# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000717347
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-169354
**Filing Date:** 2026-4
**Character Count:** 63243
**Document Hash:** 0d4f6be81b481fbe9f54389b1f4ae16f
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-169354.hdr.sgml**: 20260422

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-169354

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 1

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260422

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260422

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260422

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** New England Variable Life Separate Account
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000717347

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 042708937
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MA
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 002-82838
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26882258

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** NEW ENGLAND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
- **STREET 2:** 11225 NORTH COMMUNITY HOUSE ROAD
- **CITY:** CHARLOTTE
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 28277
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 980-365-7100

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** NEW ENGLAND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
- **STREET 2:** 11225 NORTH COMMUNITY HOUSE ROAD
- **CITY:** CHARLOTTE
- **STATE:** NC
- **ZIP:** 28277

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** NEW ENGLAND VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20011204

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** NEW ENGLAND LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20011129

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** NEW ENGLAND VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19920703

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### New England Variable Life Separate Account (Series ID: S000004217)

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|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name  | Class ID   |
| Zenith Life | C000023045 |

---

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### New England Variable Life Separate Account (Series ID: S000004217)

| Class ID   | Class Name   | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000023045 | Zenith Life  |  |

**NEW ENGLAND LIFE** <br>**INSURANCE COMPANY**

**Zenith Life** <br> **Zenith Life One** <br>**Zenith Life Executive 65** <br>**Zenith Variable Whole Life**

Supplement Dated April 27, 2026 to <br>Prospectuses Dated May 1, 1988, May 1, 2001 and May 1, 2002

This supplement updates, and to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces certain information contained in the prospectuses for the above-referenced variable life insurance Policies, as periodically and annually supplemented. You should read and retain this supplement. We will send you an additional copy of the last full prospectus for your Policy as supplemented, without charge, on request. The Policies are no longer available for sale.

New England Life Insurance Company ("NELICO") was organized as a stock life insurance company in Delaware in 1980 and is currently subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. NELICO is authorized to operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NELICO is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of, and ultimately controlled by, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. ("BHF"), a publicly-traded company. BHF, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S. NELICO is located at 11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.

**Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these Policies or determined if this supplement is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.**

**The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a web site that contains material incorporated by reference, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.**

**The Eligible Fund prospectuses may be obtained by calling (833) 208-3017.**

**We do not guarantee how any of the Sub-Accounts or Eligible Funds will perform. The Policies and the Eligible Funds are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any financial institution and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.**

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") provides background information about broker-dealers and their registered representatives through FINRA BrokerCheck. You may contact the FINRA BrokerCheck Hotline at 1-800-289-9999, or log on to www.finra.org. An investor brochure that includes information describing FINRA BrokerCheck is available through the Hotline or on-line.

**INTRODUCTION TO THE POLICIES**

**Receipt of Communications and Payments at NELICO's Designated Office**

We will treat your request for a Policy transaction, or your submission of a payment, as received by us if we receive a request conforming to our administrative procedures or a payment at our Designated Office before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on that day (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). If we receive it after that time, or if the New York Stock Exchange is not open that day, then we will treat it as received on the next day when the New York Stock Exchange is open. These rules apply regardless of the reason we did not receive your request by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange—even if due to our delay (such as a delay in answering your telephone call).

We are not a fiduciary and do not give advice or make recommendations regarding insurance or investment products. Ask your financial representative for guidance regarding any requests or elections and for information about your particular investment needs. Please bear in mind that your financial representative, or any financial firm or financial professional you consult to provide advice, is acting on your behalf. We are not a party to any agreement between you and your financial professional. We do not recommend and are not responsible for any securities transactions or investment strategies involving securities (including Sub-Account recommendations).

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The Designated Office for various Policy transactions is as follows:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Premium and Loan Payments\* | &nbsp;&nbsp; New England Life Insurance Company<br> P.O. Box 71114<br> Charlotte, NC 28272-1114<br>|
| All Other Policy Transactions and Inquiries | &nbsp;&nbsp; New England Life Insurance Company<br> P.O. Box 4261<br> Clinton, IA 52733-4261<br>|
| Telephone Number | (833) 208-3017 |
| Fax Number | (877) 319-2495 |

---

\*Corporate owners that use a payroll deduction billing arrangement to collect amounts due from an insured under the Policy (commonly referred to as list statement billing), should send Premium and Loan Payments to New England Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 38090, Philadelphia, PA 19101-8090.

You may request an account transfer or reallocation of future premiums by written request (which may be telecopied) to our Designated Office, by telephoning us, or over the Internet (subject to our restrictions on frequent transfers). To request a transfer or reallocation by telephone, you should contact your financial representative or contact us. To request a transfer or reallocation over the Internet, you may log on to our website at www.brighthousefinancial.com. We use reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone, facsimile or Internet are genuine. Any telephone, facsimile or Internet instructions that we reasonably believe to be genuine will be your responsibility, including losses arising from any errors in the communication of instructions. However, because telephone and Internet transactions may be available to anyone who provides certain information about you and your Policy, you should protect that information. We may not be able to verify that you are the person providing telephone or Internet instructions, or that you have authorized any such person to act for you.

Telephone, facsimile, and computer systems (including the Internet) may not always be available. Any telephone, facsimile, or computer system, whether it is yours, your service provider's, your financial representative's, or ours, can experience outages or slowdowns for a variety of reasons. These outages or slowdowns may delay or prevent our processing of your request. Although we have taken precautions to help our systems handle heavy use, we cannot promise complete reliability under all circumstances. If you are experiencing problems, you should make your request by writing to our Designated Office.

If you send your premiums or transaction requests to an address other than the one we have designated for receipt of such premiums or requests, we may return the premium to you, or there may be a delay in applying the premium or transaction to your Policy.

