485BPOS 1 d596880d485bpos.htm NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT (VEL) Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account (VEL)

Registration No. 333-36865

Registration No. 811-03989

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-6

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES  
  ACT OF 1933   /      /
  Pre-Effective Amendment No.            /      /
  Post-Effective Amendment No.   24     /  X  /
  and/or  
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT  
  COMPANY ACT OF 1940   /      /
  Amendment No.   56     /  X  /
  (Check appropriate box or boxes.)  
    NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT    
  (Exact Name of Registrant)  
    THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
  (Name of Depositor)  
    720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin   53202
  (Address of Depositor’s Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
  Depositor’s Telephone Number, including Area Code 414-271-1444  
  RAYMOND J. MANISTA, General Counsel and Secretary  
  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company  
    720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202    
  (Name and Address of Agent for Service)  
  Copy to:  
  Chad E. Fickett, Assistant General Counsel  
  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company  
  720 East Wisconsin Avenue  
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202  
  414-665-1209  

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering                     Continuous                     

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate space)

 

    X    

   

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

           

   

on              pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

           

   

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

           

   

on              pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

           

   

this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Interests in the Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account under flexible premium variable life insurance policies.

Registrant is filing this Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement No. 333-36865 for the purposes of including in the Registration Statement a Supplement that describes a forthcoming substitution of one investment option for a different investment option. This Post-Effective Amendment does not amend or delete the currently effective Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, or supplements to the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information, or any other part of the Registration Statement except as specifically noted herein.

PART A — PROSPECTUS

Incorporated by reference to the Prospectus as filed under Form N-6, Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Amendment No. 51 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, File Nos. 333-36865 and 811-03989, respectively, filed on April 25, 2013 (Accession No. 0001193125-13-173985), the definitive form of which was filed on May 3, 2013 (Accession No. 0001193125-13-198060), as well as supplements to such Prospectus as filed on June 4, 2013 (Accession

No. 0001193125-13-246328), August 1, 2013 (Accession No. 0001193125-13-315174), and August 23, 2013 (Accession No. 0001193125-13-345392).

A supplement dated October 1, 2013 to the Prospectus is included herewith in Part A of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Amendment No. 56 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, File Nos. 333-36865 and 811-03989, respectively.

PART B — STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Incorporated by reference to the Prospectus as filed under Form N-6, Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Amendment No. 51 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, File Nos. 333-36865 and 811-03989, respectively, filed on April 25, 2013 (Accession No. 0001193125-13-173985), the definitive form of which was filed on May 3, 2013 (Accession No. 0001193125-13-198060).

PART C – OTHER INFORMATION

Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.

THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

 

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT

SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUSES

VARIABLE LIFE (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

VARIABLE COMPLIFE® (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

VARIABLE JOINT LIFE (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

VARIABLE EXECUTIVE LIFE (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

 

 

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT II

SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUSES

CUSTOM VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

EXECUTIVE VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

SURVIVORSHIP VARIABLE UNIVERSAL LIFE (DATED MAY 1, 2013)

 

 

The purpose of this Supplement and Notice is to inform you that we received the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to substitute the Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio (the “Replacement Commodity Portfolio”), a portfolio of Credit Suisse Trust, for the Commodities Return Strategy Portfolio (the “Replaced Commodities Portfolio”), a series of Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

On November 15, 2013 (the “effective date”), we will automatically transfer any amounts you have in the Division investing in the Replaced Commodities Portfolio to the Division investing in the Replacement Commodity Portfolio (the “Substitution”). Allocations to the Replaced Commodities Portfolio through preexisting dollar-cost averaging programs, portfolio rebalancing elections, asset allocation models or other automatic transfers or scheduled or systematic transactions will be replaced with allocations to the Replacement Commodity Portfolio and the Replaced Commodities Portfolio will no longer be available as an investment option. Allocations to this Portfolio after the effective date will be deemed made to the Replacement Commodity Portfolio. Please note that the Replacement Commodity Portfolio will not be available as an investment option until the effective date.

This change will not result in a change in policy value or death benefit, you will not incur any fees or charges as a result of this transaction, and your rights or our obligations under the policy will not be altered. We or our affiliates will bear all expenses incurred in connection with the Substitution. You may continue to transfer amounts from the Division investing in the Replaced Commodities Portfolio to other Divisions until the effective date and you should consider doing so if you do not want your assets transferred by us as described above. The first transfer made from the Replaced Commodities Portfolio between May 1, 2013 and the effective date will not count toward your limit on transfers as part of our policies and procedures on short-term and excessive trading. For those policy owners with amounts in the Replaced Commodities Portfolio that were transferred to the Replacement Commodity Portfolio on the effective date, for 30 days after the effective date any such transfer will not count toward your limit on transfers as part of our policies on short-term and excessive trading. Within five days after the Substitution, we will forward policy owners affected by this transaction a written notice informing them of the details of the transfer.

Disclosures in your prospectus regarding the Substitution and/or our prior request for approval in the “Dollar-Cost Averaging” and “Portfolio Rebalancing” sections, if applicable, as well as any other sections discussing the Substitution, should be read in light of the fact that we have obtained approval for, and will proceed with, the Substitution on the effective date. In addition, please note the following specific changes effective November 15, 2013:

All references to the “Commodities Return Strategy Portfolio” series of Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc., including any footnotes, are deleted.

