497 1 d497.htm 497 497

TRANSAMERICA LANDMARK VARIABLE ANNUITY

Issued Through

SEPARATE ACCOUNT VA B

By

TRANSAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Supplement dated August 6, 2010

to the

Prospectus dated May 1, 2010

This Prospectus Supplement must be accompanied or preceded

by the Prospectus for the

Transamerica Landmark Variable Annuity dated May 1, 2010.

Effective on or about August 16, 2010, the following new feature will be available for purchase and is being added to this prospectus.

The following hereby supplements SUMMARY section “5. EXPENSES” in the prospectus.

If you elect the Income LinkSM Rider, there is a rider fee during the accumulation phase of 0.90% (on an annual basis) of the withdrawal base charged quarterly.

The following hereby supplements SUMMARY Section 10. Additional Features in the prospectus.

 

 

You may elect to purchase an optional rider which provides you with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit that uses a higher withdrawal percentage for a defined period of time and then resets to a lower percentage. This feature is called the “Income LinkSM Rider.” If you elect the Income LinkSM Rider, you must allocate 100% of your policy value to one or more “designated investment option(s).” (See “Income LinkSM Rider - Designated Investment Options”.) You may lose the benefit of this rider if you take non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals. There is an extra charge for this rider.

The following hereby replaces the corresponding ANUITY POLICY FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLES in the prospecuts.

ANNUITY POLICY FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

The following describes the fees and expenses that you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering the policy.

Please be certain to review the notes following the fee table and expense examples for further information about the fees and charges presented. The order of the notes follows the order in which the fees and charges under the policy are presented in the fee tables and the expense examples.

The first section describes the fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that you buy the policy, surrender the policy, or transfer cash value between investment choices. State premium taxes may also be deducted. Excess interest adjustments may be made to amounts surrendered or applied to annuity payment options from cash value from the fixed account. (All fees are maximum for purchases made while this prospectus is effective unless otherwise noted.)

 

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Policy Owner Transaction Expenses:

  

Sales Load On Purchase Payments

     0

Maximum Surrender Charge (as a % of premium payments surrendered)

  

Base Policy

     8 %

Transfer Fee

   $ 0 - $10   

Special Service Fee

   $ 0 - $25   

The next section describes the fees and expenses that you will pay periodically during the time that you own the policy, not including portfolio fees and expenses. (All fees are maximum for purchases made while this prospectus is effective unless otherwise noted.)

 

Annual Service Charge

   $ 0 - $35 per policy

 

Separate Account Annual Expenses (as a percentage, annually, of average separate account value):

  

Base Separate Account Expenses:

  

Mortality and Expense Risk Fee

   1.15

Administrative Charge

   0.15

Total Base Separate Account Annual Expenses

   1.30
      

Optional Separate Account Expenses:

  

Annual Step-Up Death Benefit

   0.20

Liquidity Rider

   0.50

Fund Facilitation Fee

   0.30

Total Separate Account Annual Expenses with Highest Optional Separate Account Expenses

   2.30
      

Optional Rider Fees:

  

Additional Death Distribution (annual charge based on policy value)

   0.25

Additional Death Distribution+ (annual charge based on policy value)

   0.55

Living Benefits Rider (annual charge, a % of Total Withdrawal Base)

   0.90

Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider (annual charge, a % of withdrawal base):

  

Base Benefit Open Allocation Option (Maximum)

   1.85

Base Benefit Open Allocation Option (Current)

   1.10

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Maximum)

   2.00

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Current)

   1.25

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group B (Maximum)

   1.65

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group B (Current)

   0.90

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group C (Maximum)

   1.15

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group C (Current)

   0.40

Additional Benefits available with the Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider:

  

Death Benefit (Single Life Option)

   0.25

Death Benefit (Joint Life Option)

   0.20

 

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Income Enhancement Benefit (Single Life Option)

   0.15

Income Enhancement Benefit (Joint Life Option)

   0.30

Maximum Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits

   2.50
      

Current Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits

   1.75
      

Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider (annual charge, a % of withdrawal base):

  

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Maximum)

   2.00

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Current)

   1.25

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group B (Maximum)

   1.65

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group B (Current)

   0.90

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group C (Maximum)

   1.15

Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group C (Current)

   0.40

Additional Benefits available with the Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider:

  

Death Benefit (Single Life Option)

   0.25

Death Benefit (Joint Life Option)

   0.20

Income Enhancement Benefit (Single Life Option)

   0.15

Income Enhancement Benefit (Joint Life Option)

   0.30

Maximum Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits

   2.50
      

Current Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits

   1.75
      

Income LinkSM Rider (annual charge a - % of withdrawal base):

  

Base Benefit (Maximum)

   1.65

Base Benefit (Current)

   0.90

The next section shows the lowest and highest total operating expenses charged by the underlying fund portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2009 (before any fee waiver or expense reimbursements). Expenses may be higher or lower in future years. More detail concerning each portfolio’s fees and expenses is contained in the prospectus for each portfolio.

