VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE CO
POS AM, 1999-04-16
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<PAGE>   1
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April __, 1999
                                                               File No. 333-1083


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC  20549


                                   FORM S-1

                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the

            Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Pennsylvania                    6312                        23-6200031
(State or other jurisdiction  (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
   of incorporation or         Classification Code Number)  Identification No.)
     organization)

                              CNA Plaza, 43 South
                            Chicago, Illinois  60685
                                 (312) 822-6597
                  (Address, including zip code, and telephone
             number, including area code, of registrant's principal
                               executive offices)
 
Corporate Secretary                                                   Copy to:
Continental Assurance Company                              Stephen E. Roth, Esq.
CNA Plaza, 43 South                             Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP
Chicago, Illinois  60685                          1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
(312) 822-6597                                        Washington, DC  20004-2404
(Name, address, including zip code,     
and telephone number, including area
code, of agent for service)



If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box: [X]



================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
PROSPECTUS
 
              FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                   ISSUED BY
                    VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND
              VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY VARIABLE ANNUITY
                                SEPARATE ACCOUNT
 
     This prospectus describes a flexible premium deferred variable annuity
contract (the "Contract") that Valley Forge Life Insurance Company ("VFL")
issues. The Contract may be sold to or used in connection with retirement plans,
including plans that qualify for special federal income tax treatment under the
Internal Revenue Code.
 
     You (the Owner) may allocate Net Purchase Payments and Contract values to
one or more of the Subaccounts of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable
Annuity Separate Account (the "Variable Account"), or to the Guaranteed Interest
Option for one or more Guarantee Periods, or to both. The 17 Subaccounts of the
Variable Account invest their assets in a corresponding investment portfolio
(each, a "Fund") of Insurance Series, Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable
Insurance Products Fund II, The Alger American Fund, MFS Variable Insurance
Trust, SoGen Variable Funds, Inc., and Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (you
may review a complete list of the Funds on the next page). The Guaranteed
Interest Option guarantees a minimum fixed interest rate for specified periods
of time, currently 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 7 years, and 10 years.
 
     The Contract Value will vary daily as a function of the Subaccounts'
investment performance and any interest VFL credits under the Guaranteed
Interest Option. VFL does not guarantee any minimum Variable Contract Value for
amounts you allocate to the Variable Account. VFL may apply a market value
adjustment to annuity payments and other values the Contract provides, when such
payments are based on the Guaranteed Interest Option. The market value
adjustment may result in upward or downward adjustments to amounts withdrawn,
surrendered, transferred, paid on a Death Benefit, or applied to purchase
annuity payments.
 
     This prospectus sets forth information regarding the Contract, the Variable
Account, and the Guaranteed Interest Option that you should know before
purchasing a Contract. You should read the prospectuses for the Funds, which
provide information regarding each Fund's investment objectives and policies, in
conjunction with this prospectus. A Statement of Additional Information having
the same date as this prospectus and providing additional information about the
Contract and the Variable Account has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). It is incorporated herein by reference. To
obtain a free copy of this document, call or write the Service Center.
 
     The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the SEC, including VFL. The website address is http://www.sec.gov.
 
     Please read this prospectus carefully and keep it for future reference. The
current prospectuses for the Funds must accompany this prospectus.
 
     An investment in a Contract is not:
 
- -  a bank deposit or obligation
 
- -  guaranteed or endorsed by any bank
 
- -  insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
   agency
 
     An investment in the Contract involves certain risks.  You may lose your
purchase payments (principal).
 
     THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF
THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                  May 1, 1999
<PAGE>   3
 
You may choose to invest in the following funds:
 
- -  Federated High Income Bond Fund II
 
- -  Federated Prime Money Fund II
 
- -  Federated Utility Fund II
 
- -  Asset Manager Portfolio in the Variable Insurance Products Fund II
 
- -  Contrafund Portfolio in the Variable Insurance Products Fund II
 
- -  Index 500 Portfolio in the Variable Insurance Products Fund II
 
- -  Equity-Income Portfolio in the Variable Insurance Products Fund
 
- -  Alger American Growth Portfolio
 
- -  Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio
 
- -  Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio
 
- -  MFS Emerging Growth Series
 
- -  MFS Growth With Income Series
 
- -  MFS Research Series
 
- -  MFS Total Return Series
 
- -  SoGen Overseas Variable Funds
 
- -  Van Eck Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund
 
- -  Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Funds
<PAGE>   4
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
FEE TABLE...................................................      1
SUMMARY.....................................................      5
  General Description of the Contract.......................      5
  Purchasing a Contract.....................................      6
  Canceling the Contract....................................      6
  Charges and Fees..........................................      7
  Transfers.................................................      8
  Withdrawals...............................................      8
  Surrenders................................................      8
VFL, THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT, THE FUNDS AND THE GUARANTEED
  INTEREST OPTION...........................................      9
  VFL.......................................................      9
  The Variable Account......................................      9
  The Funds.................................................     10
  The Guaranteed Interest Option............................     13
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT.................................     16
  Purchasing a Contract.....................................     16
  Canceling the Contract....................................     16
  Crediting and Allocating Purchase Payments................     17
  Variable Contract Value...................................     17
  Transfers.................................................     19
  Withdrawals...............................................     21
  Surrenders................................................     22
  Death of Owner or Annuitant...............................     22
  Payments by VFL...........................................     24
  Telephone Transaction Privileges..........................     24
  Supplemental Riders.......................................     25
CONTRACT CHARGES AND FEES...................................     25
  Surrender Charge (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge).......     25
  Annual Administration Fee.................................     27
  Transfer Processing Fee...................................     27
  Taxes on Purchase Payments................................     27
  Mortality and Expense Risk Charge.........................     27
  Administration Charge.....................................     28
  Fund Expenses.............................................     28
  Possible Charge for VFL's Taxes...........................     28
SELECTING AN ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION.........................     28
  Annuity Date..............................................     28
  Annuity Payment Dates.....................................     29
  Election and Changes of Annuity Payment Options...........     29
  Annuity Payments..........................................     29
  Annuity Payment Options...................................     31
ADDITIONAL CONTRACT INFORMATION.............................     32
  Ownership.................................................     32
  Changing the Owner or Beneficiary.........................     33
  Misstatement of Age or Sex................................     33
  Change of Contract Terms..................................     33
  Reports to Owners.........................................     34
  Miscellaneous.............................................     34
YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS....................................     34
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        i
<PAGE>   5
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
FEDERAL TAX STATUS..........................................     37
  Introduction..............................................     37
  Tax Status of the Contracts...............................     37
  The Treatment of Annuities................................     38
  Taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts.......................     38
  Taxation of Qualified Plans...............................     39
  Withholding...............................................     41
  Possible Changes in Taxation..............................     41
  Other Tax Consequences....................................     41
OTHER INFORMATION...........................................     42
  Distribution of the Contracts.............................     42
  Voting Privileges.........................................     42
  Legal Proceedings.........................................     43
  Company Holidays..........................................     43
  Legal Matters.............................................     43
  Experts...................................................     43
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE
  COMPANY...................................................     44
  History and Business......................................     44
  Selected Financial Data...................................     44
  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
     CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS....................     45
     Results of Operations..................................     46
     Financial Condition....................................     46
     Investments............................................     47
     Risks and Uncertainties................................     49
     Liquidity and Capital Resources........................     50
     Accounting Standards...................................     50
     Market risk............................................     52
     Forward-Looking Statements.............................     55
  Other Additional Information..............................     56
     Employees..............................................     56
     Properties.............................................     56
     Certain Agreements.....................................     56
     Regulation.............................................     56
     Directors and Executive Officers.......................     58
     Executive Compensation.................................     59
     Employment Contracts...................................     60
     Retirement Plans.......................................     61
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT................................     64
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE
  COMPANY...................................................     65
GLOSSARY....................................................     83
APPENDIX A..................................................    A-1
APPENDIX B..................................................    B-1
APPENDIX C..................................................    C-1
</TABLE>
    
 
     THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE
ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   6
 
                                   FEE TABLE
   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Sales load imposed on purchase payments.....................     0%
Maximum Surrender Charge (as a percentage of purchase
  payments surrendered or withdrawn)........................     7%
Transfer Processing Fee (each, after first 12 in a Contract
  Year).....................................................    $25
Annual Administration Fee (waived if Contract Value exceeds
  $50,000)..................................................    $30
 
VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET
  ASSETS)
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge...........................  1.25%
Administration Charge.......................................  0.15%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses                        1.40%
===================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
ANNUAL FUND EXPENSES
    
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF FUND AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               MANAGEMENT
                                               (ADVISORY)       OTHER        TOTAL ANNUAL
                                                  FEES         EXPENSES        EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>           <C>
INSURANCE SERIES:
  Federated High Income Bond Fund II..........   0.60%          0.18%          0.78%[1]
  Federated Prime Money Fund II...............   0.49%          0.31%          0.80%[1]
  Federated Utility Fund II...................   0.68%          0.25%          0.93%[1]
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND (VIP) AND
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II (VIP II):
  Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio........   0.49%          0.09%          0.58%[2]
  Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Portfolio.....   0.54%          0.10%          0.64%[2]
  Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio........   0.59%          0.11%          0.70%[2]
  Fidelity VIP II Index 500 Portfolio.........   0.24%          0.11%          0.35%[2]
THE ALGER AMERICAN FUND:
  Alger American Growth Portfolio.............   0.75%          0.04%          0.79%
  Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio......   0.80%          0.04%          0.84%
  Alger American Small Capitalization
     Portfolio................................   0.85%          0.04%          0.89%
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST:
  MFS Emerging Growth Series..................   0.75%          0.10%          0.85%[3]
  MFS Growth With Income Series...............   0.75%          0.13%          0.88%[3]
  MFS Research Series.........................   0.75%          0.11%          0.86%[3]
  MFS Total Return Series.....................   0.75%          0.16%          0.91%[3]
SOGEN VARIABLE FUNDS, INC.:
  SoGen Overseas Variable Fund................   0.75%          0.75%          1.50%[4]
VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST:
  Van Eck Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund.....   1.00%          0.50%          1.50%[5]
  Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Fund..........   1.00%          0.16%          1.16%[6]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
[1] Federated Advisors has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its
    management fee with respect to these funds. Absent this waiver, the total
    annual expenses would have
    
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   7
 
   
    been 0.78%, 0.81% and 1.00% for the Federated High Income Bond Fund II, the
    Federated Prime Money Fund II and the Federated Utility Fund II,
    respectively.
    
 
   
[2] A portion of the brokerage commissions that these funds pay was used to
    reduce fund expenses. In addition, these funds have entered into
    arrangements with their custodian whereby credits realized as a result of
    uninvested cash balances were used to reduce custodian expenses. Including
    these reductions, the total operating expenses presented in the table would
    have been .57%, .63% and .66% for the Equity-Income, Asset Manager and
    Contrafund portfolios, respectively.
    
 
   
[3] Each of these funds has an expense offset arrangement which reduces its
    custodian fee based upon the amount of cash it maintains with its custodian
    and dividend disbursing agent, and may enter into such arrangements and
    directed brokerage arrangements (which would also have the effect of
    reducing its expenses). Any such fee reductions are not reflected under
    "Other Expenses".
    
 
   
[4] The annualized ratios of operating expenses to average net assets for the
    period ended December 31, 1998 would have been 4.98% without the effect of
    earnings credits, and the investment advisory fee waiver and expense
    reimbursement provided by the advisor.
    
 
   
[5] For the year ended December 31, 1998, Van Eck Associates Corporation agreed
    to waive its management fees and assume all expenses of the Fund except
    interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses exceeding
    1.5% of average daily net assets. Absent this reimbursement, management
    fees, other expenses and total annual expenses would have been 1.00%, 0.61%,
    and 1.61%, respectively.
    
 
   
[6] The fund directs certain portfolio trades to a broker that, in turn, pays a
    portion of the Fund's operating expenses. The fund also has a fee
    arrangement based on cash balances left on deposit with the custodian, which
    reduces the fund's operating expenses. Absent these arrangements, management
    fees, other expenses, and total annual expenses would have been 1.00%, 0.20%
    and 1.20%, respectively.
    
 
   
     Taxes on purchase payments, generally ranging from 0% to 3.5% of purchase
payments, may be applicable, depending upon the laws of various jurisdictions.
    
 
   
     The above tables are intended to assist the Owner in understanding the
costs and expenses that he or she will bear directly or indirectly. The table
reflects the anticipated expenses of the Variable Account and reflect the actual
expenses for each Fund for the year ended December 31, 1998. For a more complete
description of the various costs and expenses, see "CONTRACT CHARGES AND FEES"
and the prospectuses for each Fund.
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   8
 
   
EXAMPLES
    
   
    
 
     If you surrender your Contract at the end of the applicable time period,
you would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 purchase payment, assuming a 5%
annual rate of return on assets:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ONE YEAR   THREE YEARS   FIVE YEARS   TEN YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>
Federated High Income Bond Fund II
  Subaccount...............................    $ 96        $134          $164        $262
Federated Prime Money Fund II Subaccount...    $ 96        $134          $165        $264
Federated Utility Fund II Subaccount.......    $ 97        $141          $172        $278
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Subaccount......    $ 94        $127          $153        $239
Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Subaccount...    $ 94        $129          $156        $246
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Subaccount......    $ 95        $130          $157        $249
Fidelity VIP II Index 500 Subaccount.......    $ 91        $120          $141        $215
Alger American Growth Subaccount...........    $ 96        $134          $164        $263
Alger American MidCap Growth Subaccount....    $ 97        $135          $167        $268
Alger American Small Capitalization
  Subaccount...............................    $ 97        $137          $170        $274
MFS Emerging Growth Subaccount.............    $ 97        $136          $168        $269
MFS Growth With Income Subaccount..........    $ 97        $137          $169        $273
MFS Research Subaccount....................    $ 97        $136          $168        $270
MFS Total Return Subaccount................    $ 97        $138          $171        $276
SoGen Overseas Subaccount..................    $103        $156          $201        $336
Van Eck Worldwide Emerging Markets
  Subaccount...............................    $103        $156          $201        $236
Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Subaccount...    $100        $146          $184        $302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
     If you do not surrender your Contract or if you annuitize, you would pay
the following expenses on a $1,000 purchase payment, assuming a 5% annual rate
of return on assets:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ONE YEAR   THREE YEARS   FIVE YEARS   TEN YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>
Federated High Income Bond Fund II
  Subaccount...............................    $ 26        $ 74          $124        $262
Federated Prime Money Fund II Subaccount...    $ 26        $ 74          $125        $264
Federated Utility Fund II Subaccount.......    $ 27        $ 78          $132        $278
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Subaccount......    $ 24        $ 67          $113        $239
Fidelity VIP II Asset Manager Subaccount...    $ 24        $ 69          $116        $246
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Subaccount......    $ 25        $ 70          $117        $249
Fidelity VIP II Index 500 Subaccount.......    $ 21        $ 60          $101        $215
Alger American Growth Subaccount...........    $ 26        $ 74          $124        $263
Alger American MidCap Growth Subaccount....    $ 27        $ 75          $127        $268
Alger American Small Capitalization
  Subaccount...............................    $ 27        $ 77          $130        $274
MFS Emerging Growth Subaccount.............    $ 27        $ 76          $128        $269
MFS Growth With Income Subaccount..........    $ 27        $ 77          $129        $273
MFS Research Subaccount....................    $ 27        $ 76          $128        $270
MFS Total Return Subaccount................    $ 27        $ 78          $131        $276
SoGen Overseas Subaccount..................    $ 33        $ 96          $161        $336
Van Eck Worldwide Emerging Markets
  Subaccount...............................    $ 33        $ 96          $161        $336
Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Subaccount...    $ 30        $ 86          $144        $302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   9
 
     The examples provided above assume that no transfer processing fees or
purchase payment taxes have been assessed. The examples also assume that the
annual administration fee is $30 and that the Contract Value per Contract is
$10,000, which translates the annual administration fee into an assumed .30%
charge (for purposes of the examples) based on a $1,000 investment. Under some
fixed annuity options, the surrender charges would not apply.
 
     THESE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE 5% ANNUAL
RETURN ASSUMED IS HYPOTHETICAL AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF
PAST OR FUTURE ANNUAL RETURNS, WHICH MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THE ASSUMED
RATE.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   10
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT
 
     The summary section of this prospectus contains a brief description of the
most important parts of the contract. You may find further detail in other
sections of this prospectus, the related Statement of Additional Information,
the contract, and the prospectuses of the underlying mutual funds. If you need
more information, please contact our Service Center at (800)808-4537.
 