**CHARGES AND EXPENSES**

**Annual Eligible Fund Operating Expenses**

The table below titled "Minimum and Maximum Total Annual Eligible Fund Operating Expenses" describes the Eligible Fund fees and expenses that a Policy Owner may pay periodically during the time that he or she owns the Policy. This table shows the minimum and maximum total operating expenses charged by the Eligible Funds for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, before any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Expenses of the Eligible Funds may be higher or lower in the future.

More detail concerning each Eligible Fund's fees and expenses is contained in the prospectus for each Eligible Fund and in the table below titled "Eligible Fund Fees and Expenses". This table describes the annual operating expenses for each Eligible Fund for the year ended December 31, 2025 before and after any applicable fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Certain Eligible Funds may impose a redemption fee in the future.

**Mortality and Expense Risk Charge.** We deduct a charge for the mortality and expense risks that we assume. We are currently waiving 0.08% of the Mortality and Expense Risk Charge for the Sub-Account investing in the Brighthouse/

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Wellington Large Cap Research Portfolio, an amount equal to the Eligible Fund expenses that are in excess of 0.88% for the Sub-Account investing in the MFS<sup>®</sup> Research International Portfolio and 0.62% for the Sub-Account investing in the Invesco Global Equity Portfolio.

**Charges Deducted from the Eligible Funds.** The following charges are deducted from the Eligible Fund assets:

—Daily charges against the Eligible Funds for investment advisory services and fund operating expenses.

**Minimum and Maximum Total Annual Eligible Fund Operating Expenses** 

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Minimum** | **Maximum** |
| Total Annual Eligible Fund Operating Expenses |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (expenses that are deducted from Eligible Fund assets, including management fees, <br> distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses)<br>| 0.27% | 1.13% |

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**Eligible Fund Fees and Expenses as of December 31, 2025**

**(as a percentage of average daily net assets)**

The following table is a summary. For more complete information on Eligible Fund fees and expenses, please refer to the prospectus for each Eligible Fund.

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| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Management**<br> **Fee**<br>| **Distribution**<br> **and/or**<br> **Service**<br> **(12b-1) Fees**<br>| **Other**<br> **Expenses**<br>| **Acquired** <br> **Fund Fees**<br> **and** <br> **Expenses**<br>| **Total**<br> **Annual**<br> **Operating**<br> **Expenses**<br>| **Fee Waiver**<br> **and/or**<br> **Expense**<br> **Reimbursement**<br>| **Net Total**<br> **Annual**<br> **Operating**<br> **Expenses**<br>|
| **American Funds Insurance Series**<sup>®</sup> **—** <br> **Class 2** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| American Funds Growth Fund | 0.30% | 0.25% | 0.03% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.58% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.58% |
| American Funds Growth-Income Fund | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.03% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.53% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.53% |
| American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund<sup>®</sup> | 0.65% | 0.25% | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.95% | 0.05% | 0.90% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; American Funds The Bond Fund of <br> America<br>| 0.35% | 0.25% | 0.03% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.63% | 0.16% | 0.47% |
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust I — Class A** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Brighthouse Asset Allocation 100 Portfolio | 0.07% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.01% | 0.63% | 0.71% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.71% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington Large Cap <br> Research Portfolio<br>| 0.56% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.58% | 0.04% | 0.54% |
| CBRE Global Real Estate Portfolio | 0.65% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.70% | 0.04% | 0.66% |
| Harris Oakmark International Portfolio | 0.78% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.03% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.81% | 0.09% | 0.72% |
| Invesco Global Equity Portfolio | 0.67% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.71% | 0.13% | 0.58% |
| Invesco Small Cap Growth Portfolio | 0.86% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.90% | 0.16% | 0.74% |
| Loomis Sayles Growth Portfolio | 0.56% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.58% | 0.03% | 0.55% |
| MFS<sup>®</sup> Research International Portfolio | 0.71% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.75% | 0.19% | 0.56% |
| Morgan Stanley Discovery Portfolio | 0.64% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.03% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.67% | 0.02% | 0.65% |
| PIMCO Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio | 0.49% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.64% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 1.13% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 1.13% |
| PIMCO Total Return Portfolio | 0.48% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.12% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.60% | 0.02% | 0.58% |
| State Street Moderate ETF Portfolio | 0.31% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.02% | 0.17% | 0.50% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.50% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; State Street Moderately Aggressive ETF <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.32% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.04% | 0.17% | 0.53% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.53% |
| T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Portfolio | 0.75% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.79% | 0.09% | 0.70% |
| Victory Sycamore Mid Cap Value Portfolio | 0.65% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.70% | 0.10% | 0.60% |
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust II — Class A** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Baillie Gifford International Stock Portfolio | 0.81% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.85% | 0.11% | 0.74% |

