[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75504-75511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24248]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. IC-27185; File No. 812-13094]


Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, et al., Notice of 
Application

December 14, 2005.
AGENCY: The Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice of Application for an order pursuant to Section 26(c) of 
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (``1940 Act'').

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants: Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (``Lincoln 
Life''); Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C (``Lincoln Life 
Account C''), and Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q (``Lincoln 
Life Account Q'', and together with Lincoln Life Account C, the 
``Separate Accounts'').
    Filing Date: The application was filed on May 28, 2004 and amended 
on December 7, 2005.
    Summary of Application: Lincoln Life and the Separate Accounts 
(``Applicants'') request an order pursuant to Section 26(c) of the 1940 
Act to permit the Separate Accounts to substitute (a) shares of 
AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series Fund, Inc. 
(``AllianceBernstein VP'') Growth and Income Portfolio--Class B for 
shares of AllianceBernstein VP Growth Portfolio--Class B; (b) shares of 
Delaware VIP Trust (``Delaware VIP'') Diversified Income Series--
Standard Class for shares of Delaware VIP Global Bond Series--Standard 
Class; (c) shares of Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index Fund--Class A for 
shares of Janus Aspen Series (``Janus Aspen'') Worldwide Growth--
Institutional Class; (d) shares of AllianceBernstein VP Growth and 
Income Portfolio--Class B for shares of Neuberger Berman Advisors 
Management Trust (``Neuberger Berman AMT'') Partners--I Class; and (e) 
American Funds Insurance Series (``American Funds'') Growth Fund--Class 
2 for Putnam Variable Trust (``Putnam VT'') Health Sciences Fund--Class 
IB. The shares are held by certain of the Separate Accounts to fund 
certain group and individual variable annuity contracts (collectively, 
the ``Contracts'') issued by Lincoln Life.
    Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the 
application will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. 
Interested persons may request a hearing by writing to the Secretary of 
the Commission and serving Applicants with a copy of the request 
personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the 
Commission by 5:30 p.m. on January 4, 2006 and should be accompanied by 
proof of service on Applicants, in the form of an affidavit or, for 
lawyers, a certificate of service. Hearing requests should state the 
nature of the writer's interest, the reason for the request, and the 
issues contested. Persons may request notification of a hearing by 
writing to the Secretary of the Commission.

ADDRESSES: Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, 
NE., Washington, DC 20549-9303. Applicants: Brian Burke, Esq., Lincoln 
National Life Insurance Company, 1300 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, 
IN 46802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen J. Sazzman, Senior Counsel, at 
(202) 551-6762 or Harry Eisenstein, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6795, 
Office of Insurance Products, Division of Investment Management.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following is a summary of the application. 
The complete application may be obtained for a fee from the Public 
Reference Branch of the Commission, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20549 (tel. 202-551-5850).

Applicants' Representations

    1. Lincoln Life, located at 1300 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, 
Indiana 46802, is a stock life insurance company incorporated under the 
laws of the State of Indiana on June 12, 1905. Lincoln Life is 
principally engaged in offering life insurance policies and annuity 
policies and is licensed in all states (except New York) and the 
District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Lincoln Life is the 
depositor and sponsor of the Separate Accounts. Lincoln Life is wholly 
owned by Lincoln National Corporation (``LNC''), a publicly held 
insurance holding company incorporated under Indiana law on January 5, 
1968.
    2. The Board of Directors of Lincoln Life established Lincoln Life 
Account C pursuant to the laws of the State of Indiana on June 3, 1981 
as a unit investment trust. Lincoln Life Account C is registered under 
the 1940 Act as a unit investment trust (File No. 811-03214). The 
assets of Lincoln Life Account C support certain individual variable 
annuity contracts. Security interests in Lincoln Life Account C offered 
through such contracts have been registered under the Securities Act

[[Page 75505]]