Total Portfolio Annual Operating Expenses (Expenses that are deducted from portfolio assets, including management fees, distribution and/or service 12b-1 fees, and other expenses):

 

Lowest Gross

   0.54

Highest Gross

   12.53

 

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The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the policy with the cost of investing in other variable annuity policies. These costs include policy owner transaction expenses, policy fees, separate account annual expenses, and portfolio fees and expenses.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the policy for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, the highest fees and expenses of any of the portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2009, and the base policy with the combination of available optional features or riders with the highest fees and expenses, including the Highest Fund Facilitation Fee, Annual Step-Up Death Benefit, Additional Death Distribution+ Rider, and Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider - Joint Life with additional Death Benefit and Income Enhancement options. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expense Examples:

If the policy is surrendered at the end of the applicable time period (without Liquidity Rider):

 

1 Year

   $ 2323

3 Years

   $ 4984

5 Years

   $ 7044

10 Years

   $ 10,549

If the policy is annuitized at the end of the applicable time period or if you do not surrender your policy (without Liquidity Rider):

 

1 Year

   $ 1603

3 Years

   $ 4354

5 Years

   $ 6594

10 Years

   $ 10,549

If the policy is surrendered at the end of the applicable time period (with Liquidity Rider):

 

1 Year

   $ 2367

3 Years

   $ 5080

5 Years

   $ 6708

10 Years

   $ 10,625

If the policy is annuitized at the end of the applicable time period or if you do not surrender your policy (with Liquidity Rider):

 

1 Year

   $ 1647

3 Years

   $ 4450

5 Years

   $ 6708

10 Years

   $ 10,625

Please remember that the Example is an illustration and does not represent past or future expenses. Your actual expenses may be lower or higher than those reflected in the Example. Similarly, your rate of return may be more or less than the 5% assumed in the Example.

For information concerning compensation paid for the sale of the policies, see “Distributor of the Policies.”

 

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NOTES TO FEE TABLE AND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

Annuity Policy Fee Table and Expense Examples: The fee table applies only to the accumulation phase and reflects the maximum charges unless otherwise noted. During the income phase the fees may be different than those described in the Fee Table. See section “5. Expenses”.

Policy Owner Transaction Expenses:

Maximum Surrender Charge: The surrender charge, if any is imposed, applies to each premium, regardless of how policy value is allocated among the investment choices. The surrender charge decreases based on the number of years since the premium payment was made.

If you select the Life with Emergency Cash® annuity payment option, you will be subject to a surrender charge after the annuity commencement date. See section “5. Expenses”.

Transfer Fee: The transfer fee, if any is imposed, applies to each policy, regardless of how policy value is allocated among the investment choices. There is no fee for the first 12 transfers per policy year. For additional transfers, the Company may charge a fee of $10 per transfer.

Special Service Fees: We may deduct a charge for special services, such as overnight delivery.

Annual Service Charge:

Annual Service Charge: The annual service charge is assessed on each policy anniversary and at surrender. The charge is waived if your policy value, or the sum of your premiums less all partial surrenders, is at least $50,000.

Separate Account Annual Expenses:

Mortality and Expense Risk Fee: The mortality and expense risk fee shown is for the accumulation phase with the base death benefit.

Optional Separate Account Expenses: Any optional separate account expense is in addition to the mortality and expense risk and administrative fees.

Fund Facilitation Fee: This daily fee is applied only to policy value in the subaccounts invested in the American Funds - Asset Allocation Fund - Class 2 (0.30%), American Funds - Bond Fund - Class 2 (0.30%), American Funds - Growth Fund - Class 2 (0.30%), American Funds - Growth-Income Fund - Class 2 (0.30%), American Funds - International Fund - Class 2 (0.30%), AllianceBernstein Balanced Wealth Strategy Portfolio - Class B (0.20%), GE Investments Total Return Fund - Class 3 (0.20%), the Franklin Templeton VIP Founding Funds Allocation Fund - Class 4 (0.15%), and the Transamerica BlackRock Global Allocation VP - Service Class (0.10%). See section “5. Expenses”.