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| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Management**<br> **Fee**<br>| **Distribution**<br> **and/or**<br> **Service**<br> **(12b-1) Fees**<br>| **Other**<br> **Expenses**<br>| **Acquired** <br> **Fund Fees**<br> **and** <br> **Expenses**<br>| **Total**<br> **Annual**<br> **Operating**<br> **Expenses**<br>| **Fee Waiver**<br> **and/or**<br> **Expense**<br> **Reimbursement**<br>| **Net Total**<br> **Annual**<br> **Operating**<br> **Expenses**<br>|
| BlackRock Bond Income Portfolio | 0.36% |  | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.40% | 0.02% | 0.38% |
| BlackRock Capital Appreciation Portfolio | 0.70% |  | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.72% | 0.16% | 0.56% |
| BlackRock Ultra-Short Term Bond Portfolio | 0.35% |  | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.40% | 0.03% | 0.37% |
| Brighthouse Asset Allocation 20 Portfolio | 0.10% |  | 0.06% | 0.58% | 0.74% | 0.06% | 0.68% |
| Brighthouse Asset Allocation 40 Portfolio | 0.06% |  | 0.01% | 0.59% | 0.66% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.66% |
| Brighthouse Asset Allocation 60 Portfolio | 0.05% |  | 0.01% | 0.60% | 0.66% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.66% |
| Brighthouse Asset Allocation 80 Portfolio | 0.05% |  | 0.01% | 0.62% | 0.68% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.68% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Artisan Mid Cap Value <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.82% |  | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.87% | 0.09% | 0.78% |
| Brighthouse/Wellington Balanced Portfolio | 0.46% |  | 0.06% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.52% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.52% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington Core Equity <br> Opportunities Portfolio<br>| 0.72% |  | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.74% | 0.12% | 0.62% |
| Frontier Mid Cap Growth Portfolio | 0.72% |  | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.76% | 0.07% | 0.69% |
| Jennison Growth Portfolio | 0.60% |  | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.62% | 0.08% | 0.54% |
| Loomis Sayles Small Cap Core Portfolio | 0.90% |  | 0.08% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.98% | 0.08% | 0.90% |
| Loomis Sayles Small Cap Growth Portfolio | 0.90% |  | 0.08% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.98% | 0.09% | 0.89% |
| MetLife Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 0.25% |  | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.27% | 0.01% | 0.26% |
| MetLife Mid Cap Stock Index Portfolio | 0.25% |  | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.30% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.30% |
| MetLife MSCI EAFE<sup>®</sup> Index Portfolio | 0.30% |  | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.37% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.37% |
| MetLife Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Index Portfolio | 0.25% |  | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.30% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.30% |
| MetLife Stock Index Portfolio | 0.25% |  | 0.03% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.28% | 0.01% | 0.27% |
| MFS<sup>®</sup> Total Return Portfolio | 0.57% |  | 0.07% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.64% | 0.02% | 0.62% |
| MFS<sup>®</sup> Value Portfolio | 0.62% |  | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.64% | 0.06% | 0.58% |
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Portfolio | 0.83% |  | 0.05% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.88% | 0.07% | 0.81% |
| T. Rowe Price Large Cap Growth Portfolio | 0.60% |  | 0.02% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.62% | 0.06% | 0.56% |
| T. Rowe Price Small Cap Growth Portfolio | 0.47% |  | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.51% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.51% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management Strategic <br> Bond Opportunities Portfolio<br>| 0.58% |  | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.62% | 0.05% | 0.57% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management <br> U.S. Government Portfolio<br>| 0.49% |  | 0.04% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.53% | 0.03% | 0.50% |
| **Fidelity**<sup>®</sup> **Variable Insurance** <br> **Products — Initial Class** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Equity-Income Portfolio | 0.46% |  | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.46% | &nbsp;&nbsp; — | 0.46% |

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The information shown in the table above was provided by the Eligible Funds. Certain Eligible Funds and their investment adviser have entered into expense reimbursement and/or fee waiver arrangements that will continue at least until April 28, 2027. These arrangements can be terminated with respect to these Eligible Funds only with the approval of the Eligible Fund's board of directors or trustees. Please see the Eligible Funds' prospectuses for additional information regarding these arrangements.

Certain Eligible Funds that have "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" are "funds of funds." A fund of funds invests substantially all of its assets in other underlying funds. Because the Eligible Fund invests in other funds, it will bear its pro rata portion of the operating expenses of those underlying funds, including the management fee.

*Fidelity*<sup>®</sup> *Variable Insurance Products and the American Funds Insurance Series*<sup>®</sup> *are not affiliated with NELICO.*

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**THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT**

**The Company**

On November 6, 2025, Brighthouse Financial ("BHF") and Aquarian Capital LLC ("Aquarian") announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement under which an affiliate of Aquarian will acquire BHF. This transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. Subject to such approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions, the transaction is expected to be consummated in 2026.

Upon the consummation of the transaction, Aquarian will become the ultimate parent of BHF and NELICO will remain an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BHF. Although Aquarian will replace BHF as NELICO's ultimate parent, NELICO will continue in its present role as the issuer of your Policy. All of your rights and benefits under your Policy and NELICO's obligations under the Policy will remain unchanged.

Founded in 2017, Aquarian Capital is a diversified global holding company with a strategic portfolio of insurance and asset management solutions. Aquarian is headquartered in New York, NY.

**Investments of the Variable Account**

Each Sub-Account of the Variable Account invests in a corresponding Eligible Fund. Each Eligible Fund is part of an open-end management investment company, more commonly known as a mutual fund, that serves as an investment vehicle for variable life insurance and variable annuity separate accounts of various insurance companies. The mutual funds that offer the Eligible Funds are the American Funds Insurance Series, Brighthouse Funds Trust I, Brighthouse Funds Trust II and the Variable Insurance Products Fund. Each of these mutual funds has an investment adviser responsible for overall management of the fund. Some investment advisers have contracted with sub-advisers to make the day-to-day investment decisions for the Eligible Funds.