     In many jurisdictions, we issue the contract directly to individuals. In
some jurisdictions, however, we may issue only group contracts. We issue group
contracts to or on behalf of groups. For example, we may issue a group contract
to an employer on behalf of its employees. Individuals who are part of groups
for which a contract is issued receive a certificate containing the same
provisions as the group contract. Throughout this prospectus, the term
"contract" refers to individual contracts, group contracts and certificates for
group contracts.
 
     Under this contract you may:
 
          -  allocate all or a portion of your net purchase payments among
             several subaccounts of our Valley Forge Life Insurance Company
             Variable Annuity Separate Account;
          -  transfer amounts you have already invested under the contract
             among the subaccounts;
          -  allocate all (or a portion of) your net purchase payments to
             our Guaranteed Interest Option Account; and
          -  transfer amounts you have already invested under the contract
             to our Guaranteed Interest Option Account.
 
     You may invest in the Guaranteed Interest Option Account for a guarantee
period of 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years. If the amount that you allocated or
transferred to the Guaranteed Interest Option Account remains in the account for
the entire guarantee period that you selected, its value will be equal to the
amount originally allocated or transferred plus the interest earned. We
calculate the interest that you earn by multiplying the amount you allocate or
transfer to the Guarantee Interest Option Account by the guarantee interest rate
on an annually compounded basis.
 
     If you surrender, withdraw, transfer, or annuitize the amount that you
invested or transferred from another subaccount at any time other than within
the 30 days prior to the expiration of the guarantee period that you selected,
that amount will be subject to a market value adjustment. The market value
adjustment may cause the amount that you remove from the Guaranteed Interest
Option Account to increase or decrease from the amount you would receive if you
had invested for the entire guarantee period. The market value adjustment may
even reduce the amount you remove from the Guaranteed Interest Option Account to
an amount that is less than the net purchase payment that you initially
allocated or transferred to the Guaranteed Interest Option Account.
 
     We do not promise that the amount that you invest under this contract will
increase in value. You bear the investment risk for all amounts invested under
this contract, except for the amounts that you allocate to the Guaranteed
Interest Option Account and leave in such account until at least 30 days before
the end of the guarantee period.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   11
 
     You have a choice of annuity payment options. The beneficiary that you
select also may apply any death benefit to certain annuity payment options. You
may change your annuity date, within certain limits.
 
PURCHASING A CONTRACT
 
     Your initial purchase payment for a contract must be at least $2,000. You
may make additional purchase payments of at least $100. We may refuse to accept
additional purchase payments at any time for any reason.
 
     In your application to purchase a contract, you specify the accounts to
which you want to allocate your initial purchase payment. Your initial purchase
payment may be allocated in any combination among the subaccounts, and the
guarantee periods within the Guaranteed Interest Option Account.
 
   
     Once you have selected the subaccounts or guarantee periods within the
Guarantee Interest Option Account to which you want to allocate your initial
purchase payment, you must then decide the percentage of the purchase payment to
be allocated to each selected account. All percentage allocations must be in
whole numbers. You must allocate at least:
    
 
          -  1% of a purchase payment to any subaccount or to any guarantee
             period within the Guaranteed Interest Option Account; and
 
          -  $500.00 to any selected guarantee period within the Guaranteed
             Interest Option Account.
 
     We will allocate any subsequent purchase payments among the subaccounts and
the guarantee periods within the Guaranteed Interest Option Account in
accordance with the percentages that you provided to us in your application. If
you want to change these percentage allocations, you must let us know, in
writing, of such changes.
 
     You may also change these percentage allocations by telephone, provided you
have authorized us to accept such changes in your application, or in another
writing.
 
CANCELING THE CONTRACT
 
     You may cancel this contract by returning it to us within 10 days after you
first receive it. Once you cancel the contract, we will give you a refund. Your
refund will be equal to the sum of the investment values in the subaccounts and
Guarantee Interest Option Accounts, less certain fees or charges. We will not
deduct any mortality risk charge, expense risk charge, or administration charge
from your refund.
 
   
     Please note, you may live in a state that (1) requires a cancellation
period longer than 10 days; and/or (2) requires that we return to you the amount
of purchase payments that you made to us (rather than the investment values in
the subaccounts and Guarantee Interest Option Accounts). If you do live in such
a state, we will comply with such state's laws regarding cancellations and
refunds. For this purpose, we will allocate your initial purchase payment to a
money market account, then at the expiration of the cancellation period, we will
add (or subtract) the income earned (or lost) on this investment to your initial
purchase payment. We will then allocate the initial purchase payment as you
direct in your application.
    
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   12
 
CHARGES AND FEES
 
     Once you purchase a contract, your contract value may be decreased by the
following charges and fees:
 
     (1) SURRENDER CHARGE. We will deduct a surrender charge for certain
withdrawals if:
 
          -  you withdraw or surrender an amount equal to your purchase
             payment (as described in the next two paragraphs) before the
             passage of five full calendar years from the date that we
             received your purchase payment; or
 
          -  you decide to receive annuity payments during the first full
             five calendar years from the date we received your purchase
             payment.
 
     The surrender charge is 7% of the purchase payment if you surrender or
withdraw the purchase payment within two full years after we received it. The
surrender charge reduces by 1% each year for the next three years and is 0%
after five full years following receipt of the purchase payment.
 
     In determining whether you have withdrawn your purchase payment, we assume
that when you withdraw amounts under your contract, that:
 
          -  you first withdraw the portion of your contract value that is
             greater than the sum of your purchase payments; and
 
          -  you withdraw earlier purchases payments before later purchase
             payments.
 
     We will not deduct a surrender charge for withdrawals of any amount of your
contract value that exceeds the sum of your purchase payments. We will not
deduct a surrender charge under certain fixed annuitization options.
 
     (2) ADMINISTRATION CHARGE. We will deduct a daily charge equal to 0.000411%
of the Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity Separate Account's
net assets. This daily charge covers a portion of our administration costs. This
daily charge is approximately equal to an annual charge of 0.15 %.
 
     (3) MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE. We will deduct a daily charge equal
to 0.003446% of the Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity
Separate Account's net assets. This charge compensates us for assuming certain
mortality and expense risks. This daily charge is approximately equal to an
annual charge of 1.25%.
 
     (4) ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE. If your contract value is less than $50,000,
we will deduct an annual administration fee of $30.
 
     (5) TRANSFER PROCESSING FEE. Your first 12 transfers among the subaccounts
and/or Guarantee Interest Option Account are free. We will then deduct $25 for
each transfer in excess of the 12 free transfers during a Contract Year.
 
     (6) TAXES ON PURCHASE PAYMENTS. Generally, you are taxed for income tax
purposes on purchase payments, if at all, at the time you begin to receive
annuity payments. Any charges for taxes on purchase payments are deducted from
your contract value at that time. These taxes range generally between 0% and
3.5% of purchase payments.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   13
 
     (7) MUTUAL FUND EXPENSES. The mutual funds in which your purchase payments
are invested may deduct certain operating fees. Please read the prospectus for
each of the mutual funds for details.
 
TRANSFERS
 
     At any time prior to the date you begin to receive annuity payments, you
may transfer all or part of a contract value among subaccount(s) or guarantee
periods of the Guarantee Interest Option Account. You may transfer the lesser of
$500 or the entire value of the account.
 
WITHDRAWALS
 
     At any time prior to the date you begin to receive annuity payments, you
may (subject to certain restrictions) withdraw part of the contract value. We
may deduct certain amounts from your withdrawal, which may include a surrender
charge, a market value adjustment, and purchase payment tax charges. Your
withdrawals may result in adverse federal income tax consequences, including a
penalty tax, in addition to any income tax that you may owe.
 
SURRENDERS
 
     At any time prior to date you begin to receive annuity payments, you may
surrender the contract and receive its surrender value. The surrender value is
equal to the contract value, less certain charges (including a surrender charge,
purchase payment tax charges, administration charges, and market value
adjustments). You may elect to have the surrender value paid in a single sum or
under an annuity payment option. Your surrender may result in adverse federal
income tax consequences, including a penalty tax, in addition to any income tax
that you may owe.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  You will find the Variable Account's
condensed financial information in Appendix A of this prospectus.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   14
 
                  THE COMPANY, THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT, THE FUNDS
                       AND THE GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION
 
VFL
 
   
     VFL is a life insurance company organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1956 and is authorized to transact business in
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and all states except New York.
VFL's home office is located at 401 Penn St., Reading, Pennsylvania 19601, and
its executive office is located at CNA Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60685. VFL is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Assurance Company ("Assurance"), a life
insurance company which, as of December 31, 1998, had consolidated assets of
approximately $14.4 billion. Subject to a reinsurance pooling agreement with
Assurance, VFL assumes all insurance risks under the Contracts, and VFL's
assets, which as of December 31, 1998 were approximately $3 billion, support the
benefits under the Contracts. See "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VALLEY FORGE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY" for more detail regarding VFL.
    
 
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
 
     The Variable Account is a separate investment account of VFL established
under Pennsylvania law on October 18, 1995. VFL owns the assets of the Variable
Account. These assets are held separately from VFL's General Account and its
other separate accounts. That portion of the Variable Account's assets that is
equal to the reserves and other Contract liabilities of the Variable Account is
not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business VFL may
conduct. If the assets exceed the required reserves and other contract
liabilities, VFL may transfer the excess to VFL's General Account. The Variable
Account's assets will at all times, equal or exceed the sum of the Subaccount
Values of all Contracts funded by the Variable Account.
 
     The Variable Account is registered with the SEC under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") as a unit investment trust and meets the
definition of a "separate account" under the federal securities laws. Such
registration does not involve any supervision by the SEC of the management of
the Variable Account or VFL. The Variable Account also is governed by the laws
of Pennsylvania, VFL's state of domicile, and may also be governed by laws of
other states in which VFL does business.
 
     The Variable Account has 17 Subaccounts, each of which invests in shares of
a corresponding Fund. Income, gains and losses, realized or unrealized, from
assets allocated to a Subaccount are credited to or charged against that
Subaccount without regard to other income, gains or losses of VFL.
 
     CHANGES TO THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT. Where permitted by applicable law, VFL may
make the following changes to the Variable Account:
 
          1. any changes required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law or
     regulation;
 
          2. combine separate accounts, including the Variable Account;
 
          3. add new Subaccounts to or remove existing Subaccounts from the
     Variable Account or combine Subaccounts;
 
          4. make Subaccounts (including new Subaccounts) available to such
     classes of Contracts as VFL may determine;
 
          5. add new Funds or remove existing Funds;
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   15
 
          6. substitute new Fund(s) for any existing Fund if shares of the Fund
     are no longer available for investment or if VFL determines that investment
     in a Fund is no longer appropriate in light of the purposes of the Variable
     Account;
 
          7. deregister the Variable Account under the 1940 Act if such
     registration is no longer required; and
 
          8. operate the Variable Account as a management investment company
     under the 1940 Act or as any other form permitted by law.
 
     No such changes will be made without any necessary approval of the SEC and
applicable state insurance departments. Owners will be notified of any changes.
 
THE FUNDS
 
     Each Subaccount invests in a corresponding Fund. Each of the Funds is
either an open-end diversified management investment company or a separate
investment portfolio of such a company and is managed by a registered investment
adviser. The Funds as well as a brief description of their investment objectives
are provided below.
 
     Certain Funds may have investment objectives and policies similar to other
funds that are managed by the same investment advisor or manager. The investment
results of the Funds, however, may be higher or lower than those of such other
funds. We do not guarantee or make any representation that the investment
results of the Funds will be comparable to any other fund, even those with the
same investment advisor or manager.
 
     INSURANCE SERIES
 
     The Federated High Income Bond Fund II, Federated Prime Money Fund II and
Federated Utility Fund II Subaccounts each invest in shares of corresponding
Funds (i.e., investment portfolios) of Insurance Series ("IS"). IS issues five
"series" or classes of shares, each of which represents an interest in a Fund of
IS. Three of these series of shares are available as investment options under
the Contract. The investment objectives of these Funds are set forth below.
 
          FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II. This Fund invests primarily in
     lower-rated fixed-income securities that seek to achieve high current
     income.
 
          FEDERATED PRIME MONEY FUND II. This Fund invests in money market
     instruments maturing in thirteen months or less to achieve current income
     consistent with stability of principal and liquidity.
 
          FEDERATED UTILITY FUND II. This Fund invests in equity and debt
     securities of utility companies to achieve high current income and moderate
     capital appreciation.
 
     IS is advised by Federated Advisers.
 
     VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND AND VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
 
     The Equity-Income Subaccount invests in shares of a corresponding Fund of
Variable Insurance Products Fund ("VIP Fund"). VIP Fund issues five "series" or
classes of shares, each of which represents an interest in a Fund of VIP Fund.
One of these series of shares is available as an investment option under the
Contracts. Asset Manager,
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   16
 
Contrafund, and Index 500 Subaccounts each invest in shares of corresponding
Funds of Variable Insurance Products Fund II ("VIP Fund II"). VIP Fund II issues
five "series" or classes of shares, each of which represents an interest in a
Fund of VIP Fund II. Three of these series of shares are available as investment
options under the Contract. The investment objectives of these Funds are set
forth below.
 
          ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks high total return with
     reduced risk over the long-term by allocating its assets among domestic and
     foreign stocks, bonds and short-term fixed-income instruments.
 
          CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks capital appreciation over the
     long-term by investing in companies that are undervalued or out-of-favor.
 
          EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks current income by investing
     primarily in income producing equity securities. In choosing these
     securities, the Fund also considers the potential for capital appreciation.
 
          INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks investment results that
     correspond to the total return of common stocks publicly traded in the
     United States, as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index
     of 500 Common Stocks.
 
     VIP Fund and VIP Fund II are each advised by Fidelity Management & Research
Company.
 
     THE ALGER AMERICAN FUND
 
     Alger American Growth, Alger American MidCap Growth and Alger American
Small Capitalization Subaccounts each invest in shares of corresponding Funds of
The Alger American Fund ("AAF"). AAF issues six "series" or classes of shares,
each of which represents an interest in a Fund of AAF. Three of these series of
shares are available as investment options under the Contract. The investment
objectives of these Funds are set forth below.
 
          ALGER AMERICAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks long-term capital
     appreciation by investing in a diversified, actively managed portfolio of
     equity securities, primarily of companies with total market capitalization
     of $1 billion or greater.
 
          ALGER AMERICAN MIDCAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks long-term
     capital appreciation by investing in a diversified, actively managed
     portfolio of equity securities, primarily of companies with total market
     capitalization between $750 million and $3.5 billion.
 
          ALGER AMERICAN SMALL CAPITALIZATION PORTFOLIO. This Fund seeks
     long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified, actively
     managed portfolio of equity securities, primarily of companies with total
     market capitalization of less than $1 billion.
 
     AAF is advised by Fred Alger Management, Inc.
 
     MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
 
     The MFS Emerging Growth, MFS Growth with Income, MFS Research and MFS Total
Return Subaccounts each invest in shares of corresponding Funds of MFS Variable
Insurance Trust ("MFSVIT"). MFSVIT issues 12 "series" or classes of shares, each
of
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   17
 
which represents an interest in a Fund of MFSVIT. Four of these series of shares
are available as investment options under the Contract. The investment
objectives of these Funds are set forth below.
 
          MFS EMERGING GROWTH SERIES. This Fund seeks to obtain long-term growth
     of capital by investing primarily in common stocks of small and
     medium-sized companies that are early in their life cycle but which have
     the potential to become major enterprises.
 
          MFS GROWTH WITH INCOME SERIES. This Fund seeks to provide reasonable
     current income and long-term growth of capital and income.
 
          MFS RESEARCH SERIES. This Fund seeks to provide long-term growth of
     capital and future income.
 
          MFS TOTAL RETURN SERIES. This Fund seeks primarily to provide
     above-average income consistent with prudent employment of capital and
     secondarily to provide a reasonable opportunity for growth of capital and
     income.
 
     MFSVIT is advised by Massachusetts Financial Services Company.
 
     SOGEN VARIABLE FUNDS, INC.
 
     The SoGen Overseas Subaccount invests in shares of a corresponding Fund of
SoGen Variable Funds, Inc. ("SGVF"). SGVF issues one "series" or class of shares
which represents an interest in a Fund of SGVF. This series of shares is
available as an investment option under the Contract. The investment objective
of this Fund is set forth below.
 
          SOGEN OVERSEAS VARIABLE FUND. This Fund seeks long-term growth of
     capital by investing primarily in securities of small and medium size
     non-U.S. companies.
 
