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                                                           Exhibit (A)(8)(a)(vi)



                         AMENDMENT TO SERVICE AGREEMENT


         This Amendment to the Service Agreement dated as of June 1, 1988 is
entered into as of the 31st day of May, 1998 between The Manufacturers Life
Insurance Company ("Manufacturers"), a mutual life insurance company organized
under the laws of Canada, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)
("Manufacturers USA") and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of America
("Manufacturers of America"), both of which being a stock life insurance company
domiciled in the State of Michigan.


                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS, Manufacturers and Manufacturers USA have entered into a
Service Agreement with Manufacturers of America (the "Service Agreement")
pursuant to which Manufacturers or Manufacturers USA will provide to
Manufacturers of America all issue, administrative, investment, general services
and recording functions with respect to all of its insurance policies; and

         WHEREAS by an agreement dated May 31, 1993, the Service Agreement was
extended for a period of 5 years, which extension is due to expire on May 31,
1998;

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Manufacturers of America voted to
extend the terms of the Agreement

         NOW, THEREFORE, Manufacturers, Manufacturers USA and Manufacturers of
America hereby agree that the Agreement shall be extended for 5 years effective
as of 12:01 A.M. (EDT), June 1, 1998 and shall expire at Midnight, May 31, 2003
provided that either party may terminate the Agreement prior thereto without
penalty, by 60 days' notice in writing, delivered personally or addressed to the
other at its home office.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
duly executed under seal by their duly authorized officers as of the 31st day of
May, 1998.





                                 THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


                                 By:   __________________________________

                                 Its:    ________________________________





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                           THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (U.S.A.)

                           By:   _____________________________________________

                           Its:    ___________________________________________



                           THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

                           By:   _____________________________________________

                           Its:    ___________________________________________