The adviser, sub-adviser and investment objective of each Eligible Fund are as follows:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Investment Objective** | **Investment Adviser/Subadviser** |
| **American Funds Insurance Series**<sup>®</sup> <br> **— Class 2** |  |  |
| American Funds Growth Fund | Seeks growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Capital Research and Management <br> Company<sup>SM</sup> <br>|
| American Funds Growth-Income Fund | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks long-term growth of capital and <br> income.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Capital Research and Management <br> Company<sup>SM</sup> <br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; American Funds SMALLCAP World <br> Fund<sup>®</sup> <br>| Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Capital Research and Management <br> Company<sup>SM</sup> <br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; American Funds The Bond Fund of <br> America<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks as high a level of current <br> income as is consistent with the <br> preservation of capital.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Capital Research and Management <br> Company<sup>SM</sup> <br>|
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust I —** <br> **Class A** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Asset Allocation 100 <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks growth of capital. | Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington Large Cap <br> Research Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Wellington Management <br> Company LLP<br>|
| CBRE Global Real Estate Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks total return through investment <br> in real estate securities, emphasizing <br> both capital appreciation and current <br> income.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: CBRE Investment <br> Management Listed Real Assets LLC<br>|
| Harris Oakmark International Portfolio | Seeks long-term capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Harris Associates L.P.<br>|

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Investment Objective** | **Investment Adviser/Subadviser** |
| Invesco Global Equity Portfolio | Seeks capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Invesco Advisers, Inc.<br>|
| Invesco Small Cap Growth Portfolio | Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Invesco Advisers, Inc.<br>|
| Loomis Sayles Growth Portfolio | Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & <br> Company, L.P.<br>|
| MFS<sup>®</sup> Research International Portfolio | Seeks capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial <br> Services Company<br>|
| Morgan Stanley Discovery Portfolio | Seeks capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Morgan Stanley <br> Investment Management Inc.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PIMCO Inflation Protected Bond <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks maximum real return, <br> consistent with preservation of capital <br> and prudent investment management.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Pacific Investment <br> Management Company LLC<br>|
| PIMCO Total Return Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks maximum total return, <br> consistent with the preservation of <br> capital and prudent investment <br> management.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Pacific Investment <br> Management Company LLC<br>|
| State Street Moderate ETF Portfolio | Seeks growth of capital and income. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: SSGA Funds Management, <br> Inc.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; State Street Moderately Aggressive <br> ETF Portfolio<br>| Seeks growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: SSGA Funds Management, <br> Inc.<br>|
| T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Portfolio | Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: T. Rowe Price Associates, <br> Inc.<br> Sub-Subadviser: T. Rowe Price <br> Investment Management, Inc.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Victory Sycamore Mid Cap Value <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks high total return by investing in <br> equity securities of mid-sized <br> companies.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Victory Capital <br> Management Inc.<br>|
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust II —** <br> **Class A** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Baillie Gifford International Stock <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Baillie Gifford Overseas <br> Limited<br>|
| BlackRock Bond Income Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a competitive total return <br> primarily from investing in <br> fixed-income securities.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Capital Appreciation <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Ultra-Short Term Bond <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a high level of current income <br> consistent with prudent investment <br> risk and preservation of capital.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, LLC<br>|

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Investment Objective** | **Investment Adviser/Subadviser** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Asset Allocation 20 <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a high level of current income, <br> with growth of capital as a secondary <br> objective.<br>| Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Asset Allocation 40 <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks high total return in the form of <br> income and growth of capital, with a <br> greater emphasis on income.<br>| Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Asset Allocation 60 <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a balance between a high level <br> of current income and growth of <br> capital, with a greater emphasis on <br> growth of capital.<br>| Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Asset Allocation 80 <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks growth of capital. | Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Artisan Mid Cap Value <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term capital growth. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Artisan Partners Limited <br> Partnership<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington Balanced <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks long-term capital appreciation <br> with some current income.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Wellington Management <br> Company LLP<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington Core Equity <br> Opportunities Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to provide a growing stream of <br> income over time and, secondarily, <br> long-term capital appreciation and <br> current income.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Wellington Management <br> Company LLP<br>|
| Frontier Mid Cap Growth Portfolio | Seeks maximum capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Frontier Capital <br> Management Company, LLC<br>|
| Jennison Growth Portfolio | Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Jennison Associates LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Loomis Sayles Small Cap Core <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks long-term capital growth from <br> investments in common stocks or <br> other equity securities.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & <br> Company, L.P.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Loomis Sayles Small Cap Growth <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term capital growth. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & <br> Company, L.P.<br>|
| MetLife Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to track the performance of the <br> Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: MetLife Investment <br> Management, LLC<br>|
| MetLife Mid Cap Stock Index Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to track the performance of the <br> Standard & Poor's MidCap 400<sup>®</sup> <br> Composite Stock Price Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: MetLife Investment <br> Management, LLC<br>|
| MetLife MSCI EAFE<sup>®</sup> Index Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to track the performance of the <br> MSCI EAFE<sup>®</sup> Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: MetLife Investment <br> Management, LLC<br>|
| MetLife Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Index Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to track the performance of the <br> Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: MetLife Investment <br> Management, LLC<br>|
| MetLife Stock Index Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to track the performance of the <br> Standard & Poor's 500<sup>®</sup> Composite <br> Stock Price Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: MetLife Investment <br> Management, LLC<br>|

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Investment Objective** | **Investment Adviser/Subadviser** |
| MFS<sup>®</sup> Total Return Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a favorable total return through <br> investment in a diversified portfolio.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial <br> Services Company<br>|
| MFS<sup>®</sup> Value Portfolio | Seeks capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial <br> Services Company<br>|
| Neuberger Berman Genesis Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks high total return, consisting <br> principally of capital appreciation.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Neuberger Berman <br> Investment Advisers LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price Large Cap Growth <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: T. Rowe Price Associates, <br> Inc.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price Small Cap Growth <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term capital growth. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: T. Rowe Price Associates, <br> Inc.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management Strategic <br> Bond Opportunities Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to maximize total return <br> consistent with preservation of capital.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Western Asset <br> Management Company LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management <br> U.S. Government Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to maximize total return <br> consistent with preservation of capital <br> and maintenance of liquidity.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC<br> Subadviser: Western Asset <br> Management Company LLC<br>|
| **Fidelity**<sup>®</sup> **Variable Insurance** <br> **Products — Initial Class** |  |  |
| Equity-Income Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks reasonable income. The fund <br> will also consider the potential for <br> capital appreciation. The fund's goal is <br> to achieve a yield which exceeds the <br> composite yield on the securities <br> comprising the S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Fidelity Management & Research <br> Company LLC<br> Subadviser: FMR UK, FMR HK, and <br> FMR Japan<br>|

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**Changes Affecting the Eligible Funds**

Certain Eligible Funds were subject to a name change. The chart below identifies the former name and the new name of each of these Eligible Funds.

