S-1/A 1 e157065.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7. 2019
Registration No. 333-228894

 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
 
FORM S-1
 
Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933
-------------------------------------------------
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

IOWA   6311   39-1236386
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Classification Code Number)   Identification No.)

2000 Heritage Way
Waverly, Iowa 50677
(319) 352-4090
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Ross Hansen, Esq.
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
2000 Heritage Way
Waverly, Iowa 50677
(319) 352-4090

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

-------------------------------------------------

COPY TO:
Stephen E. Roth, Esq.
Thomas E. Bisset, Esq.
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
700 Sixth Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-0100

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. [ X]

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o

  Accelerated filer o
     

Non-accelerated filer 6 x

  Smaller reporting company o
     
    Emerging Growth Company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o


Calculation of Registration Fee
Title of each
class of securities
to be registered
Amount to be
registered
Proposed
maximum offering
price per unit
Proposed
maximum
aggregate offering
price
Amount of
registration fee
Single Premium
Deferred Index
Annuity Contract
* * $750,000,000 $90,900(1)

* The maximum aggregate offering price is estimated solely for the purposes of determining the registration fee. The amount to be registered and the proposed maximum offering price per unit are not applicable since these securities are not issued in predetermined amounts or units.
(1) $90,900 was previously paid with the initial Form S-1 registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2018.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which 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 Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


GLWB Supplement Dated August 19, 2019
to the
Prospectus Dated August 19, 2019

This GLWB Supplement should be read and retained with the prospectus for the CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity.


Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terms reflected in this GLWB Supplement shall remain in effect and will not be superseded until after an updated GLWB Supplement is filed with the SEC. Your application and Purchase Payment for the Contract must be received in Good Order while the GLWB Supplement is in effect. We will provide notice of effectiveness of a new GLWB Supplement at least seven calendar days in advance. If we receive your application and Purchase Payment in Good Order on or after the effective date of a new GLWB Supplement, your Contract will receive the terms of the new GLWB Supplement currently in effect. We will publish any changes to this GLWB Supplement for any future periods at least seven calendar days before they take effect on EDGAR at www.sec.gov under file number 333-228894. Please contact your financial professional or visit https://cmannuities.com/yourzoneincome for the most current supplement and Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terms.

Age of Covered Person as of
the Contract Issue Date
Base Withdrawal Percentage Annual Increase Percentage
Single Life Joint Life Single Life Joint Life
21 - 54 2.50% 2.00% 0.30% 0.30%
55 - 59 3.50% 3.00% 0.30% 0.30%
60 - 64 4.50% 4.00% 0.30% 0.30%
65 - 69 5.50% 5.00% 0.30% 0.30%
70 - 74 6.00% 5.50% 0.30% 0.30%
75 - 79 6.50% 6.00% 0.30% 0.30%
80+ 7.50% 7.00% 0.30% 0.30%

On the Contract Issue Date both the Base Withdrawal Percentage and Annual Increase Percentage are determined based on the election of single life or joint life option rates using the age of the younger Covered Person(s).

   
We cannot change the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terms for your Contract once they are established. If the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terms you receive are unacceptable, you can cancel your Contract during the right to examine period.
   
The Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit cannot provide a GLWB Payment until the Contract Anniversary following the 50th birthday of the younger Covered Person or the first Contract Anniversary, whichever is later.
   
If you begin GLWB Payments before age 59½, the payments may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax penalty.

CUNA Mutual Group Zone IncomeTM Annuity

Issued by:
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
2000 Heritage Way
Waverly, Iowa 50677

Telephone number: 800-798-5500
Offered Through: CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc.

DATED AUGUST 19, 2019

This Prospectus describes the CUNA Mutual Group Zone IncomeTM Annuity, an individual or joint owned, single premium deferred modified guaranteed index annuity contract (the “Contract”), issued by MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). Capitalized terms used in this Prospectus and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the “Glossary,” starting on page 1.

The Contract, which you may purchase with an initial Purchase Payment of at least $10,000, is designed primarily for individuals, trusts, and certain retirement plans that qualify for the special federal income tax treatment associated with annuity contracts. The Company does not allow additional Purchase Payments after the initial Purchase Payment. The Contract provides for the accumulation of retirement savings by allocating your monies among various Allocation Options including Risk Control Accounts and a Declared Rate Account. Although the Contract allows for accumulation of savings, it is designed for the Owner to take withdrawals for life under a non-optional Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit feature and may not be appropriate if the Owner is only interested in maximizing long-term accumulation. The Contract also offers standard annuity features including multiple fixed annuitization options (“Payout Options”). The Contract is a complex insurance and investment vehicle. You should speak with a financial professional about the Contract’s features, benefits, risks and fees, and whether it is appropriate for you based upon your financial situation and objectives. The Prospectus describes all material rights and obligations of Owners, including all state variations.

The non-optional Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit feature is part of the Contract. Subject to certain conditions, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit provides guaranteed lifetime payments (“GLWB Payments”) based on a single or joint percentage (“GLWB Percentage”) of your GLWB Benefit Base described in the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Section. Once GLWB Payments begin, the full GLWB payment must be taken each Contract Year. The GLWB Payments are guaranteed regardless of investment performance and will continue even if Contract Value is reduced to zero. All withdrawals under the Contract other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals that reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract. We assess a fee for the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit which is described in the “Fees and Expenses” on page 14 and “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” on page 34 of this Prospectus.

The Allocation Options, which include Risk Control Accounts and a Declared Rate Account, have a six-year term. This means that surrenders or withdrawals prior to the end of the six-year term may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment and Surrender Charge. Allocation instructions can be updated at any time and will be effective on the next Contract Anniversary if received at least one Business Day prior to the Contract Anniversary. Allocations can be made to any available Allocation Option and will only start a new six-year term on the Allocation Option Maturity Date. The most recent allocation instructions will be used as part of automatic rebalancing to transfer between Allocation Options on each Contract Anniversary. Transfers between Allocation Options as part of automatic rebalancing are not subject to a Market Value Adjustment or Surrender Charge.



The Risk Control Accounts are interest crediting options available under the Contracts. We credit interest each year during the six-year term to funds allocated to a Risk Control Account based upon the performance of an external index subject to an Index Rate Cap and an Index Rate Floor. Each Contract Anniversary prior to the Allocation Option Maturity Date starts a new year for purposes of calculating index interest for each Risk Control Account. We currently offer three reference indices; the S&P 500 Price Return Index (“S&P 500”), the Russell 2000 Price Return Index (“Russell 2000”), and the MSCI EAFE Price Return Index (“MSCI EAFE”). Each Risk Control Account has two investment options, a Secure Account option and a Growth Account option. When funds are withdrawn from a Risk Control Account prior to the Contract Anniversary for a surrender, partial withdrawal, automatic rebalancing transfers, annuitization, GLWB Payments or payment of the Death Benefit, index interest is calculated up to the date of withdrawal. It is possible that you will not earn any interest in the Risk Control Accounts.

The Secure Account option has an Index Rate Floor of 0%. The Index Rate Floor protects amounts allocated to the Secure Account from declines in the external Indices. This means that negative investment performance of the applicable Index would not reduce your Risk Control Account Value. The Secure Account provides your Risk Control Account Value the most protection from negative investment performance of the reference Index. The Growth Account option has an Index Rate Floor of -10%. This means that negative investment performance of the reference Index could result in a negative Index Rate of Return that would reduce your Risk Control Account Value. However, Risk Control Account Value will not decline by more than 10% as a result of Index performance for any one-year period even if Index performance is less than -10%. In return for accepting some risk of loss to your Risk Control Account Value allocated to the Growth Account, the Index Rate Cap for the Growth Account is higher than the Index Rate Cap for the Secure Account. This allows for the potential for greater increases to your Risk Control Account Value allocated to the Growth Account. The Index Rate Caps place a limit on the positive performance of an Index and therefore limit the amount of index interest that can be credited to an Owner’s investment in a Risk Control Account. The Index Rate Cap will never be less than 1.0%. There is a risk of loss of your principal and any previously credited interest because each year you agree to absorb all losses less than or equal to the applicable Index Rate Floor. In addition, if the performance of the reference Index equaled or approached the Index Rate Floor, the deduction of the Contract Fee, the GLWB Rider Fee, Surrender Charges, a Market Value Adjustment and federal income tax penalties could result in a reduction of Contract Value greater than if only the Index Rate Floor applied.

The Declared Rate Account is supported by the assets of the Declared Rate Separate Account of the Company. We credit Contract Value allocated to the Declared Rate Account with an annual Interest Rate that we will not change for the duration of the Allocation Option Period (six years). Interest is credited daily. The Interest Rate is available two weeks in advance of the Allocation Option Start Date. The Interest Rate will never be below the Minimum Interest Rate. We do not asses a Contract Fee against the Contract Value held in the Declared Rate Account. There is a risk of loss of your principal and previously credited interest if the deduction of the GLWB Rider Fee, Surrender Charge, a Market Value Adjustment and federal income tax penalties result in a reduction of Contract Value greater than the interest credited. The Declared Rate Account may not be available in all states as described in Appendix B to this Prospectus.

Each Allocation Option Period is six years. Not all Allocation Options or Allocation Option Periods may be available in all markets where we offer the Contract.

If you surrender your Contract or take a partial withdrawal during the Accumulation Period, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to the amount being withdrawn that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount unless you qualify for the Nursing Home or Hospital waiver or Terminal Illness waiver described in this Prospectus. If the surrender or withdrawal is taken during the Surrender Charge Period, we will also apply a Surrender Charge to the amount being withdrawn that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount unless you qualify for the Nursing Home or Hospital waiver or Terminal Illness waiver described in this Prospectus. The maximum Surrender Charge is 9% of the Contract Value withdrawn. The terms under which the Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment will be waived may vary in



some states and are described in Appendix B to this Prospectus. Please review Appendix B for any variations from standard Contract provisions that may apply to your Contract based on the state in which your Contract was issued. A partial withdrawal from an Allocation Option omits Allocation Option Maturity Date will not be subject to a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment. See “Fees and Expenses” on page 14, “Market Value Adjustment” on page 28 and “Access to Your Money” on page 31. The Market Value Adjustment may be either positive or negative, which means the Market Value Adjustment may increase or decrease the amount you receive upon surrender or partial withdrawal.

The Contract is supported by the assets of the Risk Control Separate Account and the Declared Rate Separate Account, which are non-registered, insulated Separate Accounts of the Company which support the Company’s obligations with respect to the Contract. You may allocate your Purchase Payment or Contract Value to one or more Investment Options which include the Risk Control Accounts and the Declared Rate Account. The assets of the Separate Accounts are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business that we conduct. Our General Account assets are also available to meet the guarantees under the Contract as well as our other general obligations. The guarantees in this Contract are subject to the Company’s financial strength and claims-paying ability.

There are risks associated with the Contract. These risks include liquidity risks, investment risks, market risks, Company risks, interest rate risks, and risks associated with the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit. Also, a Market Value Adjustment and Surrender Charges, may apply for a number of years, so that the Contract should only be purchased for the long-term. Under some circumstances, you may receive less than your Purchase Payment and lose previously credited interest under the Contract. In addition, partial withdrawals and surrenders will be subject to income tax and may be subject to a 10% Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) penalty tax if taken before age 59½. Accordingly, you should carefully consider your income and liquidity needs before purchasing a Contract. Additional information about these risks appears under “Highlights” on page 6, “Access to Your Money” on page 31, and “Federal Income Tax Matters” on page 48. Please note that you could lose significantly more than 10% of your investment in a Risk Control Account under the Contract. For example, if you invested $10,000 with a 0.75% Contract Fee and a 0.50% GLWB Rider Fee and allocated your investment to the Growth Account and the Index then declined by 10% or more in each of three consecutive years, your investment in the Contract at the end of the third year would be equal to $6,975. If you surrendered the Contract at the end of that third year, you would pay a Surrender Charge equal to 7% of the Contract Value less your Annual Free Withdrawal Amount or $439 which would leave you with $6,535. That amount would be reduced further if a negative Market Value Adjustment applied. In addition, if you were age 59½ or younger at the time of the surrender, a 10% tax penalty of $697 would apply and would reduce the amount you would receive from the Contract to $5,838. This example, however, does not take into account your ability to allocate some or all of your Purchase Payment to the Secure Account which has a floor that protects amounts allocated to that account from declines in the Index or the Declared Rate Account which has a guaranteed Interest Rate. Additional information on risks associated with the Contract appears in the “Risk Factors” section of this Prospectus.

The Contract is offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (“CBSI”), which is the principal underwriter. The principal business address of CBSI is 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, IA 50677. The principal underwriter is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of Contracts but will use its best efforts to sell the Contracts. There are no arrangements to place funds in an escrow, trust, or similar account. The offering of the Contract is intended to be continuous.

A registration statement relating to this offering have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may request one by writing to our Administrative Office at 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, or by calling 1-800-798-5500. This Prospectus can also be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This Prospectus provides important information you should know before investing, including risks related to the Company’s business. Please see “Potential Risk Factors That May Affect Our Business and Our Future Results” on page 57 for more information regarding these risks. Please keep this Prospectus for future reference.


Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The Contracts are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. They are not deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not bank guaranteed. They are subject to investment risks and possible loss of principal and previously credited interest.

The date of this Prospectus is August 19, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
GLOSSARY   1
     
HIGHLIGHTS   6
     

How Your Contract Works

  6

Contract Charges

  10

Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit

  10

Risk Factors

  11
     
FEES AND EXPENSES   14
     

Other Information

  15
     
GETTING STARTED – THE ACCUMULATION PERIOD   15
     

Purchasing a Contract

  15

Tax-Free “Section 1035” Exchanges

  16

Owner

  16

Divorce

  17

Annuitant

  17

Covered Person

  17

Beneficiary

  18

Right to Examine

  18
     
ALLOCATING YOUR PURCHASE PAYMENT   19
     

Purchase Payment

  19

Purchase Payment and Allocation

  19

Reallocating Your Contract Value - Automatic Rebalancing

  19

Allocation Option Maturity Date

  20
     
CONTRACT VALUE   20
     
DECLARED RATE ACCOUNT OPTION   21
     
RISK CONTROL ACCOUNT OPTION   21
     

Risk Control Account Value

  22
     
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT   28
     

Purpose of the Market Value Adjustment

  29

Market Value Adjustment Formula

  30
     
SURRENDER VALUE   31
     
ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY   31
     

Partial Withdrawals

  31

Surrenders

  33

Partial Withdrawal and Surrender Restrictions

  33

Right to Defer Payments

  33

Bailout Provision

  33
     
GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT   34
     
DEATH BENEFIT   40
     

Death of the Owner during the Accumulation Period

  40

Death of Owner or Annuitant After the Payout Date

  44

Interest on Death Benefit Proceeds

  45

Abandoned Property Requirements

  45

i


INCOME PAYMENTS – THE PAYOUT PERIOD   45
     

Payout Date

  45

Payout Period

  45

Terms of Income Payments

  45
     
INCOME PAYOUT OPTIONS   46
     

Election of an Income Payout Option

  46

Income Payout Options

  46
     
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS   48
     

Tax Status of the Contracts

  48

Taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts

  48

Taxation of Qualified Contracts

  49

Federal Estate Taxes, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes

  50

Medicare Tax

  51

Same-Sex Spouses

  51

Annuity Purchases by Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations

  51

Possible Tax Law Changes

  51

Important Information about the Indices

  52
     
OTHER INFORMATION   53
     

Distribution of the Contract

  53

Business Disruption and Cyber-Security Risks

  54

Authority to Change

  55

Incontestability

  55

Misstatement of Age or Gender

  55

Conformity with Applicable Laws

  55

Reports to Owners

  55

Change of Address

  56

Inquiries

  56
     
CORPORATE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY   56
     

Financial Information

  57

Investments

  57

Reinsurance

  57

Policy Liabilities and Accruals

  57
     

POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND OUR FUTURE RESULTS

  57
     
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA   62
     

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  64
     

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

  64

Overview

  65

Critical Accounting Policies

  67

Executive Summary

  73

Financial Condition

  76

Liquidity and Capital Resources

  77

Statutory Financial Data and Dividend Restrictions

  78

Contractual Obligations

  79

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk and Cyber Security

  79
     
MANAGEMENT   80
     

Directors and Executive Officers

  80

ii


Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons

  81

Committees of the Board of Directors

  83

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

  83

Director Compensation

  84

Legal Proceedings

  84
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   85
     

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLES OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS AND FULL SURRENDER WITH APPLICATION OF SURRENDER CHARGE AND MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT

  A-1
     
APPENDIX B: STATE VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN FEATURES AND BENEFITS   B-1

The Contract may not be available in all states. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell any Contract and it is not soliciting an offer to buy any Contract in any state in which the offer or sale is not permitted. We do not authorize anyone to provide any information or representations regarding the offering described in this Prospectus other than the information and representations contained in this Prospectus.

iii


 
GLOSSARY
 

We have tried to make this Prospectus as understandable as possible. However, in explaining how the Contract works, we have had to use certain terms that have special meanings. We define these terms below.

Accumulation Credit – A unit of measure used to calculate Risk Control Account Value.

Accumulation Credit Factor – A dollar value for each Accumulation Credit in a Risk Control Account.

Accumulation Period – The phase of the Contract that begins on the Contract Issue Date and ends on the Payout Date, or the date the Contract is terminated if earlier.

Adjusted Index Value – The Closing Index Value adjusted for the Index Rate Cap or Index Rate Floor for the current Contract Year.

Administrative Office – MEMBERS Life Insurance Company, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677. Phone: 1-800-798-5500.

Age – Age as of last birthday.

Allocation Level – Specific levels identified in your Contract for the sole purpose of administering allocation instructions according to the requirements of the Contract.

Allocation Option Maturity Date – The last day of an Allocation Option Period. If an Allocation Option Maturity Date does not fall on a Business Day, any transactions required as of that date will be processed on the next Business Day.

Allocation Option Period – The period that begins on an Allocation Option Start Date and ends on an Allocation Option Maturity Date. Each Allocation Option Period is six years.


Allocation Option Start Date – The first day of an Allocation Option Period. If an Allocation Option Start Date does not fall on a Business Day, any transactions required as of that date will be processed on the next Business Day.

Allocation Options – All Risk Control Account and Declared Rate Account options available under the Contract for allocating your Contract Value.

Annual Free Withdrawal Amount – The amount that can be withdrawn without incurring a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment each Contract Year. It is equal to 10% of the Contract Value determined at the beginning of the Contract Year.


Annual Increase Percentage – The percentage that is added to the GLWB Percentage for each completed Contract Year from the Contract Issue Date until the GLWB Payment Start Date, subject to a maximum of 10 years.

Annuitant (Joint Annuitant) – The natural person(s) whose life (or lives) determines the amount of income payments under the Contract.

Authorized Request – A signed and dated request that is in Good Order. A request to change your allocation instructions must be signed by all Owners. A request to change a party to the Contract, change the Payout Date or request a partial withdrawal or full surrender of the Contract must be signed by all Owners. All Authorized Requests can be initiated by fax or mail. An Authorized Request may also include a phone or electronic request except in the following situations: any Contracts with restrictions such as an Irrevocable Beneficiary, collateral assignment, or trust; any Contracts that include reference to divorce, bankruptcy, power of attorney, or similar legal agreement; any Contracts with Joint Owners where both Owners are not available to speak over the phone; any distribution made payable to another financial institution; when requesting partial withdrawals greater than $25,000; when requesting to start GLWB Payments; and when requesting a full surrender of the Contract.

Base Withdrawal Percentage – The GLWB Percentage on the Contract Issue Date.


Bailout Rate – A specific rate that applies to the Bailout Provision.

1



Bailout Provision – If the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is set below the Bailout Rate prominently displayed on your Contract Data Page, the Bailout Provision allows you to withdraw the Risk Control Account Value from that Risk Control Account during the 30-day period following the Contract Anniversary. A Market Value Adjustment and Surrender Charges will not apply to such withdrawal.

Beneficiary – The person(s) (or entity) you named to receive proceeds payable due to the death of the Owner. Before the Payout Date, if no Beneficiary survives the Owner, we will pay the Death Benefit proceeds to the Owner’s estate.

Business Day – Any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. All requests for transactions that are received at our Administrative Office in Good Order on any Business Day prior to market close, generally 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, will be processed as of the end of that Business Day.

Closing Index Value – The closing value for an Index as of a Business Day.

Company – MEMBERS Life Insurance Company; also referred to as “we”, “our” and “us”.


Contract – The CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity, an individual or joint owned, single premium deferred modified guaranteed index annuity contract issued by MEMBERS Life Insurance Company.

Contract Anniversary – The same day and month as the Contract Issue Date for each year the Contract remains in force. If a Contract Anniversary does not fall on a Business Day, any transactions required as of that date will be processed on the next Business Day.

Contract Fee – A fee assessed against Contract Value in the Risk Control Account(s). This fee equals a percentage of the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of a Contract Year. This fee compensates us for the expenses, mortality risk and expense risk assumed by us.

Contract Issue Date – The date we use to determine Contract Years and Contract Anniversaries.

Contract Value – The total value of your Contract during the Accumulation Period. All values are calculated as of the end of a Business Day.


Contract Year – Any 12-month period beginning on the Contract Issue Date or Contract Anniversary and continuing until the end of the day before the next Contract Anniversary.

Covered Person(s) – The natural person(s) whose Age and lifetime we base GLWB Payments on under this Rider.

Data Page – Pages attached to your Contract that describe certain terms applicable to your specific Contract.

Death Benefit – The greater of Contract Value or the Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals as of the date Death Benefits are payable. We do not apply the Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment in determining the Death Benefit payable.


Declared Rate Account – An account under the Contract that is part of our Declared Rate Separate Account. We credit Contract Value held in the Declared Rate Account with a single fixed annual rate of interest. We guarantee the Interest Rate for the duration of the Allocation Option Period (six years). The guaranteed Minimum Interest Rate is shown on the Contract Data Page.

Declared Rate Separate Account – The MEMBERS Life Declared Rate Separate Account (“Declared Rate Separate Account”). An insulated separate account that we established within our General Account and under the laws of Iowa in which we hold reserves for our guarantees under the Declared Rate Account. Our other General Account assets are also available to meet those and other guarantees under the Contract and our other general obligations. The Declared Rate Separate Account is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.


Earnings – Your Contract Value minus Purchase Payment not previously withdrawn.

Excess Withdrawal – Any partial withdrawal other than a GLWB Payment. This includes the portion of a withdrawal that, when added to other withdrawals during the Contract Year, is greater than the total GLWB Payment for the current Contract Year. Excess Withdrawals include partial withdrawals prior to the GLWB Payment Start Date and deductions for any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value

2


Adjustment. Required Minimum Distributions are Excess Withdrawals if taken prior to the GLWB Payment Start Date. After the GLWB Payment Start Date, RMDs are not Excess Withdrawals.

General Account – All of the Company’s assets other than the assets in its separate accounts.


Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit –
A withdrawal benefit feature that is part of your Contract. Subject to certain conditions, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit provides for GLWB Payments to be made each year for the life of the Covered Person(s) in the form of partial withdrawals without reducing the value of GLWB Payments in future years. The GLWB Payments are guaranteed regardless of investment performance and will continue even if the Contract Value is reduced to zero. The Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is described in the “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” section of this Prospectus.

GLWB Benefit Base – The amount upon which the GLWB Payment is based.

GLWB Rider Fee – A fee assessed against the GLWB Benefit Base while the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is in effect. The fee compensates us for the expenses, mortality risk, and expense risk assumed by us for providing the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit.

GLWB Payment(s) – The payment made each year under the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit that is equal to GLWB Percentage multiplied by the GLWB Benefit Base.

GLWB Percentage – The percentage applied to the GLWB Benefit Base to determine the GLWB Payment.

GLWB Payment Start Date – The date GLWB Payments begin. The GLWB Payment Start Date must be on a Contract Anniversary.


GLWB Supplement – A supplement that accompanies this Prospectus and contains the terms used to calculate your GLWB Payment. The GLWB Supplement contains the Base Withdrawal Percentages and Annual Increase Percentages. We cannot change these percentages once they are established for your Contract. We publish changes to the GLWB Supplement at least seven calendar days before they take effect for new Contracts. The GLWB Supplement is filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov under file number 333-228894.

Good Order – A request or transaction generally is considered in “Good Order” if we receive it at our Administrative Office within the time limits, if any, prescribed in this Prospectus for a particular transaction or instruction, it includes all information and supporting legal documentation necessary for us to execute the requested instruction or transaction, and is signed by the individual or individuals authorized to provide the instruction or engage in the transaction. A request or transaction may be rejected or delayed if not in Good Order. This information and documentation necessary for a transaction or instruction generally includes, to the extent applicable: the completed application or instruction form; your contract number; the transaction amount (in dollars or percentage terms); the signatures of all Owners (exactly as indicated on the Contract), if necessary; Social Security Number or Tax I.D.; and any other information or supporting documentation that we may require, including any consents. With respect to Purchase Payment, Good Order also generally includes receipt by us of sufficient funds to affect the purchase. We may, in our sole discretion, determine whether any particular transaction request is in Good Order, and we reserve the right to change or waive any Good Order requirement at any time. If you have any questions, you should contact us or your financial professional before submitting the form or request.

Hospital – A facility that is licensed and operated as a hospital according to the law of the jurisdiction in which it is located.

Income Payout Option – The choices available under the Contract for payout of your Contract Value.

Index, Indices – The reference index (or indices) we use in determining interest credited to the Risk Control Account Value.


Index Rate Cap – The maximum annual Index Rate of Return the Company will use in calculating interest credited to Risk Control Account Value for a Contract Year. The Index Rate Cap does not reflect deduction of the Contract Fee or the GLWB Rider Fee.

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Index Rate Floor – The minimum annual Index Rate of Return the Company will use in calculating interest credited to Risk Control Account Value for the life of the Contract. The Index Rate Floor does not reflect deduction of the Contract Fee or the GLWB Rider Fee.

Index Rate of Return – The change in the Index for the current Contract Year, adjusted for the Index Rate Cap or Index Rate Floor.

Initial Index Value – The value for the reference Index as of the start of a Contract Year.

Interest Rate – The fixed rate of interest credited to the Declared Rate Account. The Interest Rate is available two weeks in advance of the Allocation Option Start Date and will not change for the duration of the Allocation Option Period (six years). We may change this rate on any Allocation Option Start Date.

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) – The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Irrevocable Beneficiary – A Beneficiary who must consent to being changed or removed as a Beneficiary.

Market Value Adjustment – The amount of an adjustment (increase or decrease) that may be applied to a full surrender or partial withdrawal, also referred to as the MVA.


Minimum Interest Rate – The minimum rate of interest we will credit Contract Value held in the Declared Rate Account.

Non-Qualified Contract – An annuity contract that is independent of any formal retirement or pension plan.

Nursing Home – A facility that is licensed and operates as a nursing facility according to the law of the jurisdiction in which it is located.


Owner (Joint Owner) – The person(s) (or entity) who owns the Contract and, in the case of a person(s), whose death determines the Death Benefit. The Owner is also the person(s) (or entity) who receives income payments during the Payout Period while the Annuitant is living. If there are multiple Owners, each Owner will be a Joint Owner of the Contract and all references to Owner will mean Joint Owners. The Owner has all rights, title and interest in the Contract. The Owner may exercise all rights and options stated in the Contract, subject to the rights of any Irrevocable Beneficiary or assignee. The Owner is also referred to as “you” or “your.”

Payout Date – The date the first income payment is paid from the Contract to the Owner.

Payout Period – The phase the Contract is in once income payments begin.

Pro Rata – A method of allocating, withdrawing or transferring values across all Allocation Options that is proportional to the Contract Value in each Allocation Option.

Proof of Death – Proof of Death may consist of a certified copy of the death record, a certified copy of a court decree reciting a finding of death or other similar proof.


Purchase Payment – The initial payment that we require to issue the Contract. We do not allow any additional Purchase Payments under the Contract after the initial Purchase Payment.

Qualified Contract – An annuity that is part of an individual retirement plan, pension plan or employer-sponsored retirement program that is qualified for special treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.


Required Minimum Distributions. The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) defined by the IRC for this Contract and as determined by us.

Risk Control Account – An interest crediting option to which you may allocate your Contract Value. We credit interest under each Risk Control Account based in part on the performance of a reference Index, subject to an Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor. There are two types of Risk Control Accounts, the Secure Account and the Growth Account. There are multiple Risk Control Accounts within the Risk Control Separate Account.

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Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee – The Contract Fee divided by the number of days in the Contract Year and then multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of a Contract Year.

Risk Control Account Value – The amount of Contract Value in a Risk Control Account.

Risk Control Separate Account – The MEMBERS Life Risk Control Separate Account (the “Risk Control Separate Account”). An insulated separate account that we established within our General Account and under the laws of Iowa in which we hold reserves for our guarantees under the Risk Control Accounts. Our other General Account assets are also available to meet those and other guarantees under the Contract and our other general obligations. The Risk Control Separate Account is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

SEC – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Spouse – The person to whom you are legally married. The term Spouse includes the person with whom you have entered into a legally-sanctioned marriage that grants you the rights, responsibilities, and obligations married couples have in accordance with applicable state laws. Individuals who do not meet the definition of Spouse may have adverse tax consequences when exercising provisions under this Contract and any attached endorsements or riders. Additionally, individuals in other arrangements that are not recognized as marriage under the relevant state law will not be treated as married or as Spouses as defined in this Contract for federal tax purposes. Consult with a tax advisor for more information on this subject and before exercising benefits under the Contract and any attached endorsements or riders.

Surrender Charge – The charge associated with surrendering either some or all of the Contract Value.

Surrender Charge Period – The period of time during which we may assess a Surrender Charge upon the surrender of the Contract or withdrawal of Contract Value from the Contract. The Surrender Charge Period begins on the Contract Issue Date and continues for a period of six years.

Surrender Value – The amount you are entitled to receive if you elect to surrender the Contract during the Accumulation Period.

Terminally Ill, Terminal Illness – A life expectancy of 12 months or less due to any illness or accident.

U.S. GAAP – The generally accepted accounting principles used in the United States.

Valuation Period – The period beginning at the close of one Business Day and continuing to the close of the next succeeding Business Day.

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HIGHLIGHTS
 

The following is a summary of the key features of the Contract. This summary does not include all the information you should consider before purchasing a Contract. You should carefully read the entire Prospectus, which contains more detailed information concerning the Contract and the Company before making an investment decision.

How Your Contract Works


Overview. Your Contract is an individual or joint owned, single premium deferred modified guaranteed index annuity contract. There are two periods to your Contract: An Accumulation Period and a Payout Period. Your Contract can help you save for retirement by allowing your Contract Value to earn interest from the Risk Control Accounts and/or Declared Rate Account on a tax-deferred basis and by providing the opportunity for guaranteed lifetime payments. You generally will not pay taxes on your Earnings until you withdraw them.

During the Accumulation Period of your Contract, you allocate your Contract Value between the Allocation Options. There are two types of Allocation Options: a Declared Rate Account and Risk Control Accounts. Each of these options is described below.

   
The portion of your Contract Value allocated to the Declared Rate Account is credited interest daily. The applicable daily interest rate is the rate that, when compounded, equals the Interest Rate. The initial Interest Rate is available at least two weeks in advance of the Contract Issue Date and will be provided by your financial professional or by calling the Company at 1-800-798-5500. The rate is shown on your Contract Data Page.
       
   
The portion of Contract Value allocated to a Risk Control Account is credited with interest, if any, based in part on the investment performance of an external Index (currently the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, or the MSCI EAFE Index), subject to an Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor that is unique to each Risk Control Account. The S&P 500 Index is a stock market index based on the market capitalizations of 500 leading companies publicly traded in the U.S. stock market, as determined by Standard & Poor’s. The Russell 2000 Index is a stock market index that measures performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which is made up of 3,000 of the largest US-traded stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index is a stock market index which is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. The Indices can go up or down based on the stock prices of the companies that comprise the applicable Index. None of the Indices include dividends paid on the stocks comprising the Index and therefore do not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying stocks. We set the Index Rate Caps prior to the Contract Issue Date and prior to each Contract Anniversary for the subsequent Contract Year. The initial Index Rate Cap is available at least two weeks in advance of the Contract Issue Date and will be provided by your financial professional or by calling the Company at 1-800-798-5500. The rate is shown on your Contract Data Page. We will forward advance written notice to you of any change in the Index Rate Cap at least two weeks prior to the Contract Anniversary. The Index Rate Floor associated with each Risk Control Account will not change during the life of your Contract. The Index Rate of Return is determined on each Contract Anniversary and is measured over the Contract Year. Index interest is calculated on each Contract Anniversary. Because index interest is calculated at a single point in time you may experience negative or flat performance even though the Index experienced gains through some, or most, of the Contract Year.

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Subject to certain conditions, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) provides GLWB Payments based on a percentage of your GLWB Benefit Base for the life of a Covered Person(s) as described in more detail in the “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” section of this Prospectus. A fee is deducted from your Contract for the GLWB. The GLWB Payments are guaranteed regardless of investment performance and will continue even if the Contract Value is reduced to zero from GLWB Payments. All withdrawals other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals that reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract. GLWB Payments must start on a Contract Anniversary and can begin on or after the first Contract Anniversary, as early as Age 50 of the Covered Person (or younger Covered Person if there are two Covered Persons), or as late as the anticipated Payout Date shown on your Contract Data Page. Once GLWB Payments begin you must take the full GLWB Payment amount unless the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is terminated.

The Accumulation Period begins on the Contract Issue Date and continues until the Payout Date. Upon reaching the Payout Date, we will begin income payments unless the Contract is surrendered.

Please call your financial professional or the Company at 1-800-798-5500 if you have questions about how your Contract works.

Purchase Payment.  You may purchase the Contract with a Purchase Payment of at least $10,000. The Company does not allow additional Purchase Payments after the initial Purchase Payment. A Purchase Payment that equals or exceeds $1 million requires our prior approval. Multiple Contracts owned by the same individual where the sum of the Purchase Payments equals or exceeds $1 million also require our prior approval.

Allocation Options.  There are two Allocation Levels for your Contract, among which you may allocate your Purchase Payment and Contract Value: Level A (Allocation Option Level), and Level R (Risk Control Account Level), each is described below.

   
At Level A, the allocation is split between the available Allocation Options which include the Declared Rate Account and Risk Control Accounts that use one of the following reference Indices, the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, and the MSCI EAFE Index;
       
     
   
At Level R, the allocation only applies to Risk Control Accounts, and the allocation is split among Secure and Growth Risk Control Accounts with the same reference Index.

You must specify the percentage of your Purchase Payment to be allocated to each applicable Allocation Level on the Contract Issue Date. The amount you direct to each level must be in whole percentages from 0% to 100% of the Purchase Payment and your total allocation must equal 100%. If you do not indicate your allocations on the application, our Administrative Office will attempt to contact your financial professional and/or you for clarification. We will not issue the Contract without your allocation instructions.

In the event you select a Risk Control Account option, please note that any time the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is less than the rate specified in the Bailout Provision (as shown on your Contract Data Page), we may, at our discretion, restrict allocations into that Risk Control Account. See “Access to Your Money – Bailout Provision” in this Prospectus for more details.


In addition, as it relates to the Risk Control Accounts, the Index Rate Floor is the minimum Index Rate of Return used as part of the Accumulation Credit Factor calculation for determining the value of a Risk Control Account, prior to the deduction of the Contract Fee and GLWB Rider Fee. The Index Rate Floor will not change during the life of your Contract. The Secure Account has an Index Rate Floor of 0% and the Growth Account has an Index Rate Floor of -10%. For the Secure Account, this means that any negative investment performance of the Index would not reduce your Contract Value at the end of a Contract Year; and for the Growth Account, this means that any negative investment performance of the Index would not reduce your Contract Value at the end of a Contract Year by more than 10% even if such

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negative investment performance is worse than -10%. However, as noted on the cover page of this Prospectus, you could lose more than 10% of your investment in a Risk Control Account due to the application of the Contract Fee, the GLWB Rider Fee, Surrender Charges, a negative Market Value Adjustment, and federal income tax penalties.

Moreover, the Index Rate Cap is the maximum Index Rate of Return used as part of the Accumulation Credit Factor calculation for determining the value of a Risk Control Account, prior to the deduction of the Contract Fee and GLWB Rider Fee. The portion of the Purchase Payment allocated to a Risk Control Account on the Contract Issue Date will be subject to the Index Rate Caps in effect on the Contract Issue Date.

On the first Contract Anniversary and any subsequent Contract Anniversary, we will declare an Index Rate Cap which we guarantee for the next Contract Year. We will notify you of any such change to the Index Rate Cap at least two weeks prior to the Contract Anniversary. The Index Rate Caps will always be positive and will range between 1% and 75%. In return for accepting some risk of loss to your Contract Value allocated to the Growth Accounts, the Index Rate Caps declared for the Growth Account will be higher than the Index Rate Cap declared for the Secure Account for the same period and reference Index, which allows the potential for a higher positive increase in Contract Value for the Growth Account.

The same Index will be used for each Risk Control Account for the duration of the Allocation Option Period. However, if the publication of an Index is discontinued, or calculation of the Index is materially changed, we will substitute a suitable Index that will be used for the remainder of the Allocation Option Period and will notify you of the change in advance. If we substitute an Index, the performance of the new Index may differ from the original Index, which may, in turn, affect the index interest credited and your Contract Value.

We may offer additional Risk Control Accounts with the same or additional Indices at our discretion. We may also discontinue a Risk Control Account, effective as of an Allocation Option Maturity Date. In any case, we will notify you of the addition or discontinuation of a Risk Control Account. Such a change will be subject to any applicable regulatory approval that may be required.


The portion of the Purchase Payment allocated to the Declared Rate Account on the Contract Issue Date will be credited with the Interest Rate in effect on the Contract Issue Date. On the first Allocation Option Maturity Date and any subsequent Allocation Option Maturity Date, we will declare an Interest Rate which we guarantee for the new Allocation Option Period of six years. We will notify you of any such change to the Interest Rate at least two weeks prior to the Allocation Option Maturity Date. The Interest Rate will never be less than the Minimum Interest Rate on the Contract Issue Date.

Allocation Option Maturity Date. On the Allocation Option Maturity Date, you may reallocate your Contract Value in that Allocation Option among the Allocation Options currently available by submitting new Allocation Instructions by Authorized Request. No Market Value Adjustment or Surrender Charge will apply. You may also make a withdrawal from the Allocation Option on the Allocation Option Maturity Date without a Market Value Adjustment or Surrender Charge, but the withdrawal would be an Excess Withdrawal that could significantly reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base and GLWB Payment. Withdrawals may also be subject to federal income tax and a 10% penalty tax. If we do not receive an Authorized Request prior to the Allocation Option Maturity Date to change allocation instructions or to make a withdrawal, your Contract Value in the maturing Allocation Option will rebalance based on your most recent allocation instructions and start a new six-year Allocations Option Period.

Withdrawals on the Allocation Option Maturity Date other than GLWB Payments are considered Excess Withdrawals and may impact your GLWB Benefit Base, GLWB Payment, and Death Benefit.

Rebalancing / Reallocation.  We will automatically rebalance your Contract Value between Allocation Options to return your Contract Values to the Allocation Levels on file with us on each Contract Anniversary. Any new allocation change request will supersede any prior allocation instructions. You can also reallocate on each Contract Anniversary and on the Allocation Option Maturity Date by submitting new allocation instructions by Authorized Request.

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Withdrawal Options. All withdrawals other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals that reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract. This Contract may not be suitable for you if you intend to take partial withdrawals. However, the Contract offers the following liquidity features during the Accumulation Period.

   
Annual Free Withdrawal Amount – Each Contract Year, you may withdraw up to 10% of your Contract Value determined as of the beginning of the Contract Year without incurring a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment. Any unused Annual Free Withdrawal Amount will not carry over to any subsequent Contract Year.
       
     
   
Partial withdrawal option – You may make partial withdrawals during the Accumulation Period by Authorized Request. Partial withdrawals will be processed Pro Rata from your Contract Value in all Allocation Options. Any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment will affect the amount available for a partial withdrawal. A partial withdrawal other than a GLWB Payment is considered an Excess Withdrawal and may reduce your Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment by more than the amount of the partial withdrawal. If a partial withdrawal other than a GLWB Payment would cause the Surrender Value to be less than $2,000, we will treat your request as a full surrender. Before processing the full surrender, we will attempt to contact you or your financial professional to provide the opportunity for you to take a lower amount to maintain a Surrender Value of at least $2,000. If we are unable to contact you within one Business Day after receiving your request, we will process the full surrender.
       
   
Full surrender option – You may surrender your Contract during the Accumulation Period by Authorized Request. Upon full surrender, a Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment may apply.
       
   
GLWB Payments – GLWB Payments are considered withdrawals. The full GLWB Payment must be taken each year, but is not subject to a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment. Each GLWB Payment will reduce the Death Benefit, Surrender Value, Contract Value, and the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount by the amount of the GLWB Payment.

Withdrawals and surrenders are subject to income taxes, and if taken before the owner is age 59½, tax penalties may apply. See “Federal Income Tax Matters” on page 48 and “Access to Your Money” on page 31 for more details.

Surrender Charge.  The Surrender Charge Period begins on the Contract Issue Date and continues for a period of six years. The maximum Surrender Charge is 9% of Contract Value withdrawn (See “Fees and Expenses” on page 14).

Market Value Adjustment.  The Market Value Adjustment applies to withdrawals and upon full surrender of Contract Value and is calculated separately for each Allocation Option. The Market Value Adjustment can increase or decrease your amount withdrawn or the Surrender Value, depending on how economic indicators have changed since your Allocation Option Start Date. See “Market Value Adjustment” for more details. You may lose a portion of your principal and previously credited interest due to the Market Value Adjustment. The Market Value Adjustment is not assessed upon the following:

   
Surrenders or withdrawals under the Nursing Home or Hospital waiver or Terminal Illness waiver;
   
Required Minimum Distributions that are withdrawn under an automatic withdrawal program provided by the Company;
   
The Annual Free Withdrawal Amount;
   
Withdrawals on an Allocation Option Maturity Date;
    Death Benefit proceeds;
    GLWB Payments;
   
Contract Value applied to an Income Payout Option;
   
Transfers and allocation changes as part of automatic rebalancing; and

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Withdrawals under the Bailout Provision.

Bailout Provision.  We will set a single Bailout Rate for all Risk Control Accounts under the Secure Account option and a single Bailout Rate for all Risk Control Accounts under the Growth Account option. The Bailout Rate for Risk Control Accounts under the Secure Account option will range from 1.5% to 10% while the Bailout Rate for Risk Control Accounts under the Growth Account option will range from 2.0% to 25%. The Bailout Rates will be prominently displayed on your Contract Data Page and will not change during the life of your Contract.

If the Index Rate Cap for a Risk Control Account is set below the Bailout Rate for that Risk Control Account, you may withdraw the Risk Control Account Value from that Risk Control Account during the 30-day period following the Contract Anniversary by Authorized Request. A Market Value Adjustment and Surrender Charge will not apply to such withdrawal. A withdrawal under the Bailout Provision will reduce the Death Benefit, perhaps by more than the amount of withdrawal, will be subject to federal income tax, and may be subject to a 10% penalty tax. Your Authorized Request to withdrawal Risk Account Control Account Value must be received in Good Order during this 30-day period. If the request is not received during this 30-day period or the request is not in Good Order, no withdrawal will occur. The initial Index Rate Cap for a Risk Control Account will not be set below the Bailout Rate at the time a Contract is issued, If the Bailout Rate equals the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account, you will not be eligible to withdraw your Risk Control Account Value under the Bailout Provision. For example, if the Bailout Rate for the Secure Account is set at 1.50% and the Index Rate Cap for the Secure Account is set at 1.50%, you would not be eligible to withdraw under the Bailout Provision.

At any time, the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is less than the Bailout Rate specified on your Contract Data Page, we may, at our discretion, restrict allocations into that Risk Control Account. Allocation instructions that include allocations to a Risk Control Account that is not available will be considered not in Good Order and new instructions will be required. See “Access to Your Money – Bailout Provision” for more details.

Income Options.  You have several income options to choose from during the Payout Period.

Death Benefit.  The Death Benefit during the Accumulation Period is equal to the greater of Contract Value or the Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals as of the date the Death Benefit is payable. We do not apply a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment in determining the Death Benefit payable.

Right to Examine. You may cancel your Contract and receive either your Purchase Payment or your Contract Value depending upon applicable state law (See Right to Examine on page 18).

Contract Charges


An investment in the Contract involves certain fees and expenses, including the Contract Fee, Surrender Charges, and the GLWB Rider Fee. The Contract Fee is equal to 0.75% of the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of a Contract Year. The Contract Fee does not apply to the Declared Rate Account Allocation Option. The GLWB Rider Fee is equal to 0.50% of the average daily GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year. The GLWB Rider Fee is deducted Pro Rata from the Contract Value of each Allocation Option on the Contract Anniversary. For a full description of all such fees and expenses, please see the section of this Prospectus entitled “Fees and Expenses”.

Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit

The Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is automatically included with your Contract and provides GLWB Payments for the lifetime of the Covered Person(s), subject to certain conditions. The Covered Person(s) can be based on the single life or joint life option you select on the Contract Issue Date. A Covered Person(s) may be you, your Spouse, or the Annuitant, depending upon who owns the Contract. See the “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period” section for more details. There are restrictions on who can become a Covered Person. Also, joint life GLWB Payments are not available for non-natural owners. Please refer to the

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“Getting Started – The Accumulation Period” section in this Prospectus for more information regarding these restrictions.

All withdrawals other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals that reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract.

GLWB Payments begin on a Contract Anniversary. Once GLWB Payments begin, the full payment amount of the GLWB Payment must be taken each year. The GLWB Payment is calculated on the GLWB Payment Start Date. The GLWB Payments are guaranteed regardless of investment performance and will continue even if Contract Value is reduced to zero. Withdrawals taken before the GLWB Payment Start Date, including RMDs and withdrawals taken after the GLWB Payment Start Date that exceed the GLWB Payment amount, will reduce the GLWB Benefit Base and the GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract. GLWB Payments continue during the life of the Covered Person(s) unless the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Rider is terminated. Please see the “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” section of this Prospectus for information on when the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terminates. We assess a fee for the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit as discussed in the “Fees and Expenses” section of the Prospectus. The Death Benefit is still payable after GLWB Payments begin but will be reduced by the GLWB Payments.

The annual GLWB Payment is equal to the GLWB Percentage multiplied by the GLWB Benefit Base. The GLWB Percentage is determined on the GLWB Payment Start Date and is equal to the Base Withdrawal Percentage plus the Annual Increase Percentage multiplied by the number of completed Contract Years from the Contract Issue Date until the GLWB Payment Start Date for a maximum of 10 years.

The Base Withdrawal Percentage and Annual Increase Percentage are determined based on your election of either single life or joint life option rates using the Age of the younger Covered Person(s) on the Contract Issue Date. The Base Withdrawal Percentage and Annual Increase Percentage are stated in the GLWB Supplement which accompanies this Prospectus. GLWB Payments may begin as late as the anticipated Payout Date shown on your Contract Data Page. GLWB Payments are subject to federal income tax and could be subject to a penalty tax if elected prior to age 59½.

The GLWB Benefit Base is initially equal to the Purchase Payment but will be reset each Contract Anniversary or on any day an Excess Withdrawal is taken. On each Contract Anniversary, unless the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Rider is terminated, if the current Contract Value is greater than the current GLWB Benefit Base, the GLWB Benefit Base will be reset to equal the current Contract Value. The GLWB Benefit Base will be reduced by Excess Withdrawals.

Once established, the GLWB Benefit Base and GLWB Payment can only decrease if you take an Excess Withdrawal. If an Excess Withdrawal causes the Surrender Value to be less than $2,000, your Contract will terminate and GLWB Payments will cease. Before processing the full surrender, we will attempt to contact you or your financial professional to provide the opportunity for you to take a lessor withdrawal to maintain a Surrender Value of at least $2,000. If we are unable to contact you within one Business Day after receiving your request, we will process the full surrender.

Risk Factors

Your Contract has various risks associated with it. We list these risk factors below, as well as other important information you should know before purchasing a Contract.

