EX-7 2 dex7.htm VARIABLE ANNUITY GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT REINSURANCE AGREEMENT Variable Annuity Guaranteed Death Benefit Reinsurance Agreement

VARIABLE ANNUITY GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT REINSURANCE

Effective Date of May 1, 1997

Between

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(Albany, New York)

and

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(Hartford, Connecticut)

CG-J43411/97

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

  

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

  

INSURANCE COMPANY

Effective May 1, 1997

  
 

06244AO0597C

REINSURANCE AGREEMENT

Effective Date of May 1, 1997

between

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(Albany, New York)

and

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(Hartford, Connecticut)

INDEX

 

    

ARTICLE

         PAGE  

Access to Records

    XII         7   

Amounts at Risk

    II         3   

Arbitration

    XVII         8   

Automatic Excess Reinsurance

    III         4   

Claims

    VII         5   

Currency

    XIV         7   

DAC Tax Regulation Election

    XVIII         9   

Delays, Errors, or Omissions

    XIII         7   

Effective Date; Term and Termination

    XIX         10   

Extra Contractual Obligations

    IX         5   

Governing Law

    XX         12   

Hold Harmless

    XV         7   

Insolvency

    XVI         8   

Liability of Connecticut General

    IV         4   

Litigation

    X         6   

Notices

    XXI         13   

Offset

    XI         6   

Parties to the Agreement

    I         3   

Premium Accounting

    VI         5   

Reinsurance Premiums

    V         4   

Reserves

    VIII         5   

SCHEDULES

 

A    Maximum Limits of Reinsurance in Connecticut General
B    Policy Forms and Funds Subject to this Reinsurance Agreement
C    Limits and Rules of FIRST GREAT-WEST Life & Annuity
D    Basis Points and Reinsurance Premium Rates
E    Quarterly Reporting Format

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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REINSURANCE AGREEMENT

(hereinafter called Agreement)

between

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(hereinafter called First Great-West Life & Annuity)

and

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(hereinafter called Connecticut General or CIGNA Reinsurance)

It is agreed by the two companies as follows:

ARTICLE I - PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure solely to the benefit of First Great-West Life & Annuity and Connecticut General. This Agreement shall not and is not intended to create any right or interest in any third party and shall not and is not intended to create any legal relationship between either party and any third party, including, without limitation, annuitants, insureds, certificate holders, employees, dependents, beneficiaries, policy owners, applicants or assignees under any policy or contract issued by First Great-West Life & Annuity.

ARTICLE II - AMOUNTS AT RISK

 

  A.

The reinsurance death benefit is the excess of the guaranteed minimum death benefit over the contract value. At issue, the guaranteed minimum death benefit is equal to the initial contract value. If the annuitant or the non-annuitant owner dies before the date annuity payments commence, the death benefit is the greater of the annuity account value plus the market value adjustment, if applicable, as of the later of the date of death and the date a request for payment is received, less premium tax, if any; or the sum of contributions paid, less partial surrenders and periodic withdrawals, less premium tax, if any. Refer to Schedule C for a detailed description of the guaranteed minimum death benefit.

 

  B.

The contract value represents the owner’s invested assets in the funds in Schedule B as it appears in the records of First Great-West Life & Annuity before application of any surrender charges, on any given date.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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ARTICLE III - AUTOMATIC EXCESS REINSURANCE

 

  A.

On and after the Effective Date of this Agreement, subject to the limit of Connecticut General’s liability set forth in Schedule A and all other terms, conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement and the Schedules attached to and made a part hereof, First Great-West Life & Annuity shall cede and Connecticut General shall accept First Great-West Life & Annuity’s guaranteed death benefit liability under the Variable Annuity Contracts, as described in Article II A.

 

  B.

This Agreement covers only First Great-West Life & Annuity’s liability for claims paid under Variable Annuity Contracts written on forms and investment in funds which were reviewed by Connecticut General prior to their issuance. Forms, as supplemented by additional materials, and funds available as of the date of this Agreement are listed on Schedule B, attached hereto and made a part hereof. If First Great-West Life & Annuity intends to cede to Connecticut General liability with respect to a new form or fund, or a revised version of an approved form or fund, it must provide to Connecticut General written notice of such intention together with a copy of the proposed form, fund or revision, and a revised Schedule B.

 

  C.

First Great-West Life & Annuity shall provide written notice to Connecticut General of any changes in its published limits and rules identified on Schedule C, and Connecticut General shall have no liability pursuant to revised limits and rules unless and until Connecticut General provides written notice to First Great-West Life & Annuity that such revised limits and rules are acceptable.

ARTICLE IV - LIABILITY OF CONNECTICUT GENERAL

Connecticut General’s liability for reinsurance under this Agreement shall follow that of First Great-West Life & Annuity in every case, and be subject in all respects to the general stipulations, terms, clauses, conditions, waivers and modifications of the Variable Annuity Contracts.

In no event shall Connecticut General have any reinsurance liability unless the Variable Annuity Contract issued by First Great-West Life & Annuity is in force and the underwriting and issuance of coverage by First Great-West Life & Annuity constitutes the doing of business in a state of the United States of America in which First Great-West Life & Annuity is properly licensed and authorized to do business.

