underlying Index is unaffected, we will not
be able to transfer that portion of your Segment Maturity Value from the
affected Segment to the unaffected Segment. We will use reasonable efforts
to allocate your Segment Maturity Value in accordance with your
instructions, which may include holding amounts in Segment Type Holding
Accounts until the next Segment Start Date.
o The amounts held in a Segment Type Holding Account may earn a return that is
less than the return you might have earned if those amounts were held in
another variable investment option.
13 RISK FACTORS
o Segment Types with greater protection tend to have lower Performance Cap
Rates than other Segment Types that use the same index and duration but
provide less protection.
o The value of your variable investment options will fluctuate and you could
lose some or all of your account value.
o The level of risk you bear and your potential investment performance will
differ depending on the investments you choose.
o If your account value falls below the applicable minimum account size as a
result of a withdrawal, the contract will terminate.
o For Series B contracts only, if you surrender your contract, any applicable
withdrawal charge is calculated as a percentage of contributions, not
account value. It is possible that the percentage of account value withdrawn
could exceed the applicable withdrawal charge percentage. For example,
assume you make a one-time contribution of $1,000 at contract issue. If your
account value is $800 in contract year 3 and you surrender your contract, a
withdrawal charge percentage of 5% is applied. The withdrawal charge would
be $50 (5% of the $1,000 contribution). This is a 6.25% reduction of your
account value, which results in a cash value of $750 paid to you.
o No company other than AXA Equitable has any legal responsibility to pay
amounts that AXA Equitable owes under the contract. An owner should look to
the financial strength of AXA Equitable for its claims-paying ability.
RISK FACTORS 14
2. HOW TO REACH US
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please communicate with us at the mailing addresses listed below for the
purposes described. Certain methods of contacting us, such as by telephone or
electronically, may be unavailable or delayed. For example, our facsimile
service may not be available at all times and/or we may be unavailable due to
emergency closing. In addition, the level and type of service available may be
restricted based on criteria established by us. In order to avoid delays in
processing, please send your correspondence and check to the appropriate
location, as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITH CHECKS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR CONTRIBUTIONS SENT BY REGULAR MAIL:
---------------------------------------
Retirement Service Solutions
P.O. Box 1577
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1577
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR CONTRIBUTIONS SENT BY EXPRESS DELIVERY:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement Service Solutions
500 Plaza Drive, 6th Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHOUT CHECKS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS (E.G., REQUESTS FOR TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS, OR
REQUIRED NOTICES) SENT BY REGULAR MAIL:
Retirement Service Solutions
P.O. Box 1547
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1547
FOR ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS (E.G., REQUESTS FOR TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS, OR
REQUIRED NOTICES) SENT BY EXPRESS DELIVERY:
Retirement Service Solutions
500 Plaza Drive, 6th Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Your correspondence will be picked up at the mailing address noted above and
delivered to our processing office. Your correspondence, however, is not
considered received by us until it is received at our processing office. Where
this Prospectus refers to the day when we receive a contribution, request,
election, notice, transfer or any other transaction request from you, we mean
the day on which that item (or the last thing necessary for us to process that
item) arrives in complete and proper form at our processing office or via the
appropriate telephone or fax number if the item is a type we accept by those
means. There are two main exceptions: if the item arrives (1) on a day that is
not a business day or (2) after the close of a business day, then, in each
case, we are deemed to have received that item on the next business day. Our
processing office is: 500 Plaza Drive, 6th Floor, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our "business day" is generally any day the NYSE is open for regular trading
and generally ends at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or as of an earlier close of
regular trading). If the Securities and Exchange Commission determines the
existence of emergency conditions on any day, and consequently, the NYSE does
not open, then that day is not a business day. For more information about our
business day and our pricing of transactions, please see "Dates and prices at
which contract events occur in "More Information" later in this Prospectus."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTS WE PROVIDE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o written confirmation of financial transactions and certain non-financial
transactions, including when money is transferred into a Segment from a
Segment Type Holding Account; when money is not transferred from a Segment
Type Holding Account into a Segment on a Segment Start Date for any reason;
when a Segment matures; when you change a Performance Cap Threshold; or when
you change your current instructions; and
o at the close of each calendar quarter for which there is a financial
transaction and statement of your contract values at the close of each
calendar year.
See "Definition of key terms" earlier in this Prospectus for a more detailed
explanation of terms associated with the Structured Investment Option.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELEPHONE OPERATED PROGRAM SUPPORT ("TOPS") AND
ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS SYSTEMS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOPS is designed to provide you with up-to-date information via touch-tone
telephone. Online Account Access is designed to provide this information
through the Internet. You can obtain information on:
o your current account value;
o your current allocation percentages;
o your Performance Cap Threshold;
o your instructions on file for allocating the Segment Maturity Value on the
Segment Maturity Date;
o the number of units you have in the variable investment options and the
Segment Type Holding Accounts;
o the daily unit values for the variable investment options and the Segment
Type Holding Accounts; and
o performance information regarding the variable investment options (not
available through TOPS).
You can also:
o elect or change your Performance Cap Threshold;
o change your allocation percentages and/or transfer among the variable
investment options (not available for transfers to Segment Type Holding
Accounts); and
o change your TOPS personal identification number ("PIN") (through TOPS only)
and your Online Account Access password (through Online Account Access
only).
15 HOW TO REACH US
With Online Account Access only you can:
o elect to receive certain contract statements electronically;
o change your address;
o elect or change your Performance Cap Threshold; and
o access "Frequently Asked Questions" and certain service forms.
TOPS and Online Account Access are normally available seven days a week, 24
hours a day. You may use TOPS by calling toll-free 1-888-909-7770. You may use
Online Account Access by visiting our website at www.axa-equitable.com and
clicking on Online Account Access. Of course, for reasons beyond our control,
these services may sometimes be unavailable.
We have established procedures to reasonably confirm that the instructions
communicated by telephone or the Internet are genuine. For example, we will
require certain personal identification information before we will act on
telephone or Internet instructions and we will provide written confirmation of
your transfers. If we do not employ reasonable procedures to confirm the
genuineness of telephone or Internet instructions, we may be liable for any
losses arising out of any act or omission that constitutes negligence, lack of
good faith, or willful misconduct. In light of our procedures, we will not be
liable for following telephone or Internet instructions we reasonably believe
to be genuine.
We reserve the right to limit access to these services if we determine that you
engaged in a disruptive transfer activity such as "market timing" (see
"Disruptive transfer activity" in "Transferring your money among investment
options" later in this Prospectus).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You may also use our toll-free number (1-877-899-3743) to speak with one of our
customer service representatives. Our customer service representatives are
available on any business day from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time.
WE REQUIRE THAT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS BE ON SPECIFIC FORMS WE
PROVIDE FOR THAT PURPOSE:
(1) authorization for transfers, including transfers of your Segment Maturity
Value on a Segment Maturity Date, by your financial professional;
(2) conversion of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA contract;
(3) tax withholding elections (see withdrawal request form);
(4) election of the beneficiary continuation option;
(5) IRA contribution recharacterizations;
(6) Section 1035 exchanges;
(7) direct transfers and specified direct rollovers;
(8) death claims;
(9) change in ownership (NQ only, if available under your contract);
(10) purchase by, or change of ownership to, a non-natural owner;
(11) requests to transfer, re-allocate, make subsequent contributions and change
your future allocations (except that certain transactions may be permitted
through TOPS and the Online Account Access systems);
(12) establishing and changing a Performance Cap Threshold;
(13) providing instructions for allocating the Segment Maturity Value on the
Segment Maturity Date; and
(14) requests for withdrawals (starting on or about August 8, 2011).
WE ALSO HAVE SPECIFIC FORMS THAT WE RECOMMEND YOU USE FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPES
OF REQUESTS:
(1) beneficiary changes; and
(2) contract surrender;
To cancel or change any of the following, we recommend that you provide the
required written notification at least seven calendar days before the next
scheduled transaction:
(1) instructions on file for allocating the Segment Maturity Value on the
Segment Maturity Date; and
(2) instructions to withdraw your Segment Maturity Value on the Segment
Maturity Date.
TO CANCEL OR CHANGE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, WE REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION
GENERALLY AT LEAST SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED TRANSACTION:
(1) the date annuity payments are to begin.
You must sign and date all these requests. Any written request that is not on
one of our forms must include your name and your contract number along with
adequate details about the notice you wish to give or the action you wish us to
take.
SIGNATURES:
The proper person to sign forms, notices and requests would normally be the
owner. If there are joint owners, both must sign.
HOW TO REACH US 16
3. CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW YOU CAN PURCHASE AND CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CONTRACT
You may purchase a contract by making payments to us that we call
"contributions." We can refuse to accept any contribution from you at any time,
including after you purchase the contract. We require a minimum contribution
amount for each type of contract purchased. Maximum contribution limitations
also apply. The following table summarizes our current rules regarding
contributions to your contract, which rules are subject to change. For a
traditional IRA contract, your initial contribution must be a direct transfer
from another traditional IRA or a rollover from an eligible retirement plan
(including another traditional IRA). For a Roth IRA contract, your initial
contribution must be a direct transfer from another Roth IRA or a rollover from
an eligible retirement plan including traditional IRA or another Roth IRA. Both
the owner and annuitant named in the contract must meet the issue age
requirements shown in the table, and contributions are based on the age of the
older of the original owner and annuitant. Subsequent contributions may not be
permitted in your state. Please see Appendix II later in this Prospectus for
any applicable state variations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We reserve the right to change our current limitations on your contributions
and to discontinue acceptance of contributions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We currently do not accept any contribution if (i) the aggregate contributions
under one or more Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contracts with the same
owner or annuitant would then total more than $1,500,000; or (ii) the aggregate
contributions under all AXA Equitable annuity accumulation contracts with the
same owner or annuitant would then total more than $2,500,000. We may waive
these and other contribution limitations based on certain criteria we determine,
including issue age, aggregate contributions, variable investment option
allocations and selling broker-dealer compensation. These and other contribution
limitations may not be applicable in your state. Please see Appendix II later in
this Prospectus for more information on state variations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The "owner" is the person who is the named owner in the contract and, if an
individual, is the measuring life for determining contract benefits. The
"annuitant" is the person who is the measuring life for determining the
contract's maturity date. The annuitant is not necessarily the contract owner.
Where the owner of a contract is non-natural, the annuitant is the measuring
life for determining contract benefits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upon advance notice to you, we may exercise certain rights we have under the
contract regarding contributions, including our rights to:
o Change our contribution requirements and limitations and our transfer rules,
including to:
-- increase or decrease our minimum contribution requirements and increase
or decrease our maximum contribution limitations;
-- discontinue the acceptance of subsequent contributions to the contract;
-- discontinue the acceptance of subsequent contributions and/or transfers
into one or more of the variable investment options; and
-- discontinue the acceptance of subsequent contributions and/or transfers
into one or more of the Segment Type Holding Accounts or the Segments.
o Further limit the number of Segment Type Holding Accounts and Segments you
may invest in at any one time.
o Limit or terminate new contributions or transfers to any variable investment
option, Segment Type Holding Account or Segment ("investment options").
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION TO DISCONTINUE THE ACCEPTANCE OF,
AND/OR PLACE ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRANSFERS INTO CERTAIN
INVESTMENT OPTIONS, INCLUDING ANY OR ALL OF THE SEGMENT TYPES. IF WE EXERCISE
THIS RIGHT, YOUR ABILITY TO INVEST IN YOUR CONTRACT, INCREASE YOUR CONTRACT
VALUE AND, CONSEQUENTLY, INCREASE YOUR DEATH BENEFIT WILL BE LIMITED.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SERIES B & SERIES ADV
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT AVAILABLE FOR OWNER AND MINIMUM SOURCE OF CONTRIBUTIONS ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON
TYPE ANNUITANT ISSUE AGES CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR CONTRACT(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NQ 0 through 85 $25,000 (initial) o After-tax money. o You may make subse-
$500 (subsequent) quent contributions to
o Paid to us by check or the contract until the
transfer of contract later of attained age 86
value in a tax or, if later, the first con-
deferred exchange under tract date anniversary.(2)
Section 1035 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Subsequent contributions may not be permitted under certain conditions in
your state. Please see Appendix II later in this Prospectus for more
information on contribution limitations in your state. In addition to the
limitations described here, we also reserve the right to refuse to accept
any contribution under the contract at any time or change our contribution
limits and requirements. We further reserve the right to discontinue the
acceptance of, or place additional limitations on, contributions to the
contract or contributions and/or transfers into any investment option at any
time.
(2) The end of each 12-month period is your "contract date anniversary." For
example, if your contract date is May 1, your contract date anniversary is
April 30.
17 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SERIES B & SERIES ADV
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT AVAILABLE FOR OWNER
TYPE AND ANNUITANT ISSUE MINIMUM SOURCE OF CONTRIBUTIONS ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS
AGES CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR CONTRACT(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Eligible rollover distribu- o You may make rollover or direct
Traditional IRA 0 through 85 $25,000 (initial) tions from 403(b) plans, transfer contributions until the
$50 (subsequent) qualified plans and govern- later of attained age 86 or the
mental employer 457(b) first contract date anniversary. (2)
plans. o Contributions made after age
o Rollovers from another 70-1/2 must be net of required
traditional individual retire- minimum distributions.
ment arrangement.
o Although we accept regular IRA
o Direct custodian-to- contributions (limited to $5,000
custodian transfers from per calendar year) under tradi-
another traditional indi- tional IRA contracts, we intend
vidual retirement that the contract be used primarily
arrangement. for rollover and direct transfer
contributions.
o Regular IRA contributions.
o Subsequent catch-up contributions
o Additional catch-up contri- of up to $1,000 per calendar year
butions. where the owner is at least age
50 but under age 70-1/2 at any
time during the calendar year for
which the contribution is made.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roth IRA 0 through 85 $25,000 (initial) o Rollovers from another o You may make rollover or direct
$50 (subsequent) Roth IRA. transfer contributions until the
later of attained age 86 or the
o Rollovers from a "desig- first contract date anniversary. (2)
nated Roth contribution
account" under specified o Conversion rollovers after age
retirement plans. 70-1/2 must be net of required
minimum distributions for the
o Conversion rollovers from a traditional IRA or other eligible
traditional IRA or other retirement plan that is the source
eligible retirement plan. of the conversion rollover.
o Direct custodian-to- o Although we accept Roth IRA
custodian transfers from contributions (limited to $5,000
another Roth IRA. per calendar year) under Roth IRA
o Regular Roth IRA contribu- contracts, we intend that the con-
tions. tract be used primarily for rollover
and direct transfer contributions.
o Additional catch-up contri- o Subsequent catch-up contributions
butions. of up to $1,000 per calendar year
where the owner is at least 50 at
any time during the calendar year
for which the contribution is
made.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Subsequent contributions may not be permitted under certain conditions in
your state. Please see Appendix II later in this Prospectus for more
information on contribution limitations in your state. In addition to the
limitations described here, we also reserve the right to refuse to accept
any contribution under the contract at any time or change our contribution
limits and requirements. We further reserve the right to discontinue the
acceptance of, or place additional limitations on, contributions to the
contract or contributions and/or transfers into any investment option at any
time.
(2) The end of each 12-month period is your "contract date anniversary." For
example, if your contract date is May 1, your contract date anniversary is
April 30.
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 18
OWNER AND ANNUITANT REQUIREMENTS
Under NQ contracts, the annuitant can be different from the owner. Only natural
persons can be joint owners. This means that an entity such as a corporation
cannot be a joint owner. We reserve the right to prohibit availability of this
contract to any non-natural owner.
For NQ contracts (with a single owner, joint owners, or a non-natural owner) we
permit the naming of joint annuitants only when the contract is purchased
through an exchange that is intended not to be taxable under Section 1035 of
the Internal Revenue Code and only where the joint annuitants are spouses.
We also permit defined benefit plan trusts to use pooled defined benefit plan
assets to purchase NQ contracts. See "Appendix VI: Purchase considerations for
defined benefit plan trustees" later in this Prospectus.
Under all IRA contracts, the owner and annuitant must be the same person. In
some cases, an IRA contract may be held in a custodial individual retirement
account for the benefit of the individual annuitant.
For the Spousal continuation feature to apply, the spouses must either be joint
owners, or, for Single owner contracts, the surviving spouse must be the sole
primary beneficiary. The determination of spousal status is made under
applicable state law. However, in the event of a conflict between federal and
state law, we follow federal rules. Certain same-sex spouses or civil union
partners may not be eligible for tax benefits under federal law and may be
required to take post-death distributions.
In general, we will not permit a contract to be owned by a minor unless it is
pursuant to the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or the Uniform Transfers to Minors
Act in your state.
In this Prospectus, when we use the terms owner and joint owner, we intend
these to be references to annuitant and joint annuitant, respectively, if the
contract has a non-natural owner. Unless otherwise stated, if the contract is
jointly owned or is issued to a non-natural owner, benefits are based on the
age of the older joint owner or older joint annuitant, as applicable.
PURCHASE CONSIDERATIONS FOR A CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST
If you are purchasing the contract to fund a charitable remainder trust and
allocate any account value to the Structured Investment Option, you should
strongly consider "split-funding": that is the trust holds investments in
addition to this Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract. Charitable
remainder trusts are required to make specific distributions. The charitable
remainder trust annual distribution requirement may be equal to a percentage of
the donated amount or a percentage of the current value of the donated amount.
If your Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract is the only source for such
distributions, you may need to take withdrawals from Segments before their
Segment Maturity Dates. See the discussion of the Structured Investment Option
later in this section.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT -- an investment option we establish with a specific Index, Segment
Duration, Segment Buffer, Segment Maturity Date and Performance Cap Rate.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE -- the Segment Business Day on which a Segment ends. This
is generally the first Segment Business Day occurring after the 13th of the
same month as the Segment Start Date in the calendar year in which the Segment
Duration ends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
Except as noted below, contributions must be by check drawn on a U.S. bank, in
U.S. dollars, and made payable to AXA Equitable. We may also apply
contributions made for NQ contracts, pursuant to an intended Section 1035
tax-free exchange or for IRA contracts, pursuant to a direct transfer. For a
traditional IRA contract, your initial contribution must be a direct transfer
from another traditional IRA or a rollover from an eligible retirement plan
(including a traditional IRA). For a Roth IRA contract, your initial
contribution must be a direct transfer from another Roth IRA or a rollover from
an eligible retirement plan including a traditional IRA or another Roth IRA. We
do not accept starter checks or travelers' checks. All checks are subject to
our ability to collect the funds. We reserve the right to reject a payment if
it is received in an unacceptable form or not in accordance with our
administrative procedures.
For your convenience, we will accept initial and subsequent contributions by
wire transmittal from certain broker-dealers who have agreements with us for
this purpose, including circumstances under which such contributions are
considered received by us when your order is taken by such broker-dealers.
These methods of payment are discussed in detail in "More information" later in
this Prospectus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The "contract date" is the effective date of a contract. This usually is the
business day we receive the properly completed and signed application, along
with any other required documents, and your initial contribution. Your contract
date will be shown in your contract. The 12 month period beginning on your
contract date and each 12 month period after that date is a "contract year."
The end of each 12 month period is your "contract date anniversary." For
example, if your contract date is May 1, your contract date anniversary is
April 30.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your contract is sold by a financial professional of AXA Advisors, AXA
Advisors will direct us to hold your initial contribution, whether received via
check or wire, in a non-interest bearing "Special Bank Account for the Exclusive
Benefit of Customers" while AXA Advisors ensures your application is complete
and that suitability standards are met. AXA Advisors will either complete this
process or instruct us to return your contribution to you within the time
requirements set by applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority ("FINRA"). Upon timely and successful completion of this review, AXA
Advisors will instruct us to transfer your contribution into our non-interest
bearing suspense account and transmit your application to us, so that we can
consider your application for processing. If the period for this review extends
through a Segment Start Date, your initial investment will not be allocated to
new Segments until the next Segment Start Date.
If your application is in good order when we receive it from AXA Advisors for
application processing purposes, your contribution will be applied within two
business days. If any information we require to issue your contract is missing
or unclear, we will hold your contribution while we try to obtain this
information. If we are unable to obtain all of the information we require
within five business days after we receive an incomplete application or form,
we will inform the financial professional submitting the application on your
behalf. We will then return the contribution to you, unless you or your
financial professional acting on your behalf, specifically direct us to keep
your contribution until we receive the required information. The contribution
will be applied as of the date we receive the missing information.
19 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
If your financial professional is with a selling broker-dealer other than AXA
Advisors, your initial contribution must generally be accompanied by a
completed application and any other form we need to process the payments. If
any information is missing or unclear, we will hold the contribution, whether
received via check or wire, in a non-interest bearing suspense account while we
try to obtain this information. If we are unable to obtain all of the
information we require within five business days after we receive an incomplete
application or form, we will inform the financial professional submitting the
application on your behalf. We will then return the contribution to you unless
you or your financial professional on your behalf, specifically direct us to
keep your contribution until we receive the required information. The
contribution will be applied as of the date we receive the missing information.
ALLOCATING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
You may allocate your contributions to one or more of the investment options.
The total number of Segments and Segment Type Holding Accounts that may be
active in your contract at any time is 70. If a transfer from a Segment Type
Holding Account into a Segment will cause a contract to exceed this limit, such
transfers will be defaulted to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
If there are multiple Segments scheduled to be established on a Segment Start
Date, new Segments will be established in the order of those that would have
the largest initial Segment Investment first until the limit of 70 is reached.
Any remaining amount that is not transferred into a Segment will then be
defaulted to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option. Allocations must
be in whole percentages and you may change your allocation percentages at any
time. However, the total of your allocations must equal 100%. Once your
contributions are allocated to the investment options they become part of your
account value. We discuss account value in "Determining your contract's value"
later in this Prospectus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT TYPE HOLDING ACCOUNT -- an account that holds all contributions and
transfers allocated to a Segment Type pending investment in a Segment. There is
a Segment Type Holding Account for each Segment Type. The Segment Type Holding
Accounts are part of the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
SEGMENT START DATE -- the Segment Business Day on which a new Segment is
established. This is generally the second Segment Business Day occurring after
the 13th of each month.
SEGMENT INVESTMENT -- the amount transferred to a Segment on its Segment Start
Date, as adjusted for any withdrawals from that Segment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The contract is between you and AXA Equitable. The contract is not an
investment advisory account, and AXA Equitable is not providing any investment
advice or managing the allocations under your contract. In the absence of a
specific written arrangement to the contrary, you, as the owner of the
contract, have the sole authority to make investment allocations and other
decisions under the contract. Your AXA Advisors financial professional is
acting as a broker-dealer registered representative, and is not authorized to
act as an investment advisor or to manage the allocations under your contract.
If your financial professional is a registered representative with a
broker-dealer other than AXA Advisors, you should speak with him/her regarding
any different arrangements that may apply, particularly with regard to any fee-
based arrangement you may have in connection with your Series ADV contract.
WHAT ARE YOUR INVESTMENT OPTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
Your investment options are the variable investment options and the Segments
comprising the Structured Investment Option. The term variable investment
options includes the Segment Type Holding Accounts unless otherwise noted. The
Segment Type Holding Accounts are part of the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option. The Structured Investment Option and the Segment Type
Holding Accounts are discussed later in this section under "Structured
Investment Option."
VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Your investment results in any one of the variable investment options will
depend on the investment performance of the underlying portfolios. You can lose
your principal when investing in the variable investment options. In periods of
poor market performance, the net return, after charges and expenses, may result
in negative yields, including for the EQ/Money Market variable investment
option. Listed below are the currently available portfolios, their investment
objectives, and their sub-advisers. We may, at any time, exercise our rights to
limit or terminate your contributions, allocations and transfers into any of
the variable investment options and to limit the number of variable investment
options you may elect.
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 20
PORTFOLIOS OF THE TRUST
We offer an affiliated Trust, which in turn offers one or more Portfolios. AXA
Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA
Equitable, serves as the investment manager of the Portfolios of EQ Advisors
Trust. For some Portfolios, AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC has
entered into sub-advisory agreements with investment advisers (the
"sub-advisers") to carry out the day-to-day investment decisions for the
Portfolios. As such, AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC oversees the
activities of the sub-advisers with respect to the Trust and is responsible for
retaining or discontinuing the services of those sub-advisers. The chart below
indicates the sub-adviser(s) for each Portfolio, if any. The chart below also
shows the currently available Portfolios and their investment objectives.
You should be aware that AXA Advisors, LLC and AXA Distributors, LLC (together,
the "Distributors") receive 12b-1 fees from affiliated Portfolios for providing
certain distribution and/or shareholder support services. These fees will not
exceed 0.25% of the Portfolios' average daily net assets. The Portfolios'
sub-advisers and/or their affiliates also contribute to the cost of expenses
for sales meetings or seminar sponsorships that may relate to the contracts
and/or the sub-advisers' respective Portfolios. It may be more profitable for
us to offer affiliated Portfolios than to offer unaffiliated Portfolios.
As a contract owner, you may bear the costs of some or all of these fees and
payments through your indirect investment in the Portfolios. (See the
Portfolios' prospectuses for more information.) These fees and payments will
reduce the underlying Portfolios' investment returns. AXA Equitable may profit
from these fees and payments.
AXA Equitable considers the availability of these fees and payment arrangements
during the selection process for the underlying Portfolios. These fees and
payment arrangements may create an incentive for us to select Portfolios (and
classes of shares of Portfolios) that pay us higher amounts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST
(CLASS IB SHARES)
PORTFOLIO NAME OBJECTIVE SUB-ADVISER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/CORE BOND INDEX Seeks to achieve a total return before expenses that o SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
approximates the total return performance of the Barclays
Capital Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index,
including reinvestment of dividends, at a risk level consis-
tent with that of the Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S.
Government/Credit Index.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/EQUITY 500 INDEX Seeks to achieve a total return before expenses that o AllianceBernstein L.P.
approximates the total return performance of the S&P
500 Index, including reinvestment of dividends, at a risk
level consistent with that of the S&P 500 Index.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/MONEY MARKET Seeks to obtain a high level of current income, preserve o The Dreyfus Corporation
its assets and maintain liquidity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS AND CHARGES AND EXPENSES
OF THE PORTFOLIOS CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING. THE PROSPECTUSES FOR THE TRUST
CONTAIN THIS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIOS. THE
PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING. IN ORDER TO OBTAIN
COPIES OF THE TRUST PROSPECTUSES THAT DO NOT ACCOMPANY THIS PROSPECTUS, YOU MAY
CALL ONE OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT 1-877-899-3743.
21 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
The Structured Investment Option consists of 15 Segment Types, each of which
provides a rate of return tied to the performance of a specified Securities or
Commodities Index. Each month, you have the opportunity to invest in any of the
Segment Types described below, subject to the requirements, limitations and
procedures disclosed in this section. You participate in the performance of an
Index by investing in the corresponding Segment. Investments in Segments are
not investments in underlying mutual funds; Segments are not "index funds."
SEGMENT TYPES
We currently offer a total of 15 Segment Types. We intend to offer each Segment
Type each month, with a Segment Start Date which is generally the second Segment
Business Day occurring after the 13th of the month. We are not obligated to
offer any one particular Segment Type. Also, we are not obligated to offer any
Segment Types. Each investment in a Segment Type that starts on a particular
Segment Start Date is a Segment. A Segment Type refers to Segments that have the
same Index, Segment Duration, and Segment Buffer. Each Segment Type has a
corresponding Segment Type Holding Account. Please refer to the "Definitions of
key terms" section earlier in this Prospectus for a discussion of these terms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT BUSINESS DAY -- a business day that all Indices underlying available
Segments are scheduled to be open and to publish prices. A scheduled holiday
for any one Index disqualifies that day from being scheduled as a Segment
Business Day for all Segments. We use Segment Business Days in this manner so
that, based on published holiday schedules, we mature all Segments on the same
day and start all new Segments on a subsequent day. This design, among other
things, facilitates the roll over of maturing Segment Investments into new
Segments. It is possible that due to emergency conditions, an Index cannot
provide a price on a day that was scheduled to be a Segment Business Day. These
unforeseen events can have two results. (1) If the NYSE experiences an
emergency close and cannot publish a price, we cannot mature or start any
Segments for any Index. (2) If any Index other than the NYSE experiences an
emergency close and cannot publish a price, we will mature or start Segments
for all unaffected Indices.
SEGMENT DURATION -- the period from the Segment Start Date to the Segment
Maturity Date. We currently offer Segment Durations of 1 year, 3 years or 5
years.
SEGMENT BUFFER -- the portion of any negative Index Performance Rate that we
absorb on a Segment Maturity Date for a particular Segment. Any percentage
decline in a Segment's Index Performance Rate in excess of the Segment Buffer
reduces your Segment Maturity Value. We currently offer Segment Buffers of
-10%, -20% and -30%.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following chart lists the current Segment Types:
-----------------------------------------------------------
INDEX SEGMENT DURATION SEGMENT BUFFER
-----------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Price Return 5 year -10%; -20%; -30%
Index
S&P 500 Price Return 3 year -10%; -20%
Index
S&P 500 Price Return 1 year -10%
Index
Russell 2000 Price 5 year -10%; -20%; -30%
Return Index
Russell 2000 Price 3 year -10%; -20%
Return Index
Russell 2000 Price 1 year -10%
Return Index
MSCI EAFE Price 1 year -10%
Return Index
Gold Index(1) 1 year -10%
Oil Index(1) 1 year -10%
(1) Available in IRA contracts only.
AT MATURITY, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROTECTION IS THE -30% SEGMENT BUFFER AND
LOWEST LEVEL OF PROTECTION IS THE -10% SEGMENT BUFFER.
The Indices are described in more detail below, under the heading "Indices."
Each Segment has a Performance Cap Rate that we set on the Segment Start Date.
See "Performance Cap Rate" below. For example, a Segment could be S&P 500 Price
Return Index/3 year/-20%/ September 2014 with a 30% Performance Cap Rate
declared on the Segment Start Date. This means that you will participate in the
performance of the S&P 500 Price Return Index for three years starting from the
September 2011 Segment Start Date. If the Index performs positively during this
period, your rate of return at maturity could be as much as 30% for that
Segment Duration. If the Index performs negatively during this period, at
maturity you will be protected from the first 20% of the Index's decline. If
the Index performance is between -20% and 0%, your Segment Return Amount at
maturity will equal your Segment Investment. PLEASE NOTE, SEGMENT TYPES WITH
GREATER PROTECTION TEND TO HAVE LOWER PERFORMANCE CAP RATES THAN OTHER SEGMENT
TYPES THAT USE THE SAME INDEX AND DURATION BUT PROVIDE LESS PROTECTION.
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE -- the highest Segment Rate of Return that can be credited
on a Segment Maturity Date. The Performance Cap Rate is not an annual rate of
return.
INDEX PERFORMANCE RATE -- for a Segment, the percentage change in the value of
the related Index from the Segment Start Date to the Segment Maturity Date. The
Index Performance Rate may be positive or negative.
PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD -- the minimum rate you may specify as a
participation requirement that the Performance Cap Rate for a new Segment must
equal or exceed in order for amounts to be transferred from a Segment Type
Holding Account into a new Segment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOTH THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE AND THE SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN ARE RATES OF
RETURN FROM THE SEGMENT START DATE TO THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE, NOT ANNUAL
RATES OF RETURN, EVEN IF THE SEGMENT DURATION IS LONGER THAN ONE YEAR.
THEREFORE THE INDEX PERFORMANCE RATE AND THE PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD ARE ALSO
NOT ANNUAL RATES. The performance of the Index, the Performance Cap Rate and
the Segment Buffer are all measured from the Segment Start Date to the Segment
Maturity Date, and the Performance Cap Rate and Segment Buffer apply if you
hold the Segment until the Segment Maturity Date. If you surrender or cancel
your contract, die or make a withdrawal from a Segment before the Segment
Maturity Date, the Segment Buffer will not necessarily apply to the extent it
would on the Segment Maturity Date, and any upside performance will be limited
to a percentage lower than the Performance Cap Rate. Please see "Your
contract's value in the Structured Investment Option" in "Determining your
contract's value" later in this Prospectus. A partial withdrawal from a Segment
does not affect the Performance Cap Rate and Segment Buffer that apply to any
remaining amounts that are held in the Segment through the Segment Maturity
Date.
We reserve the right to offer any or all Segment Types less frequently than
monthly or to stop offering any or all of them or to suspend offering any or
all of them temporarily. Please see "Suspension, termination and changes to
Segment Types" later in this section. All Segment Types may not be available in
all states. We may also add Segment Types in the future.
The total number of Segments and Segment Type Holding Accounts that may be
active on a contract at any time is 70.
INDICES
The performance of a Segment of each Segment Type is based on the performance
of an Index. We offer Segment Types based on two types of Indices: Indices
based on the performance of securities ("Securities Indices") and Indices based
on the performance of commodities ("Commodities Indices").
SECURITIES INDICES. The following Securities Indices are currently available:
S&P 500 Price Return Index. The S&P 500 Price Return Index was established by
Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 Price Return Index includes 500 leading
companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy, capturing 75% coverage of
U.S. equities. The S&P 500 Price Return Index does not include dividends
declared by any of the companies included in this Index.
Russell 2000 Price Return Index. The Russell 2000 Price Return Index was
established by Russell Investments. The Russell 2000 Price Return Index
measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe.
The Russell 2000 Price Return Index is a subset of the Russell 3000(R) Index
representing approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of that index.
It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a
combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Russell 2000
Price Return Index does not include dividends declared by any of the companies
included in this Index.
MSCI EAFE Price Return Index. The MSCI EAFE Price Return Index was established
by MSCI Barra. The MSCI EAFE Price Return Index is a free float-adjusted market
capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance
of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada. As of May 27, 2010 the MSCI
EAFE Index consisted of the following 22 developed market country indices:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong
Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The
MSCI EAFE Price Return Index does not include dividends declared by any of the
companies included in this Index.
COMMODITIES INDICES (available in IRA contracts only). The following
Commodities Indices are currently available:
Gold Index. The Gold Index is the "London Gold Market Fixing Ltd PM Fix Price
/USD" as published by the London Gold/Market Fixing LTD at 3 p.m. London Time.
For historical performance information go to www.lbma.org.uk to see the current
London gold price. We use the USD PM price. Go to `Statistics / Historical
Statistics / Gold Fixings' for daily price data back to 1968.
Oil Index . The Oil Index is the "NYMEX West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil
Generic Front-Month Futures" contract price. We use the closing price on the
NYMEX designated market of the New York Mercantile Exchange. For historical
performance information go to http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/energy/crude-oil/
light-sweet-crude-cash-settled.html to see the current Oil price. Go to `Charts'
for historic price information.
Please see Appendix IV later in this Prospectus for important information
regarding the publishers of the Indices.
SEGMENT TYPE HOLDING ACCOUNTS
Any contribution or transfer designated for a Segment Type will be allocated to
the corresponding Segment Type Holding Account until the Segment Start Date.
The Segment Type Holding Accounts are part of the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option. The Segment Type Holding Accounts have the same rate of
return as the EQ/Money Market variable investment option. You must transfer or
contribute to the Segment Type Holding Account for the corresponding Segment
Type if you want to invest in a Segment; you cannot transfer or contribute
directly to a Segment.
You can transfer amounts from a Segment Type Holding Account into any of the
variable investment options, or another Segment Type Holding Account at any
time up to the close of business on the last business day before the Segment
Start Date.
SEGMENT START DATE
Each Segment will have a Segment Start Date, which is generally the second
Segment Business Day occurring after the 13th of the month. However, the
Segment Start Date may sometimes be a later date under certain circumstances.
Please see "Setting the Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date" below.
23 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE
The Performance Cap Rate is the maximum Segment Rate of Return that each
Segment will be credited with on the Segment Maturity Date. We will declare a
Performance Cap Rate for each Segment on the Segment Start Date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN -- if the Index Performance Rate is positive, then the
Segment Rate of Return is a rate equal to the Index Performance Rate, but not
more than the Performance Cap Rate. If the Index Performance Rate is negative,
but declines by a percentage less than or equal to the Segment Buffer, then the
Segment Rate of Return is 0%. If the Index Performance Rate is negative, and
declines by more than the Segment Buffer, then the Segment Rate of Return is
negative, but will not reflect the first -10%, -20% or -30% of downside
performance, depending on the Segment Buffer applicable to that Segment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note that this means that you will not know the Performance Cap Rate for
a new Segment until after your account value has been transferred from the
corresponding Segment Type Holding Account into the Segment. You may not
transfer out of a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date. Please see
"Transfers" below. For this reason, we permit you to specify a Performance Cap
Threshold, which we describe below under "Segment Participation Requirements."
For more information regarding transfer restrictions, please see "Transferring
your account value" later in this Prospectus.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE AND SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN ARE RATES
OF RETURN FROM THE SEGMENT START DATE TO THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE, NOT ANNUAL
RATES, EVEN IF THE SEGMENT DURATION IS LONGER THAN ONE YEAR. THE PERFORMANCE
CAP RATE IS SET AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION.
SEGMENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
All amounts in a Segment Type Holding Account as of the close of business on
the business day preceding the Segment Start Date, plus any earnings on those
amounts, will be transferred into the Segment on the Segment Start Date,
provided that all participation requirements are met.
Amounts transferred into a Segment Type Holding Account on a Segment Start Date
will not be included in any new Segment created that day. These amounts will
remain in the Segment Type Holding Account until they are transferred out or
the next Segment Start Date on which the participation requirements are met for
the amounts to be transferred into a new Segment.
If you change your Performance Cap Threshold on a Segment Start Date, that
Performance Cap Threshold will not affect the participation requirements for any
Segment created that day. For example if you have a Performance Cap Threshold on
file of 12%, but change it to 15% on a Segment Start Date, any amounts in that
Segment Type Holding Account will be transferred into a new Segment of that
Segment Type that we create that day with a Participation Cap Rate of 13%, if
the other participation requirements are met.
The following participation requirements must be met on a Segment Start Date in
order for any amount designated for a Segment Type to be transferred from a
Segment Type Holding Account into the designated new Segment: (1) Segment is
available; (2) Segment Maturity Date Requirement is met; and (3) Performance
Cap Threshold is met. If these requirements are met, your account value in the
Segment Type Holding Account will be transferred into a new Segment. This
amount is your initial Segment Investment.
(1) SEGMENT IS AVAILABLE. We may suspend or terminate any Segment Type, at our
sole discretion, at any time. If we terminate a Segment Type, no new Segments
of that Segment Type will be created, and the amount that would have been
transferred to the Segment will be transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option instead. If we suspend a Segment Type, no new Segments of
that Segment Type will be created until the suspension ends, and the amount
that would have been transferred to the Segment will remain in the Segment Type
Holding Account.
(2) SEGMENT MATURITY DATE REQUIREMENT IS MET. The Segment Maturity Date must
occur on or before the contract maturity date. If the Segment Maturity Date is
after the contract maturity date, your account value in the Segment Type
Holding Account will be transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable investment
option.
(3) PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD IS MET. When you allocate a contribution or
transfer to a Segment Type, you may specify a Performance Cap Threshold in a
whole percentage rate. Your value in the Segment Type Holding Account will not
be transferred into the corresponding Segment unless the Performance Cap Rate
we declare on the Segment Start Date is equal to or higher than your
Performance Cap Threshold, and the other participation requirements are met.
For example, you may specify a Performance Cap Threshold of 10%. If we set a
Performance Cap Rate of 10% or higher for the next available Segment of that
Segment Type, then we will transfer the applicable account value to the new
Segment, provided all other requirements and conditions are met. However, if we
set the Performance Cap Rate at 9.9% for that Segment, the applicable account
value would not be transferred to the new Segment.
If you have allocated amounts to multiple Segment Types in a particular month,
you may specify a different Performance Cap Threshold for each Segment Type.
If you specify a Performance Cap Threshold, it will remain in effect until the
later of 90 days after we receive your election and the date amounts in the
Segment Type Holding Account are transferred into a Segment. If you specify a
Performance Cap Threshold on the required form in connection with your
application, the 90 days will be measured from your contract date.
If you do not specify a Performance Cap Threshold, then we will transfer your
account value from the Segment Type Holding Account into a Segment, regardless
of how low the Performance Cap Rate may be if the other participation
requirements are met.