of 1933 (``1933 Act'') (File Nos. 33-25990, 333-50817, 333-68842, and 
333-112927). However, this application affects only contracts 
registered under File No. 33-25990.
    3. The Board of Directors of Lincoln Life established Lincoln Life 
Account Q pursuant to the laws of the State of Indiana on November 3, 
1997 as a unit investment trust. Lincoln Life Account Q is registered 
under the 1940 Act as a unit investment trust (File No. 811-08569). The 
assets of Lincoln Life Account Q support certain group contracts. 
Security interests in Lincoln Life Account Q offered through such 
contracts have been registered under the 1933 Act (File No. 333-43373).
    4. The Separate Accounts are comprised of sub-accounts established 
to receive and invest net purchase payments under the Contracts. Each 
sub-account invests exclusively in the shares of a specified portfolio 
and supports the Contracts.
    5. The Contracts permit their owners to allocate each Contract's 
accumulated cash or contract value among available sub-accounts, each 
of which invests in a different investment portfolio of an underlying 
mutual fund. The Contracts offer thirty-nine investment options.
    6. Currently, transfers of cash and/or contract value can be made 
among and between the sub-accounts available as investments under the 
Contracts without the imposition of a transfer charge. However, 
Applicants reserve the right to impose a charge of $10 per transfer on 
Contracts issued through Lincoln Life Account C if such transfer 
exceeds the maximum number of transfers allowed in a contract year, 
which varies from six to twelve, depending on the contract. Market 
timing restrictions may also apply to transfers under Contracts issued 
by Lincoln Life Account C. The only restrictions for Contracts issued 
through Lincoln Life Account Q, except for those relating to market 
timing, are that transfers are restricted to once every thirty days and 
Applicants reserve the right to further limit the number of transfers. 
When transfer restrictions are imposed, Lincoln Life and the Separate 
Accounts reserve the right to waive these restrictions.
    7. Under the Contracts, Lincoln Life reserves the right to 
substitute shares of one investment company for shares of another 
investment company.
    8. Lincoln Life has performed a thorough review of all the 
investment options available under the Contracts and has determined 
that several existing funds offered under the Contracts warrant 
replacement.
    9. As described below, Applicants propose to make certain 
substitutions of shares of the Substitute Funds (listed in Column II) 
for shares of the Replaced Funds (listed in Column I) held in sub-
accounts of their respective Separate Accounts.

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         Column I  (Replaced funds)                                                 Column II  (Substitute funds)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AllianceBernstein Variable Products Series
 Fund, Inc. (``AllianceBernstein VP''):
    Growth Portfolio--Class B..............  AllianceBernstein VP Growth and Income Portfolio--Class B.
Delaware VIP Trust (``Delaware VIP''):
    Global Bond Series--Standard Class.....  Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series--Standard Class.
Janus Aspen Series (``Janus Aspen''):
    Worldwide Growth--Institutional Class..  Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index Fund--Class A.
Neuberger Berman Advisors Management Trust
 (``Neuberger Berman AMT''):
    Partners--I Class......................  AllianceBernstein VP Growth and Income Portfolio--Class B.
Putnam Variable Trust (``Putnam VT''):       American Funds Insurance Series (``American Funds''):
    Health Sciences Fund--Class IB.........  Growth Fund--Class 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    10. The investment objective of the AllianceBernstein VP Growth 
Portfolio (Replaced Fund) is to provide long-term growth of capital. 
Current income is incidental to the portfolio's objective. The 
portfolio invests primarily in equity securities of companies with 
favorable earnings outlooks, and long-term growth rates are expected to 
exceed that of the United States (``U.S.'') economy over time. The 
portfolio emphasizes investments in large- and mid-cap companies. The 
portfolio also may invest up to 25% of its total assets in lower-rated 
fixed-income securities and convertible bonds and generally up to 20% 
of its assets in foreign securities. The portfolio applies the 
principles of growth investing to select securities. The portfolio uses 
fundamental company analysis to select stocks that it believes are good 
candidates to provide long-term growth of capital.
    11. The investment objective of the AllianceBernstein VP Growth and 
Income Portfolio (Substitute Fund) is to seek reasonable income and 
reasonable opportunity for appreciation through investments primarily 
in dividend-paying common stocks of good quality (both income and 
capital appreciation). To pursue this goal, the portfolio invests 
primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of large, well established 
``blue-chip'' companies. The portfolio may also invest in fixed-income 
and convertible securities and in securities of foreign issuers. The 
basic strategy of the portfolio is to seek income producing securities 
that represent good long-term investment opportunities.
    12. The investment objectives of the AllianceBernstein VP Growth 
Portfolio (Replaced Fund) and the AllianceBernstein Growth and Income 
Portfolio (Substitute Fund) are substantially similar. Both funds seek 
growth of capital (capital appreciation) over time with 
AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio seeking greater emphasis 
on income. While their specific investment strategies differ, both 
funds are stock funds seeking primarily domestic stock investments with 
good long-term growth prospects. AllianceBernstein Growth and Income 
Portfolio also seeks good quality dividend paying prospects. Each fund 
normally invests primarily in stocks of large-sized domestic companies 
with the ability to invest in foreign stocks as well. While each of 
these funds seeks to achieve its objective through somewhat different 
investment strategies, Applicants believe that an investor in the 
AllianceBernstein VP Growth Portfolio is generally attempting to 
achieve the same long-term goal as that sought by the AllianceBernstein 
Growth and Income Portfolio investors.
    13. The investment objective of the Delaware VIP Global Bond Series 
(Replaced Fund) is to seek current income consistent with preservation 
of principal. The Series invests primarily in fixed-income securities 
that may also provide the potential for capital appreciation. The 
Series is a global