ARTICLE V - REINSURANCE PREMIUMS

Premiums for reinsurance subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be paid on a quarterly basis. Such premiums shall be calculated based on the average contract values and

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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basis points as defined in Schedule D.

ARTICLE VI - PREMIUM ACCOUNTING

First Great-West Life & Annuity shall forward to Connecticut General within sixty (60) days of the end of the reporting period a quarterly statement as set forth in Schedule E. First Great-West Life & Annuity shall also remit any premium due for the prior quarter along with an advance premium for the current quarter, in accordance with Article V.

ARTICLE VII - CLAIMS

 

  A.

First Great-West Life & Annuity is solely responsible for payment of its claims under the Underlying Annuity Contracts, policies, master contracts or certificates identified on Schedule B. First Great-West Life & Annuity shall provide Connecticut General with proof of claim, proof of claim payment and any other claim documentation requested by Connecticut General. Payment of reinsurance shall be made by Connecticut General in one sum regardless of the method of payment by First Great-West Life & Annuity and within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of the quarterly reinsurance statement, as set forth in Schedule E.

 

  B.

First Great-West Life & Annuity shall notify Connecticut General of its intentions to contest, compromise, or litigate a claim involving reinsurance. Connecticut General’s liability shall then be determined under the provisions of Articles IX and X.

ARTICLE VIII - RESERVES

The reserve credit for reinsurance of the variable annuity death benefit will be determined as described in the June 1996 MGDB Reserve Work Group Report of the American Academy of Actuaries.

ARTICLE IX - EXTRA CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

  A.

In no event shall Connecticut General be liable for extra contractual damages (whether they constitute Compensatory damages, Statutory penalties, Exemplary or Punitive damages) which are awarded against First Great-West Life & Annuity as a result of an act, omission or course of conduct by First Great-West Life & Annuity in connection with policies subject to this Agreement, unless Connecticut General shall have received notice of and concurred with the actions taken or not taken by First Great-West Life & Annuity which led to its liability, in which case Connecticut General shall pay its share of such liability. For this purpose, Connecticut General’s share shall be proportionate with its risk under the business

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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reinsured hereunder.

 

  B. The following definitions shall apply:

 

  (1)

Punitive damages and Exemplary damages are those damages awarded as a penalty, the amount of which is not governed nor fixed by statute.

 

  (2)

Statutory penalties are those amounts which are awarded as a penalty but fixed in amount by statute.

 

  (3)

Compensatory damages are those amounts awarded to compensate for the actual damages sustained and are not awarded as a penalty nor fixed in amount by statute.

ARTICLE X - LITIGATION

 

  A.

In the event of any action brought against First Great-West Life & Annuity under any Underlying Annuity Contract that is subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, First Great-West Life & Annuity shall provide a copy of such action and written notice of such action within five (5) business days from the date when First Great-West Life & Annuity received notice of the suit at its home office to Connecticut General. If Connecticut General is a party to action brought against First Great-West Life & Annuity, First Great-West Life & Annuity shall seek agreement by Connecticut General on the selection and appointment of local counsel to represent First Great-West Life & Annuity in such action.

 

  B.

First Great-West Life & Annuity and Connecticut General agree that all litigation costs, excluding the salaries of employees of First Great-West Life & Annuity and Connecticut General, shall be borne by First Great-West Life & Annuity. However, if First Great-West Life & Annuity and Connecticut General agree to jointly defend any litigation, litigation costs will be borne in proportion to the net liability borne by each party.

ARTICLE XI - OFFSET

Either party shall have, and may exercise at any time and from time to time, the right to offset any balance or amounts whether on account of premiums or on account of losses or otherwise, due from one party to the other under the terms of this Agreement. However, in the event of insolvency of First Great-West Life & Annuity subject to the provisions of Article XVI, offset shall only be allowed in accordance with the statutes and/or regulations of the state having

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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jurisdiction over the insolvency.

ARTICLE XII - ACCESS TO RECORDS

Connecticut General, or its duly authorized representative, shall have access (at any reasonable time) to all records of First Great-West Life & Annuity (including the right to photocopy documents) which pertain in any way to this reinsurance. The right of access shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE XIII - DELAYS, ERRORS OR OMISSIONS

No accidental delay, errors or omissions on the part of First Great-West Life & Annuity shall relieve Connecticut General of liability provided such delay, errors or omissions are rectified as soon as possible after discovery. However, Connecticut General shall not be liable with respect to any reinsurance which may have been inadvertently included in the premium computation but which ought not to have been included by reason of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Adjustment(s) of premiums payable and claims incurred as a result of delay, errors or omissions shall be limited to the year in which they are discovered and the calendar year prior to such discovery.

ARTICLE XIV - CURRENCY

All retentions and limits hereunder are expressed in United States dollars and all premium and loss payments shall be made in United States currency. For the purposes of this Agreement, amounts paid or received by Connecticut General in any other currency shall be converted into United States dollars at the rates of exchange on the date such transactions are entered on the books of Connecticut General.

