0001193125-17-234902.txt : 20170725 0001193125-17-234902.hdr.sgml : 20170725 20170725150934 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-17-234902 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: POS EX PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20170725 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20170725 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20170725 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000742277 IRS NUMBER: 390509570 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: POS EX SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-36865 FILM NUMBER: 17980332 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 720 E WISCONSIN AVE CITY: MILWAUKEE STATE: WI ZIP: 53202 BUSINESS PHONE: 4146652508 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 720 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE CITY: MILWAUKEE STATE: WI ZIP: 53202 POS EX 1 d380485dposex.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. 31    / X /
    and/or   
    REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT   
    COMPANY ACT OF 1940    /     /
    Amendment No. 78    / 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, Senior Vice President, 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 and Assistant Secretary

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 immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(d).


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Registration Statement on Form N-6 (File No. 333-36865) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), solely for the purpose of filing Exhibit (q) to such Registration Statement, which was inadvertently omitted in Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement filed on April 28, 2017. Accordingly, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 consists only of a facing page, this explanatory note, Part C of the Registration Statement on Form N-6, and Exhibit (q) to Item 26 of Part C. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 does not change the form of the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information relating to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 filed electronically on April 28, 2017 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.


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
(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

 

C-2


(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    Exhibit (j)(g) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 29, for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed on February 17, 2017
(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 April 28, 2017    Exhibit (k) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed on April 28, 2017
(l)    Not Applicable     
(m)    Not Applicable     
(n)    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated April 27, 2017    Exhibit (n) to Form N-6 Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, for Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account, File No. 333-36865, filed on April 28, 2017
(o)    Not Applicable     
(p)    Not Applicable     
(q)    Memorandum Describing Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures    Filed herewith

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.

 

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TRUSTEES  –  As of February 1, 2017

 

    Name    Address
  John N. Balboni   

Senior Vice President & CIO

International Paper

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

  Nicholas E. Brathwaite   

Founding Partner

Riverwood Capital

70 Willow Road, Suite 100

Menlo Park, CA 94025

  David J. Drury   

Owner and CEO

Poblocki Sign Company LLC

922 South 70th Street

Milwaukee, WI 53214

  Connie K. Duckworth   

President & Chairman of the Board

ARZU

77 Stone Gate Lane

Lake Forest, IL 60045

  James P. Hackett   

President & 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

  David J. Lubar   

President

Lubar & Co.

700 N. Water Street

Suite 1200

Milwaukee, WI 53202

  Anne M. Paradis   

CEO

MicroTek, Inc.

2070 Westover Road

Chicopee, MA 01022

  Ulice Payne, Jr.   

President & CEO

Addison-Clifton, LLC

13555 Bishops Court

Suite 245

Brookfield, WI 53005

  John E. Schlifske   

Chairman & CEO

Northwestern Mutual

720 E. Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

C-4


  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

  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

  Benjamin F. Wilson   

Managing Principal

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

1350 I Street, NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20005

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS   –  As of February 1, 2017

 

John E. Schlifske    Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
Leslie Barbi    Senior Vice President (Public Investments)
Rebekah B. Barsch    Vice President (Planning and Sales)
Blaise C. Beaulier    Vice President (Enterprise Projects & Support)
Sandra L. Botcher    Vice President (Campus & Event Experiences)
Michael G. Carter    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Eric P. Christophersen    Vice President (Strategic Philanthropy & Community Relations)
Sheldon I. Cuffie    Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer
Joann M. Eisenhart    Senior Vice President (Human Resources)
Timothy J. Gerend    Senior Vice President (Distribution Growth & Development)
Kimberley Goode    Vice President (Communications & Corporate Affairs)
Karl G. Gouverneur    Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
John M. Grogan    Senior Vice President (Insurance and Investment Products)
Thomas C. Guay    Vice President (Risk Selection Strategy)
Meg E. Jansky    Vice President – Field Integration
Ronald P. Joelson    Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
Todd Jones    Vice President & Controller
Jeffrey J. Lueken    Senior Vice President (Private Securities)
Stephanie A. Lyons    Vice President – Enterprise Risk Assurance
Raymond J. Manista    Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
John W. McTigue    Chief Distribution Advisor
Christian W. Mitchell    Vice President (Wealth Management)
Gregory C. Oberland    President
Rebecca L. Porter    Vice President (Corporate Strategy)
Steven M. Radke    Vice President (Government Relations)
David R. Remstad    Senior Vice President & Chief Actuary
Bethany M. Rodenhuis    Senior Vice President (Distribution Strategy and Finance)
Tammy M. Roou    Vice President & Chief Risk Officer
Timothy G. Schaefer    Executive Vice President (Client & Digital Experience)
Calvin R. Schmidt    Senior Vice President (Integrated Customer Operations)
Sarah R. Schneider    Vice President (New Business)
Sarah E. Schott    Vice President (Enterprise Compliance)
David W. Simbro    Senior Vice President (Life & Annuity Product)
Steve P. Sperka    Vice President (Field Rewards)
David G. Stoeffel    Vice President (Wealth Platform & Partners)
Steven J. Stribling    Vice President (Disability Income)