Index Rate of Return Risk. If you are invested in a Risk Control Account and the relevant Index declines, it may or may not reduce your Risk Control Account Value. This depends on the Risk Control Account to which you allocated your Contact Value. Nevertheless, you always assume the investment risk that no index interest will be credited and therefore the Index Rate of Return will not increase your Accumulation Credit Factor (and, ultimately, your Risk Control Account Value). You also bear the risk that sustained declines in the relevant Index may cause the Index Rate of Return to not increase your Accumulation Credit Factor (and, ultimately, your Risk

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Control Account Value) for a prolonged period. If your Risk Control Account Value is allocated to the Growth Account, you also assume the risk of a negative Index Rate of Return (crediting negative index interest), which means your Accumulation Credit Factor and, ultimately, the Risk Control Account Value allocated to the Growth Account, will decline. In addition, you assume the risk that the Index Rate Cap can be reduced to as little as 1.0%.

Please note that in an increasing interest rate environment, the Market Value Adjustment could reduce the amount received to less than the protection provided by the Index Rate Floor. Ownership of a Contract does not provide ownership rights of the securities that are constituents of the Index.

Liquidity Risk. We designed your Contract to be a long-term investment that you may use to help save for retirement and provide lifetime income. Your Contract is not designed to be a short-term investment. While you are permitted to take partial withdrawals from the Contract or fully surrender the Contract during the Accumulation Period by Authorized Request, such withdrawals may be subject to a Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment and may impact your Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit and Death Benefit. We may defer payments made under this Contract for up to six months if the insurance regulatory authority of the state in which we issued the Contract approves such deferral.


Loss of Principal Risk. Investment in the Risk Control Growth Account could result in a loss of principal and previously credited interest. Although investment losses in the Growth Account are subject to an Index Rate Floor of -10%, losses of as much as -10% in one year and possibly greater than -10% over multiple years could result in a loss of previously credited interest and a loss of principal. Withdrawals and surrenders could also result in a loss of previously credited interest or principal even if performance has been positive because of Surrender Charges and the Market Value Adjustment. The Contract Fee and GLWB Rider Fee could also result in a loss of previously credited interest or principal.

Market Risk.  The historical performance of an Index relating to a Risk Control Account should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Index. The performance of an Index will be influenced by complex and interrelated economic, financial, regulatory, geographic, judicial, political and other factors that can affect the capital markets generally, and by various circumstances that can influence the performance of securities in a particular market segment.

Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Feature Risk. The Contract is designed for persons who seek to make annual lifetime withdrawals. A person should not purchase the Contract seeking a short-term investment or in maximizing long-term accumulation. Purchasers should consult with a financial representative to determine if the GLWB is suitable for them based upon their financial needs and risk tolerance.

You should carefully consider when to begin taking GLWB Payments. If GLWB Payments are elected earlier, GLWB Payments will be lower and the Contract will have less time to accumulate value. However, earlier GLWB Payments could result in receiving payments for a longer period of time. If GLWB Payments are delayed, the Contract will have more time to accumulate value which could result in higher payments and might result in a higher Death Benefit. The Contract may not be suitable if you intend to take withdrawals or RMDs before the GLWB Payment Start Date. Excess Withdrawals could significantly reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base and GLWB Payments. Excess Withdrawals could also terminate the Contract and would include any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment. GLWB Payments will reduce the Death Benefit, Surrender Value, Contract Value and the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount by the amount of the GLWB Payment.

The GLWB Payment is taken out of the Owner’s Contract Value unless the Contract Value is reduced to zero. The probability of the Owner outliving their Contract Value and receiving the GLWB Payment from the Company’s general account may be minimal. The GLWB Payments are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to a penalty tax if elected prior to age 59½. Any amounts paid by the Company in excess of the Contract Value are subject to the Company’s financial strength and claims paying ability.

The GLWB Rider Fee will be assessed whether or not the Owner receives GLWB Payments.

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Risk That We May Eliminate or Substitute an Index - There is no guarantee that the Index will be available during the entire time you own your Contract. We may replace currently available Indices if they are discontinued or there is a material change in the calculation of the Index. If we substitute the Index, the performance of the new Index may differ from the original Index. This, in turn, may affect the credited index interest you earn and affect how you want to allocate Contract Value between available Risk Control Accounts. We will not substitute the Index until the new Index has been approved by the insurance department in your state. A change in the Index will not change the Index Rate Cap or Index Rate Floor for your Contract at the time of the change. If we substitute the Index and you do not wish to allocate your Contract Value to the Risk Control Accounts available under the Contract, you may surrender your Contract, but you may be subject to a Surrender Charge and an MVA, which may result in a loss of principal and credited index interest. A surrender of the Contract may also be subject to taxes and tax penalties.

If an Index is substituted in the middle of a Contract Year, we will calculate index interest up to the date the first Index terminates. Index interest will then be calculated from the date the new Index is used until the Contract Anniversary and the two index interest amounts will be added together to determine the credited index interest for the Contract Year.

We will notify you in your annual report of any addition of an index or substitution or removal of the Index or otherwise in writing where it is necessary to provide advance written notification of the change prior to your Contract Anniversary. See “Addition or Substitution of an Index” for more details.


Risk Control Account Allocation Restriction. At any time, the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is less than the Bailout Rate specified on your Contract Data Page, we may, at our discretion, restrict allocations into that Risk Control Account. See “Access to Your Money – Bailout Provision” for more details.

Creditor and Solvency Risk. Our General Account assets support the guarantees under the Contract and are subject to the claims of our creditors. As such, the guarantees under the Contract are subject to our financial strength and claims-paying ability, and therefore, to the risk that we may default on those guarantees. You need to consider our financial strength and claims-paying ability in meeting the guarantees under the Contract. You may obtain information on our financial condition by reviewing our financial statements included in this Prospectus. Additionally, information concerning our business and operations is set forth in the section of this Prospectus entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”


Other Important Information You Should Know

No Ownership Rights – You have no ownership rights in the underlying stocks comprising the reference Indexes. Purchasing the Contract is not equivalent to investing in the underlying stocks comprising the Indexes. As the Owner of the Contract, you will not have any ownership interest or rights in the underlying stocks comprising the Indexes, such as voting rights, dividend payments, or other distributions. The Index does not reflect dividends paid on the stocks comprising the Index, and, therefore, the calculation of the performance of the Index under the Contract does not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying securities.

No Affiliation with Index or Underlying Stocks – We are not affiliated with the sponsors of the Indexes or the underlying stocks comprising the Indexes. Consequently, the Indexes and the issuers of the underlying stocks comprising the Indexes have no involvement with the Contract.

Possible Tax Law Changes – There always is the possibility that the tax treatment of the Contract could change by legislation or otherwise. We have the right to modify the Contract in response to legislative changes that could diminish the favorable tax treatment that Owners receive. You should consult a tax adviser with respect to legislative developments and their effect on the Contract.

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FEES AND EXPENSES
 

The following information describes the fees and expenses you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering the Contract.


Surrender Charge
(1) (as a percentage of Contract Value withdrawn)

Contract Year   Surrender Charge Percentage  
1   9%  
2   9%  
3   8%  
4   7%  
5   6%  
6   5%  
7+   0%  

Contract Annual Expenses
       
     
  Contract Fee (assessed as a percentage of the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of a Contract Year)(2)   0.75%
       
  GLWB Rider Fee (assessed as a percentage of the GLWB Benefit Base)(3)   0.50%
       
Other Expenses
       
  Premium Tax(4) (as a percentage of the Purchase Payment)   N/A

 
(1)We deduct a Surrender Charge from each withdrawal and surrender during the Surrender Charge Period that exceeds the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount. We do not assess a Surrender Charge on withdrawals and surrenders made under the Nursing Home or Hospital Waiver or Terminal Illness Waiver.
(2)We assess the Contract Fee against Contract Value held in the Risk Control Accounts. The Contract Fee assessed against Contract Value held in the Risk Control Accounts is equal on an annual basis to the annual Contract Fee percentage multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor for each Risk Control Account at the start of the Contract Year. The Contract Fee reduces the Accumulation Credit Factor for each Risk Control Account in which you are invested, thereby reducing the amount of interest credited, if any, to Contract Value in the Risk Control Accounts. We do not assess a Contract Fee against Contract Value held in the Declared Rate Account.
(3)The GLWB Rider Fee is equal on an annual basis to the GLWB Rider Fee percentage multiplied by the average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year. The GLWB Rider Fee will be deducted Pro Rata from the Contract Value in all Allocation Options on the Contract Anniversary. We will not assess the GLWB Rider Fee if the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terminates.
(4)Premium tax is not currently deducted, but we reserve the right to in the future. State premium taxes currently range from 0% to 3.5% of the Purchase Payment.

Surrender Charge

We deduct a Surrender Charge from each withdrawal or surrender during the Surrender Charge Period that exceeds the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount. The Surrender Charge schedule is expressed as a percentage of the Contract Value withdrawn or surrendered as shown in the Surrender Charge table. The Surrender Charge is assessed before calculation of the Market Value Adjustment.

The Surrender Charge, if any, is calculated using the following formula:

  Surrender Charge amount = W x SC%, where

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  W = amount of withdrawal that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount remaining for that Contract Year
   
  SC%  =  applicable Surrender Charge percentage based on the Contract Year in which the withdrawal occurs.

For an example of how we calculate the Surrender Charge, see Appendix A to this Prospectus.

We will not assess the Surrender Charge on:

    Withdrawals under the Nursing Home or Hospital waiver or Terminal Illness waiver;
    Required Minimum Distributions that are withdrawn under the automatic withdrawal program provided by the Company;
    Your Annual Free Withdrawal Amount;
    Death Benefit proceeds;
    Amounts withdrawn after the Surrender Charge Period;
    Contract Value applied to an Income Payout Option;
    GLWB Payments;
    Withdrawals taken under the Bailout Provision;
    Transfers and allocation changes as part of automatic rebalancing; and
    Withdrawals on an Allocation Option Maturity Date.

Surrender Charges offset promotion, distribution expenses, and investment risks born by the Company. To the extent Surrender Charges are insufficient to cover these risks and expenses, the Company will pay for the costs that it incurs out of the Contract Fees it collects and from its General Account.

For information on the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount and Surrender Charge waivers, see “Access to Your Money.”

Other Information

We assume investment risks and costs in providing the guarantees under the Contract. These investment risks include the risks we assume in providing the Index Rate Floors for the Risk Control Accounts, the Interest Rate for the Declared Rate Account, the surrender rights available under the Contract, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit, the Death Benefit and the income payments. We must provide the rates and benefits set forth in your Contract regardless of how our General Account investments that support the guarantees we provide perform. To help manage our investment risks, we engage in certain risk management techniques. There are costs associated with those risk management techniques. You do not directly pay the costs associated with our risk management techniques. However, we take those costs into account when we set rates and guarantees under your Contract.

 
GETTING STARTED – THE ACCUMULATION PERIOD
 

The Prospectus describes all material rights, benefits and obligations under the Contract. All material state variations in the Contract are described in Appendix B to this Prospectus and in your Contract. Please review Appendix B for any variations from standard Contract provisions that may apply to your Contract based on the state in which your Contract was issued. Your financial professional can provide you with more information about those state variations.

Purchasing a Contract

We offer the Contract to individuals, certain retirement plans, and other entities. To purchase a Contract, you and the Annuitant must be at least Age 21 and no older than Age 85.

We sell the Contract through financial professionals who are also agents of the Company. To start the purchase process, you must submit an application to your

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financial professional. The Purchase Payment must either be paid at the Company’s Administrative Office or delivered to your financial professional. Your financial professional will then forward your completed application and Purchase Payment (if applicable) to us. After we receive a completed application, Purchase Payment, and all other information necessary to process a purchase order in Good Order, we will begin the process of issuing the Contract on the next Contract Issue Date available. The selling firm’s determination of whether the Contract is suitable for you may delay our receipt of your application. Any such delays will affect when we issue your Contract. If the application for a Contract is properly completed and is accompanied by all the information necessary to process it, including payment of the Purchase Payment, the Purchase Payment will be allocated to the Allocation Options you choose on the next available Contract Issue Date.

IMPORTANT: You may use the Contract with certain tax qualified retirement plans (“IRA”). The Contract includes attributes such as tax deferral on accumulated earnings. Qualified retirement plans provide their own tax deferral benefit; the purchase of this Contract does not provide additional tax deferral benefits beyond those provided in the qualified retirement plan. Accordingly, if you are purchasing this Contract through a qualified retirement plan, you should consider purchasing the Contract for its other features and other non-tax related benefits. Please consult a tax adviser for information specific to your circumstances to determine whether the Contract is an appropriate investment for you.

If mandated by applicable law, including Federal laws designed to counter terrorism and prevent money laundering, we may be required to reject your Purchase Payment. We may also be required to provide additional information about you or your Contract to government regulators. In addition, we may be required to block an Owner’s Contract and thereby refuse to honor any request for transfers, partial withdrawals, surrender, GLWB Payments, income payments, and Death Benefit payments, until instructions are received from the appropriate government regulator.

Tax-Free “Section 1035” Exchanges

You can generally exchange one annuity contract for another in a “tax-free exchange” under Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code. Before making an exchange, you should compare both contracts carefully. Remember that if you exchange another contract for the one described in this Prospectus, you might have to pay a Surrender Charge or negative Market Value Adjustment on the existing contract. If the exchange does not qualify for Section 1035 tax treatment, you may have to pay federal income tax, including a possible penalty tax, on your old contract. There will be a new Surrender Charge Period for this Contract and other charges may be higher (or lower) and the benefits may be different. There may be delays in our processing of the exchange. You should not exchange another contract for this one unless you determine, after knowing all the facts that the exchange is in your best interest. In general, the person selling you this Contract will earn a commission from us.

Owner

The Owner is the person(s) (or entity) who own(s) the Contract and, in the case of a natural person(s), whose death determines whether the Death Benefit is payable. While the Owner is living, the Owner is also the person(s) (or entity) who receives income payments during the Payout Period while the Annuitant is also living. If there are multiple Owners, each Owner will have equal ownership of the Contract and all references to Owner will mean Joint Owners. Joint Owners are only allowed if the Owner and Joint Owner are Spouses. Additionally, Joint Owners are only allowed for non-qualified annuities.


The Owner names the Annuitant or Joint Annuitants. If the Owner is not a natural person, a Joint Owner and Joint Annuitant cannot be named. All rights under the Contract may be exercised by the Owner, subject to the rights of any other Owner. Assignment of the Contract by the Owner is not permitted unless the state in which the Contract is issued requires us to provide the Owner the right to assign the Contract, as identified in Appendix B to this Prospectus. In that case, the Owner must provide us with advance Written Notice of the assignment and the assignment is subject to our approval, unless those requirements are inconsistent with the law of the state in which the Contract is issued.

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The Owner may request to change the Owner at any time before the Payout Date. If a Joint Owner is changed (or is named), the Joint Owner must be the Owner’s Spouse. If an Owner is added or changed, the amount that will be paid upon the death of the new Owner will be impacted as described in the “Death Benefit” section in this Prospectus. The Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit may also be impacted as described in the “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” section in this Prospectus. Any change of Owner must be made by Authorized Request and is subject to our acceptance. We reserve the right to refuse such change on a non-discriminatory basis. Unless otherwise specified by the Owner, such change, if accepted by us, will take effect as of the date the Authorized Request was signed. We are not liable for any payment we make or action we take before we receive the Authorized Request.

If an Owner who is a natural person dies during the Accumulation Period, your Beneficiary is entitled to a Death Benefit. If you have a Joint Owner, the Death Benefit will be available when the first Joint Owner dies. If there is a surviving Owner and he or she is the Spouse of the deceased, the surviving Spouse will be treated as the sole primary Beneficiary, and any other designated Beneficiary will be treated as a contingent Beneficiary.

Divorce

In the event of divorce, the former Spouse must provide a copy of the divorce decree (or a qualified domestic relations order if it is a qualified plan) to us. The terms of the decree/order must identify the Contract and specify how the Contract Value should be allocated among the former Spouses.

Annuitant

The Annuitant is the natural person(s) whose life (or lives) determines the income payment amount payable under the Contract. If the Owner is a natural person, the Owner may change the Annuitant at any time provided it is at least 30 days before the Payout Date by Authorized Request. Unless otherwise specified by the Owner, such change will take effect as of the date the Authorized Request was signed. We are not liable for any payment we make or action we take before we receive the Authorized Request. If you change the Annuitant, the Payout Date will not change. If the Owner is not a natural person, the Annuitant cannot be changed. The Annuitant does not have any rights under the Contract.


Covered Person

The Covered Person(s) is the natural person(s) whose Age and lifetime we base GLWB Payments on for the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit. The Covered Person(s) must be selected on the Contract Issue Date.

If there is a sole Owner of the Contract:
       
    The Owner can be a Covered Person.
    If the Owner and the sole primary Beneficiary are Spouses, the sole primary Beneficiary can also be a Covered Person.
    If you select single life GLWB Payments, the Owner must be designated as the Covered Person.
       
If there are Joint Owners:
       
    Both Owners can be Covered Persons.
    The Owners must be Spouses.
    If you select single life GLWB Payments, either Owner can be designated as the Covered Person.

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If the Owner is not a natural person:
    The Annuitant must be designated as the Covered Person.
    A joint Annuitant is not permissible.
    Joint GLWB Payments cannot be selected.

If one Covered Person is selected, you have elected single life option rates. If two Covered Persons are selected, you have elected joint life option rates. After the Contract Issue Date, you cannot request to add, remove or replace a Covered Person, even if you add or change an Owner, Annuitant, or Beneficiary except as described in this Prospectus.

If a Covered Person is no longer an Owner, Joint Owner, Annuitant, or Beneficiary as required, we will remove that person from the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit and they will no longer be a Covered Person. Once we remove a Covered Person from the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit, the Covered Person cannot be reinstated.

If at any time joint Covered Persons are no longer Spouses, you must send us notice of the divorce by Authorized Request. Upon receipt of such notice, we will remove one former Spouse from the Contract as a Covered Person as indicated by the divorce or settlement decree, as applicable.

If a Covered Person is removed and one Covered Person still remains, the following will occur:

    If the Covered Person was removed before the GLWB Payment Start Date, joint GLWB Payments will not be available and single life option rates will be used.
       
    If the Owner is a natural person and joint GLWB Payments have already started, we will continue to pay joint GLWB Payments to the Owner as long as the remaining Covered Person is living.


If a Covered Person is removed and there is no other Covered Person remaining, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will terminate and GLWB Payments will cease.

Beneficiary

The Beneficiary is the person(s) (or entity) named by you to receive the proceeds payable upon your death. If there are Joint Owners and an Owner dies before the Payout Date, the surviving Spouse Owner will be treated as the sole primary Beneficiary and any other designated Beneficiary will be treated as a contingent Beneficiary. Prior to the Payout Date, if no Beneficiary survives the Owner, the proceeds will be paid to the Owner’s estate. If there is more than one Beneficiary, each Beneficiary will receive an equal share of the Death Benefit, unless otherwise specified by the Owner. If there are Joint Owners and we are unable to determine that one of the Joint Owners predeceased the other, we will treat the Joint Owners as having died simultaneously. In that case, one-half of the Death Benefit will be payable to each Joint Owner’s estate.

You may change the Beneficiary by an Authorized Request sent to us, or you may name one or more Beneficiaries. A change of Beneficiary will take effect on the date the Authorized Request was signed. If there are Joint Owners, each Owner must sign the Authorized Request. In addition, any Irrevocable Beneficiary or assignee must sign the Authorized Request. We are not liable for any payment we make or action we take before we receive the Authorized Request.

Use care when naming Beneficiaries. If you have any questions concerning the criteria you should use when choosing Beneficiaries, consult your financial professional.

Right to Examine

You may cancel your Contract and return it to your financial professional or to us within a certain number of days after you receive the Contract and receive a refund of either the Purchase Payment you paid less withdrawals or your Contract Value, depending on the state in which your Contract was issued. If the Contract Value exceeds your Purchase Payment you will receive the Contract Value regardless of where the Contract was issued. If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract

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Value, the refund will be your Contract Value unless the state in which the Contract was issued requires that the Purchase Payment less withdrawals be returned. If your Contract is an IRA, we will refund the greater of your Purchase Payment less withdrawals or your Contract Value. Generally, you must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (30 days if it is a replacement contract), but some states may permit a different period for you to return your Contract. Refunds will not be subject to a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment and will be paid within seven days following the date of cancellation. State variations are described in Appendix B to this Prospectus.

 
ALLOCATING YOUR PURCHASE PAYMENT
 

Purchase Payment


If the application for a Contract is in Good Order, which includes our receipt of the Purchase Payment, we will issue the Contract on the next available Contract Issue Date. Contract Issue Dates offered by the Company are currently the 10th and 25th of each month unless those days fall on a non-Business Day. In that case, we issue the Contract on the next Business Day with an effective Contract Issue Date of the 10th or 25th.

The minimum initial Purchase Payment for a Non-Qualified or Qualified Contract is $10,000. The Company does not allow additional Purchase Payments after the initial Purchase Payment. A Purchase Payment that equals or exceeds $1 million requires our prior approval. Multiple Contracts owned by the same individual where the sum of the Purchase Payments equals or exceeds $1 million also require our prior approval.

Purchase Payment and Allocation

There are two Allocation Levels available under the Contract, among which you may allocate your Purchase Payment and Contract Value: Level A (Allocation Option Level), and Level R (Risk Control Account Level).

    At Level A, the allocation is split between the available Allocation Options which include the Declared Rate Account and Risk Control Accounts that use one of the following reference Indices, the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, and the MSCI EAFE Index;
    At Level R, the allocation only applies to Risk Control Accounts, and the allocation is split among Secure and Growth Risk Control Accounts with the same reference Index.

You must specify the percentage of your Purchase Payment to be allocated to each Allocation Level on the Contract Issue Date. The amount you direct to an Allocation Level must be in whole percentages from 0% to 100% of the Purchase Payment and your total allocation must equal 100% at each Allocation Level.

The Purchase Payment will be allocated on the Contract Issue Date to the Allocation Options (according to the allocation instructions on file with us for Level A and Level R).

Transactions that are scheduled to occur on a day that the Accumulation Credit Factor for a Risk Control Account is not available will be processed on the next Business Day at the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account next determined.


Reallocating Your Contract Value - Automatic Rebalancing

During the Accumulation Period, we will automatically rebalance your Contract Value between Level A (Allocation Option Level) and Level R (Risk Control Account Level) based on your most recent allocation instructions that we have on file on each Contract Anniversary. Allocation instructions can be updated at any time and will be effective on the next Contract Anniversary if received at least one Business Day prior to the Contract Anniversary. You may reallocate your Contract Value among

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Allocation Options on each Contract Anniversary and on the Allocation Option Maturity Date by submitting new Allocation Instructions by Authorized Request. We will reallocate Contract Value as part of Automatic Rebalancing. Allocations can be made to any available Allocation Option and will only start a new six year term on the Allocation Option Maturity Date. Any new allocation change request will supersede any prior allocation change requests made. Owners cannot discontinue the automatic rebalancing of Contract Value on Contract Anniversaries.

For example, assume Level A allocations are 80% to Risk Control Accounts that use the S&P 500 Index as a reference Index and 20% to the Declared Rate Account. Assume Level R allocations for the S&P 500 Index are 40% to the Secure Account and 60% to the Growth Account. If on the Contract Anniversary the total Contract Value is $100,000, then after rebalancing, $80,000 will be allocated to Risk Control Accounts that use the S&P 500 Index (80% x $100,000) and $20,000 will be allocated to the Declared Rate Account (20% x $100,000). Then, within Risk Control Accounts that use the S&P 500 Index, $32,000 will be allocated to the Secure Account (40% x $80,000) and $48,000 will be allocated to the Growth Account (60% x $80,000).


Your Authorized Request to change your allocation instructions must be received at least one Business Day prior to the Contract Anniversary to take effect as of that date. If we do not receive such request at least one Business Day prior to the Contract Anniversary, your change in allocation instructions will not be effective until the next Contract Anniversary. The Market Value Adjustment and Surrender Charge do not apply to reallocations and Automatic Rebalancing.

Please note that at any time the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is less than the rate specified in the Bailout Provision (as shown on the Contract Data Page), we may, at our discretion, restrict allocations into that Risk Control Account under the automatic rebalancing program. See “Access to Your Money – Bailout Provision” for more details.

Allocation Option Maturity Date

On the Allocation Option Maturity Date for an Allocation Option, you may reallocate your Contract Value in that Allocation Option among the Allocation Options currently available by submitting new allocation instructions by Authorized Request. Your Authorized Request to change your allocation instructions must be received at least one Business Day prior to the Allocation Option Maturity Date to take effect as of that date. No surrender charge or Market Value Adjustment will apply. You may also make a withdrawal from the Allocation Option on the Allocation Option Maturity Date without a Market Value Adjustment or Surrender Charge, but the withdrawal would be an Excess Withdrawal that could significantly reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment. Withdrawals also may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% penalty tax. If we do not receive an Authorized Request prior to the Allocation Option Maturity Date to change allocation instructions or to make a withdrawal, your Contract Value in the maturing Allocation Options will rebalance based on your most recent allocation instructions and start a new six-year Allocation Option Period.

If the Payout Date occurs prior to an Allocation Option’s Allocation Option Maturity Date, we will begin income payments under the Contract as of the Payout Date. Index interest will be calculated up to the Payout Date. See “Income Payout Options” in this Prospectus for more details.”

 
CONTRACT VALUE
 


On the Contract Issue Date, your Contract Value equals the Purchase Payment. After the Contract Issue Date, during the Accumulation Period, your Contract Value will equal the total Risk Control Account Value plus the total Declared Rate Account Value.


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DECLARED RATE ACCOUNT OPTION
 


The Declared Rate Separate Account is a non-registered Separate Account in which we hold reserves for our guarantees attributable to annuity contracts that offer declared rate accounts. The assets in the Declared Rate Separate Account are equal to the reserves and other liabilities of the contracts supported by the Declared Rate Separate Account and are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business that we conduct. We have the right to transfer to our General Account any assets of the Declared Rate Separate Account that are in excess of such reserves and other Contract liabilities. Our General Account assets are also available to meet the guarantees under the Contract, including the Declared Rate Separate Account, as well as our other general obligations. The guarantees in this Contract are subject to the Company’s financial strength and claims-paying ability.


You may allocate all or a portion of your Purchase Payment and Contract Value to the Declared Rate Account. Contract Value allocated to the Declared Rate Account becomes part of the Declared Rate Account Value and is credited with interest at the end of each business day. The applicable daily interest credited, when compounded, equals the Interest Rate. The Interest Rate is available two weeks in advance of the Allocation Option Start Date and will not change for the duration of the Allocation Option Period. We may declare a new Interest Rate for the Allocation Option Start Date for each subsequent Allocation Option Period of six years. We will notify you of such change prior to the Allocation Option Start Date. The Interest Rate declared will never be less than the Minimum Interest Rate. The Minimum Interest Rate will not change during the life of the Contract. The guaranteed Minimum Interest Rate is shown on your Contract Data Page.

We do not assess a Contract Fee against Contract Value held in the Declared Rate Account. The GLWB Rider Fee and any other fees will be assessed Pro Rata.

Declared Rate Account Value

The Contract Value for the Declared Rate Account Allocation Option is equal to:

    The amount initially allocated to the Declared Rate Account plus the interest subsequently credited to that amount; less
    Any withdrawals (including any Surrender Charge and negative Market Value Adjustment); less
    A transfer as part of automatic rebalancing; less
    The Pro Rata portion of any applicable fees or charges under the Contract; plus
    Any positive Market Value Adjustment from a withdrawal.
     

 
RISK CONTROL ACCOUNT OPTION
 

The Risk Control Separate Account is a non-registered Separate Account in which we hold reserves for our guarantees attributable to annuity contracts that offer risk control accounts. The assets in the Risk Control Separate Account are equal to the reserves and other liabilities of the contracts supported by the Risk Control Separate Account and are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business that we conduct. We have the right to transfer to our General Account any assets of the Risk Control Separate Account that are in excess of such reserves and other Contract liabilities. Our General Account assets are also available to meet the guarantees under the Contract, including the Risk Control Separate Account, as well as our other general obligations. The guarantees in this Contract are subject to the Company’s financial strength and claims-paying ability.


You may allocate all or a portion of your Purchase Payment and Contract Value to the Risk Control Accounts we make available. The portion of the Contract Value allocated to a Risk Control Account becomes part of the Risk Control Account Value and is credited with interest based in part on the investment performance of external indices. Currently, we offer two types of Risk Control Accounts: a Secure Account and a Growth Account. We hold reserves in the Risk Control Separate

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Account for amounts allocated to the Risk Control Accounts in support of the guarantees associated with the Index Rate Floor and Index Rate Cap. Your Risk Control Account Value reflects, in part, the performance of the reference Index, subject to the applicable Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor. When funds are withdrawn from a Risk Control Account prior to the Contract Anniversary for a surrender, partial withdrawal, GLWB Payment, annuitization or payment of the Death Benefit, index interest is calculated up to the date of withdrawal as described below.

The performance of each Index associated with the Risk Control Accounts does not include dividends paid on the stocks comprising the Index, and therefore, the performance of the Index does not reflect the full performance of those underlying securities. The Index Rate of Return is determined on each Contract Anniversary and is measured over the Contract Year. Because index interest is calculated on a single point in time you may experience negative or flat performance even though the Index experienced gains through some, or most, of the Contract Year.

Risk Control Account Value

Your Contract Value allocated to the Risk Control Accounts for any Valuation Period is equal to the sum of your Risk Control Account Value in each Risk Control Account. The Risk Control Account Value for each Risk Control Account is equal to:

    The number of that Risk Control Account’s Accumulation Credits credited to you; multiplied by
       
    The Accumulation Credit Factor for that Risk Control Account at the end of the Valuation Period for which the determination is being made.

Accumulation Credit Factors. The Accumulation Credit Factor for each Risk Control Account is arbitrarily set initially at $10 as of each Allocation Option Start Date. Thereafter, the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the end of each Valuation Period is determined by multiplying (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) (i.e., a x b – c), where:

  (a) = The Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of the Contract Year; and
       
  (b) = The Index Rate of Return (defined below); and

  (c) = The Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee (defined below) multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary.

The Index Rate of Return for each Risk Control Account on any Business Day is equal to the change in the Index for the current Contract Year, adjusted for the Index Rate Cap or Index Rate Floor. Specifically, it is calculated as (A / B), where:

  A  =  Adjusted Index Value (defined below) as of the current Business Day; and
       
  B = The Initial Index Value as of the start of the current Contract Year. If an Allocation Option Start Date or Contract Anniversary does not fall on a Business Day, the Initial Index Value for the next Business Day will be used.

We use the Index Rate of Return to determine the interest we credit, if any, to the Risk Control Account Value.

The “Adjusted Index Value” is the Closing Index Value adjusted for the Index Rate Cap or Index Rate Floor for the current Contract Year. The Adjusted Index Value is calculated each time the Index Rate of Return is calculated. This can be as frequently as daily and occurs on each Contract Anniversary or on any date when a partial

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withdrawal, GLWB Payment, surrender, Death Benefit or annuitization is processed. The Closing Index Value is the closing value of an Index as of a Business Day. If the closing value of the Index is not published on that date, we will use the closing value of the Index from the next day on which the closing value of the Index is published. The Adjusted Index Value for each Risk Control Account is calculated as follows:

    If the Closing Index Value is greater than the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Cap), then the Adjusted Index Value will equal the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Cap).
       
    If the Closing Index Value is less than the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Floor), then the Adjusted Index Value will equal the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Floor).
       
    If the Closing Index Value is less than the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Cap) but more than the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Floor), then the Adjusted Index Value will equal the Closing Index Value.

For example, assume the following:

    Initial Index Value = 2,000
    Index Rate Cap = 15%
    Index Rate Floor = -10%

At the time the Index Rate of Return is calculated, the Adjusted Index Value will be:

  Scenario 1: Closing Index Value is greater than Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Cap)
      o Closing Index Value = 2,400
      o 2,400 is greater than 2,300 (2,000 x (1 + 0.15)) so the Adjusted Index Value is equal to 2,300.
         
  Scenario 2: Closing Index Value is less than Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Floor)
      o Closing Index Value = 1,700
      o 1,700 is less than 1,800 (2,000 x (1 – 0.10)) so the Adjusted Index Value is equal to 1,800.

  Scenario 3: Closing Index Value is less than Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Cap) but more than Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Floor)
      o Closing Index Value = 2,200
      o 2,200 is less than 2,300 (2,000 x (1 + 0.15)) and greater than 1,800 (2,000 x (1 – 0.10)) so the Adjusted Index Value is equal to 2,200.

The Adjusted Index Value will never exceed the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Cap) and will never be lower than the Initial Index Value multiplied by (1 + Index Rate Floor).

The Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee is calculated as (a) the Contract Fee divided by (b) the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by (c) the Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of the Contract Year (i.e. a / b x c).

For example, assume the following:

    Contract Fee = 0.75%
       
    Number of days in the Contract Year = 365
       
    Accumulation Credit Factor for the Risk Control Account at the start of the Contract Year = 10.00

Then, the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee = 0.75% / 365 x 10.00 = 0.000205479.

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Accumulation Credits.  In order to establish a Risk Control Account, the Purchase Payment or Contract Value transferred to the Risk Control Accounts is converted into Accumulation Credits. The number of Accumulation Credits credited to each Risk Control Account is determined by dividing the dollar amount directed to each Risk Control Account by the Accumulation Credit Factor as of the end of the Valuation Period for which the Purchase Payment or Contract Value transfer is received.


We will redeem Accumulation Credits from a Risk Control Account upon (i) partial withdrawal or full surrender (including any applicable Surrender Charge and negative Market Value Adjustment); (ii) a transfer from the Risk Control Account as part of automatic rebalancing; (iii) payment of the Death Benefit; (iv) the Payout Date; (v) the deduction of the GLWB Rider Fee; (vi) GLWB Payments; and, (vii) upon transfer or reallocation on the Allocation Option Maturity Date. We redeem Accumulation Credits as of the end of the Valuation Period in which we receive your request for surrender or partial withdrawal or your Beneficiary’s request for payment of the Death Benefit in Good Order unless you or your Beneficiary specify a later date.

Setting the Index Rate Cap and the Index Rate Floor for the Secure Account and the Growth Account.  We consider various factors in determining the Index Rate Caps and Index Rate Floors, including investment returns, the costs of our risk management techniques, sales commissions, administrative expenses, regulatory and tax requirements, general economic trends, and competitive factors. We determine the Index Rate Cap and the Index Rate Floor at our sole discretion. We set the Index Rate Cap on each Contract Anniversary for the subsequent Contract Year and guarantee the Index Rate Cap for the duration of the Contract Year. We guarantee the Index Rate Floor for the life of your Contract. We will forward advance written notice to Owners of any change in the Index Rate Cap for the subsequent Contract Year at least two weeks prior to Contract Anniversary. This notice will describe the Owner’s right to update allocation instructions to transfer Contract Value between Allocation Options as part of automatic rebalancing and the right to exercise the Bailout Provision, if applicable. The Index Rate Cap will always be positive and will be subject to a guaranteed minimum of 1% and a maximum of 75%.

The Index Rate Floor is the minimum Index Rate of Return used as part of the Accumulation Credit Factor calculation for determining the value of a Risk Control Account prior to deduction of the Contract Fee and prior to deduction of the GLWB Rider Fee. This rate will not change during the life of your Contract. The Secure Account has an Index Rate Floor of 0%, and the Growth Account has an Index Rate Floor of -10%. Although negative investment performance is limited by the Index Rate Floor, you could lose more than 10% due to the Contract Fee, the GWLB Rider Fee, Surrender Charges, a negative Market Value Adjustment, and federal income tax penalties.

Examples. The following three examples illustrate how investment performance of the reference Index of the Secure and Growth Account is applied in crediting interest to the Risk Control Accounts through the Accumulation Credit Factor based on different levels of Index performance. The change in the value of the Accumulation Credit Factor reflects the application of the Index Rate of Return and a reduction for the Contract Fee. No withdrawals are assumed to occur under these examples and all values are determined on Contract Anniversaries. The examples assume the Index Rate Caps remain unchanged since Contract issue. The examples illustrate hypothetical circumstances solely for the purpose of demonstrating Risk Control Account calculations and are not intended as estimates of future performance of the Index.

Example 1: This example illustrates how interest would be credited based on the return of the Index and subject to the Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor. In this example, the return on the Index is greater than the Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor.

Assume the following information:

As of the Allocation Option Start Date:
  Allocation Option Start Date: 10/10/2017
  Initial Index Value: 1,000
  Contract Fee: 0.75%

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  GLWB Rider Fee: 0.50%
  S&P 500 Secure Account
      o Account Value: $75,000
      o Accumulation Credit Factor: $10
      o Accumulation Credits: 7,500
      o Index Rate Floor: 0.00%
      o Index Rate Cap: 6.00%
  S&P 500 Growth Account
      o Account Value: $25,000
      o Accumulation Credit Factor: $10
      o Accumulation Credits: 2,500
      o Index Rate Floor: -10.00%
      o Index Rate Cap: 15.00%

As of the Contract Anniversary:
  Contract Anniversary: 10/10/2018
  Closing Index Value: 1,200
  Days in Contract Year: 365
  Average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year: $100,000


Step 1:
Calculate the Adjusted Index Value
The Initial Index Value is 1,000 and the Closing Index Value is 1,200. The Closing Index Value is greater than the Initial Index Value multiplied by the result of 1 plus the Index Rate Cap for both the Secure and Growth Accounts. Therefore, the Adjusted Index Value equals the Initial Index Value multiplied by the result of 1 plus the Index Rate Cap. For the Secure Account, this is calculated as 1,000 multiplied by the result of 1 plus 0.06 which equals 1,060. For the Growth Account, this is calculated as 1,000 multiplied by the result of 1 plus 0.15 which equals 1,150.


Step 2:
Calculate the Index Rate of Return
The Index Rate of Return is equal to the Adjusted Index Value divided by the Initial Index Value. For the Secure Account, this is calculated as 1,060 divided by 1,000 which equals 1.06 (6% increase from Initial Index Value). For the Growth Account, this is calculated as 1,150 divided by 1,000 which equals 1.15 (15% increase from Initial Index Value).

Step 3: Calculate the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee
The Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee is equal to the Contract Fee divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year. For both the Secure and Growth Accounts, this is equal to 0.75% divided by 365 multiplied by $10 which equals $0.000205479.

Step 4: Calculate the Accumulation Credit Factor
The Accumulation Credit Factor is equal to the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year multiplied by the Index Rate of Return less the result of the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary. For the Secure Account, this is equal to $10 multiplied by 1.06 less the result of $0.000205479 multiplied by 365 which equals $10.53. For the Growth Account, this is equal to $10 multiplied by 1.15 less the result of $0.000205479 multiplied by 365 which equals $11.43.


Step 5: Calculate the Risk Control Account Value.
The Risk Control Account Value is equal to the number of Accumulation Credits multiplied by the ending Accumulation Credit Factor. For the Secure Account, this is equal to 7,500 multiplied by $10.53 which equals $78,937.50. For the Growth Account, this is equal to 2,500 multiplied by $11.43 which equals $25,562.50. This is an increase of $3,937.50 for the Secure Account ($78,937.50 – $75,000 = $3,937.50) and an increase of $3,562.50 for the Growth Account ($25,562.50 – $25,000 = $3,562.50). After the $500 GLWB Rider Fee is deducted Pro Rata from each account, the Secure Account increased $3,570.35 and the Growth Account increased $3,429.65.

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Example 2: This example illustrates how interest would be credited based on the return of the Index and subject to the Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor. In this example, the return on the Index is less than the Index Rate Cap and greater than the Index Rate Floor.

Assume the following information:

As of the Allocation Option Start Date:
  Allocation Option Start Date: 10/10/2017
  Initial Index Value: 1,000
  Contract Fee: 0.75%
  GLWB Rider Fee: 0.50%
  S&P 500 Secure Account
      o Account Value: $75,000
      o Accumulation Credit Factor: $10
      o Accumulation Credits: 7,500
      o Index Rate Floor: 0.00%
      o Index Rate Cap: 6.00%
  S&P 500 Growth Account
      o Account Value: $25,000
      o Accumulation Credit Factor: $10
      o Accumulation Credits: 2,500
      o Index Rate Floor: -10.00%
      o Index Rate Cap: 15.00%

As of the Contract Anniversary:
  Contract Anniversary: 10/10/2018
  Closing Index Value: 1,030
  Days in Contract Year: 365
  Average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year: $100,000

Step 1: Calculate the Adjusted Index Value
The Initial Index Value is 1,000 and the Closing Index Value is 1,030. The Closing Index Value is less than the Initial Index Value multiplied by the result of 1 plus the Index Rate Cap, but it is more than the Initial Index Value multiplied by the result of 1 plus the Index Rate Floor for both the Secure and Growth Accounts. Therefore, the Adjusted Index Value equals the Closing Index Value which is 1,030.

Step 2: Calculate the Index Rate of Return
The Index Rate of Return is equal to the Adjusted Index Value divided by the Initial Index Value. For the Secure Account, this is calculated as 1,030 divided by 1,000 which equals 1.03 (3% increase from Initial Index Value). For the Growth Account, this is calculated as 1,030 divided by 1,000 which equals 1.03 (3% increase from Initial Index Value).

Step 3: Calculate the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee
The Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee is equal to the Contract Fee divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year. For both the Secure and Growth Accounts, this is equal to 0.75% divided by 365 multiplied by $10 which equals $0.000205479.

Step 4: Calculate the Accumulation Credit Factor
The Accumulation Credit Factor is equal to the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year multiplied by the Index Rate of Return less the result of the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary. For the Secure Account, this is equal to $10 multiplied by 1.03 less the result of $0.000205479 multiplied by 365 which equals $10.225. For the Growth Account, this is equal to $10 multiplied by 1.03 less the result of $0.000205479 multiplied by 365 which equals $10.225.

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Step 5: Calculate the Risk Control Account Value.
The Risk Control Account Value is equal to the number of Accumulation Credits multiplied by the ending Accumulation Credit Factor. For the Secure Account, this is equal to 7,500 multiplied by $10.225 which equals $76,687.50. For the Growth Account, this is equal to 2,500 multiplied by $10.225 which equals $25,562.50. This is an increase of $1,687.50 for the Secure Account ($76,687.50 – $75,000 = $1,687.50) and an increase of $562.50 for the Growth Account ($25,562.50 – $25,000 = $562.50). After the $500 GLWB Rider Fee is deducted Pro Rata from each account, the Secure Account increased $1,312.50 and the Growth Account increased $437.50.

Example 3: This example illustrates how interest would be credited based on the return of the Index and subject to the Index Rate Cap and Index Rate Floor. In this example, the return on the Index is less than the Index Rate Floor.

Assume the following information:

As of the Allocation Option Start Date:
  Allocation Option Start Date: 10/10/2017
  Initial Index Value: 1,000
  Contract Fee: 0.75%
  GLWB Rider Fee: 0.50%
  S&P 500 Secure Account
      o Account Value: $75,000
      o Accumulation Credit Factor: $10
      o Accumulation Credits: 7,500
      o Index Rate Floor: 0.00%
      o Index Rate Cap: 6.00%
  S&P 500 Growth Account
      o Account Value: $25,000
      o Accumulation Credit Factor: $10
      o Accumulation Credits: 2,500
      o Index Rate Floor: -10.00%
      o Index Rate Cap: 15.00%

As of the Contract Anniversary:
  Contract Anniversary: 10/10/2018
  Closing Index Value: 850
  Days in Contract Year: 365
  Average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year: $100,000

Step 1: Calculate the Adjusted Index Value
The Initial Index Value is 1,000 and the Closing Index Value is 850. The Closing Index Value is less than the Initial Index Value multiplied by the result of 1 plus the Index Rate Floor for both the Secure and Growth Accounts. Therefore, the Adjusted Index Value equals the Initial Index Value multiplied by the result of 1 plus the Index Rate Floor. For the Secure Account, this is calculated as 1,000 multiplied by the result of 1 plus 0.00 which equals 1,000. For the Growth Account, this is calculated as 1,000 multiplied by the result of 1 plus -0.10 which equals 900.

Step 2: Calculate the Index Rate of Return
The Index Rate of Return is equal to the Adjusted Index Value divided by the Initial Index Value. For the Secure Account, this is calculated as 1,000 divided by 1,000 which equals 1.00 (0% increase from the Initial Index Value). For the Growth Account, this is calculated as 1,000 divided by 900 which equals 0.90 (10% decrease from Initial Index Value).

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Step 3: Calculate the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee
The Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee is equal to the Contract Fee divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year. For both the Secure and Growth Accounts, this is equal to 0.75% divided by 365 multiplied by $10 which equals $0.000205479.

Step 4: Calculate the Accumulation Credit Factor
The Accumulation Credit Factor is equal to the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year multiplied by the Index Rate of Return less the result of the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary. For the Secure Account, this is equal to $10 multiplied by 1.00 less the result of $0.000205479 multiplied by 365 which equals $9.925. For the Growth Account, this is equal to $10 multiplied by 0.90 less the result of $0.000205479 multiplied by 365 which equals $8.925.


Step 5: Calculate the Risk Control Account Value.
The Risk Control Account Value is equal to the number of Accumulation Credits multiplied by the ending Accumulation Credit Factor. For the Secure Account, this is equal to 7,500 multiplied by $9.925 which equals $74,437.50. For the Growth Account, this is equal to 2,500 multiplied by $8.925 which equals $22,312.50. This is a decrease of $562.50 for the Secure Account ($74,437.60 – $75,000 = -$562.50) and a decrease of $2,687.50 for the Growth Account ($22,312.50 – $25,000 = -$2,687.50). After the $500 GLWB Rider Fee is deducted Pro Rata from each account, the Secure Account decreased $947.19 and the Growth Account decreased $2,802.81.

Addition or Substitution of an Index. The same Index will be used for each Risk Control Account for the duration of the Allocation Option Period. However, there is no guarantee that the Index will be available during the entire time you own your Contract. If: (i) the Index is discontinued, or (ii) the calculation of that Index is materially changed, we may substitute a suitable Index that will be used for the remainder of the Allocation Option Period. We reserve the right to add or substitute the Index. If we substitute an Index, the performance of the new Index may differ from the original Index. This, in turn, may affect the interest credited to the Risk Control Account and the interest you earn under the Contract. We will not substitute an Index until that Index has been approved by the insurance department in your state.

In the unlikely event that we substitute the Index, we will attempt to add a suitable alternative index that is substantially similar to the Index being replaced on the same day that we remove the Index. If a change in an Index is made during a Contract Year, Index interest will be calculated from the Contract Anniversary until the date that the Index ceased to be available and that index interest will be added to or subtracted from the index interest calculated for the substitute Index from the date of substitution until the next Contract Anniversary. If we are unable to substitute a new Index at the same time as an Index ceases to be available there may be a brief interval between the date on which we remove the Index and add a suitable alternative index as a replacement. In this situation, your Contract Value will continue to be allocated to the Risk Control Accounts. However, any credit to your Contract Value for that Contract Year will not reflect changes in the value of the Index or the replacement index during that interim period. If you take a partial withdrawal, GLWB Payment, surrender or annuitize the Contract, or die during the interim period, we will apply index interest to your Contract Value allocated to a Risk Control Accounts based on the percentage change in the Index from the beginning of the Contract Year to the date on which the Index became unavailable under the Contract.

Please note that we may add or substitute an Index associated with the Risk Control Accounts by sending you written notice at your last known address stating the effective date on which the Index will be added or substituted. We will send you the notice in your annual report unless earlier written notice is necessary.

 
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
 

The Market Value Adjustment is calculated separately for withdrawals from the Risk Control Accounts and Declared Rate Account. The following transactions may occur or amounts may be withdrawn without incurring a Market Value Adjustment:

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  Surrenders or withdrawals under the Nursing Home or Hospital waiver or Terminal Illness withdrawal waiver;
  Required Minimum Distributions that are withdrawn under an automatic withdrawal program provided by the Company;
  The Annual Free Withdrawal Amount;
  Withdrawals on an Allocation Option Maturity Date;
  Death Benefit proceeds;
  GLWB Payments;
  Contract Value applied to an Income Payout Option;
  Transfers and allocation changes as part of automatic rebalancing; and
  Withdrawals made under the Bailout Provision.

If you surrender your Contract or take a partial withdrawal during the Accumulation Period, we will apply the Market Value Adjustment to the amount being surrendered. No withdrawals or surrenders can be taken once income payments begin. Therefore, no Market Value Adjustment will apply after the end of the Accumulation Period.