Once your account value has been swept from a Segment Type Holding Account into
a Segment, transfers into or out of that Segment before its Segment Maturity
Date are not permitted.
We permit you, but do not require you, to specify a Performance Cap Threshold
so that you have additional flexibility in managing your contract. The
Performance Cap Threshold is an option for owners who want to invest in a
particular Segment Type only if we set a Performance Cap Rate at a certain
level or higher.
The threshold represents the minimum Performance Cap Rate you find acceptable
for a particular Segment. If we declare a cap that is lower than the threshold
you specify, you will not be invested in that Segment and your contribution
will remain in that Segment Type Holding Account, until the next available
Segment for which your threshold is met or you provide us with alternative
instructions. We do not require that you select a Performance Cap Threshold
because some owners
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 24
may wish to invest in a Segment regardless of the particular Performance Cap
Rate. If you do not specify a threshold, you risk the possibility that the
Performance Cap Rate established will have a lower cap on returns than you would
otherwise find acceptable. You may wish to discuss with your financial
professional whether to specify a Performance Cap Threshold and, if so, at what
percentage.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE
Your Segment Maturity Date is generally the first Segment Business Day
occurring after the 13th day of the same month as the Segment Start Date in the
calendar year in which the Segment Duration ends. However, the Segment Maturity
Date in a particular month may be a later date under certain circumstances.
Please see "Setting the Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date" below.
You may tell us how to allocate the Segment Maturity Value among the investment
options. You may tell us either to follow your allocation instructions on file
for new contributions, to withdraw all or part of your Segment Maturity Value,
or to transfer your Segment Maturity Value to the next available Segment of the
same Segment Type, provided the participation requirements are met.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT MATURITY VALUE -- the value of your investment in a Segment on the
Segment Maturity Date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated above, you may elect to have maturing Segments invested according to
your allocations on file, and those instructions may include allocations to a
Segment Type, or you may elect to transfer your Segment Maturity Value to the
next available Segment of the same Segment Type in which you are currently
invested. If you take either of these steps, then the designated portion of
your Segment Maturity Value will be transferred to the corresponding Segment
Type Holding Account, as of the close of business on the Segment Maturity Date.
Assuming that all participation requirements are met, the designated amounts
will be treated like any other amounts in a Segment Type Holding Account. On
the next Segment Start Date, the designated amounts in the Segment Type Holding
Account will be transferred into the corresponding Segment. Typically, this
means the designated amounts would be held in a Segment Type Holding Account
for one business day.
If you have not provided us with maturity instructions, the Segment Maturity
Value will be transferred to the Segment Type Holding Account for the same
Segment Type as the maturing Segment. Your Segment Maturity Value would then be
transferred from that Segment Type Holding Account into the next Segment of that
Segment Type on the Segment Start Date per your maturity instructions we have on
file. If the next Segment to be created in the Segment Type would not meet the
Segment Maturity Date Requirement or that Segment Type has been terminated, we
will instead transfer your Segment Maturity Value to the EQ/Money Market
variable investment option. Alternatively, if you designate a Performance Cap
Threshold that is not met on the next Segment Start Date or if the Segment Type
has been suspended, your Segment Maturity Value will remain in the Segment Type
Holding Account. If you are impacted by these delays, you may transfer your
Segment Maturity Value into another Segment Type Holding Account or any other
variable investment option at any time before the next month's Segment Start
Date.
SEGMENT MATURITY VALUE
On the Segment Maturity Date, we calculate your Segment Maturity Value using
your Segment Investment and the Segment Rate of Return. The Segment Rate of
Return is equal to the Index Performance Rate, subject to the Performance Cap
Rate and Segment Buffer, as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN WILL
IF THE INDEX PERFORMANCE RATE: BE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
goes up by more than the positive, equal to the
Performance Cap Rate Performance Cap Rate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
goes up by less than the positive, equal to the Index
Performance Cap Rate Performance Rate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
stays flat or goes down by a equal to 0%
percentage equal to or less
than the Segment Buffer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
goes down by a percentage negative, to the extent of the
greater than the Segment Buffer percentage exceeding the Seg-
ment Buffer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Segment Maturity Value is calculated as follows:
We multiply your Segment Investment by your Segment Rate of Return to get your
Segment Return Amount. Your Segment Maturity Value is equal to your Segment
Investment plus or minus your Segment Return Amount. Your Segment Return Amount
may be negative, in which case your Segment Maturity Value will be less than
your Segment Investment. All of these values are based on the value of the
relevant Index on the Segment Start Date and the Segment Maturity Date. Any
fluctuations in the value of the Index between those dates is ignored in
calculating the Segment Maturity Value.
For example, assume that you invest $1,000 in an S&P 500 Price Return Index,
3-year Segment with a -20% Segment Buffer, we set the Performance Cap Rate for
that Segment at 17%, and you make no withdrawal from the Segment. If the S&P
500 Price Return Index is 20% higher on the Segment Maturity Date than on the
Segment Start Date, you will receive a 17% Segment Rate of Return, and your
Segment Maturity Value would be $1,170. We reach that amount as follows:
o The Index Performance Rate (20%) is greater than the Performance Cap Rate
(17%), so the Segment Rate of Return (17%) is equal to the Performance Cap
Rate.
o The Segment Return Amount ($170) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (17%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($1,170) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount ($170).
If the S&P Price Return Index is only 15% higher on the Segment Maturity Date
than on the Segment Start Date, then you will receive a 15% Segment Rate of
Return, and your Segment Maturity Value would be $1,150. We reach that amount
as follows:
o The Index Performance Rate (15%) is less than the Performance Cap Rate
(17%), so the Segment Rate of Return (15%) is equal to the Index Performance
Rate.
o The Segment Return Amount ($150) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (15%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($1,150) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount ($150).
25 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
If the S&P Price Return Index is -10% lower on the Segment Maturity Date than
on the Segment Start Date, then you will receive a 0% Segment Rate of Return,
and your Segment Maturity Value would be $1,000. We reach that amount as
follows:
o The Index Performance Rate is -10% and the Segment Buffer absorbs the first
-20% of negative performance, so the Segment Rate of Return is 0%.
o The Segment Return Amount ($0) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (0%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($1,000) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount ($0).
If the S&P Price Return Index is -30% lower on the Segment Maturity Date than
on the Segment Start Date, then you will receive a -10% Segment Rate of Return,
and your Segment Maturity Value would be $900. We reach that amount as follows:
o The Index Performance Rate is -30% and the Segment Buffer absorbs the first
-20% of negative performance, so the Segment Rate of Return is -10%.
o The Segment Return Amount (-$100) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (-10%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($900) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount (-$100).
SETTING THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE AND SEGMENT START DATE
There will be a Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date each month that
the contract is outstanding. The Segment Maturity Date for Segments maturing in
a given month and the Segment Start Date for new Segments starting in that same
month will always be scheduled to occur on the first two consecutive business
days that are also Segment business days occurring after the 13th of a month.
There will be no Segment Maturity Dates until we have been offering this
contract to the public for at least one year, so until October, 2011 the
Segment Start Date will be the first Segment Business Day after the 14th of the
month.
Please see Appendix V later in this prospectus for a demonstration of the
effects that weekends and scheduled holidays can have on the Segment Maturity
Date and the Segment Start Date.
EFFECT OF AN EMERGENCY CLOSE. Segments are scheduled to mature and start on
Segment Business Days. The Segment Maturity Date for Segments maturing in a
given month and the Segment Start Date for new Segments starting in that same
month will always occur on the first two consecutive business days that are also
Segment Business Days occurring after the 13th of the month. It is possible that
an Index could experience an emergency close on a Segment Business Date, thereby
affecting the Index's ability to publish a price and our ability to mature or
start Segments based on the affected Index. Emergency closes can have two
consequences.
1. If the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") experiences an emergency close and
cannot publish any prices, we will delay the maturity or start of all
Segments for all Indices.
2. If any Index other than the NYSE experiences an emergency close, we will
delay the maturity and start of the Segments using the affected Index and
mature or start Segments for all unaffected Indices.
The emergency closure of an INDEX OTHER THAN THE NYSE can have a different
effect if it occurs on a Segment Maturity Date rather than a Segment Start
Date.
o If an emergency close occurs on a scheduled Segment Maturity Date, then the
Segment Maturity Date for that Segment will be delayed until the next
Segment Business Day. The next Segment Business Day would be the Segment
Start Date. If the emergency close only lasted that one day, the Segment
Start Date and the Segment Maturity Date for the affected Segment would
occur on the same day.
-- For example, assume Monday the 14th is the scheduled Segment Maturity
Date in a given month. If the NYMEX does not open due to an emergency
condition, there would be no reference price that day for the Oil Index.
If the NYSE opened on the 14th, the S&P 500 Price Return Index and
Russell 2000 Price Return Index would be published. In this case, the
Segment Maturity Date for any Segments based on the S&P 500 Price Return
Index or Russell 2000 Price Return Index would be Monday the 14th. Any
Segment based on the Oil Index that was scheduled to mature on the 14th
of that month could not mature, because we would not have a price with
which to calculate the Segment Maturity Value. This would mean the
Segment Maturity Date for Segments that utilize the S&P 500 Price Return
Index or Russell 2000 Price Return Index would be Monday the 14th, and
if the NYMEX opens on the Tuesday the 15th the Segment Maturity Date for
Segments that utilize the Oil Index would be Tuesday the 15th. However,
the Segment Start Date for all new Segments created that month
(including both those that utilize the S&P 500 Price Return Index or
Russell 2000 Price Return Index and those that utilize the Oil Index)
would be Tuesday the 15th.
o If an emergency close occurs on an Index other than the NYSE on a scheduled
Segment Start Date, then we would not create Segments that utilize the
affected Index. However, on that day we would create Segments that utilize
unaffected Indices. Consequently, Segment Maturity Values designated for
Segment Types that utilize an affected Index would not be allocated to
Segments that month and would remain in the corresponding Segment Type
Holding Account.
-- For example, assume that the only the Oil Index could not mature on the
14th or the 15th. This would mean that the Segment Maturity Date for
Segments that utilize the S&P 500 Price Return Index or the Russell 2000
Price Return Index would be Monday the 14th and the Segment Start Date
for those indices would be Tuesday the 15th. However, Segments that
utilize the Oil Index would be matured at the next available price after
the 15th and, consequently, could not participate in Segments
established for that month. The resulting Segment Maturity Values would
remain in the corresponding Segment Type Holding Account until the
following month or until further instruction was provided from the
contract owner.
If the conditions that cause an emergency close persist, we will use reasonable
efforts to calculate the Segment Maturity Value of any affected Segments. If
the affected Index cannot be priced within eight
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 26
days, we will contact a calculating agency, normally a bank we have a
contractual relationship with, which will determine a price to reflect a
reasonable estimate of the Index level.
SUSPENSION, TERMINATION AND CHANGES TO SEGMENT TYPES AND INDICES
We may decide at any time until the close of business on each Segment Start
Date whether to offer any or all of the Segment Types described in this
Prospectus on a Segment Start Date for a particular Segment. We may suspend a
Segment Type for a month or a period of several months, or we may terminate a
Segment Type entirely.
If a Segment Type is suspended, your account value will remain in the Segment
Type Holding Account until a Segment of that Segment Type is offered or you
transfer out of the Segment Type Holding Account.
If a Segment Type is terminated, your account value in the corresponding
Segment Type Holding Account will be defaulted into the EQ/Money Market
variable investment option on the date that would have been the Segment Start
Date.
We have the right to substitute an alternative index prior to Segment Maturity
if the publication of one or more Indices is discontinued or at our sole
discretion we determine that our use of such Indices should be discontinued or
if the calculation of one or more of the Indices is substantially changed. In
addition, we reserve the right to use any or all reasonable methods to end any
outstanding Segments that use such Indices. We also have the right to add
additional Indices under the contract at any time. We would provide notice
about the use of additional or alternative Indices, as soon as practicable, in
a supplement to this Prospectus. If an alternative index is used, its
performance could impact the Index Performance Rate, Segment Rate of Return,
Segment Maturity Value and Segment Interim Value. An alternative index would
not change the Segment Buffer or Performance Cap Rate for an existing Segment.
If a similar index cannot be found, we will end the affected Segments
prematurely by applying the Performance Cap Rate and Segment Buffer that were
established on the applicable Segment Start Date to the actual gains or losses
on the original Index as of the date of termination. We would attempt to choose
a substitute index that has a similar investment objective and risk profile to
the replaced index. For example, if the Russell 2000 Price Return Index were
not available, we might use the NASDAQ or the S&P 400 Price Return Index.
We reserve the right to offer any or all Segment Types less frequently than
monthly or to stop offering any or all of them or to suspend offering any or
all of them temporarily. If we stop offering or suspend certain Segment Types,
each existing Segment of those Segment Types will remain invested until its
respective Segment Maturity Date.
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL WITHIN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your contract, you may exercise
your cancellation right under the contract to receive a refund. To exercise this
cancellation right, you must notify us with a signed letter of instruction
electing this right, to our processing office within 10 days after you receive
your contract. If state law requires, this "free look" period may be longer.
Other state variations may apply. Please contact your financial professional
and/or see Appendix II to find out what applies in your state.
Generally, your refund will equal your account value under the contract on the
day we receive written notification of your decision to cancel the contract and
will reflect any investment gain or loss in the investment options (less the
daily charges we deduct) through the date we receive your contract. This
includes the Segment Interim Value for amounts allocated to existing Segments.
Some states, however, require that we refund the full amount of your
contribution (not reflecting investment gain or loss). For any IRA contract
returned to us within seven days after you receive it, we are required to
refund the full amount of your contribution.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE -- the value of your investment in a Segment prior to the
Segment Maturity Date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We may require that you wait six months before you may apply for a contract
with us again if:
o you cancel your contract during the free look period; or
o you change your mind before you receive your contract whether we have
received your contribution or not.
Please see "Tax information" later in this Prospectus for possible consequences
of cancelling your contract.
If you fully convert an existing traditional IRA contract to a Roth IRA
contract, you may cancel your Roth IRA contract and return to a traditional IRA
contract. Our processing office, or your financial professional, can provide
you with the cancellation instructions.
In addition to the cancellation right described above, you have the right to
surrender your contract, rather than cancel it. Please see "Surrendering your
contract to receive its cash value" in "Accessing your money" later in this
Prospectus. Surrendering your contract may yield results different than
canceling your contract, including a greater potential for taxable income. In
some cases, your cash value upon surrender may be greater than your
contributions to the contract. Please see "Tax information," later in this
Prospectus.
CONTRACT CANCELLATION PROVISION FOR LACK OF SEGMENT
In addition to your right to cancel within a certain number of days, as
described in the previous section, you may also cancel your contract under
certain other conditions.
If you allocate all or a portion of your initial investment to Segment Type
Holding Accounts on your application, and no Segments are created in any of the
corresponding Segment Types on the first Segment Start Date following your
contract's issue date, you may cancel your contract, without paying any
applicable withdrawal charges. You may exercise this cancellation right by
mailing the contract, with a signed letter of instruction electing this right,
to our processing office by the first day of the month following the first
Segment Start Date after your contract date. If you transfer any amounts into
or out of any Segment Type Holding Accounts prior to the first Segment Start
Date under your contract, you will give up this right.
If your state's law requires that we refund the full amount of your
contribution upon cancellation, and you are within the time period specified by
your state's law to exercise your right to cancel, then you will receive the
full amount of your contribution. If that time has expired before we receive
your contract, or if your state's law does not require that we return the full
amount of your contribution, we will refund your account value, as described in
the previous section.
PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL PROVISION FOR LACK OF SEGMENT
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to terminate or suspend Segment
Types. It is possible that when you designate your entire ini-
27 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
tial investment to more than one Segment Type Holding Account, or to one or more
variable investment options and one or more Segment Type Holding Accounts on
your application, no Segments are created in some or all of the corresponding
Segment Types on the first Segment Start Date following your contract date
because we have exercised our right to terminate or suspend those Segment Types.
If the Segment Type has been suspended, you may request that we return to you
the amount of your initial contribution to any Segment Type Holding Account from
which no Segment was created. The amount we return to you will not be greater
than your account value in the corresponding Segment Type Holding Accounts on
the date your request is received at our processing office. If the Segment Type
has been terminated and the account value in the Segment Type Holding Account
has been transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option, then the
amount we return to you may not be greater than the amount transferred from the
Segment Type Holding Account to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
Under these circumstances, we will not assess any otherwise applicable
withdrawal charge on amounts returned to you. You will have until the first day
of the month following the first Segment Start Date to exercise this right.
Exercising this right will not cancel the rest of your contract.
You may also exercise this right if you make (i) a subsequent contribution,
(ii) a contribution or transfer pursuant to an intended Section 1035 tax-free
exchange, or (iii) a IRA direct transfer, after your contract's issue date. In
these cases, we will measure your ability to exercise this right using the
Segment Start Date after we receive funds at our processing office, rather than
your contract date.
We reserve the right to change or cancel this provision at any time.
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 28
4. DETERMINING YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE AND CASH VALUE
Your "account value" is the total of: (i) the values you have in the variable
investment options, (ii) the values you have in the Segment Type Holding
Accounts and (iii) your Segment Interim Values.
Your Series B contract also has a "cash value." At any time before annuity
payments begin, your contract's cash value is equal to the account value less
any applicable withdrawal charges. Please see "Surrender of your contract to
receive its cash value" in "Accessing your money" later in this Prospectus.
For Series ADV contracts, at any time before annuity payments begin, your
contract's cash value is equal to its account value.
If you have a Series ADV contract, disregard any references to "withdrawal
charges" or "free withdrawal amount" in this section; these terms only apply to
Series B contracts, not Series ADV contracts.
YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE IN THE VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS AND SEGMENT TYPE
HOLDING ACCOUNTS
Each variable investment option and Segment Type Holding Account invests in
shares of a corresponding portfolio. Your value in each variable investment
option and Segment Type Holding Account is measured by "units." The value of
your units will increase or decrease as though you had invested it in the
corresponding portfolio's shares directly. Your value, however, will be reduced
by the amount of the fees and charges that we deduct under the contract.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units measure your value in each variable investment option.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The unit value for each variable investment option and Segment Type Holding
Account depends on the investment performance of that option minus daily
charges for the Contract fee. Each Segment Type Holding Account is part of the
EQ/Money Market variable investment option. On any day, your value in any
variable investment option or Segment Type Holding Account equals the number of
units credited to that option, adjusted for any units purchased for or deducted
from your contract under that option, multiplied by that day's value for one
unit. The number of your contract units in any variable investment option or
Segment Type Holding Account does not change unless it is:
(i) increased to reflect additional contributions;
(ii) decreased to reflect a withdrawal (including applicable withdrawal
charges); or
(iii) increased to reflect a transfer into, or decreased to reflect a transfer
out of, a variable investment option and Segment Type Holding Account.
A description of how unit values are calculated is found in the SAI.
YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE IN THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
Your value in each Segment on the Segment Maturity Date is calculated as
described under "Segment Rate of Return" in "Contract Features and Benefits"
earlier in this Prospectus.
In setting the Performance Cap Rate that we use in calculating the Segment
Maturity Value, we assume that you are going to hold a Segment until the
Segment Maturity Date. However, you have the right under the contract to access
amounts in the Segments before the Segment Maturity Date under certain
circumstances. Therefore, we calculate a Segment Interim Value on each business
day, which is also a Segment Business Day, between the Segment Start Date and
the Segment Maturity Date. The method we use to calculate the Segment Interim
Value is different than the method we use to calculate the value of the Segment
on the Segment Maturity Date. Prior to the Segment Maturity Date, we use the
Segment Interim Value to calculate (1) your account value; (2) the amount your
beneficiary would receive as a death benefit; (3), the amount you would receive
if you make a withdrawal from a Segment; (4) the amount you would receive if
you surrender your contract; or (5) the amount you would receive if you cancel
your contract and return it to us for a refund within your state's "free look"
period (unless your state requires that we refund the full amount of your
contribution upon cancellation).
The Segment Interim Value is calculated based on a formula that provides a
treatment for an early distribution that is designed to be consistent with how
distributions at the end of a Segment are treated. Appendix III later in this
Prospectus sets forth in detail the specific calculation formula as well as
numerous hypothetical examples. The formula is calculated by adding the fair
value of three components. These components provide us with a market value
estimate of the risk of loss and the possibility of gain at the end of a
Segment. As detailed in Appendix III, these components are used to calculate
the Segment Interim Value. The three components are:
(1) Fair value of fixed instruments is calculated as the present value of the
Segment Investment (using a risk-free swap interest rate for the remaining
duration of the Segment). We use this component because we are forgoing the
opportunity to earn interest on the Segment Investment by having to make an
early distribution.
PLUS
----
(2) Fair value of derivatives is calculated by using the Black Scholes model,
as described in Appendix III, to value three hypothetical options (one put
and two call options) on the index underlying the Segment. The put option
is used to estimate the potential losses at Segment Maturity. The call
options are used to estimate the potential gains at Segment Maturity. The
value of these options also reflects the limits on positive performance
(i.e., the Performance Cap Rate) and some protection against negative
performance (i.e., the Segment Buffer).
PLUS
----
(3) Cap calculation factor is a positive adjustment of the percentage of the
estimated expenses corresponding to the portion of the
29 DETERMINING YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE
Segment Duration that has not elapsed. This component reflects the fact
that an early withdrawal from a Segment means that we no longer have to
incur expected expenses associated with administering the Segment for the
full period.
We then compare the sum of the three components above with a limitation based
on the Performance Cap Rate. In particular, the Segment Interim Value is never
greater than the Segment Investment multiplied by the portion of the
Performance Cap Rate corresponding to the portion of the Segment Duration that
has elapsed. This limitation is imposed to discourage owners from withdrawing
from a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date where there may have been
significant increases in the relevant Index early in the Segment Duration. For
more information, please see Appendix III.
EVEN IF THE CORRESPONDING INDEX HAS EXPERIENCED POSITIVE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
SINCE THE SEGMENT START DATE, BECAUSE OF THE FACTORS WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IN
THE CALCULATION ABOVE, YOUR SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE MAY BE LOWER THAN YOUR
SEGMENT INVESTMENT.
DETERMINING YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE 30
5. TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFERRING YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
At any time before the date annuity payments are to begin, you can transfer
some or all of your account value among the investment options, subject to the
following current limitations:
o you may not transfer out of a Segment before its Segment Maturity Date.
o you may not transfer out of a Segment Type Holding Account on a Segment
Start Date.
o a contribution or transfer into a Segment Type Holding Account on a Segment
Start Date will not be transferred into the Segment that is created on that
Segment Start Date. Your money will be transferred into a Segment on the
following month's Segment Start Date, provided you meet the participation
requirements.
o you may not contribute or transfer money into a Segment Type Holding Account
and designate a Segment Start Date. The account value in the Segment Type
Holding Account will be transferred on the first Segment Start date on which
you meet the participation requirements.
o you may not contribute or transfer into a Segment Type Holding Account if
the Segment Maturity Date of the Segment that will be created on the Segment
Start Date would be after the maturity date of your contract.
o you may not contribute to a Segment Type Holding Account or transfer to a
Segment Type Holding Account or a Segment if the total number of Segments
and Segment Type Holding Accounts that would be active in your contract
after such contribution or transfer would be greater than 70. If a transfer
from a Segment Type Holding Account into a Segment will cause a contract to
exceed this limit, such transfers will be defaulted to the EQ/Money Market
variable investment option. If there are multiple Segments scheduled to be
established on a Segment Start Date, new Segments will be established in the
order of those that would have the largest initial Segment Investment first
until the limit of 70 is reached. Any remaining amount that is not
transferred into a Segment will then be defaulted to the EQ/Money Market
variable investment option.
o transfers from a Segment Type Holding Account to a Segment will not occur if
you do not meet the participation requirements. See "Segment Participation
Requirements" in "Contract features and benefits" earlier in this
Prospectus.
Upon advance notice to you, via a client communication mailing, we may change
or establish additional restrictions on transfers among the investment options,
including limitations on the number, frequency, or dollar amount of transfers.
In addition, we may, at any time, exercise our right to limit or terminate
transfers into any of the variable investment options and to limit the number
of variable investment options which you may elect. We currently do not impose
any transfer restrictions among the variable investment options. A transfer
request does not change your allocation instructions on file. Our current
transfer restrictions are set forth in the "Disruptive transfer activity"
section below.
You may request a transfer in writing using the specified form, or by telephone
using TOPS or on line using Online Account Access. You must send in all signed
written requests directly to our processing office. Transfer requests should
specify:
(1) the contract number,
(2) the dollar amounts or percentage to be transferred, and
(3) the investment options to and from which you are transferring.
We will confirm all transfers in writing.
Please see "Allocating your contributions" in "Contract features and benefits"
for more information about your role in managing your allocations.
We may charge a transfer charge for any transfers among the variable investment
options in excess of 12 transfers in a contract year. For more information, see
"Transfer charge" in "Charges and expenses" later in this Prospectus.
DISRUPTIVE TRANSFER ACTIVITY
You should note that the contract is not designed for professional "market
timing" organizations, or other organizations or individuals engaging in a
market timing strategy. The contract is not designed to accommodate programmed
transfers, frequent transfers or transfers that are large in relation to the
total assets of the underlying portfolio.
Frequent transfers, including market timing and other program trading or
short-term trading strategies, may be disruptive to the underlying portfolios
in which the variable investment options invest. Disruptive transfer activity
may adversely affect performance and the interests of long-term investors by
requiring a portfolio to maintain larger amounts of cash or to liquidate
portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time or price. For example, when market
timing occurs, a portfolio may have to sell its holdings to have the cash
necessary to redeem the market timer's investment. This can happen when it is
not advantageous to sell any securities, so the portfolio's performance may be
hurt. When large dollar amounts are involved, market timing can also make it
difficult to use long-term investment strategies because a portfolio cannot
predict how much cash it will have to invest. In addition, disruptive transfers
or purchases and redemptions of portfolio investments may impede efficient
portfolio management and impose increased transaction costs, such as brokerage
costs, by requiring the portfolio manager to effect more frequent purchases and
sales of portfolio securities. Similarly, a portfolio may bear increased
administrative costs as a result of the asset level and investment volatility
that accompanies patterns of excessive or short-term trading. Portfolios that
invest a significant portion of their assets in foreign securities or the
securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies tend to be subject to the
risks associated with market timing and short-term trading strategies to a
greater extent than portfolios that do not. Securities trading in overseas
markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting
portfolio securities values occur after the close of the overseas market but
prior to the close of the U.S. markets. Securities of small- and
mid-capitalization companies present arbitrage opportunities because the market
for such securities may be less liquid than the market for securities of larger
companies,
31 TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
which could result in pricing inefficiencies. Please see the prospectuses for
the underlying portfolios for more information on how portfolio shares are
priced.
We currently use the procedures described below to discourage disruptive
transfer activity. You should understand, however, that these procedures are
subject to the following limitations: (1) they primarily rely on the policies
and procedures implemented by the underlying portfolios; (2) they do not
eliminate the possibility that disruptive transfer activity, including market
timing, will occur or that portfolio performance will be affected by such
activity; and (3) the design of market timing procedures involves inherently
subjective judgments, which we seek to make in a fair and reasonable manner
consistent with the interests of all contract owners.
We offer investment options with underlying portfolios that are part of the EQ
Advisors Trust (the "trust"). The trust has adopted policies and procedures
regarding disruptive transfer activity. The trust discourages frequent
purchases and redemptions of portfolio shares and will not make special
arrangements to accommodate such transactions. The trust aggregates inflows and
outflows for each portfolio on a daily basis. On any day when a portfolio's net
inflows or outflows exceed an established monitoring threshold, the trust
obtains from us contract owner trading activity. The trust currently considers
transfers into and out of (or vice versa) the same variable investment option
within a five business day period as potentially disruptive transfer activity.
In most cases, the trust reserves the right to reject a transfer that it
believes, in its sole discretion, is disruptive (or potentially disruptive) to
the management of one of its portfolios. Please see the prospectuses for the
trust for more information.
When a contract owner is identified in connection with potentially disruptive
transfer activity for the first time, a letter is sent to the contract owner
explaining that there is a policy against disruptive transfer activity and that
if such activity continues certain transfer privileges may be eliminated. If
and when the contract owner is identified a second time as engaged in
potentially disruptive transfer activity under the contract, we currently
prohibit the use of voice, fax and automated transaction services. We currently
apply such action for the remaining life of each affected contract. We or a
trust may change the definition of potentially disruptive transfer activity,
the monitoring procedures and thresholds, any notification procedures, and the
procedures to restrict this activity. Any new or revised policies and
procedures will apply to all contract owners uniformly.We do not permit
exceptions to our policies restricting disruptive transfer activity.
It is possible that a trust may impose a redemption fee designed to discourage
frequent or disruptive trading by contract owners. As of the date of this
prospectus, the trusts had not implemented such a fee. If a redemption fee is
implemented by a trust, that fee, like any other trust fee, will be borne by
the contract owner.
Contract owners should note that it is not always possible for us and the
underlying trusts to identify and prevent disruptive transfer activity. In
addition, because we do not monitor for all frequent trading at the separate
account level, contract owners may engage in frequent trading which may not be
detected, for example, due to low net inflows or outflows on the particular
day(s). Therefore, no assurance can be given that we or the trusts will
successfully impose restrictions on all potentially disruptive transfers.
Because there is no guarantee that disruptive trading will be stopped, some
contract owners may be treated differently than others, resulting in the risk
that some contract owners may be able to engage in frequent transfer activity
while others will bear the effect of that frequent transfer activity. The
potential effects of frequent transfer activity are discussed above.
TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS 32
6. ACCESSING YOUR MONEY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITHDRAWING YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
You have two ways to withdraw your account value before annuity payments begin.
The table below shows the methods available under each type of contract. More
information follows the table. For the tax consequences of taking withdrawals,
see "Tax information" later in this Prospectus.
If you have a Series ADV contract, disregard any references to "withdrawal
charges" or "free withdrawal amount" in this section; these terms only apply to
Series B contracts, not Series ADV contracts.
----------------------------------------
METHOD OF WITHDRAWAL
--------------------
----------------------------------------
LIFETIME
REQUIRED
MINIMUM
CONTRACT PARTIAL DISTRIBUTION
----------------------------------------
NQ Yes No
Traditional IRA Yes Yes
Roth IRA Yes No
We impose no withdrawal charge for withdrawals from Series ADV contracts.
However, withdrawals, including withdrawals made to pay all or part of any fee
that may be associated with the fee-based program, may be subject to income tax
and, unless the taxpayer is over age 59-1/2 or another exception applies, an
additional 10% federal income tax penalty, as described in "Tax information"
later in this Prospectus. In addition, the fee-based program sponsor may apply
a charge if you decide to no longer participate in the program. You should
consult with your program sponsor for more details about your particular
fee-based arrangement.
PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS
(All contracts)
You may take partial withdrawals from your account value at any time before
annuity payments begin. The minimum amount you may withdraw at any time is
$300. If you request a withdrawal that leaves you with an account value of less
than $500, we reserve the right to terminate the contract and pay you the cash
value. See "Surrender of your contract to receive its cash value" below.
For Series B contracts, partial withdrawals in excess of the 10% free
withdrawal amount may be subject to a withdrawal charge (see "10% free
withdrawal amount" in "Charges and expenses" later in this Prospectus).
Partial withdrawals out of Segments are permitted, subject to certain
restrictions. See "How withdrawals are taken from your account value" later in
this section.
LIFETIME REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION WITHDRAWALS
(Traditional IRA contracts only -- See "Tax information" later in this
Prospectus.)
We offer our "automatic required minimum distribution (RMD) service" to help
you meet lifetime required minimum distributions under federal income tax
rules. This is not the exclusive way for you to meet these rules. After
consultation with your tax adviser, you may decide to compute required minimum
distributions (we refer to them as "RMDs") yourself and request partial
withdrawals. In such a case, a withdrawal charge could apply. Before electing
this account-based withdrawal option, you should consider whether annuitization
might be better in your situation. Please refer to "Required minimum
distributions" under "Individual Retirement Arrangements ("IRAs")" in "Tax
information" later in this Prospectus.
You may elect this service in the calendar year in which you reach age 70-1/2
or in any later year (other than the first calendar year that your contract is
in force). The minimum amount we will pay out is $250. Currently, RMD payments
will be made annually each December.
We do not impose a withdrawal charge on the RMD payment made if you are
enrolled in our automatic RMD service even if, when added to a partial
withdrawal previously taken in the same contract year, the RMD payments exceed
the free withdrawal amount.
This service does not generate an automatic RMD payment during the first
contract year. Therefore, if you are making a rollover or transfer contribution
to the contract after age 70-1/2, you must take an RMD before the rollover or
transfer. If you do not, any withdrawals that you take during the first
contract year to satisfy your RMD amount may be subject to withdrawal charges,
if applicable, if they exceed the free withdrawal amount.
The RMD amount is based on your entire interest in your traditional IRA
contract whether your investments are allocated to one or more variable
investment options and/or one or more Segments. We will withdraw your RMD
amount from the variable investment options first on a pro rata basis. If there
is insufficient account value in the variable investment options, then we will
withdraw the balance of the RMD amount from the Segment Type Holding Accounts
on a pro rata basis. If there is insufficient value in the variable investment
options and the Segment Type Holding Accounts, we will withdraw amounts from
the Segments on a pro rata basis.
As you approach age 70-1/2 you should consider the effect of allocations to any
Segment. You should consider whether you have a sufficient amount allocated to
the variable investment options under this contract and/or sufficient liquidity
under other traditional IRAs that you maintain in order to satisfy your RMD for
this contract without affecting amounts allocated to a Segment under this
contract.
We will send to traditional IRA owners a form outlining the minimum
distribution options available in the year you reach age 70-1/2 (if you have
not begun your annuity payments before that time).
HOW WITHDRAWALS ARE TAKEN FROM YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
WITHDRAWALS
Unless you specify otherwise, we will subtract your withdrawals on a pro rata
basis from your value in the variable investment options (excluding the Segment
Type Holding Accounts). If there is insufficient value or no value in the
variable investment options (excluding the Segment Type Holding Accounts), any
additional amount of the withdrawal required or the total amount of the
withdrawal will be taken on
33 ACCESSING YOUR MONEY
a pro rata basis from the Segment Type Holding Accounts. If there is
insufficient value in the Segment Type Holding Accounts, we will deduct all or
a portion of the withdrawal from the Segments on a pro rata basis.
If you specify the investment options from which you want us to deduct your
withdrawal, the following restrictions apply: If the amount of your withdrawal
is equal to or less than your account value in the variable investment options
and Segment Type Holding Accounts, the entire withdrawal must come from the
account value in the variable investment options and Segment Type Holding
Accounts, and the withdrawal cannot be pro rata; you must specify the dollar
amount or percentage withdrawal for the variable investment options and Segment
Type Holding Accounts from which to take the withdrawal. In other words, you
cannot take a withdrawal from the Segments if there is any value remaining in
the variable investment options and Segment Type Holding Accounts.
After 100% of the value has been taken from the variable investment options and
Segment Type Holding Accounts, you can specify the dollar amount or percentage
of the withdrawal to be taken from any Segment.
If you have amounts in a Segment Type Holding Account and you make a withdrawal
on a Segment Start Date, that amount will not be transferred into the Segment
created on that date.
Withdrawals from a Segment prior to your Segment Maturity Date reduce the
Segment Investment on a pro rata basis by the same proportion that the Segment
Interim Value is reduced on the date of the withdrawal. We use the Segment
Investment to determine your Segment Maturity Value.
You can request, in advance of your Segment Maturity Date, a withdrawal of your
Segment Maturity Value on the Segment Maturity Date, which is not subject to
the restrictions described above regarding the need to withdraw amounts in
variable investment options and Segment Type Holding Accounts before
withdrawing amounts from Segments.
A withdrawal from a Series ADV NQ contract, including a withdrawal to pay the
fees of the fee-based program, may be a taxable event. For the tax consequences
of withdrawals, see "Tax information" later in this Prospectus.
SURRENDERING YOUR CONTRACT TO RECEIVE ITS CASH VALUE
You may surrender your contract to receive its cash value at any time while an
owner is living (or for contracts with non-natural owners, while the annuitant
is living) and before you begin to receive annuity payments. For a surrender to
be effective, we must receive your written request and your contract at our
processing office. We will determine your cash value on the date we receive the
required information.
You may receive your cash value in a single sum payment or apply it to one or
more of the annuity payout options. See "Your annuity payout options" below.
For the tax consequences of surrenders, see "Tax information" later in this
Prospectus.
When a contract is surrendered in certain states, the free withdrawal amount is
not taken into account when calculating the amount of the withdrawal. See "10%
free withdrawal amount" under "Charges under the contract" in "Charges and
expenses" later in this Prospectus.
WITHDRAWALS TREATED AS SURRENDERS
If you withdraw more than 90% of a contract's current cash value, we will treat
it as a request to surrender the contract for its cash value. In addition, we
have the right to pay the cash value and terminate the contract if no
contributions are made during the last three completed contract years, and the
account value is less than $500, or if you make a withdrawal that would result
in a cash value of less than $500. See "Surrendering your contract to receive
its cash value" below. For the tax consequences of withdrawals, see "Tax
information" later in this Prospectus.
WHEN TO EXPECT PAYMENTS
Generally, we will fulfill requests for payments out of the investment options
within seven calendar days after the date of the transaction to which the
request relates. These transactions may include applying proceeds to a variable
annuity payout option, payment of a death benefit, payment of any amount you
withdraw (less any withdrawal charge) and, upon surrender or termination,
payment of the cash value. We may postpone such payments or applying proceeds
for any period during which:
(1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed or restricts trading,
(2) the SEC determines that an emergency exists as a result of which sales of
securities or determination of fair value of an investment option's assets
is not reasonably practicable, or
(3) the SEC, by order, permits us to defer payment to protect people remaining
in the variable investment options.
All payments are made by check and are mailed to you (or the payee named in a
tax-free exchange) by U.S. mail, unless you request that we use an express
delivery or wire transfer service at your expense.
YOUR ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTIONS
The following description assumes annuitization of your entire contract. For
partial annuitization, see "Partial annuitization" below.
Deferred annuity contracts such as Structured Capital Strategies(SM) provide for
conversion to payout status at or before the contract's "maturity date." This is
called annuitization. When your contract is annuitized, your Structured Capital
Strategies(SM) contract and all its benefits will terminate and you will receive
a supplemental payout annuity contract ("payout option") that provides for
periodic payments for life or for a specified period of time. In general, the
periodic payment amount is determined by the account value or cash value of your
Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract at the time of annuitization, the
annuity payout option that you select, and the annuity purchase factor to which
that value is applied, as described below. We have the right to require you to
provide any information we deem necessary to provide an annuity payout option.
If an annuity payout is later found to be based on incorrect information, it
will be adjusted on the basis of the correct information.
Your Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract guarantees that upon
annuitization, your account value will be applied to a guaranteed annuity
purchase factor for a life annuity payout option. We reserve the right, with
advance notice to you, to change your annuity purchase factor any time after
your fifth contract date anniversary and at not less than five year intervals
after the first change. Any change to the annuity purchase factor will only
apply to contributions made after the date of the change. (Please see your
contract and SAI for more information). In addition, you may apply your account
value or cash value,
ACCESSING YOUR MONEY 34
whichever is applicable, to any other annuity payout option that we may offer
at the time of annuitization. We may offer other payout options not outlined
here. Your financial professional can provide details.
Structured Capital Strategies(SM) currently offers you several choices of
annuity payout options. Some enable you to receive fixed annuity payments and
others enable you to receive variable annuity payments.
You can choose from among the annuity payout options listed below. Restrictions
may apply, depending on the type of contract you own and the annuitant's age at
contract issue. We reserve the right to add, remove or change these annuity
payout options at any time.
ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTIONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed annuity payout options o Life annuity
o Life annuity with period
certain
o Life annuity with refund
certain
o Period certain annuity
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Life annuity: An annuity that guarantees payments for the rest of the
annuitant's life. Payments end with the last monthly payment before the
annuitant's death. Because there is no continuation of benefits following
the annuitant's death with this payout option, it provides the highest
monthly payment of any of the life annuity options, so long as the annuitant
is living.
o Life annuity with period certain: An annuity that guarantees payments for
the rest of the annuitant's life. If the annuitant dies before the end of a
selected period of time ("period certain"), payments continue to the
beneficiary for the balance of the period certain. The period certain cannot
extend beyond the annuitant's life expectancy or the joint life expectancy
of the annuitant and the joint annuitant. A life annuity with period certain
is the form of annuity under the contracts that you will receive if you do
not elect a different payout option. In this case the period certain will be
based on the annuitant's age and will not exceed 10 years or the annuitant's
life expectancy.
o Life annuity with refund certain: An annuity that guarantees payments for
the rest of the annuitant's life. If the annuitant dies before the amount
applied to purchase the annuity option has been recovered, payments to the
beneficiary will continue until that amount has been recovered. This payout
option is available only as a fixed annuity.
o Period certain annuity: An annuity that guarantees payments for a specific
period of time, usually 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. This guarantee period may
not exceed the annuitant's life expectancy. This option does not guarantee
payments for the rest of the annuitant's life. It does not permit any
repayment of the unpaid principal, so you cannot elect to receive part of
the payments as a single sum payment with the rest paid in monthly annuity
payments. This payout option is available only as a fixed annuity.
The life annuity, life annuity with period certain, and life annuity with
refund certain payout options are available on a single life or joint and
survivor life basis. The joint and survivor life annuity guarantees payments
for the rest of the annuitant's life and, after the annuitant's death, payments
continue to the survivor.
With fixed annuities, we guarantee fixed annuity payments that will be based
either on the tables of guaranteed annuity purchase factors in your contract or
on our then current annuity purchase factors, whichever is more favorable for
you.
THE AMOUNT APPLIED TO PURCHASE AN ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTION
The amount applied to purchase an annuity payout option varies depending on the
payout option that you choose and the timing of your purchase as it relates to
any withdrawal charges that apply under your contract.
For the fixed annuity payout options, no withdrawal charge is imposed if you
select a life annuity, life annuity with period certain or life annuity with
refund certain.
The withdrawal charge applicable under your Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
Series B contract is imposed if you select a non-life contingent period certain
payout annuity. If the period certain is more than 5 years, then the withdrawal
charge deducted will not exceed 5% of your account value. Non-life contingent
period certain payouts are not available for variable payouts, so no withdrawal
charge is applicable to variable payouts.
PARTIAL ANNUITIZATION. Beginning January 1, 2011, partial annuitization of
nonqualified deferred annuity contracts is permitted under certain
circumstances. You may choose from the annuity payout options described here,
but if you choose a period certain annuity payout, the certain period must be
for 10 years or more. We require you to elect partial annuitization on the form
we specify. For purposes of this contract we will effect any partial
annuitization as a withdrawal applied to a payout annuity. See "How withdrawals
are taken from your account value" earlier in this section and also the
discussion of "Partial annuitization" in "Tax information" for more
information.
SELECTING AN ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTION
When you select a payout option, we will issue you a separate written agreement
confirming your right to receive annuity payments. We require you to return
your contract before annuity payments begin. Unless you choose a different
payout option, we will pay annuity payments under a life annuity with a maximum
period certain of 10 years. You choose whether these payments will be fixed or
variable. The contract owner and annuitant must meet the issue age and payment
requirements.
You can choose the date annuity payments are to begin, but generally it may not
be earlier than thirteen months from the Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract date. You can change the date your annuity payments are to begin any
time. The date may not be later than your contract's maturity date. Your
contract's maturity date is the date by which you must either take a lump sum
withdrawal or select an annuity payout option. The maturity date is generally
the contract date anniversary that follows the annuitant's 95th birthday.
We will send you a notice with your contract statement one year prior to your
maturity date. Once you have selected an annuity payout option and payments
have begun, no change can be made other than transfers among the variable
investment options if a variable immediate annuity is selected. If you do not
respond to the notice within 30 days following your maturity date, your
contract will be annuitized automatically.
We currently offer different payment frequencies on certain annuity payout
options. In general, the total annual payout will be lower for more frequent
payouts (such as monthly) because of the increased
35 ACCESSING YOUR MONEY
administrative expenses associated with more frequent payouts. Also, in
general, the longer the period over which we expect to make payments, the lower
will be your payment each year.
The amount of the annuity payments will depend on:
(1) the amount applied to purchase the annuity;
(2) the type of annuity chosen, and whether it is fixed or variable;
(3) in the case of a life annuity, the annuitant's age (or the annuitant's and
joint annuitant's ages); and
(4) in certain instances, the sex of the annuitant(s).
The amount applied to provide the annuity payments will be (1) the account
value for any life annuity form, or (2) the cash value for any annuity certain
(an annuity form that does not guarantee payments for a person's lifetime)
except that if the period certain is more than five years, the amount applied
will be no less than 95% of the account value.
If, at the time you elect a payout option, the amount to be applied is less
than $2,000 or the initial payment under the form elected is less than $20
monthly, we reserve the right to pay the account value in a single sum rather
than as payments under the payout option chosen.
Please see Appendix II later in this Prospectus for state variations.
ANNUITY MATURITY DATE
Your contract has a maturity date. The maturity date is based on the age of the
original annuitant at contract issue and cannot be changed other than in
conformance with applicable law, even if you name a new annuitant. The maturity
date is generally the contract date anniversary that follows the annuitant's
95th birthday (or older joint annuitant's, if your contract has joint
annuitants). The maturity date may not be less than thirteen months from your
contract date, unless otherwise stated in your contract. We will send a notice
with the contract statement one year prior to the maturity date. The notice
will include the date of maturity, describe the available annuity payout
options, state the availability of a lump sum payment option, and identify the
default payout option if you do not provide an election by the time of your
contract maturity date. The default payout option is a life annuity with a
maximum period certain of 10 years.
ACCESSING YOUR MONEY 36
7. CHARGES AND EXPENSES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARGES THAT AXA EQUITABLE DEDUCTS
We deduct the following charge each day from the net assets of each variable
investment option and Segment Type Holding Account. This charge is reflected in
the unit values of each variable investment option:
o A Contract fee
We deduct the following charges from your account value. When we deduct these
charges from your variable investment options, we reduce the number of units
credited to your contract:
o for Series B contracts, at the time you make certain withdrawals or
surrender your contract, or your contract is terminated -- a withdrawal
charge.
o at the time annuity payments are to begin -- charges designed to approximate
certain taxes that may be imposed on us, such as premium taxes in your
state. An annuity administrative fee may also apply.
o at the time you request a transfer in excess of 12 transfers in a contract
year -- a transfer charge (currently, there is no transfer charge).
More information about these charges appears below. We will not increase these
charges for the life of your contract, except as noted. We may reduce certain
charges under group or sponsored arrangements. See "Group or sponsored
arrangements" below.
To help with your retirement planning, we may offer other annuities with
different charges, benefits and features. Please contact your financial
professional for more information.
CHARGES UNDER THE CONTRACTS
CONTRACT FEE
We deduct a daily charge from the net assets in each variable investment option
and Segment Type Holding Account to compensate us for administrative expenses,
sales expenses and certain expense risks we assume under the contracts. Below
is the daily charge shown as an annual rate of the net assets in each variable
investment option:
Series B: 1.25%
Series ADV: 0.65%
The expense risk we assume is the risk that our expenses in providing the
benefits and administering the contracts will be greater than we expect. To the
extent that the expense risk charges are not needed to cover the actual
expenses incurred, they may be considered an indirect reimbursement for certain
sales and promotional expenses relating to the contracts. This charge also
compensates us for administrative expenses and a portion of our sales expenses,
under the contract.
On a non-guaranteed basis, we may waive this fee under certain conditions. If
the return on the EQ/Money Market variable investment option on any day is
positive, but lower than the amount of this fee, then we will waive the
difference between the two, so that you do not receive a negative return. If
the return on the EQ/Money Market variable investment option on any day is
negative, we will waive this fee entirely for that day, although your account
value would be reduced by the negative performance of the EQ/Money Market
variable investment option itself. We reserve the right to change or cancel
this provision at any time.
FEE-BASED EXPENSES
(Applicable to Series ADV contracts only)
The fees and expenses of a fee-based program are separate from and in addition
to the fees and expenses of the annuity contract. Please consult with your
program sponsor for more details about your fee-based program.
TRANSFER CHARGE
Currently, we do not charge for transfers among variable investment options
under the contract. However, we reserve the right to charge for any transfers
among variable investment options in excess of 12 per contract year. We will
provide you with advance notice if we decide to assess the transfer charge,
which will never exceed $35 per transfer. The transfer charge is designed to
compensate the company with respect to adminstering the transaction. The charge
is also designed to deter disruptive transfer activity. The transfer charge (if
applicable), will be assessed at the time that the transfer is processed. Each
time you request a transfer from one variable investment option to another, we
will assess the transfer charge (if applicable). Separate requests submitted on
the same day will each be treated as a separate transfer. Any transfer charge
will be deducted from the variable investment options from which the transfer
is made. We will not count transfers from Segment Type Holding Accounts into
Segments on a Segment Start Date, or the allocation of Segment Maturity Value
on a Segment Maturity Date in calculating the number of transfers subject to
this charge.
WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
(Applicable to Series B contracts only)
A withdrawal charge may apply in three circumstances: (1) you make one or more
withdrawals during a contract year; (2) you surrender your contract to receive
its cash value; or (3) we terminate your contract. The amount of the charge
will depend on whether the 10% free withdrawal amount applies, and the
availability of one or more exceptions.
The withdrawal charge equals a percentage of the contributions withdrawn. The
percentage that applies depends on how long each contribution has been invested
in the contract. We determine the withdrawal charge separately for each
contribution according to the following table:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT YEAR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 2 3 4 5 6+
Percentage of
contribution 5% 5% 5% 4% 3% 0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purposes of calculating the withdrawal charge, we treat the contract year in
which we receive a contribution as "contract year 1." Amounts withdrawn up to
the free withdrawal amount are not considered a withdrawal of any contribution.
We also treat contributions that have been invested the longest as being
withdrawn first. We treat
37 CHARGES AND EXPENSES
contributions as withdrawn before earnings for purposes of calculating the
withdrawal charge. However, federal income tax rules treat earnings under most
NQ contracts as withdrawn first. See "Tax information" later in this Prospectus.
In order to give you the exact dollar amount of the withdrawal you request, we
deduct the amount of the withdrawal and the amount of the withdrawal charge
from your account value. Any amount deducted to pay withdrawal charges is also
subject to that same withdrawal charge percentage.
We deduct the withdrawal amount and the withdrawal charge pro rata from the
variable investment options (excluding the Segment Type Holding Accounts). If
those amounts are insufficient, we will deduct all or a portion of the required
amounts pro rata from the Segment Type Holding Accounts. If the amounts in the
Segment Type Holding Accounts are still insufficient, we deduct all or a
portion of the required amounts from the Segments on a pro rata basis. If you
specify that your withdrawal be taken from specific investment options, the
amount of the withdrawal charge will first be taken from the investment options
you specify. If there is insufficient value in those options to pay the
withdrawal charge after your withdrawal is deducted, then the remainder of the
withdrawal charge is deducted as described above.
Withdrawals for a Segment or a Segment Type Holding Account are subject to the
same withdrawal charge calculations as a withdrawal from any other investment
option. Any withdrawal from a Segment will trigger the calculation of the
Segment Interim Value, which is in addition to any applicable withdrawal
charge. A withdrawal from a Segment Type Holding Account reduces the amount
that will be transferred to a Segment. For more information, see "Structured
Investment Option" in "Contract features and benefits," earlier in this
Prospectus.
The withdrawal charge does not apply in the circumstances described below.
10% FREE WITHDRAWAL AMOUNT. For Series B contracts, each contract year you can
withdraw up to 10% of your account value without paying a withdrawal charge. No
withdrawal charge applies to Series ADV contracts. The 10% free withdrawal
amount is determined using your account value at the beginning of the contract
year. When a contract is surrendered in certain states, the free withdrawal
amount is not taken into account when calculating the amount of the withdrawal.
DEATH. The withdrawal charge does not apply if the owner dies and a death
benefit is payable to the beneficiary.
DISABILITY, TERMINAL ILLNESS, OR CONFINEMENT TO NURSING HOME. The withdrawal
charge also does not apply if:
(i) An owner (or older joint owner, if applicable) has qualified to receive
Social Security disability benefits as certified by the Social Security
Administration; or
(ii) We receive proof satisfactory to us (including certification by a licensed
physician) that an owner's (or older joint owner's, if applicable) life
expectancy is six months or less; or
(iii) An owner (or older joint owner, if applicable) has been confined to a
nursing home for more than 90 days (or such other period, as required in
your state) as verified by a licensed physician. A nursing home for this
purpose means one that is (a) approved by Medicare as a provider of skilled
nursing care service, or (b) licensed as a skilled nursing home by the
state or territory in which it is located (it must be within the United
States, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands) and meets all of the
following:
-- its main function is to provide skilled, intermediate, or custodial
nursing care;
-- it provides continuous room and board to three or more persons;
-- it is supervised by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;
-- it keeps daily medical records of each patient;
-- it controls and records all medications dispensed; and
-- its primary service is other than to provide housing for residents.
We reserve the right to impose a withdrawal charge, in accordance with your
contract and applicable state law, if the conditions described in (i), (ii) or
(iii) above existed at the time a contribution was remitted or if the condition
began within 12 months of the period following remittance. Some states may not
permit us to waive the withdrawal charge in the above circumstances, or may
limit the circumstances for which the withdrawal charge may be waived. Your
financial professional can provide more information or you may contact our
processing office.
CHARGES FOR STATE PREMIUM AND OTHER APPLICABLE TAXES
We deduct a charge designed to approximate certain taxes that may be imposed on
us, such as premium taxes in your state. Generally, we deduct the charge from
the amount applied to provide an annuity payout option. The current tax charge
that might be imposed varies by jurisdiction and ranges from 0% to 3.5%.
ADJUSTMENTS WITH RESPECT TO EARLY WITHDRAWALS FROM SEGMENTS
We calculate the Segment Interim Value when a withdrawal is taken, whether a
partial withdrawal or a full contract surrender, from a Segment prior to the
Segment Maturity Date. The Segment Interim Value is calculated based on a
formula that provides a treatment for an early distribution that is designed to
be consistent with how distributions at the end of a Segment are treated. For
more information on the calculation of the Segment Interim Value, please see
Appendix III.
CHARGES THAT THE TRUST DEDUCTS
The Trust deducts charges for the following types of fees and expenses:
o Management fees.
o 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.
o Operating expenses, such as trustees' fees, independent auditors' fees,
legal counsel fees, administrative service fees, custodian fees, and
liability insurance.
o Investment-related expenses, such as brokerage commissions.
These charges are reflected in the daily share price of each portfolio. Since
shares of the Trust are purchased at their net asset value, these fees and
expenses are, in effect, passed on to the variable investment options and are
reflected in their unit values. For more information about these charges,
please refer to the prospectuses for the Trusts.
CHARGES AND EXPENSES 38
GROUP OR SPONSORED ARRANGEMENTS
For certain group or sponsored arrangements, we may reduce the withdrawal
charge or the contract fee, or change the minimum contribution requirements. We
also may change the minimum death benefit or offer variable investment options
that invest in shares of a Trust that are not subject to the 12b-1 fee. Group
arrangements include those in which a trustee or an employer, for example,
purchases contracts covering a group of individuals on a group basis. Group
arrangements are not available for traditional IRA and Roth IRA contracts.
Sponsored arrangements include those in which an employer allows us to sell
contracts to its employees or retirees on an individual basis.
Our costs for sales and administration generally vary with the size and
stability of the group or sponsoring organization, among other factors. We take
all these factors into account when reducing charges. To qualify for reduced
charges, a group or sponsored arrangement must meet certain requirements, such
as requirements for size and number of years in existence. Group or sponsored
arrangements that have been set up solely to buy contracts or that have been in
existence less than six months will not qualify for reduced charges.
We will make these and any similar reductions according to our rules in effect
when we approve a contract for issue. We may change these rules from time to
time. Any variation will reflect differences in costs or services and will not
be unfairly discriminatory.
Group or sponsored arrangements may be governed by federal income tax rules,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or both. We make no
representations with regard to the impact of these and other applicable laws on
such programs. We recommend that employers, trustees, and others purchasing or
making contracts available for purchase under such programs seek the advice of
their own legal and benefits advisers.
OTHER DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
We may reduce or eliminate charges when sales are made in a manner that results
in savings of sales and administrative expenses, such as sales through persons
who are compensated by clients for recommending investments and who receive no
commission or reduced commissions in connection with the sale of the contracts.
We will not permit a reduction or elimination of charges where it will be
unfairly discriminatory.
39 CHARGES AND EXPENSES
8. PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR BENEFICIARY AND PAYMENT OF BENEFIT
If you have a Series ADV contract, disregard any references to "withdrawal
charges,""cash value" or "free withdrawal amount" in this section; these terms
only apply to Series B contracts, not Series ADV contracts.
You designate your beneficiary when you apply for your contract. You may change
your beneficiary during your lifetime and while the contract is in force. The
change will be effective on the date the written request for the change is
received in our processing office. We are not responsible for any beneficiary
change request that we do not receive. We will send you a written confirmation
when we receive your request. Any part of a death benefit for which there is no
named or designated beneficiary living at your death will be payable in a
single sum to your surviving spouse, if any; if there is no surviving spouse,
then to the surviving children in equal shares; if there are no surviving
children, then to your estate. Under jointly owned contracts, the surviving
owner is considered the beneficiary, and will take the place of any other
beneficiary.
Subject to applicable laws and regulations, you may impose restrictions on the
timing and manner of the payment of the death benefit to your beneficiary. For
example, your beneficiary designation may specify the form of death benefit
payout (such as a life annuity), provided the payout you elect is one that we
offer both at the time of designation and when the death benefit is payable. In
general, the beneficiary will have no right to change the election. However,
you should be aware that (i) in accordance with current federal income tax
rules, we apply a predetermined death benefit annuity payout election only if
payment of the death benefit amount begins within one year following the date
of death, which payment may not occur if the beneficiary has failed to provide
all required information before the end of that period, (ii) we will not apply
the predetermined death benefit payout election if doing so would violate any
federal income tax rules or any other applicable law, and (iii) a beneficiary
or a successor owner who continues the contract under one of the continuation
options described below will have the right to change your annuity payout
election.
DEATH BENEFIT
The death benefit is equal to the account value as of the date we receive
satisfactory proof of the owner's death, any required instructions for the
method of payment, and all information and forms necessary to effect payment.
EFFECT OF THE OWNER'S DEATH
In general, if the owner dies while the contract is in force, the contract
terminates and the applicable death benefit is paid. If the contract is jointly
owned, the death benefit is payable upon the death of the older owner.
Once we have received notice of the Owner's death, we will not make any
transfers from Segment Type Holding Accounts to Segments. Amounts in the
Segment Type Holding Accounts will be defaulted into the EQ/Money Market
variable investment option. When Segments mature, the Segment Maturity Value
will be transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
There are various circumstances, however, in which the contract can be
continued by a successor owner or under a Beneficiary continuation option
("BCO"). For contracts with spouses who are joint owners, the surviving spouse
will automatically be able to continue the contract under the "Spousal
continuation" feature, or under our Beneficiary continuation option, as
discussed below. For contracts with non-spousal joint owners, the joint owner
will be able to continue the contract as a successor owner subject to the
limitations discussed below under "Non-spousal joint owner contract
continuation." If you are the sole owner and your spouse is the sole primary
beneficiary, your surviving spouse can continue the contract as a successor
owner, under "Spousal continuation" or under our Beneficiary continuation
option, as discussed below.
If the surviving joint owner is not the surviving spouse, or, for single owner
contracts, if the beneficiary is not the surviving spouse, federal income tax
rules generally require payments of amounts under the contract to be made
within five years of an owner's death (the "5-year rule"). In certain cases, an
individual beneficiary or non-spousal surviving joint owner may opt to receive
payments over his/her life (or over a period not in excess of his/her life
expectancy) if payments commence within one year of the owner's death. Any such
election must be made in accordance with our rules at the time of death.
NON-SPOUSAL JOINT OWNER CONTRACT CONTINUATION
Upon the death of either owner, the surviving joint owner becomes the sole
owner.
Any death benefit (if the older owner dies first) or cash value (if the younger
owner dies first) must be fully paid to the surviving joint owner within five
years, unless one of the exceptions described here applies. The surviving owner
may instead elect to take an installment payout or annuity, provided payments
begin within one year of the deceased owner's death. If an annuity or
installment payout is elected, the contract terminates and a supplemental
contract is issued.
If the older owner dies first, the surviving owner can elect to (1) take a lump
sum payment; (2) take an installment payout or annuity within one year; (3)
continue the contract for up to five years; or (4) continue the contract under
the Beneficiary continuation option discussed below. If the contract continues,
withdrawal charges will no longer apply, and no additional contributions will
be permitted.
If the younger owner dies first, the surviving owner can elect to (1) take a
lump sum payment; (2) take an installment payout or annuity within one year;
(3) continue the contract for up to five years; or (4) continue the contract
under the Beneficiary continuation option discussed below. If the contract
continues, withdrawal charges (for Series B contracts) will continue to apply
and no additional contributions will be permitted. The death benefit becomes
payable to the beneficiary if the older owner dies within five years after the
death of the younger owner.
SPOUSAL CONTINUATION
If you are the contract owner and your spouse is the sole primary beneficiary
or you jointly own the contract with your younger spouse, or if the contract
owner is a non-natural person and you and your younger
PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT 40
spouse are joint annuitants, your spouse may elect to continue the contract as
successor owner upon your death. Spousal beneficiaries (who are not also joint
owners) must be 85 or younger as of the date of the deceased spouse's death in
order to continue the contract under Spousal continuation. The determination of
spousal status is made under applicable state law. However, in the event of a
conflict between federal and state law, we follow federal rules.
Upon your death, the younger spouse joint owner (for NQ contracts only) or the
spouse beneficiary (under a Single owner contract) may elect to receive the
death benefit, continue the contract under our Beneficiary continuation option
(as discussed below in this section) or continue the contract, as follows:
o In general, withdrawal charges (for Series B contracts) will no longer apply
to contributions made before your death. Withdrawal charges will apply if
additional contributions are made.
o If the deceased spouse was the annuitant, the surviving spouse becomes the
annuitant. If the deceased spouse was a joint annuitant, the contract will
become a single annuitant contract.
Where an NQ contract is owned by a Living Trust, as defined in the contract,
and at the time of the annuitant's death the annuitant's spouse is the sole
beneficiary of the Living Trust, the Trustee, as owner of the contract, may
request that the spouse be substituted as annuitant as of the date of the
annuitant's death. No further change of annuitant will be permitted.
Where an IRA contract is owned in a custodial individual retirement account,
and your spouse is the sole beneficiary of the account, the custodian may
request that the spouse be substituted as annuitant after your death.
For jointly owned NQ contracts, if the younger spouse dies first no death
benefit is paid, and the contract continues as follows:
o If the deceased spouse was the annuitant, the surviving spouse becomes the
annuitant. If the deceased spouse was a joint annuitant, the contract will
become a single annuitant contract.
o The withdrawal charge schedule (for Series B contracts) remains in effect.
The transfer restrictions on amounts in Segments prior to election of Spousal
continuation remain in place. Any amounts in Segments may not be transferred
out of the Segments until their Segment Maturity Dates. The Segment Maturity
Value may be reinvested in other investment options.
If you divorce, Spousal continuation does not apply.
BENEFICIARY CONTINUATION OPTION
This feature permits a designated individual, on the contract owner's death, to
maintain a contract with the deceased contract owner's name on it and receive
distributions under the contract, instead of receiving the death benefit in a
single sum. We make this option available to beneficiaries under traditional
IRA, Roth IRA and NQ contracts, subject to state availability. Please speak
with your financial professional or see Appendix II later in this Prospectus
for further information.
Where an IRA contract is owned in a custodial individual retirement account,
the custodian may reinvest the death benefit in an individual retirement
annuity contract, using the account beneficiary as the annuitant. Please speak
with your financial professional for further information.
BENEFICIARY CONTINUATION OPTION FOR TRADITIONAL IRA AND ROTH IRA CONTRACTS
ONLY. The beneficiary continuation option must be elected by September 30th of
the year following the calendar year of your death and before any other
inconsistent election is made. Beneficiaries who do not make a timely election
will not be eligible for this option.
Generally, payments will be made once a year to the beneficiary over the
beneficiary's life expectancy (determined in the calendar year after your death
and determined on a term certain basis). These payments must begin no later
than December 31st of the calendar year after the year of your death. For sole
spousal beneficiaries, payments may begin by December 31st of the calendar year
in which you would have reached age 70-1/2, if such time is later. For
traditional IRA contracts only, if you die before your Required Beginning Date
for Required Minimum Distributions, as discussed later in this Prospectus in
"Tax information" under "Individual retirement arrangements (IRAs)," the
beneficiary may choose the "5-year rule" option instead of annual payments over
life expectancy. The 5-year rule is always available to beneficiaries under
Roth IRA contracts. If the beneficiary chooses this option, the beneficiary may
take withdrawals as desired, but the entire account value must be fully
withdrawn by December 31st of the calendar year which contains the fifth
anniversary of your death.
Under the beneficiary continuation option for IRA and Roth IRA contracts:
o The contract continues with your name on it for the benefit of your
beneficiary.
o The beneficiary replaces the deceased owner as annuitant.
o This feature is only available if the beneficiary is an individual. Certain
trusts with only individual beneficiaries will be treated as individuals for
this purpose.
o If there is more than one beneficiary:
-- each beneficiary's share will be separately accounted for. It will be
distributed over the beneficiary's own life expectancy, if payments over
life expectancy are chosen; and
-- as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required
instructions, information and forms necessary to effect the beneficiary
continuation option feature for the first beneficiary, all Segments will
be terminated and all Segment Interim Values will be transferred into
the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
o If there is one beneficiary, the transfer restrictions on amounts in
Segments prior to election of the beneficiary continuation option remain in
place. Any amounts in Segments may not be transferred out of the Segments
until their Segment Maturity Dates. The Segment Maturity Value may be
reinvested in other investment options. However, if the beneficiary has
chosen the "5-year rule," amounts may not be invested in Segments with
Segment Maturity Dates later than December 31st of the calendar year which
contains the fifth anniversary of your death.
o A beneficiary who chooses to receive annual payments over his life
expectancy should consult his tax adviser about selecting Segments that
provide sufficient liquidity to satisfy the payout requirements under this
option.
o The minimum amount that is required in order to elect the beneficiary
continuation option is $5,000 for each beneficiary.
41 PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT
o The beneficiary may make transfers among the variable investment options but
no additional contributions will be permitted.
o The beneficiary may choose at any time to withdraw all or a portion of the
account value and no withdrawal charges, if any, will apply.
o Any partial withdrawal must be at least $300.
o Your beneficiary will have the right to name a beneficiary to receive any
remaining interest in the contract.
o Upon the death of your beneficiary, the beneficiary he or she has named has
the option to either continue taking required minimum distributions based on
the remaining life expectancy of the deceased beneficiary or to receive any
remaining interest in the contract in a lump sum. The option elected will be
processed when we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required
instructions for the method of payment and any required information and
forms necessary to effect payment.
BENEFICIARY CONTINUATION OPTION FOR NQ CONTRACTS ONLY. This feature may only be
elected when the NQ contract owner dies before the annuity maturity date,
whether or not the owner and the annuitant are the same person. For purposes of
this discussion, "beneficiary" refers to the successor owner or the surviving
joint owner who elects this feature. This feature must be elected within 9
months following the date of your death and before any other inconsistent
election is made. Beneficiaries who do not make a timely election will not be
eligible for this option.
Generally, payments will be made once a year to the beneficiary over the
beneficiary's life expectancy, determined on a term certain basis and in the
year payments start. These payments must begin no later than one year after the
date of your death and are referred to as "scheduled payments." The beneficiary
may choose the "5-year rule" instead of scheduled payments over life
expectancy. If the beneficiary chooses the 5-year rule, there will be no
scheduled payments. Under the 5-year rule, the beneficiary may take withdrawals
as desired, but the entire account value must be fully withdrawn by the fifth
anniversary of your death.
Under the beneficiary continuation option for NQ contracts:
o This feature is only available if the beneficiary is an individual. It is
not available for any entity such as a trust, even if all of the
beneficiaries of the trust are individuals.
o The beneficiary automatically replaces the existing annuitant.
o The contract continues with your name on it for the benefit of your
beneficiary.
o If there is more than one beneficiary:
-- each beneficiary's share will be separately accounted for. It will be
distributed over the respective beneficiary's own life expectancy, if
scheduled payments are chosen; and
-- as of the date we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required
instructions, information and forms necessary to effect the beneficiary
continuation option feature for the first beneficiary, all Segments will
be terminated and all Segment Interim Values will be transferred into
the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
o If there is one beneficiary, the transfer restrictions on amounts in
Segments prior to the election of the beneficiary continuation option remain
in place. Any amounts in Segments may not be transferred out of the Segments
until their Segment Maturity Dates. The Segment Maturity Value may be
reinvested in other investment options. However, if the beneficiary has
chosen the "5-year rule," amounts may not be invested in Segments with
Segment Maturity Dates later than the fifth anniversary of your death.
o The minimum amount that is required in order to elect the beneficiary
continuation option is $5,000 for each beneficiary.
o The beneficiary may make transfers among the investment options but no
additional contributions will be permitted.
o If the beneficiary chooses the "5-year rule," withdrawals may be made at any
time. If the beneficiary instead chooses scheduled payments, the beneficiary
may also take withdrawals, in addition to scheduled payments, at any time.
o Any partial withdrawals must be at least $300.
o Your beneficiary will have the right to name a beneficiary to receive any
remaining interest in the contract on the beneficiary's death.
o Upon the death of your beneficiary, the beneficiary he or she has named has
the option to either continue taking scheduled payments based on the
remaining life expectancy of the deceased beneficiary (if scheduled payments
were chosen) or to receive any remaining interest in the contract in a lump
sum. We will pay any remaining interest in the contract in a lump sum if
your beneficiary elects the 5-year rule. The option elected will be
processed when we receive satisfactory proof of death, any required
instructions for the method of payment and any required information and
forms necessary to effect payment.
If the deceased is the owner or older joint owner:
o No withdrawal charges will apply to any withdrawals by the beneficiary.
If the deceased is the younger non-spousal joint owner:
o The contract's withdrawal charge schedule will continue to be applied to any
withdrawal or surrender other than scheduled payments; the contract's free
withdrawal amount will continue to apply to withdrawals but does not apply
to surrenders.
o We do not impose a withdrawal charge on scheduled payments except if, when
added to any withdrawals previously taken in the same contract year,
including for this purpose a contract surrender, the total amount of
withdrawals and scheduled payments exceed the free withdrawal amount. See
the "Withdrawal charges" in "Charges and expenses" earlier in this
Prospectus.
----------------------------------
A beneficiary should speak to his or her tax professional about which
continuation option is appropriate for him or her. Factors to consider include,
but are not limited to, the beneficiary's age, need for immediate income and a
desire to continue the contract.
PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT 42
9. TAX INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERVIEW
In this part of the Prospectus, we discuss the current federal income tax rules
that generally apply to Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contracts owned by
United States individual taxpayers. The tax rules can differ, depending on the
type of contract, whether NQ, traditional IRA or Roth IRA. Therefore, we
discuss the tax aspects of each type of contract separately.
Federal income tax rules include the United States laws in the Internal Revenue
Code, and Treasury Department Regulations and IRS interpretations of the
Internal Revenue Code. These tax rules may change without notice. We cannot
predict whether, when, or how these rules could change. Any change could affect
contracts purchased before the change. Congress may also consider proposals in
the future to comprehensively reform or overhaul the United States tax and
retirement systems, which if enacted, could affect the tax benefits of a
contract. We cannot predict what, if any, legislation will actually be proposed
or enacted.
We cannot provide detailed information on all tax aspects of the contracts.
Moreover, the tax aspects that apply to a particular person's contract may vary
depending on the facts applicable to that person. We do not discuss state
income and other state taxes, federal income tax and withholding rules for
non-U.S. taxpayers, or federal gift and estate taxes. We also do not discuss
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Transfers of the
contract, rights or values under the contract, or payments under the contract,
for example, amounts due to beneficiaries, may be subject to federal or state
gift, estate or inheritance taxes. You should not rely only on this document,
but should consult your tax adviser before your purchase.
BUYING A CONTRACT TO FUND A RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENT
Generally, there are two types of funding vehicles that are available for
Individual Retirement Arrangements ("IRAs"): an individual retirement annuity
contract such as the ones offered in this Prospectus, or an individual
retirement custodial or trusteed account. You should be aware that the funding
vehicle for a tax-qualified arrangement does not provide any tax deferral
benefit beyond that already provided by the Code for all permissible funding
vehicles. Before choosing an annuity contract, therefore, you should consider
the annuity's features and benefits compared with the features and benefits of
other permissible funding vehicles and the relative costs of annuities and
other such arrangements. You should be aware that cost may vary depending on
the features and benefits made available and the charges and expenses of the
investment options you elect.
TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
If permitted under the terms of the contract, you can make transfers among
investment options inside the contract without triggering taxable income.
TAXATION OF NONQUALIFIED ANNUITIES
CONTRIBUTIONS
You may not deduct the amount of your contributions to a nonqualified annuity
contract.
CONTRACT EARNINGS
Generally, you are not taxed on contract earnings until you receive a
distribution from your contract, whether as a withdrawal or as an annuity
payment. However, earnings are taxable, even without a distribution:
o if a contract fails investment diversification requirements as specified in
federal income tax rules (these rules are based on or are similar to those
specified for mutual funds under securities laws);
o if you transfer a contract, for example, as a gift to someone other than
your spouse (or former spouse);
o if you use a contract as security for a loan (in this case, the amount
pledged will be treated as a distribution); and
o if the owner is other than an individual (such as a corporation,
partnership, trust, or other non-natural person). This provision does not
apply to a trust which is a mere agent or nominee for an individual, such as
a grantor trust.
Federal tax law requires that all nonqualified deferred annuity contracts that
AXA Equitable and its affiliates issue to you during the same calendar year be
linked together and treated as one contract for calculating the taxable amount
of any distribution from any of those contracts.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The following applies to an annuitization of the entire contract. In certain
cases, the contract can be partially annuitized. See "Partial annuitization"
below.
Annuitization under a Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract occurs when
your entire interest under the contract is or has been applied to one or more
payout options intended to amortize amounts over your life or over a period
certain generally limited by the period of your life expectancy. Annuity payouts
can also be determined on a joint life basis. After annuitization, no further
contributions to the contract may be made, the annuity payout amount must be
paid at least annually, and annuity payments cannot be stopped except by death
or surrender (if permitted under the terms of the contract).
Once annuity payments begin, a portion of each payment is taxable as ordinary
income. You get back the remaining portion without paying taxes on it. This is
your unrecovered investment in the contract. Generally, your investment in the
contract equals the contributions you made, less any amounts you previously
withdrew that were not taxable.
For fixed annuity payments, the tax-free portion of each payment is determined
by (1) dividing your investment in the contract by the total amount you are
expected to receive out of the contract, and (2) multiplying the result by the
amount of the payment. For variable annuity payments, your tax-free portion of
each payment is your investment in the contract divided by the number of
expected payments. If you have a loss on a variable annuity payout in a taxable
year, you may be able to adjust the tax-free amount in subsequent years.
43 TAX INFORMATION
Once you have received the amount of your investment in the contract, all
payments after that are fully taxable. If payments under a life annuity stop
because the annuitant dies, there is an income tax deduction for any
unrecovered investment in the contract.
Your rights to apply amounts under this Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract to an annuity payout option are described elsewhere in this
Prospectus. If you hold your contract to the maximum maturity age under the
contract we require that a choice be made between taking a lump sum settlement
of any remaining account value or applying any such account value to one or
more of the annuity payout options under the contract. If no affirmative choice
is made, we will apply any remaining account value or interest in the contract
to the default option under the contract at such age. While there is no
specific federal tax guidance as to whether or when an annuity contract is
required to mature, or as to the form of the payments to be made upon maturity,
we believe that this Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract constitutes an
annuity contract under current federal tax rules.
PARTIAL ANNUITIZATION
The consequences described above for annuitization of the entire contract apply
to the portion of the contract which is partially annuitized. Beginning January
1, 2011, a nonqualified deferred annuity contract is treated as being partially
annuitized if a portion of the contract is applied to an annuity payout option
on a life-contingent basis or for a period certain of at least 10 years. In
order to get annuity payment tax treatment for the portion of the contract
applied to the annuity payout, payments must be made at least annually in
substantially equal amounts, the payments must be designed to amortize the
amount applied over life or the period certain, and the payments cannot be
stopped, except by death or surrender (if permitted under the terms of the
contract). The investment in the contract is split between the partially
annuitized portion and the deferred amount remaining based on the relative
values of the amount applied to the annuity payout and the deferred amount
remaining at the time of the partial annuitization. Also, the partial
annuitization has its own annuity starting date.
WITHDRAWALS MADE BEFORE ANNUITY PAYMENTS BEGIN
If you make withdrawals before annuity payments begin under your contract, they
are taxable to you as ordinary income if there are earnings in the contract.
Generally, earnings are your account value less your investment in the
contract. If you withdraw an amount which is more than the earnings in the
contract as of the date of the withdrawal, the balance of the distribution is
treated as a reduction of your investment in the contract and is not taxable.
If you have a Series ADV contract, withdrawals made by your investment advisor
are taxable to you.
1035 EXCHANGES
You may purchase a nonqualified deferred annuity through an exchange of another
contract. Normally, exchanges of contracts are taxable events. The exchange
will not be taxable under Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code if:
o the contract that is the source of the funds you are using to purchase the
nonqualified deferred annuity contract is another nonqualified deferred
annuity contract or life insurance or endowment contract.
o the owner and the annuitant are the same under the source contract and the
contract issued in exchange. If you are using a life insurance or endowment
contract the owner and the insured must be the same on both sides of the
exchange transaction.
The tax basis, also referred to as your investment in the contract, of the
source contract carries over to the contract issued in exchange.
An owner may direct the proceeds of a partial withdrawal from one nonqualified
deferred annuity contract to a different insurer to purchase a new nonqualified
deferred annuity contract on a tax-deferred basis. Special forms, agreement
between the carriers, and provision of cost basis information may be required
to process this type of an exchange.
Section 1035 exchanges are generally not available after the death of the
owner.
SURRENDERS
If you surrender or cancel the contract, the distribution is taxable as
ordinary income (not capital gain) to the extent it exceeds your investment in
the contract.
DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENTS MADE TO A BENEFICIARY AFTER YOUR DEATH
For the rules applicable to death benefits, see "Payment of death benefit"
earlier in this Prospectus. The tax treatment of a death benefit taken as a
single sum is generally the same as the tax treatment of a withdrawal from or
surrender of your contract. The tax treatment of a death benefit taken as
annuity payments is generally the same as the tax treatment of annuity payments
under your contract.
Under the Beneficiary continuation option, the tax treatment of a withdrawal
after the death of the owner taken as a single sum or taken as withdrawals
under the 5-year rule is generally the same as the tax treatment of a
withdrawal from or surrender of your contract.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION PENALTY TAX
If you take distributions before you are age 59-1/2, a penalty tax of 10% of
the taxable portion of your distribution applies in addition to the income tax.
Some of the available exceptions to the pre-age 59-1/2 penalty tax include
distributions made:
o on or after your death; or
o because you are disabled (special federal income tax definition); or
o in the form of substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually
over your life (or your life expectancy) or over the joint lives of you and
your beneficiary (or your joint life expectancies) using an IRS-approved
distribution method.
We will report a life-contingent partial annuitization made to an owner under
age 59-1/2 as eligible for an exception to the early distribution penalty tax.
We may be required to treat a partial annuitization for a period certain of at
least 10 years as being subject to the penalty for an owner under age 59-1/2.
INVESTOR CONTROL ISSUES
-----------------------
Under certain circumstances, the IRS has stated that you could be treated as
the owner (for tax purposes) of the assets of Separate Account No. 49. If you
were treated as the owner, you would be taxed on income and gains attributable
to the shares of the underlying portfolios.
