<Page> [LOGO] August 26, 2010 VIA EDGAR AND ELECTRONIC MAIL Mr. Michael Kosoff Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549-4644 Attn: Division of Investment Management Re: Initial Registration Statement on Form N-4: Hartford Life Insurance Company Separate Account Seven ("Registrant") 333-168986 811-04972 Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company Separate Account Seven ("Registrant") 333-168987 811-09295 Dear Mr. Kosoff: Please be advised that Registrants have filed the above-referenced registration statements ("Registration Statements") with the Securities and Exchange Commission as initial filings on August 26, 2010 in Accession Nos. 0001104659-10-045485 and 0001104659-10-045486, respectively. A copy of the Registration Statement's prospectus, redlined to show the changes from a currently effective prospectus in another Hartford registration statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-148564) is being forwarded to you via electronic mail. The initial Registration Statement filings are for flexible premium variable annuity contracts. The new offering is based on the same state-filed contract and are substantially identical to the prospectus in File No. 333-148564, except for the addition of the "L" share class, an increase in Mortality & Expense charge for the "C" share class and the removal of the Return of Premium I death benefit. All financial statements, exhibits, and other required disclosure not included in this Registration Statement will be filed by amendment. We appreciate your attention to this filing. If you have any comments or questions, please call at (860) 843-1941. Very truly yours, /s/ Richard J. Wirth Richard J. Wirth cc: Sarah M. Patterson