Document:

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                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to Registration
Statement File No. 2-74667 on Form N-4 (the "Registration Statement") of (1) our
report dated February 6, 2002 relating to the financial statements of Separate
Account No. 301 of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States for
the year ended December 31, 2001, and (2) our report dated February 6, 2002
relating to the consolidated financial statements of The Equitable Life
Assurance Society of the United States for the year ended December 31, 2001. We
also consent to the reference to us under the headings "About our independent
accountants" in the Prospectus and "Custodian and Independent Accountants" in
the Statement of Additional Information.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York
April 8, 2002<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, made as of the 13th day of February, 2002,
by and between Mechanical Dynamics GmbH, a German corporation (the "Company"),
having offices located at Universitatsstraae 51, D-35037 Marburg/Lahn, Germany,
and Michael Hoffmann ("Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee to devote his full
time and attention to the business of the Company and Employee desires to be so
employed.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to employ Employee in the
capacity of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Employee hereby accepts this
employment and agrees to diligently and conscientiously devote his full and
exclusive time and attention to the affairs of the Company. In his capacity as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Employee shall perform such duties of an
executive nature as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of
Directors, and Employee shall at all times discharge his duties in consultation
with and under the supervision of the Board of Directors.

         2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof
and shall terminate on March 31, 2003. At the option of the Company, this
Agreement may be extended for an additional one (1) year term, upon such terms
as may be mutually agreed between Employee and the Company.

         3. COMPENSATION. Employee's compensation, including base salary, bonus,
vacation and other fringe benefits, for calendar year 2002 have been agreed and
approved by the Company. The Company and Employee shall negotiate in good faith
regarding Employee's compensation for the remaining term of this Agreement. The
Company and Employee agree that during the term of this Agreement the fringe
benefits offered to Employee shall be roughly equivalent to the other executive
officers.

         4. DISABILITY. In the event that Employee is absent from his employment
by reason of illness or other incapacity for a period of six (6) consecutive
months, Employee shall nevertheless be entitled to receive his full base salary
hereunder as well as his pro-rata bonus (calculated as though earned "at plan"
under Employee's

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then current compensation plan), vacation accruals and all fringe benefits
during said six (6) month period. Thereafter, during the continued period of his
illness or incapacity in excess of six (6) months, Employee shall be entitled to
receive such long-term disability benefits as are payable under the Company's
then long-term disability insurance program. He shall also receive continued
health and life insurance benefits for the remaining term of this Agreement.
Except as provided above, all bonus accruals, vacation accruals and other fringe
benefits shall cease at the end of said six (6) month period. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Employee's salary, bonus, vacation and other fringe benefits
shall be fully reinstated upon his complete return to employment and the full
discharge of his duties hereunder.

         5. DEATH. In the event that Employee dies during the term of this
Agreement while still employed hereunder and drawing his full base salary, then
the Company shall continue to pay an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%)
of Employee's monthly base salary (as of the date of his death) to his
designated beneficiary for a period of two (2) months subsequent to the date of
his death. Such payments shall be in addition to any other death benefits
payable to Employee's designated beneficiary from life insurance or otherwise.

         6. CHANGE OF DUTIES; RELOCATION. In the event that during the term of
this Agreement the Board of Directors chooses to change the Employee's title as
an officer of the Company and/or his duties hereunder, this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms and no
such change shall constitute grounds upon which Employee may terminate this
Agreement. In the event that the Board of Directors directs Employee to relocate
away from Marburg/Lahn, Germany, then Employee shall be entitled to resign and
to receive as severance compensation for the twelve (12) month period following
such resignation, the base salary, pro-rata bonus and fringe benefits provided
in said Section 7.1.

         7. TERMINATION.

         7.1 Without Cause. In the event Employee is discharged from his
employment during the term of this Agreement without "Cause" (as hereinafter
defined), then the Company shall continue to pay Employee's base salary and
provide all fringe benefits and pro rata bonus (calculated as though earned "at
plan" under Employee's then current compensation plan), in each case as in
effect at the date of Employee's termination, for a period of twelve (12) months
from the date of such termination. Such payments and benefits shall be in lieu
of all other payments and benefits to which Employee might otherwise be entitled
under the Company's employee policies and procedures and/or under this
Agreement.

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         7.2 For Cause; Resignation; Retirement. In the event that Employee is
discharged from his employment during the term of this Agreement for "Cause" (as
hereinafter defined), or Employee voluntarily resigns or retires, then Employee
shall be entitled to receive only such payments and/or benefits as would be
provided to other employees of the Company under similar circumstances in
accordance with the Company's employee policies and procedures then in effect.