The circumstances that would lead to this tax treatment would be that, in the
opinion of the IRS, you could control the underlying investment
TAX INFORMATION 44
of Separate Account No. 49. Recently, the IRS has said that the owners of
variable annuities will not be treated as owning the separate account assets
provided the underlying portfolios are restricted to variable life and annuity
assets. The variable annuity owners must have the right only to choose among
the portfolios, and must have no right to direct the particular investment
decisions within the portfolios.
Also we do not believe that these rules apply to the assets of Separate Account
No. 68, because contract owners have no interest in the performance of those
assets.
Although we believe that, under current IRS guidance, you would not be treated
as the owner of the assets of Separate Account No. 49, there are some issues
that remain unclear. For example, the IRS has not issued any guidance as to
whether having a larger number of portfolios available, or an unlimited right
to transfer among them, could cause you to be treated as the owner. We do not
know whether the IRS will ever provide such guidance or whether such guidance,
if unfavorable, would apply retroactively to your contract. Furthermore, the
IRS could reverse its current guidance at any time. We reserve the right to
modify your contract as necessary to prevent you from being treated as the
owner of the assets of Separate Account No 49.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENTS ("IRAS")
GENERAL
"IRA" stands for individual retirement arrangement. There are two basic types
of such arrangements, individual retirement accounts and individual retirement
annuities. In an individual retirement account, a trustee or custodian holds
the assets funding the account for the benefit of the IRA owner. The assets
typically include mutual funds and/or individual stocks and securities in a
custodial account, and bank certificates of deposit in a trusteed account. In
an individual retirement annuity, an insurance company issues an annuity
contract that serves as the IRA.
There are two basic types of IRAs, as follows:
o traditional IRAs, typically funded on a pre-tax basis; and
o Roth IRAs, funded on an after-tax basis.
Regardless of the type of IRA, your ownership interest in the IRA cannot be
forfeited. You or your beneficiaries who survive you are the only ones who can
receive the IRA's benefits or payments. All types of IRAs qualify for tax
deferral, regardless of the funding vehicle selected.
You can hold your IRA assets in as many different accounts and annuities as you
would like, as long as you meet the rules for setting up and making
contributions to IRAs. However, if you own multiple IRAs, you may be required
to combine IRA values or contributions for tax purposes. For further
information about individual retirement arrangements, you can read Internal
Revenue Service Publication 590 ("Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)").
This publication is usually updated annually, and can be obtained by contacting
the IRS or from the IRS website (www.irs.gov).
AXA Equitable designs its IRA contracts to qualify as "individual retirement
annuities" under Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. We offer the
Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract in both traditional IRA and Roth IRA
versions.
This Prospectus contains the information that the IRS requires you to have
before you purchase an IRA. The first section covers some of the special tax
rules that apply to traditional IRAs. The next section covers Roth IRAs. The
disclosure generally assumes direct ownership of the individual retirement
annuity contracts. For contracts owned in a custodial individual retirement
account, the disclosure will apply only if you terminate your account or
transfer ownership of the contract to yourself.
We describe the amount and types of charges that may apply to your
contributions under "Charges and expenses" earlier in this Prospectus. We
describe the method of calculating payments under "Accessing your money"
earlier in this Prospectus. We do not guarantee or project growth in variable
income annuitization option payments (as opposed to payments from a fixed
income annuitization option).
We have not applied for opinion letters approving the respective forms of the
traditional IRA and Roth IRA contracts for use as a traditional and Roth IRA,
respectively. This IRS approval is a determination only as to the form of the
annuity. It does not represent a determination of the merits of the annuity as
an investment.
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL WITHIN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS
You can cancel either version of the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) IRA
contract (traditional IRA or Roth IRA) by following the directions under "Your
right to cancel within a certain number of days" in "Contract features and
benefits" earlier in this Prospectus. If you cancel a traditional IRA, or Roth
IRA contract, we may have to withhold tax, and we must report the transaction
to the IRS. A contract cancellation could have an unfavorable tax impact.
TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
(TRADITIONAL IRAS)
------------------
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS. Individuals may make three different types
of contributions to purchase a traditional IRA or as subsequent contributions
to an existing IRA:
o "regular" contributions out of earned income or compensation; or
o Tax-free "rollover" contributions; or
o direct custodian-to-custodian transfers from other traditional IRAs ("direct
transfers").
When you make a contribution to your IRA, we require you to tell us whether it
is a regular contribution, rollover contribution, or direct transfer
contribution, and to supply supporting documentation in some cases.
The initial contribution to purchase this contract must be a rollover or direct
transfer contribution.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS
LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS. The "maximum regular contribution amount" for any
taxable year is the most that can be contributed to all of your IRAs
(traditional and Roth) as regular contributions for the particular taxable
year. The maximum regular contribution amount depends on age, earnings, and
year, among other things. Generally, $5,000 is the maximum amount that you may
contribute to all IRAs (including Roth IRAs). When your earnings are below
$5,000, your earned income or compensation for the year is the most you can
contribute. This limit does not apply to rollover contributions or direct
custodian-to-custodian transfers into a traditional IRA. You cannot make
regular traditional IRA contributions for the taxable year in which you reach
age 70-1/2 or any taxable year after that.
45 TAX INFORMATION
If you are at least age 50 at any time during the taxable year for which you
are making a regular contribution to your IRA, you may be eligible to make
additional "catch up contributions" of up to $1,000 to your traditional IRA.
SPECIAL RULES FOR SPOUSES. If you are married and file a joint federal income
tax return, you and your spouse may combine your compensation to determine the
amount of regular contributions you are permitted to make to traditional IRAs
(and Roth IRAs discussed below). Even if one spouse has no compensation, or
compensation under $5,000, married individuals filing jointly can contribute up
to $10,000 per year to any combination of traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. Any
contributions to Roth IRAs reduce the ability to contribute to traditional IRAs
and vice versa. The maximum amount may be less if earned income is less and the
other spouse has made IRA contributions. No more than a combined total of
$5,000 can be contributed annually to either spouse's traditional and Roth
IRAs. Each spouse owns his or her traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs even if the
other spouse funded the contributions. A working spouse age 70-1/2 or over can
contribute up to the lesser of $5,000 or 100% of "earned income" to a
traditional IRA for a nonworking spouse until the year in which the nonworking
spouse reaches age 70-1/2. Catch-up contributions may be made as described
above for spouses who are at least age 50 but under age 70-1/2 at any time
during the taxable year for which the contribution is being made.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS. The amount of traditional IRA contributions
that you can deduct for a taxable year depends on whether you are covered by an
employer-sponsored-tax-favored retirement plan, as defined under special
federal income tax rules. Your Form W-2 will indicate whether or not you are
covered by such a retirement plan.
The federal tax rules governing contributions to IRAs made from current
compensation are complex and are subject to numerous technical requirements and
limitations which vary based on an individual's personal situation (including
his/her spouse). IRS Publication 590, "Individual Retirement Arrangements
(IRAs)" which is updated annually and is available at www.irs.gov, contains
pertinent explanations of the rules applicable to the current year. The amount
of permissible contributions to IRAs, the amount of IRA contributions which may
be deductible, and the individual's income limits for determining contributions
and deductions all may be adjusted annually for cost of living.
NONDEDUCTIBLE REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS. If you are not eligible to deduct part or
all of the traditional IRA contribution, you may still make nondeductible
contributions on which earnings will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. The
combined deductible and nondeductible contributions to your traditional IRA (or
the nonworking spouse's traditional IRA) may not, however, exceed the maximum
$5,000 per person limit for the applicable taxable year. The dollar limit is
$6,000 for people eligible to make age 50-70-1/2 "catch-up" contributions. You
must keep your own records of deductible and nondeductible contributions in
order to prevent double taxation on the distribution of previously taxed
amounts. See "Withdrawals, payments and transfers of funds out of traditional
IRAs" below.
If you are making nondeductible contributions in any taxable year, or you have
made nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA in prior years and are
receiving distributions from any traditional IRA, you must file the required
information with the IRS. Moreover, if you are making nondeductible traditional
IRA contributions, you must retain all income tax returns and records
pertaining to such contributions until interests in all traditional IRAs are
fully distributed.
WHEN YOU CAN MAKE REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS. If you file your tax returns on a
calendar year basis like most taxpayers, you have until the April 15 return
filing deadline (without extensions) of the following calendar year to make
your regular traditional IRA contributions for a tax year. Make sure you
designate the year for which you are making the contribution.
ROLLOVER AND DIRECT TRANSFER CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS
Rollover contributions may be made to a traditional IRA from these "eligible
retirement plans":
o qualified plans;
o governmental employer 457(b) plans;
o 403(b) plans; and
o other traditional IRAs.
Direct transfer contributions may only be made directly from one traditional
IRA to another.
Any amount contributed to a traditional IRA after you reach age 70-1/2 must be
net of your required minimum distribution for the year in which the rollover or
direct transfer contribution is made.
ROLLOVERS FROM "ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLANS" OTHER THAN TRADITIONAL IRAS
Your plan administrator will tell you whether or not your distribution is
eligible to be rolled over. Spousal beneficiaries and spousal alternate payees
under qualified domestic relations orders may roll over funds on the same basis
as the plan participant.
There are two ways to do rollovers:
o Do it yourself:
You actually receive a distribution that can be rolled over and you roll it
over to a traditional IRA within 60 days after the date you receive the
funds. The distribution from your eligible retirement plan will be net of
20% mandatory federal income tax withholding. If you want, you can replace
the withheld funds yourself and roll over the full amount.
o Direct rollover:
You tell the trustee or custodian of the eligible retirement plan to send
the distribution directly to your traditional IRA issuer. Direct rollovers
are not subject to mandatory federal income tax withholding.
All distributions from a qualified plan, 403(b) plan or governmental employer
457(b) plan are eligible rollover distributions, unless the distributions are:
o "required minimum distributions" after age 70-1/2 or retirement from service
with the employer; or
o substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually for your life
(or life expectancy) or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of you
and your designated beneficiary; or
o substantially equal periodic payments made for a specified period of 10
years or more; or
o hardship withdrawals; or
o corrective distributions that fit specified technical tax rules; or
o loans that are treated as distributions; or
TAX INFORMATION 46
o death benefit payments to a beneficiary who is not your surviving spouse; or
o qualified domestic relations order distributions to a beneficiary who is not
your current spouse or former spouse.
You should discuss with your tax adviser whether you should consider rolling
over funds from one type of tax qualified retirement plan to another, because
the funds will generally be subject to the rules of the recipient plan. For
example, funds in a governmental employer 457(b) plan are not subject to the
additional 10% federal income tax penalty for premature distributions, but they
may become subject to this penalty if you roll the funds to a different type of
eligible retirement plan, such as a traditional IRA, and subsequently take a
premature distribution.
ROLLOVERS OF AFTER-TAX CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLANS OTHER THAN
TRADITIONAL IRAS
Any non-Roth after-tax contributions you have made to a qualified plan or
403(b) plan (but not a governmental employer 457(b) plan) may be rolled over to
a traditional IRA (either in a direct rollover or a rollover you do yourself).
When the recipient plan is a traditional IRA, you are responsible for
recordkeeping and calculating the taxable amount of any distributions you take
from that traditional IRA. See "Taxation of payments" later in this Prospectus
under "Withdrawals, payments and transfers of funds out of traditional IRAs."
After-tax contributions in a traditional IRA cannot be rolled over from your
traditional IRA into, or back into, a qualified plan, 403(b) plan or
governmental employer 457(b) plan.
ROLLOVERS FROM TRADITIONAL IRAS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS
You may roll over amounts from one traditional IRA to one or more of your other
traditional IRAs if you complete the transaction within 60 days after you
receive the funds. You may make such a rollover only once in every 12-month
period for the same funds. Trustee-to-trustee or custodian-to-custodian direct
transfers are not rollover transactions. You can make these more frequently
than once in every 12-month period.
SPOUSAL ROLLOVERS AND DIVORCE-RELATED DIRECT TRANSFERS
The surviving spouse beneficiary of a deceased individual can roll over funds
from, or directly transfer funds from, the deceased spouse's traditional IRA to
one or more other traditional IRAs. Also, in some cases, traditional IRAs can
be transferred on a tax-free basis between spouses or former spouses as a
result of a court-ordered divorce or separation decree.
EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS
Excess contributions to IRAs are subject to a 6% excise tax for the year in
which made and for each year after until withdrawn. The following are excess
contributions to IRAs:
o regular contributions of more than the maximum regular contribution amount
for the applicable taxable year; or
o regular contributions to a traditional IRA made after you reach age 70-1/2;
or
o rollover contributions of amounts which are not eligible to be rolled over,
for example, minimum distributions required to be made after age 70-1/2.
You can avoid or limit the excise tax by withdrawing an excess contribution
(rollover or regular). See Publication 590 for further details.
RECHARACTERIZATIONS
Amounts that have been contributed as traditional IRA funds may subsequently be
treated as Roth IRA funds. Special federal income tax rules allow you to change
your mind again and have amounts that are subsequently treated as Roth IRA
funds, once again treated as traditional IRA funds. You do this by using the
forms we prescribe. This is referred to as having "recharacterized" your
contribution.
WITHDRAWALS, PAYMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS OUT OF TRADITIONAL IRAS
NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW RESTRICTIONS ON WITHDRAWALS. You can withdraw any or
all of your funds from a traditional IRA at any time. You do not need to wait
for a special event like retirement.
TAXATION OF PAYMENTS. Amounts distributed from traditional IRAs are not
subject to federal income tax until you or your beneficiary receive them.
Taxable payments or distributions include withdrawals from your contract,
surrender of your contract and annuity payments from your contract. Death
benefits are also taxable.
We report all payments from traditional IRA contracts on IRS Form 1099-R. You
are responsible for reporting these amounts correctly on your individual income
tax return and keeping supporting records. Except as discussed below, the total
amount of any distribution from a traditional IRA must be included in your
gross income as ordinary income.
If you have ever made nondeductible (after-tax) IRA contributions to any
traditional IRA (it does not have to be to this particular traditional IRA
contract), those contributions are recovered tax-free when you get
distributions from any traditional IRA. It is your responsibility to keep
permanent tax records of all of your nondeductible contributions to traditional
IRAs so that you can correctly report the taxable amount of any distribution on
your own tax return. At the end of any year in which you have received a
distribution from any traditional IRA, you calculate the ratio of your total
nondeductible traditional IRA contributions (less any amounts previously
withdrawn tax free) to the total account balances of all traditional IRAs you
own at the end of the year plus all traditional IRA distributions made during
the year. Multiply this by all distributions from the traditional IRA during
the year to determine the nontaxable portion of each distribution.
A distribution from a traditional IRA is not taxable if:
o the amount received is a withdrawal of certain excess contributions, as
described in IRS Publication 590; or
o the entire amount received is rolled over to another traditional IRA or
other eligible retirement plan which agrees to accept the funds. (See
"Rollovers from eligible retirement plans other than traditional IRAs" under
"Rollover and direct transfer contributions to traditional IRAs" earlier in
this section for more information.)
The following are eligible to receive rollovers of distributions from a
traditional IRA: a qualified plan, a 403(b) plan or a governmental employer 457
plan. After-tax contributions in a traditional IRA cannot be rolled from your
traditional IRA into, or back into, a qualified plan, 403(b) plan or
governmental employer 457 plan. Before you decide to roll over a distribution
from a traditional IRA to another eligible retirement plan, you should check
with the administrator of that plan about
47 TAX INFORMATION
whether the plan accepts rollovers and, if so, the types it accepts. You should
also check with the administrator of the receiving plan about any documents
required to be completed before it will accept a rollover.
Distributions from a traditional IRA are not eligible for favorable ten-year
averaging and long-term capital gain treatment available under limited
circumstances for certain distributions from qualified plans. If you might be
eligible for such tax treatment from your qualified plan, you may be able to
preserve such tax treatment even though an eligible rollover from a qualified
plan is temporarily rolled into a "conduit IRA"before being rolled back into a
qualified plan. See your tax adviser.
Certain distributions from IRAs directly transferred to charitable
organizations may be tax-free to IRA owners age 70-1/2 or older if made by
December 31, 2011.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
BACKGROUND ON REGULATIONS -- REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions must be made from traditional IRAs according to rules contained in
the Code and Treasury Regulations. Certain provisions of the Treasury
Regulations require that the actuarial present value of additional annuity
contract benefits must be added to the dollar amount credited for purposes of
calculating certain types of required minimum distributions from individual
retirement annuity contracts. For this purpose additional annuity contract
benefits may include, but are not limited to, various guaranteed benefits. This
could increase the amount required to be distributed from the contracts if you
take annual withdrawals instead of annuitizing. Currently we believe that these
provisions would not apply to Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contracts
because of the type of benefits provided under the contracts. However, if you
take annual withdrawals instead of annuitizing, please consult your tax adviser
concerning applicability of these complex rules to your situation.
LIFETIME REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS. You must start taking annual
distributions from your traditional IRAs for the year in which you turn age
70-1/2.
WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIRST LIFETIME REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION. The
first required minimum distribution is for the calendar year in which you turn
age 70-1/2. You have the choice to take this first required minimum
distribution during the calendar year you actually reach age 70-1/2, or to
delay taking it until the first three-month period in the next calendar year
(January 1 - April 1). Distributions must start no later than your "Required
Beginning Date," which is April 1st of the calendar year after the calendar
year in which you turn age 70-1/2. If you choose to delay taking the first
annual minimum distribution, then you will have to take two minimum
distributions in that year -- the delayed one for the first year and the one
actually for that year. Once minimum distributions begin, they must be made at
some time each year.
HOW YOU CAN CALCULATE REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS. There are two approaches
to taking required minimum distributions -- "account-based" or "annuity-based."
ACCOUNT-BASED METHOD. If you choose an account-based method, you divide the
value of your traditional IRA as of December 31st of the past calendar year by
a number corresponding to your age from an IRS table. This gives you the
required minimum distribution amount for that particular IRA for that year. If
your spouse is your sole beneficiary and more than 10 years younger than you,
the dividing number you use may be from another IRS table and may produce a
smaller lifetime required minimum distribution amount. Regardless of the table
used, the required minimum distribution amount will vary each year as the
account value, the actuarial present value of additional annuity contract
benefits, if applicable, and the divisor change. If you initially choose an
account-based method, you may later apply your traditional IRA funds to a life
annuity-based payout with any certain period not exceeding remaining life
expectancy, determined in accordance with IRS tables.
If you choose an account-based method, the RMD amount for your Structured
Capital Strategies(SM) traditional IRA contract is calculated with respect to
your entire interest in the contract, including your allocations to one or more
variable investment options and one or more of the Segments in the Structured
Investment Option.
ANNUITY-BASED METHOD. If you choose an annuity-based method, you do not have
to do annual calculations. You apply the account value to an annuity payout for
your life or the joint lives of you and a designated beneficiary, or for a
period certain not extending beyond applicable life expectancies, determined in
accordance with IRS tables.
DO YOU HAVE TO PICK THE SAME METHOD TO CALCULATE YOUR REQUIRED MINIMUM
DISTRIBUTIONS FOR ALL OF YOUR TRADITIONAL IRAS AND OTHER RETIREMENT PLANS?
No. If you want, you can choose a different method for each of your
traditional IRAs and other retirement plans. For example, you can choose an
annuity payout from one IRA, a different annuity payout from a qualified plan,
and an account-based annual withdrawal from another IRA.
WILL WE PAY YOU THE ANNUAL AMOUNT EVERY YEAR FROM YOUR TRADITIONAL IRA BASED
ON THE METHOD YOU CHOOSE? We will only pay you automatically if you
affirmatively select an annuity payout option or an account-based withdrawal
option such as our "automatic required minimum distribution (RMD) service."
Even if you do not enroll in our service, we will calculate the amount of the
required minimum distribution withdrawal for you, if you so request in writing.
However, in that case you will be responsible for asking us to pay the required
minimum distribution withdrawal to you.
Also, the IRS will let you calculate the required minimum distribution for each
traditional IRA that you maintain, using the method that you picked for that
particular IRA. You can add these required minimum distribution amount
calculations together. As long as the total amount you take out every year
satisfies your overall traditional IRA required minimum distribution amount,
you may choose to take your annual required minimum distribution from any one
or more traditional IRAs that you own.
If you are at an age where you are required to take lifetime required minimum
distributions from traditional IRAs you should consider the effect of
allocations to the Structured Investment Option under a Structured Capital
Strategies(SM) traditional IRA contract. You should consider whether you have a
sufficient amount allocated to the Variable Investment Options under this
contract and/or sufficient liquidity under other traditional IRAs that you
maintain in order to satisfy your RMD for this contract without affecting
amounts allocated to the Structured Investment Option under this contract.
WHAT IF YOU TAKE MORE THAN YOU NEED TO FOR ANY YEAR? The required minimum
distribution amount for your traditional IRAs is calculated on a year-by-year
basis. There are no carry-back or carry-forward provisions. Also, you cannot
apply required minimum distribution amounts
TAX INFORMATION 48
you take from your qualified plans to the amounts you have to take from your
traditional IRAs and vice versa.
WHAT IF YOU TAKE LESS THAN YOU NEED TO FOR ANY YEAR? Your IRA could be
disqualified, and you could have to pay tax on the entire value. Even if your
IRA is not disqualified, you could have to pay a 50% penalty tax on the
shortfall (required amount for traditional IRAs less amount actually taken). It
is your responsibility to meet the required minimum distribution rules. We will
remind you when our records show that you are within the age group which must
take lifetime required minimum distributions. If you do not select a method
with us, we will assume you are taking your required minimum distribution from
another traditional IRA that you own.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION PAYMENTS AFTER YOU DIE? These
could vary depending on whether you die before or after your Required Beginning
Date for lifetime required minimum distribution payments, and the status of
your beneficiary. The following assumes that you have not yet elected an
annuity-based payout at the time of your death. If you elect an annuity-based
payout, payments (if any) after your death must be made at least as rapidly as
when you were alive.
INDIVIDUAL BENEFICIARY. Regardless of whether your death occurs before or
after your Required Beginning Date, an individual death beneficiary calculates
annual post-death required minimum distribution payments based on the
beneficiary's life expectancy using the "term certain method." That is, he or
she determines his or her life expectancy using the IRS-provided life
expectancy tables as of the calendar year after the owner's death and reduces
that number by one each subsequent year.
If you die before your Required Beginning Date, the rules permit any individual
beneficiary, including a spousal beneficiary, to elect instead to apply the
"5-year rule." Under this rule, instead of annual payments having to be made
beginning with the first in the year following the owner's death, the entire
account must be distributed by the end of the calendar year which contains the
fifth anniversary of the owner's death. No distribution is required before that
fifth year.
SPOUSAL BENEFICIARY. If you die after your Required Beginning Date, and your
death beneficiary is your surviving spouse, your spouse has a number of
choices. Post-death distributions may be made over your spouse's single life
expectancy. Any amounts distributed after that surviving spouse's death are
made over the spouse's life expectancy calculated in the year of his/her death,
reduced by one for each subsequent year. In some circumstances, your surviving
spouse may elect to become the owner of the traditional IRA and halt
distributions until he or she reaches age 70-1/2, or roll over amounts from
your traditional IRA into his/her own traditional IRA or other eligible
retirement plan.
If you die before your Required Beginning Date, and the death beneficiary is
your surviving spouse, the rules permit the spouse to delay starting payments
over his/her life expectancy until the year in which you would have attained
age 70-1/2.
NON-INDIVIDUAL BENEFICIARY. If you die after your Required Beginning Date, and
your death beneficiary is a non-individual, such as the estate, the rules
permit the beneficiary to calculate post-death required minimum distribution
amounts based on the owner's life expectancy in the year of death. HOWEVER,
NOTE THAT WE NEED AN INDIVIDUAL ANNUITANT TO KEEP AN ANNUITY CONTRACT IN FORCE.
IF THE BENEFICIARY IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL, WE MUST DISTRIBUTE AMOUNTS REMAINING
IN THE ANNUITY CONTRACT AFTER THE DEATH OF THE ANNUITANT.
If you die before your Required Beginning Date for lifetime required minimum
distribution payments, and the death beneficiary is a non-individual, such as
the estate, the rules continue to apply the 5-year rule discussed above under
"Individual beneficiary."PLEASE NOTE THAT WE NEED AN INDIVIDUAL ANNUITANT TO
KEEP AN ANNUITY CONTRACT IN FORCE. IF THE BENEFICIARY IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL, WE
MUST DISTRIBUTE AMOUNTS REMAINING IN THE ANNUITY CONTRACT AFTER THE DEATH OF
THE ANNUITANT.
SPOUSAL CONTINUATION
If the contract is continued under Spousal continuation, the required minimum
distribution rules are applied as if your surviving spouse is the contract
owner.
PAYMENTS TO A BENEFICIARY AFTER YOUR DEATH
IRA death benefits are taxed the same as IRA distributions.
BORROWING AND LOANS ARE PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
You cannot get loans from a traditional IRA. You cannot use a traditional IRA
as collateral for a loan or other obligation. If you borrow against your IRA or
use it as collateral, its tax-favored status will be lost as of the first day
of the tax year in which this prohibited event occurs. If this happens, you
must include the value of the traditional IRA in your federal gross income.
Also, the early distribution penalty tax of 10% may apply if you have not
reached age 59-1/2 before the first day of that tax year.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION PENALTY TAX
A penalty tax of 10% of the taxable portion of a distribution applies to
distributions from a traditional IRA made before you reach age 59-1/2. Some of
the available exceptions to the pre-age 59-1/2 penalty tax include
distributions made:
o on or after your death; or
o because you are disabled (special federal income tax definition); or
o to pay for certain extraordinary medical expenses (special federal income
tax definition); or
o to pay medical insurance premiums for unemployed individuals (special
federal income tax definition); or
o to pay certain first-time home buyer expenses (special federal income tax
definition -- there is a $10,000 lifetime total limit for these
distributions from all your traditional and Roth IRAs); or
o to pay certain higher education expenses (special federal income tax
definition); or
o in the form of substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually
over your life (or your life expectancy), or over the joint lives of you and
your beneficiary (or your joint life expectancies) using an IRS-approved
distribution method.
ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
("ROTH IRAS")
This section of the Prospectus covers some of the special tax rules that apply
to Roth IRAs. If the rules are the same as those that apply to the traditional
IRA, we will refer you to the same topic under "traditional IRAs."
49 TAX INFORMATION
The Structured Capital Strategies(SM) Roth IRA contracts are designed to qualify
as Roth individual retirement annuities under Sections 408A(b) and 408(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
Individuals may make four different types of contributions to a Roth IRA:
o regular after-tax contributions out of earnings; or
o taxable rollover contributions from traditional IRAs or other eligible
retirement plans ("conversion" rollover contributions); or
o tax-free rollover contributions from other Roth individual retirement
arrangements (or designated Roth accounts under defined contribution plans);
or
o tax-free direct custodian-to-custodian transfers from other Roth IRAs
("direct transfers").
If you use the forms we require, we will also accept traditional IRA funds
which are subsequently recharacterized as Roth IRA funds following special
federal income tax rules.
The initial contribution to purchase this contract must be a rollover or direct
transfer contribution.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
LIMITS ON REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS. The "maximum regular contribution amount" for
any taxable year is the most that can be contributed to all of your IRAs
(traditional and Roth) as regular contributions for the particular taxable
year. The maximum regular contribution amount depends on age, earnings, and
year, among other things. Generally, $5,000 is the maximum amount that you may
contribute to all IRAs (including Roth IRAs). This limit does not apply to
rollover contributions or direct custodian-to-custodian transfers into a Roth
IRA. Any contributions to Roth IRAs reduce the ability to contribute to
traditional IRAs and vice versa. When your earnings are below $5,000, your
earned income or compensation for the year is the most you can contribute. If
you are married and file a joint income tax return, you and your spouse may
combine your compensation to determine the amount of regular contributions you
are permitted to make to Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs. See the discussion
above under "Special rules for spouses" earlier in this section under
traditional IRAs.
If you or your spouse are at least age 50 at any time during the taxable year
for which you are making a regular contribution, you may be eligible to make
additional catch-up contributions of up to $1,000.
With a Roth IRA, you can make regular contributions when you reach 70-1/2, as
long as you have sufficient earnings. The amount of permissible contributions
to Roth IRAs for any year depends on the individual's income limits and marital
status. For example, if you are married and filing separately for any year your
ability to make regular Roth IRA contributions is greatly limited. The amount
of permissible contributions and income limits may be adjusted annually for
cost of living. Please consult IRS Publication 590, "Individual Retirement
Arrangements (IRAs)" for the rules applicable to the current year.
WHEN YOU CAN MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS. Same as traditional IRAs.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS. Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible.
ROLLOVER AND DIRECT TRANSFER CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROLLOVER AND DIRECT TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS? The
difference between a rollover transaction and a direct transfer transaction is
the following: in a rollover transaction you actually take possession of the
funds rolled over, or are considered to have received them under tax law in the
case of a change from one type of plan to another. In a direct transfer
transaction, you never take possession of the funds, but direct the first Roth
IRA custodian, trustee, or issuer to transfer the first Roth IRA funds directly
to the recipient Roth IRA custodian, trustee or issuer. You can make direct
transfer transactions only between identical plan types (for example, Roth IRA
to Roth IRA). You can also make rollover transactions between identical plan
types. However, you can only make rollovers between different plan types (for
example, traditional IRA to Roth IRA).
You may make rollover contributions to a Roth IRA from these sources only:
o another Roth IRA;
o a traditional IRA, including a SEP-IRA or SIMPLE IRA (after a two-year
rollover limitation period for SIMPLE IRA funds), in a taxable conversion
rollover ("conversion rollover");
o a "designated Roth contribution account" under a 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan or
governmental employer Section 457(b) plan (direct or 60-day); or
o from non-Roth accounts under another eligible retirement plan as described
below under "Conversion rollover contributions to Roth IRAs."
You may make direct transfer contributions to a Roth IRA only from another Roth
IRA.
You may make both Roth IRA to Roth IRA rollover transactions and Roth IRA to
Roth IRA direct transfer transactions. This can be accomplished on a completely
tax-free basis. However, you may make Roth IRA to Roth IRA rollover
transactions only once in any 12-month period for the same funds.
Trustee-to-trustee or custodian-to-custodian direct transfers can be made more
frequently than once a year. Also, if you send us the rollover contribution to
apply it to a Roth IRA, you must do so within 60 days after you receive the
proceeds from the original IRA to get rollover treatment.
The surviving spouse beneficiary of a deceased individual can roll over or
directly transfer an inherited Roth IRA to one or more other Roth IRAs. In some
cases, Roth IRAs can be transferred on a tax-free basis between spouses or
former spouses as a result of a court-ordered divorce or separation decree.
CONVERSION ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
In a conversion rollover transaction, you withdraw (or are considered to have
withdrawn) all or a portion of funds from a traditional IRA you maintain and
convert it to a Roth IRA within 60 days after you receive (or are considered to
have received) the traditional IRA proceeds. Amounts can also be rolled over
from non-Roth accounts under another eligible retirement plan, including a Code
Section 401(a) qualified plan, a 403(b) plan, and a governmental employer
Section 457(b) plan.
Unlike a rollover from a traditional IRA to another traditional IRA, a
conversion rollover transaction from a traditional IRA or other eligible
retirement plan to a Roth IRA is not tax-free. Instead, the distribution from
the traditional IRA or other eligible retirement plan is generally
TAX INFORMATION 50
fully taxable. If you are converting all or part of a traditional IRA, and you
have ever made nondeductible regular contributions to any traditional IRA --
whether or not it is the traditional IRA you are converting -- a pro rata
portion of the distribution is tax-free. Even if you are under age 59-1/2, the
early distribution penalty tax does not apply to conversion rollover
contributions to a Roth IRA.
You cannot make conversion contributions to a Roth IRA to the extent that the
funds in your traditional IRA or other eligible retirement plan are subject to
the lifetime annual required minimum distribution rules.
You cannot convert and reconvert an amount during the same taxable year, or if
later, during the 30-day period following a recharacterization. If you
reconvert during either of these periods, it will be a failed Roth IRA
conversion.
The IRS and Treasury have issued Proposed and Temporary Treasury Regulations
addressing the valuation of annuity contracts funding traditional IRAs in the
conversion to Roth IRAs. Although these Regulations are not clear, they could
require an individual's gross income on the conversion of a traditional IRA to
a Roth IRA to be measured using various actuarial methods and not as if the
annuity contract funding the traditional IRA had been surrendered at the time
of conversion. This could increase the amount of income reported in certain
circumstances.
RECHARACTERIZATIONS
You may be able to treat a contribution made to one type of IRA as having been
made to a different type of IRA. This is called recharacterizing the
contribution.
HOW TO RECHARACTERIZE. To recharacterize a contribution, you generally must
have the contribution transferred from the first IRA (the one to which it was
made) to the second IRA in a deemed trustee-to-trustee transfer. If the
transfer is made by the due date (including extensions) for your tax return for
the year during which the contribution was made, you can elect to treat the
contribution as having been originally made to the second IRA instead of to the
first IRA. It will be treated as having been made to the second IRA on the same
date that it was actually made to the first IRA. You must report the
recharacterization, and must treat the contribution as having been made to the
second IRA, instead of the first IRA, on your tax return for the year during
which the contribution was made.
The contribution will not be treated as having been made to the second IRA
unless the transfer includes any net income allocable to the contribution. You
can take into account any loss on the contribution while it was in the IRA when
calculating the amount that must be transferred. If there was a loss, the net
income you must transfer may be a negative amount.
No deduction is allowed for the contribution to the first IRA and any net
income transferred with the recharacterized contribution is treated as earned
in the second IRA. The contribution will not be treated as having been made to
the second IRA to the extent any deduction was allowed with respect to the
contribution to the first IRA.
For recharacterization purposes, a distribution from a traditional IRA that is
received in one tax year and rolled over into a Roth IRA in the next year, but
still within 60 days of the distribution from the traditional IRA, is treated
as a contribution to the Roth IRA in the year of the distribution from the
traditional IRA.
Roth IRA conversion contributions from a SEP-IRA or SIMPLE IRA can be
recharacterized to a SEP-IRA or SIMPLE IRA (including the original SEP-IRA or
SIMPLE IRA). You cannot recharacterize back to the original plan a contribution
directly rolled over from an eligible retirement plan which is not a
traditional IRA.
The recharacterization of a contribution is not treated as a rollover for
purposes of the 12-month limitation period described above. This rule applies
even if the contribution would have been treated as a rollover contribution by
the second IRA if it had been made directly to the second IRA rather than as a
result of a recharacterization of a contribution to the first IRA.
To recharacterize a contribution you must use our forms.
WITHDRAWALS, PAYMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS OUT OF ROTH IRAS
NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW RESTRICTIONS ON WITHDRAWALS. You can withdraw any or
all of your funds from a Roth IRA at any time; you do not need to wait for a
special event like retirement.
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ROTH IRAS
Distributions include withdrawals from your contract, surrender and termination
of your contract and annuity payments from your contract. Death benefits are
also distributions.
You must keep your own records of regular and conversion contributions to all
Roth IRAs to assure appropriate taxation. You may have to file information on
your contributions to and distributions from any Roth IRA on your tax return.
You may have to retain all income tax returns and records pertaining to such
contributions and distributions until your interests in all Roth IRAs are
distributed.
Like traditional IRAs, taxable distributions from a Roth IRA are not entitled
to the special favorable ten-year averaging and long-term capital gain
treatment available in limited cases to certain distributions from qualified
plans.
The following distributions from Roth IRAs are free of income tax:
o Rollovers from a Roth IRA to another Roth IRA;
o Direct transfers from a Roth IRA to another Roth IRA;
o Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA; and
o return of excess contributions or amounts recharacterized to a traditional
IRA.
QUALIFIED DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ROTH IRAS
Qualified distributions from Roth IRAs made because of one of the following
four qualifying events or reasons are not includable in income:
o you are age 59-1/2 or older; or
o you die; or
o you become disabled (special federal income tax definition); or
o your distribution is a "qualified first-time homebuyer distribution"
(special federal income tax definition; $10,000 lifetime total limit for
these distributions from all of your traditional and Roth IRAs).
You also have to meet a five-year aging period. A qualified distribution is any
distribution made after the five-taxable year period beginning with the first
taxable year for which you made any contribution to any Roth IRA (whether or
not the one from which the distribution is being made).
NONQUALIFIED DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ROTH IRAS. Nonqualified distributions from
Roth IRAs are distributions that do not meet both the
51 TAX INFORMATION
qualifying event and five-year aging period tests described above. If you
receive such a distribution, part of it may be taxable. For purposes of
determining the correct tax treatment of distributions (other than the
withdrawal of excess contributions and the earnings on them), there is a set
order in which contributions (including conversion contributions) and earnings
are considered to be distributed from your Roth IRA. The order of distributions
is as follows:
(1) Regular contributions
(2) Conversion contributions, on a first-in-first-out basis (generally, total
conversions from the earliest year first). These conversion contributions
are taken into account as follows:
(a) Taxable portion (the amount required to be included in gross income
because of conversion) first, and then the
(b) Nontaxable portion.
(3) Earnings on contributions.
Rollover contributions from other Roth IRAs are disregarded for this purpose.
To determine the taxable amounts distributed, distributions and contributions
are aggregated or grouped and added together as follows:
(1) All distributions made during the year from all Roth IRAs you maintain --
within any custodian or issuer -- are added together.
(2) All regular contributions made during and for the year (contributions made
after the close of the year, but before the due date of your return) are
added together. This total is added to the total undistributed regular
contributions made in prior years.
(3) All conversion contributions made during the year are added together.
Any recharacterized contributions that end up in a Roth IRA are added to the
appropriate contribution group for the year that the original contribution
would have been taken into account if it had been made directly to the Roth
IRA.
Any recharacterized contribution that ends up in an IRA other than a Roth IRA
is disregarded for the purpose of grouping both contributions and
distributions. Any amount withdrawn to correct an excess contribution
(including the earnings withdrawn) is also disregarded for this purpose.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
Lifetime minimum distribution requirements do not apply.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS AT DEATH
Same as traditional IRA under "What are the required minimum distribution
payments after you die?", assuming death before the Required Beginning Date.
PAYMENTS TO A BENEFICIARY AFTER YOUR DEATH
Distributions to a beneficiary generally receive the same tax treatment as if
the distribution had been made to you.
BORROWING AND LOANS ARE PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
Same as traditional IRA.
EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS
Generally the same as traditional IRA, except that regular contributions made
after age 70-1/2 are not "excess contributions."
Excess rollover contributions to Roth IRAs are contributions not eligible to be
rolled over.
You can withdraw or recharacterize any contribution to a Roth IRA before the
due date (including extensions) for filing your federal income tax return for
the tax year. If you do this, you must also withdraw or recharacterize any
earnings attributable to the contribution.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION PENALTY TAX
Same as traditional IRA.
FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
We must withhold federal income tax from distributions from annuity contracts.
You may be able to elect out of this income tax withholding in some cases.
Generally, we do not have to withhold if your distributions are not taxable.
The rate of withholding will depend on the type of distribution and, in certain
cases, the amount of your distribution. Any income tax withheld is a credit
against your income tax liability. If you do not have sufficient income tax
withheld or do not make sufficient estimated income tax payments, you may incur
penalties under the estimated income tax rules.
You must file your request not to withhold in writing before the payment or
distribution is made. Our processing office will provide forms for this
purpose. You cannot elect out of withholding unless you provide us with your
correct Taxpayer Identification Number and a United States residence address.
You cannot elect out of withholding if we are sending the payment out of the
United States.
You should note the following special situations:
o we might have to withhold and/or report on amounts we pay under a free look
or cancellation.
o we are required to withhold on the gross amount of a distribution from a
Roth IRA to the extent it is reasonable for us to believe that a
distribution is includable in your gross income. This may result in tax
being withheld even though the Roth IRA distribution is ultimately not
taxable. You can elect out of withholding as described below.
Special withholding rules apply to foreign recipients and United States
citizens residing outside the United States. We do not discuss these rules here
in detail. However, we may require additional documentation in the case of
payments made to non-United States persons and United States persons living
abroad prior to processing any requested transaction.
