| In the Matter of the Merger of EMPIRE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY with and into SAFECO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ))))) | No. G 99-47
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Assistant General Counsel
SAFECO Insurance Companies
SAFECO Plaza
Seattle, Washington 98185
George Pagos
Associate General Counsel
SAFECO Life Insurance Company
Post Office Box 34690
Seattle, Washington 98124-1690
Randall H. Talbot, President
Empire Life Insurance Company
Post Office Box 34690
Seattle, Washington 98124-1690
Empire Life Insurance Company is a domestic Washington life and
disability insurance company. Empire Life Insurance Company is
100% owned by SAFECO Life Insurance Company, a domestic
Washington life and disability insurance company.
SAFECO Life Insurance Company has announced its intention to
merge Empire Life Insurance Company with and into SAFECO Life
Insurance Company.
A merger involving a domestic Washington insurance company is
controlled by RCW 48.31.010. Pursuant to RCW 48.31.010 (1)(a) a
plan of merger was submitted to the Insurance Commissioner on
August 27, 1999.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED a hearing will be held commencing
Wednesday, October 20, 1999, at 9 a.m. in the conference room of
the Insurance Commissioner's Office, 420 Golf Club Road, Lacey,
Washington 98503, to consider the proposed merger of Empire Life
Insurance Company into SAFECO Life Insurance Company.
The hearing will be held under the authority granted the
Commissioner by Chapter 48.04 RCW and RCW 48.31.010 (1)(b). RCW 48.31.010 (1)(b) prescribes conditions upon which approval of the
proposed merger shall be judged.
The Commissioner has not taken, and will not take, any position
on this matter prior to entry of the hearing order.
All parties may be represented at the hearing. They may examine
witnesses and fully respond and present evidence and argument on
all issues involved, as required by the Administrative Procedure
Act. The hearing will be governed by the Administrative
Procedure Act, Chapter 34.05 RCW, and the model rules of
procedure contained in Chapter 10-08 WAC. A party who fails to
attend or participate in any stage of the proceeding may be held
in default in accordance with Chapter 34.05 RCW.
The Commissioner will be represented by James E. Tompkins,
Assistant Deputy Commissioner, and Ronald Pastuch, Financial
Analyst.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner John B. Woodall will hear and
determine this matter. His address is Office of the Insurance
Commissioner, Post Office Box 40259, Olympia, Washington
98504-0259. His telephone number is (360) 407-0535.
ENTERED AT OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, this 29th day of September, 1999.
| DEBORAH SENN Insurance Commissioner
Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Company Supervision |