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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;31, 2002  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=1><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=1><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=1><I>Under<BR>
The Securities Act of 1933  </I></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS&nbsp;INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=1>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>95-4635504</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>1 WellPoint Way<BR>
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=1><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS, INC. 1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM OF WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS&nbsp;INC.<BR>
WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS&nbsp;INC. COMPREHENSIVE EXECUTIVE NON-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN<BR>
RIGHTCHOICE MANAGED CARE,&nbsp;INC. 2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
RIGHTCHOICE MANAGED CARE,&nbsp;INC. 1994 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN<BR>
RIGHTCHOICE MANAGED CARE,&nbsp;INC. NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN</B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>(Full
title of the plans) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>THOMAS
C. GEISER, ESQ.<BR>
Executive Vice President and General Counsel<BR>
WellPoint Health Networks&nbsp;Inc.<BR>
1 WellPoint Way, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362<BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=1><B>(818)&nbsp;234-4000</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=1><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>Copies
to: </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>Barry
W. Homer, Esq.<BR>
Brobeck, Phleger&nbsp;&amp; Harrison LLP<BR>
One Market Plaza<BR>
Spear Street Tower<BR>
San Francisco, California 94105 </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This
Registration Statement shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Section&nbsp;8(a) of the Securities Act of
1933 and Rule&nbsp;462 thereunder. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><A
NAME="ba1051_calculation_of_registration_fee"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ba1051_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=1><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=2 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount<BR>
to be<BR>
Registered(1)(2)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Offering<BR>
Price<BR>
per Share</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering<BR>
Price(4)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of<BR>
Registration<BR>
Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=1>Common Stock, $.01 par value, issued pursuant to:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD WIDTH="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>1999 Stock Incentive Plan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>808,454</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>$124.63(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>$100,757,622</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>$9,292</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=1>401(k) Retirement Savings Program of WellPoint Health Networks Inc.(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>1,000,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$124.63(3)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$124,630,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$11,500</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=1>RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>48,465</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$109.47(5)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$5,305,463</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$552</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=1>RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. 1994 Equity Incentive Plan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>516,910</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$24.76(5)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$12,798,692</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$1,196</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=1>RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>14,890</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$22.73(5)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$338,450</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$92</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<TD COLSPAN=2 VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>Deferred Compensation Obligations:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="35%"><FONT SIZE=1>Comprehensive Executive Non-qualified Retirement Plan</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$30,000,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>100%</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$30,000,000</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1>$2,760</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=1>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=1>In
addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of plan interests to be offered or sold
pursuant to the 401(k) Retirement Savings Program of WellPoint Health Networks&nbsp;Inc. </FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=1>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=1>This
Registration Statement also covers any additional shares of Common Stock that are acquired under the employee benefit plans listed above by reason of any stock dividend, stock
split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock. </FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=1>(3)
</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=1>Calculated
solely for purposes of this offering under Rule&nbsp;457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933 on the basis of the average of the high and low selling price per share of
Common Stock of WellPoint Health Networks&nbsp;Inc. on January&nbsp;28, 2002, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. </FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=1>(4)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=1>Estimated
solely for purposes of determining the registration fee. </FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=1>(5)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=1>Calculated
solely for the purposes of this offering under Rule&nbsp;457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the weighted average exercise price of the
outstanding options. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II    <BR>    <BR>    Information Required in the Registration Statement    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference  </I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents of the Registrant filed with the Commission (File No.&nbsp;001-13083) are incorporated by reference: </FONT></P>

<UL>
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<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-B filed on June&nbsp;12, 1997, pursuant to Section&nbsp;12(g) of the Exchange Act;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2000;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarters ended March&nbsp;31, 2001, June&nbsp;30, 2001 and September&nbsp;30, 2001;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(d)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