Certain states have indicated that state income tax withholding will also apply
to payments from the contracts made to residents. In some states, you may elect
out of state withholding, even if federal withholding applies. Generally, an
election out of federal withholding will also be considered an election out of
state withholding. If you need more information concerning a particular state
or any required forms, call our processing office at the toll-free number.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING ON PERIODIC ANNUITY PAYMENTS
Federal tax rules require payers to withhold differently on "periodic" and
"non-periodic" payments. Payers are to withhold from periodic
TAX INFORMATION 52
annuity payments as if the payments were wages. The annuity contract owner is
to specify marital status and the number of withholding exemptions claimed on
an IRS Form W-4P or similar substitute election form. If the owner does not
claim a different number of withholding exemptions or marital status, the payer
is to withhold assuming that the owner is married and claiming three
withholding exemptions. If the owner does not provide the owner's correct
Taxpayer Identification Number a payer is to withhold from periodic annuity
payments as if the owner were single with no exemptions.
A contract owner's withholding election remains effective unless and until the
owner revokes it. The contract owner may revoke or change a withholding
election at any time.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING ON NON-PERIODIC ANNUITY PAYMENTS (WITHDRAWALS)
Non-periodic distributions include partial withdrawals, total surrenders and
death benefits. Payers generally withhold federal income tax at a flat 10% rate
from (i) the taxable amount in the case of nonqualified contracts, and (ii) the
payment amount in the case of traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, where it is
reasonable to assume an amount is includable in gross income.
IMPACT OF TAXES TO AXA EQUITABLE
The contracts provide that we may charge Separate Account No. 49 for taxes. We
do not now, but may in the future set up reserves for such taxes.
53 TAX INFORMATION
10. MORE INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT SEPARATE ACCOUNT NO. 49
Each variable investment option is a subaccount of Separate Account No. 49. We
established Separate Account No. 49 in 1996 under special provisions of the New
York Insurance Law. These provisions prevent creditors from any other business
we conduct from reaching the assets we hold in our variable investment options
for owners of our variable annuity contracts. We are the legal owner of all of
the assets in Separate Account No. 49 and may withdraw any amounts that exceed
our reserves and other liabilities with respect to variable investment options
under our contracts. For example, we may withdraw amounts from Separate Account
No. 49 that represent our investments in Separate Account No. 49 or that
represent fees and charges under the contracts that we have earned. Also, we
may, at our sole discretion, invest Separate Account No. 49 assets in any
investment permitted by applicable law. The results of Separate Account No.
49's operations are accounted for without regard to AXA Equitable's other
operations. The amount of some of our obligations under the contracts is based
on the assets in Separate Account No. 49. However, the obligations themselves
are obligations of AXA Equitable.
Separate Account No. 49 is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
and is registered and classified under that act as a "unit investment trust."
The SEC, however, does not manage or supervise AXA Equitable or Separate
Account No. 49. Although Separate Account No. 49 is registered, the SEC does
not monitor the activity of Separate Account No. 49 on a daily basis. AXA
Equitable is not required to register, and is not registered, as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Each subaccount (variable investment option) within Separate Account No. 49
invests solely in Class IA/A or Class IB/B shares issued by the corresponding
Portfolio of its Trust.
We reserve the right subject to compliance with laws that apply:
(1) to add variable investment options to, or to remove variable investment
options from, Separate Account No. 49, or to add other separate accounts;
(2) to combine any two or more variable investment options;
(3) to transfer the assets we determine to be the shares of the class of
contracts to which the contracts belong from any variable investment option
to another variable investment option;
(4) to operate Separate Account No. 49 or any variable investment option as a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (in
which case, charges and expenses that otherwise would be assessed against
an underlying mutual fund would be assessed against Separate Account No. 49
or a variable investment option directly);
(5) to deregister Separate Account No. 49 under the Investment Company Act of
1940;
(6) to restrict or eliminate any voting rights as to Separate Account No. 49;
(7) to cause one or more variable investment options to invest some or all of
their assets in one or more other trusts or investment companies;
(8) to limit or terminate contributions or transfers into any variable
investment option; and
(9) to limit the number of variable investment options you may select.
If the exercise of these rights results in a material change in the underlying
investment of Separate Account No. 49, you will be notified of such exercise,
as required by law.
ABOUT SEPARATE ACCOUNT NO. 68
We hold assets in a "non-unitized" separate account we have established under
the New York Insurance Law to support our obligations under the Structured
Investment Option. We own the assets of the separate account, as well as any
favorable investment performance on those assets. You do not participate in the
performance of the assets held in this separate account. We may, subject to
state law that applies, transfer all assets allocated to the separate account
to our general account. We guarantee all benefits relating to your value in the
Structured Investment Option, regardless of whether assets supporting the
Structured Investment Option are held in a separate account or our general
account.
Our current plans are to invest separate account assets in fixed-income
obligations, including corporate bonds, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
securities, and government and agency issues. We may also invest in interest
rate swaps. Although the above generally describes our plans for investing the
assets supporting our obligations under the Structured Investment Option, we
are not obligated to invest those assets according to any particular plan
except as we may be required to by state insurance laws.
ABOUT THE TRUST
The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. It is
classified as an "open-end management investment company," more commonly called
a mutual fund. The Trust issues different shares relating to each of its
portfolios.
The Trust does not impose sales charges or "loads" for buying and selling its
shares. All dividends and other distributions on the Trust's shares are
reinvested in full. The Board of Trustees or Board of Directors, as applicable,
of the Trust may establish additional portfolios or eliminate existing
portfolios at any time. More detailed information about the Trust, its
portfolio investment objectives, policies, restrictions, risks, expenses, its
Rule 12b-1 Plan relating to its Class IB shares, and other aspects of its
operations, appears in the prospectuses for the Trust, which generally
accompany this Prospectus, or in its SAIs, which are available upon request.
ABOUT THE GENERAL ACCOUNT
This contract is offered to customers through various financial institutions,
brokerage firms and their affiliate insurance agencies. No financial
institution, brokerage firm or insurance agency has any liability with respect
to a contract's account value or the Structured Investment Option with which
the contract was issued. AXA Equitable is solely responsible to the contract
owner for the contract's account
MORE INFORMATION 54
value and the Structured Investment Option. The general obligations and the
Structured Investment Option under the contract are supported by AXA
Equitable's general account and are subject to AXA Equitable's claims paying
ability. An owner should look to the financial strength of AXA Equitable for
its claims-paying ability. Assets in the general account are not segregated for
the exclusive benefit of any particular contract or obligation. General account
assets are also available to the insurer's general creditors and the conduct of
its routine business activities, such as the payment of salaries, rent and
other ordinary business expenses. For more information about AXA Equitable's
financial strength, you may review its financial statements and/or check its
current rating with one or more of the independent sources that rate insurance
companies for their financial strength and stability. Such ratings are subject
to change and have no bearing on the performance of the variable investment
options. You may also speak with your financial representative.
The general account is subject to regulation and supervision by the Insurance
Department of the State of New York and to the insurance laws and regulations
of all jurisdictions where we are authorized to do business. Interests in the
Structured Investment Option under the contracts in the general account are
issued by AXA Equitable and are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
The general account is not required to register as an investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and it is not registered as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The contract is a "covered
security" under the federal securities laws.
We have been advised that the staff of the SEC has not reviewed the portions of
this Prospectus that relate to the general account . The disclosure with regard
to the general account, however, may be subject to certain provisions of the
federal securities laws relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements
made in prospectuses.
ABOUT OTHER METHODS OF PAYMENT
WIRE TRANSMITTALS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS
We accept initial and subsequent contributions sent by wire to our processing
office by agreement with certain broker-dealers. Such transmittals must be
accompanied by information we require to allocate your contribution. Wire
orders not accompanied by complete information may be retained as described
under "How you can make your contributions" under "Contract features and
benefits" earlier in this Prospectus.
Even if we accept the wire order and essential information, a contract
generally will not be issued until we receive and accept a properly completed
application. In certain cases we may issue a contract based on information
provided through certain broker-dealers with which we have established
electronic facilities. In any such cases, you must sign our Acknowledgement of
Receipt form.
Where we require a signed application, the above procedures do not apply and no
transactions will be permitted until we receive the signed application and have
issued the contract. Where we issue a contract based on information provided
through electronic facilities, we require an Acknowledgement of Receipt Form.
We may also require additional information. Until we receive the
Acknowledgement of Receipt Form, (i.e. withdrawals and surrenders) financial
transactions will not be permitted unless you request them in writing, sign the
request and have it signature guaranteed. After your contract has been issued,
additional contributions may be transmitted by wire.
In general, the transaction date for electronic transmissions is the date on
which we receive at our regular processing office all required information and
the funds due for your contribution. We may also establish same-day electronic
processing facilities with a broker-dealer that has undertaken to pay
contribution amounts on behalf of its customers. In such cases, the transaction
date for properly processed orders is the business day on which the
broker-dealer inputs all required information into its electronic processing
system. You can contact us to find out more about such arrangements.
After your contract has been issued, subsequent contributions may be
transmitted by wire.
DATES AND PRICES AT WHICH CONTRACT EVENTS OCCUR
We describe below the general rules for when, and at what prices, events under
your contract will occur. Other portions of this Prospectus describe
circumstances that may cause exceptions. We generally do not repeat those
exceptions below.
BUSINESS DAY
Our "business day" is generally any day the NYSE is open for regular trading
and generally ends at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (or as of an earlier close of
regular trading). If the Securities and Exchange Commission determines the
existence of emergency conditions on any day, and consequently, the NYSE does
not open, then that day is not a business day. Contributions will be applied
and any other transaction requests will be processed when they are received
along with all the required information unless another date applies as
indicated below.
o If your contribution, transfer or any other transaction request containing
all the required information reaches us on any of the following, we will use
the next business day:
-- on a non-business day;
-- after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day; or
-- after an early close of regular trading on the NYSE on a business day.
o If your transaction is set to occur on the same day of the month as the
contract date and that date is the 29th, 30th or 31st of the month, then the
transaction will occur on the 1st day of the next month.
o When a charge is to be deducted on a contract date anniversary that is a
non-business day, we will deduct the charge on the next business day.
o If we have entered into an agreement with your broker-dealer for automated
processing of contributions and/or transfers upon receipt of customer order,
your contribution and/or transfer will be considered received at the time
your broker-dealer receives your contribution and/or transfer and all
information needed to process your application, along with any required
documents. Your broker-dealer will then transmit your order to us in
accordance with our processing procedures. However, in such cases, your
broker-dealer is considered a processing office for the purpose of receiving
the contribution and/or transfer. Such arrangements may apply to initial
contributions, subsequent contributions and/or transfers, or both, and may
be commenced or terminated at any time without prior notice. If required by
law, the "closing time" for such orders will be earlier than 4:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time.
55 MORE INFORMATION
CONTRIBUTIONS, TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS AND SURRENDERS
o Contributions allocated to the variable investment options or the Segment
Type Holding Accounts are invested at the unit value next determined after
the receipt of the contribution.
o Transfers to or from the variable investment options or the Segment Type
Holding Accounts will be made at the unit value next determined after the
receipt of the transfer request.
o Requests for withdrawals or surrenders from the variable investment options
or the Segment Type Holding Accounts will be made at the unit value next
determined on the business day that we receive the information that we
require.
ABOUT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS
As the owner of shares of the Trusts we have the right to vote on certain
matters involving the portfolios, such as:
o the election of trustees;
o the formal approval of independent auditors selected for each Trust; or
o any other matters described in the Prospectus for the Trust or requiring a
shareholders' vote under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
We will give contract owners the opportunity to instruct us how to vote the
number of shares attributable to their contracts if a shareholder vote is
taken. If we do not receive instructions in time from all contract owners, we
will vote the shares of a portfolio for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as we vote shares of that portfolio for which
we have received instructions. We will also vote any shares that we are
entitled to vote directly because of amounts we have in a portfolio in the same
proportions that contract owners vote.
The Trust sells its shares to AXA Equitable separate accounts in connection
with AXA Equitable's variable annuity and/or life insurance products, and to
separate accounts of insurance companies, both affiliated and unaffiliated with
AXA Equitable. EQ Advisors Trust also sells its shares to the trustee of a
qualified plan for AXA Equitable. We currently do not foresee any disadvantages
to our contract owners arising out of these arrangements. However, the Board of
Trustees or Directors of the Trust intend to monitor events to identify any
material irreconcilable conflicts that may arise and to determine what action,
if any, should be taken in response. If we believe that a Board's response
insufficiently protects our contract owners, we will see to it that appropriate
action is taken to do so.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT NO. 49 VOTING RIGHTS
If actions relating to Separate Account No. 49 require contract owner approval,
contract owners will be entitled to one vote for each unit they have in the
variable investment options. Each contract owner who has elected a variable
annuity payout option may cast the number of votes equal to the dollar amount
of reserves we are holding for that annuity in a variable investment option
divided by the annuity unit value for that option. We will cast votes
attributable to any amounts we have in the variable investment options in the
same proportion as votes cast by contract owners.
CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW
The voting rights we describe in this Prospectus are created under applicable
federal securities laws. To the extent that those laws or the regulations
published under those laws eliminate the necessity to submit matters for
approval by persons having voting rights in separate accounts of insurance
companies, we reserve the right to proceed in accordance with those laws or
regulations.
STATUTORY COMPLIANCE
We have the right to change your contract without the consent of any other
person in order to comply with any laws and regulations that apply, including
but not limited to changes in the Internal Revenue Code, in Treasury
Regulations or in published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service and in
Department of Labor regulations.
Any change in your contract must be in writing and made by an authorized
officer of AXA Equitable. We will provide notice of any contract change.
The benefits under your contract will not be less than the minimum benefits
required by any state law that applies.
ABOUT LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
AXA Equitable and its affiliates are parties to various legal proceedings. In
our view, none of these proceedings would be considered material with respect
to a contract owner's interest in Separate Account No. 49, nor would any of
these proceedings be likely to have a material adverse effect upon Separate
Account No. 49, our ability to meet our obligations under the contracts, or the
distribution of the contracts.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of Separate Account No. 49, as well as the
consolidated financial statements of AXA Equitable, are in the SAI. The SAI is
part of the registration statement filed on Form N-4. The financial statements
of AXA Equitable have relevance to the contracts only to the extent that they
bear upon the ability of AXA Equitable to meet its obligations under the
contracts. The SAI is available free of charge. You may request one by writing
to our processing office or calling 1-800-789-7771.
TRANSFERS OF OWNERSHIP, COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENTS, LOANS, AND BORROWING
You can transfer ownership of an NQ contract at any time before annuity
payments begin, subject to our acceptance. We will continue to treat you as the
owner until we receive written notification of any change at our processing
office. In some cases, an assignment or change of ownership may have adverse
tax consequences. See "Tax information" earlier in this Prospectus.
You cannot assign or transfer ownership of a traditional IRA or Roth IRA
contract except by surrender to us.
You cannot assign your contract as collateral or security for a loan. Loans are
also not available under your contract. For limited transfers of ownership
after the owner's death see "Beneficiary continuation option" in "Payment of
death benefit" earlier in this Prospectus. You may direct the transfer of the
values under your traditional IRA or Roth IRA contract to another similar
arrangement under federal income tax rules. In the case of such a transfer,
which involves a surrender of your contract, we will impose a withdrawal charge
if one applies.
ABOUT CUSTODIAL IRAS
For certain custodial IRA accounts, after your contract has been issued, we may
accept transfer instructions by telephone, mail, facsimile or
MORE INFORMATION 56
electronically from a broker-dealer, provided that we or your broker-dealer
have your written authorization to do so on file. Accordingly, AXA Equitable
will rely on the stated identity of the person placing instructions as
authorized to do so on your behalf. AXA Equitable will not be liable for any
claim, loss, liability or expenses that may arise out of such instructions. AXA
Equitable will continue to rely on this authorization until it receives your
written notification at its processing office that you have withdrawn this
authorization. AXA Equitable may change or terminate telephone or electronic or
overnight mail transfer procedures at any time without prior written notice and
restrict facsimile, internet, telephone and other electronic transfer services
because of disruptive transfer activity.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS
The contracts are distributed by both AXA Advisors, LLC ("AXA Advisors") and
AXA Distributors, LLC ("AXA Distributors") (together, the "Distributors"). The
Distributors serve as principal underwriters of Separate Account No. 49. The
offering of the contracts is intended to be continuous.
AXA Advisors is an affiliate of AXA Equitable, and AXA Distributors is an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Equitable. The Distributors are under
the common control of AXA Financial, Inc. Their principal business address is
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104. The Distributors are
registered with the SEC as broker-dealers and are members of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"). Both broker-dealers also act as
distributors for other AXA Equitable life and annuity products.
The contracts are sold by financial professionals of AXA Advisors and its
affiliates. The contracts are also sold by financial professionals of
unaffiliated broker-dealers that have entered into selling agreements with the
Distributors ("Selling broker-dealers").
AXA Equitable pays compensation to both Distributors based on contracts sold
(except for Series ADV contracts sold through AXA Distributors). AXA Equitable
may also make additional payments to the Distributors, and the Distributors
may, in turn, make additional payments to certain Selling broker-dealers. All
payments will be in compliance with all applicable FINRA rules and other laws
and regulations.
Although AXA Equitable takes into account all of its distribution and other
costs in establishing the level of fees and charges under its contracts, none
of the compensation paid to the Distributors or the Selling broker-dealers
discussed in this section of the Prospectus are imposed as separate fees or
charges under your contract. AXA Equitable, however, intends to recoup amounts
it pays for distribution and other services through the fees and charges of the
contract and payments it receives for providing administrative, distribution
and other services to the Portfolios. For information about the fees and
charges under the contract, see "Fee table" and "Charges and expenses" earlier
in this Prospectus.
AXA ADVISORS COMPENSATION. For Series ADV contracts sold through AXA Advisors,
AXA Advisors will retain 50% of the advisory fee and the financial
representative will get the other 50%.
For Series B contracts, AXA Equitable pays compensation to AXA Advisors based
on contributions made on the contracts sold through AXA Advisors
("contribution-based compensation"). The contribution-based compensation will
generally not exceed 8.5% of total contributions. AXA Advisors, in turn, may
pay a portion of the contribution-based compensation received from AXA
Equitable to the AXA Advisors financial professional and/or the Selling
broker-dealer making the sale. In some instances, a financial professional or a
Selling broker-dealer may elect to receive reduced contribution-based
compensation on a contract in combination with ongoing annual compensation of
up to 1.0% of the account value of the contract sold ("asset-based
compensation"). Total compensation paid to a financial professional or a
Selling broker-dealer electing to receive both contribution-based and
asset-based compensation could, over time, exceed the total compensation that
would otherwise be paid on the basis of contributions alone. The compensation
paid by AXA Advisors varies among financial professionals and among Selling
broker-dealers. AXA Advisors also pays a portion of the compensation it
receives to its managerial personnel. AXA Advisors also pays its financial
professionals and managerial personnel other types of compensation including
service fees, expense allowance payments and health and retirement benefits.
AXA Advisors also pays its financial professionals, managerial personnel and
Selling broker-dealers sales bonuses (based on selling certain products during
specified periods) and persistency bonuses. AXA Advisors may offer sales
incentive programs to financial professionals and Selling broker-dealers who
meet specified production levels for the sales of both AXA Equitable contracts
and contracts offered by other companies. These incentives provide non-cash
compensation such as stock options awards and/or stock appreciation rights,
expense-paid trips, expense-paid education seminars and merchandise.
When a contract is sold by a Selling broker-dealer, the Selling broker-dealer,
not AXA Advisors, determines the compensation paid to the Selling
broker-dealer's financial professional for the sale of the contract. Therefore,
you should contract your financial professional for information about the
compensation he or she receives and any related incentives, as described
immediately below.
DIFFERENTIAL COMPENSATION. In an effort to promote the sale of AXA Equitable
products, AXA Advisors may pay its financial professionals and managerial
personnel a greater percentage of contribution-based compensation and/or
asset-based compensation for the sale of an AXA Equitable contract than it pays
for the sale of a contract or other financial product issued by a company other
than AXA Equitable. This practice is known as providing "differential
compensation." Differential compensation may involve other forms of
compensation to AXA Advisors personnel. Certain components of the compensation
paid to managerial personnel are based on whether the sales involve AXA
Equitable contracts. Managers earn higher compensation (and credits toward
awards and bonuses) if the financial professionals they manage sell a higher
percentage of AXA Equitable contracts than products issued by other companies.
Other forms of compensation provided to its financial professionals include
health and retirement benefits, expense reimbursements, marketing allowances
and contribution-based payments, known as "overrides." For tax reasons, AXA
Advisors financial professionals qualify for health and retirement benefits
based solely on their sales of AXA Equitable contracts and products sponsored
by affiliates.
The fact that AXA Advisors financial professionals receive differential
compensation and additional payments may provide an incentive for those
financial professionals to recommend an AXA Equitable contract over a contract
or other financial product issued by a company not affiliated with AXA
Equitable. However, under applicable rules of FINRA, AXA Advisors financial
professionals may only recommend to you products that they reasonably believe
are suitable for you based
57 MORE INFORMATION
on the facts that you have disclosed as to your other security holdings,
financial situation and needs. In making any recommendation, financial
professionals of AXA Advisors may nonetheless face conflicts of interest
because of the differences in compensation from one product category to
another, and because of differences in compensation among products in the same
category. For more information, contact your financial professional.
AXA DISTRIBUTORS COMPENSATION. For Series ADV contracts sold through AXA
Distributors, AXA Distributors will not receive any compensation.
For Series B contracts, AXA Equitable pays contribution-based and asset-based
compensation (together "compensation" ) to AXA Distributors. Contribution-based
compensation is paid based on AXA Equitable contracts sold through AXA
Distributor's Selling broker-dealers. Asset-based compensation is paid based on
the aggregate account value of contracts sold through certain of AXA
Distributor's Selling broker-dealers. Contribution-compensation will generally
not exceed 7.0% of the total contributions made under the contracts. AXA
Distributors, in turn, pays the contribution-based compensation it receives on
the sale of a contract to the Selling broker-dealer making the sale. In some
instances, the Selling broker-dealer may elect to receive reduced
contribution-based compensation on the sale of the contract in combination with
annual asset-based compensation of up to 1.0% of the account value of the
contract sold. If a Selling broker-dealer elects to receive reduced
contribution-based compensation on a contract, the contribution-based
compensation which AXA Equitable pays to AXA Distributors will be reduced by
the same amount, and AXA Equitable will pay AXA Distributors asset-based
compensation on the contract equal to the asset-based compensation which AXA
Distributors pays to the Selling broker-dealer. Total compensation paid to a
Selling broker-dealer electing to receive both contribution-based and
asset-based compensation could over time exceed the total compensation that
would otherwise be paid on the basis of contributions alone. The
contribution-based and asset-based compensation paid by AXA Distributors varies
among Selling broker-dealers.
The Selling broker-dealer, not AXA Distributors, determines the compensation
paid to the Selling broker-dealer's financial professional for the sale of the
contract. Therefore, you should contact your financial professional for
information about the compensation he or she receives and any related
incentives, such as differential compensation paid for various products.
AXA Equitable also pays AXA Distributors compensation to cover its operating
expenses and marketing services under the terms of AXA Equitable's distribution
agreements with AXA Distributors.
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY AXA DISTRIBUTORS TO SELLING BROKER-DEALERS. AXA
Distributors may pay, out of its assets, certain Selling broker-dealers and
other financial intermediaries additional compensation in recognition of
services provided or expenses incurred. AXA Distributors may also pay certain
Selling broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries additional
compensation for enhanced marketing opportunities and other services (commonly
referred to as "marketing allowances"). Services for which such payments are
made may include, but are not limited to, the preferred placement of AXA
Equitable products on a company and/or product list; sales personnel training;
product training; business reporting; technological support; due diligence and
related costs; advertising, marketing and related services; conference; and/or
other support services, including some that may benefit the contract owner.
Payments may be based on the aggregate account value attributable to contracts
sold through a Selling broker-dealer or such payments may be a fixed amount.
AXA Distributors may also make fixed payments to Selling broker-dealers, for
example in connection with the initiation of a new relationship or the
introduction of a new product.
Additionally, as an incentive for the financial professionals of Selling
broker-dealers to promote the sale of AXA Equitable products, AXA Distributors
may increase the sales compensation paid to the Selling broker-dealer for a
period of time (commonly referred to as "compensation enhancements").
These additional payments may serve as an incentive for Selling broker-dealers
to promote the sale of AXA Equitable contracts over contracts and other
products issued by other companies. Not all Selling broker-dealers receive
additional payments, and the payments vary among Selling broker-dealers. The
list below includes the names of Selling broker-dealers that we are aware (as
of December 31, 2010) received additional payments. These additional payments
ranged from $127 to $3,689,426. AXA Equitable and its affiliates may also have
additional business arrangements with Selling broker-dealers. For more
information, ask your financial professional.
1st Global Capital Corporation
Advantage Capital Corporation
AG Edwards
American General Securities Inc
American Portfolios Financial Services
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Associated Securities Corp.
Bank of America
BBVA Compass Investment Solutions, Inc.
CCO Investment Services Corp.
Centaurus Financial, Inc.
Colonial Brokerage, Inc.
Comerica Securities
Commonwealth Financial Network
CUSO Financial Services, LP
Essex National Securities Inc
FFP
Financial Network Investment Corporation
First Allied Securities
First Citizens Investor Services
First Tennessee Brokerage, Inc.
FSC Securities Corporation
Geneos Wealth Management, Inc.
H.D. Vest Investment Securities, Inc.
Investment Centers of America/First Dakota Inc.
IFC Holdings Inc. DBA Invest Financial Corporation
Investment Professionals, Inc.
Investors Capital Corporation
Ironstone Securities, Inc
J.P. Turner & Co. LLC
James T. Borello & Co.
Janney Montgomery Scott
Key Investment Services, LLC
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation
Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation
LPL Financial Corporation
M&T Securities
Merrill Lynch Life Agency
MML Investors Services LLC
MORE INFORMATION 58
Morgan Keegan
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney - Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated
Multi-Financial Securities Corporation
National Planning Corporation
Next Financial Group, Inc.
NFP Securities, Inc.
Pension Planners Securities Inc
PNC Investments
Prime Capital Services
PrimeVest Financial Services, Inc.
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Raymond James & Associates Inc
Raymond James Financial Service
RBC Capital Markets Corp.
Robert W Baird
Royal Alliance Associates Inc.
RW Baird - Robert N. Baird & Co. Incorporated
Sage Point Financial, Inc
Securities America, Inc.
SII Investments, Inc.
Sorrento Pacific Financial LLC
Stifel, Nicolaus & Co.
Summit Brokerage Services, Inc
Termed/Gunnallen Financial, Inc.
Termed/Mutual Service Corporation
Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
U.S Bancorp Investments, Inc.
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
United Planners' Financial Service of America
UVEST Financial Services Group, Inc.
Waterstone Financial Group, Inc.
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC
Wells Fargo Advisors
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Wells Fargo Investments, LLC
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.
59 MORE INFORMATION
11. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AXA Equitable's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
2010 (the "Annual Report") is considered to be part of this Prospectus because
it is incorporated by reference.
AXA Equitable files reports and other information with the SEC, as required by
law. You may read and copy this information at the SEC's public reference
facilities at Room 1580, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, or by
accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information
on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. Under the Securities Act of 1933, AXA Equitable has filed with
the SEC a registration statement relating to the Structured Investment Option
(the "Registration Statement"). This Prospectus has been filed as part of the
Registration Statement and does not contain all of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement.
After the date of this Prospectus and before we terminate the offering of the
securities under the Registration Statement, all documents or reports we file
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), will
be considered to become part of this Prospectus because they are incorporated
by reference.
Any statement contained in a document that is or becomes part of this
Prospectus, will be considered changed or replaced for purposes of this
Prospectus if a statement contained in this Prospectus changes or is replaced.
Any statement that is considered to be a part of this Prospectus because of its
incorporation will be considered changed or replaced for the purpose of this
Prospectus if a statement contained in any other subsequently filed document
that is considered to be part of this Prospectus changes or replaces that
statement. After that, only the statement that is changed or replaced will be
considered to be part of this Prospectus.
We file the Registration Statement and our Exchange Act documents and reports,
including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
electronically according to EDGAR under CIK No. 0000727920. The SEC maintains a
website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The
address of the site is www.sec.gov.
Upon written or oral request, we will provide, free of charge, to each person
to whom this Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents
considered to be part of this Prospectus because they are incorporated herein.
In accordance with SEC rules, we will provide copies of any exhibits
specifically incorporated by reference into the text of the Exchange Act
reports (but not any other exhibits). Requests for documents should be directed
to AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10104. Attention: Corporate Secretary (telephone: (212) 554-1234). You
can access our website at www.axa-equitable.com.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The consolidated financial statements of AXA Equitable at December 31, 2010 and
2009 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 are
incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the reports of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provides independent audit services and certain
other non-audit services to AXA Equitable as permitted by the applicable SEC
independence rules, and as disclosed in AXA Equitable's Form 10-K.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's address is 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10017.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 60
Appendix I: Condensed financial information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The unit values and number of units outstanding shown below are for contracts
offered under Separate Account No. 49 with the same daily asset charges of
1.25%.
UNIT VALUES AND NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING AT YEAR END FOR EACH VARIABLE
INVESTMENT OPTION, EXCEPT FOR THOSE OPTIONS BEING OFFERED FOR THE FIRST TIME
AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2010.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/CORE BOND INDEX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 9.82
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate Account 49 number of units outstanding (000's) 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/EQUITY 500 INDEX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 11.02
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate Account 49 number of units outstanding (000's) 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/MONEY MARKET
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate Account 49 number of units outstanding (000's) 24,335
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The unit values and number of units outstanding shown below are for contracts
offered under Separate Account No. 49 with the same daily asset charges of
0.65%.
UNIT VALUES AND NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING AT YEAR END FOR EACH VARIABLE
INVESTMENT OPTION, EXCEPT FOR THOSE OPTIONS BEING OFFERED FOR THE FIRST TIME
AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2010.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/CORE BOND INDEX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 9.84
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate Account 49 number of units outstanding (000's) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/EQUITY 500 INDEX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $11.04
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate Account 49 number of units outstanding (000's) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/MONEY MARKET
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 1.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Separate Account 49 number of units outstanding (000's) --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I-1 APPENDIX I: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Appendix II: State contract availability and/or variations of certain features
and benefits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information is a summary of the states where the Structured
Capital Strategies(SM) contracts or certain features and/or benefits are either
not available as of the date of this Prospectus or vary from the contract's
features and benefits as previously described in this Prospectus. Certain
features and/or benefits may have been approved in your state after your
contract was issued and cannot be added. Please contact your financial
professional for more information about availability in your state.
STATES WHERE CERTAIN STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM) FEATURES AND/OR BENEFITS
ARE NOT AVAILABLE OR VARY:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE FEATURES AND BENEFITS Availability or variation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALIFORNIA See "Contract features If you reside in California and you are
and benefits"--"Your age 60 or older at the time the contract
is issued, you may return your variable
annuity contract within 30 days from the
date that you receive it and receive a
refund as described below.
If you allocate your entire initial
contribution to the EQ/Money Market
option, the amount of your refund will
be equal to your contribution, unless
you make a transfer, in which case the
amount of your refund will be equal to
your account value on the date we
receive your request to cancel at our
processing office. This amount could be
less than your initial contribution. If
you allocate any portion of your initial
contribution to the variable investment
options (other than the EQ/Money Market
option), your refund will be equal to
your account value on the date we
receive your request to cancel at our
processing office.
"RETURN OF CONTRIBUTION" FREE LOOK
TREATMENT AVAILABLE THROUGH CERTAIN
SELLING BROKERS-DEALERS
Certain selling broker-dealers offer an
allocation method designed to preserve
your right to a return of your
contributions during the free look
period. At the time of application, you
will instruct your financial
professional as to how your initial
contribution and any subsequent
contributions should be treated for the
purpose of maintaining your free look
right under the contract. Please consult
your financial professional to learn
more about the availability of "return
of contribution" free look treatment.
If you choose "return of contribution"
free look treatment of your contract, we
will allocate your entire contribution
and any subsequent contributions made
during the 40 day period following the
Contract Date, to the EQ/Money Market
investment option. In the event you
choose to exercise your free look right
under the contract, you will receive a
refund equal to your contributions.
If you choose the "return of
contribution" free look treatment and
your contract is still in effect on the
40th day (or next business day)
following the Contract Date, we will
automatically reallocate your account
value to the investment options chosen
on your application.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX II: STATE CONTRACT AVAILABILITY AND/OR VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN
FEATURES AND BENEFITS II-1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE FEATURES AND BENEFITS Availability or variation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALIFORNIA Any transfers made prior to the
(CONTINUED) expiration of the 30 day free look will
terminate your right to "return of
contribution" treatment in the event
you choose to exercise your free look
right under the contract. Any transfer
made prior to the 40th day following the
Contract Date will cancel the automatic
reallocation on the 40th day (or next
business day) following the Contract
Date described above. If you do not want
AXA Equitable to perform this scheduled
one-time reallocation, you must call one
of our customer service representatives
at 1 (800) 789-7771 before the 40th day
following the Contract Date to cancel.
See "Charges and Item (iii) under this section is deleted
expenses" -- "Disability, in its entirety.
terminal illness, or
confinement to a nursing
home" (For Series B
contracts only)
See "More information"-- You can transfer ownership of an NQ
"Transfers of ownership, contract at any time before annuity
collateral assignments, payments begin. You may assign your
loans, and borrowing" contract, unless otherwise restricted
for tax qualification purposes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONNECTICUT See "Charges and expenses Waiver (i) is deleted. As a result, the
- Disability, terminal first sentence of the last paragraph of
illness, or confinement this section is deleted and replaced
to a nursing home" (For with the following:
Series B contracts only)
We reserve the right to impose a
withdrawal charge, in accordance with
your contract, if the conditions
described in (ii) or (iii) above existed
at the time a contribution was remitted
or if the condition began within 12
months following remittance.
See "Charge for each The charge for transfers does not apply.
additional transfer
in excess of 12 transfers
per contract year" in
"Fee table" and "Transfer
charge" in "Charges and
expenses"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLORIDA See ''How you can purchase In the third paragraph of this section,
and contribute to your item (i) now reads: ''(i) contributions
contract" in "Contract under a Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
features and benefits" contract would then total more than
$1,500,000;'' and item (ii) regarding
the $2,500,000 limitation on
contributions is deleted. The remainder
of this section is unchanged.
See "Your right to If you reside in Florida and you are age
cancel within a certain 65 or older at the time the contract is
number of days" in issued, you may cancel your variable
"Contract features and annuity contract and return it to us
benefits" within 21 days from the date that you
receive it. You will receive an
unconditional refund equal to the cash
surrender value provided in the annuity
contract, plus any fees or charges
deducted from the contributions or
imposed under the contract.
If you reside in Florida and you are age
64 or younger at the time the contract
is issued, you may cancel your variable
annuity contract and return it to us
within 14 days from the date that you
receive it. You will receive an
unconditional refund equal to your
contributions, including any contract
fees or charges.
See "Selecting an The following sentence replaces the
annuity payout option" first sentence of the second paragraph
under "Your annuity in this section:
payout options" in
"Accessing your money" You can choose the date annuity payments
are to begin, but it may not be earlier
than twelve months from the contract
date.
See "Withdrawal charge" If you are age 65 or older at the time
in "Charges and expenses" your contract is issued, the applicable
withdrawal charge will not exceed 10% of
the amount withdrawn. In addition, no
charge will apply after the end of the
10th contract year or 10 years after a
contribution is made, whichever is
later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II-2 APPENDIX II: STATE CONTRACT AVAILABILITY AND/OR VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE FEATURES AND BENEFITS AVAILABILITY OR VARIATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IDAHO See "Your right to cancel If you reside in the state of Idaho, you
within a certain number may return your contract within 20 days
of days" in "Contract from the date that you receive it and
features and benefits" receive a refund of your initial
contribution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IOWA The Gold Index and the Oil Index are not
available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARYLAND See "Your annuity payout The table of guaranteed annuity payments
options" in "Accessing cannot be changed after contract issue.
your money"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASSACHUSETTS See "Disability, terminal This section is deleted in its entirety.
illness or confinement
to nursing home" under
"Withdrawal charge" in
"Charges and expenses"
(For Series B contracts
only)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA See "Your right to cancel If you reside in the state of Minnesota
within a certain number at the time the contract is issued, you
of days" in "Contract may return your contract within 10 days
features and benefits" from the date that you receive a refund
equal to the sum of (a) the difference
between the contributions made and the
amounts allocated to any investment
option and (b) the account value in any
investment option on the date your
contract is received by our processing
office or your financial professional.
Such amount will be paid within 10 days
after we receive notice of cancellation
and the contract.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY See "Disability, terminal The waivers described in this section are deleted.
illness or confinement
to nursing home" under
"Withdrawal charge" in
"Charges and expenses"
(For Series B contracts
only)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW HAMPSHIRE See "Disability, terminal Waiver (iii) regarding the definition of
illness, or confinement a nursing home is deleted, and replaced
to a nursing home" with the following:
under "Withdrawal charge" You are confined to a nursing home for
in "Charges and expenses" more than 90 days (or such other period,
(For Series B contracts as required in your state) as verified
only) by a licensed physician. A nursing home
for this purpose means one that is (a) a
provider of skilled nursing care
service, or qualified to receive
approval of Medicare benefits, or (b)
operated pursuant to law as a skilled
nursing home by the state or territory
in which it is located (it must be
within the United States, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam) and meets
all of the following:
o its main function is to provide
skilled, intermediate, or custodial
nursing care;
o it provides continuous room and
board;
o it is supervised by a registered
nurse or licensed practical nurse;
o it keeps daily medical records of
each patient;
o it controls and records all
medications dispenses; and
o its primary service is other than to
provide housing for residents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NORTH DAKOTA See "Your right to cancel To exercise your cancellation right, you
within a certain number must return the certificate directly to
of days" in "Contract our processing office within 20 days
features and benefits" after you receive it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OREGON See "How you can Additional contributions are not
purchase and contribute permitted after the fifth contract year.
to your contract"
in "Contract features
and benefits"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX II: STATE CONTRACT AVAILABILITY AND/OR VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN FEATURES
AND BENEFITS II-3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE FEATURES AND BENEFITS AVAILABILITY OR VARIATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OREGON See "Lifetime required The following replaces the third
(CONTINUED) minimum distribution paragraph:
withdrawals" under
"Withdrawing your We generally will not impose a
account value" in withdrawal charge on minimum
"Accessing your money" distribution withdrawals even if you are
not enrolled in our automatic RMD
service, except if, when added to a
non-RMD lump sum withdrawal previously
taken in the same contract year, the
minimum distribution withdrawals exceed
the free withdrawal amount. In order to
avoid a withdrawal charge in connection
with minimum distribution withdrawals
outside of our automatic RMD service,
you must notify us using our withdrawal
request form. Such minimum distribution
withdrawals must be based solely on your
contract's account value.
For Series B Contracts:
See "Selecting an You can choose the date annuity payments
annuity payout begin, but it may not be earlier than
option" under "Your the date all withdrawal charges under
annuity payout options the contract expire.
in "Accessing your
money"
See "Disability, Item (i) under this section is deleted
terminal illness, or in its entirety.
confinement to nursing
home" under "Withdrawal
charge" in "Charges
and expenses"
See "Transfers of The contract may be freely assigned
ownership, collateral unless otherwise restricted for tax
assignments, loans and qualification purposes.
borrowing" in "More
information"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENNSYLVANIA Contributions Your contract refers to contributions as
premiums.
See "Disability,
terminal illness or The Withdrawal Charge Waiver does not
confinement to nursing apply during the first 12 months of the
home" in "Charges contract with respect to the Social
and expenses" Security Disability Waiver, the Six
(For Series B contracts Month Life Expectancy Waiver, or if the
only) owner is confined to a nursing home
during such period.
Required disclosure Any person who knowingly and with intent
for Pennsylvania to defraud any insurance company or
customers other person files an application for
insurance or statement of claim
containing any materially false
information or conceals for the purpose
of misleading, information concerning
any fact material thereto commits a
fraudulent insurance act, which is a
crime and subjects such person to
criminal and civil penalties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUERTO RICO Beneficiary Not Available
continuation
option (IRA)
IRA and Roth IRA Available for direct rollovers from U.S.
source 401(a) plans and direct transfers
from the same type of U.S. source IRAs.
