[AETNA LETTERHEAD] [AETNA LOGO] Aetna Inc. 151 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT 06156-8975 Michael A. Pignatella Counsel AFS Law, TS31 April 13, 2000 (860) 273-0261 Fax: (860) 273-9407 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20549 Re: Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement on Form S-2 Prospectus Title: ALIAC Guaranteed Accumulation Account File No. 33-60477 Dear Sir or Madam: As Counsel of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company, a Connecticut life insurance company (the "Company"), I have represented the Company in connection with the Guaranteed Accumulation Account (the "Account") available under certain variable annuity contracts and the S-2 Registration Statement relating to such Account. In connection with this opinion, I have reviewed Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 relating to such Account, including the prospectus, and relevant proceedings of the Board of Directors. Based upon this review, and assuming the securities represented by the Company are issued in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus, I am of the opinion that the securities, when sold, will have been legally issued, and will constitute a legal and binding obligation of the Company. I further consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement. Sincerely, /s/ Michael A. Pignatella Michael A. Pignatella Counsel