N-6 1 d724288dn6.htm PRIME PLAN 7 Prime Plan 7
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2019

Registration No. 033-                

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

Form S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933

Of

Securities of Unit Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II

(Registrant)

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

(Name of Depositor)

(Former Depositor, Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company)

4333 Edgewood Rd., N.E.

Cedar Rapids, IA 52499

(Address of Depositor’s Principal Executive Offices)

Depositor’s Telephone Number

319-355-8511

Brian Stallworth, Esquire

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

4333 Edgewood Road N.E.

Cedar Rapids, IA 52499

(Name and complete address of Agent for Service)

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

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Units of Interest in Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policies.

Approximate date of proposed public offering:


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Explanatory Note

Registrant is filing this Registration Statement for the purpose of registering interests under the ML Prime Plan 7 flexible premium variable life insurance policy (“Policy”) on a new Form S-6. Interests under the Policy were previously registered on Form S-6 (File No. 033-43060) and funded by Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II (registered on Form N-8B-2, File No. 811-06227). Upon effectiveness of the merger between Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company with and into Transamerica Life Insurance Company (“TLIC”), TLIC became the obligor of the Policies and Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II was transferred intact to TLIC.


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Prime Plan 7

Issued by

TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(Former Depositor, Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company)

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II

Supplement Dated July 1, 2019

to the

Prospectus dated April 30, 1991

as Supplemented

Home Office: 4333 Edgewood Road NE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52249

Service Center: 4333 Edgewood Road NE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499-0001

Phone: (800) 333-6524

Transamerica Life Insurance Company (“TLIC”) is amending the prospectus for the Prime Plan 7 contract (the “Contract”) to provide information regarding the merger (the “Merger”) of the issuer of your Contract, Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company (“TALIC”), formerly known as Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, with and into TLIC.

TALIC no longer sells the Contract. Following the Merger, TLIC will not issue new Contracts.

Effective on or about July 1, 2019, TALIC merged with and into its affiliate TLIC. Before the Merger, TALIC was the issuer of the Contract. Upon consummation of the Merger, TALIC’s corporate existence ceased by operation of law, and TLIC assumed legal ownership of all of the assets of TALIC, including Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II (the “Separate Account”) that funds the Contract, and the assets of the Separate Account. As a result of the merger, TLIC became responsible for all liabilities and obligations of TALIC, including those created under the contract. The Contract has thereby become a flexible premium variable life insurance contract funded by a separate account of TLIC. Accordingly, all references in the prospectus to Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company (formerly, Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company) are amended to refer to Transamerica Life Insurance Company.

The Merger did not affect the terms of, or the rights and obligations under your Contract, other than to change the insurance company that provides your Contract benefits from TALIC to TLIC. The Merger also did not result in any adverse tax consequences for any Contract owners, and Contract owners will not be charged additional fees or expenses as a result of the Merger. You will receive a Contract endorsement from TLIC that reflects the change from TALIC to TLIC. Until we amend all forms we use that are related to the Contract, we may still reflect TALIC in correspondence and disclosure to you.


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I.

The following are the available investment options:

 

PORTFOLIO

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE    ADVISOR

AB Variable Product Series Fund, Inc. – Class A

AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio    Seeks long-term growth of capital.    AllianceBerstein L.P.

BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. – Class I Shares

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Fund    Seeks long-term capital appreciation.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund    Seeks long-term growth of capital.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Fund    Seeks capital appreciation and, secondarily, income.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Dividend V.I. Fund    Seeks long-term total return and current income.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund    Seeks high total investment return.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock International V.I. Fund    Seeks long-term capital growth.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund    Seeks long-term capital growth.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund    Seeks a level of current income and degree of stability of principal not normally available from an investment solely in equity securities, as well as the opportunity for capital appreciation greater than is normally available from investments solely in debt securities.   

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Sub-Adviser: BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited, and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund    Seeks investment results that, before expenses, correspond to the aggregate price and yield performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC

BlackRock Series Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Portfolio    Seeks long-term capital appreciation.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Balanced Capital Portfolio    Seeks high total investment return.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Portfolio    Seeks long term growth of capital.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Global Allocation Portfolio    Seeks high total investment return.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock Government Money Market Portfolio    Seeks to preserve capital, maintain liquidity, and achieve the highest possible current income consistent with the foregoing.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock High Yield Portfolio    Seeks to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Portfolio    Seeks to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.    BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Invesco Variable Insurance Funds – Series I Shares

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Fund    Seeks capital growth.    Invesco Advisers, Inc.
Invesco V.I. Core Equity Fund    Seeks long-term growth of capital.    Invesco Advisers, Inc.

MFS Variable Insurance Trust – Initial Class

MFS Growth Series    Seeks Capital Appreciation.    Massachusetts Financial Services Company


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II.

The following hereby replaces the section of the prospectus describing the insurance company issuer of the Contract, (formerly known as) Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company:

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Transamerica Life Insurance Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa on April 19, 1961 as NN Investors Life Insurance Company, Inc. It is engaged in the sale of life and health insurance policies and annuity contracts. The Company is licensed in the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all states except New York.

The Company is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Transamerica Corporation which conducts most of its operations through subsidiary companies engaged in the insurance business or in providing non-insurance financial services. All of the stock of Transamerica Corporation is indirectly owned by Aegon N.V. of The Netherlands, the securities of which are publicly traded. Aegon N.V., a holding company, conducts its business through subsidiary companies engaged primarily in the insurance business.

Financial Condition of the Company

The benefits under the Contract are paid by TLIC from its general account assets and/or your cash value held in the Separate Account. It is important that you understand that payment of the benefits is not assured and depends upon certain factors discussed below.

Assets in the Separate Account. You assume all of the investment risk for your investment base that is allocated to the investment divisions of the Separate Account. Your investment base in those investment divisions constitutes a portion of the assets of the Separate Account. These assets are segregated and insulated from our general account, and may not be charged with liabilities arising from any other business that we may conduct.

Assets in the General Account. Any guarantees under the Contract that exceed your investment base are paid from our general account (and not the Separate Account). Therefore, any amounts that we may be obligated to pay under the Contract in excess of investment base are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability and our long-term ability to make such payments. The assets of the Separate Account, however, are also available to cover the liabilities of our general account, but only to the extent that the Separate Account assets exceed the Separate Account liabilities arising under the Policies supported by it. We issue other types of insurance policies and financial products as well, and we also pay our obligations under these products from our assets in the general account.

Our Financial Condition. As an insurance company, we are required by state insurance regulation to hold a specified amount of reserves in order to meet all the contractual obligations of our general account. We monitor our reserves so that we hold sufficient amounts to cover actual or expected contract and claims payments. However, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that we will always be able to meet our claims-paying obligations, and that there are risks to purchasing any insurance product.

State insurance regulators also require insurance companies to maintain a minimum amount of capital, which acts as a cushion in the event that the insurer suffers a financial impairment, based on the inherent risks in the insurer’s operations. These risks include those associated with losses that we may incur as the result of defaults on the payment of interest or principal on our general account assets, which include bonds, mortgages, general real estate investments, and stocks, as well as the loss in market value of these investments. We also experience liquidity risk if our general account assets cannot be readily converted into cash to meet obligations to our contract owners, or to provide the collateral necessary to finance our business operations.

We are continuing to evaluate our investment portfolio to mitigate market risk and actively manage the investments in the portfolio.

How to Obtain More Information. We encourage contract owners to read and understand our financial statements. We prepare our financial statements on a statutory basis. For copies of our audited financial statements, as well as the audited financial statements of the Separate Account simply call or write us at the telephone number or address of our Service Center referenced earlier in this supplement.


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III.

The following hereby replaces the “Disruptive Trading” section of the prospectus:

Disruptive Trading and Market Timing

Statement of Policy. This variable insurance contract was not designed to accommodate market timing or facilitate frequent or large trading through transfers among the investment divisions of the Separate Account (“Subaccounts”) by market timers or frequent or disruptive traders. (Both frequent and large transfers may be considered disruptive.)

Market timing and disruptive trading can adversely affect you, other contract owners, beneficiaries and underlying Funds. These adverse effects may include:

 

  1.

Dilution of the interests of long-term investors in a Subaccount if purchases or transfers into or out of an underlying Fund are made at prices that do not reflect an accurate value for the underlying Fund’s investments (some market timers attempt to do this through methods known as “time-zone arbitrage” and “liquidity arbitrage”);

  2.

An adverse effect on Fund management, such as:

  a.

Impeding a Fund manager’s ability to sustain an investment objective.

  b.

Causing the underlying Fund to maintain a higher level of cash than would otherwise be the case.

  c.

Causing an underlying Fund to liquidate investments prematurely (or otherwise at an inopportune time) in order to pay withdrawals or Transfers out of the underlying Fund.

  3.

Increased brokerage and administrative expenses.

These risks and costs are borne by all contract owners invested in those Subaccounts, not just those making the Transfers.

We have developed policies and procedures with respect to market timing and disruptive trading (which vary for certain Subaccounts at the request of the corresponding underlying Funds) and we do not make special arrangements or grant exceptions to accommodate market timing or other potentially disruptive or harmful trading. As discussed herein, we cannot detect or deter all market timing or potentially disruptive trading. Do not invest with us if you intend to conduct market timing or potentially disruptive trading.

Detection. We employ various means in an attempt to detect and deter market timing and disruptive trading. However, despite our monitoring we may not be able to detect nor halt all harmful trading. In addition, because other insurance companies (and retirement plans) with different policies and procedures may invest in the underlying Funds, we cannot guarantee that all harmful trading will be detected or that an underlying Fund will not suffer from market timing and disruptive trading among Subaccounts of variable products issued by these other insurance companies or retirement plans.

Deterrence. If we determine that you are engaged in market timing or disruptive trading, we may take one or more actions in an attempt to halt such trading. Your ability to make Transfers is subject to modification or restriction if we determine, in our sole opinion, that your exercise of the Transfer privilege may disadvantage or potentially harm the rights or interests of other contract owners (or others having an interest in the variable insurance products). As described below, restrictions may take various forms but, under our current policies and procedures, will include loss of expedited Transfer privileges. We consider Transfers by telephone, fax, or overnight mail to be “expedited” Transfers. This means that we would accept only written Transfer requests with an original signature sent to us only by U.S. mail. We may also restrict the Transfer privileges of others acting on your behalf, including your registered representative or an asset allocation or investment advisory service.

We reserve the right to reject any premiums or Transfer request from any person without prior notice, if, in our judgment, (1) the payment or Transfer, or series of Transfers, would have a negative impact on an underlying Fund’s operations; or (2) if an underlying Fund would reject or has rejected our purchase order or has instructed us not to allow that purchase or Transfer; or (3) because of a history of market timing or disruptive trading.

We may impose other restrictions on Transfers, or even prohibit Transfers for any owner who, in our view, has abused, or appears likely to abuse, the Transfer privilege on a case-by-case basis. We may, at any time and


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without prior notice, discontinue Transfer privileges, modify our procedures, impose holding period requirements, or limit the number, size, frequency, manner, or timing of Transfers we permit. We also reserve the right to reverse a potentially harmful Transfer if an underlying Fund refuses or reverses our order; in such instances some contract owners may be treated differently than others in that some Transfers may be reversed and others allowed. For all of these purposes, we may aggregate two or more variable insurance products that we believe are connected by contract owners or persons engaged in trading on behalf of contract owners.

In addition to our internal policies and procedures, we will administer your variable insurance product to comply with any applicable state, federal, and other regulatory requirements concerning Transfers. We reserve the right to implement, administer, and charge you for any fee or restriction, including redemption fees, imposed by any underlying Fund. To the extent permitted by law, we also reserve the right to defer the Transfer privilege at any time that we are unable to purchase or redeem shares of any of the underlying Funds.

Under our current policies and procedures, we do not:

 

   

Impose redemption fees on Transfers.

   

Expressly limit the number or size of Transfers in a given period except for certain Subaccounts where an underlying Fund has advised us to prohibit certain Transfers that exceed a certain size.

   

Provide a certain number of allowable Transfers in a given period.

Redemption fees, Transfer limits, and other procedures or restrictions may be more or less successful than ours in deterring market timing or other disruptive trading, and in preventing or limiting harm from such trading.

We do not impose any prophylactic transfer restrictions. In the absence of any such restrictions (e.g., expressly limiting the number of trades within a given period or limiting trades by their size), it is possible that some level of market timing and disruptive trading will occur before it is detected and we take steps to deter it.

Please Note: The limits and restrictions described herein are subject to our ability to monitor Transfer activity. Our ability to detect market timing or other disruptive trading may be limited by operational and technological systems, as well as by our ability to predict strategies employed by contract owners (or those acting on their behalf) to avoid detection. As a result, despite our efforts to prevent harmful trading activity among the Subaccounts available under this variable insurance product, there is no assurance that we will be able to detect or deter market timing or disruptive trading by such contract owners or intermediaries acting on their behalf. Moreover, our ability to discourage and restrict market timing or disruptive trading may be limited by decisions of state regulatory bodies and court orders which we cannot predict.

Furthermore, we may revise our policies and procedures in our sole discretion at any time and without prior notice as we deem necessary or appropriate: (1) to better detect and deter market timing or other harmful trading that may adversely affect other contract owners, other persons with material rights under the variable insurance products, or underlying Fund shareholders generally; (2) to comply with state or federal regulatory requirements; or (3) to impose additional or alternative restrictions on owners engaging in market timing or disruptive trading among the Subaccounts under the variable insurance product. In addition, we may not honor Transfer requests if any Subaccount that would be affected by the Transfer is unable to purchase or redeem shares of its corresponding underlying Fund.

Underlying Fund Frequent Trading Policies. The underlying Funds may have adopted their own policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of their respective shares. Underlying Funds may, for example, assess a redemption fee (which we reserve the right to collect) on shares held for a relatively short period of time. The prospectuses for the underlying Funds describe any such policies and procedures. The frequent trading policies and procedures of an underlying Fund may be different, and more or less restrictive, than the frequent trading policies and procedures of other underlying Fund and the policies and procedures we have adopted for our variable insurance policies to discourage market timing and disruptive trading. Contract owners should be aware that we do not monitor Transfer requests from contract owners or persons acting on behalf of contract owners for compliance with, nor do we apply, the frequent trading policies and procedures of the respective underlying Funds that would be affected by the Transfers.


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Contract owners should be aware that we are required to provide to an underlying Fund portfolio or its payee, promptly upon request, certain information about the trading activity of individual contract owners, and to restrict or prohibit further purchases or transfers by specific contract owners or persons acting on their behalf, if identified by an underlying Fund portfolio as violating the frequent trading policies established for the underlying Fund portfolio. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for information about restrictions on transfers.

Omnibus Order. Contract owners and other persons with material rights under the variable insurance products also should be aware that the purchase and redemption orders received by the underlying Funds generally are “omnibus” orders from intermediaries such as retirement plans and Separate Accounts funding variable insurance products. The omnibus orders reflect the aggregation and netting of multiple orders from individual retirement plan participants and individual owners of variable insurance products. The omnibus nature of these orders may limit the underlying Funds’ ability to apply their respective frequent trading policies and procedures.

We cannot guarantee that the underlying Funds will not be harmed by Transfer activity relating to the retirement plans or other insurance companies that may invest in the underlying Funds. These other insurance companies are responsible for their own policies and procedures regarding frequent Transfer activity. If their policies and procedures fail to successfully discourage harmful Transfer activity, it will affect other owners of underlying Fund shares, as well as the owners of all of the variable annuity contracts or life insurance policies, including ours, whose variable Account Options correspond to the affected underlying Funds. In addition, if an underlying Fund believes that an omnibus order we submit may reflect one or more Transfer requests from owners engaged in market timing and disruptive trading, the underlying Fund may reject the entire omnibus order and thereby delay or prevent us from implementing your request.

 

IV.

The following updates the information in the “Tax Considerations” section of the prospectus:

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following summarizes some of the basic federal income tax considerations associated with a Contract and does not purport to be complete or to cover all situations. This discussion is not intended as tax advice. Please consult counsel or other qualified tax advisors for more complete information. We base this discussion on our understanding of the present federal income tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Federal income tax laws and the current interpretations by the IRS may change.

TAX STATUS OF THE CONTRACT

A Contract must satisfy certain requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) in order to qualify as a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes and to receive the tax treatment normally accorded life insurance policies under federal tax law. Guidance as to how these requirements are to be applied is limited. Nevertheless, we believe that the Contract should generally satisfy the applicable Code requirements.

In certain circumstances, owners of variable life insurance policies have been considered for federal income tax purposes to be the owners of the assets of the separate account supporting their policies due to their ability to exercise investment control over those assets. Where this is the case, the contract owners have been currently taxed on income and gains attributable to the separate account assets. There is little guidance in this area. We believe that the Contract does not give you investment control over separate account assets.

In addition, the Code requires that the investments of the separate account be “adequately diversified” in order to treat the Contract as a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes. We intend that the Separate Account, through the portfolios, will satisfy these diversification requirements.

The following discussion assumes that the Contract will qualify as a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes.

TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRACT BENEFITS

(TAX CONSIDERATIONSCONTRACT PROCEEDS)

In General. We believe that the Contract described in this prospectus is a life insurance contract under Code Section 7702. Section 7702 defines a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes and places limits on the relationship of the cash value to the death benefit. As life insurance policies, the death benefits of the Policies


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are generally excludable from the gross income of the beneficiaries. In the absence of any guidance from the IRS on the issue, we believe that providing an amount at risk after attained age 99 in the manner provided should be sufficient to maintain the excludability of the death benefit after attained age 99. Lack of specific IRS guidance, however, makes the tax treatment of the death benefit after attained age 99 uncertain. Also, any increase in cash value should generally not be taxable until received by you or your designee. However, if your Contract is a modified endowment contract as defined in Code Section 7702A you may be taxed to the extent of gain in the Contract when you take a contract loan, pledge or assign the Contract. Federal, state and local transfer, estate and other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of Contract proceeds depend on your circumstances and the beneficiary’s circumstances. A tax advisor should be consulted on these consequences.

Generally, you will not be deemed to be in constructive receipt of the cash value until there is a distribution. When distributions from a Contract occur, or when loans are taken out from or secured by a Contract (e.g., by assignment), the tax consequences depend on whether the Contract is classified as a MEC. Moreover, if a loan from a Contract that is not a MEC is outstanding when the Contract is surrendered or lapses, the amount of outstanding indebtedness will be considered an amount distributed and will be taxed accordingly.

Modified Endowment Contracts. Under the Code, certain life insurance policies are classified as MECs and receive less favorable tax treatment than other life insurance policies. The rules are too complex to summarize here, but generally depend on the amount of premiums paid during the first seven contract years or in the seven contract years following certain changes in the contract. Changes that would cause a contract to enter a new seven-year test period include, for example, an increase in the death benefit that is not the result of a premium necessary to keep the contract in-force. Additionally, a reduction in benefits during a seven-year test period could cause a contract to become a MEC. Due to the Contract’s flexibility, each Contract’s circumstances will determine whether the Contract is classified as a MEC. If you do not want your Contract to be classified as a MEC, you should consult a tax advisor to determine the circumstances, if any, under which your Contract would or would not be classified as a MEC.

Upon issue of your Contract, we will notify you as to whether or not your Contract is classified as a MEC based on the initial premium we receive. If a payment would cause your Contract to become a MEC, you and your registered representative will be notified and we will not apply the premium. At that time, you will need to notify us if you want to continue your Contract as a MEC. Unless you notify us that you do want to continue your Contract as a MEC, we will refund the dollar amount of the excess premium that would cause the Contract to become a MEC.

Distributions (other than Death Benefits) from MECs. Policies classified as MECs are subject to the following tax rules:

   

All distributions other than death benefits from a MEC, including distributions upon surrender and cash withdrawals, will be treated first as distributions of gain taxable as ordinary income. They will be treated as tax-free recovery of the owner’s investment in the contract only after all gain has been distributed. Your investment in the contract is generally your total premium payments. When a distribution is taken from the contract, your investment in the Contract is reduced by the amount of the distribution that is tax-free.

   

Loans taken from or secured by (e.g., by assignment) or pledges of such a Contract and increases in cash value secured by such loan or pledge are treated as distributions and taxed accordingly. If the Contract is part of a collateral assignment split dollar arrangement, the initial assignment as well as increases in cash value during the assignment may be treated as distributions and considered taxable.

   

A 10% additional federal income tax is imposed on the amount included in income except where the distribution or loan is made when you have reached age 5912 or are disabled, or where the distribution is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for your life (or life expectancy) or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of you and the beneficiary.

   

If a contract becomes a MEC, distributions that occur during the contract year will be taxed as distributions from a MEC. In addition, the IRS has the authority, but has not yet done so, to issue regulations providing that distributions from a contract that are made within two years before the contract becomes a MEC will also be taxed in this manner.


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Distributions (other than Death Benefits) from Policies that are not MECs. Distributions from a Contract that is not a MEC are generally treated first as a recovery of your investment in the Contract, and as taxable income after the recovery of all investment in the Contract. However, certain distributions which must be made in order to enable the Contract to continue to qualify as a life insurance policy for federal income tax purposes if Contract benefits are reduced during the first 15 Contract years may be treated in whole or in part as ordinary income subject to tax. Distributions from or loans from or secured by a Contract that is not a MEC are not subject to the 10% additional tax applicable to MECs.

Contract Loans. Loans from or secured by a Contract that is not a MEC are generally not treated as distributions. Instead, such loans are treated as indebtedness. If a loan from a Contract that is not a MEC is outstanding when the Contract is surrendered or lapses, the amount of the outstanding indebtedness will be taxed as if it were a distribution at that time. The tax consequences associated with Contract loans outstanding after the first 10 Contract years with preferred loan rates are less clear and a tax advisor should be consulted about such loans.

Deductibility of Contract Loan Interest. In general, interest you pay on a loan from a Contract will not be deductible. Before taking out a Contract loan, you should consult a tax advisor as to the tax consequences.

Investment in the Contract. Your investment in the Contract is generally the sum of the premium payments you made reduced by a withdrawal or distributions from the Contract that are tax-free.

Withholding. To the extent that Contract distributions are taxable, they are generally subject to withholding for the recipient’s federal income tax liability. The federal income tax withholding rate is generally 10% of the taxable amount of the distribution. Withholding applies only if the taxable amount of all distributions is at least $200 during a taxable year. Some states also require withholding for state income taxes. With the exception of amounts that represent eligible rollover distributions from Pension Plans and 403(b) arrangements, which are subject to mandatory withholding of 20% for federal tax, recipients can generally elect, however, not to have tax withheld from distributions. If the taxable distributions are delivered to foreign countries, U.S. persons may not elect out of withholding. Taxable distributions to non-resident aliens are generally subject to withholding at a 30% rate unless withholding is eliminated under an international treaty with the United States. The payment of death benefits is generally not subject to withholding.

Business Uses of the Contract. The Contract may be used in various arrangements, including nonqualified deferred compensation or salary continuance plans, split dollar insurance plans, executive bonus plans, retiree medical benefit plans and others. The tax consequences of such plans and business uses of the Contract may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances of each individual arrangement and business use of the Contract. Therefore, if you are contemplating using the Contract in any such arrangement, you should be sure to consult a tax advisor as to tax attributes of the arrangement and in its use of life insurance. In recent years, moreover, Congress and the IRS have adopted new rules relating to nonqualified deferred compensation and to life insurance owned by businesses and life insurance used in split-dollar arrangements. The IRS has recently issued new guidance regarding concerns in the use of life insurance in employee welfare benefit plans, including, but not limited to, the deduction of employer contributions and the status of such plans as listed transactions. Any business contemplating the purchase of a new Contract or a change in an existing Contract should consult a tax advisor. In addition, Section 101(j) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes notice, consent and other provisions on policies owned by employers and certain of their affiliates, owners and employees in order to receive death benefits tax-free and it requires additional tax reporting requirements.

Alternative Minimum Tax. There also may be an indirect tax upon the income in the Contract or the proceeds of a Contract under the federal corporate alternative minimum tax, if the contract owner is subject to that tax.

Continuation of Contract Beyond Attained Age 99. The tax consequences of continuing the Contract beyond the insured’s attained age 99 are unclear and may include taxation of the gain in the Contract or the taxation of the death benefit in whole or in part. You should consult a tax advisor if you intend to keep the Contract in force beyond the insured’s attained age 99.

Other Tax Considerations. The transfer of the Contract or designation of a beneficiary may have federal, state, and/or local transfer and inheritance tax consequences, including the imposition of gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. The individual situation of each owner or beneficiary will determine the extent, if any, to which federal, state, and local transfer and inheritance taxes may be imposed and how ownership or


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receipt of Contract proceeds will be treated for purposes of federal, state and local estate, inheritance, generation-skipping and other taxes.

Special Rules for Pension Plans and Section 403(b) Arrangements. If the Contract is purchased in connection with a section 401(a) qualified pension or profit sharing plan, including a section 401(k) plan, or in connection with a section 403(b) plan or program, federal and state income and estate tax consequences could differ from those stated in this prospectus. The purchase may also affect the qualified status of the plan. You should consult a qualified tax advisor in connection with such purchase. Policies owned under these types of plans may be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, which may impose additional requirements on the purchase of policies by such plans. You should consult a qualified advisor regarding ERISA.

Please Note:

 

   

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). The discussion above provides general information regarding U.S. federal income tax consequences to life and annuity purchasers that are U.S. citizens or residents. Purchasers that are not U.S. citizens or residents will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on taxable distributions from life policies and annuity contracts at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies. In addition, such purchasers may be subject to state and/or municipal taxes and taxes that may be imposed by the purchaser’s country of citizenship or residence. FATCA imposed additional reporting and documentation requirements where non-U.S. entities (including foreign corporations, partnerships, and trusts) purchase policies to identify U.S. persons who are beneficial owners of the policies. Additional withholding of U.S. tax may be imposed if such documentation is not provided. In furtherance of FATCA implementation, the U.S. has entered into Inter-Government Agreements (“IGA’s”) with various foreign governments that require an exchange of information between U.S. financial institutions, including Transamerica Premier and the foreign governments regarding purchases of life insurance and annuities by their respective citizens. Prospective purchasers are advised to consult with a qualified tax adviser regarding U.S., state, and foreign taxation with respect to a life insurance contract or an annuity contract purchase.

 

   

In 2001, Congress enacted the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“EGTRRA”), which modified the estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes through 2009 and eliminated the estate tax (but not the gift tax) and replaced it with a carryover basis income tax regime for estates of decedents dying in 2010, and also eliminated the generation-skipping transfer tax for transfers made in 2010. The 2010 Taxpayer Relief Act generally extended the EGTRRA provisions existing in 2009 and reunified the estate and gift transfer taxes for 2011 and 2012. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 made permanent certain of the changes to the estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes. These provisions were modified again in December, 2017 by Public Law 115-97, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The estate and gift tax unified credit basic exclusion amount increases to $10,000,000, subject to inflation adjustments (using the C-CPI-U), for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026. This recent history of changes in these important tax provisions underscores the importance of seeking guidance from a qualified advisor to help ensure that your estate plan adequately addresses possible transfer taxation of the Contract and its benefits in light of your needs and that of your beneficiaries under all possible scenarios.

 

V.

The following hereby replaces the “Legal Proceedings” section of the prospectus:

Legal Proceedings

We, like other life insurance companies, are subject to regulatory and legal proceedings, including class action lawsuits, in the ordinary course of our business. Such legal and regulatory matters include proceedings specific to us and other proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industry in which we operate. In some lawsuits and regulatory proceedings involving insurers, substantial damages have been sought and/or material settlement payments have been made. Although the outcome of any litigation or regulatory proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty, at the present time, we believe that there are no pending or threatened proceedings or


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lawsuits that are likely to have a material adverse impact on the Separate Account, on TCI’s ability to perform any principal underwriting duties with respect to the Policies, or on our ability to meet our obligations under the Policies.

The Company was the subject of inquiries and remains under audits and market conduct examinations with a focus on the handling of unreported claims and abandoned property. The audits and related examination activity result in additional payments to beneficiaries, escheatment of funds deemed abandoned and administrative penalties. The Company previously implemented changes in the procedures for the identification of unreported claims and handling of escheatable property to comply with the terms of regulatory agreements and newly adopted laws and regulations. The Company does not believe that any regulatory actions or agreements that result from theses audits and examinations will have a material adverse impact on our ability to meet our obligations.

 

VI.

The following replaces the “Management” section of the prospectus:

 

   
Blake S. Bostwick   Director and President   
   
Eric J. Martin   Controller, Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer   
   
Mark W. Mullin   Director and Chairman of the Board   
   
Jay Orlandi   Director, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel   
   
David Schulz   Director, Chief Tax Officer and Senior Vice President   
   
C. Michiel van Katwijk   Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   

 

VII.

The following is added to the “More About the Contract” section of the prospectus:

Payments to Contract Owners

We usually pay the amounts of any surrender, cash withdrawal, or death benefit within seven calendar days after we receive all applicable written notices and/or due proofs of death (in good order) at our Service Center. However, we can postpone such payments if any of the following occurs:

 

   

The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or trading on the NYSE is restricted.

 

   

The SEC permits, by an order, the postponement for the protection of contract owners.

 

   

An emergency exists that would make the disposal of securities held in the Separate Account or the determination of their value not reasonably practicable.

In addition, if, pursuant to SEC rules, the BlackRock Government Money Market Portfolio suspends payment of redemption proceeds in connection with a liquidation of such Portfolio or as a result of Portfolio liquidity levels, then we will delay payment of any transfer, cash withdrawal, surrender, loan, or death benefit from the BlackRock Government Money Market Portfolio Subaccount until the Portfolio pays redemption proceeds.

If you have submitted a recent check or draft, we have the right to defer payment of surrenders, cash withdrawals, or death benefit until such check or draft has been honored.

If mandated under applicable law, we may be required to reject a premium payment and/or block a contract owner’s account and thereby refuse to pay any request for transfers, withdrawals, surrenders, loans, or death benefits until


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instructions are received from the appropriate regulators. We may also be required to provide additional information about you or your account to governmental regulators.

Unclaimed and Abandoned Property

Every state has unclaimed property laws that generally provide for escheatment to the state of unclaimed property (including proceeds of annuity, life and other insurance policies) under various circumstances. In addition to state unclaimed property laws, we may be required to escheat property pursuant to regulatory demand, finding, agreement or settlement. To help prevent such escheatment, it is important that you keep your own, as well as your beneficiaries’ and other payees’ contact and other information on file with us up to date—including full names, postal and electronic media addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and social security numbers. Such updates should be communicated in writing to our Service Center or by calling (800) 333-6524.

Collateral Assignment

You may assign your Policy by filing a written request with us. We will not be bound by any assignment until we receive it in our records. Unless otherwise specified by you, the assignment will then take effect on the date the assignment is signed by you, subject to any payments made or actions taken by us prior to our recording of the assignment. We assume no responsibility for the validity or effect of any assignment of the Policy or any interest in it. Any death benefit which becomes payable to an assignee will be payable in a single sum and will be subject to proof of the assignee’s interest and the extent of the assignment.

Tax-Free Section 1035 Exchanges

You can generally exchange one life insurance policy for another policy covering the same insured in a “tax-free exchange” under Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code. Before making an exchange, you should compare both life insurance policies carefully. Remember that if you exchange another life insurance policy for the one described in this prospectus, you might have to pay a surrender charge on your old policy, other charges may be higher (or lower), and the benefits may be different. If the exchange does not qualify for Section 1035 treatment, or if your current policy is subject to a policy loan, you may also have to pay federal income tax on the exchange. Additionally, if you are under age 5912 then you also may be subject to a federal tax penalty equal to 10% of the taxable amount. You should not exchange another life insurance policy for this one unless you determine, after knowing all the facts, that the exchange is in your best interest and not just better for the person selling you the Policy. (That person will generally earn a commission if you buy the Policy through an exchange or otherwise.)

Selection of Underlying Fund Portfolio

You are responsible for choosing the portfolios, and the amounts allocated to each, that are appropriate for your own individual circumstances and your investment goals, financial situation, and risk tolerance. Because investment risk is borne by you, decisions regarding investment allocations should be carefully considered. We do not recommend or endorse any particular underlying fund portfolio and we do not provide investment advice.

In making your investment selections, we encourage you to thoroughly investigate all of the information that is available to you regarding the portfolios including each fund’s prospectus, statement of additional information and annual and semi-annual reports. Other sources, such as the underlying fund’s website, provide more current information including information about any regulatory actions or investigations relating to a fund or underlying fund portfolio. After you select portfolios for your initial premium, you should monitor and periodically re-evaluate your allocations to determine if they are still appropriate. You bear the risk of any decline in your cash value resulting from the performance of the portfolios you have chosen.

Please note the following information regarding Government Money Market funds:

There can be no assurance that a government money market fund will be able to maintain a stable net asset value per share. During extended periods of low interest rates, and partly as a result of insurance charges, the yield on a government money market fund may become extremely low and possibly negative. You could lose money by investing in a government money market fund.


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VIII.

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

Cyber Security

Our operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology and communication systems. Any failure of our information technology or communications systems may result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations and corporate reputation.

Any failure of or gap in the systems and processes necessary to support complex transactions and avoid systems failure, fraud, information security failures, processing errors, cyber intrusion, loss of data and breaches of regulation may lead to a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and corporate reputation. In addition, we must commit significant resources to maintain and enhance its existing systems in order to keep pace with applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards and customer preferences. If we fail to maintain secure and well-functioning information systems, we may not be able to rely on information for product pricing, compliance obligations, risk management and underwriting decisions. In addition, we cannot assure investors or consumers that interruptions, failures or breaches in security of these processes and systems will not occur, or if they do occur, that they can be timely detected and remediated. The occurrence of any of these events may have a materially adverse effect on our businesses, results of operations and financial condition.

A computer system failure or security breach may disrupt our business, damage our reputation and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We rely heavily on computer and information systems and internet and network connectivity to conduct a large portion of our business operations. This includes the need to securely store, process and transmit confidential information, including personal information, through a number of complex systems. In many cases this also includes transmission and processing to or through commercial customers, business partners and third-party service providers. The introduction of new technologies, computer system failures, cyber-crime attacks or security or privacy breaches may materially disrupt our business operations, damage our reputation, result in regulatory and litigation exposure, investigation and remediation costs, and materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The information security risk that we face includes the risk of malicious outside forces using public networks and other methods, including social engineering and the exploitation of targeted offline processes, to attack our systems and information. It also includes inside threats, both malicious and accidental. For example, human error and lack of sufficiently automated processing can result in improper information exposure or use. We also face risk in this area due to its reliance in many cases on third-party systems, all of which may face cyber and information security risks of their own. Third-party administrators or distribution partners used by us or our subsidiaries may not adequately secure their own information systems and networks, or may not adequately keep pace with the dynamic changes in this area. Potential bad actors that target us and our applicable third parties may include, but are not limited to, criminal organizations, foreign government bodies, political factions, and others.

In recent years information security risk has increased sharply due to a number of developments in how information systems are used by companies such as us, but also by society in general. Threats have increased as criminals and other bad actors become more organized and employ more sophisticated techniques. At the same time companies increasingly make information systems and data available through the internet, mobile devices or other network connections to customers, employees and business partners, thereby expanding the attack surface that bad actors can exploit.

Large, global financial institutions such as us have been, and will continue to be subject to information security attacks for the foreseeable future. The nature of these attacks will also continue to be unpredictable, and in many cases may arise from circumstances that are beyond our control. If we fail to adequately invest in defensive infrastructure, technology and processes or to effectively execute against its information security strategy, it may suffer material adverse consequences.

To date the highest impact information security incidents that we have experienced are believed to have been the


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result of e-mail phishing attacks targeted at our business partners and commercial customers. This in turn led to unauthorized use of valid our website credentials to engage in fraudulent transactions and improper data exfiltration. Additionally, we have also faced other types of attacks Although to our knowledge these events have thus far not been material in nature, our management believes that significant investment will be required to establish and maintain adequate information security systems that are capable of addressing the possibility of these types of attacks, as well as for the possibility of more significant and sophisticated information security attacks, in the future. There is no guarantee that the measures that we take will be sufficient to stop all types of attacks or mitigate all types of information security or privacy risks.

We maintain cyber liability insurance to help decrease the impact of cyber-attacks and information security events, subject to the terms and conditions of the contract, however such insurance may not be sufficient to cover all applicable losses that we may suffer.

The Transamerica Chief Information Security Officer oversees the company’s information security program, and provides reporting up to company management and, directly or indirectly, to the Board of Directors, as well as Aegon’s Global Chief Information Security Officer.

A breach of data privacy or security obligations may disrupt our business, damage our reputation and adversely affect financial conditions and results of operations.

Pursuant to applicable laws, various government agencies and independent administrative bodies have established numerous rules protecting the privacy and security of personal information and other confidential information held by us. For example, certain of our businesses are subject to laws and regulations enacted by U.S. federal and state governments, the E.U. or other non-U.S. jurisdictions and/or enacted by various regulatory organizations relating to the privacy and/or security of the information of customers, employees or others. The New York Department of Finance Services (NYDFS), pursuant to its cybersecurity regulation, requires financial institutions regulated by the NYDFS, including certain Aegon subsidiaries, to, among other things, satisfy an extensive set of minimum cyber security requirements, including but not limited to governance, management, reporting, policy, technology and control requirements. Numerous other U.S. laws also impose various information security and privacy related obligations with respect to various Aegon subsidiaries operating in the U.S., including but not limited to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and related state laws (GLBA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), among many others. Other legislators and regulators with jurisdiction over our businesses are considering potential enhanced information security risk management and privacy rules and regulations. A number of Transamerica’s companies are also subject to contractual restrictions with respect to the information of our clients and business partners. A number of our systems, employees and business partners have access to, and routinely process, the personal information of consumers. We rely on various processes and controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of personal information and other confidential information that is accessible to, or in the possession of, us, our systems, employees and business partners. It is possible that an employee, business partner or system could, intentionally or unintentionally, inappropriately disclose or misuse personal or confidential information. Our data or data in our possession could also be the subject of an unauthorized cyber intrusion or cybersecurity attack. If we fail to maintain adequate processes and controls or if we or our business partners fail to comply with relevant laws and regulations, policies and procedures, misappropriation or intentional or unintentional inappropriate disclosure or misuse of personal information or other confidential information could occur. Such control inadequacies or non-compliance could cause disrupted operations and misstated or unreliable financial data, materially damage our reputation or lead to increased regulatory scrutiny or civil or criminal penalties or litigation, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we analyse personal information and customer data to better manage our business, subject to applicable laws and regulations and other restrictions. It is possible that additional regulatory or other restrictions regarding the use of such techniques may be imposed. Additional privacy and security obligations have been imposed by various governments with jurisdiction over Aegon or its subsidiaries in recent years, and more such obligations are likely to be imposed in the near future. Such restrictions and obligations could have material impacts on our business, financial conditions and/or results of operations.

For a complete description regarding TLIC’s policies for its websites, including the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for such websites, please visit: www.transamerica.com/individual/privacy-policy and www.transamerica.com/individual/terms-of-use.


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IX.

The following hereby replaces the “Experts” section of the prospectus:

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The financial statements of the Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II as of December 31, 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the statutory basis financial statements and schedules of Transamerica Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2018 included in this Prospectus have been so included in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

**The most current audited financial statements of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (TLIC) are those as of the end of the most recent fiscal year. TLIC does not prepare audited financial statements more often than annually and believes that any incremental benefit to prospective contract holders that may result from preparing and delivering more current financial statements, though unaudited, does not justify the additional cost that would be incurred. In addition, TLIC represents that there have been no adverse changes in the financial condition or operations of TLIC between the end of the most current fiscal year and the date of this prospectus supplement.


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F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S – S T A T U T O R Y   B A S I S

A N D   S U P P L E M E N T A R Y   I NF O R M AT I O N

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016


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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

and Supplementary Information

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Contents

 

Report of Independent Auditors

     1  

Audited Financial Statements

  

Balance Sheets – Statutory Basis

     3  

Statements of Operations – Statutory Basis

     4  

Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus – Statutory Basis

     5  

Statements of Cash Flow – Statutory Basis

     7  

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

  
 1.    Organization and Nature of Business      9  
 2.    Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies      11  
 3.    Accounting Changes and Correction of Errors      26  
 4.    Fair Values of Financial Instruments      27  
 5.    Investments      37  
 6.    Premium and Annuity Considerations Deferred and Uncollected      57  
 7.    Policy and Contract Attributes      57  
 8.    Reinsurance      65  
 9.    Income Taxes      70  
 10.    Capital and Surplus      78  
 11.    Securities Lending      80  
 12.    Retirement and Compensation Plans      81  
 13.    Related Party Transactions      82  
 14.    Commitments and Contingencies      88  
 15.    Sales, Transfer, and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities      94  
 16.    Subsequent Events      95  
 17.    Subsequent Events (Unaudited)      96  

Appendix A –Listing of Affiliated Companies

     97  

Statutory-Basis Financial Statement Schedules

  

Summary of Investments – Other Than Investments in Related Parties

     101  

Supplementary Insurance Information

     102  

Reinsurance

     103  


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LOGO

Report of Independent Auditors

To the Board of Directors of

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying statutory balance sheets of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related statutory statements of operations, of changes in capital and surplus, and of cash flow for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018.

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division. Management is also responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the Company’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the financial statements are prepared by the Company on the basis of the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis of accounting described in Note 2 and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.

 

LOGO

 


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LOGO

Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

In our opinion, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the “Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 or the results of its operations or its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

Opinion on Statutory Basis of Accounting

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities and surplus of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division described in Note 2.

Emphasis of Matter

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the financial statements give retroactive effect to the merger of Firebird Re Corp (FReC) into the Company on October 1, 2018 in a transaction accounted for as a statutory merger. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

Other Matter

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the statutory-basis financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and the Supplementary Insurance Information and Reinsurance of the Company as of December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 and for the years then ended are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the statutory-basis financial statements. The supplemental schedules are the responsibility of management and were derived from and relate directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the statutory-basis financial statements. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the statutory-basis financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the statutory-basis financial statements or to the statutory-basis financial statements themselves and other additional procedures, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the supplemental schedules are fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the statutory-basis financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 25, 2019

 

2


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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Balance Sheets – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     December 31  
     2018     2017  

Admitted assets

    

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

   $ 2,216,702     $ 1,900,643  

Bonds

     26,467,809       28,033,583  

Preferred stocks

     97,382       103,437  

Common stocks

     2,998,481       2,954,730  

Mortgage loans on real estate

     4,574,654       4,202,142  

Real estate

     114,446       189,044  

Policy loans

     551,658       580,338  

Securities lending reinvested collateral assets

     1,670,537       2,460,919  

Derivatives

     1,923,048       801,215  

Other invested assets

     1,658,658       1,637,441  
        

Total cash and invested assets

     42,273,375       42,863,492  

Accrued investment income

     399,446       389,011  

Premiums deferred and uncollected

     115,210       108,500  

Current federal income tax recoverable

           822,090  

Net deferred income tax asset

     616,798       534,723  

Variable annuity reserve hedge offset deferral

     231,853       86,794  

Other assets

     1,461,317       1,210,199  

Separate account assets

     71,917,551       80,820,068  
        

Total admitted assets

   $ 117,015,550     $ 126,834,877  
        

Liabilities and capital and surplus

    

Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts

   $ 25,906,526     $ 25,749,685  

Policy and contract claim reserves

     485,636       399,919  

Liability for deposit-type contracts

     915,773       1,042,297  

Other policyholders’ funds

     17,582       17,782  

Transfers from separate accounts due or accrued

     (1,009,941     (1,282,980

Funds held under reinsurance treaties

     3,785,867       3,504,298  

Asset valuation reserve

     683,668       698,859  

Interest maintenance reserve

     290,361       479,605  

Derivatives

     933,049       794,861  

Payable for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions

     2,849,569       2,866,693  

Borrowed money

     3,042,853       4,163,554  

Other liabilities

     1,418,761       959,829  

Separate account liabilities

     71,917,550       80,820,067  
        

Total liabilities

     111,237,254       120,214,469  

Total capital and surplus

     5,778,296       6,620,408  
        

Total liabilities and capital and surplus

   $     117,015,550     $     126,834,877  
        

See accompanying notes.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Operations - Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands)    

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018     2017     2016  

Revenues

      

Premiums and other considerations

   $ 11,422,235     $ (3,130,626   $ 14,078,543  

Net investment income

     1,610,651           2,433,048           2,444,917  

Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance ceded

     835,062       608,958       394,708  

Reserve adjustment on reinsurance ceded

     (67,838     (1,210,892     13,653  

Consideration received on reinsurance recapture and novations

     217,258       462,313       7,326  

Separate accounts net gain from operations

     -       139,852       -  

Fee revenue and other income

     1,830,164       1,844,079       1,679,532  
        

Total revenue

     15,847,532       1,146,732       18,618,679  

Benefits and expenses

      

Death benefits

     1,588,268       1,428,999       1,543,390  

Annuity benefits

     1,068,107       1,098,585       1,304,475  

Accident and health benefits

     295,343       141,823       327,969  

Surrender benefits

     14,680,368       13,050,057       10,418,017  

Other benefits

     132,097       131,327       155,409  

Net increase (decrease) in reserves

     156,841       (12,630,602     1,526,057  

Commissions

     886,178       901,852       1,057,363  

Net transfers to (from) separate accounts

     (3,475,926     (2,037,592     729,211  

IMR adjustment due to reinsurance

     (13,229     (2,065,984     81,293  

General insurance expenses and other

     1,205,559       1,021,021       1,020,330  
        

Total benefits and expenses

     16,523,606       1,039,486       18,163,514  
        

Gain (loss) from operations before dividends and federal income taxes

     (676,074     107,246       455,165  
        

Dividends to policyholders

     5,953       8,057       5,969  
        

Gain (loss) from operations before federal income taxes

     (682,027     99,189       449,196  

Federal income tax (benefit) expense

     (29,827     (1,047,090     (138,751
        

Net gain (loss) from operations

     (652,200     1,146,279       587,947  

Net realized capital gains (losses), after tax and amounts transferred to interest maintenance reserve

     (686,354     (542,579     (307,183
        

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,338,554   $ 603,700     $ 280,764  
        

See accompanying notes.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus - Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Balance at January 1, 2016   Common Stock    

Preferred

Stock

   

Treasury

Stock

   

Surplus

Notes

    Paid-in
Surplus
    Special
Surplus
Funds
    Unassigned
Surplus
    Total Capital
and Surplus
 

As originally presented

  $ 6,762     $ 1,597     $ (58,000   $ 150,000     $ 3,096,538     $ 2,292     $ 2,255,496       5,454,685  

Merger of Firebird Re Corp (FREC)

    -       -       -       -       950,000       -       424,816       1,374,816  

Balance at January 1, 2016 (FREC Merger)

    6,762       1,597       (58,000     150,000       4,046,538       2,292       2,680,312       6,829,501  

Net income (loss)

    -       -       -       -       -       -       280,764       280,764  

Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses, net of taxes

    -       -       -       -       -       575,869       (536,884     38,985  

Change in net deferred income tax asset

    -       -       -       -       -       -       189,046       189,046  

Change in nonadmitted assets

    -       -       -       -       -       -       111,753       111,753  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

    -       -         -       -       -       (276,056     (276,056

Change in asset valuation reserve

    -       -       -       -       -       -       58,227       58,227  

Change in surplus in separate accounts

    -       -         -       -       -       2,604       2,604  

Dividends to stockholders

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (385,630     (385,630

Return of capital

    -       -       -       -       (389,056     -       -       (389,056

Other changes - net

    -       (315             -       (3,652     (225     11,455       7,263  

Balance at December 31, 2016

  $ 6,762     $ 1,282     $ (58,000   $ 150,000     $ 3,653,830     $ 577,936     $ 2,135,591     $ 6,467,401  

Net income (loss)

    -       -       -       -       -       -       603,700       603,700  

Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses, net of taxes

    -       -       -       -       -       (489,076     1,162,662       673,586  

Change in net deferred income tax asset

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (902,675     (902,675

Change in nonadmitted assets

    -       -       -       -       -       -       455,996       455,996  

Change in asset valuation reserve

    -       -       -       -       -       -       118,144       118,144  

Change in surplus in separate accounts

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (117,876     (117,876

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

    -       -       -       -       -       -       230,908       230,908  

Dividends to stockholders

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (480,523     (480,523

Return of capital

    -       -       -       -       (422,572     -       -       (422,572

Other changes - net

    -       (298     -       -       (626     981       (5,738     (5,681

Balance at December 31, 2017

  $ 6,762     $ 984     $ (58,000   $ 150,000     $ 3,230,632     $ 89,841     $ 3,200,189     $ 6,620,408  
       

Continued on next page.