 

C-5


Alexa Von Tobel    Vice President (Client Experience)
Kamilah D. Williams-Kemp    Vice President (Long Term Care)
Conrad C. York    Vice President (Marketing)
Thomas D. Zale    Vice President (Real Estate)
Todd O. Zinkgraf    Vice President (Enterprise Solutions)

OTHER OFFICERS – As of December 1, 2016

 

   

Employee

 

  

Title

 

      
Gregory A. Gurlik    Senior Actuary
James R. Lodermeier    VP-Actuary
Ted A. Matchulat    Director-Product Compliance
Chris G. Trost    VP-Corporate Actuary
Paul W. Skalecki    VP-Actuary
         
Mark J. Gmach    Regional VP
Laila V. Hick    VP-Agency Development
Jason R. Handal    Regional VP
Arthur J. Mees    Regional VP
Timothy Nelson    Regional VP
Michael E. Pritzl    VP-Managing Director Relations
John C. Roberts    VP-Targeted Office Support
      
Anne A. Frigo    Director-Insurance Product Compliance
Ricky J. Frank    Director-Systems
Robert J. Johnson    Director-Compliance
Gregory S. Leslie    Director-Variable Product Compliance
Randy M. Pavlick    VP-Managed Investments Compliance
Jeffrey P. Schloemer    Director-Compliance
Rebecca Villegas    Director-Compliance
      
Kevin J. Abitz    Director-Corporate Reporting
Lisa M. Belli-Fuchs    Director-Reporting & Systems Administration
Barbara E. Courtney    Director-Mutual Fund Accounting
Michelle A. Hinze    Director-Accounting Operations
Todd C. Kuzminski    Director-Investment Accounting
K. David 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
      
David A. Eurich    Director-Field Training
Joanne M. Migliaccio    Director-Contract, License & Registration
Sarah L. N. Koenig    Director-Horizontal Growth
Cindy S. Prater    Director-Practice Management
      
Arleen J. Llewellyn    Director-FR Engagement & Selection
Paul J. Steffen    VP-Agency Development
      
Michael R. Fasciotti    Director-Field Real Estate
Richard P. Snyder    Director-Field Compensation
      
Brenda J. Antkowski    Director-Field Integration
Paula B. Asen    Director-Field Integration

 

C-6


   

Employee

 

  

Title

 

Kevin J. Konopa    Director-Field Integration
      
Karen A. Molloy    VP-Treasurer
Deborah A. Schultz    VP-Financial Management
      
Pency P. Byhardt    Vice President-Annuity Operations
Don P. Gehrke    Director-Retail Investment Operations
Dennis P. Goyette    Director-Annuity Customer Service
Linda A. Schaefer    Director-Document Shared Services
Lori A. Torner    Director-Retail Investment Operations
      
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
Lisa A. Cadotte    VP-Investment Risk Management
      
Thomas K. Anderson    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Mark J. Backe    VP-Insurance & Operations Counsel & Asst. Secretary
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
Michael J. Conmey    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Mark S. Diestelmeier    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
John E. Dunn    VP & Investment Products & Services 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
John D. Gatmaitan    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Sheila M. Gavin    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Chris K. Gawart    VP & Tax Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Katherine T. Hartman    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Matthew D. Heinke    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
David B. Kennedy    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Steven J. LaFore    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Lisa A. Leister    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Kim W. Lunn    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Michael J. Mazza    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Andrew J. McLean    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Lesli H. McLinden    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Christopher J. Menting    Assoc. General Counsel-Enterprise Governance & 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
Rodd Schneider    VP & Litigation and Distribution 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
Michael W. Zielinski    Asst. General Counsel & Asst. Secretary
      
Gregory A. Jaeck    Director-Annuity & Income Markets
Jason T. Klawonn    VP-Advanced Markets
William Brian Henning    Director-Competitive Intelligence
Jane Ann Schiltz    Director-LP Planning & Project Support
Steven J. Stribling    VP-Life Product Development

 

C-7


   

Employee

 

  

Title

 

      
Thomas R. Anderson    Director-Advanced Planning
Candace M. Damon    Director-Strategic Productivity
Angela M. DiCastri    Director-Retirement Markets
Ruthann M. Driscoll    Director-Advanced Planning
Kenneth P. Elbert    Director-Advanced Planning
Matthew K. Fleming    Director-Planning & Investments Support
Stephen J. Frankl    Director-Planning & Sales
William F. Grady, IV    Director-Advanced Planning
Terence J. Holahan    Director-Planning & Sales Education & Development
Emily J. Holbrook    Director-Young Personal Market
Patrick J. Horning    Director-Advanced Planning
William R. Hughes    Director-Advanced Planning
Martha M. Kendler    Director-Closely Held Business Market
Amy Kiiskila    Director-Advanced Planning
Shawn P. Mauser    Director-Network Office Productivity
John E. Muth    Director-Advanced Planning
Elizabeth Ridley    VP-Market Strategy & Training
Andrew J. Smalley    Director-Sales Promotion & Integration
Michael C. Soyka    Director-Planning & Sales
William H. Taylor    VP-Financial Planning & Sales Support
Janine L. Wagner    Director-Planning & Insurance Support
Stephanie Wilcox    Director-Planning & Sales Admin/Integration
Brian D. Wilson    VP-National Sales
      
Peter T. Petersen    VP-Client & Digital Experience
      
Jeffrey B. Williams    VP-NMIS and WMC Chief Compliance Officer
      
James LeMere    Director-Policyowner Services
Travis T. Piotrowski    VP-Policyowner Services
Sandra K. Scott    Director-Life Benefits
Carol A. Stilwell    Director-Policyowner Services
Gina Tolzman    Director-Policyowner Services
      
Mark J. McLennon    VP-IPS Business Development

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 February 1, 2017 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. (the “Funds”), shown below as a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual, is an investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, offering 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.