Liquidity Rider: This fee is only charged for the first four policy years.

 

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Total Separate Account Annual Expenses with Highest Optional Separate Account Expenses: This reflects the base separate account expenses, the Annual Step-Up Death Benefit fee, the Liquidity Rider fee, plus the Fund Facilitation fee, but does not include any annual optional rider fees. The death benefits are mutually exclusive.

Optional Rider Fees:

Optional Rider Fees: In some cases, riders to the policy are available that provide optional benefits. There are additional fees (each year) for those riders.

Additional Death Distribution Rider and Additional Death Distribution+ Rider: This annual fee is a percentage of the policy value and is only deducted during the accumulation phase.

Living Benefits Rider: The annual fee is a percentage of the “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base. The “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancements if the rider is added in the first policy year). After the rider date, the “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base is equal to: the “principal back” Total Withdrawal Base on the rider date; plus subsequent premium payments; less subsequent “principal back” adjusted partial withdrawals.

Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider, Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider and Income LinkSM Rider - base benefit: The fee is a percentage of the Withdrawal Base. The Withdrawal Base on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancement, if the rider is added in the first policy year). During any rider year, the Withdrawal Base is equal to the Withdrawal Base on the rider date or most recent rider anniversary, plus subsequent premium payments, less subsequent Withdrawal Base adjustments.

Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider and Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider - Additional Benefits (Single Life and Joint Life Options): You may elect the Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider or the Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider with one or more of the following options - Death Benefit or Income Enhancement Benefit. The charge for each of these options is a percentage of the Withdrawal Base and is in addition to the base benefit fee.

Maximum Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 and Maximum Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider Fees with Highest Combination of Benefits: After the fifth rider anniversary, the base benefit rider fees can increase when there is an automatic step-up. These fee totals reflect the maximum fee increase resulting from an automatic step-up of the Withdrawal Base while the rider is in effect.

Maximum Total Income LinkSM Rider Fees: After the first rider anniversary, the base benefit rider fees can increase when there is an automatic step-up. This fee total reflects the maximum fee increase resulting from an automatic step-up of the Withdrawal Base while the rider is in effect.

Maximum Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits: This reflects the Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Maximum), the Death Benefit (Joint Life Option), plus the Income Enhancement Benefit (Joint Life Option).

Current Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.2 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits: This reflects the Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Current), the Death Benefit (Joint Life Option), plus the Income Enhancement Benefit (Joint Life Option).

 

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Maximum Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider Fees (Joint Life) with Highest Combination of Benefits: This reflects the Base Benefit Designated Allocation Group A (Maximum), the Death Benefit (Joint Life Option), plus the Income Enhancement Benefit (Joint Life Option).

Current Total Retirement Income ChoiceSM 1.4 Rider Fees (Joint life) with Highest Combination of Benefits: This reflects the Base Benefit Designated Allocation group A (Current), the Death Benefit (Joint Life Option), plus the Income Enhancement Benefit (Joint Life Option).

Total Portfolio Annual Operating Expenses:

Total Portfolio Annual Operating Expenses: The fee table information relating to the underlying fund portfolios was provided to the Company by the underlying fund portfolios, their investment advisors or managers, and the Company has not and cannot independently verify the accuracy or completeness of such information. Actual future expenses of the portfolios may be greater or less than those shown in the Table.

Expense Examples:

Expense Examples: The Example does not reflect premium tax charges or transfer fees. Different fees and expenses not reflected in the Example may be assessed during the income phase of the policy.

The following hereby supplements the “5. EXPENSES” section in the prospectus.

Income LinkSM Rider Fee

If you elect the Income LinkSM rider, then the rider fee, which is charged quarterly before annuitization, is 0.90% (on an annual basis) of the withdrawal base.

We will also deduct the rider fee pro rata upon full surrender of the policy or other termination of the rider. The rider fee is deducted from each investment choice in proportion to the amount of policy value in each investment choice.

The following hereby supplements the Income LinkSM Rider in the “10. ADDITIONAL FEATURES” section in the prospectus

Income LinkSM Rider

You may elect to purchase the optional Income LinkSM rider which, provides you with: (1) a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit that uses a higher withdrawal percentage for a defined period of time and then resets to a lower percentage (see the “Withdrawal Options and Percentages” section); and (2) an opportunity for increases in the rider withdrawal amount. This rider is available during the accumulation phase, and requires that you allocate 100% of your policy value in certain designated investment choices which are designed to help manage the Company’s risk

 

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and support the guarantees under the rider. The tax rules for qualified policies may limit the value of this rider. Please consult a qualified tax advisor before electing the Income LinkSM rider for a qualified policy. The date this rider is added to your policy is the “rider date.” You choose the date of the first Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal, which is the Income LinkSM rider start date.