 

5


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus - Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Common
Stock
     Preferred
Stock
    Treasury
Stock
    Surplus
Notes
     Paid-in Surplus     Special
Surplus
Funds
    Unassigned
Surplus
    Total Capital
and Surplus
 

Balance at December 31, 2017

   $  6,762      $ 984       $ (58,000   $ 150,000      $ 3,230,632     $  89,841     $  3,200,189     $ 6,620,408  

Net income (loss)

     -        -       -       -        -       -       (1,338,554     (1,338,554

Change in net unrealized capital gains/losses, net of tax

     -        -       -       -        -       145,059       1,105,421       1,250,480  

Change in net deferred income tax asset

     -        -       -       -        -       -       167,651       167,651  

Change in nonadmitted assets

     -        -       -       -        -       -       45,136       45,136  

Change in asset valuation reserve

     -        -       -       -        -       -       15,191       15,191  

Change in surplus as a result of reinsurance

     -        -       -       -        -       -       17,616       17,616  

Return of capital

     -        -       -       -        (558,740     -       -       (558,740

Dividends to stockholders

     -        -       -       -        -       -       (424,567     (424,567

Other changes - net

     -        (559     -       -        2,576       (3,047     (15,295     (16,325
        

Balance at December 31, 2018

   $ 6,762      $ 425     $ (58,000   $ 150,000      $ 2,674,468     $  231,853     $ 2,772,788     $ 5,778,296  
        

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Cash Flow – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018     2017     2016  

Operating activities

      

Premiums and annuity considerations

   $ 11,422,390     $ 5,413,864     $ 12,213,919  

Net investment income

     1,728,466       2,416,637       2,274,152  

Other income

     2,749,714       6,752,780       2,103,378  

Benefit and loss related payments

     (17,799,778     (15,725,651     (13,440,153

Net transfers from separate accounts

     3,746,156       2,315,254       (601,686

Commissions and operating expenses

     (1,852,164     (2,012,766     (2,029,374

Dividends paid to policyholders

     (6,350     (7,348     (6,935

Federal income taxes (paid) received

     936,341       486,361       (214,756
        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     924,775       (360,869     298,545  

Investing activities

      

Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid

   $ 8,587,250     $ 9,911,821     $ 13,351,892  

Costs of investments acquired

     (7,266,323     (7,968,737     (15,148,007

Net change in policy loans

     28,681       27,407       41,992  

Net cost of investments acquired

     (7,237,642     (7,941,330     (15,106,015
        

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ 1,349,608     $ 1,970,491     $ (1,754,123

Financing and miscellaneous activities

      

Capital and paid in surplus received (returned)

   $ (556,833   $ (434,179   $ (408,074

Dividends to stockholders

     (364,220     (480,523     (385,630

Net deposits (withdrawals) on deposit-type contracts

     (140,549     (2,121,885     (213,365

Net change in borrowed money

     (1,125,180     1,884,482       1,770,364  

Net change in funds held under reinsurance treaties

     (271,793     (75,583     (63,372

Net change in payable for collateral under securities lending and other transactions

     (18,578     (151,384     (800,797

Other cash (applied) provided

     518,829       58,364       670,775  
        

Net cash provided by (used in) financing and miscellaneous activities

     (1,958,324     (1,320,708     569,901  

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     316,059       288,914       (885,677

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments:

      

Beginning of year

     1,900,643       1,611,729       2,497,406  
        

End of year

   $ 2,216,702     $ 1,900,643     $ 1,611,729  
        

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Statements of Cash Flow (supplemental) – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

     2018        2017        2016  

Non-cash activities during the year not included in the Statutory Statement of Cash Flows:

        

Non-cash dividend to parent company

   $     60,347      $ -      $ -  

Investments received for insured securities losses

     16,489        -        -  

Write off of prepaid real estate related assets

     2,727        -        -  

Non-cash capital contribution to investment subsidiary

     1,971        -        -  

Transfer of bonds and mortgage loans related to reinsurance agreement with third party

     -        7,196,754        -  

Transfer of bonds, mortgage loans, and derivatives related to affiliated reinsurance amendment

     -            5,650,741            2,648,094  

Transfer of bonds to settle reinsurance obligations

     -        22,479        2,556  

Asset transfer of ownership between hedge funds

     -        62,567        -  

 

8


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

December  31, 2018

1. Organization and Nature of Business

Transamerica Life Insurance Company (the Company) is a stock life insurance company owned by Commonwealth General Corporation (CGC). CGC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V., a holding company organized under the laws of The Netherlands.

On October 1, 2018, the Company completed a merger with Firebird Re Corp (FReC), an Arizona-domiciled affiliate. On January 1, 2016, the Company completed a merger with Global Preferred Re Limited (GPRe), a Bermuda-domiciled affiliate. The mergers were accounted for in accordance with the Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) No. 68, Business Combinations and Goodwill, as a statutory merger. As such, financial statements for periods prior to the mergers were combined and the recorded assets, liabilities and surplus of FReC and GPRe on a US statutory basis were carried forward to the merged company. As a result of the mergers, FReC and GPRe’s common stock was deemed cancelled by operation of law. Each share of the Company’s capital stock issued and outstanding immediately before the merger shall continue to represent one share of the capital stock. As a result of the merger, the business previously ceded from the Company to FReC and GPRe is no longer reflected as ceded risk in the restated merged financials.

Summarized financial information for the company and FReC presented separately for periods prior to the merger is as follows:

 

    

Year Ended
December 31
2017
 
 
 
    

Year Ended
December 31
2016
 
 
 

Revenues:

     

Company

   $       907,248      $ 18,431,210  

FReC

     239,484        187,469  
        
   $       1,146,732      $       18,618,679  
        

Net income (loss):

     

Company

   $ 520,708      $ 332,890  

FReC

     82,992        (52,126
        
   $       603,700      $        280,764  
        

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

    
December 31
2017
 
 

Assets:

  

Company

   $         125,311,106  

FReC

     1,523,771  

Change in deferred tax admissibility due to merger

      
        
   $ 126,834,877  
        

Liabilities:

  

Company

   $ 119,892,350  

FReC

     322,119  

Change in deferred tax admissibility due to merger

      
        
   $ 120,214,469  
        

Capital and surplus:

  

Company

   $ 5,418,756  

FReC

     1,201,652  

Change in deferred tax admissibility due to merger

      
        
   $ 6,620,408  
        

Nature of Business

The Company sells individual non-participating whole life, endowment and term contracts, structured settlements, pension products and reinsurance, as well as a broad line of single fixed and flexible premium annuity products, guaranteed interest contracts and funding agreements. In addition, the Company offers group life, universal life, credit life, and individual and specialty health coverages. The Company is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Sales of the Company’s products are primarily through a network of agents, brokers, and financial institutions.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Iowa Insurance Division (IID), which practices differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

The IID recognizes only statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Iowa for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company, and for determining its solvency under the Iowa Insurance Law. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (NAIC SAP) has been adopted as a component of prescribed practices by the State of Iowa. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include state laws and regulations. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass accounting practices that are not prescribed.

The following is a summary of the accounting practices permitted and prescribed by the IID and reflected in the Company’s financial statements:

The Company, with the permission of the Iowa Commissioner of Insurance, is allowed special accounting treatment for certain hedges of interest rate exposures on variable annuity products that would not otherwise conform to current accounting guidance under Statement of Statutory Accounting Principle (SSAP) No. 86 – Derivatives of the NAIC SAP. The Company recognizes a reserve hedge offset deferral for the difference between the hedge results associated with a highly effective clearly defined hedge strategy related to variable annuity interest rate risks and the corresponding interest-rate related impact to variable annuity results. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the deferral was granted and will be amortized through special surplus funds, change in net unrealized capital gains (losses) financial statement line, on a straight line basis over a period of 10 years beginning in the period of deferral. The Company may request permission from the IID for the deferral annually.

The State of Iowa has adopted a prescribed accounting practice that differs from that found in the NAIC SAP related to the reported value of the assets supporting the Company’s guaranteed separate accounts. As prescribed by Iowa Administrative Code 508A.1.4, the Commissioner found that the Company is entitled to value the assets of the guaranteed separate account at amortized cost, whereas the assets would be required to be reported at fair value under SSAP No. 56, Separate Accounts, of the NAIC SAP. There is no impact to the Company’s income or surplus as a result of utilizing this prescribed practice.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s net income (loss) and capital and surplus between NAIC SAP and practices prescribed and permitted by the State of Iowa is shown below:

 

    

SSAP#

     
F/S
Page

 
  

F/S Line

    

2018

     

2017

     

2016

 

Net income (loss), State of Iowa basis

           $ (1,338,554   $ 603,700     $ 280,764  

State prescribed practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP: Separate account asset valuation

     56       NA      NA      -       -       -  

State permitted practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP: Hedge reserve offset deferral

     86      

 




Balance Sheet;

 

Statement of
Changes in
Capital and
Surplus

 

 

 
 
 
 

   Variable annuity
reserve hedge
offset deferral
Special surplus
funds - Change
in net unrealized
capital gains/
losses
     -       -       -  
          

 

 

 

Net income (loss), NAIC SAP

           $ (1,338,554   $ 603,700     $ 280,764  
          

 

 

 

Statutory surplus, state of Iowa basis

     XXX       XXX      XXX    $ 5,778,296     $ 6,620,408     $ 6,467,401  

State prescribed practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP: Separate account asset valuation

     56       NA      NA      -       -       -  

State permitted practices that are an increase(decrease) from NAIC SAP: Hedge reserve offset deferral

     86      

 




Balance Sheet;

 

Statement of
Changes in
Capital and
Surplus

 

 

 
 
 
 

   Variable annuity
reserve hedge
offset deferral
Special surplus
funds - Change
in net unrealized
capital gains/
losses
     (231,853     (86,794     (575,869
          

 

 

 

Statutory surplus, NAIC SAP

     XXX       XXX      XXX    $ 5,546,443     $ 6,533,614     $ 5,891,532  
          

 

 

 

 

12


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements of insurance companies requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

The effects of the following variances from GAAP on the accompanying statutory-basis financial statements have not been determined by the Company, but are presumed to be material. Significant accounting policies and variances from GAAP are as follows:

Investments

Investments in bonds, except those to which the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the NAIC has ascribed a NAIC designation of 6, are reported at amortized cost using the interest method. Bonds containing call provisions, except make-whole call provisions, are amortized to the call or maturity value/date which produces the lowest asset value, often referred to as yield-to-worst method. Bonds ascribed a NAIC designation of 6 are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in changes in capital and surplus. Prepayment penalty or acceleration fees received in the event a bond is liquidated prior to its scheduled termination date are reported as investment income.

Hybrid securities, as defined by the NAIC, are securities designed with characteristics of both debt and equity and provide protection to the issuer’s senior note holders. These securities meet the definition of a bond, in accordance with SSAP No. 26, Bonds, excluding Loan-backed and Structured Securities and therefore, are reported at amortized cost or fair value based upon their NAIC rating.

For GAAP, such fixed maturity investments would be designated at purchase as held-to-maturity, trading or available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity fixed investments would be reported at amortized cost, and the remaining fixed maturity investments would be reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in earnings for those designated as trading and as a separate component of other comprehensive income (OCI) for those designated as available-for-sale.

Single class and multi-class mortgage-backed/asset-backed securities are valued at amortized cost using the interest method, including anticipated prepayments, except for those with an initial NAIC designation of 6, which are valued at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. These securities are adjusted for the effects of changes in prepayment assumptions on the related accretion of discount or amortization of premium using either the retrospective or prospective methods. Prepayment assumptions are obtained from dealer surveys or internal estimates and are based on the current interest rate and economic environment. For statutory reporting, the retrospective adjustment method is used to value all such securities, except principal-only and interest-only securities, which are valued using the prospective method.

For GAAP, all securities purchased or retained that represent beneficial interests in securitized assets, other than high credit quality securities, are adjusted using the prospective method when there is a change in estimated future cash flows. If high credit quality securities are adjusted, the retrospective method is used.

 

 

13


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company closely monitors below investment grade holdings and investment grade issuers where the Company has concerns to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has occurred. The Company also regularly monitors industry sectors. The Company considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether the impairment is other-than-temporary including: (1) the probability of the Company collecting all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security in effect at the date of acquisition; (2) the Company’s decision to sell a security prior to its maturity at an amount below its carrying amount; and (3) the Company’s ability to hold a structured security for a period of time to allow for recovery of the value to its carrying amount. Additionally, financial condition, near term prospects of the issuer and nationally recognized credit rating changes are monitored. Non-structured securities in unrealized loss positions that are considered other-than-temporary are written down to fair value. The Company will record a charge to the statement of operations for the amount of the impairment.

For structured securities, cash flow trends and underlying levels of collateral are monitored. An OTTI is considered to have occurred if the fair value of the structured security is less than its amortized cost basis and the entity intends to sell the security or the entity does not have the intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis. An OTTI is also considered to have occurred if the discounted estimated future cash flows are less than the amortized cost basis of the security and the security is in an unrealized loss position. Structured securities considered other-than-temporarily impaired are written down to discounted estimated cash flows if the impairment is the result of cash flow analysis. If the Company has an intent to sell or lack of ability to hold a structured security, it is written down to fair value. The Company will record a charge to the statement of operations for the amount of the impairments.

For GAAP, if it is determined that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary and the entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit loss, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and its fair value at the impairment date. If the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI should be separated into a) the amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and b) the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in OCI, net of applicable taxes.

Investments in both affiliated and unaffiliated preferred stocks in good standing (those with NAIC designations RP1 to RP3 and P1 to P3), are reported at cost or amortized cost, depending on the characteristics of the securities. Investments in both affiliated and unaffiliated preferred stocks not in good standing (those with NAIC designations RP4 to RP6 and P4 to P6), are reported at the lower of cost, amortized cost, or fair value, depending on the characteristics of the securities. The related net unrealized capital gains and losses for all NAIC designations are reported in changes in capital and surplus.

 

14


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Common stocks of affiliated noninsurance subsidiaries are reported based on underlying audited GAAP equity. The net change in the subsidiaries’ equity is included in net unrealized capital gains or losses reported in changes in capital and surplus.

Common stocks of unaffiliated companies, which include shares of mutual funds, are reported at fair value and the related net unrealized capital gains or losses are reported in changes in capital and surplus.

The Company owns stock issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), which is only redeemable at par, and its fair value is presumed to be par, unless other-than-temporarily impaired.

If the Company determines that a decline in the fair value of a common stock or a preferred stock is other-than-temporary, the Company writes it down to fair value as the new cost basis and the amount of the write down is accounted for as a realized loss in the statement of operations. The Company considers the following factors in determining whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary: (a) the financial condition and prospects of the issuer; (b) whether or not the Company has made a decision to sell the investment; and (c) the length of time and extent to which the value has been below cost.

Mortgage loans are reported at unpaid principal balances, less an allowance for impairment. A mortgage loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage agreement. When management determines that the impairment is other-than-temporary, the mortgage loan is written down to realizable value and a realized loss is recognized. Prepayment penalty or acceleration fees received in the event a loan is liquidated prior to its scheduled termination date are reported as investment income.

Valuation allowances are established for mortgage loans, if necessary, based on the difference between the net value of the collateral, determined as the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to obtain and sell, and the recorded investment in the mortgage loan. Under GAAP, such allowances are based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, if foreclosure is probable, on the estimated fair value of the collateral.

The initial valuation allowance and subsequent changes in the allowance for mortgage loans are charged or credited directly to unassigned surplus as part of the change in asset valuation reserve (AVR), rather than being included as a component of earnings as would be required under GAAP.

Land is reported at cost. Real estate occupied by the Company is reported at depreciated cost net of encumbrances. Real estate held for the production of income is reported at depreciated cost net of related obligations. Real estate that the Company classifies as held for sale is measured at lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the properties. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the Company determines that the carrying amount of the real estate is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The Company deems that the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable if the carrying amount exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and disposition. The impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value.

 

15


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Investments in real estate are reported net of related obligations rather than on a gross basis as for GAAP. Real estate owned and occupied by the Company is included in investments rather than reported as an operating asset as under GAAP, and investment income and operating expenses for statutory reporting include rent for the Company’s occupancy of those properties. Changes between depreciated cost and admitted amounts are credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus rather than to income as would be required under GAAP.

The Company has interests in joint ventures and limited partnerships. The Company carries these investments based on its interest in the underlying audited GAAP equity of the investee.

For a decline in the fair value of an investment in a joint venture or limited partnership which is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company writes it down to fair value as the new cost basis and the amount of the write down is accounted for as a realized loss in the statement of operations. The Company considers an impairment to have occurred if it is probable that the Company will be unable to recover the carrying amount of the investment or if there is evidence indicating inability of the investee to sustain earnings which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

Investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties are valued at amortized cost. Tax credits are recognized in operations in the tax reporting year in which the tax credit is utilized by the Company. The carrying value is amortized over the life of the investment. Amortization is calculated as a ratio of the current year tax credits and tax benefits compared to the total expected tax credits and tax benefits over the life of the investment.

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less (principally stated at amortized cost) or money market mutual funds which are primarily reported at fair value.

Short-term investments include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less at the time of acquisition and are principally stated at amortized cost.

Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal balances.

Realized capital gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method and are recorded net of related federal income taxes. Changes in admitted asset carrying amounts of bonds, mortgage loans, common and preferred stocks are credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus.

Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. The Company does not accrue income on bonds in default, mortgage loans on real estate in default and/or foreclosure or which are delinquent more than twelve months, or real estate where rent is in arrears for more than three months. Income is also not accrued when collection is uncertain.

 

16


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Valuation Reserves

Under a formula prescribed by the NAIC, the Company defers the portion of realized capital gains and losses on sales of fixed income investments, primarily bonds and mortgage loans, attributable to changes in the general level of interest rates and amortizes those deferrals into net investment income over the remaining period to maturity of the bond or mortgage loan based on groupings of individual securities sold in five year bands. That net deferral is reported as the interest maintenance reserve (IMR) in the accompanying balance sheets. Realized capital gains and losses are reported in income net of federal income tax and transfers to the IMR. Under GAAP, realized capital gains and losses are reported in the statement of operations on a pre-tax basis in the period that the assets giving rise to the gains or losses are sold.

The AVR provides a valuation allowance for invested assets. The AVR is determined by an NAIC prescribed formula with changes reflected directly in unassigned surplus; AVR is not recognized for GAAP.

Derivative Instruments

Overview: The Company may use various derivative instruments (options, caps, floors, swaps, forwards, and futures) to manage risks related to its ongoing business operations. On the transaction date of the derivative instrument, the Company designates the derivative as either (A) hedging (fair value, foreign currency fair value, cash flow, foreign currency cash flow, forecasted transactions, or net investment in a foreign operation), (B) replication, (C) income generation, or (D) held for other investment/risk management activities, which do not qualify for hedge accounting under SSAP No. 86.

 

  (A)

Derivative instruments used in hedging transactions that meet the criteria of an effective hedge are valued and reported in a manner that is consistent with the hedged asset or liability (amortized cost or fair value). Embedded derivatives are not accounted for separately from the host contract. Derivative instruments used in hedging transactions that do not meet or no longer meet the criteria of an effective hedge are accounted for at fair value, and the changes in the fair value are recorded in unassigned surplus as unrealized gains and losses. Under US GAAP, the effective and ineffective portions of a single hedge are accounted for separately, and the change in fair value for cash flow hedges is credited or charged directly to a separate component of OCI rather than to income as required for fair value hedges, and an embedded derivative within a contract that is not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and the risk of the host contract is accounted for separately from the host contract and valued and reported at fair value.

 

  (B)

Derivative instruments are also used in replication (synthetic asset) transactions. In these transactions, the derivative is accounted for in a manner consistent with the cash instrument and replicated asset. For US GAAP, the derivative is reported at fair value, with the changes in fair value reported in income.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

  (C)

Derivative instruments used in income generation relationships are accounted for on a basis that is consistent with the associated covered asset or underlying interest to which the derivative relates (amortized cost or fair value).

 

  (D)

Derivative instruments held for other investment/risk management activities are measured at fair value with value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

Derivative instruments are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that future changes in market prices may make the instruments less valuable. The Company uses derivatives as hedges, consequently, when the value of the hedged asset or liability changes, the value of the hedging derivative is expected to move in the opposite direction. Market risk is a consideration when changes in the value of the derivative and the hedged item do not completely offset (correlation or basis risk) which is mitigated by active measuring and monitoring.

The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative instruments, but it does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations given their high credit rating of ‘BBB’ or better. The credit exposure of interest rate swaps and currency swaps is represented by the fair value of contracts, aggregated at a counterparty level, with a positive fair value at the reporting date. The Company has entered into collateral agreements with certain counterparties wherein the counterparty is required to post assets on the Company’s behalf. The posted amount is equal to the difference between the net positive fair value of the contracts and an agreed upon threshold that is based on the credit rating of the counterparty. Inversely, if the net fair value of all contracts with this counterparty is negative, then the Company is required to post assets instead.

Instruments:

Interest rate swaps are the primary derivative financial instruments used in the overall asset/liability management process to modify the interest rate characteristics of the underlying asset or liability. These interest rate swaps generally provide for the exchange of the difference between fixed and floating rate amounts based on an underlying notional amount. Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the swap contract and a single net payment is exchanged each due date. Swaps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If the swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

Interest rate basis swaps are used in the overall asset/liability management process to modify the interest rate characteristics of the underlying liability to mitigate the basis risk of assets and liabilities resetting on different indices. These interest rate swaps generally provide for the exchange of the difference between a floating rate on one index to a floating rate of another index, based upon an underlying notional amount. Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the swap contract and a single net payment is exchanged at each due date. Swaps meeting hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If the swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

Cross currency swaps are utilized to mitigate risks when the Company holds foreign denominated assets or liabilities therefore converting the asset or liability to a USD denominated security. These cross currency swap agreements involve the exchange of two principal amounts in two different currencies at the prevailing currency rate at contract inception. During the life of the swap, the counterparties exchange fixed or floating rate interest payments in the swapped currencies. At maturity, the principal amounts are again swapped at a pre-determined rate of exchange. Each asset or liability is hedged individually where the terms of the swap must meet the terms of the hedged instrument. For swaps qualifying for hedge accounting, the premium or discount is amortized into income over the life of the contract and the foreign currency translation adjustment is recorded as unrealized gain/loss in capital and surplus. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in capital and surplus. If a swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the hedged instrument receives that treatment.

Total return swaps are used in the asset/liability management process to mitigate the delta risk created when the Company has issued minimum guarantee insurance contracts linked to an index. These total return swaps generally provide for the exchange of the difference between fixed leg (tied to the S&P or other global market financial index) and floating leg (tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) amounts based on an underlying notional amount (also tied to the underlying index). Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the swap contract and a single net payment is exchanged each due date. Swaps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If the swap is terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in capital and surplus.

Variance swaps are used in the asset/liability management process to mitigate the gamma risk created when the Company has issued minimum guarantee insurance contracts linked to an index. These variance swaps are similar to volatility options where the underlying index provides for the market value movements. Variance swaps do not accrue interest. Typically, no cash is exchanged at the outset of initiating the variance swap, and a single receipt or payment occurs at the maturity or termination of the contract. Variance swaps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Swaps not meeting hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in capital and surplus.

Bond forwards are used to hedge the interest rate risk that future liability claims increase as rates decrease, leading to higher guarantee values.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Futures contracts are used to hedge the liability risk associated when the Company issues products providing the customer a return based on various global market indices. Futures are marked to market on a daily basis whereby a cash payment is made or received by the Company. These payments are recognized as realized gains or losses in the financial statements.

The Company issues products providing the customer a return based on the various global equity market indices. The Company uses options to hedge the liability option risk associated with these products. Options are marked to fair value in the balance sheet and fair value adjustments are recorded as capital and surplus in the financial statements. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment.

Caps are used in the asset/liability management process to mitigate the interest rate risk created due to a rapidly rising interest rate environment. The caps are similar to options where the underlying interest rate index provides for the market value movements. The caps do not accrue interest until the interest rate environment exceeds the caps strike rate. Cash is exchanged at the onset, and a single receipt or payment occurs at the maturity or termination of the contract. Caps that meet hedge accounting rules are carried in a manner consistent with the hedged item, generally at amortized cost, on the financial statements. If terminated prior to maturity, proceeds are exchanged equal to the fair value of the contract. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment. Caps that do not meet hedge accounting rules are carried at fair value with fair value adjustments recorded in unassigned surplus.

The Company uses zero cost collars to hedge the interest rate risk associated with rising short term interest rates, whereby the exposure would otherwise adversely impact the company’s capital generation. The collar position(s) help range bound the floating rate by combining a cap and floor position.

The Company may sell products with expected benefit payments extending beyond investment assets currently available in the market. Because assets will have to be purchased in the future to fund future liability cash flows, the Company is exposed to the risk of future investments made at lower yields than what is assumed at the time of pricing. Forward-starting interest rate swaps are utilized to lock-in the current forward rate. The accrual of income begins at the forward date, rather than at the inception date. These forward-starting swaps meet hedge accounting rules and are carried at cost in the financial statements. Gains and losses realized upon termination of the forward-starting swap are deferred and used to adjust the basis of the asset purchased in the hedged forecasted period. The basis adjustment is then amortized into income as a yield adjustment to the asset over its life.

The Company issues fixed liabilities that have a guaranteed minimum crediting rate. The Company uses receiver swaptions, whereby the swaption is designed to generate cash flows to offset lower yields on assets during a low interest rate environment. The Company pays a single premium at the beginning of the contract and is amortized throughout the life of the swaption. These swaptions are marked to fair value in the balance sheet and the fair value adjustment is recorded in unassigned surplus. These gains and losses may be included in IMR or AVR if the underlying instrument receives that treatment.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

A replication transaction is a derivative transaction entered into in conjunction with a cash instrument to reproduce the investment characteristics of an otherwise permissible investment. The Company replicates investment grade corporate bonds or sovereign debt by combining a highly rated security as a cash component with a written credit default swap which, in effect, converts the high quality asset into an investment grade corporate asset or a sovereign debt. The benefits of using the swap market to replicate credit include possible enhanced relative values as well as ease of executing larger transactions in a shortened time frame. Generally, a premium is received by the Company on a periodic basis and recognized in investment income. In the event the representative issuer defaults on its debt obligation referenced in the contract, a payment equal to the notional amount of the contract will be made by the Company and recognized as a capital loss.

Securities Lending Assets and Liabilities

The Company loans securities to third parties under agent-managed securities lending programs accounted for as secured borrowings. Cash collateral received which may be sold or repledged by the Company is reflected as a one-line entry on the balance sheet (securities lending reinvested collateral assets) and a corresponding liability is established to record the obligation to return the cash collateral. Non-cash collateral received which may not be sold or repledged is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Under GAAP, the reinvested collateral is included within invested assets (i.e. it is not one-line reported).

Repurchase Agreements

For dollar repurchase agreements, the Company receives cash collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities transferred by the Company in the transaction as of the transaction date. The securities transferred are not removed from the balance sheet, and the cash received as collateral is invested as needed or used for general corporate purposes of the Company. A liability is established to record the obligation to return the cash collateral and included in Borrowed Money on the Balance Sheets.

Other Assets and Other Liabilities

Other assets consist primarily of receivables from reinsurance, accounts receivable and company owned life insurance. Company owned life insurance is carried at cash surrender value.

Other liabilities consist primarily of amounts withheld by the Company, accrued expenses and municipal repurchase agreements. Municipal repurchase agreements are investment contracts issued to municipalities that pay either a fixed or floating rate of interest on the guaranteed deposit balance. The floating interest rate is based on a market index. The related liabilities are equal to the policyholder deposit and accumulated interest. These municipal repurchase agreements require a minimum of 95% of the fair value of the securities transferred to be maintained as collateral.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Separate Accounts

The majority of the separate accounts held by the Company, primarily for individual policyholders as well as for group pension plans, do not have any minimum guarantees, and the investment risks associated with fair value changes are borne by the policyholder. The assets in the accounts, carried at estimated fair value, consist of underlying mutual fund shares, common stocks, long-term bonds and short-term investments.

Certain other separate accounts held by the Company provide a minimum guaranteed return of 3% of the average investment balance to policyholders. The assets consist of long-term bonds and short-term investments which are carried at amortized cost.

Assets held in trust for purchases of variable universal life and annuity contracts and the Company’s corresponding obligation to the contract owners are shown separately in the balance sheets. The assets in the separate accounts are valued at fair value.

Income and gains and losses with respect to the assets in the separate accounts accrue to the benefit of the contract owners and, accordingly, the operations of the separate accounts are not included in the accompanying financial statements. The investment risks associated with fair value changes of the separate accounts are borne entirely by the policyholders except in cases where minimum guarantees exist.

Surplus funds transferred from the general account to the separate accounts, commonly referred to as seed money, and earnings accumulated on seed money are reported as surplus in the separate accounts until transferred or repatriated to the general account. The transfer of such funds between the separate account and the general account is reported as surplus contributed or withdrawn during the year.

Aggregate Reserves for Policies and Contracts

Life, annuity and accident and health benefit reserves are calculated by actuarial methods and are determined based on published tables using statutorily specified interest rates and valuation methods that will provide, in the aggregate, reserves that are greater than or equal to the minimum or guaranteed cash value, or the amount required by law.

For GAAP, policy reserves are calculated based on estimated expected experience or actual account balances.

Policy and Contract Claim Reserves

Claim reserves represent the estimated accrued liability for claims reported to the Company and claims incurred but not yet reported through the balance sheet date. These reserves are estimated using either individual case-basis valuations or statistical analysis techniques. These estimates are subject to the effects of trends in claim severity and frequency. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes available.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Deposit-Type Contracts

Deposit-type contracts do not incorporate risk from the death or disability of policyholders. These types of contracts may include GICs, funding agreements and other annuity contracts. Deposits and withdrawals on these contracts are recorded as a direct increase or decrease, respectively, to the liability balance and are not reported as premiums, benefits or changes in reserves in the statement of operations. Interest on these policies is reflected in other benefits.

Premiums and Annuity Considerations

Revenues for life and annuity policies with mortality or morbidity risk (including annuities with purchase rate guarantees) consist of the entire premium received. Benefits incurred represent surrenders and death benefits paid and the change in policy reserves. Under GAAP, for universal life policies, premiums received in excess of policy charges would not be recognized as premium revenue and benefits would represent interest credited to the account values and the excess of benefits paid over the policy account value. Under GAAP, for all annuity policies without significant mortality risk, premiums received and benefits paid would be recorded directly to the reserve liability using deposit accounting.

Policyholder Dividends

Policyholder dividends are recognized when declared rather than over the term of the related policies as would be required under GAAP.

Reinsurance

Coinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements and reserves related to reinsured business are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Gains associated with reinsurance of in force blocks of business are included in unassigned surplus and amortized into income as earnings emerge on the reinsured block of business. Premiums ceded and recoverable losses have been reported as a reduction of premium income and benefits, respectively. Policy liabilities and accruals are reported in the accompanying financial statements net of reinsurance ceded.

Any reinsurance amounts deemed to be uncollectible have been written off through a charge to operations. In addition, a liability for reinsurance balances would be established for unsecured policy reserves ceded to reinsurers not authorized to assume such business. Changes to the liability are credited or charged directly to unassigned surplus. Under GAAP, an allowance for amounts deemed uncollectible would be established through a charge to earnings.

Losses associated with an indemnity reinsurance transaction are reported within income when incurred rather than being deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the underlying reinsured contracts as would be required under GAAP.

Policy and contract liabilities ceded to reinsurers have been reported as reductions of the related reserves rather than as assets as would be required under GAAP.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Commissions allowed by reinsurers on business ceded are reported as income when incurred rather than being deferred and amortized with deferred policy acquisition costs as required under GAAP.

Under GAAP, for certain reinsurance agreements whereby assets are retained by the ceding insurer (such as funds withheld or modified coinsurance) and a return is paid based on the performance of underlying investments, the assets and liabilities for these reinsurance arrangements must be adjusted to reflect the fair value of the invested assets. The NAIC SAP does not contain a similar requirement.

Deferred Income Taxes

The Company computes deferred income taxes in accordance with SSAP No. 101, Income Taxes, A Replacement of SSAP No. 10R and SSAP No. 10. Under SSAP 101, admitted adjusted deferred income tax assets are limited to 1) the amount of federal income taxes paid in prior years that can be recovered through loss carrybacks for existing temporary differences that reverse during a timeframe corresponding with the Internal Revenue Service tax loss carryback provisions, not to exceed three years, plus 2) the amount of adjusted gross deferred income tax assets expected to be realized within three years limited to an amount that is no greater than 15% of current period’s adjusted statutory capital and surplus, plus 3) the amount of remaining adjusted gross deferred income tax assets that can be offset against existing gross deferred income tax liabilities after considering the character (i.e., ordinary versus capital) and reversal patterns of the deferred tax assets and liabilities. The remaining adjusted deferred income tax assets are nonadmitted. Deferred state income taxes are not recorded under SSAP No. 101, whereas under GAAP state income taxes are included in the computation of deferred income taxes.

Policy Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring and renewing business are expensed when incurred. Under GAAP, incremental costs directly related to the successful acquisition of insurance and investment contracts are deferred. For traditional life insurance and certain long-duration accident and health insurance, to the extent recoverable from future policy revenues, acquisition costs would be deferred and amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policy benefit reserves. For universal life insurance and investment products, to the extent recoverable from future gross profits, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized generally in proportion to the present value of expected gross profits from surrender charges and investment, mortality and expense margins.

Value of Business Acquired

Under GAAP, value of business acquired (VOBA) is an intangible asset resulting from a business combination that represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity, and investment-type contracts in-force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value of the acquired liabilities is based on projections, by each block of business, of future contracts and contract changes, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, operation expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment and other factors. VOBA is not recognized under NAIC SAP.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Subsidiaries and affiliated companies

Investments in subsidiaries, controlled and affiliated companies (SCA) are stated in accordance with the Purposes and Procedures Manual of the NAIC SVO, as well as SSAP No. 97 – Investments in Subsidiary, Controlled and Affiliated Entities.

The accounts and operations of the Company’s subsidiaries are not consolidated with the accounts and operations of the Company as would be required under GAAP. Dividends or distributions received from an investee are recognized in investment income when declared to the extent that they are not in excess of the undistributed accumulated earnings attributable to an investee. Changes in investments in SCA’s are recorded as a change to the carrying value of the investment with a corresponding amount recorded directly to unrealized gain/loss (capital and surplus).

Surplus Notes

Surplus notes are reported as surplus rather than as liabilities as would be required under GAAP.

Nonadmitted Assets

Certain assets designated as “nonadmitted”, primarily net deferred tax assets and other assets not specifically identified as an admitted asset within the NAIC SAP, are excluded from the accompanying balance sheets and are charged directly to unassigned surplus. Under GAAP, such assets are included in the balance sheet to the extent that they are not impaired.

Statements of Cash Flow

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments in the statements of cash flow represent cash balances and investments with initial maturities of one year or less and money market mutual funds. Under GAAP, the corresponding caption of cash and cash equivalents includes cash balances and investments with initial maturities of three months or less.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

3. Accounting Changes and Corrections of Errors

The Company’s policy is to disclose as recent accounting pronouncements the adopted accounting guidance with a current year effective date that has been classified by the NAIC as a substantive change, as well as items classified as nonsubstantive changes that have had a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective December 31, 2018, the NAIC adopted revisions to SSAP No. 21, Other Admitted Assets. Revisions incorporated accounting guidance for structured settlement income streams acquired by insurers as investments. Periodic-certain structured settlements acquired in accordance with all state and federal laws are to be reported as admitted assets. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

Effective January 1, 2018, the NAIC adopted revisions to SSAP No. 100, Fair Value, which allow net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient to fair value, either when specifically named in a SSAP or when specific conditions exist. The revisions adopt ASU 2009-12: Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share (or Its Equivalent) and ASU 2015-07: Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share (or Its Equivalent). The adoption of this guidance did not impact the financial position or results of operations of the Company as the Company does not use NAV as a practical expedient.

Prior Period Correction

During 2018, management identified and corrected errors in the calculation of Related Party balances received and paid. Amounts received from related parties for 2017 and 2016 were understated by $207,569 and $202,159, respectively. Amounts paid to related parties for 2017 and 2016 were understated by $167,018 and $193,093, respectively. This is reflected in the Related Party disclosure in Note 13. The error did not affect any other footnotes or the financial statements.

Change in Accounting Principles

The Company has certain liabilities associated with financial instruments activity including securities lending collateral payable, derivative cash collateral payable, and dollar repurchase agreements. During 2018, Management determined that including these liabilities as part of Note 4 provides the user improved clarity, information, and usefulness. This change is noted as a change in accounting principle and was implemented on a prospective basis beginning in 2018.

Reclassifications

The Company reclassified certain balances within the statutory basis financial statement presentation on the Balance Sheets, Statements of Operations and Statements of Cash Flows to better align with industry practice. All prior period amounts were reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. The Company did not change any financial statement totals reported in the prior periods as a result of reclassifications.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

4. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Determination of fair value

The fair values of financial instruments are determined by management after taking into consideration several sources of data. When available, the Company uses quoted market prices in active markets to determine the fair value of its investments. The Company’s valuation policy utilizes a pricing hierarchy which dictates that publicly available prices are initially sought from indices and third-party pricing services. In the event that pricing is not available from these sources, those securities are submitted to brokers to obtain quotes. Lastly, securities are priced using internal cash flow modeling techniques. These valuation methodologies commonly use reported trades, bids, offers, issuer spreads, benchmark yields, estimated prepayment speeds, and/or estimated cash flows.

To understand the valuation methodologies used by third-party pricing services, the Company reviews and monitors their applicable methodology documents. Any changes to their methodologies are noted and reviewed for reasonableness. In addition, the Company performs in-depth reviews of prices received from third-party pricing services on a sample basis. The objective for such reviews is to demonstrate that the Company can corroborate detailed information such as assumptions, inputs and methodologies used in pricing individual securities against documented pricing methodologies. Only third-party pricing services and brokers with a substantial presence in the market and with appropriate experience and expertise are used.

Each month, the Company performs an analysis of the information obtained from indices, third-party services, and brokers to ensure that the information is reasonable and produces a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company considers both qualitative and quantitative factors as part of this analysis, including but not limited to, recent transactional activity for similar securities, review of pricing statistics and trends, and consideration of recent relevant market events. Other controls and procedures over pricing received from indices, third-party pricing services, or brokers include validation checks such as exception reports which highlight significant price changes, stale prices or un-priced securities.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Fair value hierarchy

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified, for disclosure purposes, based on a hierarchy defined by SSAP No. 100R, Fair Value. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1), and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset’s or a liability’s classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1 -

  

Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2 -

  

Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

  

a)    Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets

  

b)    Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets

  

c)    Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable

  

d)    Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market

       data through correlation or other means

Level 3 -

  

Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. They reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments is either reported at fair value or amortized cost (which approximates fair value). Cash is not included in the below tables.

Short-Term Notes Receivable from Affiliates: The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair value.

Bonds and Stocks: The NAIC allows insurance companies to report the fair value determined by the SVO or to determine the fair value by using a permitted valuation method. The fair values of bonds and stocks are reported or determined using the following pricing sources: indices, third-party pricing services, brokers, external fund managers and internal models.

Fair values for fixed maturity securities (including redeemable preferred stock) actively traded are determined from third-party pricing services, which are determined as discussed above in the description of Level 1 and Level 2 values within the fair value hierarchy. For fixed maturity

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

securities (including redeemable preferred stock) not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from third-party pricing services, or are based on non-binding broker quotes or internal models. In the case of private placements, fair values are estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current market rates applicable to the coupon rate, credit and maturity of the investments.

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate: The fair values for mortgage loans on real estate are estimated utilizing discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates reflective of current market conditions and the risk characteristics of the loans.

Real Estate: Real estate held for sale is typically valued utilizing independent external appraisers in conjunction with reviews by qualified internal appraisers. Valuations are primarily based on active market prices, adjusted for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific property. If such information is not available, other valuation methods are applied, considering the value that the property’s net earning power will support, the value indicated by recent sales of comparable properties and the current cost of reproducing or replacing the property.

Other Invested Assets: The fair values for other invested assets, which include investments in surplus notes issued by other insurance companies and fixed or variable rate investments with underlying characteristics of bonds were determined primarily by using indices, third-party pricing services and internal models.

Derivative Financial Instruments: The fair value of futures and forwards are based upon the latest quoted market price & spot rates at the balance sheet date. The estimated fair values of equity and interest rate options (calls, puts, caps) are based upon the latest quoted market price at the balance sheet date. The estimated fair values of swaps, including equity, interest rate and currency swaps, are based on pricing models or formulas using current assumptions. The estimated fair values of credit default swaps are based upon active market data, including interest rate quotes, credit spreads, and recovery rates, which are then used to calculate probabilities of default for the fair value calculation. The Company accounts for derivatives that receive and pass hedge accounting in the same manner as the underlying hedged instrument. If that instrument is held at amortized cost, then the derivative is also held at amortized cost.

Policy Loans: The book value of policy loans is considered to approximate the fair value of the loan, which is stated at unpaid principal balance.

Securities Lending Reinvested Collateral: The cash collateral from securities lending is reinvested in various short-term and long-term debt instruments. The fair values of these investments are determined using the methods described above under Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments and Bonds and Stocks.

Separate Account Assets and Annuity Liabilities: The fair value of separate account assets are based on quoted market prices when available. When not available, they are primarily valued either using third-party pricing services or are valued in the same manner as the general account assets as further described in this note. However, some separate account assets are valued using non-binding broker quotes, which cannot be corroborated by other market observable data, or

 

29


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

internal modeling which utilizes input that are not market observable. The fair value of separate account annuity liabilities is based on the account value for separate accounts business without guarantees. For separate accounts with guarantees, fair value is based on discounted cash flows.

Investment Contract Liabilities: Fair value for the Company’s liabilities under investment contracts, which include deferred annuities and GICs, are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations. For those liabilities that are short in duration, carrying amount approximates fair value. For investment contracts with no defined maturity, fair value is estimated to be the present surrender value.

Deposit-Type Contracts: The carrying amounts of deposit-type contracts reported in the accompanying balance sheets approximate their fair values. These are included in the Investment Contract Liabilities.

The Company accounts for its investments in affiliated common stock in accordance with SSAP No. 97, as such, they are not included in the following disclosures.

Fair values for the Company’s insurance contracts other than investment-type contracts (including separate account universal life liabilities) are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company’s overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company’s exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

 

30


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables set forth a comparison of the estimated fair values and carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including those not measured at fair value in the balance sheets, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

     December 31, 2018  
     Aggregate
Fair Value
    Admitted
Value
     (Level 1)      (Level 2)     (Level 3)     

Net Asset

Value (NAV)

 

Admitted assets

               

Cash equivalents and short-term investments, other than affiliates

   $ 1,857,985     $ 1,857,985      $ 1,333,140      $ 524,845     $      $  

Short-term notes receivable from affiliates

     261,000       261,000               261,000               

Bonds

     27,150,574       26,467,809        6,777,150        19,937,391       436,033         

Preferred stocks, other than affiliates

     91,213       97,382               88,216       2,997         

Common stocks, other than affiliates

     171,979       171,979        15,401        6       156,572         

Mortgage loans on real estate

     4,621,578       4,574,654                     4,621,578         

Other invested assets

     240,960       214,317               229,234       11,726         

Derivative assets:

               

Options

     835,056       835,056               835,056               

Interest rate swaps

     708,359       708,707               708,359               

Currency swaps

     15,288       15,495               15,288               

Credit default swaps

     48,036       49,219               48,036               

Equity swaps

     278,712       278,712               278,712               

Interest rate futures

     20,473       20,473        20,473                      

Equity futures

     15,386       15,386        15,386                      

Derivative assets total

     1,921,310       1,923,048        35,859        1,885,451               

Policy loans

     551,658       551,658               551,658               

Securities lending reinvested collateral

     1,507,848       1,507,848        71,045        1,436,803               

Separate account assets

     71,293,672       71,273,648        67,626,229        3,663,620       3,823         

Liabilities

               

Investment contract liabilities

     12,930,349       12,022,177               243,143       12,687,205         

Derivative liabilities:

               

Options

     314,840       314,840               314,840               

Interest rate swaps

     366,016       580,625               366,016               

Currency swaps

     1,706       645               1,706               

Credit default swaps

     (1,311     12,827               (1,311             

Equity swaps

     16,512       16,512               16,512               

Interest rate futures

     6,730       6,730        6,730                      

Equity futures

     870       870        870                      

Derivative liabilities total

     705,363       933,049        7,600        697,763               

Dollar repurchase agreements

     204,253       204,253               204,253               

Payable for securities lending

     1,670,537       1,670,537               1,670,537               

Payable for derivative cash collateral

     1,179,032       1,179,032               1,179,032               

Separate account annuity liabilities

     66,262,464       66,264,300        3,069        66,222,440       36,955         

 

31


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     December 31, 2017  
     Aggregate
Fair Value
    Admitted
Value
     (Level 1)      (Level 2)     (Level 3)      Net Asset
Value (NAV)
 

Admitted assets

               

Cash equivalents and short-term investments, other than affiliates

   $ 1,654,664     $ 1,654,682      $ 1,077,469      $ 577,195     $      $  

Short-term notes receivable from affiliates

     168,300       168,300               168,300               

Bonds

     30,396,348       28,033,583        8,822,765        20,934,757       638,826         

Preferred stocks, other than affiliates

     94,950       96,276               91,770       3,180         

Common stocks, other than affiliates

     203,091       203,091        5,320        20       197,751         

Mortgage loans on real estate

     4,330,683       4,202,142                     4,330,683         

Other invested assets

     250,440       212,466               244,488       5,952         

Derivative assets:

               

Options

     170,119       170,119               170,119               

Interest rate swaps

     574,599       574,448               541,454       33,145         

Currency swaps

     8,349       10,269               8,349               

Credit default swaps

     55,537       36,620               55,537               

Equity swaps

     9,760       9,760               9,760               

Policy loans

     580,338       580,338               580,338               

Securities lending reinvested collateral

     2,460,919       2,460,919               2,460,919               

Separate account assets

     80,149,650       80,096,666        76,888,437        3,253,417       7,796         

Liabilities

               

Investment contract liabilities

     12,427,585       11,460,334               251,404       12,176,181         

Derivative liabilities:

               

Options

     45,443       45,443               45,443               

Interest rate swaps

     305,657       438,194               303,184       2,473         

Currency swaps

     5,041       2,776               5,041               

Credit default swaps

     (12,107     23,526               (12,107             

Equity swaps

     284,921       284,921               284,921               

Separate account annuity liabilities

     74,664,347       74,665,853        1,550        74,619,387       43,410         

 

32


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables provide information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

     2018  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Bonds

           

Industrial and miscellaneous

   $      $ 26,472      $ 8,205      $ 34,677  

Hybrid securities

            2,282               2,282  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds

            28,754        8,205        36,959  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred stock

           

Industrial and miscellaneous

            1,601        2,997        4,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total preferred stock

            1,601        2,997        4,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common stock

           

Mutual funds

     12,648                      12,648  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     2,753        6        156,572        159,331  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total common stock

     15,401        6        156,572        171,979  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash equivalents and short-term

           

Mutual funds

     1,333,140                      1,333,140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash equivalents and short-term

     1,333,140                      1,333,140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities lending reinvested collateral

     71,045                      71,045  

Derivative assets

     35,859        1,828,844               1,864,703  

Separate account assets

     67,486,247        3,103,229        3,823        70,593,299  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 68,941,692      $ 4,962,434      $ 171,597      $ 74,075,723  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivative liabilities

   $ 7,600      $ 772,387      $        779,987  

Separate account liabilities

     3,069                      3,069  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 10,669      $ 772,387      $      $ 783,056  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

33


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     2017  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Bonds

           

Industrial and miscellaneous

   $      $ 21,438      $ 14,618      $ 36,056  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds

            21,438        14,618        36,056  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred stock

           

Industrial and miscellaneous

            1,964        3,180        5,144  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total preferred stock

            1,964        3,180        5,144  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common stock

           

Mutual funds

            5               5  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     5,320        15        197,751        203,086  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total common stock

     5,320        20        197,751        203,091  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash equivalents and short-term

           

Government

            69,167               69,167  

Money market mutual funds

     1,077,470                      1,077,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash equivalents and short-term

     1,077,470        69,167               1,146,637  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities lending reinvested collateral

            2,460,919               2,460,919  

Derivative assets

            721,333        31,703        753,036  

Separate account assets

     76,780,559        2,607,246        51,040        79,438,845  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 77,863,349      $ 5,882,087      $ 298,292      $ 84,043,728  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivative liabilities

   $      $ 679,730      $ 2,473      $ 682,203  

Separate account liabilities

     1,550                      1,550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,550      $ 679,730      $ 2,473      $ 683,753  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications at each reporting period. Overall, reclassifications between levels occur when there are changes in the observability of inputs and market activity used in the valuation of a financial asset or liability. Given the types of assets classified as Level 1 (primarily equity securities including mutual fund investments), transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurement categories are expected to be infrequent. Transfers into and out of level 3 are summarized in the schedule of changes in level 3 asset and liabilities. There were no material asset transfers between level 1 and level 2 or between level 2 and level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Bonds classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes. Bonds classified as Level 3 are primarily those valued using non-binding broker quotes, which cannot be corroborated by other market observable data, or internal modeling which utilize significant inputs that are not market observable.