IMPORTANT: The Market Value Adjustment will either increase or decrease the amount you receive from a partial withdrawal or your Surrender Value. You may lose a portion of your principal and previously credited interest due to the Market Value Adjustment regardless of the Allocation Options to which you allocated Contract Value. You directly bear the investment risk associated with a Market Value Adjustment. You should carefully consider your income needs before purchasing the Contract.

Purpose of the Market Value Adjustment


The Market Value Adjustment is an adjustment that may be made to the amount you receive if you surrender the Contract or take a partial withdrawal from the Risk Control Accounts or Declared Rate Account during the Accumulation Period. Withdrawals from maturing Allocation Options on the Allocation Option Maturity Date will not be assessed a Market Value Adjustment. In general, if interest rate levels have increased at the time of surrender or partial withdrawal over their levels at the Allocation Option Start Date, the Market Value Adjustment will be negative. Conversely, in general, if interest rate levels have decreased at the time of surrender or partial withdrawal over their levels at the Allocation Option Start Date, the Market Value Adjustment will be positive.

The Market Value Adjustment reflects, in part, the difference in yield of the Constant Maturity Treasury rate for a period consistent with the Allocation Option Period beginning on the Allocation Option Start Date and the yield of the Constant Maturity Treasury rate for a period starting on the date of surrender or partial withdrawal and ending on the Allocation Option Maturity Date. The Constant Maturity Treasury rate is a rate representing the average yield of various Treasury securities. The calculation also reflects in part the difference between the effective yield of the ICE BofAML Index 1-10 Year U.S. Corporate Constrained Index, Asset Swap Spread (the “ICE BofAML Index”), a rate representative of investment grade corporate debt credit spreads in the U.S., on the Allocation Option Start Date and the effective yield of the ICE BofAML Index at the time of surrender or partial withdrawal. The greater the difference in those yields, respectively, the greater the effect the Market Value Adjustment will have. In general, if the Constant Maturity Treasury rate and ICE BofAML Index have increased at the time of surrender or partial withdrawal over their levels at the Allocation Option Start Date, the Market Value Adjustment will be negative and will decrease the Surrender Value or amount you receive from a partial withdrawal. Similarly, if the Constant Maturity Treasury rate and ICE BofAML Index have decreased at the time of surrender or partial withdrawal over their levels at the Allocation Option Start Date, the Market Value Adjustment will be positive and will increase the Surrender Value or amount you receive from a partial withdrawal.

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The Company uses both the Constant Maturity Treasury rate and ICE BofAML Index in determining any Market Value Adjustment since together both indices represent a broad mix of investments whose values may be affected by changes in market interest rates.

We will increase the amount you will be paid from a partial withdrawal by the amount of any positive Market Value Adjustment, and in the case of a surrender of the Contract, we will increase your Surrender Value by the amount of any positive Market Value Adjustment. Conversely, we will decrease the amount you will be paid from a partial withdrawal by the amount of any negative Market Value Adjustment, and in the case of a surrender of the Contract, we will decrease your Surrender Value by the amount of any negative Market Value Adjustment.

The Market Value Adjustment helps us offset our costs and risks of owning fixed income investments and other investments we use to back the guarantees under your Contract from the Allocation Option Start Date to the time of a surrender or partial withdrawal.

Market Value Adjustment Formula


A withdrawal may be adjusted (increased or decreased) by the Market Value Adjustment. The Market Value Adjustment is calculated separately for each Allocation Option. On any given Business Day, it is calculated using the following formula:

  MVA = W x (MVAF – 1)
       
  Where W = amount of withdrawal that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount for that Contract Year.
       
  MVAF = ((1 + I + K)/(1 + J + L))^N
       
  I = The Constant Maturity Treasury rate as of the Allocation Option Start Date for a maturity consistent with the Allocation Option Period of six years.
       
  J = The Constant Maturity Treasury rate as of the date of withdrawal for a maturity consistent with the remaining number of years (whole and partial) in the Allocation Option Period of six years.

       
  K = The ICE BofAML Index as of the Allocation Option Start Date.
       
  L = The ICE BofAML Index as of the date of withdrawal.
       
  N = The number of years (whole and partial) from the date of withdrawal until the Allocation Option Maturity Date.

We determine I based on the Allocation Option Period. For example, for an Allocation Option Period of six years, I corresponds to the 6-year Constant Maturity Treasury rate on the Allocation Option Start Date. We determine J when you take a partial withdrawal or surrender. For example, for an Allocation Option Period of six years, if you surrender the Contract two years into the Allocation Option Period, J would correspond to the Constant Maturity Treasury rate consistent with the time remaining in the Allocation Option Period of four years (4 = 6 - 2). For I and J where there is no Constant Maturity Treasury rate declared, we will use linear interpolation of the Constant Maturity Rates Index with maturities closest to I and J to determine I and J.


The value of K and L on any Business Day will be equal to the closing value of the ICE BofAML Index on the previous Business Day.

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If the publication of any component of the Market Value Adjustment indices is discontinued or if the calculation of the Market Value Adjustment indices is changed substantially, we may substitute a new index for the discontinued or substantially changed index, subject to approval by the insurance department in your state. Before we substitute a Market Value Adjustment index, we will notify you in writing of the substitution.

For examples of how we calculate Market Value Adjustments, see “Appendix A” to this Prospectus.

 
SURRENDER VALUE
 


If you surrender the Contract, you will receive the Surrender Value, as of the Business Day we received your Authorized Request in Good Order. The Surrender Value is equal to your Contract Value at the end of the Valuation Period in which we receive your Authorized Request, less any applicable Contract Fee, GLWB Rider Fee, and Surrender Charge, and adjusted for any applicable Market Value Adjustment.

Upon payment of the Surrender Value, the Contract is terminated, and we have no further obligation under the Contract or Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit. We may require that the Contract be returned to our Administrative Office prior to making payment. The Surrender Value will not be less than the amount required by applicable state law. We will pay you the amount you request in connection with a full surrender by withdrawing Contract Value in the Declared Rate Account and redeeming Accumulation Credits from the Risk Control Accounts, if applicable.

 
ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY
 

Partial Withdrawals

All withdrawals other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals and will proportionally reduce the Death Benefit and GLWB Benefit Base by the ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal. This means the Death Benefit and GLWB Benefit Base may decrease by more than the amount of the withdrawal, and that decrease could be significant. This will also decrease the GLWB Payment. Partial withdrawals could terminate the Contract.

At any time during the Accumulation Period you may make partial withdrawals by Authorized Request in Good Order. The minimum partial withdrawal amount is $100. Withdrawals will be processed Pro Rata from the Contract Value in all Allocation Options. Any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment will affect the amount available for a partial withdrawal. We will pay you the amount you request in connection with a partial withdrawal by reducing Contract Value in the Declared Rate Account and redeeming Accumulation Credits from the appropriate Risk Control Accounts, if applicable.


Partial withdrawals for less than $25,000 are permitted by telephone and in writing. The written consent of all Owners must be obtained before we will process the partial withdrawal. If an Authorized Request in Good Order is received by 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, it will be processed that day. If an Authorized Request in Good Order is received after 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, it will be processed on the next Business Day. If a partial withdrawal other than a GLWB Payment would cause your Surrender Value to be less than $2,000, we will treat your request for partial withdrawal as a request for full surrender of your Contract. Before processing the full surrender, we will attempt to contact you or your financial professional to provide the opportunity for you to take a lower amount to maintain a Surrender Value of at least $2,000. If we are unable to contact you within one Business Day after receiving your request, we will process the full surrender.

Partial withdrawals may be subject to Surrender Charges and a Market Value Adjustment. See “Fees and Expenses” and “Market Value Adjustment.” Partial withdrawals may also be subject to income tax and, if taken before age 59½, an additional 10% federal penalty tax. You should consult your tax adviser before taking a partial withdrawal. See “Federal Income Tax Matters.”

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Annual Free Withdrawal Amount. Your Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is equal to 10% of the Contract Value at the beginning of the Contract Year and represents the amount that can be withdrawn without incurring a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment in a Contract Year. Any unused Annual Free Withdrawal Amount will not carry over to any subsequent Contract Year. GLWB Payments will reduce the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount but will not be subject to a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment.

The Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is subtracted from surrenders for purposes of calculating the Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment.

Systematic Withdrawals. Reoccurring withdrawals are referred to as systematic withdrawals. GLWB Payments and Required Minimum Distributions are the only systematic withdrawals permitted under the Contract. If elected at the time of the application or requested at any other time by Authorized Request in Good Order, you may elect to receive periodic partial withdrawals under our systematic withdrawal plan. Under the systematic withdrawal plan, we will make partial withdrawals (on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis), as specified by you. Systematic Withdrawals other than GLWB Payments must be at least $100 each. Systematic withdrawals may be requested on the following basis:

   
Total systematic withdrawals for the calendar year equal to your annual Required Minimum Distribution; or
       
   
Total systematic withdrawals for the Contract Year equal to your annual GLWB Payment.

Required Minimum Distribution systematic withdrawals can be terminated by Authorized Request in Good Order. GLWB Payments cannot be terminated.

Systematic withdrawals will be deducted on a Pro Rata basis from all your Allocation Options. No Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment will be deducted for systematic withdrawals.

If Required Minimum Distributions are taken prior to the GLWB Payment Start Date, they will be treated as Excess Withdrawals and will reduce the GLWB Benefit Base and Death Benefit, perhaps by more than the amount of the withdrawal. GLWB Payments are treated as partial withdrawals and will reduce the Death Benefit by the amount of the GLWB Payment. If the Required Minimum Distribution is greater than the GLWB Payment, an amount equal to the Required Minimum Distribution can be taken after the GLWB Payment Start Date and will not be treated as an Excess Withdrawal.

Waiver of Surrender Charges. We will waive the Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment in the case of a partial withdrawal or surrender where the Owner or Annuitant qualifies for the Nursing Home or Hospital or Terminal Illness waiver, as described below. Before granting the waiver, we may request a second opinion or examination of the Owner or Annuitant by one of our examiners. We will bear the cost of such second opinion or examination. Each waiver may be exercised only one time.

   
Nursing Home or Hospital Waiver. We will not deduct a Surrender Charge or assess a Market Value Adjustment in the case of a partial withdrawal or surrender where any Owner or Annuitant is confined to a licensed Nursing Home or Hospital and has been confined to such Nursing Home or Hospital for at least 180 consecutive days after the latter of the Contract Issue Date or the date of change of the Owner or Annuitant. We require verification of confinement to the Nursing Home or Hospital, and such verification must be signed by the administrator of the facility.

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Terminal Illness Waiver. We will not deduct a Surrender Charge or apply a Market Value Adjustment in the case of a partial withdrawal or surrender where any Owner or Annuitant has a life expectancy of 12 months or less due to illness or accident. As proof, we require a determination of the Terminal Illness. Such determination must be signed by the licensed physician making the determination after the latter of Contract Issue Date or the date of change of the Owner or Annuitant. The physician may not be a member of your or the Annuitant’s immediate family.

The laws of your state may limit the availability of the Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment waivers and may also change certain terms and/or benefits under the waivers. You should consult Appendix B to this Prospectus for further details on these variations. Also, even if you do not pay a Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment because of the waivers, you still may be required to pay taxes or tax penalties on the amount withdrawn. You should consult a tax adviser to determine the effect of a partial withdrawal on your taxes.

Surrenders

You may surrender your Contract for the Surrender Value at any time during the Accumulation Period by Authorized Request. If an Authorized Request in Good Order is received before 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time on a Business Day, it will be processed that day. If an Authorized Request in Good Order is received at or after 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time on a Business Day or on a non-Business Day, it will be processed on the next Business Day.

To surrender your Contract, you must make an Authorized Request in Good Order to our Administrative Office. The consent of all Owners must be obtained before the Contract is surrendered.


Surrender Charges and a Market Value Adjustment may apply to your Contract surrender. A Pro Rata portion of the GLWB Rider Fee will be deducted upon surrender. A surrender may also be subject to income tax and, if taken before age 59½, an additional 10% federal penalty tax. You should consult a tax adviser before requesting a surrender. See “Federal Income Tax Matters.”

Partial Withdrawal and Surrender Restrictions

Your right to make partial withdrawals and surrender the Contract is subject to any restrictions imposed by any applicable law or employee benefit plan.

Right to Defer Payments

We reserve the right to postpone payment for up to six months after we receive your Authorized Request in Good Order, subject to obtaining prior written approval by the state insurance commissioner if required by the law of the state in which we issued the Contract. In the event we postpone payment, we will pay interest on the proceeds if required by state law, calculated at the effective annual rate and for the time period required under state law.


Bailout Provision

We will set a single Bailout Rate for all Risk Control Accounts under the Secure Account option and a single Bailout Rate for all Risk Control Accounts under the Growth Account option. The Bailout Rates will be prominently displayed on your Contract Data Page and will not change during the life of your Contract.

The Bailout Provision allows you to make a withdrawal of the Contract Value attributable to a Risk Control Account without incurring any Surrender Charge and without the application of any Market Value Adjustment. Specifically, if the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is set below the Bailout Rate for that Risk Control Account, the Bailout Provision allows you to make a withdrawal of some or all of the Contract Value attributable to that Risk Control Account without incurring any Surrender Charge and without the application of any Market Value Adjustment during the 30-day period following the Contract Anniversary. If the Index Rate Cap is equal to or more than the Bailout Rate, you cannot withdraw Risk Control Account Values under the Bailout Provision.

You will receive at least two weeks’ advance notice of new Index Rate Caps prior to each Contract Anniversary. The notice of new Index Rate Caps will also inform you if the Bailout Provision has been triggered for any Risk Control Account. We must receive your Authorized Request for a withdrawal of Contract Value under the Bailout Provision in Good Order during the 30-day period following the Contract Anniversary. With respect to such withdrawal, your Contract Value will be reduced by the amount of the withdrawal and the withdrawal also reduces your Death Benefit, perhaps by more than the amount of the withdrawal. If the Bailout Provision has been triggered for a Risk Control Account and we do not receive instructions to withdraw those funds within this 30-day period or the request is not in Good Order, the funds will remain in that Risk Control Account and withdrawals or surrenders for the remainder of the Contract Year may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment and Surrender Charge.

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When the Index Rate Cap for your Risk Control Account is less than the Bailout Rate specified on your contract data page, we may, at our discretion, restrict allocations into that Risk Control Account. Allocation instructions that include allocations to a Risk Control Account that is not available will be considered not in Good Order and new instructions will be required.

Withdrawals taken under the Bailout Provision may have tax consequences. The tax treatment of a withdrawal under the Bailout Provision depends on whether the Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract or a Qualified Contract. Generally, for a withdrawal from a Non-Qualified Contract, the amount received will be treated as ordinary income subject to tax up to an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Contract Value immediately before the distribution over the Owner’s investment in the Contract. If the Contract is a Qualified Contract, the withdrawal is taxable as ordinary income. If taken prior to age 59½, a withdrawal from either a Non-Qualified or a Qualified Contract may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax penalty. See discussion of “Withdrawals” and “Penalty Tax on Certain Withdrawals” under “Federal Income Tax Matters.”

 
GUARANTEED LIFETIME WITHDRAWAL BENEFIT
 


The Contract automatically includes the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit. Subject to certain conditions, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit provides for GLWB Payments to be made each year for the life of the Covered Person(s) in the form of partial withdrawals without reducing the value of GLWB Payments in future years. The GLWB Payment is the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal amount. The GLWB Payment is guaranteed regardless of investment performance and will continue even if the Contract Value is reduced to zero from GLWB Payments. All withdrawals other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals that reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract.

If you do not begin GLWB Payments before all Covered Person(s) die or are removed from the Contract, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terminates, and you will not receive any payments under the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit.

GLWB Payments can begin on the first Contract Anniversary or the Contract Anniversary following the 50th birthday of the youngest Covered Person, whichever is later. If you begin GLWB Payments before age 59½ the GLWB Payments may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax. The GLWB Payment Start Date must be on a Contract Anniversary. Requests to start receiving the GLWB Payment as of a Contract Anniversary must be received at least one Business Day prior to the desired GLWB Payment Start Date.

The GLWB Payment is calculated on the GLWB Payment Start Date. The GLWB Payment equals the GLWB Percentage multiplied by the GLWB Benefit Base. The GLWB Percentage is a combination of the Base Withdrawal Percentage, determined on the Contract Issue Date based on the Age of the younger Covered Person, and the Annual Increase Percentage. The GLWB Benefit Base is initially equal to the Purchase Payment but will be reset on each Contract Anniversary to equal the current Contract Value if the current Contract Value is greater than the GLWB Benefit Base and will be reduced by Excess Withdrawals. See “GLWB Payments” for more details on how the GLWB Payment, including the GLWB Percentage and GLWB Benefit Base, is determined.

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The full GLWB Payment must be taken each year after the GLWB Payment Start Date. The Owner elects how to receive the GLWB Payments, either as monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments. If the scheduled payment date does not fall on a Business Day, we will make the payment on the next Business Day.


GLWB Payments continue during the life of the Covered Person(s) unless the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is terminated. Under the single life option, GLWB Payments will cease on the date of death of the Covered Person. Under the joint life option, GLWB Payments will continue until the date of death of the second Covered Person if the surviving Spouse continues the Contract upon the death of Owner.

We may require proof that the Covered Person(s) is living upon the date of any GLWB Payment while the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is in effect.

GLWB Feature Risk

Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Feature Risk. The Contract is designed for persons who seek to make annual lifetime withdrawals. A person should not purchase the Contract seeking a short-term investment or in maximizing long-term accumulation. Purchasers should consult with a financial representative to determine if the GLWB is suitable for them based upon their financial needs and risk tolerance.

You should carefully consider when to begin taking GLWB Payments. If GLWB Payments are elected earlier, GLWB Payments will be lower and the Contract will have less time to accumulate value. However, earlier GLWB Payments could result in receiving payments for a longer period of time. If GLWB Payments are delayed, the Contract will have more time to accumulate value which could result in higher payments and might result in a higher Death Benefit. The Contract may not be suitable if you intend to take withdrawals or RMDs before the GLWB Payment Start Date. Excess Withdrawals could significantly reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base and GLWB Payments. Excess Withdrawals could also terminate the Contract and would include any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment. GLWB Payments will reduce the Death Benefit, Surrender Value, Contract Value and the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount by the amount of the GLWB Payment.

The GLWB Payment is taken out of the Owner’s Contract Value unless the Contract Value is reduced to zero. The probability of the Owner outliving their Contract Value and receiving the GLWB Payment from the Company’s general account may be minimal. The GLWB Payments are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to a penalty tax if elected prior to age 59½. Any amounts paid by the Company in excess of the Contract Value are subject to the Company’s financial strength and claims paying ability.

The GLWB Rider Fee will be assessed whether or not the Owner receives GLWB Payments.

GLWB Rider Fee

The GLWB Rider Fee is shown in the “Fees and Expenses” section. The GLWB Rider Fee will be deducted Pro Rata from the Contract Value in all Allocation Options on the Contract Anniversary. The GLWB Rider Fee will be deducted prior to any other transactions on the Contract Anniversary. No Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment will be applied as a result of the deduction of the GLWB Rider Fee.

The GLWB Rider Fee will terminate on the earliest of:

   
The date the Contract Value is equal to zero; and
   
The date the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terminates.

The GLWB Rider Fee is calculated as a percentage of the average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year. The average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base will equal the GLWB Benefit Base as of the start of the Contract Year unless an Excess Withdrawal is taken. Because Excess Withdrawals reduce

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the GLWB Benefit Base, the reduced GLWB Benefit Base will be used in the average daily value calculation in the event of an Excess Withdrawal. In that case, the average daily value of the GLWB Benefit Base will equal to the sum of each GLWB Benefit Base for the prior Contract Year multiplied by the number of days it applied and divided by the number of days in the Contract Year.

The portion of the GLWB Rider Fee that is accrued but not yet deducted will be deducted upon surrender and termination of the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit.

The GLWB Rider Fee is assessed even if GLWB Payments are never made.

Termination of the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit

The Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will terminate and all rights under the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will terminate upon the date any of the follow occur:

    The death of all Covered Persons;
    Payment of a Death Benefit;
    All Covered Persons are removed from the Contract;
    The Contract is surrendered or otherwise terminated; or
    The Contract Value is applied to an Income Payout Option.

On the date the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit terminates we will deduct any GLWB Rider Fee that was accrued but not yet deducted as the final GLWB Rider Fee.


If a GLWB Payment or investment performance causes the Contract Value to be reduced to zero, GLWB Payments will not terminate.

Changes to the Covered Person(s)


After the Contract Issue Date, you cannot add, remove or replace a Covered Person, even if you add or change an Owner, Annuitant, or Beneficiary except as described in this Prospectus. If a Covered Person is no longer an Owner, Joint Owner, Annuitant, or Beneficiary as required above, we will remove that person from the Contract and they will no longer be a Covered Person. Once we remove a Covered Person, the Covered Person cannot be reinstated. If at any time joint Covered Persons are no longer Spouses, you must send us notice of the divorce by Authorized Request. Upon receiving such notice, we will remove one former Spouse from the Contract as a Covered Person as indicated by the divorce or settlement decree, as applicable. If the Contract Owner is not a natural person, the Annuitant is the Covered Person.

If a Covered Person is removed and there is a remaining Covered Person, the following will occur:

   
If the Covered Person was removed before the GLWB Payment Start Date, joint GLWB Payments will not be available
   
If joint GLWB Payments have already started, we will continue to pay joint GLWB Payments to the Owner as long as the remaining Covered Person is living.

If a Covered Person is removed and there is no Covered Person remaining, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will terminate and GLWB Payments will cease.

GLWB Payments

The GLWB Payment is the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal amount. The annual GLWB Payment is equal to the GLWB Percentage multiplied by the GLWB Benefit Base. The GLWB Payment will only decrease if you take an Excess Withdrawal.

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The GLWB Benefit Base and therefore the GLWB Payment is recalculated on each Contract Anniversary and on any date an Excess Withdrawal is taken.

GLWB Percentage: The GLWB Percentage is determined on the GLWB Payment Start Date and will not change. It is calculated using the following formula:

  GLWB Percentage = B + I x Y, where
   
  B= The Base Withdrawal Percentage.

  I = The Annual Increase Percentage.
   
 
  Y = The number of completed Contract Years from the Contract Issue Date until the GLWB Payment Start Date, subject to the maximum of 10 years.

The Base Withdrawal Percentage and Annual Increase Percentage are determined based on your election of single life or joint life option rates using the Age of the younger Covered Person(s) on the Contract Issue Date.

We establish the Base Withdrawal Percentage and Annual Increase Percentage on the Contract Issue Date and will not change them for the life of the Contract. The Base Withdrawal Percentage and the Annual Increase Percentage are stated in the GLWB Supplement which accompanies this Prospectus.


GLWB Benefit Base:  The GLWB Benefit Base is initially equal to the Purchase Payment but will be reset each Contract Anniversary or on any day an Excess Withdrawal is taken. On each Contract Anniversary, unless the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is terminated, if the current Contract Value is greater than the current GLWB Benefit Base, the GLWB Benefit Base will be reset to equal the current Contract Value. The GLWB Benefit Base is used only to determine the GLWB Payment and GLWB Rider Fee. The GLWB Benefit Base is not available for surrender or withdrawal.

The GLWB Benefit Base will be impacted by Excess Withdrawals as described later in this section.

Example of the GLWB Payment Calculation:

Assume the following:
    There is one Covered Person.
    On the Contract Issue Date, the Covered Person is Age 55.
    The Base Withdrawal Percentage is equal to 3.0% for the single life option for a 55-year-old.
    The Annual Increase Percentage is 0.40% for the single life option for a 55-year-old.
    The Contract Issue Date is 7/25/2019.
    The GLWB Payment Start Date is 7/25/2026.
    The GLWB Benefit Base is $250,000.


The GLWB Percentage equals the Base Withdrawal Percentage of 3.0% plus the Annual Increase Percentage of 0.40% multiplied by the number of completed Contract Years from the Contract Issue Date until the GLWB Payment Start Date, subject to the maximum of 10 years. The number of Completed Contract Years is 7, which is less than the maximum of 10, so 7 will be used in the calculation. Therefore, the GLWB Percentage = 3.0% + 0.40% x 7 = 5.8%.

The annual GLWB Payment is equal to the GLWB Percentage of 5.8% multiplied by the GLWB Benefit Base of $250,000. Therefore, the annual GLWB Payment = 5.8% x $250,000 = $14,500.

Treatment of GLWB Payment Withdrawals


GLWB Payments are treated as a withdrawal from the Contract Value and are taken Pro Rata from the Allocation Options at the time of the withdrawal. GLWB

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Payments reduce the Contract Value, the Surrender Value, and the Death Benefit by the amount of the GLWB Payment on a dollar for dollar basis. GLWB Payments do not reduce the GLWB Benefit Base.

While the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is in effect, the Contract will not terminate if a GLWB Payment causes the Surrender Value to be less than $2,000.

GLWB Payments are not subject to Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment. The GLWB Payment will count toward the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount. We deduct each GLWB Payment and any additional RMD payment proportionally from each Allocation Option.


If a GLWB Payment or investment performance causes the Contract Value to be zero, we will continue to pay the GLWB Payments until the death of all Covered Persons and the frequency of the GLWB Payments will remain the same as what was previously elected. In that event, the Allocation Options will no longer be available for investment.

If the date of birth of the Covered Person(s) is misstated, the GLWB Payment will be adjusted based on the correct date of birth of the Covered Person(s). Any underpayment will be added to the next payment. Any overpayment will be subtracted from future payments. No interest will be credited or charged to any underpayment or overpayment adjustments.

Impact of Excess Withdrawals on the GLWB Payment


All withdrawals other than GLWB Payments are Excess Withdrawals that reduce the Death Benefit, GLWB Benefit Base, and GLWB Payment, perhaps significantly, and could terminate the Contract.

An Excess Withdrawal is the portion of a withdrawal that, when added to other withdrawals during the current Contract Year, is greater than the total GLWB Payment for the current Contract Year. Excess Withdrawals will proportionally reduce the GLWB Benefit Base and the Death Benefit by the ratio of the Excess Withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the Excess Withdrawal. This means the Death Benefit and GLWB Benefit Base may decrease by more than the amount of the Excess Withdrawal, and that decrease could be significant. This will also decrease the GLWB Payment proportionally. Excess Withdrawals could terminate the Contract. Excess Withdrawals include withdrawals and RMDs prior to the GLWB Payment Start Date and deductions for any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment. Excess Withdrawals do not include amounts we withdraw for the GLWB Rider Fee.

Any portion of a withdrawal taken after the GLWB Payment Start Date that is not an Excess Withdrawal will be treated as a GLWB Payment. If a withdrawal is made after the GLWB Payment Start Date, the remaining GLWB Payment for the current Contract Year will be adjusted to reflect the withdrawal. If the withdrawal when added to the amount of all withdrawals during the current Contract Year (including GLWB Payments) is greater than the GLWB Payment for the current Contract Year, no further GLWB Payments will be made during that Contract Year. Otherwise, the remaining GLWB Payment for the current Contract Year is equal to the GLWB Payment reduced by the amount of all withdrawals during the current Contract Year (including prior GLWB Payments).


If an Excess Withdrawal reduces the Surrender Value to less than $2,000, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will terminate and GLWB Payments will cease.

Examples of GLWB Benefit Base Calculation after an Excess Withdrawal:

Example 1. This example assumes the Contract Value is greater than the GLWB Benefit Base at the time of the withdrawal.

Assume the following information:
    The GLWB Benefit Base prior to the withdrawal is $100,000.
    The total withdrawal is $20,000.

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    The GLWB Percentage is 5.00% and the GLWB Payment is $5,000.
    The Excess Withdrawal (including Surrender Charges and Market Value Adjustments) is $15,000.
    The Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal is $110,000.

Step 1: Calculate the ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal:
Ratio = Excess Withdrawal / (Contract Value immediately prior to the Excess Withdrawal) = $15,000 / $110,000 = 0.136364

Step 2: Calculate the reduction to GLWB Benefit Base:
Reduction to the GLWB Benefit Base = Ratio x GLWB Benefit Base prior to the withdrawal = 0.136364 x $100,000 = $13,636.40


Step 3: Calculate the GLWB Benefit Base adjusted for Excess Withdrawals:
GLWB Benefit Base adjusted for Excess Withdrawals = GLWB Benefit Base prior to withdrawal – Reduction to GLWB Benefit Base = $100,000 - $13,636.40 = $86,363.60. The new GLWB Payment would be GLWB Benefit Base x GLWB Percentage = $86,363.60 x 5.00% = $4,318.18.

Example 2. This example assumes the Contract Value is less than the GLWB Benefit Base at the time of the withdrawal.

Assume the following information
    The GLWB Benefit Base prior to the withdrawal is $100,000.
    The total withdrawal is $20,000.
    The GLWB Percentage is 5.00% and the GLWB Payment is $5,000.
    The Excess Withdrawal (including Surrender Charges and Market Value Adjustments) is $15,000.
    The Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal is $60,000.
       

Step 1: Calculate the ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal:
Ratio = Excess Withdrawal / (Contract Value immediately prior to the Excess Withdrawal) = $15,000 / $60,000 = 0.25

Step 2: Calculate the reduction to GLWB Benefit Base:
Reduction to the GLWB Benefit Base = Ratio x GLWB Benefit Base prior to the withdrawal = 0.25 x $100,000 = $25,000.

Step 3: Calculate the GLWB Benefit Base adjusted for Excess Withdrawals:
GLWB Benefit Base adjusted for Excess Withdrawals = GLWB Benefit Base prior to withdrawal – Reduction to GLWB Benefit Base = $100,000 – 25,000 = $75,000. The new GLWB Payment would be GLWB Benefit Base x GLWB Percentage = $75,000 x 5.00% = $3,750.

As illustrated in Example 2, the GLWB Benefit Base calculation may result in a reduction in the GLWB Benefit Base that is significantly larger than the withdrawal amount.

GLWB Supplement Information

The Base Withdrawal Percentage and Annual Increase Percentage are stated in the GLWB Supplement you receive when you purchase your Contract and are in effect when your Contract is issued. We cannot change these terms for your Contract once they are established.


You should not purchase this Contract without first obtaining the applicable GLWB Supplement. Please contact us at 1-800-798-5500, or contact your financial professional, to obtain the current GLWB Supplement. We will also file any changes to the GLWB Supplement on EDGAR at www.sec.gov under file number 333-228894. No new GLWB Supplement that supersedes a prior GLWB Supplement will become effective unless written notice of effectiveness of the new GLWB Supplement is given at least seven calendar days in advance. In the future, we will include historical GLWB Supplement values in an appendix to this Prospectus.

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Required Minimum Distribution Withdrawals

If the Contract is an Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA), GLWB Payments may be used to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) requirements. A withdrawal taken to satisfy RMD requirements prior to the GLWB Payment Start Date will be treated as an Excess Withdrawal and will reduce the GLWB Benefit Base and GLWB Payment and could terminate the Contract. You should not begin RMDs before the GLWB Payment Start Date. If an Excess Withdrawal is taken, any further RMDs taken during the Contract Year will be treated as Excess Withdrawals.

If the RMD associated with the Contract exceeds the GLWB Payment, and you increase the GLWB Payment to meet your RMD requirements, the additional funds withdrawn to satisfy RMD requirements after the GLWB Payment Start Date will not be treated as an Excess Withdrawal and Surrender Charges and Market Value Adjustments will not apply. The additional funds taken to satisfy an RMD requirement will not reduce the GLWB Benefit Base or future GLWB Payments.

The RMD requirement for the Contract is calculated by the Company based on the calendar year taken. The portion of the withdrawal that is treated as an RMD may not be greater than the RMD of the current calendar year less any amount previously withdrawn. For calendar years after the Contract Value is reduced to zero, the GLWB Payments will be treated as the RMD payments with respect to the Contract.

Spousal Continuation of the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit

If the sole primary Beneficiary is the surviving Spouse of the deceased Owner, the surviving Spouse may elect to continue the Contract as the new Owner. This benefit may only be exercised one time. If the Spouse elects to continue the Contract as the new Owner, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will remain in effect if the surviving Spouse is a Covered Person. If this condition is not met, the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will terminate, and we will no longer assess the GLWB Rider Fee.

If the surviving Spouse elects to continue the Contract and the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit remains in effect, the following will occur:

   
If the spousal continuation election is before the GLWB Payment Start Date, joint GLWB Payments will not be available to the surviving Spouse.
   
If the spousal continuation election is after the GLWB Payment Start Date, we will continue to pay joint GLWB Payments to the surviving Spouse as long as the surviving Spouse is living.

Spousal continuation of a Contract does not impact the GLWB Benefit Base or potential annual GLWB Benefit Base increases on future Contract Anniversaries.

 
DEATH BENEFIT
 

Death of the Owner during the Accumulation Period

If the Owner dies during the Accumulation Period (if there are joint Owners, the Death Benefit will become payable after the first joint Owner dies), a Death Benefit will become payable to the Beneficiary. We will pay the Death Benefit after we receive the following at our Administrative Office in a form and manner satisfactory to us:

   
Proof of Death of the Owner while the Contract is in force;
       
   
Our claim form from each Beneficiary, properly completed; and
       
   
Any other documents we require.

If you die during the Accumulation Period, your Beneficiary is entitled to a Death Benefit. If you have a Joint Owner, the Death Benefit will be available when the first Joint Owner dies.

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If there is a surviving Owner and that Owner is the Spouse of the deceased Owner, the surviving Spouse will be treated as the sole primary Beneficiary, and any other designated Beneficiary will be treated as a contingent Beneficiary. The surviving Spouse may elect to continue the Contract as the new Owner and the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit will remain in effect if the surviving Spouse is a Covered Person. See “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit – Spousal Continuation of the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” and “Death Benefit – Spousal Continuation” for more details.

The following Death Benefit options are available:

Option A: If the sole primary Beneficiary is the surviving Spouse of the deceased Owner, the surviving Spouse may elect to continue the Contract as the new Owner. An individual who does not meet the definition of Spouse may not be able to continue the Contract for that person’s lifetime. The individual must receive the proceeds of the Contract and any attached endorsements or riders within the time period specified in section 72(s) of the IRC.

Option B: If the Beneficiary is a natural person, the Death Benefit proceeds will be applied in accordance with IRC section 72(s) under one of the Income Payout Options. The income payments must be made for the Beneficiary’s life or a period not extending beyond the Beneficiary’s life expectancy. Payments must commence within one year of the date of the Owner’s death.

Option C: A Beneficiary may elect to receive, at any time, the Death Benefit proceeds in a single lump sum not to extend beyond five years from the date of the Owner’s death.


Unless Option A or B is elected within 60 days of the date we receive Proof of Death or within one year of the date of the Owner’s Death, whichever is earlier, the entire interest in the Contract will be paid under Option C. Until payment of the Death Benefit proceeds, the proceeds remain in the Contract. Death Benefit proceeds will be distributed 5 years from the Owner’s death or earlier if requested by the Beneficiary. Interest, if any, will be paid on the Death Benefit proceeds under Option C as required by applicable state law.

If there are multiple Beneficiaries, each Beneficiary will be able to elect to receive his or her share of the benefits under either Option B or Option C within 60 days of the date we receive Proof of Death or within one year of the Owner’s death, whichever is earlier. If a Beneficiary does not make such an election during that period, their share of the Death Benefit proceeds will be paid under Option C. Until payment of the Death Benefit proceeds, the proceeds remain in the Contract. Death Benefit proceeds will be distributed 5 years from the Owner’s death or earlier if requested by the Beneficiary. Interest, if any, will be paid on the Death Benefit proceeds under Option C as required by applicable state law.

Death of the Annuitant during the Accumulation Period

If an Annuitant dies during the Accumulation Period and there is a surviving Owner who is a natural person, the following will occur:
   
If there is a surviving Joint Annuitant, the surviving Joint Annuitant will become the Annuitant.
   
If there is no Joint Annuitant, the Owner(s) will become the Annuitant(s).
       
If an Annuitant dies during the Accumulation Period and the Owner is not a natural person, the following will occur:
     
   
If any Annuitant dies during the Accumulation Period, the death of any Annuitant will be treated as the death of the Owner and Death Benefit proceeds must be distributed as required by IRC Section 72(s). Beneficiaries may receive these distributions over time, as allowed by the IRC, by electing Option B.
     
   
Unless Option B is elected within 60 days of the date we receive Proof of Death or within one year of the date of the Owner’s Death, whichever is earlier, Death Benefit proceeds will be paid in accordance with Option C.

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Death Benefit Proceeds

Death Benefit proceeds are payable upon our receipt of Proof of Death (Owner’s death or Annuitant’s death if the Owner is not a natural person), and proof of each Beneficiary’s interest, which includes required documentation and proper instructions from each Beneficiary. If we receive Proof of Death before 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, we will determine the amount of the Death Benefit as of that day. If we receive Proof of Death at or after 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, we will determine the amount of the Death Benefit as of the next Business Day. The Death Benefit proceeds will be paid within 7 days after our receipt of Proof of Death and proof of each Beneficiary’s interest.


The Death Benefit during the Accumulation Period is equal to the current Contract Value on the date Death Benefit proceeds are payable or the Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals, whichever is greater. The Death Benefit terminates on the earlier of the termination of the Contract or when the entire Contract is applied to an Income Payout Option. GLWB Payments will reduce the Death Benefit by the amount of the GLWB Payment. All other withdrawals will proportionally reduce the Death Benefit by the ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal, which can result in decreasing the Death Benefit by more than the amount of the withdrawal and that decrease can be significant. Withdrawals include deductions for any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment. Withdrawals not only affect the Death Benefit but can affect GLWB Payments if it is considered an Excess Withdrawal.

Examples of Death Benefit after a Withdrawal:

Example 1. This example assumes the Contract Value is greater than the Purchase Payment at the time of the withdrawal.

Assume the following information:
   
Purchase Payment = $100,000
   
Withdrawal (including Surrender Charges and Market Value Adjustments) = $20,000; no other withdrawals have been taken
   
Contract Value at the time of withdrawal = $115,000
       
Step 1: Calculate the Death Benefit that would be payable immediately prior to the withdrawal:
   
Death Benefit payable immediately prior to the withdrawal = The greater of Purchase Payment and Contract Value
   
Death Benefit payable immediately prior to the withdrawal = The greater of $100,000 and $115,000 = $115,000
       
     
Step 2: Calculate ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal:
   
Ratio = Withdrawal / (Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal)
   
Ratio = $20,000 / $115,000 = 0.173913
     
       
Step 3: Calculate reduction to Purchase Payment:
   
Reduction to Purchase Payment = Ratio x (Purchase Payment prior to withdrawal)
   
Reduction to Purchase Payment = 0.173913 x $100,000 = $17,391.30
       
Step 4: Calculate Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals:
   
Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals = Purchase Payment prior to withdrawal – Reduction to Purchase Payment
   
Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals = $100,000 – $17,391.30 = $82,608.70
       
Step 5: Calculate the Contract Value after the withdrawal:
   
Contract Value immediately after the withdrawal = Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal – withdrawal
   
Contract Value immediately after the withdrawal = $115,000 – $20,000 = $95,000

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Step 6: Calculate the Death Benefit that would be payable immediately after the withdrawal
   
Death Benefit payable immediately after the withdrawal = The greater of Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals and Contract Value immediately after the withdrawal
   
Death Benefit payable immediately after the withdrawal = The greater of $82,608.70 and $95,000 = $95,000
   
The withdrawal of $20,000 reduced the Death Benefit payable by $20,000 (i.e. $115,000 - $95,000)

Example 2. This example assumes the Contract Value is less than the Purchase Payment at the time of the withdrawal.
       
     
Assume the following information:
   
Purchase Payment = $100,000
   
Withdrawal (including Surrender Charges and Market Value Adjustments) = $20,000; no other withdrawals have been taken
   
Contract Value at the time of withdrawal = $60,000
       
Step 1: Calculate the Death Benefit that would be payable immediately prior to the withdrawal:
   
Death Benefit payable immediately prior to the withdrawal = The greater of Purchase Payment and Contract Value
   
Death Benefit payable immediately prior to the withdrawal = The greater of $100,000 and $60,000 = $100,000
       
Step 2: Calculate ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal:
   
Ratio = Withdrawal / (Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal)
   
Ratio = $20,000 / $60,000 = 0.3333333
       

Step 3: Calculate reduction to Purchase Payment:
   
Reduction to Purchase Payment = Ratio x (Purchase Payment prior to withdrawal)
   
Reduction to Purchase Payment = 0.3333333 x $100,000 = $33,333.33

Step 4: Calculate Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals:
   
Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals = Purchase Payment prior to withdrawal – Reduction to Purchase Payment
   
Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals = $100,000 – $33,333.33 = $66,666.67
       
Step 5: Calculate the Contract Value after the withdrawal:
   
Contract Value immediately after the withdrawal = Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal – withdrawal
   
Contract Value immediately after the withdrawal = $60,000 – $20,000 = $40,000
       
Step 6: Calculate the Death Benefit that would be payable immediately after the withdrawal
   
Death Benefit payable immediately after the withdrawal = The greater of Purchase Payment adjusted for withdrawals and Contract Value immediately after the withdrawal
   
Death Benefit payable immediately after the withdrawal = The greater of $66,666.67 and $40,000 = $66,666.67
   
The withdrawal of $20,000 reduced the Death Benefit payable by $33,333.33 (i.e. $100,000 - $66,666.67)

As illustrated in Example 2, the Death Benefit calculation may result in a reduction in the Death Benefit that is significantly larger than the withdrawal amount.

A Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment will not apply to Death Benefit proceeds. The Death Benefit amount will not be less than the amount required by state law in which the Contract was delivered

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We will pay interest on lump sum Death Benefit proceeds if required by state law. Interest, if any, will be calculated at the rate and for the time period required by state law.

So far as permitted by law, the Death Benefit proceeds will not be subject to any claim of the Beneficiary’s creditors.

If an Owner is added or changed, except in the case of spousal continuation, the amount that will be paid upon the death of the new Owner is equal to the Contract Value on the date Death Benefit proceeds are payable. There is no impact on the Death Benefit if an Owner is removed.


Spousal Continuation

If the sole primary Beneficiary is the surviving Spouse of the deceased Owner, the surviving Spouse may elect to continue the Contract as the new Owner. This benefit may only be exercised one time.

Effective on the continuation date, we will set the Contract Value equal to the Death Benefit proceeds that would have been payable to the Spouse as the designated Beneficiary. This value is known as the spousal continuation amount. The date we receive notification that the surviving Spouse has elected to continue the Contract as the new Owner in Good Order is known as the continuation date.

Any addition to the Contract Value as a result of the Death Benefit proceeds will not be considered a Purchase Payment and will be allocated to the Contract Value on a Pro Rata basis.

On or after the continuation date, the amount that will be paid as Death Benefit proceeds is equal to the greater of:

   
The current Contract Value on the date the Death Benefit proceeds are payable; or
   
The spousal continuation amount adjusted for withdrawals since the continuation date.

Withdrawals other than GLWB Payments will proportionally reduce the spousal continuation amount by the ratio of the withdrawal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the withdrawal. GLWB Payments will reduce the spousal continuation amount by the amount of the GLWB Payment. Withdrawals include deductions for any applicable Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment.

A Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment will not apply to Death Benefit proceeds. The Death Benefit proceeds will not be less than the amount required by state law in which the Contract was delivered.

See the “Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit” section in this Prospectus for the impact of spousal continuation on the Covered Person(s) and the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit.

Death of Owner or Annuitant After the Payout Date

We must be notified immediately of the death of an Annuitant or Owner. Proof of Death will be required upon the death of an Annuitant or Owner. We are not responsible for any misdirected payments that result from the failure to notify us of any such death.

If an Annuitant dies during the Payout Period, remaining income payments or Death Benefit proceeds, if any, will be distributed as provided by the Income Payout Option in effect. The Income Payout Option in effect will determine whether additional income payments or a Death Benefit apply.

If an Owner dies during the Payout Period, any remaining income payments will be distributed at least as rapidly as provided by the Income Payout Option in effect.

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Interest on Death Benefit Proceeds

Interest will be paid on lump sum Death Benefit proceeds if required by state law. Interest, if any, will be calculated at the rate and for the time period required by state law.

Abandoned Property Requirements

Every state has unclaimed property laws which generally declare annuity contracts to be abandoned after a period of inactivity of three to five years from the date the Death Benefit is due and payable. For example, if the payment of a Death Benefit has been triggered, but, if after a thorough search, we are still unable to locate the Beneficiary, or the Beneficiary does not come forward to claim the Death Benefit in a timely manner, the Death Benefit will be paid to the abandoned property division or unclaimed property office of the state in which the Beneficiary or you last resided, as shown on our books and records, or to our state of domicile. The “escheatment” is revocable, however, and the state is obligated to pay the Death Benefit (without interest) if your Beneficiary steps forward to claim it with the proper documentation. To prevent such escheatment, it is important that you update your Beneficiary designations, including addresses, if and as they change. To make such changes, please contact us by writing to us or calling us at our Administrative Office.

 
INCOME PAYMENTS – THE PAYOUT PERIOD
 

Payout Date

When you purchase the Contract, we will set the Payout Date as the Contract Anniversary following the Annuitant’s 95th birthday. If there are Joint Annuitants, we will set the Payout Date based on the Age of the oldest Joint Annuitant.

You may change the Payout Date by sending an Authorized Request in Good Order to our Administrative Office provided: (i) the request is made while an Owner is living; (ii) the request is received at our Administrative Office at least 30 days before the anticipated Payout Date; (iii) the requested Payout Date is at least two years after the Contract Issue Date; and (iv) the requested Payout Date is no later than the anticipated Payout Date as shown on your Contract Data Page. Any such change is subject to any maximum maturity Age restrictions that may be imposed by law.

Payout Period

The Payout Period is the period of time that begins on the Payout Date and continues until we make the last payment as provided by the Income Payout Option chosen. On the first day of the Payout Period, the Contract Value will be applied to the Income Payout Option you selected unless the GLWB Benefit is in effect and the GLWB Payment would be higher. See “Income Payout Options” on page 46. A Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment will not apply to proceeds applied to an Income Payout Option. You cannot change the Annuitant or Owner on or after the Payout Date for any reason.

Terms of Income Payments

We use fixed rates of interest to determine the amount of fixed income payments payable under the Income Payout Options. Fixed income payments are periodic payments from us to the Owner, the amount of which is fixed and guaranteed by us. The amount of each payment depends on the form and duration of the Income Payout Option chosen, the Age of the Annuitant, the gender of the Annuitant (if applicable), the amount applied to purchase the income payments and the applicable income purchase rates in the Contract. The income purchase rates in the Contract are based on a minimum guaranteed interest rate of 1%. We may, in our discretion and on a non-discriminatory basis, make income payments in an amount based on a higher interest rate. Once income payments begin, you cannot change the terms or method of those payments. We do not apply a Surrender Charge or Market Value Adjustment to income payments.

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We will make the first income payment on the Payout Date. We may require proof of age and gender (if the Income Payout Option rate is based on gender) of the Annuitant/Joint Annuitants before making the first income payment. To receive income payments, the Annuitant/Joint Annuitant must be living on the Payout Date and on the date that each subsequent payment is due as required by the terms of the Income Payout Option. We may require proof from time to time that this condition has been met.

 
INCOME PAYOUT OPTIONS
 


If the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit has not been terminated, income payments will be equal to the greater of the GLWB Payment or the income payment under the Income Payout Option elected. If the income payment is equal to the GLWB Payment, the Covered Person(s) becomes the Annuitant(s). Upon the death of all Annuitants, we will pay the Beneficiary an amount equal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the commencement of the Payout Period less the total of the income payments paid. If the income payment is equal to the income payment under the Income Payout Option elected, upon the death of all Annuitants, we will pay the Beneficiary as described in “Income Payout Options” below.

The amount applied to an Income Payout Option is equal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the commencement of the Payout Period less the amount of any premium taxes paid.

Election of an Income Payout Option

You and/or the Beneficiary may elect to receive one of the Income Payout Options described under “Options” below. The Income Payout Option and distribution, however, must satisfy the applicable distribution requirements of Section 72(s) or 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable.

The election of an Income Payout Option must be made by Authorized Request. The election is irrevocable after the payments commence. The Owner may not assign or transfer any future payments under any option.