Registrant's Current Reports on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on June&nbsp;12, 2001, June&nbsp;14, 2001, July&nbsp;11, 2001, December&nbsp;7, 2002, January&nbsp;11,
2002 and January&nbsp;16, 2002; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(e)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
401(k) Retirement Savings Program's latest annual report on Form&nbsp;11-K filed with the Commission on June&nbsp;28, 2001. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which designates all securities then
remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Description of Securities  </I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement relates, among other things, to deferred compensation obligations of the Registrant outstanding under the Registrant's Comprehensive
Executive Non-qualified Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is a non-qualified deferred compensation program under the Internal Revenue Code which is designed to operate in
conjunction with the Registrant's Pension Accumulation Plan (the "Pension Plan") and the Registrant's 401(k) Retirement Savings Program (the "Savings Program"). </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
principal features of the Plan may be summarized as follows: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Structure.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>The Plan is comprised of three separate programs  </I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supplemental Savings Program Deferrals.</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under this program each selected participant will generally have the right, by prior
irrevocable election, to defer up to six percent (6%) of his or her compensation for each calendar year for which the election is in effect, after the participant has contributed the maximum dollar
amount which may be contributed on the participant's behalf to the Savings Program for that year in compliance with the applicable limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section&nbsp;402(g)(1) or, if
earlier, when the participant's compensation has reached the limit established by 401(a)(17). For participants at the level of Vice President or above, participants may defer up to 6% </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-1</FONT></P>

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of that portion of their compensation that would otherwise be eligible for deferral under the Savings Program but is payable before the participant becomes eligible for both deferral and matching
contributions under the Savings Program. In addition, this program will supplement the matching
contribution allocated to the participant's account each year under the Savings Program by providing such individual with a supplemental matching contribution equal to seventy-five percent
(75%) (or, if different, the percentage rate of matching contributions under the Savings Program) of such participant's Supplemental Savings Deferral. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supplemental Pension Plan Contributions.</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This program will supplement the pension contribution credited to the participant's
"Pension Plan" account each year by providing such individual with the actuarial equivalent of the amount which would have otherwise been allocated to his or her Pension Plan account had that
allocation not been reduced by reason of the compensation limitation imposed under Internal Revenue Code Sections&nbsp;401(a)(17) and/or 415. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Basic Salary, Bonus and Officer Benefit Credit Deferrals.</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This program will permit the participant, by prior irrevocable
election, to defer, on a pay period basis, (i)&nbsp;any whole percentage or whole dollar amount of his or her base salary (not exceeding 60% of the participant's base salary), (ii)&nbsp;any whole
percentage or whole dollar amount of the cash portion of the participant's annual bonus, and (iii)&nbsp;his or her officer benefit credit attributable to a car allowance. A participant may be
permitted to make a separate election with respect to the portion of the participant's annual bonus that would otherwise be payable in the form of restricted stock or share rights relating to the
Company's Common Stock. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, amounts earned pursuant to any special compensation arrangement entered into between the participant and the Registrant for the payment of non-qualified deferred
compensation ("Special Deferred Compensation Arrangements") may be credited to such participant's account under the Plan. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accounts.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant will establish on its books and records a special account for each individual for whom compensation
is deferred or to whom a benefit is allocated under the Plan. However, the Registrant's obligation to pay the balance credited to such account will at all times be an unfunded and unsecured obligation
and rank on parity with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Registrant from time to time outstanding. However, because the Registrant is a parent company, the right of the
Registrant, hence the right of creditors of the Registrant (including participants in the Plan), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Registrant itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be
recognized. The Registrant will be under no obligation to establish any trust, escrow arrangement or other fiduciary relationship for the purpose of segregating funds for the payment of the account
balances maintained under the Plans. Although the Registrant may establish a so-called "rabbi trust" in order to accumulate a reserve for satisfying its liabilities under the Plan, no
participant will have any beneficial interest in those trust assets, and the assets will be available for the satisfaction of creditor claims in the event of the Registrant's insolvency or bankruptcy. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant's obligations under the Plan are not convertible into any other security of the Registrant and will not have the benefit of a negative pledge or any other affirmative or
negative covenant on the part of the Registrant. No trustee has been appointed having authority to take action with respect to such obligations and each participant will be responsible for acting
independently with respect to,
among other things, the giving of notices, responding to any requests for consents, waivers or amendments pertaining to the obligations, enforcing covenants and taking action upon a default. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Investment Return.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The balance credited to each participant's account under the Plan will be credited with earnings, at
periodic intervals, at a rate equal to the actual rate of return for such period </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-2</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
of an investment fund or funds or index or indices selected by such participant from the range of investment vehicles offered under the Savings Program. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, any
deferral attributable to a participant's annual bonus payable in the form of restricted stock or share rights relating to the Company's Common Stock will be deemed to be invested in the Company Common