**Eligible Fund Name Changes** 

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Former Name** | **New Name** |
| **American Funds Insurance Series**<sup>®</sup> <br>| **American Funds Insurance Series**<sup>®</sup> <br>|
| American Funds Global Small Capitalization Fund | American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund<sup>®</sup>\* |
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust I** | **Brighthouse Funds Trust I** |
| SSGA Growth ETF Portfolio | State Street Moderately Aggressive ETF Portfolio |
| SSGA Growth and Income ETF Portfolio | State Street Moderate ETF Portfolio |

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\*The effective date of this name change is May 1, 2026.

**For more information regarding the Eligible Funds and their investment advisers and sub-advisers, see the Eligible Fund prospectuses and their Statements of Additional Information, which you can obtain by calling (833) 208-3017.**

The Eligible Funds' investment objectives may not be met. The investment objectives and policies of certain Eligible Funds are similar to the investment objectives and policies of other funds that may be managed by the same investment

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adviser or sub-adviser. The investment results of the Eligible Funds may be higher or lower than the results of these funds. There is no assurance, and no representation is made, that the investment results of any of the Eligible Funds will be comparable to the investment results of any other fund.

**Share Classes of the Eligible Funds**

The Eligible Funds offer various classes of shares, each of which has a different level of expenses. The prospectuses for the Eligible Funds may provide information for share classes that are not available through the Policy. When you consult the prospectus for any Eligible Fund, you should be careful to refer to only the information regarding the class of shares that is available through the Policy. For the American Funds Insurance Series, we offer Class 2 shares only; for Brighthouse Funds Trust I and Brighthouse Funds Trust II, we offer Class A shares only; and for Fidelity Variable Insurance Products, we offer Initial Class shares only.

**Certain Payments We Receive with Regard to the Eligible Funds**

An investment adviser (other than our affiliate Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC) or subadviser of an Eligible Fund, or its affiliates, may make payments to us and/or certain of our affiliates. These payments may be used for a variety of purposes, including payment of expenses for certain administrative, marketing, and support services with respect to the Policies and, in the Company's role as an intermediary, with respect to the Eligible Funds. The Company and its affiliates may profit from these payments. These payments may be derived, in whole or in part, from the advisory fee deducted from Eligible Fund assets. Policy Owners, through their indirect investment in the Eligible Funds, bear the costs of these advisory fees (see the Eligible Funds' prospectuses for more information). The amount of the payments we receive is based on a percentage of assets of the Eligible Funds attributable to the Policies and certain other variable insurance products that we and our affiliates issue. These percentages differ and some advisers or subadvisers (or other affiliates) may pay us more than others. These percentages currently range up to 0.50%.

Additionally, an investment adviser (other than our affiliate Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC) or subadviser of an Eligible Fund or its affiliates may provide us with wholesaling services that assist in the distribution of the Policies and may pay us and/or certain of our affiliates amounts to participate in sales meetings. These amounts may be significant and may provide the adviser or subadviser (or their affiliates) with increased access to persons involved in the distribution of the Policies.

We and/or certain of our affiliated insurance companies have joint ownership interests in our affiliated investment adviser Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC, which is formed as a "limited liability company." Our ownership interests in Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC entitle us to profit distributions if the adviser makes a profit with respect to the advisory fees it receives from the Eligible Funds. We will benefit accordingly from assets allocated to the Eligible Funds to the extent they result in profits to the adviser. (See "Fee Table—Eligible Funds Fees and Expenses" for information on the management fees paid by the Eligible Funds and the Statement of Additional Information for the Eligible Funds for information on the management fees paid by the adviser to the subadvisers.)

Certain Eligible Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. An Eligible Fund's 12b-1 Plan, if any, is described in more detail in the Eligible Fund's prospectus. (See "Fee Table—Eligible Fund Fees and Expenses" and "Distribution of the Policies.") Any payments we receive pursuant to those 12b-1 Plans are paid to us or our distributor. Payments under an Eligible Fund's 12b-1 Plan decrease the Eligible Fund's investment return.

**OTHER POLICY FEATURES**

**Transfer Option**

We monitor transfer activity in the following "Monitored Portfolios" for purposes of imposing our restrictions on frequent transfers.

American Funds Growth Fund

American Funds Growth-Income Fund

American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund<sup>®</sup>

American Funds The Bond Fund of America

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Baillie Gifford International Stock Portfolio

CBRE Global Real Estate Portfolio

Harris Oakmark International Portfolio

Invesco Global Equity Portfolio

Invesco Small Cap Growth Portfolio

Loomis Sayles Small Cap Core Portfolio

Loomis Sayles Small Cap Growth Portfolio

MetLife MSCI EAFE<sup>®</sup> Index Portfolio

MetLife Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Index Portfolio

MFS<sup>®</sup> Research International Portfolio

Neuberger Berman Genesis Portfolio

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;T. Rowe Price Small Cap Growth Portfolio

Western Asset Management Strategic Bond Opportunities Portfolio

**TAX CONSIDERATIONS**

**Introduction**

The following summary provides a general description of the Federal income tax considerations associated with the Policy and does not purport to be complete or to cover all tax situations. The summary does not address state, local or foreign tax issues related to the Policy. This discussion is not intended as tax advice. Counsel or other competent tax advisers should be consulted for more complete information. This discussion is based upon our understanding of the present Federal income tax laws. No representation is made as to the likelihood of continuation of the present Federal income tax laws or as to how they may be interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service. It should be further understood that the following discussion is not exhaustive and that special rules not described herein may be applicable in certain situations.

