1 EXHIBIT 8 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date s/ BART HERBERT, JR. President, Chairman of the Board December 19, 2000 - ---------------------- and Director Bart Herbert, Jr. 2 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date s/ BRENDA K. CLANCY Vice President and Director December 14, 2000 - --------------------- Brenda K. Clancy 3 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date s/ LARRY N. NORMAN Executive Vice President and Director December 13, 2000 - --------------------- Larry N. Norman 4 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date /s/ CRAIG D. VERMIE Vice President, Secretary, December 14, 2000 - ------------------- General Counsel and Director Craig D. Vermie 5 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date /s/ KATHLEEN M. MODZELEWSKI Vice President and Director December 13, 2000 - ---------------------------- Kathleen M. Modzelewski 6 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date s/ G. DOUGLAS MANGUM, JR. Senior Vice President and Director ___________, 2000 - --------------------------- G. Douglas Mangum, Jr. 7 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date s/ DOUGLAS A. SARCIA Vice President and Director December 18, 2000 - --------------------- Douglas A. Sarcia 8 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date /s/ BRIAN A. SMITH Vice President and Director December 15, 2000 - ------------------ Brian A. Smith 9 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date /s/ DAVID G. REKOSKI Senior Vice President December 15, 2000 - -------------------- and Director David G. Rekoski 10 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date /s/ MARTHA A. MCCONNELL Treasurer December 14, 2000 - ------------------------ Martha A. McConnell 11 POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, acting in the capacity or capacities stated opposite their respective names below on behalf of PEOPLES BENEFIT VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT A, a separate account established by Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company under the laws of the State of Iowa, hereby make, constitute, and appoint CRAIG D. VERMIE AND JOHN D. CLEAVENGER, and each of them, singularly, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power: (1) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a registration statement on Form S-6 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, on behalf of Peoples Benefit Variable Life Account A; (2) to sign and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to such Form S-6 registration statement including post-effective amendments pursuant to Rule 485 under the 1933 Act; and (3) to take any and all other actions of whatever kind or nature in connection with such registration statements which said attorneys-in-fact may deem advisable, including providing any certifications or exhibits, and making any requests for acceleration. Signature Title Date /s/ STEVEN CHAMBERLIN Vice President and Corporate Actuary December 19, 2000 - ------------------------ Steven C. Chamberlin