     SGVF is advised by Societe Generale Asset Management Corp.
 
     VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST
 
     The Worldwide Emerging Markets and Worldwide Hard Assets Subaccounts each
invest in shares of corresponding Funds of Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust
("VEWIT"). VEWIT issues five "series" or classes of shares, each of which
represents an interest in a Fund of VEWIT. Two of these series of shares are
available as investment options under the Contract. The investment objectives of
these Funds are set forth below.
 
          WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND. This Fund seeks capital appreciation
     by investing primarily in equity securities in emerging markets around the
     world.
 
          WORLDWIDE HARD ASSETS FUND. This Fund seeks long-term capital
     appreciation by investing globally, primarily in securities of companies
     engaged directly or indirectly in the exploration, development, production
     and distribution of one or more of the following sectors: precious metals,
     ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil and gas, forest products, real estate
     and other basic non-agricultural commodities.
 
     VEWIT is advised by Van Eck Associates Corporation.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   18
 
NO ONE CAN ASSURE THAT ANY FUND WILL ACHIEVE ITS STATED OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES.
 
     More detailed information concerning the investment objectives, policies
and restrictions of the Funds, the expenses of the Funds, the risks attendant to
investing in the Funds and other aspects of their operations can be found in the
current prospectus for each Fund which accompanies this prospectus and the
current statement of additional information for the Funds. The Funds'
prospectuses should be read carefully before any decision is made concerning the
allocation of Purchase Payments or transfers among the Subaccounts.
 
     Please note that not all of the Funds described in the prospectuses for the
Funds are available with the Contract. Moreover, VFL cannot guarantee that each
Fund will always be available for its variable annuity contracts, but in the
event that a Fund is not available, VFL will take reasonable steps to secure the
availability of a comparable fund. Shares of each Fund are purchased and
redeemed at net asset value, without a sales charge.
 
     VFL has entered into agreements with the investment advisers of several of
the Funds pursuant to which each such investment adviser pays VFL a servicing
fee based upon an annual percentage of the average aggregate net assets invested
by VFL on behalf of the Variable Account. These agreements reflect
administrative services provided to the Funds by VFL. Payments of such amounts
by an adviser do not increase the fees paid by the Funds or their shareholders.
 
     Shares of the Funds are sold to separate accounts of insurance companies
that are not affiliated with VFL or each other, a practice known as "shared
funding." They are also sold to separate accounts to serve as the underlying
investment for both variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
contracts, a practice known as "mixed funding." As a result, there is a
possibility that a material conflict may arise between the interests of Owners,
whose Contract Values are allocated to the Variable Account, and of owners of
other contracts whose contract values are allocated to one or more other
separate accounts investing in any one of the Funds. Shares of some of the Funds
may also be sold directly to certain qualified pension and retirement plans
qualifying under Section 401 of the Code. As a result, there is a possibility
that a material conflict may arise between the interests of Owners or owners of
other contracts (including contracts issued by other companies), and such
retirement plans or participants in such retirement plans. In the event of any
such material conflicts, VFL will consider what action may be appropriate,
including removing the Fund from the Variable Account or replacing the Fund with
another Fund. There are certain risks associated with mixed and shared funding
and with the sale of shares to qualified pension and retirement plans, as
disclosed in each Fund's prospectus.
 
THE GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION
 
     The Guaranteed Interest Option is an investment option available under the
Contract and is supported by VFL's General Account and the GIO Account
(described below). All or a portion of an Owner's Purchase Payments may be
allocated to and transfers of Contract Value may be made to Guarantee Periods
under the Guaranteed Interest Option. Through the Guaranteed Interest Option,
VFL offers specified effective annual rates of interest (Guaranteed Interest
Rates) that are credited daily and available for specified periods of time
selected by an Owner (Guarantee Periods). Although the Guaranteed Interest Rate
may differ among Guarantee Periods, it will never be less than the effective
annual rate shown in the Contract.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   19
 
     Interests issued by VFL in connection with the Guaranteed Interest Option
have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, but neither the
Guaranteed Interest Option, the GIO Account, nor the General Account has been
registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, neither the
Guaranteed Interest Option, the GIO Account, nor the General Account, nor any
interest therein are generally subject to regulation under the 1940 Act.
 
     Initial Guarantee Periods begin on the date as of which a Purchase Payment
is allocated to or a portion of Contract Value is transferred to the Guarantee
Period, and end when the number of years in the Guarantee Period elected
(measured from the end of the calendar month in which the amount was allocated
or transferred to the Guarantee Period) has elapsed. The last day of the
Guarantee Period is the expiration date for that Guarantee Period. Subsequent
Guarantee Periods begin on the first day following the expiration date of a
previous Guarantee Period.
 
     Allocations of Purchase Payments and transfers of Contract Value to the
Guaranteed Interest Option may have different applicable Guaranteed Interest
Rates depending on the timing of such allocations or transfers. However, the
applicable Guaranteed Interest Rate does not change during a Guarantee Period.
If the allocated or transferred amount remains in the Guaranteed Interest Option
until the end of the applicable Guarantee Period, its value will be equal to the
amount originally allocated or transferred, multiplied, on an annually
compounded basis by its Guaranteed Interest Rate. If a Guarantee Amount is
surrendered, withdrawn, transferred, or applied to an Annuity Payment Option
prior to 30 days before the expiration of the Guarantee Period, the Guaranteed
Interest Rate for that Guarantee Period is subject to a Market Value Adjustment,
as described below. The application of a Market Value Adjustment may result in
the payment of an amount less than the amount originally allocated or
transferred to the Guarantee Period.
 
     VFL will notify Owners in writing at least 30 days prior to the expiration
date of any Guarantee Period about the then currently available Guarantee
Periods and the Guaranteed Interest Rates applicable to such Guarantee Periods.
A new Guarantee Period of the same duration as the previous Guarantee Period
will commence automatically on the first day following the expiring Guarantee
Period, unless VFL receives Written Notice prior to the start of the new
Guarantee Period of the Owner's election of a different Guarantee Period from
among those being offered by VFL at that time, or instructions to transfer all
or a portion of the expiring Guarantee Amount to a Subaccount. If VFL does not
receive such Written Notice and is not offering a Guarantee Period of the same
duration as the expiring Guarantee Period or if the duration of the expiring
Guarantee Period would, if renewed, extend beyond the Annuity Date, then a new
Guarantee Period of one year will commence automatically on the first day
following the expiring Guarantee Period. The minimum Guarantee Amount is $500.
 
     To the extent permitted by law, VFL reserves the right at any time to offer
Guarantee Periods that differ from those available when an Owner's Contract was
issued. VFL also reserves the right, at any time, to stop accepting Purchase
Payment allocations or transfers of Contract Value to a particular Guarantee
Period. Since the specific Guarantee Periods available may change periodically,
please contact the Service Center to determine the Guarantee Periods currently
being offered.
 
     GIO ACCOUNT. The assets in the GIO Account are used to support the values
and benefits under the Guaranteed Interest Option of the Contract and similar
contracts. VFL owns the assets in the GIO Account and holds such assets
separately from its other assets
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   20
 
and from the General Account. The portion of the assets of the GIO Account equal
to the reserves and other contract liabilities of the GIO Account are not
chargeable with liabilities that arise from any other business that VFL
conducts. VFL may transfer to the General Account any assets of the GIO Account
that are in excess of such reserves and other liabilities.
 
     Under Pennsylvania insurance law, VFL is required to maintain assets in the
GIO Account at least equal to the reserves and other contract liabilities of the
GIO Account. In the unlikely event of liquidation of VFL, if VFL cannot satisfy
all of its insurance obligations, Owners with Guaranteed Interest Option Value
will have a priority claim against assets of the GIO Account equal to its
liabilities, and a claim against VFL's general account for any remaining VFL
liabilities. Thus, the GIO Account represents a pool of assets that provides an
additional measure of assurance that Owners allocating Purchase Payments and
Contract Value to the Guaranteed Interest Option will receive full payment of
benefits attributable to Guaranteed Interest Option.
 
     Owners allocating Purchase Payments and/or Contract Value to the Guaranteed
Interest Option do not participate in the investment performance of assets of
the GIO Account, and this performance does not determine the Guaranteed Interest
Option Value or benefits relating thereto. The Guaranteed Interest Option
provides values and benefits based only upon the Purchase Payments and Contract
Values allocated thereto, the Guaranteed Interest Rate credited on such amounts,
and any charges or Market Value Adjustments imposed on such amounts in
accordance with the terms of the Contract.
 
     MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT. A Market Value Adjustment reflects the
relationship between: (i) the current Guaranteed Interest Rate that VFL is
crediting for a Guarantee Period equal to the time remaining in the Guarantee
Period from which the Guarantee Amount is requested to be surrendered,
withdrawn, transferred or annuitized; and (ii) the Guaranteed Interest Rate
being applied to the Guarantee Period from which the Guarantee Amount will be
surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or annuitized. Any surrender, withdrawal,
transfer or application to an Annuity Payment Option of a Guarantee Amount is
subject to a Market Value Adjustment that may be positive or negative, unless
the effective date of the surrender, withdrawal, transfer or application is
within 30 days prior to the end of a Guarantee Period. The Market Value
Adjustment will be applied after the deduction of any applicable annual
administration fee or transfer processing fee, and before the deduction of any
applicable surrender charge or charge for taxes on purchase payments (also
referred to as a "premium tax" charge).
 
     Generally, if the Guaranteed Interest Rate for the selected Guarantee
Period is lower than the Guaranteed Interest Rate currently being offered for
new Guarantee Periods of a duration equal to the balance of the selected
Guarantee Period as of the date that the Market Value Adjustment is applied,
then the application of the Market Value Adjustment will result in the payment,
upon surrender, withdrawal, transfer or application of amounts to an Annuity
Payment Option, of an amount less than the Guarantee Amount (or portion thereof)
being surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or applied to an Annuity Payment
Option. It may even result in the payment of an amount less than the Purchase
Payment allocated to or the portion of Contract Value transferred to the
Guarantee Period. Similarly, if the Guaranteed Interest Rate for the selected
Guarantee Period is higher than the Guaranteed Interest Rate currently being
offered for new Guarantee Periods of a duration equal to the balance of the
selected Guarantee Period as of the date that the Market Value Adjustment is
applied, then the application of the Market Value Adjustment will result in the
payment, upon surrender, withdrawal, transfer or application of amounts to an
Annuity Payment Option, of an amount greater than the Guarantee
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   21
 
Amount (or portion thereof) being surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or applied
to an Annuity Payment Option.
 
     The Market Value Adjustment is computed by multiplying the amount being
surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or applied to an Annuity Payment Option by
the Market Value Adjustment Factor. The Market Value Adjustment Factor is
calculated as follows:
 
<TABLE>
                   <S>                                               <C>  <C> <C> <C> <C>     <C>  <C>
                   Market Value Adjustment = Amount multiplied by       3 1   1+A 2     N/12   -1  4
                                                                              1+B
</TABLE>
 
          where:
          "Amount" is the amount being surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or
     applied to an Annuity Payment Option less any applicable annual
     administration fees or transfer processing fees;
 
          "a" is the Guaranteed Interest Rate currently being credited to the
     "Amount";
 
          "b" is the Guaranteed Interest Rate that is currently being offered
     for a Guarantee Period of duration equal to the time remaining to the
     expiration of the Guarantee Period for the Guarantee Amount from which the
     "Amount" is taken. Where the time remaining to the expiration of the
     Guarantee Period is not 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 years, "b" is the rate found by
     linear interpolation of the rate for the Guarantee Period having the
     duration closest to the time remaining or, if the time remaining is less
     than 1 year, "b" is the rate for a 1 year period; and
 
          "n" is the number of complete months remaining before the expiration
     of the Guarantee Period for the Guarantee Amount from which the "Amount" is
     taken.
 
Examples of computing the Market Value Adjustment are set forth in Appendix C.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT
 
PURCHASING A CONTRACT
 
     A prospective Owner may purchase a Contract by submitting an application
through a licensed agent of VFL who is also a representative of a broker-dealer
having a selling agreement with CNA Investor Services, Inc. ("CNA/ISI"), the
principal underwriter for the Contracts. The maximum Age on the Contract
Effective Date for Annuitants is 85. An initial purchase payment must be
delivered to the Service Center along with the Owner's application. The minimum
initial purchase payment is $2,000. The minimum additional purchase payment VFL
will accept is $100. Unless VFL gives its prior approval, it will not accept an
initial purchase payment in excess of $500,000 and reserves the right not to
accept any purchase payment for any reason. VFL will send Owners a confirmation
notice upon receipt and acceptance of the Owner's purchase payment.
 
CANCELING THE CONTRACT
 
     Owners may cancel the Contract during the Cancellation Period, which is the
10-day period after an Owner receives the Contract. Some states may require a
longer Cancellation Period. To cancel the Contract, the Owner must mail or
deliver the Contract to the Service Center or to the agent who sold it. VFL will
refund the Contract Value plus any fees or charges deducted except for the
mortality and expense risk charge and the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   22
 
administration charge. If the Owner purchased a Contract in a state that
requires the return of purchase payments during the Cancellation Period and the
Owner chooses to exercise the cancellation right, then VFL will return the
purchase payments.
 
CREDITING AND ALLOCATING PURCHASE PAYMENTS
 
     If the application for a Contract is properly completed and is accompanied
by all the information necessary to process it (including payment of the initial
purchase payment) VFL will allocate the initial Purchase Payment then as
designated by the Owner, to one or more of the Subaccounts or to the Guarantee
Periods within two business days of receipt of such Purchase Payment by VFL at
its Service Center. If the application is not properly completed, VFL reserves
the right to retain the Purchase Payment for up to five business days while it
attempts to complete the application. If the application cannot be made complete
within five business days, the applicant will be informed of the reasons for the
delay and the initial Purchase Payment will be returned immediately unless the
applicant specifically consents to VFL retaining the initial Purchase Payment
until the application is made complete. The initial Purchase Payment will then
be credited within two business days after receipt of a properly completed
application. VFL will credit additional Purchase Payments that are accepted by
VFL as of the end of the Valuation Period during which the Payment was received
at the Service Center.
 
     The initial Purchase Payment is allocated among the Subaccounts and
Guarantee Periods as specified on the application, unless the Contract is issued
in a state that requires the return of purchase payments during the Cancellation
Period. In those states, any portion of the initial Purchase Payment allocated
to the Guaranteed Interest Option will be allocated to that option upon receipt;
and any portion of the initial Purchase Payment allocated to the Subaccounts
will be allocated to the Money Market Subaccount for a period equal to the
number of days in the Cancellation Period. At the expiration of this period,
such portion of the Purchase Payment, as adjusted to reflect the investment
performance of the Money Market Subaccount during this period, is then allocated
to the Subaccounts as described above.
 
     Owners may allocate Purchase Payments among any or all Subaccounts or
Guarantee Periods available. If an Owner elects to invest in a particular
Subaccount or Guarantee Period, at least 1% of the Purchase Payment must be
allocated to that Subaccount or Guarantee Period. All percentage allocations
must be in whole numbers. The minimum amount that may be allocated to any
Guarantee Period is $500. VFL allocates any additional Purchase Payments among
the Subaccounts and the Guaranteed Interest Option in accordance with the
allocation schedule in effect when such Purchase Payment is received at the
Service Center unless it is accompanied by Written Notice directing a different
allocation.
 
VARIABLE CONTRACT VALUE
 
     SUBACCOUNT VALUE. The Variable Contract Value is the sum of all Subaccount
Values and therefore reflects the investment experience of the Subaccounts to
which it is allocated. The Subaccount Value for any Subaccount as of the
Contract Effective Date is equal to the amount of the initial Purchase Payment
allocated to that Subaccount. On subsequent Valuation Days prior to the Annuity
Date, the Subaccount Value is equal to that part of any Purchase Payment
allocated to the Subaccount and any amount transferred to that Subaccount,
adjusted by interest income, dividends, net capital gains or losses, realized or
unrealized, and decreased by withdrawals (including any applicable
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   23
 
surrender charges and any applicable purchase payment tax charge) and any
amounts transferred out of that Subaccount.
 
     ACCUMULATION UNITS. Purchase Payments allocated to a Subaccount or amounts
of Contract Value transferred to a Subaccount are converted into Accumulation
Units. For any Contract, the number of Accumulation Units credited to a
Subaccount is determined by dividing the dollar amount directed to the
Subaccount by the value of the Accumulation Unit for that Subaccount for the
Valuation Day on which the Purchase Payment or transferred amount is invested in
the Subaccount. Therefore, Purchase Payments allocated to or amounts transferred
to a Subaccount under a Contract increase the number of Accumulation Units of
that Subaccount credited to the Contract.
 
