Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("Merrill Lynch" or the Company) is an American multinational investment management and financial services company.

The original Complaint alleges that during the Class Period, Merrill Lynch made false and misleading statements and omitted material facts concerning its undisclosed financial interests with third party suppliers of annuity contracts. The third parties paid monies and other incentives to have Variable Annuities steered to them by Merrill Lynch without properly disclosing the preexisting arrangement to its customers.

The Complaint further alleges that rather than providing independent and unbiased services for clients wanting to purchase Variable Annuities, Merrill Lynch maintained secret contingent fee sharing agreements with a number of insurance company underwriters of annuity contracts. These activities cause insurance companies to collect higher premiums than would be paid absent these arrangements and result in Merrill Lynch customers paying inflated premiums for the Variable Annuities.

According to the press release, a variable annuity is an insurance contract with characteristics causing it to be treated as an "investment" under the Securities Act of 1933. A Variable Annuity contract generally provides that the purchaser agree to a simple "lump sum" premium or scheduled fixed premiums for a pre-set number of years. The premiums are deposited into a separate account after deducting expenses, fees and charges specified in the contract. The premiums thus collected in the annuitant's separate account are available for tax deferred investment in one or more portfolios (called sub-accounts). Upon maturity of the annuity, the annuitant receives payment from the accumulated value in such amounts and upon the terms specified in the underlying investment contract.

On March 18, 2005, the Court entered the Notice of Voluntary Dismissal and Order by Judge John A. Houston. The Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the action without prejudice, and the case was terminated.