         7.3 Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall
mean:

         (a) Intentional misrepresentation to or concealment of a material fact
         regarding the operations of the Company from the Board of Directors by
         Employee; or

         (b) A material breach of this Agreement by Employee; or

         (c) Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.

         Except in the case of (c) above, termination of this Agreement for
"Cause" shall only become effective thirty (30) days after Employee has received
written notice of such termination from the Company specifying the details of
such "Cause". During such thirty (30) day period, Employee shall be entitled to
a formal meeting with the President or the Board of Directors for the purpose of
presenting reasons why the Agreement should not be terminated.

         7.4 Change of Control. In the event of a change in control (as
hereinafter defined) of the Company, if the remaining term of this Agreement is
less than one (1) year from the effective date of such change of control, then
the term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended through a date one
(1) year from such effective date. For purposes of this Section 7.4, the term
"change of control" shall mean the sale or exchange of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the outstanding capital stock of the Company's parent company,
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Michigan ("MDI"), or the sale of fifty
percent (50%) or more of the assets of MDI.

         7.5 Release. Anything contained in this Section 7 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the payment of any sums to Employee under subsections 7.1, 7.2
or 7.4 hereof, shall be conditioned upon Employee executing and delivering to
the Company the Full And Final Release attached hereto as Attachment I (the
"Release").

         8. RESTRICTIVE COVENANT. Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement and for a period of two (2) years after the termination or expiration
of this Agreement, he will not directly or indirectly, for his own benefit, or
for or with any other person, firm, or corporation (a) own, manage, engage in,
be employed by, or consult for, any business in Germany or the United States
which competes directly with the business presently conducted by

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the Company and MDI, or (b) encourage, solicit, attempt to hire as an employee
or consultant or otherwise attempt to persuade any other employee of the Company
or MDI to leave the employ of the Company or MDI. For purposes of this
Agreement, the "business presently conducted by the Company and MDI" shall mean
the development, manufacture, marketing or licensing of computer programs or
software for mechanical systems simulation (often referred to as "multi-body
system analysis"). Employee further agrees that the Company's remedy at law for
any breach of this restrictive covenant is inadequate and that the Company shall
be entitled to injunctive relief with respect to any breach of this covenant.

         9. NOTICE. Any notice to be delivered under this Agreement shall be
given in writing and delivered, personally or by certified mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to the Company or Employee at their last known addresses.

         10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding of the parties hereto regarding the subject matter hereof, and
there are no other agreements, conditions or representations, oral or written,
express or implied, with regard thereto. This Agreement may be amended only in
writing, signed by both parties.

         11. BINDING EFFECT. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of both of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.

         12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
under in accordance with the laws of Germany.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and date first above written.

WITNESS:                                          COMPANY

                                           MECHANICAL DYNAMICS GMBH

/s/ Kristina M. Heck                       By: /s/ Jurgen Fett
----------------------------------            ----------------------------------
                                                    Jurgen Fett, President

                                                  EMPLOYEE

/s/ Kristina M. Heck                       /s/ Michael Hoffman
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
                                           Michael Hoffmann

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                                  ATTACHMENT I

                             FULL AND FINAL RELEASE

         In consideration of the termination benefits provided to me by
Mechanical Dynamics, GmbH, a German corporation (the "Company"), as set out in
Section 7 of the attached Employment Agreement (Attachment A), I hereby agree as
follows:

         1. MECHANICAL DYNAMICS GMBH When used herein, the "Company" refers to
Mechanical Dynamics GmbH and also includes the Company's parent company,
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ("MDI"), as well as any
subsidiary, associated or affiliated company of the Company, and their
respective successors, assigns, officers, directors, shareholders, agents,
employees and attorneys, past, present or future, jointly and individually.