Income LinkSM Rider– Base Benefit

Under this benefit, you can receive up to the rider withdrawal amount each Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year (first as systematic withdrawals from your policy value and, if necessary, as systematic payments from us), beginning on the Income LinkSM rider start date and lasting until the annuitant’s death (unless your withdrawal base is reduced to zero because of a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal; see Withdrawal Base Adjustments below). The first Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year begins on the Income LinkSM rider start date and each successive Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year begins thereafter on each anniversary of that date.

Income LinkSM Rider – Systematic Withdrawals. In order to begin receiving Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals, you must elect the withdrawal option and frequency (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually) through which you will receive the Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals (for qualified policies you will also have to elect whether or not to receive your minimum required distribution amount as calculated herein). Any change to the frequency of your Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals will take effect at the beginning of the next Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year. Any other withdrawal, regardless of amount or timing, is a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal. See “Withdrawal Base Adjustments”.

Of course, you can always withdraw any amount up to your cash value pursuant to your rights under the policy at your discretion however, withdrawals other than Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals (and certain minimum required distributions) will reduce the withdrawal base. See the “Appendix — Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Adjusted Partial Surrenders - Income LinkSM Rider” for an example showing the effect of a hypothetical withdrawal in more detail.

Please note:

 

 

You will begin paying the rider charge as of the date the rider takes effect, even if you do not begin taking withdrawals for many years, or ever. We will not refund the charges you have paid under the rider if you never choose to take withdrawals and/or if you never receive any payments under the rider.

 

 

We have designed this rider to allow for Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals from your policy value each Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year that are less than or equal to the rider withdrawal amount. You should not purchase this rider if you plan to take withdrawals in excess of the rider withdrawal amount or on a non-systematic basis, because such withdrawals may significantly reduce or eliminate the value of the guarantees provided by the rider.

 

 

Depending on which withdrawal option you elect, your withdrawal percentage will decrease after second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh withdrawal year.

 

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The longer you wait to start taking Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals under the rider, the less time you have to benefit from the guarantee because of decreasing life expectancy as you age. You should carefully consider when to begin making withdrawals. There is a risk that you will not begin making withdrawals at the most financially beneficial time for you.

 

 

Because the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit under this rider is accessed through regular Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals that do not exceed the rider withdrawal amount, the rider may not be appropriate for you if you do not foresee a need for liquidity and your primary objective is to take maximum advantage of the tax deferral aspect of the policy.

 

 

All policy value must be allocated to a limited number of specified funds. You should consult with your registered representative to assist you in determining whether these certain investment options are suited for your financial needs and risk tolerance.

 

 

Any withdrawal that is not an Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal (or certain minimum required distributions) will decrease the withdrawal base; the impact may be on a greater than dollar-for-dollar basis.

 

 

During any Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year, if there is a withdrawal base adjustment, the remaining rider withdrawal amount and the Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount will increase or decrease by the same percentage as the withdrawal base.

 

 

Upon the death of the annuitant (or the death of the surviving spouse if the joint option is elected), the Income LinkSM rider terminates and all benefits thereunder cease.

 

 

The only way to receive withdrawals (either Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals or minimum required distributions) without causing an adjustment to the withdrawal base is to use the Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal programs.

Like all withdrawals, Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals while this rider is in effect also:

 

 

reduce your policy value;

 

 

reduce the amount you can withdraw “adjustment free” as a minimum required distribution;

 

 

reduce your base policy death benefit and other benefits;

 

 

may be subject to surrender charges and excess interest adjustments;

 

 

may be subject to income taxes and federal tax penalties; and

 

 

may be limited or restricted under certain qualified policies.

Rider Withdrawal Amount. You can withdraw up to the rider withdrawal amount systematically each Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year from your policy value without causing an adjustment. See “Withdrawal Base Adjustments” below. You must use a systematic withdrawal program to withdraw your rider withdrawal amount. Such withdrawals are Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals. Any withdrawal other than an Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal is considered a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal and will result in a withdrawal base adjustment (except for certain minimum required distributions, see “Minimum Required Distribution”).

The annual rider withdrawal amount is zero until Income LinkSM rider start date. On the Income LinkSM rider start date and at the beginning of each Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year thereafter, the annual rider withdrawal amount is equal to the applicable withdrawal percentage (based on the withdrawal option you elect) multiplied by

 

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the withdrawal base. During any Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year, the rider withdrawal amount and Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount may be adjusted up or down as described in the Withdrawal Base Adjustment section.