 

C-8


NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)

(as of February 1, 2017)

 

 
Legal Entity Name    Domestic Jurisdiction            Owner %      

Operating Subsidiaries

                 

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 Management Company, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC(2)

     Wisconsin        100.00  

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company(2)

     United States        100.00  

LearnVest Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

LearnVest Planning Services, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  
                   

All Other Subsidiaries

                 

1838938 Alberta Ltd.

     Canada        100.00  

31 Ogden, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

3412 Exchange, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

777 North Van Buren Apartments, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

777 North Van Buren Condominium Association, Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

777 North Van Buren Parking, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

777 North Van Buren Retail, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

AFE Brentwood Park, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Amber, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

AMLI at Perimeter Gardens, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Arbor Lake Village Apartments Limited Liability Company(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Artisan Garden Apartments, LLC(2)

     Delaware        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  

Bradford II SPE, Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Bradford Master Association Inc.(2)

     North Carolina        100.00  

Burgundy, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

C – Land Fund, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Chateau, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Chelsea Ventures, LLC(2)

     Maryland        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  

Crosland Greens, LLC(2)

     North Carolina        100.00  

CWS Lemmon Resources, LP(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Dortmund, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Fairfield West Deer Park LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

FB #2, LLC(2)

     Maryland        100.00  

GRO, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

GRO-SUB, LLC(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Hamptons PBG, L.P.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Hazel, Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Higgins, Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Hobby, Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

Hollenberg 1, Inc.(2)

     Delaware        100.00  

 

C-9


NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)

(as of February 1, 2017)

 

Juleen, LLC(2)

   Delaware        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

Maroon, Inc.(2)

   Delaware    100.00

Mason & Marshall, Inc.(2)

   Delaware    100.00

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

   Virginia    100.00

Model Portfolios, LLC(2)

   Delaware    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 Gen, 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, LLC.(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM Lion, LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM Majestic Holdings, LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM Neptune, LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM Pebble Valley LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM Planning, 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

NM-Hemlock, LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM-Pulse, LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

NM-Skye, 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 Van Buren, Inc.(2)

   Delaware    100.00

Northwestern Ellis Company(2)

   Nova Scotia    100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital GP, LLC(2)

   Delaware    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 IV, 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 Mezzanine Fund IV, LP(2)

   Delaware    100.00

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

   Delaware    100.00

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

   Delaware    100.00

Northwestern Mutual Capital Strategic Equity Fund IV, 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.(3)

   Maryland    100.00

NorthWoods Phase I, LLC

   Delaware    100.00

NWM ZOM GP, LLC(2)

   Delaware    100.00

 

C-10


NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)

(as of February 1, 2017)

 

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

Promenade at Clifton 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

Tapestry Condominium Owners Association, Inc. (2)

   Tennessee    100.00

Trade Street Associates I, LLC(2)

   Delaware    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

Ventura Lakes MHC-NM, LLC(2)

   Delaware    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 2016, 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.

 

(2) Subsidiary included in the consolidated financial statements.

 

(3) Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc. consists of 27 series of capital stock, each a separate investment portfolio (the “Portfolios”). The Portfolios consist of: 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, Government 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, 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.

 

C-11


(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.

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).

 

C-12


(b) As of February 1, 2017, the directors and officers of NMIS are as follows:

 

Name    Position
Rebekah B. Barsch    Vice President, Planning and Sales
Pency P. Byhardt    Vice President, Annuity Operations
Michael G. Carter    NMIS Board Director
Linda C. Donahue    NMIS Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Officer
Bradley L. Eull    Secretary
Don P. Gehrke    Director, Retail Investment Operations
Timothy J. Gerend    NMIS Board Director and Senior Vice President, Distribution Growth and Development
John M. Grogan    NMIS Board Director and Senior Vice President, Insurance and Investment Products
David P. Harley    Director, Investment Services
Ronald P. Joelson    NMIS Board Director
Jennifer W. Murphy    Director, NMIS Home Office Supervision/Administration
Jeffrey J. Niehaus    Director – Strategy Planning and Partnerships
Gregory C. Oberland    Executive Officer, Distribution Growth and Development, Sales and Marketing
Jennifer O’Leary    Treasurer and Financial and Operations Principal
Travis T. Piotrowski    Vice President, Policyowner Services
Daniel A. Riedl    Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Bethany M. Rodenhuis    Senior Vice President, Distribution Strategy and Finance
Calvin R. Schmidt    NMIS Board Director and Senior Vice President, Integrated Operations
Sarah R. Schneider    Vice President, New Business
Sarah E. Schott    Vice President, Enterprise Compliance
David W. Simbro    Senior Vice President, Life and Annuity Product
Todd W. Smasal    Director, Human Resources
David G. Stoeffel    NMIS Board Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Susan Limbach    Assistant Treasurer
Kellen A. Thiel    Director, Investment Products
Jeffrey B. Williams    Vice President, NMIS Compliance, and Chief Compliance Officer
Brian D. Wilson    Vice President, National Sales
Terry Young    Assistant Secretary

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

(c) NMIS, the principal underwriter, received $3,053,234 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.