The following portfolio should be added to the list of investment options on the front cover page:

Credit Suisse Trust

Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio

The paragraph immediately preceding the Annual Operating Expenses table in the “Annual Operating Expenses” section is amended as follows:

The following table shows total annual operating expenses of each Portfolio available for investment under the Policy. Operating expenses are expressed as a percentage of average net assets for the year ended December 31, 2012, except as otherwise set forth in the notes to the table. The Russell Investment Funds LifePoints® Variable Target Portfolio Series are funds of funds and because of their two-tiered structure, may have fees that are higher than other funds. The Portfolio expenses used to prepare the table were provided to the Company by the Portfolios. The Company has not independently verified such information. The expenses shown are based on expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2012, or restated to reflect current expenses (see attached prospectuses for the Funds). Current or future expenses may be higher or lower than those shown, especially in periods of market volatility. Effective November 15, 2013, the investment adviser to the Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio, Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, will limit the Portfolio’s operating expenses (excluding certain expenses as described in the Portfolio’s prospectus) to 1.05% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets at least through November 15, 2015.

The following is hereby added to the Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses table:

 

Portfolio    Investment
Advisory
Fees		     Other
Expenses		     12b-1
Fees		     Acquired Fund
Fees and
Expenses		     Total
Operating
Expenses		     Fee Waivers &
Reimbursements		     Total Net
Operating
Expenses		  
  

 

 

  

Credit Suisse Trust

Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio(20)

      0.50 %      0.59 %      0.25 %      0.00 %      1.34 %      0.00 %      1.34 % 

The following is added to “The Funds” section of the prospectus:

Credit Suisse Trust

The Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio is a series of Credit Suisse Trust. The Separate Account buys shares of the Portfolio, the investment adviser for which is Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC.

 

Portfolio   Investment Objective   Sub-adviser
Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio   Total Return   N/A

In the Custom Variable Universal Life, Executive Variable Universal Life, and Survivorship Variable Universal Life prospectuses the sub-section entitled “The Substitution” in the “Other Policy Transactions” section is hereby deleted.

The last four paragraphs in the section entitled “Substitution of Fund Shares and Other Changes” in the Variable Life, Variable CompLife®, Variable Executive Life, and Variable Joint Life prospectuses are hereby deleted.

The following definition of “Good Order” in the Glossary is amended as follows:

Your request or payment meets all the current requirements necessary for us to process it. For certain requests this may include, as applicable, the return of proceeds, evidence of insurability, underwriting, MEC-limit (or insurance qualification) requirements, any premium payments due or proper completion of certain Northwestern Mutual forms.

If you have any questions concerning the Substitution, please contact your Registered Representative or the Variable Life Customer Services Center, toll-free at 1-888-424-2609.

Please read this Supplement and Notice carefully and keep it with your Prospectus for future reference.

This Supplement is dated October 1, 2013.

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 26. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

   

Description

    Filed Herewith/Incorporated Herein By Reference To
(a)(1)    Resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company amending Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account Operating Authority    Exhibit (a)(1) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed February 21, 2006
(a)(2)    Resolution of Board of Trustees of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company establishing the Account    Exhibit A(1) to Form S-6 Registration Statement for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed October 1, 1997
(b)    Not Applicable     
(c)    Distribution Agreement Between The Northwestern Life Insurance Company and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, dated May 1, 2006    Exhibit (c) to Form N-6 Registration Statement for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed July 28, 2006
(d)(1)   

Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy, RR.VEL. (0398), including Policy amendments

 

Form of Notice of short-term cancellation right

    Exhibits A(5)(a), A(5)(b), and A(5)(c) to Form S-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed May 31, 2001
(d)(2)    Variable Life Insurance Policy, RR.VEL, Flexible Premium, including Amendment to Flexible Premium Variable Life (sex-neutral)    Exhibit A(5)(a) to Form S-6 Registration Statement for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed October 1, 1997
(d)(3)    Variable Life Insurance Policy, RR.VEL, Flexible Premium, including Amendment to Flexible Premium Variable Life (sex-distinct)    Exhibit A(5)(b) to Form S-6 Registration Statement for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed October 1, 1997
(e)    Form of Life Insurance Application 90-1 L.I.(0198) WISCONSIN and Application Supplement (1003)    Exhibit (e) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed April 28, 2005
(f)(1)    Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (adopted July 26, 1972)    Exhibit A(6)(a) to Form S-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 26, 1996
(f)(2)    Amended By-Laws of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company dated December 4, 2002    Exhibit (f) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed February 28, 2003
(g)    Form of Reinsurance Agreement    Exhibit (g) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, field February 28, 2003
(h)(a)(1)    Participation Agreement dated March 16, 1999 Among Russell Insurance Funds, Russell Fund Distributors, Inc. and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (b)(8)(a) to Form N-4 Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 for NML Variable Annuity Account B, File No. 2-29240, filed April 28, 2005
(h)(a)(2)    Amendment No. 1 dated August 7, 2000 to the Participation Agreement dated March 16, 1999 Among Russell Insurance Funds, Russell Fund Distributors, Inc. and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (h)1(a)(2) to Form N-6 Registration Statement for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed July 28, 2006
(h)(a)(3)    Amendment No. 2 dated October 13, 2006 to Participation Agreements dated March 16, 1999 and August 7, 2000, respectively, by and among The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Russell Investment Funds, f/k/a “Russell Insurance Funds,” and Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.    Exhibit (h)1(a)(3) to Form N-6 Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed December 13, 2006