See footnote 1 in There is no premium tax charge imposed.
"Fee table" and
"Charges for state
premium and other
applicable taxes" in
"Charges and expenses"
See "Purchase We do not offer Structured Capital
considerations for a Strategies(SM) contracts to charitable
charitable remainder remainder trusts in Puerto Rico.
trusts" under "Owner
and annuitant
requirements" in
"Contract features
and benefits"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II-4 APPENDIX II: STATE CONTRACT AVAILABILITY AND/OR VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE FEATURES AND BENEFITS AVAILABILITY OR VARIATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUERTO RICO See "Taxation of There are special rules for nonqualified
(CONTINUED) nonqualified annuities" contracts issued in Puerto Rico.
in "Tax information"
Income from NQ contracts we issue is
U.S. source. A Puerto Rico resident is
subject to U.S. taxation on such U.S.
source income. Only Puerto Rico source
income of Puerto Rico residents is
excludable from U.S. taxation. Income
from NQ contracts is also subject to
Puerto Rico tax. The calculation of the
taxable portion of amounts distributed
from a contract may differ in the two
jurisdictions. Therefore, you might have
to file both U.S. and Puerto Rico tax
returns, showing different amounts of
income from the contract for each tax
return. Puerto Rico generally provides a
credit against Puerto Rico tax for U.S.
tax paid. Depending on your personal
situation and the timing of the
different tax liabilities, you may not
be able to take full advantage of this
credit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RHODE ISLAND See "Your right to If you reside in the state of Rhode
cancel within a Island at the time the contract is
certain number of days" issued, you may return your contract
in "Contract features within 20 days from the date that you
and benefits" receive it and receive a refund of your
contribution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXAS See "How you can The $2,500,000 limitation on the sum of
purchase and contribute all contributions under all AXA
to your contract" in Equitable annuity accumulation contracts
"Contract features and with the same owner or annuitant does
benefits" not apply.
See "Disability, There is no 12 month waiting period
terminal illness or following a contribution for the Six
confinement to Month Life Expectancy Waiver. The
nursing home" in withdrawal charge can be waived even if
"Charges and expenses" the condition begins within 12 months of
(For Series B the remittance of the contribution.
contracts only)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON See "10% free withdrawal The 10% free withdrawal amount applies
amount" under "Withdrawal to full surrenders.
charge" in "Charges and
expenses"
See "Disability, terminal The owner (or older joint owner, if
illness, or confinement to applicable) has qualified to
nursing home" in "Charges receive Social Security disability
and expenses" (For Series B benefits as certified by the Social
contracts only) Security Administration or a
statement from an independent U.S.
licensed physician stating that the
owner (or older joint owner, if
applicable) meets the definition of
total disability for at least 6
continuous months prior to the
notice of claim. Such disability
must be re-certified every 12
months.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX II: STATE CONTRACT AVAILABILITY AND/OR VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN FEATURES
AND BENEFITS II-5
Appendix III: Segment Interim Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We calculate the Segment Interim Value for each Segment on each business day,
which is also a Segment Business Day, between the Segment Start Date and
Segment Maturity Date. The calculation is based on a formula designed to
measure the fair value of your Segment Investment on the particular interim
date based on the downside protection provided by the Segment Buffer, the limit
on participation in investment gain provided by the Performance Cap Rate, and
an adjustment for the effect of a withdrawal prior to the Segment Maturity
Date. The formula we use, in part, derives the fair value of hypothetical
investments in fixed instruments and derivatives (put and call options). These
values provide us with protection from the risk that we will have to pay out
account value related to a Segment prior to the Segment Maturity Date. The
hypothetical put option provides us with a market value of the potential loss
at Segment Maturity, and the hypothetical call options provide us with a market
value of the potential gain at Segment Maturity. This formula provides a
treatment for an early distribution that is designed to be consistent with how
distributions at the end of a Segment are treated. We may hold such investments
in relation to Segments but are not required to do so. You have no interest in
the performance of any of our investments relating to Segments. The formula
also includes an adjustment relating to the Cap Calculation Factor. This is a
positive adjustment of the percentage of the estimated expenses corresponding
to the portion of the Segment Duration that has not elapsed. Appendix III sets
forth the actual calculation formula, an overview of the purposes and impacts
of the calculation, and detailed descriptions of the specific inputs into the
calculation. You should note, even if a corresponding Index has experienced
positive growth, the calculation of your Segment Interim Value may result in an
amount lower than your Segment Investment because of other market conditions,
such as the volatility of index prices and interest rates. Finally, Appendix
III includes examples of calculations of Segment Interim Values under various
hypothetical situations.
CALCULATION FORMULA
Your Segment Interim Value is equal to the lesser of (A) or (B).
(A) equals the sum of the following three components:
(1) Fair Value of Fixed Instruments; plus
(2) Fair Value of Derivatives; plus
(3) Cap Calculation Factor.
(B) equals the Segment Investment multiplied by (1 + the Performance Cap Rate
limiting factor).
OVERVIEW OF THE PURPOSES AND IMPACTS OF THE CALCULATION
FAIR VALUE OF FIXED INSTRUMENTS. The Segment Interim Value formula includes an
element designed to compensate us for the fact that when we have to pay out
account value related to a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date, we forgo
the opportunity to earn interest on the Segment Investment from the date of
withdrawal or surrender until the Segment Maturity Date. We accomplish this
estimate by calculating the present value of the Segment Investment using a
risk-free swap interest rate widely used in derivative markets.
FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVES. We use put and call options that are designated for
each Segment to estimate the market value, at the time the Segment Interim
Value is calculated, of the risk of loss and the possibility of gain at the end
of the Segment. This calculation reflects the value of the downside protection
that would be provided at maturity by the Segment Buffer as well as the upper
limit that would be placed on gains at maturity due to the Performance Cap
Rate.
At the time the Segment Interim Value is determined, the Fair Value of
Derivatives is calculated using the three different hypothetical options. These
options are designated for each Segment and are described in more detail later
in this Appendix.
At-the-Money Call Option (strike price equals the index value at Segment
inception). The potential for gain is estimated using the value of this
hypothetical option.
Out-of-the-Money Call Option (strike price equals the index increased by the
Performance Cap Rate established at Segment inception). The potential for
gain in excess of the Performance Cap Rate is estimated using the value of
this hypothetical option.
o The net amount of the At-the-Money Call Option less the value of the
Out-of-the-Money Call Option is an estimate of the market value of the
possib of gain at the end of the Segment as limited by the Performance
Cap Rate.
Out-of-the-Money Put Option (strike price equals the index decreased by the
Segment Buffer). The risk of loss is estimated using the value of this
hypothetical option.
o IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS PUT OPTION VALUE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS
REDUCE THE PRINCIPAL YOU RECEIVE, EVEN WHERE THE INDEX IS HIGHER AT THE
TIME OF THE WITHDRAWAL THAN AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL INVESTMENT. This
is because the risk that the Index could have been lower at the end of a
Segment is present to some extent whether or not the Index has increased
at the earlier point in time that the Segment Interim Value is
calculated.
CAP CALCULATION FACTOR. In setting the Performance Cap Rate, we take into
account that we incur expenses in connection with a contract, including
insurance and administrative expenses. The Segment Interim Value formula
includes item (3) above, the Cap Calculation Factor, which is
III-1 APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
designed to reflect the fact that we will not incur those expenses for the
entire duration of the Segment if you withdraw your investment prior to the
Segment Maturity Date. Therefore, the Cap Calculation Factor is always positive
and declines during the course of the Segment.
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE LIMITING FACTOR. The formula provides that the Segment
Interim Value is never greater than (B) above, which is the portion of the
Performance Cap Rate corresponding to the portion of the Segment Duration that
has elapsed. This limitation is imposed to discourage owners from withdrawing
from a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date where there may have been
significant increases in the relevant Index early in the Segment Duration.
Although the Performance Cap Rate limiting factor pro-rates the upside
potential on amounts withdrawn early, there is no similar adjustment to
pro-rate the downside protection. THIS MEANS, IF YOU SURRENDER OR CANCEL YOUR
CONTRACT, DIE OR MAKE A WITHDRAWAL FROM A SEGMENT BEFORE THE SEGMENT MATURITY
DATE, THE SEGMENT BUFFER WILL NOT NECESSARILY APPLY TO THE EXTENT IT WOULD ON
THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE, AND ANY UPSIDE PERFORMANCE WILL BE LIMITED TO A
PERCENTAGE LOWER THAN THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIFIC INPUTS TO THE CALCULATION
(A)(1) FAIR VALUE OF FIXED INSTRUMENTS. The Fair Value of Fixed Instrument in a
Segment is based on the swap rate associated with the Segment's remaining time
to maturity. Swap rates are the risk-free interest rates widely used in
derivative markets. There is no standard quote for swap rates. However, because
of their high liquidity and popularity, swap rate quotes from different dealers
generally fall within a close range, the differences among which are not
meaningful. Swap rates can be obtained from inter-dealer systems or financial
data vendors who have feeds from swap dealers. For example, "Bloomberg
Composite" swap rates are the weighted average of swap rates provided by a
number of dealers to Bloomberg. Individual dealers and brokers also publish
swap rates of their own on Bloomberg or Reuters. We may, in the future, utilize
exchange traded swaps that become available. These exchange traded swaps would
have a standard quote associated with them. The Fair Value of Fixed Instruments
is defined as its present value, as expressed in the following formula:
(Segment Investment)/(1 + swap rate)(time to maturity)
The time to maturity is expressed as a fraction, in which the numerator is the
number of days remaining in the Segment Duration and the denominator is the
average number of days in each year of the Segment Duration for that Segment.
(A)(2) FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVES. We utilize a fair market value methodology to
determine the Fair Value of Derivatives.
For each Segment, we designate and value three hypothetical options, each of
which is tied to the performance of the Index underlying the Segment in which
you are invested: (1) the At-the-Money Call Option, (2) the Out-of-the-Money
Call Option and (3) the Out-of-the-Money Put Option. At Segment Maturity, the
Put Option is designed to value the loss below the buffer, while the call
options are designed to provide gains up to the Performance Cap Rate. These
options are described in more detail below.
In a put option on an index, the seller will pay the buyer, at the maturity of
the option, the difference between the strike price -- which was set at issue
-- and the underlying index closing price, in the event that the closing price
is below the strike price. In a call option on an index, the seller will pay
the buyer, at the maturity of the option, the difference between the underlying
index closing price and the strike price, in the event that the closing price
is above the strike price. Generally, a put option has an inverse relationship
with its underlying Index, while a call option has a direct relationship. In
addition to the inputs discussed above, the Fair Value of Derivatives is also
affected by the time remaining until the Segment Maturity Date. More
information about the three designated options is set forth below:
(1) At-the-Money Call Option: This is an option to buy a position in the
relevant Index equal to the Segment Investment on the scheduled Segment
Maturity Date, at the price of the Index on the Segment Start Date. At any
time during the Segment Duration, the fair value of the At-the-Money Call
Option represents the market value of the potential to receive an amount in
excess of the Segment Investment on the Segment Maturity Date equal to the
percentage growth in the Index between the Segment Start Date and the
Segment Maturity Date, multiplied by the Segment Investment.
(2) Out-of-the-Money Call Option: This is an option to buy a position in the
relevant Index equal to the Segment Investment on the scheduled Segment
Maturity Date, at the price of the Index on the Segment Start Date increased
by a percentage equal to the Performance Cap Rate. At any time during the
Segment Duration, the fair value of the Out-of-the-Money Call Option
represents the market value of the potential to receive an amount in excess
of the Segment Investment equal to the percentage growth in the Index
between the Segment Start Date and the Segment Maturity Date in excess of
the Performance Cap Rate, multiplied by the Segment Investment. The value of
this option is used to offset the value of the At-the-Money Call Option,
thus recognizing in the Interim Segment Value a ceiling on gains at Segment
Maturity imposed by the Performance Cap Rate.
(3) Out-of-the-Money Put Option: This is an option to sell a position in the
relevant Index equal to the Segment Investment on the scheduled Segment
Maturity Date, at the price of the Index on the Segment Start Date decreased
by a percentage equal to the Segment Buffer. At any time during the Segment
Duration, the fair value of the Out-of-the-Money Put Option represents the
market value of the potential to receive an amount equal to the excess of
the negative return of the Index between the Segment Start Date and the
Segment Maturity Date beyond the Segment Buffer, multiplied by the Segment
Investment. The value of this option reduces the Interim Segment Value, as
it reflects losses that may be incurred in excess of the Segment Buffer at
Segment Maturity.
The Fair Value of Derivatives is equal to (1) minus (2) minus (3), as defined
above.
We determine the fair value of each of the three designated options using the
Black Scholes model for valuing a European option on the Index, assuming a
continuous dividend yield or net convenience value, with inputs that are
consistent with current market prices. Each option has a notional value on the
Segment Start Date equal to the Segment Investment on that date. The notional
value is the price of the underlying Index at the inception of the contract. In
the event that a number of options, or a fractional number of options was
purchased, the notional value would be the number of options multiplied by the
price of the Index at inception.
APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE III-2
For Securities Indices, we use the following inputs to the Black Scholes model:
(1) Implied Volatility of the Index -- This input varies with (i) how much time
remains until the Segment Maturity Date of the Segment, which is determined
by using an expiration date for the designated option that corresponds to
that time remaining and (ii) the relationship between the strike price of
that option and the level of the Index at the time of the calculation.
This relationship is referred to as the "moneyness" of the option described
above, and is calculated as the ratio of current price to the strike price.
Direct market data for these inputs for any given early distribution are
generally not available, because options on the Index that actually trade in
the market have specific maturity dates and moneyness values that are
unlikely to correspond precisely to the Segment Maturity Date and moneyness
of the designated option that we use for purposes of the calculation.
Accordingly, we use the following method to estimate the implied volatility
of the Index. We use daily quotes of implied volatility from our pricing
agent bank using the same Black Scholes model described above and based on
the market prices for certain options. Specifically, implied volatility
quotes are obtained for options with the closest maturities above and below
the actual time remaining in the Segment at the time of the calculation and,
for each maturity, for those options having the closest moneyness value
above and below the actual moneyness of the designated option, given the
level of the Index at the time of the calculation. In calculating the
Segment Interim Value, we will derive a volatility input for your Segment's
time to maturity and strike price by linearly interpolating between the
implied volatility quotes that are based on the actual adjacent maturities
and moneyness values described above, as follows:
(a) We first determine the implied volatility of an option that has the same
moneyness as the designated option but with the closest available time
to maturity shorter than your Segment's remaining time to maturity. This
volatility is derived by linearly interpolating between the implied
volatilities of options having the times to maturity that are above and
below the moneyness value of the hypothetical option.
(b) We then determine the implied volatility of an option that has the same
moneyness as the designated option but with the closest available time
to maturity longer than your Segment's remaining time to maturity. This
volatility is derived by linearly interpolating between the implied
volatilities of options having the times to maturity that are above and
below the moneyness value of the designated option.
(c) The volatility input for your Segment's time to maturity will then be
determined by linearly interpolating between the volatilities derived in
steps (a) and (b).
(2) Swap Rate -- We use key derivative swap rates provided by our pricing agent
bank, which is a recognized financial reporting vendor. Swap rates are
obtained for maturities adjacent to the actual time remaining in the Segment
at the time of the early distribution. We use linear interpolation to derive
the exact remaining duration rate needed as the input.
(3) Index Dividend Yield -- On a daily basis, we use the projected annual
dividend yield across the entire Index provided by our pricing agent bank.
This value is a widely used assumption and is readily available from
recognized financial reporting vendors.
For Commodities Indices, we use the first two inputs listed above (Implied
Volatility of the Index and Swap Rate), but for the third input, instead of
using the Index Dividend Yield, we use the Net Convenience Value. This approach
is based on standard option pricing methodology, which recognizes that
commodities do not pay dividends. Instead, Net Convenience Value represents the
market's valuation of the yield of two offsetting factors: (1) the fact that
the option does not give the holder the benefit of the ability to use the
commodity itself (much like a security option does not give the holder the
right to receive dividends); and (2) the fact that the holder is not burdened
with the obligation to store the commodity.
(3) Net Convenience Value -- On a daily basis, we calculate the net convenience
value for the commodity underlying the Index. The net convenience value for
a commodity equals the spot price minus the present value of the futures
price (with the present value based on the Swap Rate). We use the spot
prices and futures prices provided by our pricing agent bank, which is a
recognized financial reporting vendor. The price differences among
recognized financial reporting vendors are not meaningful to the calculation
of the Segment Interim Value.
Generally, a put option has an inverse relationship with its underlying Index,
while a call option has a direct relationship. In addition to the inputs
discussed above, the Fair Value of Derivatives is also affected by the time to
the Segment Maturity Date.
(A)(3) CAP CALCULATION FACTOR. In setting the Performance Cap Rate, we take
into account that we incur expenses in connection with a contract, including
insurance and administrative expenses. In particular, if there were no such
expenses, the Performance Cap Rate might have been greater. In setting the
Performance Rate Cap, we currently estimate annual expenses at approximately
1.80% of the Segment Investment for Series B contracts and approximately 1.25%
of the Segment Investment for Series ADV contracts. This calculation includes
not only expenses, but an element of profit as well. We may use a lower
estimate, which would provide a higher Performance Cap Rate, all other factors
being equal. We reserve the right to use a higher estimate in the future, but
we would do so only after revising this Appendix to provide notice of the
higher estimate. If you withdraw your investment prior to the Segment Maturity
Date, we will not incur expenses for the entire duration of the Segment.
Therefore, if you withdraw your investment prior to the Segment Maturity Date,
we provide a positive adjustment as part of the calculation of Segment Interim
Value, which we call the Cap Calculation Factor. The Cap Calculation Factor
represents a return of estimated expenses for the portion of the Segment
Duration that has not elapsed. For example, if the estimated expenses for a one
year Segment are calculated by our pricing agent bank to be $10, then at the
end of 146 days (with 219 days remaining in the Segment), the Cap Calculation
Factor would be $6, because $10 x 219/365 (60%) = $6. The Cap Calculation
Factor is not used at the time we calculate your Segment Maturity Value.
Instead, for any Segment held to its Segment Maturity Date, the values are
provided by the contractual guarantees based on Index performance as adjusted
by the Performance Cap Rate and the Segment Buffer. A Segment is not a variable
investment option with an underlying portfolio, and therefore the percentages
we use in setting the performance caps do not reflect a daily charge against
assets held on your behalf in a separate account.
III-3 APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
(B) PRO RATA SHARE OF PERFORMANCE CAP RATE. In setting the Performance Cap
Rate, we assume that you are going to hold the Segment for the entire Segment
Duration. If you hold a Segment until its Segment Maturity Date, the Segment
Return will be calculated subject to the Performance Cap Rate. Prior to the
Segment Maturity Date, your Segment Interim Value will be limited by the
portion of the Performance Cap Rate corresponding to the portion of the Segment
Duration that has elapsed. For example, if the Performance Cap Rate for a
one-year Segment is 10%, then at the end of 146 days, the Pro Rata Share of the
Performance Cap Rate would be 4%, because 10% x 146/365 = 4%; as a result, the
Interim Value at the end of the 146 days could not exceed 104% of the Segment
Investment.
EXAMPLES
On the following pages are hypothetical examples of how the Segment Interim
Value would be calculated for three different Segments. On the first page,
Segments 1, 2 and 3 all have the same Index and Segment Start Date, but have
different Segment Durations. The Segments are each shown on the same date,
approximately 8-1/2 months after the Segment Start Date. On the second page,
Segments 2 and 3 are valued again, but this time on later dates, with
approximately 3-1/2 months remaining until their respective Segment Maturity
Dates. On the third page, Segments 1, 2 and 3 all have the same Index and
Segment Start Date, but have different Segment Durations. The Segments are each
shown making a partial withdrawal on the same date, approximately 8-1/2 months
after the Segment Start Date.
APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE III-4
EXAMPLE OF SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 1-YEAR SEGMENT 3-YEAR SEGMENT 5-YEAR SEGMENT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Duration (in months) 12 36 60
Valuation Date (Months since Segment Start Date) 8.5 8.5 8.5
Segment Investment $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Segment Buffer -10% -20% -30%
Performance Cap Rate 11% 19% 35%
Time to Maturity
(in months) 3.5 27.5 51.5
(in years) 0.288 2.290 4.290
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 60.00)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24 971.31 905.58
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives (302.76) (234.48) (158.69)
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19 41.22 77.23
Sum of Above 701.68 778.05 824.12
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,078.36 1,044.98 1,049.67
Segment Interim Value 701.68 778.05 824.12
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 90.00)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24 971.31 905.58
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives (43.81) (61.28) (19.70)
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19 41.22 77.23
Sum of Above 960.63 951.24 963.11
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,078.36 1,044.98 1,049.67
Segment Interim Value 960.63 951.24 963.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 110.00)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24 971.31 905.58
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives 53.36 15.41 49.73
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19 41.22 77.23
Sum of Above 1,057.80 1,027.94 1,032.54
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,078.36 1,044.98 1,049.67
Segment Interim Value 1,057.80 1,027.94 1,032.54
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 140.00)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24 971.31 905.58
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives 105.69 91.01 129.03
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19 41.22 77.23
Sum of Above 1,110.13 1,103.54 1,111.84
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,078.36 1,044.98 1,049.67
Segment Interim Value 1,078.36 1,044.98 1,049.67
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The input values to the Black Scholes model that have been utilized to generate
the hypothetical examples above are as follows:
(1) Implied volatility of 25% for the at-the-money call option and 27% for
the out-of-the-money call and out-of-the-money put options
(2) Swap rate corresponding to remainder of segment term is .26% (1-year),
1.28% (3-year) and 2.34% (5-year) annually
(3) Index dividend yield - 1.95% annually.
III-5 APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
EXAMPLE OF SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 3-YEAR SEGMENT 5-YEAR SEGMENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Duration (in months) 36 60
Valuation Date (Months since Segment Start Date) 32.5 56.5
Segment Investment $1,000 $1,000
Segment Buffer -20% -30%
Performance Cap Rate 19% 35%
Time to Maturity
(in months) 3.5 3.5
(in years) 0.288 0.288
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 60.00)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.25 999.25
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives ( 203.56) ( 109.27)
Cap Calculation Factor 5.18 5.18
Sum of Above 800.87 895.16
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,171.76 1,329.86
Segment Interim Value 800.87 895.16
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 90.00)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.25 999.25
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives ( 2.00) 12.45
Cap Calculation Factor 5.18 5.18
Sum of Above 1,002.43 1,016.88
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,171.76 1,329.86
Segment Interim Value 1,002.43 1,016.88
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 110.00)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.25 999.25
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives 85.84 109.65
Cap Calculation Factor 5.18 5.18
Sum of Above 1,090.27 1,114.07
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,171.76 1,329.86
Segment Interim Value 1,090.27 1,114.07
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
140.00)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.25 999.25
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives 177.13 290.69
Cap Calculation Factor 5.18 5.18
Sum of Above 1,181.56 1,295.12
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated Perfor-
mance Cap Rate 1,171.76 1,329.86
Segment Interim Value 1,171.76 1,295.12
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE III-6
EXAMPLE OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 1-YEAR SEGMENT 3-YEAR SEGMENT 5-YEAR SEGMENT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Duration (in months) 12 36 60
Valuation Date (Months since Segment Start Date) 8.5 8.5 8.5
Segment Investment $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Segment Buffer -10% -20% -30%
Performance Cap Rate 11% 19% 35%
Time to Maturity
(in months) 3.5 27.5 51.5
(in years) 0.288 2.290 4.290
Amount Withdrawn(1) $ 100 $ 100 $ 100
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 60.00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 701.68 778.05 824.12
Percent Withdrawn 14.25% 12.85% 12.13%
New Segment Investment $ 857.48 $ 871.47 $ 878.66
New Segment Interim Value $ 601.68 $ 678.05 $ 724.12
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 90.00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 960.63 951.24 963.11
Percent Withdrawn 10.41% 10.51% 10.38%
New Segment Investment $ 895.90 $ 894.87 $ 896.17
New Segment Interim Value $ 860.63 $ 851.24 $ 863.11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 110.00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 1,057.80 1,027.94 1,032.54
Percent Withdrawn 9.45% 9.73% 9.68%
New Segment Investment $ 905.46 $ 902.72 $ 903.15
New Segment Interim Value $ 957.80 $ 927.94 $ 932.54
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO 140.00)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 1,078.36 1,044.98 1,049.67
Percent Withdrawn 9.27% 9.57% 9.53%
New Segment Investment $ 907.27 $ 904.30 $ 904.73
New Segment Interim Value $ 978.36 $ 944.98 $ 949.67
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitions:
(1) Amount withdrawn is net of applicable withdrawal charge
Percent Withdrawn is equal to Amount Withdrawn divided by Segment Interim Value
New Segment Investment is equal to the original Segment Investment ($1,000)
multiplied by [1 - Percent Withdrawn]
New Segment Interim Value is equal to the calculated Segment Interim Value
based on the new Segment Investment. It will also be equal to the Segment
Interim Value multiplied by [1 - Percent Withdrawn]
III-7 APPENDIX III: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
Appendix IV: Index Publishers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Structured Investment Option of the Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract tracks certain Securities Indices that are published by third parties.
AXA Equitable uses these Securities Indices under license from the Indices'
respective publishers. The following information about the Indices is included
in this Prospectus in accordance with AXA Equitable's license agreements with
the publishers of the Indices:
Standard & Poor's requires that the following disclaimer be included in this
Prospectus:
The Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract is not sponsored, endorsed, sold
or promoted by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or its third party licensors. Neither
S&P nor its third party licensors makes any representation or warranty, express
or implied, to the owners of the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract or
any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities
generally or in the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract particularly or
the ability of the S&P 500 Price Return Index (the "Index") to track general
stock market performance. S&P's and its third party licensor's only
relationship to AXA Equitable is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade
names of S&P and the third party licensors and of the Index which is
determined, composed and calculated by S&P or its third party licensors without
regard to AXA Equitable or the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract. S&P
and its third party licensors have no obligation to take the needs of AXA
Equitable or the owners of the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract into
consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Neither S&P
nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in
the determination of the prices and amount of the Structured Capital
Strategies(SM) contract or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Structured
Capital Strategies(SM) contract or in the determination or calculation of the
equation by which the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract is to be
converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the
administration, marketing or trading of the Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract.
NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE
ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA
INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT
THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS
THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE
WITH RESPECT TO THE MARKS, THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN.WITHOUT
LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES
OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED
OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY
OR OTHERWISE.
The name "S&P 500 Price Return Index" is a trademark of Standard & Poor's and
has been licensed for use by AXA Equitable.
Frank Russell Company requires that the following disclosure be included in
this Prospectus:
The Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract is not sponsored, endorsed, sold
or promoted by Frank Russell Company ("Russell"). Russell makes no
representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Structured
Capital Strategies(SM) contract or any member of the public regarding the
advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Product(s)
particularly or the ability of the Russell 2000 Price Return Index to track
general stock market performance or a segment of the same. Russell's
publication of the Russell 2000 Price Return Index in no way suggests or
implies an opinion by Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or
all of the securities upon which the Russell 2000 Price Return Index is based.
Russell's only relationship to AXA Equitable is the licensing of certain
trademarks and trade names of Russell and of the Russell 2000 Price Return
Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Russell without regard to
AXA Equitable or the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract. Russell is not
responsible for and has not reviewed the Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract nor any associated literature or publications and Russell makes no
representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or
completeness, or otherwise. Russell reserves the right, at any time and without
notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the the Structured
Capital Strategies(SM) contract. Russell has no obligation or liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Structured
Capital Strategies(SM) contract.
RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RUSSELL
2000 PRICE RETURN INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO
LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO
WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY AXA EQUITABLE,
INVESTORS, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT(S), OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE
OF THE RUSSELL 2000 PRICE RETURN INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. RUSSELL
MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO
THE RUSSELL 2000 PRICE RETURN INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT
LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR
ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST
PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
MSCI Inc. requires that the following disclosure be included in this
Prospectus:
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI INC.
("MSCI"), ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, ANY OF ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS OR ANY OTHER
THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, COMPILING, COMPUTING OR CREATING ANY
MSCI INDEX (COLLECTIVELY, THE "MSCI PARTIES"). THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S)
OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES
BY [LICENSEE]. NONE OF THE MSCI
APPENDIX IV: INDEX PUBLISHERS IV-1
PARTIES MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE ISSUER
OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY REGARDING THE
ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN PRODUCTS GENERALLY OR IN THIS PRODUCT PARTICULARLY
OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET
PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS,
SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED,
COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THIS PRODUCT OR THE ISSUER OR
OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES
HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR
ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR
CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR
HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR
QUANTITIES OF THIS PRODUCT TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION
OF THE EQUATION BY OR THE CONSIDERATION INTO WHICH THIS PRODUCT IS REDEEMABLE.
FURTHER, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE ISSUER
OR OWNERS OF THIS PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE
ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THIS PRODUCT. ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL
OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI
INDEXES FROM SOURCES THAT MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES
WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY
MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY
WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ISSUER OF THE
PRODUCT, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF
ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NONE OF THE MSCI PARTIES SHALL
HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NONE OF
THE MSCI PARTIES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND THE
MSCI PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA
INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY
OF THE MSCI PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF
NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. No purchaser, seller or holder of
this product, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI
trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote
this security without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI's
permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim
any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
IV-2 APPENDIX IV: INDEX PUBLISHERS
Appendix V: Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date examples
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Segment Maturity Date for Segments maturing in a given month and the
Segment Start Date for new Segments starting in that same month will always be
scheduled to occur on the first two consecutive business days that are also
Segment Business Days occurring after the 13th of a month. However, as
described earlier in this Prospectus, the Segment Maturity Date and Segment
Start Date may sometimes occur on later dates.
Set forth below are representative examples of how the Segment Maturity Date
and Segment Start Date may be moved to a later date in a given month due to
weekends and holidays, which are not Segment Business Days.
The first table below assumes that the 14th and/or 15th of the month falls on a
weekend, and the following Monday and Tuesday are both Segment Business Days:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THEN THE SEGMENT AND THE SEGMENT
IF THE 14TH IS A: MATURITY DATE IS: START DATE IS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday Friday the 14th Monday the 17th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday Monday the 16th Tuesday the 17th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday Monday the 15th Tuesday the 16th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second table below assumes that the 14th or 15th of the month falls on a
scheduled holiday and therefore, is not a Segment Business Day:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF A SCHEDULED HOLIDAY THEN THE SEGMENT AND THE SEGMENT
FALLS ON: MATURITY DATE IS: START DATE IS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday the 14th Tuesday the 15th Wednesday the 16th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday the 15th Monday the 18th Tuesday the 19th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX V: SEGMENT MATURITY DATE AND SEGMENT START DATE EXAMPLES V-1
Appendix VI: Purchase considerations for defined benefit plans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defined benefit plan trusts may now invest pooled defined benefit plan assets
in Structured Capital Strategies(SM).
POOLED DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN ASSETS
The defined benefit plans may invest assets attributable to the accrued
benefits of plan participants in one contract. There is no requirement to apply
for multiple Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contracts. Pooled defined benefit
plan assets may be invested in Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contracts
because the product has no optional benefits that need to be divided among
participants.
Trustees who are considering the purchase of a Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract should discuss with their tax and ERISA advisers whether this is an
appropriate investment vehicle for the employer's plan. There are significant
suitability issues in the purchase of a Structured Capital Strategies(SM)
contract in a defined benefit plan. The contract and this Prospectus should be
reviewed in full, and the following factors, among others, should be noted.
Trustees should consider whether the plan provisions permit the investment of
plan assets in the contract. Trustees should also consider that the plan trust
must be designated as the beneficiary and that payment of death benefits from
the contract must be in accordance with the requirements of the federal income
tax rules. Assuming continued plan qualification and operation, earnings on
qualified plan assets will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis even if the plan
is not funded by the Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract or another
annuity contract. Therefore, trusts should purchase a Structured Capital
Strategies(SM) contract to fund a plan for the contract's features and benefits
and not for tax deferral, after considering the relative costs and benefits of
annuity contracts and other types of arrangements and funding vehicles.
NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT
Defined benefit plans must use Non-Qualified contracts to invest in Structured
Capital Strategies(SM). There is no qualified plan contract endorsement
available with Structured Capital Strategies(SM). The Plan and Trust, if
properly qualified, contain the requisite provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code to maintain their tax exempt status.
SPLIT FUNDING REQUIREMENT
The maximum percentage of the value of the plan's total assets that should be
invested in a Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract at any time is 80%. At
least 20% of the plan's assets should be invested in one or more other funding
vehicles to provide liquidity for the plan because Segments in the Structured
Investment Option may not be mature at the time plan benefits become payable.
The plan's fiduciaries are responsible for ensuring that the plan has enough
liquidity to pay benefits when required and should discuss anticipated
liquidity needs with the plan's actuary. Amounts must be withdrawn from the
contract or the contract must be liquidated to pay benefits; benefits payable
under the plan cannot be satisfied through a transfer of ownership of the NQ
contract to any person or entity. Any withdrawal from the Structured Capital
Strategies(SM) NQ contract to pay benefits, or to address plan overfunding,
excess or mistaken contributions, any required minimum distribution
requirement, or for any other plan or benefit purpose will be treated as a
normal withdrawal for purposes of withdrawal charges and all other contractual
provisions. The Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract is merely a funding
vehicle and is not "benefit friendly" like some products offered to qualified
plan sponsors.
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Structured Capital Strategies(SM) contract will only accept transfer
contributions from the other funding vehicles of the defined benefit plan
trust. No contributions will be accepted directly from the employer sponsoring
the plan. Checks written on accounts held in the name of the employer
sponsoring the plan will not be accepted. Only one transfer contribution may be
made per contract year.
PAYMENTS
AXA Equitable will only make payments to the defined benefit plan. Also, the
plan will not be able to transfer ownership of the contract to an employee
after the employee separates from service. All payments under the contract will
be made to the defined benefit plan trust owner.
NO RECORDKEEPING
AXA Equitable will not perform or provide any plan recordkeeping services with
respect to defined benefit plan assets invested in Structured Capital
Strategies(SM) contracts. The plan's administrator will be solely responsible
for performing or providing for all such services.
VI-1 APPENDIX VI: PURCHASE CONSIDERATIONS FOR DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
Statement of additional information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Who is AXA Equitable? 2
Unit Values 2
Custodian and independent registered public accounting firm 2
Distribution of the contracts 2
Financial statements 2
HOW TO OBTAIN A STRUCTURED CAPITAL STRATEGIES(SM) STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION FOR SEPARATE ACCOUNT NO. 49
Send this request form to:
Retirement Service Solutions
P.O. Box 1547
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1547
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please send me a Structured Capital Strategies(SM) Statement of Additional
Information dated May 1, 2011.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City State Zip
e13515
Structured Investment Option
Available Under EQUI-VEST(R) (Series 201), EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) (Series
900) and EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) (Series 901) Variable Deferred Annuity
Contracts Issued by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 2011
Please read and keep this Prospectus for future reference. It contains
important information that you should know before purchasing or taking any
other action under your EQUI-VEST(R) variable annuity contract. Also, this
Prospectus must be read along with the appropriate EQUI-VEST(R) variable
annuity contract prospectus. This Prospectus is in addition to the appropriate
EQUI-VEST(R) variable annuity contract prospectus and all information in the
appropriate EQUI-VEST(R) variable annuity contract prospectus continues to
apply unless addressed by this Prospectus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION?
The Structured Investment Option is an investment option available under
EQUI-VEST(R) (Series 201), EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) (Series 900) and
EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) (Series 901) variable deferred annuity contracts
issued by AXA EQUITABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (the "Company" or "AXA
Equitable"). See "Definition of key terms" later in this Prospectus for a more
detailed explanation of terms associated with the Structured Investment Option.
When we use the word "contract" it also includes certificates that are issued
under group contracts in some states for EQUI-VEST(R) Series 201, and
certificates issued to participants under EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) Series
900 and 901 contracts. Unless otherwise indicated, when we use EQUI-VEST(R), it
also includes EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) Series 900 and 901. The Structured
Investment Option may not currently be available in all contracts or states.
The Structured Investment Option permits you to invest in one or more Segments,
each of which provides performance tied to the performance of the S&P 500 Price
Return Index (the "Index"), for a set period of one year. We may offer Segments
with different durations and different indices in the future. The Structured
Investment Option does not involve an investment in any underlying portfolio.
Instead, it is an obligation of AXA Equitable. Unlike an index fund, the
Structured Investment Option provides a return at maturity designed to provide
protection against certain decreases in the Index in exchange for a limitation
on participation in certain increases in the Index. The extent of the downside
protection at maturity is the first 10% of loss. THERE IS A RISK OF A
SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF YOUR PRINCIPAL BECAUSE YOU AGREE TO ABSORB ALL LOSSES TO
THE EXTENT THEY EXCEED THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT
OPTION AT MATURITY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A GUARANTEE OF PRINCIPAL, WE OFFER OTHER
INVESTMENT OPTIONS THAT PROVIDE SUCH GUARANTEES.
The total amount earned on an investment in a Segment of the Structured
Investment Option is only applied at maturity. On any date prior to maturity,
we calculate the interim value of the Segment as described in "Appendix I --
Segment Interim Value". This amount may be less than the amount invested and
may be less than the amount you would receive had you held the investment until
maturity. The Segment Interim Value will generally be negatively affected by
increases in the expected volatility of index prices, interest rate increases,
and by poor market performance. All other factors being equal, the Segment
Interim Value would be lower the earlier a withdrawal or surrender is made
during a Segment. Also, participation in upside performance for early
withdrawals is pro-rated based on the period those amounts were invested in a
Segment. This means you participate to a lesser extent in upside performance
the earlier you take a withdrawal.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DISCONTINUE THE ACCEPTANCE OF, AND/OR PLACE ADDITIONAL
LIMITATIONS ON, CONTRIBUTIONS AND/OR TRANSFERS INTO ANY OR ALL OF THE SEGMENTS
COMPRISING THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION. IF WE EXERCISE THIS RIGHT, YOUR
ABILITY TO INVEST IN YOUR EQUI-VEST(R) CONTRACT, INCREASE YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
AND, CONSEQUENTLY, INCREASE YOUR DEATH BENEFIT WILL BE LIMITED. HOWEVER,
SUBJECT TO ANY LIMITATIONS UNDER YOUR EQUI-VEST(R) CONTRACT, YOU COULD CONTINUE
TO INVEST IN YOUR CONTRACT THROUGH THE OTHER AVAILABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The terms on this page are only some of the terms associated with the
Structured Investment Option. Please read this Prospectus for more details
about the Structured Investment Option. Also, this Prospectus must be read
along with your EQUI-VEST(R) contract prospectus, as well as your contract and
contract rider for this option. Please refer to page 5 of this Prospectus for
the definitions section that discusses these and other terms associated with
the Structured Investment Option. PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 10 OF THIS PROSPECTUS
FOR A DISCUSSION OF RISK FACTORS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY. THEY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK AND ARE NOT BANK
GUARANTEED. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL.
Catalog No. 146260 (2/11)
X03400
IM-11-05 (2/11) SIO for EV 201,
900, 901
Contents of this Prospectus
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who is AXA Equitable? 3
How to reach us 3
Definitions of key terms 5
Structured Investment Option(SM) at a glance -- key features 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEE TABLE SUMMARY 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RISK FACTORS 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Structured Investment Option 11
Your account value in the Structured Investment Option 15
Structured Investment Option's charges and expenses 16
How we deduct EQUI-VEST(R) contract charges from the
Structured Investment Option 16
Transfers 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDICES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I -- Segment Interim Value A-1
II -- Index Publishers B-1
III -- Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date
examples C-1
----------------------
"We," "our" and "us" refer to AXA Equitable.
When we address the reader of this Prospectus with words such as "you" and
"your," we mean the person who has the right or responsibility that the
Prospectus is discussing at that point. This is usually the contract owner or
participant.
