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                                                              EXHIBIT 1.A.(5)(e)

                            ESTATE PRESERVATION RIDER


In addition to the Death Benefit of the policy, we, National Life Insurance
Company, will pay the Estate Preservation Benefit, subject to the terms of this
rider, when we receive at our Home Office due proof that both Insureds died
while this rider was in force. The dollar amount of the Estate Preservation
Benefit is stated in the Data Section.

The date of issue of this rider is the policy Date of Issue.

ESTATE PRESERVATION BENEFIT. We will pay the Estate Preservation Benefit to the
Beneficiary when we receive at our Home Office due proof that both Insureds died
while this rider was in force. We will pay the Estate Preservation Benefit in
one sum unless a Payment Option, as described in the policy to which this rider
is attached, is chosen. If the Estate Preservation Benefit is paid in one sum,
it shall be increased by interest from the date we receive proof of death of the
second of the Insureds to die to the date of payment. We will set the rate of
interest at not less than the Minimum Interest Paid on Death Claims percentage
shown in the Data Section.

The Estate Preservation Benefit will be decreased in proportion to any decrease
in the Face Amount of this policy.

COST OF ESTATE PRESERVATION BENEFIT. The Cost of Estate Preservation Benefit
rate on any day shall be based on the duration of this rider, the Insureds' then
Attained Ages, and the rate classes of the Insureds on the Date of Issue.

On any Monthly Policy Date, the Cost of Estate Preservation Benefit shall be:

1.   the Cost of Estate Preservation Benefit rate on such date divided by
     $1,000; multiplied times

2.   the Estate Preservation Benefit

We may change the Cost of Estate Preservation Benefit rates from time to time
based on our expectations of future experience. Any change in the Cost of Estate
Preservation Benefit rates shall apply to all riders of the same duration,
insuring persons of the same Attained Ages and rate classes as the Insureds. The
Cost of Estate Preservation Benefit rates shall not be greater than the rates
set forth in the Table of Guaranteed Maximum Cost of Estate Preservation Benefit
Rates shown in the Data Section.

SUICIDE LIMITATION. If either of the Insureds dies within two years of the date
of issue of this ride as the result of suicide, while sane or insane, we will
pay only the sum set forth in the Suicide Limitation provision of the policy.
Payment will be made to the Beneficiary.

INCONTESTABILITY. After this rider has been in force during the life of each
Insured for two years from its date of issue, we will not contest it.

CONSIDERATION. This rider is issued in consideration of the application for the
rider and the monthly cost of the rider. The rider and a copy of the application
for the rider shall become part of the policy on the date of issue of the rider.

TERMINATION.  This rider shall terminate on the earliest of:

1.   the first Policy Anniversary, if the Owner of the policy to which this
     rider is attached is not an irrevocable life insurance trust on that date;
     or

2.   the date the policy terminates; or

3.   any Monthly Policy Date requested, if before that date we receive at our
     Home Office written request

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     for termination; or

4.   the fourth Policy Anniversary.

When this rider terminates:

1.   all rights under this rider shall cease; and

2.   there will be no further monthly costs for this rider; and

3.   the policy will be considered separate and complete without this rider.


Signed for National Life Insurance Company at Montpelier, Vermont, as of the
date of issue, by


                                        Chairman of the Board
                                                 and
                                        Chief Executive Officer



7467(0398)