1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 2, 1998 REGISTRATION NO. 333-57681 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-6 FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2 WRL SERIES LIFE CORPORATE ACCOUNT (EXACT NAME OF TRUST) WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO (NAME OF DEPOSITOR) 201 HIGHLAND AVENUE LARGO, FLORIDA 33770 (COMPLETE ADDRESS OF DEPOSITOR'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) ------------------------ COPY TO: THOMAS E. PIERPAN, ESQ. STEPHEN E. ROTH, ESQ. WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP 201 HIGHLAND AVENUE 1275 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. LARGO, FLORIDA 33770 WASHINGTON, DC 20004-2415 (NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement SECURITIES BEING OFFERED: Variable Adjustable Life Insurance Policies ------------------------ THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 WRL SERIES LIFE CORPORATE ACCOUNT WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-8B-2 N-8B-2 ITEM CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS - ------ --------------------- 1 Cover Page 2 Western Reserve 3 Not applicable 4 Sale of the Policies 5 The Separate Account 6 The Separate Account 7 Not applicable 8 The Separate Account 9 Legal Proceedings 10 Summary; Premiums; Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value; Life Insurance Benefits; Other Policy Provisions and Benefits; Surrenders and Withdrawals; Loans; The Separate Account; Voting Privileges 11 The Separate Account 12 The Separate Account; Sale of the Policies 13 Charges and Deductions 14 Facts About the Policy -- Applying for a Policy 15 Premiums; Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value 16 Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value 17 Free-Look Period; Surrenders and Partial Withdrawals; Loans; Other Policy Provisions and Benefits 18 The Separate Account; Other Policy Provisions and Benefits 19 Reports to Owners 20 Not applicable 21 Loans 22 Other Policy Provisions and Benefits 23 Western Reserve's Directors and Executive Officers 24 Not applicable 25 Western Reserve 26 Not applicable 27 Western Reserve 28 Western Reserve's Directors and Executive Officers 29 Western Reserve 30 Not applicable 31 Not applicable 32 Not applicable 33 Not applicable 34 Not applicable 35 Western Reserve and the Separate Account 36 Not applicable 37 Not applicable 38 Sale of the Policies 39 Sale of the Policies 40 Not applicable 3 N-8B-2 ITEM CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS - ------ --------------------- 41 Sale of the Policies 42 Not applicable 43 Not applicable 44 Policy Values 45 Not applicable 46 Policy Values 47 Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value 48 Not applicable 49 Not applicable 50 Not applicable 51 Premiums; Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value; Charges and Deductions; Surrenders and Partial Withdrawals 52 The Separate Account; Western Reserve 53 Federal Tax Considerations 54 Not applicable 55 Illustrations of Cash Value, Net Cash Value and Life Insurance Benefits 56 Not applicable 57 Not applicable 58 Not applicable 59 Financial Statements 4 PART I 5 VARIABLE ADJUSTABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED BY WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO AND WRL SERIES LIFE CORPORATE ACCOUNT This prospectus describes a variable adjustable life insurance policy (the "Policy") offered by Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio ("Western Reserve"). The Policy is designed to provide insurance protection on the life of the Insured named in the Policy, and at the same time provide the Owner with the flexibility to vary the amount and timing of premium payments and, within certain limits, to change the amount of Life Insurance Benefits payable under the Policy. An Owner may allocate Net Premiums and Cash Value to one or more of the 8 Subaccounts of the WRL Series Life Corporate Account (the "Separate Account"). The assets of each Subaccount are invested in one of the following corresponding mutual fund portfolios (each, a "Portfolio"): BT INSURANCE FUNDS TRUST: RUSSELL INSURANCE FUNDS: FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES: - ------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------- Small Cap Index Fund Multi-Style Equity Fund Prime Money Fund II Equity 500 Index Fund Aggressive Equity Fund EAFE(R) Equity Index Fund Non-U.S. Fund Core Bond Fund The prospectuses describing the Portfolios accompany this prospectus and provide information on the investment objectives and risks of investing in the Portfolios. The Owner bears the entire investment risk for Cash Value allocated to a Subaccount. The Policy has no guaranteed minimum Cash Value. The Policy provides a Life Insurance Benefit payable after the Insured's death, and a Cash Value that can be obtained by partially withdrawing amounts from the Policy or by completely surrendering the Policy. The amount of the Life Insurance Benefit may, and the Cash Value will, vary daily with the investment results of the Subaccounts and any additional premium payments. However, as long as the Policy remains in force, Western Reserve guarantees that the Life Insurance Benefit will never be less than the Face Amount of the Policy. While additional premium payments are not required under the Policy, additional premium payments may be necessary to prevent lapse if there is insufficient Cash Value. The Policy provides a free-look period whereby an Owner may cancel the Policy within 20 days after receiving it. Certain states may require a free-look period longer than 20 days. It may not be to your advantage to replace existing insurance with this Policy. THIS PROSPECTUS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED OR PRECEDED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES FOR THE PORTFOLIOS. PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUSES FOR THE PORTFOLIOS CAREFULLY AND RETAIN BOTH FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ALL STATES. THE POLICY IS NOT A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK OR DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION, AND THE POLICY IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THE POLICY INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PREMIUMS INVESTED. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Prospectus dated , 1998 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEFINITIONS................................................. 4 SUMMARY..................................................... 6 INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE INFORMATION........................... 10 Rates of Return........................................... 10 Illustrations of Cash Value, Net Cash Value and Life Insurance Benefits..................................... 11 WESTERN RESERVE AND THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT.................... 14 Western Reserve........................................... 14 The Separate Account...................................... 14 FACTS ABOUT THE POLICY...................................... 16 Availability of the Policy................................ 16 Applying for a Policy..................................... 16 Free-Look Period.......................................... 16 Premiums.................................................. 16 Policy Lapse and Reinstatement............................ 17 Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value................. 18 Policy Values............................................. 18 Transfer Privileges....................................... 19 Surrenders and Partial Withdrawals........................ 21 Loans..................................................... 21 Life Insurance Benefits................................... 22 Duration of the Policy.................................... 26 When Insurance Coverage Takes Effect...................... 26 Payment Options........................................... 27 CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS...................................... 27 Percent of Premium Load................................... 27 Deferred Sales Charge..................................... 28 Monthly Deductions........................................ 28 Administrative Charges.................................... 29 Portfolio Expenses........................................ 29 OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS AND BENEFITS........................ 29 Ownership................................................. 29 Assignment................................................ 30 Western Reserve's Right to Contest the Policy............. 30 Suicide Exclusion......................................... 30 Misstatement of Age or Sex................................ 30 Modification of the Policy................................ 31 Payments by Western Reserve............................... 31 Reports to Owners......................................... 31 Claims of Creditors....................................... 32 Dividends................................................. 32 Supplemental Benefits and/or Riders....................... 32 FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.................................. 32 Tax Status of the Policies................................ 32 Tax Treatment of Policy Benefits.......................... 33 2 7 OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES AND WESTERN RESERVE.... 35 Sale of the Policies...................................... 35 Voting Privileges......................................... 36 Western Reserve's Directors and Executive Officers........ 36 Additional Information.................................... 38 Experts................................................... 38 Legal Matters............................................. 38 Legal Proceedings......................................... 38 Year 2000 Matters......................................... 38 Financial Statements...................................... 38 THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON. 3 8 DEFINITIONS Accumulation Unit -- A unit of measurement used to calculate values under the Policy. Administrative Office -- The administrative office of Western Reserve located at 4333 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499, (610) 439-5253. Attained Age -- The Insured's age on the Effective Date, plus the number of complete Policy Years since the Effective Date. Beneficiary -- The person(s) to whom the Life Insurance Benefit proceeds are paid upon the death of the Insured. Cash Value -- During the free look period, the Cash Value is the amount in the General Account. After the free look period, the Cash Value is the sum of the value of the Policy's accumulation units in each Subaccount and the Loan Account. Code -- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Due Proof of Death -- Proof of death satisfactory to Western Reserve. Due Proof of Death may consist of the following: (a) a certified copy of the death record; (b) a certified copy of a court decree reciting a finding of death; or (c) any other proof satisfactory to Western Reserve. Effective Date -- The date shown in the Policy when insurance coverage is effective and monthly deductions commence under the Policy. The Effective Date is used to determine Policy Months, Policy Years, and Policy Anniversaries. If the Effective Date would fall on the 29th, 30th or 31st day of any month, the Effective Date will be the 28th day of the month. Face Amount -- A dollar amount selected by the Owner and shown in the Policy that is used to determine the Life Insurance Benefit. General Account -- Western Reserve's assets other than those allocated to the Separate Account or any other separate account established by Western Reserve. Indebtedness -- The Loan Amount plus any accrued loan interest. Insured -- The person whose life is insured by the Policy. Issue Age -- The Insured's age on the Effective Date. Lapse -- Termination of the Policy at the expiration of the Late Period while the Insured is still living. Late Period -- A 62-day period during which an Owner may make premium payments to cover the overdue (and other specified) monthly deductions and thereby prevent the Policy from lapsing. Life Insurance Benefit -- The amount payable to the Beneficiary under a Life Insurance Benefit Option before adjustments if the Insured dies while the Policy is in force. Life Insurance Benefit Option -- One of three options that an Owner may select for the computation of the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds. Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds -- The total amount payable to the Beneficiary if the Insured dies while the Policy is in force. The Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds includes reductions for any outstanding Indebtedness and any due and unpaid charges. Loan Account -- A portion of Western Reserve's General Account to which Cash Value is transferred to provide collateral for any loan taken under the Policy. Loan Account Value -- The Cash Value in the Loan Account. Loan Amount -- The Loan Amount on the last Policy Anniversary plus any new loans minus any loan repayments. On each Policy Anniversary, unpaid loan interest is added to the Loan Amount. 4 9 Monthly Deduction Day -- The same date in each succeeding month as the Effective Date. Whenever the Monthly Deduction Day falls on a date other than a Valuation Day, the Monthly Deduction Day will be deemed to be the next Valuation Day. Net Cash Value -- The amount payable on surrender of the Policy. It is equal to the Cash Value as of the date of surrender minus any outstanding Policy loan and any loan interest due. Net Premium -- The portion of any premium available for allocation to the Subaccounts equal to the premium paid less the applicable percent of premium load. 1940 Act -- The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. NYSE -- New York Stock Exchange. Owner -- The owner of the Policy, as shown in Western Reserve's records. All of the rights and benefits of the Policy belong to the Owner, unless otherwise stated in the Policy. Planned Premium -- The premium selected by the Owner as a level amount that he or she plans to pay on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis over the life of the Policy. Policy Anniversary -- The same date in each Policy Year as the Effective Date. Policy Month -- A one-month period beginning on the Monthly Deduction Day. Policy Year -- A twelve-month period beginning on the Effective Date or on a Policy Anniversary. SEC -- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Separate Account -- WRL Series Life Corporate Account, a separate investment account established by Western Reserve to receive and invest Net Premiums allocated under the Policy. Settlement Option -- The manner in which an Owner or Beneficiary elects to receive the amount of any surrender or partial withdrawal or the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds. Subaccount -- A subdivision of the Separate Account, the assets of which are invested in a corresponding Portfolio. Subaccount Value -- The Cash Value in a Subaccount. Target Premium -- An amount of premium used to determine the percent of premium load. It is equal to the seven-pay limit defined in Section 7702(A) of the Code. Valuation Day -- For each Subaccount, each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business except for days that a Subaccount's corresponding Portfolio does not value its shares. Valuation Period -- The period that starts at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on any Valuation Day and ends at the close of regular trading on the next succeeding Valuation Day. 5 10 SUMMARY The following summary of prospectus information is intended to provide a brief overview of the more significant aspects of the Policy and should be read in conjunction with the detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Under Western Reserve's current rules, the Policy will be offered to corporations and partnerships that meet the following conditions at issue: - a minimum of five (5) Policies are issued, each on the life of a different Insured; or - the aggregate annualized first-year planned periodic premium for all Policies is at least $100,000. 1. WHAT IS THE POLICY'S OBJECTIVE? The Policy's objective is to provide for: (1) the payment of a minimum Life Insurance Benefit to a Beneficiary upon the Insured's death; (2) the accumulation of Cash Value; and (3) surrender rights and Policy loan privileges. The Policy allows Owners to allocate Net Premiums to one or more Subaccounts of the Separate Account. Each Subaccount invests in a designated Portfolio. The amount and/or duration of the life insurance coverage and the Cash Value of the Policy are not guaranteed and may increase or decrease depending upon the investment experience of the Subaccounts. Accordingly, the Owner bears the investment risk of any depreciation in value of the underlying assets of the Separate Account but reaps the benefits of any appreciation in value. (See Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value -- Allocation of Net Premiums, p. .) 2. WHAT LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE POLICY? The Policy provides the payment of benefits upon the death of the Insured. The Policy contains three Life Insurance Benefit (also known as death benefit) options. Under Life Insurance Benefit Option 1, the Life Insurance Benefit is the greater of the Face Amount of the Policy, or a specified percentage multiplied by the Cash Value of the Policy on the date of death of the Insured. Under Life Insurance Benefit Option 2, the Life Insurance Benefit is the greater of the Face Amount of the Policy plus the Cash Value of the Policy on the date of death of the Insured, or a specified percentage multiplied by the Cash Value of the Policy on the date of death of the Insured. Under Life Insurance Benefit Option 3, the Life Insurance Benefit is the greater of the Face Amount of the Policy plus the cumulative premiums paid less cumulative partial withdrawals, or a specified percentage multiplied by the Cash Value of the Policy on the date of death of the Insured. Benefits under the Policy may be paid in a lump sum or under one of the settlement options set forth in the Policy. (See Payment of Policy Benefits -- Settlement Options, p. .) Certain optional insurance benefits are available under the Policy. The cost of these optional insurance benefits will be deducted from Cash Value as part of the monthly deduction. (See Charges and Deductions -- Monthly Deductions From Your Cash Value, p. .) 3. HOW MAY THE AMOUNT OF THE LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT AND CASH VALUE VARY? Under any Life Insurance Benefit Option, as long as the Policy remains in force, the Life Insurance Benefit will not be less than the current Face Amount of the Policy. The Life Insurance Benefit may, however, exceed the Face Amount under certain circumstances. The amount by which the Life Insurance Benefit exceeds the Face Amount depends upon the option chosen and the Cash Value of the Policy. The amount of Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds will reflect reductions for any outstanding Indebtedness and any due and unpaid charges, and additions for any additional insurance benefits added by rider. (See Facts About the Policy -- Life Insurance Benefits, p. .) The Policy's Cash Value will reflect the amount and frequency of premium payments, the investment experience of the chosen Subaccounts, any partial withdrawals, and any charges imposed in connection with the Policy. The Owner bears the entire investment risk for amounts allocated to the Separate Account. 6 11 Western Reserve does not guarantee a minimum Cash Value. (See Facts About the Policy -- Policy Values, p. .) 4. MAY AN OWNER ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF THE LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT? The Owner has significant flexibility to adjust the Life Insurance Benefit payable by changing the Life Insurance Benefit Option type, and by increasing or decreasing the Face Amount of the Policy or adding riders to increase the total Life Insurance Benefit payable. The Life Insurance Benefit Option type may not be changed during the first Policy Year. (See Life Insurance Benefits -- Changing the Life Insurance Benefit Option, p. .) Owners also may not change the Face Amount during the first Policy Year. Any increase in the Face Amount will require additional evidence of insurability satisfactory to Western Reserve, and will result in additional charges. (See Facts About the Policy -- Life Insurance Benefits, p. ; and Monthly Deductions From Your Cash Value -- Cost of Insurance, p. .) 5. WHAT FLEXIBILITY DOES AN OWNER HAVE REGARDING PREMIUMS? An Owner has considerable flexibility concerning the amount and frequency of premiums. Western Reserve will require the Owner to pay an initial premium before insurance coverage is in force. Thereafter, an Owner may, subject to certain restrictions, make premium payments in any amount and at any frequency. (See Premiums, p. .) Each Owner will determine a schedule for premium payments ("Planned Periodic Premium"). The schedule will provide a premium payment of a level amount at a fixed interval over a specified period of time. The amount and frequency of Planned Periodic Premiums will be prescribed in the Policy and may be changed upon written request. (See Premiums, p. .) Failing to pay Planned Periodic Premiums will not itself cause the Policy to lapse, and paying Planned Periodic Premiums will not guarantee that the Policy remains in force. Additional premiums may be necessary to prevent lapse if the Net Cash Value is insufficient to pay certain monthly charges, and a Late Period expires without a sufficient payment. (See Policy Lapse and Reinstatement -- Lapse, p. .) 6. WHEN WILL THE POLICY LAPSE? The Policy will Lapse when Net Cash Value is insufficient to pay the monthly deduction, and a Late Period expires without a sufficient payment by the Owner. (See Charges and Deductions -- Monthly Deductions From Your Cash Value, p. ; and Policy Lapse and Reinstatement, p. .) Such a Lapse could happen if the investment experience has been sufficiently unfavorable to have resulted in a decrease in the Net Cash Value, or the Net Cash Value has decreased because not enough premiums have been paid to offset the monthly charges. 7. HOW ARE NET PREMIUMS ALLOCATED? The portion of the premium available for allocation ("Net Premium") equals the premium paid less the applicable percent of premium load. (See Charges and Deductions -- Charges Deducted From Premiums, p. .) The Owner initially determines the allocation of the Net Premium among the Subaccounts of the Separate Account, each of which invests in shares of a designated Portfolio. Each Portfolio has a different investment objective. (See Investments of the Separate Account, p. .) Until the end of the free-look period, all premiums will be allocated to the General Account, notwithstanding the allocation instructions in the application. (See Free-Look Period, p. ) The allocation of future Net Premiums may be changed without charge at any time by providing Western Reserve with written notification from the Owner, or by calling the Administrative Office at (610) 439-5253. An Owner may transfer Cash Value among the Subaccounts, subject to certain restrictions. The transfer will be effective on the first Valuation Date on or following the day appropriate notice of such transfer is received at the Administrative Office. (See Transfers, p. .) 7 12 8. IS THERE A "FREE-LOOK" PERIOD? The Policy provides a free-look period whereby the Owner may cancel the Policy within 20 days after receiving it. Certain states require a free-look period longer than 20 days, either for all Owners or for certain classes of Owners. In most states, Western Reserve will refund the greater of the Policy's Cash Value as of the date the Policy is returned or the amount of premiums paid, less any partial withdrawals. (See Free-Look Period, p. .) 9. MAY THE POLICY BE SURRENDERED? The Owner may totally surrender the Policy at any time and receive the Net Cash Value of the Policy. Subject to certain limitations, the Owner may also make partial withdrawals from the Policy at any time after the first Policy Year. (See Surrenders and Partial Withdrawals, p. .) If Life Insurance Benefit Option 1 is in effect, partial withdrawals will reduce the Policy's Face Amount by the amount of the partial withdrawal. If Life Insurance Benefit Option 3 is in effect and total partial withdrawals are greater than the sum of the premiums, the Face Amount is reduced by the amount of the partial withdrawals minus the sum of the premiums; otherwise the Face Amount is not reduced. 10. WHAT IS THE LOAN PRIVILEGE? After the first Policy Anniversary, an Owner may obtain a Policy loan in any amount (minimum $500) which is not greater than 90% of the Cash Value less any already outstanding loan. Western Reserve reserves the right to permit a Policy loan prior to the first Policy Anniversary for certain Policies. A loan taken from, or secured by, a Policy may be treated as a taxable distribution, and also may be subject to a penalty tax. (See Federal Tax Considerations, p. .) The interest rate on a Policy loan is 6.0% and is due in arrears on each Policy Anniversary and on the date the loan is repaid. The requested amount of a loan, plus interest for one year in advance, will be transferred from the Subaccounts to the Loan Account and credited at the end of each Policy Year with interest at a rate of 4% per year. Upon repayment of a loan, amounts in the Loan Account in excess of the outstanding value of the loan are currently transferred to the Subaccounts in the same manner as Net Premium allocations. There are risks involved in taking a Policy loan, a few of which include the potential for a Policy to lapse if projected earnings, taking into account any outstanding loans, are not achieved, as well as adverse tax consequences which occur if a Policy lapses with loans outstanding. (See Federal Tax Considerations -- Tax Treatment of Policy Benefits, p. .) 11. WHAT CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS ARE ASSESSED UNDER THE POLICY? Certain charges and deductions are assessed under the Policy to compensate Western Reserve for services and benefits provided, costs and expenses incurred, and risks assumed by Western Reserve in connection with the Policies. Some charges are assessed as percentages of Cash Value or premium payments, and others are assessed as a flat dollar amount. The charges and deductions under the Policy include the following: PERCENT OF PREMIUM LOAD. During the first Policy Year, Western Reserve deducts 11.5% of each premium received up to the Target Premium, and 4.5% of each premium received in excess of the Target Premium. After the first Policy Year, Western Reserve deducts 11.5% of each premium received up to the Target Premium, and 7.5% of each premium received in excess of the Target Premium. DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. On each Policy Anniversary during Policy Years 2 - 7, Western Reserve deducts a deferred sales charge equal to 1.5% of all premiums paid during the first Policy Year. MONTHLY DEDUCTION. Each month, Western Reserve makes a Monthly Deduction from the Cash Value to cover the cost of administering the Policies (Monthly Policy Charge), the cost of providing insurance protection under the Policy (including any insurance benefits provided by rider), and the mortality and expense risk charge. 8 13 MONTHLY POLICY CHARGE. A monthly charge equal to $16.50 in the first Policy Year, and $4.00 (current, $10 maximum) in subsequent Policy Years is deducted to compensate Western Reserve for the cost of administering the Policies. MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE. On each Monthly Deduction Day, Western Reserve deducts a mortality and expense risk charge equal to an annual rate of 0.45% (current, 0.90% maximum) of the Cash Value in the Subaccounts. TRANSFER CHARGE. Western Reserve reserves the right to apply a $25 transfer charge for each transfer after the first 12 transfers in any Policy Year. PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL CHARGE. A charge equal to the lesser of $25 or 2% of the amount requested is deducted to cover administrative expenses associated with each partial withdrawal. PORTFOLIO EXPENSES. The Portfolios incur investment advisory fees and other expenses that are reflected as an annual rate of the average daily net assets of each Portfolio. The levels of the fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 1997 vary among the Portfolios and are described below and in the prospectuses for the Portfolios: MANAGEMENT FEE OTHER TOTAL (AFTER WAIVER EXPENSES (AFTER WAIVER ANNUAL PORTFOLIO OR REIMBURSEMENT) OR REIMBURSEMENT) EXPENSES --------- ----------------- ---------------------- -------- Small Cap Index*............... 