We will make income payments monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually for the Installment Option. Life Income and Joint and Survivor Life Income options allow monthly income payments. We will also furnish the amount of such payments on request.

You may change your Income Payout Option any time before payments begin on the Payout Date.

Income Payout Options

We offer the following Income Payout Options described below. The frequency and duration of income payments will affect the amount you receive with each payment. In general, if income payments are expected to be made over a longer period of time, the amount of each income payment will be less than the amount of each income payment if income payments are expected to be made over a shorter period of time. Similarly, more frequent income payments will result in the amount of each income payment being lower than if income payments were made less frequently for the same period of time.

Option 1 – Installment Option. We will pay monthly income payments for a chosen number of years, not less than 10, nor more than 30. If the Annuitant dies before income payments have been made for the chosen number of years, remaining guaranteed income payments will be treated as the death benefit and will be distributed in one of the following two ways: a.) income payments will be continued for the remainder of the period to the Owner; or b.) the present value of the remaining income payments, computed at the interest rate used to create the Option 1 rates, will be paid to the Owner.


Option 2 – Life Income Option – Guaranteed Period Certain. We will pay monthly income payments for as long as the Annuitant lives. If the Annuitant dies before all of the income payments have been made for the guaranteed period certain, remaining guaranteed income payments will be treated as the death benefit and will be distributed in one of the following two ways: a.) income payments will be continued during the remainder of the guaranteed period certain to the Owner; or b.) the present value of the remaining income payments, computed at the interest rate used to create the Option 2 rates, will be paid to the Owner. If a Guaranteed Period of 0

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years is selected and the Annuitant dies before the first income payment is made, no income payments will be made and the Death Benefit described in the “DEATH BENEFIT - Death Benefit Proceeds” on page 42 of this Prospectus will be paid.

The Guaranteed Period Certain choices are:

    0 years (life income only);
    5 years;
    10 years;
    15 years; or
    20 years.

Option 3 – Joint and Survivor Life Income Option – 10-Year Guaranteed Period Certain. We will pay monthly income payments for as long as either of the Annuitants is living. If at the death of the second surviving Annuitant, income payments have been made for less than 10 years, remaining guaranteed income payments will be treated as the death benefit and will be distributed in one of the following two ways: a.) income payments will be continued during the remainder of the guaranteed period certain to the Owner; or b.) the present value of the remaining income payments, computed at the interest rate used to create the Option 3 rates, will be paid to the Owner.

Income payment(s) will be made to the Beneficiary if there is no surviving Owner. If there is no surviving Owner or Beneficiary, income payment(s) will be made to the Owner’s estate.


If you do not select an Income Payout Option, we will make monthly payments on the following basis, (unless the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) requires that we pay in some other manner in order for the Contract to qualify as an annuity or to comply with Section 401(a)(9) of the IRC, in which case we will comply with those requirements):

    If the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit has not been terminated, the Covered Person(s) becomes the Annuitant(s). Income payments will be equal to the greater of (a) and (b):
      (a) GLWB Payment; or (b) The Contract Value applied to the Life Income Option with 10-Year Guaranteed Period Certain for Contracts with one Annuitant or the Joint and Survivor Life Income Option with 10- Year Guaranteed Period Certain for Contracts with two Annuitants, as described in Income Payout Options 2 and 3 above.
    If the income payment is equal to (a), upon the death of all Annuitants, we will pay the Beneficiary an amount equal to the Contract Value immediately prior to the commencement of the Payout Period less the total of the income payments paid. If the income payment is equal to (b), upon the death of all Annuitants, we will pay the Beneficiary as described in Income Payout Options 2 and 3 above.
   
If the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit is terminated, income payments will be equal to the Contract Value applied to the Life Income Option with 10-Year Guaranteed Period Certain for Contracts with one Annuitant or the Joint and Survivor Life Income Option with 10-Year Guaranteed Period Certain for Contracts with two Annuitants, as described in Income Payout Options 2 and 3 above.

The minimum amount which can be applied under all income payout options is the greater of $2,500 or the amount required to provide an initial monthly income payment of $20. We do not allow partial annuitization. We may require due proof of age and gender of any Annuitant on whose life an income payout option is based.

The Income Payout Options described above may not be offered in all states. Any state variations are described in Appendix B to this Prospectus. Further, we may offer other Income Payout Options. More than one option may be elected. If your Contract is a Qualified Contract, not all options may satisfy Required Minimum Distribution rules. You should consult a tax advisor.

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FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
 

The following discussion is general in nature and is not intended as tax advice. Each person concerned should consult a competent tax adviser. No attempt is made to consider any applicable state or other income tax laws, any state and local estate or inheritance tax, or other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of distributions under a Contract.

When you invest in an annuity contract, you usually do not pay taxes on your investment gains until you withdraw the money —generally for retirement purposes. If you invest in an annuity as part of an individual retirement plan, pension plan or employer-sponsored retirement program, your contract is called a Qualified Contract. If your annuity is independent of any formal retirement or pension plan, it is termed a Non-Qualified Contract. The tax rules applicable to Qualified Contracts vary according to the type of retirement plan and the terms and conditions of the plan. See “Non-Natural Person” below for a discussion of Non-Qualified Contracts owned by persons such as corporations and trusts that are not natural persons.

Tax Status of the Contracts

Tax law imposes several requirements that annuities must satisfy in order to receive the tax treatment normally accorded to annuity contracts.

Required Distributions. In order to be treated as an annuity contract for Federal income tax purposes, Section 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code requires any Non-Qualified Contract to contain certain provisions specifying how your interest in the Contract will be distributed in the event of the death of an Owner of the Contract. Specifically, Section 72(s) requires that (i) if any Owner dies on or after the annuity starting date, but prior to the time the entire interest in the Contract has been distributed, the entire interest in the Contract will be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of such Owner’s death; and (ii) if any Owner dies prior to the annuity starting date, the entire interest in the Contract will be distributed within five years after the date of such Owner’s death unless distributions are made over life or life expectancy, beginning within one year of the death of the Owner. However, if the designated Beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the deceased Owner, the Contract may be continued with the surviving spouse as the new Owner.

The Non-Qualified Contracts contain provisions that are intended to comply with these Internal Revenue Code requirements, although no regulations interpreting these requirements have yet been issued. We intend to review such provisions and modify them if necessary to assure that they comply with the applicable requirements when such requirements are clarified by regulation or otherwise.

Other rules may apply to Qualified Contracts.

Taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts

Non-Natural Person. If a non-natural person (e.g., a corporation or a trust) owns a Non-Qualified Contract, the taxpayer generally must include in income any increase in the excess of the account value over the investment in the Contract (generally, the Purchase Payment or other consideration paid for the Contract) during the taxable year. There are some exceptions to this rule and a prospective Owner that is not a natural person should discuss these with a tax adviser.

The following discussion generally applies to Contracts owned by natural persons.


Withdrawals. When a withdrawal from a Non-Qualified Contract occurs, the amount received will be treated as ordinary income subject to tax up to an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Contract Value, without adjustment for any applicable Surrender Charge, immediately before the distribution over the Owner’s investment in the Contract (generally, the Purchase Payment or other consideration paid for the Contract, reduced by any amount previously distributed from the Contract that was not subject to tax) at that time. The Contract Value immediately before a withdrawal may have to be increased by any positive Market Value Adjustment that results

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from a withdrawal. There is, however, no definitive guidance on the proper tax treatment of Market Value Adjustments and you may want to discuss the potential tax consequences of a Market Value Adjustment with your tax adviser. In the case of a surrender under a Non-Qualified Contract, the amount received generally will be taxable only to the extent it exceeds the Owner’s investment in the Contract. GLWB Payments, even after the Contract Value is zero, are subject to the same tax provisions as withdrawals, including a penalty tax if elected prior to age 59½. GLWB Payments are fully taxable as income after the investment in the Contract (generally, the Purchase Payment or other consideration paid for the Contract) is fully recovered.

In the case of a withdrawal under a Qualified Contract, a ratable portion of the amount received is taxable, generally based on the ratio of the “investment in the contract” to the individual’s total account balance or accrued benefit under the retirement plan. The “investment in the contract” generally equals the amount of any non-deductible Purchase Payment paid by or on behalf of any individual. In many cases, the “investment in the contract” under a Qualified Contract can be zero.

Penalty Tax on Certain Withdrawals.  In the case of a distribution from a Non-Qualified Contract and Qualified Contract, there may be an imposed federal tax penalty equal to ten percent of the amount treated as income. In general, however, there is no penalty on distributions if they are:

   
made on or after the taxpayer reaches age 59½;
   
made on or after the death of an Owner;
   
attributable to the taxpayer’s becoming disabled; or
   
made as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for the life (or life expectancy) of the taxpayer.

Other exceptions may be applicable under certain circumstances and special rules may be applicable in connection with the exceptions enumerated above. Additional exceptions may apply to distributions from a Qualified Contract. You should consult a qualified tax adviser.


Income Payments. Although tax consequences may vary depending on the payout option elected under an annuity contract, a portion of each income payment is generally not taxed and the remainder is taxed as ordinary income. The non-taxable portion of an income payment is generally determined in a manner that is designed to allow you to recover your investment in the Contract ratably on a tax-free basis over the expected stream of income payments, as determined when income payments start. Once your investment in the Contract has been fully recovered, however, the full amount of each income payment is subject to tax as ordinary income.

Taxation of Death Benefit Proceeds. Amounts may be distributed from a Contract because of your death or the death of the Annuitant. Generally, such amounts are includible in the income of the recipient as follows: (i) if distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed in the same manner as surrender of the Contract, or (ii) if distributed under a payout option, they are taxed in the same way as income payments.

Withholding.  Annuity distributions are generally subject to withholding for the recipient’s federal income tax liability. Recipients can generally elect, however, not to have tax withheld from distributions.

Multiple Contracts. All Non-Qualified deferred annuity contracts that are issued by us (or our affiliates) to the same Owner during any calendar year are treated as one annuity contract for purposes of determining the amount includible in such Owner’s income when a taxable distribution occurs.

Further Information. We believe that the Contracts will qualify as annuity contracts for Federal income tax purposes and the above discussion is based on that assumption.

Taxation of Qualified Contracts

The tax rules applicable to Qualified Contracts vary according to the type of retirement plan and the terms and conditions of the plan. Your rights under a Qualified Contract may be subject to the terms of the retirement plan itself, regardless of the terms of the Qualified Contract. Adverse tax consequences may result if you do not ensure that contributions, distributions and other transactions with respect to the Contract comply with the law. This Contract is available as a qualified contract as follows.

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Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs), as defined in Section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code, permit individuals to make annual contributions of up to the lesser of a specified dollar amount for the year or the amount of compensation includible in the individual’s gross income for the year. The contributions may be deductible in whole or in part, depending on the individual’s income. Distributions from certain retirement plans may be “rolled over” into an IRA on a tax-deferred basis without regard to these limits. Amounts in the IRA (other than nondeductible contributions) are taxed when distributed from the IRA. A 10% penalty tax generally applies to distributions made before age 59½, unless an exception applies. Distributions that are rolled over to an IRA within 60 days are not immediately taxable, however only one such rollover is permitted each year. Beginning in 2015, an individual can make only one rollover from an IRA to another (or the same) IRA in any 12-month period, regardless of the number of IRAs that are owned. The limit will apply by aggregating all of an individual’s IRAs, including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs as well as traditional and Roth IRAs, effectively treating them as one IRA for purposes of the limit. This limit does not apply to direct trustee-to-trustee transfers or conversation to Roth IRAs.

Roth IRAs, as described in Internal Revenue Code Section 408A, permit certain eligible individuals to contribute to make non-deductible contributions to a Roth IRA in cash or as a rollover or transfer from another Roth IRA or other IRA. A rollover from or conversion of an IRA to a Roth IRA is generally subject to tax and other special rules apply. The Owner may wish to consult a tax adviser before combining any converted amounts with any other Roth IRA contributions, including any other conversion amounts from other tax years. Distributions from a Roth IRA generally are not taxed, except that, once aggregate distributions exceed contributions to the Roth IRA, income tax and a 10% penalty tax may apply to distributions made (i) before age 59½ (subject to certain exceptions), or (ii) during the five taxable years starting with the year in which the first contribution is made to any Roth IRA. A 10% penalty tax may apply to amounts attributable to a conversion from an IRA if they are distributed during the five taxable years beginning with the year in which the conversion was made. Distributions that are rolled over to an IRA within 60 days are not immediately taxable, however only one such rollover is permitted each year. Beginning in 2015, an individual can make only one rollover from an IRA to another (or the same) IRA in any 12-month period, regardless of the number of IRAs that are owned. The limit will apply by aggregating all of an individual’s IRAs, including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs as well as traditional and Roth IRAs, effectively treating them as one IRA for purposes of the limit. This limit does not apply to direct trustee-to-trustee transfers or conversions to Roth IRAs.

Other Tax Issues. Qualified Contracts have minimum distribution rules that govern the timing and amount of distributions. You should refer to your retirement plan, adoption agreement, or consult a tax adviser for more information about these distribution rules.

Distributions from Qualified Contracts generally are subject to withholding for the Owner’s federal income tax liability. The withholding rate varies according to the type of distribution and the Owner’s tax status. The Owner will be provided the opportunity to elect not have tax withheld from distributions.

Federal Estate Taxes, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes

While no attempt is being made to discuss in detail the Federal estate tax implications of the Contract, a purchaser should keep in mind that the value of an annuity contract owned by a decedent and payable to a Beneficiary by virtue of surviving the decedent is included in the decedent’s gross estate. Depending on the terms of the annuity contract, the value of the annuity included in the gross estate may be the value of the lump sum payment payable to the contingent Owner or the actuarial value of the payments to be received by the Beneficiary. Consult an estate planning adviser for more information.

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Under certain circumstances, the Internal Revenue Code may impose a “generation skipping transfer (“GST”) tax” when all or part of an annuity contract is transferred to, or a Death Benefit is paid to, an individual two or more generations younger than the Owner. Regulations issued under the Internal Revenue Code may require us to deduct the tax from your Contract, or from any applicable payment, and pay it directly to the IRS. For 2019, the federal estate tax, gift tax and GST tax exemptions and maximum rates are $11,400,000 ($22,800,000 for a married couple) and 40%, respectively.

The potential application of these taxes underscores the importance of seeking guidance from a qualified adviser to help ensure that your estate plan adequately addresses your needs and those of your beneficiaries under all possible scenarios.

Medicare Tax

Distributions from non-qualified annuity policies will be considered “investment income” for purposes of the newly enacted Medicare tax on investment income. Thus, in certain circumstances, a 3.8% tax may be applied to some or all of the taxable portion of distributions (e.g., earnings) to individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Please consult a tax advisor for more information.

Same-Sex Spouses

The Contract provides that upon your death, a surviving Spouse may have certain continuation rights that he or she may elect to exercise for the Contract’s Death Benefit and any joint-life coverage under an optional living benefit. All Contract provisions relating to spousal continuation are available only to a person who meets the definition of “spouse” under federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that same-sex marriages must be permitted under state law and that marriages recognized under state law will be recognized for federal law purposes. Domestic partnerships and civil unions that are not recognized as legal marriages under state law, however, will not be treated as marriages under federal law. Consult a tax adviser for more information on this subject.

Annuity Purchases by Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations

The discussion above provides general information regarding U.S. federal income tax consequences to annuity purchasers that are U.S. citizens or residents. Purchasers that are not U.S. citizens or residents will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on taxable distributions from annuity contracts at a 30% rate unless a lower treaty rate applies. In addition, such purchasers may be subject to state and/or municipal taxes and taxes that may be imposed by the purchaser’s country of citizenship or residence. Additional withholding may occur with respect to entity purchasers (including foreign corporations, partnerships and trusts) that are not U.S. residents. Prospective purchasers are advised to consult with a qualified tax adviser regarding U.S., state, and foreign taxation with respect to an annuity contract purchase.

Possible Tax Law Changes

Although the likelihood of legislative changes is uncertain, there is always the possibility that the tax treatment of the Contract could change by legislation or otherwise. Consult a tax adviser with respect to legislative developments and their effect on the Contract.

We have the right to modify the Contract in response to legislative changes that could otherwise diminish the favorable tax treatment that annuity contract owners currently receive. We make no guarantee regarding the tax status of the Contract and do not intend the above discussion as tax advice.

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Important Information about the Indices

S&P 500 Index. The Contract is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s, a division of the McGraw-Hill companies, Inc. (“S&P”). S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the Owners of the Contract or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Contract particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock market performance. S&P’s only relationship to the Company is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500 Index which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the Company or the Contract. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the Company or the Owners of the Contract into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Contract or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Contract or in determination or calculation of the equation by which the Contract is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Contract.

S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, AND S&P SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE COMPANY, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL S&P HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

The S&P 500 Index is a stock market index based on the market capitalizations of 500 leading companies publicly traded in the U.S. stock market, as determined by Standard & Poors. The S&P 500 Index can go up or down based on the stock prices of the 500 companies that comprise the Index. The S&P 500 Index does not include dividends paid on the stocks comprising the Index and therefore does not reflect the full investment performance of the underlying stocks.

The S&P 500 Index is a trademark of Standard & Poors or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by the Company.

Russell 2000 Index.  The Contract is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Frank Russell Group (“Russell”). Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the Owners of the Contract or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Contract particularly or the ability of the Russell 2000 Index to track general stock market performance. Russell only relationship to the Company is in the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Russell and Russell 2000 Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Russell without regard to the Company or the Contract. Russell has no obligation to take the needs of the Company or the Owners of the Contract into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Russell 2000 Index. Russell is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Contract or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Contract or in determination or calculation of the equation by which the Contract is to be converted into cash. Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Contract.

RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RUSSELL 2000 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, AND RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE COMPANY, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. MSCI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR

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FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE MSCI EAFE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Russell 2000® is a stock market index that measures performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which is made up of 3,000 of the largest U.S. stocks. The Russell 2000® Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not affect the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap index.

MSCI EAFE Index. The Contract is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (“MSCI”). MSCI makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the Owners of the Contract or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Contract particularly or the ability of the MSCI EAFE Index to track general stock market performance. MSCI’s only relationship to the Company is in the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of MSCI and of the MSCI EAFE Index which is determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to the Company or the Contract. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of the Company or the Owners of the Contract into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI EAFE Index. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Contract or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Contract or in determination or calculation of the equation by which the Contract is to be converted into cash. MSCI has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Contract.

MSCI DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE MSCI EAFE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND MSCI SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. MSCI MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE COMPANY, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. MSCI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE MSCI EAFE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

The MSCI EAFE Index is an equity index which captures large and mid cap representation across developed markets countries around the world, excluding the U.S. and Canada. With 912 constituents, the MSCI EAFE Index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The MSCI EAFE Index is a trademark of MSCI or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by the Company.

 
OTHER INFORMATION
 

Distribution of the Contract

We offer the Contract on a continuous basis. We have entered into a distribution agreement with our affiliate, CBSI, for the distribution of the Contract. MEMBERS Life Insurance Company and CBSI are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of CUNA Mutual Investment Corporation. The principal business address of CBSI is 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, IA 50677. Contracts are sold by licensed insurance agents (the “Selling Agents”) in those states where the Contract may be lawfully sold. Such Selling Agents will be registered representatives of CBSI or other affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealer firms (the “Selling Broker-Dealers”) registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”),

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who are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and who have entered into the Company’s selling agreements with us and the principal underwriter, CBSI.

We pay CBSI and/or our affiliates pay the Selling Broker-Dealers compensation for the promotion and sale of the Contract. The Selling Agents who solicit sales of the Contract typically receive a portion of the compensation paid by the Company to CBSI and the Selling Broker-Dealers in the form of commissions or other compensation, depending on the agreement between the Selling Broker-Dealer and the Selling Agent. The Selling Agents are also licensed as insurance agents by applicable state insurance authorities and appointed as agents of the Company. Selling Agents who are registered representatives of CBSI or our affiliates are also eligible for various cash benefits, such as bonuses, insurance benefits and financing arrangements, and non-cash items that we may jointly provide with CBSI or our affiliates. Non-cash items include conferences, seminars and trips (including travel, lodging and meals in connection therewith), entertainment, merchandise and other similar items. Sales of the Contracts may help registered representatives of CBSI qualify for such benefits.


The amount and timing of commissions we may pay to Selling Broker-Dealers may vary depending on the selling agreement and the Contract sold but is not expected to be more than 7.25% of the Purchase Payment. We may also pay asset-based commission (sometimes called trail commissions) in addition to the Purchase Payment-based commission. We may pay or allow other promotional incentives or payments in the form of cash or other compensation to the extent permitted by FINRA rules and other applicable laws and regulations.

We also pay compensation to wholesaling broker-dealers or other firms or intermediaries, including payments to affiliates of ours, in return for wholesaling services such as providing marketing and sales support, product training and administrative services to the Selling Agents of the Selling Broker-Dealers. These allowances may be based on a percentage of the Purchase Payment.

In addition to the compensation described above, we may make additional cash payments, in certain circumstances referred to as “override” compensation or reimbursements to Selling Broker-Dealers in recognition of their marketing and distribution, transaction processing and/or administrative services support. These payments are not offered to all Selling Broker-Dealers, and the terms of any particular agreement governing the payments may vary among Selling Broker-Dealers depending on, among other things, the level and type of marketing and distribution support provided. Marketing and distribution support services may include, among other services, placement of the Company’s products on the Selling Broker-Dealers’ preferred or recommended list, increased access to the Selling Broker-Dealers’ registered representatives for purposes of promoting sales of our products, assistance in training and education of the Selling Agents, and opportunities for us to participate in sales conferences and educational seminars. The payments or reimbursements may be calculated as a percentage of the particular Selling Broker-Dealer’s actual or expected aggregate sales of our annuity contracts (including the Contract) and/or may be a fixed dollar amount. Broker-dealers receiving these additional payments may pass on some or all of the payments to the Selling Agent.

You should ask your Selling Agent for further information about what commissions or other compensation he or she, or the Selling Broker-Dealer for which he or she works, may receive in connection with your purchase of a Contract.

Commissions and other incentives or payments described above are not charged directly to you. We intend to recover commissions and other compensation, marketing, administrative and other expenses and costs of Contract benefits through the fees and charges imposed under the Contract.

Business Disruption and Cyber-Security Risks

We rely heavily on interconnected computer systems and digital data to conduct our variable and index-linked product business activities. Because our variable and index-linked product business is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems and those of our business partners, our business is vulnerable to disruptions from utility outages, and susceptible to operational and information

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security risks resulting from information systems failure (e.g., hardware and software malfunctions), and cyber-attacks. These risks include, among other things, the theft, misuse, corruption and destruction of data maintained online or digitally, interference with or denial of service, attacks on websites and other operational disruption and unauthorized release of confidential Owner information. Such systems failures and cyber-attacks affecting us, CBSI and intermediaries may adversely affect us and your Contract Value. For instance, systems failures and cyber-attacks may interfere with our processing of Contract transactions, including the processing of orders, impact our ability to calculate Contract Value, cause the release and possible destruction of confidential customer or business information, impede order processing, subject us and/or CBSI and intermediaries to regulatory fines and financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. There can be no assurance that we, CBSI or intermediaries will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to cyber-attacks or information security breaches in the future.

Authority to Change

Only the President or Secretary of the Company may change or waive any of the terms of your Contract. Any change must be in writing and signed by the President or Secretary of the Company. You will be notified of any such change, as required by law.

Incontestability

We consider all statements in your application (in the absence of fraud) to be representations and not warranties. We will not contest your Contract.

Misstatement of Age or Gender

If an Annuitant’s or Covered Person(s) date of birth is misstated, we will adjust the income Payments or GLWB Payments under the Contract to be equal to the payout amount the Contract Value would have purchased based on the individuals correct date of birth. If an Annuitant’s gender has been misstated, and the life income rate type is based on gender, we will adjust the income payments under the Contract to be equal to the payout amount the Contract Value would have purchased based on the Annuitant’s correct gender. We will add any underpayments to the next payment. We will subtract any overpayment from future payments. We will not credit or charge any interest to any underpayment or overpayment.

Conformity with Applicable Laws

The provisions of the Contract conform to the minimum requirements of the state in which the Contract is delivered (i.e., the “state of issue”). The laws of the state of issue control any conflicting laws of any other state in which the Owner may live on or after the Contract Issue Date. If any provision of your Contract is determined not to provide the minimum benefits required by the state in which the Contract is issued, such provision will be deemed to be amended to conform or comply with such laws or regulations. Further, the Company will amend the Contract to comply with any changes in law governing the Contract or the taxation of benefits under the Contract.

Reports to Owners

At least annually, we will mail a report to you at your last known address of record, a report that will state the beginning and end dates for the current report period; your Contract Value at the beginning and end of the current report period; the amounts that have been credited and debited to your Contract Value during the current report period, identified by the type of activity the amount represents; the Surrender Value at the end of the current report period; and any other information required by any applicable law or regulation.

You also will receive confirmations of each financial transaction, such as transfers, withdrawals, and surrenders.

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Change of Address

You may change your address by writing to us at our Administrative Office. If you change your address, we will send a confirmation of the address change to both your old and new addresses.

Inquiries

You may make inquiries regarding your Contract by writing to us or calling us at our Administrative Office.

 
CORPORATE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY
 

We are a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CMFG Life Insurance Company (“CMFG Life”) and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of CUNA Mutual Investment Corporation (“CMIC”). We were formed by CMFG Life on February 27, 1976, as a stock life insurance company under the laws of the State of Wisconsin for the purpose of writing credit disability insurance. The original name of the Company was CUDIS Insurance Society, Inc. On August 3, 1989, the Company’s name changed to CUMIS Life Insurance, Inc., and was subsequently changed to its current name on January 1, 1993. League Life Insurance Company (Michigan) merged into the Company on January 1, 1992 in connection with the concurrent merger of MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (Texas) into the Company. We re-domiciled from Wisconsin to Iowa on May 3, 2007. On February 17, 2012, we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation to change our purpose to be the writing of any and all of the lines of insurance and annuity business authorized by Iowa Code Chapter 508 and any other line of insurance or annuity business authorized by the laws of the State of Iowa. Currently, we have no employees.

CMFG Life is a stock insurance company organized on May 20, 1935 and domiciled in Iowa. CMFG Life is one of the world’s largest direct underwriters of credit life and disability insurance and is a major provider of qualified pension products to credit unions. Further, CMFG Life and its affiliated companies currently offer deferred and immediate annuities, individual term and permanent life insurance, and accident and health insurance. In 2012, CMFG Life was reorganized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CUNA Mutual Financial Group, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual holding company organized under the laws of the State of Iowa.

In August 2013, the Company began issuing an Index-Linked Annuity Contract under the name “MEMBERS® Zone Annuity”. In July 2016, the Company began issuing a flexible premium variable and index-linked annuity contract under “MEMBERS® Horizon Variable Annuity”. In December 2018, the Company began issuing a flexible premium variable and index-linked annuity contract under “MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity”. These annuity contracts account for all the new product sales of the Company. The Company also serves previously existing blocks of individual and group life policies.

CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations. We have entered into a Cost Sharing, Procurement, Disbursement, Billing and Collection Agreement for the administration of our business pursuant to which CMFG Life performs certain administrative functions related to agent licensing, payment of commissions, actuarial services, annuity policy issuance and service, accounting and financial compliance, market conduct, general and informational services and marketing as well as share certain resources and personnel with us; and pursuant to which CMFG Life provides us with certain procurement, disbursement, billing and collection services.

You may write us at 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677-9202, or call us at 1-800-798-5500.

We share office space with our indirect parent, CMFG Life. CMFG Life occupies office space in Madison, Wisconsin and Waverly, Iowa that is owned by CMFG Life. Expenses associated with the facilities are allocated to us through the Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement that we entered into with CMFG Life on January 1, 2015.

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Financial Information

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Investments

Our investment portfolio consists primarily of fixed income securities.

Reinsurance


We reinsure our life insurance exposure with an affiliated insurance company under a traditional indemnity reinsurance arrangement. We entered into a Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life in 2012. Under this agreement, we agreed to cede 95% of all insurance in force as of October 31, 2012 to CMFG Life. On September 30, 2015, we amended the Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life and now cede 100% of our insurance policies in force to CMFG Life. In 2013, we entered into a second agreement to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Zone Annuity contracts to CMFG Life. On November 1, 2015, we entered into a Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts. On October 15, 2018, we amended the Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts. We filed a new Coinsurance Agreement to cede 100% of the business related to CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts for approval with the State of Iowa in July, 2019. These agreements do not relieve us of our obligations to our policyholders under contracts covered by these agreements. However, they do transfer all of the Company’s underwriting profits and losses to CMFG Life and require CMFG Life to indemnify the Company for all of its liabilities.

Policy Liabilities and Accruals

The applicable accounting standards and state insurance laws under which we operate require that we record policy liabilities to meet the future obligations associated with all of our outstanding policies.

 
POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND OUR FUTURE RESULTS
 

Although economic conditions both domestically and globally have continued to improve since the financial crisis in 2008, we remain vulnerable to market uncertainty and continued financial instability of national, state and local governments. Continued difficult conditions in the global capital markets and economy could deteriorate in the near future and affect our financial position and our level of earnings from our operations.

Markets in the United States and elsewhere experienced extreme volatility and disruption since the second half of 2007, due in part to the financial stresses affecting the liquidity of the banking system and the financial markets. This volatility and disruption reached unprecedented levels in late 2008 and early 2009. The United States entered a severe recession and recovery was slow with long-term high unemployment rates and lower average household income levels. One of the strategies used by the U.S. government to stimulate the economy has been to keep interest rates low and increase the supply of United States dollars. While these strategies have appeared to have had positive effects, any future economic downturn or market disruption could negatively impact our ability to invest our funds.


Specifically, if market conditions deteriorate in 2019 or beyond:

   
our investment portfolio could incur other-than-temporary impairments;

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due to potential downgrades in our investment portfolio, we could be required to raise additional capital to sustain our current business and new sales of our annuity products, which may be difficult in a distressed market. If capital would be available, it may be at terms that are not favorable to us; or
       
   
our liquidity could be negatively affected, and we could be forced to further limit our operations and our business could suffer, as we need liquidity to pay our policyholder benefits and operating expenses.

The principal sources of our liquidity are monthly settlements under the coinsurance agreements with CMFG Life, annuity deposits, investment income, proceeds from the sale, maturity and call of and capital contributions from CMFG Life.

Governmental initiatives intended to improve global and local economies that have been adopted may not be effective and, in any event, may be accompanied by other initiatives, including new capital requirements or other regulations that could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity in ways that we cannot predict.

We are subject to extensive laws and regulations that are administered and enforced by a number of different regulatory authorities including state insurance regulators, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) and the SEC. Some of these authorities are or may in the future consider enhanced or new regulatory requirements intended to prevent future crises or otherwise assure the stability of institutions under their supervision. These authorities may also seek to exercise their supervisory or enforcement authority in new or more robust ways. All of these possibilities, if they occurred, could affect the way we conduct our business and manage our capital, and may require us to satisfy increased capital requirements, any of which in turn could materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We face potential competition from companies that have greater financial resources, broader arrays of products, higher ratings and stronger financial performance, which may impair our ability to attract new customers and maintain our profitability and financial strength. It may also impair our ability to retain customers which could increase surrenders and impact profitability and financial strength.

We operate in a highly competitive industry. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and enjoy substantially greater financial resources, claims-paying ability and financial strength, broader and more diversified product lines and more widespread distribution relationships. Our annuity products compete with fixed indexed, traditional fixed rate and variable annuities (and combinations thereof) sold by other insurance companies and with mutual fund products, traditional bank and other investment and retirement funding alternatives offered by asset managers, banks and broker-dealers. Our annuity products also compete with products of other insurance companies, financial intermediaries and other institutions based on a number of factors, including crediting rates, policy terms and conditions, services provided to distribution channels and policyholders, ratings, reputation and distribution compensation.

Our ability to compete will depend in part on the performance of our products. We will not be able to accumulate and retain assets under management for our products if our products underperform the market or the competition, since such underperformance likely would result in asset withdrawals and reduced sales.

We compete for distribution sources for our products. We believe that our success in competing for distributors will depend on factors such as our financial strength, the services we provide to, and the relationships we develop with these distributors and offering competitive commission structures. Our distributors will generally be free to sell products from whichever providers they wish, which makes it important for us to continually offer distributors products and services they find attractive. If our products

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or services fall short of distributors’ needs, we may not be able to establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with distributors of our annuity products. Our ability to compete will also depend in part on our ability to develop innovative new products and bring them to market more quickly than our competitors. In order for us to compete in the future, we will need to continue to bring innovative products to market in a timely fashion. Otherwise, our revenues and profitability could suffer.

The loss of key executives could disrupt our operations.

Our success depends in part on the continued service of key executives within our Company and CMFG Life’s ability to attract and retain additional executives and employees. The loss of key executives or CMFG Life’s inability to recruit and retain additional qualified personnel could cause disruption in our business and prevent us from fully implementing our business strategies, which could materially and adversely affect our business, growth and profitability.

Changes in state and federal regulation may affect our profitability.

We are subject to regulation under applicable insurance statutes, including insurance holding company statutes, in the various states in which we transact business. Insurance regulation is intended to provide safeguards for policyholders rather than to protect shareholders of insurance companies or their holding companies. As increased scrutiny has been placed upon the insurance regulatory framework, a number of state legislatures have considered or enacted legislative proposals that alter, and in many cases increase, state authority to regulate insurance companies and holding company systems.

Regulators oversee matters relating to trade practices, policy forms, claims practices, guaranty funds, types and amounts of investments, reserve adequacy, insurer solvency, minimum amounts of capital and surplus, transactions with related parties, changes in control and payment of dividends.

State insurance regulators and the NAIC continually reexamine existing laws and regulations and may impose changes in the future.

We are subject to the NAIC’s risk-based capital requirements which are intended to be used by insurance regulators as an early warning tool to identify deteriorating or weakly capitalized insurance companies for the purpose of initiating regulatory action. We also may be required, under solvency or guaranty laws of most states in which we do business, to pay assessments up to certain prescribed limits to fund policyholder losses or liabilities for insolvent insurance companies.

Although the federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas, including pension regulation, anti-discrimination regulation, financial services regulation, securities regulation and federal taxation, can significantly affect the insurance business. In addition, legislation has been enacted that could result in the federal government assuming some role in the regulation of the insurance industry.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) enacted in July 2010 made sweeping changes to the regulation of financial services entities, products and markets. The Dodd-Frank Act directed existing and newly-created government agencies and bodies to perform studies and promulgate a multitude of regulations implementing the law, a process that has substantially advanced but is not yet complete. While a number of studies and much of the rule-making process has already been completed, there continues to be uncertainty regarding the results of ongoing studies and the ultimate requirements of regulations that have not yet been adopted. Although the current presidential administration has indicated a desire to revise or reverse some of its provisions, the fate of these proposals is unclear, and we cannot predict with certainty how the Dodd-Frank Act will continue to affect the financial markets generally, or impact our business, ratings, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act imposes a comprehensive new regulatory regime on the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives marketplace and grants new joint regulatory authority to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) over OTC derivatives. While the SEC and CFTC continue to promulgate rules required by the Dodd-Frank Act, most rules have been finalized and, as a result, certain of the Company’s derivatives operations are subject to, among other things, new recordkeeping, reporting and documentation requirements and new clearing requirements

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for certain swap transactions (currently, certain interest rate swaps and index-based credit default swaps; cleared swaps require the posting of margin to a clearinghouse via a futures commission merchant and, in some case, to the futures commission merchant as well).

In addition, in the latter part of 2015, U.S. federal banking regulators and the CFTC adopted regulations that will require swap dealers, security-based swap dealers, major swap participants and major security-based swap participants (“Swap Entities”) to post margin to, and collect margin from, their OTC swap counterparties (the “Margin Rules”). Pursuant to the Margin Rules, the Company is required to exchange variation margin with its derivatives counterparties that are Swap Entities and it may be required to exchange initial margin with such counterparties beginning in September 2020.

Other regulatory requirements may indirectly impact us. For example, non-U.S. counterparties of the Company may also be subject to non-U.S. regulation of their derivatives transactions with the Company. In addition, counterparties regulated by the Prudential Regulators (which consist of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the FDIC, the Farm Credit Administration, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency) are subject to liquidity, leverage and capital requirements that impact their derivatives transactions with the Company. Collectively, these new requirements have increased the direct and indirect costs of our derivatives activities and may further increase them in the future.

The Dodd-Frank Act also established a Federal Insurance Office (“FIO”) under the U.S. Treasury Department. Although the Federal Insurance Office was not granted general supervisory authority over the insurance industry, it is authorized to, among other things, (1) monitor all aspects of the insurance industry and of lines of business other than certain health insurance, certain long-term care insurance and crop insurance and (2) recommend changes to the state system of insurance regulation to the U.S. Congress. The FIO was required to issue several reports to Congress on the insurance industry, most notably, (i) a report on “how to modernize and improve the system of insurance regulation in the United States”, and (ii) a report on “the breadth and scope of the global reinsurance market and the critical role such market plays in supporting insurance in the United States.” The FIO has completed such reports and it remains to be seen whether either of the FIO’s reports will affect the manner in which insurance and reinsurance are regulated in the U.S. and, thereby, the Company’s business.

The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Financial Stability Oversight Council (the “FSOC”), which is charged with identifying risks to the financial stability of the U.S. financial markets, promoting market discipline, and responding to emerging threats to the stability of the U.S. financial markets. The FSOC is empowered to make recommendations to primary financial regulatory agencies regarding the application of new or heightened standards and safeguards for financial activities or practices, and certain participation in such activities, that threaten the stability of the U.S. financial markets. In addition, the FSOC is authorized to determine whether an insurance company is systematically significant and to recommend that it should be subject to enhanced prudential standards and to supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In April 2012, the FSOC approved its final rule for designating non-bank financial companies as systemically important financial institutions (“SIFI”). Under the final rule, the Company’s assets, liabilities and operations do not currently satisfy the financial thresholds that serve as the first step of the three-stage process to designate a non-bank financial company as a SIFI. While recent developments suggest that it is unlikely that FSOC will be designating additional non-bank financial companies as systematically significant, there can be no assurance of that unless and until FSOC’s authority to do so has been rescinded.

Separate from any SIFI designation, the Company could potentially be subject to the orderly liquidation authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), in accordance with Title II of the Dodd-Frank Act. Title II of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the FDIC, under certain circumstances, may be appointed receiver of a “covered financial company,” which could include an insurance company, for purposes of liquidating such company. This would apply to insurance companies in a

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limited context, where the relevant state insurance regulator has failed to act within 60 days after a determination has been made to subject the insurance company to the FDIC’s orderly liquidation authority, and resolution by the FDIC would be in accordance with state insurance law. The uncertainty about regulatory requirements could influence the Company’s product line or other business decisions with respect to some product lines.

Additionally, Dodd-Frank created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), an independent division of the Department of Treasury with jurisdiction over credit, savings, payment, and other consumer financial products and services, but excluding investment products already regulated by the SEC or the CFTC. The CFPB has supervisory authority over certain non-banks whose activities or products it determines pose risks to consumers.

In addition to promulgating rules that could impose compliance obligations on the Company, the CFPB continues to bring enforcement actions involving a growing number of issues, including actions brought jointly with state Attorneys General, which could directly or indirectly affect the Company. Additionally, the CFPB is exploring the possibility of helping Americans manage their retirement savings and is considering the extent of its authority in that area. The Company is unable at this time to predict the impact of the CFPB’s activities on the Company.

Although the full impact of the Dodd-Frank Act cannot be determined until all of the various studies mandated by the law are conducted and all implementing regulations are adopted, many of the legislation’s requirements could have profound and/or adverse consequences for the financial services industry, including for the Company. The Dodd-Frank Act could make it more expensive for the Company to conduct business, require the Company to make changes to its business model, or satisfy increased capital requirements. Additionally, there is substantial uncertainty as to whether aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act or regulatory bodies established thereunder will be impacted by regulatory or legislative changes made by the Trump administration or Congress.

Regulation of Broker-Dealers and Sales of Insurance Products


The sales of our insurance products could also be adversely affected to the extent that some or all of the firms that distribute our products face heightened regulatory scrutiny, increased regulation and potentially heightened litigation risks that cause them to de-emphasize sales of the types of products issued by us.

For example, on June 5, 2019, the SEC adopted Regulation Best Interest, or commonly referred to as “Regulation BI”, to provide for an enhanced standard of conduct for all broker-dealers, when providing personalized investment advice about securities to retail customers. Regulation BI requires a broker-dealer (or an associated person of a broker-dealer), when recommending a securities transaction or an investment strategy involving securities, to act in the retail customer’s best interest and not place its (his or her) own interests ahead of the retail customer. Regulation BI also prohibits sales incentives based on sales of specific securities or specific types of securities within a limited period of time, whether paid in cash or non-cash form. The scheduled compliance date for Regulation BI is June 30, 2020.

As of the date of this Prospectus, we anticipate that Regulation BI will cause broker-dealers to consider the impact of the Regulation on the offer and sales of SEC registered insurance products on their platforms for retail customers. The full impact of Regulation BI on our business, consolidated results of operations and financial condition can only be measured after broker-dealers that offer our products have adopted and implemented policies and procedures in response to the Regulation. Therefore, as of the date of this Prospectus, we cannot predict what impact, if any, Regulation BI may have on our business, consolidated results of operations and financial condition in the future.

There is also a possibility that the various states may develop rules raising the standard of care owed by insurance agents to their customers that may be in harmony or conflict with the Regulation BI or other requirements. For example, the NAIC annuity suitability working group is working on a proposal to add an enhanced standard to the NAIC’s Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation. As a result, as this or similar changes are adopted by our state insurance regulator(s) and made applicable to us or the firms that distribute our products, they could have an adverse impact on our business. Whether the proposed amendments to the NAIC’s Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation or other similar proposals, will be adopted is uncertain.

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Changes in federal income taxation laws may affect sales of our products and profitability.

The annuity products that we market generally provide the policyholder with certain federal income tax advantages. For example, federal income taxation on any increases in non-qualified annuity contract values (i.e., the “inside build-up”) is deferred until it is received by the policyholder. With other savings and investments, such as certificates of deposit and taxable bonds, the increase in value is generally taxed each year as it is earned.

From time to time, various tax law changes have been proposed that could have an adverse effect on our business, including the elimination of all or a portion of the income tax advantages for annuities. If legislation were enacted to eliminate the tax deferral for annuities, such a change may have an adverse effect on our ability to sell non-qualified annuities. Non-qualified annuities are annuities that are not sold to a qualified retirement plan.

Distributions from non-qualified annuity policies have been considered “investment income” for purposes of the Medicare tax on investment income contained in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. As a result, in certain circumstances, a 3.8% tax (“Medicare Tax”) may be applied to some or all of the taxable portion of distributions from non-qualified annuities to individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts. This new tax may have an adverse effect on our ability to sell non-qualified annuities to individuals whose income exceeds these threshold amounts and could accelerate withdrawals due to this additional tax. The constitutionality of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 is currently the subject of multiple litigation actions initiated by various state attorneys general, and the Act is also the subject of several proposals in the U.S. Congress for amendment and/or repeal. The outcome of such litigation and legislative action as it relates to the 3.8% Medicare Tax is unknown at this time.

We face risks relating to litigation, including the costs of such litigation, management distraction and the potential for damage awards, which may adversely impact our business.

We may become involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff, relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. In addition, state regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments, the SEC, FINRA, the Department of Labor, and other regulatory bodies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations of companies in the annuity business concerning compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers. Companies in the annuity business have faced litigation, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper product design, improper sales practices and similar claims. There can be no assurance that any future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations through distraction of our management or otherwise.

 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 

The following selected financial data is derived from the Company’s financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the discussion under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The results of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and June 30, 2019 should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The results for the past periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved in future periods. The Company entered into reinsurance agreements in 2019, 2015, 2013 and 2012 which impact the Company’s

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financial results and presentations. See Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus for additional information on these agreements.

 
    For the year ended December 31,
 
      2018       2017       2016       2015       2014  
 
    (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues                                        

Life and health premiums, net

  $ -     $ -     $ (21 )   $ (1,175 )   $ 127  

Contract charges, net

    -       -       -       18       24  

Net investment income

    762       517       376       366       278  

Net realized investment gains (losses)

    (17 )     -       -       117       -  

Other income

    18       3,996       3,415       5,336       -  
 
                                         
Total revenues     763       4,513       3,770       4,662       429  
 
                                         
Benefits and expenses                                        

Life and health insurance claims

                                       

and benefits, net

    -       2       (1 )     (1,204 )     112  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

    (15 )     -       -       4       8  

Operating and other expenses

    151       1,709       1,049       1,633       137  
 
                                         
Total benefits and expenses     136       1,711       1,048       433       257  
 
                                         
Income before income taxes     627       2,802       2,722       4,229       172  
Income tax expense (benefit)     (182 )     723       887       1,449       11  
 
                                         
Net income   $ 809     $ 2,079     $ 1,835     $ 2,780     $ 161  
 

    (Unaudited)                                      
 
    June 30,   For the year ended December 31,
     
Balance Sheet Data   2019   2018   2017   2016   2015   2014
 
                      (Dollars in thousands)                
Assets                                              

Debt securities, available for sale, at fair value

  $ 30,571     $ 29,569     $ 10,667     $ 10,539     $ 12,351     $ 13,313

Cash and cash equivalents

    31,982       24,912       18,440       18,732       17,093       5,602

Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate

    24,200       24,034       23,973       23,687       24,628       25,199

Assets on deposit

    3,707,034       3,138,096       2,453,033       1,619,113       947,595       349,937

Other assets

    3,572       9,427       11,299       14,138       6,144       5,330

Separate account assets

    137,135       103,205       69,005       20,221       -       -
 

Total assets

$   3,934,858     $ 3,329,243     $ 2,586,417     $ 1,706,430     $ 1,007,811     $ 399,381
 
                                               
Liabilities and stockholder’s equity                                              
Claim and policy benefit reserves – life and health   $ 23,726     $ 26,836     $ 23,052     $ 21,506     $ 21,537     $ 22,368
Policyholder account balances     3,712,117       3,142,077       2,456,634       1,622,448       951,068       353,549
Other liabilities     20,178       17,205       19,028       18,970       13,658       4,249
Separate account liabilities     137,135       103,205       69,005       20,221       -       -
 
Total liabilities     3,893,156       3,289,323       2,567,719       1,683,145       986,263       380,166
Total stockholder’s equity     41,702       39,920       18,698       23,285       21,548       19,215
 
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity   $ 3,934,858     $ 3,329,243     $ 2,586,417     $ 1,706,430     $ 1,007,811     $ 399,381
 

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    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
     
    For the three months ended   For the six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
     
Results of Operation Data   2019   2018   2019   2018
 
    (Dollars in thousands)
                                 
Revenues                                

Net investment income

  $ 433     $ 170     $ 839     $ 310  

Net realized investment gains

    17       -       17       -  

Other income

    7       4       13       7  
 
                                 
Total revenues     457       174       869       317  
 
                                 
Benefits and expenses:                                

Life and health insurance

                               

claims and benefits, net

    -       1       -       1  

Interest credited to policyholder

                               

account balances, net

    20       (5 )     34       (15 )

Operating and other expenses

    80       30       126       55  
 
                                 
Total benefits and expenses     100       26       160       41  
 
                                 
Income before income taxes     357       148       709       276  
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit)     (22 )     (13 )     35       (86 )
 
                                 
Net income   $ 379     $ 161     $ 674     $ 362  
 

 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reviews our financial condition at December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2019; our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018; and where appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance. A discussion on the Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 is included in the “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” section in the prospectus to the Form S-1 as filed on April 18, 2019 (SEC File No. 333-222172). This discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. The dollar amounts disclosed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are in thousands.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this Prospectus and elsewhere (such as in press releases, presentations by us, our immediate parent CMIC, or CM Holding, our management or oral statements) relative to markets for our products and trends in our operations or financial results, as well as other statements including words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements may vary from actual results and the differences between these statements and actual results can be material. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include, among other things:

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general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest rate levels and stock and credit market performance which may affect (among other things) our ability to sell our products, our ability to access capital resources and the costs associated therewith, the fair value of our investments, which could result in other than temporary impairments, and certain liabilities, and the lapse rate and profitability of policies;
       
   
customer response to new products and marketing initiatives;
       
     
   
changes in the Federal income tax laws and regulations that may affect the relative income tax advantages of our products;
     
       
   
increasing competition in the sale of annuities;
       
   
regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting (among other things) bank and credit union sales and underwriting of insurance products and regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of products; and
       
   
the risk factors or uncertainties disclosed in this Prospectus.