Preferred stock classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes. Preferred stock classified as Level 3 are internally valued using significant unobservable inputs.

Common stock classified as Level 2 are valued using inputs from third party pricing services or broker quotes. Common stock classified as Level 3 are comprised primarily of shares in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines, which are valued at par as a proxy for fair value as a result of restrictions that allow redemptions only by FHLB.

Cash equivalents and short-term investments classified as level 1 are primarily money market mutual funds and are measured at fair value. For those securities with a pricing source of ‘amortized cost’; amortized cost is a proxy for fair value.

 

34


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Securities lending reinvested in collateral is valued and classified in the same way as the underlying collateral, which is primarily composed of short-term investments.

Derivatives classified as Level 2 represent over-the-counter (OTC) contracts valued using pricing models based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows, directly observed prices from exchange-traded derivatives, other OTC trades, or external pricing services. Derivatives classified as Level 3 represent interest rate swaps calculated by simulation using a series of market-consistent inputs to model the dynamics of the swap. The inputs are taken from market instruments to the extent that they exist.

Separate account assets and liabilities are valued and classified in the same way as general account assets and liabilities (described above).

The following tables summarize the changes in assets classified as Level 3 for 2018 and 2017:

 

    Beginning
Balance at
  January 1, 2018
    Transfers in
(Level 3)
    Transfers out
(Level 3)
   

Total Gains

(Losses) Included

in Net income (a)

   

Total Gains (Losses)  

Included in Surplus
(b)

 
 

 

 

 

Bonds

         

Government

    $     $     $     $ (3   $ 3  

RMBS

                      (26     26  

Other

    14,619             5,465       108       423  

Preferred stock

    3,180                         (754

Common stock

    197,751             270       (2,000     3,398  

Other long term

          920       1,040             (310

Derivatives

    29,230                   (84,445     (29,230

Separate account assets

    51,040       1,394       249       (43,234     (77
 

 

 

 

Total

    $ 295,820     $ 2,314     $ 7,024     $ (129,600   $ (26,521
 

 

 

 
    Purchases     Issuances     Sales     Settlements     Ending Balance at
December 31, 2018  
 
 

 

 

 

Bonds

         

Government

  $     $     $     $     $  

RMBS

                             

Other

                      1,479       8,206  

Preferred stock

    828             259             2,997  

Common stock

          216       42,400       123       156,572  

Other long term

    430                          

Derivatives

                (3,869     (80,576      

Separate account assets

    100             3,490       1,660       3,824  
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,358     $ 216     $ 42,280     $ (77,314   $ 171,598  
 

 

 

 

(a) Recorded as a component of Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments in the Statements of Operations

(b) Recorded as a component of Change in Net Unrealized Capital Gains (Losses) in the Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus

 

35


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

    Beginning
Balance at
January 1, 2017
    Transfers in
(Level 3)
    Transfers out
(Level 3)
   

Total Gains

(Losses) Included
in Net income (a)

    Total Gains
(Losses) Included
in Surplus (b)
 

Bonds

         

Government

  $     $     $     $ (8   $ 8  

RMBS

                      (30     30  

Other

    18,746       2,571       2,555       2       1,306  

Preferred stock

    3,153                         (518

Common stock

    192,928       7       6       (2,246     1,896  

Derivatives

    (358,974     457             (174,683     387,747  

Separate account assets

    45,420       3,249       2,719       16       4,887  
       

Total

  $ (98,727   $ 6,284     $ 5,280     $ (176,949   $ 395,356  
       
    Purchases     Issuances     Sales     Settlements     Ending Balance at
December 31, 2017
 

Bonds

         

Government

  $     $     $     $     $  

RMBS

                             

Other

  $     $ 6,082     $     $ 11,533     $ 14,619  

Preferred stock

    546                         3,180  

Common stock

    155       12,164       1,000       6,148       197,750  

Derivatives

                (8,536     (166,147     29,230  

Separate account assets

    5,393             755       4,452       51,040  
       

Total

  $ 6,094     $ 18,246     $ (6,781   $ (144,014   $ 295,819  
       

(a) Recorded as a component of Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments in the Statements of Operations

(b) Recorded as a component of Change in Net Unrealized Capital Gains (Losses) in the Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.

Nonrecurring fair value measurements

As indicated in Note 2, real estate held for sale is measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. As of December 31, 2018, the Company held no properties as held-for-sale, where fair value was less than its carrying value. As of December 31, 2018, the Company held two properties as held-for sale, where carrying amount of $15,168 was equal to fair value.

Fair value was determined by utilizing an external appraisal following the sales comparison approach. The fair value measurements are classified as Level 3 as the comparable sales and adjustments for the specific attributes of these properties are not market observable inputs.

 

36


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

5. Investments

Bonds and Stocks

The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of investments in bonds and stocks are as follows:

 

     Book Adjusted
Carrying Value
    

Gross

Unrealized
Gains

     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    

Estimated Fair

Value

 

December 31, 2018

           

Bonds:

           

United States Government and agencies

   $ 6,387,028      $ 246,948      $ 121,683      $ 6,512,293  

State, municipal and other government

     732,171        34,020        18,984        747,207  

Hybrid securities

     249,112        13,176        7,196        255,092  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     15,065,090        711,594        368,812        15,407,872  

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     4,034,408        257,889        64,185        4,228,112  

Total bonds

     26,467,809        1,263,627        580,860        27,150,576  

Unaffiliated preferred stocks

     97,382        3,022        9,191        91,213  

Total

   $ 26,565,191      $ 1,266,649      $ 590,051      $ 27,241,789  
     Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated Fair
Value
 

Unaffiliated common stocks

   $ 154,552      $ 18,557      $ 1,130      $ 171,979  
     Book Adjusted
Carrying Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated Fair
Value
 

December 31, 2017

           

Bonds:

           

United States Government and agencies

   $ 7,991,164      $ 647,439      $ 91,438      $ 8,547,165  

State, municipal and other government

     649,273        64,326        4,664        708,935  

Hybrid securities

     315,345        44,852        11,156        349,041  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     14,674,617        1,528,517        66,209        16,136,925  

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     4,403,184        298,152        47,054        4,654,282  

Total bonds

     28,033,583        2,583,286        220,521        30,396,348  

Unaffiliated preferred stocks

     96,276        5,552        6,878        94,950  
   $ 28,129,859      $ 2,588,838      $ 227,399      $ 30,491,298  
     Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated Fair
Value
 

Unaffiliated common stocks

   $ 187,538      $ 15,572      $ 19      $ 203,091  

 

37


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of bonds at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     2018  
December 31:    Carrying Value      Fair Value  

Due in one year or less

   $ 694,758      $ 701,949  

Due after one year through five years

     4,349,981        4,351,741  

Due after five years through ten years

     5,340,061        5,500,383  

Due after ten years

     12,048,601        12,368,391  
        
     22,433,401        22,922,464  

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     4,034,408        4,228,112  
        
   $ 26,467,809      $ 27,150,576  
        

The estimated fair value of bonds, preferred stocks and common stocks with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

 

            2018                
  

 

 

 
     Equal to or Greater than 12
Months
     Less than 12 Months  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Estimated
Fair Value
    

Gross

  Unrealized  
Losses

     Estimated
Fair Value
     Gross
  Unrealized  
Losses
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United States Government and agencies

   $ 408,244      $ 25,720      $ 3,771,156      $ 95,963  

State, municipal and other government

     81,284        6,595        179,206        12,389  

Hybrid securities

     13,815        2,063        104,398        5,133  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     1,490,093        135,948        4,732,483        232,864  

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     762,982        37,966        793,414        26,219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds

     2,756,418        208,292        9,580,657        372,568  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred stocks-unaffiliated

     22,257        6,098        33,300        3,093  

Common stocks-unaffiliated

                   11,083        1,130  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,778,675      $ 214,390      $ 9,625,040      $ 376,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

38


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     2017  
  

 

 

 
     Equal to or Greater than 12
Months
     Less than 12 Months  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Gross
  Unrealized  
Losses
     Estimated
Fair Value
    

Gross

  Unrealized  
Losses

 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

United States Government and agencies

   $ 1,367,915      $ 89,250      $ 190,002      $ 2,188  

State, municipal and other government

     87,540        4,243        48,382        421  

Hybrid securities

     74,461        11,156                

Industrial and miscellaneous

     1,197,291        49,558        1,038,803        16,651  

Mortgage and other asset-backed securities

     615,787        31,026        746,813        16,028  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds

     3,342,994        185,233        2,024,000        35,288  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred stocks-unaffiliated

     18,880        6,817        3,846        61  

Common stocks-unaffiliated

                   549        19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,361,874      $ 192,050      $ 2,028,395      $ 35,368  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During 2018 and 2017, respectively, there were no loan-backed or structured securities with a recognized OTTI due to intent to sell or lack of intent and ability to hold for a period of time to recover the amortized cost basis. During 2016 there was $27,182 of loan-backed structured securities with a recognized OTTI due to the inability or lack of intent and ability to hold for a period of time to recover the amortized cost basis.

For loan-backed and structured securities with a recognized OTTI due to the Company’s cash flow analysis, in which the security is written down to estimated future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield, in 2018, 2017 and 2016 the Company recognized OTTI of $4,339, $7,960 and $17,321, respectively.

 

39


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following loan-backed and structured securities were held at December 31, 2018, for which an OTTI was recognized during the current reporting period:

 

CUSIP   

Amortized
Cost Before
Current

Period OTTI

    

Present
Value of
Projected

Cash Flows

     Recognized
OTTI
   

Amortized

Cost After
OTTI

     Fair Value
at Time of
OTTI
    

Date of
Financial

Statement
Where
Reported

 

059515AC0

   $ 2,646      $ 2,494      $ 152     $ 2,494      $ 2,214        3/31/2018  

14984WAA8

     1,740        1,678        62       1,678        1,530        3/31/2018  

3622EEAA0

     6,023        5,988        35       5,988        6,022        3/31/2018  

52522QAM4

     41,713        41,166        547       41,166        40,475        3/31/2018  

65536PAA8

     648        636        12       636        491        3/31/2018  

48123HAA1

     259        248        11       248        82        3/31/2018  

126380AA2

     5,069        5,069        (0     5,069        5,287        3/31/2018  

05950WAM0

     1,425        1,172        253       1,172        1,189        06/30/2018  

059515AC0

     2,368        2,335        33       2,335        2,072        06/30/2018  

65536PAA8

     622        440        182       440        476        06/30/2018  

48123HAA1

     239               239              56        09/30/2018  

225470FJ7

     1,142        1,106        36       1,106        1,084        12/31/2018  

22944BCX4

     54,890        54,108        782       54,108        49,073        12/31/2018  

36828QQK5

     4,500        2,505        1,995       2,505        4,326        12/31/2018  
        

 

 

         
         $ 4,339          
        

 

 

         

The unrealized losses of loan-backed and structured securities where fair value is less than cost or amortized cost for which an OTTI has not been recognized in earnings as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

 

     2018             2017  
    

Losses 12
Months or

More

     Losses Less
Than 12
Months
            Losses 12
Months
or More
     Losses Less
Than 12
Months
 

Year ended December 31:

              

The aggregate amount of unrealized losses

   $ 37,966      $ 39,883         $ 31,010      $ 29,380  

The aggregate related fair value of securities with unrealized losses

     762,982        815,146           614,741        770,935  

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for bonds and preferred stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for greater than or equal to twelve months, the Company held 610 and 468 securities with a carrying amount of $2,993,065 and $3,553,923, and an unrealized loss of $214,390 and $192,050 with an average price of 92.8 and 93.9 (fair value/amortized cost). Of this portfolio, 90.7% and 89.7% were investment grade with associated unrealized losses of $161,075 and $141,101, respectively.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for bonds and preferred stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months, the Company held 1,323 and 504 securities with a carrying amount of $9,989,618 and $2,063,194 and an unrealized loss of $375,662 and

 

40


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

$35,349 with an average price of 96.2 and 97.3 (fair value/amortized cost). Of this portfolio, 89.6% and 87.4% were investment grade with associated unrealized losses of $291,872 and $27,177, respectively.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, there were no common stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for greater than or equal to twelve months.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for common stocks that have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months, the Company held 13 and 5 securities with a cost of $12,212 and $592 and an unrealized loss of $1,130 and $43 with an average price of 90.8 and 92.8 (fair value/cost).

The following structured notes were held at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

December 31, 2018                            
CUSIP Identification    Actual Cost      Fair Value      Book /Adjusted
Carrying Value
     Mortgage-
Referenced
Security
(YES/NO)
 

912810QV3

   $ 14,974      $ 14,436      $ 16,404        NO  

912810RA8

     772,522        875,159        856,899        NO  

912810RL4

         1,145,407            1,169,921            1,230,189        NO  

44965TAA5

     5,822        5,137        5,829        NO  

44965UAA2

     3,605        3,047        3,606        NO  
           

Total

   $ 1,942,330      $ 2,067,700      $ 2,112,927     
           
December 31, 2017                            
CUSIP Identification    Actual Cost      Fair Value      Book /Adjusted
Carrying Value
     Mortgage-
Referenced
Security
(YES/NO)
 

44965TAA5

   $ 4,296      $ 4,802      $ 4,301        NO  

44965UAA2

     205        241        205        NO  

912810QV3

     14,974        15,644        16,022        NO  

912810RA8

     772,522        951,760        831,117        NO  

912810RL4

     1,195,281        1,333,989        1,249,924        NO  
           

Total

   $ 1,987,278      $ 2,306,436      $ 2,101,569     
           

 

41


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following table provides the number of 5GI securities, aggregate book adjusted carrying value and aggregate fair value by investment type:

 

       Number of 5GI  
Securities
   Book /Adjusted
  Carrying Value  
         Fair Value      

December 31, 2018

        

Bond, amortized cost

   3    $ 29,647      $ 29,725  

Loan-backed and structured securities, amortized cost

   1      8        8  

Preferred stock, amortized cost

   1      2,996        2,996  
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   5    $ 32,651      $ 32,729  

December 31, 2017

        

Bond, amortized cost

   4    $     33,531      $     35,359  

Loan-backed and structured securities, amortized cost

   1      9        9  
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   5    $ 33,540      $ 35,368  

During 2018 and 2017, the Company sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of 152 and 112 securities as a result of a callable feature which generated investment income of $17,409 and $44,912 as a result of a prepayment penalty and/or acceleration fee.

Proceeds from sales and other disposals of bonds and preferred stock and related gross realized capital gains and losses are reflected in the following table. The amounts exclude maturities and include transfers associated with reinsurance agreements.

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018      2017      2016  

Proceeds

   $     5,597,099      $     17,928,678      $     11,073,491  
        

Gross realized gains

   $ 73,153      $ 2,373,050      $ 167,936  

Gross realized losses

     (207,526      (151,088      (120,206
                          

Net realized capital gains (losses)

   $ (134,373    $ 2,221,962      $ 47,730  
        

The Company had gross realized losses, which relate to losses recognized on other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of bonds and preferred stocks, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 of $10,795, 19,101 and $40,319 respectively.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no investments in restructured securities.

 

42


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Mortgage Loans

The credit quality of mortgage loans by type of property for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

December 31, 2018                   
    Farm      Commercial     Total  

AAA - AA

  $ 219      $ 2,619,855     $ 2,620,074  

A

        42,814            1,734,474           1,777,288  

BBB

    6,690        157,753       164,443  

BB

    8,730        4,119       12,849  

B

                  
       
  $ 58,453      $ 4,516,201     $ 4,574,654  
       
December 31, 2017                   
    Farm      Commercial     Total  

AAA - AA

  $ 16,247      $ 2,421,619     $ 2,437,866  

A

    41,447        1,549,298       1,590,745  

BBB

           125,975       125,975  

BB

           16,144       16,144  

B

    8,912        49,118       58,030  
       
  $ 66,606      $ 4,162,154     $ 4,228,760  
       

The credit quality for commercial and farm mortgage loans was determined based on an internal credit rating model which assigns a letter rating to each mortgage loan in the portfolio as an indicator of the credit quality of the mortgage loan. The internal credit rating model was designed based on rating agency methodology, then modified for credit risk associated with the Company’s mortgage lending process, taking into account such factors as projected future cash flows, net operating income, and collateral value. The model produces a credit rating score and an associated letter rating which is intended to align with S&P ratings as closely as possible. Information supporting the credit risk rating process is updated at least annually.

During 2018, the Company issued mortgage loans with a maximum interest rate of 5.57% and a minimum interest rate of 3.95% for commercial loans. The maximum percentage of any one mortgage loan to the value of the underlying real estate originated or acquired during the year ending December 31, 2018 at the time of origination was 69%. During 2017, the Company issued mortgage loans with a maximum interest rate of 7.35% and a minimum interest rate of 3.50% for commercial loans. The maximum percentage of any one mortgage loan to the value of the underlying real estate originated or acquired during the year ending December 31, 2017 at the time of origination was 77%. During 2016, the Company issued mortgage loans with a maximum interest rate of 8.71% and a minimum interest rate of 3.00% for commercial loans. The maximum percentage of any one mortgage loan to the value of the underlying real estate originated or acquired during the year ending December 31, 2016 at the time of origination was 91%.

 

43


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

During 2018 and 2017, the Company did not reduce the interest rate on any outstanding mortgage loans.

The age analysis of mortgage loans and identification in which the Company is a participant or co-lender in a mortgage loan agreement is as follows for December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

     Farm      Commercial         
   Insured      All Other      Total  

December 31, 2018

           

Recorded Investment (All)

           

(a) Current

   $ 50,576      $      $ 4,435,184      $ 4,485,760  

(b) 30-59 Days Past Due

                           

(c) 60-89 Days Past Due

                   57,005        57,005  

(d) 90-179 Days Past Due

     7,875                      7,875  

(e) 180+ Days Past Due

                   24,014        24,014  

Accruing interest 90-179 days past due

           

(a) Recorded investment

     7,876                      7,876  

(b) Interest accrued

     96                      96  

Participant or Co-lender in

           

Mortgage Loan Agreement

           

(a) Recorded Investment

   $ 31,524      $      $ 1,286,604      $ 1,318,128  
            Commercial         
     Farm      Insured      All Other      Total  

December 31, 2017

           

Recorded Investment (All)

           

(a) Current

   $ 66,606      $      $ 4,153,714      $ 4,220,320  

(b) 30-59 Days Past Due

                   3,641        3,641  

(c) 60-89 Days Past Due

                           

(d) 90-179 Days Past Due

                           

(e) 180+ Days Past Due

                   4,799        4,799  

Participant or Co-lender in

           

Mortgage Loan Agreement

           

(a) Recorded Investment

   $ 34,964      $      $ 1,252,751      $ 1,287,715  

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, multiple mortgage loans with a carrying value of $24,014 and $4,799 were non-income producing for the previous 180 days. There was no accrued interest related to these mortgage loans at December 31, 2018 or 2017. The Company has a mortgage or deed of trust on the property thereby creating a lien which gives it the right to take possession of the property (among other things) if the borrower fails to perform according to the terms of the loan documents. The Company requires all mortgaged properties to carry fire insurance equal to the value of the underlying property. At December 31, 2018 and 2017 there were no taxes, assessments and other amounts advanced and not included in the mortgage loan total.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, the Company held $0 and $49,118 in impaired loans with related allowance for credit losses of $0 and $26,618. There were no impaired mortgage loans held without an allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were no mortgage loans subject to participant or co-lender mortgage loan agreements for which the Company is restricted from unilaterally foreclosing on the mortgage loans. The average recorded investment in impaired loans during 2018 and 2017 was $49,118 and $10,793, respectively.

 

44


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018      2017      2016  

Balance at beginning of period

   $     26,618      $ 1,421      $     1,569  

Additions, net charged to operations

            26,618        174  

Recoveries in amounts previously charged off

     (26,618      (1,421      (322
        

Balance at end of period

   $      $     26,618      $ 1,421  
        

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no mortgage loans derecognized as a result of foreclosure.

The Company accrues interest income on impaired loans to the extent deemed collectible (delinquent less than 91 days) and the loan continues to perform under its original or restructured contractual terms. Interest income on nonperforming loans generally is recognized on a cash basis. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company recognized $852, $5,359 and $677 of interest income on impaired loans. Interest income of $860, $2,806 and $786, respectively, was recognized on a cash basis for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company held a mortgage loan loss reserve in the AVR of $46,231 and $42,871, respectively.

The Company’s mortgage loan portfolio is diversified by geographic region and specific collateral property type as follows:

 

Geographic Distribution        

Property Type Distribution

 
     December 31              December 31  
     2018     2017              2018     2017  

Pacific

     28     28     Apartment      47     46

South Atlantic

     22       20       Retail      21       23  

Middle Atlantic

     16       18       Office      16       17  

W. North Central

     8       8       Industrial      12       9  

E. North Central

     8       6       Other      2       2  

W. South Central

     7       8       Agricultural      1       2  

Mountain

     6       7       Medical      1       1  

E. South Central

     4       4           

New England

     1       1           

 

45


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company had mortgage loans with a total net admitted asset value of $23,144, $83,445 and $81,895, respectively, which had been restructured in accordance with SSAP No. 36, Troubled Debt Restructuring. There were no realized losses during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 related to such restructurings. At December 31, 2018 there were no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors owing receivables, however, there was one such commitment at December 31, 2017 for $3,000.

Real Estate

The fair value of property is determined based on an appraisal from a third-party appraiser, along with information obtained from discussions with internal asset managers and a listing broker regarding recent comparable sales data and other relevant property information. Impairment losses of $26,231, $4,033 and $7,500 were taken on real estate in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to write the book value down to the current fair value, and included in net realized capital gains (losses), within the Summary of Operations, for the year ended December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018, there are 9 properties classified as held for sale. The Company is working with an external commercial real estate advisor firm to actively market the properties and negotiate with potential buyers. During 2018, 6 properties classified as held for sale were disposed of resulting in a net realized gain of $4,579, which was included in net realized capital gains (losses) within the Summary of Operations.

The Company also disposed of other properties during 2018 resulting in net realized gains of $26,756. Two properties were disposed of during 2017 resulting in a realized loss of ($69).

The carrying value of the Company’s real estate assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

 

     2018      2017  

Home office properties

   $ 52,466      $ 84,719  

Investment properties

     18,953        104,325  

Properties held for sale

     43,027         
   $     114,446      $     189,044  

Accumulated depreciation on real estate at December 31, 2018 and 2017, was $72,083 and $71,624, respectively.

Other Invested Assets

During 2018, the Company recorded impairments of $3,363, $10,619, and $54,902 throughout 2018, 2017, and 2016. These impairments were primarily related to private equity funds, except for 2017, which also included an impairment for a tax credit fund. The impairments were taken because the decline in fair value of the funds were deemed to be other than temporary and a recovery in value from the remaining underlying investments in the funds were not anticipated. These write-downs are included in net realized capital gains (losses) within the statement of operations.

 

46


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

During 2017, the Company reassigned its ownership interest in the Prisma Spectrum Fund for an additional interest in the Zero Beta Fund in the amount of $62,567, which resulted in a realized gain of $16,974.

Tax Credits

At December 31, 2018, the Company had ownership interests in forty-seven LIHTC investments. The remaining years of unexpired tax credits ranged from one to eleven, and the properties were not subject to regulatory review. The length of time remaining for holding periods ranged from one to sixteen years. The amount of contingent equity commitments expected to be paid during the years 2019 to 2029 is $55,107. Other LIHTC tax benefits recognized during 2018 was $76,141. There were no impairment losses, write-downs or reclassifications during the year related to any of these credits.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had ownership interests in forty-nine LIHTC investments. The remaining years of unexpired tax credits ranged from one to eleven, and the properties were not subject to regulatory review. The length of time remaining for holding periods ranged from one to seventeen years. The amount of contingent equity commitments expected to be paid during the years 2018 to 2029 is $38,608. LIHTC tax credits recognized during 2017 was $12,366. There were no impairment losses, write-downs or reclassifications during the year related to any of these credits.

The following tables provide the carrying value of transferable state tax credits gross of any related tax liabilities and total unused transferable tax credits by state and in total as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

            December 31, 2018  

Description of State Transferable and Non-

transferable Tax Credits

     State        Carrying Value        Unused Amount

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

     MA      $ 3,880      $ 6,220  

Economic Redevelopment and Growth Tax Credits

     NJ        3,994        20,948  
     

 

 

 

Total

      $ 7,874      $ 27,168  
     

 

 

 
            December 31, 2017  

Description of State Transferable and Non-

transferable Tax Credits

     State        Carrying Value        Unused Amount  

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

     MA      $ 1,332      $ 7,400  

Economic Redevelopment and Growth Tax Credits

     NJ        2,982        14,449  
     

 

 

 

Total

      $ 4,314      $ 21,849  
     

 

 

 

 

*The

unused amount reflects credits that the Company deems will be realizable in the period 2019-2030.

The Company did not have any non-transferable state tax credits.

The Company estimated the utilization of the remaining state transferable tax credits by projecting a future tax liability based on projected premium, tax rates and tax credits, and comparing the projected future tax liability to the availability of remaining state transferable tax credits. The Company had no impairment losses related to state transferable tax credits.

 

47


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Derivatives

The Company has entered into collateral agreements with certain counterparties wherein the counterparty is required to post assets (cash or securities) on the Company’s behalf in an amount equal to the difference between the net positive fair value of the contracts and an agreed upon threshold based on the credit rating of the counterparty. If the net fair value of all contracts with this counterparty is negative, then the Company is required to post similar assets (cash or securities). Fair value of derivative contracts, aggregated at a counterparty level at December 31, was as follows:

 

     2018      2017  

Fair value - positive

   $     2,109,376      $     1,098,479  

Fair value - negative

     (893,430      (909,070

At December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company has recorded unrealized gains (losses) of $829,565 ($120,083) and ($591,186), respectively, for the component of derivative instruments utilized for hedging purposes that did not qualify for hedge accounting. The Company did not recognize any unrealized gains or losses during 2018, 2017 and 2016 that represented the component of derivative instruments gain or loss that was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

The maximum term over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows is approximately 25 years for forecasted hedge transactions. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, none of the Company’s cash flow hedges have been discontinued as it was probable that the original forecasted transactions would occur by the end of the originally specified time period documented at inception of the hedging relationship. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has accumulated deferred gains in the amount of $0 and $1,898, respectively, related to the termination of swaps that were hedging forecasted transactions. It is expected that these gains will be used as basis adjustments on future asset purchases expected to transpire throughout 2019.

 

48


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Summary of realized gains (losses) by derivative type for year-end December 31, is as follows:

 

     2018      2017      2016  
  

 

 

 

Options:

        

Calls

   $ 45,514      $ 2,067      $ 1,524  

Caps

            (1,203       

Puts

     (38,626      (1,337      10,700  
  

 

 

 

Total options

   $ 6,888      $ (473    $ 12,224  
  

 

 

 

Swaps:

        

Interest rate

   $ (296,623    $ 307,519      $ 642,433  

Credit

     (14,247      10,107        3,046  

Foreign exchange

                   (2,959

Total return

     (198,766      (1,412,666      (510,883
  

 

 

 

Total swaps

   $ (509,636    $ (1,095,040    $ 131,637  
  

 

 

 

Futures - net positions

     (263,032      59,052        (337,977

Lehman settlements

     537        1,195        1,241  
  

 

 

 

Total realized gains (losses)

   $     (765,243    $     (1,035,266    $     (192,875
  

 

 

 

Fair value of replicated assets and credit default swaps (as underlying), as of December 31, is as follows:

 

     2018      2017     2016  

Replicated assets

   $     3,685,810      $     3,568,730     $     4,576,931  

Credit default swaps

     40,443        71,130       41,602  

Interest rate swaps

     2,188        (27,891     (73,920

Capital gains (losses) related to credit swap transactions (which are primarily replication transactions), as of December 31, is as follows:

 

         2018             2017              2016      

Capital gains (losses)

   $ (4,435   $ 10,107      $ 3,046  

As stated in Note 2, the Company replicates investment grade corporate bonds, sovereign debt, or commercial mortgage backed securities by writing credit default swaps. As a writer of credit swaps, the Company actively monitors the underlying asset, being careful to note any events (default or similar credit event) that would require the Company to perform on the credit swap. If such events would take place, a payment equal to the notional amount of the contract, less any potential recoveries as determined by the underlying agreement, will be made by the Company to the counterparty to the swap.

 

49


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following tables present the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

          2018  
     

 

 

 

Rating Agency Designation of

Referenced Credit Obligations (1)

   NAIC
 Designation 
   Estimated
  Fair Value  
of Credit
Default
Swaps
       Maximum Amount  
of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps
     Weighted
Average
Years to
  Maturity (2)  
 

 

  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

AAA/AA/A

   1         

Single name credit default swaps (3)

      $ 5,252        $ 453,085          2.6    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        (109)         10,000          40.9    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

        5,143          463,085          3.4    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

BBB

   2         

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        28,016          1,754,450          2.7    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        7,750          897,000          3.2    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

        35,766          2,651,450          2.9    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

BB

   3         

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        2,655          135,500          2.6    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        -          -          -    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

        2,655          135,500          2.6    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

B

   4         

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        (2,809)         27,000          2.7    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        -          -          -    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

        (2,809)         27,000          2.7    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

CCC and lower

   5         

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        (312)         5,000          1.0    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        -          -          -    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

        (312)         5,000          1.0    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

In or near default

   6         

Single name credit default swaps (3)

        -          -          -    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

        -          -          -    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

        -          -          -    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

      $ 40,443        $ 3,282,035          3.0    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

50


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

      2017  

Rating Agency Designation of Referenced Credit Obligations (1)

   
NAIC
Designation
 
 
   



Estimated
Fair Value
of Credit
Default
Swaps
 
 
 
 
 
   



Maximum Amount
of Future
Payments under
Credit Default
Swaps
 
 
 
 
 
   


Weighted
Average
Years to
Maturity (2)
 
 
 
 

AAA/AA/A

    1        

Single name credit default swaps (3)

    $ 55,569       $ 2,051,835         3.0    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

      13,655         665,000         4.3    

Subtotal

      69,224         2,716,835         3.3    

BBB

    2        

Single name credit default swaps (3)

      1,907         75,000         2.2    

Credit default swaps referencing indices

      -         -      

Subtotal

      1,907         75,000         2.2    

BB

    3        

Single name credit default swaps (3)

      -         -      

Credit default swaps referencing indices

      -         -      

Subtotal

      -         -      

B

    4        

Single name credit default swaps (3)

      -         -      

Credit default swaps referencing indices

      -         -      

Subtotal

      -         -      

CCC and lower

    5        

Single name credit default swaps (3)

      -         -      

Credit default swaps referencing indices

      -         -      

Subtotal

      -         -      

In or near default

    6        

Single name credit default swaps (3)

      -         -      

Credit default swaps referencing indices

      -         -      

Subtotal

      -         -      

Total

    $ 71,131       $ 2,791,835         3.3    

 

(1) 

The rating agency designations are based on availability and the blending of the applicable ratings among Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), Standard and Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”), and Fitch Ratings. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally derived rating is used.

 

(2) 

The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average notional amounts.

 

(3) 

Includes corporate, foreign government and state entities.

The Company may enter into credit default swaps to purchase credit protection on certain of the referenced credit obligations in the table above. At December 31, 2018, the maximum amounts of potential future recoveries available to offset the $3,282,035 from the table above were $0. At December 31, 2017, the maximum amounts of potential future recoveries available to offset the $2,791,835 from the table above were $10,000.

 

51


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments, shown in notional or contract amounts and fair value, are summarized as follows:

 

     Contract or Notional Amount*             Fair Value  
     2018      2017             2018      2017  

Derivative assets:

              

Credit default swaps

   $ 2,379,467      $ 1,435,700         $ 48,036      $ 55,537  

Currency swaps

     129,622        57,608           15,288        8,349  

Equity futures

     17        (2         15,386         

Equity swaps

     3,668,687        408,478           278,712        9,760  

Interest rate futures

     38        30           20,473         

Interest rate swaps

     24,837,035        20,767,735           708,359        574,599  

Options

     19,736,876        13,536,702           835,056        170,119  

Derivative liabilities:

              

Credit default swaps

     1,262,568        1,756,135           (1,311      (12,107

Currency swaps

     18,459        41,865           1,706        5,041  

Equity futures

     (1                870         

Equity swaps

     136,057        5,444,454           16,512        284,921  

Interest rate futures

     (17                6,730         

Interest rate swaps

     15,034,996        13,175,966           366,016        305,657  

Options

     (3,466,359      (7,052,116         314,840        45,443  

 

*Futures

are presented in contract format. Swaps and options are presented in notional format.

 

52


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Restricted Assets

The following tables show the pledged or restricted assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

    

Gross Restricted (Admitted & Nonadmitted) 2018

 
Restricted Asset Category    Total General
Account (G/A)
     G/A
Supporting
Separate
Account (S/A)
     Total S/A
Restricted
Assets
     S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A Activity
     Total  

Collateral held under security lending agreements

   $ 1,669,762      $     –      $     –      $     –      $ 1,669,762  

Subject to repurchase agreements

     205,405                             205,405  

Subject to dollar repurchase agreements

     361,063                             361,063  

FHLB capital stock

     133,400                             133,400  

On deposit with states

     37,249                             37,249  

Pledged as collateral to FHLB (including assets backing funding agreements)

         4,405,503                                 4,405,503  

Pledged as collateral not captured in other categories

     637,227                             637,227  

Other restricted assets

     1,172,934                             1,172,934  
        

Total Restricted Assets

   $ 8,622,543      $      $      $      $ 8,622,543  
        

 

    Gross (Admitted & Nonadmitted) Restricted     Percentage  
Restricted Asset Category   Total From
Prior Year
(2017)
    Increase/
(Decrease)
    Total
Nonadmitted
Restricted
    Total
Admitted
Restricted
   

Gross
(Admitted &
Nonadmitted)
Restricted

to Total
Assets

    Admitted
Restricted to
Total
Admitted
Assets
 

Collateral held under security lending

agreements

  $ 2,461,167     $ (791,405   $     –     $     1,669,762       1.44     1.44

Subject to repurchase agreements

    116,023       89,382             205,405       0.18     0.18

Subject to reverse repurchase agreements

                            0.00     0.00

Subject to dollar repurchase agreements

    278,626       82,437             361,063       0.31     0.31

Subject to dollar reverse repurchase agreements

                            0.00     0.00

FHLB capital stock

    175,800       (42,400           133,400       0.11     0.11

On deposit with states

    40,862       (3,613           37,249       0.03     0.03

Pledged as collateral to FHLB (including assets backing funding agreements)

    4,999,339           (593,836           4,405,503       3.76     3.76

Pledged as collateral not captured in other categories

    600,943       36,284             637,227       0.54     0.54

Other restricted assets

    423,770       749,164             1,172,934       1.00     1.00
       

Total Restricted Assets

  $     9,096,530     $ (473,987   $     $ 8,622,543       7.37     7.37
       

 

53


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The amounts reported as Other restricted assets in the table above represent assets held in trust related to reinsurance.

The following tables show the pledged or restricted assets in other categories as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

    

Gross (Admitted & Nonadmitted) Restricted 2018

 
Description of Assets    Total General
Account (G/A)
     G/A Supporting
S/A Activity
     Total Separate
Account (S/A)
Restricted
Assets
     S/A Assets
Supporting
G/A Activity
     Total  

Derivatives

   $     587,361      $     –      $     –      $     –      $ 587,361  

Secured Funding Agreements

     46,723                             46,723  

AMBAC

     3,143                             3,143  
        

Total

   $ 637,227      $      $      $      $ 637,227  
        

 

    

Gross (Admitted &

Nonadmitted) Restricted

     Percentage  
                                  
Description of Assets    Total From
Prior Year
(2017)
     Increase/
(Decrease)
    Total Current
Year Admitted
Restricted
     Gross
(Admitted &
Nonadmitted)
Restricted to
Total Assets
    Admitted
Restricted to
Total Admitted
Assets
 

Derivatives

   $     577,146      $ 10,215     $     587,361        0.50     0.50

Secured Funding Agreements

     19,943        26,780       46,723        0.04     0.04

AMBAC

     3,854        (711     3,143        0.00     0.00
        

Total

   $ 600,943      $ 36,284     $ 637,227        0.54     0.54
        

The following tables show the collateral received and reflected as assets within the financial statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

      2018  
Collateral Assets    Carrying
Value
     Fair Value      % of CV to
Total Assets
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
     % of CV
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 

Cash

   $     1,379,285      $ 1,379,285        3.05       3.06 

Securities lending collateral assets

     1,670,537            1,670,537        3.69         3.70   

Other

     3,999        3,999        0.01         0.01   
        

Total Collateral Assets

   $ 3,053,821      $ 3,053,821        6.75       6.77 
        
     Amount      % of Liability to
Total Liabilities
               

Recognized Obligation to return collateral asset

   $ 3,054,914        7.77      

 

54


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

      2017  
Collateral Assets    Carrying
Value
     Fair Value      % of CV to
Total Assets
(Admitted
and
Nonadmitted)
     % of CV
to Total
Admitted
Assets
 

Cash

   $ 725,234      $ 725,235        1.55       1.55 

Securities lending collateral assets

         2,460,919            2,460,919        5.25         5.27   

Other

     9,974        9,973        0.02         0.02   
        

Total Collateral Assets

   $ 3,196,127      $ 3,196,127        6.82       6.84 
        
     Amount      % of Liability to
Total Liabilities
               

Recognized Obligation to return collateral asset

   $ 3,197,011        7.97      

Net Investment Income

Detail of net investment income is presented below:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018      2017      2016  

Income:

        

Bonds

   $ 1,220,282      $ 1,597,423      $ 1,821,601  

Preferred stocks

     7,711        5,655        6,159  

Common stocks

     100,616        214,463        13,474  

Mortgage loans on real estate

     202,918        239,980        284,532  

Real estate

     20,190        20,862        22,698  

Policy loans

     38,144        39,825        41,872  

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term

     37,671        23,632        15,464  

Derivatives

     65,909        100,763        221,031  

Other invested assets

     72,460        294,772        81,017  
        

Gross investment income

     1,765,901        2,537,375        2,507,848  

Less: investment expenses

     201,761        167,604        142,071  
        

Net investment income before amortization of IMR

     1,564,140        2,369,771        2,365,777  

Amortization of IMR

     46,511        63,277        79,140  
        

Net investment income

   $ 1,610,651      $ 2,433,048      $ 2,444,917  
        

 

55


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Realized Capital Gains (Losses)

Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments, including OTTI, are summarized below:

 

       Realized
Year Ended December 31
 
       2018        2017      2016  

Bonds

     $ (146,705      $ 2,202,327      $ (38,959

Preferred stocks

       1,539          535        933  

Common stocks

       (3,690        (1,978      885  

Mortgage loans on real estate

       (25,561        89,463        145  

Real estate

       5,104          (4,101      (3,377

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

       (41        (185      131  

Derivatives

       (765,780        (1,036,461      (185,514

Other invested assets

             113,193          117,051        (143,751
          

Change in realized capital gains (losses), before taxes

       (821,941            1,366,651        (369,507

Federal income tax effect

       6,082          (197,793      (7,059

Transfer from (to) interest maintenance reserve

       129,505          (1,711,437            69,383  
          

Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments

     $ (686,354      $ (542,579    $ (307,183
          

Unrealized Capital Gains (Losses)

The changes in net unrealized capital gains and losses on investments, including the changes in net unrealized foreign capital gains and losses were as follows:

 

     Change in Unrealized  
     Year Ended December 31  
     2018     2017     2016  
  

 

 

 

Bonds

   $ 34,974     $ 64,814     $ 87,348  

Preferred stocks

     (859     (564     (102

Common stocks

     1,874       1,468       95  

Affiliated entities

     157,530       398,521               420,679  

Mortgage loans on real estate

     26,618       (25,197     149  

Cash equivalents and short-term investments

     143       8       (141

Derivatives

     1,052,471       (73,945     (282,801

Other invested assets

     32,650       180,441       44,126  
  

 

 

 

Change in unrealized capital gains (losses), before taxes

     1,305,401       545,546       269,353  

Taxes on unrealized capital gains (losses)

     (54,921     124,074       (202,078
  

 

 

 

Change in unrealized capital gains (losses), net of tax

   $         1,250,480     $         669,620     $ 67,275  
  

 

 

 

 

56


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

6. Premium and Annuity Considerations Deferred and Uncollected

Deferred and uncollected life premium and annuity considerations at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

     2018      2017  
     Gross      Net of Loading      Gross      Net of Loading  

Life and annuity:

           

Ordinary first-year business

   $ 1,077      $ 173      $ 233      $ (644

Ordinary renewal business

     94,263        84,248        88,791        78,408  

Group life direct business

     16,474        7,911        17,510        8,438  

Credit direct business

     13        13        55        55  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $         111,827      $         92,345      $         106,589      $         86,257  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. Policy and Contract Attributes

Insurance Liabilities

Policy reserves, deposit funds and policy claims at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018      2017  

Life insurance reserves

   $     11,431,333      $     11,854,033  

Annuity reserves and supplementary contracts with life contingencies

     13,793,355        13,180,233  

Accident and health reserves (including long term care)

     681,838        715,419  

Total policy reserves

   $ 25,906,526        25,749,685  

Deposit funds

     915,773        1,042,297  

Policy claims

     485,636        399,919  

Total policy reserves, deposit funds and claim liabilities

   $ 27,307,935      $ 27,191,901  
        

Life Insurance Reserves

The aggregate policy reserves for life insurance policies are based principally upon the 1941, 1958, 1980 and 2001 Commissioner’s Standard Ordinary Mortality and American Experience Mortality Tables. The reserves are calculated using interest rates ranging from 2.00 to 6.00 percent and are computed principally on the Net Level Premium Valuation and the Commissioner’s Reserve Valuation Method. Reserves for universal life policies are based on account balances adjusted for the Commissioner’s Reserve Valuation Method.

Tabular interest, tabular less actual reserves released and tabular cost have been determined by formula.

 

57


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company waives deduction of deferred fractional premiums upon death of the insured and returns any portion of the final premium for periods beyond the date of death. Additional premiums are charged or additional mortality charges are assessed for policies issued on substandard lives according to underwriting classification. Generally, mean reserves are determined by computing the regular mean reserve for the plan at the true age and holding, in addition, one-half (1/2) of the extra premium charge for the year. For certain flexible premium and fixed premium universal life insurance products, reserves are calculated utilizing the Commissioner’s Reserve Valuation Method for universal life policies and recognizing any substandard ratings.

Participating life insurance policies were issued by the Company which entitle policyholders to a share in the earnings of the participating policies, provided that a dividend distribution, which is determined annually based on mortality and persistency experience of the participating policies, is authorized by the Company. Participating insurance constituted less than 0.05% of ordinary life insurance in force at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Annuity Reserves and Supplementary Contracts Involving Life Contingencies

Deferred annuity reserves are calculated according to the Commissioner’s Annuity Reserve Valuation Method including excess interest reserves to cover situations where the future interest guarantees plus the decrease in surrender charges are in excess of the maximum valuation rates of interest.

Reserves for immediate annuities and supplementary contracts with and without life contingencies are equal to the present value of future payments assuming interest rates ranging from 2.25 to 11.25 percent and mortality rates, where appropriate, from a variety of tables.

Annuity reserves also include guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) and funding agreements classified as life-type contracts as defined in SSAP No. 50, Classifications and Definitions of Insurance or Managed Care Contracts In Force. These liabilities have annuitization options at guaranteed rates and consist of floating interest rate and fixed interest rate contracts. The contract reserves are carried at the greater of the account balance or the value as determined for an annuity with cash settlement option, on a change in fund basis, according to the Commissioner’s Annuity Reserve Valuation Method.

For variable annuities with guaranteed living benefits and variable annuities with minimum guaranteed death benefits the Company complies with Valuation Manual section 21 (VM-21), Requirements for Principle-Based Reserves for Variable Annuities. VM-21 specifies statutory reserve requirements for variable annuity contracts with benefit guarantees (VACARVM) and without benefit guarantees and related products. The VM-21 reserve calculation includes variable annuity products issued after January 1, 1981. Examples of covered guaranteed benefits include guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits, return of premium death benefits, guaranteed minimum income benefits, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits and guaranteed payout annuity floors. The aggregate reserve for contracts falling within the scope of VM-21 is equal to the conditional tail expectation (CTE) Amount, but not less than the standard scenario amount (SSA).

 

58


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

To determine the CTE Amount, the Company used 1,000 of the pre-packaged scenarios developed by the American Academy of Actuaries (AAA) produced in October 2005 and prudent estimate assumptions based on Company experience. The SSA was determined using the assumptions and methodology prescribed in VM-21 for determining the SSA.

Accident and Health Liabilities

Accident and health policy reserves are equal to the greater of the gross unearned premiums or any required mid-terminal reserves plus net unearned premiums and the present value of amounts not yet due on both reported and unreported claims.

The Company anticipates investment income as a factor in the premium deficiency calculation, in accordance with SSAP No. 54, Individual and Group Accident and Health Contracts. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had insurance in force aggregating $78,179,488 and $93,922,936, respectively, in which the gross premiums are less than the net premiums required by the valuation standards established by the Iowa Insurance Division. The Company established policy reserves of $1,667,131 and $1,816,099 to cover these deficiencies as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

For indeterminate premium products, a full schedule of current and anticipated premium rates is developed at the point of issue. Premium rate adjustments are considered when anticipated future experience foretells deviations from the original profit standards. The source of deviation (mortality, persistency, expense, etc.) is an important consideration in the re-rating decision as well as the potential effect of a rate change on the future experience of the existing block of business.

Liabilities for losses and loss/claim adjustment expenses for accident and health contracts are estimated using statistical claim development models to develop best estimates of liabilities for medical expense business and using tabular reserves employing mortality/morbidity tables and discount rates meeting minimum regulatory requirements for other business. Unpaid claims include amounts for losses and related adjustment expenses and are estimates of the ultimate net costs of all losses, reported and unreported. These estimates are subject to the impact of future changes in claim severity, frequency and other factors.

Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and related processing costs net of reinsurance is summarized as follows:

 

     Unpaid Claims
Liability
Beginning of
Year
     Claims
Incurred
         Claims    
Paid
     Unpaid Claims
Liability End
of Year
 

Year ended December 31, 2018

           

2018

   $ -      $ 308,983      $ 225,500      $ 83,483  

2017 and prior

     157,201        (21,859      83,584        51,758  
     157,201      $     287,124      $     309,084        135,241  
              

Active life reserve

   $ 657,543            $ 632,180  

Total accident and health reserves

   $     814,744            $     767,421  
                       

 

59


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     Unpaid Claims
Liability
Beginning of
Year
         Claims    
Incurred
    Claims
Paid
     Unpaid Claims
Liability End
of Year
 

Year ended December 31, 2017

          

2017

   $ -      $ 316,002     $ 215,157      $ 100,845  

2016 and prior

     1,425,390        (1,282,531     86,503        56,356  
     1,425,390      $ (966,529   $ 301,660        157,201  
              

Active life reserve

   $ 3,953,654           $ 657,543  

Total accident and health reserves

   $ 5,379,044           $ 814,744  
                      

The Company’s unpaid claims reserve was decreased by (21,859) and ($1,282,351) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for health claims that were incurred prior to those balance sheet dates. The change in 2018 resulted primarily from variances in the estimated frequency of claims and claim severity. The change in 2017 resulted primarily from a new intercompany reinsurance agreement on the long term care block.

The balance in the liability for unpaid accident and health claim adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $3,091 and $3,278, respectively. The Company incurred $16,534 and paid $16,722 of claim adjustment expenses during 2018, of which $1,771 of the paid amount was attributable to insured or covered events of prior years. The Company incurred -$17,765 and paid $15,543 of claim adjustment expenses during 2017, of which $1,190 of the paid amount was attributable to insured or covered events of prior years. The Company did not increase or decrease the claim adjustment expense provision for insured events of prior years during 2018.

Deposit-type Contracts

Tabular interest on funds not involving life contingencies has also been determined primarily by formula.

