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                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.07



                    AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST



                             HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I






                            DATED AS OF JUNE 29, 1998
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ARTICLE I         INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
      SECTION 1.1 Definitions...............................................      1

ARTICLE II        TRUST INDENTURE ACT
      SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act:  Application.........................      7
      SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities............................      7
      SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Institutional Trustee......................      8
      SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Institutional Trustee.................      8
      SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent..........      8
      SECTION 2.6 Events of Default: Waiver.................................      8
      SECTION 2.7 Event of Default:  Notice.................................     10

ARTICLE III       ORGANIZATION
      SECTION 3.1 Name. ....................................................     11
      SECTION 3.2 Office....................................................     11
      SECTION 3.3 Declaration...............................................     11
      SECTION 3.4 Authority.................................................     11
      SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust............................     12
      SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees.................     12
      SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees......     15
      SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Institutional Trustee............     15
      SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the
                  Institutional Trustee.....................................     17
      SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Institutional Trustee..................     19
      SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee.........................................     21
      SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents...................................     21
      SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities...     21
      SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust........................................     21
      SECTION 3.15 Mergers..................................................     21

ARTICLE IV        SPONSOR
      SECTION 4.1 Sponsor's Purchase of Common Securities...................     23
      SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Sponsor...........................     23
      SECTION 4.3 Guarantee of Payment of Trust Obligations.................     24

ARTICLE V         TRUSTEES
      SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees........................................     25
      SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee..........................................     25
      SECTION 5.3 Institutional Trustee: Eligibility........................     25
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      SECTION 5.4 Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware
                  Trustee Generally.........................................     26
      SECTION 5.5 Initial Trustees: Additional Powers of Regular
                  Trustees..................................................     26
      SECTION 5.6 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees..........     27
      SECTION 5.7 Vacancies among Trustees..................................     29
      SECTION 5.8 Effect of Vacancies.......................................     29
      SECTION 5.9 Meetings..................................................     29
      SECTION 5.10 Delegation of Power......................................     30
      SECTION 5.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
                   Business.................................................     30

ARTICLE VI        DISTRIBUTIONS
      SECTION 6.1 Distributions.............................................     30

ARTICLE VII       ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
      SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities...................     31
      SECTION 7.2 Registrar and Paying Agent................................     32
      SECTION 7.3 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.......................     32

ARTICLE VIII      DISSOLUTION OF TRUST
      SECTION 8.1 Dissolution of Trust......................................     33

ARTICLE IX        TRANSFER OF INTERESTS
      SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities....................................     34
      SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates..................................     34
      SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders...................................     34
      SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests......................................     35
      SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency................................     35
      SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency..................     36
      SECTION 9.7 Definitive Preferred Security Certificates................     36
      SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.........     36

ARTICLE X          LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES,
                   TRUSTEES OR OTHERS
      SECTION 10.1 Liability................................................     37
      SECTION 10.2 Exculpation..............................................     37
      SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty...........................................     38
      SECTION 10.4 Indemnification..........................................     39
      SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses.......................................     42
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ARTICLE XI         ACCOUNTING
      SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year..............................................     42
      SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters...............................     42
      SECTION 11.3 Banking..................................................     43
      SECTION 11.4 Withholding..............................................     43

ARTICLE XII        AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS
      SECTION 12.1 Amendments...............................................     44
      SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities: Action by
                   Written Consent..........................................     46

ARTICLE XIII      REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND
                  DELAWARE TRUSTEE
      SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Institutional
                   Trustee...................................................    47
      SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee.......     48

ARTICLE XIV       MISCELLANEOUS
      SECTION 14.1 Notices..................................................     49
      SECTION 14.2 Governing Law............................................     50
      SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties.................................     50
      SECTION 14.4 Headings.................................................     50
      SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns...................................     50
      SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability...................................     50
      SECTION 14.7 Counterparts.............................................     51
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      AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration") dated and
effective as of June 29, 1998, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Sponsor
(as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust to be issued pursuant to this
Declaration;

      WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Sponsor established Hartford Life Capital I
(the "Trust"), a trust under the Business Trust Act (as defined herein),
pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of June 3, 1998, (the"Original
Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware on June 4, 1998, for the sole purpose of issuing and
selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain Debentures of
the Debenture Issuer;

      WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Sponsor, by this Declaration, amend
and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration.

      NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue
the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this
Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the
Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust
for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued
hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration.

                                    ARTICLE I
                         INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

      SECTION 1.1  DEFINITIONS.
      Unless the context otherwise requires:

      (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the
preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section
1.1;

      (b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning
throughout;

      (c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to this
Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

      (d) all references in this Declaration to Articles, Sections, Annexes and
Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes and Exhibits to, this
Declaration unless otherwise specified;

      (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration or unless
the context otherwise requires; and
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      (f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

      "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to
bind such Person.

      "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act, or any successor provision thereto and as may be amended
from time to time.

      "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate,
ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book
entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4.

      "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on
which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or Wilmington,
Delaware are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.

      "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12
Del. Code Sections 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any
successor legislation.

      "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred
Security Certificate.

      "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency"
pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the
Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that
organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake
to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Preferred Securities.

      "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing
Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the
Clearing Agency.

      "Closing Date" means the Time of Delivery as defined in the Underwriting
Agreement, which date is also the date of execution and delivery of this
Declaration.

      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation.

      "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      "Common Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.

      "Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully
registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-2.


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      "Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Regular Trustee; (b) any
Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders,
members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee;
or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates.

      "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Institutional Trustee at
which the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee shall, at any
particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of
execution of this Declaration is located at 1100 North Market Street Wilmington,
Delaware 19890-001, Attn: Corporate Trust Administration.

      "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder,
partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii)
the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities.

      "Debenture Issuer" means the Sponsor, in its capacity as issuer of the
Debentures under the Indenture.

      "Debenture Trustee" means Wilmington Trust Company as trustee under the
Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such
successor trustee.

      "Debentures" means the 7.20% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures, Series A, due 2038, to be issued by the Debenture Issuer pursuant to
the Indenture to be held by the Institutional Trustee.

      "Definitive Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth
in Section 9.4.

      "Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.

      "Distribution" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

      "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency.

      "Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default
(as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect of the
Debentures.

      "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, or any successor legislation.

      "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section
10.4(b).

      "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4.

      "Hartford Life" means Hartford Life, Inc., a Delaware corporation.


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      "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a
Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning
of the Business Trust Act.

      "Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary
Indemnified Person.

      "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of June     , 1998, between the
Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, as amended or supplemented from time
to time, pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued.

      "Institutional Trustee" means the Trustee meeting the eligibility
requirements set forth in Section 5.3.

      "Institutional Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.8(c).

      "Investment Company" means an investment company as defined in the
Investment Company Act.

      "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended from time to time, or any successor legislation.

      "Investment Company Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.

      "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g).

      "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except to the
extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the
Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a
single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred
Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a
class, who are the record owners of an aggregate liquidation amount representing
more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount
that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and
unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are
determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.

      "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate
signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Declaration shall include:

      (A) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

      (B) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;


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      (C) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

      (D) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

      "Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(h).

      "Payment Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.

      "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

      "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement dated as of
June 29, 1998, between the Sponsor and the trustee named therein relating to the
Preferred Securities.

      "Preferred Security" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.

      "Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book Entry
Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as
reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person
maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency
Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the
rules of such Clearing Agency).

      "Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a
Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

      "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only
two Regular Trustees, both of them.

      "Regular Trustee" has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

      "Related Party" means, with respect to the Sponsor, any direct or indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of the Sponsor or any other Person that owns, directly
or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Sponsor.

      "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Institutional Trustee,
any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee,
including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant
secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the
Corporate Trust Office of the Institutional Trustee customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and
also means, with respect to a


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particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is
referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject.

      "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act.

      "Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities.

      "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time, or any successor legislation.

      "Special Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.

      "Sponsor" means Hartford Life, Inc., or any successor entity in a merger,
consolidation or amalgamation, in its capacity as sponsor of the Trust.

      "Successor Delaware Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6

      "Successor Entity" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(b).

      "Successor Institutional Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.6.

      "Successor Securities" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(b).

      "Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii).

      "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.

      "10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in
the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s)
of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context
may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of
outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record
owners of an aggregate liquidation amount representing 10% or more of the
aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to
the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding
Securities of the relevant class.

      "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regulations, including
temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United
States Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including
corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

      "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this Declaration
as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in accordance with
the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly
appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in


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accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the
Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as
trustees hereunder.

      "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
from time to time, or any successor legislation.

      "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the offering
and sale of Preferred Securities substantially in the form of Exhibit B.


                                   ARTICLE II
                               TRUST INDENTURE ACT

      SECTION 2.1 TRUST INDENTURE ACT:  APPLICATION.

      (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions.

      (b) The Institutional Trustee shall be the only Trustee that is a Trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

      (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits,
qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

      (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall
not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

      SECTION 2.2 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.