0.22% 0.23% 0.45% Equity 500 Index*.............. 0.11% 0.19% 0.30% EAFE(R) Equity Index*.......... 0.34% 0.31% 0.65% Multi-Style Equity**........... 0.22% 0.70% 0.92% Aggressive Equity**............ 0.26% 0.99% 1.25% Non-U.S.**..................... 0.0% 1.30% 1.30% Core Bond**.................... 0.0% 0.80% 0.80% Prime Money II***.............. 0.30% 0.50% 0.80% - --------------- * For the year ended December 31, 1997, the investment adviser voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee with respect to each Portfolio. Without such waiver, each Portfolio's management fee would have been equal to the following: Small Cap Index -- 0.35%; Equity 500 Index -- 0.20%; and EAFE(R) Equity Index -- 0.45%. The expense table reflects a voluntary undertaking by the investment adviser to waive or reimburse expenses such that the total annual expenses of the Portfolio for the fiscal year would not exceed the following percentages of the Portfolios' average daily net assets: Small Cap Index -- 0.45%; Equity 500 Index -- 0.30%; and EAFE(R) Equity Index -- 0.65%. Absent this undertaking, Total Annual Expenses would be the following: Small Cap Index -- 0.73%; Equity 500 Index -- 0.54%; and EAFE(R) Equity Index -- 0.85%. ** For the year ended December 31, 1997, the investment adviser of these Portfolios voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the management fee, up to the full amount of the fee, equal to the amount by which the Portfolio's total operating expenses exceed the amounts set forth under "Total Annual Expenses." Additionally, the investment adviser voluntarily agreed to reimburse each of these Portfolios for all remaining expenses after fee waivers which exceeded the amounts set forth above for each Portfolio under "Total Annual Expenses." Absent such waiver and reimbursement, the management fees and total annual expenses would have been 0.78% and 1.68% for Multi-Style Equity; 0.95% and 2.31% for Aggressive Equity; 0.95% and 5.31% for Non-U.S.; and 0.60% and 2.36% for Core Bond. *** For the year ended December 31, 1997, the investment adviser voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee. Without this waiver, the Portfolio's management fee would have been equal to 0.50%, and total annual expenses would have been 1.00%. 12. ARE TRANSFERS PERMITTED AMONG THE SUBACCOUNTS? An Owner may transfer Cash Value among the Subaccounts of the Separate Account. Each Policy Year, you may make 12 Cash Value transfers without incurring any charge. Each additional transfer in a Policy Year 9 14 may be subject to a transfer charge of $25. Western Reserve may at any time revoke or modify the transfer privilege. (See Transfers, p. .) 13. WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING A POLICY? Western Reserve intends for the Policy to satisfy the definition of a life insurance contract under Section 7702 of the Code. Under certain circumstances, a Policy may be treated as a "modified endowment contract" depending upon the amount of premiums paid in relation to the Life Insurance Benefit. (See Tax Treatment of Policy Benefits -- Modified Endowment Contracts, p. .) If the Policy is a modified endowment contract, then all pre-death distributions, including Policy loans and loans secured by a Policy, will be treated first as a distribution of taxable income to the extent of any gain and then as a return of basis or investment in the contract. In addition, any distributions of gains generally will be subject to a 10% penalty tax. If the Policy is not a modified endowment contract, distributions generally will be treated first as a return of basis or investment in the Policy and then as disbursing taxable income. Moreover, loans and loans secured by a Policy will not be treated as distributions. Finally, neither distributions nor loans from a Policy that is not a modified endowment contract are subject to the 10% penalty tax. For further elaboration on the tax consequences of a Policy, see Federal Tax Considerations, p. . In recent years, Congress has adopted new rules relating to life insurance owned by businesses and the President's Budget Proposal for 1999 has recommended additional restrictions on such life insurance. Any business contemplating the purchase of a new life insurance contract or a change in an existing life insurance contract should consult a tax adviser. The President's Budget Proposal for 1999 also recommends legislation that would adversely modify the tax treatment of variable life insurance and annuity contracts. These changes would restrict the flexibility currently available to holders of these products. You should consult a tax adviser with respect to legislative developments and their effect on the Policy. (See Federal Tax Considerations, p. .) INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE INFORMATION The information provided in this section shows the historical investment experience of the Portfolios and hypothetical illustrations of the Policy based on the historical investment experience of the Portfolios. It does not represent or project future investment performance. The Policies became available for sale and the Separate Account began operations in of 1998. The Portfolios' dates of inception are indicated in the table below. The rates of return shown below depict the actual investment experience of each Portfolio for the periods shown. The actual rate of return in each calendar year was assumed to be uniformly earned throughout that year. The actual performance of the Portfolios has and will vary throughout the year. Rates of Return The rates of return shown below are based on the Portfolios' actual investment performance, after the deduction of investment advisory fees and other expenses of the Portfolios. The rates are average annual compounded rates of return for the periods ended on December 31, 1997. These rates of return do not reflect the percent of premium load, deferred sales loads, or monthly deductions from Cash Value. Accordingly, these rates of return do not illustrate how actual investment performance will affect benefits under the Policies. Moreover, these rates of return are not an estimate, projection or guarantee of future performance. 10 15 AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUNDED RATES OF RETURN FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 SINCE PORTFOLIO (DATE OF INCEPTION) INCEPTION 1 YEAR ----------------------------- --------- ------ Small Cap Index (8/25/97)................................. 4.79% N/A Equity 500 Index (10/1/97)................................ 1.90% N/A EAFE(R) Equity Index (10/1/97)............................ -6.60% N/A Multi-Style Equity (1/2/97)............................... 28.53% N/A Aggressive Equity (1/2/97)................................ 35.07% N/A Non-U.S. (1/2/97) ........................................ 0.30% N/A Core Bond (1/2/97)........................................ 9.73% N/A Prime Money II (11/21/94)................................. 4.95% 4.93% Additional information regarding the Portfolios' investment performance appears in the prospectuses for the Portfolios. ILLUSTRATIONS OF CASH VALUE, NET CASH VALUE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS The following illustrations have been prepared to show how certain values under a hypothetical Policy would change with varying levels of assumed investment performance over an extended period of time. In particular, the illustrations show how the Cash Value, Net Cash Value and Life Insurance Benefit under a Policy with Life Insurance Benefit Option 3 covering an Insured of the male sex, non-tobacco and Age 35 on the Effective Date, would vary over time if premiums were paid annually and the return on the assets in the Portfolios were a uniform gross annual rate (before any expenses) of 0%, 6% or 12%. THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN ARE FOR PURPOSES OF ILLUSTRATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. Actual rates of return for a particular Policy may be more or less than the hypothetical investment rates of return and will depend on a number of factors including the investment allocations made by an Owner, prevailing rates and rates of inflation. Also, values would be different from those shown if the gross annual investment returns averaged 0%, 6%, and 12% over a period of years but fluctuated above and below those averages for individual Policy Years. The illustrations assume that the assets in the Portfolios are subject to an annual expense ratio of 0.862% of the average daily net assets. This annual expense ratio is based on the average of the expense ratios of each of the Portfolios for the last fiscal year and take into account current expense reimbursement arrangements. For information on Portfolio expenses, see the prospectuses for the Portfolios. The illustrations also reflect the application of the percent of premium load, the monthly Policy charge, the deduction of the deferred sales load, and the monthly deduction from Cash Value for the hypothetical Insured. Western Reserve's current cost of insurance charge, mortality and expense risk charges, and monthly Policy charge and the higher guaranteed maximum cost of insurance, mortality and expense risk and monthly Policy charges Western Reserve has the contractual right to charge are reflected in separate illustrations on each of the following pages. All the illustrations reflect the fact that no other charges for Federal or state income taxes are currently made against the Separate Account and assume no Loan Account Value or charges for supplemental benefits. After deduction of Portfolio expenses, the illustrated gross annual investment rates of return of 0%, 6% and 12% would correspond to approximate net annual rates for the Separate Account of -.862%, 5.138% and 11.138%, respectively. Net annual rates of return for the Separate Account are not equal to net annual rates of return for the Policy because the Separate Account rates do not reflect all charges to the Policy. The illustrations are based on Western Reserve's sex distinct rates for non-tobacco users. Upon request, Western Reserve will furnish a comparable illustration based upon the proposed Insured's individual circumstances. Such illustrations may assume different hypothetical rates of return than those illustrated in the following illustrations. 11 16 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE HYPOTHETICAL ILLUSTRATIONS MALE ISSUE AGE 35 Specified Amount: $250,000 Guaranteed Issue Class Annual Premium: $13,615 Life Insurance Benefit Option III USING CURRENT COST OF INSURANCE RATES - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT --------------------------------------------- ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL GROSS AND NET ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN OF END OF PREMIUMS --------------------------------------------- POLICY ACCUMULATED 0% (GROSS) 6% (GROSS) 12% (GROSS) YEAR AT 5% -.862% (NET) 5.138% (NET) 11.138% (NET) ------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------- 1.................... $ 14,296 $263,615 $ 263,615 $ 263,615 2.................... 29,306 277,230 277,230 277,230 3.................... 45,067 290,845 290,845 290,845 4.................... 61,616 304,460 304,460 304,460 5.................... 78,993 318,075 318,075 318,075 6.................... 97,238 331,690 331,690 338,040 7.................... 116,396 345,305 345,305 404,028 8.................... 136,512 358,920 360,787 473,547 9.................... 157,633 372,535 402,531 545,864 10................... 179,810 386,150 444,400 623,079 15................... 308,482 454,225 641,442 1,072,945 20................... 472,703 522,300 833,154 1,687,030 30................... 949,793 658,450 1,201,251 3,697,464 40................... 1,726,923 794,600 1,603,268 7,791,980 50................... 2,992,787 930,750 2,089,195 16,467,840 60................... 5,054,744 lapse 2,735,971 35,635,523 CASH VALUE NET CASH VALUE --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL GROSS AND NET ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL GROSS AND NET ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN OF ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN OF END OF --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- POLICY 0% (GROSS) 6% (GROSS) 12% (GROSS) 0% (GROSS) 6% (GROSS) 12% (GROSS) YEAR -.862% (NET) 5.138% (NET) 11.138% (NET) -.862% (NET) 5.138% (NET) 11.138% (NET) ------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------- 1.................... $ 11,847 $ 12,466 $ 13,187 $ 11,847 $ 12,466 $ 13,187 2.................... 23,468 25,331 27,583 23,468 25,331 27,583 3.................... 34,985 38,744 43,458 34,985 38,744 43,458 4.................... 46,415 52,753 60,995 46,415 52,753 60,995 5.................... 57,769 67,393 80,380 57,769 67,393 80,380 6.................... 69,049 82,701 101,819 69,049 82,701 101,819 7.................... 80,250 98,701 125,475 80,250 98,701 125,475 8.................... 91,570 115,637 151,778 91,570 115,637 151,778 9.................... 102,786 133,289 180,750 102,786 133,289 180,750 10................... 113,898 151,672 212,655 113,898 151,672 212,655 15................... 167,789 255,554 427,468 167,789 255,554 427,468 20................... 218,468 382,181 773,867 218,468 382,181 773,867 30................... 301,336 715,030 2,200,872 301,336 715,030 2,200,872 40................... 321,076 1,170,268 5,687,577 321,076 1,170,268 5,687,577 50................... 76,908 1,755,626 13,838,521 76,908 1,755,626 13,838,521 60................... lapse 2,510,066 32,693,140 lapse 2,510,066 32,693,140 - --------------- The hypothetical rates of return shown above are illustrative only and should not be deemed a representation of past or future investment rates of return. Actual rates of return may be more or less than those shown and will depend on a number of factors, including the investment allocations made by an Owner and the actual investment experience of the Portfolios. The Cash Value, Net Cash Value and Life Insurance Benefit for a Policy would be different from those shown if the actual rates of return averaged 0.00%, 6.00%, and 12.00% over a period of years, but also fluctuated above or below those averages for individual Policy Years. No representations can be made that these hypothetical rates of return can be achieved for any one year or sustained over any period of time. 12 17 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE HYPOTHETICAL ILLUSTRATIONS MALE ISSUE AGE 35 Specified Amount: $250,000 Guaranteed Issue Class Annual Premium: $13,615 Life Insurance Benefit Option III USING GUARANTEED COST OF INSURANCE RATES - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT --------------------------------------------- ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL GROSS AND NET ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN OF END OF PREMIUMS --------------------------------------------- POLICY ACCUMULATED 0% (GROSS) 6% (GROSS) 12% (GROSS) YEAR AT 5% -.862% (NET) 5.138% (NET) 11.138% (NET) - ------ ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------- 1.................... $ 14,296 $263,615 $ 263,615 $ 263,615 2.................... 29,306 277,230 277,230 277,230 3.................... 45,067 290,845 290,845 290,845 4.................... 61,616 304,460 304,460 304,460 5.................... 78,993 318,075 318,075 318,075 6.................... 97,238 331,690 331,690 331,690 7.................... 116,396 345,305 345,305 381,052 8.................... 136,512 358,920 358,920 444,632 9.................... 157,633 372,535 376,088 510,014 10................... 179,810 386,150 413,530 579,054 15................... 308,482 454,225 582,228 966,206 20................... 472,703 522,300 732,267 1,459,685 30................... 949,793 658,450 973,477 2,891,647 40................... 1,726,923 794,600 1,170,617 5,354,665 50................... 2,992,787 lapse 1,344,181 9,683,626 60................... 5,054,744 lapse 1,540,237 17,749,994 CASH VALUE NET CASH VALUE --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL GROSS AND NET ASSUMING HYPOTHETICAL GROSS AND NET ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN OF ANNUAL INVESTMENT RETURN OF END OF --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- POLICY 0% (GROSS) 6% (GROSS) 12% (GROSS) 0% (GROSS) 6% (GROSS) 12% (GROSS) YEAR -.862% (NET) 5.138% (NET) 11.138% (NET) -.862% (NET) 5.138% (NET) 11.138% (NET) - ------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------- 1.................... $ 11,430 $ 12,036 $ 12,744 $ 11,430 $ 12,036 $ 12,744 2.................... 22,490 24,299 26,487 22,490 24,299 26,487 3.................... 33,401 37,030 41,581 33,401 37,030 41,581 4.................... 44,158 50,243 58,162 44,158 50,243 58,162 5.................... 54,751 63,954 76,379 54,751 63,954 76,379 6.................... 65,175 78,176 96,396 65,175 78,176 96,396 7.................... 75,422 92,927 118,339 75,422 92,927 118,339 8.................... 85,689 108,442 142,510 85,689 108,442 142,510 9.................... 95,764 124,532 168,879 95,764 124,532 168,879 10................... 105,638 141,136 197,629 105,638 141,136 197,629 15................... 151,702 231,963 384,943 151,702 231,963 384,943 20................... 190,590 335,902 669,580 190,590 335,902 669,580 30................... 227,384 579,451 1,721,218 227,384 579,451 1,721,218 40................... 101,148 854,465 3,908,515 101,148 854,465 3,908,515 50................... lapse 1,129,564 8,137,504 lapse 1,129,564 8,137,504 60................... lapse 1,413,048 16,284,398 lapse 1,413,048 16,284,398 - --------------- The hypothetical rates of return shown above are illustrative only and should not be deemed a representation of past or future investment rates of return. Actual rates of return may be more or less than those shown and will depend on a number of factors, including the investment allocations made by an Owner and the actual investment experience of the Portfolios. The Cash Value, Net Cash Value and Life Insurance Benefit for a Policy would be different from those shown if the actual rates of return averaged 0.00%, 6.00%, and 12.00% over a period of years, but also fluctuated above or below those averages for individual Policy Years. No representations can be made that these hypothetical rates of return can be achieved for any one year or sustained over any period of time. 13 18 WESTERN RESERVE AND THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT WESTERN RESERVE Western Reserve was originally incorporated under the laws of Ohio on October 1, 1957. Western Reserve is engaged in the business of writing life insurance policies and annuity contracts. Western Reserve is admitted to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Western Reserve's main office is located at 201 Highland Avenue, Largo, Florida 33770; however, the mailing address is P.O. Box 5068, Clearwater, FL 33758-5068. Western Reserve's Administrative Office for this Policy is located at 4333 Edgewood Road NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499. Western Reserve is a wholly owned subsidiary of First AUSA Life Insurance Company ("First AUSA"), a stock life insurance company which is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc. ("AEGON"). AEGON is a financial services holding company whose primary emphasis is on life and health insurance and annuity and investment products. AEGON is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of AEGON nv, a Netherlands corporation, which is a publicly traded international insurance group. PUBLISHED RATINGS. Western Reserve may from time to time publish in advertisements, sales literature and reports to Owners, the ratings and other information assigned to it by one or more independent rating organizations such as A.M. Best Company ("A.M. Best"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Insurance Rating Services ("Standard & Poor's"), and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff & Phelps"). A.M. Best's and Moody's ratings reflect their current opinion of the relative financial strength and operating performance of an insurance company in comparison to the norms of the life/health insurance industry. Standard & Poor's and Duff & Phelps provide ratings which measure the claims-paying ability of insurance companies. These ratings are opinions of an operating insurance company's financial capacity to meet the obligations of its insurance policies in accordance with their terms and should not be considered as bearing on the investment performance of assets held in the Separate Account. Claims-paying ability ratings do not refer to an insurer's ability to meet non-policy obligations (i.e., debt/commercial paper). The ratings also do not relate to the performance of the Portfolios. THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT WRL Series Life Corporate Account (the "Separate Account") was established by Western Reserve as a separate account on December 8, 1997. The Separate Account meets the definition of a "separate account" under the Federal securities laws and its fiscal year ends on December 31. The Separate Account will receive and invest the Net Premiums paid under this Policy. The assets of the Separate Account are the property of Western Reserve. The Code of Ohio, under which the Separate Account was established, provides that the assets in the Separate Account attributable to the Policies are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business which Western Reserve may conduct. The assets of the Separate Account shall, however, be available to cover the liabilities of the General Account of Western Reserve to the extent that the Separate Account's assets exceed its liabilities arising under the Policies supported by it. The Separate Account is currently divided into 8 Subaccounts. Each Subaccount invests exclusively in shares of a single Portfolio. Income and both realized and unrealized gains or losses from the assets of each Subaccount of the Separate Account are credited to or charged against that Subaccount without regard to income, gains or losses from any other Subaccount of the Separate Account or arising out of any other business Western Reserve may conduct. Where permitted by applicable law, Western Reserve may make the following changes to the Separate Account: 1. Any changes required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or regulation; 2. Combine separate accounts, including the Separate Account; 3. Add new subaccounts to or remove existing subaccounts from the Separate Account or combine Subaccounts; 4. Make Subaccounts (including new subaccounts) available to such classes of Policies as Western Reserve may determine; 5. Add new portfolios or remove existing Portfolios; 14 19 6. Substitute new portfolios for any existing Portfolios if shares of the Portfolio are no longer available for investment or if Western Reserve determines that investment in a Portfolio is no longer appropriate in light of the purposes of the Separate Account; 7. Deregister the Separate Account under the 1940 Act if such registration is no longer required; and 8. Operate the Separate Account as a management investment company under the 1940 Act or as any other form permitted by law. No such changes will be made without any necessary approval of the SEC and applicable state insurance departments. Owners will be notified of any changes. INVESTMENTS OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT. The Subaccounts of the Separate Account invest in shares of the corresponding Portfolios. Each Portfolio is part of a series mutual fund which is registered with the SEC as an open-end diversified management investment company. Such registration does not involve supervision of the management or investment practices or policies of the Portfolios by the SEC. The assets of each Portfolio are held separate from the assets of the other Portfolios, and each Portfolio has investment objectives and policies which are different from those of the other Portfolios. Thus, each Portfolio operates as a separate investment fund, and the income or losses of one Portfolio generally have no effect on the investment performance of any other Portfolio. Certain Subaccounts and corresponding Portfolios may not be available to residents of some states. The investment objectives and policies of each Portfolio are summarized below. There is no assurance that any of the Portfolios will achieve its stated objective. The information below also identifies the investment adviser (and, where applicable, the investment sub-adviser) to each Portfolio. More detailed information, including a description of risks, can be found in the prospectuses for the Portfolios which should be read carefully. BT INSURANCE FUNDS TRUST (each Portfolio managed by Bankers Trust Global Investment Management): Small Cap Index seeks to replicate as closely as possible (before expenses) the return of the Russell 2000 Small Stock Index(R) ("Russell 2000"), an index consisting of 2,000 small-capitalization common stocks. This Portfolio will include the common stock of companies included in the Russell 2000, on the basis of computer-generated statistical data, that are deemed representative of the industry diversification of the entire Russell 2000. Equity 500 Index seeks to replicate as closely as possible (before deduction of expenses) the total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index(R) ("S&P 500"), an index emphasizing large-capitalization stocks. This Portfolio will include the common stock of those companies included in the S&P 500, other than Bankers Trust New York Corporation, selected on the basis of computer generated statistical data, that are deemed representative of the industry diversification of the entire S&P 500. EAFE(R) Equity Index seeks to replicate as closely as possible (before deduction of expenses) the total return of the Europe, Australia, Far East Index (the "EAFE Index"), a capitalization-weighted index containing approximately 1,100 equity securities of companies located outside the United States. RUSSELL INSURANCE FUNDS (each Portfolio managed by Frank Russell Investment Management Company): Multi-Style Equity seeks to provide income and capital growth by investing principally in equity securities. Aggressive Equity seeks to provide capital appreciation by assuming a higher level of volatility than is ordinarily expected from Multi-Style Equity by investing in equity securities. Non-U.S. seeks to provide favorable total return and additional diversification for U.S. investors by investing primarily in equity and fixed-income securities of non-U.S. companies, and securities issued by non- U.S. governments. Core Bond seeks to maximize total return, through capital appreciation and income by assuming a level of volatility consistent with the broad fixed-income market, by investing in fixed-income securities. FEDERATED INSURANCE SERIES (Portfolio managed by Federated Advisors): Prime Money II seeks current income consistent with stability of principal and liquidity by investing in high-quality money market instruments. 