The Company issues certain funding agreements with well-defined class-based annuity purchase rates defining either specific or maximum purchase rate guarantees. However, these funding agreements are not issued to or for the benefit of an identifiable individual or group of individuals. These contracts are classified as deposit-type contracts in accordance with SSAP No. 50.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Withdrawal Characteristics of Annuity Reserves and Deposit Funds

A portion of the Company’s policy reserves and other policyholders’ funds (including separate account liabilities) relates to liabilities established on a variety of the Company’s annuity and deposit fund products. There may be certain restrictions placed upon the amount of funds that can be withdrawn without penalty. The amount of reserves on these products, by withdrawal characteristics, is summarized as follows:

 

    

December 31

2018

 
     General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
     Separate
Account Non-
Guaranteed
     Total      Percent  

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

   $ 1,186,894      $      $      $ 1,186,894        1  %  

At book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     502,104                      502,104        1       

At fair value

     97,353               65,968,217        66,065,570        78       

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     1,786,351               65,968,217        67,754,568        80       

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     11,213,583                      11,213,583        13       

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     5,744,774        38,792        254,223        6,037,789        7       

Total annuity reserves and deposit liabilities

     18,744,708        38,792        66,222,440        85,005,940        100  %  
                    

Less reinsurance ceded

     3,225,879                      3,225,879     

Net annuity reserves and deposit liabilities

   $ 15,518,829      $ 38,792      $
 
 
66,222,440
 
 
   $ 81,780,061     
           
    

December 31

2017

 
     General
Account
     Separate
Account
with
Guarantees
     Separate
Account Non-
Guaranteed
     Total      Percent  

Subject to discretionary withdrawal with adjustment:

              

With fair value adjustment

   $ 981,060      $      $      $ 981,060        1  %  

At book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     309,366                      309,366        1       

At fair value

     104,165               74,544,361        74,648,526        80       

Total with adjustment or at fair value

     1,394,591               74,544,361        75,938,952        82       

At book value without adjustment (minimal or no charge or adjustment)

     12,266,170                      12,266,170        13       

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision

     4,681,115        44,915        75,027        4,801,057        5       

Total annuity reserves and deposit liabilities

     18,341,876        44,915        74,619,388        93,006,179        100  %  
                    

Less reinsurance ceded

     4,149,269               -        4,149,269     

Net annuity reserves and deposit liabilities

   $ 14,192,607      $ 44,915      $ 74,619,388      $ 88,856,910     
           

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Separate Accounts

Certain separate and variable accounts held by the Company relate to individual variable life insurance policies. The benefits provided on the policies are determined by the performance and/or fair value of the investments held in the separate account. The net investment experience of the separate account is credited directly to the policyholder and can be positive or negative. The assets of these separate accounts are carried at fair value. The life insurance policies typically provide a guaranteed minimum death benefit.

Certain separate accounts held by the Company represent funds which are administered for pension plans. The assets consist primarily of fixed maturities and equity securities and are carried at fair value. The Company provides a minimum guaranteed return to policyholders of certain separate accounts. Certain other separate accounts do not have any minimum guarantees and the investment risks associated with fair value changes are borne entirely by the policyholder.

Information regarding the separate accounts of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

 

     Guaranteed
Indexed
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than or
Equal to 4%
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Greater
Than 4%
     Nonguaranteed
Separate
Accounts
     Total  

Premiums, deposits and other considerations for the year ended December 31, 2018

   $      $      $ 11,732      $ 9,160,718      $ 9,172,450  
        

Reserves for separate accounts as of December 31, 2018 with assets at:

              

Fair value

   $      $ 23,984      $ 14,808      $ 69,455,743      $ 69,494,535  

Amortized cost

            646,872                      646,872  

Total as of December 31, 2018

   $      $ 670,856      $ 14,808      $ 69,455,743      $ 70,141,407  
        

Reserves for separate accounts by withdrawal characteristics as of December 31, 2018:

              

Subject to discretionary withdrawal

   $      $      $      $      $  

With fair value adjustment

                                  

At fair value

                          69,201,520        69,201,520  

At book value without fair value adjustment and with current surrender charge of less than 5%

            646,872                      646,872  

Subtotal

            646,872               69,201,520        69,848,392  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

            23,984        14,808        254,223        293,015  

Total separate account reserve liabilities at December 31, 2018

   $     –      $     670,856      $     14,808      $     69,455,743      $     70,141,407  
        

 

62


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     Guaranteed
Indexed
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than or
Equal to 4%
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Greater
Than 4%
     Nonguaranteed
Separate
Accounts
     Total  

Premiums, deposits and other considerations for the year ended December 31, 2017

   $      $      $ 10,782      $ 8,705,180      $ 8,715,962  
        

Reserves for separate accounts as of December 31, 2017 with assets at:

              

Fair value

   $      $ 25,346      $ 19,569      $ 78,023,636      $ 78,068,551  

Amortized cost

            633,003                      633,003  

Total as of December 31, 2017

   $      $ 658,349      $ 19,569      $ 78,023,636      $ 78,701,554  
        

Reserves for separate accounts by withdrawal characteristics as of December 31, 2017:

              

Subject to discretionary withdrawal

   $      $      $      $      $  

With fair value adjustment

                                  

At fair value

                          77,948,609        77,948,609  

At book value without fair value adjustment and with current surrender charge of less than 5%

            633,003                      633,003  

Subtotal

            633,003               77,948,609        78,581,612  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

            25,346        19,569        75,027        119,942  

Total separate account reserve liabilities at December 31, 2017

   $     –      $     658,349      $     19,569      $     78,023,636      $     78,701,554  
        

 

63


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     Guaranteed
Indexed
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Less Than or
Equal to 4%
     Nonindexed
Guarantee
Greater
Than 4%
     Nonguaranteed
Separate
Accounts
     Total  

Premiums, deposits and other considerations for the year ended December 31, 2016

   $      $ 64      $ 10,970      $ 8,767,639      $ 8,778,673  
        

Reserves for separate accounts as of December 31, 2016 with assets at:

              

Fair value

   $      $ 21,505      $ 20,001      $ 70,154,420      $ 70,195,926  

Amortized cost

            633,674                      633,674  

Total as of December 31, 2016

   $      $ 655,179      $ 20,001      $ 70,154,420      $ 70,829,600  
        

Reserves for separate accounts by withdrawal characteristics as of December 31, 2016:

              

Subject to discretionary withdrawal

   $      $      $      $      $  

With fair value adjustment

                                  

At fair value

                          70,116,163        70,116,163  

At book value without fair value adjustment and with current surrender charge of less than 5%

            633,674                      633,674  

Subtotal

            633,674               70,116,163        70,749,837  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

            21,505        20,001        38,257        79,763  

Total separate account reserve liabilities at December 31, 2016

   $     –      $     655,179      $     20,001      $     70,154,420      $     70,829,600  
        

A reconciliation of the amounts transferred to and from the Company’s separate accounts is presented below:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018     2017     2016  

Transfer as reported in the summary of operations of the separate accounts statement:

      

Transfers to separate accounts

   $ 9,198,986     $ 8,742,039     $ 8,767,931  

Transfers from separate accounts

     (12,522,352     (11,223,730     (8,507,967

Net transfers to separate accounts

     (3,323,366     (2,481,691     259,964  

Miscellaneous reconciling adjustments

     (152,560     444,099       469,247  

Net transfers as reported in the statements of operations of the life, accident and health annual statement

   $ (3,475,926   $ (2,037,592   $ 729,211  
        

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The legal insulation of separate account assets prevents such assets from being generally available to satisfy claims resulting from the general account. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s separate account statement included legally insulated assets of $71,917,551 and $80,820,068, respectively. The assets legally insulated from general account claims at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are attributed to the following products:

 

     2018      2017  

Group annuities

   $ 23,941,313      $ 27,892,661  

Variable annuities

     43,329,322        48,043,845  

Fixed universal life

     695,569        665,407  

Variable universal life

     3,737,005        3,952,973  

Variable life

     198,613        222,858  

Modified separate accounts

     4,813        29,090  

Registered Market Value

     

Annuity Product - SPL

     10,916        13,234  

Total separate account assets

   $     71,917,551      $     80,820,068  
        

Some separate account liabilities are guaranteed by the general account. In accordance with the guarantees provided, if the investment proceeds are insufficient to cover the rate of return guaranteed for the product, the policyholder proceeds will be remitted by the general account. To compensate the general account for the risk taken, the separate account paid risk charges of $519,373, $505,695, $483,307, $434,084, and $342,823, to the general account in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 the general account of the Company had paid $47,746, $43,334, $77,232, $223,304, and $35,985 respectively, toward separate account guarantees.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company reported guaranteed separate account assets at amortized cost in the amount of $643,109 and $616,456, respectively, based upon the prescribed practice granted by the State of Iowa as described in Note 2. These assets had a fair value of $679,964 and $669,442 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which would have resulted in an unrealized gain of $36,855 and $52,984, respectively, had these assets been reported at fair value.

The Company does not participate in securities lending transactions within the separate account.

8. Reinsurance

Certain premiums and benefits are assumed from and ceded to other insurance companies under various reinsurance agreements. The Company reinsures portions of the risk on certain insurance policies which exceed its established limits, thereby providing a greater diversification of risk and minimizing exposure on larger risks. The Company remains contingently liable with respect to any insurance ceded, and this would become an actual liability in the event that the assuming insurance company became unable to meet its obligation under the reinsurance treaty.

 

65


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Premiums earned reflect the following reinsurance amounts:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018      2017      2016  

Direct premiums

   $ 14,431,051      $ 13,588,837      $ 14,081,227  

Reinsurance assumed - non affiliates

     1,268,615        1,351,628        1,412,887  

Reinsurance assumed - affiliates

     125,367        325,332        113,578  

Reinsurance ceded - non affiliates

     (3,040,806      (15,100,457      (2,018,612

Reinsurance ceded - affiliates

     (1,361,992      (3,295,966      489,464  

Net premiums earned

   $ 11,422,235      $ (3,130,626    $ 14,078,544  
        

Effective October 1, 2018, the Company recaptured credit insurance business from an affiliate, Ironwood Re Corp. The Company released $1,812 in funds withheld liability, recaptured $2,430 of policyholder reserves and $426 of claim reserves. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $1,045 which has been included in the Statement of Operations. In addition, the Company released into income a previously deferred unamortized gain resulting from the original cession of this business to Ironwood in the amount of $1,262 ($821 after-tax) with a corresponding charge to unassigned surplus.

Effective October 1, 2018, an affiliate, Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company (TPLIC) recaptured group health insurance business from the Company. The Company paid consideration of $33,799 and released $13,767 of policyholder reserves, $980 of unearned premium reserve and $7,366 of claim reserves. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $11,686 which has been included in the Statement of Operations.

Effective July 1, 2018, the Company recaptured term insurance business from an affiliate, Stonebridge Reinsurance Company. The Company received cash of $137,447, recaptured $680,477 in policyholder reserves, $28,815 in claim reserves, net due premiums and commissions of $11,764 and $10,560 in interest maintenance reserve liability. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax loss of $570,641 which was included in the Statement of Operations. In addition, as a result of this transaction, amounts previously deferred to surplus under SSAP No. 61R and Appendix A-791, were released resulting in an increase to earnings, net of tax, of $184,144.

Effective July 1, 2018, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement to cede an in force block of term insurance business to SCOR Global Life Americas. The Company paid consideration of $260,000, ceded $674,799 in policyholder reserves, $27,884 in claim reserves, $8,289 in due premium (net of commissions), and $13,229 in interest maintenance reserves liability. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of $447,623 which will be identified separately on the insurer’s statutory financial statement as a surplus item. Recognition of the surplus increase as income shall be reflected on a net of tax basis as earnings emerge from the business reinsured.

Effective June 29, 2018, the Company and Wilton Re U. S. Holdings, Inc. (Wilton Re) entered into an agreement as to the “Final Net Settlement Statements and Other Matters” (NSS) associated with the reinsurance agreement between the two companies that was effective April 1, 2017. This agreement related to the reinsurance of the payout annuity and BOLI/COLI business

 

66


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

to Wilton Re. As a result of the mutual concessions between the parties, Wilton Re will pay the Company $47,221. In addition, the Company released a reinsurance receivable in the amount of $3,234 related to the initial proposed final NSS that was used for closing. The net pretax impact to Capital and Surplus of these adjustments was $43,986.

Effective June 29, 2018, the Company and Wilton Re agreed to Amendment No. 1 to the Reinsurance Agreement dated June 28, 2017. This amendment converted risks that were ceded on a modified coinsurance basis to a coinsurance basis by reducing the amount of reinsurance ceded in the NSS and reducing the modco reserves ceded. At the close of the original transaction, the company offset the reserve ceded related to a modified separate account contract. Within the amendment to the Master Transaction Agreement, the Company agrees to pay Wilton Re an amount in cash equal to $95,386, which will be offset in full against an equivalent balance of other amounts due and payable to the Company, such that no cash or other assets shall be required to be transferred by the Parties.

Effective December 1, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with TPLIC, an affiliate, to convert the modified coinsurance agreement to coinsurance and funds withheld. As a result, TLIC transferred cash and invested assets to TPLIC. Assets that were not able to be transferred were retained in a FWH portfolio by TLIC until they mature, are sold or can be transferred. The Company transferred cash and invested assets with a market value of $6,487,360 to TPLIC. The reserves of $4,543,045 and claim reserves of $199,940 net of due and advance premium of $5,815 previously held on a modco basis were transferred to TPLIC. As a result of the transaction $18,642 existing IMR and $1,125,506 newly created IMR ($1,731,547 pre-tax gains) was released and transferred to TPLIC. The transaction results in a pre-tax loss of $606,306 which has been included in the Statement of Operations. Realized gains on the sale of assets supporting the business resulted in gains that offset the impact of the pre-tax loss related to the transaction. The Company ceded modified coinsurance reserves of $4,536,010 as of December 31, 2016 for certain stand-alone long-term care policies under the indemnity reinsurance agreement with TPLIC.

Effective October 1, 2017, the Company recaptured credit life business from an affiliate, Southwest Equity Life Insurance Company. Subsequently, the mortgage life and disability insurance business was recaptured from the Company by TPLIC.

Effective October 1, 2017, the Company recaptured term insurance business from an affiliate, Transamerica International Reinsurance (Bermuda) Ltd. The Company received cash of $346,458, recaptured $1,260,767 in policyholder reserves, $35,798 claim reserves, $3,502 commissions payable and $26,595 due premium. The transaction results in a pre-tax loss of $927,013 which has been included in the Statement of Operations. The Company subsequently entered into an agreement with SCOR Global Life Americas to assume business related to this recapture at the same consideration. The gain related to this reinsurance agreement was deferred to surplus. The combination of the transaction results in no impact to the surplus of the Company.

Effective October 1, 2017, the Company recaptured term insurance business from an affiliate, LIICA Re I. The Company received cash of $113,953, recaptured $724,596 in policyholder reserves, $19,768 claim reserves and $11,124 in interest maintenance reserve liability. The transaction results in a pre-tax loss of $641,535 which has been included in the Statement of Operations. The Company subsequently entered into an agreement with SCOR Global Life Americas to assume business related to this recapture.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Effective October 1, 2017, the Company recaptured certain term insurance business from an affiliate, Transamerica Pacific Insurance Company (TPIC). The company received cash of $1,902 and recaptured $17,310 in policyholder reserves, $2,897 claim reserves and $325 due premium (net of commission). The transaction results in a pre-tax loss of $17,980 which has been included in the Statement of Operations. The Company subsequently entered into an agreement with SCOR Global Life Americas to assume business related to this recapture.

Effective October 1, 2017, the Company novated the reinsurance agreement between TPIC and Transamerica International Re (Bermuda) Ltd. No cash or invested asset or net reserves were transferred as a result of this novation. The transaction results in no pre-tax gain or loss.

Subsequently effective October 1, 2017, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement to cede an in force block of term insurance business to SCOR Global Life Americas. The company accrued to a funds withheld payable of $314,000 ceding $737,678 in policyholder reserves, $21,886 claim reserves, $10,958 due premium (net of commissions), offset by a reinsurance recoverable of $6,000 receivable and $11,124 in interest maintenance reserves liability. The transaction results in a pre-tax gain of $451,730 which has been identified separately on the insurer’s statutory financial statement as a surplus item and recognition of the surplus increase as income shall be reflected on a net of tax basis as earnings emerge from the business reinsured. The funds withheld balance was paid to SCOR Global Life Americas on December 29, 2017.

On June 28, 2017, Transamerica completed a transaction to reinsure its payout annuity business and Bank Owned Life Insurance/Corporate Owned Life Insurance business (BOLI/COLI). Under the terms of the Master Agreement, the Company entered into a 100% coinsurance (general account liabilities)/100% modified coinsurance (separate account liabilities) reinsurance agreement with Wilton Reassurance Company, with an effective date of April 1, 2017. The Company transferred assets in the amount of $8,312,263, which included a negative ceding commission of $112,183, and released policy and deposit-type reserves of $7,186,330 and reinsurance deposit, policy loans and other balances related to the business of $191,144. Modified coinsurance separate account reserves of $3,695,331 were retained by the Company. As a part of the transaction, the Company realized $972,360 in net gains on the assets that were transferred of which $627,872 were deferred to IMR. The IMR liability simultaneously was released along with historical deferrals associated with the blocks of business in the amount of $921,322, resulting in a pretax loss of $51,266, which has been included in the Statement of Operations.

Effective January 1, 2017, three affiliated reinsurance treaties with TLB were amended to include the cession of all business with secondary guarantee universal life (SGUL) issued or novated by the Company. The Company increased cessions from 80 to 100% coinsurance and increased the expense allowance by fifteen basis points of account value on all business ceded based on the end of the period account value. As consideration for the cessions, the Company received cash and invested assets of $206,742, equal to the additional U.S. statutory reserves, resulting in no gain or loss on the transaction.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Effective October 1, 2016, the Company recaptured fixed annuity and funding agreement business previously ceded to TPLIC, an affiliate, on a coinsurance basis. The Company received cash and invested assets of $3,017,999 and recaptured policy and claim reserves of $3,030,564. A reinsurance receivable from TPLIC was established for the remaining $12,565 of assets to be transferred in support of the transferred policy and claim reserves. In addition, TPLIC transferred $82,218 of transfer date IMR to the Company. The Company paid net consideration to TPLIC resulting in a pre-tax loss of $40,086, which has been included in the Statement of Operations.

Effective October 1, 2016, TPLIC recaptured medium-term note funding agreements previously ceded to the Company on a coinsurance basis. The Company transferred cash and invested assets of $114,175 and released deposit-type reserves of $112,238 and a hedge novation of $2,228. A payable to TPLIC of $292 was established for remaining assets to be transferred in support of the hedge novation. The Company received consideration from TPLIC resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2,936 which has been included in the Statement of Operations.

Effective September 30, 2016, the Company ceded term life business to TWRI, an affiliate, on a coinsurance funds withheld basis. The Company paid an initial reinsurance premium of $41,565, transferred other net assets of $2,042, and released life and claim reserves of $296,656 and $21,926, respectively, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $274,974 ($178,733 net of tax) which has been credited directly to unassigned surplus. Effective January 1, 2017, an amendment was made to the reinsurance agreement with TWRI to allow reinsurance of post December 31, 2016 issue dates up to June 30, 2017 issue dates. The policies with issue dates in 2017 are subject to a $50 million maximum in total annualized premium.

The Company received reinsurance recoveries in the amount of $3,726,987, $3,735,152 and $3,220,276, during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers that have been deducted from policy and contract claim reserves totaled $1,061,987 and $285,160. The aggregate reserves for policies and contracts were reduced for reserve credits for reinsurance ceded at December 31, 2018 and 2017 of $42,222,952 and $41,782,338, respectively, of which $20,685,628 and $20,587,204 were ceded to affiliates.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016 amortization of deferred gains associated with previously transacted reinsurance agreements was released into income in the amount of $514,911 ($335,855 after tax), $90,556 ($62,716 after tax) and $255,425 ($176,996 after tax), respectively.

The Company reports a reinsurance deposit receivable of $0 and $0 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In 1996, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with an unaffiliated company where, for a net consideration of $59,716, the Company ceded certain portions of future obligations under single premium annuity contracts originally written by the Company in 1993. Consistent with the requirements of SSAP No. 75, Reinsurance Deposit Accounting, the Company reports the net consideration paid as a deposit. The amount reported is the present value of the future payment streams discounted at the effective yield rate determined at inception.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company obtained letters of credit of $56,994, $55,017 and $98,006, respectively, for the benefit of affiliated and nonaffiliated companies that have reinsured business to the Company where the ceding company’s state of domicile does not recognize the Company as an authorized reinsurer.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

9. Income Taxes

The net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the change from the prior year are comprised of the following components:

 

     December 31, 2018  
     Ordinary      Capital      Total  

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 1,594,229      $ 129,592      $ 1,723,821  

Statutory Valuation Allowance Adjustment

                    

Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     1,594,229        129,592        1,723,821  

Deferred Tax Assets Nonadmitted

     96,652               96,652  

Subtotal (Net Deferred Tax Assets)

     1,497,577        129,592        1,627,169  

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     803,480        206,891        1,010,371  

Net Admitted Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 694,097      $ (77,299    $ 616,798  
        
     December 31, 2017  
     Ordinary      Capital      Total  

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

   $       1,460,587      $       135,094      $       1,595,681  

Statutory Valuation Allowance Adjustment

     2,432               2,432  

Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     1,458,155        135,094        1,593,249  

Deferred Tax Assets Nonadmitted

     65,996               65,996  

Subtotal (Net Deferred Tax Assets)

     1,392,159        135,094        1,527,253  

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     774,613        217,917        992,530  

Net Admitted Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 617,546      $ (82,823    $ 534,723  
        
     Change  
     Ordinary      Capital      Total  

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 133,642      $ (5,502    $ 128,140  

Statutory Valuation Allowance Adjustment

     (2,432             (2,432

Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     136,074        (5,502      130,572  

Deferred Tax Assets Nonadmitted

     30,656               30,656  

Subtotal (Net Deferred Tax Assets)

     105,418        (5,502      99,916  

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     28,867        (11,026      17,841  

Net Admitted Deferred Tax Assets

   $ 76,551      $ 5,524      $ 82,075  
        

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The main components of deferred income tax amounts are as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31         
     2018      2017      Change  

Deferred Tax Assets:

        

Ordinary

        

Policyholder reserves

   $ 535,134      $ 349,887      $ 185,247  

Investments

     203,467        184,414        19,053  

Deferred acquisition costs

     224,432        146,018        78,414  

Tax credit carry-forward

     349,547        522,986        (173,439

Foreign CFC Holdings

     116,610        97,641        18,969  

Policyholder Reserve Transitional Amount

     100,487        103,545        (3,058

Other (including items <5% of ordinary tax assets)

     64,552        56,096        8,456  

Subtotal

         1,594,229            1,460,587                133,642  

Statutory valuation allowance adjustment

            2,432        (2,432

Nonadmitted

     96,652        65,996        30,656  

Admitted ordinary deferred tax assets

     1,497,577        1,392,159        105,418  

Capital:

        

Investments

     129,592        135,094        (5,502

Other (including items <5% of total total capital tax assets)

                    

Subtotal

     129,592        135,094        (5,502

Statutory valuation allowance adjustment

                    

Nonadmitted

                    

Admitted capital deferred tax assets

     129,592        135,094        (5,502

Admitted deferred tax assets

   $ 1,627,169      $ 1,527,253      $ 99,916  
        
    

 

Year Ended December 31

        
     2018      2017      Change  

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

        

Ordinary

        

Investments

   $ 548,455      $ 525,495      $ 22,960  

Policyholder reserves

     34,570        42,066        (7,496

Foreign CFC Holdings

     90,887        77,311        13,576  

Policyholder Reserve Transitional Amount

     110,176        110,804        (628

Other (including items <5% of total ordinary tax liabilities)

     19,392        18,937        455  

Subtotal

     803,480        774,613        28,867  

Capital

        

Investments

     206,891        217,917        (11,026

Other (including items <5% of total capital tax liabilities)

                    

Subtotal

     206,891        217,917        (11,026

Deferred tax liabilities

     1,010,371        992,530        17,841  

Net deferred tax assets/liabilities

   $ 616,798      $ 534,723      $ 82,076  
        

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) (HR 1, Pub. L. 115-97) became law. As a result, the Company reported a valuation allowance of $2,432 against its minimum tax credit carryover deferred tax assets to reflect the estimated sequestration fee expected to be charged on refunded credits in the 2017 financial statements. On January 14th, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued an announcement on its official website stating that certain refundable minimum tax credits will not be subject to sequestration. As a result, the Company released its valuation allowance related to sequestration in the 2018 financial statements.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) (HR 1, Pub. L. 115-97) became law reducing the federal tax rate to 21%. As a result, the Company reduced its net deferred tax asset balance by $9,524, excluding $42,450 of net deferred tax asset reduction on unrealized gains/(losses) in the 2017 financial statements.

The effects of the U.S. tax reform were reflected in the 2017 financial statements as determined or as reasonably estimated provisional amounts based on available information subject to interpretation in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), as adopted by NAIC SAPWG INT 18-01. SAB 118 provides guidance on accounting for the effects of U.S. tax reform where the Company’s determinations are incomplete but the Company can determine a reasonable estimate. The TCJA related disclosures and figures in the 2018 financials represent final impacts with no estimated figures remaining.

As a result of the TCJA, the Company’s tax reserve deductible temporary difference increased by $52,726. This change results in an offsetting $(52,726) taxable temporary difference that will be amortized into taxable income evenly over the eight years subsequent to 2017. The tax reserve deductible temporary difference increased $18,569 from the estimate in the 2017 financials due to model refinements during 2018 to implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

As discussed in Note 2, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 the Company admits deferred income tax assets pursuant to SSAP No. 101. The amount of admitted adjusted gross deferred income tax assets under each component of SSAP No. 101 is as follows:

 

                December 31, 2018         
         Ordinary      Capital      Total  
Admission Calculation Components SSAP No. 101         
2(a)   Federal Income Taxes Paid in Prior Years Recoverable Through Loss Carrybacks    $      $      $  
2(b)   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized (Excluding The Amount of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) above) After Application of the Threshold Limitation (the Lesser of 2(b)1 and 2(b)2 below)      583,655        33,143        616,798  
 

1. Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized Following the Balance Sheet Date

     583,655        33,143        616,798  
 

2. Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Allowed per Limitation Threshold

     XXX        XXX        774,224  
2(c)   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Excluding The Amount Of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) and 2(b) above) Offset by Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities      913,922        96,449        1,010,371  
2(d)   Deferred Tax Assets Admitted as the result of application of SSAP No. 101, Total (2(a) + 2(b) + 2(c))    $ 1,497,577      $ 129,592      $ 1,627,169  
          
                December 31, 2017         
         Ordinary      Capital      Total  

Admission Calculation Components SSAP No. 101

 

2(a)

  Federal Income Taxes Paid in Prior Years Recoverable Through Loss Carrybacks    $      $      $  

2(b)

  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized (Excluding The Amount of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) above) After Application of the Threshold Limitation (the Lesser of 2(b)1 and 2(b)2 below)      506,608        28,115        534,723  
 

1. Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized Following the Balance Sheet Date

        
 

2. Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Allowed per Limitation Threshold

     XXX        XXX        912,852  

2(c)

  Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Excluding The Amount Of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) and 2(b) above) Offset by Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities      885,551        106,979        992,530  

2(d)

  Deferred Tax Assets Admitted as the result of application of SSAP No. 101, Total (2(a) + 2(b) + 2(c))    $     1,392,159      $     135,094      $     1,527,253  
          

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

         Ordinary     

Change

Capital

     Total  
Admission Calculation Components SSAP No. 101         
2(a)   Federal Income Taxes Paid in Prior Years Recoverable Through Loss Carrybacks    $      $      $  
2(b)   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized (Excluding The Amount of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) above) After Application of the Threshold Limitation (the Lesser of 2(b)1 and 2(b)2 below)      77,047        5,028        82,075  
 

1. Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Expected to be Realized Following the Balance Sheet Date

     77,047        5,028        82,075  
 

2. Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets Allowed per Limitation Threshold

     XXX        XXX        (138,628
2(c)   Adjusted Gross Deferred Tax Assets (Excluding The Amount Of Deferred Tax Assets From 2(a) and 2(b) above) Offset by Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities      28,371        (10,530      17,841  
2(d)   Deferred Tax Assets Admitted as the result of application of SSAP No. 101, Total (2(a) + 2(b) + 2(c))    $     105,418      $ (5,502    $ 99,916  
          

 

     December 31        
     2018     2017     Change  

Ratio Percentage Used To Determine Recovery

                        

Period and Threshold Limitation Amount

     836     901     -65
                        

Amount of Adjusted Capital and Surplus Used To

      

Determine Recovery Period and Threshold

                        

Limitation in 2(b)2 above

   $     5,161,496     $ 6,085,680     $ (924,184
                        

The impact of tax planning strategies at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

 

     December 31, 2018  
     Ordinary
Percent
    

Capital

Percent

     Total Percent  

Impact of Tax Planning Strategies:

        

(% of Total Adjusted Gross DTAs)

     0      0      0
                          

(% of Total Net Admitted Adjusted Gross DTAs)

     2      24      4
                          

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

     December 31, 2017  
     Ordinary
Percent
    

Capital

Percent

     Total Percent  

Impact of Tax Planning Strategies:

        

(% of Total Adjusted Gross DTAs)

     0      0      0
                          

(% of Total Net Admitted Adjusted Gross DTAs)

     8      16      8
                          

The Company’s tax planning strategies do not include the use of reinsurance-related tax planning strategies.

Current income taxes incurred consist of the following major components:

 

     Year Ended December 31                          
     2018     2017     Change  

Current Income Tax

      

Federal

   $ (29,827 )     $ (1,047,121   $ 1,017,294  

Foreign

           31       (31

  Subtotal

     (29,827     (1,047,090     1,017,263  

Federal income tax on net capital gains

     (6,082     197,793       (203,875

Utilization of capital loss carry-forwards

                  

Other

                  

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

   $ (35,909   $ (849,297   $ 813,388  
        
     Year Ended December 31                          
     2017     2016     Change  

Current Income Tax

      

Federal

   $ (1,047,121   $ (138,750   $ (908,371

Foreign

     31       (1     32  

  Subtotal

     (1,047,090     (138,751     (908,339

Federal income tax on net capital gains

     197,793       7,059       190,734  

Utilization of capital loss carry-forwards

              

Other

                  

Federal and foreign income taxes incurred

   $ (849,297   $ (131,692   $ (717,605
        

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company’s current income tax incurred and change in deferred income tax differs from the amount obtained by applying the federal statutory rate to income before tax as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018     2017     2016  
  

 

 

 

Current income taxes incurred

   $ (35,909   $ (849,297   $ (131,692

Change in deferred income taxes (without tax on unrealized gains and losses)

     (167,651     902,675       (189,046
  

 

 

 

    Total income tax reported

   $ (203,560   $ 53,378     $ (320,738
  

 

 

 

Income before taxes

   $ (1,503,967   $   1,466,016     $      79,690  
     21.00%       35.00%       35.00%  
  

 

 

 

Expected income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate

   $ (315,833   $ 513,105     $ 27,892  

Increase (decrease) in actual tax reported resulting from:

      

Dividends received deduction

   $ (29,121   $ (74,961   $ (74,012

Tax credits

     (51,984     (53,734     (25,037

Tax adjustment for IMR

     (12,999     (747,003     669  

Surplus adjustment for in-force ceded

               3,699       80,818       608  

Nondeductible expenses

     1,476       1,202       1,049  

Deferred tax benefit on other items in surplus

     166,621       131,796       (233,112

Prior year tax return adjustment

     26,916       4,179       1,486  

Life-owned life insurance

     (1,790     (2,975     (2,966

Dividends from certain foreign corporations

     2,895       2,639       1,620  

Statutory valuation allowance

     2,432       (2,432      

Pre-tax income of SMLLC’s

     15,812       230,025       14,093  

Tax-free distribution

           129,644        

Intercompany Dividends

     (19,031     (150,570     (2,966

Partnership Permanent Adjustment

     (2,407     (2,136     (1,914

Change in tax rates

           9,524        

Deferred only transfer - IWA

           (16,157      

Audit Adjustment - Permanent

                 (21,196

Other

     9,754       414       (6,952
  

 

 

 

    Total income tax reported

   $ (203,560   $ 53,378     $ (320,738
  

 

 

 

The Company’s federal income tax return is consolidated with other included affiliated companies. Please see attached listing of companies in the Appendix A. The method of allocation between the companies is subject to a written tax allocation agreement. Under the terms of the tax allocation agreement, allocations are based on separate income tax return calculations. The Company is entitled to recoup federal income taxes paid in the event the future losses and credits reduce the greater of the Company’s separately computed income tax liability or the consolidated group’s income tax liability in the year generated. The Company is also entitled to recoup federal income taxes paid in the event the losses and credits reduce the greater of the Company’s separately computed income tax liability or the consolidated group’s income tax liability in any carryback or carryforward year when so applied. Intercompany income tax balances are settled within thirty days of payment to or filing with the Internal Revenue Service. A tax return has not been filed for 2018.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The amounts, origination dates and expiration dates of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards available for tax purposes:

 

Description

     Amount        Origination Dates            Expiration Dates      

General Business Credit

   $ 34,914        12-31-2008                12-31-2028          

General Business Credit

     51,944        12-31-2009                12-31-2029          

General Business Credit

     54,087        12-31-2010                12-31-2030          

General Business Credit

     45,647        12-31-2011                12-31-2031          

General Business Credit

     31,125        12-31-2012                12-31-2032          

General Business Credit

     24,880        12-31-2013                12-31-2033          

General Business Credit

     19,912        12-31-2014                12-31-2034          

General Business Credit

     14,991        12-31-2015                12-31-2035          

General Business Credit

     3,604        12-31-2016                12-31-2036          

General Business Credit

     7,119        12-31-2017                12-31-2037          

General Business Credit

     22,758        12-31-2018                12-31-2038          

Total General Business Credit

   $         310,981                    

Foreign Tax Credit

   $ 24,051        12-31-2017                12-31-2027          

Total Foreign Tax Credit

   $ 24,051                    

Gross AMT Credit Recognized as:

 

1a      

Current year recoverable

   $         –  
1b  

Deferred tax asset (DTA)

             14,515  
2  

Beginning Balance of AMT Credit Carryover

     48,869  
3  

Amounts Recovered+

     34,354  
4  

Adjustments

      
5  

Ending Balance of AMT Credit Carryover (5=2-3-4)

     14,515  
6  

Reduction for Sequestration

      
7  

Nonadmitted by Reporting Entity

      
8  

Reporting Entity Ending Balance (8=5-6-7)

   $ 14,515  

The Company elected to account for its alternative minimum tax credit (AMT Credit) carryforward as a deferred tax asset.

The Company incurred no income taxes during 2018, 2017, and 2016, available for recoupment in the event of future net capital losses.

The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate:

 

     December 31,  
    

2018

    

2017

 

Unrecognized tax benefits, opening balance

   $ 11,091      $ 9,763  

Additions for - tax positions of prior years

     2,538        1,328  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance

   $     13,629      $   11,091  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the reporting date.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company classifies interest and penalties related to income taxes as income tax expense. The Company’s interest expense/(benefit) related to income taxes for the years ending in December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is $5,183, $(14,348), and $864, respectively. The total interest/(payable) receivable balance as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is $(1,381) and $3,577, respectively. The Company recorded no liability for penalties.

The Company modified its calculation of dividends that are eligible for dividends received deduction in 2016. This resulted in recording a permanent tax benefit of $20,250 in the Company’s 2016 financial statement for years 2011-2015. This was treated as a change in estimate.

The Company’s federal income tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service and an examination is in progress for the year 2009 through 2013. The Company believes that there are adequate defenses against or sufficient provisions established related to any open or contested tax positions.

10. Capital and Surplus

The Company had authorized 1,000,000 common stock shares at $10 per share par value of which 676,190 shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Company has 42,500 Series A preferred shares authorized, 42,500 shares issued, and 42,500 shares held by the Company as treasury stock, with a par value of $10. On December 26, 2006, the Company repurchased its Series A preferred shares for $58,000. The Company also has 250,000 Series B preferred non-voting shares authorized at $10 per share par value, of which 0 shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018. The Company paid its parent company to redeem the Series B non-voting preferred stock at par value on the following dates: December 13, 2018: 55,930 shares for $559; December 27, 2017: 29,787 shares for $297 and December 22, 2016: 31,437 shares for $314.

The Company is subject to limitations, imposed by the State of Iowa, on the payment of dividends to its shareholders. Generally, dividends during any twelve-month period may not be paid, without prior regulatory approval, in excess of the greater of (a) 10 percent of the Company’s statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, or (b) the Company’s statutory gain from operations before net realized capital gains (losses) on investments for the preceding year. Subject to the availability of unassigned surplus at the time of such dividend, the maximum payment which may be made in 2019, without the prior approval of insurance regulatory authorities, is $577,829.

On December 31, 2018, the Company provided a non-cash distribution of the Pension Plan for U.S. Agents of TLIC asset valued at $60,347 to its parent company in order to facilitate the approved plan merger of the Pension Plan for U.S. Agents of TLIC maintained by the Company into the Transamerica Employee Pension Plan maintained by Transamerica Corporation.

The Company paid an extraordinary preferred stock dividend and an extraordinary common stock dividend of $16,732 and $47,488, respectively, to its parent company on December 13, 2018.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company paid an ordinary preferred stock dividend and an ordinary common stock dividend of $16,920 and $283,080, respectively, to its parent company on June 29, 2018.

On September 12, 2017 and June 28, 2017, the Company paid ordinary common stock dividends of $240,000 and $188,393, respectively, to its parent company.

The Company provided cash returns of capital to its parent company in the amount of $558,740 on December 13, 2018. On June 28 and December 21, 2017, the Company paid a cash return of capital in the amount of $372,572 and $50,000, respectively, to its parent.

The Company received ordinary common stock dividends from Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company (TFLIC) in the amounts of $12,105 on June 29, 2018, $9,075 on December 21, 2017 and $10,289 on June 28, 2017. On December 13, 2018 and December 21, 2017, the Company received preferred stock dividends of $430 and $3, respectively, from TFLIC.

On December 18, 2018 and June 15, 2017, the Company received common stock dividends of $23,520 and $188,400, respectively, from its subsidiary TLB.

On December 13, 2018, the Company received $7,162 from TFLIC as a redemption of preferred stock.

On August 6, 2018, the Company received a common stock dividend in the amount of $140,000 from SRC.

On December 31, 2018, the Company made a non-cash capital contribution in the amount of $1,971 to REAP 3A.

The Company received a return of capital of $27,000 on June 28, 2017 from its subsidiary Investors Warranty of America, LLC (IWA).

On December 28, 2017, the Company received a return of capital of $135,000 and dividends of $221,506 from LIICA Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary.

Life and health insurance companies are subject to certain RBC requirements as specified by the NAIC. Under those requirements, the amount of capital and surplus maintained by a life or health insurance company is to be determined based on the various risk factors related to it. At December 31, 2018, the Company meets the minimum RBC requirements.

On September 30, 2002, Life Investors Insurance Company of America (LIICA), which merged in to the Company effective October 2, 2008, received $150,000 from TA Corp in exchange for surplus notes. These notes are due 20 years from the date of issuance at an interest rate of 6%, and are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all obligations and liabilities of the Company. In the event of liquidation of the Company, the holders of the issued and outstanding preferred stock shall be entitled to priority only with respect to accumulated but unpaid dividends before the holder of the surplus notes and full payment of the surplus notes shall be made before the holders of common stock become entitled to any distribution of the remaining assets of the Company. The Company received approval from the IID prior to paying quarterly interest payments.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Additional information related to the outstanding surplus notes at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

 

For Year
Ending
   Balance
Outstanding
     Interest Paid
Current Year
     Cumulative
Interest Paid
     Accrued
Interest
 
2018    $     150,000      $     9,000      $     144,000      $     2,250  
2017    $ 150,000      $ 9,000      $ 135,000      $ 2,250  

11. Securities Lending

The Company participates in an agent-managed securities lending program. The Company receives collateral equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned domestic securities as of the transaction date. If the fair value of the collateral is at any time less than 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities, the counterparty is mandated to deliver additional collateral, the fair value of which, together with the collateral already held in connection with the lending transaction, is at least equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned government or other domestic securities. In the event the Company loans a foreign security and the denomination of the currency of the collateral is other than the denomination of the currency of the loaned foreign security, the Company receives and maintains collateral equal to 105% of the fair value of the loaned security.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, securities with a fair value of $1,625,915 and $2,385,635 were on loan under securities lending agreements. At December 31, 2017, the collateral the Company received from securities lending activities was in the form of cash and on open terms. This cash collateral is reinvested and is not available for general corporate purposes. The reinvested cash collateral has a fair value of $1,670,537 and $2,460,919 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The contractual maturities of the securities lending collateral positions are as follows:

 

     Fair Value  
     2018      2017  

Open

   $     1,669,762      $ 2,461,167  

30 days or less

             

31 to 60 days

             

61 to 90 days

             

Greater than 90 days

             

Total

     1,669,762        2,461,167  

Securities received

             

Total collateral received

   $ 1,669,762      $ 2,461,167  
        

The Company receives primarily cash collateral in an amount in excess of the fair value of the securities lent. The Company reinvests the cash collateral into higher yielding securities than the securities which the Company has lent to other entities under the arrangement.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The maturity dates of the reinvested securities lending collateral are as follows:

 

     2018      2017  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Open

   $ 245,460      $ 245,460      $ 264,039      $ 264,039  

30 days or less

     418,414        418,414        913,484        913,484  

31 to 60 days

     300,130        300,130        376,158        376,158  

61 to 90 days

     173,187        173,187        489,542        489,542  

91 to 120 days

     301,294        301,294        191,141        191,141  

121 to 180 days

     232,052        232,052        226,555        226,555  

181 to 365 days

                           

1 to 2 years

                           

2 to 3 years

                           

Greater than 3 years

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,670,537        1,670,537        2,460,919        2,460,919  

Securities received

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total collateral reinvested

   $   1,670,537      $   1,670,537      $   2,460,919      $   2,460,919  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For securities lending, the Company’s sources of cash that it uses to return the cash collateral are dependent upon the liquidity of the current market conditions. Under current conditions, the Company has securities with a par value of $1,659,224 (fair value of $1,670,537) that are currently tradable securities that could be sold and used to pay for the $1,669,762 in collateral calls that could come due under a worst-case scenario.

12. Retirement and Compensation Plans

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company’s employees participate in a contributory defined contribution plan sponsored by Transamerica Corporation (TA Corp) which is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, employees of the Company who customarily work at least 20 hours per week and meet the other eligibility requirements are participants of the plan. Participants may elect to contribute up to 100% of eligible earnings, subject to government or other plan restrictions for certain key employees. The Company will match an amount up to three percent of the participant’s eligible earnings. Participants may direct all of their contributions and plan balances to be invested in a variety of investment options. The plan is subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). Benefits expense of $12,769, $13,133 and $15,745 was allocated to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively.

Defined Benefit Plans

The Company’s employees participate in a qualified defined benefit pension plan sponsored by TA Corp. Generally, employees of the Company who customarily work at least 20 hours per week and complete six months of continuous service and meet the other eligibility requirements

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

are participants of the plan. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s eligible compensation. The plan provides benefits based on a traditional final average formula or a cash balance formula. The plan is subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the ERISA.

TA Corp sponsors supplemental retirement plans to provide the Company’s senior management with benefits in excess of normal pension benefits. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. The plans are noncontributory and benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s eligible compensation. The plan provides benefits based on a traditional final average formula or cash balance formula. The plans are unfunded and nonqualified under the Internal Revenue Service Code.

The Company recognizes pension expense equal to its allocation from TA Corp. The pension expense related to both the defined pension plan and the supplemental retirement plans is allocated among the participating companies based on International Accounting Standards 19 (IAS 19), Accounting for Employee Benefits, and based upon actuarial participant benefit calculations, which is within the guidelines of SSAP 102, Pensions. Pension expenses were $23,481, $30,676 and $35,812 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

In addition to pension benefits, TA Corp sponsors unfunded plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits to retired Company employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. Portions of the medical and dental plans are contributory. The expenses of the postretirement plans are allocated among the participating companies based on IAS 19 and based upon actuarial participant benefit calculations which is within the guidelines of SSAP 92, Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. The Company’s allocation of post retirement expenses was $5,027, $7,332 and $6,527 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Other Plans

TA Corp has established deferred compensation plans for certain key employees of the Company. The Company’s allocation of expense for these plans for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was insignificant.

13. Related Party Transactions

The Company shares certain officers, employees and general expenses with affiliated companies.

The Company is party to a shared services and cost sharing agreement among and between the Transamerica companies, under which various affiliated companies may perform specified administrative functions in connection with the operation of the Company, in consideration of reimbursement of actual costs of services rendered. The Company is also party to a service agreement with TFLIC, in which the Company provides services, including accounting, data processing and other professional services, in consideration of reimbursement of the actual costs of services rendered. The Company is also a party to a Management and Administrative and Advisory agreement with AEGON USA Realty Advisors, Inc. whereby the advisor serves as the

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

administrator and advisor for the Company’s mortgage loan operations. AEGON USA Investment Management, LLC acts as a discretionary investment manager under an Investment Management Agreement with the Company. The amount received by the Company as a result of being a party to these agreements was $892,554, $1,115,739 and $1,195,341 during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The amount paid as a result of being a party to these agreements was $580,203, $811,607 and $803,847 during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Fees charged between affiliates approximate their cost. The Company has an administration service agreement with Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. to provide administrative services to the AEGON/Transamerica Series Trust. The Company received $136,995, $148,943 and $136,494 for these services during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Transamerica Capital, Inc. provides wholesaling distribution services for the Company under a distribution agreement. The Company incurred expenses under this agreement of $40,843, $37,029 and $57,231 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Receivables from and payables to affiliates bear interest at the thirty-day commercial paper rate. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company received (paid) net interest of ($365), ($834) and $122 from (to) affiliates, respectively. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, the Company reported net payables from affiliates of $36,791 and $489. Terms of settlement require that these amounts are settled within 60 days.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had short-term intercompany notes receivable of $261,000 as follows. In accordance with SSAP No. 25, Affiliates and Other Related Parties, these notes are reported as short-term investments.

 

Receivable from    Amount      Due By      Interest Rate  

TA Corp

   $     220,500        December 13, 2019        2.31

TA Corp

     40,500        December 21, 2019        2.31

At December 31, 2017, the Company had short-term intercompany notes receivable of $168,300.

 

Receivable from    Amount      Due By      Interest Rate  

TA Corp

   $ 53,600        December 21, 2018        1.18

TA Corp

         114,700        December 29, 2018        1.18

In prior years, the Company purchased life insurance policies covering the lives of certain employees of the Company from an affiliate, TPLIC. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the cash surrender value of these policies was $179,004 and $174,952, respectively, and is included in Other assets on the balance sheet. In addition, the Company also issued life insurance policies to an affiliate, TPLIC, covering the lives of certain employees of that affiliate. Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts related to these policies are $167,126 and $166,473 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts on the balance sheet.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company utilizes the look-through approach in valuing its investment in the following entities.

 

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 2, LLC

   $ 25,943  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3, LLC

   $ 29,149  

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 4 HR, LLC

   $ 88,280  

Aegon Multi-Family Equity Fund, LLC

   $ 54,942  

Natural Resources Alternatives Portfolio I, LLC

   $ 90,600  

Zero Beta Fund, LLC

   $ 257,831  

These entity’s financial statements are not audited and the Company has limited the value of its investment in these entities to the value contained in the audited financial statements of the underlying LP/LLC investments, including adjustments required by SSAP No. 97, entities and/or non-SCA SSAP No. 48, Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies entities owned by these entities. All liabilities, commitments, contingencies, guarantees or obligations of these entities which are required to be recorded as liabilities, commitments, contingencies, guarantees or obligations under applicable accounting guidance, are reflected in the Company’s determination of the carrying value of the investment in these entities.