For a detailed discussion of these and other factors that might affect our performance see the section entitled “Potential Risk Factors That May Affect Our Business and Our Future Results.”

Overview


We are a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CMFG Life and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of CMIC. Our ultimate parent is CM Holding, a mutual insurance holding company organized under the laws of Iowa. On May 3, 2007, the Company re-domiciled from Wisconsin to Iowa. On February 17, 2012, we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation to change our purpose to be the writing of any and all of the lines of insurance and annuity business authorized by Iowa Code Chapter 508 as authorized by the laws of the State of Iowa.

The Company is authorized to sell life, health and annuity policies in all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia, except New York. The following table identifies states with premiums greater than 5% of total direct premium and states with deposits on annuity contracts greater than 5% of total deposits. Results associated with the deposits on annuity contracts include MEMBERS® Zone Annuity, MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity and MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity.

 
    Direct Life and Health Premium   Deposits on Annuity Contracts
 
    2019^   2018   2017   2016   2019^   2018   2017   2016
 
Michigan   61%   62%   62%   63%   7%   7%   9%   6%
Texas   25   24   24   23   5   *   5   8
California   5   5   5   6   5   *   6   7
Pennsylvania   *   *   *   *   7   8   8   6
Iowa   *   *   *   *   5   6   7   6
Indiana   *   *   *   *   5   5   6   7
Wisconsin   *   *   *   *   6   5   6   6
Washington   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   5
Florida   *   *   *   *   5   6   *   *
 
^For the six months ended June 30, 2019.
*Less than 5%

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Other than Michigan, Texas and California, no other state represents more than 5% of the Company’s premiums or deposits for any year in the three years ended December 31, 2018 or in the six months ended June 30, 2019.

As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had more than $3,935 million and $3,329 million in assets and more than $77 million and $80 million of life insurance in force, respectively.

The Company services existing closed blocks of individual and group life policies. In August 2013, the Company began issuing a single premium deferred index annuity contract under the name “MEMBERS® Zone Annuity”. In July 2016, the Company began issuing a flexible premium variable and index-linked deferred annuity contract under the name “MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity”. In December 2018, the Company began issuing a flexible premium deferred variable and index-linked annuity contract under the name “MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity”. The Contract described in this Prospectus is first being offered as of the date of this Prospectus. When it becomes available, the Company will have four annuity contract forms for sale. These four annuity contracts account for all the new sales of the Company. We distribute the annuity contracts through multiple face-to-face distribution channels, including:

   
Managed Agents: employees of CMFG Life who sell insurance and investment products to members of credit unions that have contracted with the Company and its affiliates to provide these services;
       
   
Dual Employee Agents: employees of credit unions who sell insurance and investment products to members of credit unions that have contracted with the Company and its affiliates to provide these services. These agents are registered representatives of the Company’s affiliated broker dealer, CBSI; and
       
   
Independent Agents: agents who also represent other insurance companies and, along with or through an unaffiliated broker-dealer, contract with the Company to offer its annuity products that are made available for distribution through this channel.


We entered into a Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life in 2012. Under this agreement, we agreed to cede 95% of all insurance in force as of October 31, 2012 to CMFG Life. On September 30, 2015, we amended the Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life and now cede 100% of our insurance policies in force to CMFG Life. In 2013, we entered into a second agreement to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Zone Annuity contracts to CMFG Life. On November 1, 2015, we entered into a Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts. On October 15, 2018, we amended the Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts. We filed a new Coinsurance Agreement to cede 100% of the business related to CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts for approval with the State of Iowa in July, 2019. This agreement is pending regulatory review as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

These agreements do not relieve us of our obligations to our policyholders under contracts covered by these agreements. However, they do transfer all of the Company’s underwriting profits and losses to CMFG Life and require CMFG Life to indemnify the Company for all of its liabilities. As a result, the Company believes its profitability from insurance operations going forward will be minimal.

CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations pursuant to a Cost Sharing, Procurement, Disbursement and Billing and Collection Agreement. CMFG Life allocates expenses to us on the basis of estimated time spent by employees of CMFG Life on Company matters and the use of operational resources. Management believes the allocations of expenses are reasonable and that the results of the Company’s operations may have materially differed in a negative manner from the results reflected in the accompanying financial statements if the Company did not have this relationship.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The complexity of the business environment and applicable authoritative accounting guidance requires us to closely monitor our accounting policies. The following summary of our critical accounting policies is intended to enhance your ability to assess our financial condition and results of operations and the potential volatility due to changes in estimates.


Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and in some cases the difference could be material. Investment valuations, embedded derivatives, claim and policyholder benefit reserves and deferred tax asset valuation reserves are most affected by the use of estimates and assumptions.

Investments - Investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on investments in debt securities, net of federal income taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholder’s equity.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value of assets and liabilities into three broad levels. The Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the degree of subjectivity inherent in the valuation technique, as follows:

   
Level 1: Inputs are directly observable and represent quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
       
   
Level 2: All significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for the asset or liability. This includes: (i) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the instruments, and (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
       
   
Level 3: One or more significant inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.


For purposes of determining the fair value of the Company’s investments, observable inputs are those inputs used by market participants in valuing financial instruments, which are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In some instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The hierarchy requires the use of market observable information when available for assessing fair value. The Company has no

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Level 3 investments with unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income (loss).

Our assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2019, are presented below based on the fair value hierarchy levels.

 
                               
Assets, at Fair Value   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
 
                               
Cash equivalents   $ 30,628     $ -     $ -     $ 30,628
Debt securities:                              

U.S. government and agencies

    -       9,013       -       9,013

Domestic corporate securities

    -       17,211       -       17,211

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -       252       -       252

Foreign corporate securities

    -       4,095               4,095
 

Total debt securities

    -       30,571       -       30,571

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -       -       748,164       748,164

Separate account assets

    -       137,135       -       137,135
 
                               

Total assets

  $ 30,628     $ 167,706     $ 748,164       946,498
 
                               
 
                               
Liabilities, at Fair Value   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
 
                               
Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts   $ -     $ -     $ 748,164     $ 748,164
 
                               

Total liabilities

  $ -     $ -     $ 748,164     $ 748,164
 

Our assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018, are presented below based on the fair value hierarchy levels.

 
                               
Assets, at Fair Value   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
 
                               
Cash equivalents   $ 21,630     $ -     $ -     $ 21,630
Debt securities:                              

U.S. government and agencies

    -       8,223       -       8,223

Domestic corporate securities

    -       16,655       -       16,655

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -       653       -       653

Foreign corporate securities

    -       4,038       -       4,038
 

Total debt securities

    -       29,569       -       29,569

Derivatives embedded in assets deposit

    -       -       524,178       524,178

Separate account assets

    -       103,205       -       103,205
 
                               

Total assets

  $ 21,630     $ 132,774     $ 524,178     $ 678,582
 
                               
 
                               
Liabilities, at Fair Value   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total
 
                               
Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts   $ -     $ -     $ 524,178     $ 524,178
 
                               

Total liabilities

    -       -       524,178       524,178
                               
 

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Other-Than-Temporary Investment Impairments - Investment securities are reviewed for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on an ongoing basis. The Company creates a watchlist of securities based largely on the fair value of an investment security relative to its cost basis. When the fair value drops below the Company’s cost, the Company monitors the security for OTTI. The determination of OTTI requires significant judgment on the part of the Company and depends on several factors, including:

   
the existence of any plans to sell the investment security;
       
   
the extent to which fair value is less than book value;
       
   
the underlying reason for the decline in fair value (credit concerns, interest rates, etc.);
       
   
the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer/borrower, including the ability to meet contractual obligations, relevant industry trends and conditions;
       
   
the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value;
       
   
the Company’s ability to recover all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the agreements; and
       
   
the Company’s collateral position in the case of bankruptcy or restructuring.


A debt security is considered other-than-temporarily impaired when the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis and its value is not expected to recover through the Company’s holding period of the security. If a credit loss exists, but the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, it is required to bifurcate the impairment into the loss that is attributable to credit and non-credit related risk. The credit portion of the OTTI is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows and amortized cost. Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized in earnings, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell, at the time this determination is made, the Company records a realized loss equal to the difference between the amortized cost and fair value. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired security becomes its new cost basis. In determining whether an unrealized loss is expected to be other than temporary, the Company considers, among other factors, any plans to sell the security, the severity of impairment, financial position of the issuer, recent events affecting the issuer’s business and industry sector, credit ratings, and the ability of the Company to hold the investment until the fair value has recovered at least its original cost basis.

For securitized debt securities, the Company considers factors including residential property changes in value that vary by property type and location and average cumulative collateral loss rates that vary by vintage year. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries. In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer and/or underlying collateral.

For certain securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows, the Company is required to periodically update its best estimate of cash flows over the life of the security. If the fair value of a securitized financial asset is less than its cost or amortized cost and there has been a decrease in the present value of the estimated cash flows since the last revised estimate, considering both timing and amount, an OTTI charge is recognized. The Company also considers its intent and ability to retain a temporarily impaired security until recovery. Estimating future cash flows involves judgment and includes both quantitative and qualitative factors. Such determinations incorporate various information and assessments regarding the future performance of the underlying collateral. In addition, projections of expected future cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the underlying collateral.

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Management has completed a review for other-than-temporarily impaired securities at June 30, 2019 and 2018 and recorded no OTTI. As a result of the subjective nature of these estimates, however, provisions may subsequently be determined to be necessary as new facts emerge and a greater understanding of economic trends develops. Consistent with the Company’s practices, OTTI will be recorded as appropriate and as determined by the Company’s regular monitoring procedures of additional facts.

Assets on Deposit  - Assets on deposit represent the amount of policyholder account balances related to reinsurance of the single premium deferred index annuity and risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts. Assets on deposit are accounted for on a basis consistent with accounting for the underlying investment type contracts; therefore, the Company accounts for the reinsurance of these contracts using the deposit method of accounting consistent with the terms of the reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life. The related contract charges and interest credited to policyholder account balances in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the amounts ceded under the agreement. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus for a further discussion of the ceding agreement.

Derivative Financial Instruments  - The Company issues single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts that contain embedded derivatives. Derivatives embedded within non-derivative host contracts are separated from the host instrument when the embedded derivative is not clearly and closely related to the host instrument. Such embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value, and they are reported as part of assets on deposit and policyholder account balances in the balance sheets, with the change in the value being recorded in net realized investment losses.

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative in assets on deposit offset changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative in policyholder account balances; both of these changes are included in net realized investment gains. Accretion of the interest on assets on deposit offsets accretion of the interest on the host contract; both of these activities are included in interest credited on policyholder account balances and are ceded as part of the ceding and reinsurance agreements.

Reinsurance - Reinsurance premiums, claims and benefits, commission expense reimbursements, and reserves related to reinsured business ceded are accounted for on a basis consistent with the accounting for the underlying direct policies that have been ceded and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums and insurance claims and benefits in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the amounts ceded to other companies under such reinsurance contracts. Ceded insurance reserves and ceded benefits paid are included in reinsurance recoverables along with certain ceded policyholder account balances which include mortality risk. A prepaid reinsurance asset is also recorded for the portion of unearned premiums related to ceded policies.


The Company entered into a Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life, as described previously in the Overview of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. As consideration for the reinsurance provided under this agreement, the Company transfers all of its revenues to CMFG Life. Specifically, CMFG Life receives 100% of all premiums and insurance claims and benefits received on account of our existing business.

The Company entered into a second agreement with CMFG Life, as described previously in the Overview of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, to cede 100% of its MEMBERS® Zone Annuity investment-type Contracts, which are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting.

The Company entered into a third agreement with CMFG Life, as described previously in the Overview of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, to cede 100% of its MEMBERS® Horizon Variable Annuity investment-type Contracts and its MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity Contracts, which are both accounted for using the deposit method of accounting.

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The Company has filed for approval with the State of Iowa a fourth agreement with CMFG Life, as described previously in the Overview of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, to cede 100% of its CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts offered in this Prospectus, which will be accounted for using the deposit method of accounting.

Separate Accounts  - Separate accounts represent customer accounts related to the variable annuity component of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts issued by the Company, where investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to the contract holders who bear the investment risk.

Contract holders are able to invest in investment funds managed for their benefit. All of the separate account assets are invested in unit investment trusts that are registered with the SEC as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Separate account assets are legally segregated and may only be used to settle separate account liabilities. Separate account assets are carried at fair value, which is based on daily quoted net asset values at which the Company could transact on behalf of the contract holder. Separate account liabilities are equal to the separate account assets and represent contract holders’ claims to the related assets. Contract holder deposits to and withdrawals from the separate accounts are recorded directly to the separate account assets and liabilities and are not included in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Charges made by the Company to the contract holders’ balances include fees for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance, and surrenders of contracts prior to the contractually specified dates. Because the Company has entered into agreements with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these revenues are ceded and do not impact the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus for additional information on these agreements.

Recognition of Insurance Revenue and Related Benefits - Term-life and whole-life insurance premiums are recognized as premium income when due. Policy benefits for these products are recognized in relation to the premiums so as to result in the recognition of profits over the expected lives of the policies and contracts.


Policies not subject to significant mortality or longevity risk, such as the Company’s single premium deferred annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts, are considered investment-type Contracts. Amounts collected on these products, with the exception of the variable annuity component of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity, are recorded as increases in policyholder account balances. The variable annuity component of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity meets criteria for separate account reporting and therefore is recorded in separate account assets and liabilities. Revenues from investment-type Contracts principally consist of net investment income and contract charges such as expense and Surrender Charges. Expenses for investment-type Contracts consist of interest credited to Contracts, benefits incurred in excess of related policyholder account balances and policy maintenance costs. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these revenues and expenses are ceded and do not impact the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on this agreement.

Claim and Policy Benefit Reserves - Life and Health - Life and health claim and policy benefit reserves consist principally of future policy benefit reserves and reserves for estimates of future payments on incurred claims reported but not yet paid and unreported incurred claims. Estimates for future payments on incurred claims are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions based on past experience adjusted for current trends. Any change in the probable ultimate liabilities is reflected in net income in the period in which the change is determined.

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When actual experience indicates that existing contract liabilities, together with the present value of future gross premiums, will not be sufficient to recover the present value of future benefits or recover unamortized deferred acquisition costs, a premium deficiency will be recognized by either a reduction in unamortized acquisition costs or an increase in liability of future benefits.


Additionally, the liability for future policy benefits may not be deficient in the aggregate to trigger a premium deficiency, but the pattern of earnings may be such that profits are expected to be recognized in early years followed by losses in later years. In those situations, the liability for future benefits will be increased to offset losses that would be recognized in later years. The Company recorded a liability of $138 in 2018 for the profits that are expected to be followed by losses in the future. There was no change in the liability recorded as of June 30, 2019.

The Company entered into four agreements with CMFG Life, as described previously in the Overview of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to mitigate the Company’s risks. These agreements do not relieve the Company of its obligations to our policyholders under contracts covered by these agreements. However, they do transfer all of the Company’s underwriting profits and losses to CMFG Life and require CMFG Life to indemnify the Company for all of its liabilities.

Policyholder Account Balances  - The single premium deferred index annuities and risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuities, are included in policyholder account balances. These products have two risk control accounts, referred to as the Secure and Growth Accounts; the Secure Account has an annual credited interest rate floor of 0% and the annual Growth Account floor is -10%. The Secure and Growth Accounts both have credited interest rate caps that vary based on Contract Issue Date. Interest is credited at the end of each Contract Year during the selected index term based on the allocation between risk control accounts and the performance of an external index during that Contract Year. Each risk control account has a reference index. For the single premium deferred index annuity, the Company offers one reference index, which is the S&P 500 Index. For the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity, the Company offers two reference indices, which are the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI EAFE Index. Policyholders are able to allocate funds in both the Secure and Growth Accounts for the available indices. At the end of the initial index term only the Secure Account will be available as an option to the policyholder. The average annualized credited rate for the single premium deferred index annuity was 1.50%, 1.44% and 1.63% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The average annualized credited rate for the risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity was 1.20%, 1,59% and 1.12% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The average annualized credited rate for the single premium deferred annuity was 1.35% and 1.38% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and 1.41% and 1.40% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The average annualized credited rate for the risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable annuity was 1.39% and 1.46% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and 1.91% and 1.82% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

The Company recognizes a liability at the stated account value for policyholder deposits that are not subject to significant policyholder mortality or longevity risk and for universal life-type policies. The account value equals the sum of the original deposit and accumulated interest, less any withdrawals and expense charges. The average credited rate of interest applied to the account values was 4.5% for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and in each of the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The minimum guaranteed rate of interest that must be credited to such account values for the life of those contracts is 4.5%.

Income Taxes - The Company recognizes taxes payable or refundable and deferred taxes for the tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying the enacted tax rates to the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company records current tax benefits and deferred tax assets utilizing a benefits-for-loss approach. Under this approach, current benefits are realized, and deferred tax assets are considered realizable by the Company when realized or realizable by the consolidated group of which the Company is a member even if the benefits would not be realized on a stand-alone basis. The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it determines it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized by the consolidated group. Deferred income tax assets can be realized through future earnings, including, but not limited to the generation of future income, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies.

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The Company is subject to tax-related audits. These audits may result in additional tax assets or liabilities. In establishing tax liabilities, the Company determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard are not recognized. Tax positions that meet this standard are recognized in the financial statements within net deferred tax assets or liabilities or federal income taxes recoverable or payable.


The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CM Holding, the Company’s ultimate parent. The Company has entered into a tax sharing agreement with CM Holding and its subsidiaries. The agreement provides for the allocation of tax expenses based on each subsidiary’s contribution to the consolidated federal income tax liability. Pursuant to the agreement, subsidiaries that have incurred losses are reimbursed regardless of the utilization of the loss in the current year. Federal income taxes recoverable reported on the balance sheet are due from affiliates.

Executive Summary


The Company provides life and health insurance throughout the United States servicing its existing blocks of individual and group life policies, and began marketing the MEMBERS® Zone Annuity contract in 2013, the MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contract in 2016 and the MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contract in 2018 and the Contract offered by this Prospectus as of the date of this Prospectus. The Company is managed as two reportable business segments, (1) life and health, and (2) annuities. See Note 9 of the Notes to the Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus for information related to the two business segments.

The Company began distributing the MEMBERS® Zone Annuity, an individual or joint owned, single premium deferred index annuity contract, in 2013 which became the Company’s second reportable business segment. The Company began distributing the MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity Contract, an individual or joint owned, flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contract in 2016 and the MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contract, an individual or joint owned, flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contract in 2018. The results of the Company’s annuities segment, which includes the MEMBERS® Zone Annuity and the MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts, are ceded 100% to CMFG Life under the 2013 and 2015 ceding agreements and accordingly does not impact the results of operations.

In 2012, the Company entered into a Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 95% of its business inforce as of October 31, 2012. On September 30, 2015, the Company amended its Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life and now cedes 100% of its insurance policies in force to CMFG Life. In 2013, it entered into a second agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to the MEMBERS® Zone Annuity contract. On November 1, 2015, the Company entered into a Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to the MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity Contract. On October 15, 2018, the Company amended its Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity Contracts. We filed a new Coinsurance Agreement to cede 100% of the business related to CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts for approval with the State of Iowa in July, 2019. This agreement is pending regulatory review as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in the Prospectus for information on the 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019 agreements.

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Results of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

Total revenues, which consisted mainly of net premiums, net realized investment gains, investment income and other income, were $763 and $4,513 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in total revenues in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to a decrease in other income from a litigation settlement received on structured security investments that had previously been sold. Effective September 30, 2015, all premiums are 100% ceded to CMFG Life, resulting in no net premium in 2018 or 2017 due to the reinsurance agreements. Total net investment income was $762 and $517 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which represents an average yield earned of 1.8% and 1.8% for the same periods, respectively. In 2018, the Company had net realized losses on sales of securities of $17. There were no sales of investments in 2017 that resulted in a realized gain or loss.

Total benefits and expenses were $136 and $1,711 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in benefits and expenses in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to decreased legal expenses related to the settlement received in 2017 on structured security investments that had previously been sold. All benefits are ceded to CMFG Life, resulting in no net benefits in 2018. Operating expenses totaled $151 and $1,709 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations. Operating expenses incurred by the Company that are specifically identifiable are borne by the Company; other operating expenses are allocated from CMFG Life on the basis of estimated time and usage studies. Operating expenses are primarily related to and include employee costs such as wages and benefits, legal expenses and other operating expenses such as rent, insurance and utilities. The decrease in operating expenses in 2018 as compared to 2017 was primarily due to a decrease in legal fees related to a litigation settlement received on structured security investments that had previously been sold.

Income tax expense is recorded at 21% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 35% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and is offset by prior year tax expense or benefits primarily related to interest on accrued refunds, resulting in an effective tax rate of (29.0%) and 25.8% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Net income was $809 and $2,079 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in 2018 net income as compared to 2017 was primarily due to a litigation settlement received in 2017 related to structured security investments that had previously been sold.

Results of Operations for the Three Months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

Total revenues, which consisted mainly of investment income and other income, were $457 and $174 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to improved interest rates on the Company’s investment in cash equivalents and increased cash equivalent balances. There was no net premium for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 due to the reinsurance agreements the Company is party to. Total net investment income was $433 and $170 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which represents an average yield earned of 2.9% and 2.2%, respectively. The increase is due to improved interest rates on the Company’s investment in cash equivalents. The Company sold one security that resulted in a net realized investment gain of $17 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. There were no sales of investments for the three months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018 that resulted in a realized gain or loss.

Total benefits and expenses were $100 and $26 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in benefits and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to the net impact of transfers of annuity deposits and withdrawals to/from the separate account, which supports the Company’s MEMBERS® Horizon products. Life and health benefits were $1 for the three months ended June 30, 2018. There were no life and health benefits for the three months ended June 30, 2019 due to the Company’s reinsurance agreements. Operating expenses totaled $80 and $30 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations. Operating

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expenses incurred by the Company that are specifically identifiable are borne by the Company; other operating expenses are allocated from CMFG Life on the basis of estimated time and usage studies. Operating expenses are primarily related to and include employee costs such as wages and benefits, legal expenses and other operating expenses such as rent, insurance and utilities. The increase in operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to the net impact of transfers of annuity deposits and withdrawals to/from the separate account, which supports the Company’s MEMBERS® Horizon products.

Income tax expense is recorded at 21% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018; both periods are offset by prior year tax expense or benefits primarily related to interest on accrued refunds, resulting in an effective tax rate of (6.1%) and (8.2%) for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Net income was $379 and $161 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in net income for the three months ended 2019 as compared to 2018 is primarily due to an increase in interest rates on cash equivalents.

Results of Operations for the Six Months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

Total revenues, which consisted mainly of investment income and other income, were $869 and $317 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to improved rates on the Company’s investment in cash equivalents and increased cash equivalent balances. Total net investment income was $839 and $310 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which represents an average yield earned of 5.3% and 2.2%, respectively. The Company sold one security that resulted in a net realized investment gain of $17 for the six months ended June 30, 2019. There were no sales of investments that resulted in a net realized investment gain or loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Total benefits and expenses were $160 and $41 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in benefits and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to the net impact of transfers of annuity deposits and withdrawals. Life and health benefits were $1 for the six months ended June 30, 2018. There were no life and health benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2019 due to the Company’s reinsurance agreements. Operating expenses totaled $126 and $55 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations. Operating expenses incurred by the Company that are specifically identifiable are borne by the Company; other operating expenses are allocated from CMFG Life on the basis of estimated time and usage studies. Operating expenses are primarily related to and include employee costs such as wages and benefits, legal expenses and other operating expenses such as rent, insurance and utilities. The increase in operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to the net impact of transfers of annuity deposits and withdrawals to the separate account.

Income tax expense is recorded at 21% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018; both periods are offset by prior year tax expense or benefits primarily related to interest on accrued refunds, resulting in an effective tax rate of 4.9% and (30.8%) for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Net income was $674 and $362 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018; respectively. The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to 2018 is primarily due to improved interest rates on the Company’s investment in cash equivalents.

Tax Reform - The Tax Act made changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018.


The Company completed its initial evaluation of the impacts of the Tax Act and recorded a net tax expense of $49 for the year ended December 31, 2017 due to the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Company’s accounting for the impacts of the Tax Act was complete as of December 31, 2018 with no material changes to the amount recorded at December 31, 2017.

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Financial Condition

The Company’s investment strategy is based upon a strategic asset allocation framework that considers the need to manage our General Account investment portfolio on a risk-adjusted spread basis for the underwriting of contract liabilities and to maximize return on retained capital. The Company’s investment in debt securities consists of residential mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities, domestic corporate securities and foreign corporate securities. While the investments are categorized as available-for-sale, the Company generally holds our bond portfolio to maturity.

Insurance statutes regulate the type of investments that the Company is permitted to purchase and limit the amount of funds that may be used for any one type of investment. In light of these statutes and regulations and our business and investment strategy, the Company generally seeks to invest in U.S. government and government-sponsored agency securities and debt securities rated investment grade by established nationally recognized rating organizations or in securities of comparable investment quality, if not rated.

The Company’s investment portfolio is comprised solely of debt securities at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The table below presents our total debt securities by type at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 
    June 30,   December 31,
   
    2019     %     2018     %  
 
                                 
U.S. government and agencies   $ 9,013       29.5 %   $ 8,223       27.8 %
Domestic corporate securities     17,211       56.3       16,655       56.3  
Residential mortgage-backed securities:     252       0.8       653       2.2  
Foreign corporate securities     4,095       13.4       4,038       13.7  
 
                                 
Total debt securities   $ 30,571       100.0 %   $ 29,569       100.0 %
 
                                 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity are shown below at June 30, 2019. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
                 
 
                 
      Amortized Cost     Estimated Fair Value
 
                 
Due in one year or less     $ 3,006     $ 3,045
Due after one year through ten years       17,470       18,259
Due after ten years       8,742       9,014
Residential mortgage-backed securities       237       253
 
Total debt securities     $ 29,455     $ 30,571
 

The Company has classified its debt securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized gains and losses, if any, on these securities (net of income taxes) are included as a separate component of stockholder’s equity, thereby exposing stockholder’s equity to volatility for changes in the reported fair value of securities classified as available-for-sale.

At June 30, 2019, the Company did not own any debt securities in an unrealized loss position. At December 31, 2018, the Company owned one debt security with a fair value of $8,223 in an unrealized loss position of $521 for more than twelve months; and two debt securities with a fair value of $1,986 in an unrealized loss position of $12 for less than twelve months.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We reinsure our life insurance exposure with an affiliated insurance company under a traditional indemnity reinsurance arrangement. We entered into a Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life in 2012. Under this agreement, we agreed to cede 95% of all insurance in force as of October 31, 2012 to CMFG Life. On September 30, 2015, we amended the Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life and now cede 100% of our insurance policies in force to CMFG Life. In 2013, we entered into a second agreement to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Zone Annuity contracts to CMFG Life. On November 1, 2015, the Company entered into a Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts. On October 15, 2018, the Company amended its Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to MEMBERS® Horizon II Flexible Premium Deferred Variable and Index Linked Annuity contracts. We filed a new Coinsurance Agreement to cede 100% of the business related to CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts for approval with the State of Iowa in July, 2019. This agreement is pending regulatory review as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements. These agreements do not relieve us of our obligations to our policyholders under contracts covered by these agreements. However, they do transfer all of the Company’s underwriting profits and losses to CMFG Life and require CMFG Life to indemnify the Company for all of its liabilities.

As consideration for the reinsurance provided under these agreements, and as of November 1, 2015, the Company transfers all of our revenues to CMFG Life. Specifically, CMFG Life receives 100% of all premiums and other amounts received on account of our existing business and new business. CMFG Life pays us a monthly expense allowance to reimburse the Company for expenses and costs incurred on account of its insurance business.

While the reinsurance transactions have a minimal impact on our stockholder’s equity, they substantially diminish our net liabilities and greatly decrease the amount of capital and liquidity needed within the Company.


Operating activities provided $4,538 and $5,773 of net operating cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s primary use of funds includes the payment of benefits and related operating expenses as well as settlements related to the reinsurance agreements with CMFG Life. The Company issues the single premium deferred index annuity contracts on the 10th and 25th of each month. The Company recognizes a liability on contracts for which it has received cash but has not issued a contract. The decrease in operating cash flow in 2018, as compared to 2017, was primarily due to a change in the timing of settlements of intercompany expenses in 2018. The Company’s sources of funds include renewal premiums, sales of investment contracts and investment income.

Investing activities provided $1,268 and $367 of net cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s main investing activities include the purchase and sale or maturity of debt securities. The Company had maturities on debt securities which provided cash of $1,268 and $367 in 2018 and 2017, respectively, contributing to the net increase of cash from investing activities.

The Company’s financing activities provided $666 and used $6,432 of net cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s main financing activities include the collection of deposits and payment of withdrawals from policyholder’s accounts. The increase in financing activities in 2018 was due to the Company’s increased deposits on policyholder accounts in 2018 as compared to 2017.

Operating activities provided $5,442 and $2,066 of net operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s primary use of funds includes the payment of benefits and related operating expenses as well as settlements related to the reinsurance agreements with CMFG Life. The Company issues the single premium deferred index annuity contracts on the 10th and 25th of each month. The Company recognizes a liability on contracts for which it

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has received cash but has not issued a contract. The increase in operating cash flow in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to an increase in cash received for contracts not yet issued. In 2019, the Company’s sources of funds include renewal premiums, sales of investment contracts and investment income.

Investing activities provided $415 and $92 of net cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s main investing activities include the purchase and sale or maturity of debt securities. The Company had maturities on debt securities which provided cash of $415 and $92 in 2019 and 2018, respectively, contributing to the net increase of cash from investing activities.

The Company’s financing activities provided $1,213 and $454 of net cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company’s main financing activities include the collection of deposits and payment of withdrawals from policyholder’s accounts. The increase in financing activities in 2019 was due to the Company’s increased deposits on policyholder accounts in 2019 as compared to 2018.

Liquidity requirements are met primarily through quarterly settlements under the coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements with CMFG Life. The Company anticipates receiving adequate cash flow from these settlements and investment income to meet its obligations. However, a primary liquidity concern going forward is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals. The Company includes provisions within its policies, such as Surrender Charges, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals.

The Company believes that cash flows generated from sources above will be sufficient to satisfy the near term liquidity requirements of its operations, including reasonable foreseeable contingencies. However, the Company cannot predict future experience regarding benefits and surrenders since benefit and surrender levels are influenced by such factors as the interest rate environment, the Company’s claims paying ability and the Company’s financial credit ratings.


Most annuity deposits the Company will receive going forward will be invested in high quality investments, those identified by the Company as investment grade, to fund future commitments. The Company believes that the settlement it receives under the reinsurance agreements with CMFG Life, the diversity of its investment portfolio and a concentration of investments in high quality securities should provide sufficient liquidity to meet foreseeable cash requirements. Although there is no present need or intent to dispose of our investments, the Company could readily liquidate portions of our investments, if such a need arose. Sales of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position are subject to other-than-temporary impairment considerations including our intent to sell.

Statutory Financial Data and Dividend Restrictions


The Company is a life and health insurer domiciled in Iowa. The Company files statutory basis financial statements with regulatory authorities. Our statutory capital and surplus was $40,257 and $39,447 as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Our statutory basis net income was $419, $1,914 and $1,051 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our statutory basis net income was $423 and $98 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our statutory basis net income was $574 and $259 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company is subject to statutory regulations as to maintenance of equity and the payment of dividends. Generally, ordinary dividends from an insurance subsidiary to its parent company must meet notice requirements promulgated by the regulator of the subsidiary’s state of domicile (“Insurance Department”). Extraordinary dividends, as defined by state statutes, must be approved by the Insurance Department. Based on Iowa statutory regulations, the Company could pay dividends of up to $3,294 during 2019 without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Department.

Risk-based capital requirements promulgated by the NAIC require U.S. insurers to maintain minimum capitalization levels that are determined based on formulas incorporating credit risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and general business risk. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s adjusted capital exceeded the minimum capitalization requirements.

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Contractual Obligations

In December 2007, the Company entered into a Procurement and Disbursement and Billing and Collection Services Agreement with CMFG Life and certain other affiliated companies whereby CMFG Life has agreed to provide certain of our operational requirements. In January 2008, the Company entered into a Cost Sharing, Procurement, Disbursement, Billing and Collection Agreement with CMFG Life and certain other affiliated companies. Pursuant to this agreement, CMFG Life has agreed to provide the Company with certain office and market services and personnel services. On January 1, 2015, the Company entered into a Cost Sharing, Procurement, Disbursement, Billing and Collection Agreement which replaced all prior agreements. Additionally, the Company is allocated a certain portion of the total compensation of each of our executive officers and directors, based on various factors, the primary being the estimated time allocated to providing services to the Company. In exchange for providing these administrative functions and use of shared resources and personnel, the Company reimburses CMFG Life for the cost of providing such administrative functions, resources and personnel. The Company reimbursed CMFG Life $30,131, $20,808 and $15,349 for these expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company reimbursed CMFG Life $8,758 and $7,376 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company reimbursed CMFG Life $17,659 and $14,347 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

For detailed discussion of the management services agreement, the investment advisory agreement and the coinsurance agreements, see “Management – Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons.”

In the future, we may enter into financing transactions, lease agreements, or other commitments in the normal course of our business.

The Company has the following future minimum estimated claim and benefit payments that are 100% reinsured as of June 30, 2019.

 
    Estimated Future Claim
    and Benefit Payments
 
       
Due in one year or less   $ 1,277
Due after one year through three years     6,729
Due after three years through five years     3,703
Due after five years     22,985
 
       
Total estimated payments   $ 34,694
 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk and Cyber Security

We have exposure to market risk through both our insurance operations and investment activities, although a significant portion of this risk is reinsured by CMFG Life pursuant to the coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements discussed above. In addition, many of the measures described herein to offset these market risks are taken by CMFG Life because it holds all assets related to our insurance business as a result of the coinsurance agreements.

Interest rate risk is our primary market risk exposure. Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates will affect the profitability of our annuity products and the fair value of our investments. Most of the interest rate risk is absorbed by CMFG Life under the coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements. The profitability of most of our annuity products will depend on the spreads between interest yield on investments and rates credited on the annuity products. We have the ability to adjust crediting rates (caps, participation rates or asset fee rates for indexed annuities) on substantially all of our annuity products at

79


least annually (subject to minimum guaranteed values). In addition, substantially all of our annuity products have surrender and withdrawal penalty provisions designed to encourage persistency and to help ensure targeted spreads are earned. However, competitive factors, including the impact of the level of surrenders and withdrawals, may limit our ability to adjust or maintain crediting rates at levels necessary to avoid narrowing of spreads under certain market conditions.


A major component of our interest rate risk management program is structuring the General Account investment portfolio with cash flow characteristics consistent with the cash flow characteristics of our annuity products. We use computer models to simulate cash flows expected from our existing business under various interest rate scenarios. These simulations enable us to measure the potential gain or loss in fair value of our interest rate-sensitive financial instruments, to evaluate the adequacy of expected cash flows from our assets to meet the expected cash requirements of our annuity products and to determine if it is necessary to lengthen or shorten the average life and duration of our investment portfolio. The “duration” of a security is the time weighted present value of the security’s expected cash flows and is used to measure a security’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. When the durations of assets and liabilities are similar, exposure to interest rate risk is minimized because a change in value of assets should be largely offset by a change in the value of liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s fixed debt securities investment portfolio consisted of U.S. government and agency securities, domestic corporate securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and foreign corporate securities with fair values of $8,223, $16,655, $653 and $4,038, respectively, and has an average duration of 16 years.

Our business is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems and those of our business partners, so that our business is potentially susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from a cyber-attack. These risks include, among other things, the theft, misuse, corruption and destruction of data maintained online or digitally, denial of service on websites and other operational disruption and unauthorized release of confidential customer information. Cyber-attacks affecting the Company may adversely affect us and your Contract Value. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with our processing of Contract transactions, cause the release and possible destruction of confidential Owner or business information, impede order processing, subject the Company to regulatory fines and financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. There can be no assurance that we will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to cyber-attacks or information security breaches in the future.

 
MANAGEMENT
 

Directors and Executive Officers

Our directors and executive officers are as follows:

         
Name   Age   Position
         
         
David L. Sweitzer   55   President and Director
Paul D. Barbato   42   Secretary and Director
Brian J. Borakove   40   Treasurer
Michael F. Anderson   51   Director
Michael T. Defnet   59   Director
Williams Karls   48   Director

All executive officers and directors are elected annually.

     David L. Sweitzer has served as President and as director of the Company since October 31, 2016. He also serves as the Senior Vice President of Wealth Management for CMFG Life where he leads overall business strategy and product management for CBSI and CMFG Life’s and affiliates family of annuity products. Mr. Sweitzer has held various positions in CMFG Life for 26 years. He brings more than 26 years of progressive experience in sales and marketing, sales operations and sales strategy.

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     Paul D. Barbato has served as Secretary and as director of the Company since December 28, 2018. As of January 7, 2019, he also serves as Vice President, Associate General Counsel for CMFG Life. Mr. Barbato re-joined CMFG Life in May 2017 after spending two years as corporate counsel with Epic Systems Corporation (March 2015-May 2017). He originally joined CMFG Life in January 2009 as a Lead Counsel and later held roles as Associate General Counsel and Director of Corporate Governance. Before joining CMFG Life, Mr. Barbato spent two years at Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP, in Madison, Wisconsin, where he was an Associate Attorney.

     Brian J. Borakove has served as our Treasurer since November 9, 2012 and Vice President, Corporate Treasurer since November 19, 2012 at CMFG Life. He served as Director of Investment Finance from 2007 to 2011 and was promoted to Associate Treasurer in 2011. Prior to joining CMFG Life, he was a Senior Manager, Investment Finance at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, Massachusetts from 2005 to 2007. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual Insurance, Mr. Borakove served as a Senior Analyst, Treasury at FM Global in Johnston, Rhode Island from 2003-2005. Mr. Borakove held various positions at State Street Bank in Boston, Massachusetts from 2001-2003.

     Michael F. Anderson has been a director of the Company since December 15, 2015. He also serves as the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer for CMFG Life where he has been responsible for all legal matters across CMFG Life’s business entities since 2011. He served as Managing Associate General Counsel from 2008 to 2009, was promoted to Vice President in 2009 and in 2011 was promoted to Senior Vice President. Before joining the Company, Mr. Anderson spent 15 years in private practice, most recently as a partner in the New York office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.

     Michael T. Defnet has been a director of the Company since December 15, 2015 and Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for CMFG Life. Mr. Defnet previously served as Senior Vice President of Sales Distribution Support and various positions in CMFG Life’s Sales Department for 25 years. He brings more than 25 years of progressive experience in sales and marketing leadership, sales operations and sales strategy.

     William Karls has been director of the Company since August 4, 2017 and has served as Controller for CMFG Life since 2012. Prior to joining CMFG Life in 2004, Mr. Karls was a Senior Manager with Strohm Ballweg, LLP, which provides audit and consulting services to insurance companies.

Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons

Policy Regarding Related Person Transactions. It is our policy to enter into or ratify related person transactions only when our Board of Directors determines that the transaction either is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best interests, including but not limited to situations where we may obtain products or services of a nature, quantity or quality, or on other terms, that are not readily available from alternative sources or when we provide products or services to related persons on an arm’s length basis on terms comparable to those provided to unrelated third parties or on terms comparable to those provided to employees generally.

Therefore, we have adopted the following written procedures for the review, approval or ratification of related person transactions. For purposes of the related person transaction policy, a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement, or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements, or relationships) in which (i) we were, are or will be a participant, (ii) the amount of the transaction, arrangement or relationship exceeds $120,000, and (iii) in which a related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction.

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A related person means:
         
     
any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year was, a member of our Board of Directors or an executive officer or a nominee to become a member of our Board of Directors;
     
any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities;
     
any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons; or
     
any firm, corporation, or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.
         
Any proposed transaction with a related person will be consummated or amended only if the following steps are taken:
         
     
Counsel (either inside or outside) will assess whether the proposed transaction is a related person transaction for purposes of this policy.
     
If counsel determines that the proposed transaction is a related person transaction, the proposed transaction will be submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration at the next meeting or, in those instances in which counsel, in consultation with the President or the Treasurer, determines that it is not practicable or desirable for us to wait until the next Board of Directors meeting, to the President of the Company (who has been delegated authority to act between meetings).
     
The Board of Directors shall consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances available, including (if applicable) but not limited to: (i) the benefits to the Company; (ii) the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, an immediate family member of a director, or an entity in which a director is a partner, shareholder, or executive officer; (iii) the availability of other suppliers or customers for comparable products or services; (iv) the terms of the transaction; and (v) the terms available to unrelated third parties or to employees generally.
     
The Board of Directors shall approve only those related person transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, as the Board of Directors determines in good faith. The Board of Directors shall convey the decision to counsel, who shall convey the decision to the appropriate persons within the Company.

At the Board of Director’s first meeting of each fiscal year, it shall review any previously approved related person transactions that remain ongoing and have a remaining term of more than six months or remaining amounts payable to or receivable from the Company of more than $120,000. Based on all relevant facts and circumstances, taking into consideration the Company’s contractual obligations, the Board of Directors shall determine if it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to continue, modify, or terminate the related person transaction.

No member of the Board of Directors shall participate in any review, consideration, or approval of any related person transaction with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is the related person.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions. Except for the agreements noted below, there have been no transactions between the Company and any related person since January 1, 2011, nor are any such related person transactions currently being contemplated for which disclosure would be required.

On September 30, 2015, the Company amended its coinsurance agreement with CMFG Life and now cedes 100% of its insurance policies in force to CMFG Life. In 2013, we entered into a second coinsurance agreement to cede 100% of all insurance issued on and after January 1, 2013 to CMFG Life. On November 1, 2015, we entered into a Coinsurance and Modified Coinsurance Agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of the business related to the Contract, and other investment type contracts similar to the Contract. These agreements do not relieve us of our obligations to our policyholders under contracts covered by these agreements. However,

82


they do transfer nearly all of the Company’s underwriting profits and losses to CMFG Life and require CMFG Life to indemnify the Company for nearly all of its liabilities. We filed a new Coinsurance Agreement to cede 100% of the business related to CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts for approval with the State of Iowa in July, 2019.

On January 1, 2015, the Company entered into a Cost Sharing, Procurement, Disbursement, Billing and Collection Agreement with CMFG Life and certain other affiliated companies and on that same day, January 1, 2015, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement with CMFG Life. See “Contractual Obligations” for more information about each of these agreements.

The Company has hired MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCA”) to provide investment advisory services with respect to the Company’s General Account assets. MCA, which is 100% owned by CMIC, manages substantially all of the Company’s invested assets in accordance with policies, directives and guidelines established by the Company.

Committees of the Board of Directors


Our Board of Directors of the Company has not established any committees. The Board relies upon the committees of the CM Holding to oversee actions over the subsidiary companies. For example, the CM Holding Audit Committee will assist with oversight of the Company’s external auditors, performance of internal audit functions and legal and regulatory compliance requirements.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Our Board of Directors has not established a compensation committee. None of our current executive officers serves on the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity whose executive officers served on our Board of Directors. Mr. Sweitzer is on the Board of Directors for CBSI whose Board of Directors include Messrs. Anderson, Defnet, Karls and Barbato, the other Directors of the Company.

Executive Compensation. We do not have any employees but rather are provided personnel, including our named executive officers, by our parent company, CMFG Life, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement between CMFG Life and us. As a result, we do not determine or pay any compensation to our named executive officers or additional personnel provided by CMFG Life for our operations. CMFG Life determines and pays the salaries, bonuses and other wages earned by our named executive officers and by additional personnel provided to us by CMFG Life. CMFG Life also determines whether and to what extent our named executive officers and additional personnel from CMFG Life may participate in any with employee benefit plans. We do not have employment agreements with our named executive officers and do not provide pension or retirement benefits, perquisites or other personal benefits to our named executive officers. We do not have arrangements to make payments to our named executive officers upon their termination or in the event of a change in control of the Company. See “Contractual Obligations” for more information about the Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement between CMFG Life and us.

Director Compensation


The directors of the Company are also officers of CMFG Life. The Company’s directors receive no compensation for their service as directors of the Company but are compensated by CMFG Life for their services as officers of CMFG Life. Accordingly, no costs were allocated to the Company for services of following persons in their role as current directors: Michael F. Anderson, Michael T. Defnet, William Karls, Paul D. Barbato and David L. Sweitzer.

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Legal Proceedings

Like other insurance companies, we routinely are involved in litigation and other proceedings, including class actions, reinsurance claims and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. In recent years, the life insurance and annuity industry, including us and our affiliated companies, has been subject to an increase in litigation pursued on behalf of both individual and purported classes of insurance and annuity purchasers, questioning the conduct of insurance companies and their agents in the marketing of their products. In addition, state and federal regulatory bodies, such as state insurance departments and attorneys general, periodically make inquiries and conduct examinations concerning compliance by us and others with applicable insurance and other laws.

In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution and changes in business practices. The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations and to support financial reporting. These actions are based on a variety of issues and involve a range of the Company’s practices. We respond to such inquiries and cooperate with regulatory examinations in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from all such pending actions will not materially affect the financial statements of the Company, nor the Company’s ability to meet its obligations under the Contracts.

* * *

We do not file reports under the 1934 Act in reliance on Rule 12h-7 under the 1934 Act, which provides an exemption from the reporting requirements of Sections 13 and 15 of the 1934 Act.