Minimum Required Distribution: Prior to the Income LinkSM rider start date, the systematic withdrawal of the minimum required distribution amount (determined as set forth below) will not cause an adjustment. After the Income LinkSM rider start date, the withdrawal of the minimum required distribution amount (determined as set forth below) will not cause an adjustment to the withdrawal base; however, it must be withdrawn pursuant to an Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal program whereby you will receive your Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals and any remaining minimum required distribution amount as calculated herein distributed at the end of the applicable calendar year (not at the end of the applicable rider year).

If the plan participant (generally the annuitant) is at least 70 1/2 years old, you can withdraw via a systematic withdrawal option, an amount equal to any minimum required distribution amount (for the tax year on that rider anniversary) calculated using only: (1) the living annuitant’s age, (2) the IRS Uniform Lifetime table or, if applicable, the Joint Life and Survivor Expectancy table, (3) the policy value of the base policy, (including the present value of any additional benefits provided under the policy to the extent required to be taken into account under IRS guidance) and (4) amounts from the current calendar year (no carry-over from past years). Minimum required distribution amounts calculated as set forth above and taken via a systematic withdrawal option will not cause an adjustment under this provision of the rider. Any withdrawal during a calendar year will reduce the withdrawal base adjustment free minimum required distribution amount for that year.

Please note: If you want to change the mode of the systematic withdrawal through which you are receiving your “adjustment free” minimum required distribution, your change will not take effect until the next anniversary of your systematic withdrawal program. Likewise, if you stop a systematic withdrawal program you cannot restart a new systematic program until the date that would have been the anniversary of the systematic withdrawal program you stopped. (For example, if you started a monthly systematic withdrawal program to receive your “adjustment free” minimum required distribution amount on August 19, 2010, and stopped it on December 21, 2010, you could not restart a new systematic withdrawal program until August 19, 2011.)

If your policy value reaches zero, then you cannot make premium payments and all other policy features, benefits, and guarantees (except those provided by this rider) are terminated. In order to receive benefits guaranteed by this rider after your policy value reaches zero, you must select the amount and frequency of future payments. Once selected, the amount and frequency cannot be changed.

Please note:

 

 

The rider withdrawal amount will be zero until the Income LinkSM rider start date, however, you will still be charged a rider fee prior to this time.

 

 

You cannot carry over any portion of your rider withdrawal amount that is not withdrawn during an Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year for withdrawal in a future Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year. This means that

 

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if you do not take the entire rider withdrawal amount during an Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year, you cannot take more than the rider withdrawal amount in the next Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year and maintain the rider’s guarantees.

 

 

Non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals may cause you to lose the benefit of the rider.

 

 

All policy value must be allocated to a limited number of specified funds. (See “Designated Investment Options.”)

Withdrawal Options and Percentages. We use the withdrawal percentage to calculate the rider withdrawal amount. The withdrawal percentage is determined by the withdrawal option you select. The withdrawal percentages, categorized by withdrawal option, are as follows:

 

Withdrawal Option—

number years at increased

rate

 

Withdrawal

Percentage—

Single Life

                             Option                             

 

Withdrawal

Percentage—

Joint Life

                             Option                             

7 years

  5% for 7 years and 4% thereafter   4.5% for 7 years and 3.5% thereafter

6 years

  6% for 6 years and 4% thereafter   5.5% for 6 years and 3.5% thereafter

5 years

  7% for 5 years and 4% thereafter   6.5% for 5 years and 3.5% thereafter

4 years

  8% for 4 years and 4% thereafter   7.5% for 4 years and 3.5% thereafter

3 years

  9% for 3 years and 4% thereafter   8.5% for 3 years and 3.5% thereafter

2 years

  10% for 2 years and 4% thereafter   9.5% for 2 years and 3.5% thereafter

Please note, once established, the withdrawal percentage will not increase.

Withdrawal Base. We use the withdrawal base to calculate the rider withdrawal amount. The withdrawal base on the rider date is the policy value (less any premium enhancement, if the rider is added in the first policy year). During any rider year, the withdrawal base is equal to the withdrawal base on the rider date or most recent rider anniversary, plus subsequent premium payments, less subsequent withdrawal base adjustments due to non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals.

 

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Please note:

 

 

We determine the withdrawal base solely to calculate the rider withdrawal amount. Your withdrawal base is not a cash value, a surrender value, or a death benefit. It is not available for withdrawal, it is not a minimum return for any subaccount, and it is not a guarantee of policy value.

