EXHIBIT 23(A)



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
The Travelers Life and Annuity Company:

We consent to the use of our reports with respect to The Travelers Life and
Annuity Company, incorporated herein by reference. Our reports refer to changes
in the Company's methods of accounting for goodwill and intangible assets in
2002 and for derivative instruments and hedging activities and for securitized
financial assets in 2001.

We also consent to the use of our reports with respect to The Travelers
Insurance Company, incorporated herein by reference. Our reports refer to
changes in the Company's methods of accounting for variable interest entities in
2003, for goodwill and intangible assets in 2002, and for derivative instruments
and hedging activities and for securitized financial assets in 2001.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
March 31, 2004