J JILL GROUP INC
EXHIBIT 10.17
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<TYPE>EX-10.17
<SEQUENCE>8
<FILENAME>a2106198zex-10_17.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.17
<TEXT>
<Page>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.17

                                 TERMINATION OF
                   AMENDED AND RESTATED SPLIT DOLLAR AGREEMENT

                            ALLMERICA LIFE INSURANCE
                              POLICY NO. V062874300

       AGREEMENT made as of this 11th day of March, 2003, by and between Olga L.
Conley (the "Employee"), and The J. Jill Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Employer").

       WHEREAS, the Employee is the owner of Policy No. V062874300 (the
"Policy") issued by Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company, of
Worcester, Massachusetts (the "Insurer"); and

       WHEREAS, the Employer has paid premiums on the Policy pursuant to a Split
Dollar Agreement and an Amended and Restated Split Dollar Agreement,
(collectively the "Split Dollar Agreement"), and

       WHEREAS, the Employee has assigned the Policy to the Employer for the
purpose of providing security for the repayment of such premium payments
pursuant to an Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral attached as
SCHEDULE 1 to the Split Dollar Agreement (the "Collateral Assignment"); and

       WHEREAS, it is the desire of the parties to terminate the Split Dollar
Agreement and to surrender the Policy;

       NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein,
it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

ARTICLE 1: SURRENDER OF POLICY

       The parties agree that the Employee shall surrender the Policy. The
Employer shall notify the Insurer of the Employee's surrender of the Policy. The
Employee agrees to sign a letter in the form of Exhibit A, and agrees further to
sign any additional documents required for surrender of the Policy.

ARTICLE 2: PAYMENT OF CASH SURRENDER VALUE

       As of the date of this Termination Agreement, the value of the cash
surrender value of the Policy is less than the Premium Reimbursement (as defined
in the Split Dollar Agreement). Thus, pursuant to the terms of the Split Dollar
Agreement, upon surrender of the Policy the full amount of the cash surrender
value shall be paid to the Employer. The Employee understands and acknowledges
that he or she shall not receive any money upon surrender of the Policy.

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ARTICLE 3: TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

       The parties agree that the Split Dollar Agreement shall terminate upon
the Employer's receipt of the cash surrender value of the Policy pursuant to
Article 2 above, and be of no further force or effect. Upon termination of the
Split Dollar Agreement pursuant to this Termination Agreement, the Employer
shall have no further obligation or liability under the Split Dollar Agreement.

ARTICLE 4: OBLIGATIONS OF INSURER

       Any payments made or action taken by the Insurer in accordance with the
provisions of the Policy and the Collateral Assignment, and this Termination
Agreement, shall fully discharge it from all claims, suits, and demands of all
persons whatsoever.

ARTICLE 5: MISCELLANEOUS

       A. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs,
legal representative, successors and assigns.

       B. This Agreement terminates all prior agreements between or among the
parties with respect to the Policy, and no change, alteration, or modification
may be made except in writing signed by all parties hereto. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, this Agreement, pursuant to Article 3 above,
terminates the Amended and Restated Split Dollar dated as of September 25, 2002
and the related Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral dated as of
September 25, 2002 between the Employer and the Employee, and the Split Dollar
Agreement dated as of February 24, 1999 and the related Assignment of Life
Insurance Policy as Collateral dated as of February 24, 1999 between the
Employer and the Employee, each of which shall no longer have any force or
effect.

       C. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard
to its principles of conflicts of laws.

       D. Any dispute, controversy or claim with respect to any party's
performance under this Agreement shall be settled by arbitration in accordance
with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by a single arbitrator who
shall be selected by the American Arbitration Association in Boston,
Massachusetts. Such arbitration shall be conducted in the City of Boston in
accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association. Punitive damages shall not awarded. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.

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       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hand and seals
effective as of the day and year first above written.


                                    /s/ Olga L. Conley, Employee
                                    ------------------

                                    Date:  March 11, 2003
                                           --------


                                    THE J. JILL GROUP, INC., Employer

                                    By:    /s/ Linda L. Trudel
                                           -------------------
                                    Its    Corporate Controller
                                           --------------------
                                    Date   March 11, 2003
                                           --------

                                      - 3 -

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