CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this Pre-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement of the Group VEL Account of Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company on Form S-6 of our report dated February 1, 2000, relating to the financial statements of Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company, and our report dated April 3, 2000, relating to the financial statements of the Group VEL Account of Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company, both of which appear in such Prospectus. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Independent Accountants" in such Prospectus. /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Boston, Massachusetts September 15, 2000