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-13


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, has duly caused this Amended Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, on the 25th day of July, 2017.

 

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,

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the Depositor on the 25th day of July, 2017.

 

 

THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE

INSURANCE COMPANY (Depositor)

 

Attest:

 

/s/ RAYMOND J. MANISTA

 

By:

 

/s/ JOHN E. SCHLIFSKE

 

Raymond J. Manista,

   

John E. Schlifske,

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

   

Chairman and 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
     Executive Vice President and

/s/ MICHAEL G. CARTER

     Chief Financial Officer;

Michael G. Carter    

     Principal Financial Officer

/s/ TODD JONES

     Vice President and Controller;

Todd Jones

     Principal Accounting Officer

 

C-14


/s/ John N. Balboni*

     Trustee
John N. Balboni     

/s/ Nicholas E. Brathwaite*

     Trustee
Nicholas E. Brathwaite     

/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/ David J. Lubar*

     Trustee
David J. Lubar     

/s/ Anne M. Paradis*

     Trustee
Anne M. Paradis     

/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/ S. Scott Voynich*

     Trustee
S. Scott Voynich     

/s/ Ralph A. Weber*

     Trustee
Ralph A. Weber     

/s/ Benjamin F. Wilson*

     Trustee
Benjamin F. Wilson     

 

*By:

   

/s/ JOHN E. SCHLIFSKE

   

John E. Schlifske, Attorney in fact,

   

pursuant to the Power of Attorney filed February 17, 2017.

Each of the signatures is affixed as of July 25, 2017.

 

C-15


EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBITS FILED WITH FORM N-6

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 31 TO

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

FOR

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT

 

Exhibit           

Description

        
(q)        Memorandum Describing Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures       

Filed herewith    

 

C-16

EX-99.(Q) 2 d380485dex99q.htm MEMORANDUM DESCRIBING ISSUANCE, TRANSFER AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES Memorandum Describing Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures

Exhibit Q

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT

(Variable Executive Life)

Description of Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures for Variable Life Insurance Contracts Pursuant to Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(12)(iii).

INTRODUCTION

1. Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(12) under the Investment Company Act provides exemption from Sections 22(c), 22(d), 22(e) and 27(c)(1) of the Act and Rule 22c-1 thereunder for variable life insurance policies which meet the conditions of the Rule. (Rule 6e-3(T) has not been amended to reflect the addition of Section 27(c)(i).)

2. Rule 6c-3 provides exemptions for a registered variable life insurance separate account which registers under Section 8 of the Act, except for exemption from the registration requirements, “under the same terms and conditions as a separate account claiming exemption under — Rule 6e-3(T).” Therefore a separate account that registers as contemplated by Rule 6c-3 may be required to include the materials referred to in Rules 6e-3(T)(b)(12)(iii). The purpose of this memorandum is to fulfill this requirement with respect to the variable life insurance policy (“Policy”) previously offered in connection with Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account (“Separate Account”), a separate investment account of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual”).

3. Assets held in the Separate Account consist entirely of interest in shares of various series (each a “Portfolio”, together the “Portfolios”) of the Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc., the Russell Investment Funds (including series comprising the Russell Life Points® Variable Target Portfolio Series), the Fidelity® VIP Mid Cap Portfolio and Fidelity® VIP Contrafund® Portfolio, each a series of Fidelity Variable Insurance Products III and Fidelity Variable Insurance Products II, respectively, the Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust


Socially Responsive Portfolio, and the Credit Suisse Trust – Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio, as well as any interest in shares of any other fund Northwestern Mutual may make available from time to time, (collectively, the “Funds”). Shares of each series are valued daily as of the close of trading on the NYSE.

The defined terms used herein are the same as the defined terms in the Policy or prospectus, unless otherwise defined herein.

RULE 6e-3(T)(b)(12)(iii)

4. Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(12)(iii) provides exemptions from the sections and rules cited above to the extent “Necessary to comply with this Rule or with insurance laws and regulations and established administrative procedures of the life insurer for issuance, increases in or additions of insurance benefits, transfer and redemption of flexible contracts, including, but not limited to, premium rate structure and premium processing, insurance underwriting standards, and the particular benefit afforded by the contract . . . .” The Rule thus recognizes that the established procedures of the insurance company itself, founded on the requirements of state insurance law, have a principal role in defining the requirements which apply for variable life insurance offered by the same company.