Effective December 31, 2017, the Company received a liquidating distribution from IWA, a wholly owned limited liability company reported using the equity method outlined in SSAP No. 48, fully redeeming the Company’s membership interest therein. The Company received $176,999 cash, $57,050 directly held real estate, $17,602 real estate LLC membership, $4,328 intercompany receivable, and $2,684 tax refund receivable in redemption of the Company’s equity method basis in IWA. The transaction resulted in a pre-tax realized loss of $39,953 reported on the Statement of Operations which is offset by a pre-tax $40,097 unrealized loss reduction that is reported on the Statement of Changes in Capital and Surplus.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following table shows the disclosures for all SCA investments, except 8bi entities, and balance sheet value (admitted and nonadmitted) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

SCA Entity    Percentage of
SCA
Ownership
    Gross
Amount
     Admitted
Amount
     Nonadmitted
Amount
 

SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

          

None

     –     $      $      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

     XXX     $      $      $ –    
  

 

 

 

SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

          

None

     –     $      $      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

     XXX     $      $      $ –    
  

 

 

 

SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

          

REAL ESTATE ALTERN PORT 3A INC

     54     $ 22,419      $ 22,419      $ –    

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP

     100                     –    

LIFE INVESTORS ALLIANCE LLC

     100                     –    

AEGON FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

     100                     –    

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP III

     100                     –    

0

                         –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

     XXX     $ 22,419      $ 22,419      $ –    
  

 

 

 

SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

          

TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD

     94     $ 1,000,646      $ 1,000,646      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

     XXX     $ 1,000,646      $ 1,000,646      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

     XXX     $ 1,023,065      $ 1,023,065      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Aggregate Total

     XXX     $ 1,023,065      $ 1,023,065      $ –    
  

 

 

 
SCA Entity    Percentage of
SCA
Ownership
    Gross
Amount
     Admitted
Amount
     Nonadmitted
Amount
 

SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

          

None

     –     $      $      $  
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

     XXX     $      $      $  
  

 

 

 

SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

          

None

     –     $      $      $  
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

     XXX     $      $      $  
  

 

 

 

SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

          

REAL ESTATE ALTERN PORT 3A INC

     54     $ 16,471      $ 16,471      $ –    

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP

                         –    

LIFE INVESTORS ALLIANCE LLC

                         –    

ASIA INVESTMENT HOLDING LTD

     100                     –    

AEGON FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

     100                     –    

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP III

     100                     –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

     XXX     $ 16,471      $ 16,471      $ –    
  

 

 

 

SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

          

TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD

     94     $ 1,101,266      $ 1,101,266      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

     XXX     $ 1,101,266      $ 1,101,266      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

     XXX     $ 1,117,737      $ 1,117,737      $ –    
  

 

 

 

Aggregate Total

     XXX     $ 1,117,737      $ 1,117,737      $ –    
  

 

 

 

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The following table shows the NAIC responses for the SCA filings (except 8bi entities):

December 31, 2018

 

SCA Entity    Type of
NAIC
Filing*
   Date of
Filing to
the NAIC
   NAIC
Valuation
Amount
   NAIC
Response
Received
Y/N
   NAIC
Disallowed
Entities
Valuation
Method,
Submission
Required
Y/N
   Code**

SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

                    

None

         $            

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

         $            

SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

                    

None

         $            

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

         $            

SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

                    

REAL ESTATE ALTERN PORT 3A INC

   S2    12/21/2018    $    16,471    Y    N    I

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP

   NA             Y    N    I

LIFE INVESTORS ALLIANCE LLC

   NA             Y    N    I

AEGON FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

   NA             Y    N    I

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP III

   NA             N    N    I

0

                    

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

         $    16,471         

SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

                    

TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD

   S2    10/8/2018    $    815,587    N    N    I

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

         $    815,587         

Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

         $    832,058         

Aggregate Total

         $    832,058         
                      

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

December 31, 2017

 

SCA Entity    Type of
NAIC
Filing*
   Date of
Filing to
the NAIC
   NAIC
Valuation
Amount
   NAIC
Response
Received
Y/N
   NAIC
Disallowed
Entities
Valuation
Method,
Submission
Required
Y/N
   Code**

SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

                    

None

         $            

Total SSAP No. 97 8a Entities

         $            

SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

                    

None

         $            

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(ii) Entities

         $            

SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

                    

REAL ESTATE ALTERN PORT 3A INC

   S2    10/31/2017    $    17,072    Y    N    I

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP

   S1    9/27/2017          Y    N    I

LIFE INVESTORS ALLIANCE LLC

   S1    9/27/2017          Y    N    I

ASIA INVESTMENT HOLDING LTD

   S1    9/27/2017          Y    N    I

AEGON FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

   S1    9/21/2017          Y    N    I

GARNET ASSURANCE CORP III

   S1    12/28/2017          N    N    I

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iii) Entities

         $    17,072         

SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

                    

TRANSAMERICA LIFE (BERMUDA) LTD

   S1    12/28/2017    $    924,067    N    N    I

Total SSAP No. 97 8b(iv) Entities

         $    924,067         

Total SSAP No. 97 8b Entities (except 8bi entities)

         $    941,139         

Aggregate Total

         $    941,139         
                      

* S1 – Sub1, S2 – Sub2 or RDF – Resubmission of Disallowed Filing

** I – Immaterial or M – Material

(1) NAIC Valuation Amount is as of the Filing Date to the NAIC

The Company reports an investment in the following insurance SCAs for which the reported statutory equity reflects a departure from NAIC SAP. Each of the insurance SCAs listed in the table below reflects an admitted asset, equal to the value of the letter of credit provided by an unaffiliated company, whereas this would not be an admitted asset recognized by SSAP No. 4, Assets and Non Admitted Assets.

 

LIICA Re II, Inc.

  

Letter of credit

Pine Falls Re (PFRe)

  

Letter of credit

Stonebridge Reinsurance Company (SRC)

  

Letter of credit

MLIC Re I, Inc. (MLIC Re)

  

Letter of credit

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company has three LPS with prescribed practices whereby under Iowa Administrative Code 191-99.11(3), the LPS are entitled to admit the following assets that would not be admissible under the NAIC SAP:

 

TLIC Riverwood Reinsurance, Inc. (TRRI)

  

Parental guarantee

TLIC Oakbrook Reinsurance, Inc. (TORI)

  

Credit linked note

TLIC Watertree Reinsurance, Inc. (TWRI)

  

Excess of loss reinsurance asset

The monetary effect on net income and surplus as a result of using an accounting practice that differed from NAIC SAP, the amount of the investment in the insurance SCA per reported statutory equity, and amount of the investment if the insurance SCA has completed statutory financial statements in accordance with the NAIC SAP. The SCAs are valued in the Company’s financial statements at zero in accordance with SSAP No. 97.

 

    

Monetary Effect on

NAIC SAP

    Amount of Investment  

SCA Entity

(Investments in Insurance SCA Entities)

   Net
Income
Increase
(Decrease)
     Surplus
Increase
(Decrease)
    Per
Reported
Statutory
Equity
     If the Insurance
SCA Had
Completed
Statutory
Financial
Statements*
 

LIICA Re II**

   $         –      $ (210,000   $      $         –  

Pine Falls Re**

                (1,200,000)               

Stonebridge Reinsurance Company**

            (753,321             

MLIC Re**

            (830,000             

TLIC Riverwood Reinsurance, Inc.

            (2,163,084     1,049,158         

TLIC Oakbrook Reinsurance, Inc.

            (1,136,283     128,495         

TLIC Watertree Reinsurance, Inc.

            (745,523     493,278         

*    Per AP&P Manual (without permitted or prescribed practices)

**    The SCA is valued at zero in the Company’s financial statements

The above SCA entities had not been permitted to include a letter of credit as an admitted asset recognized in the financial statements, the risk- based capital would have been below the mandatory control level. If the RBC for each of the insurance SCA entities listed above would have triggered a regulatory event had they not used a prescribed practice.

Information regarding the Company’s affiliated reinsurance transactions is available in Note 8. Reinsurance.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has mortgage loan commitments of $238,370 and $91,038, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company has contingent commitments for $718,870 and $701,790 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, to provide additional funding for various joint ventures, partnerships, and limited liability companies, which includes LIHTC commitments of $55,107 and $40,605, respectively.

The Company leases office buildings and equipment under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Rental expense for the years 2018 and 2017 was $11,086 and $14,987, respectively.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has private placement commitments outstanding of $78,516 and $46,679, respectively.

The Company sold $1,658 and $0 of “to-be-announced” (TBA) securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Due to different counterparties, the receivable related to these TBAs was not reclassed.

The Company may pledge cash as collateral for derivative transactions. When cash is pledged as collateral, it is derecognized and a receivable is recorded to reflect the eventual return of that cash by the counterparty. In addition, the amount of cash collateral pledged by the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, was $0 and $15,151.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, securities in the amount of $227,624 and $45,201, respectively, were posted to the Company as collateral from derivative counterparties. The securities were not included on the Company’s balance sheet as the Company does not have the ability to sell or repledge the collateral.

The Company has provided back-stop guarantees for the performance of non-insurance affiliates or subsidiaries that are involved in the guaranteed sale of investments in low-income housing tax credit partnerships. The nature of the obligation is to provide third party investors with a minimum guaranteed annual and cumulative return on their contributed capital which is based on tax credits and tax losses generated from the low income housing tax credit partnerships. Guarantee payments arise if low income housing tax credit partnerships experience unexpected significant decreases in tax credits and tax losses or there are compliance issues with the partnerships. A significant portion of the remaining term of the guarantees is between 13-18 years. In the event the Company is required to make a payment under this guarantee, the payment would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as a decrease in net investment income. No payments are required as of December 31, 2018. The current assessment of risk of making payments under these guarantees is remote.

The Company has guaranteed to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) that it will provide adequate funds to make up for any liquidity shortfall in its wholly-owned foreign life insurance subsidiary, Transamerica Life Bermuda LTD (TLB) (Singapore Branch), and continue to meet, pay and settle all present and future obligations of TLB. As of December 31, 2018, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB has adequate liquidity as of this date.

The Company has guaranteed to the Hong Kong Insurance Authority that it will provide the financial support to TLB for maintaining TLB’s solvency at all times so as to enable TLB to

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

promptly meet its obligations and liabilities. If at any time the value of TLB’s assets do not exceed its liabilities by the prevailing acceptable level of solvency, the Company will increase the paid up share capital of TLB or provide financial assistance to TLB to maintain the acceptable level of solvency. An acceptable level of solvency is net assets at one hundred and fifty percent of the required margin of solvency as stipulated under the Insurance Companies (Margin of Solvency) Regulation. As of December 31, 2018, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB is able to meet its obligations and has assets in excess of its liabilities by the prevailing level of solvency as of this date.

The Company has guaranteed that TLB will (1) maintain tangible net worth of at least equal to the greater of 165% of Standard & Poor’s Risk-Based Capital and the minimum required by regulatory authorities in all jurisdictions in which TLB operates, (2) have, at all times, sufficient cash to pay all contractual obligations in a timely manner and (3) have a maximum operating leverage ratio of 20 times. TLIC can terminate this agreement upon thirty days written notice, but not until TLB attains a rating from Standard & Poor’s the same as without the support from this agreement, or the entire book of TLB business is transferred provided that it is transferred to an entity with a rating from S&P that is the same as or better than TLIC’s then current rating or AA, whichever is lower. As of December 31, 2018, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB has adequate tangible net worth, sufficient cash to meet its obligations and an operating leverage ratio not in excess of 20 times as of this date.

The Company is not able to estimate the financial statement impact or the maximum potential amount of future payments it could be required to make under these three guarantees as they are considered to be unlimited under the provisions of SSAP No. 5R.

The Company has provided a guarantee to TLB’s (Singapore Branch) policyholders. If TLB fails to pay a valid claim solely by reason of it becoming insolvent as defined by Bermuda law, then the Company shall pay directly to the policy owner or named beneficiary the amount of the valid claim. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, TLB holds related statutory-basis policy and claim reserves of $2,212,527 and $1,918,249, respectively, which would be the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under this guarantee. In the event the Company is required to make a payment under this guarantee, the payment would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as an increase to incurred claims. As of December 31, 2018, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB is not insolvent as of this date.

The Company has provided a guarantee to TLB’s (Hong Kong Branch) policyholders. If TLB fails to pay a valid claim solely by reason of it becoming insolvent as defined by Bermuda law, then the Company shall pay directly to the policy owner or named beneficiary the amount of the valid claim. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, TLB policies covered by this guarantee would have resulted in US statutory policy and claim reserves of $3,458,012 and $3,168,807, respectively, which would represent a fair measure of the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company under this guarantee based on the US statutory reserve requirements. TLB is a subsidiary of the Company and TLB has invested assets supporting these policies which mitigates this risk. In the event the Company is required to make a payment under this guarantee, the payment would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements as an increase to incurred claims. As of December 31, 2018, there is no payment or performance risk because TLB is not insolvent as of this date.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company did not recognize a liability for any of the TLB guarantees due to the adoption of SSAP No. 5R, as a liability is not required for guarantees to or on behalf of a wholly-owned subsidiary. Management monitors TLB’s financial condition, and there are no indications that TLB will become insolvent. As such, management feels the risk of payment under these guarantees on behalf of TLB is remote.

The Company is a party to a fee agreement with TLB whereby the Company continues to provide the guarantees with respect to TLB described in the paragraphs above. The Company received $587 and $545 under this agreement in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company has provided guarantees for the obligations of noninsurance affiliates who have accepted assignments of structured settlement payment obligations from other insurers and purchase structured settlement insurance policies from subsidiaries of the Company that match those obligations. The guarantees made by the Company are specific to each structured settlement contract and vary in date and duration of the obligation. These are numerous and are backed by the reserves established by the Company to represent the present value of the future payments for those contracts. The direct statutory reserve established at December 31, 2018 and 2017 for the total payout block is $3,235,571 and $3,286,580, respectively. As this reserve is already recorded on the balance sheet of the Company, there was no additional liability recorded due to the adoption of SSAP No. 5R.

The following table provides an aggregate compilation of guarantee obligations as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

     December 31  
     2018      2017  

Aggregate maximum potential of future payments of all guarantees (undiscounted)

   $ 5,670,570      $ 5,087,084  
                 

Current liability recognized in financial statements:

     

Noncontingent liabilities

             
                 

Contingent liabilities

             
                 

Ultimate financial statement impact if action required:

     

Incurred claims

     5,670,539        5,087,056  

Other

     31        28  

Total impact if action required

   $     5,670,570      $     5,087,084  
                 

The Company is a member of the FHLB of Des Moines. Through its membership, the Company has conducted business activity (borrowings) with the FHLB. It is part of the Company’s strategy to utilize these funds for asset and liability management and spread lending purposes. The Company has determined the actual/estimated long-term maximum borrowing capacity as $3,274,093. The Company calculated this amount in accordance with the terms and conditions of agreement with FHLB of Des Moines.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company purchased/owned the following FHLB stock as part of the agreement:

 

     Year Ended December 31  
     2018      2017  

Membership Stock:

     

Class A

   $      $  

Class B

     10,000        10,000  

Activity Stock

     123,400        165,800  

Excess Stock

             

Total

   $     133,400      $     175,800  
                 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, Membership Stock (Class A and B) Eligible for Redemption and the anticipated timeframe for redemption was as follows:

 

     Less Than
6 Months
     6 Months to
Less Than
1 Year
     1 to Less
Than 3
Years
     3 to 5
Years
 

December 31, 2018

           

Membership Stock

           

Class A

   $      $      $      $  

Class B

                          10,000  

Total

   $      $      $      $ 10,000  
                                   
     Less Than
6 Months
     6 Months to
Less Than
1 Year
     1 to Less
Than 3
Years
     3 to 5
Years
 

Decemeber 31, 2017

           

Membership Stock

           

Class A

   $         –      $         –      $         –      $  

Class B

                          10,000  

Total

   $         –      $         –      $         –      $ 10,000  
                                   

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the amount of collateral pledged and the maximum amount pledged to the FHLB was as follows:

 

     Fair Value      Carry Value  

December 31, 2018

     

Total Collateral Pledged

   $       4,379,240      $       4,405,503  

Maximum Collateral Pledged

     5,176,835        5,131,250  
     Fair Value      Carry Value  

Decemeber 31, 2017

     

Total Collateral Pledged

   $ 5,262,087      $ 4,999,339  

Maximum Collateral Pledged

     5,534,849        5,317,412  

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the borrowings from the FHLB were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2018      December 31, 2017  
     General
Account
     Funding
Agreements
Reserves
Established
     General
Account
     Funding
Agreements
Reserves
Established
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt1

   $ 2,820,000      $      $ 3,820,000      $  

Funding agreements2

     265,000        266,742        325,000        326,380  

Other

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $         3,085,000      $         266,742      $         4,145,000      $         326,380  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

1 The maximum amount of borrowing during 2018 was $2,820,000

2 The maximum amount of borrowing during 2018 was $265,000

As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average interest rate on FHLB advances was 2.602% with a weighted average term of 4.3 years. As of December 31, 2017, the weighted average interest rate on FHLB advances was 1.544% with a weighted average term of 5.2 years.

At December 31, 2018 the prepayment penalties information is as follows:

 

  

Does the Company have

prepayment obligations under the following

arrangements (yes/no)?

Debt    NO
Funding Agreements    NO
Other    N/A

The Company has issued synthetic GIC contracts to benefit plan sponsors totaling $1,905,244 and $2,762,795 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. A synthetic GIC is an off-balance sheet fee-based product sold primarily to tax qualified plans. The plan sponsor retains ownership and control of the related plan assets. The Company provides book value benefit responsiveness in the event that qualified plan benefit requests exceed plan cash flows. In certain contracts, the Company agrees to make advances to meet benefit payment needs and earns a market interest rate on these advances. The periodically adjusted contract-crediting rate is the means by which investment and benefit responsive experience is passed through to participants. In return for the book value benefit responsive guarantee, the Company receives a premium that varies based on such elements as benefit responsive exposure and contract size. The Company underwrites the plans for the possibility of having to make benefit payments and also must agree to the investment guidelines to ensure appropriate credit quality and cash flow. Funding requirements to date have been minimal and management does not anticipate any future material funding requirements that would have a material impact on reported financial results. In compliance with statutory guidelines, no reserves were recorded at December 31, 2018.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The Company is party to legal proceedings involving a variety of issues incidental to its business, including class action lawsuits. Lawsuits may be brought in nearly any federal or state court in the United States or in an arbitral forum. In addition, there continues to be significant federal and state regulatory activity relating to financial services companies. The Company’s legal proceedings are subject to many variables, and given its complexity and scope, outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty. Although legal proceedings sometimes include substantial demands for compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief, it is management’s opinion that damages arising from such demands will not be material to the Company’s financial position.

The Company has been named in class action and individual lawsuits relating to increases in monthly deduction rates (‘‘MDR’’) on universal life products. In one federal class action filed in the Central District of California, the parties agreed to settle the case and a $210,100 provision was established in 2018, which included $15,000 for additional costs for attorney fees, class notice and administration. In January 2019, the court approved the settlement. Over 99% of affected policyholders participated in the settlement. While less than 1% of policyholders opted out, they represent approximately 43% of the value of the settlement fund. The Company continues to hold a provision for these policyholders. The provision for this settlement is included in other liabilities in the balance sheet and general expenses within the statement of operations.

The Company is subject to insurance guaranty laws in the states in which it writes business. These laws provide for assessments against insurance companies for the benefit of policyholders and claimants in the event of insolvency of other insurance companies. Assessments are charged to operations when received by the Company, except where right of offset against other taxes paid is allowed by law. Amounts available for future offsets are recorded as an asset on the Company’s balance sheet. The future obligation for known insolvencies has been accrued based on the most recent information available from the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations. Potential future obligations for unknown insolvencies are not determinable by the Company and are not required to be accrued for financial reporting purposes. The Company has established a reserve of $7,864 and $10,075 and an offsetting premium tax benefit $6,173 and $7,345 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for its estimated share of future guaranty fund assessments related to several major insurer insolvencies. The guaranty fund (benefit) expense was $400, $216 and $6,142, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

15. Sales, Transfer, and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities

The Company has recorded liabilities of $95,515 and $93,497 for municipal repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The repurchase agreements are primarily collateralized by investment-grade corporate bonds with book adjusted carry values of $205,405 and $116,023, respectively, and fair values of $217,575 and $125,733, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. These securities have maturity dates that range from 2019 to 2097.

For repurchase agreements, the Company rigorously manages asset/liability risks via an integrated risk management framework. The Company’s liquidity position is monitored constantly, and factors heavily in the management of the asset portfolio. Projections comparing liquidity needs to available resources in both adverse and routine scenarios are refreshed monthly.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

The results of these projections on time horizons ranging from 16 months to 24 months are the basis for the near-term liquidity planning. This liquidity model excludes new business (non applicable for the spread business), renewals and other sources of cash and assumes all liabilities are paid off on the earliest dates required. Interest rate risk is carefully managed, in part through rigorously defined and monitored derivatives programs.

The Company enters into dollar repurchase agreements in which securities are delivered to the counterparty once adequate collateral has been received. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had dollar repurchase agreements outstanding in the amount of $361,063 and $330,081, respectively. The Company had an outstanding liability for borrowed money in the amount $205,345 and $330,318, which included accrued interest of $1,092 and $885, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively due to participation in dollar repurchase agreements.

The contractual maturities of the dollar repurchase agreement positions are as follows:

 

     Fair Value  
     2018      2017  
  

 

 

 

Open

   $ 204,253      $ 329,434  

30 days or less

             

31 to 60 days

             

61 to 90 days

             

Greater than 90 days

             
  

 

 

 

Total

     204,253        329,434  

Securities received

             
  

 

 

 

Total collateral received

   $         204,253      $         329,434  
  

 

 

 

In the course of the Company’s asset management, securities are sold and reacquired within 30 days of the sale date to enhance the Company’s yield on its investment portfolio. The details by NAIC designation 3 or below of securities sold during 2018 and reacquired within 30 days of the sale date are:

 

     Number of
  Transactions
     Book Value of
Securities Sold
     Cost of Securities
Repurchased
     Gains (Losses)    
  

 

 

 

Bonds:

           

NAIC 5

     1      $ 1,448      $ 1,459      $ 31  

Common stocks:

           

Common stocks

     4      $ 15      $ 21      $ 10  

16. Subsequent Events

The financial statements are adjusted to reflect events that occurred between the balance sheet date and the date when the financial statements are available to be issued, provided they give evidence of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date (Type I). The Company has not identified any Type I subsequent events for the year ended December 31, 2018 through April 25, 2019.

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Notes to Financial Statements – Statutory Basis (continued)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share amounts)

 

Events that are indicative of conditions that arose after the balance sheet date are disclosed, but do not result in an adjustment of the financial statements themselves (Type II). The Company has identified a Type II subsequent event for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company ceded businesses to a subsidiary of Scottish Re Group. In January 2018, Scottish Re Group announced a sale and restructuring plan and commenced Chapter 11 (reorganization) procedures for some of its subsidiaries. In December 2018, the Delaware Department of Insurance began also oversight procedures of the Scottish Re Group subsidiary (SRUS) with whom TLIC is a counterparty for some of its reinsurance activities. On March 1, 2019, the Delaware Department of Insurance requested SRUS to be placed in rehabilitation. The Company’s management closely monitors the current developments but is not yet able to assess whether its outstanding reserves and receivables will be recoverable. At December 31, 2018, the Company’s reserves ceded to Scottish Re Group were $108,320.

17. Subsequent Events (Unaudited)

Additional subsequent events have been evaluated for disclosure through July 1, 2019.

As discussed in Note 16 to the audited financial statements, the company has ceded certain reinsurance to a SRUS. On May 16, 2019, the Iowa Insurance Division suspended the certificate of authority for SRUS. This suspension may result in the loss of reinsurance credit related to SRUS and thus, the company may experience an increase in net reserves. See Note 16 Subsequent Events for additional details, including reserve credits related to SRUS at December 31, 2018.

With the approval of the Iowa Insurance Division, the Company paid a $250,000 return of capital to its parent, CGC, and also repaid $150,000 of surplus note principal to TA Corp on June 21, 2019.

Effective July 1, 2019, the Company completed a merger with Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company (TALIC), an Arkansas domiciled affiliate, with the Company emerging as the surviving entity per the Plan of Merger which was approved by the Iowa Insurance Division on April 29, 2019 and the Arkansas Insurance Department commissioner on May 31, 2019.

TALIC statutory balances at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Total assets

   $ 7,204,454

Total liabilities

   $ 6,705,315

Net income (loss)

   ($ 70,314 )

Total capital and surplus

   $ 499,139

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Appendix A – Listing of Affiliated Companies

 

Transamerica Corporation

        

EIN: 42-1484983

    

AFFILIATIONS SCHEDULE

    

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

    
   

Attachment to Note 9

 

    
Entity Name    FEIN  

Transamerica Corporation

     42-1484983  
   

Aegon Asset Management Services Inc

     39-1884868  
   

Aegon Direct Marketing Services Inc

     42-1470697  
   

Aegon Financial Services Group Inc

     41-1479568  
   

Aegon Institutional Markets Inc

     61-1085329  
   

Aegon Management Company

     35-1113520  
   

Aegon USA Real Estate Services Inc

     61-1098396  
   

Aegon USA Realty Advisors of CA FKA Pensaprima Inc

     20-5023693  
   

AFSG Securities Corporation

     23-2421076  
   

AUSA Properties Inc

     27-1275705  
   

Commonwealth General Corporation

     51-0108922  
   

Creditor Resources Inc

     42-1079584  
   

CRI Solutions Inc

     52-1363611  
   

Financial Planning Services Inc

     23-2130174  
   

Firebird Reinsurance Corporation

     47-3331975  
   

Garnet Assurance Corporation

     11-3674132  
   

Garnet Assurance Corporation II

     14-1893533  
   

Garnet Assurance Corporation III

     01-0947856  
   

Intersecurities Ins Agency

     42-1517005  
   

LIICA RE II

     20-5927773  
   

Massachusetts Fidelity Trust

     42-0947998  
   

MLIC RE I Inc

     01-0930908  
   

Money Services Inc

     42-1079580  
   

Monumental General Administrators Inc

     52-1243288  
   

Pearl Holdings Inc I

     20-1063558  
   

Pearl Holdings Inc II

     20-1063571  
   

Pine Falls Re Inc

     26-1552330  
   

Real Estate Alternatives Portfolio 3A Inc

     20-1627078  
   

River Ridge Insurance Company

     20-0877184  
   

Short Hills Management

     42-1338496  
   

Southwest Equity General Company

     86-0455577  
   

Stonebridge Benefit Services Inc

     75-2548428  

 

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Appendix A – Listing of Affiliated Companies (continued)

 

Transamerica Corporation

        

EIN: 42-1484983

    

AFFILIATIONS SCHEDULE

    

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

    
   

Attachment to Note 9

 

    
Entity Name    FEIN  
   

Stonebridge Reinsurance Company

     61-1497252  
   

TCF Asset Management Corp

     84-0642550  
   

TCFC Air Holdings Inc

     32-0092333  
   

TCFC Asset Holdings Inc

     32-0092334  
   

TLIC Oakbrook Reinsurance Inc.

     47-1026613  
   

TLIC Riverwood Reinsurance Inc

     45-3193055  
   

TLIC Watertree Reinsurance, Inc.

     81-3715574  
   

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company (FKA MLLIC)

     91-1325756  
   

Transamerica Accounts Holding Corp

     36-4162154  
   

Transamerica Affinity Services Inc

     42-1523438  
   

Transamerica Affordable Housing Inc

     94-3252196  
   

Transamerica Agency Network Inc (FKA: Life Inv Fin Group)

     61-1513662  
   

Transamerica Asset Management (fka Transamerica Fund Advisors)

     59-3403585  
   

Transamerica Capital Inc

     95-3141953  
   

Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company

     31-4423946  
   

Transamerica Commercial Finance Corp I

     94-3054228  
   

Transamerica Consumer Finance Holding Company

     95-4631538  
   

Transamerica Corporation (OREGON)

     98-6021219  
   

Transamerica Distribution Finance Overseas Inc

     36-4254366  
   

Transamerica Finance Corporation

     95-1077235  
   

Transamerica Financial Advisors FKA InterSecurities

     59-2476008  
   

Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company

     36-6071399  
   

Transamerica Fund Services Inc

     59-3403587  
   

Transamerica Home Loan

     95-4390993  
   

Transamerica International Re (Bermuda) Ltd

     98-0199561  
   

Transamerica Investors Securities Corp

     13-3696753  
   

Transamerica Leasing Holdings Inc

     13-3452993  
   

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

     39-0989781  
   

Transamerica Pacific Insurance Co Ltd

     94-3304740  
   

Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company

     52-0419790  
   

Transamerica Resources Inc (FKA: Nat Assoc Mgmt)

     52-1525601  
   

Transamerica Small Business Capital Inc

     36-4251204  

 

98


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Appendix A – Listing of Affiliated Companies (continued)

 

Transamerica Corporation

        

EIN: 42-1484983

    

AFFILIATIONS SCHEDULE

    

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

    
   

Attachment to Note 9

 

    
Entity Name    FEIN  

Transamerica Stable Value Solutions Inc

     27-0648897  

Transamerica Vendor Financial Services Corporation

     36-4134790  

United Financial Services Inc

     52-1263786  

WFG China Holdings Inc

     20-2541057  

World Fin Group Ins Agency of Massachusetts Inc

     04-3182849  

World Financial Group Inc

     42-1518386  

World Financial Group Ins Agency of Hawaii Inc

     99-0277127  

World Financial Group Insurance Agency of WY Inc

     42-1519076  

World Financial Group Insurance Agency

     95-3809372  

Zahorik Company Inc

     95-2775959  
   

Zero Beta Fund LLC

     26-1298094  

 

99


Table of Contents

 

 

Statutory-Basis Financial

Statement Schedules

 

100


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Summary of Investments – Other Than

Investments in Related Parties

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

December 31, 2018

SCHEDULE I

 

Type of Investment    Cost (1)     

Fair

Value

    

Amount at
Which Shown

in the

Balance Sheet (2)

 

Fixed maturities

        

Bonds:

        

United States government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 6,331,854      $ 6,598,931      $ 6,473,506  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     775,531        798,840        775,531  

Foreign governments

     362,823        352,919        362,847  

Hybrid securities

     382,258        379,539        382,045  

All other corporate bonds

     18,495,323        19,020,347        18,473,880  

Preferred stocks

     98,907        91,213        97,382  

Total fixed maturities

     26,446,696        27,241,789        26,565,191  

Equity securities

        

Common stocks:

        

Industrial, miscellaneous and all other

     154,552        171,979        171,979  

Total equity securities

     154,552        171,979        171,979  

Mortgage loans on real estate

     4,574,654           4,574,654  

Real estate

     114,446           114,446  

Policy loans

     551,658           551,658  

Other long-term investments

     955,194           955,194  

Receivable for securities

     123,959           123,959  

Securities lending

     1,670,537           1,670,537  

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     1,955,703           1,955,703  

Total investments

   $     36,547,399         $     36,683,321  
                    

 

(1)

Original cost of equity securities and, as to fixed maturities, original cost reduced by repayments and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accrual of discounts.

 

(2)

United States government, state, municipal and political, hybrid and corporate bonds of $36,959 are held at fair value rather than amortized cost due to having an NAIC 6 rating. Two preferred stock securities are held at fair value of $4,598 due to having an NAIC 6 rating.

 

101


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Supplementary Insurance Information

(Dollars in Thousands)

SCHEDULE III

 

     Future Policy
Benefits and
Expenses
    

Unearned

Premiums

     Policy and
Contract
Liabilities
     Premium
Revenue
   

Net

Investment
Income*

    Benefits, Claims
Losses and
Settlement
Expenses
   

Other

Operating
Expenses*

 
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2018

                 

Individual life

   $ 10,400,565      $      $ 343,340      $ 104,339     $ 693,537     $ 1,425,541     $ 888,908  

Individual health

     86,822        92,364        30,578        106,230       25,370       65,813       193,680  

Group life and health

     1,512,345        21,075        81,403        638,939       95,911       306,199       276,705  

Annuity

     13,793,355               30,315        10,572,727       654,092       16,123,471       (2,756,710

Other

                                141,741              
  

 

 

 
   $ 25,793,087      $ 113,439      $ 485,636      $ 11,422,235     $ 1,610,651     $ 17,921,024     $ (1,397,417
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2017

                 

Individual life

   $ 9,987,824      $      $ 250,100      $ (7,812,143   $ (1,056,944   $ (1,870,315   $ 603,366  

Individual health

     100,420        91,784        27,176        (1,489,124     1,344,780       (4,084,846     (885,516

Group life and health

     1,528,445        23,229        100,510        508,023       238,217       (36,386     186,023  

Annuity

     14,017,983               22,133        5,662,618       1,468,343       9,211,736       (2,084,576

Other

                                438,652              
  

 

 

 
   $ 25,634,672      $ 115,013      $ 399,919      $ (3,130,626   $ 2,433,048     $ 3,220,189     $ (2,180,703
  

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2016

                 

Individual life

   $ 13,570,924      $      $ 241,127        964,932     $ 768,583     $ 1,682,114     $ 850,556  

Individual health

     4,104,887        96,408        177,690        128,097       288,730       350,311       164,250  

Group life and health

     1,920,903        26,223        111,533        646,226       126,113       395,670       313,984  

Annuity

     18,660,981               24,395        12,339,288       1,108,862       12,847,222       1,559,407  

Other

                                152,629              
  

 

 

 
   $ 38,257,695      $ 122,631      $ 554,745      $ 14,078,543     $ 2,444,917     $ 15,275,317     $ 2,888,197  
  

 

 

 

*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on a number of assumptions and estimates, and the results would change if different methods were applied.

 

102


Table of Contents

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Reinsurance

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

SCHEDULE IV

 

     Gross Amount      Ceded to Other
Companies
     Assumed From
Other
Companies
     Net Amount      Percentage of
Amount
Assumed to Net
 

Year ended December 31, 2018

 

        

Life insurance in force

   $     972,796,627      $     831,130,720      $      $     141,665,907        0
                                            

Premiums:

              

Individual life

   $ 2,453,331      $ 3,644,497      $ 1,295,506      $ 104,340        1242

Individual health

     532,130        429,165        3,264        106,230        3

Group life and health

     753,427        131,816        17,328        638,939        3

Annuity

     10,692,163        197,320        77,884        10,572,727        1
   $ 14,431,051      $ 4,402,798      $ 1,393,982      $ 11,422,236        12
                                            

Year ended December 31, 2017

 

        

Life insurance in force

   $ 533,085,617      $ 887,695,994      $ 484,569,310      $ 129,958,933        373
                                            

Premiums:

              

Individual life

   $ 2,443,494      $ 11,836,066      $ 1,580,429      $ (7,812,143      -20

Individual health

     530,052        2,022,968        3,792        (1,489,124      0

Group life and health

     802,090        321,533        27,466        508,023        5

Annuity

     9,813,201        4,215,856        65,273        5,662,618        1
   $ 13,588,837      $ 18,396,423      $ 1,676,960      $ (3,130,626      -54
                                            

Year ended December 31, 2016

 

        

Life insurance in force

   $ 529,122,141      $ 916,395,356      $ 525,650,271      $ 138,377,056        380
                                            

Premiums:

              

Individual life

   $ 2,422,512      $ 2,887,979      $ 1,430,399      $ 964,932        148

Individual health

     554,332        431,437        5,202        128,097        4

Group life and health

     820,508        203,774        29,492        646,226        5

Annuity

     10,283,875        (1,994,042      61,372        12,339,288        0
   $ 14,081,227      $ 1,529,148      $ 1,526,465      $ 14,078,543        11
                                            

 

103


Table of Contents

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     1  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     2  

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

     3  

Notes to Financial Statements

     8  


Table of Contents

LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company and the Contract Owners of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of each of the subaccounts of Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II indicated in the table below as of December 31, 2018, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the subaccounts in the Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II as of December 31, 2018, and the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

2019 Trust   BlackRock Government Money Market
AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares   BlackRock High Yield
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core   BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares   BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares
BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Class I Shares   BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares
BlackRock Balanced Capital   BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares
BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares   BlackRock U.S. Government Bond
BlackRock Capital Appreciation   Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares
BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares   Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares
BlackRock Global Allocation   MFS® Growth Initial Class
BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares    

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements of each of the subaccounts in the Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit, which include standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, One North Wacker, Chicago, IL 60606

T: (312) 298 2000, F: (312) 298 2001, www.pwc.com/us


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as of December 31, 2018 by correspondence with the investee mutual funds. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 18, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the subaccounts in Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II since 2014.


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2018

 

Subaccount

  Number of Shares     Cost     Assets at Market
Value
    Due (to)/from
General Account
    Net Assets     Units Outstanding     Range of Unit Values  

2019 Trust

    2,374,239.386     $ 1,667,575     $ 2,231,144     $ (115   $ 2,231,029       89,438     $ 23.559241     $ 25.498774  

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

    318,401.252       15,576,513       16,477,265       82       16,477,347       342,492       45.080727       49.256776  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

    5,686,258.965       135,133,090       112,360,477       109       112,360,586       391,232       255.166636       297.417401  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

    910,097.916       10,301,452       7,644,822       (22     7,644,800       256,625       28.208300       30.283528  

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Class I Shares

    775,454.270       18,279,831       16,369,840       (78     16,369,762       188,297       80.391444       88.781801  

BlackRock Balanced Capital

    25,576,619.924       389,850,387       357,305,380       (29     357,305,351       3,143,103       102.179900       117.037355  

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

    2,300,533.942       33,464,732       28,503,616       (8     28,503,608       405,128       64.951472       71.729335  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

    2,990,628.489       92,762,875       109,546,722       40       109,546,762       450,143       215.504220       251.191096  

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

    1,177,722.942       13,011,867       11,977,442       (6     11,977,436       184,367       60.078033       66.346335  

BlackRock Global Allocation

    7,758,662.382       118,415,087       110,173,006       67       110,173,073       1,349,546       74.004666       84.023648  

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

    88,611.238       1,275,991       1,346,005       (8     1,345,997       27,113       45.687832       50.905877  

BlackRock Government Money Market

    91,904,780.390       91,904,780       91,904,780       (110     91,904,670       2,251,013       35.989085       41.948344  

BlackRock High Yield

    3,557,849.315       19,164,272       17,789,247       85,135       17,874,382       214,247       75.660475       86.309186  

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

    908,301.081       9,879,819       8,356,370       76       8,356,446       403,983       19.383427       21.053849  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

    764,861.276       11,111,485       10,187,952       (11     10,187,941       375,915       25.502021       27.584016  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

    1,464.762       18,615       19,701       (4     19,697       445       41.983699       45.072490  

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

    1,371,027.610       28,452,714       28,106,066       (2     28,106,064       663,700       39.581287       43.247741  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond

    3,536,770.828       39,446,919       37,419,035       82,042       37,501,077       394,876       83.791531       97.665196  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

    48,114.481       2,687,214       2,749,743       25       2,749,768       146,701       18.392951       18.887506  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

    90,047.617       2,744,068       2,786,073       (5     2,786,068       149,842       17.985524       18.932688  

MFS® Growth Initial Class

    222,713.919       9,125,392       10,469,781       107       10,469,888       219,153       44.688198       48.828403  

 

LOGO

See accompanying notes

 

2


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

 

     2019 Trust
Subaccount
   

AB Large Cap

Growth

Class A Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Advantage Large
Cap Core

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Advantage Large

Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total

Market V.I. Class I Shares

Subaccount

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2016:

   $ 2,721,165     $ 11,532,036     $ 116,130,555     $ 8,428,783     $ 21,749,608  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     —         —         1,645,856       129,583       177,461  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     23,859       78,329       717,569       48,537       120,407  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (23,859     (78,329     928,287       81,046       57,054  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     —         728,276       33,867,895       2,047,732       3,952,679  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     89,485       840,834       3,231,400       302,616       2,015,126  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     89,485       1,569,110       37,099,295       2,350,348       5,967,805  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (75,446     1,983,274       (14,069,746     (1,161,737     (3,442,008
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     14,039       3,552,384       23,029,549       1,188,611       2,525,797  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (9,820     3,474,055       23,957,836       1,269,657       2,582,851  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (255,096     (984,215     (10,540,434     (1,104,143     (3,865,746
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (264,916     2,489,840       13,417,402       165,514       (1,282,895
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2017:

   $ 2,456,249     $ 14,021,876     $ 129,547,957     $ 8,594,297     $ 20,466,713  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     —         —         1,932,694       167,862       239,561  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     21,564       102,517       764,517       52,145       113,221  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (21,564     (102,517     1,168,177       115,717       126,340  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     —         1,952,799       14,583,349       912,369       1,760,287  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     110,089       751,443       1,800,120       (53,256     1,489,271  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     110,089       2,704,242       16,383,469       859,113       3,249,558  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (71,455     (2,441,590     (23,843,083     (1,686,616     (4,531,326
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     38,634       262,652       (7,459,614     (827,503     (1,281,768

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     17,070       160,135       (6,291,437     (711,786     (1,155,428
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (242,290     2,295,336       (10,895,934     (237,711     (2,941,523
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (225,220     2,455,471       (17,187,371     (949,497     (4,096,951
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2018:

   $ 2,231,029     $ 16,477,347     $ 112,360,586     $ 7,644,800     $ 16,369,762  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

 

(1) 

See Footnote 1

 

3


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

 

    

BlackRock Balanced Capital

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Basic Value V.I.

Class I Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Capital

Appreciation

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Equity Dividend

V.I. Class I Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Global Allocation

Subaccount

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2016:

   $ 387,296,994     $ 35,589,243     $ 91,592,141     $ 12,946,395     $ 131,550,402  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     7,155,681       514,292       295,505       241,600       1,879,418  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     2,304,887       195,823       596,872       77,488       782,838  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     4,850,794       318,469       (301,367     164,112       1,096,580  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     67,553,156       1,291,994       10,677,823       728,541       —    

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     9,622,364       588,832       5,006,534       630,984       701,243  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     77,175,520       1,880,826       15,684,357       1,359,525       701,243  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (30,339,240     259,374       13,639,982       496,375       15,076,274  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     46,836,280       2,140,200       29,324,339       1,855,900       15,777,517  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     51,687,074       2,458,669       29,022,972       2,020,012       16,874,097  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (35,685,740     (4,259,785     (8,421,914     (485,043     (14,698,492
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     16,001,334       (1,801,116     20,601,058       1,534,969       2,175,605  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2017:

   $ 403,298,328     $ 33,788,127     $ 112,193,199     $ 14,481,364     $ 133,726,007  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     7,237,379       590,712       369,995       272,799       1,772,215  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     2,316,650       187,696       713,661       81,560       741,146  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     4,920,729       403,016       (343,666     191,239       1,031,069  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     26,561,843       3,415,542       12,829,077       974,780       6,034,748  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     6,254,287       469,084       6,333,167       682,118       1,004,628  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     32,816,130       3,884,626       19,162,244       1,656,898       7,039,376  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (48,860,979     (6,853,167     (16,326,121     (2,819,265     (17,658,150
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (16,044,849     (2,968,541     2,836,123       (1,162,367     (10,618,774

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (11,124,120     (2,565,525     2,492,457       (971,128     (9,587,705
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (34,868,857     (2,718,994     (5,138,894     (1,532,800     (13,965,229
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (45,992,977     (5,284,519     (2,646,437     (2,503,928     (23,552,934
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2018:

   $ 357,305,351     $ 28,503,608     $ 109,546,762     $ 11,977,436     $ 110,173,073  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

 

(1) 

See Footnote 1

 

4


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

 

    

BlackRock Global Allocation

V.I. Class I Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Government Money Market

Subaccount

   

BlackRock High Yield

Subaccount

   

BlackRock International V.I.

Class I Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth

V.I. Class I Shares

Subaccount

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2016:

   $ 1,383,866     $ 91,986,156     $ 21,377,887     $ 7,354,809     $ 7,976,495  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     19,261       381,385       1,195,562       —         3,944  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     8,562       489,351       127,414       50,919       53,478  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     10,699       (107,966     1,068,148       (50,919     (49,534

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     14,943       263       —         —         1,629,679  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     11,156       —         33,108       261,450       373,071  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     26,099       263       33,108       261,450       2,002,750  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     142,973       —         402,064       2,024,450       346,234  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     169,072       263       435,172       2,285,900       2,348,984  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     179,771       (107,703     1,503,320       2,234,981       2,299,450  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (51,887     (11,628,013     (2,504,990     449,813       (509,075
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     127,884       (11,735,716     (1,001,670     2,684,794       1,790,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2017:

   $ 1,511,750     $ 80,250,440     $ 20,376,217     $ 10,039,603     $ 9,766,870  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     14,040       1,259,692       1,118,856       287,489       —    

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     8,664       510,477       117,776       62,828       67,260  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     5,376       749,215       1,001,080       224,661       (67,260

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     54,762       —         —         281,154       1,146,774  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     12,679       —         (28,564     590,881       311,894  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     67,441       —         (28,564     872,035       1,458,668  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (187,729     —         (1,501,014     (3,602,331     (1,121,081
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (120,288     —         (1,529,578     (2,730,296     337,587  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     (114,912     749,215       (528,498     (2,505,635     270,327  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (50,841     10,905,015       (1,973,337     822,478       150,744  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (165,753     11,654,230       (2,501,835     (1,683,157     421,071  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2018:

   $ 1,345,997     $ 91,904,670     $ 17,874,382     $ 8,356,446     $ 10,187,941  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

 

(1)

See Footnote 1

 

5


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

 

    

BlackRock Managed

Volatility V.I.

Class I Shares
Subaccount

   

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I.

Class I Shares

Subaccount

   

BlackRock U.S. Government

Bond

Subaccount

   

Invesco V.I. American

Franchise Series I Shares

Subaccount

   

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I

Shares

Subaccount

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2016:

   $ 56,871     $ 24,812,333     $ 43,008,904     $ 1,612,963     $ 3,645,669  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     68       470,373       941,385       1,873       38,916  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     281       164,692       236,633       13,486       23,449  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (213     305,681       704,752       (11,613     15,467  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     373       1,170,930       —         182,656       194,929  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     5,439       1,494,076       (234,245     122,384       84,434  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     5,812       2,665,006       (234,245     305,040       279,363  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (3,974     2,237,509       18,254       182,117       146,203  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     1,838       4,902,515       (215,991     487,157       425,566  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     1,625       5,208,196       488,761       475,544       441,033  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (38,613     (945,532     (3,646,615     612,597       (283,568
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (36,988     4,262,664       (3,157,854     1,088,141       157,465  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2017:

   $ 19,883     $ 29,074,997     $ 39,851,050     $ 2,701,104     $ 3,803,134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Income:

          

Reinvested Dividends

     361       322,871       995,393       —         28,851  

Investment Expense:

          

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     120       185,410       223,340       18,940       22,418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     241       137,461       772,053       (18,940     6,433  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

          

Capital Gain Distributions

     208       1,310,766       104,297       200,613       206,635  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     64       989,922       (503,843     75,299       127,485  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     272       2,300,688       (399,546     275,912       334,120  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (430     (3,885,788     (323,862     (385,518     (634,203
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     (158     (1,585,100     (723,408     (109,606     (300,083

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     83       (1,447,639     48,645       (128,546     (293,650
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (269     478,706       (2,398,618     177,210       (723,416
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (186     (968,933     (2,349,973     48,664       (1,017,066
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2018:

   $ 19,697     $ 28,106,064     $ 37,501,077     $ 2,749,768     $ 2,786,068  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

 

(1)

See Footnote 1

 

6


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018

 

    

MFS® Growth Initial Class

Subaccount

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2016:

   $ 7,225,353  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

  

Reinvested Dividends

     8,680  

Investment Expense:

  

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     50,371  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (41,691

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

  

Capital Gain Distributions

     328,472  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     586,890  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     915,362  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     1,326,759  
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     2,242,121  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     2,200,430  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     (189,506
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     2,010,924  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2017:

   $ 9,236,277  
  

 

 

 

Investment Income:

  

Reinvested Dividends

     10,314  

Investment Expense:

  

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

     66,319  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

     (56,005

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

  

Capital Gain Distributions

     765,381  

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

     711,251  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

     1,476,632  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (1,295,741
  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

     180,891  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     124,886  
  

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

     1,108,725  
  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     1,233,611  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets as of December 31, 2018:

   $ 10,469,888  
  

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes.

 

(1)

See Footnote 1

 

7


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

1. Organization

 

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II (the Separate Account) is a segregated investment account of Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company (TALIC), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON N.V., a holding company organized under the laws of the Netherlands.

The Separate Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Unit Investment Trust pursuant to provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. TALIC and the Separate Account are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The assets and liabilities of the Separate Account are clearly identified and distinguished from TALIC’s other assets and liabilities. The Separate Account consists of multiple investment subaccounts. Each subaccount invests exclusively in the corresponding portfolio of a Mutual Fund. Each Mutual Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Activity in these specified investment subaccounts is available to contract owners of Prime Plan I -VII, Directed Life I, Directed Life II, and Prime Plan Investor.

Subaccount Investment by Mutual Fund:

 

Subaccount

  

Mutual Fund

Zero Coupon Trust

  

Zero Coupon Trust

2019 Trust

  

2019 Trust

AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

  

AB Variable Products Series Fund, Inc.

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

  

AB Large Cap Growth Portfolio Class A Shares

BlackRock Fund, Inc.

  

BlackRock Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Balanced Capital

  

BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Global Allocation

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Government Money Market

  

BlackRock Government Money Market Fund

BlackRock High Yield

  

BlackRock High Yield Fund

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock International V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

  

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund Class I Shares

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Fund

 

8


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

1. Organization (continued)

 

Subaccount Investment by Mutual Fund:

 

Subaccount

  

Mutual Fund

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

  

AIM Variable Insurance Funds (Invesco Variable Insurance Funds)

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Fund Series I Shares

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Fund Series I Shares

MFS® Variable Insurance Trust

  

MFS® Variable Insurance Trust

MFS® Growth Initial Class

  

MFS® Growth Series Initial Class

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for variable life separate accounts registered as unit investment trusts. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding matters that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments

Net purchase payments received by the Separate Account are invested in the portfolios of the Mutual Funds as selected by the contract owner. Investments are stated at the closing net asset values per share on December 31, 2018.