Stock fund under the Plan until the amounts vest, after which time the participant may direct its investment. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vesting.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Except as otherwise provided, each participant under the Plan will at all times be 100% vested in that portion of
his or her account balance attributable to (i)&nbsp;Supplemental Savings Program Deferrals and (ii)&nbsp;Basic Salary, Bonus and/or Officer Benefit Credit Deferrals, unless an item of compensation
deferred under the Plan would have been subject to vesting requirements if not deferred, in which case that portion of the participant's accounts attributable to such item shall be subject to such
additional vesting requirements. The participant will vest in that portion of his or her account balance attributable to Supplemental Pension Plan Contributions and Special Deferred Compensation
Arrangements in accordance with the vesting schedule in effect under the Pension Plan and any Special Deferred Compensation Arrangement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Distribution.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The vested account balance under the Plan will become payable, based on the participant's election, upon the
occurrence of one of the following events: (i)&nbsp;the date of the participant's retirement/termination, (ii)&nbsp;the date of the participant's death, (iii)&nbsp;the date, if any, specified by
the participant in his or her election or (iv)&nbsp;the earliest of any of (i), (ii)&nbsp;or (iii)&nbsp;above elected by the participant. The vested portion of the participant's account will be
distributed, based on the participant's election, in one of the following forms: (i)&nbsp;a lump sum, (ii)&nbsp;a series of annual installments, not to exceed 15, or (iii)&nbsp;a distribution
schedule specified by the participant in his or her election. The account balance may be distributed prior to the time elected by the participant upon (i)&nbsp;the occurrence of an immediate and
heavy financial need for which the participant does not have any other resources reasonably available or (ii)&nbsp;the forfeiture by the participant of fifteen percent (15%) of his or her vested
account balance. Accrued benefits may not otherwise be assigned or alienated, to the maximum extent permitted by law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amendment/Termination.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Plan may be amended or terminated at any time, but no such plan amendment or termination will
adversely affect the benefits which the participants have accrued to date under the Plan; provided that the Registrant may make a current distribution of each participant's account upon plan
termination. Otherwise, the Registrant's obligations under the Plan are not subject to redemption, in whole or in part, prior to the individual payment dates specified by the participants. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There
is no dollar limit on the total amount of compensation which may be deferred by participants over the term of the Plan. As of January&nbsp;25, 2002, the total dollar amount of
the Registrant's outstanding deferred compensation obligations under the Plan was approximately $56,156,053. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel  </I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Indemnification of Directors and Officers  </I></B></FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant is a Delaware corporation. Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law") empowers a Delaware corporation to
indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such
corporation as a director, officer, employee or </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-3</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
corporation's best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or
in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation
in the performance of his duty. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the
expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides that the liability of the Registrant's directors to the Registrant or the Registrant's stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty will be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law except for (i)&nbsp;breaches of duty of loyalty; (ii)&nbsp;acts or omissions not in good faith or
involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of the law; (iii)&nbsp;the payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or (iv)&nbsp;transactions in which a
director received an improper personal benefit. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of the Registrant and its stockholders (through stockholders' derivative suits on behalf of the Registrant) to recover monetary
damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty of care as a director (including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in certain limited situations. These
provisions do not limit or
eliminate the rights of the Registrant or any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director's duty of care. These
provisions will not alter the liability of directors under federal securities law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant will indemnify each present and former director and officer of the Registrant or a predecessor company and each of their respective
subsidiaries, as such companies exist or have existed, and such agents of the Registrant as the Board of Directors shall determine, to the fullest extent provided by Delaware law. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
addition, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain officers that provide for the maximum indemnification permitted by law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exemption from Registration Claimed  </I></B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not Applicable. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-4</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Exhibits  </I></B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="85%" ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit<BR> </B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2>4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2>Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Registrant "s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, filed August&nbsp;5, 1997.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-90791).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
4.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Specimen Stock Certificate of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.4 of Registrant's Registration Statement No.&nbsp;000-13083 on Form&nbsp;8-B.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Internal Revenue Service determination letter, dated November&nbsp;8, 1995, that the WellPoint Health Networks&nbsp;Inc. Salary Deferral Savings Program (now known as the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan) is qualified under Section&nbsp;401 of the
Internal Revenue Code. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;5.2 of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-05111).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion of Thomas C. Geiser, Esq.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Thomas C. Geiser, Esq. (Included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.2)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page of this Registration Statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