2 CONTENTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS
Who is AXA Equitable?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company ("AXA Equitable") a New York stock
life insurance corporation. We have been doing business since 1859. AXA
Equitable is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc., a
holding company, which is itself an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA SA
("AXA"). AXA is a French holding company for an international group of
insurance and related financial services companies. As the ultimate sole
shareholder of AXA Equitable, and under its other arrangements with AXA
Equitable and AXA Equitable's parent, AXA exercises significant influence over
the operations and capital structure of AXA Equitable and its parent. AXA holds
its interest in AXA Equitable through a number of other intermediate holding
companies, including Oudinot Participations, AXA America Holdings, Inc. and AXA
Equitable Financial Services, LLC. AXA Equitable is obligated to pay all
amounts that are promised to be paid under the contracts. No company other than
AXA Equitable, however, has any legal responsibility to pay amounts that AXA
Equitable owes under the contracts.
AXA Financial, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries managed approximately
$575.3 billion in assets as of December 31, 2010. For more than 150 years AXA
Equitable has been among the largest insurance companies in the United States.
We are licensed to sell life insurance and annuities in all fifty states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our home office
is located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104.
HOW TO REACH US
Please refer to the "How to reach us" section of the appropriate variable
annuity contract prospectus for more information regarding contacting us and
communicating your instructions. We also have specific forms that we recommend
you use for electing the Structured Investment Option and any Structured
Investment Option transactions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTS WE PROVIDE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Written confirmation of financial transactions such as when money is
transferred into a Segment from a Segment Holding Account.
o Written confirmation of certain non-financial transactions such as when
money is not transferred from a Segment Holding Account into a Segment on a
Segment Start Date because the declared cap is less than the Performance
Cap Threshold, if any; or because Segment maturity occurs after the
contract maturity date; a Segment matures; when you change a Performance
Cap Threshold; or when you change your current maturity instructions.
WHO IS AXA EQUITABLE? 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELEPHONE OPERATED PROGRAM SUPPORT ("TOPS") AND
ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS SYSTEMS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online Account Access is designed to provide you with information through the
Internet. TOPS is designed to provide you with up-to-date information via
touch-tone telephone.
On Online Account Access you can obtain information on:
o the number of units you have in the Segment Holding Account;
o the daily unit values for the Segment Holding Account; and
o your Segment Interim Value.
You can also:
o transfer into and out of the Segment Holding Account; and
o update your contribution allocations to the Segment Holding Account.
On or about June 30, 2011, on Online Account Access you will also be able to:
o obtain information on your Performance Cap Threshold;
o elect or change your Performance Cap Threshold;
o obtain information on your instructions on file for allocating the Segment
Maturity Value on the Segment Maturity Date; and
o elect or change your Segment Maturity elections.
TOPS is designed to provide you with up-to-date information via touch-tone
telephone.
On or about May 2, 2011, you will be able to obtain information on:
o the number of units you have in the Segment Holding Account;
o the daily unit values for the Segment Holding Account; and
o your Segment Interim Value.
On or about September 12, 2011, on TOPS you will also be able to:
o obtain information on your Performance Cap Threshold;
o elect or change your Performance Cap Threshold;
o transfer into or out of the Segment Holding Account; and
o update contribution allocations to the Segment Holding Account.
WE REQUIRE THAT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS BE ON SPECIFIC FORMS WE
PROVIDE FOR THAT PURPOSE:
(1) transfers into or out of the Segment Holding Account;
(2) authorization for transfers, including transfers of your Segment Maturity
Value on a Segment Maturity Date, by your financial professional;
(3) establishing and changing a Performance Cap Threshold; and
(4) providing instructions for allocating the Segment Maturity Value on the
Segment Maturity Date.
WE ALSO HAVE SPECIFIC FORMS THAT WE RECOMMEND YOU USE FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPES
OF REQUESTS:
To cancel or change any of the following, we recommend that you provide the
required written notification at least seven calendar days before the next
scheduled transaction:
(1) instructions on file for allocating the Segment Maturity Value on the
Segment Maturity Date; and
(2) instructions to withdraw your Segment Maturity Value on the Segment
Maturity Date.
4 WHO IS AXA EQUITABLE?
Definitions of key terms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCOUNT VALUE -- Your "account value" is the total of: (i) the values of your
investment options under your applicable EQUI-VEST(R) contract outside of the
Structured Investment Option, (ii) the values you have in the Segment Holding
Account and (iii) your Segment Interim Values. Please refer to your
EQUI-VEST(R) prospectus for additional information.
BUSINESS DAY -- Our "business day" is generally any day the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE") is open for regular trading and generally ends at 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time (or as of an earlier close of regular trading). If the Securities
and Exchange Commission determines the existence of emergency conditions on any
day, and consequently, the NYSE does not open, then that day is not a business
day.
INDEX -- An Index used to determine the Segment Rate of Return for a Segment.
We currently offer a Segment Type based on the performance of the S&P 500 Price
Return Index. In the future, we may offer Segment Types based on other indices.
INDEX PERFORMANCE RATE -- For a Segment, the percentage change in the value of
the related Index from the Segment Start Date to the Segment Maturity Date. The
Index Performance Rate may be positive or negative.
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE -- The highest Segment Rate of Return that can be credited
on a Segment Maturity Date.
PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD -- A minimum rate you may specify as a participation
requirement that the Performance Cap Rate for a new Segment must equal or
exceed in order for amounts to be transferred from a Segment Holding Account
into a new Segment.
SEC -- Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEGMENT -- An investment option we establish with a specific Index, Segment
Duration, Segment Buffer, Segment Maturity Date and Performance Cap Rate.
SEGMENT BUFFER -- The portion of any negative Index Performance Rate that we
absorb on a Segment Maturity Date for a particular Segment. Any percentage
decline in a Segment's Index Performance Rate in excess of the Segment Buffer
reduces your Segment Maturity Value. We currently offer a Segment Buffer of
-10%.
SEGMENT BUSINESS DAY -- A business day that all indices underlying Segments
available for similar investment options available under all our variable
annuity contracts are scheduled to be open and to publish prices. A scheduled
holiday for any one index disqualifies that day from being scheduled as a
Segment Business Day for all Segments. We use Segment Business Days in this
manner so that, based on published holiday schedules, we mature all Segments on
the same day and start all new Segments on a subsequent day.
To obtain currently scheduled Segment Start Dates and Segment Maturity Dates,
please see the following websites:
o
For EQUI-VEST(R) Series 201 contracts, please see www.axa-equitable.com/
equivest201sio.
o
For EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) Series 900 contracts, please see
www.axa-equitable.com/equivest900sio.
o
For EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) Series 901 contracts, please see
www.axa-equitable.com/equivest901sio.
This design, among other things, facilitates the roll over of maturing Segment
Investments into new Segments. It is possible that due to emergency conditions,
the S&P 500 Price Return Index cannot provide a price on a day that was
scheduled to be a Segment Business Day. If the NYSE experiences an emergency
close and cannot publish any prices, we cannot mature or start any Segments.
SEGMENT DURATION -- The period from the Segment Start Date to the Segment
Maturity Date. We currently offer a Segment Duration of one year.
SEGMENT HOLDING ACCOUNT -- An account that holds all contributions and
transfers allocated to the Segment Type pending investment in a Segment. The
Segment Holding Account is part of the EQ/Money Market variable investment
option. If we were to offer different Segment Types in the future, there would
be a Segment Holding Account for each Segment Type.
SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE -- The value of your investment in a Segment prior to the
Segment Maturity Date.
SEGMENT INVESTMENT -- The amount transferred to a Segment on its Segment Start
Date, as adjusted for any withdrawals and charges from that Segment.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE -- The Segment Business Day on which a Segment ends. This
is generally the first Segment Business Day occurring after the 13th of the
same month as the Segment Start Date in the calendar year in which the Segment
Duration ends.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE REQUIREMENT -- You will not be invested in a Segment if
the Segment Maturity Date is later than your EQUI-VEST(R) contract maturity
date.
SEGMENT MATURITY VALUE -- The value of your investment in a Segment on the
Segment Maturity Date.
SEGMENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS -- The requirements that must be met before
we transfer amounts from a Segment Holding Account to a new Segment on a
Segment Start Date.
SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN -- If the Index Performance Rate is positive, then the
Segment Rate of Return is a rate equal to the Index Performance Rate, but not
more than the Performance Cap Rate. If the Index Performance Rate is negative,
but declines by a percentage less than or equal to the Segment Buffer, then the
Segment Rate of Return is 0%. If the Index Performance Rate is negative, and
declines by more than 10%, then the Segment Rate of Return is negative, but
will not reflect the first -10% of downside performance.
SEGMENT RETURN AMOUNT -- Equals the Segment Investment multiplied by the
Segment Rate of Return.
DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS 5
SEGMENT START DATE -- The Segment Business Day on which a new Segment is
established. This is generally the second Segment Business Day occurring after
the 13th of each month.
SEGMENT TYPE -- All Segments having the same Index, Segment Duration, and
Segment Buffer. The Segment Type has a corresponding Segment Holding Account.
We currently offer the S&P 500 Price Return Index with a Segment Duration of
one year and Segment Buffer of -10%. We may offer different Segment Types in
the future.
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION -- An investment option that permits you to invest
in various Segments, each tied to the performance of the S&P 500 Price Return
Index, and participate in the performance of the S&P 500 Price Return Index.
6 DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS
Structured Investment Option at a glance -- key features
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT See "Definition of key terms" on the prior page and
OPTION "Description of the Structured Investment Option" later
in this Prospectus for more detailed explanations of
terms associated with the Structured Investment Option.
--------------------------------------------------------
o One Segment Type with a Segment Duration of one year.
o Investments in Segments are not investments in
underlying mutual funds; Segments are not "index
funds. " A Segment Type offers an opportunity to
invest in a Segment that is tied to the performance of
the S&P 500 Price Return Index (the "Index"). You
participate in the performance of the Index by
investing in a Segment. You do not participate in the
investment results of any assets we hold in relation
to a Segment. We hold assets in a "non-unitized"
separate account we have established under the New
York Insurance Law to support our obligations under
the Structured Investment Option. We calculate the
results of an investment in a Segment pursuant to one
or more formulas described later in this Prospectus.
Depending upon the performance of the Index, you could
lose money by investing in one or more Segments.
o The Index is used to determine the Segment Rate of
Return for a Segment. We currently offer a Segment
Type based on the performance of the S&P 500 Price
Return Index. In the future, we may offer Segment
Types based on other indices.
o The Segment Return Amount (which equals the Segment
Investment multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return)
will only be applied on the Segment Maturity Date.
o The Segment Rate of Return could be positive, zero, or
negative. THERE IS A RISK OF A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF
YOUR PRINCIPAL BECAUSE YOU AGREE TO ABSORB ALL LOSSES
TO THE EXTENT THEY EXCEED THE APPLICABLE SEGMENT
BUFFER.
o On any date prior to maturity, we calculate the
Segment Interim Value for each Segment as described in
"Appendix I -- Segment Interim Value". This amount may
be less than the amount invested and may be less than
the amount you would receive had you held the
investment until maturity. The Segment Interim Value
will generally be negatively affected by increases in
the expected volatility of index prices, interest rate
increases, and by poor market performance. All other
factors being equal, the Segment Interim Value would
be lower the earlier a withdrawal or surrender is made
during a Segment. Also, participation in upside
performance for early withdrawals is pro-rated based
on the period those amounts were invested in a
Segment. This means you participate to a lesser extent
in upside performance the earlier you take a
withdrawal.
o BOTH THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE AND THE SEGMENT BUFFER
ARE RATES OF RETURN FROM THE SEGMENT START DATE TO THE
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE.
o THE ONLY LEVEL OF PROTECTION IS THE -10% SEGMENT
BUFFER.
o THIS OPTION GENERALLY OFFERS GREATER UPSIDE POTENTIAL,
BUT LESS DOWNSIDE PROTECTION, AT MATURITY THAN FIXED
INDEXED ANNUITIES, WHICH PROVIDE A GUARANTEED MINIMUM
RETURN.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES 7
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT
OPTION (CONTINUED) o Total account value of $1,000 must be accumulated in
the Segment Holding Account before it can be swept
into a Segment.
o Contributions or amounts accumulated in other
investment options can be allocated to the Segment
Holding Account.
o Your entire account value can be allocated to the
Structured Investment Option.
o We reserve the right to suspend or terminate
contributions and/or transfers into the Segment
Holding Account.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEES AND CHARGES Please see "Fee table summary" later in this section for
complete details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TABLE ABOVE SUMMARIZES ONLY CERTAIN CURRENT KEY FEATURES OF THE STRUCTURED
INVESTMENT OPTION. THE TABLE ALSO SUMMARIZES CERTAIN CURRENT LIMITATIONS,
RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS TO THOSE FEATURES THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE
UNDER THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION AND THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE
FUTURE. IN SOME CASES, OTHER LIMITATIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS MAY
APPLY. THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION MAY NOT CURRENTLY BE AVAILABLE IN ALL
CONTRACTS OR STATES.
For more detailed information, we urge you to read the contents of this
Prospectus in conjunction with your EQUI-VEST(R) variable annuity prospectus,
as well as your contract. This Prospectus is a disclosure document and
describes all of the Structured Investment Option material features, benefits,
rights and obligations, as well as other information. The Prospectus should be
read carefully before investing. Please feel free to speak with your financial
professional, or call us, if you have any questions.
8 STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES
Fee table summary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay when
electing and making surrenders and other distributions (including loans and
charges) from the Structured Investment Option.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADJUSTMENTS FOR EARLY SURRENDER OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION FROM A SEGMENT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN CALCULATION IS MADE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT MAY BE LOST(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
Segment Interim Value is applied on surrender or other distribution (including loans and 90% of Segment
charges) from a Segment prior to its Segment Maturity Date Investment
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) The actual amount of the Segment Interim Value calculation is determined by
a formula that depends on, among other things, the Segment Buffer and how
the Index has per formed since the Segment Start Date, as discussed in
detail under "Appendix I" later in this Prospectus. The maximum loss would
occur if there is a total distribution for a Segment with a -10% buffer at
a time when the Index price has declined to zero. If you surrender or
cancel your variable annuity contract, die or make a withdrawal from a
Segment before the Segment Maturity Date, the Segment Buffer will not
necessarily apply to the extent it would on the Segment Maturity Date, and
any upside performance will be limited to a percentage lower than the
Performance Cap Rate.
This fee table applies specifically to the Structured Investment Option and
should be read in conjunction with the fee table in your EQUI-VEST(R) contract
prospectus.
FEE TABLE SUMMARY 9
1. Risk factors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section discusses risks associated with some features of the Structured
Investment Option. See "Definition of key terms" earlier in this Prospectus and
"Description of the Structured Investment Option" later in this Prospectus for
more detailed explanations of terms associated with the Structured Investment
Option.
o There is a risk of a substantial loss of your principal because you agree to
absorb all losses from the portion of any negative Index Performance Rate
that exceeds the Segment Buffer for any Segment at maturity. Currently,
the only level of protection is the -10% Segment Buffer at maturity.
o Your Segment Rate of Return for a Segment is limited by its Performance Cap
Rate, which could cause your Segment Rate of Return to be lower than it
would otherwise be if you invested in a mutual fund or exchange-traded
fund designed to track the performance of the Index.
o The Performance Cap Rate is determined on the Segment Start Date. You will
not know the rate in advance. Prior to the Segment Start Date, you may
elect a Performance Cap Threshold. The threshold represents the minimum
Performance Cap Rate you find acceptable for a particular Segment. If we
declare a cap that is lower than the threshold you specify, you will not
be invested in that Segment and your account value will remain in that
Segment Holding Account, until the next available Segment for which your
threshold is met or you provide us with alternative instructions. If you
do not specify a threshold, you risk the possibility that the Performance
Cap Rate established will have a lower cap than you would find acceptable.
Currently, we will not establish a Segment if the Performance Cap Rate
would be less than the highest Guaranteed Interest Option rate available
under EQUI-VEST(R) (Series 201), EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) (Series 900)
and EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) (Series 901) plus 2%. The Performance Cap
Rate is a rate of return from the Segment Start Date to the Segment
Maturity Date. We reserve the right to reduce or remove our current
minimum threshold for setting the Performance Cap Rate.
o The method we use in calculating your Segment Interim Value may result in an
amount lower than your Segment Investment, even if the Index has
experienced positive investment performance since the Segment Start Date.
Also, this amount may be less than the amount you would receive had you
held the investment until maturity.
o If you take a withdrawal, including required minimum distribu tions, and
there is insufficient value in the other investment options available
under your EQUI-VEST(R) contract and the Segment Holding Account, we will
withdraw amounts pro rata from any active Segments in your EQUI-VEST(R)
contract. Amounts withdrawn from active Segments will be valued using the
formula for calculating the Segment Interim Value.
o Amounts paid on death or surrender before the Segment Maturity Date, will
be based on the Segment Interim Value.
o Any calculation of the Segment Interim Value will generally be affected by
changes in both the volatility and level of the Index, as well as interest
rates. The calculation of the Segment Interim Value is linked to various
factors, including the value of a basket of put and call options on the
Index as described in "Appendix I" of this Prospectus. The Segment Interim
Value will generally be negatively affected by increases in the expected
volatility of index prices, interest rate increases, and by poor market
performance. All other factors being equal, the Segment Interim Value
would be lower the earlier a withdrawal or surrender is made during a
Segment. Also, participation in upside performance for early withdrawals
is pro-rated based on the period those amounts were invested in a Segment.
This means you participate to a lesser extent in upside performance the
earlier you take a withdrawal.
o You cannot transfer out of a Segment prior to its maturity to another
investment option. You can only make withdrawals out of a Segment or
surrender your EQUI-VEST(R) contract. The amount you would receive would be
calculated using the formula for the Segment Interim Value.
o We may not offer new Segments. Therefore, a Segment may not be available for
you to transfer your Segment Maturity Value into after the Segment Maturity
Date.
o We have the right to substitute an alternative index prior to Segment
Maturity if the publication of the Index is discontinued or at our sole
discretion we determine that our use of the Index should be discontinued
or if the calculation of the Index is substantially changed. If we
substitute an index for an existing Segment, we would not change the
Segment Buffer or Performance Cap Rate. We would attempt to choose a
substitute index that has a similar investment objective and risk profile
to the replaced index.
o The amounts held in the Segment Holding Account may earn a return that is
less than the return you might have earned if those amounts were held in
another investment option.
o The level of risk you bear and your potential investment performance will
differ depending on the investments you choose.
o If your account value falls below the applicable minimum account size as a
result of a withdrawal, your EQUI-VEST(R) contract may terminate.
o No company other than AXA Equitable has any legal responsibility to pay
amounts that AXA Equitable owes under the contract. You should look to the
financial strength of AXA Equitable for its claims-paying ability.
10 RISK FACTORS
2. Description of the Structured Investment Option
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
The Structured Investment Option consists of one Segment Type, which provides a
rate of return tied to the performance of the S&P 500 Price Return Index. Each
month, you have the opportunity to invest in this Segment Type, subject to the
requirements, limitations and procedures disclosed in this section. Investments
in Segments are not investments in underlying mutual funds; Segments are not
"index funds."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT HOLDING ACCOUNT -- an account that holds all contributions and
transfers allocated to a Segment Type pending investment in a Segment. The
Segment Holding Account is part of the EQ/Money Market variable investment
option.
SEGMENT START DATE -- the Segment Business Day on which a new Segment is
established. This is generally the second Segment Business Day occurring after
the 13th of each month.
SEGMENT INVESTMENT -- the amount transferred to a Segment on its Segment Start
Date, as adjusted for any withdrawals and charges from that Segment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT TYPE
We currently offer one Segment Type. We intend to offer a Segment each month,
on the Segment Start Date. We are not obligated to offer any one particular
Segment Type. Also, we are not obligated to offer any Segment Type. A Segment
Type refers to Segments that have the same Index, Segment Duration, and Segment
Buffer. A Segment Type has a corresponding Segment Holding Account. Please
refer to the "Definitions of key terms" section earlier in this Prospectus for
a discussion of these terms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT BUSINESS DAY -- a business day that all indices underlying Segments
available for similar investment options available under all our variable
annuity contracts are scheduled to be open and to publish prices. A scheduled
holiday for any one index disqualifies that day from being scheduled as a
Segment Business Day for all Segments. We use Segment Business Days in this
manner so that, based on published holiday schedules, we mature all Segments on
the same day and start all new Segments on a subsequent day.
To obtain currently scheduled Segment Start Dates and Segment Maturity Dates,
please see the following websites:
o For EQUI-VEST(R) Series 201 contracts, please see www.axa-
equitable.com/equivest201sio.
o For EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) Series 900 contracts, please see www.axa-
equitable.com/equivest900sio.
o For EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) Series 901 contracts, please see www.axa-
equitable.com/equivest901sio.
This design, among other things, facilitates the roll over of maturing Segment
Investments into new Segments. It is possible that due to emergency conditions,
the S&P 500 Price Return Index cannot provide a price on a day that was
scheduled to be a Segment Business Day. If the NYSE experiences an emergency
close and cannot publish any prices, we cannot mature or start any Segments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT DURATION -- the period from the Segment Start Date to the Segment
Maturity Date. We currently offer a Segment Duration of one year.
SEGMENT BUFFER -- the portion of any negative Index Performance Rate that we
absorb on a Segment Maturity Date for a particular Segment. Any percentage
decline in a Segment's Index Performance Rate in excess of the Segment Buffer
reduces your Segment Maturity Value. We currently offer a Segment Buffer of
-10%.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following Segment Type is currently available:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX SEGMENT DURATION SEGMENT BUFFER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Price Return 1 year -10%
Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT MATURITY, THE ONLY LEVEL OF PROTECTION IS THE -10% SEGMENT BUFFER.
The S&P 500 Price Return Index is described in more detail below, under the
heading "Index."
Each Segment has a Performance Cap Rate that we set on the Segment Start Date.
See "Performance Cap Rate" below.
For example, a Segment could be S&P 500 Price Return Index/1 year/-10%/September
2012 with a 20% Performance Cap Rate declared on the Segment Start Date. This
means that you will participate in the performance of the S&P 500 Price Return
Index for one year starting from the September 2011 Segment Start Date. If the
Index performs positively during this period, your rate of return at maturity
could be as much as 20% for that Segment Duration. If the Index performs
negatively during this period, at maturity you will be protected from the first
10% of the Index's decline. If the Index performance is between -10% and 0%,
your Segment Return Amount at maturity will equal your Segment Investment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE -- the highest Segment Rate of Return that can be credited
on a Segment Maturity Date.
INDEX PERFORMANCE RATE -- for a Segment, the percentage change in the value of
the Index from the Segment Start Date to the Segment Maturity Date. The Index
Performance Rate may be positive or negative.
PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD -- the minimum rate you may specify as a
participation requirement that the Performance Cap Rate for a new Segment must
equal or exceed in order for amounts to be transferred from the Segment Holding
Account into a new Segment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOTH THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE AND THE SEGMENT BUFFER ARE RATES OF RETURN FROM
THE SEGMENT START DATE TO THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE. The performance of the
Index, the Performance Cap Rate and the Segment Buffer are all measured from
the Segment Start Date to the Segment Maturity Date, and the Performance Cap
Rate and Segment Buffer apply if you hold the Segment until the Segment
Maturity Date. If you surrender or cancel your EQUI-VEST(R) contract, die or
make a withdrawal from a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date, the Segment
Buffer will not necessarily apply to the extent it would on the Segment
Maturity Date, and any upside performance will
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION 11
be limited to a percentage lower than the Performance Cap Rate. Please see
"Your contract's account value in the Structured Investment Option" later in
this section. A partial withdrawal from a Segment does not affect the
Performance Cap Rate and Segment Buffer that apply to any remaining amounts
that are held in the Segment through the Segment Maturity Date.
We reserve the right to offer any or all Segment Types less frequently than
monthly or to stop offering any or all of them or to suspend offering any or
all of them temporarily. Please see "Suspension, termination and changes to the
Segment Type and Index" later in this section. We may also add different
Segment Types in the future.
You may not have more than 12 active Segments in addition to the Segment
Holding Account.
INDEX
The performance of the Segment Type that we currently offer is based on the
performance of the S&P 500 Price Return Index.
S&P 500 Price Return Index. The S&P 500 Price Return Index was established by
Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 Price Return Index includes 500 leading
companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy, capturing 75% coverage of
U.S. equities. The S&P 500 Price Return Index does not include dividends
declared by any of the companies included in this Index.
Please see Appendix II later in this Prospectus for important information
regarding the publisher of the Index.
SEGMENT HOLDING ACCOUNT
Any contribution or transfer designated for a Segment Type will be allocated to
the Segment Holding Account until the Segment Start Date. The Segment Holding
Account is part of the EQ/Money Market variable investment option. Please see
"Separate Account Annual Expenses" later in this Prospectus for more
information regarding non-guaranteed charge waivers in the Segment Holding
Account. You must transfer or contribute to the Segment Holding Account for the
corresponding Segment Type if you want to invest in a Segment; you cannot
transfer or contribute directly to a Segment.
You can transfer amounts from the Segment Holding Account into any of the
investment options, or another Segment Holding Account (if we are offering
another Segment Type at that time) at any time up to the close of business on
the last business day before the Segment Start Date.
Please refer to the "How to reach us" section in your EQUI-VEST(R) variable
annuity contract prospectus for more information regarding contacting us and
communicating your instructions. We also have specific forms that we recommend
you use for electing the Structured Investment Option and any Structured
Investment Option transactions.
SEGMENT START DATE
Each Segment will have a Segment Start Date, which is generally the second
Segment Business Day occurring after the 13th of the month. However, the
Segment Start Date may sometimes be a later date under certain circumstances.
Please see "Setting the Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date" below.
SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN
If the Index Performance Rate is positive, then the Segment Rate of Return is a
rate equal to the Index Performance Rate, but not more than the Performance Cap
Rate. If the Index Performance Rate is negative, but declines by a percentage
less than or equal to the Segment Buffer, then the Segment Rate of Return is
0%. If the Index Performance Rate is negative, and declines by more than the
Segment Buffer, then the Segment Rate of Return is negative, but will not
reflect the first -10% of downside performance.
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE
The Performance Cap Rate is the maximum Segment Rate of Return that each
Segment will be credited with on the Segment Maturity Date. We will declare a
Performance Cap Rate for each Segment on the Segment Start Date.
Please note that this means that you will not know the Performance Cap Rate for
a new Segment until after your account value has been transferred from the
Segment Holding Account into the Segment. You may not transfer out of a Segment
before the Segment Maturity Date. Please see "Transfers" below. For this
reason, we permit you to specify a Performance Cap Threshold, which we describe
below under "Segment Participation Requirements." For more information
regarding transfer restrictions, please see "Transfers" later on in this
Prospectus and your EQUI-VEST(R) contract prospectus.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE AND SEGMENT RATE OF RETURN ARE RATES
OF RETURN FROM THE SEGMENT START DATE TO THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE. THE
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE IS SET AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION.
SEGMENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
All amounts in the Segment Holding Account as of the close of business on the
business day preceding the Segment Start Date, plus any earnings on those
amounts, will be transferred into the Segment on the Segment Start Date,
provided that all participation requirements are met.
Amounts transferred into the Segment Holding Account on a Segment Start Date
will not be included in any new Segment created that day. These amounts will
remain in the Segment Holding Account until they are transferred out or the
next Segment Start Date on which the participation requirements are met for the
amounts to be transferred into a new Segment.
If you change your Performance Cap Threshold on a Segment Start Date, that
Performance Cap Threshold will not affect the participation requirements for
any Segment created that day. For example if you have a Performance Cap
Threshold on file of 6.0%, but change it to 9.0% on a Segment Start Date, any
amounts in the Segment Holding Account will be transferred into a new Segment
of the Segment Type that we create that day with a Participation Cap Rate equal
to or higher than 6.00%, if the other participation requirements are met. For
example, a Performance Cap Rate of 7.0% would meet your Performance Cap
Threshold on that Segment Start Date.
The following participation requirements must be met on a Segment Start Date in
order for any amount designated for a Segment Type to be transferred from a
Segment Holding Account into the designated
12 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
new Segment: (1) A minimum amount of $1,000 must be in the Segment Holding
Account; (2) Segment is available; (3) Segment Maturity Date Requirement is
met; and (4) Performance Cap Threshold is met. If these requirements are met,
your account value in the Segment Holding Account will be transferred into a
new Segment. This amount is your initial Segment Investment.
(1) A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF $1,000 MUST BE IN THE SEGMENT HOLDING ACCOUNT.
(2) SEGMENT IS AVAILABLE. We may suspend or terminate any Segment Type, at our
sole discretion, at any time. If we terminate a Segment Type, no new Segments
of that Segment Type will be created, and the amount that would have been
transferred to the Segment will be transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option instead. If we suspend a Segment Type, no new Segments of
that Segment Type will be created until the suspension ends, and the amount
that would have been transferred to the Segment will remain in the Segment
Holding Account.
(3) SEGMENT MATURITY DATE REQUIREMENT IS MET. The Segment Maturity Date must
occur on or before the contract maturity date. If the Segment Maturity Date is
after the EQUI-VEST(R) contract maturity date, your account value in the
Segment Holding Account will be transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option.
(4) PERFORMANCE CAP THRESHOLD IS MET. When you allocate a contribution or
transfer to a Segment Type, you may specify a Performance Cap Threshold in a
whole percentage rate of 6%, 7%, 8% or 9%. Your value in the Segment Holding
Account will not be transferred into the corresponding Segment unless the
Performance Cap Rate we declare on the Segment Start Date is equal to or higher
than your Performance Cap Threshold, and the other participation requirements
are met.
For example, you may specify a Performance Cap Threshold of 8.0%. If we set a
Performance Cap Rate of 8.0% or higher for the next available Segment of that
Segment Type, then we will transfer the applicable account value to the new
Segment, provided all other requirements and conditions are met. However, if we
set the Performance Cap Rate at 7.9% for that Segment, the applicable account
value would not be transferred to the new Segment and your account value will
remain in the Segment Holding Account, until the next available Segment for
which your threshold is met.
If you specify a Performance Cap Threshold, it will remain in effect until you
change it.
If you do not specify a Performance Cap Threshold, then we will transfer your
account value from the Segment Holding Account into a Segment, regardless of
how low the Performance Cap Rate may be if the other participation requirements
are met.
Once your account value has been swept from a Segment Holding Account into a
Segment, transfers into or out of that Segment before its Segment Maturity Date
are not permitted.
We permit you, but do not require you, to specify a Performance Cap Threshold
so that you have additional flexibility in managing your contract. We do not
require that you select a Performance Cap Threshold because you may wish to
invest in a Segment regardless of the particular Performance Cap Rate. If you
do not specify a threshold, you risk the possibility that the Performance Cap
Rate established will have a lower cap on returns than you would otherwise find
acceptable. You may wish to discuss with your financial professional whether to
specify a Performance Cap Threshold and, if so, at what percentage.
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE
Your Segment Maturity Date is generally the first Segment Business Day
occurring after the 13th day of the same month as the Segment Start Date in the
calendar year in which the Segment Duration ends. However, the Segment Maturity
Date in a particular month may be a later date under certain circumstances.
Please see "Setting the Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date" below.
You may tell us how to allocate the Segment Maturity Value among the investment
options. You may tell us either to follow your allocation instructions on file
for new contributions, to withdraw all or a portion of your Segment Maturity
Value, or to transfer your Segment Maturity Value to the next available
Segment, provided the participation requirements are met.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT MATURITY VALUE -- the value of your investment in a Segment on the
Segment Maturity Date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As stated above, you may elect to have maturing Segments invested according to
your allocations on file. You may also elect to transfer all or a portion of
your Segment Maturity Value to the next available Segment. The designated
portion of your Segment Maturity Value will be transferred to the Segment
Holding Account, as of the close of business on the Segment Maturity Date.
Assuming that all participation requirements are met, the designated amounts
will be treated like any other amounts in a Segment Holding Account. On the
next Segment Start Date, the designated amounts in the Segment Holding Account
will be transferred into the Segment. Typically, this means the designated
amounts would be held in a Segment Holding Account for one business day.
If you have not provided us with maturity instructions, the Segment Maturity
Value will be transferred to the Segment Holding Account. Your Segment Maturity
Value would then be transferred from that Segment Holding Account into the next
Segment on the Segment Start Date. If the next Segment to be created would not
meet the Segment Maturity Date Requirement or the Segment Type has been
terminated, we will instead transfer your Segment Maturity Value to the
EQ/Money Market variable investment option. Alternatively, if you designate a
Performance Cap Threshold that is not met on the next Segment Start Date or if
the Segment Type has been suspended, your Segment Maturity Value will remain in
the Segment Holding Account. If you are impacted by these delays, you may
transfer your Segment Maturity Value out of the Segment Holding Account into
any other investment options available under your EQUI-VEST(R) contract at any
time before the next month's Segment Start Date.
SEGMENT MATURITY VALUE
On the Segment Maturity Date, we calculate your Segment Maturity Value using
your Segment Investment and the Segment Rate of Return. The Segment Rate of
Return is equal to the Index Performance Rate, subject to the Performance Cap
Rate and Segment Buffer, as follows:
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION 13
--------------------------------------------------------------
If the Index Performance Rate: Your Segment Rate of Return
will be:
--------------------------------------------------------------
goes up by more than the positive, equal to the
Performance Cap Rate Performance Cap Rate
goes up by less than the positive, equal to the Index
Performance Cap Rate Performance Rate
stays flat or goes down by a equal to 0%
percentage equal to or less than
the Segment Buffer
goes down by a percentage negative, to the extent of the
greater than the Segment Buffer percentage exceeding the Seg-
ment Buffer
Your Segment Maturity Value is calculated as follows:
We multiply your Segment Investment by your Segment Rate of Return to get your
Segment Return Amount. Your Segment Maturity Value is equal to your Segment
Investment plus your Segment Return Amount. Your Segment Return Amount may be
negative, in which case your Segment Maturity Value will be less than your
Segment Investment. All of these values are based on the value of the relevant
Index on the Segment Start Date and the Segment Maturity Date. Any fluctuations
in the value of the Index between those dates is ignored in calculating the
Segment Maturity Value.
For example, assume that you invest $1,000 in the S&P 500 Price Return Index,
one year Segment with a -10% Segment Buffer, we set the Performance Cap Rate
for that Segment at 7%, and you make no withdrawal from the Segment. If the S&P
500 Price Return Index performance rate is 10% on the Segment Maturity Date,
you will receive a 7% Segment Rate of Return, and your Segment Maturity Value
would be $1,070. We reach that amount as follows:
o The Index Performance Rate (10%) is greater than the Performance Cap Rate
(7%), so the Segment Rate of Return (7%) is equal to the Performance Cap
Rate.
o The Segment Return Amount ($70) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (7%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($1,070) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount ($70).
If the S&P 500 Price Return Index is only 5% higher on the Segment Maturity
Date than on the Segment Start Date, then you will receive a 5% Segment Rate of
Return, and your Segment Maturity Value would be $1,050. We reach that amount
as follows:
o The Index Performance Rate (5%) is less than the Performance Cap Rate (7%),
so the Segment Rate of Return (5%) is equal to the Index Performance Rate.
o The Segment Return Amount ($50) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (5%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($1,050) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount ($50).
If the S&P 500 Price Return Index is -10% lower on the Segment Maturity Date
than on the Segment Start Date, then you will receive a 0% Segment Rate of
Return, and your Segment Maturity Value would be $1,000. We reach that amount
as follows:
o The Index Performance Rate is -10% and the Segment Buffer absorbs the first
-10% of negative performance, so the Segment Rate of Return is 0%.
o The Segment Return Amount ($0) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (0%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($1,000) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount ($0).
If the S&P 500 Price Return Index is -20% lower on the Segment Maturity Date
than on the Segment Start Date, then you will receive a -10% Segment Rate of
Return, and your Segment Maturity Value would be $900. We reach that amount as
follows:
o The Index Performance Rate is -20% and the Segment Buffer absorbs the first
-10% of negative performance, so the Segment Rate of Return is -10%.
o The Segment Return Amount (-$100) is equal to the product of the Segment
Investment ($1,000) multiplied by the Segment Rate of Return (-10%).
o The Segment Maturity Value ($900) is equal to the Segment Investment
($1,000) plus the Segment Return Amount (-$100).
SETTING THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE AND SEGMENT START DATE
There will be a Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date each month. The
Segment Maturity Date for Segments maturing in a given month and the Segment
Start Date for new Segments starting in that same month will always be
scheduled to occur on the first two consecutive business days that are also
Segment Business Days occurring after the 13th of a month. Until October, 2011
the Segment Start Date will be the first Segment Business Day after the 14th of
the month.
Please see Appendix III later in this prospectus for a demonstration of the
effects weekends and scheduled holidays can have on the Segment Maturity Date
and the Segment Start Date.
EFFECT OF AN EMERGENCY CLOSE. It is possible that an exchange could experience
an emergency close on a Segment Business Date, thereby affecting the Index's
ability to publish a price and our ability to mature or start a Segment based
on the Index. If the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), experiences an emergency
close and cannot publish any prices, we will delay the maturity or start of all
Segments.
An emergency closure of the NYSE can have a different effect if it occurs on a
Segment Maturity Date rather than a Segment Start Date.
o If an emergency closure of the NYSE occurs on a scheduled Segment Maturity
Date, then the Segment Maturity Date for that Segment will be delayed until
the next Segment Business Day. The next Segment Business Day would be the
Segment Start Date. If the emergency closure only lasted that one day, the
Segment Start Date and the Segment Maturity Date for the affected Segment
would occur on the same day.
14 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
- For example, assume Monday the 14th is the scheduled Seg ment Maturity
Date in a given month. If the NYSE does not open due to an emergency
condition, there would be no reference price that day for the Index. A
Segment that was scheduled to mature on the 14th of that month could not
mature, because we would not have a price with which to calculate the
Segment Maturity Value. This would mean if the NYSE opens on Tuesday the
15th the Segment Maturity Date would be Tuesday the 15th. However, the
Segment Start Date for a new Segment created that month would be Tuesday
the 15th.
o If an emergency closure occurs on a scheduled Segment Start Date, then we
would not create a Segment that utilizes the Index. Consequently, Segment
Maturity Values designated for the Segment Type that utilizes the Index
would not be allocated to a Segment that month and would remain in the
Segment Holding Account.
- For example, assume that the NYSE did not open on the 14th or the 15th. A
Segment that utilizes the Index would be matured at the next available
price after the 15th and, consequently, could not participate in a Segment
established for that month. The resulting Segment Maturity Values would
remain in the Segment Holding Account until the following month or until
you provided further instruction.
If the conditions that cause an emergency close persist, we will use reasonable
efforts to calculate the Segment Maturity Value of an affected Segment. If the
Index cannot be priced within eight days, we will contact a calculating agency,
normally a bank we have a contractual relationship with, which will determine a
price to reflect a reasonable estimate of the Index level.
SUSPENSION, TERMINATION AND CHANGES TO THE SEGMENT TYPE AND INDEX
We may decide at any time until the close of business on each Segment Start
Date whether to offer the Segment Type described in this Prospectus on a
Segment Start Date for a particular Segment. We may suspend the Segment Type
for a month or a period of several months, or we may terminate the Segment Type
entirely.
If the Segment Type is suspended, your account value will remain in the Segment
Holding Account until a Segment of the Segment Type is offered or you transfer
out of the Segment Holding Account.
If the Segment Type is terminated, your account value in the Segment Holding
Account will be defaulted into the EQ/Money Market variable investment option
on the date that would have been the Segment Start Date.
We have the right to substitute an alternative index prior to Segment Maturity
if the publication of the Index is discontinued or at our sole discretion we
determine that our use of such Index should be discontinued or if the
calculation of the Index is substantially changed. In addition, we reserve the
right to use any or all reasonable methods to end any outstanding Segments that
use the Index. We also have the right to add additional indices at any time. We
would provide notice about the use of additional or alternative indices, as
soon as practicable, in a supplement to this Prospectus. If an alternative
index is used, its performance could impact the Index Performance Rate, Segment
Rate of Return, Segment Maturity Value and Segment Interim Value. An
alternative index would not change the Segment Buffer or Performance Cap Rate
for an existing Segment. If a similar index cannot be found, we will end the
affected Segments prematurely by applying the Performance Cap Rate and Segment
Buffer that were established on the applicable Segment Start Date to the actual
gains or losses on the original Index as of the date of termination. We would
attempt to choose a substitute index that has a similar investment objective
and risk profile to the replaced index. For example, if the S&P 500 Price
Return Index was not available, we might use the NASDAQ or the Russell 2000
Price Return Index.