         2. RELEASE OF CLAIMS. I release and forever discharge the Company from
any and all claims, disputes, causes of action, administrative proceedings,
legal actions, whether arising out of statutory law, common law or equity, and
damages, known or unknown, which I have or may have against the Company, however
denominated, including, but not limited to, claims related to my employment, the
conduct of the Company during my employment, any claims of discrimination under
or violation of any applicable statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation, any
claim for wrongful termination of employment, wrongful layoff, failure to recall
to work, breach of contract, violation of any policy, practice or procedure of
the Company, denial of any employment benefit, constructive discharge,
retaliatory discharge, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing,
detrimental reliance, termination in violation of public policy, violation of
any whistleblower statute, negligent supervision, negligent conducting of
performance appraisals, libel, slander, defamation, fraud, misrepresentation,
sexual or any other type of harassment, intentional or negligent infliction of
emotional distress, tortious interference with business relations or prospective
employers, providing false references, any claim to reinstatement or future
employment, any claim for damages, attorney fees or costs and any claims
occurring or existing through the date of this Release. I understand and agree
that I waived my right in the preceding sentence to file a lawsuit or to
commence an administrative action against the Company. If I later file a lawsuit
or administrative action, I shall be liable for the actual attorney fees and
costs incurred by the Company in defending any such legal action.

         3. SCOPE OF RELEASE. This Release covers all issues arising from or in
connection with my employment with the Company as well as any issues, disputes
or claims occurring or existing through the date of this Release.

         4. PRIOR CLAIMS. I have not filed any claim, administrative proceeding
or legal action against the Company.

         5. SUBSEQUENT LEGAL ACTION. I will not initiate, assist or cooperate in
any charge, claim, complaint or legal action against the Company with any
administrative agency or court, or with any other person (the term "person"
shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a
corporation, a limited liability, a trust, an unincorporated organization, and a
government

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or any department or agency thereof), unless so ordered by a duly authorized
court, legislative committee or grand jury.

         6. DEROGATORY COMMENTS. I shall not make any negative or derogatory
statements of any kind about the Company, the Company's products and services,
or the Company's employee's, past, present or future.

         7. RESIGNATION AS OFFICER. Effective with the date of my separation
from employment with the Company, I resign any office I hold with the Company.

         8. RETURN OF PROPERTY. I have returned all the Company property as
defined in and required by the Confidentiality Agreement signed by me in favor
of the Company (hereinafter the "Confidentiality Agreement").

         9. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by
me of this Release, it is agreed that money damages would not adequately
compensate the Company and that injunctive relief would be essential for its
protection. Such relief shall be without prejudice to any other remedy which the
Company may have or be entitled to receive at law or in equity.

         10. NON-ADMISSION. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as an
admission of liability by the Company in connection with my employment with and
separation from the Company as well as through the date of this Release.

         11. FINALITY OF RELEASE. I recognize that I may be mistaken as to the
facts and/or law upon which I may be relying in executing this Release or that
additional facts may exist of which I am not presently aware. Nonetheless, I
have been fully advised and understand the finality of this Release and intend
to be bound by it.

         12. REVIEW OF DOCUMENT. I have had the opportunity to read and discuss
this Release with the Company, and I have had an opportunity to review this
Release with outside legal counsel.

         13. REVIEW AND REVOCATION PERIODS. I have been given twenty-one (21)
days within which to consider this Release before executing it, I have been
advised that I may revoke this Release for a period of seven (7) calendar days
following the execution of this Release and that the Release is not effective
until the revocation period has expired and I have notified the Company in
writing that I did not revoke the Release. Notice of revocation and/or
non-revocation should be provided in writing by me to the Company at
Universitatsstraae 51, D-35037 Marburg/Lahn, Germany, Attn: Jurgen Fett,
President, with a copy to Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., at 2300 Traverwood Drive,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA, Attn: Michael E. Korybalski, CEO.

SECTION 13 IS APPLICABLE ONLY IF THE UNDERSIGNED IS 40 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER ON
DATE OF TERMINATION.

         14. AUTHORITY TO RELEASE. I have the authority to release the claims
which are released herein and no claims have been previously assigned to or are
owned by any other person or entity.

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         15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. No other written or oral promises, inducements or
agreements have been made by the Company to me. I understand that this Release
may not be modified, altered or changed in any respect except upon the express
prior written consent by me and the Company.

         16. SEVERABILITY. If after the date of execution of this Release, any
provision of this Release is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, such
provision shall be fully severable. In lieu thereof, there shall be added a
provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

         17. GOVERNING LAW. This Release shall be construed in accordance with
and shall be governed by the laws of Germany and by the laws of the United
States of America and the State of Michigan as to those provisions of this
Release applicable to MDI.

         18. HEADINGS. All headings in this Release are inserted for convenience
of reference only and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Release.

         19. USAGE. Wherever applicable, the masculine gender, when used herein
shall include the feminine gender, and the singular shall include the plural.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Release as of the date noted
below.

-----------------------------               ---------------------------------
Witness                                     Michael Hoffmann

DATE:    ____________________               DATE:    ________________________

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