 

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(h)(a)(4)    Amendment No. 3 dated August 29, 2007 to Participation Agreements dated March 16, 1999, August 7, 2000, and October 13, 2006, respectively, by and among The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Russell Investment Funds, f/k/a “Russell Insurance Funds,” and Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.    Exhibit (h)(a)(4) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 002-89972, filed on April 25, 2013
(h)(b)(1)    Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2003 among Variable Insurance Products Funds, Fidelity Distributors Corporation and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (b)(8)(b) to Form N-4 Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 for NML Variable Annuity Account B, File No. 2-29240, filed April 28, 2005
(h)(b)(2)    Amendment No. 1 dated October 18, 2006 to Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2003, by and among The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Fidelity Distributors Corporation, and each of Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II, and Variable Insurance Products Fund III    Exhibit (h)1(b)(2) to Form N-6 Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1, for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed December 13, 2006
(h)(b)(3)    Participation Agreement dated April 30, 2007 among Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust, Neuberger Berman Management Inc., and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (h)(e) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(h)(b)(4)    Participation Agreement dated September 27, 2013 among Credit Suisse Trust, Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (h)(b)(4) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed on October 1, 2013
(h)(b)(5)    Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement regarding Rule 498    Exhibit (h)(b)(5) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed on October 1, 2013
(h)(c)(1)    Administrative Service Fee Agreement dated February 28, 1999 between The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Frank Russell Company    Exhibit (b)(8)(c) to Form N-4 Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 for NML Variable Annuity Account B, File No. 2-29240, filed April 28, 2005
(h)(c)(2)    Service Agreement dated May 1, 2003 between Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (b)(8)(c)(2) to Form N-4 Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 for NML Variable Annuity Account A, File No. 333-133380, filed August 8, 2006
(h)(c)(3)    Amendment dated August 1, 2004 to the Service Agreement dated May 1, 2003 between Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (b)(8)(c)(3) to Form N-4 Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 for NML Variable Annuity Account A, File No. 333-133380, filed August 8, 2006
(h)(c)(4)    Form of Administrative Services Agreement    Exhibit (h)(c)(2) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(i)    Not Applicable     
(j)(a)    Agreement entered into on February 13, 1984 among Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and NML Equity Services, Inc. (n/k/a Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC)    Exhibit A(8) to Form S-6 Registration Statement for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed October 1, 1997

 

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(j)(b)    Shareholder Information Agreement dated April 13, 2007 among Russell Investment Management Company on behalf of Russell Investment Funds and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (j)(b) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(j)(c)    Amendment No. 1 dated October 20, 2008 to Shareholder Information Agreement dated April 13, 2007 among Russell Fund Services Company on behalf of Russell Investment Funds and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (j)(c) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(j)(d)    Shareholder Information Agreement dated April 13, 2007 among Fidelity Distributors Corporation on behalf of Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products Fund and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (j)(d) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(j)(e)    Shareholder Information Agreement dated April 16, 2007 among Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc. and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (j)(e) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(j)(f)    Shareholder Information Agreement dated October 16, 2007 among Neuberger Berman Management Inc. and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (j)(f) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 2-89972, filed April 30, 2012
(j)(g)    Shareholder Information Agreement dated September 27, 2013 among Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company    Exhibit (j)(f) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II, File No. 333-136124, filed on October 1, 2013
(j)(h)    Power of Attorney    Filed herewith
(j)(i)    NMIS/NM Annuity Operations Admin Agreement    Exhibit (b)(8)(i) to Form N-4 Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 for NML Variable Annuity Account A, File No. 333-72913, filed April 22, 2008
(k)    Opinion and Consent of Raymond J. Manista, Esq. dated October 1, 2013    Filed herewith
(l)    Not Applicable     
(m)    Not Applicable     
(n)    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated September 30, 2013    Filed herewith
(o)    Not Applicable     
(p)    Not Applicable     
(q)    Memorandum Describing Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures    Exhibit (q) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed April 25, 2013

Item 27. Directors and Officers of the Depositor

The following lists include all of the Trustees, executive officers and other officers of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company without regard to their activities relating to variable life insurance policies or their authority to act or their status as “officers” as that term is used for certain purposes of the federal securities laws and rules thereunder.

TRUSTEES – As of September 3, 2013

 

Name

   

Address

John N. Balboni

   

Senior Vice President & CIO

International Paper

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

 

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David J. Drury

   

Owner and CEO

Poblocki Sign Company LLC

922 South 70th Street

Milwaukee, WI 53214

Connie K. Duckworth

   

President and Chairman of the Board

ARZU

77 Stone Gate Lane

Lake Forest, IL 60045

James P. Hackett

   

President and CEO

Steelcase, Inc.

901 - 44th Street

Grand Rapids, MI 49508

P. Russell Hardin

   

President

Robert W. Woodruff Foundation

191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3540

Atlanta, GA 30303

Hans Helmerich

   

President & CEO

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

1437 S. Boulder Avenue

Tulsa, OK 74119-3609

Dale E. Jones

   

Vice Chairman

Heidrick & Struggles

2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 800

Washington, DC 20006

Margery Kraus

   

President & CEO

APCO Worldwide

700 12th Street, NW

Suite 800

Washington, DC 20005

David J. Lubar

   

President

Lubar & Co.