ARTICLE XV - HOLD HARMLESS

 

  A.

Connecticut General shall indemnify and hold First Great-West Life & Annuity harmless from any and all liability, loss, damage, fines, punitive damages, penalties and costs, including expenses and attorney’s fees, which results from any negligence or willful misconduct of Connecticut General in fulfilling its duties and obligations under this Agreement or which results from any action which exceeds its authority under this Agreement.

 

  B.

First Great-West Life & Annuity shall indemnify and hold Connecticut General harmless

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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from any and all liability, loss, damage, fines, punitive damages, penalties and costs, including expenses and attorney’s fees, which results from any negligence or willful misconduct of First Great-West Life & Annuity in fulfilling its duties and obligations under this Agreement or which results from any action which exceeds its authority under this Agreement.

ARTICLE XVI - INSOLVENCY

In the event of insolvency of First Great-West Life & Annuity, the reinsurance under this Agreement shall be payable directly by Connecticut General to First Great-West Life & Annuity or to its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor on the basis of First Great-West Life & Annuity’s liability under the contracts reinsured without diminution because of the insolvency of First Great-West Life & Annuity or because the liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor of First Great-West Life & Annuity has failed to pay all or a portion of any claim. It is agreed, however, that the liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor of First Great-West Life & Annuity shall give prompt written notice to Connecticut General of the pendency of a claim against First Great-West Life & Annuity within a reasonable time after such claim is filed in the receivership, conservation, insolvency or liquidation proceeding and that during the pendency of such claim, Connecticut General may investigate such claim and interpose, at its own expense, in the proceeding where such claim is to be adjudicated, any defense or defenses that it may deem available to First Great-West Life & Annuity or its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor. The expense thus incurred by Connecticut General shall be chargeable, subject to the approval of the Court, against First Great-West Life & Annuity as part of the expense of conservation or liquidation to the extent of a pro-rata share of the benefit which may accrue to First Great-West Life & Annuity solely as a result of the defense undertaken by Connecticut General.

Where two or more reinsurers are involved in the same claim and a majority in interest elect to interpose defense to such claim, the expense shall be apportioned in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though such expense had been incurred by First Great-West Life & Annuity.

ARTICLE XVII - ARBITRATION

 

  A.

As a condition precedent to any right of action hereunder, any dispute between the parties with respect to the interpretation of this Agreement or any right, obligation or liability of either party, whether such dispute arises before or after termination of this Agreement, shall be submitted to arbitration upon the written request of either party. Each party shall select an arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the written request for arbitration. If either party refuses or neglects to appoint an arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the written request for

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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arbitration, the other party may appoint the second arbitrator. The two arbitrators shall select an umpire within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the second arbitrator. If the two arbitrators fail to agree on the selection of the umpire within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the second arbitrator, each arbitrator shall submit to the other a list of three umpire candidates, each arbitrator shall select one name from the list submitted by the other and the umpire shall be selected from the two names chosen by a lot drawing procedure to be agreed upon by the arbitrators.

 

  B.

The arbitrators and the umpire all shall be active or retired, disinterested executive officers of insurance or reinsurance companies.

 

  C.

The arbitration panel shall interpret this Agreement as an honorable engagement rather than merely as a legal obligation and shall make its decision considering the custom and practice of the applicable insurance and reinsurance business. The arbitration panel is released from judicial formalities and shall not be bound by strict rules of procedure and evidence.

 

  D.

The decision of the arbitration panel shall be final and binding on both parties. The arbitration panel may, at its discretion, award costs and expenses as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and interest. Judgment may be entered upon the final decision of the arbitration panel in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

  E.

All meetings and hearings before the arbitration panel shall be conducted in a place that is mutually agreed upon by both parties or in such place as directed by the panel.

 

  F.

Each party shall bear the expense of its own arbitrator and shall jointly and equally bear with the other party the expenses of the umpire and of the arbitration.

ARTICLE XVIII - DAC TAX REGULATION ELECTION

Connecticut General and First Great-West Life & Annuity hereby agree to make an election pursuant to Treasury Code Regulation Section 1.848-2(g)(8). This election shall be effective for all taxable years for which the Reinsurance Agreement remains in effect.

The terms used in this article are defined by reference to Regulation Section 1.848-2 promulgated on December 28, 1992.

Connecticut General and First Great-West Life & Annuity agree that the entity with net positive consideration for the reinsurance agreement for each taxable year will capitalize specified policy acquisition expenses with respect to the reinsurance agreement without regard to the general deductions limitation of Section 848(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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Connecticut General and First Great-West Life & Annuity agree to exchange information pertaining to the amount of net consideration under the reinsurance agreement each year to ensure consistency. To achieve this, First Great-West Life & Annuity shall provide Connecticut General with a schedule of its calculation of the net consideration for all reinsurance agreements in force between them for a taxable year by no later than May 1 of each year. Connecticut General shall advise First Great-West Life & Annuity if it disagrees with the amounts provided by no later than May 31, otherwise the amounts will be presumed correct and shall be reported by both parties in their respective tax returns for such tax year. If Connecticut General contests First Great-West Life & Annuity’s calculation of the net consideration, the Parties agree to act in good faith to resolve any differences within thirty (30) days of the date Connecticut General submits its alternative calculation and report the amounts agreed upon in their respective tax returns for such tax year.