     Decreases in Subaccount Value under a Contract are effected by the
cancellation of Accumulation Units of a Subaccount. Therefore, surrenders,
withdrawals, transfers out of a Subaccount, payment of a death benefit, the
application of Variable Contract Value to an Annuity Payment Option on the
Annuity Date, and the deduction of the annual administration fee all result in
the cancellation of an appropriate number of Accumulation Units of one or more
Subaccounts. Accumulation Units are canceled as of the end of the Valuation
Period in which VFL received Written Notice regarding the event.
 
     The Accumulation Unit value for each Subaccount was arbitrarily set
initially at $10 when the Subaccount began operations. Thereafter, the
Accumulation Unit value at the end of every Valuation Day equals the
Accumulation Unit value at the end of the preceding Valuation Day multiplied by
the Net Investment Factor (described below). The Subaccount Value for a Contract
is determined on any day by multiplying the number of Accumulation Units
attributable to the Contract in that Subaccount by the Accumulation Unit value
for that Subaccount.
 
     THE NET INVESTMENT FACTOR. The Net Investment Factor is an index applied to
measure the investment performance of a Subaccount from one Valuation Period to
the next. For each Subaccount, the Net Investment Factor reflects the investment
experience of the Fund in which that Subaccount invests and the charges assessed
against that Subaccount for a Valuation Period. The Net Investment Factor is
calculated by dividing (1) by (2) and subtracting (3) from the result, where:
 
          (1) is the result of:
 
              a. the Net Asset Value Per Share of the Fund held in the
                 Subaccount, determined at the end of the current Valuation
                 Period; plus
 
              b. the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain
                 distributions made by the Fund held in the Subaccount, if the
                 "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current Valuation Period;
                 plus or minus
 
              c. a per share charge or credit for any taxes reserved for, which
                 is determined by VFL to have resulted from the operations of
                 the Subaccount.
 
          (2) is the Net Asset Value Per Share of the Fund held in the
     Subaccount, determined at the end of the last prior Valuation Period.
 
          (3) is a daily factor representing the mortality and expense risk
     charge and the administration charge deducted from the Subaccount, adjusted
     for the number of days in the Valuation Period.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   24
 
TRANSFERS
 
     GENERAL. Prior to the Annuity Date and after the Cancellation Period, an
Owner may transfer (by Written Notice) all or part of any Subaccount Value to
another Subaccount(s) (subject to its availability) or to one or more available
Guarantee Periods, or transfer all or part of any Guarantee Amount to any
Subaccount(s) (subject to its availability) or to one or more available
Guarantee Periods, subject to the following restrictions. The minimum transfer
amount is $500 or the entire Subaccount Value or Guarantee Amount, if less. The
minimum Subaccount Value or Guarantee Amount that may remain following a
transfer is $500. A transfer request that would reduce any Subaccount Value or
Guarantee Amount below $500 is treated as a transfer request for the entire
Subaccount Value or Guarantee Amount. Only four transfers may be made each
Contract Year from all or part of any Guarantee Amount. The first 12 transfers
during each Contract Year are free. VFL assesses a transfer processing fee of
$25 for each transfer in excess of 12 during a Contract Year. The transfer
processing fee is deducted from the amount being transferred. Each Written
Notice of transfer is considered one transfer regardless of how many Subaccounts
or Guarantee Periods are affected by the transfer.
 
     DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING FACILITY. If elected in the application or at any
time thereafter prior to the Annuity Date by Written Notice, an Owner may
systematically transfer (on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis)
specified dollar amounts from the Money Market Subaccount to other Subaccounts.
Dollar cost averaging begins on the first available transfer date after our
Service Center receives your request. This is known as the "dollar-cost
averaging" method of investment. The fixed-dollar amount purchases more
Accumulation Units of a Subaccount when their value is lower and fewer units
when their value is higher. Over time, the cost per unit averages out to be less
than if all purchases of Units had been made at the highest value and greater
than if all purchases had been made at the lowest value. The dollar-cost
averaging method of investment reduces the risk of making purchases only when
the price of Accumulation Units is high. It does not assure a profit or protect
against a loss in declining markets.
 
     Owners may only elect to use the dollar-cost averaging facility if their
Money Market Subaccount Value is at least $1,000 at the time of the election.
The minimum transfer amount under the facility is $100 per month (or the
equivalent). If dollar-cost averaging transfers are to be made to more than one
Subaccount, then the Owner must indicate the dollar amount of the transfer to be
made to each. At least $50 must be designated to each Subaccount.
 
     Transfers under the dollar-cost averaging facility are made as of the same
calendar day each month. If this calendar day is not a Valuation Day, transfers
are made as of the next Valuation Day. Once elected, transfers under the
dollar-cost averaging facility continue until the Money Market Subaccount Value
is depleted, the Annuity Date occurs or until the Owner cancels the election by
Written Notice at least seven days in advance of the next transfer date.
Alternatively, Owners may specify in advance a date for transfers under the
facility to cease. There is no additional charge for using the dollar-cost
averaging facility. Transfers under the facility do not count towards the 12
transfers permitted without a transfer processing fee in any Contract Year. VFL
reserves the right to discontinue offering the dollar-cost averaging facility at
any time and for any reason or to change its features.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   25
 
     GUARANTEED DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING FACILITY. If elected in the application,
an Owner may use the dollar-cost averaging facility to systematically transfer
specified dollar amounts (on a monthly or quarterly basis) from a Guarantee
Amount under the Guaranteed Interest Option. For this purpose, VFL may, from
time to time, offer a special one-year or six-month Guarantee Period designed
for use with the dollar-cost averaging facility. When available, an Owner may
allocate all or part of the initial purchase payment to a special Guarantee
Period. These special Guarantee Periods are not available for subsequent
purchase payments or transfers of Contract Value. The minimum dollar amount that
may be transferred from a Guarantee Amount using the dollar-cost averaging
facility is that amount which results in the entire Guarantee Amount being
transferred to one or more Subaccounts by the end of the special Guarantee
Period and in no case shall be less than $5,000. Once elected, transfers from a
Guarantee Amount under the facility do not cease until the Guarantee Amount is
depleted. No Market Value Adjustment applies to transfers described in this
paragraph. All other requirements applicable to dollar-cost averaging transfers
from the Money Market Subaccount apply to transfers described in this paragraph.
 
     AUTOMATIC SUBACCOUNT VALUE REBALANCING. If elected in the application or
requested by Written Notice at any time thereafter prior to the Annuity Date, an
Owner may instruct VFL to automatically transfer (on a quarterly, semi-annual or
annual basis) Variable Contract Value between and among specified Subaccounts in
order to achieve a particular percentage allocation of Variable Contract Value
among such Subaccounts ("automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing"). Such
percentage allocations must be in whole numbers. Once elected, automatic
Subaccount Value rebalancing begins on the first Valuation Day of the next
calendar quarter or other period (or, if later, the next calendar quarter or
other period after the expiration of the Cancellation Period).
 
     Owners may stop automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing at any time by
Written Notice at least seven calendar days before the first Valuation Day in a
new period. Owners may specify allocations between and among as many Subaccounts
as are available at the time automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing is elected.
Once automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing has been elected, any subsequent
allocation instructions that differ from the then-current rebalancing allocation
instructions are treated as a request to change the automatic Subaccount Value
rebalancing allocation. Owners may change automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing
allocations at any time. Allocation changes will take effect as of the Valuation
Day that instructions are received at the Service Center. Once automatic
Subaccount Value rebalancing is in effect, an Owner may only transfer Subaccount
Value among or between Subaccounts by changing the automatic Subaccount Value
rebalancing allocation instructions. Changes to automatic Subaccount Value
rebalancing must be made by Written Notice.
 
     There is no additional charge for automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing
and rebalancing transfers do not count as one the 12 transfers available without
a transfer processing fee during any Contract Year. If automatic Subaccount
Value rebalancing is elected at the same time as the dollar-cost averaging
facility or when the dollar-cost averaging facility is being utilized, automatic
Subaccount Value rebalancing will be postponed until the first Valuation Day in
the calendar quarter or other period following the termination of dollar-cost
averaging facility. VFL reserves the right to discontinue offering automatic
Subaccount Value rebalancing at any time for any reason or to change its
features.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   26
 
WITHDRAWALS
 
     GENERAL. Prior to the Annuity Date and after the Cancellation Period, an
Owner may withdraw part of the Surrender Value, subject to certain limitations.
Each withdrawal must be requested by Written Notice. The minimum withdrawal
amount is $500. The maximum withdrawal is the amount that would leave a minimum
Surrender Value of $1,000. A withdrawal request that would reduce any Subaccount
Value or Guarantee Amount below $500 will be treated as a request for a
withdrawal of all of that Subaccount Value or Guarantee Amount.
 
     VFL withdraws the amount requested from the Contract Value as of the day
that VFL receives an Owner's Written Notice, and sends the Owner that amount.
VFL will then deduct any applicable surrender charge and any applicable purchase
payment tax charge from the remaining Contract Value. If the withdrawal is
requested from a Guarantee Amount, VFL deducts any applicable Market Value
Adjustment from, or adds any applicable Market Value Adjustment to, remaining
Contract Value. A deduction of a Market Value Adjustment from Contract Value may
result in the payment of an amount which, when added to any remaining Guarantee
Amount and amounts previously withdrawn or transferred, is less than the amount
allocated or transferred to a Guarantee Period to create that Guarantee Amount.
 
     A Written Notice of withdrawal must specify the amount to be withdrawn from
each Subaccount or Guarantee Amount. If the Written Notice does not specify this
information, or if any Subaccount Value or Guarantee Amount is inadequate to
comply with the request, VFL will make the withdrawal based on the proportion
that each Subaccount Value and each Guarantee Amount bears to the Contract Value
as of the day of the withdrawal.
 
     SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS. If elected in the application or requested at any
time thereafter prior to the Annuity Date by Written Notice, an Owner may elect
to receive periodic withdrawals under VFL's systematic withdrawal plan, free of
any surrender charges. Under the systematic withdrawal plan, VFL will make
withdrawals (on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis) from
Subaccounts specified by the Owner. Withdrawals will begin one frequency period
after the request is received at our Service Center. Systematic withdrawals must
be at least $100 each and may only be made from Variable Contract Value.
Withdrawals under the systematic withdrawal plan may only be made from
Subaccounts having $1,000 or more of Subaccount Value at the time of election.
The systematic withdrawal plan is not available to Owners using the dollar-cost
averaging facility or automatic Subaccount Value rebalancing.
 
     VFL makes systematic withdrawals on the following basis: (1) as a specified
dollar amount, or (2) as a specified whole percent of Subaccount Value.
 
     Participation in the systematic withdrawal plan terminates on the earliest
of the following events: (1) the Subaccount Value from which withdrawals are
being made becomes zero, (2) a termination date specified by the Owner is
reached, or (3) the Owner requests that his or her participation in the plan
cease. Systematic withdrawals being made in order to meet the required minimum
distribution under the Code or to make substantially equal payments as required
under the Code will continue even though a surrender charge is deducted.
 
     TAX CONSEQUENCES OF WITHDRAWALS. Consult your tax adviser regarding the tax
consequences associated with making withdrawals. A withdrawal made before the
taxpayer
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   27
 
reaches Age 59 1/2, including systematic withdrawals, may result in imposition
of a penalty tax of 10% of the taxable portion withdrawn. See "FEDERAL TAX
STATUS" for more details.
 
SURRENDERS
 
     An Owner may surrender the Contract for its Surrender Value at any time
prior to the Annuity Date. A Contract's Surrender Value fluctuates daily as a
function of the investment experience of the Subaccounts in which an Owner is
invested. VFL does not guarantee any minimum Surrender Value for amounts
invested in the Subaccounts. Likewise, VFL does not guarantee any minimum
Surrender Value for Guarantee Amounts surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or
applied to an Annuity Payment Option before the 30-day period prior to the
expiration of a Guarantee Period.
 
     An Owner may elect to have the Surrender Value paid in a single sum or
under an Annuity Payment Option. The Surrender Value will be determined as of
the date VFL receives the Written Notice for surrender and the Contract at the
Service Center.
 
     Consult your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of a Surrender. A
Surrender made before age 59 1/2 may result in the imposition of a penalty tax
of 10% of the taxable portion of the Surrender Value. See "FEDERAL TAX STATUS"
for more details.
 
DEATH OF OWNER OR ANNUITANT
 
     DEATH BENEFITS ON OR AFTER THE ANNUITY DATE. If an Owner dies on or after
the Annuity Date, any surviving joint Owner becomes the sole Owner. If there is
no surviving Owner, any successor Owner becomes the new Owner. If there is no
surviving or successor Owner, the Payee becomes the new Owner. If an Annuitant
or an Owner dies on or after the Annuity Date, the remaining undistributed
portion, if any, of the Contract Value will be distributed at least as rapidly
as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of such death.
Under some Annuity Payment Options, there will be no death benefit.
 
     DEATH BENEFITS WHEN THE OWNER DIES BEFORE THE ANNUITY DATE. If any Owner
dies prior to the Annuity Date, any surviving joint Owner becomes the new sole
Owner. If there is no surviving joint Owner, any successor Owner becomes the new
Owner and if there is no successor Owner the Annuitant becomes the new Owner
unless the deceased Owner was also the Annuitant. If the sole deceased Owner was
also the Annuitant, then the provisions relating to the death of the Annuitant
(described below) will govern unless the deceased Owner was one of two joint
Annuitants, in which event the surviving Annuitant becomes the new Owner.
 
     The following options are available to new Owners:
 
          1. to receive the Adjusted Contract Value in a single lump sum within
     five years of the deceased Owner's death; or
 
          2. elect to receive the Adjusted Contract Value paid out under an
     Annuity Payment Option provided that: (a) Annuity Payments begin within one
     year of the deceased Owner's death, and (b) Annuity Payments are made in
     substantially equal installments over the life of the new Owner or over a
     period not greater than the life expectancy of the new Owner; or
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   28
 
          3. if the new Owner is the spouse of the deceased Owner, he or she may
     by Written Notice within one year of the Owner's death, elect to continue
     the Contract as the new Owner. If the spouse so elects, all of his or her
     rights as a Beneficiary cease and if the deceased Owner was also the sole
     Annuitant and appointed no Contingent Annuitant, he or she will become the
     Annuitant. The spouse will be deemed to have made the election to continue
     the Contract if he or she makes no election before the expiration of the
     one year period or if he or she makes any purchase payments under the
     Contract.
 
     With regard to new Owners who are not the spouse of the deceased Owner: (a)
1 and 2 apply even if the Annuitant or Contingent Annuitant is alive at the time
of the deceased Owner's death, (b) if the new Owner is not a natural person,
only option 1 is available, (c) if no election is made within one year of the
deceased Owner's death, option 1 is deemed to have been elected.
 
     Adjusted Contract Value is computed as of the date that VFL receives Due
Proof of Death of the Owner. Payments under this provision are in full
settlement of all of VFL's liability under the Contract.
 
     DEATH BENEFITS WHEN THE ANNUITANT DIES BEFORE THE ANNUITY DATE. If the
Annuitant dies before the Annuity Date while the Owner is still living, any
Contingent Annuitant will become the Annuitant. If the Annuitant dies before the
Annuity Date and no Contingent Annuitant has been named, VFL will pay the death
benefit described below to the Beneficiary. If there is no surviving
Beneficiary, VFL will pay the death benefit to any Contingent Beneficiary. If
there is no surviving Contingent Beneficiary, VFL will immediately pay the death
benefit to the Owner's estate in a lump sum.
 
     If the Annuitant who is also an Owner dies or if the Annuitant dies and the
Owner is not a natural person, a Beneficiary (or a Contingent Beneficiary):
 
          1. will receive the death benefit in a single lump sum within 5 years
     of the deceased Annuitant's death; or
 
          2. may elect to receive the death benefit paid out under an Annuity
     Payment Option provided that: (a) Annuity Payments begin within 1 year of
     the deceased Annuitant's death, and (b) Annuity Payments are made in
     substantially equal installments over the life of the Beneficiary or over a
     period not greater than the life expectancy of the Beneficiary; or
 
          3. if the Beneficiary is the spouse of the deceased Annuitant, he or
     she may by Written Notice within one year of the Annuitant's death, elect
     to continue the Contract as the new Owner. If the spouse so elects, all his
     or her rights as a Beneficiary cease and if the deceased Annuitant was also
     the sole Annuitant and appointed no Contingent Annuitant, he or she will
     become the Annuitant. The spouse will be deemed to have made the election
     to continue the Contract if he or she makes no election before the
     expiration of the one year period or if he or she makes any purchase
     payments under the Contract.
 
