# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000717347
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-169359
**Filing Date:** 2026-4
**Character Count:** 35332
**Document Hash:** 575702206601c670e9a0fdc413b764e6
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-169359.hdr.sgml**: 20260422

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-169359

**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:** 033-65263
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26882263

**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   |
| American Gateway Series | C000023052 |

---

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

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

| Class ID   | Class Name              | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000023052 | American Gateway Series |  |

**New England Life Insurance Company** <br>**New England Variable Life Separate Account**

**American Gateway Series**

**Modified Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policies**

**Supplement dated April 27, 2026 to** <br>**Prospectus dated May 1, 2000 (As Supplemented)**

This supplement updates certain information contained in your last prospectus dated May 1, 2000 and subsequent supplements. You should read this supplement in its entirety and keep it together with your prospectus. If you would like another copy of your prospectus, write to us at New England Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 4261, Clinton, IA 52733-4261, call us at (833) 208-3017, or access the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://sec.gov.

The Policies are no longer offered for sale. Existing Policy Owners may continue to make additional Premium Payments to their Policies.

The current investment choices available under your Policy include 1 Fixed Account and the 14 Eligible Funds listed below:

**Brighthouse Funds Trust I — Class A**

Loomis Sayles Growth Portfolio

**Brighthouse Funds Trust II — Class A**

Baillie Gifford International Stock Portfolio

BlackRock Bond Income Portfolio

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Portfolio

BlackRock Ultra-Short Term Bond Portfolio

Brighthouse/Artisan Mid Cap Value Portfolio

Brighthouse/Wellington Core Equity Opportunities Portfolio

Jennison Growth Portfolio

Loomis Sayles Small Cap Core Portfolio

MetLife Stock Index Portfolio

MFS<sup>®</sup> Total Return Portfolio

MFS<sup>®</sup> Value Portfolio

Western Asset Management Strategic Bond Opportunities Portfolio

Western Asset Management U.S. Government

Portfolio

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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.

**Policy Charges**

***Fees and Expenses for year ended December 31, 2025***

The first table below shows the range (minimum and maximum) of the total annual operating expenses charged by all of the Eligible Funds, before any voluntary or contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Certain Eligible Funds may impose a redemption fee in the future. The second table shows each Eligible Fund's management fee, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees if applicable, and other expenses. The Eligible Funds provided this information. More detail concerning each Eligible Fund's fees and expenses is contained in the prospectus for each Eligible Fund. Current prospectuses for the Eligible Funds may be obtained by calling (833) 208-3017.

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

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Minimum** | **Maximum** |
| **Total Annual Eligible Fund Operating Expenses** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (expenses that are deducted from [Eligible Fund](#bookmark_eligiblefund_9b062977-b95d-49da-8b72-69541c5e8046) assets, including management fees, <br> distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses)<br>| 0.28% | 0.98% |

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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>|
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust I** <br> **— Class A** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Loomis Sayles Growth <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.56% |  | 0.02% |  | 0.58% | 0.03% | 0.55% |
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust II** <br> **— Class A** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Baillie Gifford <br> International Stock <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.81% |  | 0.04% |  | 0.85% | 0.11% | 0.74% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Bond Income <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.36% |  | 0.04% |  | 0.40% | 0.02% | 0.38% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Capital <br> Appreciation Portfolio<br>| 0.70% |  | 0.02% |  | 0.72% | 0.16% | 0.56% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Ultra-Short <br> Term Bond Portfolio<br>| 0.35% |  | 0.05% |  | 0.40% | 0.03% | 0.37% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Artisan Mid <br> Cap Value Portfolio<br>| 0.82% |  | 0.05% |  | 0.87% | 0.09% | 0.78% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington <br> Core Equity <br> Opportunities Portfolio<br>| 0.72% |  | 0.02% |  | 0.74% | 0.12% | 0.62% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jennison Growth Portfolio | 0.60% |  | 0.02% |  | 0.62% | 0.08% | 0.54% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Loomis Sayles Small Cap <br> Core Portfolio<br>| 0.90% |  | 0.08% |  | 0.98% | 0.08% | 0.90% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MetLife Stock Index <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.25% |  | 0.03% |  | 0.28% | 0.01% | 0.27% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MFS<sup>®</sup> Total Return <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.57% |  | 0.07% |  | 0.64% | 0.02% | 0.62% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MFS<sup>®</sup> Value Portfolio | 0.62% |  | 0.02% |  | 0.64% | 0.06% | 0.58% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management <br> Strategic Bond <br> Opportunities Portfolio<br>| 0.58% |  | 0.04% |  | 0.62% | 0.05% | 0.57% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management <br> U.S. Government <br> Portfolio<br>| 0.49% |  | 0.04% |  | 0.53% | 0.03% | 0.50% |

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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

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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.