84


 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

85


MEMBERS Life Insurance Company

Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements
As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
And for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018


 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Condensed Balance Sheets, Unaudited
June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
($ in 000s)
 
 

    June 30,   December 31,  
Assets   2019   2018  
 
               
Investments              

Debt securities, available for sale, at fair value

             

(amortized cost 2019- $29,455; 2018 - $29,856)

  $ 30,571   $ 29,569  
 
Total investments     30,571     29,569  
               

Cash and cash equivalents

    31,982     24,912  

Accrued investment income

    364     304  

Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate

    24,200     24,034  

Assets on deposit

    3,707,034     3,138,096  

Premiums receivable, net

    11     13  

Net deferred tax asset

    122     375  

Receivable from affiliate

    -     5,027  

Other assets and receivables

    202     819  

Federal income taxes recoverable from affiliate

    3,237     2,889  

Separate account assets

    137,135     103,205  
 
               
Total assets   $ 3,934,858   $ 3,329,243  
 
               
               
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity              
 
               
Liabilities              

Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health

  $ 23,726   $ 26,836  

Policyholder account balances

    3,712,117     3,142,077  

Payables to affiliates

    3,561     3,006  

Accounts payable and other liabilities

    16,617     14,199  

Separate account liabilities

    137,135     103,205  
 
               
Total liabilities     3,893,156     3,289,323  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)              
               
Stockholder’s equity              

Common stock, $5 par value, authorized 1,000 shares;

             

issued and outstanding 1,000 shares

    5,000     5,000  

Additional paid in capital

    31,153     31,153  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of

             

tax expense (benefit) (2019 - $234; 2018 - ($61))

    882     (226 )

Retained earnings

    4,667     3,993  
 
               
Total stockholder’s equity     41,702     39,920  
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity   $ 3,934,858   $ 3,329,243  
 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements. 2

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unaudited
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018
($ in 000s)
 
 

    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2019   2018   2019   2018
 
                                 
Revenues                                
                                 

Net investment income

  $ 433     $ 170     $ 839     $ 310  

Net realized investment gains

    17       -       17       -  

Other income

    7       4       13       7  
 
                                 
Total revenues     457       174       869       317  
 
                                 
Benefits and expenses                                
                                 

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    -       1       -       1  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

    20       (5 )     34       (15 )

Operating and other expenses

    80       30       126       55  
 
                                 
Total benefits and expenses     100       26       160       41  
 
                                 
Income before income taxes     357       148       709       276  
                                 

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (22 )     (13 )     35       (86 )
 
                                 
Net income     379       161       674       362  
 
                                 

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax expense

                               

(benefit) (2019 - $153, $295; 2018 - ($10), ($88))

    575       (37 )     1,108       (332 )
 
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)     575       (37 )     1,108       (332 )
 
                                 
Total comprehensive income   $ 954     $ 124     $ 1,782     $ 30  
 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements. 3

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Condensed Statements of Stockholder’s Equity, Unaudited
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018
($ in 000s)
 
 

    Common
stock
  Additional
paid in
capital
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
  Retained
earnings
  Total
stockholder’s
equity
 
Balance, December 31, 2017   $ 5,000   $ 10,500   $ 11     $ 3,187     $ 18,698  
                                     

Net income

    -     -     -       201       201  

Other comprehensive (loss)

    -     -     (295 )     -       (295 )

Cumulative effect of reclassification

                                   

for stranded tax effects

    -     -     3       (3 )     -  
 
                                     
Balance, March 31, 2018     5,000     10,500     (281 )     3,385       18,604  
                                     

Net income

    -     -     -       161       161  

Other comprehensive (loss)

    -     -     (37 )     -       (37 )
 
                                     
Balance, June 30, 2018   $ 5,000   $ 10,500   $ (318 )   $ 3,546     $ 18,728  
 
                                     
                                     
    Common
stock
  Additional
paid in
capital
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
  Retained
earnings
  Total
stockholder’s
equity
 
Balance, December 31, 2018   $ 5,000   $ 31,153   $ (226 )   $ 3,993     $ 39,920  
                                     

Net income

    -     -     -       295       295  

Other comprehensive income

    -     -     533       -       533  
 
                                     
Balance, March 31, 2019     5,000     31,153     307       4,288       40,748  
                                     

Net income

    -     -     -       379       379  

Other comprehensive income

    -     -     575       -       575  
 
                                     
Balance, June 30, 2019   $ 5,000   $ 31,153   $ 882     $ 4,667     $ 41,702  
 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.  
  4

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, Unaudited
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018
($ in 000s)
 
 

    June 30,   June 30,
    2019   2018
 
                 
Cash flows from operating activities:                

Net income

  $ 674     $ 362  

Adjustments to reconcile net income

               

to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

               

Deferred income taxes

    (42 )     (21 )

Amortization of bond premium and discount

    3       10  

Amortization and write off of deferred charges

    7       8  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    34       -  

Net realized investment gain

    (17 )     -  

Changes in other assets and liabilities

               

Accrued investment income

    (60 )     2  

Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate

    (309 )     312  

Premiums receivable

    1       (1 )

Receivable from affiliate and other assets

    1,945       314  

Federal income taxes recoverable from affiliate

    (348 )     (504 )

Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health

    582       177  

Payables to affiliates and other liabilites

    2,972       1,407  
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities     5,442       2,066  
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                

Proceeds on sale or maturity of debt securities

    415       92  
 
                 
Net cash provided by investing activities     415       92  
 
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                

Policyholder account deposits

    430,955       356,411  

Policyholder account withdrawals

    (59,816 )     (40,201 )

Assets on deposit - deposits

    (429,530 )     (355,730 )

Assets on deposit - withdrawals

    59,604       39,973  

Change in bank overdrafts

    -       1  
 
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities     1,213       454  
 
                 
Change in cash and cash equivalents     7,070       2,612  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     24,912       18,440  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 31,982     $ 21,052  
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash information:                

Net cash paid to affiliate for income taxes

  $ 425     $ 440  
 

 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed financial statements.  
  5

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 1: Nature of Business

MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (“MLIC” or the “Company”) is a life and health insurance stock company organized under the laws of Iowa and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CUNA Mutual Investment Corporation (“CMIC”). CMIC is organized under the laws of Wisconsin and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMFG Life Insurance Company (“CMFG Life”), an Iowa life insurance company. CMFG Life and its affiliated companies primarily sell insurance and other products to credit unions and their members. The Company’s ultimate parent is CUNA Mutual Holding Company (“CMHC”), a mutual insurance holding company organized under the laws of Iowa. MLIC began selling flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts in 2016 and single premium deferred index annuity contracts in 2013. Both products are sold to consumers, including credit union members, through the face-to-face distribution channel. Prior to 2013, MLIC did not actively market new business; it primarily serviced existing blocks of individual and group life policies. See Note 7, Reinsurance, for information on the Company’s reinsurance agreements.

MLIC is authorized to sell life, health and annuity policies in all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia, except New York.

As discussed in Note 6, CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations. Management believes allocations of expenses are reasonable, but the results of the Company’s operations may have materially differed from the results reflected in the accompanying financial statements if the Company did not have this relationship.

Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and in some cases the difference could be material. Investment valuations, embedded derivatives, deferred tax asset valuation reserves, and claim and policy benefit reserves are most affected by the use of estimates and assumptions.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the results of operations, cash flows, changes in comprehensive income and equity for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of operations, changes in comprehensive income and equity for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. These financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in the annual financial statement prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations However, the Company believes that the disclosures included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited condensed financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2018. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 
 
6

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Segment Reporting

The Company is currently managed as two reportable business segments, (1) life and health and (2) annuities. The Company’s life and health segment includes individual and group life policies that the Company no longer actively markets. The annuities segment includes its single premium deferred index annuity contracts and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts. See Note 7, Reinsurance, for information on the Company’s reinsurance agreements, which impact the financial statement presentation of these segments.

Investments

Debt securities: Investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. A debt security is considered other-than-temporarily impaired when the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis and its value is not expected to recover through the Company’s anticipated holding period of the security. If a credit loss exists, but the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, it is required to bifurcate the impairment into the loss that is attributable to credit and non-credit related components. The credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows and amortized cost. Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized in net realized investment gains, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before anticipated recovery in value, the Company records a realized loss equal to the difference between the amortized cost and fair value. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired security becomes its new cost basis. In determining whether an unrealized loss is expected to be other than temporary, the Company considers, among other factors, any plans to sell the security, the severity of impairment, financial position of the issuer, recent events affecting the issuer’s business and industry sector, credit ratings, and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the investment until the fair value has recovered at least its cost basis.

Unrealized gains and losses on investments in debt securities, net of deferred federal income taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholder’s equity.

Policy loans: The Company allocated $1,348 and $1,367 of policy loans to CMFG Life as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, as payment pursuant to a life reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life (See Note 7).

Net investment income: Interest income related to mortgage-backed and other structured securities is recognized on an accrual basis using a constant effective yield method, based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments and such adjustments are reflected in net investment income. Prepayment assumptions for loan-backed bonds and structured securities are based on industry averages or internal estimates. Interest income related to non-structured securities is recognized on an accrual basis using a constant effective yield method. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are amortized over the estimated lives of the respective securities on an effective yield basis.

Net realized gains and losses: Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on a specific identification basis and are recorded on the trade date.

Assets on Deposit

Assets on deposit represent the amount of policyholder account balances related to reinsurance of the single premium deferred index annuity and risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts (investment-type contracts) that are ceded to CMFG Life. Assets on deposit are accounted for on a basis consistent with accounting for the underlying investment-type contracts; therefore, the Company accounts for the reinsurance of these contracts using the deposit method of accounting consistent with the terms of the reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life. The related contract charges and interest credited to

 
 
7

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

policyholder account balances in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the amounts ceded under the agreement. See Note 7 for a further discussion of the ceding agreements.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company issues single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts that contain embedded derivatives. Derivatives embedded within non-derivative host contracts are separated from the host instrument when the embedded derivative is not clearly and closely related to the host instrument. Such embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value, and they are reported as part of assets on deposit and policyholder account balances in the balance sheets, with the change in the value being recorded in net realized investment gains. See Note 3, Investments-Embedded Derivatives for additional information.

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative in assets on deposit offset changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative in policyholder account balances; both of these changes are included in net realized investment gains and are ceded as part of the ceding and reinsurance agreements. Accretion of the interest on assets on deposit offsets accretion of the interest on the host contract; both of these amounts are included in interest credited on policyholder account balances and are ceded as part of the ceding and reinsurance agreements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted deposits in financial institutions with maturities of 90 days or less. The Company recognizes a liability in accounts payable and other liabilities for the amount of checks issued in excess of its current cash balance. The change in this overdraft amount is recognized as a financing activity in the Company’s statement of cash flows.

Variable Interest Entities

A variable interest entity (“VIE”) is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in the gains and losses of the entity. Consolidation of a VIE by its primary beneficiary is not based on majority voting interest, but is based on a review of the VIE’s capital structure, contractual relationships and terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose, nature of the VIE’s interests issued and the Company’s involvement with the entity. When assessing the need to consolidate a VIE, the Company evaluates the design of the VIE as well as the related exposure to the variable interest holders.

The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. While also considering these factors, the consolidation conclusion depends on the breadth of the Company’s decision-making ability and the Company’s ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE.

Unconsolidated VIEs: The Company invests in residential mortgage-backed securities which are classified as VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and, therefore, these VIEs were not consolidated on the Company’s balance sheets. The Company invests in these securities with the primary purpose of earning capital appreciation. The maximum exposure to loss relating to these securities is equal to the carrying amount of the security. The values of these investments are disclosed in the Debt Securities section of Note 3.

 
 
8

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Recognition of Insurance Revenue and Related Benefits

Term-life and whole-life insurance premiums are recognized as premium income when due. Policy benefits for these products are recognized in relation to the premiums so as to result in the recognition of profits over the expected lives of the policies and contracts.

Policies not subject to significant mortality or longevity risk, such as the Company’s single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts, are considered investment-type contracts. Amounts collected on these products, with the exception of the variable annuity component of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity, are recorded as increases in policyholder account balances. The variable annuity component of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity meets criteria for separate account reporting and therefore is recorded in separate account assets and liabilities. Revenues from investment-type contracts principally consist of net investment income and contract charges such as expense and surrender charges. Expenses for investment-type contracts consist of interest credited to contracts, benefits incurred in excess of related policyholder account balances and policy maintenance costs. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these revenues and expenses are ceded and do not impact the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on this agreement.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring insurance business that are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal business are deferred to the extent that such costs are expected to be recoverable from future profits. Such costs principally include commissions and sales costs, premium taxes, and certain policy issuance and underwriting costs. Costs deferred on term-life and whole-life insurance products, deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), are amortized in proportion to the ratio of the annual premium to the total anticipated premiums generated. Due to the age of the life insurance policies, all DAC has been fully amortized as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and there was no amortization expense in the three or six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

Acquisition costs on the Company’s single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts are reimbursed through a ceding commission by CMFG Life, which assumes all deferrable costs as part of its agreement to assume 100% of this business from the Company. See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on these agreements.

Claim and Policy Benefits Reserves – Life and Health

Life and health claim and policy benefit reserves consist principally of future policy benefit reserves and reserves for estimates of future payments on incurred claims reported but not yet paid and unreported incurred claims. Estimates for future payments on incurred claims are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions based on past experience adjusted for current trends. Any change in the probable ultimate liabilities is reflected in net income in the period in which the change is determined.

When actual experience indicates that existing contract liabilities, together with the present value of future gross premiums will not be sufficient to recover the present value of future benefits or recover unamortized deferred acquisition costs, a premium deficiency will be recognized by either a reduction in unamortized acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future benefits. There was no premium deficiency recognized for the three or six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

Additionally, the liability for future policy benefits may not be deficient in the aggregate to trigger a premium deficiency, but the pattern of earnings may be such that profits are expected to be recognized in early years followed by losses in later years. In those situations, the liability for future benefits will be increased to offset losses that would be recognized in later years. The Company recorded a liability of $138 as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, for the profits that are expected to be followed by losses in the future.

 
 
9

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Policyholder Account Balances

The single premium deferred index annuities and risk control accounts of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuities are included in policyholder account balances. These products have two risk control accounts, referred to as the Secure and Growth Accounts; the Secure Account has a yearly credited interest rate floor of 0% and the yearly Growth Account floor is -10%. The Secure and Growth Accounts both have credited interest rate caps that vary based on the issuance date of the contract. Interest is credited at the end of each contract year during the selected index term based on the allocation between risk control accounts and the performance of an external index (reference index) during that contract year. For the single premium deferred index annuity, the Company offers one reference index, which is the S&P 500 Index. For the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity, the Company offers two reference indices, which are the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI EAFE Index. Policyholders are able to allocate funds in both the Secure and Growth Accounts for the available indices. At the end of the initial index term, only the Secure Account is available as an option to the policyholder. The average annualized credited rate for the single premium deferred index annuity was 1.35% and 1.38% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and 1.41% and 1.40% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The average annualized credited rate for the risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity was 1.39% and 1.46% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and 1.91% and 1.82% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

The Company recognizes a liability at the stated account value for policyholder deposits that are not subject to significant policyholder mortality or longevity risk and for universal life-type policies. The account value equals the sum of the original deposit and accumulated interest, less any withdrawals and expense charges. The average credited rate was 4.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 4.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The future minimum guaranteed interest rate during the life of the contracts is 4.5%.

Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities

The Company issues the single premium deferred index annuity contracts on the 10th and 25th of each month. The Company recognizes a liability on contracts for which it has received cash, but has not issued a contract.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance premiums, claims and benefits, commission expense reimbursements, and reserves related to reinsured business ceded are accounted for on a basis consistent with the accounting for the underlying direct policies that have been ceded and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums and insurance claims and benefits in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the amounts ceded to other companies under such reinsurance contracts. Ceded insurance reserves and ceded benefits paid are included in reinsurance recoverables along with certain ceded policyholder account balances, which include mortality risk. A prepaid reinsurance asset is also recorded for the portion of unearned premiums related to ceded policies.

Separate Accounts

Separate accounts represent customer accounts related to the variable annuity component of the flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts issued by the Company, where investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to the contract holders who bear the investment risk.

Contract holders are able to invest in investment funds managed for their benefit. All of the separate account assets are invested in unit investment trusts that are registered with the SEC as of June 30, 2019.

Separate account assets are legally segregated and may only be used to settle separate account liabilities. Separate account assets are carried at fair value, which is based on daily quoted net asset values at which the Company could transact on behalf of the contract holder. Separate account liabilities are equal to the separate

 
 
10

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

account assets and represent contract holders’ claims to the related assets. Contract holder deposits to and withdrawals from the separate accounts are recorded directly to the separate account assets and liabilities and are not included in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Charges made by the Company to the contract holders’ balances include fees for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance, and surrenders of contracts prior to the contractually specified dates. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these revenues are ceded and do not impact the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on this agreement.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes taxes payable or refundable and deferred taxes for the tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying the enacted tax rates to the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company records current tax benefits and deferred tax assets utilizing a benefits-for-loss approach. Under this approach, current benefits are realized and deferred tax assets are considered realizable by the Company when realized or realizable by the consolidated group of which the Company is a member even if the benefits would not be realized on a stand-alone basis. The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it determines it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized by the consolidated group. Deferred income tax assets can be realized through future earnings, including, but not limited to, the generation of future income, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies.

The Company is subject to tax-related audits. These audits may result in additional tax assets or liabilities. In establishing tax liabilities, the Company determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard are not recognized. Tax positions that meet this standard are recognized in the financial statements within net deferred tax assets or liabilities or federal income taxes recoverable or payable.

Accounting Standards Updates Pending Adoption

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) with an effective date in 2020 for public business entities and 2023 for others. The guidance for credit losses was further amended by ASU No. 2019-04 and 2019-05. The new standard replaces the existing incurred loss recognition model with an expected credit loss recognition model. The objective of the expected credit loss model is for the Company to recognize its estimate of expected credit losses for affected financial assets in a valuation allowance deducted from the amortized cost basis of the related financial assets that results in presenting the net carrying value of the financial assets at the amount expected to be collected. The Company must consider all available relevant information when estimating expected credit losses, including details about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts over the contractual life of an asset. Financial assets may be evaluated individually or on a pooled basis when they share similar risk characteristics. The measurement of credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities measured at fair value is not affected, except that credit losses recognized are limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost and the carrying value adjustment is recognized through an allowance and not as a direct write-down. Upon adoption, the Company does not expect the impact of ASU 2016-13 to be material.

In August 2018, the FASB adopted ASU No. 2018-12,Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (“ASU 2018-12”) with an effective date of 2021 for SEC filers and 2022 for non-SEC filers and non-public business entities. The new standard makes significant changes to accounting requirements for long-duration insurance contracts, including long-term care, traditional and limited payment life insurance, and annuities. The significant provisions are shown below.

 
Under current guidance, the liability for future policy benefits for long-duration products is established based on assumptions set at issue which are not changed unless there is a premium deficiency. Under

 
 
11

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

   
ASU 2018-12, these assumptions, which include mortality, morbidity, persistency, expenses, and the discount rate, must be reviewed for changes at least annually. When assumptions other than the discount rate are changed, the liability is recomputed and a cumulative catch-up adjustment is recorded in the current year income statement. The discount rate, which is based on the yield of an upper-medium-grade fixed income instrument, must be updated each reporting period; changes in the liability resulting from the discount rate are recorded in other comprehensive income.
 
The liability for future policy benefits can no longer include a provision for adverse deviation.
 
Because liability assumptions are updated periodically, the test for premium deficiency is no longer required for nonparticipating traditional and limited payment contracts.
 
ASU 2018-12 introduces the concept of market risk benefits for product features such as guaranteed minimum death or income benefits, which must be accounted for at fair value.
 
Deferred acquisition costs will generally be amortized to expense on a constant level basis, either individually or on a grouped contract basis consistent with the related reserves, over the expected term of the contracts. Amortization based on estimated gross profits or gross margins will be eliminated. The deferred policy acquisition costs asset does not need to be tested for impairment, no interest is accreted, and shadow adjustments are no longer required.
 
Insurers must provide disclosures that allow financial statement users to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of future cash flows arising from the insurance liabilities.

The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2018-12.

In July 2019, the FASB proposed to change the effective date of this guidance to 2022 for SEC filers and 2024 non-SEC filers and non-public business entities.

 
 
12

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 3: Investments

Debt Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values, as reported on the balance sheet, of debt securities at June 30, 2019 are as follows:

 
 
    Amortized   Gross Unrealized   Estimated
    Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value
 
                                 
U.S. government and agencies   $ 8,741     $ 272     $ -     $ 9,013  
Domestic corporate securities     16,479       732       -       17,211  
Residential mortgage-backed securities     237       15       -       252  
Foreign corporate securities     3,998       97       -       4,095  
 
                                 
Total debt securities   $ 29,455     $ 1,116     $ -     $ 30,571  
 
                                 
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values, as reported on the balance sheet, of debt securities at December 31, 2018 are as follows:
                                 
 
                                 
    Amortized   Gross Unrealized   Estimated
    Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value
 
                                 
U.S. government and agencies   $ 8,744     $ -     $ (521 )   $ 8,223  
Domestic corporate securities     16,476       188       (9 )     16,655  
Residential mortgage-backed securities     639       14       -       653  
Foreign corporate securities     3,997       44       (3 )     4,038  
 
                                 
Total debt securities   $ 29,856     $ 246     $ (533 )   $ 29,569  
 

No investments were non-income producing during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in debt securities at June 30, 2019, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because of the potential

 
 
13

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

for prepayment on residential mortgage-backed securities, such securities have not been displayed in the table below by contractual maturity.

 
               
    Amortized   Estimated  
    Cost   Fair Value  
 
               
Due in one year or less   $ 3,006   $ 3,045  
Due after one year through ten years     17,470     18,259  
Due after ten years     8,742     9,014  
Residential mortgage-backed securities     237     253  
 
               
Total debt securities   $ 29,455   $ 30,571  
 
               
               
Net Investment Income
               
Sources of investment income for the three and six months ended June 30 are summarized as follows:

 
 
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2019   2018   2019   2018
 
                                 
Gross investment income:                                

Debt securities

  $ 256     $ 76     $ 513     $ 154  

Cash and cash equivalents

    189       99       351       166  
 
                                 
Total gross investment income     445       175       864       320  

Investment expenses

    (12 )     (5 )     (25 )     (10 )
 
                                 
Net investment income   $ 433     $ 170     $ 839     $ 310  
 

Net Realized Investment Gains

Proceeds from the sale of debt securities were $338 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 that resulted in a realized investment gain of $17. There were no sales or transfers of debt securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 that resulted in a realized investment gain or loss.

Other-Than-Temporary Investment Impairments

Investment securities are reviewed for OTTI on an ongoing basis. The Company creates a watchlist of securities based largely on the fair value of an investment security relative to its cost basis. When the fair value drops below the Company’s cost, the Company monitors the security for OTTI. The determination of OTTI requires significant judgment on the part of the Company and depends on several factors, including, but not limited to:

 
The existence of any plans to sell the investment security.
 
The extent to which fair value is less than book value.
 
The underlying reason for the decline in fair value (credit concerns, interest rates, etc.).

 
 
14

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

 
The financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer/borrower, including the ability to meet contractual obligations, relevant industry trends and conditions.
 
The Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value.
 
The Company’s ability to recover all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the agreements.
 
The Company’s collateral position in the case of bankruptcy or restructuring.

A debt security is considered other-than-temporarily impaired when the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis and its value is not expected to recover through the Company’s anticipated holding period of the security. If a credit loss exists, but the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, it is required to bifurcate the impairment into the loss that is attributable to credit and non-credit related risk. The credit portion of the OTTI is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows and amortized cost. Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized in earnings, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell, at the time this determination is made, the Company records a realized loss equal to the difference between the amortized cost and fair value. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired security becomes its new cost basis. In determining whether an unrealized loss is expected to be other than temporary, the Company considers, among other factors, any plans to sell the security, the severity of impairment, financial position of the issuer, recent events affecting the issuer’s business and industry sector, credit ratings, and the ability of the Company to hold the investment until the fair value has recovered at least its cost basis.

For securitized debt securities, the Company considers factors including residential property changes in value that vary by property type and location and average cumulative collateral loss rates that vary by vintage year. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries. In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer and/or underlying collateral.

For certain securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows, the Company is required to periodically update its best estimate of cash flows over the life of the security. If the fair value of a securitized financial asset is less than its cost or amortized cost and there has been a decrease in the present value of the estimated cash flows since the last revised estimate, considering both timing and amount, an OTTI charge is recognized. The Company also considers its intent and ability to retain a temporarily impaired security until recovery. Estimating future cash flows involves judgment and includes both quantitative and qualitative factors. Such determinations incorporate various information and assessments regarding the future performance of the underlying collateral. In addition, projections of expected future cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the underlying collateral.

Management has completed a review for other-than-temporarily impaired securities at June 30, 2019 and 2018 and recorded no OTTI. As a result of the subjective nature of these estimates, however, provisions may subsequently be determined to be necessary as new facts emerge and a greater understanding of economic trends develops. Consistent with the Company’s practices, OTTI will be recorded as appropriate and as determined by the Company’s regular monitoring procedures of additional facts.

 
 
15

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 
                 
    June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018
 
                 
Debt securities   $ 1,116     $ (287 )
Deferred income taxes     (234 )     61  
 
                 
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)   $ 882     $ (226 )
 

At June 30, 2019, the Company did not own any debt securities in an unrealized loss position. At December 31, 2018, the Company owned one debt security with a fair value of $8,223 in an unrealized loss position of $521 for more than twelve months; and two debt securities with a fair value of $1,986 in an unrealized loss position of $12 for less than 12 months.

Embedded Derivatives

The Company issues single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts that contain embedded derivatives. Such embedded derivatives are separated from their host contracts and recorded at fair value. The fair value of the embedded derivatives, which are reported as part of assets on deposit and policyholder account balances in the balance sheets, were an asset of $748,164 and a liability of $748,164 as of June 30, 2019 and an asset of $524,178 and a liability of $524,178 as of December 31, 2018. The increase (decrease) in fair value related to embedded derivatives from the date of deposit was $34,023, and $171,918 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and $31,554 and $10,510 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these amounts are ceded and do not impact the unaudited condensed statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Note 4: Fair Value

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value of certain assets and liabilities and to estimate fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value but required to be disclosed at fair value. Certain financial instruments, such as insurance policy liabilities (other than investment-type contracts), are excluded from the fair value disclosure requirements.

Valuation Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value of assets and liabilities into three broad levels. The Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the degree of subjectivity inherent in the valuation technique, as follows:

 
Level 1: Inputs are directly observable and represent quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
     
 
Level 2: All significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for the asset or liability. This includes: (i) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the instruments and (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 
 
16

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

 
Level 3: One or more significant inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

For purposes of determining the fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, observable inputs are those inputs used by market participants in valuing financial instruments, which are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In some instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The hierarchy requires the use of market observable information when available for assessing fair value. The availability of observable inputs varies by investment. The Company has no Level 3 investments with unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income.

Valuation Process

The Company is responsible for the determination of fair value and the supporting assumptions and methodologies. The Company gains assurance on the overall reasonableness and consistent application of valuation methodologies and inputs and compliance with accounting standards through the execution of various processes and controls designed to provide assurance that the Company’s assets and liabilities are appropriately valued.

The Company has policies and guidelines that require the establishment of valuation methodologies and consistent application of such methodologies. These policies and guidelines govern the use of inputs and price source hierarchies and provide controls around the valuation processes. These controls include appropriate review and analysis of prices against market activity or indicators of reasonableness, approval of price source changes, price overrides, methodology changes and classification of fair value hierarchy levels. The valuation policies and guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate.

Transfers Between Levels

There were no transfers between levels during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

 
 
17

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Fair Value Measurement – Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2019.

 
                           
                           
Assets, at Fair Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
                           
Cash equivalents1   $ 30,628   $ -   $ -   $ 30,628  
Debt securities:                          

U.S. government and agencies

    -     9,013     -     9,013  

Domestic corporate securities

    -     17,211     -     17,211  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -     252     -     252  

Foreign corporate securities

    -     4,095     -     4,095  
 

Total debt securities

    -     30,571     -     30,571  
                           
Derivatives embedded in assets on deposit     -     -     748,164     748,164  
Separate account assets     -     137,135     -     137,135  
 
                           

Total assets

  $ 30,628   $ 167,706   $ 748,164   $ 946,498  
 
                           
                           
 
                           
                           
Liabilities, at Fair Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
                           
Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts   $ -   $ -   $ 748,164   $ 748,164  
 
                           

Total liabilities

  $ -   $ -   $ 748,164   $ 748,164  
 

1
Excludes cash of $1,354 that is not subject to fair value accounting.

 
 
18

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018.

 
                         
                         
Assets, at Fair Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
                         
Cash equivalents 1   $ 21,630   $ -   $ -   $ 21,630
Debt securities:                        

U.S. government and agencies

    -     8,223     -     8,223

Domestic corporate securities

    -     16,655     -     16,655

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -     653     -     653

Foreign corporate securities

    -     4,038     -     4,038
 

Total debt securities

    -     29,569     -     29,569
                         
Derivatives embedded in assets on deposit     -     -     524,178     524,178
Separate account assets     -     103,205     -     103,205
 
                         

Total assets

  $ 21,630   $ 132,774   $ 524,178   $ 678,582
 
                         
 
                         
                         
Liabilities, at Fair Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
                         
Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts   $ -   $ -   $ 524,178   $ 524,178
 
                         

Total liabilities

  $ -   $ -   $ 524,178   $ 524,178
 

1
Excludes cash of $3,282 that is not subject to fair value accounting.

The Company had no assets or liabilities that required a fair value adjustment on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

Determination of Fair Values

The Company determines the estimated fair value of its investments using primarily the market approach and the income approach. The use of quoted prices and matrix pricing or similar techniques are examples of market approaches, while the use of discounted cash flow methodologies is an example of the income approach.

A summary of valuation techniques for classes of financial assets and liabilities by fair value hierarchy level are as follows:

Level 1 Measurements

Cash equivalents: Consists of money market funds; valuation is based on the closing price as of the balance sheet date.

Level 2 Measurements

For assets classified as Level 2 investments, the Company values the assets using third-party pricing sources, which generally rely on quoted prices for similar assets in markets that are active and observable market data.

 
 
19

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

U.S. government and agencies: Certain U.S. Treasury securities and debentures issued by agencies of the U.S. government are valued based on observable inputs such as the U.S. Treasury yield curve, market indicated spreads and quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active and/or similar assets in markets that are active.

Domestic corporate securities: Valued based on observable inputs such as the U.S. Treasury yield curve, market indicated spreads by security rating and quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active and/or similar assets in markets that are active.

Residential mortgage-backed securities: Valuation is principally based on observable inputs including quoted prices for similar assets in markets that are active and observable market data.

Foreign corporate securities: Valued based on observable inputs such as the applicable, country-specific market yield curve, market indicated spreads by security rating and quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active and/or similar assets in markets that are active.

Separate account assets: Consists of mutual funds and unit investment trusts in which the contract holder could redeem its investment at net asset value per share at the measurement date with the investee.

Level 3 Measurements

Derivatives embedded in assets on deposit and annuity contracts: The Company offers single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity contracts with certain caps and floors which represent a minimum and maximum amount that could be credited to a contract during that contract year based on the performance of an external index. These embedded derivatives are measured at fair value separately from the host deposit asset and annuity contract.

In estimating the fair value of the embedded derivative, the Company attributes a present value to the embedded derivative equal to the discounted sum of the excess cash flows of the index related fund value over the minimum fund value. The current year portion of the embedded derivative is adjusted for known market conditions. The discount factor at which the embedded derivative is valued contains an adjustment for the Company’s own credit and risk margins for unobservable non-capital market inputs. The Company’s own credit adjustment is determined taking into consideration publicly available information relating to the Company’s debt as well as its claims paying ability.

These derivatives may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Changes in market conditions include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, default rates and market volatility. Changes in fair value may be impacted by changes in the Company’s own credit standing. Lastly, changes in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior (such as full or partial withdrawals varying from expectations) and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs may result in significant fluctuations in the fair value of the derivatives. See Embedded Derivatives within Note 3, Investments for the impact to net income.

 
 
20

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table presents information about significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 embedded derivative liabilities and related assets on deposit measured at fair value developed by internal models as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 
             
        Range of Values and
Predominant   Significant   Weighted Average - Unobservable Input
Valuation Method   Unobservable Input   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018
 
             
Single premium deferred index annuities
 

Discounted cash flow

  Lapse rates   Range of 2% to 4% with an excess lapse rate at the end of index period of 50% or 95%. Weighted average is 4.8%   Range of 2% to 4% with an excess lapse rate at the end of index period of 50% or 95%. Weighted average is 3.7%
             
     
    Company’s
own credit
and risk margin
  Range of 85 - 101 basis points added on to discount rate. Weighted average is 94 basis points   Range of 51 - 113 basis points added on to discount rate. Weighted average is 80 basis points
             
 
             
Flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuities
 

Discounted cash flow

  Lapse rates   Range of 2% to 10% with an excess lapse rate at the end of index period of 5% to 20%. Weighted average is 2.6%   Range of 2% to 10% with an excess lapse rate at the of index period of 5% to 20%. Weighted average is 2.6%
             
     
    Company’s
own credit
and risk margin
  Range of 85 - 101 basis points added on to discount rate. Weighted average is 94 basis points   Range of 51 - 113 basis points added on to discount rate. Weighted average is 80 basis points
             
 

 
 
21

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurement

The following table sets forth the values of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy at June 30, 2019.

 
                                         
            Total Realized/Unrealized          
            Gain (Loss) Included in:          
                     
    Balance                           Balance
    January 1,                           June 30,
    2019   Purchases   Maturities   Earnings1   2019
 
                                         
Derivatives embedded                                        

in assets on deposit

  $ 524,178     $ 59,504     $ (7,438 )   $ 171,920     $ 748,164  
 
                                         
Total assets   $ 524,178     $ 59,504     $ (7,438 )   $ 171,920     $ 748,164  
 
                                         
Derivatives embedded                                        

in annuity contracts

  $ 524,178     $ 59,504     $ (7,438 )   $ 171,920     $ 748,164  
 
                                         
Total liabilities   $ 524,178     $ 59,504     $ (7,438 )   $ 171,920     $ 748,164  
 

1
Included in net income is realized gains and losses associated with embedded derivatives.

The following table sets forth the values of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2018.

 
                                         
            Total Realized/Unrealized          
            Gain (Loss) Included in:          
                   
    Balance                           Balance
    January 1,                           December 31,
    2018   Purchases   Maturities   Earnings1   2018
 
                                         
Derivatives embedded                                        

in assets on deposit

  $ 471,192     $ 109,477     $ (11,390 )   $ (45,101 )   $ 524,178  
 
                                         
Total assets   $ 471,192     $ 109,477     $ (11,390 )   $ (45,101 )   $ 524,178  
 
                                         
Derivatives embedded                                        

in annuity contracts

  $ 471,192     $ 109,477     $ (11,390 )   $ (45,101 )   $ 524,178  
 
                                         
Total liabilities   $ 471,192     $ 109,477     $ (11,390 )   $ (45,101 )   $ 524,178  
 

1 Included in net income is realized gains and losses associated with embedded derivatives.

 
 
22

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Fair Value Measurements for Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value

Accounting standards require disclosure of fair value information about certain on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments which are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value disclosures for significant financial instruments:

Level 1 Measurements

Cash: The carrying amount for this instrument approximates its fair value due to its short term nature and is based on observable inputs.

Level 2 Measurements

Assets on deposit and Investment-type contracts: Assets on deposit and investment-type contracts include single premium deferred annuity and the risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable annuity contracts, excluding the related embedded derivative. In most cases, the fair values are determined by discounting expected liability cash flows and required profit margins using the year-end swap curve plus a spread equivalent to a cost of funds for insurance companies based on observable inputs.

Separate account liabilities: Separate account liabilities represent the account value owed to the contract holder, which is equal to the segregated assets carried at fair value.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 
                                       
    June 30, 2019         December 31, 2018        
    Carrying   Estimated         Carrying   Estimated        
    Amount   Fair Value   Level   Amount   Fair Value   Level  
 
                                       
Financial instruments                                      

recorded as assets:

                                     

Cash

  $ 1,354   $ 1,354     1   $ 3,282   $ 3,282     1  

Assets on deposit

    2,958,870     2,732,670     2     2,613,918     2,303,358     2  
Financial instruments                                      

recorded as liabilities:

                                     

Investment-type contracts

    2,958,870     2,732,670     2     2,613,918     2,303,358     2  

Separate account liabilities

    137,135     137,135     2     103,205     103,205     2  
 

Note 5: Income Tax

The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return filed by CMHC, the Company’s ultimate parent. The Company has entered into a tax sharing agreement with CMHC and its subsidiaries. The agreement provides for the allocation of tax expense based on each subsidiary’s contribution to the consolidated federal income tax liability. Pursuant to the agreement, subsidiaries that have incurred losses are reimbursed regardless of the utilization of the loss in the current year. Federal income taxes recoverable from affiliate reported on the balance sheet are due from CMFG Life.

 
 
23

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Reconciliation to U.S. Tax Rate

Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for 2019 and 2018 to income before income taxes due to the items listed in the following reconciliation:

 
                                                                 
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,
    2019   2018   2019   2018
     
    Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate
 
                                                                 
Tax expense computed at                                                                

federal corporate tax rate

  $ 75       21.0 %   $ 31       21.0 %   $ 149       21.0 %   $ 58       21.0 %
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                                

related to prior years

    (79 )     (22.1 )     (34 )     (23.1 )     (79 )     (11.1 )     (125 )     (45.4 )
Dividends-received deduction     (15 )     (4.1 )     (8 )     (5.5 )     (29 )     (4.2 )     (16 )     (5.9 )
Other     (3 )     (0.9 )     (2 )     (0.6 )     (6 )     (0.8 )     (3 )     (0.6 )
 
                                                                 
Total income tax expense (benefit)   $ (22 )     (6.1 %)   $ (13 )     (8.2 %)   $ 35       4.9 %   $ (86 )     (30.9 %)
 

Tax Reform

The Tax Cuts and Job Acts (the “Tax Act”) made changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018.

The Company completed its initial evaluation of the impacts of the Tax Act and recorded a net tax expense of $49 for the year ended December 31, 2017 due to the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Company’s accounting for the impact of the Tax Act was completed in 2018 with no material changes to the amount recorded at December 31, 2017.

Note 6: Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, there are various transactions between the Company and other related entities. In certain circumstances, expenses such as those related to sales and marketing, administrative, operations, other support and infrastructure costs are shared between the companies. Expenses incurred that are specifically identifiable with a particular company are borne by that company; other expenses are allocated among the companies on the basis of time and usage studies. Amounts due from transactions with affiliates are generally settled monthly. The Company reimbursed CMFG Life $8,758 and $17,659 for these expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively and $7,376 and $14,347 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively; which are included in operating and other expenses.

 
 
24

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Amounts receivable/payable from/to affiliates are shown in the following table:

 
               
    June 30,   December 31,  
    2019   2018  
 
               
Receivable from:              

CMFG Life

  $ -   $ 5,001  

Other

    -     26  
 
               

Total

  $ -   $ 5,027  
 
               
Payable to:              

CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc.

  $ 2,676   $ 2,948  

CMFG Life

    740     -  

Other

    145     58  
 
               

Total

  $ 3,561   $ 3,006  
 

Amounts receivable from CMFG Life at December 31, 2018 are primarily for a policyholder’s purchase of an MLIC annuity when a CMFG Life policyholder has surrendered their policy for the purchase of a single premium deferred index annuity or flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity and for the cession of death claims related to the Company’s single premium deferred index annuity or flexible premium variable index linked deferred annuity.

The Company hires MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCA”) for investment advisory services. MCA, which is 100% owned by CMIC, manages substantially all of the Company’s invested assets in accordance with policies, directives and guidelines established by the Company. The Company recorded MCA investment management fees totaling $13 and $25 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. The Company recorded MCA investment management fees totaling $4 and $9 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The MCA investment management fees are included as a reduction to net investment income.

The Company utilizes CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., which is 100% owned by CMIC, to distribute its single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity. The recorded commission expense for this service was $8,559 and $15,925 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and $7,491 and $14,360 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, These commission expenses are included in operating and other expenses. This expense is entirely offset by commission income the Company receives from CMFG Life as part of the 2013 and 2015 reinsurance agreements.

See Note 7 regarding reinsurance and other agreements entered into by the Company and CMFG Life.

Note 7: Reinsurance

The Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with its affiliate, CMFG Life, on a coinsurance basis to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its single premium deferred modified guaranteed index annuity contract, which are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. The agreement is pending regulatory review as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements. The Company does not have any assets on deposit and related liabilities or separate account assets and liabilities for the contracts as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company receives a commission equal to 100% of its actual expenses incurred for this business, which was $220 and $410 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. There were no expenses incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

 
 
25

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with its affiliate, CMFG Life, on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity, which are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. On October 15, 2018, the Company amended its reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life to include a new flexible premium deferred variable and index linked annuity offering by the Company and will continue to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuities. The Company had $460,458 and $337,755 of assets on deposit for these contracts as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company had related liabilities of $460,458 and $337,755 as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, which are included in policyholder account balances in the balance sheets. The Company had separate account assets and liabilities for these contracts of $137,135 and $137,135 and $103,205 and $103,205, respectively, as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The Company receives a commission equal to 100% of its actual expenses incurred for this business, which was $5,906 and $11,092 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and $4,738 and $8,407 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

The Company entered into another agreement with its affiliate, CMFG Life, to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its single premium deferred index annuity, which are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. The Company had $3,246,576 and $2,800,341 of assets on deposit for these contracts as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company had related liabilities of $3,246,576 and $2,800,341, respectively which are included in policyholder account balances in the balance sheets. The Company receives a commission equal to 100% of its actual expenses incurred for this business, which was $14,284 and $27,611 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and $12,296 and $23,775 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

The Company cedes 100% of its insurance policies in force to CMFG Life and is reimbursed 100% for expenses incurred in the provision of policyholder and benefit payments services, and insurance taxes and charges going forward.

MLIC did not have any other reinsurance agreements at June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018 and the entire reinsurance recoverable balance of $24,200 and $24,034, respectively, was due from CMFG Life. The recoverable balances are not collateralized and the Company retains the risk of loss in the event CMFG Life is unable to meet its obligations assumed under the reinsurance agreements. MLIC believes the risk of non-collection is remote due to CMFG Life’s stable financial strength ratings of A from A.M. Best Company and S&P Global Ratings and A2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service.

 
 
26

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The effects of reinsurance on contract charges, interest credited to policyholder accounts, premiums and on claims, benefits, and losses incurred for the three months and six months ended June 30 are as follows:

 
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2019   2018   2019   2018
 
                                 
Premiums:                                

Direct - written

  $ 670     $ 1,125     $ 2,128     $ 1,737  

Direct - change in unearned

    7       14       (3 )     (3 )
 

Direct - earned

    677       1,139       2,125       1,734  
 
                                 

Ceded to affiliate - written

    (670 )     (1,125 )     (2,128 )     (1,737 )

Ceded to affiliate - change in unearned

    (7 )     (14 )     3       3  
 

Ceded to affiliate - earned

    (677 )     (1,139 )     (2,125 )     (1,734 )
 
                                 
Premiums - written, net     -       -       -       -  
Premiums - change in unearned, net     -       -       -       -  
 
                                 
Premiums, net   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
                                 
Contract charges:                                

Direct

  $ 2,656     $ 1,856     $ 5,097     $ 3,334  

Ceded to affiliate

    (2,656 )     (1,856 )     (5,097 )     (3,334 )
 
                                 
Contract charges, net   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
                                 
Claims, benefits and losses incurred:                                

Direct

  $ (100 )   $ 788     $ 1,783     $ 1,432  

Ceded to affiliate

    100       (787 )     (1,783 )     (1,431 )
 
                                 
Claims, benefits and losses, net   $ -     $ 1     $ -     $ 1  
 
                                 
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:                                

Direct

  $ 13,878     $ 10,401     $ 26,826     $ 19,838  

Ceded to affiliate

    (13,858 )     (10,406 )     (26,792 )     (19,853 )
 
                                 
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net   $ 20     $ (5 )   $ 34     $ (15 )
 

 
 
27

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 8: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

 
                 
            Accumulated
    Unrealized   Other
    Investment   Comprehensive
    Gains (Loss)   Income (Loss)
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2018     (281 )     (281 )

Change in unrealized holding (losses),

               

net of tax (benefit) - ($10)

    (37 )     (37 )
 
                 
Balance, June 30, 2018   $ (318 )   $ (318 )
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2019     307       307  

Change in unrealized holding gains,

               

net of tax expense - $153

    575       575  
 
                 
Balance, June 30, 2019   $ 882     $ 882  
 

 
                 
            Accumulated
    Unrealized   Other
    Investment   Comprehensive
    Gains (Loss)   Income (Loss)
 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2017   $ 11     $ 11  

Change in unrealized holding (losses),

               

net of tax (benefit) - ($88)

    (332 )     (332 )

Cumulative effect of reclassification for stranded tax effects

    3       3  
 
                 
Balance, June 30, 2018   $ (318 )   $ (318 )
 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2018   $ (226 )   $ (226 )

Change in unrealized holding gains,

               

net of tax expense - $295

    1,108       1,108  
 
                 
Balance, June 30, 2019   $ 882     $ 882  
 

Reclassification Adjustments

Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) includes amounts related to unrealized investment gains (losses) which were reclassified to net income. Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 was ($8), net of deferred taxes of $2. There were no reclassification adjustments for the three or six months ended June 30, 2018.

 
 
28

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 9: Business Segment Information

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 
                         
      Life and                  
Three months ended or as of June 30, 2019     Health     Annuities     Total  
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Net investment income

  $ 433     $ -     $ 433  

Net realized investment gains

    17       -       17  

Other income

    7       -       7  
 
                         
Total revenues     457       -       457  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    -       -       -  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    -       20       20  

Operating and other expenses

    80       -       80  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     80       20       100  
 
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes     377       (20 )     357  
                         

Income tax (benefit)

    (18 )     (4 )     (22 )
 
                         
Net income (loss)     395       (16 )     379  
                         

Change in unrealized gains, net of tax expense

    575       -       575  
 
                         
Other comprehensive income     575       -       575  
 
                         
Total comprehensive income (loss)   $ 970     $ (16 )   $ 954  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 24,200     $ -     $ 24,200  
Assets on deposit     -       3,707,034       3,707,034  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     18,101       5,625       23,726  
Policyholder account balances     2,893       3,709,224       3,712,117  
Separate account assets and liabilities     -       137,135       137,135  
 

 
 
29

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 
                         
      Life and                  
Six months ended or as of June 30, 2019     Health     Annuities     Total  
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Net investment income

  $ 839     $ -     $ 839  

Net realized investment gains

    17       -       17  

Other income

    13       -       13  
 
                         
Total revenues     869       -       869  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    -       -       -  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

    -       34       34  

Operating and other expenses

    126       -       126  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     126       34       160  
 
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes     743       (34 )     709  
                         

Income tax expense (benefit)

    42       (7 )     35  
 
                         
Net income (loss)     701       (27 )     674  
                         

Change in unrealized gains, net of tax expense

    1,108       -       1,108  
 
                         
Other comprehensive income     1,108       -       1,108  
 
                         
Total comprehensive income (loss)   $ 1,809     $ (27 )   $ 1,782  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 24,200     $ -     $ 24,200  
Assets on deposit     -       3,707,034       3,707,034  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     18,101       5,625       23,726  
Policyholder account balances     2,893       3,709,224       3,712,117  
Separate account asset and liabilities     -       137,135       137,135  
 

 
 
30

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

 
                         
      Life and                  
Three months ended or as of June 30, 2018     Health     Annuities     Total  
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Net investment income

  $ 170     $ -     $ 170  

Other income

    4       -       4  
 
                         
Total revenues     174       -       174  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    1       -       1  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

    -       (5 )     (5 )

Operating and other expenses

    30       -       30  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     31       (5 )     26  
 
                         
Income before income taxes     143       5       148  
                         

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (14 )     1       (13 )
 
                         
Net income     157       4       161  
                         

Change in unrealized (losses), net of tax (benefit)

    (37 )     -       (37 )
 
                         
Other comprehensive (loss)     (37 )     -       (37 )
 
                         
Total comprehensive income   $ 120     $ 4     $ 124  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 23,514     $ -     $ 23,514  
Assets on deposit     -       2,797,693       2,797,693  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     18,824       5,783       24,607  
Policyholder account balances     3,906       2,797,693       2,801,599  
Separate account assets and liabilities     -       91,086       91,086  
 

 
 
31

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

 
                         
      Life and                  
Six months ended or as of June 30, 2018     Health     Annuities     Total  
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Net investment income

  $ 310     $ -     $ 310  

Other income

    7       -       7  
 
                         
Total revenues     317       -       317  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    1       -       1  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

    -       (15 )     (15 )

Operating and other expenses

    55       -       55  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     56       (15 )     41  
 
                         
Income before income taxes     261       15       276  
                         

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (89 )     3       (86 )
 
                         
Net income     350       12       362  
                         

Change in unrealized (losses), net of tax

    (332 )     -       (332 )
 
                         
Other comprehensive (loss)     (332 )     -       (332 )
 
                         
Total comprehensive income   $ 18     $ 12     $ 30  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 23,514     $ -     $ 23,514  
Assets on deposit     -       2,797,693       2,797,693  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     18,824       5,783       24,607  
Policyholder account balances     3,906       2,797,693       2,801,599  
Separate account assets and liabilities     -       91,086       91,086  
 

 
 
32

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements, Unaudited
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 10: Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

Like other members of the insurance industry, the Company is occasionally a party to lawsuits and other types of proceedings, some of which may involve claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts. These actions are based on a variety of issues and involve a range of the Company’s practices. The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations and to support financial reporting.

In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution and changes in business practices. The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding. In the opinion of management, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from all such pending actions will not materially affect the financial statements of the Company.

Note 11: Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. During this period, there were no subsequent events that required adjustment to or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements.