ARTICLE XIX - EFFECTIVE DATE, TERM AND TERMINATION

 

  A.

The commencement date of this Agreement is May 1, 1997 and covers all annuity contracts issued through April 30, 2001 by First Great-West Life & Annuity under the policy forms shown in Schedule B. The Reinsurance provided hereunder shall be unlimited in duration and shall remain in effect until all annuity contracts have expired or been recaptured in accordance with the policies shown in Schedule B and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

  B.

Once each calendar year, First Great-West Life & Annuity shall have the option to recapture existing contracts beginning with the tenth (10th) anniversary of their reinsurance hereunder. Recapture must be made on an issue year basis, and no contracts can be recaptured unless all contracts with earlier issue years are recaptured.

 

  C.

Connecticut General shall have the option of terminating this Agreement for new business upon delivery of thirty (30) calendar days written notice to First Great-West Life & Annuity, within thirty (30) days of the happening of any of the following events:

 

  (1)

First Great-West Life & Annuity’s A. M. Best rating is reduced to a “C” or lower.

 

  (2)

First Great-West Life & Annuity’s domiciliary state’s insurance regulators take any regulatory action potentially adversely affecting its license to conduct business, including without limitation placement on a “watch list”.

 

  (3)

An order appointing a receiver, conservator or trustee for management of First Great-West Life & Annuity is entered or a proceeding is commenced for

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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rehabilitation, liquidation, supervision or conservation of First Great-West Life & Annuity;

 

  (4)

First Great-West Life & Annuity is merged, purchased or in any manner Great-West Lifeco is no longer the ultimate, majority owner of First Great-West Life & Annuity;

 

  (5)

First Great-West Life & Annuity withdraws from or substantially reduces the active marketing of policy forms identified in Schedule B.

 

  (6)

Failure by First Great-West Life & Annuity to pay premium in accordance with Article V. If, during the thirty (30) days notice period, Connecticut General receives all premiums in arrears and all premiums which may become due within the thirty (30) days notice period, the notice of termination shall be deemed withdrawn. In the event of termination under this paragraph, this Agreement may be reinstated upon the written consent of Connecticut General if, at any time within sixty (60) days of termination, First Great-West Life & Annuity pays and Connecticut General receives all premiums due and payable up to the date of reinstatement.

 

  D.

Connecticut General shall have the option of terminating this Agreement for existing business, upon delivery of ninety (90) calendar days written notice to First Great-West Life & Annuity where the following event occurs:

 

  (1)

Failure by First Great-West Life & Annuity to pay premium in accordance with Article V. If, during the ninety (90) days notice period, Connecticut General receives all premiums in arrears and all premiums which may become due within the ninety (90) days notice period, the notice of termination shall be deemed withdrawn. In the event of termination under this paragraph, this Agreement may be reinstated upon the written consent of Connecticut General if, at any time within sixty (60) days of termination, First Great-West Life & Annuity pays and Connecticut General receives all premiums due and payable up to the date of reinstatement.

 

  E.

First Great-West Life & Annuity shall have the option of terminating this Agreement for new business upon delivery of thirty (30) calendar days written notice to Connecticut General, within thirty (30) days of the happening of any of the following events:

 

  (1)

Connecticut General’s A. M. Best rating is reduced to a “C” or lower;

 

  (2)

Connecticut General’s domiciliary state’s insurance regulators take any regulatory

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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action potentially adversely affecting its license to conduct business, including without limitation placement on a “watch list”.

 

  (3)

An order appointing a receiver, conservator or trustee for management of Connecticut General is entered or a proceeding is commenced for rehabilitation, liquidation, supervision or conservation of Connecticut General;

 

  (4)

Connecticut General is merged, purchased or there is any other change in its ownership;

 

  F.

If this Agreement is terminated for new and existing business, Connecticut General shall be relieved of all liability to First Great-West Life & Annuity for claims incurred following the termination date of this Agreement under such Underlying Annuity Contracts issued by First Great-West Life & Annuity; and,

 

  G.

If this Agreement is terminated for new business only, Connecticut General will remain liable, after termination, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, with respect to all reinsurance effective prior to termination of the Agreement for new business.

 

  H.

Both parties shall continue to be entitled to all offset credits provided by Article XI up to the effective date of termination.

 

  I.

Neither party shall have the right to assign or transfer any portion of their rights, duties and obligations under the terms and conditions of this Agreement without the written approval of the other party.

ARTICLE XX - GOVERNING LAW

 

  A.