**Investments of the Variable Account** 

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Investment Objective** | **Investment Adviser/Subadviser** |
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust I —** <br> **Class A** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Loomis Sayles Growth Portfolio | Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & <br> Company, L.P.<br>|
| **Brighthouse Funds Trust II —** <br> **Class A** |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Baillie Gifford International <br> Stock Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Baillie Gifford <br> Overseas Limited<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Bond Income <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a competitive total return <br> primarily from investing in <br> fixed-income securities.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, <br> LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Capital Appreciation <br> Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, <br> LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; BlackRock Ultra-Short Term <br> Bond Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a high level of current <br> income consistent with prudent <br> investment risk and preservation of <br> capital.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, <br> LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Artisan Mid Cap <br> Value Portfolio<br>| Seeks long-term capital growth. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Artisan Partners <br> Limited Partnership<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse/Wellington Core <br> Equity Opportunities Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to provide a growing stream <br> of income over time and, <br> secondarily, long-term capital <br> appreciation and current income.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Wellington <br> Management Company LLP<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jennison Growth Portfolio | Seeks long-term growth of capital. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Jennison Associates <br> LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Loomis Sayles Small Cap Core <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks long-term capital growth <br> from investments in common <br> stocks or other equity securities.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & <br> Company, L.P.<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MetLife Stock Index Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to track the performance of <br> the Standard & Poor's 500<sup>®</sup> <br> Composite Stock Price Index.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: MetLife Investment <br> Management, LLC<br>|

---

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Eligible Fund** | **Investment Objective** | **Investment Adviser/Subadviser** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MFS<sup>®</sup> Total Return Portfolio | &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks a favorable total return <br> through investment in a diversified <br> portfolio.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Massachusetts <br> Financial Services Company<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MFS<sup>®</sup> Value Portfolio | Seeks capital appreciation. | &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Massachusetts <br> Financial Services Company<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management <br> Strategic Bond Opportunities <br> Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to maximize total return <br> consistent with preservation of <br> capital.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Western Asset <br> Management Company LLC<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Western Asset Management <br> U.S. Government Portfolio<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Seeks to maximize total return <br> consistent with preservation of <br> capital and maintenance of <br> liquidity.<br>| &nbsp;&nbsp; Brighthouse Investment Advisers, <br> LLC<br> Subadviser: Western Asset <br> Management Company LLC<br>|

---

**Restrictions on Transfers**

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

Baillie Gifford International Stock Portfolio

Loomis Sayles Small Cap Core Portfolio

Western Asset Management Strategic Bond Opportunities Portfolio

**NELICO**

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).

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.

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NELICO's corporate offices are located at 11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277.

**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.

**Distributions Other Than Death Benefits.** The tax treatment of distributions and Policy related loans will depend on whether the Policy is classified as a "modified endowment contract" or "MEC".

**Modified Endowment Contracts.** In general, a Policy that requires fewer than seven level annual premiums to provide paid-up future benefits will be a MEC. Since the Policy only requires a single premium payment to provide such paid-up benefits, in most cases the Policy will be classified as a MEC. However, in some cases the Policy will not be a MEC for example when the Policy is received in a section 1035 exchange for a policy that is not a MEC and no further premiums in excess of the remaining MEC limit are paid into the Policy. Consult your tax adviser for more information.

**Tax Treatment of Distributions and Loans.** Since the Policy is generally classified as a MEC, then any distribution (including a loan taken from or secured by the Policy) is taxable as ordinary income to the extent of income or gain in the Policy. Distributions are deemed to be on a last-in, first-out basis, which means the taxable income is distributed first. Distributions, including those resulting from surrender or lapse of the Policy, may also be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty applied to the income portion of such distribution. The penalty shall not apply, however, to any distributions: (1) made on or after the date on which the taxpayer reaches age 59 1/2; (2) which is attributable to the taxpayer becoming disabled (within the meaning of Section 72(m)(7) of the Code); or (3) which is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made not less frequently than annually for the life (or life expectancy) of the taxpayer or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of such taxpayer and his beneficiary. The exception to the additional 10% federal income tax penalty does not apply to a taxpayer which is a non-natural person, such as a corporation.

If a Policy is not classified as a MEC, then any distribution shall generally be treated first as a recovery of the investment in the Policy which would not be received as taxable income. Distributions will be taxable as ordinary income once your investment in the Policy is reduced

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to zero. 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.

In general, loans from a Policy which is not classified as a MEC are 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. If your Policy is surrendered, cancelled, lapses, or is exchanged while any Policy loan is outstanding, the amount of the Policy loan plus accrued interest will be deemed to be distributed to you and could be partly or wholly taxable, depending on your particular circumstances. Cash distributed to you from the Policy in these circumstances may be insufficient to pay the tax attributable to any Policy loan. Interest payable on a loan under a Policy is generally not deductible. Neither distributions from nor loans from or secured by a Policy that is not a MEC are subject to the 10% federal income tax penalty.

**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 Owners should seek competent tax advice on the tax consequences of taking loans, distributions, exchanging or surrendering any Policy.

**Multiple Policies**. All Modified Endowment Contracts that are issued by NELICO (or its affiliates) to the same Policy Owner during any calendar year are treated as one Modified Endowment Contract 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 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

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the Internal Revenue 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.

**Transfer of Issued Life Insurance Policies to Third Parties.** If you transfer the Policy to a third party, including a sale of the policy to a life settlement company, such transfer may be taxable. As noted above, the death benefit will 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 advisor for additional information prior to transferring the Policy.

**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.

**Accelerated Benefits Rider.** If such a rider is made available, payments received under the accelerated benefit rider should be excludable from the gross income of the Policy Owner except in certain business contexts. (See "Acceleration of Death Benefit Rider" for more information regarding the rider.) 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

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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.

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.

**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 (the "Act"), 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 IRB 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.

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**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.

**This Supplement Should Be Read and Retained for Future Reference.**

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