EXHIBIT 99(1)(b)


                                  CERTIFICATE
                                  -----------
                                        

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the Secretary of Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company (the "Company"); that the following vote was
adopted by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company at
a meeting duly held on the 12th day of November, 1997; and that said vote has
been neither rescinded nor modified, but remains in full force and effect:

     VOTED:

          That in connection with the development of a new survivorship variable
     universal life insurance product (the "SVUL Policy"), the Company establish
     a segment of Massachusetts Mutual Variable Life Separate Account I (the
     "Separate Account") in order to invest contributions received under the
     SVUL Policy; that the appropriate officers of the Company be, and each
     acting singly hereby is, authorized to execute all documents or take any
     other action which said officer deems necessary or advisable in order to
     permit the sale of the SVUL Policy, including the filing of  registration
     statements or amendments thereto with the United States Securities and
     Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory authorities; and that
     the chief executive officer or the chief operating officer of the Company
     be, and each acting singly hereby is, authorized to establish additional
     segments of the Separate Account or further divide any segment of the
     Separate Account into additional divisions, as such officer in his
     discretion deems necessary or appropriate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my hand and the seal of the Company
this 24th day of November, 1997.



                                    /s/ Thomas J. Finnegan, Jr.
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Secretary