[[Page 75506]]

fund. Under normal circumstances, the Series will invest at least 80% 
of its net assets in debt obligations. In selecting investments, the 
Series' investment manager strives to identify fixed-income securities 
that provide high income potential, considers the value of anticipated 
future interest and principal payments, and generally prefers to 
purchase securities in countries where the currency is undervalued or 
fair-valued compared to other countries because these securities may 
offer greater return potential. The Series may invest a portion of its 
assets in high yield securities based on the investment manager's view 
of market conditions. The Series is considered ``non-diversified'' 
under federal laws and rules that regulate mutual funds. The Series is 
limited to a 25% investment in any one issuer, but is not subject to 
this limit on a per country basis.
    14. The investment objective of the Delaware VIP Diversified Income 
Series (Substitute Fund) is to seek maximum long-term total return 
consistent with reasonable risk. The Series invests primarily in bonds 
allocated among three sectors of the fixed-income market. These sectors 
include: The High Yield Sector, the Investment Grade Sector, and the 
International Sector. In determining how much of the Series to allocate 
to each sector, the Series' investment manager reviews economic and 
market conditions and interest rate trends as well as the potential 
risks and rewards associated with each sector. The Series' assets will 
periodically be reallocated. Under normal circumstances, as little as 
5% or as much as 50% of the Series' assets may be invested in each of 
the High-Yield Sector and International Sector. Under normal 
circumstances, there is no minimum or maximum limit on the amount of 
the Series' assets that may be invested in the Investment Grade Sector.
    15. The investment objectives of the Delaware VIP Global Bond 
Series (Replaced Fund) and the Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series 
(Substitute Fund) are similar. The Delaware VIP Global Bond Series 
seeks current income consistent with preservation of principal and the 
Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series seeks maximum long-term total 
return consistent with reasonable risk. Both funds seek to invest the 
majority of their assets in fixed income securities. Both funds also 
invest a portion of their fund assets in international fixed-income 
securities. While each of these funds seeks to achieve its objective 
through somewhat different investment strategies, Applicants believe 
that an investor in the Delaware VIP Global Bond Series is generally 
attempting to achieve the same long-term goal as that sought by the 
Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series investors.
    16. The investment objective of the Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth 
Portfolio (Replaced Fund) is long-term growth of capital in a manner 
consistent with the preservation of capital. The portfolio invests 
primarily in common stocks of companies of any size located throughout 
the world. The portfolio normally invests in issuers from at least five 
different countries, including the United States. The portfolio may, 
under unusual circumstances, invest in fewer than five countries or 
even a single country. The portfolio manager applies a ``bottom up'' 
approach in choosing investments. In other words, the portfolio manager 
looks at companies one at a time to determine if a company is an 
attractive investment opportunity and if it is consistent with the 
portfolio's investment policies. If the portfolio manager is unable to 
find such investments, the portfolio's uninvested assets may be held in 
cash or similar investments. Within the parameters of its specific 
investment policies, the Portfolio will limit its investment in high-
yield/high-risk bonds to less than 35% of its net assets.
    17. The investment objective of the Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index 
Fund (Substitute Fund) is to seek to replicate, as closely as possible, 
before the deduction of expenses, the performance of the Standard & 
Poors 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the ``S&P 500 Index'') which 
emphasizes stocks of large U.S. companies. Under normal circumstances 
the fund intends to invest at least 80% of its assets, determined at 
the time of purchase, in stocks of companies included in the S&P 500 
Index and in derivative instruments, such as futures contracts and 
options, that provide exposure to the stocks of companies in the S&P 
500 Index. The fund invests for capital appreciation, not income; any 
dividend and interest income is incidental to the pursuit of this 
objective. Over the long term, the investment advisor seeks a 
correlation between the performance of the fund, before expenses, and 
the S&P 500 Index of 98% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate 
perfect correlation.
    18. The investment objectives of the Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth 
Portfolio (Replaced Fund) and the Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index Fund 
(Substitute Fund) are substantially similar in that the funds seek 
long-term growth and capital (capital appreciation), respectively. Both 
funds invest in common stocks with potential for capital appreciation. 
Both funds invest in large capitalization domestic equity securities, 
with Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio also investing a 
substantial portion of its assets in large capitalization foreign 
equity securities. While each of these funds seeks to achieve its 
objective through somewhat different investment strategies, Applicants 
believe that an investor in the Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio 
is generally attempting to achieve the same long-term goal as that 
sought by the Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index Fund investors.
    19. The investment objective of the Neuberger Berman AMT Partners 
Portfolio (Replaced Fund) is to seek growth of capital. To pursue this 
goal, the portfolio invests mainly in common stocks of mid- to large-
capitalization companies. The portfolio seeks to reduce risk by 
diversifying among many companies and industries. The manager looks for 
well-managed companies with strong balance sheets whose stock prices 
are undervalued. The portfolio has the ability to change its goal 
without shareholder approval, although it does not currently intend to 
do so.
    20. The investment objective of the AllianceBernstein VP Growth and 
Income Portfolio (Substitute Fund) is to seek reasonable income and 
reasonable opportunity for appreciation through investments primarily 
in dividend-paying common stocks of good quality (both income and 
capital appreciation). To pursue this goal, the Portfolio invests 
primarily in dividend-paying common stocks of large, well established 
``blue-chip'' companies. The Portfolio may also invest in fixed-income 
and convertible securities and in securities of foreign issuers. The 
basic strategy of the fund is to seek income producing securities that 
represent good long-term investment opportunities.
    21. The investment objectives of the Neuberger Berman AMT Partners 
Portfolio (Replaced Fund) and the AllianceBernstein Growth and Income 
Portfolio (Substitute Fund) are substantially similar. Both funds seek 
growth of capital (capital appreciation) over time, with 
AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio seeking greater emphasis 
on income. While their specific investment strategies differ somewhat, 
both funds are stock funds seeking primarily domestic investments with 
good long-term growth prospects. Neuberger Berman AMT Partners 
Portfolio employs a ``value oriented investment approach, while the 
AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio places emphasis on 
dividend paying high quality equity investments. Each fund normally 
invests primarily in stocks of large-sized domestic stock

