Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

04/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/19/2024 11:15

Financial Statements by Insurance Company - Form N-VPFS

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

1

Financial Statements

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

2

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

3

Notes to Financial Statements

4

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

TotheBoard of Directors ofTransamerica Life Insurance Company and the Contract Owners of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B as of December 31, 2023, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Transamerica Life Insurance Company management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements of BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as ofDecember 31, 2023 by correspondence with the transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 19, 2024

We have served as the auditor of the subaccount of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B since 2014.

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2023

Subaccount Number of Shares Cost

Assets at Market

Value

Due (to)/from

General Account

Net Assets Units Outstanding Range of Unit Values
BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares 1,065,356.564 $    1,065,357 $ 1,065,357 $ (22 ) $    1,065,335 63,957 $   16.657031 $   16.657031

See accompanying notes.

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

BlackRock Government Money

Market V.I. Class I Shares

Subaccount

Net Assets as of December 31, 2021:

 $ 905,508

Investment Income:

Reinvested Dividends

15,122

Investment Expense:

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

6,840

Net Investment Income (Loss)

8,282

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

Capital Gain Distributions

-

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

-

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

-

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

-

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

-

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

8,282

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

202,800

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

211,082

Net Assets as of December 31, 2022:

 $ 1,116,590

Investment Income:

Reinvested Dividends

50,411

Investment Expense:

Mortality and Expense Risk and Administrative Charges

6,890

Net Investment Income (Loss)

43,521

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

Capital Gain Distributions

-

Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

-

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses) on Investments

-

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

-

Net Gain (Loss) on Investment

-

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

43,521

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Contract Transactions

(94,776 )

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

(51,255 )

Net Assets as of December 31, 2023:

 $ 1,065,335

See Accompanying Notes.

(1) See Footnote 1

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

1. Organization

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B (the Separate Account) is a segregated investment account of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (TLIC), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V., a holding company organized under the laws of the Netherlands.

The Separate Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Unit Investment Trust pursuant to provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. TLIC and the Separate Account are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The assets and liabilities of the Separate Account are clearly identified and distinguished from TLIC's other assets and liabilities. The Separate Account consists of a single subaccount. The subaccount invests exclusively in the corresponding portfolio of a Mutual Fund. The Mutual Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Activity in the specified investment subaccount is available to contract owners of Merrill Lynch Retirement Plus®.

Subaccount Investment by Mutual Fund:

Subaccount

Mutual Fund

BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc.

BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc.

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund Class I Shares

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for variable annuity separate accounts registered as unit investment trusts. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions regarding matters that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments

Net purchase payments received by the Separate Account are invested in the portfolios of the Mutual Funds as selected by the contract owner. Investments are stated at the closing net asset values per share on December 31, 2023.

Realized capital gains and losses from sales of shares in the Separate Account are determined on the first-in,first-out basis. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Unrealized gains or losses from investments in the Mutual Funds are included in the Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets.

Dividend Income

Dividends received from the Mutual Fund investments are reinvested to purchase additional mutual fund shares.

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value Hierarchy

The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the nature of inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.

The Separate Account has categorized its financial instruments into a three level hierarchy which is based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are categorized as follows:

Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.

Level 2. Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets

b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets

c) Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable

d) Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means.

Level 3. Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. They reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

All investments in the Mutual Funds included in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are stated at fair value and are based upon published closing NAV per share and therefore are considered Level 1.

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2023.

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

3. Investments

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

Subaccount Purchases Sales

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

$        66,597 $     117,839

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

4. Change in Units

The change in units outstanding were as follows:

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022
Subaccount Units Purchased Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from
Net Increase
(Decrease)
Units Purchased Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from
Net Increase
(Decrease)
BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares 989 (6,866 ) (5,877 ) 24,978 (12,201 ) 12,777

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

4. Change in Unit Dollars (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022
Subaccount Units Purchased in
Dollars
Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from in Dollars
Dollar Net Increase
(Decrease)
Units Purchased in
Dollars
Units Redeemed
and Transferred
to/from in Dollars
Dollar Net Increase
(Decrease)
BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares $ 16,299 $ (111,075 ) $ (94,776 ) $ 396,355 $ (193,555 ) $ 202,800

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

5. Financial Highlights

The Separate Account offers various death benefit options, which have differing fees that are charged against the contract owner's account balance. These charges are discussed in more detail in the individual's policy. Differences in the fee structures for these units result in different unit values, expense ratios, and total returns.