700 N. Water Street

Suite 1200

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Ulice Payne, Jr.

   

President & CEO

Addison-Clifton, LLC

13555 Bishops Court

Suite 245

Brookfield, WI 53005

John E. Schlifske

   

Chairman and CEO

Northwestern Mutual

720 E. Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Mary Ellen Stanek

   

Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer

Baird Advisors

Robert W. Baird & Co.

President-Baird Funds Inc.

777 E. Wisconsin Avenue

21st Floor

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

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Timothy W. Sullivan

   

Former President & CEO

Bucyrus International, Inc.

5270 N. Lake Drive

Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

S. Scott Voynich

   

Managing Partner

Robinson, Grimes & Company, PC

5637 Whitesville Road (31904)

P. O. Box 4299 (31914)

Columbus, GA

Ralph A. Weber

   

Founding Member

Gass, Weber, Mullins, LLC

309 North Water Street

Suite 700

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Barry L. Williams

   

Retired Managing General Partner

Williams Pacific Ventures, Inc.

4 Embarcadero Center, Suite 3700

San Francisco, CA 94111

Benjamin F. Wilson

   

Managing Principal

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

1350 I Street, NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20005

Edward J. Zore

   

Retired Chairman

Northwestern Mutual

777 E. Wisconsin

Suite 3005

Milwaukee, WI 53202

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS – As of September 3, 2013

 

John E. Schlifske

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Sandra L. Botcher

   

Vice President (Disability Income)

Michael G. Carter

   

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Eric P. Christophersen

   

Vice President (Wealth Management)

David D. Clark

   

Senior Vice President (Real Estate)

Jefferson V. DeAngelis

   

Senior Vice President (Public Markets)

Joann M. Eisenhart

   

Senior Vice President (Human Resources)

Christina H. Fiasca

   

Vice President (Product Finance)

Timothy J. Gerend

   

Vice President (Compliance/Best Practices)

Kimberley Goode

   

Vice President (Communications & Corporate Affairs)

Karl G. Gouverneur

   

Vice President (Information Systems)

John M. Grogan

   

Senior Vice President (Planning & Sales)

Thomas C. Guay

   

Vice President (Field Rewards)

Gary M. Hewitt

   

Vice President (Investment Risk Management)

Ronald P. Joelson

   

Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer

Todd M. Jones

   

Vice President & Chief Risk Officer

J. Chris Kelly

   

Vice President and Controller

John L. Kordsmeier

   

Vice President (Strategic Philanthropy & Community Relations)

Jeffrey J. Lueken

   

Senior Vice President (Securities)

Jean M. Maier

   

Executive Vice President (Enterprise Operations and Technology)

Raymond J. Manista

   

Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

Steven C. Mannebach

   

Vice President (Field Growth & Development)

Christian W. Mitchell

   

Vice President (Corporate Planning)

 

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Gregory C. Oberland

   

Executive Vice President (Products, Sales & Marketing)

Kathleen A. Oman

   

Vice President (IT Relationship Management)

Gary A. Poliner

   

President

Steven M. Radke

   

Vice President (Government Relations)

David R. Remstad

   

Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary

Bethany M. Rodenhuis

   

Senior Vice President (Field Strategy & Services)

Tammy M. Roou

   

Vice President (Enterprise Risk Assurance)

Timothy G. Schaefer

   

Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Calvin R. Schmidt

   

Senior Vice President (Integrated Customer Operations)

Sarah R. Schneider

   

Vice President (New Business)

Todd M. Schoon

   

Executive Vice President (Agencies)

David W. Simbro

   

Senior Vice President (Life & Annuity Products)

Steve P. Sperka

   

Vice President (Long Term Care)

Paul J. Steffen

   

Vice President (Agencies)

Conrad C. York

   

Vice President (Marketing)

Todd O. Zinkgraf

   

Vice President (Enterprise Solutions)

OTHER OFFICERS – As of April 1, 2013

 

Employee

   

Title

Lisa C. Gandrud

   

Senior Actuary

Gregory A. Gurlik

   

Senior Actuary

Jason T. Klawonn

   

VP-Actuary

James R. Lodermeier

   

VP-Actuary

Ted A. Matchulat

   

Director Product Compliance

Arthur V. Panighetti

   

Regulatory & Tax Actuary

Deborah A. Schultz

   

Senior Actuary

Chris G. Trost

   

Senior Actuary

P. Andrew Ware

   

VP-Actuary

      

Mark S. Bishop

   

Regional VP-Field Supervision

Somayajulu Durvasula

   

Regional VP-Field Supervision

Mark J. Gmach

   

Regional VP-Field Supervision

Laila V. Hick

   

VP-Agency Development

Timothy Nelson

   

Regional VP

Daniel J. O’Meara

   

VP-Agency Development

Charles J. Pendley

   

VP-Agency Development

      

Anne A. Frigo

   

Director-Insurance Product Compliance

Ricky J. Frank

   

Director-Systems

Robert J. Johnson

   

Director-Compliance

Gregory S. Leslie

   