All provisions, including arbitration, of the Agreement are subject to the laws of the State of New York.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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ARTICLE XXI - NOTICES

All notices required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed delivered if personally delivered, sent via facsimile, or dispatched by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the parties as follows:

Associate Manager, Reinsurance

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

8515 East Orchard Road

Englewood, CO 80111

Phone No. 303.689.4354            Fax No. 303.689.4350

Timothy J. Ruark, FSA

Assistant Vice President and Actuary

CIGNA Reinsurance

800 Cottage Grove Road

Hartford, CT 06152-4026

Phone No. 860.726.4053            Fax No. 860.726.3153

Notice shall be deemed given on the date it is deposited in the mail or sent via facsimile in accordance with the foregoing. Any party may change the address to which to send notices by notifying the other party of such change of address in writing in accordance with the foregoing.

The text of this Agreement and all Exhibits, Schedules and Amendments are considered to be the entire agreement between the parties. There are no other understandings or agreements between the parties regarding the policies reinsured other than as expressed in this Agreement. Either party may make changes or additions to this Agreement, but they will not be considered to be in effect unless they are made by means of a written amendment which has been signed by both parties.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed in duplicate on the dates indicated to be effective as of the date specified above.

 

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

        By:

  

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        Date:

  

May 14, 1997

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

        By:

  

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        Date:

  

May 15, 1997

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

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SCHEDULE A

Maximum Limits of Reinsurance in Connecticut General

The maximum purchase amount issued on the life of each insured:

$3,500,000

The maximum purchase amount is the sum of all premium contributions less withdrawals in the contract. For purchase amounts in excess of the maximum, Connecticut General’s death benefit liability will be reduced by the ratio of purchase amounts in excess of the maximum to the total purchase amounts.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

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  SCHEDULE A  

SCHEDULE B

Contracts and Funds Subject to this Reinsurance Agreement

 

Form

Number*

   

Policy Description

   

Date

J434   

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

    December 28, 1995

 

*

Includes all state variations

 

Fund Date

   

Fund Description

   

Fund Category

  

Federated Investors Insurance Management Series

   
  

Equity Growth and Income Portfolio

    Equity
  

U. S. Government Bond Portfolio

    Debt
  

INVESCO Variable Investment Funds, Inc.

   
  

INVESCO VIF-Industrial Income Portfolio

    Equity
  

INVESCO VIF-Total Return Portfolio

    Balanced
  

INVESCO VIF-High Yield Portfolio

    Debt
  

Janus Aspen Series

   
  

Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth Portfolio

    Equity
  

Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio

    Equity
  

Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio

    Equity
  

Lexington Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

   
  

Lexington Emerging Markets Fund

    Equity
  

Alger

   
  

Alger American Growth Fund

    Equity
  

Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio

    Equity
  

Schwab Annuity Portfolios

   
  

Schwab Asset Director-High Growth Fund

    Equity
  

Schwab S&P 500 Fund

    Equity
  

Schwab Money Market Portfolio

    Debt
  

SteinRoe Variable Investment Trust

   
  

SteinRoe Capital Appreciation Fund

    Equity
  

Strong Discovery Fund II, Inc

   
  

Strong Discovery Fund, II

    Equity
  

TCI Portfolios, Inc.

   
  

TCI Growth Portfolio

    Equity
  

TCI International Portfolio

    Equity

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

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  SCHEDULE B  

SCHEDULE B

 

Fund Date

   

Fund Description

   

Fund Category

  

Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust

   
  

Van Eck Gold and Natural Resources Fund

    Equity
  

Montgomery

   
  

Montgomery Growth Fund

    Equity
  

Montgomery International Small Cap Fund

    Equity

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

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  SCHEDULE B  

SCHEDULE C

Limits and Rules of First Great-West Life & Annuity

 

1)

First Great-West Life & Annuity will notify Connecticut General within seven (7) working days of written notice of death of any Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit obligation of $250,000 or more. Notification of claims less than $250,000 occur through normal quarterly reporting.

 

2)

The maximum purchase payment without company approval is $1,000,000.

 

3)

The minimum initial purchase payment is $1,000 for non-qualified plans and $1,000 for qualified plans.

Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit

Payment of Death Benefit

If the Owner or Annuitant dies before the date annuity payments commence, First Great-West Life & Annuity will pay proceeds to the Beneficiary the greater of:

 

•  

the annuity account value plus the market value adjustment, if applicable, as of the date the request for payment is received, less premium tax, if any; or

 

•  

the sum of contributions paid, less partial surrenders and periodic withdrawals, less premium tax, if any.

Distribution Rules

Upon the death of the Annuitant while the Owner is living, and before the annuity commencement date, the death benefit will be paid to the Beneficiary unless there is a surviving Contingent Annuitant. If a Contingent Annuitant was named, no death benefit will be payable by reason of the Annuitant’s death and the Contingent Annuitant will become the Annuitant.

If a corporation or other non-individual is an Owner, or if the deceased Annuitant is an Owner, the death of the Annuitant will be treated as the death of an Owner and will be subject to the death of an Owner provisions described below.

If the Owner dies before the annuity commencement date, and such Owner was the Annuitant, the following provisions shall apply:

 

•  

If there is a Joint Owner who is the surviving spouse of the deceased Owner and a Contingent Annuitant, the Joint Owner will become the Owner and Beneficiary, the Contingent Annuitant will become the Annuitant, and the certificate will continue in force:

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

LOGO

  SCHEDULE C  

SCHEDULE C

 

•  

If there is a Joint Owner who is the surviving spouse of the deceased Owner but no Contingent Annuitant, the Joint Owner will become the Owner, the Annuitant and the Beneficiary and may take the death benefit, or elect to continue the certificate in force.