The 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, as amended through January&nbsp;1, 2001, incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.23 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2000</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (as amended through January&nbsp;1, 2001), incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.01 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30,
2001</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B><I>Undertakings.  </I></B></FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1)&nbsp;to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
this registration statement (i)&nbsp;to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, (ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement, and (iii)&nbsp;to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>provided</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>, however, that clauses&nbsp;(1)(i) and
(1)(ii)&nbsp;shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement; and (2)&nbsp;that for the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>bona fide</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2> offering thereof; and (3)&nbsp;to remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </FONT></P>

</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-5</FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </FONT><FONT SIZE=2><I>bona fide</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2> offering thereof. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></P>

</UL>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-6</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1051_signatures"> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Registrant.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Thousand Oaks, State of California, on this January&nbsp;29, 2002. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LEONARD D. SCHAEFFER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Leonard D. Schaeffer<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Chairman of the Board and<BR>
Chief Executive Officer</I></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1051_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1051_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS: </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That
the undersigned officers and directors of WellPoint Health Networks&nbsp;Inc., a Delaware corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint Leonard&nbsp;D. Schaeffer, Chairman of
the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and Thomas&nbsp;C. Geiser,&nbsp;Esq., Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, or any one of them, the lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, each with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent determines
may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulation or requirements of the Commission in connection with this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power
and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any
and all amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in
conjunction with this Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents, or any one of them,
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signatures</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="29%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="2%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LEONARD D. SCHAEFFER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Leonard D. Schaeffer</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DAVID C. COLBY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> David C. Colby</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002  </FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-7</FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>KENNETH C. ZUREK</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Kenneth C. Zurek</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Senior Vice President, Controller and Taxation</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>W. TOLIVER BESSON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> W. Toliver Besson, Esq.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ROGER E. BIRK</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Roger E. Birk</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>SHEILA P. BURKE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Sheila P. Burke</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>STEPHEN L. DAVENPORT</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Stephen L. Davenport</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JULIE A. HILL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Julie A. Hill</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>WARREN Y. JOBE</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Warren Y. Jobe</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>ELIZABETH A. SANDERS</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Elizabeth A. Sanders</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="21%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
January&nbsp;29, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><I>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;401(k) Retirement Savings Program.</I></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 401(k)
Retirement Savings Program of WellPoint Health Networks&nbsp;Inc. has caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Thousand Oaks, State of California, on this January&nbsp;29, 2002. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM OF WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>THOMAS C. GEISER</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Thomas C. Geiser</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>II-8</FONT></P>

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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ba1051_1">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ja1051_1">PART II Information Required in the Registration Statement</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1051_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1051_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC /DE/", "cik": "0001013220", "assigned-sic": "6324", "irs-number": "954635504", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-81872", "film-number": "02524103"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1 WELLPOINT WAY", "city": "THOUSAND OAKS", "state": "CA", "zip": "91362", "phone": "8187034000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1 WELLOINT WAY", "city": "THOUSAND OAKS", "state": "CA", "zip": "91362"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "BLUE CROSS OF CALIFORNIA /CA/", "date-changed": "19960508"}}
Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2002
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
95-4635504
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1 WellPoint Way
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS, INC. 1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM OF WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC.
WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC. COMPREHENSIVE EXECUTIVE NON-QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN
RIGHTCHOICE MANAGED CARE, INC. 2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
RIGHTCHOICE MANAGED CARE, INC. 1994 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RIGHTCHOICE MANAGED CARE, INC. NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full
title of the plans)
THOMAS
C. GEISER, ESQ.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
WellPoint Health Networks Inc.