Realized capital gains and losses from sales of shares in the Separate Account are determined on the first-in, first-out basis. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Unrealized gains or losses from investments in the Mutual Funds are included in the Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets.

Dividend Income

Dividends received from the Mutual Fund investments are reinvested to purchase additional mutual fund shares.

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value Hierarchy

The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the nature of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.

The Separate Account has categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy which is based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are categorized as follows:

Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.

Level 2. Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

  a)

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets

 

  b)

Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets

 

  c)

Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable

 

  d)

Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means.

Level 3. Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. They reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

All investments in the Mutual Funds included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are stated at fair value and are based upon published closing NAV per share and therefore are considered Level 1.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

3. Investments

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments for the period ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

Subaccount

   Purchases      Sales  

2019 Trust

   $ 77,485      $ 341,329  

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

     5,795,638        1,650,022  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

     18,597,045        13,741,587  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

     2,209,774        1,419,401  

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Class I Shares

     3,320,711        4,375,612  

BlackRock Balanced Capital

     37,622,377        41,008,556  

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

     4,812,667        3,713,097  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

     19,481,743        12,135,231  

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

     2,523,093        2,889,879  

BlackRock Global Allocation

     10,367,249        17,266,654  

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

     68,803        59,507  

BlackRock Government Money Market

     65,368,188        53,713,897  

BlackRock High Yield

     2,397,908        3,366,529  

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

     3,523,032        2,194,717  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

     3,232,701        2,002,443  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

     569        390  

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

     6,108,280        4,181,348  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond

     5,097,815        6,634,962  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

     662,957        304,071  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

     291,807        802,154  

MFS® Growth Initial Class

     3,058,352        1,240,256  

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

 

4. Change in Units

 

The change in units outstanding were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2018     Year Ended December 31, 2017  

Subaccount

   Units Purchased      Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from
    Net Increase
(Decrease)
    Units Purchased      Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from
    Net Increase
(Decrease)
 

2019 Trust

     3,059        (12,693     (9,634     71        (10,169     (10,098

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

     75,815        (30,740     45,075       38,715        (61,745     (23,030

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

     6,778        (40,788     (34,010     4,227        (42,050     (37,823

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

     34,874        (41,593     (6,719     21,470        (59,071     (37,601

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Class I Shares

     13,784        (44,700     (30,916     13,156        (58,076     (44,920

BlackRock Balanced Capital

     33,291        (322,963     (289,672     20,766        (343,330     (322,564

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

     10,544        (45,354     (34,810     15,117        (73,867     (58,750

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

     24,330        (43,400     (19,070     10,204        (49,980     (39,776

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

     18,121        (39,140     (21,019     28,516        (36,464     (7,948

BlackRock Global Allocation

     29,735        (189,527     (159,792     27,666        (200,946     (173,280

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

     —          (928     (928     3        (1,015     (1,012

BlackRock Government Money Market

     1,589,341        (1,316,362     272,979       1,140,823        (1,430,693     (289,870

BlackRock High Yield

     14,878        (37,930     (23,052     15,596        (45,162     (29,566

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

     110,295        (83,899     26,396       62,222        (45,519     16,703  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

     72,998        (66,158     6,840       63,957        (82,744     (18,787

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

     —          (6     (6     —          (895     (895

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

     100,156        (87,477     12,679       199,221        (219,544     (20,323

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond

     43,471        (68,589     (25,118     15,989        (54,557     (38,568

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

     22,187        (13,495     8,692       53,852        (20,208     33,644  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

     2,701        (36,695     (33,994     1,851        (16,223     (14,372

MFS® Growth Initial Class

     45,042        (23,330     21,712       20,769        (25,115     (4,346

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

 

4. Change in Unit Dollars (continued)

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2018     Year Ended December 31, 2017  

Subaccount

   Units Purchased in
Dollars
     Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from in Dollars
    Dollar Net Increase
(Decrease)
    Units Purchased in
Dollars
     Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from in Dollars
    Dollar Net Increase
(Decrease)
 

2019 Trust

   $ 77,485      $ (319,775   $ (242,290   $ 1,800      $ (256,896   $ (255,096

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

     3,855,614        (1,560,278     2,295,336       1,666,931        (2,651,146     (984,215

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

     2,160,808        (13,056,742     (10,895,934     1,190,056        (11,730,490     (10,540,434

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

     1,131,899        (1,369,610     (237,711     651,943        (1,756,086     (1,104,143

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total
Market V.I. Class I Shares

     1,330,682        (4,272,205     (2,941,523     1,095,522        (4,961,268     (3,865,746

BlackRock Balanced Capital

     4,023,426        (38,892,283     (34,868,857     2,334,247        (38,019,987     (35,685,740

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

     817,596        (3,536,590     (2,718,994     1,088,497        (5,348,282     (4,259,785

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

     6,398,713        (11,537,607     (5,138,894     2,111,346        (10,533,260     (8,421,914

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

     1,284,091        (2,816,891     (1,532,800     1,870,979        (2,356,022     (485,043

BlackRock Global Allocation

     2,653,664        (16,618,893     (13,965,229     2,334,195        (17,032,687     (14,698,492

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

     2        (50,843     (50,841     184        (52,071     (51,887

BlackRock Government Money Market

     64,292,479        (53,387,464     10,905,015       46,095,517        (57,723,530     (11,628,013

BlackRock High Yield

     1,286,781        (3,260,118     (1,973,337     1,290,324        (3,795,314     (2,504,990

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

     2,962,120        (2,139,642     822,478       1,537,605        (1,087,792     449,813  

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

     2,091,272        (1,940,528     150,744       1,497,785        (2,006,860     (509,075

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

     —          (269     (269     —          (38,613     (38,613

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

     4,495,030        (4,016,324     478,706       8,044,690        (8,990,222     (945,532

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond

     4,044,012        (6,442,630     (2,398,618     1,514,344        (5,160,959     (3,646,615

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

     463,291        (286,081     177,210       987,383        (374,786     612,597  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

     56,887        (780,303     (723,416     35,851        (319,419     (283,568

MFS® Growth Initial Class

     2,289,708        (1,180,983     1,108,725       888,895        (1,078,401     (189,506

 

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Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

5. Financial Highlights

The Separate Account offers various death benefit options, which have differing fees that are charged against the contract owner’s account balance. These charges are discussed in more detail in the individual’s policy. Differences in the fee structures for these units result in different unit values, expense ratios, and total returns.

 

     At December 31      For the Year Ended December 31  

Subaccount

   Units      Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
     Net
Assets
     Investment
Income
Ratio*
    Expense
Ratio**
Lowest to
Highest
    Total Return***
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
 

2019 Trust

                               

12/31/2018

     89,438      $ 25.50        to      $ 23.56      $ 2,231,029        —       0.84     to        1.24     0.88     to        0.47

12/31/2017

     99,072        25.28        to        23.45        2,456,249        —         0.84       to        1.24       (0.30     to        (0.69

12/31/2016

     109,170        25.35        to        23.61        2,721,165        —         0.84       to        1.24       0.29       to        (0.10

12/28/2006

     161,401        25.28        to        23.64        4,026,233        —         0.84       to        1.24       1.09       to        0.69  

12/28/2005

     169,102        25.01        to        23.47        4,176,683        —         0.84       to        1.24       2.21       to        1.80  

AB Large Cap Growth Class A Shares

 

12/31/2018

     342,492        49.26        to        45.08        16,477,347        —         0.50       to        0.90       2.07       to        1.66  

12/31/2017

     297,417        48.26        to        44.35        14,021,876        —         0.50       to        0.90       31.33       to        30.81  

12/31/2016

     320,447        36.75        to        33.90        11,532,036        —         0.50       to        0.90       2.12       to        1.71  

12/28/2006

     354,252        35.98        to        33.33        12,500,097        —         0.50       to        0.90       10.56       to        10.12  

12/28/2005

     318,106        32.55        to        30.26        10,143,270        —         0.50       to        0.90       13.57       to        13.12  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

 

12/31/2018

     391,232        297.42        to        255.17        112,360,586        1.49       0.50       to        0.90       (5.59     to        (5.96

12/31/2017

     425,242        315.02        to        271.35        129,547,957        1.34       0.50       to        0.90       21.63       to        21.15  

12/31/2016

     463,065        258.99        to        223.97        116,130,555        1.35       0.50       to        0.90       10.13       to        9.70  

12/28/2006

     511,897        235.16        to        204.17        116,731,976        1.15       0.50       to        0.90       0.10       to        (0.30

12/28/2005

     549,083        234.92        to        204.78        125,214,626        1.05       0.50       to        0.90       12.22       to        11.78  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     256,625        30.28        to        28.21        7,644,800        1.91       0.50       to        0.90       (8.66     to        (9.03

12/31/2017

     263,344        33.16        to        31.01        8,594,297        1.57       0.50       to        0.90       16.64       to        16.18  

12/31/2016

     300,945        28.43        to        26.69        8,428,783        1.23       0.50       to        0.90       13.04       to        12.59  

12/28/2006

     381,903        25.15        to        23.71        9,489,746        1.10       0.50       to        0.90       (2.21     to        (2.60

12/28/2005

     440,968        25.72        to        24.34        11,211,365        1.09       0.50       to        0.90       11.57       to        11.13  

BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     188,297        88.78        to        80.39        16,369,762        1.24       0.50       to        0.90       (6.86     to        (7.23

12/31/2017

     219,213        95.32        to        86.66        20,466,713        0.86       0.50       to        0.90       13.49       to        13.04  

12/31/2016

     264,133        83.99        to        76.66        21,749,608        0.27       0.50       to        0.90       23.04       to        22.55  

12/28/2006

     307,129        68.26        to        62.55        20,591,998        0.26       0.50       to        0.90       (7.07     to        (7.44

12/28/2005

     353,565        73.46        to        67.58        25,534,718        0.25       0.50       to        0.90       4.70       to        4.28  

BlackRock Balanced Capital

 

12/31/2018

     3,143,103        117.04        to        102.18        357,305,351        1.83       0.50       to        0.90       (3.15     to        (3.53

12/31/2017

     3,432,775        120.84        to        105.92        403,298,328        1.80       0.50       to        0.90       14.02       to        13.57  

12/31/2016

     3,755,339        105.98        to        93.27        387,296,994        1.71       0.50       to        0.90       8.11       to        7.68  

12/28/2006

     4,140,827        98.03        to        86.61        395,416,207        1.62       0.50       to        0.90       0.02       to        (0.37

12/28/2005

     4,529,516        98.01        to        86.94        432,762,927        1.84       0.50       to        0.90       10.51       to        10.08  

BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     405,128        71.73        to        64.95        28,503,608        1.82       0.50       to        0.90       (8.31     to        (8.67

12/31/2017

     439,938        78.23        to        71.12        33,788,127        1.50       0.50       to        0.90       7.70       to        7.28  

12/31/2016

     498,688        72.63        to        66.30        35,589,243        1.51       0.50       to        0.90       17.60       to        17.13  

12/28/2006

     563,453        61.76        to        56.60        34,224,499        1.48       0.50       to        0.90       (6.42     to        (6.79

12/28/2005

     615,120        66.00        to        60.72        39,968,700        1.42       0.50       to        0.90       9.38       to        8.95  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation

 

12/31/2018

     450,143        251.19        to        215.50        109,546,762        0.30       0.50       to        0.90       1.88       to        1.47  

12/31/2017

     469,213        246.55        to        212.37        112,193,199        0.28       0.50       to        0.90       32.99       to        32.47  

12/31/2016

     508,989        185.39        to        160.32        91,592,141        0.23       0.50       to        0.90       (0.10     to        (0.50

12/28/2006

     566,373        185.58        to        161.12        102,071,591        0.13       0.50       to        0.90       6.73       to        6.31  

12/28/2005

     602,840        173.87        to        151.56        101,962,115        0.17       0.50       to        0.90       8.39       to        7.96  

 

14


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

5. Financial Highlights (continued)

 

     At December 31      For the Year Ended December 31  

Subaccount

   Units      Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
     Net
Assets
     Investment
Income
Ratio*
    Expense
Ratio**
Lowest to
Highest
    Total Return***
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
 

BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     184,367      $ 66.35        to      $ 60.08      $ 11,977,436        1.95     0.50     to        0.90     (7.63 )%      to        (8.00 )% 

12/31/2017

     205,386        71.83        to        65.30        14,481,364        1.79       0.50       to        0.90       16.16       to        15.70  

12/31/2016

     213,334        61.83        to        56.44        12,946,395        1.88       0.50       to        0.90       15.82       to        15.36  

12/28/2006

     185,312        53.39        to        48.92        9,731,465        1.62       0.50       to        0.90       (1.11     to        (1.50

12/28/2005

     207,214        53.99        to        49.67        11,007,885        1.79       0.50       to        0.90       8.80       to        8.37  

BlackRock Global Allocation

 

12/31/2018

     1,349,546        84.02        to        74.00        110,173,073        1.41       0.50       to        0.90       (7.73     to        (8.10

12/31/2017

     1,509,338        91.07        to        80.53        133,726,007        1.40       0.50       to        0.90       13.49       to        13.04  

12/31/2016

     1,682,618        80.24        to        71.24        131,550,402        1.59       0.50       to        0.90       3.73       to        3.32  

12/28/2006

     1,943,430        77.36        to        68.95        146,699,965        1.82       0.50       to        0.90       (1.12     to        (1.51

12/28/2005

     2,131,731        78.23        to        70.01        162,932,637        2.39       0.50       to        0.90       1.81       to        1.41  

BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     27,113        50.91        to        45.69        1,345,997        0.96       0.50       to        0.90       (7.80     to        (8.17

12/31/2017

     28,041        55.21        to        49.75        1,511,750        1.32       0.50       to        0.90       13.29       to        12.85  

12/31/2016

     29,053        48.73        to        44.09        1,383,866        1.29       0.50       to        0.90       3.60       to        3.19  

12/28/2006

     30,738        47.04        to        42.73        1,413,444        1.12       0.50       to        0.90       (1.20     to        (1.60

12/28/2005

     32,379        47.62        to        43.42        1,508,985        2.08       0.50       to        0.90       1.60       to        1.20  

BlackRock Government Money Market

 

12/31/2018

     2,251,013        41.95        to        35.99        91,904,670        1.41       0.50       to        0.90       0.90       to        0.49  

12/31/2017

     1,978,034        41.58        to        35.81        80,250,440        0.44       0.50       to        0.90       (0.05     to        (0.45

12/31/2016

     2,267,904        41.60        to        35.97        91,986,156        —         0.50       to        0.90       (0.49     to        (0.89

12/28/2006

     2,297,910        41.80        to        36.29        93,724,813        —         0.50       to        0.90       (0.49     to        (0.89

12/28/2005

     2,451,879        42.01        to        36.62        100,585,364        —         0.50       to        0.90       (0.49     to        (0.89

BlackRock High Yield

 

12/31/2018

     214,247        86.31        to        75.66        17,874,382        5.71       0.50       to        0.90       (2.80     to        (3.19

12/31/2017

     237,299        88.79        to        78.15        20,376,217        5.61       0.50       to        0.90       7.39       to        6.97  

12/31/2016

     266,865        82.68        to        73.06        21,377,887        5.67       0.50       to        0.90       13.85       to        13.40  

12/28/2006

     291,649        72.62        to        64.43        20,547,436        5.51       0.50       to        0.90       (5.10     to        (5.47

12/28/2005

     336,184        76.52        to        68.16        24,994,305        5.78       0.50       to        0.90       1.37       to        0.97  

BlackRock International V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     403,983        21.05        to        19.38        8,356,446        2.67       0.50       to        0.90       (22.22     to        (22.53

12/31/2017

     377,587        27.07        to        25.02        10,039,603        —         0.50       to        0.90       30.46       to        29.94  

12/31/2016

     360,884        20.75        to        19.25        7,354,809        1.65       0.50       to        0.90       (0.11     to        (0.50

12/28/2006

     402,188        20.77        to        19.35        8,222,708        1.07       0.50       to        0.90       (3.24     to        (3.62

12/28/2005

     424,794        21.47        to        20.08        8,980,158        1.73       0.50       to        0.90       (5.67     to        (6.04

BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     375,915        27.58        to        25.50        10,187,941        —         0.50       to        0.90       2.50       to        2.09  

12/31/2017

     369,075        26.91        to        24.98        9,766,870        0.04       0.50       to        0.90       28.91       to        28.41  

12/31/2016

     387,862        20.88        to        19.45        7,976,495        0.59       0.50       to        0.90       7.35       to        6.92  

12/28/2006

     522,658        19.45        to        18.19        10,038,394        0.61       0.50       to        0.90       2.22       to        1.81  

12/28/2005

     541,916        19.02        to        17.87        10,188,436        0.58       0.50       to        0.90       13.60       to        13.15  

BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     445        45.07        to        41.98        19,697        1.81       0.50       to        0.90       0.52       to        0.11  

12/31/2017

     451        44.84        to        41.94        19,883        0.15       0.50       to        0.90       4.46       to        4.05  

12/31/2016

     1,346        42.93        to        40.31        56,871        0.86       0.50       to        0.90       1.20       to        0.80  

12/28/2006

     1,367        42.42        to        39.99        57,134        —         0.50       to        0.90       (1.06     to        (1.45

12/28/2005

     1,388        42.87        to        40.57        58,698        —         0.50       to        0.90       1.77       to        1.37  

BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Class I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     663,700        43.25        to        39.58        28,106,064        1.03       0.50       to        0.90       (5.09     to        (5.47

12/31/2017

     651,021        45.57        to        41.87        29,074,997        1.68       0.50       to        0.90       20.90       to        20.42  

12/31/2016

     671,344        37.69        to        34.77        24,812,333        1.81       0.50       to        0.90       11.04       to        10.60  

12/28/2006

     689,690        33.94        to        31.44        22,987,016        1.83       0.50       to        0.90       0.55       to        0.15  

12/28/2005

     735,514        33.76        to        31.39        24,404,199        1.69       0.50       to        0.90       12.73       to        12.29  

 

15


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

5. Financial Highlights (continued)

 

     At December 31      For the Year Ended December 31  

Subaccount

   Units      Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
     Net
Assets
     Investment
Income
Ratio*
    Expense
Ratio**
Lowest to
Highest
    Total Return***
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio
 

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond

 

12/31/2018

     394,876      $ 97.67        to      $ 83.79      $ 37,501,077        2.55     0.50     to        0.90     0.27     to        (0.13 )% 

12/31/2017

     419,994        97.41        to        83.90        39,851,050        2.25       0.50       to        0.90       1.21       to        0.81  

12/31/2016

     458,562        96.24        to        83.23        43,008,904        1.89       0.50       to        0.90       1.03       to        0.63  

12/28/2006

     504,720        95.26        to        82.70        46,855,250        2.10       0.50       to        0.90       0.05       to        (0.34

12/28/2005

     572,997        95.21        to        82.99        53,215,093        2.11       0.50       to        0.90       5.42       to        5.01  

Invesco V.I. American Franchise Series I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     146,701        18.89        to        18.39        2,749,768        —         0.50       to        0.90       (4.11     to        (4.49

12/31/2017

     138,009        19.70        to        19.26        2,701,104        0.08       0.50       to        0.90       26.71       to        26.21  

12/31/2016

     104,365        15.54        to        15.26        1,612,963        —         0.50       to        0.90       1.76       to        1.36  

12/28/2006

     109,159        15.28        to        15.05        1,660,046        —         0.50       to        0.90       4.48       to        4.07  

12/28/2005

     108,449        14.62        to        14.47        1,580,417        0.04       0.50       to        0.90       7.90       to        7.47  

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Shares

 

12/31/2018

     149,842        18.93        to        17.99        2,786,068        0.81       0.50       to        0.90       (9.85     to        (10.21

12/31/2017

     183,836        21.00        to        20.03        3,803,134        1.03       0.50       to        0.90       12.61       to        12.17  

12/31/2016

     198,208        18.65        to        17.86        3,645,669        0.74       0.50       to        0.90       9.72       to        9.28  

12/28/2006

     224,969        17.00        to        16.34        3,776,086        1.10       0.50       to        0.90       (6.24     to        (6.61

12/28/2005

     238,072        18.13        to        17.50        4,267,768        0.87       0.50       to        0.90       7.61       to        7.18  

MFS® Growth Initial Class

 

12/31/2018

     219,153        48.83        to        44.69        10,469,888        0.09       0.50       to        0.90       2.16       to        1.75  

12/31/2017

     197,441        47.80        to        43.92        9,236,277        0.10       0.50       to        0.90       30.75       to        30.24  

12/31/2016

     201,787        36.56        to        33.72        7,225,353        0.04       0.50       to        0.90       1.93       to        1.53  

12/28/2006

     208,276        35.86        to        33.21        7,323,357        0.16       0.50       to        0.90       7.02       to        6.60  

12/28/2005

     206,238        33.51        to        31.16        6,782,346        0.10       0.50       to        0.90       8.40       to        7.97  

(1) See footnote 1

 

*

These amounts represent the dividends, excluding distributions of capital gains, received by the subaccount from the Mutual Fund, net of management fees assessed by the fund manager, divided by the average net assets. These ratios exclude those expenses, such as mortality and expense charges, that are assessed against contract owner accounts either through reductions in the unit values or the redemption of units. The recognition of investment income by the subaccount is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the Mutual Fund in which the subaccounts invest.

 

**

These amounts represent the annualized contract expenses of the subaccount, consisting primarily of mortality and expense charges, for each period indicated. These ratios include only those expenses that result in a direct reduction to unit values. Charges made directly to contract owner accounts through the redemption of units and expenses of the Mutual Fund have been excluded.

 

16


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

5. Financial Highlights (continued)

 

***

These amounts represent the total return for the periods indicated, including changes in the value of the Mutual Fund, and expenses assessed through the reduction of unit values. These ratios do not include any expenses assessed through the redemption of units. Investment options with a date notation indicate the effective date of that investment option in the variable account. The total return is calculated for each period indicated or from the effective date through the end of the reporting period. Total returns reflect a full twelve month period and total returns for subaccounts opened during the year have not been disclosed as they may not be indicative of a full year return. Expense ratios not in effect for the full twelve months are not reflected in the total return as they may not be indicative of a full year return.

 

17


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

6. Administrative and Mortality and Expense Risk Charges

A daily charge is deducted from the unit values of the subaccounts of the Separate Account for TALIC’s assumption of certain mortality and expense risks incurred in connection with the contract. The charge is assessed daily based on the net asset value of the account and ranges from 0.50% to 0.90%, depending on the death benefit selected. Charges reflected above are those currently assessed and may be subject to change. Contract owners should see their actual policy and any related attachments to determine their specific charges.

In addition to M&E, the following subaccounts are assessed a daily charge for a trust acquisition fee:

 

     Additional Trust  

Subaccount

   Acquisition Fee Assessed  

2019 Trust

     0.34

7. Income Tax

Operations of the Separate Account form a part of TALIC, which is taxed as a life insurance company under Subchapter L of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The operations of the Separate Account are accounted for separately from other operations of TALIC for purposes of federal income taxation. The Separate Account is not separately taxable as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and is not otherwise taxable as an entity separate from TALIC. Under existing federal income tax laws, the income of the Separate Account is not taxable to TALIC, as long as earnings are credited under the variable life contracts.

 

18


Table of Contents

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Variable Life Separate Account II

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2018

 

8. Subsequent Events

The Separate Account has evaluated the financial statements for subsequent events through the date which the financial statements were issued. During this period, there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

9. Related Parties

Transamerica Capital, Inc. (“TCI”), a wholesaling broker-dealer, is an affiliated entity of TALIC and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON N.V. TCI distributes TALIC’s products through broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries.

No charges other than those disclosed in Footnote 6 are deducted for the service rendered by related parties.

Contract owners may transfer funds between available subaccount options within the Separate Account. These transfers are performed at unit value at the time of the transfer.

10. Subsequent Events (Unaudited)

Effective July 1, 2019, TALIC merged into Transamerica Life Insurance Company (TLIC) and the Separate Account became a segregated investment account of TLIC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON N.V., a holding company organized under the laws of the Netherlands. There is no anticipated impact to the financial statements or contract holders.

 

19


Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 1991

Registration No. 33-43060

91 23 6268

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-6

FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT

OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT

TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2

 

 

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II

(formerly Tandem Variable Life Separate Account of Tandem Insurance Group, Inc.)

(Exact name of trust)

Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company

(Name of depositor)

800 Scudders Mill Road

Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

(Complete address of depositor’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Barry G. Skolnick, Esq.

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company

800 Scudders Mill Road

Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

(Name and complete address of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Leonard B. Mackey, Jr., Esq.

Rogers & Wells

200 Park Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10166

 

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 
Title of Securities Being Registered    Amount Being
Registered
   Proposed
Maximum Aggregate    
Offering Price
   Amount of
Registration Fee    
Individual Variable Life Insurance Policies        See Note (1)            See Note (1)            $500    
 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant elects to register an indefinite amount of the securities being offered.

 

 


Table of Contents

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be accessory to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

                      Page        1        of        284              Exhibit Index On
               page     II-5        


Table of Contents

Prospectus

 

 

Prime Plan 7 [logo]

 

 

Flexible Premium Variable

Life Insurance Issued by

Tandem Insurance Group, Inc.

Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc.

The Merrill Lynch Fund

of Stripped (“Zero”)

U.S. Treasury Securities,

Series A through H


Table of Contents

Date: April 30, 1991

FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE

 

 

This prospectus is for a flexible premium variable life insurance policy (the “contract”) offered by Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Insurance Company” or “we”), a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. It describes contracts which, at the time of issue, are designed to meet the 7-pay test under Federal tax law. If you wish to purchase a modified endowment contract of the Insurance Company (which would not meet the 7-pay test), please consult your financial consultant.

During the “free look” period, you may invest your initial payment in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio, the guaranteed interest division and, within limits, up to $150,000 in divisions investing in certain unit investment trusts. After the “free look” period, you may invest in up to any five divisions available under the contract, which include the investment divisions of the Tandem Variable Life Separate Account of Tandem Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Separate Account”), a separate investment account of the Insurance Company, and the guaranteed interest division which is part of the general account of the Insurance Company. The investments available through the investment divisions include ten mutual fund portfolios of the Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc. (the “Series Fund”) and 19 unit investment trusts in The Merrill Lynch Fund of Stripped (“Zero”) U.S. Treasury Securities (collectively, the “Zero Trusts” and individually, a “Zero Trust”). Under our current rules, as the contract owner you may change your allocation as many times as you wish.

The contract provides an estate benefit through life insurance coverage on the insured. We guarantee that the coverage will remain in force for the “guarantee period.” Each payment will extend the “guarantee period” until such time as you have a guarantee period for life. During this “guarantee period,” we may terminate the contract only if the debt exceeds certain contract values. After the guarantee period, the contract will remain in force as long as there is not excessive debt and as long as the cash surrender value is sufficient to cover the charges due. While the contract is in force and he investment base is allocated to the Separate Account, the death benefit may vary to reflect the investment results of your investment divisions but will never be less than the current face amount.

You may also purchase a contract to provide insurance coverage on the lives of two insureds with proceeds payable upon the death of the last surviving insured.

The contract is designed to allow for planned periodic payments, and you may make additional unplanned payments subject to certain conditions. You may also change the face amount of your contract, borrow up to the loan value of your contact or turn in the contract for its net cash surrender value. The net cash surrender value will vary with the investment results of your investment divisions. We don’t guarantee any minimum.

It may not be advantageous to replace existing insurance with the contract. Within certain limits, you may return the contract or exchange it for a contract with benefits that do not vary with the investment results of a separate account.

This prospectus generally describes only the portion of the contract involving the Separate Account. For a brief summary of the guaranteed interest division, see the section “Guaranteed Interest Division.”

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY CURRENT PROSPECTUSES FOR THE MERRILL LYNCH SERIES FUND, INC. AND THE MERRILL LYNCH FUND OF STRIPPED (“ZERO”) U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Summary of the Contract

     4  

Purpose of the Contract

     4  

Availability and Payments

     4  

Joint Insureds

     4  

CMA® Life Service

     4  

The Investment Divisions

     5  

How the Death Benefit Varies

     5  

How the Investment Base Varies

     5  

Net Cash Surrender Value and Cash Surrender Value

     5  

Your Right to Cancel (“Free Look” Period) or Exchange

     5  

How Death Benefit and Cash Surrender Value Increases are Taxed

     5  

Loans

     6  

Partial Withdrawals

     6  

Fees and Charges

     6  

Assumption of Previously Issued Policies

     6  

Important Terms

     7  

Important Terms

     7  

Facts About the Separate Account, The Series Fund, The Zero Trusts and the Insurance Company

     9  

The Separate Account

     9  

The Series Fund

     9  

The Zero Trusts

     10  

The Insurance Company and MLPF&S

     10  

Facts About the Contract

     11  

Who May be Covered

     11  

Purchasing a Contract

     11  

Planned Payments

     12  

Payments Which are Not Under a Periodic Payment Plan

     14  

Effect of a Planned Payment and Other Additional Payments

     14  

Changing the Face Amount

     15  

Investment Base

     16  

Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base

     17  

Charges to the Separate Account

     18  

Guarantee Period

     19  

Net Cash Surrender Value

     20  

Loans

     20  

Partial Withdrawals

     21  

Death Benefit Proceeds

     22  

Payment of Death Benefit Proceeds

     23  

Your Right to Cancel (“Free Look” Period) or Exchange

     23  

Reports to Owners

     24  

More About the Contract

     24  

Using Your Contract

     24  

Some Administrative Procedures

     26  

Other Contract Provisions

     27  

Income Plans

     27  

Group or Sponsored Arrangements

     28  

Legal Considerations for Employers

     28  

Selling the Contracts

     29  

Tax Considerations

     29  

The Insurance Company’s Income Taxes

     32  

Reinsurance

     32  

 

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     Page  

More About the Separate Account and Its Divisions

     33  

About the Separate Account

     33  

Changes Within the Account

     33  

Net Rate of Return for an Investment Division

     33  

The Series Fund

     34  

The Zero Trusts

     35  

Charges to Series Fund Assets

     35  

Illustrations

     36  

Illustrations of Death Benefits, Investment Base, Cash Surrender Values and Accumulated Payments

     36  

Examples

     44  

Additional Payments

     44  

Changing the Face Amount

     44  

Partial Withdrawals

     45  

Joint Insureds

     46  

Guaranteed Interest Division (Fixed Account)

     49  

More About the Insurance Company

     53  

Management

     53  

State Regulation

     54  

Registration Statement

     54  

Legal Proceedings

     55  

Legal Matters

     55  

Experts

     55  

Financial Statements

     55  

THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

Issued by:    Administered at:

Tandem Insurance Group, Inc.

  

Monarch Life Insurance Company

Plainsboro. New Jersey 08536

  

P.O. Box 9025

Distributed by:   

Springfield, Massachusetts 01102-9025

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

  

(the “Service Center”)

 

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SUMMARY OF THE CONTRACT

Purpose of the Contract

This flexible premium separate life contract offers a choice of investments and an opportunity for the contract’s investment base, net cash surrender value and death benefit to grow based on investment results.

We don’t promise that your contract values will increase. Depending on the investment results of your investment divisions, the investment base, net cash surrender value and death benefit may increase or decrease on any day. As the contract owner, you bear the investment risk on the investment base allocated to the Separate Account. We guarantee to keep the contract in force during the guarantee period subject to the effect of any debt.

Unless otherwise indicated, the description of the contract contained in this prospectus assumes no payments or investment base have been allocated to the guaranteed interest division. For a brief summary of the guaranteed interest division, see page 49.

Availability and Payments

We can issue a contract for an insured up to age 75 (or up to age 80 for joint insureds). Since the contract is designed to comply with the 7-pay test under Federal tax law, you must elect a periodic payment plan providing for payments for at least seven years when you apply for the contract. We will modify the payment plan, if necessary, to ensure that it does comply with the 7-pay test. The minimum initial payment is $2,000. For a discussion of the 7-pay test, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29.

You may elect to pre-pay periodic payments through a single payment by adding a single premium immediate annuity rider which will fund the contract (see “Payments Under a Combination Periodic Payment Plan” on page 13).

We will not accept an initial payment that will give you a guarantee period of less than a year.

Subject to certain conditions, you may make additional payments that are not planned (see “Payments Which are Not Under a Periodic Payment Plan” on page 14).

In the State of Washington, we will not issue a contract which has a face amount below $25,000 on the life of any person. The contract won’t be available to insure residents of certain municipalities in Kentucky where premium taxes in excess of a certain level are imposed.

Joint Insureds

A contract is also available to provide coverage on the lives of two insureds with a death benefit payable on the death of the last surviving insured. Most of the discussions in this prospectus referencing a single insured may also be read as though the single insured were the two insureds under a joint contract. Those discussions which are different for joint insureds are noted accordingly (see “joint Insureds” on page 46).

CMA® LifeTM Service

If you are a subscriber to the Merrill Lynch Cash Management Account® financial service (“CMA® account”) and you purchase this contract through a Merrill Lynch office, you may elect to have your contract linked to your CMA account electronically. Certain transactions will be reflected in your monthly CMA statement. Payments may be transferred to and from your contract through your CMA account.

 

 

Cash Management Account and CMA are registered trademarks of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. CMA Life is a trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

 

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The Investment Divisions

You may invest your initial payment in the divisions of the Insurance Company’s Separate Account investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio, the guaranteed interest division and, within limits, certain Zero Trusts. After the “free look” period, you may invest in up to five of the divisions, which include the 29 investment divisions in the Insurance Company’s Separate Account and a guaranteed interest division which is part of the Insurance Company’s general account. See “Changing Your Allocation” on page 16. Ten investment divisions of the Separate Account invest exclusively in shares of designated mutual fund portfolios of the Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc. (the “Series Fund”). Each mutual fund portfolio has a different investment objective. The other 19 investment divisions invest in units of designated unit investment trusts in The Merrill Lynch Fund of Stripped (“Zero”) U.S. Treasury Securities (collectively, the “Zero Trusts”). For a discussion of the guaranteed interest division, see page 49.

How the Death Benefit Varies

The death benefit equals the face amount or variable insurance amount, whichever is larger. It may increase or decrease on any day depending on the investment results of your investment divisions. Death benefit proceeds are reduced by any debt.

How the Investment Base Varies

Your contract’s investment base is the amount available for investment at any time. On the policy date (usually the business day next following the receipt of your initial payment at our Service Center), the investment base is equal to the initial payment. Afterwards, it varies daily based on investment performance of your investment divisions. You bear the risk of poor investment performance and you receive the benefit from favorable investment performance.

Net Cash Surrender Value and Cash Surrender Value

The net cash surrender value is the amount you receive if you cancel your contract. On an anniversary your net cash surrender value equals your investment base minus the balance of any deferred contract loading. The net cash surrender value varies daily based on investment performance of your investment divisions. We don’t guarantee any minimum.

For purposes of certain computations under the contract, we use the cash surrender value. It is calculated by adding the amount of any debt to the net cash surrender value.

Your Right to Cancel (“Free Look” Period) or Exchange

You may return your contract within ten days after receiving it or, if required by your state, within the later of the ten days and 45 days from the date the application is executed (“free look” period). We will refund your payment without interest.

You may also exchange the contract within 18 months for a contract with benefits that do not vary with the investment results of a separate account.

How Death Benefit and Cash Surrender Value Increases are Taxed

Under current Federal tax law life insurance contracts receive tax-favored treatment. The death benefit is fully excludable from the beneficiary’s gross income for Federal income tax purposes, according to Section 101(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. You won’t be taxed on any increase in cash surrender value while the contract remains in force. For a discussion of the tax issues associated with the contract, including taxation of loans and partial withdrawals from, and collateral assignments of, the contract and the possible 10% penalty tax on such distributions, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29. Contracts that comply with the 7-pay test receive preferential tax treatment with respect to certain distributions.

 

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Loans

You may borrow up to the loan value of your contract, which is 90% of your cash surrender value. The target loan amount currently has no net loan cost (“wash loan”). The net loan cost on amounts borrowed above the target loan amount is 2.0%. See “Loans” on page 20.

Partial Withdrawals

You may make partial withdrawals after the fifteenth contract year, subject to certain conditions. See “Partial Withdrawals” on page 21.

Fees and Charges

Advisory Fees. The portfolios in the Series Fund pay monthly advisory fees and other expenses. See “Charges to Series Fund Assets” on page 35.

Separate Account Charges. There are certain charges deducted daily from the investment results of the divisions in the Separate Account. These charges are:

 

   

an asset charge deducted from all divisions which is equivalent to .90% annually at the beginning of the year; and

 

   

a trust charge deducted from only those divisions investing in the Zero Trusts which is currently equivalent to .34% annually at the beginning of the year and will never exceed .50% annually.

Investment Base Charges. We invest the entire amount of all your payments in the Separate Account and/or the guaranteed interest division. We then deduct certain charges from your investment base on processing dates. The charges deducted are as follows:

 

   

Deferred contract loading equals 7.0% of each payment. It consists of a sales load of 4.5% and a state and local premium tax charge of 2.5%. For Joint insureds the deferred contract loading equals 9.0% of each payment and consists of a sales load of 6.5% and a state and local premium tax charge of 2.5%. Deferred contract loading is deducted in equal installments of .70% (.90% for joint insureds) of each payment. The deduction is taken on the ten anniversaries following the date we receive and accept the payment. We subtract the balance of the deferred contract loading not yet deducted in determining your net cash surrender value.

 

   

On all processing dates after the policy date, we make deductions for mortality cost (see “Mortality Cost” on page 18).

 

   

On your anniversary, we make deductions for the net loan cost if there has been any debt during the prior year Currently, there is no net loan cost for amounts borrowed up to the target loan amount.

See “Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base” on page 17.

Other Charges. If you prepay periodic payments by purchasing a single premium immediate annuity rider, we’ll deduct 5% of the single payment as a charge for the rider and any applicable premium taxes. See “Payments Under a Combination Periodic Payment Plan” on page 13.

For a discussion of the charges that may be deducted from the guaranteed interest division, see page 50.

Assumption of Previously Issued Policies

On November 14, 1990. Monarch Life Insurance Company (“Monarch”), the Insurance Company and other Merrill Lynch insurance companies entered into an indemnity reinsurance and assumption agreement (the “Assumption Agreement”). Under the Assumption Agreement, the Insurance Company acquired, on an assumption reinsurance basis, certain of the variable life insurance policies issued by Monarch through its Variable Account A, including policies which, except for the issuer, are identical in all material respects (“reinsured policies”) to the policies offered by this prospectus. Thus, the

 

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Insurance Company has all the liabilities and obligations under the reinsured policies assumed by it. All further payments made under the reinsured policies assumed by the Insurance Company will be made directly to or by the Insurance Company.

If you are the owner of a reinsured policy, you have the same rights and the values under your policy as you did before the reinsurance transaction. However, you will look to the Insurance Company instead of to Monarch to fulfill the terms of your policy. Pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, all of the assets of Monarch’s Variable Account A relating to the reinsured policies were transferred to the Insurance Company. Thus, as of the effective date of the assumption of the reinsured policies, the assets of the Insurance Company’s Separate Account are only available to satisfy the Insurance Company’s obligations under the variable life insurance policies assumed by it. Those assets are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business that Monarch has conducted, and the assets of the Separate Account cannot be reached by Monarch or Monarch’s creditors. (See “The Separate Account”, page 9.)

This summary is intended to provide only a very brief overview of the more significant aspects of the contract. Further detail is provided in this prospectus and in the contract. The contract together with its attached applications constitutes the entire agreement between you and us and should be retained.

For the definition of certain terms used in this prospectus, see “Important Terms” below.

IMPORTANT TERMS

Additional Payment: is a payment which may be made after the “free look” period.

Attained Age: is the issue age of the insured plus the number of full years since the policy date.

Cash Surrender Value: is equal to the net cash surrender value plus any debt.

Death Benefit: is the larger of the face amount and the variable insurance amount.

Death Benefit Proceeds: are equal to the death benefit less any debt and less any overdue charges.

Debt: is the outstanding loan on a contract plus accrued interest.

Deferred Contract Loading: is chargeable to all payments for sales load and premium tax charges. We advance the amount of the loading to the divisions as part of your investment base. We then take back these funds in equal installments on the next ten anniversaries following the date we receive and accept your payment.

Division: is any division available under the contract which includes the investment divisions in the Separate Account and the guaranteed interest division which is part of the general account.

Face Amount: is the minimum death benefit as long as the contract remains in force. The face amount will change if you choose to exercise your change in face amount option or it may increase as a result of an additional payment.

Fixed Base: is calculated like the cash surrender value except that 4% is substituted for the net rate of return, the guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates are substituted for current rates and loans and repayments are not taken into account.

Guarantee Period: is the time we guarantee that the contract will remain in force regardless of investment experience, unless the debt exceeds certain values. It is the period that a comparable fixed life contract (same face amount, payments made to date, guaranteed mortality table and loading) would remain in force if credited with 4% interest per year.

Initial Payment: is the payment required to put the contract into effect.

Investment Base: is the amount available under your contract for investment in the Separate Account and guaranteed interest division at any time. Your investment base is the sum of the amounts invested in each of the divisions you have selected.

Investment Division: is any division in the Separate Account.

Issue Age: is the insured’s age as of the insured’s birthday nearest the policy date.

Net Amount at Risk: is the excess of the death benefit over the cash surrender value.

 

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Net Cash Surrender Value: is the amount you would receive on any day should you decide to cancel your contract. It is equal to the investment base less the balance of any deferred contract loading and, depending on the date it is calculated, less all or a portion of certain other charges not yet deducted.

Net Single Premium Factor: is used to determine the amount of death benefit purchased by $1.00 of cash surrender value. We use this factor in the calculation of the variable insurance amount to make sure that the contract always meets the guidelines of what constitutes a life insurance contract under the internal Revenue Code.

Planned Periodic Payment: is an additional payment made on a planned basis, the amount, duration and frequency of which you elect in the application or at a later date.

Policy Date: is used to determine processing dates, contract years and anniversaries. It is usually the business day next following the receipt of the initial payment at the Service Center.

Processing Dates: are the policy date and the first day of each contract quarter thereafter Processing dates after the policy date are the days when we deduct charges from your investment base.

Processing Period: is the period between consecutive processing dates.

Variable Insurance Amount: is computed daily by multiplying the cash surrender value by the net single premium factor.

 

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FACTS ABOUT THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT,

THE SERIES FUND, THE ZERO TRUSTS AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Separate Account

The Separate Account is a separate investment account we established on November 19, 1990 We use it to support the contract and other variable life contracts and for other purposes permitted by applicable laws and regulations.

The assets of the Separate Account are kept separate from our general account and any other separate accounts we may have and may not be charged with liabilities from any other business we conduct. We own all the assets in the Separate Account. As required, the assets in the Separate Account are at least equal to the reserves and other liabilities of the Separate Account. However, if the assets exceed the required reserves and other liabilities, we may transfer the excess to our general account.

There are currently 29 divisions in the Separate Account. Ten Invest in shares of a specific portfolio of the Series Fund. Nineteen invest in units of a specific Zero Trust. You will find complete information about the Series Fund and the Zero Trusts, including the risks associated with each portfolio, in the accompanying prospectuses. You should read them in conjunction with this prospectus.

The Series Fund

The investment objectives of the various portfolios in the Series Fund are described below. There is no guarantee that any portfolio will meet its investment objective Meeting the objectives depends on how well Series Fund management anticipates changing economic conditions.

Money Reserve Portfolio seeks to preserve capital and liquidity. It also seeks the highest possible current income consistent with those objectives. It invests in short-term money market securities.

Intermediate Government Bond Portfolio seeks the highest possible current income consistent with the protection of capital. It invests in intermediate-term debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies.

Long-Term Corporate Bond Portfolio seeks as high a level of current income as is consistent with prudent investment risk. It invests primarily in fixed-income, high quality corporate bonds

High Yield Portfolio seeks high current income, consistent with prudent management, by investing principally in fixed-income securities rated in the lower categories of the established rating services.

Capital Stock Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital and income, plus moderate current income. It invests in common stocks considered to be of good or Improving quality or considered to be undervalued based on criteria such as historical price/book value and price/earnings ratios.

Growth Stock Portfolio seeks above average long-term growth of capital. It invests primarily in common stocks of aggressive growth companies considered to have special growth potential.

Multiple Strategy Portfolio seeks the highest total investment return consistent with prudent risk. It does this through a fully managed investment policy utilizing equity securities, primarily common stocks of large-capitalization companies, as well as investment grade intermediate- and long-term debt securities and money market securities.

Natural Resources Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital and protection of the purchasing power of shareholders’ capital by investing primarily in equity securities of domestic and foreign companies with substantial natural resource assets.

Global Strategy Portfolio seeks high total investment return by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity and fixed-income securities of U.S. and foreign issuers.

Balanced Portfolio seeks a level of current income and a degree of stability of principal not normally available from an investment solely in equity securities and the opportunity for capital appreciation greater than that normally available from an investment solely in debt securities by investing in a balanced portfolio of fixed-income and equity securities.

 

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The investment adviser for the Series Fund is Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc. (“MLAM”), a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and a registered adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Series Fund, as part of its operating expenses, pays an investment advisory fee to MLAM (see “Charges to Series Fund Assets” on page 35).

The Zero Trusts

The Merrill Lynch Fund of Stripped (“Zero”) U.S. Treasury Securities was formed to provide safety of capital and a high yield to maturity. It seeks this through U.S. Government-backed investments which make no periodic interest payments and, therefore, are purchased at a deep discount. When held to maturity the investments should receive approximately a fixed yield. The value of Zero Trust units before maturity varies more than it would if the Zero Trusts contained interest-bearing U.S. Treasury securities of comparable maturities.

The 19 fixed investment portfolios consist mainly of:

 

   

bearer debt obligations issued by the U.S. Government stripped of their unmatured interest coupons;

 

   

coupons stripped from U.S. debt obligations; and

 

   

receipts and certificates for such stripped debt obligations and coupons.

The Zero Trusts currently available have maturity dates in years 1991 through 2001, 2003 and 2005 through 2011.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., is sponsor for the Zero Trusts The sponsor will sell units of the Zero Trusts to the Separate Account and has agreed to repurchase units when we need to sell them to pay benefits and make reallocations. We pay the sponsor a fee for these transactions and are reimbursed through the trust charge assessed to the divisions investing in the Zero Trusts (see “Charges to Divisions Investing in the Zero Trusts” on page 19).

The Insurance Company and MLPF&S

The Insurance Company is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Illinois We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. We are authorized to sell life insurance and annuities in 43 states and the District of Columbia We are also authorized to offer variable life insurance in various jurisdictions. We do business in California, North Carolina and Oregon as Tandem Life Insurance Company.

MLPF&S is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and provides a broad range of securities brokerage and investment banking services in the United States. It provides marketing services for us and is the principal underwriter of our variable life contracts. We retain MLPF&S to provide services relating to the contracts under a distribution agreement.

Administrative services for the contracts are provided by Monarch Life Insurance Company (the “Service Center”), P.O. Box 9025, Springfield, Massachusetts 01102-9025.

 

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FACTS ABOUT THE CONTRACT

Who May be Covered

We can issue a contract for an insured up to age 75. We use the insured’s age as of the insured’s birthday nearest the policy date. We call this the insured’s issue age. The insured must also meet our medical and other underwriting requirements.

We use two methods of underwriting:

 

   

simplified underwriting, with no physical exam; and

 

   

para-medical or medical underwriting with a physical exam.

The amount of the initial payment, plus any planned periodic payments you elect, and the age and sex of the insured determine whether we will do underwriting on a simplified or medical basis. The maximum initial payment where a periodic payment plan is selected, or the maximum initial payment plus the SPIAR payment where a combination periodic plan is selected, we will underwrite on a simplified basis is set out in the charts below.

 

Periodic Plan  

Combination Periodic                    

Plan (SPIAR)                    

 

Age

 

Maximum

    Initial    

Payment 

  Age   

Maximum

Initial

Payment

Plus

SPIAR

Payment

 

  0-29

  $ 2,500     0-29    $ 20,000  

30-39

  3,000   30-39      25,000  

40-49

  5,000   40-49      35,000  

50-59

  7,500   50-59      55,000  

60-75

  10,000   60-75      75,000  

However, if the face amount is above the minimum face amount we require for an initial payment (see “Selecting the Initial Face Amount” on page 12), we will also take the net amount at risk into account in determining the method of underwriting.

We assign insureds to underwriting classes which determine the current cost of insurance rates we will use in calculating morality cost deductions. In assigning insureds to underwriting classes, we distinguish between those insureds underwritten on a simplified basis and those on a para-medical or medical basis. Under both the simplified and medical underwriting methods, contracts may be issued on insureds either in the standard or non-smoker underwriting class. Contracts may also be issued on insureds in a substandard underwriting class. For a discussion of the effect of underwriting classification on mortality cost deductions, see “Morality Cost” on page 18.