Director-Variable Product Compliance

James M. Makowski

   

Director-Compliance

      

Kevin J. Abitz

   

Director-Corporate Reporting

Jason T. Anderson

   

Asst. Director-Tax

Barbara E. Courtney

   

Director-Mutual Fund Accounting

Walter M. Givler

   

VP-Accounting Policy

Michelle A. Hinze

   

Director-Accounting Operations

Todd C. Kuzminski

   

Director-Investment Accounting

David K. Nunley

   

VP-Tax

David E. Willert

   

Director-Federal Tax

      

Rick T. Zehner

   

VP-Research & Special Projects

      

Mark McNulty

   

Director-Field Distribution Policies & Administration

Daniel A. Riedl

   

VP-Field Distribution Policies & Administration

Jeffrey P. Scholemer

   

Director-Field Supervision

      

 

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Employee

   

Title

Cynthia A. Criss

   

Director-Field Recruitment

David A. Eurich

   

Director-Field Training

Sarah L. N. Koenig

   

Director-Horizontal Growth

Arleen J. Llewellyn

   

Director-FR Engagement & Succession

Michael E. Pritzl

   

VP-Leadership Development

Kamilah D. Williams-Kemp

   

Director-Practice Management & Field Training

      

Lisa A. Cadotte

   

Director-Field System Financial Management

Robyn S. Cornelius

   

Director-Distribution Planning

Virginia E. Riesing

   

Director-Field Financial Consulting

Richard P. Snyder

   

Director-Field Compensation

      

Meg E. Jansky

   

VP-Field Services & Support

Kevin J. Konopa

   

Director-Client Management

Joanne M. Migliaccio

   

Director-Field Services & Support

Joseph Roblee

   

Director-Network Office Operations

David J. Writz

   

Director-Client Management

      

Karen A. Molloy

   

VP-Treasurer

      

Pency P. Byhardt

   

Vice President Annuity Operations

Don P. Gehrke

   

Director-ICS Investment Operations

Dennis P. Goyette

   

Interim Director-Annuity Customer Service

Patricia J. Hillmann

   

Director-Annuity Customer Service

Lori A. Toner

   

Assistant Director Retail Investment Operations

Jeffrey B. Williams

   

NMIS and WMC Chief Compliance Officer

      

R. David Ells

   

VP–Investment Strategy

      

Karla J. Adams

   

Director-Investment Risk Management

James A. Brewer

   

Director-Investment Planning

David A. Escamilla

   

Director-Investment Information

Donald Forecki

   

Director-Investment Operations, Asst. Secretary

Michael S. Treptow

   

Director-Investment Performance Management

      

Mark J. Backe

   

VP-Insurance & Operations Counsel

Joanne M. Breese-Jaeck

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Christopher W. Brownell

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Michael S. Bula

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Thomas B. Christenson

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Mark S. Diestelmeier

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

John E. Dunn

   

VP & Investment Products & Services Counsel

James R. Eben

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Bradley L. Eull

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Chad E. Fickett

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

James C. Frasher

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Sheila M. Gavin

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Chris K. Gawart

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Matthew D. Heinke

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

James A. Koelbl

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Steven J. LaFore

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Lisa A. Leister

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Michael J. Mazza

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Lesli H. McLinden

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

David K. Nelson

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Michelle Nelson

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Lisa Parrington

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

 

C-7

Employee

   

Title

Randy M. Pavlick

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

William C. Pickering

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Nora M. Platt

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Zhibin Ren

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Peter K. Richardson

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Monica Riederer

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Kathleen H. Schluter

   

VP & Tax Counsel

Rodd Schneider

   

VP & Litigation and Distribution Counsel

Paul Scott

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Mark W. Smith

   

Assoc. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

John M. Thompson

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

John W. Warren

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

Terry R. Young

   

Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary

      

Gregory A. Jaeck

   

Director-Annuity & Income Markets

Jason R. Handal

   

VP-Advanced Markets

Todd L. Laszewski

   

Director-Life Product Development

William Brian Henning

   

Director-Competitive Intelligence

Jane Ann Schiltz

   

Director-LP Planning & Project Support

      

Thomas R. Anderson

   

Director-Integrated Planning

Rebekah B. Barsch

   

VP-Market Strategy & Training

Barbara A. Bombaci

   

Director-Advanced Planning

Kenneth P. Elbert

   

Director-Advanced Planning

Daniel R. Finn

   

Director-Advanced Planning

Stephen J. Frankl

   

Regional Sales Director-East

William F. Grady, IV

   

Director-Advanced Planning

Debra L. Hagan

   

Director-Administration/Operations FSP

Patrick J. Horning

   

Director-Advanced Planning

Shawn P. Mauser

   

Regional Sales Director-South

Mac McAuliffe

   

Director-Regional Sales Development

John E. Muth

   

Director-Advanced Planning

John K. O’Meara

   

Director-Advanced Planning

Brent A. Ritchey

   

Director-Advanced Planning

David G. Stoeffel

   

Vice President

William H. Taylor

   

VP-Financial Planning & Sales Support

Janine L. Wagner

   

Planning & Product Insurance Consultation

Stephanie Wilcox

   

Planning & Sales Admin/Integration

Brian D. Wilson

   

