Accumulation Protector Benefit

Benefit protects from poor investment performance during accumulation phase. Benefit base is equal to initial purchase payment, increased by purchase payments made within 180 days from contract issue and reduced for withdrawals. Owner may not make subsequent purchase payments during waiting period after 180 days following rider issue. Benefit guarantees that contract value will not be less than benefit base at rider maturity date. If contract value is less than benefit base at rider maturity date, Issuer will apply additional amount to increase contract value equal to benefit base. Owner may elect either elective step-up option, or automatic annual step-up option to reset benefit base. Benefit base will be reset annually to greater of - 1) 80% of contract value on contract anniversary, or 2) benefit base prior to automatic step up. Owner may also elect to exercise annual elective step up option. If contract value on valuation date, issuer receives request to step up, is greater than benefit base, benefit base will increase to 100% of contract value. Issuer imposes a charge greater of contract value or benefit base.