 
 
33

MEMBERS Life Insurance Company

Financial Statements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
and for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2018
and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


Index to
Financial Statements of
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
 
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   1
     
Balance Sheets   2
     
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)   3
     
Statements of Stockholder’s Equity   4
     
Statements of Cash Flows   5
     
Notes to Financial Statements    
     
Note 1—Nature of Business
  6
     
Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
  6
     
Note 3—Investments, Debt Securities
  13
     
Note 3—Investments, Net Investment Income
  14
     
Note 3—Investments, Net Realized Investment Gains
  14
     
Note 3—Investments, Other-Than-Temporary Investment Impairments
  14
     
Note 3—Investments, Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
  16
     
Note 3—Investments, Embedded Derivatives
  16
     
Note 3—Investments, Assets Designated /Securities on Deposit
  16
     
Note 4—Fair Value
  17
     
Note 5—Income Tax
  23
     
Note 6—Related Party Transactions
  26
     
Note 7—Reinsurance
  27
     
Note 8—Statutory Financial Data and Dividend Restrictions
  29
     
Note 9—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
  30
     
Note 10—Business Segment Information
  31
     
Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies
  34
     
Note 12—Subsequent Events
  34

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholder’s equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Emphasis of a Matter

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, results of the Company may not be indicative of those of a stand-alone entity, as the Company is a member of a controlled group of affiliated companies. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 4, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.


 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Balance Sheets
December 31, 2018 and 2017
($ in 000s)
 
 

Assets   2018     2017
 
Investments              
Debt securities, available for sale, at fair value
             
(amortized cost 2018- $29,856; 2017 - $10,650)
  $ 29,569     $ 10,667
 
Total investments     29,569       10,667
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    24,912       18,440
Accrued investment income
    304       113
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate
    24,034       23,973
Assets on deposit
    3,138,096       2,453,033
Premiums receivable, net
    13       12
Net deferred tax asset
    375       74
Receivable from affiliate
    5,027       8,492
Other assets and receivables
    819       137
Federal income taxes recoverable from affiliate
    2,889       2,471
Separate account assets
    103,205       69,005
 
               
Total assets   $ 3,329,243     $ 2,586,417
 
               
               
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity              
 
Liabilities              
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health
  $ 26,836     $ 23,052
Policyholder account balances
    3,142,077       2,456,634
Payables to affiliates
    3,006       2,771
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    14,199       16,257
Separate account liabilities
    103,205       69,005
 
               
Total liabilities     3,289,323       2,567,719
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)              
               
Stockholder’s equity              
Common stock, $5 par value, authorized 1,000 shares;
             
issued and outstanding 1,000 shares
    5,000       5,000
Additional paid in capital
    31,153       10,500
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of
             
tax expense (benefit) (2018 - ($61); 2017 - $6)
    (226 )     11
Retained earnings
    3,993       3,187
 
               
Total stockholder’s equity     39,920       18,698
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity   $ 3,329,243     $ 2,586,417
 

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.   2

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
($ in 000s)
 
 

    2018     2017     2016  
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         
Life and health premiums, net
  $     $     $ (21 )
Net investment income
    762       517       376  
Net realized investment (losses)
    (17 )            
Other income
    18       3,996       3,415  
 
                         
Total revenues     763       4,513       3,770  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         
Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net
          2       (1 )
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net
    (15 )            
Operating and other expenses
    151       1,709       1,049  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     136       1,711       1,048  
 
                         
Income before income taxes     627       2,802       2,722  
                         
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (182 )     723       887  
 
                         
Net income     809       2,079       1,835  
 
                         
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax expense
                       
(benefit) (2018 - ($50); 2017 - $181; 2016 - ($53))
    (188 )     334       (98 )
Reclassification adjustment for (gains)
                       
included in net income, net of tax (benefit) (2018 - ($14))
    (52 )            
 
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)     (240 )     334       (98 )
 
                         
Total comprehensive income   $ 569     $ 2,413     $ 1,737  
 

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.   3

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
($ in 000s)
 
 

                        Accumulated                      
              Additional       other                 Total  
    Common       paid in       comprehensive       Retained       stockholder’s  
    stock       capital       income (loss)       earnings       equity  
 
Balance, January 1, 2016   $ 5,000       $ 10,500       $ (225 )     $ 6,273       $ 21,548  
                                                 
Net income
                            1,835         1,835  
Other comprehensive (loss)
                    (98 )               (98 )
 
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2016     5,000         10,500         (323 )       8,108         23,285  
                                                 
Net income
                            2,079         2,079  
Other comprehensive income
                    334                 334  
Dividend to parent
                            (7,000 )       (7,000 )
 
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2017     5,000         10,500         11         3,187         18,698  
                                                 
Net income
                            809         809  
Other comprehensive (loss)
                    (240 )               (240 )
Capital contribution
            20,653                         20,653  
Cumulative effect of reclassification
                                             
for stranded tax effects
                    3         (3 )        
 
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2018   $ 5,000       $ 31,153       $ (226 )     $ 3,993       $ 39,920  
 

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.   4

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
($ in 000s)
 
 

    2018       2017       2016  
 
                             
Cash flows from operating activities:                            
Net income
  $ 809       $ 2,079       $ 1,835  
Adjustments to reconcile net income
                           
to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                           
Net realized investment losses
    17                  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    (15 )                
Deferred income taxes
    (262 )       241         240  
Amortization of bond premium and discount
    15         19         33  
Amortization and write off of deferred charges
    16         20         23  
Changes in other assets and liabilities
                           
Accrued investment income
    (20 )       3         18  
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate
    (333 )       (590 )       752  
Premiums receivable
    (1 )       3         11  
Receivable from affiliate and other assets
    2,767         3,228         (6,423 )
Federal income taxes recoverable from affiliate
    (418 )       (835 )       (1,121 )
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health
    3,784         1,546         (720 )
Payables to affiliates and other liabilities
    (1,821 )       59         5,311  
 
                             
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     4,538         5,773         (41 )
 
                             
Cash flows from investing activities:                            
Proceeds on sale or maturity of debt securities
    1,268         367         1,628  
 
                             
Net cash provided by investing activities     1,268         367         1,628  
 
                             
Cash flows from financing activities:                            
Dividend to parent
            (7,000 )        
Policyholder account deposits
    781,815         719,883         634,345  
Policyholder account withdrawals
    (88,266 )       (50,481 )       (31,206 )
Assets on deposit - deposits
    (780,777 )       (718,797 )       (634,039 )
Assets on deposit - withdrawals
    87,895         49,964         30,951  
Change in bank overdrafts
    (1 )       (1 )       1  
 
                             
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     666         (6,432 )       52  
 
                             
Change in cash and cash equivalents     6,472         (292 )       1,639  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     18,440         18,732         17,093  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year   $ 24,912       $ 18,440       $ 18,732  
 
                             
Supplemental disclosure of cash information:                            
Net cash paid to affiliate for income taxes
  $ 498       $ 1,316       $ 1,768  
Non cash receipt of securities as capital contribution from parent
    20,653                  
 

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.   5

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 1: Nature of Business

MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (“MLIC” or the “Company”) is a life and health insurance stock company organized under the laws of Iowa and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CUNA Mutual Investment Corporation (“CMIC”). CMIC is organized under the laws of Wisconsin and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CMFG Life Insurance Company (“CMFG Life”), an Iowa life insurance company. CMFG Life and its affiliated companies primarily sell insurance and other products to credit unions and their members. The Company’s ultimate parent is CUNA Mutual Holding Company (“CMHC”), a mutual insurance holding company organized under the laws of Iowa. MLIC began selling flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts in 2016 and single premium deferred index annuity contracts in 2013. Both products are sold to consumers, including credit union members, through the face-to-face distribution channel. Prior to 2013, MLIC did not actively market new business; it primarily serviced existing blocks of individual and group life policies. See Note 7, Reinsurance, for information on the Company’s reinsurance agreements.

MLIC is authorized to sell life, health and annuity policies in all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia, except New York. The following table identifies states with premiums greater than 5% of total direct premium and states with deposits on annuity contracts greater than 5% of total deposits:

 
                                    Deposits on
      Direct Life and Health Premium         Annuity Contracts
 
      2018       2017       2016       2018       2017       2016
 
Michigan     62 %       62 %       63 %       7 %       9 %       6 %
Texas     24         24         23         *         5         8  
California     5         5         6         *         6         7  
Pennsylvania     *         *         *         8         8         6  
Iowa     *         *         *         6         7         6  
Florida     *         *         *         6         *         *  
Indiana     *         *         *         5         6         7  
Wisconsin     *         *         *         5         6         6  
Washington     *         *         *         *         *         5  
 
*Less than 5%.

No other state represents more than 5% of the Company’s premiums or deposits for any year in the three years ended December 31, 2018.

As discussed in Note 6, CMFG Life provides significant services required in the conduct of the Company’s operations. Management believes allocations of expenses are reasonable, but the results of the Company’s operations may have materially differed from the results reflected in the accompanying financial statements if the Company did not have this relationship.

Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 
6

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and in some cases the difference could be material. Investment valuations, embedded derivatives, deferred tax asset valuation reserves, and claim and policy benefit reserves are most affected by the use of estimates and assumptions.

Segment Reporting

The Company is currently managed as two reportable business segments, (1) life and health and (2) annuities. The Company’s life and health segment includes individual and group life policies that the Company no longer actively markets. The annuities segment includes its single premium deferred index annuity contracts and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts. See Note 7, Reinsurance, for information on the Company’s reinsurance agreements, which impact the financial statement presentation of these segments.

Investments

Debt securities: Investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. A debt security is considered other-than-temporarily impaired when the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis and its value is not expected to recover through the Company’s anticipated holding period of the security. If a credit loss exists, but the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, it is required to bifurcate the impairment into the loss that is attributable to credit and non-credit related components. The credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows and amortized cost. Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized in net realized investment gains, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive loss. If the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before anticipated recovery in value, the Company records a realized loss equal to the difference between the amortized cost and fair value. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired security becomes its new cost basis. In determining whether an unrealized loss is expected to be other than temporary, the Company considers, among other factors, any plans to sell the security, the severity of impairment, financial position of the issuer, recent events affecting the issuer’s business and industry sector, credit ratings, and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the investment until the fair value has recovered at least its cost basis.

Unrealized gains and losses on investments in debt securities, net of deferred federal income taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholder’s equity.

Policy loans: The Company allocated $1,367 and $1,540 of policy loans to CMFG Life as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as payment pursuant to a life reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life (See Note 7). As a result of the 2015 amendment, all policy loans are allocated to CMFG Life.

Net investment income: Interest income related to mortgage-backed and other structured securities is recognized on an accrual basis using a constant effective yield method, based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments and such adjustments are reflected in net investment income. Prepayment assumptions for loan-backed bonds and structured securities are based on industry averages or internal estimates. Interest income related to non-structured securities is recognized on an accrual basis using a constant effective yield method. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are amortized over the estimated lives of the respective securities on an effective yield basis.

Net realized gains and losses: Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on a specific identification basis and are recorded on the trade date.

 
7

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Assets on Deposit

Assets on deposit represent the amount of policyholder account balances related to reinsurance of the single premium deferred index annuity and risk control accounts of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts (investment-type contracts) that are ceded to CMFG Life. Assets on deposit are accounted for on a basis consistent with accounting for the underlying investment type contracts; therefore, the Company accounts for the reinsurance of these contracts using the deposit method of accounting consistent with the terms of the reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life. The related contract charges and interest credited to policyholder account balances in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the amounts ceded under the agreement. See Note 7 for a further discussion of the ceding agreement.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company issues single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts that contain embedded derivatives. Derivatives embedded within non-derivative host contracts are separated from the host instrument when the embedded derivative is not clearly and closely related to the host instrument. Such embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value, and they are reported as part of assets on deposit and policyholder account balances in the balance sheets, with the change in the value being recorded in net realized investment (losses). See Note 3, Investments-Embedded Derivatives for additional information.

Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative in assets on deposit offset changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative in policyholder account balances; both of these changes are included in net realized investment gains and are ceded as part of the ceding and reinsurance agreements. Accretion of the interest on assets on deposit offsets accretion of the interest on the host contract; both of these amounts are included in interest credited on policyholder account balances and are ceded as part of the ceding and reinsurance agreements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted deposits in financial institutions with maturities of 90 days or less. The Company recognizes a liability in accounts payable and other liabilities for the amount of checks issued in excess of its current cash balance. The change in this overdraft amount is recognized as a financing activity in the Company’s statement of cash flows.

Variable Interest Entities

A variable interest entity (“VIE”) is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in the gains and losses of the entity. Consolidation of a VIE by its primary beneficiary is not based on majority voting interest, but is based on a review of the VIE’s capital structure, contractual relationships and terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose, nature of the VIE’s interests issued and the Company’s involvement with the entity. When assessing the need to consolidate a VIE, the Company evaluates the design of the VIE as well as the related exposure to the variable interest holders.

The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. While also considering these factors, the consolidation conclusion depends on the breadth of the Company’s decision-making ability and the Company’s ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE.

Unconsolidated VIEs:  The Company invests in residential mortgage-backed securities which are classified as VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and, therefore, these VIEs were not consolidated on

 
8

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

the Company’s balance sheets. The Company invests in these securities with the primary purpose of earning capital appreciation. The maximum exposure to loss relating to these securities is equal to the carrying amount of the security. The values of these investments are disclosed in the Debt Securities section of Note 3.

Recognition of Insurance Revenue and Related Benefits

Term-life and whole-life insurance premiums are recognized as premium income when due. Policy benefits for these products are recognized in relation to the premiums so as to result in the recognition of profits over the expected lives of the policies and contracts.

Policies not subject to significant mortality or longevity risk, such as the Company’s single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts, are considered investment-type contracts. Amounts collected on these products, with the exception of the variable annuity component of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity, are recorded as increases in policyholder account balances. The variable annuity component of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity meets criteria for separate account reporting and therefore is recorded in separate account assets and liabilities. Revenues from investment-type contracts principally consist of net investment income and contract charges such as expense and surrender charges. Expenses for investment-type contracts consist of interest credited to contracts, benefits incurred in excess of related policyholder account balances and policy maintenance costs. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these revenues and expenses are ceded and do not impact the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on this agreement.

Other Income / Operating and Other Expenses

Other income in 2018 represents advisory fees based on a percentage of assets under management. Other income in 2017 and 2016 includes legal settlements received on structured security investments that had previously been sold. Operating and other expenses in 2017 and 2016 include legal expenses related to settlements received. There were no legal settlements in 2018.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring insurance business that are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal business are deferred to the extent that such costs are expected to be recoverable from future profits. Such costs principally include commissions and sales costs, premium taxes, and certain policy issuance and underwriting costs. Costs deferred on term-life and whole-life insurance products, deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”), are amortized in proportion to the ratio of the annual premium to the total anticipated premiums generated. Due to the age of the life insurance policies, all DAC has been fully amortized as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and there was no amortization expense in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

Acquisition costs on the Company’s single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts are reimbursed through a ceding commission by CMFG Life, which assumes all deferrable costs as part of its agreement to assume 100% of this business from the Company. See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on this agreement.

Claim and Policy Benefits Reserves – Life and Health

Life and health claim and policy benefit reserves consist principally of future policy benefit reserves and reserves for estimates of future payments on incurred claims reported but not yet paid and unreported incurred claims. Estimates for future payments on incurred claims are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions based on past experience adjusted for current trends. Any change in the probable ultimate liabilities is reflected in net income in the period in which the change is determined.

 
9

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

When actual experience indicates that existing contract liabilities, together with the present value of future gross premiums will not be sufficient to recover the present value of future benefits or recover unamortized deferred acquisition costs, a premium deficiency will be recognized by either a reduction in unamortized acquisition costs or an increase in the liability for future benefits. There was no premium deficiency in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

Additionally, the liability for future policy benefits may not be deficient in the aggregate to trigger a premium deficiency, but the pattern of earnings may be such that profits are expected to be recognized in early years followed by losses in later years. In those situations, the liability for future benefits will be increased to offset losses that would be recognized in later years. The Company recorded a liability of $138 as of December 31, 2018 for the profits that are expected to be followed by losses in the future. There was no liability recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Policyholder Account Balances

The single premium deferred index annuities and risk control accounts of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuities are included in policyholder account balances. These products have two risk control accounts, referred to as the Secure and Growth Accounts; the Secure Account has a yearly credited interest rate floor of 0% and the yearly Growth Account floor is -10%. The Secure and Growth Accounts both have credited interest rate caps that vary based on the issuance date of the contract. Interest is credited at the end of each contract year during the selected index term based on the allocation between risk control accounts and the performance of an external index (reference index) during that contract year. For the single premium deferred index annuity, the Company offers one reference index, which is the S&P 500 Index. For the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity, the Company offers two reference indices, which are the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI EAFE Index. Policyholders are able to allocate funds in both the Secure and Growth Accounts for the available indices. At the end of the initial index term, only the Secure Account is available as an option to the policyholder. The average annualized credited rate for the single premium deferred index annuity was 1.50%, 1.44% and 1.63% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The average annualized credited rate for the risk control accounts of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity was 1.20%, 1.59% and 1.12% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company recognizes a liability at the stated account value for policyholder deposits that are not subject to significant policyholder mortality or longevity risk and for universal life-type policies. The account value equals the sum of the original deposit and accumulated interest, less any withdrawals and expense charges. The average credited rate was 4.5% in 2018, 2017 and 2016. The future minimum guaranteed interest rate during the life of the contracts is 4.5%.

Accounts Payable and Other Liabilities

The Company issues the single premium deferred index annuity contracts on the 10th and 25th of each month. The Company recognizes a liability on contracts for which it has received cash, but has not issued a contract.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance premiums, claims and benefits, commission expense reimbursements, and reserves related to reinsured business ceded are accounted for on a basis consistent with the accounting for the underlying direct policies that have been ceded and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums and insurance claims and benefits in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) are reported net of the amounts ceded to other companies under such reinsurance contracts. Ceded insurance reserves and ceded benefits paid are included in reinsurance recoverables along with certain ceded policyholder account balances, which include mortality risk. A prepaid reinsurance asset is also recorded for the portion of unearned premiums related to ceded policies.

 
10

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Separate Accounts

Separate accounts represent customer accounts related to the variable annuity component of the flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts issued by the Company, where investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to the contract holders who bear the investment risk.

Contract holders are able to invest in investment funds managed for their benefit. All of the separate account assets are invested in unit investment trusts that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as of December 31, 2018.

Separate account assets are legally segregated and may only be used to settle separate account liabilities. Separate account assets are carried at fair value, which is based on daily quoted net asset values at which the Company could transact on behalf of the contract holder. Separate account liabilities are equal to the separate account assets and represent contract holders’ claims to the related assets. Contract holder deposits to and withdrawals from the separate accounts are recorded directly to the separate account assets and liabilities and are not included in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Charges made by the Company to the contract holders’ balances include fees for maintenance, administration, cost of insurance, and surrenders of contracts prior to the contractually specified dates. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these revenues are ceded and do not impact the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). See Note 7, Reinsurance for additional information on this agreement.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes taxes payable or refundable and deferred taxes for the tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured by applying the enacted tax rates to the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company records current tax benefits and deferred tax assets utilizing a benefits-forloss approach. Under this approach, current benefits are realized and deferred tax assets are considered realizable by the Company when realized or realizable by the consolidated group of which the Company is a member even if the benefits would not be realized on a stand-alone basis. The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it determines it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized by the consolidated group. Deferred income tax assets can be realized through future earnings, including, but not limited to, the generation of future income, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies.

The Company is subject to tax-related audits. These audits may result in additional tax assets or liabilities. In establishing tax liabilities, the Company determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Tax positions that do not meet the more likely than not standard are not recognized. Tax positions that meet this standard are recognized in the financial statements within net deferred tax assets or liabilities or federal income taxes recoverable or payable.

As a result of the comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was enacted by the U.S. federal government on December 22, 2017, the Company remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 22, 2017 and included the results of remeasurement in its December 31, 2017 financial results. The impact of the remeasurement and further discussion on the Tax Act are disclosed in the Tax Reform section of Note 5, Income Tax.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standard Updates

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), effective in 2018. The Company elected to adopt ASU 2018-02 in 2018. The new guidance

 
11

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

permits reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for “stranded tax effects” as defined in ASU 2018-02. Stranded tax effects occur when a change in enacted tax rates is recorded in income from continuing operations, even in situations in which the related income tax effects were originally recognized in AOCI, rather than in income from continuing operations. Companies may elect to make the reclassification only as it relates to the U.S. federal income tax rate cut made by the Tax Act. The Company’s election reduced retained earnings and increased AOCI by $3 but did not change total stockholder’s equity or net income.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), effective in 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to adopt ASU 2018-13 in 2018. Items removed from Note 4, Fair Value, include the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. New disclosures added include the changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.

Accounting Standards Updates Pending Adoption

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) with an effective date in 2020 for public business entities and 2021 for others. The new standard replaces the existing incurred loss recognition model with an expected credit loss recognition model. The objective of the expected credit loss model is for the Company to recognize its estimate of expected credit losses for affected financial assets in a valuation allowance deducted from the amortized cost basis of the related financial assets that results in presenting the net carrying value of the financial assets at the amount expected to be collected. The Company must consider all available relevant information when estimating expected credit losses, including details about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts over the contractual life of an asset. Financial assets may be evaluated individually or on a pooled basis when they share similar risk characteristics. The measurement of credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities measured at fair value is not affected, except that credit losses recognized are limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost and the carrying value adjustment is recognized through an allowance and not as a direct write-down. Upon adoption, the Company does not expect the impact of ASU 2016-13 to be material.

In August 2018, the FASB adopted ASU No. 2018-12, Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long- Duration Contracts (“ASU 2018-12”) with an effective date in 2021 for public business entities and 2022 for other entities. The new standard makes significant changes to accounting requirements for long-duration insurance contracts, including long-term care, traditional and limited payment life insurance, and annuities. The significant provisions are shown below.
   
Under current guidance, the liability for future policy benefits for long-duration products is established based on assumptions set at issue which are not changed unless there is a premium deficiency. Under ASU 2018-12, these assumptions, which include mortality, morbidity, persistency, expenses, and the discount rate, must be reviewed for changes at least annually. When assumptions other than the discount rate are changed, the liability is recomputed and a cumulative catch-up adjustment is recorded in the current year income statement. The discount rate, which is based on the yield of an upper-medium-grade fixed income instrument, must be updated each reporting period; changes in the liability resulting from the discount rate are recorded in other comprehensive income.
   
The liability for future policy benefits can no longer include a provision for adverse deviation.
   
Because liability assumptions are updated periodically, the test for premium deficiency is no longer required for nonparticipating traditional and limited payment contracts.
   
ASU 2018-12 introduces the concept of market risk benefits for product features such as guaranteed minimum death or income benefits, which must be accounted for at fair value.
   
Deferred acquisition costs will generally be amortized to expense on a constant level basis, either individually or on a grouped contract basis consistent with the related reserves, over the expected term of the contracts. Amortization based on estimated gross profits or gross margins will be eliminated. The

 
12

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

     
deferred policy acquisition costs asset does not need to be tested for impairment, no interest is accreted, and shadow adjustments are no longer required.
   
Insurers must provide disclosures that allow financial statement users to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of future cash flows arising from the insurance liabilities.

The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2018-12.

Note 3: Investments

Debt Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values, as reported on the balance sheet, of debt securities at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 
                                       
    Amortized       Gross Unrealized       Estimated
    Cost       Gains         Losses       Fair Value
 
                                       
                                       
U.S. government and agencies   $ 8,744       $         $ (521 )     $ 8,223
Domestic corporate securities     16,476         188           (9 )       16,655
Residential mortgage-backed securities     639         14                   653
Foreign corporate securities     3,997         44           (3 )       4,038
 
                                       
                                       
Total debt securities   $ 29,856       $ 246         $ (533 )     $ 29,569
 
                                       
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values, as reported on the balance sheet, of debt securities at December 31, 2017 are as follows:
                                       
 
    Amortized       Gross Unrealized       Estimated
    Cost       Gains         Losses       Fair Value
 
                                       
U.S. government and agencies   $ 9,052       $ 5         $ (103 )     $ 8,954
Residential mortgage-backed securities     1,598         115                   1,713
 
                                       
Total debt securities   $ 10,650       $ 120         $ (103 )     $ 10,667
 
                                       
No investments were non-income producing in 2018 or 2017.

 
13

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in debt securities at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because of the potential for prepayment on residential mortgage-backed securities, such securities have not been displayed in the table below by contractual maturity.

 
                 
    Amortized       Estimated
    Cost       Fair Value
 
                 
Due after one year through ten years   $ 20,473       $ 20,693
Due after ten years     8,744         8,223
Residential mortgage-backed securities     639         653
 
                 
Total debt securities   $ 29,856       $ 29,569
 

Net Investment Income

Sources of investment income for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:

 
                             
    2018       2017       2016  
 
                             
Gross investment income:                            
Debt securities
  $ 368       $ 321       $ 363  
Cash and cash equivalents
    452         217         53  
 
                             
Total gross investment income     820         538         416  
Investment expenses
    (58 )       (21 )       (40 )
 
                             
Net investment income   $ 762       $ 517       $ 376  
 

Net Realized Investment Gains

Proceeds from the sale of debt securities were $651 in 2018. There were no sales or transfers of debt securities in 2017 and 2016 that resulted in a realized investment gain or loss.

Other-Than-Temporary Investment Impairments

Investment securities are reviewed for OTTI on an ongoing basis. The Company creates a watchlist of securities based largely on the fair value of an investment security relative to its cost basis. When the fair value drops below the Company’s cost, the Company monitors the security for OTTI. The determination of OTTI requires significant judgment on the part of the Company and depends on several factors, including, but not limited to:

   
The existence of any plans to sell the investment security.
       
   
The extent to which fair value is less than book value.
       
   
The underlying reason for the decline in fair value (credit concerns, interest rates, etc.).

 
14

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

   
The financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer/borrower, including the ability to meet contractual obligations, relevant industry trends and conditions.
       
   
The Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value.
       
   
The Company’s ability to recover all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the agreements.
       
   
The Company’s collateral position in the case of bankruptcy or restructuring.

A debt security is considered other-than-temporarily impaired when the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis and its value is not expected to recover through the Company’s anticipated holding period of the security. If a credit loss exists, but the Company does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, it is required to bifurcate the impairment into the loss that is attributable to credit and non-credit related risk. The credit portion of the OTTI is the difference between the present value of the expected future cash flows and amortized cost. Only the estimated credit loss amount is recognized in earnings, with the remainder of the loss amount recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). If the Company intends to sell, at the time this determination is made, the Company records a realized loss equal to the difference between the amortized cost and fair value. The fair value of the other-than-temporarily impaired security becomes its new cost basis. In determining whether an unrealized loss is expected to be other than temporary, the Company considers, among other factors, any plans to sell the security, the severity of impairment, financial position of the issuer, recent events affecting the issuer’s business and industry sector, credit ratings, and the ability of the Company to hold the investment until the fair value has recovered at least its cost basis.

For securitized debt securities, the Company considers factors including residential property changes in value that vary by property type and location and average cumulative collateral loss rates that vary by vintage year. These assumptions require the use of significant management judgment and include the probability of issuer default and estimates regarding timing and amount of expected recoveries. In addition, projections of expected future debt security cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the issuer and/or underlying collateral.

For certain securitized financial assets with contractual cash flows, the Company is required to periodically update its best estimate of cash flows over the life of the security. If the fair value of a securitized financial asset is less than its cost or amortized cost and there has been a decrease in the present value of the estimated cash flows since the last revised estimate, considering both timing and amount, an OTTI charge is recognized. The Company also considers its intent and ability to retain a temporarily impaired security until recovery. Estimating future cash flows involves judgment and includes both quantitative and qualitative factors. Such determinations incorporate various information and assessments regarding the future performance of the underlying collateral. In addition, projections of expected future cash flows may change based upon new information regarding the performance of the underlying collateral.

Management has completed a review for other-than-temporarily impaired securities at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and recorded no OTTI. As a result of the subjective nature of these estimates, however, provisions may subsequently be determined to be necessary as new facts emerge and a greater understanding of economic trends develops. Consistent with the Company’s practices, OTTI will be recorded as appropriate and as determined by the Company’s regular monitoring procedures of additional facts.

 
15

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31 were as follows:

 
                             
    2018       2017       2016  
 
                             
Debt securities   $ (287 )     $ 17       $ (498 )
Deferred income taxes     61         (6 )       175  
 
                             
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)   $ (226 )     $ 11       $ (323 )
 

At December 31, 2018, the Company owned three debt securities with a fair value of $10,209 in an unrealized investment loss position. Of these, one with a fair value of $8,223 have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve or more months. The $521 unrealized loss for debt securities with a loss period 12 months or greater represents an 6.0% price impairment. The remaining two securities have a fair value of $1,986 and have been in an unrealized loss for under 12 months. The $12 unrealized loss for debt securities with a loss period less than 12 months represents an 0.6% price impairment. The total fair value of debt securities, which reflect an unrealized loss at December 31, 2018 and which are rated investment grade, is $10,209 or 100.0% of the total fair value of all debt securities which reflect an unrealized loss at December 31, 2018. For these purposes investment grade is defined by the Company to be securities rated BBB or greater.

Embedded Derivatives

The Company issues single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts that contain embedded derivatives. Such embedded derivatives are separated from their host contracts and recorded at fair value. The fair value of the embedded derivatives, which are reported as part of assets on deposit and policyholder account balances in the balance sheets, were an asset of $524,178 and a liability of $524,178 as of December 31, 2018 and an asset of $471,192 and a liability of $471,192 as of December 31, 2017. The increase (decrease) in fair value related to embedded derivatives from the date of deposit was ($45,101), $136,078 and $49,225 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Because the Company has entered into an agreement with CMFG Life to cede 100% of this business, these amounts are ceded and do not impact the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Assets Designated/Securities on Deposit

Iowa law requires that assets equal to a life insurer’s “legal reserve” must be designated for the Iowa Department of Commerce, Insurance Division. The legal reserve is equal to the net present value of all outstanding policies and contracts involving life contingencies. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, debt securities and cash with a carrying value of $27,621 and $8,694, respectively, were accordingly designated for Iowa. Other regulatory jurisdictions require cash and securities to be deposited for the benefit of policyholders. Pursuant to these requirements, securities with a fair value of $1,998 and $2,024 were on deposit with other regulatory jurisdictions as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 
16

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 4: Fair Value

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value of certain assets and liabilities and to estimate fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value but required to be disclosed at fair value. Certain financial instruments, such as insurance policy liabilities (other than investment-type contracts), are excluded from the fair value disclosure requirements.

Valuation Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value of assets and liabilities into three broad levels. The Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the degree of subjectivity inherent in the valuation technique, as follows:

   
Level 1: Inputs are directly observable and represent quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
 
   
Level 2: All significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for the asset or liability. This includes: (i) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the instruments and (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
 
   
Level 3: One or more significant inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

For purposes of determining the fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, observable inputs are those inputs used by market participants in valuing financial instruments, which are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In some instances, valuation inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The category level in the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The hierarchy requires the use of market observable information when available for assessing fair value. The availability of observable inputs varies by investment. The Company has no Level 3 investments with unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income (loss).

Valuation Process

The Company is responsible for the determination of fair value and the supporting assumptions and methodologies. The Company gains assurance on the overall reasonableness and consistent application of valuation methodologies and inputs and compliance with accounting standards through the execution of various processes and controls designed to provide assurance that the Company’s assets and liabilities are appropriately valued.

The Company has policies and guidelines that require the establishment of valuation methodologies and consistent application of such methodologies. These policies and guidelines govern the use of inputs and price source hierarchies and provide controls around the valuation processes. These controls include appropriate review and analysis of prices against market activity or indicators of reasonableness, approval of price source changes, price overrides, methodology changes and classification of fair value hierarchy levels. The valuation policies and guidelines are reviewed and updated as appropriate.

 
17

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Transfers Between Levels

There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Fair Value Measurement – Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018.

 
                                       
Assets, at Fair Value   Level 1       Level 2         Level 3       Total
 
                                       
Cash equivalents1   $ 21,630       $         $       $ 21,630
Debt securities:                                      
U.S. government and agencies
            8,223                   8,223
Domestic corporate securities
            16,655                   16,655
Residential mortgage-backed securities
            653                   653
Foreign corporate securities
            4,038                   4,038
 
Total debt securities
            29,569                   29,569
                                       
                                       
Derivatives embedded in assets on deposit                       524,178         524,178
Separate account assets             103,205                   103,205
 
                                       
Total assets
  $ 21,630       $ 132,774         $ 524,178       $ 678,582
 
                                       
 
                                       
Liabilities, at Fair Value   Level 1       Level 2         Level 3       Total
 
                                       
Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts   $       $         $ 524,178       $ 524,178
 
                                       
Total liabilities
  $       $         $ 524,178       $ 524,178
 
1Excludes cash of $3,282 that is not subject to fair value accounting.

 
18

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017.

 
                                     
Assets, at Fair Value   Level 1       Level 2       Level 3       Total
 
                                     
Cash equivalents1   $ 16,607       $       $       $ 16,607
Debt securities:                                    
U.S. government and agencies
            8,954                 8,954
Residential mortgage-backed securities
            1,713                 1,713
 
Total debt securities
            10,667                 10,667
                                     
Derivatives embedded in assets on deposit                     471,192         471,192
Separate account assets             69,005                 69,005
 
                                     
Total assets
  $ 16,607       $ 79,672       $ 471,192       $ 567,471
 
                                     
 
                                     
Liabilities, at Fair Value   Level 1       Level 2       Level 3       Total
 
                                     
Derivatives embedded in annuity contracts   $       $       $ 471,192       $ 471,192
 
                                     
Total liabilities
  $       $       $ 471,192       $ 471,192
 
1Excludes cash of $1,833 that is not subject to fair value accounting.

The Company had no assets or liabilities that required a fair value adjustment on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Determination of Fair Values

The Company determines the estimated fair value of its investments using primarily the market approach and the income approach. The use of quoted prices and matrix pricing or similar techniques are examples of market approaches, while the use of discounted cash flow methodologies is an example of the income approach.

A summary of valuation techniques for classes of financial assets and liabilities by fair value hierarchy level are as follows:

Level 1 Measurements

Cash equivalents: Consists of money market funds; valuation is based on the closing price as of the balance sheet date.

Level 2 Measurements

For assets classified as Level 2 investments, the Company values the assets using third-party pricing sources, which generally rely on quoted prices for similar assets in markets that are active and observable market data.

U.S. government and agencies: Certain U.S. Treasury securities and debentures issued by agencies of the U.S. government are valued based on observable inputs such as the U.S. Treasury yield curve, market indicated

 
19

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

spreads and quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active and/or similar assets in markets that are active.

Domestic corporate securities: Valued based on observable inputs such as the U.S. Treasury yield curve, market indicated spreads by security rating and quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active and/or similar assets in markets that are active.

Residential mortgage-backed securities: Valuation is principally based on observable inputs including quoted prices for similar assets in markets that are active and observable market data.

Foreign corporate securities: Valued based on observable inputs such as the applicable, country-specific market yield curve, market indicated spreads by security rating and quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active and/or similar assets in markets that are active.

Separate account assets: Consists of mutual funds and unit investment trusts in which the contract holder could redeem its investment at net asset value per share at the measurement date with the investee.

Level 3 Measurements

Derivatives embedded in assets on deposit and annuity contracts: The Company offers single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity contracts with certain caps and floors which represent a minimum and maximum amount that could be credited to a contract during that contract year based on the performance of an external index. These embedded derivatives are measured at fair value separately from the host deposit asset and annuity contract.

In estimating the fair value of the embedded derivative, the Company attributes a present value to the embedded derivative equal to the discounted sum of the excess cash flows of the index related fund value over the minimum fund value. The current year portion of the embedded derivative is adjusted for known market conditions. The discount factor at which the embedded derivative is valued contains an adjustment for the Company’s own credit and risk margins for unobservable non-capital market inputs. The Company’s own credit adjustment is determined taking into consideration publicly available information relating to the Company’s debt as well as its claims paying ability.

These derivatives may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Changes in market conditions include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, default rates and market volatility. Changes in fair value may be impacted by changes in the Company’s own credit standing. Lastly, changes in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior (such as full or partial withdrawals varying from expectations) and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs may result in significant fluctuations in the fair value of the derivatives. See Embedded Derivatives within Note 3, Investments for the impact to net income.

 
20

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table presents information about significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 embedded derivative liabilities and related assets on deposit measured at fair value developed by internal models as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

 
             
Predominant   Significant   Range of Values - Unobservable Input
Valuation Method   Unobservable Input   2018   2017
 
             
Single premium deferred index annuity
 
Discounted cash flow   Lapse rates   2% to 4% with an   2% to 4% with an
        excess lapse rate at   excess lapse rate at
        the end of the index   the end of the index
        period of 50% or 95%.   period of 50% or 95%.
        Weighted average   Weighted average
        is 3.7%   is 2.9%
     
    Company’s own   51 - 113 basis points   58 - 99 basis points
    credit and risk margin   added on to   added on to
        discount rate.   discount rate.
        Weighted average   Weighted average
        is 80 basis points   is 70 basis points
             
 
             
Flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity
 
Discounted cash flow   Lapse rates   2% to 10% with an   2% to 10% with an
        excess lapse rate at   excess lapse rate at
        the end of the index   the end of the index
        period of 5% to 20%.   period of 5% to 20%.
        Weighted average   Weighted average
        is 2.6%   is 2.6%
     
    Company’s own   51 - 113 basis points   58 - 99 basis points
    credit and risk margin   added on to   added on to
        discount rate.   discount rate.
        Weighted average   Weighted average
        is 80 basis points   is 70 basis points
             
 

 
21

 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Changes in Fair Value Measurement

The following table sets forth the values of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2018.

 
                                                 
                Total Realized/Unrealized        
                Gain (Loss) Included in:        
                         
    Balance                                       Balance
    January 1,                                       December 31,
    2018         Purchases       Maturities       Earnings1       2018
 
                                                 
Derivatives embedded                                                
in assets on deposit
  $ 471,192         $ 109,477       $ (11,390 )     $ (45,101 )     $ 524,178
 
Total assets   $ 471,192         $ 109,477       $ (11,390 )     $ (45,101 )     $ 524,178
 
                                                 
Derivatives embedded                                                
in annuity contracts
  $ 471,192         $ 109,477       $ (11,390 )     $ (45,101 )     $ 524,178
 
Total liabilities   $ 471,192         $ 109,477       $ (11,390 )     $ (45,101 )     $ 524,178
 
1 Included in net income is realized gains and losses associated with embedded derivatives.

The following table sets forth the values of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2017.

 
                                               
              Total Realized/Unrealized        
              Gain (Loss) Included in:        
                       
    Balance                                     Balance
    January 1,                                     December 31,
    2017       Purchases       Maturities       Earnings1       2017
 
                                               
Derivatives embedded                                              
in assets on deposit
  $ 246,405       $ 93,748       $ (5,039 )     $ 136,078       $ 471,192
 
Total assets   $ 246,405       $ 93,748       $ (5,039 )     $ 136,078       $ 471,192
 
                                               
Derivatives embedded                                              
in annuity contracts
  $ 246,405       $ 93,748       $ (5,039 )     $ 136,078       $ 471,192
 
Total liabilities   $ 246,405       $ 93,748       $ (5,039 )     $ 136,078       $ 471,192
 
1 Included in net income is realized gains and losses associated with embedded derivatives.

Fair Value Measurements for Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value

Accounting standards require disclosure of fair value information about certain on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments which are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value disclosures for significant financial instruments:

 
22

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Level 1 Measurements

Cash: The carrying amount for this instrument approximates its fair value due to its short term nature and is based on observable inputs.

Level 2 Measurements

Assets on deposit and Investment-type contracts: Assets on deposit and investment-type contracts include single premium deferred annuity and the risk control accounts of the flexible premium deferred variable annuity contracts, excluding the related embedded derivative. In most cases, the fair values are determined by discounting expected liability cash flows and required profit margins using the year-end swap curve plus a spread equivalent to a cost of funds for insurance companies based on observable inputs.

Separate account liabilities: Separate account liabilities represent the account value owed to the contract holder, which is equal to the segregated assets carried at fair value.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31 are as follows:

 
                                                 
       2018        2017  
    Carrying   Estimated           Carrying   Estimated        
    Amount   Fair Value     Level     Amount   Fair Value     Level  
 
                                                 
Financial instruments                                                

recorded as assets:

                                               

Cash

  $ 3,282     $ 3,282       1     $ 1,833     $ 1,833       1  

Assets on deposit

    2,613,918       2,303,358       2       1,981,841       1,726,602       2  
Financial instruments                                                

recorded as liabilities:

                                               

Investment-type contracts

    2,613,918       2,303,358       2       1,981,841       1,726,602       2  

Separate account liabilities

    103,205       103,205       2       69,005       69,005       2  
 

Note 5: Income Tax

The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return filed by CMHC, the Company’s ultimate parent. The Company has entered into a tax sharing agreement with CMHC and its subsidiaries. The agreement provides for the allocation of tax expense based on each subsidiary’s contribution to the consolidated federal income tax liability. Pursuant to the agreement, subsidiaries that have incurred losses are reimbursed regardless of the utilization of the loss in the current year. Federal income taxes recoverable from affiliate reported on the balance sheet are due from CMFG Life.

 
23

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 
                         
    2018   2017   2016
 
                         
Current tax expense (benefit)   $ 80     $ 481     $ 647  
Deferred tax expense     (262 )     193       240  
Adjustment of deferred tax assets and liabilities                        

for enacted rate change

          49        
 
                         
Total income tax expense (benefit)   $ (182 )   $ 723     $ 887  
 

Reconciliation to U.S. Tax Rate
 
Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016 to income before income taxes due to the items listed in the following reconciliation:

 
                                                 
    2018     2017     2016  
     
    Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate   Amount   Rate
 
                                                 
Tax expense computed at                                                

federal corporate tax rate

  $ 132       21.0 %   $ 981       35.0 %   $ 953       35.0 %
Income tax expense (benefit)                                                

related to prior years

    (240 )     (38.2 )     (221 )     (7.8 )     (53 )     (2.0 )
Dividends-received deduction     (59 )     (9.4 )     (83 )     (3.0 )     (11 )     (0.4 )
Foreign Tax Credit     (14 )     (2.2 )                        
Adjustment of deferred tax assets and                                                

liabilities for enacted rate change

                49       1.7              
Other     (1 )     (0.2 )     (3 )     (0.1 )     (2 )     (0.1 )
 
                                                 
Total income tax expense (benefit)   $ (182 )     (29.0 %)   $ 723       25.8 %   $ 887       32.5 %
 

 
24

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

 
                 
    2018   2017
 
                 
Deferred tax assets                

Tax reserves method change

  $ 11     $ 15  

Unrealized investment losses

    61        

Accrued expenses

    293       280  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

    380       291  

Other

          1  
 
                 
Gross deferred tax assets     745       587  
 
                 
                 
Deferred tax liabilities                

Investments

    354       490  

Deferred reinsurance expense

    16       19  

Unrealized investment gains

          4  
 
                 
Gross deferred tax liabilities     370       513  
 
                 
Net deferred tax asset   $ 375     $ 74  
 

Valuation Allowance

The Company considered the need for a valuation allowance with respect to its gross deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and based on that evaluation, the Company has determined it is more likely than not all deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 will be realized. Therefore, a valuation allowance was not established.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

There are no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Management does not anticipate a material change to the Company’s uncertain tax positions during 2019.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016, the Company did not recognize any addition or reduction in interest and penalties. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a reduction in interest and penalties of $5. The Company had accrued $2 and $2 for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company is included in a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return filed by CMHC. The Company also files income tax returns in various states. For the major jurisdictions where it operates, the Company is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended before 2013. Amended refund claims filed for tax years 2010 and 2012 are currently under examination as part of the Joint Committee on Taxation approval process.

 
25

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Other Tax Items

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any capital loss, operating loss or credit carryforwards.

Tax Reform

The Tax Act made changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018.

The Company completed its initial evaluation of the impacts of the Tax Act and recorded a net tax expense of $49 for the year ended December 31, 2017 due to the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Company has made no adjustments to the impacts initially recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company’s accounting for the impact of the Tax Act is now complete with no material changes to the amount recorded at December 31, 2017.

Note 6: Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, there are various transactions between the Company and other related entities. In certain circumstances, expenses such as those related to sales and marketing, administrative, operations, other support and infrastructure costs are shared between the companies. Expenses incurred that are specifically identifiable with a particular company are borne by that company; other expenses are allocated among the companies on the basis of time and usage studies. Amounts due from transactions with affiliates are generally settled monthly. The Company reimbursed CMFG Life $30,131, $20,808 and $15,349 for these expenses in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively; which are included in operating and other expenses.

Amounts receivable/payable from/to affiliates are shown in the following table:

 
                 
    2018   2017
 
                 
Receivable from:                

CMFG Life

  $ 5,001     $ 8,492  

Other

    26        
 
                 

Total

  $ 5,027     $ 8,492  
 
                 
Payable to:                

CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc.

  $ 2,948     $ 2,749  

Other

    58       22  
 
                 

Total

  $ 3,006     $ 2,771  
 

Amounts receivable from CMFG Life at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are primarily for a policyholder’s purchase of an MLIC annuity when a CMFG Life policyholder has surrendered their policy for the purchase of a single premium deferred index annuity or flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity and for the cession of death claims related to the Company’s single premium deferred index annuity or flexible premium variable index linked deferred annuity.

 
26

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

The Company hires MEMBERS Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCA”) for investment advisory services. MCA, which is 100% owned by CMIC, manages substantially all of the Company’s invested assets in accordance with policies, directives and guidelines established by the Company. The Company recorded MCA investment management fees totaling $58, $21 and $28 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which are included as a reduction to net investment income.

The Company utilizes CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., which is 100% owned by CMIC, to distribute its single premium deferred index annuity and flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity and recorded commission expense for this service of $29,996, $29,114 and $24,900 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in operating and other expenses. This expense is entirely offset by commission income the Company receives from CMFG Life as part of the 2013 and 2015 reinsurance agreements.

The Company received additional paid in capital of $20,653 of debt securities from CMIC in 2018, net of deferred tax liability of $24. The Company received no additional paid in capital in 2017 or 2016. The Company paid a $7,000 cash dividend to its parent in 2017. The Company paid no dividends in 2018 or 2016.

See Note 7 regarding reinsurance and other agreements entered into by the Company and CMFG Life.

Note 7: Reinsurance

The Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with its affiliate, CMFG Life, on a coinsurance and modified coinsurance basis to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity, which are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. On October 15, 2018, the Company amended its reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life to include a new flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuity offering by the Company and will continue to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its flexible premium variable and index linked deferred annuities. The Company had $337,755 and $165,924 of assets on deposit for these contracts as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company had related liabilities of $337,755 and $165,924 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in policyholder account balances in the balance sheets. The Company had separate account assets and liabilities for these contracts of $103,205 and $103,205 and $69,005 and $69,005, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company receives a commission equal to 100% of its actual expenses incurred for this business, which was $17,738, $11,019 and $6,302 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company entered into a second agreement with its affiliate, CMFG Life, to cede 100% of its investment-type contracts for its single premium deferred index annuity, which are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. The Company had $2,800,341 and $2,287,109 of assets on deposit for these contracts as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company had related liabilities of $2,800,341 and $2,287,109, respectively which are included in policyholder account balances in the balance sheets. The Company receives a commission equal to 100% of its actual expenses incurred for this business, which was $52,652, $44,773 and $37,961 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

On October 31, 2012, the Company ceded 95% of its insurance policies in force pursuant to a reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life and the Company was reimbursed for 95% of expenses incurred in the provision of policyholder and benefit payment services, and insurance taxes and charges on a go forward basis under this contract. On September 30, 2015, the Company amended its reinsurance agreement with CMFG Life and now cedes 100% of its insurance policies in force to CMFG Life and is reimbursed 100% for expenses incurred in the provision of policyholder and benefit payments services, and insurance taxes and charges going forward. The Company receives a commission equal to 100% of its actual expenses incurred for this business, which was $767, $839 and $894 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

MLIC did not have any other reinsurance agreements at December 31, 2018 or 2017 and the entire reinsurance recoverable balance of $24,034 and $23,973, respectively, was due from CMFG Life. The recoverable balances

 
27

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

are not collateralized and the Company retains the risk of loss in the event CMFG Life is unable to meet its obligations assumed under the reinsurance agreements. MLIC believes the risk of non-collection is remote due to CMFG Life’s stable financial strength ratings of A from A.M. Best Company and S&P Global Ratings and A2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service.

The effects of reinsurance on contract charges, interest credited to policyholder accounts, premiums and on claims, benefits, and losses incurred for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 
                           
      2018   2017   2016
 
                           
Face amount of policies in force     $ 80,872     $ 86,587     $ 95,577  
 
                           
Premiums:                          

Direct - written

    $ 2,812     $ 3,145     $ 2,168  

Direct - change in unearned

            5       1  
 

Direct - earned

      2,812       3,150       2,169  
 
                           

Ceded to affiliate - written

      (2,812 )     (3,145 )     (2,172 )

Ceded to affiliate - change in unearned

            (5 )     (18 )
 

Ceded to affiliate - earned

      (2,812 )     (3,150 )     (2,190 )
 
                           
Premiums - written, net             5       (4 )
Premiums - change in unearned, net             (5 )     (17 )
 
                           
Premiums, net     $     $     $ (21 )
 
                           
Contract charges:                          

Direct

    $ 7,535     $ 3,498     $ 1,303  

Ceded to affiliate

      (7,535 )     (3,498 )     (1,303 )
 
Contract charges, net     $     $     $  
 
                           
Claims, benefits and losses incurred:                          

Direct

    $ 2,507     $ 2,779     $ 1,761  

Ceded to affiliate

      (2,507 )     (2,777 )     (1,762 )
 
                           
Claims, benefits and losses, net     $     $ 2     $ (1 )
 
                           
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:                          

Direct

    $ 41,175     $ 30,469     $ 20,519  

Ceded to affiliate

      (41,190 )     (30,469 )     (20,519 )
 
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net     $ (15 )   $     $  
 

 
28

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 8: Statutory Financial Data and Dividend Restrictions

The Company is a life and health insurer and is domiciled in Iowa. The Company files statutory-basis financial statements with insurance regulatory authorities. The Company did not use any permitted practices in 2018, 2017 or 2016. Certain statutory basis financial information for MLIC is presented in the table below as of and for the years ended December 31.

 
                                         
    Statutory Basis     Statutory Basis  
    Capital and Surplus     Net Income  
    2018   2017     2018   2017   2016
 
                                         
MLIC   $ 39,447     $ 18,601     $ 419     $ 1,914     $ 1,051  
 

The Company is subject to statutory regulations as to maintenance of equity and the payment of dividends. Generally, ordinary dividends from an insurance subsidiary to its parent company must meet notice requirements promulgated by the regulator of the subsidiary’s state of domicile (“Insurance Department”). Extraordinary dividends, as defined by state statutes, must be approved by the Insurance Department. Based on Iowa statutory regulations, the Company could pay dividends up to $3,294 during 2019, without prior approval of the Insurance Department.

Risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) require U.S. insurers to maintain minimum capitalization levels that are determined based on formulas incorporating credit risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, and general business risk. The adequacy of the Company’s actual capital is evaluated by a comparison to the RBC results, as determined by the formula. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s adjusted capital exceeded the RBC minimum requirements as required by the NAIC.

 
29

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 9: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, are as follows:

 
            Accumulated
    Unrealized   Other
    Investment   Comprehensive
    Gains (Loss)   Income (Loss)
 
                 
Balance, January 1, 2016   $ (225 )   $ (225 )

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses),

               

net of tax - ($53)

    (98 )     (98 )
 
Balance, December 31, 2016     (323 )     (323 )

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses),

               

net of tax - $181

    334       334  
 
Balance, December 31, 2017     11       11  

Effect of change for

               

ASU 2018-02 (Note 2)

    3       3  

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses),

               

net of tax - ($64)

    (240 )     (240 )
 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2018   $ (226 )   $ (226 )
 

Reclassification Adjustments

Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses) includes amounts related to unrealized investment gains (losses) which were reclassified to net income. Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $52, net of deferred taxes of $14. There were no reclassification adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 
30

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 10: Business Segment Information

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 
    Life and                
Year ended or as of December 31, 2018   Health   Annuities   Total
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Life and health premiums, net

  $     $     $  

Net investment income

    762             762  

Net realized investment (losses)

    (17 )           (17 )

Other income

    18             18  
 
                         
Total revenues     763             763  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

                 

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

          (15 )     (15 )

Operating and other expenses

    151             151  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     151       (15 )     136  
 
                         
Income before income taxes     612       15       627  
                         

Income tax expense (benefit)

    (185 )     3       (182 )
 
                         
Net income     797       12       809  
 
                         

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax

                       

expense (benefit)

    (188 )           (188 )

Reclassification adjustment for (gains)

                       

included in net income, net of tax (benefit) -

    (52 )           (52 )
 
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)     (240 )           (240 )
 
                         
Total comprehensive income   $ 557     $ 12     $ 569  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 24,034     $     $ 24,034  
Assets on deposit           3,138,096       3,138,096  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     20,769       6,067       26,836  
Policyholder account balances     3,981       3,138,096       3,142,077  
 

 
31

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 
    Life and                
Year ended or as of December 31, 2017   Health   Annuities   Total
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Life and health premiums, net

  $     $     $  

Net investment income

    517             517  

Net realized investment (losses)

                 

Other income

    3,996             3,996  
 
                         
Total revenues     4,513             4,513  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    2             2  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

                 

Operating and other expenses

    1,596       113       1,709  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     1,598       113       1,711  
 
                         
Income before income taxes     2,915       (113 )     2,802  
                         

Income tax expense (benefit)

    763       (40 )     723  
 
                         
Net income     2,152       (73 )     2,079  
                         

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax

                       

expense (benefit)

    334             334  

Reclassification adjustment for (gains)

                       

included in net income, net of tax (benefit) -

                 
 
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)     334             334  
 
                         
Total comprehensive income   $ 2,486     $ (73 )   $ 2,413  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 23,973     $     $ 23,973  
Assets on deposit           2,453,033       2,453,033  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     20,688       2,364       23,052  
Policyholder account balances     3,601       2,453,033       2,456,634  
 

 
32

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

The following table sets forth financial information regarding the Company’s two reportable business segments for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 
    Life and                
Year ended or as of December 31, 2016   Health   Annuities   Total
 
                         
Revenues                        
                         

Life and health premiums, net

  $ (21 )   $     $ (21 )

Net investment income

    376             376  

Net realized investment (losses)

                 

Other income

    3,415             3,415  
 
                         
Total revenues     3,770             3,770  
 
                         
Benefits and expenses                        
                         

Life and health insurance claims and benefits, net

    (1 )           (1 )

Interest credited to policyholder account balances, net

                 

Operating and other expenses

    1,033       16       1,049  
 
                         
Total benefits and expenses     1,032       16       1,048  
 
                         
Income before income taxes     2,738       (16 )     2,722  
                         

Income tax expense (benefit)

    892       (5 )     887  
 
                         
Net income     1,846       (11 )     1,835  
                         

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax

                       

expense (benefit)

    (98 )           (98 )

Reclassification adjustment for (gains)

                       

included in net income, net of tax (benefit) -

                 
 
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)     (98 )           (98 )
 
                         
Total comprehensive income   $ 1,748     $ (11 )   $ 1,737  
 
                         
Reinsurance recoverable from affiliate   $ 23,687     $     $ 23,687  
Assets on deposit           1,619,113       1,619,113  
Claim and policy benefit reserves - life and health     20,344       1,162       21,506  
Policyholder account balances     3,335       1,619,113       1,622,448  
 

 
33

 
 
MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
Notes to Financial Statements
($ in 000s)
 
 

Note 11: Commitments and Contingencies

Insurance Guaranty Funds

The Company is liable for guaranty fund assessments related to certain unaffiliated insurance companies that have become insolvent during 2017 and prior years. The Company includes a provision for all known assessments that will be levied as well as an estimate of amounts that it believes will be assessed in the future relating to past insolvencies. The Company has established a liability of $1,224 and $992 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for guaranty fund assessments. The Company also estimates the amount recoverable from future premium tax payments related to these assessments and has not established an asset as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 since it does not believe any amount will be recoverable. Recoveries of assessments from premium taxes are generally made over a five-year period.

Legal Matters

Like other members of the insurance industry, the Company is occasionally a party to a number of lawsuits and other types of proceedings, some of which may involve claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts. These actions are based on a variety of issues and involve a range of the Company’s practices. The Company has established procedures and policies to facilitate compliance with laws and regulations and to support financial reporting.

In connection with regulatory examinations and proceedings, government authorities may seek various forms of relief, including penalties, restitution and changes in business practices. The Company may not be advised of the nature and extent of relief sought until the final stages of the examination or proceeding. In the opinion of management, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from all such pending actions will not materially affect the financial statements of the Company.

Note 12: Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. During this period, there were no subsequent events that required adjustment to or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements.

 
34

 
APPENDIX A: EXAMPLES OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS AND FULL SURRENDER WITH APPLICATION OF SURRENDER CHARGE AND MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
 

Example 1: Partial Withdrawal with a Negative Market Value Adjustment (MVA)
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Contract:
             
   
The Contract was issued on 06/10/2017 with an initial deposit of $100,000.00.
   
The Contract Fee is 0.75%, only applied to Risk Control Accounts.
   
Money is allocated to the Declared Rate Account and S&P 500 Risk Control Accounts.
   
An Excess Withdrawal of $20,000.00 is taken on 12/10/2018. No other withdrawals have been previously taken.
   
Contract Value as of the last Contract Anniversary 6/10/2018:
        o  
Declared Rate Account value equals $10,300.00.
        o  
The S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account value equals $59,999.96.
        o  
The S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account value equals $40,000.01.
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Declared Rate Account:
   
As of the withdrawal date, the Declared Rate Account balance was $ 10,453.78.
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Risk Control Accounts:
   
The Allocation Option Start Date is 06/10/2017 and the Allocation Option Maturity Date is 06/10/2023.
   
The S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account has a 0.00% Index Rate Floor and a 6.00% Index Rate Cap.
   
The S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account has a -10.00% Index Rate Floor and a 15.00% Index Rate Cap.
   
As of the withdrawal date, there are 5,940.59 S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account Accumulation Credits.
   
As of the withdrawal date, there are 3,902.44 S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account Accumulation Credits.
   
The Accumulation Credit Factor (P) at the start of the Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is $10.10.
   
The Accumulation Credit Factor (P) at the start of the Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is $10.25.
   
The S&P 500 Index value at the start of Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal is 1000.00.
   
The S&P 500 Index value at the time of the withdrawal is 1200.00.
     
   
On the Allocation Option Start Date, the interpolated 6-year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate (I) was 2.50% and the ICE BofAML Index (K) was 1.00%.
     
   
At the time of the withdrawal the Constant Maturity Treasury Rate for the remaining Index period (J) is 2.90% and the ICE BofAML Index (L) is 1.10%.
   
At the time of the withdrawal there are 4.50137 years remaining in the Allocation Option Period (N).

A-1


We take the following steps to determine the net partial withdrawal amount (excluding taxes) payable to the Owner:

First, we calculate the Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal.

Account (1)

Accumulation
Credits
(2)

Accumulation
Credit Factor
(3)
Contract Value
at time of
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account

5,940.59
3,902.44

$10.668021
$11.748957
$10,453.78
$63,374.34
$45,849.60
Total     $119,677.72

(1), (2), (3)
The current Declared Rate Value equals $10,453.78.

The return of the Index is equal to the Closing Index Value divided by the Initial Index Value. The return of the S&P 500 Index is calculated to be 1.2 (1,200.00 / 1,000.00 - 1). This is greater than the (1 + Index Rate Cap) and above (1 + the Index Rate Floor) for both the S&P 500 Secure and Growth Accounts. Therefore, the Index Rate of Return is set to (1 + the Index Rate Cap) which equals 1.06 for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account and 1.15 for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account.

The Contract Fee is calculated as 0.75% divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year (0.75% / 365 x 10.10 for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account and 0.75% / 365 x 10.25 for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account).

The Accumulation Credit Factor is then calculated as (a) the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year multiplied by (b) the Index Rate of Return less (c) the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary (i.e. a x b – c).

For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this results in an Accumulation Credit Factor at the time of the withdrawal of $10.10 x 1.06 – ((0.75% / 365 x 10.10) x 183) which equals $10.668021. The current S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account Contract Value is then calculated as 5,940.59 x $10.668021 which equals $63,374.34.

For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this results in an Accumulation Credit Factor at the time of the withdrawal of $10.25 x 1.15 – ((0.75% / 365 x $10.25) x 183) which equals $11.748957. The current S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account Contract Value is then calculated as 3,902.44 x $11.748957 which equals $45,849.60.

A-2


Next, we calculate the gross withdrawal from each account.

Account (4)
Gross
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account
$1,746.99
$10,590.83
$7,662.18
Total $20,000.00

(4)
Withdrawal is taken Pro Rata from each Allocation Option at the time of the Withdrawal.

The Pro Rata withdrawal from the Declared Rate Account is the Contract Value in this account divided by the total Contract Value multiplied by the withdrawal amount. This is calculated as $10,453.78 / $119,677.72 x $20,000 which equals $1,746.99. The Pro Rata withdrawal from the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $63,374.34 / $119,677.72 x $20,000 which equals $10,590.83. The Pro Rata withdrawal from the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $45,849.60 / $119,677.72 x $20,000 which equals $7,662.28.

Next, we calculate the net withdrawal from each account.

Account (5)
Withdrawal
Subject to
Surrender Charge
and MVA
(6)



MVA
(7)


Surrender
Charge
(8)



Net Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account
$783.52
$4,749.99
$3,436.49
($16.81)
($101.93)
($73.75)
$70.52
$427.50
$309.28
$1,659.66
$10,061.40
$7,279.15
Total $8,970.00 ($192.49) $807.30 $19,000.21

(5)
The Annual Free Withdrawal Amount based on beginning of Contract Year Contract Value is first calculated to determine the withdrawal subject to a Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment (MVA). The beginning of Contract Year Contract Value equals $59,999.96 + $40,000.01 + $10,300.00 = $110,299.97. The total Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is calculated as 10% x $110,299.97 = $11,030.00. This Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is applied Pro Rata at the time of the withdrawal then subtracted from the Gross Withdrawal Amount (4) to determine the withdrawal subject to Surrender Charge and MVA (5). For the Declared Rate Account, it is calculated as $1,746.99 – ($10,453.78 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $783.52. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $10,590.83 – ($63,374.34 /

A-3


$119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $4,749.99. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $7,662.18 – ($45,849.60 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $3,436.49.

(6)
The MVA equals W x (MVAF - 1) and is calculated separately for each Allocation Option, where W is the amount of withdrawal that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount for that Contract Year. At the time of the withdrawal there are 4.50137 years remaining in the Allocation Option Period (N). Therefore, MVAF = ((1 + I + K)/(1 + J + L))^N = ((1 + 2.50% + 1.00%)/(1 + 2.90% + 1.10%))^4.50137 = 0.9785402.

For the Declared Rate Account, the MVA is $783.52 x (0.9785402 - 1) which equals -$16.81. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the MVA is $4,749.99 x (0.9785402 - 1) which equals -$101.93. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the MVA is $3,436.49 x (0.9785402 - 1) which equals -$73.75.

(7)
It has been more than one year but less than two years since the Contract Issue Date so the applicable Surrender Charge percentage is 9.00%. This is multiplied by the amount of the withdrawal subject to a Surrender Charge to determine the Surrender Charge. For the Declared Rate Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $783.52 x 9.00% which equals $70.52. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $4,749.99 x 9.00% which equals $427.50. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $3,436.49 x 9.00% which equals $309.28.

(8)
The net withdrawal is equal to the gross withdrawal plus the Market Value Adjustment less the Surrender Charge. For the Declared Rate Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $1,746.99 + - $16.81 - $70.52 which equals $1,659.66. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $10,590.83 + -$101.93 - $427.50 which equals $10,061.40. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $7,662.28 + -$73.75 - $309.28 which equals $7,279.15. The total net withdrawal is the sum of the three accounts, $19,000.21.

Next, we calculate the Accumulation Credits and Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal.

Account (9)

Accumulation Credits
After Withdrawal
(10)
Contract
Value after
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account

4,947.83
3,250.28
$8,706.79
$52,783.51
$38,187.42
Total   $99,677.72

(9)
The number of Accumulation Credits remaining after the withdrawal is equal to the number of Accumulation Credits prior to the withdrawal minus the result of the gross withdrawal from the account divided by the Accumulation Credit Factor as of the withdrawal date. For the Declared Rate

A-4


Account there are no Accumulation Credits so this calculation does not apply, see (10) below. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this is calculated as 5,940.59 - ($10,590.83 / $10.668021) which equals 4,947.83. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this is calculated as 3,902.44 - ($7,662.18/ $11.748957) which equals 3,250.28.

(10)
The Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal for the Declared Rate Account is equal to the Declared Rate Account value prior to the withdrawal less the Gross Withdrawal. For the Declared Rate Account this is equal to $10,453.78 - $1,746.99 which equals $8,706.79. For the Risk Control Accounts the Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal is equal the Accumulation Credit Factor as of the withdrawal date multiplied by the number of Accumulation Credits after the withdrawal. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this is calculated as $10.668021 x 4,947.83 which equals $52,783.51. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this is calculated as $11.748957 x 3,250.28 which equals $38,187.42. The total Contract Value after the withdrawal is the sum of the three accounts, $99,677.72.

A-5


Example 2: Partial Withdrawal with a Positive MVA
Assume the following information as it relates to the Contract:
             
    The Contract was issued on 06/10/2017 with an initial deposit of $100,000.00.
    The Contract Fee is 0.75%, only applied to Risk Control Accounts.
    Money is allocated to the Declared Rate Account and S&P 500 Risk Control Accounts.
    An Excess Withdrawal of $20,000.00 is taken on 12/10/2018. No other withdrawals have been previously taken.
    Contract Value as of the last Contract Anniversary 6/10/2018:
        o  
Declared Rate Account value equals $10,300.00.
        o  
The S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account value equals $59,999.96.
        o  
The S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account value equals $40,000.01.
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Declared Rate Account:
    As of the withdrawal date, the Declared Rate Account balance was $ 10,453.78.
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Risk Control Accounts:
    The Allocation Option Start Date is 06/10/2017 and the Allocation Option Maturity Date is 06/10/2023.
    The S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account has a 0.00% Index Rate Floor and a 6.00% Index Rate Cap.
   
The S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account has a -10.00% Index Rate Floor and a 15.00% Index Rate Cap.
   
As of the withdrawal date, there are 5,940.59 S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account Accumulation Credits.
   
As of the withdrawal date, there are 3,902.44 S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account Accumulation Credits.
   
The Accumulation Credit Factor (P) at the start of the Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is $10.1.
   
The Accumulation Credit Factor (P) at the start of the Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is $10.25.
   
The S&P 500 Index value at the start of Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal is 1000.00.
   
The S&P 500 Index value at the time of the withdrawal is 1200.00.
   
On the Allocation Option Start Date, the interpolated 6-year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate (I) was 2.50% and the ICE BofAML Index (K) was 1.00%.
   
At the time of the withdrawal the Constant Maturity Treasury Rate for the remaining Index period (J) is 2.10% and the ICE BofAML Index (L) is 0.90%.
   
At the time of the withdrawal there are 4.50137 years remaining in the Allocation Option Period (N).

A-6


We take the following steps to determine the net partial withdrawal amount (excluding taxes) payable to the Owner:

First, we calculate the Contract Value at the time of the withdrawal.

Account (1)

Accumulation
Credits
(2)

Accumulation
Credit Factor
(3)
Contract Value
at time of
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account

5,940.59
3,902.44

$10.668021
$11.748957
$10,453.78
$63,374.34
$45,849.60
Total     $119,677.72

(1), (2), (3)
The current Declared Rate Value equals $10,453.78.

The return of the Index is equal to the Closing Index Value divided by the Initial Index Value. The return of the S&P 500 Index is calculated to be 1.2 (1,200.00 / 1,000.00 - 1). This is greater than the (1 + Index Rate Cap) and above (1 + the Index Rate Floor) for both the S&P 500 Secure and Growth Accounts. Therefore, the Index Rate of Return is set to (1 + the Index Rate Cap) which equals 1.06 for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account and 1.15 for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account.

The Contract Fee is calculated as 0.75% divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year (0.75% / 365 x 10.1 for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account and 0.75% / 365 x 10.25 for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account).

The Accumulation Credit Factor is then calculated as (a) the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year multiplied by (b) the Index Rate of Return less (c) the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary (i.e. a x b – c).

For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this results in an Accumulation Credit Factor at the time of the withdrawal of $10.1 x 1.06 – ((0.75% / 365 x 10.1) x 183) which equals $10.668021. The current S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account Contract Value is then calculated as 5,940.59 x $10.668021 which equals $63,374.34.

For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this results in an Accumulation Credit Factor at the time of the withdrawal of $10.25 x 1.15 – ((0.75% / 365 x $10.25) x 183) which equals $11.748957. The current S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account Contract Value is then calculated as 3,902.44 x $11.915414 which equals $45,849.60.

A-7


Next, we calculate the gross withdrawal from each account.

Account (4)
Gross
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account
$1,746.99
$10,590.83
$7,662.18
Total $20,000.00

(4)
Withdrawal is taken Pro Rata from each Allocation Option at the time of the Withdrawal.

The Pro Rata withdrawal from the Declared Rate Account is the Contract Value in this account divided by the total Contract Value multiplied by the withdrawal amount. This is calculated as $10,453.78 / $119,677.72 x $20,000 which equals $1,746.99. The Pro Rata withdrawal from the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $63,374.34 / $119,677.72 x $20,000 which equals $10,590.83. The Pro Rata withdrawal from the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $45,849.60 / $119,677.72 x $20,000 which equals $7,662.28.

Next, we calculate the net withdrawal from each account.

Account (5)
Withdrawal
Subject to
Surrender
Charge and MVA
(6)



MVA
(7)


Surrender
Charge
(8)



Net Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account
$783.52
$4,749.99
$3,436.49
$17.27
$104.68
$75.73
$70.52
$427.50
$309.28
$1,693.74
$10,268.01
$7,428.63
Total $8,970.00 $197.68 $807.30 $19,390.38

(5)
The Annual Free Withdrawal Amount based on beginning of Contract Year Contract Value is first calculated to determine the withdrawal subject to a Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment (MVA). The beginning of Contract Year Contract Value equals $59,999.96 + $40,000.01 + $10,300.00 = $110,299.97. The total Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is calculated as 10% x $110,299.97 = $11,030.00. This Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is applied Pro Rata at the time of the withdrawal then subtracted from the Gross Withdrawal Amount (4) to determine the withdrawal subject to Surrender Charge and MVA (5). For the Declared Rate Account, it is calculated as $1,746.99 – ($10,453.78 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $783.52. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $10,590.83 – ($63,374.34 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $4,749.99. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $7,662.28 – ($45,849.60 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $3,436.49.

A-8


(6)
The MVA equals W x (MVAF - 1) and is calculated separately for each Allocation Option, where W is the amount of withdrawal that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount for that Contract Year. At the time of the withdrawal there are 4.50137 years remaining in the Allocation Option Period (N). Therefore, MVAF = ((1 + I + K)/(1 + J + L))^N = ((1 + 2.50% + 1.00%)/(1 + 2.10% + 0.90%))^4.50137 = 1.0220378.

For the Declared Rate Account, the MVA is $783.52 x (1.0220378 - 1) which equals $17.27. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the MVA is $4,749.99 x (1.0220378 - 1) which equals $104.68. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the MVA is $3,436.49 x (1.0220378 - 1) which equals $75.73.

(7)
It has been more than one year but less than two years since the Contract Issue Date so the applicable Surrender Charge percentage is 9.00%. This is multiplied by the amount of the withdrawal subject to a Surrender Charge to determine the Surrender Charge. For the Declared Rate Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $783.52 x 9.00% which equals $70.52. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $4,749.99 x 9.00% which equals $427.50. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $3,436.49 x 9.00% which equals $309.28.

(8)
The net withdrawal is equal to the gross withdrawal plus the Market Value Adjustment less the Surrender Charge. For the Declared Rate Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $1,746.99 + $17.27 - $70.52 which equals $1,693.74. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $10,590.83 + $104.68 - $427.50 which equals $10,268.01. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $7,662.28 + $75.73 - $309.28 which equals $7,428.63. The total net withdrawal is the sum of the three accounts, $19,390.38.

Next, we calculate the Accumulation Credits and Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal.

Account (9)

Accumulation Credits
After Withdrawal
(10)
Contract
Value after
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account

4,947.83
3,250.28
$8,706.79
$52,783.51
$38,187.42
Total   $99,677.72

(9)
The number of Accumulation Credits remaining after the withdrawal is equal to the number of Accumulation Credits prior to the withdrawal minus the result of the gross withdrawal from the account divided by the Accumulation Credit Factor as of the withdrawal date. For the Declared Rate

A-9


Account there are no Accumulation Credits, so this calculation does not apply, see (10) below. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this is calculated as 5,940.59 - ($10,590.83 / $10.668021) which equals 4,947.83. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this is calculated as 3,902.44 - ($7,662.18/ $11.748957) which equals 3,250.28.

(10)
The Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal for the Declared Rate Account is equal to the Declared Rate Account value prior to the withdrawal less the Gross Withdrawal. For the Declared Rate Account this is equal to $10,453.78 - $1,746.99 which equals $8,706.79. For the Risk Control Accounts the Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal is equal the Accumulation Credit Factor as of the withdrawal date multiplied by the number of Accumulation Credits after the withdrawal. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this is calculated as $10.668021 x 4,947.83 which equals $52,783.51. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this is calculated as $11.748957 x 3,250.28 which equals $38,187.42. The total Contract Value after the withdrawal is the sum of the three accounts, $99,677.72.

A-10


Example 3: Full Surrender of Contract with a Negative MVA
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Contract:
             
   
The Contract was issued on 06/10/2017 with an initial deposit of $100,000.00.
   
The Contract Fee is 0.75%, only applied to Risk Control Accounts.
   
The GLWB Rider Fee is 0.50% applied to GLWB Benefit Base.
   
The average daily GLWB Benefit Base is $120,000 in the current Contract Year prior to the surrender.
   
Money is allocated to the Declared Rate Account and S&P 500 Risk Control Accounts.
   
A full Surrender is taken on 12/10/2018. No other withdrawals have been previously taken.
   
Contract Value as of the last Contract Anniversary 6/10/2018:
        o   Declared Rate Account value equals $10,300.00.
        o   The S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account value equals $59,999.96.
        o   The S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account value equals $40,000.01.
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Declared Rate Account:
   
As of the withdrawal date, the Declared Rate Account balance was $ 10,453.78.
             
Assume the following information as it relates to the Risk Control Accounts:
   
The Allocation Option Start Date is 06/10/2017 and the Allocation Option Maturity Date is 06/10/2023.
   
The S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account has a 0.00% Index Rate Floor and a 6.00% Index Rate Cap.
   
The S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account has a -10.00% Index Rate Floor and a 15.00% Index Rate Cap.
   
As of the withdrawal date, there are 5,940.59 S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account Accumulation Credits.
   
As of the withdrawal date, there are 3,902.44 S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account Accumulation Credits.
   
The Accumulation Credit Factor (P) at the start of the Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is $10.10.
   
The Accumulation Credit Factor (P) at the start of the Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is $10.25.
   
The S&P 500 Index value at the start of Contract Year immediately preceding the withdrawal is 1000.00.
   
The S&P 500 Index value at the time of the withdrawal is 1200.00.
   
On the Allocation Option Start Date, the interpolated 6-year Constant Maturity Treasury Rate (I) was 2.50% and the ICE BofAML Index (K) was 1.00%.
   
At the time of the withdrawal the Constant Maturity Treasury Rate for the remaining Index period (J) is 2.90% and the ICE BofAML Index (L) is 1.10%.
   
At the time of the withdrawal there are 4.50137 years remaining in the Allocation Option Period (N).

A-11


We take the following steps to determine the Surrender amount (excluding taxes) payable to the Owner:

First, we calculate the Contract Value at the time of the Surrender.

Account (1)

Accumulation
Credits
(2)

Accumulation
Credit Factor
(3)
Contract Value
at time of
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account

5,940.59
3,902.44

$10.668021
$11.748957
$10,453.78
$63,374.34
$45,849.60
Total     $119,677.72

(1), (2), (3)
The current Declared Rate Value equals $ 10,453.78.

The return of the Index is equal to the Closing Index Value divided by the Initial Index Value. The return of the S&P 500 Index is calculated to be 1.2 (1,200.00 / 1,000.00 - 1). This is greater than the (1 + Index Rate Cap) and above (1 + the Index Rate Floor) for both the S&P 500 Secure and Growth Accounts. Therefore, the Index Rate of Return is set to (1 + the Index Rate Cap) which equals 1.06 for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account and 1.15 for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account.

The Contract Fee is calculated as 0.75% divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year (0.75% / 365 x 10.1 for the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account and 0.75% / 365 x 10.25 for the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account).

The Accumulation Credit Factor is then calculated as (a) the Accumulation Credit Factor at the start of the Contract Year multiplied by (b) the Index Rate of Return less (c) the Risk Control Account Daily Contract Fee multiplied by the number of days that have passed since the last Contract Anniversary (i.e. a x b – c).

For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this results in an Accumulation Credit Factor at the time of the withdrawal of $10.1 x 1.06 – ((0.75% / 365 x 10.1) x 183) which equals $10.668021. The current S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account Contract Value is then calculated as 5,940.59 x $10.668021 which equals $63,374.34.

For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this results in an Accumulation Credit Factor at the time of the withdrawal of $10.25 x 1.15 – ((0.75% / 365 x $10.25) x 183) which equals $11.748957. The current S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account Contract Value is then calculated as 3,902.44 x $11.915414 which equals $45,849.60.

A-12


Next, we calculate the gross withdrawal from each account.

Account (4)
Gross
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account
$10,453.78
$63,374.34
$45,849.60
Total $119,677.72

(4)
Because this is a full surrender, the entire Contract Value will be withdrawn from each account.

Next, we calculate the net withdrawal from each account.

Account (5)



GLWB Rider
Fee
(6)
Withdrawal
Subject to
Surrender
Charge and
MVA
(7)




MVA
(8)



Surrender
Charge
(9)




Net Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account
$26.27
$159.30
$115.25
$9,464.05
$57,374.20
$41,508.66
($203.10)
($1,231.24)
($890.77)
$851.76
$5,163.68
$3,735.78
$9,372.65
$56,820.12
$41,107.80
Total $300.82 $108,346.91 ($2,325.11) $9,751.22 $107,300.57

(5)
The GLWB Rider Fee is calculated as 0.50% divided by the number of days in the Contract Year multiplied by the number of days elapsed since the start of the Contract Year multiplied by the average daily GLWB Benefit Base in the current Contract Year. The total GLWB Rider Fee equals (0.50% / 365) x 183 x $120,000 = $300.82. This total GLWB Rider Fee is taken Pro Rata at the time of the Surrender from each allocation option. For the Declared Rate Account it is calculated as $10,453.78 / $119,677.72 x $300.82 which equals $26.27. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $63,374.34 / $119,677.72 x $300.82 which equals $159.30. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $45,849.60 / $119,677.72 x $300.82 which equals $115.25.

(6)
The Annual Free Withdrawal Amount based on beginning of Contract Year Contract Value is first calculated to determine the withdrawal subject to a Surrender Charge and Market Value Adjustment (MVA). The beginning of Contract Year Contract Value equals $59,999.96 + $40,000.01 + $10,300.00 = $110,299.97. The total Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is calculated as 10% x $110,299.97 = $11,030.00. This Annual Free Withdrawal Amount is applied Pro Rata at the time of the withdrawal then subtracted from the Gross Withdrawal Amount (4) less GLWB Rider Fee

A-13



(5) to determine the withdrawal subject to Surrender Charge and MVA (6). For the Declared Rate Account it is calculated as $10,453.78 - $26.27 – ($10,453.78 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $9,464.05. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $63,374.34 – $159.30 - ($63,374.34 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $57,374.20. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account is calculated the same way to be $45,849.60 - $115.25 – ($45,849.60 / $119,677.72 x $11,030) which equals $41,508.66.

(7)
The MVA equals W x (MVAF - 1) and is calculated separately for each Allocation Option, where W is the amount of withdrawal that is in excess of the Annual Free Withdrawal Amount for that Contract Year. At the time of the withdrawal there are 4.50137 years remaining in the Allocation Option Period (N). Therefore, MVAF = ((1 + I + K)/(1 + J + L))^N = ((1 + 2.50% + 1.00%)/(1 + 2.90% + 1.10%))^4.50137 = 0.9785402.

For the Declared Rate Account, the MVA is $9,464.05 x (0.9785402 - 1) which equals -$203.10. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the MVA is $57,374.20 x (0.9785402 - 1) which equals -$1,231.24. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the MVA is $41,508.79 x (0.9785402 - 1) which equals -$890.77.

(8)
It has been more than one year but less than two years since the Contract Issue Date so the applicable Surrender Charge percentage is 9.00%. This is multiplied by the amount of the withdrawal subject to a Surrender Charge to determine the Surrender Charge. For the Declared Rate Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $9,464.05 x 9.00% which equals $851.76. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $57,374.20 x 9.00% which equals $5,163.68. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the Surrender Charge is calculated as $41,508.79 x 9.00% which equals $3,735.78.

(9)
The net withdrawal is equal to the gross withdrawal less GLWB Rider Fee plus the Market Value Adjustment less the Surrender Charge. For the Declared Rate Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $10,453.78 - $26.27 + - $203.10 - $851.76 which equals $9,372.65. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $63,374.34 - $159.30 + -$1,231.24 - $5,163.68 which equals $56,820.12. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, the net withdrawal is calculated as $45,849.60 - $115.25 + -$890.77 - $3,735.78 which equals $41,107.80. The total net withdrawal is the sum of the three accounts, $107,300.57.

Next, we calculate the Accumulation Credits and Contract Value remaining after the withdrawal.

Account (10)

Accumulation Credits
After Withdrawal
(11)
Contract
Value after
Withdrawal
Declared Rate Account
S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account
S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account

0.00
0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
Total   $0.00

A-14


(10)
The number of Accumulation Credits remaining after the withdrawal is equal to the number of Accumulation Credits prior to the withdrawal minus the result of the gross withdrawal from the account divided by the Accumulation Credit Factor as of the withdrawal date. For the Declared Rate Account there are no Accumulation Credits, so this calculation does not apply, see (11) below. For the S&P 500 Secure Risk Control Account, this is calculated as 5,940.59 - ($63,374.34 / $10.668021) which equals 0.00. For the S&P 500 Growth Risk Control Account, this is calculated as 3,902.44 - ($45,849.60/ $11.748957) which equals 0.00.

(11)
Following the surrender of the Contract, there is no Contract Value remaining because there are no Declared Rate Account Value and no Accumulation Credits remaining. Following the surrender of the Contract, the GLWB Rider terminates and the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit ends.

A-15


 
APPENDIX B: STATE VARIATIONS OF CERTAIN FEATURES AND BENEFITS
 


The following information is a summary of certain features or benefits of the CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity Contracts that vary from the features and benefits previously described in this Prospectus as a result of requirements imposed by states. Please contact your financial professional for more information about Contract variations and availability in your state.

States where certain CUNA Mutual Group Zone Income Annuity features or benefits vary:

State   Feature or Benefit   Variation
Arizona   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If your age as of the Contract Issue Date is at least 65 years old, you must return your Contract within 30 days of receipt.
 
California   All references to “Allocation Options”   The Declared Rate Account is not available as an Allocation Option.
         
    See “Owner” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   The Owner has the right to assign the Contract.
         
    See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if your age as of the Contract Issue Date is at least 60 years old.
         
        If your age as of the Contract Issue Date is at least 60 years old, you must return your Contract within 30 days of receipt.
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   “Nursing Home or Hospital” is replaced with “Facility Care, Home Care, or Community-Based Services”. There is no minimum confinement period to utilize this waiver. The Facility Care or Home Care and Terminal Illness waivers apply to full surrenders only, not partial withdrawals.
 
Connecticut   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt, including replacement contracts.
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   There is a one-year wait before the waiver of surrender charge provisions may be exercised.
 

B-1


State   Feature or Benefit   Variation
Delaware   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was a replacement, not new money.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
 
Florida   See “Owner” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   The Owner has the right to assign the Contract.
         
    See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   You must return your Contract within 21 days of receipt (30 days if it is a replacement contract).
         
    See “Payout Date” under “Income Payments – The Payout Period”   The requested Payout Date must be at least one year after the Contract Issue Date.
 
Georgia   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
 
Hawaii   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
Idaho   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
         
        You must return your Contract within 20 days of receipt, including replacement contracts.
 
Illinois   All references to “Allocation Options”   The Declared Rate Account is not available as an Allocation Option.
         
    See definition of Terminally Ill and Terminal Illness in “Glossary”   Terminally Ill, Terminal Illness – A life expectancy of 24 months or less due to any illness or accident.
 
Indiana   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was a replacement, not new money.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
 
Kansas   See definition of Terminally Ill and Terminal Illness in “Glossary”   Terminally Ill, Terminal Illness – A life expectancy of 24 months or less due to
 

B-2


State   Feature or Benefit   Variation
        any illness or accident.
         
 
Louisiana   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
Maryland   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
Massachusetts   See definition of Terminally Ill and Terminal Illness in “Glossary”   Terminally Ill, Terminal Illness – A life expectancy of 24 months or less due to any illness or accident.
         
    See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   There is no Nursing Home or Hospital waiver. The Terminal Illness waiver applies to full surrenders only, not partial withdrawals.
         
    See “Terms of Income Payments” under “Income Payments – The Payout Period”   Income Options are not based on gender. The amount of each payment depends on all the items listed other than gender.
         
    See “Misstatement of Age or Gender” under “Other Information”   Income Options are not based on gender. Only proof of age is required for misstatement; proof of gender is not.
 
Minnesota   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was a replacement, not new money.
 
Mississippi   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 

B-3


State   Feature or Benefit   Variation
Missouri   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
 
Montana   See “Terms of Income Payments” under “Income Payments – The Payout Period”   Income Options are not based on gender. The amount of each payment depends on all the items listed other than gender.
         
    See “Misstatement of Age or Gender” under “Other Information”   Income Options are not based on gender. Only proof of age is required for misstatement; proof of gender is not.
 
Nebraska   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
Nevada   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
 
New Jersey   All references to “Allocation Options”   The Declared Rate Account is not available as an Allocation Option.
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   There is no Terminal Illness waiver.
 
New Hampshire   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 

B-4


 
North Carolina   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
North Dakota   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   You must return your Contract within 20 days of receipt (30 days if it is a replacement contract).
 
Oklahoma   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
 

B-5


State   Feature or Benefit   Variation
Pennsylvania   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (30 days if it is an external replacement contract and 45 days if it is an internal replacement contract).
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   “Terminal Illness” is replaced with “Terminal Condition”. The minimum consecutive day confinement is 90 days for a Nursing Home and 30 days for a Hospital.
         
        The waiver applies to full surrenders only, not partial withdrawals.
 
Rhode Island   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
         
        You must return your Contract within 20 days of receipt (30 days if it is a replacement contract).
 
South Carolina   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
Tennessee   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
         
        If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was a replacement, not new money.
 

B-6


State   Feature or Benefit   Variation
Texas   See “Owner” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   The Owner has the right to assign the Contract.
         
    See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   You must return your Contract within 20 days of receipt (30 days if it is a replacement contract).
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   “Terminal Illness” is replaced with “Terminal Disability”.
 
Utah   See “Owner” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   The Owner has the right to assign the Contract.
         
    See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
 
Vermont   See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals if the source of your initial Purchase Payment was new money, not a replacement.
 
Virginia   See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   “Terminal Illness” is replaced with “Terminal Condition”
 
Washington   All references to “Allocation Options”   The Declared Rate Account is not available as an Allocation Option.
         
    See “Right to Examine” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   If the Purchase Payment exceeds the Contract Value, the refund will be your Purchase Payment less withdrawals.
         
        You must return your Contract within 10 days of receipt (20 days if it is a replacement contract).
         
    See “Waiver of Surrender Charges” under “Access to Your Money”   The life expectancy to utilize the Terminal Illness waiver is 24 months.
 
Wisconsin   See “Owner” under “Getting Started – The Accumulation Period”   The Owner has the right to assign the Contract.
 

B-7



MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
2000 Heritage Way
Waverly, IA 50677
1-800-798-5500

Dealer Prospectus Delivery Obligations

All dealers that effect transactions in these securities are required to deliver a Prospectus.


PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.*

The expenses for the issuance and distribution of the securities offered by this Registration Statement, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions, are as follows:

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fees $ 90,900
Printing and engraving $ 125,000
Accounting fees and expenses $ 28,000
Legal fees and expenses $ 50,000
Miscellaneous $ 7,000
   

TOTAL EXPENSES

$ 300,900
   
* Estimated.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 490.202 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act (the “IBCA”), provides that a corporation’s articles of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or failure to take action, as a director, except liability for (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled, (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (the “Registrant”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) or the shareholders, (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law.

Further, Section 490.851 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors who may be party to a proceeding against liability incurred in the proceeding by reason of such person serving in the capacity of director, if such person has acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed by the individual to be in the best interests of the corporation, if the director was acting in an official capacity, and in all other cases that the individual’s conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and in any criminal proceeding if such person had no reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was unlawful or the director engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation. The indemnity provisions under Section 490.851 do not apply (i) in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct set forth above or (ii) in connection with any proceedings with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis that the director received a financial benefit to which the director was not entitled, whether or not involving action in the director’s official capacity.

In addition, Section 490.852 of the IBCA provides mandatory indemnification of reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is wholly successful in defending any action in which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of the corporation. A director who is a party to a proceeding because the person is a director may also apply for court-ordered indemnification and advance of expenses under Section 490.854 of the IBCA.

Section 490.853 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because such person is a director if the director delivers the following to the corporation: (1) a written affirmation that the director has met the standard of conduct described above or that the proceeding involved conduct for which liability has been eliminated under the corporation’s articles of incorporation and (2) the director’s written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if the director is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 490.852 of the IBCA and it is ultimately determined that the director has not met the standard of conduct described above.

Under Section 490.856 of the IBCA, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because such person is an officer, to the same extent as a director. In addition, if the person is an officer but not a director, further indemnification may be provided by the corporation’s


articles of incorporation or bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors or by contract, except liability for (1) a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding and (2) conduct that constitutes receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled, an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders or an intentional violation of criminal law. Such indemnification is also available to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which the officer is made a party to a proceeding is an act taken or a failure to take action solely as an officer.

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that our directors will not be liable to us or our shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled, (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the Registrant or the shareholders, (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law.

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation also provide that we indemnify each of our directors or officers for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director or officer except liability for (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled, (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the Registrant or the shareholders, (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. Additionally, the Registrant is required to exercise all of its permissive powers as often as necessary to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Our Bylaws also provide indemnification to our directors on the same terms as the indemnification provided in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Our Bylaws also provide for advances of expenses to our directors and officers. The indemnification provisions of our Bylaws are not exclusive of any other right which any person seeking indemnification may have or acquire under any statute, our Amended and Restated of Incorporation or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 490.857 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is a director or officer of a corporation, or who, while a director or officer of a corporation, serves at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity, against liability asserted against or incurred by that person in that capacity or arising from that person’s status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify or advance expenses to that person against the same liability under the IBCA. As permitted by and in accordance with Section 490.857 of the IBCA, we maintain insurance coverage for our officers and directors as well as insurance coverage to reimburse us for potential costs for indemnification of directors and officers.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.


Item 16. Exhibits.

Exhibit Item Number Description Incorporated by Reference to Filed Herewith
1(i) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated as of January 7, 2016 between MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) and CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (“CBSI”) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the MEMBERS Horizon Variable Separate Account on Form N-4, filed January 29, 2016 (File No. 333-207276)  
1(ii) Form of Selling and Services Agreement Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed April 6, 2016 (File No. 333-207222)  
1(iii) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated Exhibit A dated September 2018 between MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) and CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (“CBSI”) Incorporated herein by reference to the pre-effective amendment 1 filing of the MEMBERS Horizon Variable Separate Account on Form N-4 filed November 15, 2018 (File No. 333-226804)  
3(i) Articles of Incorporation of MLIC Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed February 6, 2013 (File No. 333-186477)  
3(ii) Bylaws of MLIC Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed February 6, 2013 (File No. 333-186477)  
3(iii) Amended and Restated Bylaws of MLIC Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the MEMBERS Horizon Variable Separate Account on Form N-4, filed January 29, 2016 (File No. 333-207276)  
4(i) Form of Contact. (Form No. 2018-RILA) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894)  
4(ii)(a) Form of Application. (Form No. 2018-RILAAPP) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894)  
4(ii)(b) Form of Application. (Form No. 2018-RILAAPP 052919)   X
4(iii) Form of Data Page. (Form No. 2018-RILADP) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894)  
4(iv) Form of Declared Rate Account Allocation Option Endorsement (Form No. 2018-RILA-DRAEND) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894)  
4(v) Form of Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit Rider (Form No. 2018-RILA-GLWBRDR) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894)  
4(vi) Form of Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) Data Page (Form No. 2018-RILA-GLWBDP) Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894  
5 Legal Opinion   X

Exhibit Item Number Description Incorporated by Reference to Filed Herewith
10(i)(a) Coinsurance Agreement   X
10(ii)(a) Cost Sharing Agreement   X
10(ii)(b) Expense Sharing Agreement dated as of December 31, 2013 Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed April 4, 2014 (File No. 333-186477)  
10(ii)(c) Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement dated as of January 1, 2015 Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed March 25, 2015 (File No. 333-202984)  
10(ii)(d) Amendment to Cost Sharing Agreement dated February 1, 2012 Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 12, 2013 (File No. 333-186477)  
10(iii)(a) Investment Advisory Agreement Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 12, 2013 (File No. 333-186477)  
10(iii)(b) Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 15, 2014 Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed April 4, 2014 (File No. 333-186477)  
10(iii)(c) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2015 Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed March 25, 2015 (File No. 333-202984)  

Exhibit Item Number Description Incorporated by Reference to Filed Herewith
10(iv)(a) Procurement and Disbursement and Billing and Collection Services Agreement Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 12, 2013 (File No. 333-186477)  
10(iv)(b) Amendment to Procurement and Disbursement and Billing and Collection Services Agreement Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed April 4, 2014 (File No. 333-186477)  
10(iv)(c) CUNA Mutual Group Cost Sharing, Procurement, Disbursement, Billing and Collection Agreement dated as of January 1, 2015 Incorporated herein by reference to the filing of the MLIC Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed April 6, 2015 (File No. 333-202984)  
23(i) Consent of Legal Counsel See Exhibit 5  
23(ii) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   X
24 Powers of Attorney Incorporated herein by reference to the initial filing of the Registrant on Form S-1, filed December 19, 2018 (File No. 333-228894)  
24(i) Power of Attorney – P. Barbato   X
101 Interactive Date Files   X
* to be filed by amendment

Item 17. Undertakings.

(A) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

  (i)  
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
  (ii)  
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;
  (iii)  
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a Registration Statement relating to an offering, other than Registration


Statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the Registration Statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a Registration Statement or prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the Registration Statement or prospectus that was part of the Registration Statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

  (i)  
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
  (ii)  
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
  (iii)  
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
  (iv)  
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(B) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 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 that 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.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, MEMBERS Life Insurance Company has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Madison, and State of Wisconsin as of this 7 day of August, 2019.

  MEMBERS Life Insurance Company
     
  By: /s/ David L. Sweitzer
     
    David L. Sweitzer, 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 as of the dates indicated.

Name   Title Date
       
/s/ David L. Sweitzer*   President and Director August 7, 2019
       
David L. Sweitzer   (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
/s/ Brian J. Borakove*   Treasurer (Principal August 7, 2019
       
Brian J. Borakove   Financial & Accounting Officer)  
       
/s/ Michael F. Anderson*   Director August 7, 2019
       
Michael F. Anderson      
       
/s/ Michael T. Defnet*   Director August 7, 2019
       
Michael T. Defnet      
       
/s/ William A. Karls*   Director August 7, 2019
       
William A. Karls      
       
       
/s/ Paul D. Barbato**   Director August 7, 2019
       
Paul D. Barbato      

*By: /s/ Ross D. Hansen
  Ross D. Hansen

* Pursuant to Power of Attorney dated December 19, 2018, herewith Powers of Attorney filed as exhibits on December 19, 2018 to the intial filing (File No. 333-228894).

** Pursuant to Power of Attorney dated August 7, 2019, herewith Power of Attorney is filed as an exhibit to this pre-effective amendment 1filing.