[[Page 75507]]

companies. While each of these funds seeks to achieve its objective 
through somewhat different investment strategies, Applicants believe 
that an investor in the Neuberger Berman AMT Partners Portfolio is 
generally attempting to achieve the same long-term goal as that sought 
by the AllianceBernstein Growth and Income Portfolio investors.
    22. The investment objective of the Putnam VT Health Sciences Fund 
(Replaced Fund) is to seek capital appreciation. The fund invests 
mainly in common stocks of companies in the health sciences industries, 
with a focus on growth stocks. Under normal circumstances, the fund 
invests at least 80% of the fund's net assets in securities of (a) 
companies that derive at least 50% of their assets, revenues or profits 
from the pharmaceutical, health care services, applied research and 
development and medical equipment and supplies industries, or (b) 
companies with the potential for growth as a result of their particular 
products, technology, patents or other market advantages in the health 
sciences industries. The fund invests mainly in mid-sized and large 
companies. The fund may invest in foreign investments.
    23. The investment objective of the American Funds Growth Fund 
(Substitute Fund) is growth of capital. The fund seeks to make 
investments grow by investing primarily in common stocks of companies 
that appear to offer superior opportunities for growth of capital. The 
fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in equity securities of issuers 
domiciled outside the U.S. and Canada and not included in Standard & 
Poor's 500 Composite Index. The fund is designed for investors seeking 
capital appreciation through stocks.
    24. The investment objectives of the Putnam VT Health Sciences Fund 
(Replaced Fund) and the American Funds Growth Fund (Substitute Fund) 
are substantially similar in that the funds seek growth of capital and 
capital appreciation, respectively. Both funds are domestic stock funds 
and invest the majority of fund assets in equity securities of issuers 
domiciled in the U.S. Both funds invest in ``growth'' equity 
securities, with the Putnam VT Health Sciences Fund focusing 
principally on Health Sciences related ``growth'' equity securities. 
While each of these funds seeks to achieve its objective through 
somewhat different investment strategies, Applicants believe that an 
investor in the Putnam VIT Health Sciences Fund is generally attempting 
to achieve the same long-term goal as that sought by the American Funds 
Growth Fund investors.
    25. The chart on the following pages compares the average annual 
total returns for the Replaced Funds and the Substitute Funds for the 
past five calendar year periods.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Total return of replaced funds for the periods indicated below
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ Investment advisor/                        Current
                                  Calendar   Calendar   Calendar   Calendar   Calendar   Calendar     affiliated w/    Fund affiliated w/   investment
                                 year 2004  year 2003  year 2002  year 2001  year 2000  year 1999      applicants?        applicants?         option
                                 (percent)  (percent)  (percent)  (percent)  (percent)  (percent)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPLACED FUNDS:
    AllianceBernstein VP Growth       14.5       34.7      -28.3     -23.7%      -17.8        N/A  Alliance Capital    Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     Portfolio--Class B                                                                             Management LP/Non-
     (Inception date: 6/1/99).                                                                      Affiliate.
    Delaware VIP Global Bond          13.0       20.4       25.1       -0.5        0.9       -3.6  Delaware            Affiliate........  Yes.
     Series--Standard Class                                                                         Management
     (Inception date: 5/2/96).                                                                      Company/Affiliate.
    Janus Aspen Worldwide              4.8       24.0      -25.5      -22.4      -15.7       64.5  Janus Capital       Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     Growth Portfolio--                                                                             Management LLC/
     Institutional Class                                                                            Non-Affiliate.
     (Inception date: 9/13/89).
    Neuberger Berman AMT              19.0       35.1      -24.1       -2.8        0.7        7.4  Neuberger Berman    Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     Partners Portfolio                                                                             Management Inc./
     (Inception date: 3/22/84).                                                                     Non-Affiliate.
    Putnam VT Health Sciences          7.1       18.4      -20.3      -19.8       38.9       -3.9  Putnam Investment   Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     Fund--Class IB (Inception                                                                      Management, LLC/
     date: 5/1/98).                                                                                 Non-Affiliate.
SUBSTITUTE FUNDS:
    AllianceBernstein VP Growth       11.2       32.2      -22.3        0.2       13.6        N/A  Alliance Capital    Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     and Income Portfolio--                                                                         Management LP/
     Class B (Inception date: 6/                                                                    Non-Affiliate.
     1/99).
    Delaware VIP Diversified           8.5        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A  Delaware            Affiliate........  Yes.
     Income Series--Standard                                                                        Management
     Class (Inception date: 5/                                                                      Company/Affiliate.
     16/03).
    Scudder VIT Equity 500            10.6       28.2      -22.3      -12.2       -9.2       20.4  Deutsche Asset      Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     Index Fund--Class A                                                                            Management, Inc./
     (Inception date: 10/1/97).                                                                     Non-Affiliate.
    American Funds Growth Fund--      12.5       36.8      -24.5     -18.2%       4.5%      57.3%  Capital Research    Non-Affiliate....  Yes.
     Class 2 (Inception date: 2/                                                                    and Management
     8/84).                                                                                         Company/Non-
                                                                                                    Affiliate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    26. The following chart shows the approximate size (as of December 
31, 2004), expense ratios, management fees, and 12b-1 fees for each of 
the Replaced Funds for Calendar Year 2004.