 

•  

In all other cases, the death benefit will be paid to the Beneficiary, unless the sole Beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the deceased Owner and the Beneficiary requests to become the Owner and to continue the certificate in force.

If an Owner dies before the annuity commencement date and such Owner was not the Annuitant, the following provisions shall apply:

 

•  

If there is a Joint Owner who is the surviving spouse of the deceased Owner, the Joint Owner will become the Owner and Beneficiary and may take the death benefit or elect to continue the certificate in force.

 

•  

In all other cases, the death benefit will be paid to the Beneficiary, unless the sole Beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the deceased Owner and the Beneficiary requests to become the Owner and to continue the certificate in force.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

LOGO

  SCHEDULE C  

SCHEDULE D

Reinsurance Premiums and Basis Points

The reinsurance premiums shall be based on the older of the annuitant or the owner at the end of each quarter. First Great-West Life & Annuity shall determine the annuitant’s age at the time it prepares the quarterly exposure data submission for the variable annuity guaranteed death benefit, as set forth in Schedule E, attached hereto.

The Adjusted Aggregate Contract Value is the sum of the contract values in all of First Great-West Life & Annuity’s variable annuities subject to this Agreement, minus values attributable to amounts in excess of the maximum purchase amounts listed in Schedule A.

For each fund reinsured, as set forth in Schedule D, the reinsurance premium is the Adjusted Aggregate Fund Value times the fund rate as set forth in Schedule D. The Adjusted Aggregate Fund Value is the sum of the contract values covered by this reinsurance agreement, invested in a given fund, minus fund values attributable to amounts in excess of the maximum purchase amounts listed in Schedule A. The Adjusted Aggregate Fund Values times the premium rate will be remitted to Connecticut General in advance for the current quarter, at the time of settlement for the prior quarter.

The premium is based on average quarterly contract values within the two (2) annuitant age groups. Basis points (bps) shown below are annual and the Fund Category is as defined under Fund Type on Schedule B.

 

Fund Category

  

Below Age 60

  

Age 60 +

Fixed   1.4 bps   1.4 bps
Debt   1.4 bps   1.4 bps
Balanced   1.4 bps   2.6 bps
Equity   1.4 bps   4.6 bps

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

LOGO

  SCHEDULE D  

SCHEDULE E

Quarterly Reporting Format

 

1.

Following the end of each calendar quarter, the Quarterly Input Page, Fund/Exposure-Based exhibit (Schedule E-2) and the Quarterly Transaction Summary (Schedule E-3) or an exhibit of similar format must be prepared for each Qualified plan and Non-Qualified plan separately.

 

2.

The tabulation should be on an Adjusted Basis, which requires omission of excess contract values due to an issue amount in excess of $3.5 million.

 

3.

The tabulation is on a seriatim basis, with each contract contributing toward the totals for both exposure and aggregate contract value.

 

4.

First Great-West Life & Annuity can choose to report values a) as weighted averages during the quarter, or b) as of the end of the quarter. This election must be denoted on the submission.

 

5.

At year end reporting, a tabulation of exposures by age and sex based on a percentage decrease in account value by fund type as specified by the NAIC must be submitted for reserve purposes.

 

First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company

Flexible Premium Fixed and

Variable Deferred Group Annuity

Effective May 1, 1997

      

LOGO

  SCHEDULE E  

ARTICLE VIII - RESERVES

The reserve credit for reinsurance of the variable annuity death benefit will be determined as described in the June 1996 MGDB Reserve Work Group Report of the American Academy of Actuaries.

(Completely eliminate the 2nd paragraph of this article)

ARTICLE XVI - INSOLVENCY

In the event of insolvency of First Great-West Life & Annuity, the reinsurance under this Agreement shall be payable directly by Connecticut General to First Great-West Life & Annuity or to its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor on the basis of First Great-West Life & Annuity’s liability under the contracts reinsured without diminution because of the insolvency of First Great-West Life & Annuity or because the liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor of First Great-West Life & Annuity has failed to pay all or a portion of any claim. It is agreed, however, that the liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor of First Great-West life & Annuity shall give prompt written notice to Connecticut General of the pendency of a claim against First Great-West Life & Annuity within a reasonable time after such claim is filed in the receivership, conservation, insolvency or liquidation proceeding and that during the pendency of such claim, Connecticut General may investigate such claim and interpose, at its own expense, in the proceeding where such claim is to be adjudicated, any defense or defenses that it may deem available to First Great-West Life & Annuity or its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor. The expense thus incurred by Connecticut General shall be chargeable, subject to the approval of the Court, against First Great-West Life & Annuity as a part of the expense of conservation or liquidation to the extent of a pro-rata share of the benefit which may accrue to First Great-West Life & Annuity solely as a result of the defense undertaken by Connecticut General.

Where two or more reinsurers are involved in the same claim and a majority in interest elect to interpose defense to such claim, the expense shall be apportioned in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though such expense had been incurred by First Great-West Life & Annuity.