1 WellPoint Way, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(Name and address of agent for service)
(818) 234-4000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies
to:
Barry
W. Homer, Esq.
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP
One Market Plaza
Spear Street Tower
San Francisco, California 94105
This
Registration Statement shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of
1933 and Rule 462 thereunder.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount
to be
Registered(1)(2)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
per Share
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(4)
Amount of
Registration
Fee
Common Stock, $.01 par value, issued pursuant to:
1999 Stock Incentive Plan
808,454
$124.63(3)
$100,757,622
$9,292
401(k) Retirement Savings Program of WellPoint Health Networks Inc.(1)
1,000,000
$124.63(3)
$124,630,000
$11,500
RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
48,465
$109.47(5)
$5,305,463
$552
RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. 1994 Equity Incentive Plan
516,910
$24.76(5)
$12,798,692
$1,196
RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc. Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan
14,890
$22.73(5)
$338,450
$92
Deferred Compensation Obligations:
Comprehensive Executive Non-qualified Retirement Plan
$30,000,000
100%
$30,000,000
$2,760
(1)
In
addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of plan interests to be offered or sold
pursuant to the 401(k) Retirement Savings Program of WellPoint Health Networks Inc.
(2)
This
Registration Statement also covers any additional shares of Common Stock that are acquired under the employee benefit plans listed above by reason of any stock dividend, stock
split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.
(3)
Calculated
solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933 on the basis of the average of the high and low selling price per share of
Common Stock of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. on January 28, 2002, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
(4)
Estimated
solely for purposes of determining the registration fee.
(5)
Calculated
solely for the purposes of this offering under Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the weighted average exercise price of the
outstanding options.
PART II
Information Required in the Registration Statement
Item 3.
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
The following documents of the Registrant filed with the Commission (File No. 001-13083) are incorporated by reference:
(a)
The
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on June 12, 1997, pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act;
(b)
The
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000;
(c)
The
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001;
(d)
The
Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2001, June 14, 2001, July 11, 2001, December 7, 2002, January 11,
2002 and January 16, 2002; and
(e)
The
401(k) Retirement Savings Program's latest annual report on Form 11-K filed with the Commission on June 28, 2001.
All
reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which designates all securities then
remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4.
Description of Securities
This Registration Statement relates, among other things, to deferred compensation obligations of the Registrant outstanding under the Registrant's Comprehensive
Executive Non-qualified Retirement Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is a non-qualified deferred compensation program under the Internal Revenue Code which is designed to operate in
conjunction with the Registrant's Pension Accumulation Plan (the "Pension Plan") and the Registrant's 401(k) Retirement Savings Program (the "Savings Program").
The
principal features of the Plan may be summarized as follows:
Structure.
The Plan is comprised of three separate programs
Supplemental Savings Program Deferrals.
Under this program each selected participant will generally have the right, by prior
irrevocable election, to defer up to six percent (6%) of his or her compensation for each calendar year for which the election is in effect, after the participant has contributed the maximum dollar
amount which may be contributed on the participant's behalf to the Savings Program for that year in compliance with the applicable limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)(1) or, if
earlier, when the participant's compensation has reached the limit established by 401(a)(17). For participants at the level of Vice President or above, participants may defer up to 6%
II-1
of that portion of their compensation that would otherwise be eligible for deferral under the Savings Program but is payable before the participant becomes eligible for both deferral and matching
contributions under the Savings Program. In addition, this program will supplement the matching
contribution allocated to the participant's account each year under the Savings Program by providing such individual with a supplemental matching contribution equal to seventy-five percent
(75%) (or, if different, the percentage rate of matching contributions under the Savings Program) of such participant's Supplemental Savings Deferral.
Supplemental Pension Plan Contributions.
This program will supplement the pension contribution credited to the participant's
"Pension Plan" account each year by providing such individual with the actuarial equivalent of the amount which would have otherwise been allocated to his or her Pension Plan account had that
allocation not been reduced by reason of the compensation limitation imposed under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a)(17) and/or 415.
Basic Salary, Bonus and Officer Benefit Credit Deferrals.
This program will permit the participant, by prior irrevocable
election, to defer, on a pay period basis, (i) any whole percentage or whole dollar amount of his or her base salary (not exceeding 60% of the participant's base salary), (ii) any whole
percentage or whole dollar amount of the cash portion of the participant's annual bonus, and (iii) his or her officer benefit credit attributable to a car allowance. A participant may be
permitted to make a separate election with respect to the portion of the participant's annual bonus that would otherwise be payable in the form of restricted stock or share rights relating to the
Company's Common Stock.