15 20 Shares of certain Portfolios are sold to separate accounts of insurance companies that may or may not be affiliated with Western Reserve or each other. In addition, shares of certain Portfolios are also sold to separate accounts to serve as the underlying investment for both variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. It is possible that a material conflict may arise between the interests of Owners of the Policies and owners of other variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts whose accumulation values are allocated to a Portfolio. Although neither Western Reserve nor the Portfolios currently foresee any such disadvantages, Western Reserve and each Portfolio's Board of Directors intend to monitor events in order to identify any material conflicts and to determine what action to take. Such action could include the sale of Portfolio shares by one or more of the separate accounts, which could have adverse consequences. Material conflicts could result from, for example, (1) changes in state insurance laws, (2) changes in Federal income tax laws, or (3) differences in voting instructions between those given by variable life insurance policy owners and those given by variable annuity contract owners. If the Board of Directors were to conclude that separate funds should be established for variable life and variable annuity separate accounts, Western Reserve will bear the attendant expenses, but variable life insurance policy owners and variable annuity contract owners would no longer have the economies of scale resulting from a larger combined fund. FACTS ABOUT THE POLICY AVAILABILITY OF THE POLICY Under Western Reserve's current rules, the Policy will be offered to corporations and partnerships that meet the following conditions at issue: - a minimum of five (5) Policies are issued, each on the life of a different Insured; or - the aggregate annualized first-year planned periodic premium for all Policies is at least $100,000. APPLYING FOR A POLICY To purchase a Policy, a completed application must be sent to the Administrative Office. Under Western Reserve's current rules, the minimum Face Amount of a Policy is generally $25,000. Policies will generally be issued to Insureds who supply satisfactory evidence of insurability sufficient to Western Reserve. Acceptance is subject to Western Reserve's underwriting rules and Western Reserve reserves the right to reject an application for any reason permitted by law. FREE-LOOK PERIOD An Owner may cancel a Policy for a refund during the "free-look period" by returning it to Western Reserve or to the sales representative who sold it. The free-look period expires 20 days after delivery of the Policy. Certain states may require a free-look period longer than 20 days. If you decide to cancel the Policy, the Policy is treated as if it had never been issued. Within seven calendar days after receiving the returned Policy, Western Reserve will refund an amount equal to the greater of the Cash Value as of the date the Policy is returned, or the premiums paid less any partial withdrawals. PREMIUMS PREMIUM FLEXIBILITY. Owners are not required to adhere to any rigid and inflexible premium schedule. Western Reserve may require the Owner to pay an initial premium. Thereafter, up to age 100 and subject to the maximum premium limitations described below, an Owner may make unscheduled premium payments at any time in any amount. When making premium payments during the first Policy Year, an Owner should consider the effect of the sales charge and the deferred sales charge. See Charges and Deductions -- Percent of Premium Load; and Deferred Sales Charge. PLANNED PERIODIC PREMIUMS. Each Owner will determine a Planned Periodic Premium schedule that provides for the payment of a level premium at a fixed interval over a specified period of time. The Owner is not required to pay premiums in accordance with this schedule. Furthermore, the Owner has considerable flexibility to alter the amount, frequency, and the time period over which Planned Periodic Premiums are paid. The payment of a Planned Periodic Premium will not guarantee that the Policy remains in force. Instead, the duration of the Policy depends upon the Policy's Net Cash Value. Thus, even if Planned Periodic 16 21 Premiums are paid by the Owner, the Policy will nonetheless lapse any time Net Cash Value is insufficient to pay certain monthly charges, and a Late Period expires without a sufficient payment being made. PREMIUM LIMITATIONS. In no event may the total of all premiums paid, both scheduled and unscheduled, exceed the current maximum premium limitations which qualify the Policy as life insurance according to Federal tax laws. If at any time a premium is paid which would result in total premiums exceeding the current maximum premium limitation, Western Reserve will only accept that portion of the premium which will make total premiums equal the maximum. Any part of the premium in excess of that amount will be returned and no further premiums will be accepted until allowed by the current maximum premium limitations allowed by Federal tax laws. PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS. Any payment made by check or money order must be payable to Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio. Payments made by the Owner will be treated as a premium payment unless clearly marked as loan repayments. Certain charges will be deducted from each premium payment. See Charges and Deductions. As an accommodation to Owners, Western Reserve will accept transmittal of initial and subsequent premiums of at least $1,000 by wire transfer. For an initial premium, the wire transfer must be accompanied by a simultaneous telephone facsimile transmission ("fax") of a completed application. An initial premium accepted via wire transfer with fax will be allocated in accordance with current procedures explained in the section entitled Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash Value -- Allocation of Net Premiums. An initial premium made by wire transfer not accompanied by a simultaneous fax, or accompanied by a fax of an incomplete application will be applied at the unit value next determined not later than two business days after receipt of an appropriate fax or a complete application. However, if Western Reserve cannot obtain the fax or essential information within five business days, Western Reserve shall inform the applicant of the reasons for the delay, and will return the initial premium to the applicant unless the applicant specifically consents to allow Western Reserve to retain the initial premium until the required fax or essential information is received. If the application with original signature is later received and the allocation instructions in that application, for any reason, are inconsistent with those previously designated on the fax, the initial premium will be reallocated on the first Valuation Day on or following the date the Policy is issued, in accordance with the allocation instructions in the application with original signature. Owners wishing to make payments via bank wire should instruct their banks to wire Federal Funds as follows: . First National Bank of Maryland ABA #052000113 For credit to account of Western Reserve #89487643 Include your name and Policy number on all correspondence. POLICY LAPSE AND REINSTATEMENT LAPSE. The failure to make a Planned Periodic Premium payment will not itself cause the Policy to Lapse. Lapse will only occur where Net Cash Value is insufficient to cover the monthly deduction, and a Late Period expires without a sufficient payment by the Owner. If the Net Cash Value is insufficient to cover the monthly deduction, the Owner must pay during the Late Period a payment at least sufficient to provide a Net Premium to cover the sum of the monthly deductions due within the Late Period. Such a lapse could happen if the investment experience has been sufficiently unfavorable to have resulted in a decrease in the Net Cash Value, or the Net Cash Value has decreased because not enough premiums have been paid to offset the monthly charges. If Net Cash Value is insufficient to cover the monthly deduction, Western Reserve will notify the Owner and any assignee of record of the minimum payment needed to keep the Policy in force. The Owner will then have a Late Period of 62 days, measured from the date notice is sent to the Owner, for Western Reserve to receive sufficient payments. If Western Reserve does not receive a sufficient payment within the Late Period, the Policy will lapse. If a sufficient payment is received during the Late Period, any resulting Net Premium will be allocated among the Subaccounts, and any monthly deductions due will be charged to such Subaccounts, in accordance with the Owner's then current instructions. (See Allocation of Premiums and Cash Value -- Allocation of Net Premiums, and Charges and Deductions -- Cash Value Charges.) If the 17 22 Insured dies during the Late Period, the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds will equal the amount of the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds immediately prior to the commencement of the Late Period, reduced by any due and unpaid charges. REINSTATEMENT. A lapsed Policy may be reinstated any time within five years after the date of Lapse by submitting the following items to Western Reserve: 1. A written application for reinstatement from the Owner; 2. Evidence of insurability satisfactory to Western Reserve; and 3. A premium that, after the charges against premiums, is large enough to cover the next two monthly deductions that will become due after the time of reinstatement. Western Reserve reserves the right to decline a reinstatement request. Upon approval of the application for reinstatement, the effective date of reinstatement will be the first Monthly Deduction Day on or next following the date Western Reserve approves the application for reinstatement. ALLOCATION OF NET PREMIUMS AND CASH VALUE NET PREMIUMS. The Net Premium equals the premium paid less any applicable percent of premium load. (See Charges and Deductions -- Percent of Premium Load). When an initial premium accompanies the application, monthly deductions from the Cash Value of the Policy commence on the Effective Date. ALLOCATION OF NET PREMIUMS. In the application for a Policy, the Owner will allocate Net Premiums to one or more of the Subaccounts of the Separate Account. Notwithstanding the allocation in the application, the initial premium, less charges, will be allocated during the free-look period to the General Account and will earn interest at an annual rate (minimum 4%) declared by Western Reserve. At the end of the free-look period, the Net Premium, including interest earned during the free-look period, is allocated to the Subaccounts as directed in the application. Western Reserve deems the Policy to be delivered four days after it is mailed for the purpose of allocating the Net Premium (including interest) at the end of the free-look period. (See Facts About The Policy -- Free-Look Period.) The minimum percentage of each premium that may be allocated to any Subaccount is 1%; percentages must be in whole numbers. The allocation of future Net Premiums may be changed without charge at any time by providing Western Reserve with written notification from the Owner, or by calling the Administrative Office. Western Reserve will employ the same procedures to confirm that such telephone instructions are genuine as it employs regarding telephone instructions for transfers among Subaccounts. See Transfer Privileges. Upon instructions from the Owner, the registered representative or agent of record may also change the allocation of future Net Premiums. Western Reserve reserves the right to limit the number of changes to the allocation of Net Premiums. Investment returns from the amounts allocated to Subaccounts of the Separate Account will vary with the investment experience of these Subaccounts and the Owner bears the entire investment risk. POLICY VALUES CASH VALUE. The Cash Value serves as the starting point for calculating certain values under a Policy. The Cash Value is the sum of all Subaccount Values and the Loan Account Value and therefore varies to reflect the investment experience of the Subaccounts to which it is allocated. The Cash Value is determined on the date the Policy is issued and on each Valuation Day thereafter. The Cash Value may be more or less than premiums paid. THERE IS NO GUARANTEED MINIMUM CASH VALUE. NET CASH VALUE. The Net Cash Value is the amount payable on surrender of the Policy. It is equal to the Cash Value as of the date of surrender minus any outstanding Indebtedness. SUBACCOUNT VALUE. The Subaccount Value of any Subaccount as of the end of the free-look period is equal to the amount of the initial Net Premium allocated to that Subaccount (including any interest credited during the free-look period). On subsequent Valuation Days, the Subaccount Value is equal to that part of any Net Premium allocated to the Subaccount and any Cash Value transferred to that Subaccount, adjusted by interest income, dividends, net capital gains or losses, realized or unrealized, and decreased by partial withdrawals and any Cash Value transferred out of that Subaccount. ACCUMULATION UNITS. For each Subaccount, Net Premiums allocated to a Subaccount or amounts of Cash Value transferred to a Subaccount are converted into Accumulation Units. The number of Accumulation Units credited to a Policy is determined by dividing the dollar amount of any Net Premium or transfer 18 23 directed to each Subaccount by the value of an Accumulation Unit for that Subaccount on the transaction date. Therefore, Net Premiums allocated to or amounts transferred to a Subaccount under a Policy increase the number of Accumulation Units of that Subaccount credited to the Policy. Certain events reduce the number of Accumulation Units of a Subaccount credited to a Policy. Partial withdrawals or transfers of Subaccount Value from a Subaccount result in the cancellation of the appropriate number of Accumulation Units of that Subaccount as do: surrender of the Policy; payment of the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds; Policy loans; and the deduction of the monthly deduction. Accumulation Units are canceled as of the end of the Valuation Period in which Western Reserve receives written notice regarding the event. These events are referred to as "Policy transactions." Accumulation Units are bought and sold each time there is a Policy transaction. The number of Accumulation Units in any Subaccount on any day is determined as follows: 1. From the Accumulation Units as of the prior Monthly Deduction Day, subtract the Accumulation Units sold to pay any partial withdrawals; 2. Add Accumulation Units bought with Net Premiums received since the prior Monthly Deduction Day; 3. Subtract Accumulation Units sold to transfer amounts into the Loan Account; 4. Add Accumulation Units bought with loan repayments; 5. Subtract Accumulation Units sold to transfer amounts to other Subaccounts; 6. Add Accumulation Units bought from amounts transferred from other Subaccounts. The number of Accumulation Units on a Monthly Deduction Day is the result of steps 1 through 6 above, minus the number of Accumulation Units sold to pay the monthly deduction charge. If the Monthly Deduction Day is a Policy Anniversary, the number of Accumulation Units will be increased by Accumulation Units bought with any amounts transferred from the Loan Account. ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE. The value of an Accumulation Unit on any Valuation Day is determined by multiplying the value of that Accumulation Unit on the immediately preceding Valuation Day by the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period. NET INVESTMENT FACTOR. The Net Investment Factor is an index applied to measure the investment performance of Accumulation Units of a Subaccount from one Valuation Period to the next. The Net Investment Factor for any Subaccount for any Valuation Period is determined by dividing 1 by 2, where: 1. is the result of: a. the net asset value per share of the Portfolio held in the Subaccount, determined at the end of the current Valuation Period; plus b. the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions made by the Portfolio held in the Subaccount, if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period; and 2. is the net asset value per share of the Portfolio held in the Subaccount, determined at the end of the immediately preceding Valuation Period. The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. TRANSFER PRIVILEGES GENERAL. Cash Value may be transferred among the Subaccounts. The amount of Cash Value available for transfer from any Subaccount is determined at the end of the Valuation Period during which the transfer request is received at the Administrative Office. The net asset value for each share of the corresponding Portfolio of any Subaccount is determined, once daily, as of the close of the regular business session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), which coincides with the end of each Valuation Period. (See Policy Benefits -- Cash Value -- Valuation Day and Valuation Period.) Therefore, any transfer request received after the close of the regular business session of the NYSE, on any day the NYSE is open, will be processed using the net asset value for each share of the applicable Portfolio determined as of the close of the regular business session of the NYSE, on the next day the NYSE is open for business. 19 24 The minimum amount that may be transferred is the lesser of $500 or the value of all remaining Accumulation Units in a Subaccount, unless Western Reserve agrees otherwise. The Subaccount from which a transfer is made must maintain a minimum balance of $500 after the transfer is completed. If the value of the remaining Accumulation Units in a Subaccount would be less than $500, Western Reserve has the right to include that amount as part of the transfer. Owners may make up to 12 transfers of Cash Value without charge during any one Policy Year. After these 12 transfers in a Policy Year, Western Reserve reserves the right to impose a charge of $25 for each subsequent transfer. The transfer charge will not be increased. All transfers made in any one day will be considered a single transfer and any transfer charges will be deducted on a pro-rata basis from each Subaccount from which a transfer was made. Transfers resulting from Policy loans, the exercise of exchange privileges, and the reallocation of Cash Value immediately after the free-look period, will not be treated as a transfer for the purpose of this charge. Owners may make transfer requests in writing, or by telephone. Written requests must be in a form acceptable to Western Reserve. The registered representative or agent of record for the Policy may, upon instructions from the Owner for each transfer, make telephone transfers upon request without the necessity for the Owner to have previously authorized telephone transfers in writing. Transfer requests made by telephone must be verified by a facsimile sent to the Administrative Office before the transfer is made. If, for any reason, an Owner does not want the ability to make transfers by telephone, the Owner should provide written notice to Western Reserve at the Administrative Office. All telephone transfers should be made by calling the Administrative Office. Western Reserve will not be liable for complying with telephone instructions it reasonably believes to be authentic, nor for any loss, damage, cost or expense in acting on such telephone instructions, and Owners will bear the risk of any such loss. Western Reserve will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. If Western Reserve does not employ such procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Such procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon such telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of such transactions to Owners, and/or tape recording telephone instructions received from Owners. Western Reserve may, at any time, revoke or modify the transfer privilege. Under Western Reserve's current procedures, it will effect transfers and determine all values in connection with transfers at the end of the Valuation Period during which the transfer request is received at the Administrative Office. ASSET REBALANCING PROGRAM. Western Reserve offers a program under which the Owner may authorize Western Reserve to transfer Cash Value periodically to maintain a particular percentage allocation among the Subaccounts. The Cash Value allocated to each Subaccount will grow or decline in value at different rates. The asset rebalancing program automatically reallocates the Cash Value in the Subaccounts at the end of each period to match the Policy's currently effective Net Premium allocation schedule. The asset rebalancing program is intended to transfer Cash Value from those Subaccounts that have increased in value to those Subaccounts that have declined in value. Over time, this method of investing may help an Owner buy low and sell high. This investment method does not guarantee gains, nor does it assure that any Subaccount will not have losses. To qualify for the asset rebalancing program, a minimum Cash Value of $10,000 for an existing Policy, or a minimum initial premium of $10,000 for a new Policy, is required. To participate in the asset rebalancing program, a properly completed asset rebalancing request form, which is available upon request, must be received by Western Reserve. Owners may elect rebalancing to occur on each quarterly, semi-annual or annual anniversary of the Effective Date. Following receipt of the asset rebalancing request form, Western Reserve will effect the initial rebalancing of Cash Value on the next such anniversary, in accordance with the Policy's current Net Premium allocation schedule. The amounts transferred will be credited at the unit value next determined on the dates the transfers are made. If a day on which rebalancing would ordinarily occur falls on a day on which the NYSE is closed, rebalancing will occur on the next day the NYSE is open. There is no charge for the asset rebalancing program. Any reallocation which occurs under the asset rebalancing program will not be counted towards the 12 free transfers allowed during each Policy Year. 20 25 The Owner may terminate participation at any time in the asset rebalancing program by oral or written request to Western Reserve. Participating in the asset rebalancing program will terminate automatically if any transfer is made to, or from, any Subaccount, other than on account of a scheduled rebalancing. If the Owner wishes to resume the asset rebalancing program after it has been canceled, a new asset rebalancing request form must be completed and sent to Western Reserve. The Owner may start and stop participation in the asset rebalancing program at any time; however, Western Reserve reserves the right to restrict entry into the asset rebalancing program to once per Policy Year. Western Reserve may discontinue, modify, or suspend, the asset rebalancing program at any time. SURRENDERS AND PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS SURRENDERS. At any time while the Insured is still living and the Policy is in force, the Owner may, by written request, surrender the Policy for its Net Cash Value. A surrender is effective as of the date on which a written request for surrender is received by Western Reserve. The Net Cash Value of the Policy is the Cash Value less any Indebtedness. Once the Policy is surrendered, all coverage and other benefits under it cease and it cannot be reinstated. A surrender may have tax consequences. See Federal Tax Considerations. PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS. After the first Policy Year, while the Insured is still living and the Policy is in force, an Owner may apply for a partial withdrawal. The request must be made in writing to the Administrative Office and the amount requested must be at least $500. The maximum amount that may be requested is the amount that would leave at least $500 remaining in the Subaccount from which the partial withdrawal is made. The amount withdrawn is deducted from each of the Subaccounts on a pro rata basis unless you specify otherwise in a written notice to the Administrative Office. Western Reserve generally will pay a partial withdrawal request within seven days following the Valuation Day the request is received. There is no limit on the number of partial withdrawals that may be made during a Policy Year. On each partial withdrawal, Western Reserve imposes a processing charge equal to the lesser of $25 or 2% of the amount requested. This charge is deducted on a pro-rata basis from each of the Subaccounts unless you provide other written instructions to the Administrative Office. If the Owner has selected Life Insurance Benefit Option 1, Western Reserve will reduce the Face Amount by the amount of the partial withdrawal. If Life Insurance Benefit Option 2 is in effect, the Face Amount will not be changed by the amount of the partial withdrawal. If Life Insurance Benefit Option 3 is in effect and the partial withdrawal is greater than the sum of the premiums paid, the Face Amount is reduced by the amount of the partial withdrawal minus the sum of the premiums paid; otherwise the Face Amount is not reduced. Western Reserve may reject any partial withdrawal if it would cause the Policy to fail to qualify as a life insurance contract under the Code or regulations or rulings thereunder. A partial withdrawal may have tax consequences. See Federal Tax Considerations. LOANS After the first Policy Year as long as the Policy remains in force, the Owner may borrow money from Western Reserve using the Policy as the only security for the loan. Western Reserve permits a Policy loan prior to the first Policy Anniversary for Policies issued pursuant to a transfer of cash values from another life insurance policy under Section 1035(a) of the Code. The maximum amount that may be borrowed is 90% of the Cash Value, less any already outstanding Policy loan. Western Reserve reserves the right to limit the amount of any Policy loan to not less than $500. Outstanding loans have priority over the claims of any assignee or other person. The loan may be repaid totally or in part. A loan which is taken from, or secured by, a Policy may have Federal income tax consequences. See Federal Tax Considerations. When a loan is requested, an amount equal to the requested loan amount plus interest in advance for one year will be withdrawn from each of the Subaccounts on a pro-rata basis, unless you specify otherwise in a written notice to the Administrative Office, and transferred to the Loan Account until the loan is repaid. The amount of the loan will normally be paid within seven days after receipt of a proper request in a manner permitted by Western Reserve. Postponement of loans may take place under certain conditions. Under Western Reserve's current procedures, at each Policy Anniversary, Western Reserve will compare the amount of the outstanding loan (including loan interest in advance until the next Policy Anniversary, if not paid) to the amount in the Loan Account (including interest credited to the Loan Account during the previous Policy Year). Western Reserve will also make this comparison any time the Owner repays all of the 21 26 loan, or makes a request to borrow an additional amount. At each such time, if the amount of the outstanding loan exceeds the amount in the Loan Account, Western Reserve will withdraw the difference from the Subaccounts and transfer it to the Loan Account in the same manner as when a loan is made. If the amount in the Loan Account exceeds the amount of the outstanding loan, Western Reserve will withdraw the difference from the Loan Account and transfer it to the Subaccounts in the same manner as current Net Premiums are allocated. No charge will be imposed for these transfers, and these transfers are not treated as transfers in calculating the transfer charge. INTEREST RATE CHARGED. The annual interest rate on a Policy loan is 6.0% and is due in arrears on each Policy Anniversary for the prior Policy Year and on the day the loan is repaid. Loan interest that is unpaid when due will be added to the amount of the loan and will bear interest at the same rate. On the date of the Insured's death, the date the Policy ends, the date of a loan repayment, or any other date Western Reserve specifies, any necessary adjustment will be made in the loan to reflect any interest accrued since the last Policy Anniversary. If an annual interest rate lower than 6% is set, any subsequent increase in the interest rate shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The effective date of any increase in the interest rate for Policy loans shall not be earlier than one year after the effective date of the establishment of the previous rate. (2) The amount by which the interest rate may be increased shall not exceed 1% per year, but the maximum annual interest rate will be 6%. (3) Western Reserve will give notice of the interest rate in effect when a loan is made and when sending notice of loan interest due. (4) If a loan is outstanding 40 days or more before the effective date of an increase in the annual interest rate, Western Reserve will notify you of that increase at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the increase. (5) Western Reserve will give notice of any increase in the annual interest rate whenever a loan is made during the 40 days before the effective date of the increase. LOAN ACCOUNT INTEREST RATE CREDITED. The amount in the Loan Account will accrue interest at an effective annual rate of 4%. Western Reserve may credit a higher rate, but it is not obligated to do so. EFFECT OF POLICY LOANS. A Policy loan affects the Policy, because the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds and Net Cash Value under the Policy are reduced by the amount of the loan. Repayment of the loan causes the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds and Net Cash Value to increase by the amount of the repayment. As long as a loan is outstanding, an amount equal to the loan plus interest in advance until the next Policy Anniversary is held in the Loan Account. This amount will not be affected by the Separate Account's investment performance. Amounts transferred from the Separate Account to the Loan Account will affect the Separate Account value because such amounts will be credited with an interest rate declared by Western Reserve rather than a rate of return reflecting the investment performance of the Separate Account. There are risks involved in taking a Policy loan, a few of which include the potential for a Policy to lapse if projected earnings, taking into account outstanding loans, are not achieved, as well as possible adverse tax consequences which could occur if a Policy lapses with loans outstanding. INDEBTEDNESS. Indebtedness equals the total of all Policy loans plus any loan interest accrued on the loans. If indebtedness exceeds the Cash Value, Western Reserve will notify the Owner and any assignee of record. If a sufficient payment equal to excess indebtedness is not received by Western Reserve within 31 days from the date notice is sent, the Policy will Lapse and terminate without value. The Policy, however, may later be reinstated. REPAYMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS. Indebtedness may be repaid any time. Payments made by the Owner while there is indebtedness will be treated as premium payments unless the Owner indicates that the payment should be treated as a loan repayment. If not repaid, Western Reserve may deduct indebtedness from any amount payable under the Policy. As indebtedness is repaid, the Policy's value in the Loan Account securing the indebtedness repaid will be transferred from the Loan Account to the Subaccounts in the same manner as current Net Premiums are allocated. Western Reserve will allocate the repayment of indebtedness at the end of the Valuation Period during which the repayment is received. 