**Tax Status of the Policy**

In order to qualify as a life insurance contract for Federal income tax purposes and to receive the tax treatment normally accorded life insurance contracts under Federal tax law, a Policy must satisfy certain requirements which are set forth in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Guidance as to how these requirements are to be applied is limited. Nevertheless, we anticipate that the Policies will satisfy the applicable requirements. There is additional uncertainty however, with respect to Policies issued on a substandard risk or automatic issue basis and Policies with term riders added, and it is not clear whether such Policies will in all cases satisfy the applicable requirements. We may take appropriate steps to bring the Policy into compliance with applicable requirements, and we reserve the right to restrict Policy transactions in order to do so. The insurance proceeds payable on the death of the insured will never be less than the minimum amount required for the Policy to be treated as life insurance under section 7702 of the Code, as in effect on the date the Policy was issued.

In some circumstances, owners of variable contracts who retain excessive control over the investment of the underlying separate account assets may be treated as the owners of those assets. Although published guidance in this area does not address certain aspects of the Policies, we believe that the Owner of a Policy should not be treated as the owner of the Variable Account assets. We reserve the right to modify the Policies to bring them into conformity with applicable standards should such modification be necessary to prevent Owners of the Policies from being treated as the owners of the underlying Variable Account assets.

In addition, the Code requires that the investments of the Variable Account be "adequately diversified" in order for the Policies to be treated as life insurance contracts for Federal income tax purposes. It is intended that the Variable Account, through the Eligible Funds, will satisfy these diversification requirements. If Eligible Fund shares are sold directly to either non-qualified plans or to tax-qualified retirement plans that later lose their tax-qualified status, there may be adverse consequences under the diversification rules.

The following discussion assumes that the Policy will qualify as a life insurance contract for Federal income tax purposes.

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**Tax Treatment of Policy Benefits**

**In General—Death Benefits**. The death benefit under a Policy should generally be excludible from the gross income of the beneficiary for Federal income tax purposes.

In the case of employer-owned life insurance as defined in section 101(j) of the Code, the amount excludable from gross income is limited to premiums paid unless the Policy falls within certain specified exceptions and a notice and consent requirement is satisfied before the Policy is issued. Certain specified exceptions are based on the status of an employee as highly compensated, a director or recently employed. There are also exceptions for Policy proceeds paid to an employee's heirs. These exceptions only apply if proper notice is given to the insured employee and consent is received from the insured employee before the issuance of the Policy. These rules apply to Policies issued August 18, 2006 and later and also apply to policies issued before August 18, 2006 after a material increase in the death benefit or other material change. An IRS reporting requirement applies to employer-owned life insurance subject to these rules. Because these rules are complex and will affect the tax treatment of death benefits, it is advisable to consult tax counsel.

The death benefit will also be taxable in the case of a transfer-for-value unless certain exceptions apply.

Federal, state and local transfer, and other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of ownership or receipt of Policy proceeds depend on the circumstances of each Policy Owner or beneficiary. A tax adviser should be consulted on these circumstances.

Generally, the Policy Owner will not be deemed to be in constructive receipt of the Policy Cash Value until there is a distribution or a deemed distribution. When distributions from a Policy occur, or when loans are taken out from or secured by a Policy, the tax consequences depend on whether the Policy is classified as a Modified Endowment Contract ("MEC").

**Modified Endowment Contracts.** Under the Code, certain life insurance contracts are classified as MECs with less favorable income tax treatment than other life insurance contracts. Due to the Policy's flexibility with respect to premium payments and benefits, each Policy's circumstances will determine whether the Policy is a MEC. In general a Policy will be classified as a MEC if the amount of premiums paid into the Policy causes the Policy to fail the "7-pay test". A Policy will fail the 7-pay test if at any time in the first seven Policy years, or seven years after a material change, the amount paid into the Policy exceeds the sum of the level premiums that would have been paid at that point under a Policy that provided for paid-up future benefits after the payment of seven level annual payments. <br>

If there is a reduction in the benefits under the Policy during a 7-pay testing period, for example, as a result of a partial surrender, the 7-pay test will have to be reapplied as if the Policy had originally been issued at the reduced face amount. If there is a "material change" in the Policy's benefits or other terms, even after the first seven Policy years, the Policy may have to be retested as if it were a newly issued Policy. A material change can occur, for example, when there is an increase in the death benefit or the receipt of an unnecessary premium. Unnecessary premiums are premiums paid into the Policy which are not needed in order to provide a death benefit equal to the lowest death benefit that was payable in the most recent 7-pay testing period. To prevent your Policy from becoming a MEC, it may be necessary to limit premium payments or to limit reductions in benefits. A current or prospective Policy Owner should consult a tax adviser to determine whether a Policy transaction will cause the Policy to be classified as a MEC.

**Zenith Life and Zenith Life One Policies.** As noted above, certain changes in a Policy after it is issued could also cause it to be classified as a MEC. Policies issued before June 21, 1988 are generally not classified as MECs unless they undergo such a change on or after June 21, 1988. The addition of a rider to an existing Policy, even one issued before June 21, 1988, is a change that could cause it to be classified as a MEC. Moreover, any insurance policy received in exchange for a MEC will also be classified as a MEC. If a Policy described in the Zenith Life or Zenith Life One prospectuses is exchanged on or after June 21, 1988 for another life insurance policy, regardless of when the Policy was originally issued, the new insurance policy should be reviewed to determine how the rules regarding MECs may apply to the new policy. Also, all Policies described in the Zenith Life One prospectus which were entered into on or after June 21, 1988 are classified as MECs.