     THE DEATH BENEFIT. The death benefit is an amount equal to the greatest of:
 
          1. aggregate purchase payments made less any withdrawals as of the
     date that VFL receives Due Proof of Death of the Annuitant; or
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   29
 
          2. the Contract Value as of the date that VFL receives Due Proof of
     Death of the Annuitant; or
 
          3. the minimum death benefit described below;
 
less any applicable purchase payment tax charge on the date that the death
benefit is paid.
 
     The minimum death benefit is the death benefit floor amount as of the date
of the Annuitant's death (a) adjusted, for each withdrawal made since the most
recent reset of the death benefit floor amount, multiplying that amount by the
product of all ratios of the Contract Value immediately after a withdrawal to
the Contract Value immediately before such withdrawal (b) plus any purchase
payments made since the most recent reset of the death benefit floor amount.
 
     The death benefit floor amount is the largest Contract Value attained on
any prior Contract Anniversary prior to the Annuitant's Age 81. Therefore, the
death benefit floor amount is reset when, on a Contract Anniversary, Contract
Value exceeds the current death benefit floor amount.
 
     Examples of the computation of the death benefit are shown in Appendix C.
 
PAYMENTS BY VFL
 
     VFL generally makes payments of withdrawals, surrenders, death benefits, or
any Annuity Payments within seven days of receipt of all applicable Written
Notices and/or Due Proofs of Death. However, VFL may postpone such payments for
any of the following reasons:
 
          1. when the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is closed for
     trading other than customary holiday or weekend closing, or trading on
     the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC; or
 
          2. when the SEC by order permits a postponement for the
     protection of Owners; or
 
          3. when the SEC determines that an emergency exists that would
     make the disposal of securities held in the Variable Account or the
     determination of their value not reasonably practicable.
 
     If a recent check or draft has been submitted, VFL has the right to defer
payment of surrenders, withdrawals, death benefits or Annuity Payments until the
check or draft has been honored.
 
     VFL may defer payment of any withdrawal, surrender or transfer of
Guaranteed Interest Option Value up to six months after it receives an Owner's
Written Notice. VFL pays interest on the amount of any payment that is deferred.
 
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PRIVILEGES
 
     An Owner may make transfers or change allocation instructions by
telephoning the Service Center. An Owner may authorize his agent or
representative to make such transfer by completing a form provided by VFL. A
telephone authorization form received by VFL at the Service Center is valid
until it is rescinded or revoked by Written Notice or until a subsequently dated
form signed by the Owner is received at the Service Center. VFL will
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   30
 
send Owners a written confirmation of all transfers and allocation changes made
pursuant to telephone instructions.
 
     The Service Center requires a form of personal identification prior to
acting on instructions received by telephone and also may tape record
instructions received by phone. If VFL follows these procedures, it is not
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. VFL
reserves the right to suspend telephone transaction privileges at any time for
any reason.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL RIDERS
 
     The following rider is available and may be added to a Contract.
 
     GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION FOR SYSTEMATIC TRANSFERS RIDER.  This rider
allows you to systematically transfer specified dollar amounts of your initial
purchase payment (on a monthly or quarterly basis) from a designated Guaranteed
Interest Option Account under the Guaranteed Interest Option. There is no cost
associated with this rider.
 
                           CONTRACT CHARGES AND FEES
 
SURRENDER CHARGE (CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE)
 
     GENERAL. No sales charge is deducted from purchase payments at the time
that such payments are made. However, within certain time limits described
below, a surrender charge is deducted upon any withdrawal, surrender or
annuitization. A surrender charge is assessed on Cash Value applied to an
Annuity Payment Option during the first five Contract Years. The surrender
charge is waived if annuitization occurs during Contract Years 2 to 5 and you
select annuitization Option 4, 5, or 6. No surrender charge is assessed on
Contract Value applied to an Annuity Payment Option after the fifth Contract
Year. If on the Annuity Date, however, the Payee elects (or the Owner previously
elected) to receive a lump sum, this sum will equal the Surrender Value on such
date.
 
     In the event that surrender charges are not sufficient to cover sales
expenses, such expenses will be borne by VFL. Conversely, if the revenue from
such charges exceeds such expenses, the excess of revenues from such charges
over expenses will be retained by VFL. VFL does not currently believe that the
surrender charges deducted will cover the expected costs of distributing the
Contracts. Any shortfall will be made up from VFL's general assets, which may
include amounts derived from the mortality and expense risk charge.
 
     CHARGE FOR SURRENDER OR WITHDRAWALS. The surrender charge is equal to the
percentage of each purchase payment surrendered or withdrawn (or applied to an
Annuity Payment Option during the first five Contract Years) as shown in the
table below. The surrender charge is separately calculated and applied to each
purchase payment at the time that the purchase payment is surrendered or
withdrawn. No surrender charge applies to the Contract Value in excess of
aggregate purchase payments (less prior withdrawals of the payments). The
surrender charge is calculated using the assumption that purchase payments are
surrendered Contract Value in excess of aggregate purchase payments (less
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   31
 
prior withdrawals of purchase payments) is surrendered or withdrawn before any
purchase payments and that purchase payments are withdrawn on a
first-in-first-out basis.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 SURRENDER CHARGE
                             NUMBER OF FULL YEARS                                 AS A PERCENTAGE
                            ELAPSED BETWEEN DATE OF                                 OF PURCHASE
                          RECEIPT OF PURCHASE PAYMENT                            PAYMENT WITHDRAWN
                      AND DATE OF SURRENDER OF WITHDRAWAL                         OR SURRENDERED
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>                                                        <C>               <C>
                                       0                                                7%
                                       1                                                7%
                                       2                                                6%
                                       3                                                5%
                                       4                                                4%
                                       5+                                               0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
     WITHDRAWALS. With regard to all withdrawals, VFL withdraws the amount
requested from the Contract Value as of the day that it receives the Written
Notice regarding the withdrawal and sends the Owner that amount. VFL then
deducts any surrender charge and any applicable purchase payment tax charge from
the remaining Contract Value. If the withdrawal is requested from a Guarantee
Amount, VFL deducts any applicable Market Value Adjustment from, or adds any
applicable Market Value Adjustment to, remaining Contract Value.
 
     AMOUNTS NOT SUBJECT TO A SURRENDER CHARGE.  Each Contract Year after the
first Contract Year (or the first Contract Year if systematic withdrawals are in
effect), an Owner may withdraw an amount equal to 15% of the greater of: (1)
aggregate purchase payments (less prior withdrawals of purchase payments) as of
the first Valuation Day of that Contract Year, or (2) Contract Value as of the
day Written Request for the withdrawal is received, without incurring surrender
charge. VFL reserves the right to limit the number of such "free" withdrawals in
any Contract Year. Owners may carry over to subsequent Contract Years, any
unused "free" withdrawal percentages. For example, if 10% of either aggregate
purchase payments (less prior withdrawals of purchase payments) or Contract
Value is withdrawn in a Contract Year, then in the next Contract Year, the Owner
may withdraw an amount equal to 20% (5% unused from the previous Contract Year
plus 15% withdrawal percentage for the current Contract Year) of the greater of:
(1) aggregate purchase payments (less prior withdrawals of purchase payments) as
of the first Valuation Day of that Contract Year, or (2) Contract Value as of
the day Written Request for the withdrawal is received, without incurring
surrender charge. However, the maximum amount of "free" withdrawals in any
Contract Year is 30% of the greater of (1) or (2) as defined above.
 
     WAIVER OF SURRENDER CHARGE. VFL will waive the surrender charge in the
event that the Owner: (1) enters an "eligible nursing home," as defined in the
Contract, for a period of at least 90 days, (2) is diagnosed as having a
"terminal medical condition," as defined in the Contract, or (3) is less than
age 65 and sustains a "permanent and total disability," as defined in the
Contract. VFL reserves the right to require written proof of terminal medical
condition or permanent and total disability satisfactory to it and to require an
examination by a licensed physician of its choice. The surrender charge waiver
is not available in all states due to applicable insurance laws in effect in
various states.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   32
 
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE
 
     An annual administration fee is deducted as of each Contract Anniversary
for the prior Contract Year. VFL also deducts this fee for the current Contract
Year when determining the Surrender Value prior to the end of a Contract Year
and on the Annuity Date. If Contract Value is $50,000 or less at the time of the
fee deduction, then the annual administration fee is $30. The fee is zero for
Contracts where the Contract Value exceeds $50,000 at the time the fee would be
deducted. This fee is to cover a portion of VFL's administrative expenses
related to the Contracts. VFL does not expect to make a profit from this fee.
 
     The annual administration fee is assessed against Subaccount Values and
Guarantee Amounts based on the proportion that each bears to the Contract Value.
Where the fee is deducted from Subaccount Values, VFL will cancel an appropriate
number of Accumulation Units. Where the fee is obtained from a Guarantee Amount,
VFL will reduce the Guarantee Amount by the amount of the fee.
 
TRANSFER PROCESSING FEE
 
     Prior to the Annuity Date, VFL permits 12 free transfers per Contract Year
among and between the Subaccounts and the Guarantee Periods. For each additional
transfer, VFL charges $25 at the time each such transfer is processed. The fee
is deducted from the amount being transferred. VFL does not expect to make a
profit from this fee.
 
TAXES ON PURCHASE PAYMENTS
 
     Certain states and municipalities impose a tax on VFL in connection with
the receipt of annuity considerations. This tax generally can range from 0% to
3.5% of such considerations and generally varies based on the Annuitant's state
of residence. Taxes on annuity considerations are generally incurred by VFL as
of the Annuity Date based on the Contract Value on that date, and VFL deducts
the charge for taxes on annuity considerations from the Contract Value as of the
Annuity Date. Some jurisdictions impose a tax on annuity considerations at the
time such considerations are made. In those jurisdictions, VFL's current
practice is to pay the tax on annuity considerations and then deduct the charge
for these taxes from the Contract Value upon surrender, payment of the death
benefit, or upon the Annuity Date. VFL reserves the right to deduct any state
and local taxes on annuity considerations from the Contract Value at the time
such tax is due.
 
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
 
     VFL deducts a daily charge from the assets of the Variable Account to
compensate it for mortality and expense risks that it assumes under the
Contract. The daily charge is at the rate of 0.003446% (approximately equivalent
to an effective annual rate of 1.25%) of the net assets of the Variable Account.
Approximately .70% of this annual charge is for the assumption of mortality risk
and .55% is for the assumption of expense risk. If the mortality and expense
risk charge is insufficient to cover the actual cost of the mortality and
expense risks undertaken by VFL, VFL will bear the shortfall. Conversely, if the
charge proves more than sufficient, the excess will be profit to VFL and will be
available for any proper purpose including, among other things, payment of
expenses incurred in selling the Contracts.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   33
 
     The mortality risk that VFL assumes is the risk that Annuitants, as a
group, will live for a longer period of time than VFL estimated when it
established the guaranteed Annuity Payment rates in the Contract. Because of
these guarantees, each Payee is assured that his or her longevity will not have
an adverse effect on the Annuity Payments that he or she receives under Annuity
Payment Options based on life contingencies. VFL also assumes a mortality risk
because the Contracts guarantee a death benefit if the Annuitant dies before the
Annuity Date. The expense risk that VFL assumes is the risk that administration
charge, annual administration fee and the transfer processing fee may be
insufficient to cover the actual expenses of administering the Contracts.
 
ADMINISTRATION CHARGE
 
     VFL deducts a daily administration charge from the assets of the Variable
Account to compensate it for a portion of the expenses it incurs in
administering the Contracts. The daily charge is at a rate of 0.000411%
(approximately equivalent to an effective annual rate of 0.15%) of the net
assets of the Variable Account. VFL does not expect to make a profit from this
charge.
 
FUND EXPENSES
 
     The investment performance of each Fund reflects the management fee that it
pays to its investment manager or adviser as well as other operating expenses
that it incurs. Investment management fees are generally daily fees computed as
a percent of a Fund's average daily net assets at an annual rate. Please read
the prospectus for each Fund for complete details.
 
POSSIBLE CHARGE FOR VFL'S TAXES
 
   
     VFL currently makes no charge to the Variable Account for any federal,
state or local taxes that VFL incurs which may be attributable to the Variable
Account or the Contracts. VFL, however, reserves the right in the future to make
a charge for any such tax or other economic burden resulting from the
application of the tax laws that it determines to be properly attributable to
the Subaccounts or to the Contracts.
    
 
                      SELECTING AN ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION
 
ANNUITY DATE
 
     The Owner selects the Annuity Date. For Non-Qualified Contracts, the
Annuity Date must be no later than the later of the Contract Anniversary
following the Annuitant's Age 85 (Age 99 where permitted under state law). For
most Qualified Contracts, the Annuity Date must be no later than April 1 of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which the Owner attains age 70 1/2.
An Owner may change the Annuity Date by Written Notice, subject to the following
limitations:
 
          1. Written Notice is received at least 30 days before the current
     Annuity Date; and
 
          2. the requested new Annuity Date must be at least 30 days after VFL
     receives Written Notice.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   34
 
ANNUITY PAYMENT DATES
 
     VFL computes the first Annuity Payment as of the Annuity Date and makes the
first Annuity Payment as of the initial Annuity Payment Date selected by the
Owner. The initial Annuity Payment Date is the Annuity Date unless the Annuity
Date is the 29th, 30th or 31st day of a calendar month, in which event, the
Owner must select a different date. All subsequent Annuity Payments are computed
and payable as of Annuity Payment Dates. These dates will be the same day of the
month as the initial Annuity Payment Date. Monthly Annuity Payments will be
computed and payable as of the same day each month as the initial Annuity
Payment Date. Quarterly Annuity Payments will be computed and payable as of the
same day in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth month following the initial
Annuity Payment Date and on the same days of such months in each successive
Contract Year. Semi-annual Annuity Payment Dates will be computed and payable as
of the same day in the sixth and twelfth month following the initial Annuity
Payment Date and on the same days of such months in each successive Contract
Year. Annual Annuity Payments will be computed and payable as of the same day in
each Contract Year as the initial Annuity Payment Date. The frequency of Annuity
Payments selected is shown in the Contract. In the event that the Owner does not
select a payment frequency, payments will be made monthly.
 
ELECTION AND CHANGES OF ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS
 
     On the Annuity Date, the Surrender Value or Adjusted Contract Value is
applied under an Annuity Payment Option, unless the Owner elects to receive the
Surrender Value in a lump sum. If the Annuity Date falls during the first five
Contract Years, Surrender Value is applied under an Annuity Payment Option.
However, the surrender charge will be waived if annuitization occurs during
Contract Years 2 to 5 and you select annuitization Option 4, 5, or 6. If the
Annuity Date falls after the fifth Contract Anniversary, Adjusted Contract Value
is applied under an Annuity Payment Option. The Annuity Payment Option specifies
the type of annuity to be paid and determines how long the annuity will be paid,
the frequency, and the amount of each payment. The Owner may elect or change the
Annuity Payment Option by Written Notice at any time prior to the Annuity Date.
(See "Annuity Payment Options.") The Owner may elect to apply any portion of the
Surrender Value or Adjusted Contract Value to provide either Variable Annuity
Payments or Fixed Annuity Payments or a combination of both. If Variable Annuity
Payments are selected, the Owner must also select the Subaccounts to which
Surrender Value or Adjusted Contract Value will be applied. If no selection has
been made by the Annuity Date, Surrender Value or Adjusted Contract Value from
any Guaranteed Interest Option Value will be applied to purchase Fixed Annuity
Payments and Surrender Value or Adjusted Contract Value from each Subaccount
Value will be applied to purchase Variable Annuity Payments from that
Subaccount. If no Annuity Payment Option has been selected by the Annuity Date,
Surrender Value or Adjusted Contract Value will be applied under Annuity Payment
Option 5 (Life Annuity with Period Certain) with a designated period of 10
years. Any death benefit applied to purchase Annuity Payments is allocated among
the Subaccounts and/or the Guaranteed Interest Option as instructed by the
Beneficiary unless the Owner previously made the foregoing elections.
 