22 27 LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS GENERAL. Owners designate in the initial application one of three Life Insurance Benefit Options offered under the Policy: Life Insurance Benefit Option 1 ("Option 1"), Life Insurance Benefit Option 2 ("Option 2"), and Life Insurance Benefit Option 3 ("Option 3"). As long as the Policy remains in force, Western Reserve will, upon receiving due proof of the Insured's death, pay the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds of a Policy to the named Beneficiary in accordance with the designated Life Insurance Benefit Option. The amount of the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds payable will be determined at the end of the Valuation Period during which the Insured dies. The proceeds may be paid in a lump sum or under one or more of the settlement options set forth in the Policy. Western Reserve guarantees that as long as the Policy remains in force, the Life Insurance Benefit under any option will never be less than the Face Amount of the Policy, but the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds will reflect reductions for any outstanding Indebtedness and any due and unpaid charges. These proceeds will be increased by any additional insurance provided by rider. To qualify the Policy as life insurance under the Code, Owners may choose between two Life Insurance Benefit Compliance Tests -- either the Guideline Premium Test or the Cash Value Accumulation Test. The limitation percentages vary from one test to the other. (See Appendix A.) OPTION 1. The Life Insurance Benefit is the greater of the Face Amount of the Policy or the applicable percentage (the "limitation percentage") times the Cash Value on the date of death. Accordingly, under Option 1 the Life Insurance Benefit will remain level unless the limitation percentage times the Cash Value exceeds the Face Amount, in which case the amount of the Life Insurance Benefit will vary as the Cash Value varies. ILLUSTRATION OF OPTION 1. For purposes of this illustration, assume that the Insured's Attained Age is under 40, that there is no outstanding indebtedness, and that the Guideline Premium Test is chosen. Under Option 1, a Policy with a $50,000 Face Amount will generally pay $50,000 in Life Insurance Benefits. However, because the Life Insurance Benefit must be equal to or be greater than 250% of Cash Value, any time the Cash Value of the Policy exceeds $20,000, the Life Insurance Benefit will exceed the $50,000 Face Amount. Each additional dollar added to Cash Value above $20,000 will increase the Life Insurance Benefit by $2.50. Similarly, so long as Cash Value exceeds $20,000, each dollar taken out of Cash Value will reduce the Life Insurance Benefit by $2.50. If at any time, however, the Cash Value multiplied by the limitation percentage is less than the Face Amount, the Life Insurance Benefit will equal the Face Amount of the Policy. OPTION 2. The Life Insurance Benefit is equal to the greater of the Face Amount plus the Cash Value of the Policy or the limitation percentage times the Cash Value on the date of death. Accordingly, under Option 2 the amount of the Life Insurance Benefit will always vary as the Cash Value varies. ILLUSTRATION OF OPTION 2. For purposes of this illustration, assume that the Insured is under the age of 40, that there is no outstanding indebtedness, and that the Guideline Premium Test is chosen. Under Option 2, a Policy with a Face Amount of $50,000 will generally pay a Life Insurance Benefit of $50,000 plus Cash Value. Thus, for example, a Policy with a Cash Value of $10,000 will have a Life Insurance Benefit of $60,000 ($50,000 + $10,000). The Life Insurance Benefit under the Guideline Premium Test, however, must be at least 250% of Cash Value. As a result, if the Cash Value of the Policy exceeds $33,333, the Life Insurance Benefit will be greater than the Face Amount plus Cash Value. Each additional dollar of Cash Value above $33,333 will increase the Life Insurance Benefit by $2.50. Similarly, any time Cash Value exceeds $33,333, each dollar taken out of Cash Value will reduce the Life Insurance Benefit by $2.50. If at any time, however, Cash Value multiplied by the limitation percentage is less than the Face Amount plus the Cash Value, then the Life Insurance Benefit will be the Face Amount plus the Cash Value of the Policy. OPTION 3. The Life Insurance Benefit is equal to the greater of the Face Amount plus cumulative premiums paid less cumulative partial withdrawals, or the corridor percentage times the Cash Value. Accordingly, under Option 3, the amount of Life Insurance Benefit will always vary with the premiums paid and partial withdrawals taken, and may vary as the Cash Value varies. ILLUSTRATION OF OPTION 3. For purposes of this illustration, assume that the Insured is under the age of 40, that there is no outstanding indebtedness, and that the Guideline Premium Test is chosen. Under 23 28 Option 3, a Policy with a Face Amount of $50,000 will generally pay a Life Insurance Benefit of $50,000 plus premiums. Thus, for example, a Policy with premiums paid of $10,000 will have a Life Insurance Benefit of $60,000 ($50,000 + $10,000). The Life Insurance Benefit under the Guideline Premium Test, however, must be at least 250% of Cash Value. As a result, if the Cash Value of the Policy exceeds $24,000, the Life Insurance Benefit will be greater than the Face Amount plus Cash Value. Each additional dollar of Cash Value above $24,000 will increase the Life Insurance Benefit by $2.50. Similarly, any time Cash Value exceeds $24,000, each dollar taken out of Cash Value will reduce the Life Insurance Benefit by $2.50. LIMITATION PERCENTAGES TABLE -- GUIDELINE PREMIUM TEST INSURED'S AGE ON POLICY LIMITATION ANNIVERSARY PERCENTAGE ------------- ---------- 0-40................. 250 41................. 243 42................. 236 43................. 229 44................. 222 45................. 215 46................. 209 47................. 203 48................. 197 49................. 191 50................. 185 51................. 178 52................. 171 53................. 164 54................. 157 55................. 150 56................. 146 57................. 142 58................. 138 INSURED'S AGE ON POLICY LIMITATION ANNIVERSARY PERCENTAGE ------------- ---------- 59................. 134 60................. 130 61................. 128 62................. 126 63................. 124 64................. 122 65................. 120 66................. 119 67................. 118 68................. 117 69................. 116 70................. 115 71................. 113 72................. 111 73................. 109 74................. 107 75................. 105 76................. 105 77................. 105 INSURED'S AGE ON POLICY LIMITATION ANNIVERSARY PERCENTAGE ------------- ---------- 78................. 105 79................. 105 80................. 105 81................. 105 82................. 105 83................. 105 84................. 105 85................. 105 86................. 105 87................. 105 88................. 105 89................. 105 90................. 105 91................. 104 92................. 103 93................. 102 94-99................ 101 100 and older........ 100 24 29 LIMITATION PERCENTAGES TABLE -- CASH VALUE ACCUMULATION TEST INSURED'S AGE ON POLICY LIMITATION ANNIVERSARY PERCENTAGE - --------------------- -------------- MALE FEMALE ---- ------ 20................... 631 751 21................... 612 727 22................... 595 704 23................... 577 681 24................... 560 659 25................... 542 638 26................... 526 617 27................... 509 597 28................... 493 578 29................... 477 559 30................... 462 541 31................... 447 523 32................... 432 506 33................... 418 489 34................... 404 473 35................... 391 458 36................... 379 443 37................... 366 428 38................... 355 414 39................... 343 401 40................... 332 388 41................... 322 376 42................... 312 364 43................... 302 353 44................... 293 342 45................... 284 332 46................... 275 322 INSURED'S AGE ON POLICY LIMITATION ANNIVERSARY PERCENTAGE - --------------------- -------------- MALE FEMALE ---- ------ 47................... 267 312 48................... 259 303 49................... 251 294 50................... 244 285 51................... 237 276 52................... 230 268 53................... 224 261 54................... 218 253 55................... 212 246 56................... 206 239 57................... 201 232 58................... 195 226 59................... 190 219 60................... 186 213 61................... 181 207 62................... 177 201 63................... 172 196 64................... 168 191 65................... 164 186 66................... 161 181 67................... 157 176 68................... 154 172 69................... 151 167 70................... 148 163 71................... 145 159 72................... 142 155 73................... 140 152 INSURED'S AGE ON POLICY LIMITATION ANNIVERSARY PERCENTAGE - --------------------- -------------- MALE FEMALE ---- ------ 74................... 137 148 75................... 135 145 76................... 133 142 77................... 131 139 78................... 129 136 79................... 127 134 80................... 125 131 81................... 124 129 82................... 122 127 83................... 121 125 84................... 119 123 85................... 118 121 86................... 117 119 87................... 116 118 88................... 115 117 89................... 114 115 90................... 113 114 91................... 112 113 92................... 111 111 93................... 110 110 94................... 109 109 95................... 107 108 96................... 106 106 97................... 105 105 98................... 103 103 99................... 102 102 100.................. 100 100 CHOOSING A LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT OPTION. As described above and assuming the Life Insurance Benefit is not determined by reference to the limitation percentage, Option 1 will provide a Face Amount of Life Insurance Benefit which does not vary with changes in Cash Value. Thus, under Option 1, as Cash Value increases, Western Reserve's net amount at risk under the Policy will decline. In contrast, Option 2 involves a constant net amount at risk, assuming that the Life Insurance Benefit is not determined by reference to the limitation percentage. The net amount at risk under the Policy for Option 3 is dependent upon the amount and timing of premiums paid. Consequently, there is no generalized pattern as with Options 1 and 2. Therefore, assuming sufficiently positive investment experience, the deduction for cost of insurance under a Policy with an Option 1 Life Insurance Benefit will be less than under a corresponding Policy with an Option 2 or 3 Life Insurance Benefit. Because of this, if investment performance is positive, Cash Value under Option 1 will increase faster than under Options 2 or 3 but the total Life Insurance Benefit under Options 2 or 3 will generally be greater. Thus, Option 1 could be considered more suitable for Owners whose goal is increasing Cash Value based upon positive investment experience while Options 2 and 3 could be considered more suitable for Owners whose goal is increasing total Life Insurance Benefit. CHANGING THE LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT OPTION. Generally, the Life Insurance Benefit Option in effect may be changed by the Owner after the first Policy Year by sending Western Reserve a written request for change. Western Reserve may require proof of insurability. A change in Life Insurance Benefit Option may have Federal income tax consequences. Under Western Reserve's current rules, no change may be made if it would result in a Face Amount less than the minimum Face Amount set forth in the Policy, or if the Policy would not continue to qualify as life insurance as defined under Section 7702 of the Code. The effective date of any 25 30 change will be the Monthly Deduction Day on or after Western Reserve approves the request. No charges will be imposed for making a change in Life Insurance Benefit Option. If the Life Insurance Benefit Option is changed from Option 2 to Option 1, the Face Amount will be increased by an amount equal to the Cash Value on the effective date of change. If the Life Insurance Benefit Option is changed from Option 1 to Option 2, the Face Amount will be decreased by an amount equal to the Cash Value on the effective date of the change. If the Life Insurance Benefit Option is changed from Option 3 to Option 1, the Face Amount will be increased by the sum of the premiums paid less the sum of partial withdrawals. If the Life Insurance Benefit Option is changed from Option 1 to Option 3, the Face Amount will be decreased by the sum of the premiums paid less the sum of partial withdrawals. Western Reserve will not allow changes between Options 2 and 3. HOW LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS MAY VARY IN AMOUNT. As long as the Policy remains in force, Western Reserve guarantees that the Life Insurance Benefit will never be less than the Face Amount of the Policy. These proceeds will be reduced by any outstanding indebtedness and any due and unpaid charges. The Life Insurance Benefit may, however, vary with the Policy's Cash Value. Under Option 1, the Life Insurance Benefit will only vary when the Cash Value multiplied by the limitation percentage exceeds the Face Amount of the Policy. The Life Insurance Benefit under Option 2 will always vary with the Cash Value because the Life Insurance Benefit equals either the Face Amount plus the Cash Value or the limitation percentage times the Cash Value. The Life Insurance Benefit under Option 3 will always vary with the premiums paid and partial withdrawals taken and will also vary whenever the Cash Value multiplied by the limitation percentage exceeds the Face Amount plus cumulative premiums paid less cumulative partial withdrawals. CHANGING THE FACE AMOUNT. Subject to certain limitations, an Owner may increase or decrease the Face Amount of a Policy. A change in Face Amount may affect the net amount at risk, which may affect an Owner's cost of insurance charge. A change in Face Amount could also have Federal income tax consequences. DECREASES. Any decrease in the Face Amount will become effective on the Monthly Deduction Day on or following receipt of a written request from the Owner by Western Reserve at the Administrative Office. No requested decrease in the Face Amount will be permitted during the first Policy Year. The Face Amount remaining in force after any requested decrease may not be less than $25,000. If, following the decrease in Face Amount, the Policy would not comply with the maximum premium limitations required by Federal tax law, the decrease may be limited to the extent necessary to meet these requirements. INCREASES. For an increase in the Face Amount, written application must be submitted. Western Reserve will also require that additional evidence of insurability be submitted. Western Reserve reserves the right to decline any increase request. Any increase will become effective on the Monthly Deduction Day after Western Reserve approves the request for the increase. No increase in the Face Amount will be permitted during the first Policy Year. An increase need not be accompanied by an additional premium, but there must be sufficient Net Cash Value to cover the next monthly deduction after the increase becomes effective. DURATION OF THE POLICY The Policy's duration depends upon the Net Cash Value. The Policy will remain in force so long as the Net Cash Value is sufficient to pay the monthly deduction. If the Net Cash Value is insufficient to pay the monthly deduction, and a Late Period expires without an adequate payment by the Owner, the Policy will lapse and terminate without value. WHEN INSURANCE COVERAGE TAKES EFFECT No life insurance coverage shall take effect unless the proposed Insured is alive, in the same condition of health as described in the application when the Policy is delivered to the Owner, and the full initial premium is paid. 26 31 PAYMENT OPTIONS The Policy offers a variety of optional ways of receiving proceeds under the Policy, other than in a lump sum. Any agent authorized to sell the Policy can explain these options upon request. None of these options vary with the investment performance of a separate account. CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS The following charges will apply to your Policy under the circumstances described. The charges are for the services and benefits provided, costs and expenses incurred and risks assumed by Western Reserve in connection with the Policies. Services and benefits provided by Western Reserve include: - the Life Insurance Benefits, cash and loan benefits provided by the Policy; - investment options, including Net Premium allocations; - administration of elective options under the Policy; and - the distribution of reports to Owners. Costs and expenses Western Reserve incurs include: - those associated with underwriting applications and changes in Face Amount and riders; - various overhead and other expenses associated with providing the services and benefits relating to the Policy; - sales and marketing expenses; and - other costs of doing business, such as federal, state and local premium and other taxes and fees. Risks assumed by Western Reserve include the risks that: - Insureds may live for a shorter period of time than estimated resulting in the payment of greater Life Insurance Benefits than expected; and - the costs of providing the services and benefits under the Policies will exceed the charges deducted. PERCENT OF PREMIUM LOAD Certain expenses are deducted at the time you make premium payments. The remainder of each premium (the Net Premium) is then allocated to the Subaccounts as you direct. The expenses deducted from your premium are intended to compensate Western Reserve for sales expenses and federal and state tax charges. Premium tax charges imposed by different states range from 0.0% to 3.5% of premiums. During the first Policy Year, Western Reserve deducts 11.5% of each premium received up to the Target Premium, and 4.5% of each premium received in excess of the Target Premium. After the first Policy Year, Western Reserve deducts 11.5% of each premium received up to the Target Premium, and 7.5% of each premium received in excess of the Target Premium. Since 4.5% is deducted from each premium in excess of the Target Premium received by Western Reserve during the first Policy Year, it may be advantageous to pay such premiums during the first Policy Year rather than after the first Policy Year. However, higher premium amounts paid during the first Policy Year will result in higher amounts being subject to the deferred sales charge in Policy Years 2 through 7 (See Deferred Sales Charge, below). An Owner deciding the appropriate amount and timing of premium payments should consider the combined effect of the percent of premium load and the deferred sales charge. 27 32 DEFERRED SALES CHARGE On each Policy Anniversary during Policy Years 2 through 7, Western Reserve deducts from the Cash Value a deferred sales charge equal to 1.5% of premiums paid during the first Policy Year to compensate Western Reserve for a portion of Policy sales expenses. If the Policy is surrendered, this charge is not deducted for Policy Anniversaries not yet reached. MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS The charges listed below are deducted from your Cash Value as of the Effective Date and on each Monthly Deduction Day. The deductions are made from the Subaccounts in the same proportion that the Subaccount Value in each Subaccount bears to the total Cash Value as of the Monthly Deduction Day. The monthly deduction consists of (1) a monthly Policy charge, (2) the monthly cost of insurance charge, (3) the cost of any supplemental benefits provider by riders, and (4) a factor representing the mortality and expense risk charge. MONTHLY POLICY CHARGE. During the first Policy Year, the monthly Policy charge is $16.50 per month. During subsequent Policy Years, the monthly Policy charge currently is $4 per month and is guaranteed not to exceed $10 per month. The monthly Policy charge is paid to Western Reserve for performing administrative services relating to the Policy. MONTHLY COST OF INSURANCE CHARGE. The monthly cost of insurance charge compensates Western Reserve for the anticipated cost of paying the amount of the Life Insurance Benefit that exceeds your Cash Value upon the death of the Insured. The cost of insurance charge is calculated monthly, and depends on a number of variables that cause the charge to vary from Policy to Policy and from Monthly Deduction Day to Monthly Deduction Day. The cost of insurance charge is calculated for the Face Amount at issue and for any increase in Face Amount. The monthly cost of insurance charge is equal to (1) multiplied by the result of (2) minus (3), where: (1) is the monthly cost of insurance rate per $1,000 of insurance; (2) is the number of thousands of Life Insurance Benefit for the Policy (as defined in the applicable Option 1, Option 2 or Option 3) divided by 1.0032737; and (3) is the number of thousands of Cash Value as of the Monthly Deduction Day (before this cost of insurance, and after the mortality and expense risk charge, any applicable Policy charge and the cost of any riders are subtracted). The monthly cost of insurance rate for a Policy is based on the sex, Attained Age, risk class, and number of years that the Policy or increment of Face Amount has been in force. Western Reserve reviews monthly cost of insurance rates on an ongoing basis (at least once every year) based on its expectations as to future mortality experience, investment earnings, persistency, taxes and other expenses. Any changes in cost of insurance rates are made on a uniform basis for Insureds of the same class as defined by sex, Attained Age, risk class, and Policy duration. Western Reserve guarantees that the cost of insurance rates used to calculate the monthly cost of insurance charge will not exceed the Guaranteed Maximum Cost of Insurance Rates set forth in the Policy. In connection with the cost of insurance rates guaranteed in the Policy, Western Reserve places Insureds into standard tobacco and standard non-tobacco risk classes. The guaranteed rates for standard classes are based on the 1980 Commissioners' Standard Ordinary Mortality Tables, Male or Female, Tobacco or Non-Tobacco Mortality Rates ("1980 CSO Tables"). The guaranteed rates for substandard classes are based on multiples of or additions to the 1980 CSO Tables. In connection with current cost of insurance rates, Western Reserve places Insureds into the following risk classes: age, sex, tobacco habit and health status, medical issue, simplified issue and guaranteed issue. Cost of insurance rates (whether guaranteed or current) for an Insured in a non-tobacco class are less than or equal to rates for an Insured of the same age and sex in a tobacco class. Cost of insurance rates 28 33 (whether guaranteed or current) for an Insured in a non-tobacco or tobacco standard class are generally lower than guaranteed rates for an Insured of the same age and sex and tobacco status in a substandard class. Western Reserve does, however, also offer Policies based on unisex mortality tables if required by state law. Employers and employee organizations considering purchase of a Policy should consult with their legal advisors to determine whether purchase of a Policy based on sex-distinct actuarial tables is consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or other applicable law. Upon request, Western Reserve may offer Policies with unisex mortality tables to such prospective purchasers. SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT (RIDER) CHARGES. If any additional benefits are added to your Policy, charges for these benefits will be deducted as part of the monthly deduction. MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE. Western Reserve deducts a monthly charge from the Cash Value to compensate it for mortality and expense risks that it assumes under the Policy. The monthly charge is equivalent to an effective annual rate of 0.45%. The charge is calculated as a percentage of the average Cash Value on each Valuation Day during the Policy Month preceding the Monthly Deduction Day. The guaranteed rate for this charge is equivalent to an effective annual rate of 0.90%. The mortality risk that Western Reserve assumes is the risk that Insureds, as a group, will live for a shorter period of time than Western Reserve estimated when it established the guaranteed costs of insurance rates in the Policy. Because of these guarantees, each Owner is assured that the morbidity of a particular Insured will not have an adverse effect on the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds that a Beneficiary would receive. The expense risk that Western Reserve assumes is the risk that the monthly Policy charge (and any transfer charge imposed) may be insufficient to cover the actual expenses of administering the Policies. Western Reserve may make a profit from the mortality and expense risk Charge. ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL CHARGE. After the first Policy Year, you may apply for a partial withdrawal. On each partial withdrawal, Western Reserve imposes a processing charge equal to the lesser of $25 or 2% of the amount requested. This charge is deducted on a pro-rata basis from the Subaccounts unless you provide other instructions. TRANSFER CHARGE. The first 12 transfers during each Policy Year are free. Western Reserve reserves the right to assess a transfer charge of $25 for each transfer in excess of 12 during a Policy Year. For the purposes of assessing the transfer charge, each written request of transfer is considered to be one transfer, regardless of the number of Subaccounts affected by the transfer. The transfer charge is deducted from the amount being transferred. Transfers due to automatic asset rebalancing, loans or the expiration of the free-look period do not count as transfers for the purpose of assessing this charge. PORTFOLIO EXPENSES The value of the net assets of each Subaccount reflects the investment advisory fees and other expenses incurred by the corresponding Portfolio in which the Subaccount invests. See the prospectuses for the Portfolios and the Summary of this prospectus for further information on these fees and expenses. OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS AND BENEFITS OWNERSHIP GENERAL. The Policy belongs to the Owner named in the application. An Owner may exercise all of the rights and options described in the Policy. The Insured is the Owner unless the application specifies a different person as Owner. CHANGING THE OWNER. The Owner may change the Owner by providing written notice to Western Reserve at any time while the Insured is alive and the Policy is in force. A change of ownership is effective as of the date that the written notice is signed; however, Western Reserve is not liable for payments it makes 29 34 before it receives a written notice of a change in ownership. Changing the Owner does not automatically change the Beneficiary. A change in Owner may have significant tax consequences. (See Federal Tax Considerations.) SELECTING THE BENEFICIARY. The Owner designates the Beneficiary in the application. Any Beneficiary designation is revocable unless otherwise stated in the designation. Where more than one Beneficiary is designated, each Beneficiary shares in any Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds equally unless the Beneficiary designation states otherwise. CHANGING THE BENEFICIARY. The Owner may change the Beneficiary by providing a written notice to Western Reserve at any time while the Insured is alive and the Policy is in force. Any change of Beneficiary is effective as of the date the written notice is signed by the Owner but Western Reserve is not liable for any payments it makes under the Policy prior to the time it receives written notice of any Beneficiary change. ASSIGNMENT While the Insured is living, the Owner may assign his or her rights under this Policy. Western Reserve is not bound by the assignment unless it receives a duplicate of the original assignment at the Administrative Office. Western Reserve is not responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any assignment and is not liable for any payment it makes before receipt of the duplicate original assignment. The Owner will maintain any rights of ownership that have not been assigned. An assignee may not change the Owner or the Beneficiary, and may not elect or change an optional method of payment. Any amount payable to the assignee will be paid in one sum. Any claim under any assignment is subject to proof of interest and the extent of the assignment. An assignment is subject to any Loan Amount. WESTERN RESERVE'S RIGHT TO CONTEST THE POLICY Western Reserve has the right to contest the validity of the Policy or to resist a claim under it on the basis of any material misrepresentation of a fact stated in the application or any supplemental application. Western Reserve also has the right to contest the validity of any increase of Face Amount or other change to the Policy on the basis of any material misrepresentation of a fact stated in the application (or supplemental application) for such increase in coverage or change. In issuing this Policy, Western Reserve relies on all statements made by or for the Insured in the application or in a supplemental application. In the absence of fraud, Western Reserve considers statements made in the application(s) to be representations and not warranties. In the absence of fraud, Western Reserve cannot bring any legal action to contest the validity of the Policy after it has been in force during the lifetime of the Insured for two years from the Effective Date, or if reinstated, for two years from the date of reinstatement. Likewise, Western Reserve cannot contest any increase in coverage effective after the Effective Date, or any reinstatement thereof, after such increase or reinstatement has been in force during the lifetime of the Insured for two years from its effective date. SUICIDE EXCLUSION If the Insured commits suicide, while sane or insane, within two years of the Effective Date, Western Reserve's liability is limited to an amount equal to the premiums paid, less any indebtedness and less any partial withdrawals paid. Western Reserve will pay this amount to the Beneficiary in one sum. If the Insured commits suicide, while sane or insane, within two years from the effective date of any increase in Face Amount or additional coverage rider, Western Reserve's liability with respect to that increase is limited to an amount equal to the cost of insurance attributable to the increase from the effective date of the increase to the date of death. MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX If the age or sex of the Insured has been stated incorrectly in the application or any supplemental application, Western Reserve will adjust the Life Insurance Benefit and any benefits provided by rider or endorsement it pays under this Policy to the amount that would have been payable at the correct age and sex 30 35 based on the most recent deduction for cost of insurance and the cost of any benefits provided by rider or endorsement. If the age of the Insured has been overstated or understated, Western Reserve will calculate future monthly deductions using the cost of insurance (and the cost of benefits provided by rider or endorsement) based on the Insured's correct age and sex. MODIFICATION OF THE POLICY Only the President, one of the Vice Presidents, Secretary or an officer of Western Reserve may modify this Policy or waive any of Western Reserve's rights or requirements under this Policy. Any modification or waiver must be in writing. No agent may bind Western Reserve by making any promise not contained in this Policy. Upon notice to the Owner, Western Reserve may modify the Policy to: 1. conform the Policy, Western Reserve's operations, or the Separate Account's operations to the requirements of any law (or regulation issued by a government agency) to which the Policy, Western Reserve or the Separate Account is subject; 2. assure continued qualification of the Policy as a life insurance contract under the Code; or 3. reflect a change (permitted by the Policy) in the Separate Account's operation. In the event of any such modification, Western Reserve will make appropriate endorsements to the Policy. If any provision of the Policy conflicts with the laws of a jurisdiction that govern the Policy, the Policy provides that such provision be deemed to be amended to conform with such laws. PAYMENTS BY WESTERN RESERVE Western Reserve usually pays the amounts of any surrender, partial withdrawals, Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds, or settlement options within seven business days after receipt of all applicable written notices and/or due proofs of death. However, Western Reserve can postpone such payments if: 1. the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closing, or trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC; or 2. the SEC permits, by an order, the postponement for the protection of Owners; or 3. the SEC determines that an emergency exists that would make the disposal of securities held in the Separate Account or the determination of their value not reasonably practicable. If a recent check or draft has been submitted, Western Reserve has the right to defer payment of surrenders, partial withdrawals, Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds, or payments under a settlement option until such check or draft has been honored. REPORTS TO OWNERS Within 30 days after each Policy Anniversary, or more often as required by law, Western Reserve will mail to Owners at their last known address a report showing the following items as of the end of the report period: 1. the period covered by the report; 2. the current Cash Value and Net Cash Value; 3. the current Subaccount Values, and Loan Account Value; 4. the current Loan Amount; 5. any premium payments, partial withdrawals, or surrenders made, Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds paid and charges deducted since the last report; 6. current Net Premium allocations; and 31 36 7. any other information required by law. Owners may request additional copies of reports from Western Reserve, but Western Reserve reserves the right to charge a fee for such additional copies. In addition, Western Reserve will send written confirmations of premium payments and other financial transactions requested by Owners. Owners will also be sent copies of the annual and semi-annual report to shareholders for each Portfolio in which they are indirectly invested. CLAIMS OF CREDITORS Except as described in the Assignment section above, payments Western Reserve makes under the Policy are, to the extent permitted by law, exempt from the claims, attachments, or levies of any creditors. DIVIDENDS The Policy is a non-participating policy on which no dividends are payable. SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS AND/OR RIDERS The following supplemental benefits and/or riders are available and may be added to a Policy. Monthly charges for these benefits and/or riders are deducted from Cash Value as part of the monthly deduction. The supplemental benefits and/or riders available with the Policies provide fixed benefits that do not vary with the investment experience of the Separate Account. Term Insurance Rider. The Term Insurance Rider provides term insurance coverage for the Insured on a basis different from the coverage provided under the Policy. The Term Insurance Rider may be purchased at the time of application for the Policy or after the Policy is issued. The Term Insurance Rider increases the death benefit provided under the Policy by the Face Amount of the rider. The Term Insurance Rider terminates at age 100. Owners may reduce or cancel coverage under the Term Insurance Rider separately from reducing the Face Amount of a Policy. Likewise, the Face Amount of a Policy may be decreased, subject to certain minimums, without reducing the coverage under the Term Insurance Rider. Western Reserve reserves the right to discontinue the availability of any riders for new Policies at any time, and also reserves the right to modify the terms of any riders for new Policies, subject to approval by the state insurance departments. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS The following summary provides a general description of the Federal income tax considerations associated with a Policy and does not purport to be complete or to cover all situations. This discussion is not intended as tax advice. Please consult counsel or other qualified tax advisors for more complete information. This discussion is based upon Western Reserve's understanding of the present Federal income tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). Western Reserve makes no representation as to the likelihood of continuation of the present federal income tax laws or of the current interpretations by the IRS. TAX STATUS OF THE POLICIES Section 7702 of the Code sets forth a definition of a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes. However, guidance as to how Section 7702 is to be applied is limited. If a Policy were determined not to be a life insurance contract for purposes of Section 7702, the Policy would not provide the tax advantages normally provided by a life insurance policy. With respect to a Policy issued on a standard basis, Western Reserve believes that such a Policy should meet the Section 7702 definition of a life insurance contract. With respect to a Policy that is issued on a substandard basis (i.e., a premium class with extra rating involving higher than standard mortality risk), there is less guidance, in particular as to how the mortality requirements of Section 7702 are to be applied in 32 37 determining whether such a Policy meets the Section 7702 definition of a life insurance contract. Thus, it is not clear whether or not a Policy issued on a substandard basis would satisfy Section 7702. If it is subsequently determined that a Policy does not satisfy Section 7702, Western Reserve may take whatever steps are appropriate and reasonable to attempt to cause such a Policy to comply with Section 7702, including refunding any premiums that exceed the limits allowed under Section 7702 (together with interest or other earnings on such premiums refunded as required by law). For these reasons, Western Reserve reserves the right to modify the Policy or to restrict Policy transactions as necessary to attempt to qualify it as a life insurance contract under Section 7702. Section 817(h) of the Code requires that the investments of each of the Subaccounts must be "adequately diversified" in accordance with U.S. Department of the Treasury ("Treasury") regulations in order for the Policy to qualify as a life insurance contract under Section 7702 of the Code. The Subaccounts, through the Portfolios, intend to comply with the diversification requirements prescribed in Treas. Reg. Section 1.817-5, which affect how each Portfolio's assets are to be invested. Western Reserve believes that the Subaccounts will be operated in compliance with the Treasury's prescribed requirements and Western Reserve will monitor continued compliance with these requirements. In certain circumstances, owners of variable life insurance policies may be considered the owners, for Federal income tax purposes, of the assets of the separate accounts used to support their policies. In those circumstances, income and gains from the separate account assets would be includible in the variable policy owner's gross income. The IRS has stated in published rulings that a variable policy owner will be considered the owner of separate account assets if the policy owner possesses incidents of ownership in those assets, such as the ability to exercise investment control over the assets. The Treasury has also announced, in connection with the issuance of regulations concerning diversification, that those regulations "do not provide guidance concerning the circumstances in which investor control of the investments of a segregated asset account may cause the investor (i.e., the policy owner), rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets in the account." This announcement also stated that guidance would be issued by way of regulations or rulings on the "extent to which policyholders may direct their investments to particular sub-accounts without being treated as owners of the underlying assets." The ownership rights under the Policy are similar to, but different in certain respects from, those described by the IRS in rulings in which it was determined that policy owners were not owners of separate account assets. For example, an Owner has additional flexibility in allocating Net Premiums and transferring Cash Value. These differences could result in an Owner being treated as the owner of a pro-rata portion of the assets of the Separate Account. In addition, Western Reserve does not know what standards will be set forth, if any, in the regulations or rulings which the Treasury has stated it expects to issue. Western Reserve therefore reserves the right to modify the Policy as necessary to attempt to prevent an Owner from being considered the Owner of a pro-rata share of the assets of the Separate Account. The following discussion assumes that the Policy will qualify as a life insurance contract for federal income tax purposes. TAX TREATMENT OF POLICY BENEFITS IN GENERAL. Western Reserve believes that the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds and Cash Value increases of a Policy should be treated in a manner consistent with a fixed-benefit life insurance policy for Federal income tax purposes. Thus, the Life Insurance Benefit Proceeds under the Policy should be excludible from the gross income of the Beneficiary under Section 101(a)(1) of the Code. Depending on the circumstances, the exchange of a Policy, a change in the Policy's Life Insurance Benefit Option, a Policy loan, a partial withdrawal, a surrender, a change in ownership, or an assignment of the Policy may have Federal income tax consequences. In addition, federal, state and local transfer, and other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of distributions from a Policy depend on the circumstances of each Owner or Beneficiary. 33 38 Generally, the Owner will not be deemed to be in constructive receipt of the Cash Value, including increments thereof, until there is a distribution. The tax consequences of distributions from, and loans taken from or secured by, a Policy depend on whether the Policy is classified as a "Modified Endowment Contract" (discussed below). Whether a Policy is or is not a Modified Endowment Contract, upon a surrender or Lapse of a Policy, if the amount received plus the Loan Amount exceeds the total investment in the Policy, the excess will generally be treated as ordinary income subject to tax. The Policy may also be used in various arrangements, including nonqualified deferred compensation or salary continuance plans, split dollar insurance plans, executive bonus plans, retiree medical benefit plans and others. The tax consequences of such plans may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances of each individual arrangement. Therefore, Owners contemplating the use of a Policy in any arrangement the value of which depends in part on its tax consequences, should be sure to consult a qualified tax advisor regarding the tax attributes of the particular arrangement. In recent years, Congress has adopted new rules relating to life insurance owned by businesses. Any business contemplating the purchase of a new life insurance contract or a change in an existing life insurance contract should consult a tax advisor. Moreover, the President's 1999 Budget Proposal has recommended that legislation be enacted disallowing a portion of a taxpayer's otherwise deductible interest expense based on all life insurance policies owned by such taxpayer. (Current law provides for such disallowance based only on life insurance policies owned by a taxpayer on the lives of individuals who are not 20% owners, officers, directors or employees of the taxpayer.) This proposal would apply to all taxpayers other than natural persons. Prospective purchasers of the Policy that are not natural persons should be aware of this proposal and should take into account the impact it could have on their taxes in deciding whether to purchase the Policy. The President's Budget Proposal has also recommended legislation in 1998 that, if enacted, would adversely modify the federal taxation of certain insurance and annuity contracts. For example, one proposal would tax transfers among investment options and tax exchanges involving variable contracts. A second proposal would reduce the "investment in the contract" under cash value life insurance and certain annuity contracts, thereby increasing the amount of income for purposes of computing gain. Although the likelihood of legislative changes is uncertain, there is always the possibility that the tax treatment of the Policy could change by legislation or other means. Moreover, it is also possible that any change could be retroactive (that is, effective prior to the date of the change). You should consult a tax advisor with respect to legislative developments and their effect on the Policy. MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. Section 7702A establishes a class of life insurance contracts designated as "Modified Endowment Contracts." The rules relating to whether a Policy will be treated as a Modified Endowment Contract are extremely complex and cannot be completely described in this summary. In general, a Policy will be a Modified Endowment Contract if the accumulated premiums made at any time during the first seven Policy Years exceeds the sum of the net level premiums which would have been paid on or before such time if the Policy provided for paid-up future benefits after the payment of seven level annual premiums. A Policy may also become a Modified Endowment Contract after a material change. The determination of whether a Policy will be a Modified Endowment Contract after a material change generally depends upon the relationship of the Life Insurance Benefit and Cash Value at the time of such change and the additional premiums made in the seven years following the material change. Due to the Policy's flexibility, classification as a Modified Endowment Contract will depend on the individual circumstances of each Policy. In view of the foregoing, a current or prospective Owner should consult with a tax advisor to determine whether a Policy transaction will cause the Policy to be treated as a Modified Endowment Contract. However, at the time that a premium is credited which, in Western Reserve's view, would cause the Policy to become a Modified Endowment Contract, Western Reserve will notify the Owner that unless a refund of the excess premium (with any appropriate interest) is requested by the Owner, the Policy will become a Modified Endowment Contract. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM POLICIES CLASSIFIED AS MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. Policies classified as Modified Endowment Contracts will be subject to the following tax rules: First, all distributions, including distributions upon surrender and partial withdrawal from such a Policy are treated as ordinary income subject 34 39 to tax up to the amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Cash Value immediately before the distribution over the investment in the Policy (described below) at such time. Second, loans taken from or secured by such a Policy, are treated as distributions from the Policy and taxed accordingly. Past due loan interest that is added to the loan amount will be treated as a loan. Third, a 10% additional income tax is imposed on the portion of any distribution from, or loan taken from or secured by, such a Policy that is included in income except where the distribution or loan is made on or after the Owner attains age 59 1/2, is attributable to the Owner's becoming disabled, or is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Owner and the Beneficiary. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM POLICIES NOT CLASSIFIED AS MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. Distributions from a Policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract are generally treated as first, recovering the investment in the Policy (described below) and then, only after the return of all such investment in the Policy, as distributing taxable income. An exception to this general rule occurs in the case of a decrease in the Policy's Life Insurance Benefit or any other change that reduces benefits under the Policy in the first 15 years after the Policy is issued and that results in a cash distribution to the Owner in order for the Policy to continue complying with the Section 7702 definitional limits. Such a distribution will be taxed in whole or in part as ordinary income (to the extent of any gain in the Policy) under rules prescribed in Section 7702. Loans from, or secured by, a Policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract are not treated as distributions. Instead, such loans are treated as Loan Amounts. Finally, neither distributions (including distributions upon surrender) nor loans from, or secured by, a Policy that is not a Modified Endowment Contract are subject to the 10% additional income tax rule. If a Policy which is not a Modified Endowment Contract becomes a Modified Endowment Contract, then any distributions made from the Policy within two years prior to the change in such status will become taxable in accordance with the Modified Endowment Contract rules discussed above. POLICY LOAN INTEREST. Generally, interest paid on any loan under, or secured by, a Policy which is owned by an individual is not deductible. Consult a qualified tax advisor before deducting any Policy loan interest. INVESTMENT IN THE POLICY. Investment in the Policy means: (i) the aggregate amount of any premiums or other consideration paid for a Policy, minus (ii) the aggregate amount received under the Policy which is excluded from gross income of the Owner (except that the amount of any loan from, or secured by, a Policy that is a Modified Endowment Contract, to the extent such amount is excluded from gross income, will be disregarded), plus (iii) the amount of any loan from, or secured by, a Policy that is a Modified Endowment Contract to the extent that such amount is included in the gross income of the Owner. MULTIPLE POLICIES. All Modified Endowment Contracts that are issued by Western Reserve (or its affiliates) to the same Owner during any calendar year are treated as one Modified Endowment Contract for purposes of determining the amount includible in an Owner's gross income under Section 72(e) of the Code. OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICIES AND WESTERN RESERVE SALE OF THE POLICIES The Policy will be sold by individuals who, in addition to being licensed as life insurance agents for Western Reserve, are also registered representatives of AFSG Securities Corporation ("AFSG"), the principal underwriter of the Policies, or of broker-dealers who have entered into written sales agreements with the principal underwriter. AFSG, which is located at 4425 North River Blvd., NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402, was incorporated in Pennsylvania on March 12, 1986, is registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a broker-dealer, and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. No amounts will be retained by AFSG for acting as principal underwriter for the Policies. The maximum sales commission payable to Western Reserve agents or other registered representatives will be approximately 13% of all premiums up to the Target Premium and 5% of all premiums in excess thereof. In addition, certain production, persistency and managerial bonuses may be paid. 35 40 VOTING PRIVILEGES Western Reserve is the legal owner of shares held by the Subaccounts and as such has the right to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of the Portfolios. However, as required by law, Western Reserve votes Portfolio shares held in the Subaccounts at regular and special shareholder meetings of the Portfolios in accordance with instructions received from persons having voting interests in the corresponding Subaccounts. The number of votes that an Owner has the right to instruct is calculated separately for each Subaccount, and may include fractional votes. While the Insured is still living and the Policy is in force, an Owner holds a voting interest in each Subaccount to which Net Premiums are allocated. For each Owner, the number of votes attributable to a Subaccount is determined by dividing the Owner's Subaccount Value by the net asset value per share of the Portfolio in which that Subaccount invests. The net asset value per share of each Portfolio is the value for each share of a Portfolio on any Valuation Day. The method of computing the net asset value per share is described in the prospectuses for the Portfolios. The number of votes available to an Owner or person receiving payments under the Policy is determined as of the date coinciding with the date established by the Portfolio for determining shareholders eligible to vote at the relevant meeting of the Portfolio's shareholders. Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication prior to such meeting in accordance with procedures established for the Portfolio. Each Owner or other person having a voting interest in a Subaccount will receive proxy materials and reports relating to any meeting of shareholders of the Portfolio in which that Subaccount invests. Portfolio shares as to which no timely instructions are received and shares held by Western Reserve in a Subaccount as to which no Owner or other person has a beneficial interest are voted in proportion to the voting instructions that are received with respect to all Policies participating in that Subaccount. Voting instructions to abstain on any item to be voted upon will be applied to reduce the total number of votes eligible to be cast on a matter. Certain actions affecting the Separate Account may require Owner approval. In that case, an Owner will be entitled to vote in proportion to his or her Subaccount Value. Western Reserve may, if required by state insurance regulators, disregard voting instructions if such instructions would require Portfolio shares to be voted so as to cause a change in sub-classification or investment objectives of a Portfolio, or to approve or disapprove an investment management agreement or an investment advisory agreement. In addition, Western Reserve may under certain circumstances disregard voting instructions that would require changes in an investment management agreement, investment manager, an investment advisory agreement or an investment adviser of a Portfolio, provided that Western Reserve reasonably disapproves of such changes in accordance with applicable regulations under the 1940 Act. If Western Reserve ever disregards voting instructions, you will be advised of that action and of the reasons for such action in the next semi-annual report for the appropriate Portfolio. WESTERN RESERVE'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Western Reserve is managed by a board of directors. The following table sets forth the name, address and principal occupations during the past five years of each of Western Reserve's directors and executive officers. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF WESTERN RESERVE JOHN R. KENNEY(1), CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT. Chairman of the Board of Directors (1987 -- present) and Chief Executive Officer (1982 -- present), President (1978 -- 1987 and December, 1992 -- present), Director (1978 -- present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Chairman of the Board of Directors (1985 -- present), President (March, 1993 -- present), WRL Series Fund, Inc.; Chairman of the Board (September, 1996 -- present), WRL Investment Management, Inc.; Chairman of the Board (September, 1996 -- present), WRL Investment Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Directors (February, 1997 -- present), AEGON Asset Management Services, Inc., Largo, Florida; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (1988 -- February, 1991), President (1988 -- 1989), Director (1976 -- February, 1991), Executive Vice President (1972 -- 1988), Pioneer Western Corporation (financial services), Largo, Florida; Trustee (1987 -- present), Chairman 36 41 (December, 1989 to September, 1990 and November, 1990 to present) and President and Chief Executive Officer (November, 1986 to September, 1990), IDEX Series Fund; former Trustee of IDEX Fund, IDEX II Series Fund and IDEX Fund 3 (investment companies), all of Largo, Florida. ALAN M. YAEGER(1), EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ACTUARY AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. Executive Vice President (June, 1993 -- present), Chief Financial Officer (December, 1995 -- present), Senior Vice President (1981 -- June, 1993) and Actuary (1972 -- present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Director (September, 1996 -- present), WRL Investment Management, Inc.; Director (September, 1996 -- present), WRL Investment Services, Inc.; Executive Vice President (September, 1993 -- present), WRL Series Fund, Inc. LAWRENCE G. BROWN(1), SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (January, 1995 -- present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (January, 1989 -- December, 1994), AEGON USA, Inc. G. JOHN HURLEY(1), EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT. Executive Vice President (June, 1993 -- present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Executive Vice President (June, 1993 -- present), Director (March, 1994 -- present), WRL Series Fund, Inc.; Director (September, 1996 -- present), WRL Investment Management, Inc.; Director (September, 1996 -- present), WRL Investment Services, Inc.; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (February, 1997 -- present), AEGON Asset Management Services, Inc., Largo, Florida; President and Chief Executive Officer (September, 1990 -- present), Trustee (June, 1990 -- present) and Executive Vice President (June, 1988 -- September, 1990) of IDEX Series Fund, former Trustee and Executive Vice President of IDEX Fund, IDEX II Series Fund and IDEX Fund 3 (investment companies); Assistant Vice President of AEGON USA Managed Portfolios, Inc. (September, 1991 -- August, 1992); Vice President (May, 1988 -- February, 1991) Pioneer Western Corporation (financial services). ALLAN J. HAMILTON(1), VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND CONTROLLER. Vice President and Controller (1987 -- present), Treasurer (February, 1997 -- present), Assistant Vice President and Assistant Controller (1983 -- 1987), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (February, 1997 -- present), WRL Series Fund, Inc.; Vice President and Controller (1988 to February 1991), Pioneer Western Corporation (financial services), Largo, Florida. PATRICK S. BAIRD, DIRECTOR, 4333 Edgewood Road, NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499, Director (February, 1991 to present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Vice President and Chief Tax Officer (1984 -- present), Chief Financial Officer (1992 -- present) AEGON USA, Inc., formerly known as Life Investors, Inc., (financial services holding company), Cedar Rapids, Iowa. JACK E. ZIMMERMAN, DIRECTOR, 507 St. Michel Circle, Kettering, Ohio 45429, Director (1987 -- present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Trustee, IDEX Series Fund, former Trustee of IDEX Fund, IDEX II Series Fund and IDEX Fund 3 (investment companies); Director, Regional Marketing (1986 -- January, 1993), Martin Marietta Corporation, Dayton, Ohio. LYMAN H. TREADWAY, DIRECTOR, 30195 Chagrin Blvd. Ste. 210N, Cleveland, Ohio 44124, Director (September, 1994 -- present), Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Consultant (1988 -- 1993), Cleveland, Ohio. JAMES R. WALKER, DIRECTOR, 3320 Office Park Dr., Dayton, Ohio 45439, Director (June, 1996 -- present) Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio; Self-employed, Public Accountant (1996 -- present); Partner, C.P.A. (1990 -- 1995), Walker-Davis C.P.A.'s, Dayton, Ohio. - ---------------- (1) The principal business address is Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio, P.O. Box 5068, Clearwater, Florida 33758-5068. 37 42 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 has been filed with the SEC relating to the offering described in this prospectus. This prospectus does not include all the information set forth in the registration statement. The omitted information may be obtained at the SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C. by paying the SEC's prescribed fees. EXPERTS The statutory-basis balance sheets of Western Reserve as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statutory-basis statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent accountants, whose report thereon is set forth elsewhere herein. Such financial statements are included in this prospectus in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Actuarial matters included in this prospectus have been examined by Frederick J. Garland, Jr., FSA whose opinion is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. LEGAL MATTERS Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP of Washington, D.C. has provided advice on certain matters relating to the federal securities laws. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Western Reserve, like other life insurance companies, is involved in lawsuits. Western Reserve is not aware of any class action lawsuits naming it as a defendant or involving the Separate Account. In some lawsuits involving other insurers, substantial damages have been sought and/or material settlement payments have been made. Although the outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, Western Reserve believes that at the present time there are no pending or threatened lawsuits that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on the Separate Account or Western Reserve. YEAR 2000 MATTERS In October 1996, Western Reserve adopted and presently has in place a Year 2000 Assessment and Planning Project (the "Plan") to review and analyze existing hardware and software systems, as well as voice and data communications systems, to determine if they are Year 2000 compatible, Western Reserve has also engaged the services of a third-party provider that is specialized in Year 2000 issues to work on the Plan. As of the date of this prospectus, Western Reserve has identified and made available what it believes are the appropriate resources of hardware, people and dollars, including the engagement of outside third parties, to ensure that the Plan will be completed. The Year 2000 computer problem, and its resolution, is complex and multifaceted, and success of a response plan cannot be conclusively known until the Year 2000 is reached (or an earlier date to the extent that the systems or equipment addresses Year 2000 data prior to the Year 2000). Even with the appropriate and diligent pursuit of a well-conceived response plan, including testing procedures, there is no certainty that any company will achieve complete success. Further, notwithstanding its efforts or results, Western Reserve's ability to function unaffected to and through the Year 2000 may be adversely affected by actions (or failure to act) of third parties beyond our knowledge or control. See the Portfolios' prospectuses for information on the Portfolios' preparation for Year 2000. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS No financial statements of the Separate Account are included herein because, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Separate Account had not yet commenced operations, had no assets, and had incurred no liabilities. The financial statements of Western Reserve appear on the following pages. The financial statements of Western Reserve should be distinguished from financial statements of the Separate Account and should be considered only as bearing upon Western Reserve's ability to meet its obligations under the Policies. 38 43 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - STATUTORY BASIS WESTERN RESEVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 44 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO BALANCE SHEET - STATUTORY BASIS AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 (IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) ADMITTED ASSETS Cash and invested assets: Cash and short-term investments $ 45,156 Bonds 216,253 Common stock, at market 966 Mortgage loans on real estate 4,650 Home office properties, at cost less accumulated depreciation 32,421 Investment real estate 11,594 Policy loans 94,612 ---------- Total cash and invested assets 405,652 Premiums deferred and uncollected 44,235 Accrued investment income 2,948 Transfers from separate accounts 326,877 Other assets 5,314 Separate account assets 6,141,082 ---------- Total admitted assets 6,926,108 ========== 45 LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL AND SURPLUS Liabilities: Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts: Life 215,343 Annuity 267,196 Policy and contract claim reserves 12,242 Other policyholders' funds 4,348 Remittances and items not allocated 133,244 Federal income taxes payable 169 Asset valuation reserve 2,613 Interest maintenance reserve 9,672 Short-term note payable to affiliate 9,600 Payable to affiliate 2,335 Payable for securities 1,342 Other liabilities 24,080 Separate account liabilities 6,137,273 --------- Total liabilities 6,819,457 Capital and surplus: Common stock, $1.00 par value, 1,500 shares authorized, issued and outstanding 1,500 Paid-in surplus 88,107 Unassigned surplus 17,044 --------- Total capital and surplus 106,651 --------- Total liabilities and capital and surplus 6,926,108 ========= 46 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS - STATUTORY BASIS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 (IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) Revenues: Premiums and other considerations, net of reinsurance Life $233,882 Annuity 387,235 Net investment income 17,579 Amortization of interest maintenance reserve (218) Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance ceded 1,787 Other income 25,389 -------- 665,654 Benefits and expenses: Benefits paid or provided for: Life 23,900 Surrender benefits 287,820 Other benefits 14,810 Increase (decrease) in aggregate reserves for policies and contracts: Life 28,820 Annuity (29,095) Other 3,165 --------- 329,420 Insurance expenses: Commissions 102,420 General insurance expenses 47,602 Taxes, licenses and fees 8,349 Transfer to separate accounts 186,434 Other expenses 75 --------- 344,880 --------- 674,300 --------- Loss from operations before federal income taxes and realized capital gains on investments (8,646) Federal income tax expense 100 --------- Loss from operations before realized capital gains on investments (8,746) Net realized capital gains on investments (net of related federal income taxes and amounts transferred to interest maintenance reserve) 1,163 --------- Net loss (7,583) ========= 47 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL AND SURPLUS - STATUTORY BASIS (IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) TOTAL CAPITAL COMMON PAID-IN UNASSIGNED AND STOCK SURPLUS SURPLUS SURPLUS ------------------------------------ Balance at January 1, 1998 $ 1,500 $ 88,015 $25,348 $114,863 Net loss 0 0 (7,583) (7,583) Net unrealized gains 0 0 126 126 Increase in non-admitted assets 0 0 (857) (857) Increase in asset valuation reserve 0 0 (177) (177) Decrease in surplus in separate accounts 0 0 (2,010) (2,010) Other adjustments 0 92 2,197 2,289 ------------------------------------ Balance at June 30, 1998 1,500 88,107 17,044 106,651 ==================================== 48 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW - STATUTORY BASIS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 (IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Premiums and other considerations, net of reinsurance $ 649,395 Net investment income 18,274 Life and accident and health claims (22,611) Surrender benefits to policyholders (288,039) Other benefits to policyholders (14,537) Commissions, other expenses and other taxes (158,309) Federal income taxes (2,213) Other, net 80,652 Net transfers to separate accounts (232,542) --------- Net cash used by operating activities 30,070 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid: Bonds and preferred stocks 106,771 Mortgage loans on real estate 174 --------- 106,945 Cost of investments acquired: Bonds and preferred stocks 64,654 Real estate 24,051 Policy loans 17,871 --------- 106,576 Net tax on capital gains 670 --------- Net cash provided by investing activities (301) --------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Borrowed money 1,491 --------- Net cash provided by financing activities 1,491 Increase in cash and short-term investments 31,260 Cash and short-term investments at beginning of year 13,896 --------- Cash and short-term investments at end of year 45,156 ========= 49 WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - STATUTORY BASIS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 (IN THOUSANDS)(UNAUDITED) 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited staturory basis financial statements have been prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six month period ended June 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 1998. For further information, refer to the accompanying statutory basis financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 1997. 50 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - STATUTORY BASIS WESTERN RESERVE LIFE ASSURANCE CO. OF OHIO YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995 WITH REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS 51 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Financial Statements - Statutory Basis Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 CONTENTS Report of Independent Auditors.................................................1 Audited Financial Statements Balance Sheets - Statutory Basis...............................................3 Statements of Operations - Statutory Basis.....................................5 Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus - Statutory Basis.................6 Statements of Cash Flows - Statutory Basis.....................................7 Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory Basis................................8 52 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio We have audited the accompanying statutory-basis balance sheets of Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statutory-basis statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. Our audits also included the statutory-basis financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-X, Article 7. These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the "Separate Account Assets" and "Separate Account Liabilities" in the balance sheets of the Company. The Separate Account financial statements were audited by other auditors whose reports have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the data included for the Separate Account, is based solely upon the reports of the other auditors. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the reports of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company presents its financial statements in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Ohio, which practices differ from generally accepted accounting principles. The variances between such practices and generally accepted accounting principles are also described in Note 1. The effects on the financial statements of these variances are not reasonably determinable but are presumed to be material. In our opinion, because of the effects of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the financial position of Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio at December 31, 1997 and 1996, or the results of its operations or its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. 1 53 Also, in our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of other auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Ohio. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic statutory-basis financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Des Moines, Iowa February 27, 1998 2 54 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Balance Sheets - Statutory Basis (Dollars in thousands) DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 ---------------------------- ADMITTED ASSETS Cash and invested assets: Cash and short-term investments $ 13,896 $ 2,480 Bonds 255,919 359,579 Common stocks: Affiliated entities (cost: 1997 - $150) 319 - Other (cost: 1997 and 1996 - $302) 428 597 Mortgage loans on real estate 4,824 6,049 Home office properties 19,964 7,962 Policy loans 76,741 52,604 ---------------------------- Total cash and invested assets 372,091 429,271 Premiums deferred and uncollected 1,928 1,943 Accrued investment income 4,088 5,940 Receivable from affiliates - 1,165 Transfers from separate accounts 279,958 204,181 Other assets 5,221 3,962 Separate account assets 4,814,594 3,527,145 ---------------------------- Total admitted assets $5,477,880 $4,173,607 ============================ See accompanying notes. 3 55 DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 ---------------------------- LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL AND SURPLUS Liabilities: Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts: Life $ 186,523 $ 155,166 Annuity 296,290 332,230 Policy and contract claim reserves 10,929 8,584 Other policyholders' funds 3,877 3,104 Remittances and items not allocated 9,184 9,107 Federal income taxes payable 2,283 1,266 Asset valuation reserve 2,436 5,710 Interest maintenance reserve 9,134 7,451 Short-term note payable to affiliate 8,200 - Payable to affiliate 1,925 20,463 Other liabilities 19,257 13,082 Separate account liabilities 4,812,979 3,521,888 ---------------------------- Total liabilities 5,363,017 4,078,051 Commitments and contingencies Capital and surplus: Common stock, $1.00 par value, 1,500 shares authorized, issued and outstanding 1,500 1,500 Paid-in surplus 88,015 68,015 Unassigned surplus 25,348 26,041 ---------------------------- Total capital and surplus 114,863 95,556 ---------------------------- Total liabilities and capital and surplus $5,477,880 $4,173,607 ============================ See accompanying notes. 4 56 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Statements of Operations - Statutory Basis (Dollars in thousands) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 ---------------------------------------------- Revenues: Premiums and other considerations, net of reinsurance: Life $ 394,370 $ 293,590 $191,508 Annuity 822,149 740,125 378,390 Net investment income 40,013 36,067 40,891 Amortization of interest maintenance reserve 1,576 1,335 882 Commissions and expense allowances on reinsurance ceded 11 11 11 Other income 3,016 13,398 8,237 ---------------------------------------------- 1,261,135 1,084,526 619,919 Benefits and expenses: Benefits paid or provided for: Life 28,060 21,256 17,844 Surrender benefits 431,939 286,406 206,250 Other benefits 28,112 23,270 19,530 Increase (decrease) in aggregate reserves for policies and contracts: Life 29,485 80,139 (15,132) Annuity (35,940) 12,877 5,229 Other 794 422 109 ---------------------------------------------- 482,450 424,370 233,830 Insurance expenses: Commissions 179,106 140,261 82,903 General insurance expenses 70,546 47,406 37,246 Taxes, licenses and fees 13,101 10,848 8,919 Transfer to separate accounts 519,214 452,471 242,427 Other expenses 21 60 34 ---------------------------------------------- 781,988 651,046 371,529 ---------------------------------------------- 1,264,438 1,075,416 605,359 ---------------------------------------------- Gain (loss) from operations before federal income taxes and realized capital gains (losses) on investments (3,303) 9,110 14,560 Federal income tax expense 469 9,297 8,917 ---------------------------------------------- Gain (loss) from operations before realized capital gains (losses) on investments (3,772) (187) 5,643 Net realized capital gains (losses) on investments (net of related federal income taxes and amounts transferred to interest maintenance reserve) 747 (811) (1,678) ---------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ (3,025) $ (998) $ 3,965 ============================================== See accompanying notes. 5 57 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Statements of Changes in Capital and Surplus - Statutory Basis (Dollars in thousands) TOTAL COMMON PAID-IN UNASSIGNED CAPITAL AND STOCK SURPLUS SURPLUS SURPLUS ----------------------------------------------------------- Balance at January 1, 1995 $1,500 $68,015 $25,505 $ 95,020 Net income for 1995 - - 3,965 3,965 Net unrealized capital losses - - (500) (500) Decrease in non-admitted assets - - 903 903 Decrease in asset valuation reserve - - 2,901 2,901 Increase in surplus in separate accounts - - 541 541 Change in reserve valuation - - (3,496) (3,496) Other adjustments - - (1,395) (1,395) ----------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1995 1,500 68,015 28,424 97,939 Net loss for 1996 - - (998) (998) Net unrealized capital gains - - 1,294 1,294 Decrease in non-admitted assets - - 199 199 Increase in asset valuation reserve - - (120) (120) Increase in surplus in separate accounts - - 237 237 Change in reserve valuation - - (2,995) (2,995) ----------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1996 1,500 68,015 26,041 95,556 Net loss for 1997 - - (3,025) (3,025) Increase in non-admitted assets - - (702) (702) Decrease in asset valuation reserve - - 3,274 3,274 Decrease in surplus in separate accounts - - (2,115) (2,115) Change in reserve valuation - - (1,872) (1,872) Capital contribution - 20,000 - 20,000 Tax effect of capital loss carry-forward utilized by affiliates - - 3,747 3,747 ----------------------------------------------------------- Balance at December 31, 1997 $1,500 $88,015 $25,348 $114,863 =========================================================== See accompanying notes. 6 58 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Statements of Cash Flows - Statutory Basis (Dollars in thousands) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 ------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Premiums and other considerations, net of reinsurance $1,224,228 $1,046,548 $577,986 Net investment income 43,802 38,666 42,359 Life and accident and health claims (26,005) (20,655) (16,759) Surrender benefits and other fund withdrawals (431,939) (286,406) (206,250) Other benefits to policyholders (28,147) (22,129) (19,041) Commissions, other expenses and other taxes (261,352) (196,373) (128,341) Net transfers to separate accounts (596,347) (658,326) (242,427) Federal income taxes paid (5,006) (9,449) (7,531) Interest paid (731) - - Other, net (6,768) 28,325 (4,284) ------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in operating activities (88,265) (79,799) (4,288) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid: Bonds and preferred stocks 146,963 122,820 108,554 Common stocks - - 2,108 Mortgage loans on real estate 2,116 132 1,954 Real estate - 4,304 - Other - 175 - ------------------------------------------------- 149,079 127,431 112,616 Cost of investments acquired Bonds and preferred stocks (40,418) (26,826) (139,402) Common stocks (150) (4) (589) Mortgage loans on real estate (891) - (6) Real estate (12,002) (7,837) (449) Policy loans (24,137) (15,479) (9,605) Other - (5) - ------------------------------------------------- (77,598) (50,151) (150,051) ------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 71,481 77,280 (37,435) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Issuance of short-term note payable to affiliate 8,200 - - Capital contribution 20,000 - - ------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by financing activities 28,200 - - ------------------------------------------------- Increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments 11,416 (2,519) (41,723) Cash and short-term investments at beginning of year 2,480 4,999 46,722 ------------------------------------------------- Cash and short-term investments at end of year $ 13,896 $ 2,480 $ 4,999 ================================================= See accompanying notes. 