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**Distributions Other Than Death Benefits from Modified Endowment Contracts.** Policies classified as MECs are subject to the following tax rules:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) All distributions other than death benefits, including distributions upon surrender and withdrawals, from a MEC will be treated first as distributions of gain taxable as ordinary income and as tax-free recovery of the Policy Owner's investment in the Policy only after all gain has been distributed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) Loans taken from or secured by a Policy classified as a MEC are treated as distributions and taxed accordingly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) A 10 percent additional income tax is imposed on the amount subject to tax except where the distribution or loan is made when the Policy Owner has attained age 59 <sup>1</sup>∕2 or is disabled, or where the distribution is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for the life (or life expectancy) of the Policy Owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Policy Owner and the Policy Owner's beneficiary. The foregoing exceptions generally do not apply to a Policy Owner which is a non-natural person, such as a corporation.

If a Policy becomes a MEC, distributions that occur during the contract year will be taxed as distributions from a MEC. In addition, distributions from a Policy within two years before it becomes a MEC will be taxed in this manner. This means that a distribution made from a Policy that is not a MEC could later become taxable as a distribution from a MEC.

**Distributions Other Than Death Benefits from Policies that are not Modified Endowment Contracts.** <br>Distributions other than death benefits from a Policy that is not classified as a MEC are generally treated first as a non-taxable recovery of the Policy Owner's investment in the Policy and only after the recovery of all investment in the Policy as gain taxable as ordinary income. However, distributions during the first 15 Policy years accompanied by a reduction in Policy benefits, including distributions which must be made in order to enable the Policy to continue to qualify as a life insurance contract for Federal income tax purposes, are subject to different tax rules and may be treated in whole or in part as taxable income.

Loans from or secured by a Policy that is not a MEC are generally not treated as distributions. However, the tax consequences are less clear and a tax adviser should be consulted when the interest rate charged for a Policy loan equals the interest rate credited on the amount we hold as collateral for the loan.

Finally, neither distributions from nor loans from or secured by a Policy that is not a MEC are subject to the 10 percent additional income tax.

**Investment in the Policy.** Your investment in the Policy is generally your aggregate premiums. When a distribution is taken from the Policy, your investment in the Policy is reduced by the amount of the distribution that is tax-free.

**Policy Loans.** In general, interest on a Policy loan will not be deductible. If a Policy loan is outstanding when a Policy is canceled or lapses, the amount of the outstanding indebtedness will be added to the amount distributed and will be taxed accordingly. A loan may also be taxed when a Policy is exchanged. Before taking out a Policy loan, you should consult a tax adviser as to the tax consequences.

**Multiple Policies.** All MECs that are issued by NELICO (or its affiliates) to the same Policy Owner during any calendar year are treated as one MEC for purposes of determining the amount includible in the Policy Owner's income when a taxable distribution occurs.

**Life Insurance Purchases by Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Corporations.** Policy Owners that are not U.S. citizens or residents will generally be subject to U.S. Federal withholding tax on taxable distributions from life insurance policies at a 30% rate, unless a lower treaty rate applies. In addition, Policy Owners may be subject to state and/or municipal taxes and taxes that may be imposed by the Policy Owner's country of citizenship or residence.

**Withholding.** To the extent that Policy distributions are taxable, they are generally subject to withholding for the recipient's Federal income tax liability. Recipients can generally elect, however, not to have tax withheld from distributions. Recipients may be required to pay penalties under the estimated tax rules if withholding and estimated tax payments are insufficient.

**Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes.** The transfer of the Policy or the designation of a beneficiary may have Federal, state, and/or local transfer and inheritance tax consequences, including the imposition of gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. When the insured dies, the death proceeds will generally be includable in the Policy

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Owner's estate for purposes of the Federal estate tax if the Policy Owner was the insured, if the insured possessed incidents of ownership in the Policy at the time of death, or if the insured made a gift transfer of the Policy within three years of death. If the Policy Owner was not the insured, the fair market value of the Policy would be included in the Policy Owner's estate upon the Policy Owner's death.

Moreover, under certain circumstances, the Code may impose a "generation-skipping transfer tax" when all or part of a life insurance policy is transferred to, or a death benefit is paid to, an individual two or more generations younger than the Policy Owner. Regulations issued under the Code may require us to deduct the tax from your Policy, or from any applicable payment, and pay it directly to the IRS.

Qualified tax advisers should be consulted concerning the estate, gift and other tax consequences of Policy ownership and distributions under Federal, state and local law. The individual situation of each Policy Owner or beneficiary will determine the extent, if any, to which Federal, state, and local transfer and inheritance taxes may be imposed and how ownership or receipt of Policy proceeds will be treated for purposes of Federal, state and local estate, inheritance, generation-skipping and other taxes. In 2026, federal tax law provides for a $15,000,000 gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption, which will be indexed for inflation in subsequent years.

The complexity of the tax law, along with uncertainty as to how it might be modified in coming years, underscores the importance of seeking guidance from a qualified adviser to help ensure that your estate plan adequately addresses your needs and those of your beneficiaries under all possible scenarios.

**Other Tax Considerations.** The tax consequences of continuing the Policy beyond the insured's 100th year are unclear. You should consult a tax adviser if you intend to keep the Policy in force beyond the insured's 100th year.

Payments received under the Acceleration of Death Benefit Rider should be excludable from the gross income of the Policy Owner except in certain business contexts. However, you should consult a qualified tax adviser about the consequences of adding this rider to a Policy or requesting payment under this rider.