At December 31 For the Year Ended December 31
Subaccount Units Unit Fair Value
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio

Net

Assets

Investment
Income
Ratio*

Expense

Ratio**

Lowest to

Highest

Total Return***
 Corresponding to

Lowest to Highest

Expense Ratio

BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Class I Shares

12/31/2023 63,957 $16.66 to $16.66 $   1,065,335 4.75  % 0.65  % to 0.65  % 4.18  % to 4.18  %
12/31/2022 69,834 15.99 to 15.99 1,116,590 1.43 0.65 to 0.65 0.75 to 0.75
12/31/2021 57,057 15.87 to 15.87 905,508 - 0.65 to 0.65 (0.64 ) to (0.64 )
12/31/2020 59,102 15.97 to 15.97 944,028 0.37 0.65 to 0.65 (0.31 ) to (0.31 )
12/31/2019 98,139 16.02 to 16.02 1,572,434 1.94 0.65 to 0.65 1.31 to 1.31
(1)

See Footnote 1

*

These amounts represent the dividends, excluding distributions of capital gains, received by the subaccount from the Mutual Fund, net of management fees assessed by the fund manager, divided by the average net assets. These ratios exclude those expenses, such as mortality and expense charges, that are assessed against contract owner accounts either through reductions in the unit values or the redemption of units. The recognition of investment income by the subaccount is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the Mutual Fund in which the subaccounts invest.

**

These amounts represent the annualized contract expenses of the subaccount, consisting primarily of mortality and expense charges, for each period indicated. These ratios include only those expenses that result in a direct reduction to unit values. Charges made directly to contract owner accounts through the redemption of units and expenses of the Mutual Fund have been excluded.

***

These amounts represent the total return for the periods indicated, including changes in the value of the Mutual Fund, and expenses assessed through the reduction of unit values. These ratios do not include any expenses assessed through the redemption of units. Investment options with a date notation indicate the effective date of that investment option in the variable account. The total return is calculated for each period indicated or from the effective date through the end of the reporting period. Total returns reflect a full twelve month period and total returns for subaccounts opened during the year have not been disclosed as they may not be indicative of a full year return. Expense ratios not in effect for the full twelve months are not reflected in the total return as they may not be indicative of a full year return.

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

6. Administrative and Mortality and Expense Risk Charges

TLIC deducts an annual charge during the accumulation phase, not to exceed $40, proportionately from the subaccount's unit values. An annual charge of 0.65% is deducted (based on the death benefit selected) from the unit values of the subaccount of the Separate Account for TLIC's assumption of certain mortality and expense risks incurred in connection with the contract. The charge is assessed daily based on the net asset value of the Mutual Fund. Charges for administrative and mortality and expense risk are an expense of the subaccount. Charges reflected above are those currently assessed and may be subject to change. Contract owners should see their actual policy and any related attachments to determine their specific charges.

7. Income Tax

Operations of the Separate Account form a part of TLIC, which is taxed as a life insurance company under Subchapter L of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The operations of the Separate Account are accounted for separately from other operations of TLIC for purposes of federal income taxation. The Separate Account is not separately taxable as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and is not otherwise taxable as an entity separate from TLIC. Under existing federal income tax laws, the income of the Separate Account is not taxable to TLIC, as long as earnings are credited under the variable annuity contracts.

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Transamerica Life Insurance Company

Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2023

8. Subsequent Events

The Separate Account has evaluated the financial statements for subsequent events through the date which the financial statements were issued. During this period, there were no subsequent events requiring recognition in the financial statements.

9. Related Parties

Transamerica Capital, Inc. (TCI), a wholesaling broker-dealer, is an affiliated entity of TLIC and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aegon N.V. TCI distributes TLIC's products through broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries.

No charges other than those disclosed in Footnote 6 are deducted for the service rendered by related parties.

Contract owners may transfer funds between available subaccount options within the Separate Account. These transfers are performed at unit value at the time of the transfer.

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