7 59 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (Dollars in thousands) December 31, 1997 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ORGANIZATION Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio ("the Company") is a stock life insurance company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First AUSA Life Insurance Company which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc. ("AEGON"). AEGON is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEGON nv, a holding company organized under the laws of the Netherlands. NATURE OF BUSINESS The Company operates predominantly in the variable universal life and variable annuity areas of the life insurance business. The Company is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Sales of the Company's products are through financial planners, independent representatives, financial institutions and stockbrokers. The majority of the Company's new life insurance written and a substantial portion of new annuities written is done through one marketing organization; the Company expects to maintain this relationship for the foreseeable future. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The preparation of financial statements of insurance companies requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of Ohio, which practices differ from generally accepted accounting principles. The more significant of these differences are as follows: (a) bonds are generally carried at amortized cost rather than segregating the portfolio into held-to-maturity (reported at amortized cost), available-for-sale (reported at fair value), and trading (reported at fair value) classifications; (b) acquisition costs of acquiring new business are expensed as incurred rather than deferred and amortized over the life of the policies; (c) policy reserves on traditional life products are based on statutory mortality rates and interest which may differ from reserves based on reasonable assumptions of expected mortality, interest, and withdrawals which include a provision for possible unfavorable deviation from such assumptions; (d) policy reserves on certain investment products use discounting methodologies utilizing statutory interest rates rather than full account values; (e) reinsurance amounts are netted against the corresponding asset or liability rather than 8 60 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) shown as gross amounts on the balance sheet; (f) deferred income taxes are not provided for the difference between the financial statement amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities; (g) net realized gains or losses attributed to changes in the level of interest rates in the market are deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the bond or mortgage loan, rather than recognized as gains or losses in the statement of operations when the sale is completed; (h) declines in the estimated realizable value of investments are provided for through the establishment of a formula-determined statutory investment reserve (reported as a liability) changes to which are charged directly to surplus, rather than through recognition in the statement of operations for declines in value, when such declines are judged to be other than temporary; (i) certain assets designated as "non-admitted assets" have been charged to surplus rather than being reported as assets; (j) revenues for universal life and investment products consist of the entire premiums received rather than policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration charges, amortization of policy initiation fees and surrender charges assessed; (k) pension expense is recorded as amounts are paid rather than accrued and expensed during the periods in which the employers provide service; and (l) the financial statements of wholly-owned affiliates are not consolidated with those of the Company. The effects of these variances have not been determined by the Company. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) currently is in the process of recodifying statutory accounting practices, the result of which is expected to constitute the only source of "prescribed" statutory accounting practices. Accordingly, that project, which is expected to be completed in 1998, will likely change, to some extent, prescribed statutory accounting practices and may result in changes to the accounting practices that the Company uses to prepare its statutory-basis financial statements. The impact of any such changes on the Company's statutory surplus cannot be determined at this time and could be material. Other significant statutory accounting practices are as follows: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with remaining maturities of one year or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. INVESTMENTS Investments in bonds (except those to which the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC has ascribed a value), mortgage loans on real estate and short-term investments are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts. Amortization is computed using methods which result in a level yield over the expected 9 61 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) life of the security. The Company reviews its prepayment assumptions on mortgage and other asset backed securities at regular intervals and adjusts amortization rates retrospectively when such assumptions are changed due to experience and/or expected future patterns. Common stocks of unaffiliated companies are carried at market and include shares of mutual funds (money market and other), and the related unrealized capital gains/(losses) are reported in unassigned surplus without any adjustment for federal income taxes. Common stocks of the Company's wholly-owned affiliates are recorded at the equity in net assets. Home office property is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method. Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal. Other "admitted assets" are valued, principally at cost, as required or permitted by Ohio Insurance Laws. Realized capital gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific identification and are recorded net of related federal income taxes. The Asset Valuation Reserve (AVR) is established by the Company to provide for anticipated losses in the event of default by issuers of certain invested assets. These amounts are determined using a formula prescribed by the NAIC and are reported as a liability. The formula for the AVR provides for a corresponding adjustment for realized gains and losses. Under a formula prescribed by the NAIC, the Company defers, in the Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR), the portion of realized gains and losses on sales of fixed income investments, principally bonds and mortgage loans, attributable to changes in the general level of interest rates and amortizes those deferrals over the remaining period to maturity of the security. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, net realized capital gains of $3,259, $2,394 and $554, respectively, were credited to the IMR rather than being immediately recognized in the statements of operations. Amortization of these net gains aggregated $1,576, $1,335 and $882 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. The Company does not accrue income on bonds in default, mortgage loans on real estate in default and/or foreclosure or which are delinquent more than twelve months, or real estate where rent is in arrears for more than three months. Further, income is not accrued when collection is uncertain. No investment income due and accrued has been excluded for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, with respect to such practices. 10 62 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) AGGREGATE RESERVES FOR POLICIES Life and annuity reserves are developed by actuarial methods and are determined based on published tables using statutorily specified interest rates and valuation methods that will provide, in the aggregate, reserves that are greater than or equal to the minimum required by law. The aggregate policy reserves for life insurance policies are based principally upon the 1941, 1958 and 1980 Commissioners' Standard Ordinary Mortality and American Experience Mortality Tables. The reserves are calculated using interest rates ranging from 2.25 to 5.50 percent and are computed principally on the Net Level Premium Valuation and the Commissioners' Reserve Valuation Methods. Reserves for universal life policies are based on account balances adjusted for the Commissioners' Reserve Valuation Method. Deferred annuity reserves are calculated according to the Commissioners' Annuity Reserve Valuation Method including excess interest reserves to cover situations where the future interest guarantees plus the decrease in surrender charges are in excess of the maximum valuation rates of interest. Reserves for immediate annuities and supplementary contracts with life contingencies are equal to the present value of future payments assuming interest rates ranging from 5.75 to 8.75 percent and mortality rates, where appropriate, from a variety of tables. POLICY AND CONTRACT CLAIM RESERVES Claim reserves represent the estimated accrued liability for claims reported to the Company and claims incurred but not yet reported through the statement date. These reserves are estimated using either individual case-basis valuations or statistical analysis techniques. These estimates are subject to the effects of trends in claim severity and frequency. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes available. SEPARATE ACCOUNTS Assets held in trust for purchases of variable universal life and variable annuity contracts and the Company's corresponding obligation to the contract owners are shown separately in the balance sheets. The assets in the separate accounts are valued at market. Income and gains and losses with respect to the assets in the separate accounts accrue to the benefit of the policyholders and, accordingly, the operations of the separate accounts are not included in the accompanying financial statements. The separate accounts do not have any minimum guarantees and the investment risks associated with market value changes are borne entirely by the policyholders. The Company received variable contract premiums of $1,164,013, $997,513 and $466,822 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. All variable account contracts are subject to discretionary withdrawal by the policyholder at the market value of the underlying assets less the current surrender charge. Separate account contractholders have no claim against the assets of the general account. 11 63 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1996 and 1995 financial statements to conform to the 1997 presentation. 2. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statutory-basis balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparisons to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements and allows companies to forego the disclosures when those estimates can only be made at excessive cost. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments: Cash and Short-Term Investments: The carrying amounts reported in the statutory-basis balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values. Investment Securities: Fair values for fixed maturity securities (including redeemable preferred stocks) are based on quoted market prices, where available. For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from independent pricing services or (in the case of private placements) are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments. The fair values for equity securities are based on quoted market prices. Mortgage Loans and Policy Loans: The fair values for mortgage loans are estimated utilizing discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates reflective of current market conditions and the risk characteristics of the loans. The fair value of policy loans are assumed to equal their carrying value. Investment Contracts: Fair values for the Company's liabilities under investment-type insurance contracts are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations, based on interest rates currently being offered for similar contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining for the contracts being valued. 12 64 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 2. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED) Fair values for the Company's insurance contracts other than investment contracts are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, which minimizes exposure to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts. The following sets forth a comparison of the fair values and carrying values of the Company's financial instruments subject to the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107: DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 ------------------------------ ------------------------------ CARRYING VALUE FAIR VALUE CARRYING VALUE FAIR VALUE ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ADMITTED ASSETS Bonds $ 255,919 $ 267,763 $ 359,579 $ 372,319 Common stocks 747 747 597 597 Mortgage loans on real estate 4,824 5,143 6,049 6,134 Policy loans 76,741 76,741 52,604 52,604 Cash and short-term investments 13,896 13,896 2,480 2,480 Separate account assets 4,814,594 4,814,594 3,527,145 3,527,145 LIABILITIES Investment contract liabilities 280,121 276,113 321,293 314,748 Separate account annuities 3,615,255 3,565,557 2,692,614 2,647,266 3. INVESTMENTS The carrying value and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities are as follows: GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED CARRYING UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR VALUE GAINS LOSSES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, 1997 Bonds: United States Government and agencies $ 3,675 $ 9 $ 30 $ 3,654 State, municipal and other government 3,855 360 - 4,215 Public utilities 15,794 904 403 16,295 Industrial and miscellaneous 121,513 7,700 710 128,503 Mortgage-backed securities 111,082 4,198 184 115,096 ------------------------------------------------------ Total bonds $255,919 $13,171 $1,327 $267,763 ====================================================== 13 65 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED CARRYING UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR VALUE GAINS LOSSES VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------ DECEMBER 31, 1996 Bonds: United States Government and agencies $ 11,422 $ 13 $ 292 $ 11,143 State, municipal and other government 5,504 274 - 5,778 Public utilities 14,808 848 80 15,576 Industrial and miscellaneous 173,097 8,889 910 181,076 Mortgage-backed securities 154,748 4,617 619 158,746 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Total bonds $359,579 $14,641 $1,901 $372,319 ================================================================== The carrying value and fair value of bonds at December 31, 1997 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. ESTIMATED CARRYING FAIR VALUE VALUE ---------------------------- Due in one year or less $ 18,310 $ 18,467 Due one through five years 67,005 70,952 Due five through ten years 29,508 30,621 Due after ten years 30,014 32,627 ---------------------------- 144,837 152,667 Mortgage and other asset backed securities 111,082 115,096 ---------------------------- $255,919 $267,763 ============================ A detail of net investment income is presented below: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 -------------------------------------------- Interest on bonds $25,723 $33,969 $38,624 Dividends on equity investments 10,855 - 30 Interest on mortgage loans 478 559 573 Rental income on real estate 1,371 919 1,014 Interest on policy loans 4,656 3,339 2,353 Other investment income 26 9 328 -------------------------------------------- Gross investment income 43,109 38,795 42,922 Investment expenses (3,096) (2,728) (2,031) -------------------------------------------- Net investment income $40,013 $36,067 $40,891 ============================================ 14 66 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) Proceeds from sales and maturities of debt securities and related gross realized gains and losses were as follows: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 -------------------------------------- Proceeds $146,963 $122,820 $108,554 ====================================== Gross realized gains $ 3,921 $ 2,984 $ 1,631 Gross realized losses 626 791 1,346 -------------------------------------- Net realized gains $ 3,295 $ 2,193 $ 285 ====================================== At December 31, 1997, bonds with an aggregate carrying value of $5,474 were on deposit with certain state regulatory authorities or were restrictively held in bank custodial accounts for benefit of such state regulatory authorities, as required by statute. Realized investment gains (losses) and changes in unrealized gains (losses) for investments are summarized below: REALIZED ----------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 ----------------------------------------- Debt securities $3,295 $2,193 $ 285 Mortgage loans - - (1,409) Real estate - (606) - Other invested assets - (4) - ----------------------------------------- 3,295 1,583 (1,124) Tax benefit (711) - - Transfer to interest maintenance reserve (3,259) (2,394) (554) ----------------------------------------- Net realized gains (losses) $ 747 $ (811) $(1,678) ========================================= CHANGES IN UNREALIZED ----------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 ----------------------------------------- Debt securities $(896) $(14,442) $36,399 Common stock - (66) (236) ----------------------------------------- Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $(896) $(14,508) $36,163 ========================================= 15 67 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) Gross unrealized gains (losses) on common stocks were as follows: UNREALIZED ------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 1995 ------------------------------------------------- Unrealized gains $295 $295 $361 Unrealized losses - - - ------------------------------------------------- Net unrealized gains $295 $295 $361 ================================================= During 1997, the Company issued one mortgage loan with an interest rate of 8.07%. The maximum percentage of any one mortgage loan to the value of the underlying real estate at origination was 69%. The Company requires all mortgagees to carry fire insurance equal to the value of the underlying property. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, no mortgage loans were foreclosed and transferred to real estate. During 1997 and 1996, the Company held a mortgage loan loss reserve in the asset valuation reserve of $54 and $138, respectively. At December 31, 1997, the Company had no investments (excluding U. S. Government guaranteed or insured issues) which individually represented more than ten percent of capital and surplus and the asset valuation reserve. 4. REINSURANCE The Company reinsures portions of certain insurance policies which exceed its established limits, thereby providing a greater diversification of risk and minimizing exposure on larger risks. The Company remains contingently liable with respect to any insurance ceded, and this would become an actual liability in the event that the assuming insurance company became unable to meet its obligations under the reinsurance treaty. 1997 1996 1995 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Direct premiums $1,219,271 $1,034,757 $570,413 Reinsurance assumed 2,389 2,063 1,569 Reinsurance ceded (5,141) (3,105) (2,084) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Net premiums earned $1,216,519 $1,033,715 $569,898 ================================================================ 16 68 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 4. REINSURANCE (CONTINUED) The Company received reinsurance recoveries in the amount of $2,288, $2,156 and $512 during 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers that have been deducted from policy and contract claim reserves totaled $2,721 and $974, respectively. The aggregate reserves for policies and contracts were reduced for reserve credits for reinsurance ceded at December 31, 1997 and 1996 of $1,369 and $1,140, respectively. 5. INCOME TAXES For federal income tax purposes, the Company joins in a consolidated tax return filing with certain affiliated companies. Under the terms of a tax-sharing agreement between the Company and its affiliates, the Company computes federal income tax expense as if it were filing a separate income tax return, except that tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards are determined on the basis of the consolidated group. Additionally, the alternative minimum tax is computed for the consolidated group and the resulting tax, if any, is allocated back to the separate companies on the basis of the separate companies' alternative minimum taxable income. Federal income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to gain from operations before taxes and realized capital gains (losses) for the following reasons: 1997 1996 1995 ----------------------------------------------------- Computed tax at federal statutory rate (35%) $(1,156) $3,189 $5,096 Deferred acquisition costs - tax basis 9,164 7,172 4,241 Tax reserve valuation (194) (696) (34) Excess tax depreciation (127) (65) (49) Amortization of IMR (552) (467) (309) Dividend received deduction (5,326) - - Other, net (1,340) 164 (28) ----------------------------------------------------- Federal income tax expense $ 469 $9,297 $8,917 ===================================================== For the year ended December 31, 1997, federal income tax benefit differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to realized gains due to the recognition for tax purposes of a deferred loss previously incurred on a transfer of bonds from the Company to an affiliate. 17 69 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 5. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Prior to 1984, as provided for under the Life Insurance Company Tax Act of 1959, a portion of statutory income was not subject to current taxation, but was accumulated for income tax purposes in a memorandum account referred to as the policyholders' surplus account. No federal income taxes have been provided for in the financial statements on income deferred in the policyholders' surplus account ($293 at December 31, 1997). To the extent dividends are paid from the amount accumulated in the policyholders' surplus account, net earnings would be reduced by the amount of tax required to be paid. Should the entire amount in the policyholders' surplus account become taxable, the tax thereon computed at current rates would amount to approximately $103. In 1995, the Company reached a final settlement with the Internal Revenue Service for 1987 through 1993 resulting in taxes of $1,275 and interest of $120 (net of $65 tax effect). The assessment was charged to surplus as a prior period adjustment. An examination is currently underway for years 1994 through 1995. At December 31, 1996, the Company had capital loss carryforwards of approximately $10,705, which were utilized by the Company's affiliates in the consolidated tax return filing in 1997. This transaction resulted in a receipt from the Company's affiliate of $3,747, which was credited directly to unassigned surplus. 6. POLICY AND CONTRACT ATTRIBUTES Participating life insurance policies are issued by the Company which entitle policyholders to a share in the earnings of the participating policies, provided that a dividend distribution, which is determined annually based on mortality and persistency experience of the participating policies, is authorized by the Company. Participating insurance constituted approximately .03% and .04% of life insurance in force at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. A portion of the Company's policy reserves and other policyholders' funds relate to liabilities established on a variety of the Company's products, primarily separate accounts, that are not subject to significant mortality or morbidity risk; however, there may be certain restrictions placed upon the amount of funds that can be withdrawn without penalty. The amount of reserves on these products, by withdrawal characteristics are summarized as follows: 18 70 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 6. POLICY AND CONTRACT ATTRIBUTES (CONTINUED) DECEMBER 31 1997 1996 ------------------------- -------------------------- PERCENT PERCENT AMOUNT OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF TOTAL ------------------------- -------------------------- Subject to discretionary withdrawal with market value adjustment $ 13,812 1% $ 14,881 1% Subject to discretionary withdrawal at book value less surrender charge 68,376 2 63,619 2 Subject to discretionary withdrawal at market value 3,615,255 91 2,692,614 89 Subject to discretionary withdrawal at book value (minimal or no charges or adjustments) 201,457 5 239,204 7 Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision 16,572 1 17,603 1 ------------------------- ------------------------- 3,915,472 100% 3,027,921 100% ======= ======== Less reinsurance ceded - - ----------- ----------- Total policy reserves on annuities and deposit fund liabilities $3,915,472 $3,027,921 =========== =========== A reconciliation of the amounts transferred to and from the separate accounts is presented below: 1997 1996 1995 ---------------------------------------------- Transfers as reported in the summary of operations of the separate accounts statement: Transfers to separate accounts $1,164,013 $997,513 $466,882 Transfers from separate accounts 646,477 339,523 224,416 ---------------------------------------------- Net transfers to separate accounts 517,536 657,990 242,466 Reconciling adjustments - change in accruals for investment management, administration fees and contract guarantees, and separate account surplus 1,678 (205,519) (39) ---------------------------------------------- Transfers as reported in the summary of operations of the life, accident and health annual statement $ 519,214 $452,471 $242,427 ============================================== 19 71 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 6. POLICY AND CONTRACT ATTRIBUTES (CONTINUED) Reserves on the Company's traditional life products are computed using mean reserving methodologies. These methodologies result in the establishment of assets for the amount of the net valuation premiums that are anticipated to be received between the policy's paid-through date to the policy's next anniversary date. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, these assets (which are reported as premiums deferred and uncollected) and the amounts of the related gross premiums and loadings, are as follows: GROSS LOADING NET -------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, 1997 Ordinary direct first year business $ 2 $ 1 $ 1 Ordinary direct renewal business 1,350 140 1,210 Group life direct business 717 - 717 -------------------------------------------- $2,069 $141 $1,928 ============================================ DECEMBER 31, 1996 Ordinary direct first year business $ 40 $ 9 $ 31 Ordinary direct renewal business 1,431 225 1,206 Group life direct business 622 - 622 Annuity renewal business 94 10 84 -------------------------------------------- $2,187 $244 $1,943 ============================================ At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company had insurance in force aggregating $1,710 and $1,904, respectively, in which the gross premiums are less than the net premiums required by the standard valuation standards established by the Insurance Department of the State of Ohio. The Company established policy reserves of $26 and $27 to cover these deficiencies at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. In 1994, the NAIC enacted a guideline to clarify reserving methodologies for contracts that require immediate payment of claims upon proof of death of the insured. Companies were allowed to grade the effects of the change in reserving methodologies over five years. A direct charge to surplus of $1,872, $2,995 and $3,496 was made for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, related to the change in reserve methodology. 7. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS Generally, an insurance company's ability to pay dividends is limited to the amount that their net assets, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices, exceed minimum statutory capital requirements. However, payment of such amounts as dividends may be subject to approval by regulatory authorities. 