 

 

Because the withdrawal base is generally equal to the policy value on the rider date, the rider withdrawal amount may be lower if you delay electing the rider and the policy value decreases before you elect the rider.

On each rider anniversary, the withdrawal base will equal the greater of:

 

 

current withdrawal base or;

 

 

the Automatic Step-up amount (see “Automatic Step-Up” below).

Automatic Step-Up. On each rider anniversary, we will automatically step-up the withdrawal base to an amount equal to the greater of (1) the highest policy value on any monthiversary during the preceding rider year, if no non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal occurred, or (2) the policy value on the rider anniversary.

The rider fee percentage may increase (or decrease) at the time of any automatic step-up. The rider fee percentage will not exceed the maximum rider fee percentage in the fee table.

Please note:

 

 

The withdrawal base “steps-up” on rider anniversaries whereas a Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year begins on the Income Link SM rider start date and each anniversary thereof.

 

 

If an automatic step-up occurs, your remaining rider withdrawal amount and Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount is proportionally increased for the remainder of that Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year.

Automatic Step-Up Opt Out. Each time an automatic step-up results in a rider fee percentage increase, you have the option to reject the automatic step-up and reinstate the withdrawal base and rider fee percentage to their respective amounts immediately before the automatic step-up, provided that you do so within 30 days after the rider anniversary on which the automatic step-up occurred. We must receive your rejection (each time you elect to opt out), in good order, at our Administrative and Service Office within the same 30 day period after the rider anniversary on which the automatic step-up occurred. Opting out of one step-up does not operate as an opt-out of any future step-ups.

Withdrawal Base Adjustments. Premium additions will increase the withdrawal base on a dollar-for-dollar basis. See “Automatic Step-Up” for a description of how automatic step-ups increase the withdrawal base.

Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals up to the rider withdrawal amount will not reduce the withdrawal base. Non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals will reduce the withdrawal base, however, by the greater of the dollar amount of the withdrawal (if the policy value is greater than the withdrawal base) or a pro rata amount (in proportion to the reduction in the policy value when the policy value is less than the withdrawal base), possibly to zero. See “Appendix - Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Adjusted Partial Surrenders - Income LinkSM Rider” for examples showing the effect of hypothetical withdrawals in more detail. The effect of a negative adjustment is

 

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amplified if the policy value is less than the withdrawal base. See the “Appendix - Guaranteed Lifetime Benefit Adjustment Partial Surrenders - Income LinkSM Rider” for examples showing the effect of hypothetical non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals in more detail, including a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal that reduces the withdrawal base by a pro rata amount. Withdrawal base adjustments occur immediately following premium additions or non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals. If you take a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal that reduces your policy value (and withdrawal base) to zero, then the Income LinkSM rider will terminate and you will lose all its benefits.

Please Note: We do not monitor for non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals or notify you of withdrawal base adjustments. If you take a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal please note your Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount will be reduced.

Designated Investment Options. If you elect this rider, you must designate 100% of your policy value into one or more of the designated investment options:

Transamerica Asset Allocation - Conservative VP – Service Class

Transamerica PIMCO Total Return VP – Service Class

Transamerica Money Market VP – Service Class

Transamerica U.S. Government Securities VP – Service Class

Transamerica Foxhall Global Conservative VP – Service Class

Transamerica Index 35 VP – Service Class

American Funds - Bond Fund - Class 2

Fixed Account

Transfers between the designated investment options are allowed as permitted under the policy; however, you cannot transfer any amount (or allocate premium payments) to any non-designated investment option. Following the fifth rider anniversary you can terminate this rider. Starting the next business day, you may transfer (or allocate premium payments) to a non-designated investment option. Terminating the rider will result in losing all your benefits under the rider.

Please note:

 

 

The earliest you can transfer (or allocate premium payments) to a non-designated investment option is the first business day after the fifth rider anniversary. You will be required to terminate the rider first (and lose its benefits).

 

 

We can eliminate a designated investment option at any time. If this occurs, then a policy owner will be required to reallocate values in the affected designated investment options to other designated investment options that meet the allocation requirements.

 

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— (Continued)

 

Income LinkSM Rider– Joint Life Option

If you elect this rider, then you can also elect to postpone termination of the rider until the later of the annuitant or annuitant’s spouse’s death (only if the annuitant’s spouse continues the policy).

If you elect the Joint Life option, then the withdrawal percentage (used to calculate the rider withdrawal amount) is lower.

Please note:

 

 

The withdrawal percentage for each withdrawal option is lower if you elect this option.