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
     FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS. Fixed Annuity Payments are periodic payments from
VFL to the designated Payee, the amount of which is fixed and guaranteed by VFL.
The dollar
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   35
 
amount of each Fixed Annuity Payment depends on the form and duration of the
Annuity Payment Option chosen, the Age of the Annuitant, the sex of the
Annuitant (if applicable), the amount of Adjusted Contract Value applied to
purchase the Fixed Annuity Payments and, for Annuity Payment Options 3-6, the
applicable annuity purchase rates. The annuity purchase rates in the Contract
are based on a Guaranteed Interest Rate of not less than 3%. VFL may, in its
sole discretion, make Fixed Annuity Payments in an amount based on a higher
interest rate. If Fixed Annuity Payments are computed based on an interest rate
in excess of the minimum Guaranteed Interest Rate, then, for the period of the
higher rate, the dollar amount of such Fixed Annuity Payments will be greater
than the dollar amount based on a 3% interest rate. VFL guarantees that any
higher rate will be in effect for at least 12 months.
 
     Except for Annuity Payment Options 1 and 2, the dollar amount of the first
Fixed Annuity Payment is determined by dividing the dollar amount of Adjusted
Contract Value being applied to purchase Fixed Annuity Payments by $1,000 and
multiplying the result by the annuity purchase rate in the Contract for the
selected Annuity Payment Option. Subsequent Fixed Annuity Payments are of the
same dollar amount unless VFL makes payments based on an interest rate different
from that used to compute the first payment.
 
     VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS. Variable Annuity Payments are periodic payments
from VFL to the designated Payee, the amount of which varies from one Annuity
Payment Date to the next as a function of the net investment experience of the
Subaccounts selected by the Owner or Payee to support such payments. The dollar
amount of the first Variable Annuity Payment is determined in the same manner as
that of a Fixed Annuity Payment. Therefore, provided that the interest rate on
which Fixed Annuity Payments are based equals the Benchmark Rate of Return on
which Variable Annuity Payments are based, for any particular amount of Adjusted
Contract Value applied to a particular Annuity Payment Option, the dollar amount
of the first Variable Annuity Payment would be the same as the dollar amount of
each Fixed Annuity Payment. Variable Annuity Payments after the first Payment
are similar to Fixed Annuity Payments except that the amount of each Payment
varies to reflect the net investment experience of the Subaccounts selected by
the Owner or Payee.
 
     The dollar amount of the initial Variable Annuity Payment attributable to
each Subaccount is determined by dividing the dollar amount of the Adjusted
Contract Value to be allocated to that Subaccount on the Annuity Date by $1,000
and multiplying the result by the annuity purchase rate in the Contract for the
selected Annuity Payment Option. The dollar value of the total initial Variable
Annuity Payment is the sum of the initial Variable Annuity Payments attributable
to each Subaccount.
 
     The number of Annuity Units attributable to a Subaccount is derived by
dividing the initial Variable Annuity Payment attributable to that Subaccount by
the Annuity Unit Value for that Subaccount for the Valuation Period ending on
the Annuity Date or during which the Annuity Date falls if the Valuation Period
does not end on such date. The number of Annuity Units attributable to each
Subaccount under a Contract remains fixed unless there is an exchange of Annuity
Units.
 
     The dollar amount of each subsequent Variable Annuity Payment attributable
to each Subaccount is determined by multiplying the number of Annuity Units of
that Subaccount credited under the Contract by the Annuity Unit Value (described
below) for that Subaccount for the Valuation Period ending on the Annuity
Payment Date, or during which the Annuity Payment Date falls if the Valuation
Period does not end on such date.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   36
 
The dollar value of each subsequent Variable Annuity Payment is the sum of the
subsequent Variable Annuity Payments attributable to each Subaccount.
 
     The Annuity Unit Value of each Subaccount for any Valuation Period is equal
to (a) multiplied by (b) divided by (c) where:
 
          (a) is the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which
     the Annuity Unit Value is being calculated;
 
          (b) is the Annuity Unit Value for the preceding Valuation Period; and
 
          (c) is a daily Benchmark Rate of Return factor (for the 3% benchmark
     rate of return) adjusted for the number of days in the Valuation Period.
 
     The Benchmark Rate of Return factor is equal to one plus 3%, or 1.03. The
annual factor can be translated into a daily factor of 1.00008098.
 
     If the net investment return of the Subaccount for an Annuity Payment
period is equal to the pro-rated portion of the 3% Benchmark Rate of Return, the
Variable Annuity Payment attributable to that Subaccount for that period will
equal the Payment for the prior period. To the extent that such net investment
return exceeds an annualized rate of return of 3% for a Payment period, the
Payment for that period will be greater than the Payment for the prior period
and to the extent that such return for a period falls short of an annualized
rate of 3%, the Payment for that period will be less than the Payment for the
prior period.
 
     "TRANSFERS" BETWEEN SUBACCOUNTS. By Written Notice at any time after the
Annuity Date, the Payee may change the Subaccount(s) from which Annuity Payments
are being made by exchanging the dollar value of a designated number of Annuity
Units of a particular Subaccount for an equivalent dollar amount of Annuity
Units of another Subaccount. On the date of the exchange, the dollar amount of a
Variable Annuity Payment generated from the Annuity Units of either Subaccount
would be the same. Exchanges of Annuity Units are treated as transfers for the
purpose of computing any transfer processing fee.
 
ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS
 
     OPTION 1. INTEREST PAYMENTS. VFL holds the Adjusted Contract Value as
principal and pays interest to the Payee. The interest rate is 3% per year
compounded annually. VFL pays interest every 1 year, 6 months, 3 months or 1
month, as specified at the time this option is selected. At the death of the
Payee, the value of the remaining payments are paid in a lump sum to the Payee's
estate. Only Fixed Annuity Payments are available under Annuity Payment Option
1.
 
     OPTION 2. PAYMENTS OF A SPECIFIED AMOUNT. VFL pays the Adjusted Contract
Value in equal payments every 1 year, 6 months, 3 months or 1 month. The amount
and frequency of the payments is specified at the time this option is selected.
After each payment, interest is added to the remaining amount applied under this
option that has not yet been paid. The interest rate is 3% per year compounded
annually. Payments are made to the Payee until the amount applied under this
option, including interest, is exhausted. The total of the payments made each
year must be at least 5% of the amount applied under this option. If the Payee
dies before the amount applied is exhausted, VFL pays the
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   37
 
value of the remaining payments in a lump sum to the Payee's estate. Only Fixed
Annuity Payments are available under Annuity Payment Option 2.
 
     ADDITIONAL INTEREST EARNINGS. VFL may pay interest at rates in excess of
the rates guaranteed in Annuity Payment Options 1 and 2.
 
     OPTION 3. PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD. VFL pays the lump sum in equal
payments for the number of years specified when the option is selected. Payments
are made every 1 year, 6 months, 3 months or 1 month, as specified when the
option is selected. If the Payee dies before the expiration of the specified
number of years, VFL pays the commuted value of the remaining payments in a lump
sum to the Payee's estate.
 
     OPTION 4. LIFE ANNUITY. VFL makes monthly payments to the Payee for as long
as the Annuitant lives. UNDER THIS OPTION, A PAYEE COULD RECEIVE ONLY ONE
PAYMENT IF THE ANNUITANT DIES AFTER THE FIRST PAYMENT, TWO PAYMENTS IF THE
ANNUITANT DIES AFTER THE SECOND PAYMENT, ETC.
 
     OPTION 5. LIFE ANNUITY WITH PERIOD CERTAIN. VFL makes monthly payments to
the Payee for as long as the Annuitant lives. At the time this option is
selected, a period certain of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years must also be selected. If
the Annuitant dies before the specified period certain ends, the payments to the
Payee will continue until the end of the specified period. The amount of the
monthly payments therefore depends on the period certain selected.
 
     OPTION 6. JOINT LIFE AND SURVIVORSHIP ANNUITY. VFL makes monthly payments
to the Payee while both Annuitants are living. After the death of either
Annuitant, payments continue to the Payee for as long as the other Annuitant
lives. UNDER THIS OPTION, THE PAYEE COULD RECEIVE ONLY ONE PAYMENT IF BOTH
ANNUITANTS DIE AFTER THE FIRST PAYMENT, TWO PAYMENTS IF BOTH ANNUITANTS DIE
AFTER THE SECOND PAYMENT, ETC.
 
                        ADDITIONAL CONTRACT INFORMATION
 
OWNERSHIP
 
     The Contract belongs to the Owner. An Owner may exercise all of the rights
and options described in the Contract.
 
     Subject to more specific provisions elsewhere herein, an Owner's rights
include the right to: (1) select or change a successor Owner, (2) select or
change any Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary, (3) select or change the Payee
prior to the Annuity Date, (4) select or change the Annuity Payment Option, (5)
allocate Purchase Payments among and between the Subaccounts and Guarantee
Periods, (6) transfer Contract Value among and between the Subaccounts and
Guarantee Periods, and (7) select or change the Subaccounts on which Variable
Annuity Payments are based.
 
     The rights of Owners of Qualified Contracts may be restricted by the terms
of a related employee benefit plan. For example, such plans may require an Owner
of a Qualified Contract to obtain the consent of his or her spouse before
exercising certain ownership rights or may restrict withdrawals. See "FEDERAL
TAX STATUS" for more details.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   38
 
     Selection of an Annuitant or Payee who is not the Owner may have tax
consequences. You should consult a tax advisor as to these consequences.
 
CHANGING THE OWNER OR BENEFICIARY
 
     Prior to the Annuity Date and after the Cancellation Period, an Owner may
transfer ownership of the Contract subject to VFL's published rules at the time
of the change.
 
     At any time before a death benefit is paid, the Owner may name a new
Beneficiary by Written Notice unless an irrevocable Beneficiary has previously
been named. When an irrevocable Beneficiary has been designated, the Owner must
provide the irrevocable Beneficiary's written consent to VFL before a new
Beneficiary is designated.
 
     These changes take effect as of the day the Written Notice is received at
the Service Center and VFL is not liable for any payments made under the
Contract prior to the effectiveness of any change. For possible tax consequences
of these changes, see "FEDERAL TAX STATUS."
 
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX
 
     If the Age or sex of the Annuitant given in the application is misstated,
VFL will adjust the benefits it pays under the Contract to the amount that would
have been payable at the correct Age or sex. If VFL made any underpayments
because of any such misstatement, it shall pay the amount of such underpayment
plus interest at an annual effective rate of 3%, immediately to the Payee or
Beneficiary in one sum. If VFL makes any overpayments because of a misstatement
of Age or sex, it shall deduct from current or future payments due under the
Contract, the amount of such overpayment plus interest at an annual effective
rate of 3%.
 
CHANGE OF CONTRACT TERMS
 
     Upon notice to the Owner, VFL may modify the Contract to:
 
          1. conform the Contract or the operations of VFL or of the Variable
     Account to the requirements of any law (or regulation issued by a
     government agency) to which the Contract, VFL or the Variable Account is
     subject;
 
          2. assure continued qualification of the Contract as an annuity
     contract or a Qualified Contract under the Code;
 
          3. reflect a change (as permitted in the Contract) in the operation of
     the Variable Account; or
 
          4. provide additional Subaccounts and/or Guarantee Periods.
 
     In the event of any such modification, VFL will make appropriate
endorsements to the Contract.
 
     Only one of VFL's officers may modify the Contract or waive any of VFL's
rights or requirements under the Contract. Any modification or waiver must be in
writing. No agent may bind VFL by making any promise not contained in the
Contract.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   39
 
REPORTS TO OWNERS
 
     Prior to the Annuity Date, VFL will send each Owner a report at least
annually, or more often as required by law, indicating: the number of
Accumulation or Annuity Units credited to the Contract and the dollar value of
such units; the Contract Value, Adjusted Contract Value and Surrender Value; any
purchase payments, withdrawals, or surrenders made, death benefits paid and
charges deducted since the last report; the current interest rate applicable to
each Guarantee Amount; and any other information required by law.
 
     The reports, which will be mailed to Owners at their last known address,
will include any information that may be required by the SEC or the insurance
supervisory official of the jurisdiction in which the Contract is delivered. VFL
will also send any other reports, notices or documents required by law to be
furnished to Owners.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     NON-PARTICIPATING. The Contract does not participate in the surplus or
profits of VFL and VFL does not pay dividends on the Contract.
 
     PROTECTION OF PROCEEDS. To the extent permitted by law, no benefits payable
under the Contract to a Beneficiary or Payee are subject to the claims of an
Owner's or a Beneficiary's creditors.
 
     DISCHARGE OF LIABILITY. Any payments made by VFL under any Annuity Payment
Option or in connection with the payment of any withdrawal, surrender or death
benefit, shall discharge VFL's liability to the extent of each such payment.
 
     PROOF OF AGE AND SURVIVAL. VFL reserves the right to require proof of the
Annuitant's Age prior to the Annuity Date. In addition, for life contingent
Annuity Options, VFL reserves the right to require proof of the Annuitant's
survival before any Annuity Payment Date.
 
     CONTRACT APPLICATION. VFL issues the Contract in consideration of the
Owner's application and payment of the initial purchase payment. The entire
Contract is made up of the Contract, any attached endorsements or riders, and
the application. In the absence of fraud, VFL considers statements made in the
application to be representations and not warranties. VFL will not use any
statement in defense of a claim or to void the Contract unless it is contained
in the application. VFL will not contest the Contract.
 
                            YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS
 
     From time to time, VFL may advertise or include in sales literature certain
performance related information for the Subaccounts, including yields and
average annual total returns. Certain Funds have been in existence prior to the
commencement of the offering of the Contracts. VFL may advertise or include in
sales literature the performance of the Subaccounts that invest in these Funds
for these prior periods. The performance information of any period prior to the
commencement of the offering of the Contracts is calculated as if the Contract
had been offered during those periods, using current charges and expenses.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   40
 
     Performance information discussed herein is based on historic results and
does not indicate or project future performance. For a description of the
methods used to determine yield and total return for the Subaccounts, see the
Statement of Additional Information.
 
     Effective yields and total returns for the Subaccounts are based on the
investment performance of the corresponding Funds. The performance of a Fund in
part reflects its expenses. See the prospectuses for the Funds for Fund expense
information.
 
     The yield of the Money Market Subaccount refers to the annualized income
generated by an investment in the Subaccount over a specified seven-day period.
The yield is calculated by assuming that the income generated for that seven-day
period is generated each seven-day period over a 52-week period and is shown as
a percentage of the investment. The effective yield is calculated similarly but,
when annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Subaccount is assumed
to be reinvested. The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield
because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
 
     The yield of a Subaccount other than the Money Market Subaccount refers to
the annualized income generated by an investment in the Subaccount over a
specified 30-day or one-month period. The yield is calculated by assuming that
the income generated by the investment during that 30-day or one-month period is
generated each period over a 12-month period and is shown as a percentage of the
investment.
 
     The total return of a Subaccount refers to return quotations assuming an
investment under a Contract has been held in the Subaccount for various periods
of time including, but not limited to, a period measured from the date the
Subaccount commenced operations. Average annual total return refers to total
return quotations that are annualized based on an average return over various
periods of time.
 
     The average annual total return quotations represent the average annual
compounded rates of return that would equate an initial investment of $1,000
under a Contract to the redemption value of that investment as of the last day
of each of the periods for which total return quotations are provided. Average
annual total return information shows the average annual percentage change in
the value of an investment in the Subaccount from the beginning date of the
measuring period to the end of that period. This standardized version of average
annual total return reflects all historical investment results, less all charges
and deductions applied against the Subaccount (including any surrender charge
that would apply if an Owner terminated the Contract at the end of each period
indicated, but excluding any deductions for premium taxes). When a Subaccount,
other than the Money Market Subaccount, has been in operation for one, five and
ten years respectively, the standard version average annual total return for
these periods will be provided.
 
     In addition to the standard version described above, total return
performance information computed on two different non-standard bases may be used
in advertisements or sales literature. Average annual total return information
may be presented, computed on the same basis as described above, except
deductions will not include the surrender charge. In addition, VFL may from time
to time disclose cumulative total return for Contracts funded by Subaccounts.
 
     From time to time, yields, standard average annual total returns, and
non-standard total returns for the Funds may be disclosed, including such
disclosures for periods prior to the date the Variable Account commenced
operations.
 
     Non-standard performance data will only be disclosed if the standard
performance data for the required periods is also disclosed. For additional
information regarding the
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   41
 
calculation of other performance data, please refer to the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
     In advertising and sales literature, the performance of each Subaccount may
be compared with the performance of other variable annuity issuers in general or
to the performance of particular types of variable annuities investing in mutual
funds, or investment portfolios of mutual funds with investment objectives
similar to the Subaccount. Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper"), Variable
Annuity Research Data Service ("VARDS") and Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar")
are independent services which monitor and rank the performance of variable
annuity issuers in each of the major categories of investment objectives on an
industry-wide basis.
 
