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  Exhibit 4(h)    
    


 PROTECTIVE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY        P. O. BOX 2606        BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA    35202-2606  


 ANNUAL RATCHET

VARIABLE ANNUITY DEATH BENEFIT RIDER  


        We are amending the Contract to which this rider is attached as described below: 



	1.
	The
provision entitled "Death Benefit" in the "DEATH BENEFIT"
section of your Contract is deleted in its entirety.



	2.
	The
following provisions are added to the "DEATH BENEFIT" section of your Contract. 




Annual Ratchet Death Benefit—We will determine an annual ratchet value for each Contract Anniversary occurring before the earlier of the
oldest Owner=s {80th} birthday or the deceased Owner=s date of death. Each annual ratchet value is equal to the sum of: 



	(a)
	the
Contract Value on that Contract Anniversary; plus,



	(b)
	all
Purchase Payments since that Contract Anniversary; minus,



	(c)
	an
adjustment for each surrender since that Contract Anniversary. 





Death Benefit—The death benefit will be determined as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive due proof of death. The
death benefit will equal the greater of:




	•
	the Contract Value; or 

 
	•
	aggregate Purchase Payments less an adjustment for each surrender; or 

 
	•
	the highest annual ratchet value 




For
the purpose of calculating the death benefit, the adjustment for each surrender will equal the amount that reduces the death benefit in the same proportion that the amount surrendered including
any associated surrender charges reduced the Contract Value as of the Valuation Period during which that surrender was taken. 


The
maximum death benefit provided under this rider will never exceed the Contract Value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive due proof of death plus $1,000,000. 


Only
one death benefit is payable under this Contract even though the Contract may, under certain circumstances, continue beyond the time of an Owner's death. 



Enhanced Spousal Continuation Benefit


If
a sole Beneficiary is the spouse of a deceased Owner and elects, in lieu of receiving the death benefit, to continue the Contract and become the new Owner as provided in the Contract, we will add
to the Contract Value an amount equal to the excess of the death benefit over the Contract Value, if any, as of the date we receive due proof of death. We will allocate that amount according to the
current Purchase Payment allocation instructions, but the amount we add will not be considered a Purchase Payment. 


Suspension of Benefits—For a period of one year after any change of ownership involving a natural person, the death benefit will equal the
Contract Value. 




1







 


Rider Termination—The Rider will automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events: 



	(a)
	settlement
of a claim for the death benefit;



	(b)
	the
Contract Anniversary immediately after the oldest Owner attains Age {95};



	(c)
	a
cancellation, or full surrender of the Contract. 





Waiver of Surrender Charge—We will not apply the surrender charge if the Contract is surrendered as of a Valuation Period during which the
Contract Value is less than or equal to {25%} of the value of the death benefit. 





Signed
for the company and made a part of the contract as of the Effective date. 


PROTECTIVE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 



	
	

 
	Secretary




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Exhibit 4(h)