ISSUANCE PROCEDURES

A.    Premium Structure and Insurance Underwriting Standards

5. The Policy is a flexible premium contract. Premiums may be paid at any time and in any amount, within limits. The actual cost of insurance charge will depend on the age, sex and insurance risk classification of the proposed insured, as well as the net amount at risk. Thus, the price of the insurance will differ, reflecting established insurance procedures and state law, in order to fairly take into account the differences in risks.

6. As a mutual life insurance company organized in Wisconsin, Northwestern Mutual is required to offer its insurance contracts as participating policies which share equitably

 

2


in Northwestern Mutual’s divisible surplus. The Policy accordingly has been designated as participating. However, no dividends are anticipated since the Policy is not expected to contribute to divisible surplus.

7. Notwithstanding the documented differences between male and female mortality rates, a 1983 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court1 has created legal liability issues for employers who purchase, or are otherwise involved in the purchases of, insurance products which are priced so as to reflect these differences. Similarly, the laws of individual states (currently only Montana) require that policies offered there use a sex-neutral pricing basis. The Policy will accordingly be offered on a sex-neutral pricing basis for use as required in such situations.

B.    Procedures for Placing a Policy in Effect

8. Northwestern Mutual no longer issues the Policy.

C.    Premium Processing for Existing Policies

9. Premiums may be paid at any time prior to the Policy anniversary nearest the insured’s 95th birthday, subject to our administrative practices, which may include evidence of insurability and Modified Endowment Contract (MEC)-limit review, and in any amount, within certain limits. The net premium, after the deductions described in the prospectus, will be placed in the Separate Account on the date received by Northwestern Mutual at its Home Office if received in good order before the close of trading on the NYSE that day. If received on or after the close of trading, premiums will be placed in the Separate Account on the next trading day.

10. Transactions between the Separate Account and the General Account of Northwestern Mutual will be effected as of the dates determined in accordance with the terms of the Policy but the transactions will not in all cases be physically processed on those dates. For example, as described below, the death of an insured will mark the date on which the Policy ceases to participate in the Separate Account, with interest being paid on Policy proceeds from that date until the Policy is settled, but several days may elapse before Northwestern Mutual

 

1 Arizona Governing Committee, Etc. v. Norris, 103 S. Ct. 3492 (1983).

 

3


receives notification. Because of the timing discrepancies the total assets of the Separate Account will not always exactly match the sum of the interests in the Separate Account represented by all of the Policies outstanding. An accounting routine has been established to reconcile these amounts once each year, as of December 31, and the amount of assets in the Separate Account will be adjusted as required.

11. In some instances Northwestern Mutual may hold Premium amounts under established procedures if transaction instructions are not in good order in order to ascertain Policy Owner instructions or process the transaction in good order, which may include MEC review. “Policy Owner” may include an authorized representative of a Policy Owner, if allowable under applicable law.

12. Northwestern Mutual will monitor Policies and will attempt to notify a Policy Owner on a timely basis if a Policy Owner’s Policy is in jeopardy of becoming a MEC under the Internal Revenue Code. Depending on the instructions received, excess Premium may be reversed from the Policy and returned with interest within 60 days after the end of the Policy year in which they are paid. If a Policy Owner wants the excess payment applied and the policy to become a MEC, the date they agree to making the policy a MEC is used as the effective date of the excess amount (the date Northwestern Mutual gets the instructions and the payment). The money up to the limit is applied as of the original effective date, and the balance of the money is applied as of the receipt date of the instructions.

TRANSFER PROCEDURES

A.    Dollar-Cost Averaging and Portfolio Rebalancing

13. A Policy Owner may elect, for no additional charge, to authorize Northwestern Mutual to transfer amounts on a monthly basis from the Government Money Market Divisions to other Divisions as directed. A Policy Owner may also arrange to have Invested Assets rebalanced to established percentages on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Northwestern Mutual may modify or suspend these programs at any time.

 

4


B.    Transfers

14. The Separate Account currently consists of 40 Divisions. All assets of each Division are invested in shares of the corresponding Portfolio. A Policy Owner may direct that accumulated amounts under the Policy be transferred from one Division to another so long as you are invested in no more than 30 Divisions at a time. The Policy provides for a $25 charge for transfers of assets among the Divisions of the Separate Account if more than twelve transfers take place in a Policy year. Currently, this fee is being waived. A Policy Owner may request the transfer in writing and under certain circumstances when available, by the Internet according to our procedures for electronic instructions. Transfers received by Northwestern Mutual at its Home Office in good order before the close of trading on the NYSE will receive same-day pricing. Transfers received by Northwestern Mutual at its Home Office on or after the close of trading will be priced on the next regular trading day. Where allowable by applicable law, a Policy Owner’s financial representative may provide us with transfer instructions on behalf of the Policy Owner subject to our current procedures, rules and requirements. If the effective date does not match the date the transfer instructions are due to be forwarded to the Home Office according to our procedures, the Home Office will contact NMIS to resolve any discrepancies.

