MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

             MERRILL LYNCH LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
                                RETIREMENT PLUS
                                RETIREMENT POWER
                              RETIREMENT OPTIMIZER

             MERRILL LYNCH LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B
                                RETIREMENT PLUS

             MERRILL LYNCH LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C
                                CONSULTS ANNUITY

             MERRILL LYNCH LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT D
                                  IRA ANNUITY


                         SUPPLEMENT DATED JUNE 21, 2004
                                     TO THE
                         PROSPECTUSES DATED MAY 1, 2004


This supplement describes a change to the free look provision for the variable
annuity contracts listed above (collectively, the "Contracts") issued by Merrill
Lynch Life Insurance Company ("we" or "us") in California on or after June 21,
2004.

In California, for contract owners who are 60 years of age or older, we will
allocate all premiums to the ML Domestic Money Market Subaccount (for all
Contracts except the IRA Annuity) or to the Ready Assets Subaccount (for IRA
Annuity Contracts) for the first 35 days following the contract date, unless the
contract owner directs us at the time of application to immediately invest the
premiums in other subaccount(s).  If the contract owner directs us to invest
their premiums in other subaccount(s), we will allocate the premiums
accordingly.

If the Contract is returned during the first 35 days following the contract
date, the amount that we refund depends on whether or not the contract owner
directed us at the time of application to immediately invest the premiums in
subaccount(s) other than the ML Domestic Money Market Subaccount or the Ready
Assets Subaccount.  If the contract owner directed us at the time of application
to immediately invest the premiums in other subaccount(s), we will refund the
contract value as of the date the Contract is returned, which could be less than
the premiums the contract owner paid, depending on the performance of the
selected subaccount(s).  Otherwise, we will refund all premiums paid into the
Contract as of the date the Contract is returned.

THIS PROVISION APPLIES ONLY TO CONTRACTS ISSUED IN CALIFORNIA ON OR AFTER JUNE
21, 2004 TO CONTRACT OWNERS 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.  IT DOES NOT APPLY TO
CONTRACTS PURCHASED OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA OR PRIOR TO JUNE 21, 2004 OR TO
CONTRACT OWNERS IN CALIFORNIA UNDER AGE 60.

                                     * * *

Please retain this supplement with your Prospectus for reference.  For
additional information, please contact your Financial Advisor or call the
Service Center at (800) 535-5549.