For joint insureds, see modifications to this section on page 46.

Purchasing a Contract

To purchase a contract you must complete an application and make a payment. When you complete an application, you select a periodic payment plan and the initial face amount as described below. The amount of your initial payment depends in part on the periodic payment plan you select. We will not accept an initial payment for a specified face amount that will give you a guarantee period of less than a year (see “Selecting the Initial Face Amount” and “Initial Guarantee Period” on page 12)

For joint insureds, see modifications to this section on page 47.

 

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Selecting a Periodic Payment Plan. You select a periodic payment plan in your application. This plan must comply with the following rules. You select the amount, duration and frequency of the planned payments, but the minimum duration is seven contract years, the minimum amount of planned payments is $2,000 per contract year, the amounts elected must be level and in each contract year under the plan the amount of planned payments elected must equal the initial payment. In addition, the plan must comply with the 7-pay test. We will modify the periodic payment plan you select, if necessary, to ensure compliance with the 7-pay test. See “Planned Payments” below.

Selecting the Initial Face Amount. You can specify the initial face amount, within limits. These limits are based in part on the initial payment and the periodic payment plan you select. The minimum initial face amount is the amount that would satisfy the 7-pay test or, if greater, the face amount that would give you a guarantee period for the whole of life assuming all payments are made as planned under the periodic payment plan you select (see “Initial Guarantee Period” below). If you elect to make planned payments for a period shorter than the first nine contract years (or the first ten contract years if the issue age of the insured is 71 or older) you will not have a guarantee period for the whole of life at the end of the periodic payment plan assuming all payments are made as planned. The maximum face amount you may specify is the amount that would give you the minimum guarantee period, which in most states is one year. The initial face amount and initial payment determine the guarantee period If your initial face amount is higher than the minimum face amount, your guarantee period will be shorter.

Initial Guarantee Period. The initial guarantee period for your contract will be determined by the initial payment and face amount. It will not take the planned payments into account. Instead, the guarantee period will be adjusted as each planned payment is made.

The guarantee period is the period of time we guarantee that the contract will remain in force regardless of investment experience unless the debt exceeds certain values. It is based on the guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates in the contract, the deferred contract loading and a 4% interest assumption. This means that for a given initial payment and face amount different insureds will have different guarantee periods depending on their age, sex and underwriting class For example, an older insured will have a shorter guarantee period than a younger insured of the same sex and in the same underwriting class.

The maximum guarantee period is for the whole of the insured’s life and the minimum guarantee period in most states is one year.

Planned Payments

In your application you will select a periodic payment plan. This plan must comply with rules shown above (see “Selecting a Periodic Payment Plan” above). The amount and duration of the planned payments you elect to pay, as well as other factors (such as the face amount specified and the insured’s age and sex), will affect whether we’ll do underwriting on a simplified or medical basis. Once the periodic payment plan you’ve elected is approved by us, the planned payments may be made without any additional evidence of insurability.

You may elect another periodic payment plan at a date later than in the application. The amount and duration of the planned payments you elect as well as other factors (such as the current death benefit and the insured’s age and sex) will affect whether we will require additional evidence of insurability. Currently we will not allow the later election of a periodic payment plan where the additional evidence of insurability would put the insured in a different underwriting class with different guaranteed or higher current cost of insurance rates.

You may elect to make planned payments annually, semiannually or quarterly, although no planned payments may be made until after the “free look” period. In Kentucky, payments under a periodic payment plan may not be made until after the first contract year. Payment on a monthly

 

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frequency requires that you authorize us to deduct the payment from your checking account (pre-authorized checking) or to withdraw the payment from your CMA account. If you have the CMA Life service, your planned payments under any of the above frequencies may be withdrawn automatically from your CMA account and transferred to your contract. The withdrawals will continue under the plan that you specify until you tell us otherwise. For planned payments not being made under pre-authorized checking or withdrawn from your CMA account, we send you reminder notices.

Your planned payment must be received while the insured is living and not more than 30 days before or 30 days after the date you specify for payment. If we don’t receive your payment within the period indicated, we may require satisfactory evidence of insurability before we permit you to make any further additional payments under a periodic payment plan. Failure to make a planned payment will affect your guarantee period. Making a planned payment before the date you specify for payment may affect your contract’s compliance with the 7-pay test (see “Tax Considerations” on page 29).

Any payment we receive more than 30 days before or 30 days after the specified date will be treated as an additional payment not made under a periodic payment plan.

You may change the frequency, duration and the amount of your planned payments by sending a written request to the Service Center. You may request one change in the amount, one change in the duration and one change in the frequency of your payments each contract year Satisfactory evidence of insurability may be required before we permit you to increase the duration or the amount of your payments. The evidence requirements will be based on the amount of the increase in payment and the duration as well as other factors (such as the current death benefit and the insured’s age and sex).

For contracts that otherwise comply with the 7-pay test, changing the frequency, duration or the amount of your planned payments may impact upon such compliance (see “Tax Considerations” on page 29).

Payments Under a Combination Periodic Payment Plan. If it’s allowed in your state, you may add a single premium immediate annuity rider (SPIAR) to your contract. You can use this rider as a convenient means to pre-pay your planned payments through a single deposit. It does so by providing you with a fixed income for six years or more which can be used to fund your contract.

The charge for the rider equals 5.0% of the single payment payable for the rider and is deducted directly from the single payment amount. Of this amount. 4.5% is attributable to distribution expenses and 0.5% is attributable to issuance and administrative expenses relating to this rider. This charge is in addition to the deferred contract loading chargeable to payments made to the contract from SPIAR income payments. A charge for state premium taxes, which varies depending upon the state in which you live, is also deducted directly from the single payment.

The deposit applied to purchase the SPIAR is not allocated to the variable account or the guaranteed interest division and is not considered a payment to the life insurance contract. Each amount paid under the SPIAR and applied to the life insurance contract is considered a payment to the contract when applied. Under this funding plan, your contract should receive the favorable tax treatment accorded to contracts which comply with the 7-pay test under current Federal tax law.

If you are the insured and you die before the income period ends, we’ll pay the rider value in a lump sum to the beneficiary under the contract. For tax purposes, this payment won’t be considered part of the life insurance death benefit.

If you surrender the rider before the end of the income period, we’ll pay you the rider value over five years or apply it to a lifetime income for you, as you choose.

If you are not the insured and you die before the income period ends, we’ll pay the remaining income payments to the new owner.

 

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If the contract ends because the insured dies (where you are not the insured), because we terminate the contract, or because you’ve cancelled it for its net cash surrender value, we’ll continue the annuity under the same terms but under a separate written agreement. Or you can choose one of the options available upon surrender of the rider as described above.

The rider won’t have any effect on your loan value. The reserves for this rider will be held in our general account.

For a discussion of the tax issues associated with payments under a combination plan, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29. The combination periodic plan is not available under a joint insureds contract.

Payments Which are Not Under a Periodic Payment Plan

After the “free look” period, you may also make additional payments which are not under a periodic payment plan provided the attained age of the insured is not over 80. (In Kentucky, no additional payments can be made until after the first contract year.) These may be made any time you choose up to four times each contract year. The minimum we will accept for these payments is $500. They may be made whether you’re then making planned payments or not. For contracts that otherwise comply with the 7-pay test, making an additional payment that is not under the periodic payment plan when the contract was issued may impact upon such compliance (see “Tax Considerations” on page 29).

We may require satisfactory evidence of insurability before we accept your payment if the payment immediately increases the net amount at risk under the contract. If you are otherwise making planned payments or if the guarantee period at the time of the payment is one year or less. Currently we will not accept an additional payment which is not under a periodic payment plan where the evidence of insurability would put the insured in a different underwriting class with different guaranteed or higher current cost of insurance rates.

If your additional payment requires evidence of insurability, we will invest that payment in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio except for all or any portion you have requested to be allocated to the guaranteed interest division and the Zero Trusts maturing no later than 2000, with an upper limit of $150,000 in one or any combination of the Zero Trusts. If more than $150,000 was requested to be allocated to two or more of the Zero Trusts, a pro-rata portion of the $150,000 will be allocated to each of the Zero Trusts Your additional payment may be invested in up to five of the divisions Your additional payment will be placed in these divisions on the business day next following receipt at our Service Center. Once the underwriting is completed and we accept your payment, any amount applicable to the additional payment in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio will automatically be allocated either according to your instructions or, if no instructions have been received, proportionately to your investment base in your investment divisions.

Effect of a Planned Payment and Other Additional Payments

Currently, any additional payment (including planned payments) not requiring evidence of insurability will be accepted the day it is received. However. If acceptance of the payment would affect your contract’s compliance with the 7-pay test, to the extent feasible we will not accept your payment until we have confirmed that you want to make the payment in these circumstances. If we hold the payment pending receipt of your instructions, we will deposit the payment in our general account and credit it with interest until we return the payment to you or accept the payment. On the date we receive and accept these additional payments, whether under a periodic payment plan or not, we’ll:

 

   

increase your investment base by the amount of the payment;

 

   

increase the deferred contract loading (see “Deferred Contract Loading” on page 17);

 

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reflect the payment in the calculation of the variable insurance amount (see “Variable Insurance Amount” on pages 22 and 23); and

 

   

increase the fixed base by the amount of the payment less the deferred contract loading applicable to such payment (see “Your Contract’s Fixed Base” on pages 19 and 20).

If your additional payment requires evidence of insurability, once underwriting is completed and we accept the payment, acceptance will be effective, and the additional payment will be reflected in your contract values as described above, as of the next business day after the payment was received at the Service Center.

As of the processing date on or next following receipt and acceptance of an additional payment, we’ll increase either your guarantee period or face amount or both. If your guarantee period prior to receipt and acceptance of an additional payment is less than for life, payments will first be used to extend your guarantee period. Any amount in excess of that required to extend the guarantee period to the whole of life or any subsequent additional payment will be used to increase your contract’s face amount.

We will determine the increase in face amount by taking the excess amount or subsequent additional payment, deducting the applicable deferred contract loading, bringing the result up at an annual rate of 4% interest from the date we receive and accept the additional payment to the next processing date, and then multiplying by the applicable net single premium factor If the additional payment is received and accepted on a processing date, the payment minus the deferred contract loading is multiplied by the applicable net single premium factor. For a further discussion of the effect of additional payments on your contract’s face amount, see “Additional Payments” in the Examples on page 44.

Unless you specify otherwise, if there is any debt, any payment made, other than planned payments, will be used first as a loan repayment with any excess applied as an additional payment (see “Loans” on page 20).

For a discussion of the effect of the guaranteed interest division on net single premium factors when an additional payment is made, sec “Variable Insurance Amount” on pages 22 and 23.

For Joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 47.

Changing the Face Amount

After the first contract year, if the insured is in a standard or non-smoker underwriting class, you may request a change in the face amount of your contract without making an additional payment subject to the rules and conditions discussed below. A change in face amount is not permitted if the attained age of the insured is over 80. The minimum change in face amount we will make is $10,000 and you may request only one change each contract year.

The effective date of the change will be the next processing date following the receipt and acceptance of your written request, provided we receive it at the Service Center at least seven days before such processing date.

A change in face amount may affect the net amount at risk under the contract and as such may affect the mortality cost deduction. For a discussion of the effect of the guaranteed interest division on net single premium factors with any change in face amount you requested, see “Variable Insurance Amount” on pages 22 and 23.

Changing the face amount may have tax consequences. For a discussion of the tax issues associated with a change in face amount, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29.

Increasing the Face Amount. To increase the face amount of your contract we may require satisfactory evidence of insurability. When we increase the face amount, we’ll decrease the guarantee

 

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period. The maximum increase in face amount is the amount which will give you the minimum guarantee period for which we would issue a contract at the time of the request based on the insured’s attained age. Currently we will not permit an increase in face amount where the evidence of insurability, if required, would put the insured in a different underwriting class with different guaranteed or higher current cost of insurance rates.

Decreasing the Face Amount. When we decrease the face amount of your contract, we’ll increase the guarantee period. The maximum decrease in face amount is that decrease which would give the minimum face amount for which we would issue a contract at the time of the request based on the insured’s attained age, sex and underwriting class. We won’t permit a decrease in face amount below the amount required to keep the contract qualified as life insurance under Federal income tax laws.

Determining the New Guarantee Period. As of the effective date of any change in face amount, we take the fixed base as of such date and, based on the attained age and sex of the insured and the new face amount of the contract, we redetermine the guarantee period. We use a 4% interest assumption and the guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates in our calculations. For a discussion of the effect of changes in the face amount on your contract’s guarantee period, see “Changing the Face Amount” in the Examples on page 44.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 47.

Investment Base

Your investment base is the amount available for investment at any time. It’s the sum of the amounts invested in each of the divisions. On the policy date, your investment base equals the initial payment. We adjust your investment base daily to reflect the investment performance of your investment divisions and interest credited on the investment base in the guaranteed interest division (see “Net Rate of Return for an investment Division” on page 33 and “Net Rate of Return for the Guaranteed Interest Division” on page 50).

Certain charges, partial withdrawals and loans decrease your investment base. Loan repayments and additional payments increase it. You may elect from which divisions you wane loans and partial withdrawals taken and to which divisions you want repayments and additional payments added. If you don’t make such an election, we allocate increases and decreases proportionately to your investment base in your investment divisions. (For the special rules on allocation of additional payments which require evidence of insurability, see “Payments Which are Not Under a Periodic Payment Plan” on page 14.)

Investment Allocation During the “Free look” Period. Under our current rules, you may invest your initial payment only in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio, the guaranteed interest division and divisions investing in the Zero Trusts maturing no later than 2000, with an upper limit of $150,000 in any one or any combination of the divisions investing in such Zero Trusts. We won’t make an allocation change during the “free look” period.

If the allocation you requested in the application doesn’t comply with our rules, any funds you requested to be placed in divisions other than those permitted will be placed in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio. Also, any amounts in excess of $ 150,000 allocated to the Zero Trusts subject to the $150,000 limitation will be placed in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio. If more than $150,000 was requested to be allocated to two or more of the Zero Trusts, a pro-rata portion of the $150,000 will be placed in each of the requested Zero Trusts.

Changing Your Allocation. After the “free look” period, you may invest in up to any five divisions. Currently, you may change the allocation of your investment base as often as you choose. However, we may at some point in the future limit the number of changes permitted but not to less than five each contract year. We will notify you if we do so. Certain restrictions apply to allocations from the guaranteed interest division (see “Guaranteed Interest Division” on page 49).

 

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In order to change your investment base allocation, you must call or write the Service Center (see “Some Administrative Procedures” on page 26). If your “free look” period has expired, we will make the change is soon as we receive your request. You can give us allocation requests during the “free look” period and the allocation will be made immediately following the end of the “free look” period.

Zero Trust Allocations. We’ll notify you 30 days before a Zero Trust you’ve invested in matures. You must tell us in writing at least seven days before the maturity date how to reinvest your funds in the division investing in that Zero Trust. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll move your investment base in that division to the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio.

Units of a specific Zero Trust may no longer be available when we receive your request for allocation. Should this occur, we will attempt to notify you immediately so that you may change your request.

Allocation to the Division Investing in the Natural Resources Portfolio. Shares of the Natural Resources Portfolio may not be available when we receive your request for allocation. Should this occur, we will attempt to notify you immediately so that you may change your request.

Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base

The charges described below are deducted pro-rata from your investment base on processing dates. We also deduct certain asset and trust charges daily from the investment results of each division in the separate account in determining its net rate of return. Currently the asset and trust charges are equivalent to .90% and .34% annually at the beginning of the year. (See “Charges to the Separate Account” on page 18.) The portfolios in the Series Fund also pay monthly advisory fees and other expenses. (See “Charges to Series Fund Assets” on page 35.) For a discussion of charges applicable to the guaranteed interest division, see page 50. For a discussion of the charges applicable to the SPIAR issued under a combination periodic plan, see page 13.

Deferred Contract Loading. We invest 100% of all payments you may make. Chargeable to each payment is an amount called the deferred contract loading The deferred contract loading equals 70% of each payment. This charge consists of a sales load and a state and local premium tax charge.

The sales load, equal to 4.5% of each payment, compensates us for sales expenses. The sales load may be reduced if cumulative payments are sufficiently high to reach certain breakpoints (2.0% of payments in excess of $15 million and 0% of payments in excess of $4 million) and in certain group or sponsored arrangements as described on page 28. We anticipate that the sales toad charge may be insufficient to cover our distribution expenses Any shortfall will be made up from our general account which may include amounts derived from mortality gains and asset charges.

The state and local premium tax charge, equal to 2.5% of each payment, compensates us for state and local premium taxes we must pay when we accept a payment. Premium taxes vary from state to state. The 2.5% rate is the average rate we expect to pay on payments from all states.

Although chargeable to each payment, we advance the amount of the deferred contract loading to the divisions as part of your investment base. We then take back these funds in equal installments on the ten contract anniversaries following the date we receive and accept your payment. This means that we deduct an amount equal to .70% of each payment from your investment base on each of the ten contract anniversaries following the payment. In determining your contract’s net cash surrender value, we subtract from your investment base the balance of the deferred contract loading which is chargeable to any payment made but which has not yet been deducted. During the period that the deferred contract loading is included in your investment base, a positive net rate of return will give you greater increases in net cash surrender value and a negative net rate of return will give you greater decreases in net cash surrender value than if the loading had not been included in your investment base.

 

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Mortality Cost. We deduct a mortality cost from your investment base on each processing date after the policy date. This charge compensates us for the cost of providing life insurance coverage for the insured. We base it on the underwriting class we assign to the insured, the insured’s sex and attained age and the contract’s net amount at risk (except in Massachusetts and Montana, see “Legal Considerations for Employers” on page 28).

To determine the mortality cost, we multiply the current cost of insurance rate by the contract’s net amount at risk (adjusted for interest at an annual rate of 4%). The net amount at risk is the difference, as of the previous processing date, between the death benefit and the cash surrender value.

Current cost of insurance rates may be equal to or less than the guaranteed cost of insurance rates depending on the insured’s underwriting class, sex and attained age. For all insureds, current cost of insurance rates distinguish between insureds in the simplified underwriting class and medical underwriting class. For insureds age 20 and over, current cost of insurance rates also distinguish between insureds in a smoker (standard) underwriting class and insureds in a non-smoker underwriting class. For contracts issued on insureds under the same underwriting method, current cost of insurance rates are lower for an insured in a non-smoker underwriting class than for an insured of the same age and sex in a smoker (standard) underwriting class. Also, current cost of insurance rates are lower for an insured in a medical underwriting class than for a similarly situated insured in a simplified underwriting class The simplified current cost of insurance rates are higher because we do less underwriting and therefore incur more risk.

We guarantee that the current cost of insurance rates will never exceed the maximum guaranteed rates shown in your contract. The maximum guaranteed rates for contracts (other than those issued on a substandard basis) do not exceed the rates based on the 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Table (CSO Table). We may use rates that are equal to or less than these rates, but never greater. The maximum rates for contracts issued on a substandard basis are based on a multiple of the 1980 CSO Table.

During the period between processing dates, your net cash surrender value takes the mortality cost into account on a pro-rated basis.

Maximum Mortality Cost. During the guarantee period we will limit the deduction for mortality cost if investment results are unfavorable We do this by substituting in our calculation the fixed base for the cash surrender value in determining the net amount at risk and by multiplying by the guaranteed cost of insurance rate. We will deduct this alternate amount from your investment base when it is less than the morality cost we would have otherwise deducted. In effect, during the guarantee period you will not be charged for mortality costs that are greater than those for a comparable fixed contract, based on 4% interest and the same guaranteed cost of insurance rates. See “Your Contract’s Fixed Base” on page 19.

Net Loan Cost. The net loan cost is explained under “Loans” on pages 20 and 21.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this discussion of charges on page 47.

Charges to the Separate Account

Each day, we deduct an asset charge from each division of the Separate Account. The total amount of this charge is computed    at .90% annually at the beginning of the year. Of this amount, .75% is for

 

   

the risk we assume that insureds as a group will live for a shorter time than our actuarial tables predict. As a result, we would be paying more in death benefits than we planned;

 

   

the risk we assume that it will cost us more to issue and administer the contracts than we expect.

 

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The remaining amount, .15%, is for

 

   

the risk we assume with respect to potentially unfavorable investment results. One risk is that the contract’s cash surrender value cannot cover the charges due during the guarantee period. The other risk is that we may have to limit the deduction for mortality cost (see “Maximum Mortality Cost” on page 18).

The total charge may not be increased. We will realize a gain from this charge to the extent it is not needed to provide for benefits and expenses under the contracts.

Tax Charges. We have the right under the contract to impose a charge for our taxes, if any. We are not currently imposing such a charge, but we may do so in the future.

Charges to Divisions Investing in the Zero Trusts. We assess a daily trust charge against the assets of each division investing in the Zero Trusts. This charge reimburses us for the transaction charge we pay to MLPF&S when units are sold to the Separate Account.

The trust charge is currently equivalent to .34% annually at the beginning of the year. It may be increased, but will not exceed 50% annually at the beginning of the year. The charge is based on cost (taking into account our loss of interest) with no expected profit for us.

Guarantee Period

We guarantee that the contract will stay in force for the guarantee period. The guarantee period will be affected by a requested change in the face amount and may also be affected by additional payments. Each payment will extend the guarantee period until such time as you have a guarantee period for life. A partial withdrawal may affect the guarantee period in certain circumstances. We won’t cancel the contract during the guarantee period unless the debt exceeds certain contract values. See “Loans” on page 20. We hold a reserve in our general account to support this guarantee.

When Your Guarantee Period is Less Than for Life. After the end of the guarantee period, we will cancel your contract if the cash surrender value on a processing date is negative. This negative cash surrender value will be considered an overdue charge (sec “Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base” on page 17).

We will notify you before cancelling your contract You’ll have 61 days to pay us the charges due on the processing date when your cash surrender value became negative. We will cancel your contract at the end of this grace period if we have not received your payment.

If we cancel your contract, you may reinstate it while the insured is still living if:

 

   

you request the reinstatement within three years after the end of the grace period;

 

   

we receive satisfactory evidence of insurability; and

 

   

you pay us the reinstatement payment. The reinstatement payment is the minimum payment for which we would then issue a contract for the minimum guarantee period with the same face amount as the original contract, based on the insured’s attained age and underwriting class as of the effective date of the reinstated contract.

Your reinstated contract will be effective on the processing date on or next following the date we approve your reinstatement application.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 48.

Your Contract’s Fixed Base. On the policy date, your fixed base equals the cash surrender value. From then on, the fixed base is calculated like the cash surrender value except that the calculation substitutes 4% for the net rate of return, the guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates are substituted for the current rates and it is calculated as though there had been no loans or

 

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repayments. The fixed base is equivalent to the cash surrender value for a comparable fixed benefit contract with the same face amount and guarantee period. After the guarantee period the fixed base is zero. The fixed base is used to limit the mortality cost deduction as well as our right to cancel your contract during the guarantee period.

Net Cash Surrender Value

Your contract’s net cash surrender value fluctuates daily with the investment results of the investment divisions you select. We don’t guarantee any minimum. On a processing date which is also your anniversary, the net cash surrender value equals:

 

   

the contract’s investment base on that date;

 

   

minus the balance of the deferred contract loading which we have not yet deducted from your investment base (see “Deferred Contract Loading” on page 17).

If the date of calculation is not a processing date, the net cash surrender value is calculated in a similar manner but we also subtract a pro-rata portion of the mortality cost which would otherwise be deducted on the next processing date. And, if there is any existing debt, we will also subtract a pro-rata net loan cost on dates other than the anniversary.

Cancelling to Receive Net Cash Surrender Value. You may cancel your contract at any time while the insured is living You’ll receive the net cash surrender value.

The cancellation will be effective the date your written request in a form satisfactory to us and the contract are sent to us. We will determine the net cash surrender value when we receive the written request and the contract at our Service Center. You may elect to receive this amount either in a single payment or under one or more Income Plans (see “Income Plans” on pages 27 and 28). For a discussion of the effect of cancelling your contract when amounts are allocated to the guaranteed interest division, see page 51.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this discussion of net cash surrender value on page 48.

Loans

You may use your contract as collateral to borrow funds from us. The minimum loan we will make is $1,000 unless you’re borrowing to make a payment on another variable life insurance contract issued by the Insurance Company. In that case, you may borrow the exact amount required even if it’s less than $1,000. The maximum amount you can borrow at any time is the difference between the loan, value and the debt (the outstanding loan plus accrued interest). When additional amounts are borrowed they are added to the debt in determining the amount of your new loan.

You may repay all or part of the loan any time during the insured’s lifetime. Each repayment must be for at least $1,000 or the amount of the debt, if less. If your debt exceeds the larger of the cash surrender value and the fixed base, we’ll cancel the contract 61 days after we mail notice of our intent to terminate if we have not received at least the minimum repayment amount.

Certain states won’t permit us to impose a minimum on the amount you can borrow or repay. In the States of Connecticut and New Jersey the minimum is $200, and in the State of Texas the minimum is $500.

When you take a loan, we transfer an amount equal to the amount you borrowed out of your divisions and hold it as collateral in our general account. When you make a loan repayment, we transfer an amount equal to the repayment from the general account to the divisions. You may tell us which divisions you want borrowed amounts taken from and which divisions should receive repayments (including interest payments). If you don’t, we’ll take the borrowed amounts proportionately from and make repayments proportionately to your divisions.

 

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If you have the CMA Life service, you may have your loans transferred to and loan repayments transferred from your CMA account.

For a discussion of the tax issues associated with a loan, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29.

Loan Value. The loan value of your contract equals 90% of the cash surrender value. The cash surrender value is the net cash surrender value plus any debt.

Interest. While a loan is outstanding, we’ll charge you interest of 6.0% annually. Interest accrues each day and payments are due at the end of each contract year. If you don’t pay the interest when due, we add it to your loan Interest paid on a loan may not be tax-deductible.

The amount held in our general account as collateral for loaned amounts earns interest at a minimum of 4% annually.

Target Loan Amount. A loan is deemed to first be taken from the target loan amount, if any, and then from amounts above the target loan amount. The target loan amount is equal to your investment base, plus prior loans not repaid, plus withdrawals made, less payments made, at the time a loan is made.

The amount held in our general account as collateral for loans taken up to the target loan amount currently earns interest at 6.0% annually.

Net Loan Cost. On each anniversary, we reduce your investment base by the net loan cost (the difference between the interest charged and the earnings on the amount held as collateral in the general account) and add that amount to the amount held in the general account as collateral for the loan. Since the interest charged and the collateral earnings on the target loan amount currently are both 6% annually, there is no net loan cost on loaned amounts up to the target loan amount. Since the interest charged on amounts above the target loan amount is 6% and the collateral earnings on such amounts are 4%, the net loan cost on loaned amounts above the target loan amount is 2% Between anniversaries, your net cash surrender value takes this charge into account on a pro-rated basis.

Loan Repayments. Loan repayments will first be allocated to amounts above the target loan amount and then to amounts of or below the target loan amount.

Effect on Death Benefit and Cash Surrender Value. Whether or not you repay a loan, taking a loan will have a permanent effect on your cash surrender value and may have a permanent effect on your death benefit This is because the collateral for your loan doesn’t participate in the performance of the investment divisions while the loan is outstanding. If the amount credited to the collateral is more than what is earned in the investment divisions, the cash surrender value will be higher as a result of the loan, as may be the death benefit. Conversely, if the amount credited is less, the cash surrender value will be lower, as may be the death benefit. In that case, the lower cash surrender value may cause the contract to lapse sooner than if no loan had been taken.

Loans from the Guaranteed Interest Division. Certain restrictions and rules apply if a loan or any portion is allocated to the guaranteed interest division (see “Guaranteed Interest Division” on page 49).

Partial Withdrawals

If it’s allowed in your state, you may make partial withdrawals after the fifteenth contract year by submitting a request in a form satisfactory to us. The effective date of the withdrawal is the date we receive your request. You may elect to receive the withdrawal amount either in a single payment or, subject to our rules, under one or more income plans.

 

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The minimum amount for each partial withdrawal is $500. The maximum amount of each partial withdrawal is set forth below.

 

Contract Year    Maximum

16

        25% of payments made  

17

        50%

18

        75%

19+

      100%

You may make one partial withdrawal each contract year. The amount of any partial withdrawal may not exceed the loan value less any debt. The total amount of partial withdrawals may not exceed the amount of the initial payment plus any additional payments made under the contract. A partial withdrawal may not be repaid.

Effect on Investment Base, Fixed Base and Death Benefit. As of the effective date of the withdrawal, the investment base and fixed base will be reduced by the amount of the partial withdrawal. We’ll allocate this reduction proportionately to the investment base in your divisions unless you tell us otherwise. Your variable insurance amount will also reflect the partial withdrawal as of the effective date. For a discussion of the effect of allocations to the guaranteed interest division on the death benefit when a partial withdrawal is made, see “Variable Insurance Amount” below.

Effect on Guaranteed Benefits. As of the processing date on or next following a partial withdrawal, we’ll reduce your contract’s face amount. We’ll do this by taking the fixed base as of that processing date and determining what face amount that fixed base would support for your contract’s guarantee period. If this produces a face amount below the minimum face amount for your contract, we will reduce the face amount to that minimum and reduce the guarantee period, based on the reduced face amount, the fixed base and the insured’s sex, attained age and underwriting class. The minimum face amount for your contract is the greater of the minimum face amount for which we would then issue the contract, based on the insured’s sex, attained age and underwriting class, and the minimum amount required to keep the contract qualified as life insurance under applicable tax law. For a discussion of the effect of partial withdrawals on your contract’s guaranteed benefits, see “Partial Withdrawals” in the Examples on page 45.

For a discussion of partial withdrawals from the guaranteed interest division, see page 51.

A partial withdrawal may affect compliance with the 7-pay test. For a discussion of the tax issues associated with a partial withdrawal, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29.

Partial withdrawals are not available under a joint insureds contract.

Death Benefit Proceeds

We will pay the death benefit proceeds to the beneficiary when we receive proof of the insured’s death.

Amount of Death Benefit Proceeds. The death benefit proceeds are equal to the death benefit, which is the larger of the current face amount and the variable insurance amount, less any debt.

The values used in calculating the death benefit proceeds are as of the date of death. The death benefit will never be less than the amount required to keep the contract qualified as life insurance under Federal income tax laws. If the insured dies during the grace period, the death benefit proceeds equal the death benefit proceeds in effect immediately prior to the grace period reduced by any overdue charges (see “When Your Guarantee Period is Less Than for Life” on page 19).

Variable Insurance Amount. We determine the variable insurance amount daily by:

 

   

calculating the cash surrender value; and

 

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multiplying by the net single premium factor (explained below).

The variable insurance amount will never be less than required by Federal tax law.

Net Single Premium Factor. The net single premium factor is used to determine the amount of death benefit purchased by $1.00 of cash surrender value. It is based on the insured’s sex, underwriting class and attained age on the date of calculation. It decreases daily as the insured’s age increases. As a result, the variable insurance amount as a multiple of the cash surrender value will decrease over time. Also, net single premium factors may be higher for a woman than for a man of the same age. A table of net single premium factors as of each anniversary is included in the contract.

Table of Illustrative Net Single Premium Factors

on Anniversaries

Standard Underwriting Class

 

    Attained    

Age

     Male        Female  
5     10.26605       12.37298  
15     7.41158       8.96292  
25     5.50384       6.48170  
35     3.97197       4.64894  
45     2.87749       3.36465  
55     2.14058       2.48940  
65     1.65786       1.87562  
75     1.35394       1.45952  
85     1.18029       1.21265  

For a discussion of the effect of allocation to the guaranteed interest division on the net single premium factors, see “Variable Insurance Amount” above.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 48.

Payment of Death Benefit Proceeds

We will usually pay the death benefit proceeds to the beneficiary within seven days after we receive all the information we need to process the payment. We may delay payment if the contract is being contested or under the circumstances described in “Using Your Contract” on page 24 and “Other Contract Provisions” on page 27. If we do delay payment, we will add interest from the date of the insured’s death to the date of payment at an annual rate of at least 4%. The beneficiary may elect to receive the proceeds either in a single payment or under one or more income plans (see “Income Plans” on page 27).

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 48.

Your Right to Cancel (“Free Look” Period) or Exchange

You may cancel your contract during your “free look” period. In most states it is ten days after you receive it. In some states, however, it is the later of the ten days and 45 days from the date the application is executed. If you decide to cancel, you may mail or deliver the contract to us or to the registered representative who sold it to you. We will refund the payment made without interest. If you cancel, we may require that you wait six months before applying to us again.

Special Cancellation Right for Corporate Purchasers. Corporations that purchase one or more contracts at the same time with aggregate initial payments of $250,000 or more, where the investment base has at all times been allocated to the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio and where no additional payments have been made nor withdrawals or loans taken, may cancel the contract(s) and receive the greater of the initial payments without interest and the net cash surrender value.

 

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Exchanging Your Contract. You may exchange your contract for a contract with benefits that do not vary with the investment results of a separate account. You must request this in writing within 18 months of the issue date of your contract. You also must return the original contract.

The new contract will have the same owner and beneficiary as those of your original contract on the date of the exchange. It will have the same issue age, issue date, face amount, cash surrender value, benefit riders and underwriting class as the original contract on the date of the exchange. Any debt will be carried over to the new contract.

We won’t ask for evidence of insurability.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 48.

Reports to Owners

After the end of each processing period you’ll receive a statement of the allocation of your investment base, your death benefit, net cash surrender value, any debt and, if there has been a change, your new face amount and guarantee period. All figures will be as of the first day of the current processing period. The statement will show the amounts deducted from or added to the investment base during the processing period. The statement will also include any other information that may be currently required by your state.

You will also receive semi-annual reports containing a financial statement for the separate account and a list of portfolio securities of the Series Fund, as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.

CMA Account Reporting. If you have the CMA Life service, certain contract information will be included as part of your regular monthly CMA statement. It will list your investment base allocation, death benefit, net cash surrender value, debt and any CMA account activity affecting your contract during the month.

MORE ABOUT THE CONTRACT

Using Your Contract

Ownership. The owner is usually the insured, unless another owner has been named in the application. The owner has all rights and options described in the contract.

If you, the owner, are not also the insured, you may want to name a contingent owner. If you die before the insured, the contingent owner will own the contract and have all your rights. If you don’t name a contingent owner, your estate will own the contract at your death.

Changing the Owner. During your lifetime, you have the right to transfer ownership of the contract. The new owner will have all rights and options described in the contract. The change will be effective as of the day the notice is signed, but will not affect any payment made or action taken by us before receipt of the notice of the change at the Service Center. Changing the owner may have tax consequences.

Assigning the Contract as Collateral. You may assign your contract as collateral security for a loan or other obligation. This does not change the ownership. However, your rights and any beneficiary’s rights are subject to the terms of the assignment. You must give us satisfactory written notice at the Service Center in order to make or release an assignment. We are not responsible for the validity of any assignment.

For a discussion of the tax issues associated with a collateral assignment, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29.

Naming Beneficiaries. We’ll pay the primary beneficiary the proceeds of the contract on the insured’s death. If the primary beneficiary has died, we’ll pay the contingent beneficiary. If no contingent beneficiary is living, we’ll pay the insured’s estate.

 

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You may name more than one person as primary or contingent beneficiaries. We’ll pay them in equal shares unless you give us other instructions.

You have the right to change beneficiaries unless the primary beneficiary designation has been made irrevocable. If the designation is irrevocable, the primary beneficiary must consent when you exercise certain rights and options under this contract. If you change the beneficiary the change will take effect as of the day the notice is signed, but will not affect any payment made or action taken by us before receipt of the notice of the change at the Service Center.

Changing the Insured. If it’s allowed in your state and subject to certain requirements, you may request that we change the insured under a contract once each contract year. To do so, we must receive a written request from you and the proposed new insured. Neither the original nor the new insured can have attained ages as of the effective date of the change less than 21 or more than 75. We will also require evidence of insurability for the proposed new insured. If the request for change is approved, the insurance coverage on the new insured will take effect on the processing date on or next following the date of approval, provided the new insured is still living.

The contract will be changed as follows on the effective date:

 

   

The issue age will be the new insured’s issue age (the new insured’s age as of the birthday nearest the policy date).

 

   

The guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates will be those in effect on the policy date for the new insured’s issue age, sex and underwriting class.

 

   

A charge for changing the insured will be deducted from the contract’s investment base on the effective date. The charge will equal $1.50 per $1,000 of face amount with a minimum charge of $200 and a maximum of $1,500. This charge may be reduced in certain group or sponsored arrangements as described on page 28.

 

   

The variable insurance amount will reflect the change of insured.

 

   

The contract’s issue date will be the effective date of the change.

The face amount or guarantee period may also change on the effective date depending on the new insured’s age, sex and underwriting class. The new guarantee period cannot be less than the minimum guarantee period for which we would then issue a contract based on the new insured’s attained age as of the effective date of the change.

This option is not available for joint insureds.

For a discussion of the tax issues associated with changing the insured, see “Tax Considerations” on page 29.

Maturity Proceeds. The maturity date is the anniversary nearest the insured’s 100th birthday. On the maturity date, we’ll pay you the net cash surrender value provided the insured is still living.

How We Make Payments. We’ll usually pay death benefit proceeds, partial withdrawals, net cash surrender value on cancellation and loans from the Separate Account within seven days after the Service Center receives all the information needed to process the payment.

However, we may delay payment from the Separate Account if it isn’t practical for us to value or dispose of Zero Trust units or Series Fund shares because:

 

   

the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than a regular holiday or weekend; or

 

   

trading is restricted; or

 

   

an emergency exists according to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules.

We may also delay payment from the Separate Account if an SEC order allows us to in order to protect our contract owners.

For payments from the guaranteed interest division, see page 52.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 48.

 

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Some Administrative Procedures

Described below are certain of our administrative procedures. We reserve the right to modify them from time to time or to eliminate them. For administrative and tax purposes, we may from time to time require specific forms be completed in order to accomplish certain transactions, including surrenders.

Signature Guarantees. In order for you to make certain contract transactions and changes, we require that your signature be guaranteed. Your signature can only be guaranteed by a national hank or trust company (not a savings bank or federal savings and loan association), a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a member firm of a national securities exchange.

Currently, your signature must be guaranteed on:

 

   

the form required for cash surrenders, loans and reallocations of investment base;

 

   

the form required for change in owner designation;

 

   

phone authorization forms not submitted with your application; and

 

   

transfer request forms not submitted with your application.

Your Personal Identification Number. We will send you a four-digit personal identification number shortly after your contract is placed in force and before the end of the “free look” period. You need to give us this number when you call the Service Center to get information about your contract, to make a loan (if an authorization is on file), or to make other requests. Your personal identification number will be accompanied by a notice reminding you that all or a portion of your investment base is in the division investing in the Money Reserve Portfolio, if that’s where all or a portion of your initial payment was placed and that you may change this allocation by calling or writing the Service Center (see “Changing Your Allocation” on page 16).

Reallocating Your Investment Base. You can reallocate your investment base either in writing or by phone. If you do it by phone, you must tell us your personal identification number as well as your contract number. We will give you a confirmation number over the phone and then follow up in writing.

Requesting a Loan. A loan may be requested in writing in a form satisfactory to us or, if the appropriate authorization forms are on file with us, by phone. Once we have the authorization, you can call the Service Center, give us your contract number, name and personal identification number and then tell us how much you want to borrow and from which divisions the loan should be transferred We will wire the funds to your account at the financial institution named on your authorization We will usually wire the funds within two working days. If you have the CMA Life service your funds may be transferred directly to your CMA account.

Requesting Partial Withdrawals. Partial withdrawals may be requested in writing in a form satisfactory to us. Written requests must have signature guarantees We’ll usually make payments within seven days after the Service Center receives a satisfactory written request (see “How We Make Payments” on page 25).

You may request a partial withdrawal by phone if the appropriate phone authorization forms are on file with us. Once we have the authorization, you can call the Service Center, give us your contract number, name and personal identification number, and tell us how much you want to withdraw and from which divisions the funds should be transferred. We will wire the funds to your account at the financial institution named on your authorization. We will usually wire the funds within two working days. If you have the CMA Life service, your funds can be transferred directly to your CMA account.

Telephone Requests. A telephone request for a loan, partial withdrawal or a reallocation received before 4 p.m. (ET) generally will be processed the same day. For any call received after 4 p.m. (ET), the request will be processed the following business day.

 

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Other Contract Provisions

In Case of Errors on the Application. If an age or sex given in the application is wrong, it could mean that the face amount or any other contract benefit is wrong. We’ll pay what the payments made would have bought for the guarantee period at the true age or sex.

Incontestability. We rely on statements made in the application. Legally, they are considered representations, not warranties. We can contest the validity of a contract if any material misstatements are made in the initial application. We can also contest the validity of any change in face amount you requested if any material misstatements are made in any application required for that change We can also contest any amount of death benefit which wouldn’t be payable except for the fact that an additional payment was made if any material misstatements are made in the application required with the additional payment.

We won’t contest the validity of a contract after it has been in effect during the insured’s lifetime for two years from the date of issue. We won’t contest any change in face amount you requested after the change has been in effect during the insured’s lifetime for two years from the date of such change. Nor will we contest any amount of death benefit attributable to an additional payment after such death benefit has been in effect during the insured’s lifetime for two years from the date we received and accepted the payment.

Payment in Case of Suicide. If the insured commits suicide within two years from the contract’s issue date, we’ll pay only a limited death benefit. The benefit will be equal to the amount of the payments made

If the insured commits suicide within two years of the effective date of any increase in face amount you requested, any amount of death benefit which wouldn’t be payable except for the fact that the face amount was increased will be limited to the amount of mortality cost deductions made for such increase.

If the insured commits suicide within two years of any date we receive and accept an additional payment, any amount of death benefit which wouldn’t be payable except for the fact that the additional payment was made will be limited to the amount of such payment.

The death benefit we will pay will be reduced by any debt.

Contract Changes Applicable Federal Tax Law. For you to receive the tax treatment accorded to life insurance under Federal income tax law, your contract must qualify initially and continue to qualify as life insurance under the Internal Revenue Code or successor law. Therefore, to maintain this qualification to the maximum extent of the law, we have reserved the right to return any additional payments that would cause the contract to fail to qualify as life insurance under applicable tax law as interpreted by us Further, we reserve the right to make changes in the contract or its riders or to make distributions from the contract to the extent we find it necessary to continue to qualify your contract as life insurance. Any such changes will apply uniformly to all contracts that are affected and you will be given advance written notice of such changes.

Dividends. Our variable life insurance contracts are non-participating. This means that they don’t provide for dividends. Investment results under these variable life contracts are reflected in benefits.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on pages 48 and 49.

Income Plans

We offer several income plans to provide for payments of the death benefit proceeds to the beneficiary. You may choose one or more income plans at any time during the insured’s lifetime. If no plan has been chosen when the insured dies, the beneficiary has one year to apply the death benefit proceeds either paid or payable to such beneficiary to one or more of the plans. You may also choose

 

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one or more income plans on cancelling the contract for its net cash surrender value or taking a partial withdrawal. Our approval is needed for any plan where any income payment would be less than $100. Payments under these plans do not depend on the investment results of a separate account.

For joint insureds, see the modifications to this section on page 49.

Income plans are:

Annuity Plan. An amount can be used to purchase a single premium immediate annuity. Annuity purchase rates will be 3.0% less than for new annuitants.

Income for a Fixed Period. Payments are made in equal installments for up to 30 years.

Income for Life. Payments are made in equal monthly installments until death of a named person or end of a designated period, whichever is later. The designated period may be for ten or 20 years.

Income of a Fixed Amount. Payments are made in equal installments until proceeds applied under the option and interest on unpaid balance at not less than 3.0% per year are exhausted.

Joint Life Income. Payments are made in monthly installments as long as at least one of two named persons is living. While both are living, we make full payments. If one dies, we make payments at two-thirds of the full amount. Payments end completely when both named persons die.

We will issue a written agreement putting the plan into effect. Once in effect, some of the plans may not provide any surrender rights.

Group or Sponsored Arrangements

For certain group or sponsored arrangements, we may reduce the sales load, cost of insurance rates and the minimum payment and we may modify our underwriting classifications.

Group arrangements include those in which a trustee or an employer, for example, purchases contracts covering a group of individuals on a group basis. Sponsored arrangements include those in which an employer allows us to sell contracts to its employees on an individual basis.

Our costs for sales, administration and mortality generally vary with the size and stability of the group and the reasons the contracts are purchased, among other factors. We take all these factors into account when reducing charges. To qualify for reduced charges, a group or sponsored arrangement must meet certain requirements, including our requirements for size and number of years in existence. Group or sponsored arrangements that have been set up solely to buy contracts or that have been in existence less than six months will not qualify for reduced charges.

We’ll make any reductions according to our rules in effect when an application for a contract or additional payment is approved. We may change these rules from time to time. However, reductions in charges will not discriminate unfairly against any person.

Legal Considerations for Employers

In 1983 the Supreme Court held in Arizona Governing Committee v. Norris that optional annuity benefits provided under an employee’s deferred compensation plan could not, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, vary between men and women. In that case and in a 1988 decision, Florida v. Long, the Court applied its decision only to benefits derived from contributions made on or after August 1, 1983. Subsequent to Norris, decisions of lower Federal courts indicate that in other factual circumstances the Title VII prohibition of sex-distinct benefits may apply to contributions made before that date. In addition, legislative, regulatory or decisional authority of some states may prohibit use of sex-distinct morality tables under certain circumstances.

 

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The contracts offered by this prospectus are based on mortality tables that distinguish between men and women. As a result, the contract pays different benefits to men and women of the same age. Employers and employee organizations should check with their legal advisers before purchasing these contracts.

The States of Montana and Massachusetts prohibit the use of actuarial tables that distinguish between men and women in determining payments and contract benefits for contracts issued on the lives of their residents. Therefore, contracts offered by this prospectus to insure residents of these states will have payments and benefits which are based on actuarial tables that do not differentiate on the basis of sex.

Selling the Contracts

MLPF&S is principal underwriter (distributor) of the contracts as well as for other contracts issued through the Separate Account. It is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers. We retain MLPF&S to act as principal underwriter under a distribution agreement.

The Insurance Company has sales agreements with ML Life Agency Inc. in Texas, Merrill Lynch Life Agency Ltd. in Mississippi and various Merrill Lynch Life Agencies elsewhere. Under these agreements, applications for the contracts are solicited by financial consultants of MLPF&S. The financial consultants are authorized under applicable state regulations to sell variable life insurance as agents of MLPF&S. The maximum commission as a percentage of purchase payments payable to qualified financial consultants will, in no event, exceed 6%. In addition, the organizations described above will also receive override payments and may be reimbursed under MLPF&S’s expense reimbursement allowance program for portions of expenses incurred

We also have a Service Agreement with Monarch Life Insurance Company under which it provides administrative services for all of our variable life contracts, such as contract underwriting and issue, contract owner service and the administration of the Separate Account.

Tax Considerations

Definition of Life Insurance. In order to qualify as a life insurance contract for Federal tax purposes, a contract must meet the definition of a life insurance contract which is set forth in Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Section 7702 definition can be met if a life insurance contract satisfies either one of two tests that are contained in that section. The manner in which these tests should be applied to certain innovative features of the contract offered by this prospectus is not directly addressed by Section 7702. Although Section 7702 gives the Secretary of the Treasury authority to prescribe regulations interpreting the manner in which the tests are to be applied, such regulations have not yet been issued. The presence of these innovative contract features, and the absence of regulations or any other pertinent interpretations of the tests, thus creates some uncertainty about the application of the tests to the contract.

Nevertheless, we believe that the contract qualifies as a life insurance contract for Federal tax purposes. This means that:

 

   

the death benefit should be fully excludable from the gross income of the beneficiary under Section 101(a)(1) of the Code; and

 

   

the owner should not be considered in constructive receipt of the cash surrender value, including any increases, until actual cancellation of the contract (but see “Tax Treatment of Loans and Other Distributions” on page 30).

We have reserved the right to make changes in the contract if such changes are deemed necessary to assure its qualification as a life insurance contract for tax purposes (see “Contract Changes — Applicable Federal Tax Law” on page 27).

Diversification. Section 817(h) of the Code provides that separate account investments (or the investments of a mutual fund the shares of which are owned by separate accounts of insurance

 

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companies) underlying the contract must be “adequately diversified” in accordance with Treasury regulations in order for the contract to qualify as life insurance. The Treasury Department has issued regulations prescribing the diversification requirements in connection with variable contracts. The Separate Account, through the Series Fund, intends to comply with these requirements. Although we don’t control the Series Fund, we intend to monitor the investments of the Series Fund to ensure compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Treasury Department.