Regional Sales Director-Central

John K. Wilson

   

Regional Sales Director-West

Stanford A. Wynn

   

Director-Advanced Planning

      

Carrie L. Bleck

   

Director-Policyowner Services

Joseph R. Haselow

   

Director-Integrated Customer Operations Transformation

Travis T. Piotrowski

   

VP-Policyowner Services

Sandra K. Scott

   

Director-Life Benefits

Carol A. Stillwell

   

Director-Policyowner Services

Natalie J. Versnik

   

Director-Policyowner Services

Michael D. Zelinski

   

Director Policyowner Services

      

Shanklin B. Cannon

   

Medical Director

Kurt P. Carbon

   

Director-Life Lay Standards

Wayne F. Heidenreich

   

Medical Director

Paul W. Skalecki

   

VP-Underwriting Standards

      

Mark J. McLennon

   

VP-Investment Advisory Services

 

C-8

The business addresses for all of the executive officers and other officers is 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

Item 28. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant

The subsidiaries of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual”), as of September 3, 2013 are shown below. In addition to the subsidiaries shown below, the following separate investment accounts (which include the Registrant) may be deemed to be either controlled by, or under common control with, Northwestern Mutual:

 

  1.

NML Variable Annuity Account A

  2.

NML Variable Annuity Account B

  3.

NML Variable Annuity Account C

  4.

Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account

  5.

Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc. and Russell Investment Funds (the “Funds”), shown below as subsidiaries of Northwestern Mutual, are investment companies, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, offering their shares to the separate accounts identified above; and the shares of the Funds held in connection with certain of the accounts are voted by Northwestern Mutual in accordance with voting instructions obtained from the persons who own, or are receiving payments under, variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies issued in connection with the separate accounts, or in the same proportions as the shares which are so voted.

 

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)

(as of September 3, 2013)

 

Legal Entity Name    Domestic Jurisdiction   Owner %

Operating Subsidiaries

         

Northwestern Mutual Capital, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital Limited(2)

   

United Kingdom

   100.00

Mason Street Advisors, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Real Estate Investments, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company(2)

   

United States

   100.00

Frank Russell Company(3)

   

Washington

     92.63
          

All Other Subsidiaries

         

100 East Wisconsin Avenue Joint Venture(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

31 Ogden, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

3412 Exchange, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

AFE Brentwood Park, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Amber, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Arbor Lake Village Apartments Limited Liability Company(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Arbor Oaks Ltd.(2)

   

Florida

   100.00

Baraboo, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Bayridge, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Bishop Square, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Bradford, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Brendan International Sales, Inc.(2)

   

U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.00

Burgundy, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

C – Land Fund, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Chateau, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Coral, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Cortona Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Crosland Denver Highway 16, LLC(2)

   

North Carolina

   100.00

 

C-9

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)

(as of September 3, 2013)

 

Crosland Greens, LLC(2)

   

North Carolina

   100.00

Fairfield West Deer Park LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Hazel, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Higgins, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Highbrook International Sales, Inc.(2)

   

U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.00

Hobby, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Hollenberg 1, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Jacksonville Concourse II, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Jacksonville Concourse III, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Jacksonville Concourse, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Juleen, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Justin International FSC, Inc.(2)

   

U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.00

Klode, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Kristiana International Sales, Inc.(2)

   

U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.00

Logan, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Lydell, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Maroon, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Mason & Marshall, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Millbrook Apartments Associates L.L.C.(2)

   

Virginia

   100.00

Mitchell, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Model Portfolios, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

N.M. Albuquerque, Inc.(2)

   

New Mexico

   100.00

Nicolet, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM BSA, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Cancer Center GP, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM DFW Lewisville, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM F/X, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM GP Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Harrisburg, Inc.(2)

   

Pennsylvania

   100.00

NM Imperial, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Investment Holdings, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Lion, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Majestic Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Pebble Valley LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM RE Funds, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Regal, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NM Twin Creeks GP, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NML Clubs Associated, Inc.(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

NML Development Corporation(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NML Real Estate Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

NML Securities Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

NMRM Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

North Charlotte Avenue Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Tennessee

   100.00

North Van Buren, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Ellis Company(2)

   

Nova Scotia

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital GP II, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital GP III, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital GP, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital Mezzanine Fund II, LP(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital Mezzanine Fund III, LP(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital Strategic Equity Fund II, LP(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

 

C-10

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)

(as of September 3, 2013)

 

Northwestern Mutual Capital Strategic Equity Fund III, LP(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual MU TLD Registry, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Registry, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.(4)

   

Maryland

   100.00

NW Pipeline, Inc.(2)

   

Texas

   100.00

NWM MF I Market Track Holdings, LLC (2

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM MF II Dental Care Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF I Anadarko Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF I Topaz Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II BHG Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II Bronco Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II El Paso Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II Encap Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II M3 Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II M4 Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II PVR Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF II RLG Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

NWM SEF III CVS Holdings, LLC (2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Olive, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Osprey Links Golf Course, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Osprey Links, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Park Ridge Corporate Center, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Piedmont Center, 1-4 LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Piedmont Center, 15 LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Plantation Oaks MHC-NM, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

RE Corp.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Regina International Sales, Inc.(2)

   

U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.00

Russet, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Scotty, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Solar Resources, Inc.(2)

   