C.    Short Term and Excessive Trading

15. To deter short term and excessive trading, Northwestern Mutual has adopted and implemented policies and procedures which are designed to control abusive trading practices and seeks to apply these policies and procedures uniformly to all Policy Owners. Any exceptions must be either expressly permitted by these policies and procedures or subject to an approval process described in them. Northwestern Mutual may also be prevented from uniformly applying these policies and procedures under applicable state or federal law or regulation.

Among the steps Northwestern Mutual has taken to reduce the frequency and effect of these practices are monitoring trading activity and imposing trading restrictions, including (with certain exceptions as identified in the prospectus) the prohibition of more than twelve transfers (or multiple transfers on the same effective date) among Divisions under a single Policy during a Policy year. Further, an investor who is identified as having made a transfer in

 

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and out of the same Division (“round trip transfer”) in an amount in excess of $10,000 within fourteen calendar days will be restricted from making additional transfers after making two more such round trip transfers within any Policy year, including the year in which the first such round trip transfer was made. The restriction will last until the next Policy Anniversary and the investor will be sent a letter informing him or her of the restriction. An investor who is identified as having made one or more round trip transfers within thirty calendar days aggregating more than one percent (1%) of the total assets of the Portfolio underlying a Division excluding the Government Money Market Division and the Divisions corresponding to the Portfolios of the Russell Investment Fund LifePoints® Variable Target Portfolio Series will be restricted from making additional transfers after making one more such round trip transfer within any Policy year, including the year in which the first such round trip transfer was made. The restriction will last until the next Policy Anniversary and the investor will be sent a letter informing him or her of the restriction. Unless Northwestern Mutual believes an investor’s trading behavior is problematic, these limitations do not apply to automatic asset transfers, scheduled or systematic transactions involving portfolio rebalancing, dollar cost averaging, and interest sweeps, or to initial allocations, the use of asset allocation models or changes in future allocations. Once a Policy is restricted, Northwestern Mutual allows one additional transfer into the Government Money Market Division until the next Policy Anniversary Date. Limitations may be modified in accordance with our procedures to modify some of these limitations to allow for transfers that would not count against the total transfer limit as necessary to alleviate potential hardships to investors, such as transfers required as a result of a fund substitution, liquidation or merger.

These policies and procedures may change from time to time in Northwestern Mutual’s sole discretion without notice; provided, however, Policy Owners will be given advance, written notice if the policies and procedures were revised to accommodate market timing. Additionally, the Funds may have their own policies and procedures described in their prospectuses that are designed to limit or restrict frequent trading. Such policies and procedures may provide for the imposition of a redemption fee and may require Northwestern Mutual to provide transaction information to the Fund.

 

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Northwestern Mutual intends to monitor events and the effectiveness of its policies and procedures in order to identify whether instances of potentially abusive trading practices are occurring. However, Northwestern Mutual may not be able to identify all instances of abusive trading practices, nor completely eliminate the possibility of such activities, and there may be technological limitations on its ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of a Policy Owner.

The Policy may be purchased by a corporation or other entity as a means to informally fund the liabilities created by the entity’s employee benefit or similar plan. The Policy may be aggregately managed with other Policies to match liabilities under such plans. The Policy, therefore, may be subject to special transfer restrictions. Namely, transactions involving portfolio rebalancing programs may be exempt from the twelve transfers per Policy year limitation where: (1) the purpose of the portfolio rebalancing program is to match the Policy to the entity’s employee benefit or similar plan; (2) the portfolio rebalancing program adequately protects against short-term or excessive trading; and (3) the portfolio rebalancing program is managed by a third party administrator that meets Northwestern Mutual’s requirements. Northwestern Mutual reserves the right to monitor or limit transactions involving portfolio rebalancing programs where Northwestern Mutual believes such transactions may be potentially harmful to a Portfolio.

REDEMPTION PROCEDURES

A.    Surrender for Cash Value

16. The cash value equals the Policy Value, less any Policy debt outstanding. A Policy Owner may surrender the Policy for cash value at any time upon written request during the lifetime of the insured. Northwestern Mutual will determine the cash value for a surrender request on the same day it receives the request if the request is received at the Home Office in good order before the close of trading on the NYSE. Cash values for surrender requests received by Northwestern Mutual at its Home Office on or after the close of trading will be determined on the next regular trading day.

 

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17. Northwestern Mutual will generally pay surrender proceeds within seven days of receipt of a Policy Owner’s written request, except under the circumstances described below in the “Deferral of Determination and Payment” section.

18. When a surrender of a Policy is effected, Northwestern Mutual will pay the cash value out of the assets held in the General Account. An amount equal to the Invested Assets will be transferred from the Separate Account to the General Account as of the effective date of the surrender.

B.    Withdrawals of Policy Value

19. A withdrawal of Policy Value may be made under certain conditions specified in the prospectus. A withdrawal may not reduce the loan value to less than any Policy Debt outstanding. Following a withdrawal the remaining Policy Value, less any Policy Debt outstanding, must be at least three times the most recent monthly charge. Also, following a withdrawal the remaining Death Benefit must be at least the minimum amount that Northwestern Mutual would currently issue. The minimum amount for withdrawals is $250. The Policy reserves the right to charge a fee of up to $25 per withdrawal. This fee is currently being waived.