[[Page 75508]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Gross         Net
                                       Net         calendar     calendar      Gross         Net        Calendar
                                 Assets[dagger]   year 2004    year 2004     calendar     calendar    year 2004
         Replaced Funds            at December     expense      expense     year 2004    year 2004    12b-1 fee
                                  31, 2004  (in  ratio[diam]  ratio[diam]   mgmt. fee    mgmt. fee    (percent)
                                   thousands)     (percent)    (percent)    (percent)    (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AllianceBernstein VP Growth             290,000         1.13         1.13         0.75         0.75         0.25
 Portfolio--Class B (Inception
 date: 6/1/99).................
Delaware VIP Global Bond                 86,000         0.93         0.93         0.75         0.75          N/A
 Series--Standard Class
 (Inception date: 5/2/96)......
Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth          2,491,921         0.63         0.63         0.60         0.60          N/A
 Portfolio--Institutional Class
 (Inception date: 9/13/89).....
Neuberger Berman AMT Partners           590,000         0.91         0.91         0.83         0.83          N/A
 Portfolio (Inception date: 3/
 22/84)........................
Putnam VT Health Sciences Fund--        162,000         1.10         1.10         0.70         0.70        0.25
 Class IB (Inception date: 5/1/
 98)...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[dagger] Reflects total assets of share class, where applicable, of the fund.
[diam] Total annual expenses.

    27. The next chart provides the approximate size (as of 12/31/04), 
expense ratios, management fees, and 12b-1 fee for each of the 
Substitute Funds for Calendar Year 2004.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Gross         Net
                                       Net         calendar     calendar      Gross         Net        Calendar
                                 Assets[dagger]   year 2004    year 2004     calendar     calendar    year 2004
        Substitute Funds           at December     expense      expense     year 2004    year 2004    12b-1 fee
                                  31, 2004  (in  ratio[diam]  ratio[diam]   mgmt. fee    mgmt. fee    (percent)
                                   thousands)     (percent)    (percent)    (percent)    (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AllianceBernstein VP Growth and       2,672,000         0.85         0.85         0.55         0.55         0.25
 Income Portfolio--Class B
 (Inception date: 6/1/99) \1\..
Delaware VIP Diversified Income          62,000         0.98         0.80         0.65         0.65          N/A
 Series--Standard Class
 (Inception date: 5/16/03) \2\.
Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index            790,000         0.29         0.29         0.20         0.20          N/A
 Fund--Class A (Inception date:
 10/1/97)......................
American Funds Growth Fund--         12,055,000         0.61         0.61         0.35         0.35        0.25
 Class 2 (Inception date: 2/8/
 84)...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[diam] Total annual expenses.
[dagger] Reflects total assets of share class, where applicable, of the Fund.
\1\ Expense information reflects a resolution of the AllianceBernstein board on September 7, 2004 making the
  Management Fee effective for the entire year of 2004.
\2\ The investment advisor for the Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series is Delaware Management Company (DMC).
  Since inception through April 30, 2005, the advisor contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or
  reimburse the Series for expenses to the extent that total expenses (excluding any taxes, interest, brokerage
  fees, extraordinary expenses and certain insurance expenses) would not exceed 0.80%. Without such an
  arrangement, the total operating expense for the Series would have been 0.98% for the fiscal year 2004.
  Effective May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006, DMC has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and/or
  reimbursed the Series for expenses to the extent that total expenses (excluding any taxes, interest, brokerage
  fees, extraordinary expenses and certain insurance expenses) will not exceed 0.80%. Under its Management
  Agreement, the Series pays a management fee based on average daily net assets as follows: 0.65% on the first
  $500 million, 0.60% on the next $500 million, 0.55% on the next $1,500 million, 0.50% on assets in excess of
  $2,500 million, all per year.