20 72 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 8. RETIREMENT AND COMPENSATION PLANS The Company's employees participate in a qualified benefit plan sponsored by AEGON. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. The Company recognizes pension expense equal to its allocation from AEGON. The pension expense is allocated among the participating companies based on the FASB Statement No. 87 expense as a percent of salaries. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee's compensation during the highest five consecutive years of employment. Pension expense aggregated $659, $581 and $505 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The plan is subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974. The Company's employees also participate in a contributory defined contribution plan sponsored by AEGON which is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Employees of the Company who customarily work at least 1,000 hours during each calendar year and meet the other eligibility requirements are participants of the plan. Participants may elect to contribute up to fifteen percent of their salary to the plan. The Company will match an amount up to three percent of the participant's salary. Participants may direct all of their contributions and plan balances to be invested in a variety of investment options. The plan is subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974. Pension expense related to this plan was $448, $184 and $305 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. AEGON sponsors supplemental retirement plans to provide the Company's senior management with benefits in excess of normal pension benefits. The plans are noncontributory and benefits are based on years of service and the employee's compensation level. The plans are unfunded and nonqualified under the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, AEGON has established incentive deferred compensation plans for certain key employees of the Company. AEGON also sponsors an employee stock option plan for individuals employed at least three years and a stock purchase plan for its producers, with the participating affiliated companies establishing their own eligibility criteria, producer contribution limits and company matching formula. These plans have been accrued or funded as deemed appropriate by management of AEGON and the Company. In addition to pension benefits, the Company participates in plans sponsored by AEGON that provide postretirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits to employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. Portions of the medical and dental plans are contributory. The expenses of the postretirement plans calculated on the pay-as-you-go basis are charged to affiliates in accordance with an intercompany cost sharing arrangement. The Company expensed $99, $98 and $86 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 21 73 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company shares certain officers, employees and general expenses with affiliated companies. The Company receives data processing, investment advisory and management, marketing and administration services from certain affiliates. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company paid $10,040, $10,038 and $8,825, respectively, for such services, which approximates their costs to the affiliates. The Company provides office space, marketing and administrative services to certain affiliates. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company received $4,395, $3,271 and $4,545, respectively, for such services, which approximates their cost. The Company had a net payable with affiliates of $1,925 and $19,298 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Payable to affiliates and intercompany borrowings bear interest at the thirty-day commercial paper rate of 5.33% at December 31, 1997. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company paid (received) net interest of $364, $138 and $(294), respectively, to (from) affiliates. The Company received capital contributions of $20,000 from its parent in 1997. At December 31, 1997, the Company has a $8,200 short-term note payable to an affiliate. Interest on this note accrues at 5.60 %. 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is a party to legal proceedings incidental to its business. Although such litigation sometimes includes substantial demands for compensatory and punitive damages in addition to contract liability, it is management's opinion, after consultation with counsel and a review of available facts, that damages arising from such demands will not be material to the Company's financial position. The Company is subject to insurance guaranty laws in the states in which it writes business. These laws provide for assessments against insurance companies for the benefit of policyholders and claimants in the event of insolvency of other insurance companies. Assessments are charged to operations when received by the Company except where right of offset against other taxes paid is allowed by law; amounts available for future offsets are recorded as an asset on the Company's balance sheet. The future obligation has been based on the most recent information available from the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. Potential future obligations for unknown 22 74 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Notes to Financial Statements - Statutory-Basis (continued) (Dollars in thousands) 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) insolvencies are not determinable by the Company. The Company has established a reserve of $4,007 and $4,344 and an offsetting premium tax benefit of $1,070 and $1,218 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, for its estimated share of future guaranty fund assessments related to several major insurer insolvencies. The guaranty fund expense was $0, $212 and $1,950 at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 11. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED) AEGON has adopted and has in place a Year 2000 Assessment and Planning Project (the "Project") to review and analyze its information technology and systems to determine if they are Year 2000 compatible. The Company has begun to convert or modify, where necessary, critical data processing systems. It is contemplated that the plan will be substantially completed by early 1999. The Company does not expect this project to have a significant effect on operations. However, to mitigate the effect of outside influences upon the success of the project, the Company has undertaken communications with its significant customers, suppliers and other third parties to determine their Year 2000 compatibility and readiness. Management believes that the issues associated with the Year 2000 will be resolved with no material financial impact on the Company. Since the Year 2000 computer problem, and its resolution is complex and multifaceted, the success of a response plan cannot be conclusively known until the Year 2000 is reached (or an earlier date to the extent that systems or equipment addresses Year 2000 date data prior to the Year 2000). Even with appropriate and diligent pursuit of a well-conceived Project, including testing procedures, there is no certainty that any company will achieve complete success. Notwithstanding the efforts or results of the Company, its ability to function unaffected to and through the Year 2000 may be adversely affected by actions (or failure to act) of third parties beyond its knowledge or control. 23 75 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Summary of Investments Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Dollars in thousands) December 31, 1997 SCHEDULE I AMOUNT AT WHICH SHOWN IN THE TYPE OF INVESTMENT COST (1) VALUE BALANCE SHEET - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED MATURITIES Bonds: United States Government and government agencies and authorities $ 65,611 $ 68,452 $ 65,611 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 1,840 1,974 1,840 Foreign governments 2,015 2,241 2,015 Public utilities 15,794 16,295 15,794 All other corporate bonds 170,659 178,801 170,659 --------------------------------------------- Total fixed maturities 255,919 267,763 255,919 EQUITY SECURITIES Common stocks: Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 452 747 747 --------------------------------------------- Total equity securities 452 747 747 Mortgage loans on real estate 4,824 4,824 Real estate 19,964 19,964 Policy loans 76,741 76,741 Cash and short-term investments 13,896 13,896 -------------- --------------- Total investments $371,796 $372,091 ============== =============== (1) Original cost of equity securities and, as to fixed maturities, original cost reduced by repayments and adjusted for amortization of premiums or accruals of discounts. 24 76 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Supplementary Insurance Information (Dollars in thousands) SCHEDULE III BENEFITS, CLAIMS, FUTURE POLICY POLICY AND NET LOSSES AND OTHER BENEFITS AND CONTRACT PREMIUM INVESTMENT SETTLEMENT OPERATING EXPENSES LIABILITIES REVENUE INCOME* EXPENSES EXPENSES* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 Individual life $177,088 $ 9,533 $ 390,452 $13,742 $ 88,738 $176,303 Group life 9,435 805 3,918 810 3,986 3,292 Annuity 296,290 591 822,149 25,461 389,726 83,179 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $482,813 $10,929 $1,216,519 $40,013 $482,450 $262,774 =================================================================================================== YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 Individual life $145,964 $ 7,017 $ 289,375 $ 8,228 $125,861 $124,181 Group life and health 9,202 713 4,215 3,940 3,828 2,818 Annuity 332,230 854 740,125 23,899 294,681 71,576 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $487,396 $ 8,584 $1,033,715 $36,067 $424,370 $198,575 =================================================================================================== YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 Individual life $ 64,128 $ 5,811 $ 188,143 $ 9,470 $ 20,048 $ 83,709 Group life 7,904 701 3,365 1,054 2,774 946 Annuity 319,353 100 378,390 30,367 211,008 44,447 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $391,385 $ 6,612 $ 569,898 $40,891 $233,830 $129,102 =================================================================================================== * Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on a number of assumptions and estimates, and the results would change if different methods were applied. 25 77 Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio Reinsurance (Dollars in thousands) SCHEDULE IV ASSUMED PERCENTAGE CEDED TO FROM OF AMOUNT GROSS OTHER OTHER NET ASSUMED AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT TO NET -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 Life insurance in force $40,221,361 $6,776,447 $2,692,822 $36,137,736 7.5% ============================================================================================ Premiums: Individual life $ 395,361 $ 4,910 $ - $ $390,452 0.0% Group life and health 1,761 231 2,389 3,918 61.0 Annuity 822,149 - - 822,149 0.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,219,271 $ 5,141 $ 2,389 $ 1,216,519 0.2% ============================================================================================ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 Life insurance in force $28,168,880 $4,463,986 $2,210,601 $25,915,495 8.5% ============================================================================================ Premiums: Individual life $ 292,239 $ 2,863 $ - $ 289,376 0.0% Group life and health 2,393 242 2,063 4,214 49.0 Annuity 740,125 - - 740,125 0.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,034,757 $ 3,105 $ 2,063 $ 1,033,715 0.2% ============================================================================================ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 Life insurance in force $19,438,203 $1,365,119 $1,619,378 $19,692,462 8.2% ============================================================================================ Premiums: Individual life $ 189,870 $ 1,727 $ - $ 188,143 0.0% Group life 2,153 357 1,569 3,365 46.6 Annuity 378,390 - - 378,390 0.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 570,413 $ 2,084 $ 1,569 $ 569,898 0.2% ============================================================================================ 26 78 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic information, documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred in that Section. REPRESENTATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 26(e) (2) (A) Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio ("Western Reserve") hereby represents that the fees and charges deducted under the Policies, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by Western Reserve. STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFICATION Provisions exist under the Ohio General Corporation Law, the Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of Western Reserve and the Amended Code of Regulations of Western Reserve whereby Western Reserve may indemnify certain persons against certain payments incurred by such persons. The following excerpts contain the substance of these provisions. Ohio General Corporation Law SECTION 1701.13 AUTHORITY OF CORPORATION. (E)(1) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation (including a subsidiary of this corporation), domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (2) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any of the following: 1 79 (a) Any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless, and only to the extent that the court of common pleas, or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court shall deem proper; (b) Any action or suit in which the only liability asserted against a director is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code. (3) To the extent that a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (4) Any indemnification under divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in divisions (E)(1 ) and (2) of this section. Such determination shall be made as follows: (a) By a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the indemnifying corporation who were not and are not parties to or threatened with any such action, suit, or proceeding; (b) If the quorum described in division (E)(4)(a) of this section is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been retained by or who has performed services for the corporation, or any person to be indemnified within the past five years; (c) By the shareholders; (d) By the court of common pleas or the court in which such action, suit, or proceeding was brought. Any determination made by the disinterested directors under division (E)(4)(a) or by independent legal counsel under division (E)(4)(b) of this section shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought the action or suit by or in the right of the corporation under division (E)(2) of this section, and within ten days after receipt of such notification, such person shall have the right to petition the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought to review the reasonableness of such determination. (5)(a) Unless at the time of a director's act or omission that is the subject of an action, suit or proceeding referred to in divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section, the articles or the regulations of a corporation state by specific reference to this division that the provisions of this division do not apply to the corporation and unless the only liability asserted against a director in an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code, expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a director in defending the action, suit, or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director in which he agrees to do both of the following: (i) Repay such amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that his action or failure to act involved an act or omission 2 80 undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation; (ii) Reasonably cooperate with the corporation concerning the action, suit, or proceeding. (b) Expenses, including attorneys' fees incurred by a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent in defending any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section, may be paid by the corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding as authorized by the directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent to repay such amount, if it ultimately is determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. (6) The indemnification authorized by this section shall not be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other rights granted to those seeking indemnification under the articles or the regulations or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. (7) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection, including but not limited to trust funds, letters of credit, or self-insurance on behalf of or for any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this section. Insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which the corporation has a financial interest. (8) The authority of a corporation to indemnify persons pursuant to divisions (E)(1 ) and (2) of this section does not limit the payment of expenses as they are incurred, indemnification, insurance, or other protection that may be provided pursuant to divisions (E)(5), (6), and (7) of this section. Divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section do not create any obligation to repay or return payments made by the corporation pursuant to divisions (E)(5), (6), or (7). (9) As used in this division, references to "corporation" include all constituent corporations in a consolidation or merger and the new or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such a constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the new or surviving corporation as he would if he had served the new or surviving corporation in the same capacity. Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of Western Reserve ARTICLE EIGHTH EIGHTH: (1) The corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation (including a subsidiary of this corporation), domestic or foreign, nonprofit 3 81 or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (2) The corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation (including a subsidiary of this corporation), domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless, and only to the extent that the court of common pleas, or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court shall deem proper. (3) To the extent that a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in sections (1) and (2) of this article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (4) Any indemnification under sections (1) and (2) of this article, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in sections (1) and (2) of this article. Such determination shall be made (a) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the indemnifying corporation who were not and are not parties to or threatened with any such action, suit, or proceeding, or (b) if such a quorum is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been retained by or who has performed services for the corporation, or any person to be indemnified within the past five years, or (c) by the shareholders, or (d) by the court of common pleas or the court in which such action, suit, or proceeding was brought. Any determination made by the disinterested directors under section (4)(a) or by independent legal counsel under section (4)(b) of this article shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought the action or suit by or in the right of the corporation under section (2) of this article, and within ten days after receipt of such notification, such person shall have the right to petition the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought to review the reasonableness of such determination. (5) Expenses, including attorneys' fees incurred in defending any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in sections (1) and (2) of this article, may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding as authorized by the directors in the specific case upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent to repay such amount, unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the 4 82 corporation as authorized in this article. If a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs by resolution, said written undertaking need not be submitted to the corporation. Such a determination that a written undertaking need not be submitted to the corporation shall in no way affect the entitlement of indemnification as authorized by this article. (6) The indemnification provided by this article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under the articles or the regulations or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. (7) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation (including a subsidiary of this corporation), domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this section. (8) As used in this section, references to "the corporation" include all constituent corporations in a consolidation or merger and the new or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such a constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation (including a subsidiary of this corporation), domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise shall stand in the same position under this article with respect to the new or surviving corporation as he would if he had served the new or surviving corporation in the same capacity. (9) The foregoing provisions of this article do not apply to any proceeding against any trustee, investment manager or other fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in such person's capacity as such, even though such person may also be an agent of this corporation. The corporation may indemnify such named fiduciaries of its employee benefit plans against all costs and expenses, judgments, fines, settlements or other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by or imposed upon said named fiduciary in connection with or arising out of any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding in which the named fiduciary may be made a party by reason of being or having been a named fiduciary, to the same extent it indemnifies an agent of the corporation. To the extent that the corporation does not have the direct legal power to indemnify, the corporation may contract with the named fiduciaries of its employee benefit plans to indemnify them to the same extent as noted above. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of such named fiduciary covering any liability to the same extent that it contracts to indemnify. Amended Code of Regulations of Western Reserve ARTICLE V Indemnification of Directors and Officers Each Director, officer and member of a committee of this Corporation, and any person who may have served at the request of this Corporation as a Director, officer or member of a committee of any other corporation in which this Corporation owns shares of capital stock or of which this Corporation is a creditor (and his heirs, executors and administrators) shall be indemnified by the Corporation against all expenses, costs, judgments, decrees, fines or penalties as provided by, and to the extent allowed by, Article Eighth of the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, as amended. 5 83 RULE 484 UNDERTAKING Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel, the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT This registration statement comprises the following papers and documents: The facing sheet The Prospectus, consisting of __ pages The undertaking to file reports Representation Pursuant to Section 26(e) (2) (A) The statement with respect to indemnification The Rule 484 undertaking The signatures Written consent of the following persons: (a) Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP (b) Ernst & Young LLP The following exhibits: 1. The following exhibits correspond to those required by paragraph A to the instructions as to exhibits in Form N-8B-2: A. (1) Resolution of the Board of Directors of Western Reserve establishing the Separate Account * (2) Not Applicable (3) (a) Principal Underwriting Agreement (b) Selected Broker Agreement (4) Not Applicable (5) Specimen Variable Adjustable Life Insurance Policy * (6) (a) Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of Western Reserve ** (b) Amended Code of Regulations (By-Laws) of Western Reserve ** (7) Not Applicable (8) (a) Form of Participation Agreement regarding BT Insurance Funds Trust (b) Form of Participation Agreement regarding Russell Insurance Funds (c) Form of Participation Agreement regarding Federated Insurance Series (9) Not Applicable (10) Application for Variable Adjustable Life Insurance Policy * (11) Memorandum describing issuance, transfer and redemption procedures 2. Opinion of Counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered * 6 84 3. Not Applicable 4. Not Applicable 5. Opinion and consent as to actuarial matters pertaining to the securities being registered * 6. Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP 7. Consent of Ernst & Young LLP 8. Powers of Attorney - ---------------------------------- * Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of this Form S-6 registration statement on June 25, 1998 (File No. 333-57681). ** Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Form N-4 Registration Statement dated April 20, 1998 (File No. 33-49556). 7 85 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, WRL Series Life Corporate Account has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, and its seal to be hereunto affixed and attested, all in the City of Largo and State of Florida on this 20th day of October, 1998. (SEAL) WRL Series Life Corporate Account ----------------------------------------------------- Registrant Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio ----------------------------------------------------- Depositor ATTEST: /s/ THOMAS E. PIERPAN By: /s/ JOHN R. KENNEY - -------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Thomas E. Pierpan John R. Kenney Vice President, Assistant Secretary Chairman of the Board, and Associate General Counsel Chief Executive Officer and President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. SIGNATURE AND TITLE DATE ------------------- ---- /s/ JOHN R. KENNEY October 20, 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- John R. Kenney, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President /s/ ALLAN J. HAMILTON October 20, 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- Allan J. Hamilton, Vice President, Treasurer and Controller /s/ ALAN M. YAEGER October 20, 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- Alan M. Yaeger, Executive Vice President, Actuary and Chief Financial Officer * , 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- Patrick S. Baird, Director * , 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- James R. Walker, Director * , 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- Lyman H. Treadway, Director * , 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- Jack E. Zimmerman, Director /s/ PETER H. GILMAN October 20, 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------- *Signed by: Peter H. Gilman as Attorney-in-fact 86 Exhibit Index Exhibit Description No. of Exhibit - ------- ---------- 1.A.(3)(a) Participation Agreement 1.A.(3)(b) Selected Broker Agreement 1.A.(8)(a) Form of Participation Agreement regarding BT Insurance Funds Trust 1.A.(8)(b) Form of Participation Agreement regarding Russell Insurance Funds 1.A.(8)(c) Form of Participation Agreement regarding Federated Insurance Series 1.A.(11) Memorandum describing issuance, transfer and redemption procedures 6. Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP 7. Consent of Ernst & Young LLP 8. Power of Attorney