If a trustee under a pension or profit-sharing plan, or similar deferred compensation arrangement, owns a Policy, the Federal, state and estate tax consequences could differ. The amounts of life insurance that may be purchased on behalf of a participant in a pension or profit-sharing plan are limited. Providing excessive life insurance coverage in a retirement plan will have adverse tax consequences. The inclusion of riders, such as waiver of premium riders, may also have adverse tax consequences. Therefore, it is important to discuss with your tax adviser the suitability of the Policy, including the suitability of coverage amounts and Policy riders, before any purchase by a retirement plan. Any proposed distribution or sale of a Policy by a retirement plan will also need to be discussed with a tax adviser. The current cost of insurance for the net amount at risk is treated as a "current fringe benefit" and must be included annually in the plan participant's gross income. If the plan participant dies while covered by the plan and the Policy proceeds are paid to the participant's beneficiary, then the excess of the death benefit over the Cash Value is not income taxable. However, the Cash Value will generally be taxable to the extent it exceeds the participant's cost basis in the Policy. Policies owned under these types of plans may be subject to restrictions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). You should consult a qualified adviser regarding ERISA.

Department of Labor ("DOL") regulations impose requirements for participant loans under retirement plans covered by ERISA. Plan loans must also satisfy tax requirements to be treated as nontaxable. Plan loan requirements and provisions may differ from the Policy loan provisions. Failure of plan loans to comply with the requirements and provisions of the DOL regulations and of tax law may result in adverse tax consequences and/or adverse consequences under ERISA. Plan fiduciaries and participants should consult a qualified adviser before requesting a loan under a Policy held in connection with a retirement plan.

Businesses can use the Policies in various arrangements, including nonqualified deferred compensation or salary continuance plans, split dollar insurance plans, executive bonus plans, tax exempt and nonexempt welfare benefit plans, retiree medical benefit plans and others. The tax consequences of such plans may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances. In the case of a business owned Policy, the provisions of section 101(j) of the Code may limit the amount of the death benefit excludable from gross income unless a specified exception applies and the notice and consent requirement is satisfied, as discussed above. If you are contemplating a change to an existing Policy or purchasing the Policy for any arrangement the value of which depends in part on its tax consequences, you should consult a qualified tax adviser.

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Ownership of the Policy by a corporation, trust or other non-natural person could jeopardize some (or all) of such entity's interest deduction under Code section 264, even where such entity's indebtedness is in no way connected to the Policy. In addition, under section 264(f)(5), if a business (other than a sole proprietorship) is directly or indirectly a beneficiary of the Policy, the Policy could be treated as held by the business for purposes of the section 264(f) entity-holder rules. Therefore, it would be advisable to consult with a qualified tax adviser before any non-natural person is made an owner or holder of the Policy, or before a business (other than a sole proprietorship) is made a beneficiary of the Policy.

**Transfer of Issued Life Insurance Policies to Third Parties.** If you transfer the Policy to a third party, including the sale of the Policy to a life settlement company, such transfer may be taxable. As noted above, the death benefit will also be taxable in the case of a transfer for value unless certain exceptions apply. We may be required to report certain information to the IRS, as required under Code section 6050Y and applicable tax regulations. You should consult with a qualified tax adviser for additional information prior to transferring the Policy.

**Guidance on Split Dollar Plans.** The IRS has issued guidance on split dollar insurance plans. A tax adviser should be consulted with respect to this guidance if you have purchased or are considering the purchase of a Policy for a split dollar insurance plan. If your Policy is part of an equity split-dollar arrangement taxed under the economic benefit regime, there is a risk that some portion of the Policy Cash Value may be taxed prior to any Policy distribution. If your split-dollar plan provides deferred compensation, specific tax rules governing deferred compensation arrangements may apply. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in adverse tax consequences.

In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which was signed into law on July 30, 2002, prohibits, with limited exceptions, publicly-traded companies, including non-U.S. companies that have securities listed on U.S. exchanges, from extending, directly or indirectly or through a subsidiary, many types of personal loans to their directors or executive officers. It is possible that this prohibition may be interpreted to apply to split-dollar life insurance arrangements for directors and executive officers of such companies, since such arrangements can arguably be viewed as involving a loan from the employer for at least some purposes.

Any affected business contemplating the payment of a premium on an existing Policy or the purchase of a new Policy in connection with a split-dollar life insurance arrangement should consult legal counsel.

**Life Insurance Purchases by Residents of Puerto Rico.** In Rev. Rul. 2004-75, 2004-31 I.R.B. 109, the Internal Revenue Service announced that income received by residents of Puerto Rico under life insurance contracts issued by a Puerto Rico branch of a United States life insurance company is U.S. source income that is generally subject to United States Federal income tax.

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

**NELICO's Income Taxes**

**Tax Credits and Deductions.** NELICO may be entitled to certain tax benefits related to the assets of the Variable Account. These tax benefits, which may include foreign tax credits and corporate dividend received deductions, are not passed back to the Variable Account or to Policy Owners since NELICO is the owner of the assets from which the tax benefits are derived.

**Other Tax Considerations.** Under current Federal income tax law, NELICO is not taxed on the Variable Account's operations. Thus, currently we do not deduct a charge from the Variable Account for Federal income taxes. We reserve the right to charge the Variable Account for any future Federal income taxes we may incur.

Under current laws in several states, we may incur state and local taxes (in addition to premium taxes). These taxes are not now significant and we are not currently charging for them. If they increase, we may deduct charges for such taxes.

**RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS**

Applicable laws designed to counter terrorism and prevent money laundering might, in certain circumstances, require us to reject a premium payment and/or block or "freeze" your Policy. If these laws apply in a particular situation, we would

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not be allowed to process any request for withdrawals, surrenders, loans or death benefits, make transfers, or continue making payments under your death benefit option until instructions are received from the appropriate regulator. We also may be required to provide additional information about you or your Policy to government regulators.

**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**

The financial statements comprising each of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account and the statutory-basis financial statements of NELICO are included herein.

The statutory-basis financial statements of NELICO should be considered only as bearing upon the ability of NELICO to meet its obligations under the Policy. They should not be considered as bearing on the investment performance of the assets held in the Variable Account.

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