 

 

The annuitant’s spouse must be either a joint owner along with the annuitant or the sole primary beneficiary (and there is no joint owner), if you elect this option.

 

 

A former spouse of the annuitant cannot continue to keep the policy in force if no longer married to the annuitant at the time of the annuitant’s death. In that event, the rider will terminate and no additional withdrawals under the rider will be permitted.

 

 

The annuitant’s spouse for purposes of this rider cannot be changed to a new spouse.

Income LinkSM Rider Fees

Income LinkSM Rider Fee. The rider fee is calculated on the rider date and at the beginning of each rider quarter. The rider fee will be adjusted for any premium additions and non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals during the rider quarter. It will be deducted automatically from your policy value at the end of each rider quarter.

On an annual basis, in general terms, the rider fee is the applicable “rider fee percentage” (see the Fee Table) times the withdrawal base.

The quarterly fee is calculated by multiplying (A) by (B) by (C), where:

 

  (A) is the withdrawal base;

 

  (B) rider fee percentage; and

 

  (C) is the number of remaining days in the rider quarter divided by the total number of days in the applicable rider year.

We will assess a prorated rider fee upon termination of the rider for the period beginning on the first day of the most recent rider quarter and ending on the date of termination.

Beginning on the first rider anniversary, the rider fee percentage may increase (or decrease) at the time of an automatic step-up. Each time an automatic step-up will result in a rider fee percentage increase, you will have the option to reject the automatic step-up and reinstate the withdrawal base and rider fee percentage to their respective amounts immediately before the automatic step-up (adjusted for any subsequent premium payments or

 

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— (Continued)

 

withdrawals), provided that you do so within 30 calendar days after the rider anniversary on which the automatic step-up occurred. We must receive your rejection, in good order, at our Administrative and Service Office within the 30 day period after the rider anniversary on which the automatic step-up occurred.

Please note regarding the rider fee:

 

 

Because the rider fee is a percentage of the withdrawal base, it could be a much higher percentage of your policy value, particularly in the event that your policy value decreases significantly.

 

 

Because the rider fee is a percentage of the withdrawal base, the amount of the rider fee we deduct will increase if the withdrawal base increases (although the percentage will remain the same).

Rider Fee Adjustment for Withdrawal Base Adjustments. A rider fee adjustment will also be calculated for subsequent premium payments and non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals because these events will change the withdrawal base. The rider fee adjustment will be calculated using the same formula as the rider fee and compare the fee for the remainder of the rider quarter to the initially calculated fee for the same period. The rider fee adjustment may be positive or negative and will be added to or subtracted from the rider fee to be collected.

We will also deduct the rider fee pro rata upon full surrender of the policy or other termination of the rider.

Income LinkSM Rider Issue Requirements

The Company will not issue the Income LinkSM rider unless:

 

 

the annuitant is at least 55 years old and not yet 81 years old (lower if required by state law);

 

 

the annuitant is also an owner (except in the case of non-natural owners);

 

 

there are no more than two owners; and

 

 

if the joint life option is elected, the annuitant’s spouse is at least 55 years old and not yet 81 years old (lower if required by state law) and (1) is a joint owner along with the annuitant or (2) is the sole primary beneficiary (and there is no joint owner).

Termination

The Income LinkSM rider will terminate upon the earliest of the following:

 

 

the date we receive written notice from you requesting termination of the rider if such notice is received by us following the fifth rider anniversary;

 

 

the death of the annuitant (or if the joint life option was elected, the death of the annuitant’s spouse if that spouse continued the policy as the surviving spouse);

 

 

annuitization (however, if you have reached your maximum annuity commencement date you may choose an annuitization option which guarantees you lifetime payments in an amount equal to your rider withdrawal amount); or

 

 

termination of your policy.

 

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— (Continued)

 

Please note: This rider terminates upon annuitization and there is a maximum annuity commencement date at which time your policy will be annuitized according to its terms. However, if you have reached your maximum annuity commencement date, we will allow you to annuitize your policy and elect to receive lifetime annuity payments which are at least equal to your rider withdrawal amount. Please contact us for more information concerning your options.

The Income LinkSM rider may vary for certain policies, may not be available for all policies, and may not be available in all states. This disclosure explains the material features of the Income LinkSM rider. The application and operation of the rider are governed by the terms and conditions of the rider itself.

 

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— (Continued)

 

The following hereby amends the corresponding table in the “Appendix Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Comparison Table” section in the prospectus.