    28. The Applicants proposed substitutions would effectively 
consolidate the Lincoln Life assets of each Substitute Fund held by the 
Separate Accounts with those of the corresponding Replaced Fund, with a 
goal of each Substitute Fund having an expense ratio that is equal to 
or lower than the Replaced Fund. In the following comparisons, 
``expense ratio'' refers to both gross and net expense ratios, and 
``management fee'' includes both gross and net management fees, as well 
as any applicable 12b-1 fees.
    29. AllianceBernstein VP Growth and Income Portfolio (Substitute 
Fund) has a lower expense ratio (.85%) and management fee (.55%) and is 
larger than the AllianceBernstein VP Growth Portfolio (Replaced Fund) 
which has an expense ratio of 1.13% and a management fee of .75%. Both 
funds have the same 12b-1 fee (.25%). AllianceBernstein VP Growth and 
Income Portfolio also has performed better for three time periods and 
lower for two time periods compared to the AllianceBernstein VP Growth 
Portfolio (the 1999 calendar year time period is not comparable).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Replaced Fund     Substitute Fund
                                    AllianceBernstein  AllianceBernstein
                                        VP Growth        VP Growth and
         Fees and expenses              Portfolio       Income Portfolio
                                        (percent)          (percent)
                                   -------------------------------------
                                         Class B            Class B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee....................               0.75               0.55
12b-1 Fee.........................               0.25               0.25
Other Expenses....................               0.13               0.05
Total Expenses....................               1.13               0.85

[[Page 75509]]

 
Waivers...........................  .................  .................
Net Expenses......................               1.13               0.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    30. Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series (Substitute Fund) has a 
lower expense ratio (on a net basis after applicable contractual 
waivers) (.80%) and management fee (on a net basis after applicable 
contractual waivers) (.65%) and is smaller than the Delaware VIP Global 
Bond Series (Replaced Fund) which has an expense ratio of .93% and a 
management fee of .75%. Both the Substitute Fund and the Replaced Fund 
are affiliated with the Applicants. Delaware VIP Diversified Income 
Series does not have applicable performance time periods to compare to 
Delaware VIP Global Bond Series, except for calendar year 2004 in which 
Delaware VIP Diversified Income Series has performed lower than 
Delaware VIP Global Bond Series.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Replaced Fund     Substitute Fund
                                       Delaware VIP       Delaware VIP
                                       Global Bond        Diversified
         Fees and expenses          Series  (percent)    Income Series
                                   -------------------     (percent)
                                                      ------------------
                                      Standard Class     Standard Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee....................               0.75               0.65
12b-1 Fee.........................  .................  .................
Other Expenses....................               0.18               0.33
Total Expenses....................               0.93               0.98
Waivers...........................  .................               0.18
Net Expenses......................               0.93               0.80
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    31. Scudder VIT Equity 500 Index Fund (Substitute Fund) has a lower 
expense ratio (.29%) and management fee (.20%) and is smaller than 
Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio (Replaced Fund) which has an 
expense ratio of .63% and a management fee of .60%. The Scudder VIT 
Equity 500 Index Fund also has performed better for five time periods 
and lower for one time period compared to the Janus Aspen Worldwide 
Growth Portfolio.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Replaced Fund     Substitute Fund
                                       Janus Aspen        Scudder VIT
                                     Worldwide Growth   Equity 500 Index
                                        Portfolio       Fund  (percent)
         Fees and expenses              (percent)     ------------------
                                   -------------------
                                      Institutional         Class A
                                          Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee....................               0.60               0.20
12b-1 Fee.........................  .................  .................
Other Expenses....................               0.03               0.09
Total Expenses....................               0.63               0.29
Waivers...........................  .................  .................
Net Expenses......................               0.63               0.29
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    32. AllianceBernstein VP Growth and Income Portfolio (Substitute 
Fund) has a lower expense ratio (.85%) and a lower total management fee 
of .80% (the sum of .55% management fee plus .25% 12b-1 fee) and is 
larger than Neuberger Berman AMT Partners Portfolio (Replaced Fund) 
which has an expense ratio of .91% and a management fee of .83% (and no 
12b-1 fee). The AllianceBernstein VP Growth and Income Portfolio also 
has performed better for three time periods and lower for two time 
periods (the 1999 calendar year time period is not comparable) compared 
to the Neuberger Berman AMT Partners Portfolio.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Replaced Fund     Substitute Fund
                                     Neuberger Berman  AllianceBernstein
                                      AMT  Partners      VP Growth and
         Fees and expenses              Portfolio       Income Portfolio
                                        (percent)          (percent)
                                   -------------------------------------
                                         I Class            Class B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee....................               0.83               0.55
12b-1 Fee.........................  .................               0.25