     Lipper's and Morningstar's rankings include variable life insurance issuers
as well as variable annuity issuers. VARDS rankings compare only variable
annuity issuers. The performance analyses prepared by Lipper, VARDS and
Morningstar each rank such issuers on the basis of total return, assuming
reinvestment of distributions, but do not take sales charges, redemption fees or
certain expense deductions at the separate account level into consideration. In
addition, VARDS prepares risk rankings, which consider the effects of market
risk on total return performance. This type of ranking provides data as to which
funds provide the highest total return within various categories of funds
defined by the degree of risk inherent in their investment objectives.
 
     Advertising and sales literature may also compare the performance of each
Subaccount to the Standard & Poor's Index of 500 Common Stocks, a widely used
measure of stock performance. This unmanaged index assumes the reinvestment of
dividends but does not reflect any "deduction" for the expense of operating or
managing an investment portfolio. Other independent ranking services and indices
may also be used as a source of performance comparison.
 
     VFL may also report other information including the effect of tax-deferred
compounding on a Subaccount's investment returns, or returns in general, which
may be illustrated by tables, graphs or charts.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   42
 
                               FEDERAL TAX STATUS
 
     THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS GENERAL AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE
 
INTRODUCTION
 
     The following summary provides a general description of the Federal income
tax considerations associated with the Contract and does not purport to be
complete or to cover all tax situations. This discussion is not intended as tax
advice. Counsel or other competent tax advisers should be consulted for more
complete information. This discussion is based upon VFL's understanding of the
present Federal income tax laws. No representation is made as to the likelihood
of continuation of the present Federal income tax laws or as to how they may be
interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
 
     The Contract may be purchased on a tax-qualified basis ("Qualified
Contract") or non-tax-qualified basis ("Non-Qualified Contract"). Qualified
Contracts are designed for use by individuals whose premium payments are
comprised solely of proceeds from and/or contributions under retirement plans
that are intended to qualify as plans entitled to special income tax treatment
under Sections 401(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, or 459 of the Code. The ultimate
effect of Federal income taxes on the amounts held under a Contract, or annuity
payments, depends on the type of retirement plan, on the tax and employment
status of the individual concerned, and on VFL's tax status. In addition,
certain requirements must be satisfied in purchasing a Qualified Contract with
proceeds from a tax-qualified plan and receiving distributions from a Qualified
Contract in order to continue receiving favorable tax treatment. Some retirement
plans are subject to distribution and other requirements that are not
incorporated into our Contract administration procedures. Owners, participants
and Beneficiaries are responsible for determining that contributions,
distributions and other transactions with respect to the Contracts comply with
applicable law. Therefore, purchasers of Qualified Contracts should seek
competent legal and tax advice regarding the suitability of a Contract for their
situation. The following discussion assumes that Qualified Contracts are
purchased with proceeds from and/or contributions under retirement plans that
qualify for the intended special federal income tax treatment.
 
TAX STATUS OF THE CONTRACTS
 
     DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The Code requires that the investments of the
Variable Account be adequately diversified in order for the Contracts to be
treated as annuity contracts for Federal income tax purposes. It is intended
that the Variable Account, through the Funds, will satisfy these diversification
requirements.
 
     OWNER CONTROL. In certain circumstances, owners of variable annuity
contracts have been considered for Federal income tax purposes to be the owners
of the assets of the variable account supporting their contracts due to their
ability to exercise investment control over those assets. When this is the case,
the contract owners have been currently taxed on income and gains attributable
to the variable account assets. There is little guidance in this area, and some
features of the Contracts, such as the flexibility of an Owner to allocate
premium payments and transfer Contract Value, have not been explicitly addressed
in published rulings. While VFL believes that the Contracts do not give Owners
investment control over Variable Account assets, VFL reserves the right to
modify the
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   43
 
Contracts as necessary to prevent an Owner from being treated as the owner of
the Variable Account assets supporting the Contract.
 
     REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS. In order to be treated as an annuity contract for
Federal income tax purposes, the Code requires any Non-Qualified Contract to
contain certain provisions specifying how your interest in the Contract will be
distributed in the event of your death. The Non-Qualified Contracts contain
provisions that are intended to comply with these Code requirements, although no
regulations interpreting these requirements have yet been issued. We intend to
review such provisions and modify them if necessary to assure that they comply
with the applicable requirements when such requirements are clarified by
regulation or otherwise.
 
     Other rules may apply to Qualified Contracts.
 
     The following discussion assumes that the Contracts will qualify as annuity
contracts for Federal income tax purposes.
 
THE TREATMENT OF ANNUITIES
 
     IN GENERAL. VFL believes that if you are a natural person you will not be
taxed on increases in the value of a Contract until a distribution occurs or
until annuity payments begin. (For these purposes, an agreement to assign or
pledge any portion of the Contract Value, and, in the case of a Qualified
Contract, any portion of an interest in the qualified plan, generally is treated
as a distribution.)
 
TAXATION OF NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
 
     NON-NATURAL PERSON. The Owner of any annuity contract who is not a natural
person generally must include in income any increase in the excess of the
Contract Value over the "investment in the contract" (generally, the premiums or
other consideration paid for the contract) during the taxable year. There are
some exceptions to this rule and a prospective Owner that is not a natural
person may wish to discuss these with a tax adviser. The following discussion
generally applies to Contracts owned by natural persons.
 
     WITHDRAWALS. When a withdrawal from a Non-Qualified Contract occurs, the
amount received will be treated as ordinary income subject to tax up to an
amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Contract Account Value immediately
before the distribution over the Owner's investment in the Contract at that
time. In the case of a surrender under a Non-Qualified Contract, the amount
received generally will be taxable only to the extent it exceeds the Owner's
investment in the Contract.
 
     MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENTS. The tax treatment of market value adjustments is
uncertain. You should consult a tax advisor as to those consequences.
 
     PENALTY TAX ON CERTAIN WITHDRAWALS. In the case of a distribution from a
Non-Qualified Contract, there may be imposed a federal tax penalty equal to ten
percent of the amount treated as income. In general, however, there is no
penalty on distributions:
 
     -  made on or after the taxpayer reaches age 59 1/2
 
     -  made on or after the death of an Owner;
 
     -  attributable to the taxpayer"s becoming disabled; or
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   44
 
     -  made as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments
        for the life (or life expectancy) of the taxpayer.
 
     Other exceptions may be applicable under certain circumstances and special
rules may be applicable in connection with the exceptions enumerated above. A
tax adviser should be consulted with regard to exceptions from the penalty tax.
 
     Other tax penalties may apply to Qualified Contracts.
 
     ANNUITY PAYMENTS. Although tax consequences may vary depending on the
Annuity Payment Option elected under an annuity contract, a portion of each
annuity payment is generally not taxed and the remainder is taxed as ordinary
income. The non-taxable portion of an annuity payment is generally determined in
a manner that is designed to allow an Owner to recover his or her investment in
the Contract ratably on a tax-free basis over the expected stream of annuity
payments, as determined when annuity payments start. Once an investment in the
Contract has been fully recovered, however, the full amount of each annuity
payment is subject to tax as ordinary income.
 
     TAXATION OF DEATH BENEFIT PROCEEDS. Amounts may be distributed from a
Contract because of the Owner's or the Annuitant's death. Generally, such
amounts are includible in the income of the recipient as follows: (a) if
distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed in the same manner as a surrender of
the Contract, or (b) if distributed under a Payment Option, they are taxed in
the same way as annuity payments.
 
     TRANSFERS, ASSIGNMENTS OR EXCHANGES OF A CONTRACT. A transfer or assignment
of ownership of a Contract, the designation of an Annuitant, the selection of
certain Annuity Dates, or the exchange of a Contract may result in certain tax
consequences to Owners that are not discussed herein. An Owner contemplating any
such transfer, assignment or exchange, should consult a tax advisor as to the
tax consequences.
 
     WITHHOLDING. Annuity distributions are generally subject to withholding for
the recipient's federal income tax liability. Recipients can generally elect,
however, not to have tax withheld from distributions.
 
     MULTIPLE CONTRACTS. All annuity contracts that are issued by VFL (or its
affiliates) to the same Owner during any calendar year are treated as one
annuity contract for purposes of determining the amount includible in such
Owner's income when a taxable distribution occurs.
 
TAXATION OF QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
 
     The Contracts are designed for use with several types of qualified plans.
The tax rules applicable to participants in these qualified plans vary according
to the type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. Special
favorable tax treatment may be available for certain types of contributions and
distributions. Adverse tax consequences may result from contributions in excess
of specified limits; distributions prior to age 59 1/2 (subject to certain
exceptions); distributions that do not conform to specified commencement and
minimum distribution rules; and in other specified circumstances. Therefore, no
attempt is made to provide more than general information about the use of the
Contracts with the various types of qualified retirement plans. Owners,
Annuitants, Beneficiaries and Payees are cautioned that the rights of any person
to any benefits under these qualified retirement plans may be subject to the
terms and conditions of the plans themselves, regardless of the
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   45
 
terms and conditions of the Contract, but VFL is not bound by the terms and
conditions of such plans to the extent such terms contradict the Contract,
unless VFL consents.
 
     DISTRIBUTIONS. Annuity payments are generally taxed in the same manner as
under a Non-Qualified Contract. When a withdrawal from a Qualified Contract
occurs, a pro rata portion of the amount received is taxable, generally based on
the ratio of the Owner's investment in the Contract to the participant's total
accrued benefit balance under the retirement plan. For Qualified Contracts, the
investment in the contract can be zero.
 
     Brief descriptions follow of the various types of qualified retirement
plans in connection with a Contract. We will endorse the Contract as necessary
to conform it to the requirements of such plan.
 
     CORPORATE AND SELF-EMPLOYED PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS. Section
401(a) of the Code permits corporate employers to establish various types of
retirement plans for employees, and permits self-employed individuals to
establish these plans for themselves and their employees. These retirement plans
may permit the purchase of the Contracts to accumulate retirement savings under
the plans. Adverse tax or other legal consequences to the plan, to the
participant, or to both may result if this Contract is assigned or transferred
to any individual as a means to provide benefit payments, unless the plan
complies with all legal requirements applicable to such benefits prior to
transfer of the Contract. Employers intending to use the Contract with such
plans should seek competent advice.
 
     INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES. Section 408 of the Code permits eligible
individuals to contribute to an individual retirement program known as an
"Individual Retirement Annuity" or "IRA." These IRAs are subject to limits on
the amount that can be contributed, the deductible amount of the contribution,
the persons who may be eligible, and the time when distributions commence. Also,
distributions from certain other types of qualified retirement plans may be
"rolled over" or transferred on a tax-deferred basis into an IRA. There are
significant restrictions on rollover or transfer contributions from Savings
Incentive Match Plans (SIMPLE), under which certain employers may, provide
contributions to IRAs on behalf of their employees, subject to special
restrictions. Employers may establish Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plans to
provide IRA contributions on behalf of their employees. Sales of the Contract
for use with IRAs may be subject to special requirements of the IRS.
 
     ROTH IRAS. Effective January 1, 1998, section 408A of the Code permits
certain eligible individuals to contribute to a Roth IRA. Contributions to a
Roth IRA, which are subject to certain limitations, are not deductible, and must
be made in cash or as a rollover or transfer from another Roth IRA or other IRA.
A rollover from or conversion of an IRA to a Roth IRA may be subject to tax, and
other special rules may apply. Distributions from a Roth IRA generally are not
taxed, except that, once aggregate distributions exceed contributions to the
Roth IRA, income tax and a 10% penalty tax may apply to distributions made (1)
before age 59 1/2 (subject to certain exceptions) or (2) during the five taxable
years starting with the year in which the first contribution is made to the Roth
IRA.
 
     TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES. Section 403(b) of the Code allows employees of
certain Section 501(c)(3) organizations and public schools to exclude from their
gross income the premium payments made, within certain limits, on a Contract
that will provide an annuity for the employee's retirement. These premium
payments may be subject to FICA (social security) tax.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   46
 
     The following amounts may not be distributed from Code section 403(b)
annuity contracts prior to the employee's death, attainment of age 59 1/2,
separation from service, disability, or financial hardship: (1) elective
contributions made in years beginning after December 31, 1988; (2) earnings on
those contributions; and (3) earnings in such years on amounts held as of the
last year beginning before January 1, 1989. In addition, income attributable to
elective contributions may not be distributed in the case of hardship.
 
     DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS. Section 457 of the Code provides for certain
deferred compensation plans. These plans may be offered with respect to service
for state governments, local governments, political subdivisions, agencies,
instrumentalities, certain affiliates of such entities and tax exempt
organizations. The plans may permit participants to specify the form of
investment for their deferred compensation account. With respect to
non-governmental plans, all investments are owned by the sponsoring employer and
are subject to the claims of the general creditors of the employer; and
depending on the terms of the particular plan, the employer may be entitled to
draw on the deferred amounts for purposes unrelated to its Section 457 plan
obligations.
 
WITHHOLDING
 
     Distributions from Contracts generally are subject to withholding for the
Owner's federal income tax liability. The withholding rate varies according to
the type of distribution and the Owner's tax status. The Owner will be provided
the opportunity to elect not have tax withheld from distributions.
 
     "Eligible rollover distributions" from section 401(a) plans and section
403(b) tax-sheltered annuities are subject to a mandatory federal income tax
withholding of 20%. An eligible rollover distribution is the taxable portion of
any distribution from such a plan, except certain distributions such as minimum
distributions required by the Code or distributions in a specified annuity form.
The 20% withholding does not apply, however, if the Owner chooses a "direct
rollover" from the plan to another tax-qualified plan or IRA.
 
POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAXATION
 
     Although the likelihood of legislative change is uncertain, there is always
the possibility that the tax treatment of the Contracts could change by
legislation or other means. It is also possible that any change could be
retroactive (that is, effective prior to the date of the change). A tax adviser
should be consulted with respect to legislative developments and their effect on
the Contract.
 
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     As noted above, the foregoing comments about the Federal tax consequences
under the Contracts are not exhaustive, and special rules are provided with
respect to other tax situations not discussed in this prospectus. Further, the
Federal income tax consequences discussed herein reflect our understanding of
current law, and the law may change. Federal estate and state and local estate,
inheritance and other tax consequences of ownership or receipt of distributions
under a Contract depend on the individual circumstances of each Owner of
recipient of the distribution. A competent tax adviser should be consulted for
further information.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   47
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS
 
     CNA Investor Services, Inc. ("CNA/ISI"), which is located at CNA Plaza,
Chicago, Illinois 60685, is principal underwriter and distributor of the
Contracts. CNA/ISI is an affiliate of VFL, is registered with the SEC as a
broker-dealer, and is a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. VFL pays CNA/ISI for acting as principal underwriter under a
distribution agreement. The Contracts are offered on a continuous basis and VFL
does not anticipate discontinuing the offer.
 
     Applications for Contracts are solicited by agents who are licensed by
applicable state insurance authorities to sell VFL's insurance contracts and who
are also registered representatives of a broker-dealer having a selling
agreement with CNA/ISI. Such broker-dealers will generally receive commissions
based on a percent of purchase payments made (up to a maximum of 7%). The
writing agent will receive a percentage of these commissions from the respective
broker-dealer, depending on the practice of that broker-dealer. Owners do not
pay these commissions.
 
VOTING PRIVILEGES
 
     In accordance with current interpretations of applicable law, VFL votes
Fund shares held in the Variable Account at regular and special shareholder
meetings of the Funds in accordance with instructions received from persons
having voting interests in the corresponding Subaccounts. If, however, the 1940
Act or any regulation thereunder should be amended, or if the present
interpretation thereof should change, or VFL otherwise determines that it is
allowed to vote the shares in its own right, it may elect to do so.
 
     The number of votes that an Owner or Annuitant has the right to instruct
are calculated separately for each Subaccount, and may include fractional votes.
Prior to the Annuity Date, the Owner holds a voting interest in each Subaccount
to which Variable Contract Value is allocated. After the Annuity Date, the Payee
has a voting interest in each Subaccount from which Variable Annuity Payments
are made.
 
     For each Owner, the number of votes attributable to a Subaccount will be
determined by dividing the Owner's Subaccount Value by the Net Asset Value Per
Share of the Fund in which that Subaccount invests. For each Payee, the number
of votes attributable to a Subaccount is determined by dividing the liability
for future Variable Annuity Payments to be paid from that Subaccount by the Net
Asset Value Per Share of the Fund in which that Subaccount invests. This
liability for future payments is calculated on the basis of the mortality
assumptions, the selected Benchmark Rate of Return and the Annuity Unit Value of
that Subaccount on the date that the number of votes is determined. As Variable
Annuity Payments are made to the Payee, the liability for future payments
decreases as does the number of votes.
 