In
addition, amounts earned pursuant to any special compensation arrangement entered into between the participant and the Registrant for the payment of non-qualified deferred
compensation ("Special Deferred Compensation Arrangements") may be credited to such participant's account under the Plan.
Accounts.
The Registrant will establish on its books and records a special account for each individual for whom compensation
is deferred or to whom a benefit is allocated under the Plan. However, the Registrant's obligation to pay the balance credited to such account will at all times be an unfunded and unsecured obligation
and rank on parity with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Registrant from time to time outstanding. However, because the Registrant is a parent company, the right of the
Registrant, hence the right of creditors of the Registrant (including participants in the Plan), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Registrant itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be
recognized. The Registrant will be under no obligation to establish any trust, escrow arrangement or other fiduciary relationship for the purpose of segregating funds for the payment of the account
balances maintained under the Plans. Although the Registrant may establish a so-called "rabbi trust" in order to accumulate a reserve for satisfying its liabilities under the Plan, no
participant will have any beneficial interest in those trust assets, and the assets will be available for the satisfaction of creditor claims in the event of the Registrant's insolvency or bankruptcy.
The
Registrant's obligations under the Plan are not convertible into any other security of the Registrant and will not have the benefit of a negative pledge or any other affirmative or
negative covenant on the part of the Registrant. No trustee has been appointed having authority to take action with respect to such obligations and each participant will be responsible for acting
independently with respect to,
among other things, the giving of notices, responding to any requests for consents, waivers or amendments pertaining to the obligations, enforcing covenants and taking action upon a default.
Investment Return.
The balance credited to each participant's account under the Plan will be credited with earnings, at
periodic intervals, at a rate equal to the actual rate of return for such period
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of an investment fund or funds or index or indices selected by such participant from the range of investment vehicles offered under the Savings Program. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, any
deferral attributable to a participant's annual bonus payable in the form of restricted stock or share rights relating to the Company's Common Stock will be deemed to be invested in the Company Common
Stock fund under the Plan until the amounts vest, after which time the participant may direct its investment.
Vesting.
Except as otherwise provided, each participant under the Plan will at all times be 100% vested in that portion of
his or her account balance attributable to (i) Supplemental Savings Program Deferrals and (ii) Basic Salary, Bonus and/or Officer Benefit Credit Deferrals, unless an item of compensation
deferred under the Plan would have been subject to vesting requirements if not deferred, in which case that portion of the participant's accounts attributable to such item shall be subject to such
additional vesting requirements. The participant will vest in that portion of his or her account balance attributable to Supplemental Pension Plan Contributions and Special Deferred Compensation
Arrangements in accordance with the vesting schedule in effect under the Pension Plan and any Special Deferred Compensation Arrangement.
Distribution.
The vested account balance under the Plan will become payable, based on the participant's election, upon the
occurrence of one of the following events: (i) the date of the participant's retirement/termination, (ii) the date of the participant's death, (iii) the date, if any, specified by
the participant in his or her election or (iv) the earliest of any of (i), (ii) or (iii) above elected by the participant. The vested portion of the participant's account will be
distributed, based on the participant's election, in one of the following forms: (i) a lump sum, (ii) a series of annual installments, not to exceed 15, or (iii) a distribution
schedule specified by the participant in his or her election. The account balance may be distributed prior to the time elected by the participant upon (i) the occurrence of an immediate and
heavy financial need for which the participant does not have any other resources reasonably available or (ii) the forfeiture by the participant of fifteen percent (15%) of his or her vested
account balance. Accrued benefits may not otherwise be assigned or alienated, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Amendment/Termination.
The Plan may be amended or terminated at any time, but no such plan amendment or termination will
adversely affect the benefits which the participants have accrued to date under the Plan; provided that the Registrant may make a current distribution of each participant's account upon plan
termination. Otherwise, the Registrant's obligations under the Plan are not subject to redemption, in whole or in part, prior to the individual payment dates specified by the participants.