      (a) Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide the Institutional Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record
date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Institutional
Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the
Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date, and (ii) at any other
time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request therefor, a
List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is
given to the Institutional Trustee; provided, that neither the Sponsor nor the
Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List
of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent
List of Holders given to the Institutional Trustee by the Sponsor and the
Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust. The Institutional Trustee shall
preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information
contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity
as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity) provided that the Institutional


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trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a
new List of Holders. Unless supplemented, amended or restated pursuant to this
Section 2.2(a), the Institutional Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively
on the last List of Holders provided to it by the Sponsor or any Regular
Trustee. Unless supplemented, amended or restated pursuant to this Section
2.2(a), the Institutional Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively on the
last list of Holders provided to it by the Sponsor or any Regular Trustee.

      (b) The Institutional Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
Sections 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

      SECTION 2.3 REPORTS BY THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE.

      Within 60 days after April 15 of each year, the Institutional Trustee
shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are
required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in
the manner provided by that. The Institutional Trustee shall also comply with
the requirements of Sections 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

      SECTION 2.4 PERIODIC REPORTS TO INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE.

      Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall
provide to the Institutional Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Sections 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by
Sections 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the
times required by Sections 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

      SECTION 2.5 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

      Each of the Sponsor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall
provide to the Institutional Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Declaration that relate to
any of the matters set forth in Sections 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Sections
314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate.

      SECTION 2.6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT: WAIVER.

      (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred
Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Preferred
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
Default under the Indenture:

            (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under
the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or

            (ii) is waivable only with the consent of holders of more than a
majority in principal amount of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") affected
thereby, only the Holders of at


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least the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities
that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures outstanding may waive such Event of Default in respect of the
Preferred Securities under the Declaration.

            The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of
Sections 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Sections 316(a)(l)(B)
of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration
and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver,
any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to
the Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured,
for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other default or an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of
the Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the
Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote,
or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities.

      (b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common
Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities and its consequences, provided that, if the underlying Event of
Default under the Indenture:

            (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of
the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the
Declaration as provided in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the
Declaration shall also not be waivable; or

            (ii) is waivable only with the consent of a Super Majority, except
where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event
of Default under the Declaration as provided in this Section 2.6(b), only the
Holders of at least the proportion in aggregate liquidation amount of the Common
Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding may waive such Event of Default
in respect of the Common Securities under the Declaration; provided further,
each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of
Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its
consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Preferred
Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such
Events of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured,
waived or otherwise eliminated, the Institutional Trustee will be deemed to be
acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and only the
Holders of the Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the
Institutional Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Sections
316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(l)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such sections are
hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted
by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section
2.6(b), upon the waiver of an Event of


                                      -9-
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Default by the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common
Securities, any such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with
respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been
cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to
any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Common
Securities or impair any right consequent thereon.

      (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the
Institutional Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under
this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in
lieu of Sections 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Sections
316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this
Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act.

      SECTION 2.7 EVENT OF DEFAULT: NOTICE.

      (a) The Institutional Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence
of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Holders of the Securities, (i) notices of all defaults with respect to the
Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee,
unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term
"defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an
Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace
provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided
therein) and (ii) any notice of default received from the Indenture Trustee with
respect to the Debentures, which notice from the Institutional Trustee to the
Holders shall state that an Event of Default under the Indenture also
constitutes an Event of Default with respect to the Securities; provided that,
except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any of the Debentures or in the payment of any sinking fund
installment established for the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of
the Institutional Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities.

      (b) The Institutional Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any
default except:

            (i) a default under Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b) of the Indenture;
or

            (ii) any default as to which the Institutional Trustee shall have
received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Institutional
Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual
knowledge.


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                                   ARTICLE III
                                  ORGANIZATION

      SECTION 3.1 NAME.

      The Trust is named "Hartford Life Capital 1," as such name may be
modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to
the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the
name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees.

      SECTION 3.2 OFFICE.

      The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o Hartford Life,
Inc., 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut 06089. On ten Business Days
written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate
another principal office.

      SECTION 3.3 DECLARATION.

      (a) The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (i) to issue and
sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures,
(ii) to maintain the status of the Trust as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes, and (iii) except as otherwise limited herein, to
engage in only those other activities necessary, or incidental thereto. The
Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from
investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be
undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for
United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust.

      (b) The Trust will be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes under Subpart E of Subchapter J of the Code,
pursuant to which the Holders of the Preferred Securities and the Common
Securities will be the owners of the Trust for United States federal income tax
purposes, and such Holders will include directly in their gross income the
income, gain, deduction or loss of the Trust as if the Trust did not exist. By
the acceptance of this Trust, neither the Trustees, the Sponsor nor the owners
of the Preferred Securities or Common Securities will take any position for
United States federal income tax purposes which is contrary to the
classification of the Trust as a grantor trust.

      SECTION 3.4 AUTHORITY.

      Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the
specific duties of the Institutional Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have
exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An
action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall
constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the
Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall
constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees
acting on behalf of the Trust, no


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   16
person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind
the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on
the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration.

      SECTION 3.5 TITLE TO PROPERTY OF THE TRUST.

      Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the
Institutional Trustee Account or as otherwise expressly provided in this
Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the
Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the
Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the
Trust.

      SECTION 3.6 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE REGULAR TRUSTEES.

      The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to
cause the Trust to engage in the following activities:

      (a) to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities
in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue
no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than one series of
Common Securities, and, provided further, that there shall be no beneficial
interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of Securities
shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Preferred Securities and
Common Securities on the Closing Date;

      (b) in connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, at
the direction of the Sponsor, to:

            (i) assist in the preparation of a prospectus in preliminary and
final form prepared by the Sponsor in relation to the offering and sale of
Preferred Securities and to assist in the preparation of and filing with the
Commission on behalf of the Trust a registration statement on Form S-3 or on
another appropriate form (including, if appropriate, a registration statement
under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act), including any pre-effective or
post-effective amendments thereto, relating to the registration under the
Securities Act of the Preferred Securities;

            (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Sponsor, or take
any acts determined by the Sponsor to be necessary, in order to qualify or
register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any State in which the
Sponsor has determined to qualify or register such Preferred Securities for
sale;

            (iii) assist in the filing of an application, prepared by the
Sponsor, to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., any other national stock exchange
or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any
Preferred Securities;


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   17
            (iv) assist in the filing with the Commission on behalf of the Trust
a registration statement on Form 8-A, prepared by the Sponsor, including any
pre-effective or post-effective amendments thereto, relating to the registration
of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act;

            (v) assist in the preparation of the Underwriting Agreement
providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities; and

            (vi) execute and deliver letters, documents, or instruments with the
Clearing Agency relating to the Preferred Securities;

      (c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the
Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record
in the name of the Institutional Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities and the Holders of Common Securities;

      (d) to give the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee prompt written
notice of the occurrence of a Special Event;

      (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken
hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect
to, for the purposes of Sections 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant
notices to the Holders of Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities
as to such actions and applicable record dates;

      (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the
Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities;

      (g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to
legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust
("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Institutional Trustee
has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action;

      (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be
designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and
consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services;

      (i) to give the certificate required by Sections 314(a)(4) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the Institutional Trustee, which certificate may be executed by
any Regular Trustee;

      (j) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of
the purposes of the Trust;

      (k) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer
agent for the Securities;


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   18
      (l) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any
notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of
interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the
Indenture;

      (m) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the
preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights,
franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the
State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is
necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was
created;

      (n) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with
applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be
necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in
this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to:

            (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;

            (ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal
income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and

            (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the
Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United
States federal income tax purposes, provided that such action does not adversely
affect the interests of Holders;

      (o) to the extent provided in this Declaration, terminating, dissolving
and liquidating the Trust and preparing, executing and filing the certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

      (p) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and
tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust
to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust;
and

      (q) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and
powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters
necessary or incidental to the foregoing.

      The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section
3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust
set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any action that
is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in
Section 3.3.

      Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of the
powers or the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in Section 3.8.


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   19
      Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6
shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer.

      SECTION 3.7 PROHIBITION OF ACTIONS BY THE TRUST AND THE TRUSTEES.

      (a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Institutional
Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized
by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and no Trustee
(including the Institutional Trustee) shall cause the Trust to:

            (i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the
Debentures, but shall promptly distribute all such proceeds to Holders of
Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities;

            (ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein;

            (iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose;

            (iv) make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans
represented by the Debentures;

            (v) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the
Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever;

            (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership
of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or

            (vii) other than as provided in this Declaration or Annex I, (A)
direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past
default that is waivable under the Indenture, or (C) exercise any right to
rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall
be due and payable.

      SECTION 3.8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE.

      (a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record
in the name of the Institutional Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Holders
of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Institutional Trustee to
the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be
appointed as Institutional Trustee in accordance with Section 5.6. Such vesting
and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents
with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered.

      (b) The Institutional Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and
interest in the Debentures to the Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee
(if the Institutional Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee).


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   20
      (c)   The Institutional Trustee shall:

            (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust
account (the "Institutional Trustee Account") in the name of and under the
exclusive control of the Institutional Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the
Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the
Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee, deposit such funds into the
Institutional Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Preferred
Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Institutional Trustee
Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Institutional Trustee
Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this
Declaration. The Institutional Trustee Account shall be an account that is
maintained with a banking institution the rating on whose long-term unsecured
indebtedness assigned by a "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization," as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the
Securities Act, is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Preferred
Securities by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization;

            (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be specified in
written instructions from the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor to effect the
redemption of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent
the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and

            (iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular
Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such
ministerial activities as shall be specified in written instructions from the
Regular Trustees or the Sponsor to effect the distribution of the Debentures to
Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain Special Events or other
specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities.

      (d) The Institutional Trustee shall take all actions and perform such
duties as may be specifically required of the Institutional Trustee pursuant to
the terms of the Securities.

      (e) Subject to Section 2.6, the Institutional Trustee shall take any Legal
Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a
Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge or the
Institutional Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration or the
Trust Indenture Act.

      (f) The Institutional Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either:

            (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the
liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of
the Securities; or

            (ii) a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.6.

      (g) The Institutional Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all
of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the
Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Institutional Trustee occurs and is continuing, the


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   21
Institutional Trustee shall, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities,
enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the
Holders pursuant to the terms of such Securities, this Declaration, the Business
Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act.

      (h) The Institutional Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a
"Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation
payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all Securities and any such
Paying Agent shall comply with Sections 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
Paying Agent may be removed by the Institutional Trustee at any time and a
successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time
by the Institutional Trustee.

      (i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Institutional Trustee shall have none
of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set
forth in Section 3.6.

      The Institutional Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this
Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of
the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Institutional Trustee shall not take
any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set
out in Section 3.3.

      SECTION 3.9 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INSTITUTIONAL
TRUSTEE.

      (a) The Institutional Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration
against the Institutional Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred
(that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a
Responsible Officer of the Institutional Trustee has actual knowledge, the
Institutional Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in the exercise
of such rights and powers, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

      (b) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the
Institutional Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

            (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the
curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

                  (A) the duties and obligations of the Institutional Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and the
Institutional Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such
duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the
Institutional Trustee; and


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   22
                  (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely, as to
the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Institutional
Trustee and substantially conforming to the requirements of this Declaration;
but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision
hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Institutional Trustee,
the Institutional Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine
whether or not they substantially conform to the requirements of this
Declaration;

            (ii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Institutional
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Institutional Trustee was negligent
in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

            (iii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount
of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional Trustee under this
Declaration;

            (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the
Institutional Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for
believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably
assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to the Institutional Trustee against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it;

            (v) the Institutional Trustee's sole duty with respect to the
custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the
Institutional Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar
manner as the Institutional Trustee deals with similar property for its own
account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the
Institutional Trustee under this Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act;

            (vi) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty or liability for
or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the
Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in
connection therewith;

            (vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be liable for any interest
on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the
Sponsor. Money held by the Institutional Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds held by it except in relation to the Institutional Trustee Account
maintained by the Institutional Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except
to the extent otherwise required by law; and

            (viii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be responsible for
monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor with their
respective duties under this


                                      -18-
<PAGE>   23
Declaration, nor shall the Institutional Trustee be liable for any act,
omission, default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Sponsor.

      SECTION 3.10 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE.

      (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9:

            (i) the Institutional Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be
fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or
presented by the proper party or parties;

            (ii) any direction or act of the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees
contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers'
Certificate;

            (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or
established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Institutional Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed)
may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon
an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly
delivered by the Sponsor or the Regular Trustees;

            (iv) the Institutional Trustee shall have no duty to see to any
recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any
rerecording, refiling or registration thereof;

            (v) the Institutional Trustee may consult with counsel or other
experts and the advice or opinion of such counsel and experts with respect to
legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise
shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with
such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Sponsor or any of its
Affiliates, and may include any of its employees. The Institutional Trustee
shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction;

            (vi) the Institutional Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the
request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to
the Institutional Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the
Institutional Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees
and expenses and the expenses of the Institutional Trustee's agents, nominees or
custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such
request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by
the Institutional Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section
3.10(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Institutional Trustee, upon the


                                      -19-
<PAGE>   24
occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and
powers vested in it by this Declaration;

            (vii) the Institutional Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent,
order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document, but the Institutional Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

            (viii) the Institutional Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or
through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Institutional Trustee
shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

            (ix) any action taken by the Institutional Trustee or its agents
hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the
signature of the Institutional Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient
and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to
inquire as to the authority of the Institutional Trustee to so act or as to its
compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of
which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Institutional Trustee's or its
agent's taking such action;

            (x) whenever in the administration of this Declaration the
Institutional Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with
respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder,
the Institutional Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the
Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same
proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to
direct the Institutional Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of
such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or
right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and
(iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in or accordance
with such instructions; and

            (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the
Institutional Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that
is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration.

      (b) No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or
obligation on the Institutional Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise
any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any
jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Institutional Trustee
shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to
perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Institutional
Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   25
      SECTION 3.11 DELAWARE TRUSTEE.

      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section
5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor
shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the
Regular Trustees or the Institutional Trustee described in this Declaration.
Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for
the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Sections 3807 of
the Business Trust Act. In performing such limited role, the Delaware Trustee
shall have all of the rights and protections afforded to the Institutional
Trustee under Section 3.9(b)(i) (except that (i) the Delaware Trustee's standard
of care shall be gross negligence, and (ii) such rights and protections shall
pertain to the Delaware Trustee without regard to the occurrence of any Event of
Default) and Section 3.10 of this Declaration.

      SECTION 3.12 EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS.

      Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are
only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is
authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular
Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6.

      SECTION 3.13 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES.

      The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be
taken as the statements of the Sponsor, and the Trustees do not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to
the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The
Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Declaration or the Securities.

      SECTION 3.14 DURATION OF TRUST.

      The Trust, unless dissolved pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII
hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date.

      SECTION 3.15 MERGERS.

      (a) The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as
described in Section 3.15(b) and (c) or in Annex I.

      (b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if there
are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the consent of
the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Institutional
Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust
organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that:


                                      -21-
<PAGE>   26
            (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either:

                  (A)   expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust
under the Securities; or

                  (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having
substantially the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the "Successor
Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Preferred
Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption and otherwise;

            (ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges a trustee of the
Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the Institutional
Trustee as the Holder of the Debentures;

            (iii) the Preferred Securities or any Successor Securities are
listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of
issuance, on any national securities exchange or with any other organization on
which the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted;

            (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does
not cause the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be
downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization;

            (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not
adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other
than with respect to any dilution of such Holders' interests in the Successor
Entity as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement);

            (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose substantially identical to
that of the Trust;

            (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Trust has received an opinion of a nationally recognized
independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that:

                  (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement
does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders
of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect
(other than with respect to any dilution of the Holders' interest in the
Successor Entity);

                  (B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, neither the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to
register as an Investment Company;


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   27
                  (C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified
as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; and

            (viii) the Sponsor guarantees the obligations of such Successor
Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the
Preferred Securities Guarantee.

      (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, without the
consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities, consolidate,
amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any
other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it, if
in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in
such matters, such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would
cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor
trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                     SPONSOR

      SECTION 4.1 SPONSOR'S PURCHASE OF COMMON SECURITIES.

      On the Closing Date, the Sponsor will purchase all of the Common
Securities issued by the Trust in an amount equal to 3% or more of the capital
of the Trust, at the same time as the Preferred Securities are sold.

      SECTION 4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SPONSOR.

      In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, the
Sponsor is hereby appointed an agent of the Trust pursuant to Section 3806(b)(7)
of the Business Trust Act and in such capacity shall have the exclusive right
and responsibility to engage in the following activities:

      (a) to prepare a prospectus relating to the offering of Preferred
Securities by the Trust and to prepare for filing by the Trust with the
Commission, and execute on behalf of the Trust, a registration statement on Form
S-3 or on another appropriate form (including, if appropriate, a registration
statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act) and any pre-effective or
post-effective amendments thereto, relating to the registration under the
Securities Act of the Preferred Securities;

      (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify
or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to do any and
all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise
the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any
documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Sponsor deems necessary
or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States;


                                      -23-
<PAGE>   28
      (c) to prepare for filing by the Trust, and execute on behalf of the
Trust, an application to the New York Stock Exchange, any other national stock
exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of
any Preferred Securities;

      (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission, and execute on
behalf of the Trust, a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any
pre-effective or post-effective amendments thereto, relating to the registration
of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including
any amendments thereto; and

      (e) to negotiate the terms of, and execute on behalf of the Trust, the
Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities.

      (f) to execute and deliver letters, documents or instruments on behalf of
the Trust with any Clearing Agency.

      The Sponsor must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 4.2 in a
manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out
in Section 3.3, and the Sponsor shall not take any action that is inconsistent
with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3.

      Subject to this Section 4.2, the Sponsor shall have none of the powers or
the authority of the Institutional Trustee set forth in Section 3.8.

      SECTION 4.3 GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT OF TRUST OBLIGATIONS.

      (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 4.3, the Holder of
Common Securities hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each
Person to whom the Trust is now or hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the
"Beneficiaries") the full payment, when and as due, of any and all costs,
expenses or liabilities of the Trust (other than obligations of the Trust to
make payments to holders of Trust Security pursuant to the terms thereof)
("Obligations") to such Beneficiaries.

      (b) The agreement of the Sponsor in Section 4.3(a) is intended to be for
the benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not
such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.

      (c) The agreement of the Sponsor set forth in Section 4.3(a) shall
terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the later of (a) the date
on which full payment has been made of all amounts payable to all Holders of all
the Preferred Securities (whether upon redemption, liquidation, exchange or
otherwise) and (b) the date on which there are no Beneficiaries remaining;
provided, however, that such agreement shall continue to be effective or shall
be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred
Securities or any Beneficiary must restore payment of any sums paid under the
Preferred Securities, under any Obligation,


                                      -24-
<PAGE>   29
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee or under this Declaration for any
reason whatsoever. Such agreement in continuing, irrevocable, unconditional and
absolute.


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    TRUSTEES

      SECTION 5.1 NUMBER OF TRUSTEES.

      The number of Trustees initially shall be [four (4),] and:

      (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Sponsor may, by
written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and

      (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be
increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation
amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of
the Common Securities, provided, however, that, the number of Trustees shall in
no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) if required by the
Business Trust Act, there shall be at least one Delaware Trustee; (2) there
shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated
with the Sponsor (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) for so long as this Declaration
is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, there
shall be one Institutional Trustee, who may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it
meets the applicable requirements.

      SECTION 5.2 DELAWARE TRUSTEE.

      If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee") shall be:

      (a)   a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or

      (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of
business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, provided that, if the Institutional Trustee has its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements
of applicable law, then the Institutional Trustee shall also be the Delaware
Trustee and Section 3.11 shall have no application.

      SECTION 5.3 INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE: ELIGIBILITY.

      (a) There shall at all times be one Trustee that shall act as
Institutional Trustee which shall:

            (i)   not be an Affiliate of the Sponsor;


                                      -25-
<PAGE>   30
            (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of
the United States of America or any State or territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to
act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under
such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and
surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to
supervision or examination by Federal, State, territorial or District of
Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining
authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii),
the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition
so published; and

            (iii) if the Trust is excluded from the definition of an Investment
Company solely by means of Rule 3a-7 and to the extent Rule 3a-7 requires a
trustee having certain qualifications to hold title to the "eligible assets" of
the Trust, the Institutional Trustee shall possess those qualifications.

      (b) If at any time the Institutional Trustee shall cease to be eligible to
so act under Section 5.3(a), the Institutional Trustee shall immediately resign
in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.6(c).

      (c) If the Institutional Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Institutional Trustee and the Holders of the Common Securities (as if such
Holders were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act.

      (d) The Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically
described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision
contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

      (e) The initial Institutional Trustee shall be as set forth in Section 5.5
hereof.

      SECTION 5.4 QUALIFICATIONS OF REGULAR TRUSTEES AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE
GENERALLY.

      Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Institutional
Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is
at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall have the power and
authority to act as a trustee hereunder and shall be represented in such
capacity by one or more Authorized Officers.

      SECTION 5.5 INITIAL TRUSTEES: ADDITIONAL POWERS OF REGULAR TRUSTEES.

      (a)   The initial Regular Trustees shall be:


                                      -26-
<PAGE>   31
            Gregory A. Boyko, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
            Lynda Godkin, Vice President and General Counsel
            c/o Hartford Life, Inc.
            200 Hopmeadow Street
            Simsbury, Connecticut  06089

            The initial Delaware Trustee shall be:

            Wilmington Trust Company
            1100 North Market Street
            Wilmington, Delaware  19890-001
            Attn:  Corporate Trust Administration

            The initial Institutional Trustee shall be:

            Wilmington Trust Company
            1100 North Market Street
            Wilmington, Delaware  19890-001
            Attn:  Corporate Trust Administration

      (b) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a
meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which
the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be
exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee.

      (c) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as
otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any one (1)
Regular Trustee is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any
documents which the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the
Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6.

      SECTION 5.6 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEES.

      (a) Subject to Section 5.6(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed
without cause at any time:

            (i)   until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument
executed by the Sponsor; and

            (ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a
meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities.

      (b) (i) The Trustee that acts as Institutional Trustee shall not be
removed in accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing
the qualifications to act as Institutional Trustee under Section 5.3 (a
"Successor Institutional Trustee") has been appointed


                                      -27-
<PAGE>   32
      and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such
Successor Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the
Sponsor; and

            (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed
in accordance with Section 5.6(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the
qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a
"Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee
and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

      (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor
shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any
Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting)
by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Sponsor
and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon
such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that:

            (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the
Institutional Trustee shall be effective:

                  (A) until a Successor Institutional Trustee has been appointed
and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor
Institutional Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning
Institutional Trustee; or

                  (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely
liquidated and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of the
Securities; and

            (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware
Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed
and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor
Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Sponsor and the resigning
Delaware Trustee whereupon the resigning Trustee shall be released and
discharged of the trusts and other duties imposed on such Trustee in connection
herewith.

      (d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to
promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Institutional Trustee
as the case may be if the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers
an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.6.

      (e) If no Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee
shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section
5.6 within 60 days after delivery to the Sponsor and the Trust of an instrument
of resignation, the resigning Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee, as
applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of
a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may
thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and
prescribe, appoint a Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be.


                                      -28-
<PAGE>   33
      (f) No Institutional Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the
acts or omissions to act of any Successor Institutional Trustee or Successor
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be.

      SECTION 5.7 VACANCIES AMONG TRUSTEES.

      If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is
increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution
certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there
are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive
evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a
Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.6.

      SECTION 5.8 EFFECT OF VACANCIES.

      The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall
not operate to annul, dissolve or terminate the Trust. or terminate this
Declaration. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur,
until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in
accordance with Section 5.6, the Regular Trustees in office, regardless of their
number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall
discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration.

      SECTION 5.9 MEETINGS.

      If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular
Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee.
Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed
by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the
Regular Trustees shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing
(including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48
hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Regular
Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered
in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not
less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of
the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether
in person or by telephone) of a Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity
on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened. Unless
provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may
be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present
(whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such
matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous
written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular
Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a
written consent of such Regular Trustee.


                                      -29-
<PAGE>   34
      SECTION 5.10 DELEGATION OF POWER.

      (a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with
applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or
her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
3.6, including making any governmental filing; and

      (b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to
such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and
the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names
of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular Trustees may deem expedient,
to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to
the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.

      SECTION 5.11 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.

      Any corporation into which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, may be merged or converted or with which either may
be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the
case may be, shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or
substantially all the corporate trust business of the Institutional Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the successor of the
Institutional Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  DISTRIBUTIONS

      SECTION 6.1 DISTRIBUTIONS.

      Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance with
the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions shall be
made on the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with
the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to the extent that
the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including Compounded Interest
(as defined in the Indenture) and Additional Interest (as defined in the
Indenture)), premium and/or principal on the Debentures held by the
Institutional Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"),
the Institutional Trustee shall and is directed to make a distribution (a
"Distribution") of the Payment Amount to Holders.


                                      -30-
<PAGE>   35
                                   ARTICLE VII
                             ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

      SECTION 7.1 GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING SECURITIES.

      (a) The Trust shall issue one class of preferred securities representing
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as
are set forth in Annex I (the "Preferred Securities") and one class of common
securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Common Securities").
The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the
Trust other than the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities.

      (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular
Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual or facsimile signature of any
present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust
who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular
Trustee before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such
Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such
Certificates had not ceased to be such Regular Trustee; and any Certificate may
be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of
execution of such Security, shall be the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although
at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was
not such a Regular Trustee. Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or
engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to
the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such
letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such
legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may
be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock
exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

      (c) The Preferred Security Certificates shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized officer of the
Institutional Trustee, the signature of whom shall be conclusive evidence that
the Preferred Security Certificates have been authenticated under this
Declaration. Upon a written order of the Trust signed by one Regular Trustee,
the Institutional Trustee shall authenticate the Preferred Security Certificates
for original issue. The Institutional Trustee may appoint an authenticating
agent acceptable to the Trust to authenticate the Preferred Security
Certificates. An authenticating agent may authenticate the Preferred Security
Certificates whenever the Institutional Trustee may do so. Each reference to
authentication by the Institutional Trustee includes authentication by such
agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Institutional Trustee
to deal with the Sponsor or an Affiliate thereof.

      (d) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the
Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall
not constitute a loan to the Trust.

      (e) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the
Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable; subject to Section 10.1 with respect to the Common Securities.


                                      -31-
<PAGE>   36
      (f) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Preferred
Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration,
shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall
be bound by, this Declaration.

      SECTION 7.2 REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.

      The Trust shall maintain in Wilmington, Delaware (i) an office or agency
where Preferred Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for
exchange ("Registrar"), and (ii) an office or agency where Preferred Securities
may be presented for payment. The Registrar shall keep a register of the
Preferred Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Trust may appoint
the Registrar and the Paying Agent and may appoint one or more co-registrars and
one or more additional paying agents in such other locations as it shall
determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The
Trust may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without prior
notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the Institutional Trustee of the
name and address of any agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Trust
fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the
Institutional Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may
act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The Trust shall act as Paying Agent, Registrar
and co-registrar for the Common Securities.

      The Trust initially appoints the Institutional Trustee as Registrar and
Paying Agent for the Preferred Securities.

      SECTION 7.3 PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.

      The Trust shall require each Paying Agent other than the Institutional
Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the
benefit of Holders or the Institutional Trustee all money held by the Paying
Agent for the payment of principal or Distributions on Securities, and will
notify the Institutional Trustee if there are insufficient funds. While any such
insufficiency continues, the Institutional Trustee may require a Paying Agent to
pay all money held by it to the Institutional Trustee. The Trust at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Institutional Trustee
and to account for any money disbursed by it. Upon payment over to the
Institutional Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Trust or an Affiliate
of the Trust) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Trust or the
Sponsor or an Affiliate of the Trust or the Sponsor acts as Paying Agent, it
shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders
all money held by it as Paying Agent.


                                      -32-
<PAGE>   37
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                              DISSOLUTION OF TRUST

      SECTION 8.1 DISSOLUTION OF TRUST.

      (a) The Trust shall dissolve:

            (i) upon the bankruptcy of any Holder of the Common Securities or
the Sponsor;

            (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its
equivalent with respect to any Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor;
or the revocation of the Holder of the Common Securities or the Sponsor's
charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a
reinstatement thereof;

            (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of any
Holder of the Common Securities, the Sponsor or the Trust;

            (iv) when all of the Securities shall have been called for
redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid
to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities;

            (v) at the election of the Sponsor (which is wholly within its sole
discretion); provided that the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance
with the terms of the Securities and all of the Debentures endorsed thereon
shall have been distributed to the Holders of Securities in exchange for all of
the Securities; or

            (vi) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all
of the Regular Trustees and the Sponsor.

      (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to
in Section 8.1(a) or upon the expiration of the term of the Trust set forth in
Section 3.14 and the winding up of the affairs of the Trust, the Trustees shall
file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.

      (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the
termination of the Trust.


                                      -33-
<PAGE>   38
                                   ARTICLE IX
                              TRANSFER OF INTERESTS

      SECTION 9.1 TRANSFER OF SECURITIES.

      (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of
the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in
accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void.

      (b) Subject to this Article IX, Preferred Securities shall be freely
transferable.

      (c) Subject to this Article IX, the Sponsor and any Related Party may only
transfer Common Securities to the Sponsor or a Related Party of the Sponsor;
provided that, any such transfer is subject to the condition precedent that the
transferor obtain the written opinion of nationally recognized independent
counsel experienced in such matters that such transfer would not cause more than
an insubstantial risk that:

            (i) the Trust would not continue to be classified for United States
federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and

            (ii) the Trust would be an Investment Company or the transferee
would become an Investment Company.

      SECTION 9.2 TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATES.

      The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates
and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without charge but only
upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may require) in
respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed in relation
to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, the
Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be issued in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered
for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly executed by the
Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate
surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Regular
Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the rights and
subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such
transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each transferee
shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration.

      SECTION 9.3 DEEMED SECURITY HOLDERS.

      The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be
registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such
Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes
of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes


                                      -34-
<PAGE>   39
whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or
other claim to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented
by such Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall
have actual or other notice thereof.

      SECTION 9.4 BOOK ENTRY INTERESTS.

      Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Preferred Securities, the
Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in the
form of one or more, fully registered, global Preferred Security Certificates
(each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial Clearing
Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall initially
be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co.,
the nominee of DTC, and no Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will receive a
definitive Preferred Security Certificate representing such Preferred Security
Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as provided in
Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Preferred Security
Certificates (the "Definitive Preferred Security Certificates") have been issued
to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7:

      (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect;

      (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing
Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of
Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or
consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Preferred Securities and the sole
holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Preferred
Security Beneficial Owners;

      (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with
any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4
shall control; and

      (d) the rights of the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be
exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
established by law and agreements between such Preferred Security Beneficial
Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and
receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to
such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the
Clearing Agency Participants.

      SECTION 9.5 NOTICES TO CLEARING AGENCY.

      Whenever a notice or other communication to the Preferred Security Holders
is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive Preferred
Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Preferred Security
Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all
such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Preferred
Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to
the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners.


                                      -35-
<PAGE>   40
      SECTION 9.6 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR CLEARING AGENCY.

      If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities
depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may,
in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to
such Preferred Securities.

      SECTION 9.7 DEFINITIVE PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATES.

      If:

      (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities
depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing
Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to
Section 9.6; or

      (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Sponsor to
terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the
Preferred Securities,
      then:

      (c) Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the
Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with respect to such Preferred
Securities; and

      (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency,
accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause
Definitive Certificates to be delivered to Preferred Security Beneficial Owners
in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Trustees
nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and
each of them may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on,
said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Preferred Security
Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in
any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as
evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or
other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as
the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with
any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or
regulation of any stock exchange on which Preferred Securities may be listed, or
to conform to usage.

      SECTION 9.8 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES.

      If:

      (a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular
Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their
satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and


                                      -36-
<PAGE>   41
      (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless

      then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been
acquired by a Protected Purchaser (as such term is used in section 8-405(a)(1)
of the UCC as in effect in the State of Delaware (1994 Rev)), any Regular
Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute, and cause the Institutional
Trustee to authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like
denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this
Section 9.8, the Regular Trustees may require the payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall
constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant
Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.


                                    ARTICLE X
                LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES,
                               TRUSTEES OR OTHERS

      SECTION 10.1 LIABILITY.

      (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Preferred
Securities Guarantee and the terms of the Securities, the Sponsor shall not be:

            (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital
contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which
shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and

            (ii) required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of Securities any
deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise.

      (b) The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the
debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities)
to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets.

      (c) Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of
the Preferred Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

      SECTION 10.2      EXCULPATION.

      (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or
claim incurred by reason of


                                      -37-
<PAGE>   42
any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good
faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be
liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified
Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or
omissions.

      (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports
or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert
competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the
Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts
pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to
Holders of Securities might properly be paid.

      SECTION 10.3 FIDUCIARY DUTY.

      (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has
duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this
Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for
its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of
this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of
an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the
duties imposed on the Institutional Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are
agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of
such Indemnified Person.

      (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein:

            (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any
Covered Person and any Indemnified Person; or

            (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated
herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that
is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder
of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest,
take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative
interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement,
transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such
interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable
generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad
faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken
or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this
Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or
obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise.


                                      -38-
<PAGE>   43
      (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or
required to make a decision:

            (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as
it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to
give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any
other Person; or

            (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the
Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be
subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by
applicable law.

      SECTION 10.4 INDEMNIFICATION.

      (a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted
by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than
an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or
was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of
any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or
upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in
a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

            (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent
permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or
suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by
reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company
Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and
only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which
such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.


                                      -39-
<PAGE>   44
            (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be
successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without
prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
of this Section 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he
shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection therewith.

            (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this
Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture
Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs
(i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not
parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not
obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular
Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3)
by the Common Security Holder of the Trust.

            (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by a Company
Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Debenture Issuer
if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees
by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a
quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested
Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion
or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts
known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time
such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith
or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that
such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where
the Regular Trustees, independent legal counsel or Common Security Holder
reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the
Trust or its Common or Preferred Security Holders.

            (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and
advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Preferred
Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All
rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be
provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and


                                      -40-
<PAGE>   45
each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while
this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section
10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.

            (vii) The Debenture Issuer may purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or
arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture Issuer would
have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of
this Section 10.4(a).

            (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the
Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any
constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee,
officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the
request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or
agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions
of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he
would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had
continued.

            (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Company
Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.

      (b) The Sponsor agrees to indemnify (i) the Institutional Trustee, (ii)
the Delaware Trustee, (iii) any Affiliate of the Institutional Trustee and the
Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members,
partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the
Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i)
through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to
hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or
expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b)
shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration and the
termination of the Trust.

      (c) The Sponsor agrees to pay the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware
Trustee, from time to time, such compensation for all services rendered by the
Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee hereunder as may be mutually
agreed upon in writing by the Sponsor and the Institutional Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, and except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, to reimburse the Institutional Trustee and the Delaware Trustee upon its
or their request for all reasonable expenses (including counsel fees and
expenses), disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Institutional
Trustee or the Delaware


                                      -41-
<PAGE>   46
      Trustee, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this
Declaration, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its or their negligence or bad faith.

      SECTION 10.5 OUTSIDE BUSINESSES.

      Any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the
Institutional Trustee (subject to Section 5.3(c)) may engage in or possess an
interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently
or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the
Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this
Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived
therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the
business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered
Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee, or the Institutional Trustee shall be
obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust
even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust,
could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Sponsor, the Delaware
Trustee and the Institutional Trustee shall have the right to take for its own
account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others
any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the
Delaware Trustee and the Institutional Trustee may engage or be interested in
any financial or other transaction with the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the
Sponsor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any
committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Sponsor
or its Affiliates.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   ACCOUNTING

      SECTION 11.1 FISCAL YEAR.

      The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year,
or such other year as is required by the Code.

      SECTION 11.2 CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS.

      (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees
shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting
documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the
Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of
accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for
United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records
of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal
Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected
by the Regular Trustees.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>   47
      (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each
of the Holders of Securities, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year
of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance
sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements
of income or loss;

      (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to
each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax
information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with
regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the
Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any
such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver
all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the
Trust.

      (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with
the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax
return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal
income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by
the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing
authority.

      SECTION 11.3 BANKING.

      The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the
sole benefit of the Trust; provided, however, that all payments of funds in
respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee shall be made
directly to the Institutional Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust
shall be deposited in the Institutional Trustee Account. The sole signatories
for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided,
however, that the Institutional Trustee shall designate the signatories for the
Institutional Trustee Account.

      SECTION 11.4 WITHHOLDING.

      The Regular Trustees shall, and shall cause the Trust to, comply with all
withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The
Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or
certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with
respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be
requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in
fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees shall file
required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from
withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld
with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the
Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with
respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall
be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder.
In the event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an
action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be
withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce
subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding.


                                      -43-
<PAGE>   48
                                   ARTICLE XII
                             AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS

      SECTION 12.1 AMENDMENTS.

      (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable
terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written
instrument approved and executed by:

            (i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular
Trustees a majority of the Regular Trustees);

            (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee, the Institutional
Trustee; and

            (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties,
obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee;

      (b) no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be
void and ineffective:

            (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Institutional
Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the
Trust and the Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the
terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities);

            (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the
rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Institutional Trustee,
the Institutional Trustee shall have first received:

                  (A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the
Sponsor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

                  (B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Sponsor
or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of
this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and

            (iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to:

                  (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for
purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust;


                                      -44-
<PAGE>   49
                  (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the
Institutional Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or

                  (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act;

      (c) at such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain
outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or
preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such
additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities;

      (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the
consent of all of the Holders of the Securities;

      (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities and;

      (f) the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities under Article V to
increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall not be
amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount
of the Common Securities; and

      (g) subject to Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended without
the consent of the Holders of the Securities to:

            (i)   cure any ambiguity;

            (ii) correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that
may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration;

            (iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the
Sponsor;

            (iv) to conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in
interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 by any legislative body, court,
government agency or regulatory authority which amendment does not have a
material adverse effect on the right, preferences or privileges of the Holders;
and

            (v) to modify, eliminate and add to any provision of the Declaration
to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate any of the foregoing
or to otherwise comply with applicable law.


                                      -45-
<PAGE>   50
      SECTION 12.2 MEETINGS OF THE HOLDERS OF SECURITIES: ACTION BY WRITTEN
CONSENT.

      (a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at
any time by the Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities)
to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities
are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the
Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities
are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees shall call a meeting of
the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of Securities
representing at least 25% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.
Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Regular Trustees one or more
calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities wish to call a
meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is
to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in
writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising
the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted
for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the
second sentence of this paragraph has been met.

      (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the
Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of
Securities:

            (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of
Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60
days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of
the Holders of Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the
rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed or
admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting
of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the
Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing
setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of Securities owning
not less than the minimum amount of Securities in liquidation amount that would
be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders
of Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt
notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders
of Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Regular
Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Security Holder
for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the
Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees;

            (ii) each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for
it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to
participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating
at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the
date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be
revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of Securities executing it. Except as
otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or
validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder,
as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Holders of the Securities
were stockholders of a Delaware corporation;


                                      -46-
<PAGE>   51
            (iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be
conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular
Trustees may designate; and

            (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of
the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock
exchange on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise
provides, the Regular Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall establish all
other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice
of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted
on by any Holders of Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by consent
without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements,
voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of
any such right to vote.


                                  ARTICLE XIII
          REPRESENTATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE

      SECTION 13.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE.

      The Trustee that acts as initial Institutional Trustee represents and
warrants to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and
each Successor Institutional Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and
the Sponsor at the time of the Successor Institutional Trustee's acceptance of
its appointment as Institutional Trustee that:

      (a) the Institutional Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust
powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority to execute and deliver,
and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, the
Declaration;

      (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Institutional Trustee
of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of the Institutional Trustee. The Declaration has been duly executed
and delivered by the Institutional Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Institutional Trustee, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court
(regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law);

      (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Declaration by the
Institutional Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
Amended Charter or by-laws of the Institutional Trustee; and

      (d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any State or Federal banking authority governing the banking or trust
powers of the Institutional


                                      -47-
<PAGE>   52
Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the
Institutional Trustee, of the Declaration.

      SECTION 13.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DELAWARE TRUSTEE.

      The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants
to the Trust and to the Sponsor at the date of this Declaration, and each
Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Sponsor
at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as
Delaware Trustee that:

      (a) The Delaware Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation with trust
powers, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority to execute and deliver,
and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, the
Declaration.

      (b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations
under the Certificate of Trust and the Declaration. The Declaration under
Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Delaware
Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar
laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity
and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such
remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

      (c) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or
notice to, any State or Federal banking authority governing the banking or trust
powers of the Institutional Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or
performance by the Delaware Trustee of the Declaration.

      (d) The Delaware Trustee has its principal place of business in the State
of Delaware.


                                       48
<PAGE>   53
                                   ARTICLE XIV
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      SECTION 14.1 NOTICES.

      All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly
signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or
mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

      (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees at the Trust's
mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give
notice of to the Holders of the Securities):

            Hartford Life Capital I
            c/o Hartford Life, Inc.
            200 Hopmeadow Street
            Simsbury, Connecticut 06089
            Attention:  Gregory A. Boyko
            With a copy to:  Lynda Godkin

      (b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set forth
below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders of the Securities):

            Wilmington Trust Company
            1100 North Market Street
            Wilmington, Delaware 19890-001
            Attn:  Corporate Trust Administration

      (c) if given to the Institutional Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office
(or such other address as the Institutional Trustee may give notice of to the
Holders of the Securities):

            Wilmington Trust Company
            1100 North Market Street
            Wilmington, Delaware 19890-001
            Attn:  Corporate Trust Administration

      (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing
address of the Sponsor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of
the Common Securities may give notice of to the Trust):


                                      -49-
<PAGE>   54
            Hartford Life, Inc.
            200 Hopmeadow Street
            Simsbury, Connecticut 06089
            Attention:  Gregory A. Boyko
            With a copy to:  Lynda Godkin

      (e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books
and records of the Trust.

      All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

      SECTION 14.2 GOVERNING LAW.

      This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed
by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all
rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles
of conflict of laws.

      SECTION 14.3 INTENTION OF THE PARTIES.

      It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for
United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of
this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties.

      SECTION 14.4 HEADINGS.

      Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of
reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any
provision hereof.

      SECTION 14.5 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

      Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or
referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be
included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Sponsor
and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective
successors and assigns, whether so expressed.

      SECTION 14.6 PARTIAL ENFORCEABILITY.

      If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision
to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this
Declaration, or the application of such


                                      -50-
<PAGE>   55
provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held
invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

      SECTION 14.7 COUNTERPARTS.

      This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature
page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of
each of the parties hereto one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such
counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the
same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature
page.


                                      -50-
<PAGE>   56
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                    /s/ Gregory A. Boyko
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    Gregory A. Boyko, as Regular Trustee


                                    /s/ Lynda Godkin
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    Lynda Godkin, as Regular Trustee


                                    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as
                                          Delaware Trustee


                                    By: /s/ Mary C. St. Amand
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                        Name:  Mary C. St. Amand
                                        Title:  Assistant Vice President


                                    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as
                                        Institutional Trustee

                                    By: /s/ Mary C. St. Amand
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Name:  Mary C. St. Amand
                                        Title:  Assistant Vice President


                                    HARTFORD LIFE, INC., as Sponsor and
                                        Debenture Issuer

                                    By: /s/ Gregory A. Boyko
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:


                                      -50-
<PAGE>   57
                                     ANNEX I
                                    TERMS OF
                   7.20% TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES, SERIES A
                     7.20% TRUST COMMON SECURITIES, SERIES A

      Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust,
dated as of June 29, 1998 (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the
designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and
provisions of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities are set out
below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set
forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in
the Prospectus referred to below):

1.    Designation and Number.

      (a) Preferred Securities. Ten million (10,000,000) Preferred Securities of
the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the
Trust of two-hundred and fifty million dollars ($250,000,000.00) and a
liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $25 per preferred
security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as
"7.20% Trust Preferred Securities, Series A" (the "Series A Preferred
Securities"). The Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Preferred
Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration,
with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be
required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any
stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed.

      (b) Common Securities. Three-hundred and nine thousand two-hundred and
eighty (309,280) Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation
amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of seven million seven hundred
thirty-two thousand dollars ($7,732,000.00) and a liquidation amount with
respect to the assets of the Trust of $25 per common security, are hereby
designated for the purposes of identification only as "7.20% Trust Common
Securities, Series A" (the "Common Securities"). The Common Security
Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form
of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or
deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice.

2.    Distributions.

      (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per
annum of 7.20% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per
Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be
held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears beyond the first
date such Distributions are payable (or would be payable if not for any
Extension Period (as defined below) or default by the Debenture Issuer on the
Debentures) will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate
(to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used
herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless
otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that
<PAGE>   58
payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee
and to the extent the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The
amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full
quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for
which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of
the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter.


      (b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from
and including June 29, 1998, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on
January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 of each year, commencing on July
15, 1998. When, as and if available for payment, Distributions will be made by
the Institutional Trustee, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture
Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest on the
Debentures by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the
Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an
"Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and
payable on the Debentures, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond
the date of maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of the Debenture
Issuer's extension of the interest payment period, Distributions will also be
deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue
with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon
Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. In the event that
the Debenture Issuer exercises its right to extend the interest payment period,
then (a) the Debenture Issuer shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock or make any
guarantee payment with respect thereto (other than (i) repurchases, redemptions
or other acquisitions of shares of capital stock of Hartford Life in connection
with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or
for the benefit of employees, officers, directors or consultants, (ii) as a
result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of Hartford Life's
capital stock for any other class or series of Hartford Life's capital stock,
(iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Hartford Life's capital
stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or
the security being converted or exchanged, or (iv) distribution of rights under
any shareholders' rights plan adopted by Hartford Life) and (b) the Debenture
Issuer shall not make any payment of interest on or principal of (or premium, if
any, on), or repay, repurchase or redeem, any debt securities issued by the
Debenture Issuer or its subsidiaries that rank pari passu with or junior to the
Debentures. The foregoing, however, will not apply to any stock dividends paid
by Hartford Life where the dividend stock is the same stock as that on which the
dividend is being paid. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,
the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that
such Extension Period, together with all such previous and further extensions
thereof, may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters; provided, further, that no
Extension Period may extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of
accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and
records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension
Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all
amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period,
subject to the above requirements. The Regular Trustees will give notice


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   59
to each Holder of any Extension Period upon their receipt of notice thereof from
the Debenture Issuer.

      (c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof
as they appear on the books and records of the Trust at the close of business on
the relevant record dates. While the Preferred Securities remain in book-entry
only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the
relevant payment dates which payment dates shall correspond to the interest
payment dates on the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws and regulations
and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the
Preferred Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of
the Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust
Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated June 24, 1998, (the "Prospectus
Supplement") to the Prospectus dated June 24, 1998 (together, the "Prospectus"),
of the Trust included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Sponsor,
the Trust and certain other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the
Common Securities shall be the same record date as for the Preferred Securities.
If the Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only
form, the relevant record dates for the Preferred Securities shall conform to
the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities are listed and, if
none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least
14 days but no more than 60 days before the relevant payment dates, which
payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures.
Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any
Distribution payment date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to
make a payment under the Debentures (other than while an Extension Period shall
be continuing) , will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such
Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted
Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities
are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in
accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on
the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable
on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that,
if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall
be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same
force and effect as if made on such Distribution payment date.

      (d) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for
the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be
distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities.

3.    Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution.

      In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution or winding-up of
the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the dissolution or
winding-up, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of
the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction
of liabilities of creditors, distributions in an amount equal to the aggregate
of the stated liquidation amount of $25 per Security plus accrued and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"), unless, in connection


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   60
with such dissolution, or winding-up, Debentures in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest
rate equal to the Coupon Rate, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an
amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, such Securities
outstanding at such time, have been distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the
Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities.

      If, upon any such dissolution, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid
only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full
the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the
Trust on the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis.

4.    Redemption and Distribution.

      (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether at
maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or
pursuant to a Special Event as described below), the proceeds from such
repayment or payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having
an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price equal to the proceeds
from such repayment or redemption of the Debentures (the "Redemption Price").
Holders shall be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such
redemption.

      (b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed,
the Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Preferred Securities to be
redeemed will be as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below.

      (c) The Debenture Issuer shall have the right, at any time, to dissolve
the Trust and, after satisfaction of creditors, cause Debentures held by the
Institutional Trustee, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the
Coupon Rate, and with accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid
Distributions on, the Securities outstanding at such time, to be distributed to
the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the
Trust on a Pro Rata basis.

      (d) The Debenture Issuer shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures, in whole but not in part,
for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of a Tax Event or an Investment
Company Event (each as defined below, and each a "Special Event"), and,
following such redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal
to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be
redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis.

      "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion
of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters
(a "Tax Event Opinion") to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to,
or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein, or (b) any interpretation or application
of, or pronouncement with respect to, such laws or regulation, by any
legislative body, court,


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   61
governmental agency or regulatory authority (including the enactment of any
legislation and the publication of any judicial decision or regulatory
determination), which amendment or change is effective or which interpretation,
application or pronouncement is announced on or after June   , 1998, there is
more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust would be subject to United
States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the
Debentures, (ii) the Trust would be subject to more than a de minimis amount of
other taxes, duties or other governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable to
the Trust on the Debentures would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by the
Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes.

      "Investment Company Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have
received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel experienced
in practice under the Investment Company Act (an "Investment Company Event
Opinion") to the effect that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law
or regulation or a written change in interpretation or application of law or
regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory
authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"), there is a more than an insubstantial
risk that the Trust is or will be considered an Investment Company which is
required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in 1940
Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of the Prospectus Supplement.

      On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any distribution of
Debentures and dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be
deemed to be outstanding, (ii) DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing
Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Preferred Securities, will
receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the
Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution and (iii) any certificates
representing Securities, except for certificates representing Preferred
Securities held by DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its
nominee), will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in the Debentures
having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation
amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued
and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Securities
until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for
transfer or reissue.

      (e) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities
unless all accrued and unpaid Distributions have been paid on all Securities for
all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of
redemption.

      (f) If the Debentures are distributed to Holders of the Securities,
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer will use its best
efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such
other exchange as the Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the
distribution of the Debentures.

      (g) Redemption or Distribution procedures will be as follows:

            (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of
Debentures in exchange for the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice")
will be given by the Trust by


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   62
mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30
nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof
which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the
Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or
exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this Section
4(f)(i), a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day
such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of
Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the
Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books
and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in
the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the
validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other
Holder.

            (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are
to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from
each Holder of Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of
Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by DTC or its
nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the
distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing
Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds such
securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee.

            (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a
Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the
Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be
irrevocable), then (A) while the Preferred Securities are in book-entry only
form, with respect to the Preferred Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City
time, on the redemption date, provided, that the Debenture Issuer has paid the
Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related
redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Institutional Trustee will deposit
irrevocably with DTC or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its
nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to
the Preferred Securities and will give DTC (or any successor Clearing Agency)
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
Preferred Security Beneficial Owners, and (B) with respect to Preferred
Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that the
Debenture Issuer has paid the Institutional Trustee a sufficient amount of cash
in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the
Institutional Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of
such Securities by check mailed to the address of the relevant Holder appearing
on the books and records of the Trust on the redemption date. If a
Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited as
required, if applicable, then immediately prior to the close of business on the
date of such deposit, or on the redemption date, as applicable, Distributions
will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights
of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the
right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but
without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the
Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of
any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed for
redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption
Price payable on such date will be made on


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   63
the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or
other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day
falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect
of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the
Institutional Trustee or by the Sponsor as guarantor pursuant to the Preferred
Securities Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue
from the original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case
the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the Redemption Price.

            (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular
Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Preferred Securities,
DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the
Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive Preferred Security
Certificates have been issued, to the Holder thereof, and (B) in respect of the
Common Securities to the Holder thereof.

            (v) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without
limitation, United States federal securities laws), the Debenture Issuer or its
affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Preferred
Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement.

5.    Voting Rights - Preferred Securities.

      (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required
by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Preferred Securities will have no
voting rights.

      (b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Holders
of a Majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities,
voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional Trustee,
or direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Institutional
Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Institutional
Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee,
or exercise any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect
to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past Event of Default that is waivable under
Section 5.13 of the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a
declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable or
(iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or
the Debentures where such consent shall be required, provided, however, that,
where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act
of each holder of each Debenture affected thereby, such consent or action under
the Indenture shall not be effective until each Holder of Preferred Securities
shall have consented to such action or provided such consent. The Institutional
Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote
of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. Except with respect to directing the
time, method and place of conducting a proceeding for a remedy available to the
Institutional Trustee, the Institutional Trustee, as holder


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   64
of the Debentures, shall not take any of the actions described in clauses (i),
(ii), (iii) or (iv) above unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an
opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that as a result of such action, the Trust will not fail
to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes. If the Institutional Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
Declaration, (other than by reason of the failure to obtain the opinion set
forth in the previous sentence) any Holder of Preferred Securities may, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, directly institute a legal proceeding against
the Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the
Debentures without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Institutional Trustee or any other Person or entity. If a Declaration Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the
failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures
on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of
redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Preferred Securities may
also directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder
(a "Direct Action") of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a
principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred
Securities of such Holder on or after the respective due date specified in the
Debentures without first (i) directing the Institutional Trustee to enforce the
terms of the Debentures or (ii) instituting a legal proceeding directly against
the Debenture Issuer to enforce the Institutional Trustee's rights under the
Debentures. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Holders of
Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy
available to the Holders of the Debentures. In connection with such Direct
Action, Hartford Life will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of
Preferred Securities under the Declaration to the extent of any payment made by
Hartford Life to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action.

      Any required approval or direction of Holders of Preferred Securities may
be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Preferred Securities convened for
such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or
pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any
meeting at which Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to
be mailed to each Holder of record of Preferred Securities. Each such notice
will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date
by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution
proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote
or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions
for the delivery of proxies or consents.

      No vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or to
distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of
the Securities.

      Notwithstanding that Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote
or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Preferred
Securities that are owned by the Sponsor or any Affiliate of the Sponsor shall
not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or
consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   65
6.    Voting Rights - Common Securities.

      (a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), (c) and 7 as otherwise
required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common Securities will
have no voting rights.

      (b) The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance with
Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Trustee
or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees.

      (c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after the Event of
Default with respect to the Preferred Securities has been cured, waived, or
otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to last
sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time,
method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Institutional Trustee, or direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred
upon the Institutional Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing
the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waiving any past default
and its consequences that is waivable under Section 5.13 of the Indenture, or
(iii) exercising any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal
of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, provided that, where a consent
or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of the Holders of
greater than a majority in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby (a
"Super Majority"), the Institutional Trustee may only give such consent or take
such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion
in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority
represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.
Pursuant to this Section 6(c), the Institutional Trustee shall not revoke any
action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Institutional
Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Institutional Trustee
shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of
the Common Securities under this paragraph unless the Institutional Trustee has
obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United
States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a
grantor trust on account of such action. If the Institutional Trustee fails to
enforce its rights under the Declaration, any Holder of Common Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to enforce the
Institutional Trustee's rights under the without first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Institutional Trustee or any other Person.

      Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may be given at
a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at
a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to
written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at
which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon
which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to
each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a
statement setting forth (i)


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   66
the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a
description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which
such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent
is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents.

      No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute
the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the
Securities.

7.    Amendments to Declaration and Indenture.

      (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the Declaration,
if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Regular
Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect
the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of
amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up
or termination of the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 of the
Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities as a class, will be
entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal (but not on any other amendment
or proposal) and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with
the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Securities, voting together as a single class; provided, however, if any
amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect
only the Preferred Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the
affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal and such
amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a
Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities.

      (b) In the event the consent of the Institutional Trustee as the holder of
the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment,
modification or termination on the Indenture or the Debentures, the
Institutional Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the
Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall
vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by
a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single
class; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require
the consent of the holders of greater than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debentures (a "Super Majority"), the Institutional Trustee may
only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the
proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super
Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
outstanding; provided, further, that the Institutional Trustee shall not take
any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities
under this Section 7(b) unless the Institutional Trustee has obtained an opinion
of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal
income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on
account of such action.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   67
8.    Pro Rata.

      A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution
or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder of
Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held
by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all
Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default
under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds
available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the
Preferred Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of
Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate
liquidation amount of all Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after
satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, to
each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation
amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the
aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding.

9.    Ranking.

      The Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made
Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where an Event of Default
occurs and is continuing under the Indenture in respect of the Debentures held
by the Institutional Trustee, the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to
payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the
Preferred Securities.

10.   Listing.

      The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Preferred
Securities to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

11. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture.

      Each Holder of Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the
acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions
of the Indenture.

12.   No Preemptive Rights.

      The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive or similar rights
to subscribe for any additional securities.

13.   Miscellaneous.

      These terms constitute a part of the Declaration.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   68
      The Sponsor will provide a copy of any one or more of the Declaration, the
Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on
written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.


                                       12
<PAGE>   69
              EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE

      [IF THE PREFERRED SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE INSERT THIS
PREFERRED SECURITY IS A GLOBAL CERTIFICATE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DECLARATION
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY (THE "DEPOSITARY") OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS PREFERRED
SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR PREFERRED SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A
PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE DECLARATION AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS PREFERRED
SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS PREFERRED SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO
THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN
LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

      UNLESS THIS PREFERRED SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW
YORK) TO THE TRUST OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR
PAYMENT, AND ANY PREFERRED SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE &
CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

      Certificate Number __________
      Number of Preferred Securities _____________

      CUSIP NO. _________

      Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities of

      HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I

      [ ]% Trust Preferred Securities, Series A (Liquidation Amount $25 per
Preferred Security)

      HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I, a statutory business trust created under the laws
of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Cede & Co. (the
"Holder") is the registered owner of ________________________ preferred
securities of the Trust representing preferred undivided preferred beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust designated the [ ]% Trust Preferred
Securities, Series A (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred Securities are
transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly
authorized attorney,

                                      A1-1

                                     
<PAGE>   70
upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for
transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and
other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities are set forth in, and
this certificate and the Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and
shall in all respects be subject to, the provisions of the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of [June __], 1998, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of
the terms of the Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I thereto.
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them
in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Preferred
Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Sponsor will provide a
copy of the Declaration, the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to
a Holder without charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal
place of business.

      The Holder of this certificate, by accepting this certificate, is deemed
to have (i) agreed to the terms of the Indenture and the Debentures, including
that the Debentures are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior
Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) and (ii) agreed to the terms of the
Preferred Securities Guarantee, including that the Preferred Securities
Guarantee is (A) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of Hartford Life, (B) pari passu with the most senior preferred or
preference stock now or hereafter issued by Hartford Life and with any guarantee
now or hereafter issued by Hartford Life with respect to preferred or preference
stock of Hartford Life's affiliates and (C) senior to Hartford Life's common
stock.

      Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration
and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

      By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal
income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Preferred Securities
as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this day of
____, ____.

                                    HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I



                                    ___________________________________
                                          , as Regular Trustee

                                      A1-2
<PAGE>   71
              INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

            This is one of the Preferred Securities referred to in the
within-mentioned Declaration.



                  By:   _______________________________________
                        Authorized Signatory


                                      A1-3
<PAGE>   72
                           [FORM OF REVERSE SECURITY]

      Distributions payable on each Preferred Security will be fixed at a rate
per annum of ___% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $_____
per Preferred Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the
Debentures to be held by the Institutional Trustee. Distributions in arrears
will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the
extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein
includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless otherwise
stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in
respect of the Debentures held by the Institutional Trustee and to the extent
the Institutional Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of
Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly
Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and
for any period of less than a full calendar month the number of days elapsed in
such month.

      Distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue
from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on
the following dates, which dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the
Debentures: January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year,
commencing on ___________ 1998, except as otherwise described below. So long as
no Event of Default (or an event which would be an Event of Default with the
giving of required notice or the passage of time) has occurred and is
continuing, the Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time
on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an
"Extension Period") and, as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will
also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue
to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at
the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to
the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further
extend such Extension Period so long as no Event of Default (or an event which
would be an Event of Default with the giving of required notice or the passage
of time) has occurred and is continuing; provided that such Extension Period
together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20
consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity (whether at the stated
maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise) of
the Debentures under the Indenture. Payments of accrued Distributions will be
payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the
first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of
any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture
Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.

      The Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the
Declaration.


                                      A1-4
<PAGE>   73
                                   ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Preferred
Security Certificate to:

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

___________________________  (Insert assignee's social security or tax

identification number)_________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________  (Insert address and zip code of assignee) and

irrevocably appoints___________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________ agent to
transfer this Preferred Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The
agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

Date: ________________________

Signature: ___________________

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred
Security Certificate)
<PAGE>   74
                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                       FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE

      TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN
THE DECLARATION REFERRED TO BELOW

      Certificate Number  ___________

      Number of Common Securities ___________

      Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of ____________

      HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I

      [ ]% Trust Common Securities, Series A (Liquidation Amount $25 per
Common Security)

      HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I, a statutory business trust created under the laws
of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that Hartford Life,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the "Holder") is the registered owner of
three-hundred and nine thousand, two-hundred and eighty (309,280) common
securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust designated the [ ]% Trust Common Securities, Series A (the
"Common Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and
records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender
of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer and
satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in the Declaration (as defined
below), including, without limitation, Section 9.1 thereof. The designation,
rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of
the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be
subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
the Trust dated as of [June __], 1998, as the same may be amended from time to
time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common
Securities as set forth in Annex I thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but
not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Sponsor
will provide a copy of the Declaration and the Indenture to a Holder without
charge upon written request to the Sponsor at its principal place of business.

      Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration
and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

      The Holder of this certificate, by accepting this certificate, is deemed
to have agreed to the terms of the Indenture and the Debentures, including that
the Debentures are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior
Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) as and to the extent provided in the
Indenture.


                                      A2-1
<PAGE>   75
      By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal
income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Common Securities as
evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures.


      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this day of
______, 1998.


                             HARTFORD LIFE CAPITAL I



                             _____________________________________
                                   , as Regular Trustee


                                      A2-2
<PAGE>   76
                                   ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security
Certificate to:
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________ (Insert

assignee's social security or tax identification number)_______________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________ (Insert address and zip code of

assignee) and irrevocably appoints_____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________ agent to transfer this Common Security
Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act
for him or her.

Date: ________________________

Signature: ___________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
other side of this Common Security Certificate)