AMENDMENT NO. 11

To the Variable Annuity Guaranteed Death Benefit Reinsurance Agreement

Effective May 1, 1997

between

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

(Greenwood Village, Colorado)

and

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(Hartford, Connecticut)

This Agreement is hereby amended effective May 1, 2010 to add funds, mark funds that are no longer offered for investment and make other various updates to funds, including changes to fund names, as detailed in the attached “Summary of 2010 Schedule B Revisions”.

All other terms and conditions of the original Agreement, as amended, remain unchanged.

A new Schedule B is included with this amendment to reflect these additions and/or changes.

In witness whereof, this amendment is signed in duplicate on the dates indicated at the home office of each company.

 

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE &

    

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE &

ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

    

ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

  

 

    

By:

  

 

Title:

  

 

    

Title:

  

 

Date:

  

 

    

Date:

  

 

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE

    

CONNECTICUT GENERAL LIFE

INSURANCE COMPANY

    

INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

  

 

    

By:

  

 

Title:

  

 

    

Title:

  

 

Date:

  

 

    

Date:

  

 

SCHEDULE B

Contracts and Funds Subject to this Reinsurance Agreement

 

  Form

Number*

  

Policy Description

   

Date

J434

   Flexible Premium Fixed and    December 28, 1995
  Variable Deferred Group Annuity   

* Includes all state variations

     
    

Fund Description

   

Fund Category

ALGER

   

Alger Large Cap Growth Portfolio

   
  Class I-2 Shares    Equity-AAG-NY

Alger Mid Cap Growth Portfolio

   
  Class I-2 Shares    Equity-AMG-NY

ALLIANCE

   

AllianceBernstein VPS International Growth Portfolio

   
  Class A Shares    Equity-ABW-NY

AllianceBernstein VPS International Value Portfolio –

   
  Class A Shares    Equity-AIV-NY
  (closed to new investments eff 4-27-10)   

AllianceBernstein VPS Growth & Income Portfolio –

   
  Class A Shares    Equity-AGI-NY
  (closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)   

AllianceBernstein VPS Growth Portfolio –

   
  Class A Shares    Equity-AGP-NY
  (closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)   

AllianceBernstein VPS Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio-

   
  Class A Shares    Equity-ABS-NY

AMERICAN CENTURY

   

American Century VP Balanced Fund-

   
  Class I Shares    Balanced-ACB-NY

American Century VP Value Fund-

   
  Class I Shares    Equity-ACV-NY

American Century VP International Fund-

   
  Class I Shares    Equity-TCI-NY
  (closed to new investments eff 5-1-2006)   

American Century VP Mid Cap Value Fund

   
   

Class II Shares

 

   

Equity-AMV-NY

 

COLUMBIA

   

Columbia VIT Marsico 21st Century Fund

   
  Class B Shares    Equity-CMC-NY

Columbia VIT Small Cap Value Fund

   
  Class B Shares    Equity-CCV-NY

DELAWARE

   

Delaware VIP Small Cap Value Series-

   
 

Standard Class

   

Equity-DLS-NY

Delaware VIP Smid Cap Growth Series –

   
 

Standard Class

   

Equity-DGO-NY

DREYFUS

   

Dreyfus Investment Portfolios MidCap Stock Portfolio-

   
 

Initial Shares

   

Equity-DMS-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)

   

Dreyfus VIF Appreciation Portfolio

   
 

Initial Shares

   

Equity-DRC-NY

Dreyfus VIF Growth and Income Portfolio-

   
 

Initial Shares

   

Equity-DRG-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2006)

   

Dreyfus VIF Opportunistic Small Cap Portfolio

   
 

Initial Shares

   

Equity-DRS-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 4-29-2005)

   

DWS

   

DWS Blue Chip VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-SBC-NY

DWS Dreman Small Mid Cap Value VIP –

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-DSV-NY

DWS Health Care VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-DHC-NY

DWS Capital Growth VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-SCC-NY

DWS Strategic Value VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-SHR-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)

   

DWS Growth and Income VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-SCG-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)

   

DWS Large Cap Value VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-SLC-NY

DWS Small Cap Index Fund VIP

   
 

Class A Shares

   

Equity-BTS-NY

FEDERATED

     

Federated Capital Appreciation Fund II

   
 

Primary Shares

   

Equity-FAL-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 4-29-2005)

   

Federated Capital Income Fund II

    Balanced-FUF-NY
 

(closed to new investments eff 4-29-2005)

   

Federated Fund for U.S. Government Securities II

    Debt/Fixed-FUS-NY

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON

   

Franklin Small Cap Value Securities Fund

   
 

Class 2 Shares

   

Equity-FSV-NY

Templeton Foreign Securities Fund

   
 

Class 2 Shares

   

Equity-TFS-NY

INVESCO

   

INVESCO V.I. – Core Equity Fund

   
 

Series I Shares

   

Equity-III-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2006)

   

INVESCO V.I. – High Yield Fund

   
 

Series I Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-IHY-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 4-29-2005

   