Wisconsin

   100.00

Stadium and Arena Management, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Travers International Sales, Inc.(2)

   

U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.00

Tupelo, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Two Con Holdings, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Two Con SPE, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Two Con, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Villas of St. Johns L.L.C.(2)

   

Florida

   100.00

Walden OC, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Warren Corporate Center, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

West Huron Joint Venture(2)

   

Washington

   100.00

White Oaks, Inc.(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

Windwood Drive Ann Arbor, LLC(2)

   

Delaware

   100.00

 

(1)

Certain subsidiaries are omitted on the basis that, considered in the aggregate at year end 2012, they did not constitute a significant subsidiary as defined by Regulation S-X. Certain investment partnerships and limited liability companies that hold real estate assets of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company are not represented. Excluded is the entire corporate structure under Frank Russell Company, which includes registered investment advisers and registered investment companies.

 

(2)

Subsidiary included in the consolidated financial statements.

 

(3)

Subsidiary files separate financial statements.

 

C-11

(4)

Growth Stock Portfolio, Focused Appreciation Portfolio, Large Cap Core Stock Portfolio, Large Cap Blend Portfolio, Index 500 Stock Portfolio, Large Company Value Portfolio, Domestic Equity Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio, Mid Cap Growth Stock Portfolio, Index 400 Stock Portfolio, Mid Cap Value Portfolio, Small Cap Growth Stock Portfolio, Index 600 Stock Portfolio, Small Cap Value Portfolio, International Growth Portfolio, Research International Core Portfolio, International Equity Portfolio, Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, Money Market Portfolio, Short-Term Bond Portfolio, Select Bond Portfolio, Long-Term U.S. Government Bond Portfolio, Inflation Protection Portfolio, High Yield Bond Portfolio, Multi-Sector Bond Portfolio, Commodities Return Strategy Portfolio, Balanced Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio.

Item 29. Indemnification

(a) That portion of the By-laws of the Depositor, Northwestern Mutual, relating to indemnification of Trustees and officers is set forth in full in Article VII of the By-laws of Northwestern Mutual, amended by resolution and previously filed as Exhibit A(6)(b) to the registration statement of Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account (File No. 333-59103) on July 15, 1998.

(b) Section 10 of the Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2006 between Northwestern Mutual and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (“NMIS”) provides substantially as follows:

B. Indemnification by Company. The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless NMIS, its successors and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, and employees (together referred to as “NMIS Related Persons”), from any and all joint or several losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including any reasonable investigative, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted), to which NMIS and/or any NMIS Related Persons may become subject, under any law, regulation or NASD rule, at common law or otherwise, that arises out of or are based upon (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company and (ii) any untrue statement of or omission to state a material fact (except for information supplied by or on behalf of NMIS or for which NMIS is responsible) contained in any Registration Statement, Contract prospectus, SAI or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Material.

This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have; provided, however, that no person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this provision for any loss, claim, damage or liability due to the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty by the person seeking indemnification.

C. Indemnification by NMIS. NMIS agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its successors and assigns, and their respective officers, trustees or directors, and employees (together referred to as “ Company Related Persons”), from any and all joint or several losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including any reasonable investigative, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted), to which the Company and/or any Company Related Persons may become subject, under any law, regulation or NASD rule, at common law or otherwise, that arises out of or are based upon (i) any breach of this Agreement by NMIS and (ii) any untrue statement of or omission to state a material fact (except for information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or for which the Company is responsible) contained in any Registration Statement, Contract prospectus, SAI or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Material, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon information furnished in writing by NMIS to the Company specifically for use in the preparation of the aforesaid material.

This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that NMIS may otherwise have; provided however, that no person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this provision for any loss, claim, damage or liability due to the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty by the person seeking indemnification.

D. Indemnification Generally. Any person seeking indemnification under this section shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing after receiving notice of the commencement of any action as to which a claim for indemnification will be made; provided, however, that failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve such party from any liability which it may have to such person otherwise than on account of this section.

 

C-12

The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of the indemnified person but such participation will not relieve such indemnifying party of the obligation to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by such party in defending himself, herself or itself.

Item 30. Principal Underwriters

(a) NMIS is the principal underwriter of the securities of the Registrant. NMIS is also the principal underwriter for the NML Variable Annuity Account A (811-21887), the NML Variable Annuity Account B (811-1668), the NML Variable Annuity Account C (811-21886), and the Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II (811-21933).

(b) As of September 3, 2013, the directors and officers of NMIS are as follows:

 

Name

   

Position

Jason T. Anderson

   

Assistant Treasurer

Pency P. Byhardt

   

Vice President, Annuity Operations

Michael G. Carter

   

Director

Michael J. Conmey

   

Assistant Secretary

Linda C. Donahue

   

NMIS Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer

Bradley L. Eull

   

Secretary, NMIS

Christina H. Fiasca

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

Don P. Gehrke

   

Director, Retail Investment Operations

Timothy J. Gerend

   

Vice President, Compliance/Best Practices

John M. Grogan

   

Director, Senior Vice President, Planning and Sales

Thomas C. Guay

   

Vice President, Field Rewards

Andrew E. Iggens

   

Assistant Treasurer

Jennifer W. Murphy

   

Director, NMIS Home Office Supervision/Administration

K. David Nunley

   

Assistant Treasurer

Jennifer O’Leary

   

Treasurer and Financial and Operations Principal

Gregory C. Oberland

   

Director

Travis T. Piotrowski

   

Vice President, Policyowner Services

Daniel A. Riedl

   

Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Beth M. Rodenhuis

   

Senior Vice President, Agencies Strategy and Services

Calvin R. Schmidt

   

Director, Senior Vice President, Integrated Operations

Sarah R. Schneider

   

Vice President, New Business

Todd M. Schoon

   

Director, Executive Vice President, Agencies

David W. Simbro

   

Senior Vice President, Life and Annuity Products

Todd W. Smasal

   

Director, Human Resources

Paul J. Steffen

   

Vice President, Agencies

David G. Stoeffel

   

Vice President, Planning and Sales

Kellen A. Thiel

   

Director, Investment Products

Jeffrey B. Williams

   

Vice President, NMIS Compliance, and Chief Compliance Officer

The address for each director and officer of NMIS is 611 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

(c) NMIS, the principal underwriter, received $12,321,208 of commissions and other compensation, directly or indirectly, from Registrant during the last fiscal year.

Item 31. Location of Accounts and Records

All accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained in connection with the Registrant’s operations are maintained in the physical possession of Northwestern Mutual at 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

 

C-13

Item 32. Management Services

There are no management-related service contracts, other than those referred to in Part A or Part B of this Registration Statement, under which management-related services are provided to the Registrant and pursuant to which total payments of $5,000 or more were made during any of the last three fiscal years.

Item 33. Fee Representation

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company hereby represents that the fees and charges deducted under the variable life insurance policies which are the subject of this registration statement, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the insurance company under the policies.

 

C-14

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amended Registration pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amended Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, on the 1st day of October, 2013.

 

    NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE
        ACCOUNT (Registrant)
      By    THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
         INSURANCE COMPANY (Depositor)

 

Attest:

  

/s/ RAYMOND J. MANISTA

    

By:

   

/s/ JOHN E. SCHLIFSKE

 

Raymond J. Manista,

       

John E. Schlifske,

 

General Counsel and Secretary

       

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amended Registration Statement has been signed by the Depositor on the 1st day of October, 2013.

 

      

        THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE

      

        INSURANCE COMPANY (Depositor)

      

 

Attest:

  

/s/ RAYMOND J. MANISTA

    

By:

   

/s/ JOHN E. SCHLIFSKE

 

Raymond J. Manista,

       

John E. Schlifske,

 

General Counsel and Secretary

       

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amended Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities with the Depositor and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

                       Title   
     

Chairman, Trustee and

   

/s/ JOHN E. SCHLIFSKE

      

Chief Executive Officer;

   

John E. Schlifske

      

Principal Executive Officer

   

/s/ MICHAEL G. CARTER

      

Chief Financial Officer and

   

Michael G. Carter

      

Principal Financial Officer

   

/s/ JOHN C. KELLY

      

Vice President and Controller;

   

John C. Kelly

      

Principal Accounting Officer

   

 

C-15

/s/ John N. Balboni*

      

Trustee

   

John N. Balboni

         

/s/ David J. Drury*

      

Trustee

   

David J. Drury

         

/s/ Connie K. Duckworth*

      

Trustee

   

Connie K. Duckworth

         

/s/ James P. Hackett*

      

Trustee

   

James P. Hackett

         

/s/ P. Russell Hardin*

      

Trustee

   

P. Russell Hardin

         

/s/ Hans Helmerich*

      

Trustee

   

Hans Helmerich

         

/s/ Dale E. Jones*

      

Trustee

   

Dale E. Jones

         

/s/ Margery Kraus*

      

Trustee

   

Margery Kraus

         

/s/ David J. Lubar*

      

Trustee

   

David J. Lubar

         

/s/ Ulice Payne, Jr.*

      

Trustee

   

Ulice Payne, Jr.

         

/s/ John E. Schlifske*

      

Trustee

   

John E. Schlifske

         

/s/ Mary Ellen Stanek*

      

Trustee

   

Mary Ellen Stanek

         

/s/ Timothy W. Sullivan*

      

Trustee

   

Timothy W. Sullivan

         

/s/ S. Scott Voynich*

      

Trustee

   

S. Scott Voynich

         

/s/ Ralph A. Weber*

      

Trustee

   

Ralph A. Weber

         

/s/ Barry L. Williams*

      

Trustee

   

Barry L. Williams

         

/s/ Benjamin F. Wilson*

      

Trustee

   

Benjamin F. Wilson

         

/s/ Edward J. Zore*

      

Trustee

   
Edward J. Zore         

 

*By:

   

/s/ JOHN E. SCHLIFSKE                                           

  

John E. Schlifske, Attorney in fact,

pursuant to the Power of Attorney filed on October 1, 2013.

Each of the signatures is affixed as of October 1, 2013.

 

C-16

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBITS FILED WITH FORM N-6

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 24 TO

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

FOR

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT

 

Exhibit       

Description

         
(j)(h)       

Power of Attorney

       

Filed herewith

(k)       

Opinion and Consent of Raymond J. Manista, Esq. dated October 1, 2013

       

Filed herewith

(n)       

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated September 30, 2013

       

Filed herewith

 

C-17