[[Page 75510]]

 
Other Expenses....................               0.08               0.05
Total Expenses....................               0.91               0.85
Waivers...........................  .................  .................
Net Expenses......................               0.91               0.85
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    33. American Funds Growth Fund (Substitute Fund) has a lower 
expense ratio (.61%) and a lower management fee (.35%) and is larger 
than Putnam VT Health Sciences Fund (Replaced Fund) which has an 
expense ratio of 1.10% and a management fee of .70%. Both funds have 
the same 12b-1 fee (.25%). The American Funds Growth Fund also has 
performed better for four time periods and lower for two time periods 
compared to the Putnam VIT Health Sciences Fund.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Replaced Fund     Substitute Fund
                                     Putnam VT Health    American Funds
                                      Sciences Fund       Growth Fund
         Fees and expenses              (percnet)          (percent)
                                   -------------------------------------
                                         Class IB           Class 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee....................               0.70               0.35
12b-1 Fee.........................               0.25               0.25
Other Expenses....................               0.15               0.01
Total Expenses....................               1.10               0.61
Waivers...........................  .................  .................
Net Expenses......................               1.10               0.61
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    34. By supplements to the most current prospectuses for the 
Contracts, all owners and prospective owners of the Contracts were 
notified of Lincoln Life's intention to take the necessary actions, 
including seeking the order requested by the application, to effect the 
substitutions described above. The supplements and prospectuses stated 
that on the date of the proposed substitutions (after the relief 
requested has been obtained and all necessary systems support changes 
have been made), the Substitute Funds will replace the Replaced Funds 
as the underlying investments for affected sub-accounts.
    35. By means of an additional prospectus supplement or updated 
prospectus, Contract owners will be advised, at least thirty days in 
advance of the substitutions, of the actual date of the substitutions. 
In the pre-substitution notice, Applicants will advise Contract owners 
that from the date of the supplement until the date of the proposed 
substitutions, they are permitted to make one transfer of contract 
value (or annuity unit exchange) out of the Replaced Funds to any sub-
account option within the Contract without the transfer (or exchange) 
being treated as one of a limited number of transfers (or exchanges) 
allowed under the Contracts. Further, such a transfer will not be 
subject to a transfer charge. The notice will also inform Contract 
owners that the Applicants will not exercise any rights reserved under 
Contracts to impose additional restrictions on transfers until at least 
thirty days after the substitutions, except that the Applicants may 
impose restrictions on transfers to limit ``market timing'' activities 
by Contract owners or their agents. The supplement will further advise 
Contract owners that for at least thirty days following the effective 
date of the proposed substitutions, Lincoln Life will permit Contract 
owners affected by the substitutions to make one transfer of contract 
value (or annuity unit exchange) out of the Substitute Fund sub-account 
to another sub-account without the transfer (or exchange) being treated 
as one of a limited number of permitted transfers (or exchanges) or a 
limited number of transfers (or exchanges) permitted without a transfer 
charge.
    36. At least sixty days before the date of the proposed 
substitutions, affected Contract owners who have not already been 
provided with a prospectus for each Substitute Fund will receive a 
prospectus that includes complete and current information concerning 
the Substitute Funds.
    37. Lincoln Life will redeem shares of each Replaced Fund in cash 
and purchase with the proceeds shares of the corresponding Substitute 
Fund. Redemption requests and purchase orders will be placed 
simultaneously so that the contract values will remain fully invested 
at all times.
    38. The proposed substitutions will take place at relative net 
asset value with no change in the amount of any Contract owner's 
contract value, cash value, or death benefit or in the dollar value of 
his or her investment in any of the Separate Accounts.
    39. Contract owners will not incur any fees or charges as a result 
of the proposed substitutions nor will their rights or Lincoln Life's 
obligations under the Contracts be altered in any way. All expenses 
incurred in connection with the proposed substitutions, including 
legal, accounting, brokerage and other fees and expenses, will be paid 
by Lincoln Life. In addition, the proposed substitutions will not 
impose any tax liability on Contract owners. The proposed substitutions 
will not cause the contract fees and charges currently imposed by 
Lincoln Life and paid by existing Contract owners to be greater after 
the proposed substitutions than before the proposed substitutions. No 
fees will be charged on the transfers made at the time of the proposed 
substitutions because the proposed substitutions will not be treated as 
a transfer for the purpose of assessing transfer charges or for 
determining the