INVESCO V.I. – Technology Fund

   
 

Series I Shares

   

Equity-ITF-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2008)

   

INVESCO V.I. International Growth Fund -

   
 

Series I Shares

   

Equity-AIG-NY

INVESCO V.I. Mid Cap Core Equity

   
 

Series I Shares

   

Equity-AME-NY

INVESCO V.I. Small Cap Equity

   
 

Series I Shares

   

Equity-ASE-NY

JANUS

   

Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio

   
 

Institutional Shares

   

Balanced-JAB-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2007)

   

Janus Aspen Flexible Bond Portfolio

   
 

Institutional Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-JAF-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2007)

   

Janus Aspen Overseas Portfolio

   
 

Institutional Shares

   

Equity-JAI-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2007)

   

Janus Aspen Worldwide Portfolio

   
 

Institutional Shares

   

Equity-JAW-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 4-29-2005)

   
    

JANUS (continued)

     

Janus Aspen Janus Portfolio

   
 

Institutional Shares

   

Equity-JAG-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2006)

   

Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio

   
 

Service Shares

   

Balanced-JBS-NY

Janus Aspen Flexible Bond Portfolio

   
 

Service Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-JFS-NY

Janus Aspen Overseas Portfolio

   
 

Service Shares

   

Equity-JIS-NY

LAZARD

   

Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Equity Series

   
 

Portfolio- Service Class Shares

   

Equity LRE-NY

LINCOLN

   

LVIP Baron Growth Opportunities Fund

   
 

Service Class Shares -

   

Equity-BRC-NY

MFS

   

MFS Utilities Series

   

 

Service Class Shares

   

Equity-MVU-NY

MFS International Value Portfolio

   
 

Service Class Shares

   

Equity-MVI-NY

NATIONWIDE

   

NVIT Mid Cap Index Portfolio

   
 

Class II Shares

   

Equity-DMI-NY

NEUBERGER BERMAN

   

Neuberger Berman AMT Regency Portfolio –

   
 

Class S Shares

   

Equity-NBR-NY

 

(closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)

   

OPPENHEIMER

   

Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund/VA

    Equity-OGS-NY

PIMCO

   

PIMCO VIT High Yield Portfolio

   
 

Administrative Class Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-PHY-NY

PIMCO VIT Total Return Admin

   
 

Administrative Class Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-PVR-NY

PIMCO VIT Low Duration Portfolio

   
 

Administrative Class Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-PLD-NY

    

PIONEER

     

Pioneer Fund VCT Portfolio

   
 

Class I Shares

   

Equity-SFE-NY

Pioneer Growth Opportunities VCT Portfolio

   
 

Class I Shares

   

Equity-SFG-NY

Pioneer Mid Cap Value VCT Portfolio –

   
 

Class II Shares

   

Equity-PMC-NY

PRUDENTIAL

   

Prudential Series Fund Equity Portfolio

   
 

Class II Shares

   

Equity-PRE-NY

PUTNAM

   

Putnam VT American Government Income Fund

   
 

Class IB Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-PAG-NY

Putnam VT Equity Income Fund

   
 

Class IB Shares

   

Equity-PTE-NY

ROYCE

   

Royce Capital Fund Small Cap Portfolio

   
 

Service Class Shares

   

Equity-RCS-NY

SCHWAB

   

Schwab MarketTrack Growth Portfolio II

    Equity-SAD-NY

Schwab Money Market Portfolio

    Debt/Fixed-SMM-NY

Schwab S&P 500 Portfolio

    Equity-SSP-NY

SELIGMAN

   

Seligman Communication and Information Fund

   
 

    Class II Shares

   

Equity-SCI-NY

SENTINEL

   

Sentinel Variable Products Bond Fund

    Debt/Fixed-SVB-NY

Sentinel Variable Products Common Stock Fund

    Equity-SVC-NY

Sentinel Variable Products Small Company Fund

    Equity-SVS-NY

THIRD AVENUE

   

Third Avenue Value Portfolio –

   
 

    Variable Series Trust Shares

   

Equity-TAV-NY

 

    (closed to new investments eff 5-1-2009)

   

TOUCHSTONE

   

Touchstone Mid Cap Growth Fund

   
 

    Class I Shares

   

Equity-TVM-NY

    

UNIVERSAL

     

Universal Institutional Funds

   

U.S. Real Estate Portfolio

   
 

    Class I Shares

   

Equity-MRE-NY

VAN ECK

   

Van Eck VIP Global Bond Fund

   
 

    Class I Shares

   

Debt/Fixed-VIB-NY

VAN KAMPEN

   

Van Kampen LIT Comstock Portfolio

   
 

    Class I Shares

   

Equity-VKC-NY

Van Kampen LIT Growth & Income Portfolio

   
 

    Class I Shares

   

Equity-VKG-NY

WELLS FARGO

   

Wells Fargo Advantage VT Opportunity Fund –

   
 

    Class VT Shares

   

Equity-SOF-NY

Wells Fargo Advantage VT Small Cap Value Fund

   
 

    Class 2 Shares

   

Equity-SSV-NY

 

    (closed to new investments eff 4-29-2005)