There
is no dollar limit on the total amount of compensation which may be deferred by participants over the term of the Plan. As of January 25, 2002, the total dollar amount of
the Registrant's outstanding deferred compensation obligations under the Plan was approximately $56,156,053.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Registrant is a Delaware corporation. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law") empowers a Delaware corporation to
indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such
corporation as a director, officer, employee or
II-3
agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
corporation's best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or
in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation
in the performance of his duty. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the
expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.
The
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides that the liability of the Registrant's directors to the Registrant or the Registrant's stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty will be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law except for (i) breaches of duty of loyalty; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or
involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of the law; (iii) the payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or (iv) transactions in which a
director received an improper personal benefit.
The
effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of the Registrant and its stockholders (through stockholders' derivative suits on behalf of the Registrant) to recover monetary
damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty of care as a director (including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in certain limited situations. These
provisions do not limit or
eliminate the rights of the Registrant or any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director's duty of care. These
provisions will not alter the liability of directors under federal securities law.
The
Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant will indemnify each present and former director and officer of the Registrant or a predecessor company and each of their respective
subsidiaries, as such companies exist or have existed, and such agents of the Registrant as the Board of Directors shall determine, to the fullest extent provided by Delaware law.
In
addition, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain officers that provide for the maximum indemnification permitted by law.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not Applicable.
II-4
Item 8.
Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant "s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 5, 1997.
4.2
Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-90791).
4.3
Specimen Stock Certificate of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Registrant's Registration Statement No. 000-13083 on Form 8-B.
5.1
Internal Revenue Service determination letter, dated November 8, 1995, that the WellPoint Health Networks Inc. Salary Deferral Savings Program (now known as the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan) is qualified under Section 401 of the
Internal Revenue Code. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5.2 of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-05111).
5.2
Opinion of Thomas C. Geiser, Esq.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.3
Consent of Thomas C. Geiser, Esq. (Included in Exhibit 5.2)
24.
Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page of this Registration Statement.
99.1
The 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, as amended through January 1, 2001, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000
99.2
Amendment No. 1 to the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (as amended through January 1, 2001), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2001
Item 9.
Undertakings.
A.    The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
this registration statement (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement, and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided
, however, that clauses (1)(i) and
(1)(ii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement; and (2) that for the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof; and (3) to remove from
registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
II-5
B.    The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
C.    Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-6
SIGNATURES
Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Thousand Oaks, State of California, on this January 29, 2002.
WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC.
By:
/s/
LEONARD D. SCHAEFFER
Leonard D. Schaeffer
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
That
the undersigned officers and directors of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., a Delaware corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint Leonard D. Schaeffer, Chairman of
the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and Thomas C. Geiser, Esq., Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, or any one of them, the lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, each with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorney and agent determines
may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulation or requirements of the Commission in connection with this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power
and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any
and all amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in
conjunction with this Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents, or any one of them,
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the date indicated.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/
LEONARD D. SCHAEFFER
Leonard D. Schaeffer
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
January 29, 2002
/s/
DAVID C. COLBY
David C. Colby
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
January 29, 2002
II-7
/s/
KENNETH C. ZUREK
Kenneth C. Zurek
Senior Vice President, Controller and Taxation
January 29, 2002
/s/
W. TOLIVER BESSON
W. Toliver Besson, Esq.
Director
January 29, 2002
/s/
ROGER E. BIRK
Roger E. Birk
Director
January 29, 2002
/s/
SHEILA P. BURKE
Sheila P. Burke
Director
January 29, 2002
/s/
STEPHEN L. DAVENPORT
Stephen L. Davenport
Director
January 29, 2002
/s/
JULIE A. HILL
Julie A. Hill
Director
January 29, 2002
/s/
WARREN Y. JOBE
Warren Y. Jobe
Director
January 29, 2002
/s/
ELIZABETH A. SANDERS
Elizabeth A. Sanders
Director
January 29, 2002
401(k) Retirement Savings Program.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 401(k)
Retirement Savings Program of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. has caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Thousand Oaks, State of California, on this January 29, 2002.
401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM OF WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC.
By:
/s/
THOMAS C. GEISER
Thomas C. Geiser
II-8
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
PART II Information Required in the Registration Statement
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY