September 1, 2000



Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester MA 01653


RE: GROUP VEL ACCOUNT OF ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
    FILE NO. 333-39798/811-8704

Gentlemen:

In my capacity as Assistant Vice President and Counsel of Allmerica Financial
Life Insurance and Annuity Company (the "Company"), I have participated in the
preparation of this Pre-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement for
the Group VEL Account on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect
to the Company's group flexible premium variable life insurance policies.

I am of the following opinion:

1.      The Group VEL Account is a separate account of the Company validly
        existing pursuant to the Delaware Insurance Code and the regulations
        issued thereunder.

2.      The assets held in the Group VEL Account equal to the reserves and other
        Policy liabilities of the Policies which are supported by the Group VEL
        Account are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other
        business the Company may conduct.

3.      The group flexible premium variable life insurance policies, when issued
        in accordance with the Prospectuses contained in the Pre-Effective
        Amendment to the Registration Statement and upon compliance with
        applicable local law, will be legal and binding obligations of the
        Company in accordance with their terms and when sold will be legally
        issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

In arriving at the foregoing opinion, I have made such examination of law and
examined such records and other documents as in my judgment are necessary or
appropriate.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to this
Pre-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement of the Group VEL Account
on Form S-6 filed under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ Sheila B. St. Hilaire

                                    Sheila B. St. Hilaire
                                    Assistant Vice President and Counsel