We reserve the right to offer the Segment Type less frequently than monthly or
to stop offering it or to suspend offering it temporarily. If we stop offering
or suspend the Segment Type, each existing Segment of the Segment Type will
remain invested until its respective Segment Maturity Date.
YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE IN THE STRUCTURED
INVESTMENT OPTION
Your value in each Segment on the Segment Maturity Date is calculated as
described under "Segment Rate of Return" earlier in this Prospectus.
In setting the Performance Cap Rate that we use in calculating the Segment
Maturity Value, we assume that you are going to hold a Segment until the
Segment Maturity Date. However, you have the right to access amounts in the
Segments before the Segment Maturity Date under certain circumstances.
Therefore, we calculate a Segment Interim Value on each business day, which is
also a Segment Business Day, between the Segment Start Date and the Segment
Maturity Date. The method we use to calculate the Segment Interim Value is
different than the method we use to calculate the value of the Segment on the
Segment Maturity Date. Prior to the Segment Maturity Date, we use the Segment
Interim Value to calculate (1) your account value; (2) the amount your
beneficiary would receive as a death benefit; (3), the amount you would receive
if you make a withdrawal or a loan from a Segment; (4) the amount you would
receive if you surrender your EQUI-VEST(R) contract; or (5) the amount you
would receive if you cancel your EQUI-VEST(R) contract; and return it to us for
a refund within your state's "free look" period (unless your state requires
that we refund the full amount of your contribution upon cancellation).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE -- the value of your investment in a Segment prior to the
Segment Maturity Date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Segment Interim Value is calculated based on a formula that provides a
treatment for an early distribution that is designed to be consistent with how
distributions at the end of a Segment are treated. Appendix I later in this
Prospectus sets forth in detail the specific calculation formula as well as
numerous hypothetical examples. The formula is calculated by adding the fair
value of three components. These components provide us with a market value
estimate of the risk of loss and the possibility of gain at the end of a
Segment. As detailed in Appendix I, these components are used to calculate the
Segment Interim Value. The three components are:
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION 15
(1) Fair value of fixed instruments is calculated as the present value of the
Segment Investment (using a risk-free swap interest rate for the remaining
duration of the Segment). We use this component because we are forgoing the
opportunity to earn interest on the Segment Investment by having to make an
early distribution.
PLUS
(2) Fair value of derivatives is calculated by using the Black Scholes model, as
described in Appendix I, to value three hypothetical options (one put and
two call options) on the index underlying the Segment. The put option is
used to estimate the potential losses at Segment Maturity. The call options
are used to estimate the potential gains at Segment Maturity. The value of
these options also reflects the limits on positive performance (i.e., the
Performance Cap Rate) and some protection against negative performance
(i.e., the Segment Buffer).
PLUS
(3) Cap calculation factor is a positive adjustment of the percentage of the
estimated expenses corresponding to the portion of the Segment Duration that
has not elapsed. This component reflects the fact that an early withdrawal
from a Segment means that we no longer have to incur expected expenses
associated with administering the Segment for the full period.
We then compare the sum of the three components above with a limitation based
on the Performance Cap Rate. In particular, the Segment Interim Value is never
greater than the Segment Investment multiplied by the portion of the
Performance Cap Rate corresponding to the portion of the Segment Duration that
has elapsed. This limitation is imposed to discourage owners from withdrawing
from a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date where there may have been
significant increases in the relevant Index early in the Segment Duration. For
more information, please see Appendix I.
EVEN IF THE INDEX HAS EXPERIENCED POSITIVE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE SINCE THE
SEGMENT START DATE, BECAUSE OF THE FACTORS WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IN THE
CALCULATION ABOVE, YOUR SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE MAY BE LOWER THAN YOUR SEGMENT
INVESTMENT.
STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION'S CHARGES AND EXPENSES
ADJUSTMENTS WITH RESPECT TO EARLY SURRENDER OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION FROM SEGMENTS
We use the Segment Interim Value when a surrender or other distribution
(including loans and charges) is taken, from a Segment prior to the Segment
Maturity Date. The Segment Interim Value is calculated based on a formula that
provides a treatment for an early distribution that is designed to be
consistent with how distributions at the end of a Segment are treated. For more
information on the calculation of the Segment Interim Value, please see
Appendix I.
HOW WE DEDUCT EQUI-VEST(R) CONTRACT CHARGES FROM THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT
OPTION
Electing the Structured Investment Option changes how certain charges under
your EQUI-VEST(R) contract are allocated and administered.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
Under the provisions of your EQUI-VEST(R) contract, we deduct a daily charge(s)
from the net assets in each variable investment option and Segment Holding
Account to compensate us for mortality and expense risks and other expenses.
The Segment Holding Account is part of the EQ/Money Market variable investment
option available under your EQUI-VEST(R) contract.
For amounts held in the Segment Holding Account, we may waive this charge(s)
under certain conditions on a non-guaranteed basis. If the return on the
EQ/Money Market variable investment option on any day is positive, but lower
than the amount of this charge(s), then we will waive the difference between
the two, so that you do not receive a negative return. If the return on the
EQ/Money Market variable investment option on any day is negative, we will
waive this charge(s) entirely for that day, although your account value would
be reduced by the negative performance of the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option itself. This waiver applies only to amounts held in the
Segment Holding Account portion of the EQ/Money Market variable investment
option and is not a fee waiver or performance guarantee for the underlying
EQ/Money Market Portfolio. We reserve the right to change or cancel this
provision at any time. For more information, please see "Charges and Expenses"
in your EQUI-VEST(R) variable annuity prospectus.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE
The annual administrative charge will be deducted pro rata from the account
value in the investment options on the last business day of each contract year
as described in your EQUI-VEST(R) contract prospectus. If there is insufficient
value or no value in those options, the charge will then be deducted from the
Segment Holding Account, and then pro rata from the Segments.
ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT CHARGE
(FOR EQUI-VEST(R) STRATEGIES(SM) SERIES 900 AND 901 CONTRACTS)
The charge is deducted pro rata from the investment options as described in
your EQUI-VEST(R) contract prospectus. If those amounts are insufficient, we
will make up the required amounts from the Segment Holding Account and then pro
rata from the Segments.
If your account value is insufficient to pay this charge, your certificate
issued under the EQUI-VEST(R) Strategies(SM) contract will terminate without
value and you will lose any applicable guaranteed benefits.
TRANSFERS
Under your EQUI-VEST(R) contract, you may at any time before the date annuity
payments are to begin, transfer some or all of your account value among the
investment options, subject to the following current limitations:
o you may not transfer out of a Segment before its Segment Maturity Date.
o you may not transfer out of the Segment Holding Account on a Segment Start
Date.
o a contribution or transfer into the Segment Holding Account on a Segment
Start Date will not be transferred into the Segment that is
16 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
created on that Segment Start Date. Your money will be transferred into a
Segment on the following month's Segment Start Date, provided you meet the
participation requirements.
o you may not contribute or transfer money into the Segment Holding Account
and designate a Segment Start Date. The account value in the Segment Holding
Account will be transferred on the first Segment Start Date on which you
meet the participation requirements.
o you may not contribute or transfer into the Segment Holding Account if the
Segment Maturity Date of the Segment that will be created on the Segment
Start Date would be after the contract maturity date (the contract date
anniversary that follows the annuitant's/participant's 95th birthday).
o you may not contribute to the Segment Holding Account or transfer to the
Segment Holding Account or a Segment if the total number of Segments plus
the Segment Holding Account that would be active in your contract after such
contribution or transfer would be greater than 13. If a transfer from the
Segment Holding Account into a Segment will cause a contract to exceed this
limit, such transfers will be defaulted to the EQ/Money Market variable
investment option.
o transfers from the Segment Holding Account to a Segment will not occur if
you do not meet the participation requirements. See "Segment Participation
Requirements" earlier in this section.
o If your EQUI-VEST(R) contract permits Dollar cost averaging ("DCA") and/or
the Special dollar cost averaging ("Special DCA") programs, you can elect to
have the DCA or Special DCA systematically transfer amounts over time to the
Segment Holding Account. A fixed-dollar amount (or interest credited in the
guaranteed interest option under DCA) will be transferred from the
guaranteed interest option or the account for Special DCA into the Segment
Holding Account on a monthly basis subject to the following current
limitations:
-- The first transfer out of the guaranteed interest option or the
Account for Special DCA into the Segment Holding Account will occur on
the last business day of that month, and future transfers from the
guaranteed interest option or the account for Special DCA into the
Segment Holding Account will occur on the last business day of each
month.
-- The duration of Dollar cost averaging, if a fixed dollar amount is
elected, will be until there is a zero balance in the guaranteed
interest option.
-- The duration of the Special DCA program, if elected, cannot exceed 12
months.
-- The DCA or Special DCA can be cancelled at any time.
-- If the DCA or Special DCA is cancelled, you have the option to
transfer out of the Segment Holding Account into any of the investment
options. Any amounts not transferred out will be swept into the
currently available Segment on the Segment Start Date.
-- Generally, allocations into a Segment will occur on the close of
business on the 15th of each month.
-- The rebalancing program feature in your EQUI-VEST(R) contract is not
available for amounts allocated to the Segment Holding Account or to
any Segment.
Upon advance notice to you, via a client communication mailing, we may change
or establish additional restrictions on transfers among the investment options,
including limitations on the number, frequency, or dollar amount of transfers.
We currently do not impose any transfer restrictions among the investment
options. A transfer request does not change your allocation instructions on
file. Please see our current transfer restrictions as discussed under
"Disruptive transfer activity" section in the applicable variable annuity
contract prospectus.
Please see "Allocating your contributions" in "Contract features and benefits"
in your EQUI-VEST(R) variable annuity prospectus for more information about
your role in managing your allocations.
LOANS
If your employer's plan permits loans, in addition to the loan provisions
stated in your contract, should you need to fund your loan from a Segment(s),
please note the following:
o The Segment Interim Value will be used when calculating amounts available
from a Segment for your loan.
o As your loan is repaid, amounts taken from a Segment for your loan cannot be
allocated back into that Segment. The loan repayment amounts will be
allocated to the guaranteed interest option. Please read your EQUI-VEST(R)
contract and your EQUI-VEST(R) contract's prospectus for further loan
provisions and requirements. You should also read the terms and conditions
in the loan request form carefully, as well as consult with a tax advisor
before taking a loan.
HOW DISTRIBUTIONS INCLUDING WITHDRAWALS AND LOANS ARE TAKEN FROM YOUR ACCOUNT
VALUE UNDER THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
When you elect the Structured Investment Option, unless you specify otherwise,
we will subtract your withdrawals and loans as follows:
Withdrawals and loans will be taken on a pro rata basis from
your value in the investment options as described in your EQUI-VEST(R)
contract prospectus and the loan request form. If there is
insufficient value or no value in those investment options, any
additional amount of the withdrawal or loan required or the total
amount of the withdrawal or loan will be withdrawn from the Segment
Holding Account. If there is insufficient value or no value in the
Segment Holding Account, any additional amount of the withdrawal or
loan required or the total amount of the withdrawal or loan will be
withdrawn from the Segment(s) on a pro rata basis.
You can specify a withdrawal or loan be taken from any investment option at any
time. However, you can only request a withdrawal or loan be taken specifically
from a Segment when there is zero value (meaning no money) in all other
investment options and the Segment Holding Account.
If you have amounts in a Segment Holding Account and you make a withdrawal on a
Segment Start Date, that withdrawal will occur before any transfer into the
Segment and that withdrawal amount will not be transferred into the Segment
created on that date.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION 17
Withdrawals or loans from a Segment prior to your Segment Maturity Date reduce
the Segment Investment on a pro rata basis by the same proportion that the
Segment Interim Value is reduced on the date of the withdrawal. We use the
Segment Investment to determine your Segment Maturity Value.
You can request, in advance of your Segment Maturity Date, a withdrawal of your
Segment Maturity Value on the Segment Maturity Date.
We reserve the right to change or cancel this provision at any time.
EFFECT OF YOUR DEATH ON THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
In general, if you die while your EQUI-VEST(R) contract is in force, it
terminates and the applicable death benefit is paid.
Once we have received notice of your death and until the death benefit is
processed, we will not make any transfers from the Segment Holding Account to a
Segment. Amounts in the Segment Holding Account will be defaulted into the
EQ/Money Market variable investment option on the next scheduled Segment
Maturity Date. If Segments mature, the Segment Maturity Value will be
transferred to the EQ/Money Market variable investment option.
There are various circumstances, however, in which your EQUI-VEST(R) contract
can be continued under a Beneficiary continuation option ("BCO"). For more
information please see the "Beneficiary continuation option" in your prospectus
and "How the Structured Investment Option affects the Beneficiary continuation
option" below.
HOW THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION AFFECTS THE BENEFICIARY CONTINUATION
OPTION
This feature permits a designated individual, on your death, to maintain a
contract with your name on it and receive distributions under the contract,
instead of receiving the death benefit in a single sum.
Under the Beneficiary continuation option, if you have any account value in a
Segment or Segment Holding Account:
o The transfer restrictions on amounts in Segments prior to election of the
beneficiary continuation option remain in place. Any amounts in Segments may
not be transferred out of the Segments until their Segment Maturity Dates.
The Segment Maturity Value may be reinvested in other investment options.
However, if the beneficiary has chosen the "5-year rule," amounts may not be
invested in Segments with Segment Maturity Dates later than December 31st of
the calendar year which contains the fifth anniversary of your death.
o If there is more than one beneficiary, then as of the date we receive
satisfactory proof of death, any required instructions, information and
forms necessary to effect the beneficiary continuation option feature for
the first beneficiary, all Segments will continue for each beneficiary.
o A beneficiary who chooses to receive annual payments over his life
expectancy should consult his tax adviser about selecting Segments that
provide sufficient liquidity to satisfy the payout requirements under this
option.
ABOUT SEPARATE ACCOUNT NO. 69
We hold assets in a "non-unitized" separate account we have established under
the New York Insurance Law to support our obligations under the Structured
Investment Option. We own the assets of the separate account, as well as any
favorable investment performance on those assets. You do not participate in the
performance of the assets held in this separate account. We may, subject to
state law that applies, transfer all assets allocated to the separate account
to our general account. We guarantee all benefits relating to your value in the
Structured Investment Option, regardless of whether assets supporting the
Structured Investment Option are held in a separate account or our general
account.
Our current plans are to invest separate account assets in fixed-income
obligations, including corporate bonds, mortgage-backed and asset-backed
securities, and government and agency issues. We may also invest in interest
rate swaps. Although the above generally describes our plans for investing the
assets supporting our obligations under the Structured Investment Option, we
are not obligated to invest those assets according to any particular plan
except as we may be required to by state insurance laws.
18 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURED INVESTMENT OPTION
3. Distribution of the Contracts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Structured Investment Option is only available under certain annuity
contract(s) issued by AXA Equitable. Extensive information about the
arrangements for distributing the annuity contracts, including sales
compensation, is included in the appropriate annuity contract prospectus and in
the statement of additional information that relates to that prospectus under
"Distribution of the contracts", respectively. All of that information applies
regardless of whether you choose to use the Structured Investment Option, and
there is no additional plan of distribution or sales compensation with respect
to the Structured Investment Option. There is also no change to the information
regarding the fact that the principal underwriter(s) is an affiliate or an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Equitable.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS 19
4. Incorporation of certain documents by reference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AXA Equitable's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
2010 (the "Annual Report"), is considered to be part of this Prospectus because
they are incorporated by reference.
AXA Equitable files reports and other information with the SEC, as required by
law. You may read and copy this information at the SEC's public reference
facilities at Room 1580, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, or by
accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information
on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330. Under the Securities Act of 1933, AXA Equitable has filed with
the SEC a registration statement relating to the Structured Investment Option
(the "Registration Statement"). This Prospectus has been filed as part of the
Registration Statement and does not contain all of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement.
After the date of this Prospectus and before we terminate the offering of the
securities under the Registration Statement, all documents or reports we file
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), will
be considered to become part of this Prospectus because they are incorporated
by reference.
Any statement contained in a document that is or becomes part of this
Prospectus, will be considered changed or replaced for purposes of this
Prospectus if a statement contained in this Prospectus changes or is replaced.
Any statement that is considered to be a part of this Prospectus because of its
incorporation will be considered changed or replaced for the purpose of this
Prospectus if a statement contained in any other subsequently filed document
that is considered to be part of this Prospectus changes or replaces that
statement. After that, only the statement that is changed or replaced will be
considered to be part of this Prospectus.
We file the Registration Statement and our Exchange Act documents and reports,
including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
electronically according to EDGAR under CIK No. 0000727920. The SEC maintains a
website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The
address of the site is www.sec.gov.
Upon written or oral request, we will provide, free of charge, to each person
to whom this Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents
considered to be part of this Prospectus because they are incorporated herein.
In accordance with SEC rules, we will provide copies of any exhibits
specifically incorporated by reference into the text of the Exchange Act
reports (but not any other exhibits). Requests for documents should be directed
to AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10104. Attention: Corporate Secretary (telephone: (212) 554-1234). You
can access our website at www.axa-equitable.com.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The consolidated financial statements of AXA Equitable at December 31, 2010 and
2009 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 are
incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the reports of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provides independent audit services and certain
other non-audit services to AXA Equitable as permitted by the applicable SEC
independence rules, and as disclosed in AXA Equitable's Form 10-K.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's address is 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10017.
20 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
Appendix I: Segment Interim Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We calculate the Segment Interim Value for each Segment on each business day,
which is also a Segment Business Day, between the Segment Start Date and
Segment Maturity Date. The calculation is based on a formula designed to
measure the fair value of your Segment Investment on the particular interim
date based on the downside protection provided by the Segment Buffer, the limit
on participation in investment gain provided by the Performance Cap Rate, and
an adjustment for the effect of a withdrawal or loan prior to the Segment
Maturity Date. The formula we use, in part, derives the fair value of
hypothetical investments in fixed instruments and derivatives (put and call
options). These values provide us with protection from the risk that we will
have to pay out account value related to a Segment prior to the Segment
Maturity Date. The hypothetical put option provides us with a market value of
the potential loss at Segment Maturity, and the hypothetical call options
provide us with a market value of the potential gain at Segment Maturity. This
formula provides a treatment for an early distribution that is designed to be
consistent with how distributions at the end of a Segment are treated. We may
hold such investments in relation to Segments but are not required to do so.
You have no interest in the performance of any of our investments relating to
Segments. The formula also includes an adjustment relating to the Cap
Calculation Factor. This is a positive adjustment of the percentage of the
estimated expenses corresponding to the portion of the Segment Duration that
has not elapsed. Appendix I sets forth the actual calculation formula, an
overview of the purposes and impacts of the calculation, and detailed
descriptions of the specific inputs into the calculation. You should note, even
if a corresponding Index has experienced positive growth, the calculation of
your Segment Interim Value may result in an amount lower than your Segment
Investment because of other market conditions, such as the volatility of index
prices and interest rates. Finally, Appendix I includes examples of
calculations of Segment Interim Values under various hypothetical situations.
CALCULATION FORMULA
Your Segment Interim Value is equal to the lesser of (A) or (B).
(A) equals the sum of the following three components:
(1) Fair Value of Fixed Instruments; plus
(2) Fair Value of Derivatives; plus
(3) Cap Calculation Factor.
(B) equals the Segment Investment multiplied by (1 + the Performance Cap
Rate limiting factor).
OVERVIEW OF THE PURPOSES AND IMPACTS OF THE CALCULATION
FAIR VALUE OF FIXED INSTRUMENTS. The Segment Interim Value formula includes an
element designed to compensate us for the fact that when we have to pay out
account value related to a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date, we forgo
the opportunity to earn interest on the Segment Investment from the date of
withdrawal or surrender until the Segment Maturity Date. We accomplish this
estimate by calculating the present value of the Segment Investment using a
risk-free swap interest rate widely used in derivative markets.
FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVES. We use put and call options that are designated for
each Segment to estimate the market value, at the time the Segment Interim
Value is calculated, of the risk of loss and the possibility of gain at the end
of the Segment. This calculation reflects the value of the downside protection
that would be provided at maturity by the Segment Buffer as well as the upper
limit that would be placed on gains at maturity due to the Performance Cap
Rate.
At the time the Segment Interim Value is determined, the Fair Value of
Derivatives is calculated using the three different hypothetical options. These
options are designated for each Segment and are described in more detail later
in this Appendix.
At-the-Money Call Option (strike price equals the index value at Segment
inception). The potential for gain is estimated using the value of this
hypothetical option.
Out-of-the-Money Call Option (strike price equals the index increased by the
Performance Cap Rate established at Segment inception). The potential for
gain in excess of the Performance Cap Rate is estimated using the value of
this hypothetical option.
o The net amount of the At-the-Money Call Option less the value of the
Out-of-the-Money Call Option is an estimate of the market value of the pos
sibility of gain at the end of the Segment as limited by the Performance
Cap Rate.
Out-of-the-Money Put Option (strike price equals the index decreased by the
Segment Buffer). The risk of loss is estimated using the value of this hypo
thetical option.
APPENDIX I: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE A-1
o IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS VALUE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS REDUCE THE
PRINCIPAL YOU RECEIVE, EVEN WHERE THE INDEX IS HIGHER AT THE TIME OF THE
WITHDRAWAL THAN AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL INVESTMENT. This is because
the risk that the Index could have been lower at the end of a Segment is
present to some extent whether or not the Index has increased at the
earlier point in time that the Segment Interim Value is calculated.
CAP CALCULATION FACTOR. In setting the Performance Cap Rate, we take into
account that we incur expenses in connection with a contract, including
insurance and administrative expenses. The Segment Interim Value formula
includes item (3) above, the Cap Calculation Factor, which is designed to
reflect the fact that we will not incur those expenses for the entire duration
of the Segment if you withdraw your investment prior to the Segment Maturity
Date. Therefore, the Cap Calculation Factor is always positive and declines
during the course of the Segment.
PERFORMANCE CAP RATE LIMITING FACTOR. The formula provides that the Segment
Interim Value is never greater than (B) above, which is the portion of the
Performance Cap Rate corresponding to the portion of the Segment Duration that
has elapsed. This limitation is imposed to discourage owners from withdrawing
from a Segment before the Segment Maturity Date where there may have been
significant increases in the relevant Index early in the Segment Duration.
Although the Performance Cap Rate limiting factor pro-rates the upside
potential on amounts withdrawn early, there is no similar adjustment to
pro-rate the downside protection. THIS MEANS, IF YOU SURRENDER OR CANCEL YOUR
CONTRACT, DIE OR MAKE A WITHDRAWAL OR TAKE A LOAN FROM A SEGMENT BEFORE THE
SEGMENT MATURITY DATE, THE SEGMENT BUFFER WILL NOT NECESSARILY APPLY TO THE
EXTENT IT WOULD ON THE SEGMENT MATURITY DATE, AND ANY UPSIDE PERFORMANCE WILL
BE LIMITED TO A PERCENTAGE LOWER THAN THE PERFORMANCE CAP RATE.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIFIC INPUTS TO THE CALCULATION
(A)(1) FAIR VALUE OF FIXED INSTRUMENTS. The Fair Value of Fixed Instruments in
a Segment is based on the swap rate associated with the Segment's remaining
time to maturity. Swap rates are the risk-free interest rates widely used in
derivative markets. There is no standard quote for swap rates. However, because
of their high liquidity and popularity, swap rate quotes from different dealers
generally fall within a close range, the differences among which are not
meaningful. Swap rates can be obtained from inter-dealer systems or financial
data vendors who have feeds from swap dealers. For example, "Bloomberg
Composite" swap rates are the weighted average of swap rates provided by a
number of dealers to Bloomberg. Individual dealers and brokers also publish
swap rates of their own on Bloomberg or Reuters. We may, in the future, utilize
exchange traded swaps that become available. These exchange traded swaps would
have a standard quote associated with them. The Fair Value of Fixed Instruments
is defined as its present value, as expressed in the following formula:
(Segment Investment)/(1 + swap rate)(time to maturity)
The time to maturity is expressed as a fraction, in which the numerator is the
number of days remaining in the Segment Duration and the denominator is the
average number of days in each year of the Segment Duration for that Segment.
(A)(2) FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVES. We utilize a fair market value methodology to
determine the Fair Value of Derivatives.
For each Segment, we designate and value three hypothetical options, each of
which is tied to the performance of the Index underlying the Segment in which
you are invested: (1) the At-the-Money Call Option, (2) the Out-of-the-Money
Call Option and (3) the Out-of-the-Money Put Option. At Segment Maturity, the
Put Option is designed to value the loss below the buffer, while the call
options are designed to provide gains up to the Performance Cap Rate. These
options are described in more detail below.
In a put option on an index, the seller will pay the buyer, at the maturity of
the option, the difference between the strike price - which was set at issue -
and the underlying index closing price, in the event that the closing price is
below the strike price. In a call option on an index, the seller will pay the
buyer, at the maturity of the option, the difference between the underlying
index closing price and the strike price, in the event that the closing price
is above the strike price. Generally, a put option has an inverse relationship
with its underlying Index, while a call option has a direct relationship. In
addition to the inputs discussed above, the Fair Value of Derivatives is also
affected by the time remaining until the Segment Maturity Date. More
information about the three designated options is set forth below:
(1) At-the-Money Call Option: This is an option to buy a position in the
relevant Index equal to the Segment Investment on the scheduled Seg ment
Maturity Date, at the price of the Index on the Segment Start Date. At any
time during the Segment Duration, the fair value of the At-the-Money Call
Option represents the market value of the potential to receive an amount in
excess of the Segment Investment on the Segment Maturity Date equal to the
percentage growth in the Index between the Segment Start Date and the
Segment Maturity Date, multiplied by the Segment Investment.
(2) Out-of-the-Money Call Option: This is an option to buy a position in the
relevant Index equal to the Segment Investment on the scheduled Segment
Maturity Date, at the price of the Index on the Segment Start Date
increased by a percentage equal to the Performance Cap Rate. At any time
during the Segment Duration, the fair value of the Out-of-the-Money Call
Option represents the market value of the potential to receive an amount in
excess of the Segment Investment equal to the percentage growth in the
Index between the Segment Start Date and the Segment Maturity Date in
excess of the Performance Cap Rate, multiplied by the Segment Investment.
The value of this option is used to offset the value of the At-the-Money
Call Option, thus recognizing in the Interim Segment Value a ceiling on
gains at Segment Maturity imposed by the Performance Cap Rate.
A-2 APPENDIX I: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
(3) Out-of-the-Money Put Option: This is an option to sell a position in the
relevant Index equal to the Segment Investment on the scheduled Segment
Maturity Date, at the price of the Index on the Segment Start Date
decreased by a percentage equal to the Segment Buffer. At any time during
the Segment Duration, the fair value of the Out-of-the-Money Put Option
represents the market value of the potential to receive an amount equal to
the excess of the negative return of the Index between the Segment Start
Date and the Segment Maturity Date beyond the Segment Buffer, multiplied by
the Segment Investment. The value of this option reduces the Interim
Segment Value, as it reflects losses that may be incurred in excess of the
Segment Buffer at Segment Maturity.
The Fair Value of Derivatives is equal to (1) minus (2) minus (3), as defined
above.
We determine the fair value of each of the three designated options using the
Black Scholes model for valuing a European option on the Index, assuming a
continuous dividend yield or net convenience value, with inputs that are
consistent with current market prices. Each option has a notional value on the
Segment Start Date equal to the Segment Investment on that date. The notional
value is the price of the underlying Index at the inception of the contract. In
the event that a number of options, or a fractional number of options was
purchased, the notional value would be the number of options multiplied by the
price of the Index at inception.
For Securities Indices, we use the following inputs to the Black Scholes model:
(1) Implied Volatility of the Index -- This input varies with (i) how much time
remains until the Segment Maturity Date of the Segment, which is determined
by using an expiration date for the designated option that corresponds to
that time remaining and (ii) the relationship between the strike price of
that option and the level of the Index at the time of the calculation.
This relationship is referred to as the "moneyness" of the option described
above, and is calculated as the ratio of current price to the strike price.
Direct market data for these inputs for any given early distribution are
generally not available, because options on the Index that actually trade
in the market have specific maturity dates and moneyness values that are
unlikely to correspond precisely to the Segment Maturity Date and moneyness
of the designated option that we use for purposes of the calculation.
Accordingly, we use the following method to estimate the implied volatility
of the Index. We use daily quotes of implied volatility from our pricing
agent bank using the same Black Scholes model described above and based on
the market prices for certain options. Specifically, implied volatility
quotes are obtained for options with the closest maturities above and below
the actual time remaining in the Segment at the time of the calculation
and, for each maturity, for those options having the closest moneyness
value above and below the actual moneyness of the designated option, given
the level of the Index at the time of the calculation. In calculating the
Segment Interim Value, we will derive a volatility input for your Segment's
time to maturity and strike price by linearly interpolating between the
implied volatility quotes that are based on the actual adjacent maturities
and moneyness values described above, as follows:
(a) We first determine the implied volatility of an option that has the
same moneyness as the designated option but with the closest avail
able time to maturity shorter than your Segment's remaining time to
maturity. This volatility is derived by linearly interpolating between
the implied volatilities of options having the times to maturity that
are above and below the moneyness value of the hypothetical option.
(b) We then determine the implied volatility of an option that has the
same moneyness as the designated option but with the closest available
time to maturity longer than your Segment's remaining time to
maturity. This volatility is derived by linearly interpolating between
the implied volatilities of options having the times to maturity that
are above and below the moneyness value of the designated option.
(c) The volatility input for your Segment's time to maturity will then be
determined by linearly interpolating between the volatilities derived
in steps (a) and (b).
(2) Swap Rate -- We use key derivative swap rates provided by our pricing agent
bank, which is a recognized financial reporting vendor. Swap rates are
obtained for maturities adjacent to the actual time remaining in the
Segment at the time of the early distribution. We use linear interpolation
to derive the exact remaining duration rate needed as the input.
(3) Index Dividend Yield -- On a daily basis, we use the projected annual
dividend yield across the entire Index provided by our pricing agent bank.
This value is a widely used assumption and is readily available from
recognized financial reporting vendors.
For Commodities Indices, we use the first two inputs listed above (Implied
Volatility of the Index and Swap Rate), but for the third input, instead of
using the Index Dividend Yield, we use the Net Convenience Value. This approach
is based on standard option pricing methodology, which recognizes that
commodities do not pay dividends. Instead, Net Convenience Value represents the
market's valuation of the yield of two offsetting factors: (1) the fact that
the option does not give the holder the benefit of the ability to use the
commodity itself (much like a security option does not give the holder the
right to receive dividends); and (2) the fact that the holder is not burdened
with the obligation to store the commodity.
APPENDIX I: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE A-3
(3) Net Convenience Value -- On a daily basis, we calculate the net convenience
value for the commodity underlying the Index. The net con venience value
for a commodity equals the spot price minus the present value of the
futures price (with the present value based on the Swap Rate). We use the
spot prices and futures prices provided by our pricing agent bank, which is
a recognized financial reporting vendor. The price differences among
recognized financial reporting vendors are not meaningful to the
calculation of the Segment Interim Value.
Generally, a put option has an inverse relationship with its underlying Index,
while a call option has a direct relationship. In addition to the inputs
discussed above, the Fair Value of Derivatives is also affected by the time to
the Segment Maturity Date.
(A)(3) CAP CALCULATION FACTOR. In setting the Performance Cap Rate, we take
into account that we incur expenses in connection with a contract, including
insurance and administrative expenses. In particular, if there were no such
expenses, the Performance Cap Rate might have been greater. In setting the
Performance Rate Cap, we currently estimate annual expenses at approximately
1.80% of the Segment Investment. This calculation includes not only expenses,
but an element of profit as well. We may use a lower estimate, which would
provide a higher Performance Cap Rate, all other factors being equal. We
reserve the right to use a higher estimate in the future, but we would do so
only after revising this Appendix to provide notice of the higher estimate. If
you withdraw your investment prior to the Segment Maturity Date, we will not
incur expenses for the entire duration of the Segment. Therefore, if you
withdraw your investment prior to the Segment Maturity Date, we provide a
positive adjustment as part of the calculation of Segment Interim Value, which
we call the Cap Calculation Factor. The Cap Calculation Factor represents a
return of estimated expenses for the portion of the Segment Duration that has
not elapsed. For example, if the estimated expenses for a one year Segment are
calculated by our pricing agent bank to be $10, then at the end of 146 days
(with 219 days remaining in the Segment), the Cap Calculation Factor would be
$6, because $10 x 219/365 (60%) = $6. The Cap Calculation Factor is not used at
the time we calculate your Segment Maturity Value. Instead, for any Segment
held to its Segment Maturity Date, the values are provided by the contractual
guarantees based on Index performance as adjusted by the Performance Cap Rate
and the Segment Buffer. A Segment is not a variable investment option with an
underlying portfolio, and therefore the percentages we use in setting the
performance caps do not reflect a daily charge against assets held on your
behalf in a separate account.
(B) PRO RATA SHARE OF PERFORMANCE CAP RATE. In setting the Performance Cap
Rate, we assume that you are going to hold the Segment for the entire Segment
Duration. If you hold a Segment until its Segment Maturity Date, the Segment
Return will be calculated subject to the Performance Cap Rate. Prior to the
Segment Maturity Date, your Segment Interim Value will be limited by the
portion of the Performance Cap Rate corresponding to the portion of the Segment
Duration that has elapsed. For example, if the Performance Cap Rate for a
one-year Segment is 10%, then at the end of 146 days, the Pro Rata Share of the
Performance Cap Rate would be 4%, because 10% x 146/365 = 4%; as a result, the
Interim Value at the end of the 146 days could not exceed 104% of the Segment
Investment.
EXAMPLES
The following pages are hypothetical examples of how the Segment Interim Value
would be calculated for a Segment. The Segment is shown approximately 81/2
months after the Segment Start Date. On the second page, the Segment is shown
making a partial withdrawal approximately 81/2 months after the Segment Start
Date.
A-4 APPENDIX I: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
EXAMPLE OF SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 1-YEAR SEGMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Duration (in months) 12
Valuation Date (Months since Segment Start Date) 8.5
Segment Investment $1,000
Segment Buffer -10%-
Performance Cap Rate 11%
Time to Maturity
(in months) 3.5
(in years) 0.288
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
60.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives (302.76)
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19
Sum of Above 701.68
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated
Performance Cap Rate 1,078.36
Segment Interim Value 701.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
90.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives (43.81)
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19
Sum of Above 960.63
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated
Performance Cap Rate 1,078.36
Segment Interim Value 960.63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
110.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives 53.36
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19
Sum of Above 1,057.80
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated
Performance Cap Rate 1,078.36
Segment Interim Value 1,057.80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
140.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Hypothetical Fixed Instrument 999.24
Fair Value of Hypothetical Derivatives 105.69
Cap Calculation Factor 5.19
Sum of Above 1,110.13
Segment Investment Multiplied by prorated
Performance Cap Rate 1,078.36
Segment Interim Value 1,078.36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The input values to the Black Scholes model that have been utilized to generate
the hypothetical examples above are as follows:
(1) Implied volatility of 25% for the at-the-money call option and 27% for the
out-of-the-money call and out-of-the-money put options
(2) Swap rate corresponding to remainder of segment term is .26% (1-year), 1.28%
(3-year) and 2.34% (5-year) annually
(3) Index dividend yield - 1.95% annually.
APPENDIX I: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE A-5
EXAMPLE OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 1-YEAR SEGMENT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Duration (in months) 12
Valuation Date (Months since Segment Start Date) 8.5
Segment Investment $1,000
Segment Buffer -10%
Performance Cap Rate 11%
Time to Maturity
(in months) 3.5
(in years) 0.288
Amount Withdrawn(1) $ 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
60.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 701.68
Percent Withdrawn 14.25%
New Segment Investment $ 857.48
New Segment Interim Value $ 601.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS -10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
90.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 960.63
Percent Withdrawn 10.41%
New Segment Investment $ 895.90
New Segment Interim Value $ 860.63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +10% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
110.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 1,057.80
Percent Withdrawn 9.45%
New Segment Investment $ 905.46
New Segment Interim Value $ 957.80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSUMING THE CHANGE IN THE INDEX VALUE IS +40% (FOR EXAMPLE FROM 100.00 TO
140.00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment Interim Value 1,078.36
Percent Withdrawn 9.27%
New Segment Investment $ 907.27
New Segment Interim Value $ 978.36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitions:
(1) Amount withdrawn is net of applicable withdrawal charge
Percent Withdrawn is equal to Amount Withdrawn divided by Segment Interim Value
New Segment Investment is equal to the original Segment Investment ($1,000)
multiplied by [1 - Percent Withdrawn]
New Segment Interim Value is equal to the calculated Segment Interim Value
based on the new Segment Investment. It will also be equal to the Segment
Interim Value multiplied by [1 - Percent Withdrawn]
A-6 APPENDIX I: SEGMENT INTERIM VALUE
Appendix II: Index Publishers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Structured Investment Option tracks a certain Securities Index that is
published by a third party. AXA Equitable uses this Securities Index under
license from the Index's respective publisher. The following information about
the Index is included in this Prospectus in accordance with AXA Equitable's
license agreements with the publisher of the Index:
Standard & Poor's requires that the following disclaimer be included in this
Prospectus:
The Structured Investment Option, is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted
by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or its third party licensors. Neither S&P nor its
third party licensors makes any representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the Structured Investment Option or any member of the public
regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the
Structured Investment Option, particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Price
Return Index (the "Index") to track general stock market performance. S&P's and
its third party licensor's only relationship to AXA Equitable is the licensing
of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and the third party licensors and
of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P or its third
party licensors without regard to AXA Equitable or the Structured Investment
Option. S&P and its third party licensors have no obligation to take the needs
of AXA Equitable or the owners of the Structured Investment Option into
consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Neither S&P
nor its third party licensors is responsible for and has not participated in
the determination of the prices and amount of the Structured Investment Option
or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Structured Investment Option(SM)
or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Structured
Investment Option is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or
liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the
Structured Investment Option.
NEITHER S&P, ITS AFFILIATES NOR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS GUARANTEE THE
ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA
INCLUDED THEREIN OR ANY COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT
THERETO. S&P, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR DELAYS
THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE
WITH RESPECT TO THE MARKS, THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN.WITHOUT
LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P, ITS AFFILIATES
OR THEIR THIRD PARTY LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF
PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED
OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY
OR OTHERWISE.
The name "S&P 500 Price Return Index" is a trademark of Standard & Poor's and
has been licensed for use by AXA Equitable.
APPENDIX II: INDEX PUBLISHERS B-1
Appendix III: Segment Maturity Date and Segment Start Date examples
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Segment Maturity Date for Segments maturing in a given month and the
Segment Start Date for new Segments starting in that same month will always be
scheduled to occur on the first two consecutive business days that are also
Segment Business Days occurring after the 13th of a month. However, as
described earlier in this Prospectus, the Segment Maturity Date and Segment
Start Date may sometimes occur on later dates.
Set forth below are representative examples of how the Segment Maturity Date
and Segment Start Date may be moved to a later date in a given month due to
weekends and holidays, which are not Segment Business Days.
The first table below assumes that the 14th and/or 15th of the month falls on a
weekend, and the following Monday and Tuesday are both Segment Business Days:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THEN THE SEGMENT AND THE SEGMENT
IF THE 14TH IS A: MATURITY DATE IS: START DATE IS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday Friday the 14th Monday the 17th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday Monday the 16th Tuesday the 17th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday Monday the 15th Tuesday the 16th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second table below assumes that the 14th or 15th of the month falls on a
scheduled holiday and therefore, is not a Segment Business Day:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF A SCHEDULED HOLIDAY THEN THE SEGMENT AND THE SEGMENT
FALLS ON: MATURITY DATE IS: START DATE IS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday the 14th Tuesday the 15th Wednesday the 16th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday the 15th Monday the 18th Tuesday the 19th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C-1 APPENDIX III: SEGMENT MATURITY DATE AND SEGMENT START DATE EXAMPLES