20. Withdrawals may be made upon written request at Northwestern Mutual’s Home Office. The maximum allowable withdrawal will be determined by reference to computations as of the close of business on the day the request is received if the request is received in good order before the close of trading on the NYSE that day. If received on or after the close of trading, the determination will be made on the next trading day. The check for the amount of the withdrawal will be mailed from the Home Office. Withdrawals from the Separate Account will generally be paid within seven days of receipt of a Policy Owner’s written request, except under the circumstances described below in the “Deferral of Determination and Payment” section.

 

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C.    Payment of Death Benefit

21. Northwestern Mutual will pay the Death Benefit to the beneficiaries or other designated payees in accordance with the terms of the Policy following receipt at the Home Office of proof of the death of the insured. The amount of the Death Benefit paid will be determined as of the date of death. Northwestern Mutual may transfer Invested Assets into the Government Money Market division of the Separate Account upon notification of death of the Insured until the Death Benefit is paid in order to minimize breakage. Payment of the Death Benefit is subject to the suicide and incontestability provisions of the Policy and any applicable state law requirements. Payment will be made promptly and in any case within seven days after the last of the conditions is met, except under circumstances described below in the “Deferral of Determination and Payment” section.

22. The Death Benefit for a Policy will depend on the death benefit option chosen. With Option A, the death benefit equals the Specified Amount. With Option B, the Death Benefit equals the sum of the Specified Amount and the Policy Value. And with Option C, the Death Benefit equals the sum of the Specified Amount and premiums paid. At ages 100 and older, the Death Benefit will equal the Policy Value under all three options. In addition, under any of the options, the Death Benefit will be increased, if necessary, to meet the definitional requirements for life insurance for federal income tax purposes. The Death Benefit is adjusted to reflect any unpaid monthly charges if the Policy is in the grace period. Also, any Policy debt is deducted from the Death Benefit.

23. Northwestern Mutual will pay the Death Benefit for a Policy out of assets held in its General Account. The beneficiary may receive the Death Benefit as a cash settlement either by electing to receive a lump sum or by electing an income plan as set forth in the prospectus. The amount payable will include interest from the date of death. An amount equal to the interest of the Policy in the Separate Account as of the date of death will be transferred from the Separate Account to the General Account.

 

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D.    Lapse and Reinstatement

24. If the Policy Value, less any Policy debt outstanding, is less than the monthly charges on any Monthly Processing Date, a 61 day2 grace period is allowed for the payment of sufficient premium to keep the Policy in force. The grace period begins on the date when a notice is sent to a Policy Owner. The notice will state the minimum amount of premium required to keep the Policy in force and the date by which the premium must be paid. The Policy will terminate with no value unless the required amount is paid before the grace period expires. Payments are deemed received by Northwestern Mutual at its Home Office if received in good order before the close of trading on the NYSE that day. If received on or after the close of trading, payments are deemed received on the next trading day. If the insured dies during the grace period, the death proceeds will be reduced by the amount of the unpaid monthly charges.

25. A lapsed Policy may be reinstated while the insured is alive within one year (or longer if required by state law) after the Policy terminated. Within 24 days after lapse, reinstatement can be made by paying an amount equal to the monthly charges that were due when the Policy terminated, plus charges for three more months. After 24 days of lapse, reinstatement is also conditional upon evidence of insurability. If the request is not received on a Monthly Processing Date, on or after the close of trading on the NYSE on a Monthly Processing Date, the reinstatement will be effected as of the first Monthly Processing Date following the date the request for reinstatement is received at the Home Office of Northwestern Mutual, subject to approval by Northwestern Mutual. Any Policy debt that was outstanding when the Policy terminated will also be reinstated. Upon reinstatement, the Policy Date will not change. The Policy Value when a policy is reinstated is equal to the premium paid, after the deduction for taxes and sales load, less the sum of all monthly charges for the cost of insurance and other expenses for the grace period and for the current month. The cash amount required to reinstate a Policy will be paid into the General Account and the amount required for the Separate Account reserve will be placed in the Separate Account as of the reinstatement date.

 

 

2 In administering the Policies Northwestern Mutual intends to use a 66-day period, instead of 61 days, before the lapse routine is implemented. The longer period is used simply to reduce the volume of lapse and reinstatement transactions occasioned by miscalculation when a Policy Owner attempts to pay the overdue premium on the last day of the grace period. The 66-day period is used for Northwestern Mutual’s fixed benefit insurance policies and will be administered consistently. When the 66 days have transpired and the Policy lapses, the values will be computed as though the Policy had lapsed after the grace period of 61 days. Notwithstanding the postponement of internal procedures to reflect the fact of a lapse, the Policy does lapse upon the expiration of the grace period and the Death Benefit is determined accordingly if the insured dies thereafter regardless of whether the internal procedures have been implemented prior to the date of death.

 

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E.    Reinvestment after Surrender or Withdrawal

26. While a Policy Owner has no right to reinvestment after a surrender or withdrawal, Northwestern Mutual may permit such reinvestments in its sole discretion as described in the prospectus. A Policy Owner may make payments in the form of returned surrender or withdrawal proceeds in connection with a request to void a surrender or withdrawal if the request is received by Northwestern Mutual within a reasonable time after the surrender or withdrawal proceeds are mailed.