 

Income LinkSM Rider

Benefit:

•   Provides:

 

(1) Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (“GLWB”)—i.e., a series of cash withdrawals (and payments from us, if necessary), which are based on a withdrawal percentage that is higher for a defined period and lower thereafter, regardless of the performance of the Designated Investment Option that you select.

(2) Automatic Step-Up—We will automatically step-up the withdrawal base on each rider anniversary. You can opt out of the automatic step-up if the automatic step-up would result in an increase in the rider fee percentage.

•   Additional Options:

 

(1) Joint Life Option—You may elect to postpone termination of the rider until the later of the death of the annuitant or the death of the annuitant’s spouse. The annuitant’s spouse must be either a joint owner (along with the annuitant) or the sole primary beneficiary (without a joint owner).

 

Availability:

 

•   At least 55 years old and not yet 81 years old (unless state law requires a lower maximum issue age)

 

Charges:

 

(1) 0.90% (single life and joint life) of withdrawal base on each rider anniversary

Investment Restrictions:

 

•   Designated Investment option—You must allocate 100% of your policy value to one or more investment options that we designate.

 

17


The following hereby amends the the corresponding APPENDIX section of the current prospectus.

APPENDIX

GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT

ADJUSTED PARTIAL SURRENDERS - INCOME LINKSM RIDER

When a withdrawal is taken, three parts of the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit can be affected:

 

1. Withdrawal Base (“WB”)

 

2. Rider Withdrawal Amount (“RWA”)

 

3.

Income LinkSM Rider Systematic Withdrawals (“ILSW”)

Withdrawal Base. Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals (and certain minimum required distributions) will not reduce the withdrawal base. Non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawals (and minimum required distributions calculated other than as provided for in the rider or not taken via a systematic withdrawal program) will reduce the withdrawal base by an amount equal to the greater of:

 

1)

the amount of the non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal (or non-qualifying minimum required distribution); and

 

2) a pro rata amount, the result of (A / B) * C, where:

 

  A is the amount in 1 above;

 

  B is the policy value prior to the withdrawal; and

 

  C is the withdrawal base prior to the withdrawal.

The following demonstrates, on a purely hypothetical basis, the effects of partial withdrawals under this guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit.

Assumptions:

WB = $100,000

RWA = 6% withdrawal would be $6,000 (6% of the current $100,000 withdrawal base)

ILSW = $500 per month

Non-ILSW = $10,000 (taken after the eighteenth monthly Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal)

PV = $90,000

Assumes single life withdrawal option of 6% for 6 years and 4% thereafter has been elected. Non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal occurs during the second Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year (which means the withdrawal percentage is 6%).

Result. For the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit, because there was a non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal, the withdrawal base needs to be adjusted and a new lower rider withdrawal amount and Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount calculated.

 

18


Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit — (Continued)

 

New withdrawal base:

Step One. The withdrawal base is reduced only by the amount of the amount of the non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal or the pro rata amount, if greater.

Step Two. Calculate how much the withdrawal base is affected by the non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal.

 

  1. The formula is (Non-ILSW / (PV before withdrawal)) * WB before any adjustments

 

  2. ($10,000 / ($90,000)) * $100,000 = $11,111

Step Three. Which is larger, the actual $10,000 non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal or the $11,111 pro rata amount? $11,111 pro rata amount.

Step Four. What is the new withdrawal base upon which the rider withdrawal amount is based? $100,000 - $11,111 = $88,889

Result. The new withdrawal base is $88,889. Please note the percentage reduction in the withdrawal base is used in calculating the revised RWA and ILSW.

New rider withdrawal amount:

Because the withdrawal base was adjusted (due to the non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal) we have to calculate a new (remaining) rider withdrawal amount. This calculation assumes no more non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal activity prior to the next Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year.

Question: What is the new (remaining) rider withdrawal amount for the remainder of the Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year?

$3,000 (the remaining rider withdrawal amount) - ($3000*11.11%) = $2,667

Result. Going forward, the maximum you can take out in a benefit year without causing a negative withdrawal base adjustment and further reduction of the withdrawal base (assuming there are no future automatic step-ups) is $5,333.

New Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount:

Because the withdrawal base was adjusted (due to the non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal) we have to calculate a new Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount. This calculation assumes no more non-Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal activity prior to the next Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year.

Question: What is the new Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount?

$500 (the old Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount) - ($500*11.11%) = $444

 

19


Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit — (Continued)

 

Result. Going forward (until the seventh Income LinkSM rider withdrawal year), the Income LinkSM rider systematic withdrawal amount (assuming there are no future automatic step-ups) is $444

 

20