[[Page 75511]]

number or remaining permissible transfers in a Contract year.
    40. In addition to the supplements and prospectuses distributed to 
Contract owners as described above, within five business days after the 
proposed substitutions are completed, any Contract owners affected by 
the substitutions will be sent a written notice informing them that the 
substitutions were carried out and that they may make one transfer of 
Contract value or cash value under a Contract invested in any one of 
the sub-accounts on the date of the notice to another sub-account 
available under their Contract at no cost and without regard to the 
usual limit on the frequency of transfers among the variable account 
options and from the variable account options to the fixed account 
options. The notice will also reiterate that Lincoln Life will not 
exercise any rights reserved by it under the Contracts to impose 
additional restrictions on transfers or to impose any charges on 
transfers (other than with respect to ``market timing'' activities) 
until at least thirty days after the proposed substitutions. Lincoln 
Life will also send each Contract owner current prospectuses for the 
Substitute Funds involved to the extent that the Contract owner has not 
previously received a copy.
    41. Lincoln Life has determined that all of the Substitute Funds 
that are the subject of this Application will be treated as affiliated 
funds. The Applicants agree that, to the extent that the annualized 
expenses of each Substitute Fund exceeds, for each fiscal period (such 
period being less than 90 days) during the twenty-four month period 
following the date of the substitutions, the 2004 net expense level of 
the corresponding Replaced Fund, Lincoln Life will, for each Contract 
outstanding on the date of the proposed substitutions, make a 
corresponding reduction in separate account (or sub-account) expenses 
on the last day of such fiscal period, such that the amount of the 
Substitute Fund's net expenses, together with those of the 
corresponding separate account (or sub-account) will, on an annualized 
basis, be no greater than the sum of the net expenses of the Replaced 
Fund and the expenses of the separate account (or sub-account) for the 
2004 fiscal year.
    42. The Applicants further agree that Lincoln Life will not 
increase total separate account charges (net of any reimbursements or 
waivers) for any existing Contract owner on the date of the 
substitutions for a period of twenty-four months from the date of the 
substitutions.

Applicants' Legal Analysis

    1. Section 26(c) of the Act requires the depositor of a registered 
unit investment trust holding the securities of a single issuer to 
obtain Commission approval before substituting the securities held by 
the trust. Specifically, Section 26(c) states:

    It shall be unlawful for any depositor or trustee of a 
registered unit investment trust holding the security of a single 
issuer to substitute another security for such security unless the 
Commission shall have approved such substitution. The Commission 
shall issue an order approving such substitution if the evidence 
establishes that it is consistent with the protection of investors 
and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of 
this title.

    2. Applicants state that the proposed substitution of shares of the 
Substitute Funds for those of the Replaced Funds appears to involve 
substitutions of securities within the meaning of Section 26(c) of the 
Act. Applicants also submit that the proposed substitutions meet the 
standards that the Commission and its staff have applied to 
substitutions that have been approved in the past. Applicants therefore 
request an order from the Commission pursuant to Section 26(c) 
approving the proposed substitutions under the terms of this 
Application.
    3. The Contracts give Lincoln Life the right, subject to Commission 
approval, to substitute shares of another investment company for shares 
of an investment company held by a sub-account of the Separate 
Accounts. Applicants believe that the prospectuses for the Contracts 
and the Separate Accounts contain appropriate disclosure of this right.
    4. Applicants have concluded that, although there are differences 
in the objectives and policies of the Substitute and Replaced Funds, 
their objectives and policies are sufficiently consistent to assure 
that following the substitutions, the achievement of the core 
investment goals of the affected Contract owners in the Replaced Funds 
will not be frustrated.
    5. With respect to each proposed substitution, Applicants represent 
that Contract owners with balances invested in a Substitute Fund will 
have an expense ratio that is equal to or lower than the Replaced Fund. 
Applicants anticipate that Contract owners will be better off with the 
array of sub-accounts offered after the proposed substitutions than 
they have been with the array of sub-accounts offered prior to the 
substitutions. The proposed substitutions retain for Contract owners 
the investment flexibility which is a central feature of the Contracts. 
If the proposed substitutions are carried out, all Contract owners will 
be permitted to allocate purchase payments and transfer Contract values 
and cash values between and among approximately the same number of sub-
accounts as they could before the proposed substitutions. Applicants 
note that Contract owners who do not wish to participate in a 
Substitute Fund will have an opportunity to reallocate their 
accumulated value among other available sub-accounts without the 
imposition of any charge or limitation (other than with respect to 
``market timing'' activity.)

Conclusion

    Applicants submit that, for all the reasons stated above, the 
proposed substitutions are consistent with the protection of investors 
and the purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the 
Act.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
pursuant to delegated authority.
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-24248 Filed 12-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P