Returned withdrawal proceeds will be reinvested at the unit value next determined for each Division after our receipt of the reinvestment request in good order at the Home Office, including, among other things, (1) the return of withdrawal proceeds, (2) satisfactory evidence of insurability and any (3) Premium Payments due. Proceeds will be applied to the Divisions from which the withdrawal was made in the same proportion as the withdrawal. Surrender proceeds will only be reinvested on a Monthly Processing Date after our receipt of the reinvestment request in good order at the Home Office, including, among other things, (1) the return of surrender proceeds, (2) satisfactory evidence of insurability and any (3) Premium Payments due. Returned surrender proceeds (plus applicable interest, if any) will be allocated to the Divisions from which the surrender was made in the same proportion as the surrender.

Depending on the underwriting classification of the Insured, Northwestern Mutual may not accept the reinvestment or may accept the reinvestment with different charges and expenses under the Policy. Northwestern Mutual may refuse to process reinvestments where it is not administratively feasible.

 

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F.    Exchange for a Fixed-Benefit Policy

27. A Policy Owner may exchange its Policy for a life insurance policy that does not vary with the investment experience of the Separate Account at any time if under certain circumstances a Fund changes its investment adviser or makes a material change to the investment policies of a Portfolio.

G.    Policy Loans and Loan Repayments

28. The Policy provides that a Policy Owner may borrow from Northwestern Mutual using the Policy as collateral security. The maximum loan value is 90% of the Policy Value of the Policy. If a Policy loan is already outstanding, the maximum amount that can be taken as a new loan is the maximum loan value, less existing Policy debt.

29. The Policy provides that loans will be made upon written request. If Northwestern Mutual receives a request for a loan at the Home Office in good order before the close of trading on the NYSE, the loan will be effective as of the close of trading that day. If the request is received on or after the close of trading, the loan will be effective on the next trading day. The date of the loan will be the date on which the check for the loan proceeds is issued. The maximum loan value of the Policy will be determined by reference to computations at the close of business the preceding day — after the request for the loan was submitted but before processing took place — and interest will accrue from the effective date of the loan.

30. Interest on a Policy loan accrues and is payable on a daily basis. The Policy loan rate is a fixed rate of 5%. Unpaid interest is added to the principal. The Policy will terminate if the Policy Value falls to zero on a Monthly Processing Date, but written notice will be mailed to a Policy Owner at least 61 days before the termination date. The notice will state the amount which must be paid to keep the Policy in force.

31. When a Policy loan is effected, the loan amount is taken from the Divisions of the Separate Account in proportion to the amounts in the Divisions. The amounts withdrawn from the Separate Account are credited with an earnings rate equal to the Policy loan interest rate. On the Monthly Processing Date, a charge for expenses and taxes associated with any Policy debt is deducted. The amount deducted for expenses is disclosed in the prospectus. The earnings rate is in lieu of the investment experience of the Separate Account.

 

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32. Loan repayments (including accrued interest) may be repaid, in whole or in part, at any time while the Insured is alive. If there is Policy Debt, payments received in good order at our Home Office are treated as payments to reduce Policy Debt unless designated as Premium Payments. If payments are received before the close of trading on the NYSE, Northwestern Mutual will credit payments as of the date received and will transfer those amounts from the General Account to the Divisions, in proportion to the premium allocation in effect as of the same date. If payments are received on or after the close of trading on the NYSE, Northwestern Mutual will process the order using the value of the units in the Divisions determined at the close of the next regular trading session of the NYSE.

H.    Deferral of Determination and Payment

33. Northwestern Mutual will ordinarily pay Policy benefits within seven days after all required documents are received at its Home Office. However, we may defer determination and payment of benefits if:

 

    the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC; or

 

    the SEC permits, by an order, the postponement of any payment for the protection of a Policy Owner;

 

    the SEC determines that an emergency exists that would make the disposal of securities held in the Separate Account or the determination of their value not reasonably practicable; or

 

    under SEC rules, the Government Money Market Portfolio suspends payments of redemption proceeds in connection with a liquidation of the Portfolio, we will delay the Portfolio’s portion of the payment of any transfer, partial surrender, surrender, or death benefit until the Portfolio is liquidated.

 

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34. If a Policy Owner submits a check or draft to our Home Office, Northwestern Mutual has the right to defer payment of the Death Benefit, surrender, withdrawals, loans, or payment plan proceeds until the check or draft has been honored.

35. To the extent it is disclosed in the prospectus, Northwestern Mutual may defer payment of the Death Benefit if it legitimately needs time to determine the proper beneficiaries.

36. If mandated under applicable law, Northwestern Mutual may be required to freeze a Policy Owner’s Policy Value and thereby refuse to pay any requests for transfer, surrender, withdrawals, loans, or the Death Benefit, until instructions are received from the appropriate regulatory or other lawful authority. Northwestern Mutual may also be required to provide additional information about a Policy Owner, a Policy Owner’s Policy, and a Policy Owner’s trading activities to government regulators.

 

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