In connection with the issuance of the temporary diversification regulations, the Treasury Department stated that it anticipates the issuance of regulations or rulings prescribing the circumstances in which an owner’s control of the investments of a separate account may cause the owner, rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets in the account. If the owner is considered the owner of the assets of the separate account, income and gains from the account would be included in the owner’s gross income.

The ownership rights under the contract offered by this prospectus are similar to, but different in certain respects from, those described by the Internal Revenue Service in rulings in which it determined that the owners were not owners of separate account assets. For example, the owner of the contract has additional flexibility in allocating payments and cash values. These differences could result in the owner being treated as the owner of the assets of the Separate Account. In addition, the Insurance Company does not know what standards will be set forth in the regulations or rulings which the Treasury has stated it expects to be issued. We therefore reserve the right to modify the contract as necessary to attempt to prevent the owner from being considered the owner of the assets of the Separate Account.

Tax Treatment of Loans and Other Distributions. Federal tax law establishes a class of life insurance contracts referred to as modified endowment contracts. A modified endowment contract is any contract which satisfies the definition of life insurance set forth in Section 7702 of the Code but fails to meet the 7-pay test. This test applies a cumulative limit on the amount of payments that can be made into a contract each year in the first seven contract years in order to avoid modified endowment treatment. In effect, compliance with the 7-pay test requires that contracts be purchased with a higher face amount for a given initial payment than would otherwise be required, at a minimum, to meet the definition of life insurance.

Loans from contract that comply with the 7-pay test will be considered indebtedness of an owner and no part of a loan will constitute income to the owner. In addition, pre-death distributions from these contracts will generally not be included in gross income to the extent that the amount received does not exceed the owner’s investment in the contract.

Any contract received in an exchange for a modified endowment contract will be considered a modified endowment contract and will be subject to the tax treatment accorded to modified endowment contracts that is described in your prospectus A contract that is not originally classified as a modified endowment contract can become so classified if there is a reduction in benefits during the first seven contract years (including, for example, by a decrease in face amount) or if a material change is made in the contract at any time. A material change includes, but is not limited to, a change in the benefits that was not reflected in a prior 7-pay test computation. This could result from additional payments made after 7-pay test calculations done at the time of the contract exchange. You may choose not to exercise your right to make additional payments (whether planned or unplanned) in order to preserve your contract’s current tax treatment.

Contracts that do not satisfy the 7-pay test, including contracts which initially satisfied the 7-pay test but later failed the test, will be considered modified endownment contracts subject to the following distribution rules. Loans from, as well as collateral assignments of, modified endowment contracts will be treated as distributions to the owner. All pre-death distributions (including loans and

 

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collateral assignments) from these contracts will be included in gross income on an income-first basis to the extent of any income in the contract (the cash surrender value less the owner’s investment in the contract) immediately before the distribution.

The law also imposes a 10% penalty tax on pre-death distributions (including loans, collateral assignments, partial withdrawals and complete surrenders) from modified endowment contracts to the extent they are included in income, unless such amounts are distributed on or after the taxpayer attains age 5912, because the taxpayer is disabled, or as substantially equal periodic payments over the taxpayer’s life (or life expectancy) or over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the taxpayer and his beneficiary.

Compliance with the 7-pay test does not imply or guarantee that only seven payments will be required for the initial death benefit to be guaranteed for life. Although this contract is specifically designed to comply with the 7-pay test and the Insurance Company will modify the payment plan you select, if necessary, to ensure that it complies with the test, certain actions by the contract owner will affect the ability of the Insurance Company to provide such a plan. Following the payment plan as originally established will ensure that the contract will not be treated as a modified endowment contract. However, making payments in addition to the planned periodic payments established at the onset of the contract (including payments made in connection with an increase in face amount), accelerating the payment schedules or reducing the benefits during the first seven contract years, may violate the 7-pay test or, at a minimum, reduce the amount that may be paid in the future under the 7-pay test. Further, in the case of a contract with joint insureds, reducing the death benefit below the lowest death benefit provided by the contract during the first seven years will require retroactive retesting and will probably result in a failure of the 7-pay test regardless of any efforts by the Insurance Company to provide a payment schedule that will not violate the 7-pay test.

Special Treatment of Loans on the Contract. If there is any borrowing against the contract, whether a modified endowment contract or not, the interest paid on loans may net be tax deductible. Furthermore, if the loan interest is capitalized by adding the amount due to the balance of the loan, the amount of the capitalized interest will be treated as a distribution which may be subject to income tax as well as the 10% penalty tax, if applicable, to the extent of the income in the contract. There is a possibility that the part of the loan equal to the target loan amount may be treated as subject to the rules of Section 7872 of the Code. If so, the owner of the contract would be deemed to receive imputed income Furthermore, the owner would then be deemed to pay the Insurance Company additional interest accrued on the loan, which interest may not be tax deductible. While the application of the Section 7872 imputed interest rules to these loans is far from certain, some possibility of their application does exist.

Aggregation of Modified Endowment Contracts. In the case of a pre-death distribution (including a loan, partial withdrawal, collateral assignment or complete surrender) from a contract that is treated as a modified endowment contract under the rules described above, a special aggregation requirement may apply for purposes of determining the amount of the income on the contract. Specifically, if the Insurance Company or any of its affiliates issue to the same owner more than one modified endowment contract within a calendar year, then for purposes of measuring the income on the contract with respect to a distribution from any of those contracts, the income on the contract for all such contracts will be aggregated and attributed to that distribution.

Taxation of Single Premium Immediate Annuity Rider. If a single premium immediate annuity rider (“SPIAR”) is used to make the payments on the life insurance contract, a portion of each payment from the annuity will be includible in income for Federal tax purposes when distributed. The amount of taxable income consists of the excess of the payment amount over the exclusion amount. The exclusion amount is defined as the payment amount multipled by the ratio of the investment in the contract to the total amount expected to be paid by the Insurance Company under the annuity.

 

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If payments cease because of death before the investment in the contract has been fully recovered, a deduction is allowed for the unrecovered amount. Moreover, if the payments continue beyond the time at which the investment in the contract has been fully recovered, the full amount of each payment will be includible in income. If the SPIAR is surrendered before all of the scheduled payments have been made by the Insurance Company, the remaining income in the contract will be taxed just as in the case of life insurance contracts.

Payments under art immediate annuity contract are not subject to the 10% penalty tax that is generally applicable to distributions from annuities made before the recipient attains age 5912.

Other than the tax consequences described above, and assuming that the SPIAR is not subjected to a pledge, loan or partial withdrawal, no income will be recognized to the owner or beneficiary of the contract.

Other Transactions. Changing the owner or the insured may have tax consequences. Exchanging this contract for another involving the same insured(s) will have no tax consequences if there is no debt and no cash or other property is received, according to Section 1035(a)(1) of the Code. The new contract would have to satisfy the 7-pay test from the date of the exchange to avoid characterization as a modified endowment contract. Changing the insured under this contract may not be treated as an exchange under Section 1035 but rather as a taxable exchange.

Other Taxes. Federal estate and state and local estate, inheritance and other taxes depend upon your or the beneficiary’s specific situation.

Ownership of This Contract by Non-Natural Persons. The above discussion of the tax consequences arising from the purchase, ownership and transfer of the contract offered by this prospectus has assumed that the owner of the contract consists of one or more individuals. Organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code may be subject to additional or different tax consequences with respect to transactions such as loans Further, organizations purchasing such contracts covering the life of an individual who is an officer or employee, or is financially interested in, the taxpayer’s trade or business, may be unable to deduct all or a portion of the interest or payments made with respect to such contracts. Such organizations should obtain tax advice prior to the acquisition of the contract offered by this prospectus and also before entering into any subsequent changes to or transactions under the contract offered by this prospectus.

The above discussion is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice you should consult a competent tax adviser. Although our tax discussion is based on our understanding of Federal income tax laws as they are currently interpreted, we can’t guarantee that those laws or interpretations will remain unchanged.

The Insurance Company’s Income Taxes

Federal Income Taxes. No charges for Federal income taxes are currently deducted from the Separate Account. Changes in Federal tax treatment of variable life insurance or in the Insurance Company’s tax status that require us to pay Federal income taxes may be chargeable to the Separate Account in the future. If we make a charge for taxes, we expect to accumulate it daily and transfer it from each investment division and into the general account monthly. We would keep any investment earnings on any tax charges accumulated in an investment division.

State and Local Income Taxes. Under current laws, we may incur state and local income taxes (in addition to premium taxes) in several states, although these taxes are not significant. If the amount of these taxes changes substantially, we may make charges to the Separate Account.

Reinsurance

We intend to reinsure some of the risks we assume under the contracts.

 

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MORE ABOUT THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND ITS DIVISIONS

About the Separate Account

The Separate Account is registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an investment company. This registration does not involve any SEC supervision of our management or the management of the Separate Account. The Separate Account is also governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, our state of domicile.

Custodial Arrangements. Evidence of ownership of the shares in the Series Fund and the units of the Zero Trusts purchased by the Insurance Company for the Separate Account will be held for safekeeping by Harris Trust & Savings Bank (“Harris”), 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, an Illinois bank. Harris will hold the shares and units pursuant to a Custodial Agreement with the Insurance Company. The Insurance Company will pay custodial fees to Harris out of its general account. The shares of the Series Fund and the units of the Zero Trusts purchased by the Separate Account, to the extent represented by separate certificates, will be kept physically segregated by Harris and held separate from the assets of any other firm, person, or corporation.

Changes Within the Account

We may from time to time make additional investment divisions available to you. These divisions will invest in investment portfolios we find suitable for the contracts. We also have the right to eliminate investment divisions from the Separate Account, to combine two or more investment divisions, or to substitute a new portfolio for the portfolio in which an investment division invests. A substitution may become necessary if, in our judgment, a portfolio no longer suits the purposes of the contracts. This may happen due to a change in laws or regulations or in a portfolio’s investment objectives or restrictions, or because the portfolio is no longer available for investment, or for some other reason. We would get prior approval from the insurance department of our state of domicile before making such a substitution. We would also get prior approval from the SEC and any other required approvals before making such a substitution.

Subject to any required regulatory approvals, we reserve the right to transfer assets of the Separate Account or of any investment division, which we determine to be associated with the class of contracts to which your contract belongs, to another separate account or investment division.

When permitted by law, we reserve the right to:

 

   

deregister the Separate Account under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

   

operate the Separate Account as a management company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

   

restrict or eliminate any voting rights of owners, or other persons who have voting rights as to the Separate Account; and

 

   

combine the Separate Account with other Separate Accounts.

Net Rate of Return for an Investment Division

An investment division’s net rate of return depends on how the investments in the division perform. We determine the net rate of return of an investment division at the end of each valuation period. A valuation period is each business day together with any non-business days before it. A business day is any day the New York Stock Exchange or the New York banks are open or there’s enough trading in portfolio securities to materially affect the net asset value of an investment division. The net rate of return reflects the investment performance of the division for the valuation period and is net of the charges to the Separate Account described above.

For divisions investing in the Series Fund, shares are valued at net asset value and reflect reinvestment of any dividends or capital gains distributions declared by the Series Fund.

For divisions investing in the Zero Trusts, units of each Zero Trust are valued at the sponsor’s repurchase price, as explained in the prospectus for the Zero Trusts.

 

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The Series Fund

Buying and Redeeming Shares. The Series Fund sells and redeems its shares at net asset value. Any dividend or capital gain distribution will be reinvested at net asset value in shares of the same portfolio.

Voting Rights. We will vote Series Fund shares according to your instructions. However, if the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any related regulations should change, or if interpretations of it or related regulations should change, and we decide that we’re permitted to vote the shares of the Series Fund in our own right, we may decide to do so.

We determine the number of shares that you have in an investment division by dividing a contract’s investment base in that division by the net asset value of one share of the portfolio. Fractional votes will be counted. We will determine the number of shares you can instruct us to vote 90 days or less before the Series Fund meeting. We will ask you for voting instructions by mail at least 14 days before the meeting. If we don’t get your instructions in time, we’ll vote the shares in the same proportion as the instructions received for all contracts (including those received from other types of contracts we issue through the Separate Account) in that investment division. We’ll also vote shares we hold in the Separate Account which are not attributable to contract owners in the same proportion.

Under certain circumstances, we may be required by state regulatory authorities to disregard voting instructions. This may happen if following the instructions would mean voting to change the sub-classification or investment objectives of a portfolio, or to approve or disapprove an investment advisory contract.

We may also disregard instructions to vote for changes initiated by an owner in the investment policy or the investment adviser if we disapprove of the proposed changes. We would disapprove a proposed change only if it was:

 

   

contrary to state law;

 

   

prohibited by state regulatory authorities; or

 

   

decided by us that the change would result in overly speculative or unsound investments.

If we disregard voting instructions, we’ll include a summary of our actions in the next semi-annual report.

Resolving Material Conflicts. Shares of the Series Fund are available for investment by other Merrill Lynch insurance companies and Monarch. It is possible that differences might arise between our Separate Account and one or more separate accounts of the other insurance companies which invest in the Series Fund. In some cases, it is possible that the differences could be considered “material conflicts”. Such a “material conflict” could also arise due to changes in the law (such as state insurance law or federal tax law) which affect these different variable life insurance separate accounts. It could also arise by reason of difference in voting instructions from our policyowners and those of the other insurance companies, or for other reasons. We will monitor events so we can identify how to respond to such conflicts. If such a conflict occurs, we may be required to eliminate one or more divisions of the Separate Account which invest in the Series Fund or substitute a new portfolio for a portfolio in which a division invests. In responding to any conflict, we will take the action which we believe necessary to protect our policyowners.

 

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The Zero Trusts

The 19 Zero Trusts:

 

Zero Trust    Maturity Date   

Targeted Rate of Return to

Maturity as

of May 1, 1991

 

  

 

  

 

1991    August 15, 1991    3.96%
1992    May 15, 1992    4.90%
1993    November 15, 1993    5.70%
1994    August 15, 1994    6.24%
1995    November 15, 1995    6.40%
1996    February 15, 1996    6.58%
1997    February 15, 1997    6.70%
1998    February 15, 1998    6.83%
1999    February 15, 1999    6.96%
2000    February 15, 2000    6.98%
2001    February 15, 2001    7.05%
2003    August 15, 2003    7.21%
2005    February 15, 2005    7.18%
2006    February 15, 2006    7.10%
2007    February 15, 2007    7.21%
2008    February 15, 2008    7.21%
2009    February 15, 2009    7.25%
2010    February 15, 2010    6.84%
2011    February 15, 2011    7.17%

Targeted Rate of Return to Maturity

Because the underlying securities in the Zero Trusts will grow to their face value on the maturity date, it is possible to estimate a compound rate of growth to maturity for the Zero Trust units.

Put because the units are held in the Separate Account, the asset charge and the trust charge (described in “Charges to the Separate Account” on page 18) must be taken into account in estimating a net rate of return for the Separate Account. The net rate of return to maturity depends on the compound rate of growth adjusted for these charges. It does not, however, represent the actual return on a payment we might receive under the contract on that date, since it does not reflect the charges for deferred contract loading, mortality costs and any net loan cost deducted from a contract’s investment base (described in “Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base” on page 17).

Since the value of the Zero Trust units will vary daily to reflect the market value of the underlying securities, the compound rate of growth to maturity for the Zero Trust units and the net rate of return to maturity for the Separate Account will vary correspondingly.

Charges to Series Fund Assets

The Series fund incurs operating expenses and pays a monthly advisory fee to MLAM. This fee equals an annual rate of:

 

   

.50% of the first $250 million of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Series Fund;

   

.45% of the next $50 million of such assets;

   

.40% of the next $100 million of such assets;

   

.35% of the next $400 million of such assets; and

   

.30% of such assets over $800 million.

As of February 28, 1991, the net assets of the Series Fund were $2,643 billion. At that asset level, the annual fee rate earned by MLAM would be .33%.

 

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One or more of the insurance companies investing in the Series Fund have agreed to reimburse the Series Fund so that the ordinary expenses of each portfolio (which include the monthly advisory fee) do not exceed .50% of the portfolio’s average daily net assets. These companies have also agreed to reimburse MLAM for any amounts it pays under the investment advisory agreement, as described below. These reimbursement obligations will remain in effect so long as the advisory agreement remains in effect and cannot be amended or terminated without Series Fund approval.

Under its investment advisory agreement, MLAM has agreed that if any portfolio’s aggregate ordinary expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees, commissions and extraordinary charges) exceed the expense limitations for investment companies in effect under any state securities law or regulation, it will reduce its fee for that portfolio by the amount of the excess. If required, it will reimburse the Series Fund for the excess. This reimbursement agreement will remain in effect so long as the advisory agreement remains in effect and cannot be amended without Series Fund approval.

**Illustrations included in the April 30, 1991 MLLIC Prime Plan 7 prospectus have not been re-filed here.

 

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EXAMPLES

Additional Payments

If the guarantee period is for the whole of life at the time we receive and accept an additional payment (which means that planned periodic payments have been made through contract year 9), as of the processing date on or next following the date of the additional payment, we will increase your face amount to the amount that the contract’s fixed base, as of such processing date, would support for the life of the insured.

Under these circumstances the amount of the increase in your face amount will depend on the amount of the additional payment and the contract year in which it is received and accepted. If additional payments of different amounts were made at the same time to equivalent contracts, the contract to which the larger payment is applied would have a proportionately larger increase in face amount. And if additional payments of the same amounts were made in earlier and later years, those made in the later years would result in smaller increases to the face amount.

Example 1 shows the effect on face amount of a $2,000 additional payment received and accepted at the beginning of contract year 10. Example 2 shows the effect of a $4,000 additional payment received and accepted at the beginning of contract year 10. Example 3 shows the effect of a $2,000 additional payment received and accepted at the beginning of contract year 11. All three examples assume that the guarantee period at the time of the additional payment is for life and assume no other contract transactions have been made.

Male Issue Age: 55

Payments: Initial payment plus 8 periodic payments of $7,500

Face Amount: $110,048

 

Example 1

Contract

Year

 

    

Additional
Payment

 

  

Change In
Face Amount

 

  

New Face
Amount

 

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

10

     $2,000    $3,170    $113,218

Example 2

Contract

Year

 

    

Additional

Payment

 

  

Change In
Face Amount

 

  

New Face
Amount

 

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

10

     $4,000    $6,340    $116,388

Example 3

Contract
Year

 

    

Additional
Payment

 

  

Change In
Face Amount

 

  

New Face

Amount

 

 

    

 

  

 

  

 

11

     $2,000    $3,097    $113,145

Changing the Face Amount

As of the processing date on or next following receipt and acceptance of a request for a change in face amount, we’ll make the requested change and adjust your guarantee period. For an increase in face amount, we decrease the guarantee period and for a decrease in face amount, we increase the guarantee period. To decrease the face amount, the guarantee period must be less than for the whole of life at the time of the request. We establish your new guarantee period by taking the contract’s fixed base as of such processing date and determining how long that fixed base would support the face amount.

The amount of the increase or decrease in the guarantee period will depend on the amount of increase or decrease in the face amount and the contract year in which the change is made. If made at the same time to equivalent contracts, a larger increase in face amount would result in a greater

 

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decrease in the guarantee period than a smaller increase in face amount. The same increase made in two different years would result in a smaller decrease in the guarantee period for the increase in face amount made in the later year.

Examples 1 and 2 show the effect on the guarantee period of an increase in face amount of $ 10,000 and $ 20,000 made at the beginning of contract year 8. Example 3 shows the effect on the guarantee period of an increase in face amount of $ 10,000 made at the beginning of contract year 10. All three examples assume no other contract transactions have been made.

Male Issue Age: 55

Payments: Initial payment plus 6 periodic payments of $7,500

Face Amount: $110,048

 

       Example 1     

Contract
    Year    

     Increase In
        Face Amount        
   Decrease In
        Guarantee Period        

8

     $10,000    2.00 years
       Example 2     

Contract
Year

     Increase In
Face Amount
  

Decrease In

Guarantee Period

8

     $20,000    3.50 years
       Example 3     

Contract
Year

     Increase In
Face Amount
  

Decrease In

Guarantee Period

10

     $10,000    1.75 years

Partial Withdrawals

As of the processing date on or next following any partial withdrawal you make, we will reduce your face amount. We establish your new face amount by taking the contract’s fixed base as of such processing date and determining what face amount that fixed base would support for your contract’s guarantee period.

The amount of the reduction in the face amount will depend on the amount of the partial withdrawal, the guarantee period at the time of the withdrawal and the contract year in which the withdrawal is made. If made at the same time to equivalent contracts, a larger withdrawal would result in a greater reduction in the face amount than a smaller withdrawal. The same partial withdrawal made at the same time from contracts with the same face amounts but with different guarantee periods would result in a greater reduction in the face amount for the contract with the longer guarantee period. A partial withdrawal made in a later contract year would result in a smaller decrease in the face amount than if the same amount was withdrawn in an earlier year.

 

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Examples 1 and 2 show the effect on the face amount of partial withdrawals for $5,000 and $10,000 taken at the beginning of contract year 16. Example 3 shows the effect on the face amount of a $10,000 partial withdrawal taken at the beginning of contract year 18. All three examples assume no other contract transactions have been made.

Male Issue Age: 55

Payments: Initial payment plus 6 periodic payments of $7,500

Face Amount: $110,048

 

Example 1

Contract

    Year    

    

Partial

    Withdrawal    

       Face Amount    

16

     $ 5,000    $99,418
       Example 2     

Contract

Year

     Partial
Withdrawal
   Face Amount

16

     $10,000    $88,365
       Example 3     

Contract

Year

    

Partial

Withdrawal

   Face Amount

 

    

 

  

 

18

     $10,000    $87,851

If the reduction in face amount would be below the minimum face amount for your contract, we will reduce the face amount to the minimum face amount, and then reduce the guarantee period by taking the contract’s fixed base as of such processing date and determining how long that fixed base would support the reduced face amount.

JOINT INSUREDS

You may purchase a contract on the lives of two insureds. Some of the discussions applicable to the contract apply only to one insured. Set out below are the modifications to the designated sections of this prospectus for joint insureds. The discussions in this prospectus referencing a single insured, except in the sections noted below, can be read as though the single insured were the two insureds under a joint contract.

Availability and Payments (reference page 4)

We can issue a contract for insureds up to age 80.

We will not accept an initial payment that will give you a guarantee period of less than the minimum guarantee period for which we would then issue a contract based on the age of the younger insured. Such minimum will range from ten to 40 years depending on the age of the younger insured.

Who May be Covered (reference page 11)

We can issue a contract on the lives of two insureds provided the relationship among the applicant and the insureds meets our insurable interest requirements and provided neither insured is over age 80 and no more than one insured is under age 20. We use the insureds’ ages as of their birthdays nearest the policy date. (We call these the insureds’ issue ages.)

The initial payment plus any planned periodic payments you elect, and the average age of the insureds determine whether we will do underwriting on a simplified or medical basis. The maximum amount we will underwrite on a simplified basis for joint insureds depends on our administrative rules in effect at the time of underwriting.

Under both simplified and medical underwriting methods, contracts may be issued on insureds in a standard underwriting class only.

 

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Purchasing a Contract (reference page 11)

We will not accept an initial payment for a specified face amount that will give you a guarantee period of less than the minimum guarantee period for which we would then issue a contract based on the age of the younger insured. Such minimum will range from ten to 40 years depending on the age of the younger insured.

Planned Payments (reference page 12)

You may change the frequency and the amount of your planned payments provided both insureds are living.

Your planned payment must be received while at least one insured is living and not more than 30 days before or 30 days after the date you specify for payment.

A combination periodic plan is not available under a joint insureds contract.

Payments Which are Not Under a Periodic Payment Plan (reference page 14).

You may make additional payments which are not under a periodic payment plan only if both insureds are living and the attained ages of both insureds are not over 80.

Effect of a Planned Payment and Other Additional Payments (reference page 14).

If your guarantee period prior to receipt and acceptance of an additional payment is less than for the life of the last surviving insured, the payment will first be used to extend your guarantee period to the whole of life of the younger insured.

Changing the Face Amount

Increasing the Face Amount (reference page 15). You may increase the face amount of your contract only if both insureds are living. A change in face amount is not permitted if the attained age of either insured is over 80.

Decreasing the Face Amount (reference page 16). You may decrease the face amount of your contract if either insured is living.

Any reduction in death benefit in a contract on joint insureds, whether by a change in face amount or other means, will probably result in a failure to satisfy the 7-pay test and subsequent treatment as a modified endowment contract.

Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base

Deferred Contract Loading (reference page 17). The deferred contract loading equals 9.0% of each payment. This charge consists of a sales load and a state and local premium tax charge.

The sales load, equal to 6.5% of each payment compensates us for sales expenses. The sales load may be reduced if cumulative payments are sufficiently high to reach certain break points (4.0% of payments in excess of $1.5 million and 2.0% of payments in excess of $4 million). The state and local premium tax charge, equal to 2.5% of your payments, compensates us for state and local premium taxes we must pay when we accept a payment.

We deduct an amount equal to .90% of each payment from your investment base on each of the ten contract anniversaries following payment.

Mortality Cost (reference page 18). For contracts issued on joint insureds, current cost of insurance rates are equal to the guaranteed maximum cost of insurance rates set forth in the contract. Those rates are based on the 1980 Commissioners Aggregate Mortality Table and do not distinguish between insureds in a smoker underwriting class and insureds in a non-smoker underwriting class. Such cost of insurance rates are based on an aggregate class which is made up of a blend of smokers and non-smokers.

 

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Guarantee Period

When Your Guarantee Period is less Than for life (reference page 19). If we cancel your contract, you may reinstate only if neither insured has died between the date we terminated the contract and the effective date of the reinstatement and you meet the other conditions listed on page 19.

Net Cash Surrender Value

Cancelling to Receive Net Cash Surrender Value (reference page 20). You may cancel your contract at any time while either insured is living

Partial Withdrawals (reference page 21)

Partial withdrawals are not available under a joint insureds contract.

Death Benefit Proceeds (reference page 22)

We will pay the death benefit proceeds to the beneficiary when we receive proof of the last surviving insured’s death, which must include proof of death for both insureds. There is no death benefit payable at the first death.

If one of the insureds should die within two years from the contract’s issue date, within two years from the effective date of any increase in face amount you requested or within two years from the date we received and accepted an additional payment, you should promptly send proof of the insured’s death to our Service Center since we may only pay a limited benefit or contest the contract. (See “Incontestability” and “Payment in Case of Suicide” on page 27.)

Net Single Premium Factor (reference page 23). The net single premium factors are based on the insureds’ sexes and underwriting classes and the attained ages on the date of calculation.

Payment of Death Benefit Proceeds (reference page 23)

If we delay payment, we will add interest from the date of the last surviving insured’s death to the date of payment at an annual rate of at least 4%.

Your Right to Cancel (“Free Look” Period) or Exchange

Exchanging Your Contract (reference page 24). You may exchange the contract for a Joint and last survivor contract with benefits that don’t vary with the investment results of a separate account.

Using Your Contract

Ownership (reference page 24). The owner is usually one of the insureds, unless another owner has been named in the application.

You, the owner, may want to name a contingent owner in the event you die before the last surviving insured. The contingent owner will own the contract and have all your contract rights.

Naming Beneficiaries (reference page 24). We’ll pay the primary beneficiary the proceeds of this contract on the last surviving insured’s death. If no contingent beneficiary is living, we pay the last surviving insured’s estate.

Changing the Insured (reference page 25). Not available for joint insureds.

Maturity Proceeds (reference page 25). The maturity date is the contract anniversary nearest the younger insured’s 100th birthday.

On the maturity date, we’ll pay you the net cash surrender value, provided either insured is living.

Other Contract Provisions

Incontestability (reference page 27). We won’t contest the validity of a contract after it has been in effect during the lifetimes of both insureds for two years from the issue date. We won’t contest

 

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any change in face amount you requested after the change has been in effect during the lifetimes of both insureds for two years from the date of such change. Nor will we contest any amount of death benefit attributable to an additional payment after such death benefit has been in effect during the lifetimes of both insureds for two years from the date we receive and accept the payment.

Payment in Case of Suicide (reference page 27). If either insured commits suicide within two years from the issue date, we’ll pay only a limited benefit and terminate the contract. The benefit will be equal to the payments made reduced by any contract debt.

If either insured commits suicide within two years of the effective date of any increase in face amount you requested, we’ll terminate the coverage attributable to such increase and pay a limited benefit. The benefit will be limited to the amount of mortality cost deductions made for such increase.

If either insured commits suicide within two years of any date we receive and accept an additional payment, we’ll terminate the coverage attributable to such payment and pay only a limited benefit. The benefit will be equal to the payment less any debt attributable to amounts borrowed during the two years from the date we received and accepted the payment.

Establishing Survivorship (Only Applicable to Joint Insureds). If we are unable to determine which of the insureds was the last survivor on the basis of the proofs of death provided to us, we’ll consider insured No. 1 as designated in the application to be the last surviving insured.

Income Plans (reference page 27)

If no plan has been chosen when the last surviving insured dies, the beneficiary has one year to apply the death benefit proceeds either paid or payable to such beneficiary to one or more of the income plans.

GUARANTEED INTEREST DIVISION (FIXED ACCOUNT)

If It’s allowed in your state, you may allocate all or a portion of your payments and investment base to the guaranteed interest division. This division is part of our general account. Because of applicable exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the guaranteed interest division have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and neither the guaranteed interest division nor our general account has been registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Thus, neither our general account, the guaranteed interest division, nor any interests therein are generally subject to regulation under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 or the Investment Company Act of 1940. Accordingly, we are advised that the disclosures included for your information relating to the guaranteed interest division have not been reviewed by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These disclosures regarding the guaranteed interest division may, however, be subject to certain generally applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.

The General Account

The general account consists of assets owned by us other than those allocated to the Separate Account or our other separate accounts. Allocations to the guaranteed interest division become part of our general account assets and are used to support insurance and annuity obligations other than those funded by the Separate Account or our other separate accounts. Subject to applicable laws, we have sole discretion over the investments of these assets. Allocation of any amounts to the guaranteed interest division does not entitle you to share in the investment experience of these assets.

Declared Interest Rate and Guaranteed Interest Rate

Any amount allocated to the guaranteed interest division will earn interest at the declared interest rate in effect at the time of allocation. We set declared interest rates from time to time. Since amounts

 

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can be allocated to the guaranteed interest division at different times, different portions of your investment base allocated to this division may earn different rates. For any amount allocated, we guarantee that a rate, once set, will remain in effect for that amount for at least one year.

We guarantee that the declared interest rate set for any portion of the investment base allocated to this division will not be less than the guaranteed interest rate which, in the case of an allocation made for a payment, is a rate equal to 3.7% on the investment base for that payment during the contract year in which payment is made, increasing each year to 4.0% by the eleventh year. (For contracts issued on joint insureds, the guaranteed rate is equal to 3.55% on the investment base, increasing to 4.0%.) The guaranteed rates will never be less than a rate equivalent to 4.0% on the cash surrender value of an allocated amount. The level of the declared interest rates we set in excess of the guaranteed interest rate will be determined at our sole discretion. You assume the risk that the declared interest rate may not exceed the guaranteed interest rate.

Allocation of Investment Base

Subject to our rules, you may allocate any amount out of the guaranteed interest division only at the end of the period for which the declared interest rate for that amount is guaranteed (except under the “Special Allocation Privilege” as described below). The request for an allocation change must be received within 30 days prior to the end of this declared interest rate period. Otherwise, the amount will remain in the guaranteed interest division and will earn interest at the new rate and for the period we declare for such amount.

Special Allocation Privilege

Under this privilege, allocation of any amount out of the guaranteed interest division to the Separate Account will be permitted prior to the end of the period for which a declared interest rate for that amount is guaranteed. We’ll make an interest adjustment (as described on page 51) to the amount allocated out We have reserved the right to restrict the privilege to allocate out before the end of the applicable declared interest rate period if necessary to continue the current treatment of the guaranteed interest division under applicable law, statute, rule or regulation.

We reserve the right to delay allocations out of the guaranteed interest division for up to six months after your request is received at our Service Center.

Charges

A pro-rata portion of deferred contract loading, mortality cost, and net loan cost, if any, will be deducted from the investment base allocated to the guaranteed interest division (see “Charges Deducted from Your Investment Base”, page 17). In addition, we reserve the right to impose an asset charge not to exceed 1.00% annually at the beginning of the year. This charge will be reflected in the net rate of return for the guaranteed interest division. Currently, we don’t impose this asset charge.

Net Rate of Return for the Guaranteed Interest Division

The net rate of return for the guaranteed interest division for a valuation period will be determined individually for your contract and will be based on the declared interest rates for the amounts allocated to the guaranteed interest division during that period. This net rate of return will be net of the asset charge (if imposed) deducted from the guaranteed interest division. However, it does not reflect other charges to the contract.

Investment Base in the Guaranteed Interest Division

The investment base in the guaranteed interest division at any time will reflect the sum of all amounts allocated to the division, plus interest credited thereon, and less charges and amounts allocated out of the division.

 

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Loan Repayment:

You may request a loan from the guaranteed interest division. Any loan repayment for amounts above the target loan amount will first be allocated to the guaranteed interest division until all such amounts that were initially borrowed from the division have been repaid. Repayment in excess of these amounts will be allocated in accordance with your instructions. If no instructions have been received, repayments will be allocated proportionately to your investment base in your investment divisions in the Separate Account.

Currently, loan repayments of amounts borrowed from the guaranteed interest division will be allocated back to the guaranteed interest division at the lower of the declared interest rate which was in effect for the borrowed amounts at the time the loan was taken and the declared interest rate in effect on the date of the repayment. See “Loan Repayments” on page 21. If amounts are to be credited with the declared interest rate in effect at the time the loan was taken, the interest will be credited for the remainder of the applicable declared interest rate period. If amounts are to receive the rate in effect on the date of repayment, the interest will be credited for at least a one-year period. If a declared interest rate period in effect at the time a loan was taken has ended when a loan repayment is made, the amount allocated back will receive the declared interest rate in effect on the date of the repayment for at least a one-year period.

Partial Withdrawals

If it’s allowed in your state, after the first contract year, you may request a partial withdrawal of your net cash surrender value from the guaranteed interest division.

Allocations of Loans and Partial Withdrawals

If you don’t specify this division as the division from which you wish to take a loan or partial withdrawal, we’ll take amounts from your divisions in the Separate Account. If you specify the guaranteed interest division, amounts will be taken pro-rata from the amounts allocated to this division and from each of your divisions in the Separate Account. We reserve the right to restrict allocation of any loan or partial withdrawal you request that includes the guaranteed interest division.

Variable Insurance Amount

To keep the contract qualified as life insurance under Federal income tax law, we may need to adjust the net single premium factors shown in your contract to reflect the declared interest rates in effect.

We’ll adjust the net single premium factors for the first year following your first allocation of an amount to this division. Thereafter, whether amounts remain in this division or not, adjustments will be made for the year after an additional payment is made where the death benefit is increased (whether you allocate the payment to this division or not), for the year after a requested change in the face amount is made or for the year after a partial withdrawal is taken.

The adjusted net single premium factor will cause the variable insurance amount to be higher than it otherwise would have been. For example, the adjusted net single premium factor may cause the variable insurance amount to exceed your contract’s face amount at issue. The increased death benefit would result in an increased net amount at risk and, therefore, a slightly larger mortality cost deduction.

Cancelling to Receive Net Cash Surrender Value

If you cancel your contract prior to the end of the period for which a declared interest rate is guaranteed, we’ll make an interest adjustment as described below.

Interest Adjustment

If prior to the end of any declared interest rate period then in effect the contract is cancelled or an amount subject to that rate is allocated out of the guaranteed interest division to the Separate Account,

 

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we’ll adjust the declared interest rate for that period. The interest adjustment will in effect reduce the declared interest rate for the applicable amount by 3.0% since the beginning of the declared interest rate period but not below the guaranteed interest rate for the applicable amount. This adjustment will not affect the interest credited to amounts during any prior declared interest rate periods. An interest adjustment will have the effect of immediately reducing the investment base and net cash surrender value and may reduce the death benefit.

How We Make Payments

We reserve the right to delay making a loan or payment of net cash surrender value from the guaranteed interest division for up to six months from the date your request is received at our Service Center. We’ll credit interest at an annual rate of at least 4% on any payment of net cash surrender value deferred 30 days or more.

 

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MORE ABOUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY

Management

Our directors and their positions with the Insurance Company are as follows:

 

    

Name

 

Position Held

    
  Thomas Patrick   President & Chief Executive Officer  
  Kenneth Kaczmarek   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer  
  David Dunford   Senior Vice President  
  Barry G. Skolnick   Senior Vice President & General Counsel  
  Charles Hall   Director  
  Nicolas McClanahan   Director  
  John Zwald   Director  

All of the directors have held various executive positions with the insurance company subsidiaries of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Insurance Subsidiaries”) for the past five years, except those directors noted below.

Mr. Patrick joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in November of 1990. Since July of 1989 he has been the Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) and was Chief Financial Officer of Merrill Lynch from July of 1989 to November of 1990. He was an investment banker with MLPF&S from February of 1972 to July of 1989. Mr. Kaczmarek joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in November of 1988. Prior to November of 1988, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Blue Cross of California. Mr. Dunford joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in September of 1989. Prior to that he held the position of Vice President with Travelers Corp., the parent of the Travelers Insurance Company. Mr. Skolnick joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in November of 1989. Since July of 1984, he has served as Senior Counsel of Merrill Lynch. Mr. Hall has been a director of the Insurance Subsidiaries since 1989. He has been President of Trust Company of America, a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch, since 1984. Mr. McClanahan has been a director of the Insurance Subsidiaries since 1989. He has been Senior Vice President of Merrill Lynch since 1971. Mr. Zwald has been a director of the Insurance Subsidiaries since 1989. He has been a Vice President of MLPF&S since 1981.

 

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Our officers who are not directors but report to the President are:

 

                     Name  

Office Held

    
  Mark Schmidt   Vice President & Controller  
  Robert Bordeman   Vice President  
  John Cirincion   Vice President  
  Eileen Dyson   Vice President  
  Charles Haraburda   Vice President  
  John Hele   Vice President  
  Jeanne Kuester   Vice President  
  Julia Raven   Vice President  
  Jennifer Stockman   Secretary  
  Thomas J. Thatcher   Vice President  
  Chetlur Ragavan   Vice President  

All of the officers have been with the Insurance Subsidiaries for more than five years, except those officers noted below.

Mr. Schmidt has been with the Insurance Subsidiaries since May of 1989. From September of 1987 to April 1989, he was the Manager of Blue Cross of California. From February 1986 to September of 1987, he was the Senior Financial Accountant at American Family Life Insurance Company. Mr. Bordeman has been with the Insurance Subsidiaries since November of 1990. From February of 1988 to November of 1990, he was the Corporate Controller of Blue Cross of California. From January of 1983 to February 1988, he was the Chief Financial Officer of the Insurance Company of Illinois. Mr. Cirincion joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in December of 1989. From February of 1981 to November of 1989, he was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the National Benefit Life Insurance Company. Mr. Hele joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in September of 1990. From July of 1988 to September of 1990, he was Business Unit Chief Actuary of MLPF&S. From October of 1986 to July of 1988, he was an Assistant Vice President of Crown Life Insurance Company. From April of 1985 through September of 1987, he was a director of Actuarial Services with the Crown Life Insurance Company. Ms. Kuester has been with the Insurance Subsidiaries since September of 1990. From November of 1987 to September of 1990 she was a financial planning analyst with MLPF&S. From March of 1983 to November of 1987, she was a financial planning analyst at Home Life Insurance Company Ms Raven has been with the Insurance Subsidiaries since September of 1990. From 1983 to August of 1990, she was the Controller of Diversified Financial Services at MLPF&S. Mr. Ragavan joined the Insurance Subsidiaries in September of 1990. Since 1986 he has been a Vice President at Merrill Lynch Capital Markets.

State Regulation

We’re regulated and supervised by the Insurance Department of the State of Illinois, which periodically examines our financial condition and operations. We’re also subject to the insurance laws and regulations of all jurisdictions where we do business. The variable life insurance contracts offered by this prospectus have been approved by the Insurance Department of the State of Illinois and in other jurisdictions.

We’re required to submit annual statements of our operations, including financial statements, to the insurance departments of the various jurisdictions in which we do business to determine solvency and compliance with local insurance laws and regulations.

Registration Statement

We have filed a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with the SEC relating to the contract described in this prospectus. This prospectus does not include all the information in the

 

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Registration Statement. We have omitted certain portions according to SEC rules. You may obtain the omitted information from the SEC’s main office in Washington, D.C., by paying the SEC’s prescribed fees.

Legal Proceedings

As an insurance company, we are ordinarily involved in various kinds of routine litigation that in our judgment is not of material importance in relation to our total assets. None of such litigation relates to the Separate Account.

Legal Matters

The legal validity of the contracts described in this prospectus has been passed on by Barry G. Skolnick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Insurance Company. Rogers & Wells of New York, New York has provided advice on certain matters relating to federal securities laws.

Experts

The financial statements of the Insurance Company and the financial statement of the Separate Account of the Insurance Company included in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, independent auditors, for the periods indicated in their reports thereon which appear elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement. The financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche have been included in reliance on their reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Actuarial matters included in this prospectus have been examined by D. Alan Little, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., of Coopers  & Lybrand, as stated in his opinion filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Financial Statements

The financial statements of the Insurance Company, included herein, should be distinguished from the financial statements of the Separate Account and should be considered only as bearing upon the ability of the Insurance Company to meet its obligations under the contracts.

**Financial statements included in the April 30, 1991 MLLIC Prime Plan 7 prospectus have not been re-filed here.

 

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PART II

UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS

Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the Commission heretofore, or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred in that section.

INDEMNIFICATION

The Iowa Code (Sections 490.850 et. seq.) provides for permissive indemnification in certain situations, mandatory indemnification in other situations, and prohibits indemnification in certain situations. The Code also specifies procedures for determining when indemnification payments can be made.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Depositor pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Depositor has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Depositor of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered), the Depositor will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

REPRESENTATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 26(f) (2) (A)

Transamerica Life Insurance Company represents that the aggregate charges under the Contracts are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred and the risks assumed by the Company.


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CONTENTS OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

   

The facing sheet

 

   

The prospectus supplement consisting of 14 pages

 

   

Audited financial statements (statutory basis) as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 for Transamerica Life Insurance Company, and related auditor’s reports

 

   

Audited financial statements (U.S. GAAP basis) as of December 31, 2018, and for the years ended December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, for Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II and related auditor’s report

 

   

Historical Documents

 

 

Prospectus for MLLIC Prime Plan 7 dated April 30, 1991

 

   

Part II

 

   

The signatures

 

   

The following exhibits:

 

Exhibit              
1. A.      (1)        (a    Resolution establishing the separate account.
        (b    Resolution of TLIC Board authorizing Plan of Merger & attached Plan of Merger. Filed herewith
        (c    Resolution of Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company authorizing Plan of Merger. Filed herewith
     (2)        Not Applicable.
     (3)        (a    Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement between Transamerica Capital, Inc. and Transamerica Life Insurance Company, on its own and on behalf of the Separate Account.
        (b    Form of Broker/Dealer and Sales Agreement.
     (4)        Not Applicable.
     (5)        (a1    Flexible Premium Joint and Last Survivor Variable Life Insurance Policy. Filed herewith
        (a2    Modified Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy. Filed herewith
        (a3    Modified Single Premium Joint and Last Survivor Variable Life Insurance Policy. Filed herewith
        (a4    Endorsement for Guaranteed Interest Division. Filed herewith
        (a5    Policy Schedule R-GID for Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy. Filed herewith
        (b1    Change of Insured Rider. Filed herewith


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     (b2)   Flexible Premium Joint and Last Survivor Partial Withdrawal Rider. Filed herewith
     (b3)   Guarantee of Insurability Rider. Filed herewith
     (b4)   Guarantee of Insurability Rider. Filed herewith
     (b5)   Single Premium Immediate Annuity Rider. Filed herewith
     (b6)   Policy Schedule R-SPIA for Single Premium Immediate Annuity Rider. Filed herewith
     (b7)   Modified Single Premium Partial Withdrawal Rider. Filed herewith
     (b8)   Modified Single Premium Joint and Last Survivor Partial Withdrawal Rider. Filed herewith
     (b9)   Flexible Premium Partial Withdrawal Rider. Filed herewith
     (b10)   Backdating Endorsement. Filed herewith
     (b11)   Special Allocation Rider. Filed herewith
           (6)    (a)   Articles of Incorporation of Transamerica Life Insurance Company.
     (b)   Bylaws of Transamerica Life Insurance Company.
  (7)    Not Applicable.
  (8)    (a)   Form of Participation Agreement (Alliance).
     (a)(1)   Amendments to Participation Agreement (Alliance).
     (a)(2)   Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement (Alliance).
     (a)(3)   Amendment to Participation Agreement (AllianceBernstein).
     (a)(4)   Revision to Schedule A of Participation Agreement (AllianceBernstein).
     (b)   Form of Participation Agreement (BlackRock.)
     (b)(1)   Participation Agreement (BlackRock).


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     (b)(2)   Amendment to Participation Agreement (BlackRock).
     (c)   Participation Agreement (AIM/Invesco).
     (c)(1)   Amendment to Participation Agreement (AIM/Invesco).
     (c)(2)   Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement (AIM/Invesco).
     (c)(3)   Amendment to Participation Agreement (AIM/Invesco).
     (d)   Amended and Restated Participation Agreement (MFS).
     (e)   Form of Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement (AIM/Invesco).
     (f)   Form of Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement (AllianceBernstein).
     (g)   Form of Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement (BlackRock).
     (h)   Form of Rule 22c-2 Shareholder Information Agreement (MFS).
           (9)    None.
  (10)        None.
  (11)    Memorandum Describing the Insurance Company’s Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures. Filed herewith
  (12)    Opinion of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered. Filed herewith
  (13)    None.
  (14)    None.
  (15)    Auditors’ Consent. Filed herewith
  (16)    Powers of Attorney on behalf of: Blake S. Bostwick; Eric J. Martin; Mark W. Mullin; Jay Orlandi; David Schulz;C. Michiel van Katwijk. Filed herewith


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II, has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Denver and in the State of Colorado, on this 1st day of July 2019.

 

MERRILL LYNCH LIFE VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT II
(Registrant)
Transamerica Life Insurance Company
(depositor)
By: Blake S. Bostwick
 Director and President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 1, 2019:

 

Signatures

       

Title

  Date                
                                                         *                     
Blake S. Bostwick       Director and President     July 1, 2019                       
                                                         *       Controller, Senior Vice President      

Eric J. Martin

      and Assistant Treasurer     July 1, 2019  
                                                         *            

Mark W. Mullin

      Director and Chairman of the Board     July 1, 2019  
                                                         *       Director, Executive Vice President,      

Jay Orlandi

      Secretary and General Counsel     July 1, 2019  
                                                         *       Director, Chief Tax Officer and      

David Schulz

      Senior Vice President     July 1, 2019  
                                                         *       Director, Executive Vice President,      

C. Michiel van Katwijk

      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer     July 1, 2019  

  /s/Brian Stallworth                         

Brian Stallworth

      Attorney-in-Fact     July 1, 2019  


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

1. A. (1)(b)

   Resolution of TLIC Board authorizing Plan of Merger & attached Plan of Merger

1. A. (1)(c)

   Resolution of Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company Board authorizing Plan of Merger

1. A. (5)(a1)

   Flexible Premium Joint and Last Survivor Variable Life Insurance Policy

1. A. (5)(a2)

   Modified Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy

1. A. (5)(a3)

   Modified Single Premium Joint and Last Survivor Variable Life Insurance Policy

1. A. (5)(a4)

   Endorsement for Guaranteed Interest Division

1. A. (5)(a5)

   Policy Schedule R-GID for Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy

1. A. (5)(b1)

   Change of Insured Rider

1. A. (5)(b2)

   Flexible Premium Joint and Last Survivor Partial Withdrawal Rider

1. A. (5)(b3)

   Guarantee of Insurability Rider

1. A. (5)(b4)

   Guarantee of Insurability Rider

1. A. (5)(b5)

   Single Premium Immediate Annuity Rider

1. A. (5)(b6)

   Policy Schedule R-SPIA for Single Premium Immediate Annuity Rider

1. A. (5)(b7)

   Modified Single Premium Partial Withdrawal Rider

1. A. (5)(b8)

   Modified Single Premium Joint and Last Survivor Partial Withdrawal Rider

1. A. (5)(b9)

   Flexible Premium Partial Withdrawal Rider

1. A. (5)(b10)

   Backdating Endorsement

1. A. (5)(b11)

   Special Allocation Rider

1. A. (11)

   Memorandum Describing the Insurance Company’s Issuance, Transfer and Redemption Procedures

1. A. (12)

   Opinion of Counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered

1. A. (15)

   Auditor’s Consent

1. A. (16)

   Powers of Attorney