     The number of votes available to an Owner or Payee are determined as of the
date coinciding with the date established by the Fund for determining
shareholders eligible to vote at the relevant meeting of the Fund's
shareholders. Voting instructions are solicited by written communication prior
to such meeting in accordance with procedures established for the Fund. Each
Owner or Payee having a voting interest in a Subaccount will receive proxy
materials and reports relating to any meeting of shareholders of the Funds in
which that Subaccount invests.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   48
 
     Fund shares as to which no timely instructions are received and shares held
by VFL in a Subaccount as to which no Owner or Payee has a beneficial interest
are voted in proportion to the voting instructions that are received with
respect to all Contracts participating in that Subaccount. Voting instructions
to abstain on any item to be voted upon are applied to reduce the total number
of votes eligible to be cast on a matter. Under the 1940 Act, certain actions
affecting the Variable Account may require Contract Owner approval. In that
case, an Owner will be entitled to vote in proportion to his Variable Contract
Value.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     There are no legal proceedings to which the Separate Accounts are a party
or to which the assets of the Variable Account are subject. VFL, as an insurance
company, is ordinarily involved in litigation including class action lawsuits.
In some class action and other lawsuits involving insurance companies,
substantial damages have been sought and/or material settlement payments have
been made. Although the outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with
certainty, VFL believes that at the present time there are no pending or
threatened lawsuits that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact
on its ability to meet its obligations under the Contract or to the Variable
Account nor does VFL expect to incur significant losses from such actions.
 
COMPANY HOLIDAYS
 
     VFL is closed on the following days in 1999: Memorial Day, the day after
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
     All matters relating to Pennsylvania law pertaining to the Contracts,
including the validity of the Contracts and VFL's authority to issue the
Contracts, have been passed upon by Lynne Gugenheim, Esquire, Vice President and
Associate General Counsel of VFL. Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP of
Washington, D.C. has provided advice on certain matters relating to the federal
securities laws.
 
EXPERTS
 
   
     The financial statements for Valley Forge Life Insurance Company as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998 included in this prospectus and the related financial
statement schedules included elsewhere in this registration statement have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report appearing herein, and have been so included in reliance upon the report
of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
    
 
   
     The financial statements for each of the subaccounts that comprise the
Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity Separate Account as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for year ended December 31, 1998 and for the
period from inception through December 31, 1997 included in the Statement of
Additional Information which is part of this registration statement have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
report appearing in the registration statement, and have been so included in
reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
    
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   49
 
                          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
HISTORY AND BUSINESS
 
   
     Valley Forge Life Insurance Company ("VFL") was incorporated under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on August 9, 1956. VFL is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Continental Assurance Company ("Assurance"). Assurance is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Casualty Company ("Casualty") which is
wholly-owned by CNA Financial Corporation ("CNAF"). CNAF is a holding company
whose primary subsidiaries consist of property/casualty and life insurance
companies. Loews Corporation owns approximately 85% of the outstanding common
stock of CNAF.
    
 
   
     VFL sells a variety of individual and group insurance products. The
individual insurance products consist primarily of term and universal life
insurance policies and individual annuities. Group insurance products include
life, pension and accident and health, consisting primarily of major medical and
hospitalization. VFL also markets a portfolio of variable products, including
annuity and universal life products. These products offer policyholders the
option of allocating payments to one or more variable accounts or to a
guaranteed income account or both. Payments allocated to the variable accounts
are invested in corresponding investment portfolios where the investment risk is
borne by the policyholder while payments allocated to the guaranteed income
account earn a minimum guaranteed rate of interest for a specified period of
time for annuity contracts and one year for life products.
    
 
     The operations, assets and liabilities of VFL and its parent, Assurance,
are managed, to a large extent, on a combined basis. Pursuant to a Reinsurance
Pooling Agreement, amended July 1, 1996, VFL cedes all of its business,
excluding its separate account business, to its parent, Assurance. This business
is then pooled with the business of Assurance, which excludes Assurance's
participating contracts and separate account business, and 10% of the combined
pool is assumed by VFL.
 
   
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
    
 
     The following selected financial data for VFL should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and notes thereto included in this prospectus.
 
           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)                        1998          1997          1996          1995          1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Net Investment Income.....................    $   35,539    $   29,913    $   29,312    $   31,494    $   22,759
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Operating Income (Excluding Realized
  Investment Gains/Losses)................    $    6,424    $   10,600    $   13,618    $   13,551    $   10,408
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income................................    $   17,453    $   13,330    $   16,719    $   22,510    $    7,482
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets..............................    $2,991,429    $2,368,426    $1,980,802    $1,641,438    $1,447,122
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   50
 
   
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
    
   
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
    
 
   
     Valley Forge Life Insurance Company (VFL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Continental Assurance Company (Assurance). Assurance is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Continental Casualty Company (Casualty) which is wholly-owned by
CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF). CNAF is a holding company whose primary
subsidiaries consist of property/casualty and life insurance companies,
collectively CNA. Loews Corporation owns approximately 85% of the outstanding
common stock of CNAF.
    
 
   
     The operations, assets and liabilities of VFL and its parent, Assurance,
are managed on a combined basis. Pursuant to a Reinsurance Pooling Agreement,
amended July 1, 1996, VFL cedes all of its business, excluding its separate
account business, to its parent, Assurance. This business is then pooled with
the business of Assurance, which excludes Assurance's participating contracts
and separate account business, and 10% of the combined pool is assumed by VFL.
    
 
   
     VFL, along with its parent Assurance, markets and underwrites insurance
products designed to satisfy the life, health and retirement needs of
individuals and groups. The individual insurance products consist primarily of
term and universal life insurance policies and individual annuities. Group
insurance products include life, accident and health, consisting primarily of
major medical and hospitalization and pension products. VFL and Assurance also
market a portfolio of variable products, including annuity and universal life
products. These variable products offer policyholders the option of allocating
payments to one or more variable accounts or to a guaranteed income account or
both. Payments allocated to the variable accounts are invested in corresponding
investment portfolios where the investment risk is borne by the policyholder
while payments allocated to the guaranteed income account earn a minimum
guaranteed rate of interest for a specified period of time for annuity contracts
and one year for life products.
    
 
   
     CNA finalized and approved a restructuring plan in August 1998. In
conjunction with this plan, Assurance incurred $39 million in restructuring and
other related charges, of which, approximately $29 million related to costs
incurred to exit the Employer Health and Affinity lines of business. Such costs
represent Assurance's estimate of losses in connection with fulfilling the
remaining obligation under contracts related to these lines of business. Other
costs included employee severance and outplacement charges and lease termination
and fixed asset write downs. VFL assumed 10% of these charges by virtue of the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement.
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   51
 
   
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
    
 
   
     The following table summarizes VFL's operating results for each of the last
three years:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                       1998       1997       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
OPERATING REVENUES
(excluding realized investment gains/losses):
  Premiums..................................................  $315,599   $332,172   $325,486
  Net investment income.....................................    35,539     29,913     29,312
  Other.....................................................     7,959      6,872      8,217
                                                              --------   --------   --------
    Total operating revenues................................   359,097    368,957    363,015
Benefits and expenses.......................................   349,520    352,530    342,039
                                                              --------   --------   --------
  Operating income before income tax........................     9,577     16,427     20,976
Income tax expense..........................................    (3,153)    (5,827)    (7,358)
                                                              --------   --------   --------
  Net operating income (excluding realized investment
    gains/losses)...........................................     6,424     10,600     13,618
  Realized investment gains, net of income tax..............    11,029      2,730      3,101
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income..............................................  $ 17,453   $ 13,330   $ 16,719
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     VFL's revenues, excluding net realized investment gains/losses, declined
2.7% to $359.1 million for 1998 as compared to $369.0 million for 1997 and were
down 1.1% from $363.0 million for 1996. Premiums for 1998 decreased 5.0% to
$315.6 million as compared to $332.2 million for 1997 and were down 3.0% from
1996 premiums of $325.5 million. The decrease was due, in part, to VFL's share
of lower Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP), group health premiums and
an increased use of reinsurance on the individual life term products. The
decrease in FEHBP premiums is a result of improved claim experience upon which
the premiums are based. The reduction in group health premiums is due to
Assurance's decision to exit its Employer Health and Affinity line of business.
Individual fixed annuity premiums also declined in 1998, as a result of
marketing efforts focusing on more profitable products.
    
 
   
     VFL's investment income increased from $29.9 million in 1997 to $35.5
million in 1998. Both years were higher than 1996's investment income of $29.3
million. Investment income increases during the past three years were driven by
VFL's investment portfolio growth during these years. Additionally, despite a
falling interest rate environment during 1998, investment income was enhanced by
investment allocation decisions. Primarily, assets were moved from government
bonds to higher yielding securities throughout the year.
    
 
   
FINANCIAL CONDITION
    
 
   
     Assets totaled nearly $3.0 billion at December 31, 1998, an increase of 26%
over 1997. VFL's cash and invested assets of $622.5 million increased by $52.0
million, or 9%, over the 1997 level of $570.5 million.
    
 
   
     VFL's stockholder's equity was $263.8 million at December 31, 1998,
compared to $216.3 million and $199.5 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase in stockholder's equity in 1998 was primarily due to
a $30.0 million capital contribution received from Assurance during December
1998. The capital contribution was made to rebalance Assurance's and VFL's
relative capital adequacy, as measured by RBC formulae; however, the
contribution was not required to exceed the RBC Company Action
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   52
 
   
Level. Also contributing to the 1998 increase in stockholder's equity were net
income of $17.4 million and a $0.1 million increase in net unrealized investment
gains. The increase in stockholder's equity in 1997 was due to net income of
$13.3 million and a $3.4 million increase in net unrealized investment gains.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          STOCKHOLDER'S
                                                               ASSETS        EQUITY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
 
December 31, 1998..........................................  $2,991,429     $263,820
December 31, 1997..........................................   2,368,426      216,260
December 31, 1996..........................................   1,980,802      199,540
December 31, 1995..........................................   1,641,438      195,472
December 31, 1994..........................................   1,447,122      156,196
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
INVESTMENTS
    
 
   
     The following table summarizes VFL's investments shown at cost or amortized
cost and carrying value for each of the last two years:
    
 
   
                          DISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENTS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  DECEMBER 31                        1998           %           1997           %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>   <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
 
Fixed maturities:
  U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
    government agencies........................    $223,743        36.6%      $299,066        55.4%
  Asset backed securities......................     109,207        17.8         68,612        12.7
  Other debt securities........................     121,685        19.9         98,589        18.3
                                                   --------       -----       --------       -----
    Total fixed maturities.....................     454,635        74.3        466,267        86.4
Common stocks..................................         981         0.2            981         0.2
Policy loans...................................      74,150        12.1         66,971        12.4
Other invested assets..........................         485         0.1            579         0.1
Short-term investments.........................      81,418        13.3          4,597         0.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments at Amortized Cost                      $611,669       100.0%      $539,395       100.0%
======================================================================================================
Investments at Carrying Value*                     $618,787                   $545,968
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
* As reported in the Balance Sheet
    
 
   
     The operations, assets and liabilities of VFL and Assurance are managed on
a combined basis. The investment portfolio of VFL and Assurance is managed to
maximize after-tax investment return while minimizing credit risks, with
investments concentrated in high quality securities to support insurance
underwriting operations. The investment portfolio is segregated for the purpose
of supporting policy liabilities for universal life, annuities and other
interest sensitive products.
    
 
   
     VFL has the ability to hold its fixed maturity portfolio to maturity.
However, securities may be sold as part of VFL's asset/liability management
strategies or to take advantage of investment opportunities generated by
changing interest rates, tax and credit considerations, or other similar
factors. Accordingly, the fixed maturities are classified as available-for-sale.
See Note 2 of the Financial Statements for further information.
    
 
   
     VFL's investments in fixed maturities are carried at a fair value of $460.5
million at December 31, 1998, compared with $471.7 million at December 31, 1997.
At December 31, 1998, net unrealized gains on fixed maturities amounted to
approximately
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   53
 
   
$5.9 million. This compares with net unrealized gains of approximately $5.4
million at December 31, 1997. The gross unrealized gains and losses for the
fixed maturities portfolio at December 31, 1998 were $6.9 million and $1.0
million, respectively, compared to $6.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively,
at December 31, 1997. Fluctuations from year-to-year are primarily due to
changes in interest rates. VFL's investments in equity securities are carried at
a fair value of $2.2 million at December 31, 1998, compared with $2.3 million at
December 31, 1997. At December 31, 1998, unrealized gains on equity securities
amounted to approximately $1.2 million. This compares with unrealized gains of
approximately $1.3 million at December 31, 1997. There were no unrealized losses
on equity securities as of December 31, 1998 and 1997.
    
 
   
     The following table summarizes the ratings of VFL's fixed maturity
portfolio at carrying value (market):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  DECEMBER 31                        1998           %           1997           %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>   <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
 
U.S. government and agency securities..........    $270,600        58.8%      $300,676        63.8%
Other AAA rated................................      76,258        16.5         75,531        16.0
AA and A rated.................................      53,528        11.6         61,404        13.0
BBB rated......................................      54,241        11.8         27,292         5.8
Below investment grade.........................       5,889         1.3          6,804         1.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total                                          $460,516       100.0%      $471,707       100.0%
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The fair value of VFL's fixed maturities at December 31, 1998, includes
$110.2 million of asset-backed securities, consisting of approximately 44% in
collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), 42% in U.S. government and agency
issued pass-through certificates, 9% in corporate mortgage-backed pass-through
certificates and 5% in corporate asset-backed obligations. The majority of CMOs
held are actively traded in liquid markets and are priced by broker-dealers.
    
 
   
     CMOs are subject to prepayment risk that tends to vary with changes in
interest rates. During periods of declining interest rates, CMOs generally
prepay faster as the underlying mortgages are prepaid and refinanced by the
borrowers in order to take advantage of the lower rates. Conversely, during
periods of rising interest rates, prepayments are generally slow. VFL limits the
risks associated with interest rate fluctuations and prepayments by
concentrating its CMO investments in planned amortization classes with
relatively short principal repayment windows. Net unrealized gains on CMOs
amounted to approximately $1.0 million and $0.1 million at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. VFL avoids investments in complex mortgage derivatives and
does not have any investments in mortgage loans or real estate.
    
 
   
     VFL invests from time to time in certain derivative financial instruments
primarily to reduce its exposure to market risk. See Notes 1 and 3 of VFL's
Financial Statements for further information regarding derivatives.
    
 
   
     High yield securities are bonds rated below investment grade by bond rating
agencies, and other unrated securities which, in the opinion of management, are
of a quality comparable to below investment grade (below BBB). High yield
securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than that of investment
grade securities. Returns are expected to compensate for the added risk. The
risk is also considered in the interest rate assumptions in the underlying
insurance products. VFL's concentration in high yield bonds
    
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   54
 
   
was approximately 0.2% and 0.3% of total assets as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
    
 
   
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
    
 
   
     The following section discusses risks and uncertainties to which VFL is
subject.
    
 
   
Credit Risk
    
 
   
     Credit risk arises from the potential inability of counterparties to
perform on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the contract. VFL is
exposed to credit risk in its capacity as counterparty in financial and
insurance contracts, reinsurance arrangements and as a holder of securities. VFL
accepts risk whenever a counterparty is obligated to perform under a contract.
As a holder of securities, VFL is exposed to default by the issuer or to the
possibility of market price deterioration. As a purchaser of reinsurance, VFL
has exposure that a reinsurer may not be able to reimburse VFL under the terms
of the reinsurance agreement. VFL has established policies and procedures to
manage credit risk, including collateral requirements and master "netting
arrangements."
    
 
   
Legal/Regulatory Risk
    
 
   
     Legal/regulatory risk is the risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
environment in which VFL operates will create additional expenses not
anticipated by VFL in pricing its products or that VFL will experience advertent
or inadvertent compliance problems that require significant expenditure to
remedy, or that diminish business prospects. Regulatory initiatives, tax law
changes, new legal theories or insolvency of other insurance companies, through
guaranty fund assessments, may create costs for the insurer beyond those
currently recorded in the financial statements. VFL mitigates this risk by
offering a wide range of products and by operating throughout the United States,
thus reducing its exposure to any single product or region, and also by
employing underwriting practices which identify and minimize the adverse impact
of legal risk.
    
 
   
Impact of Year 2000 on VFL
    
 
   
     The widespread use of computer programs, both in the United States and
internationally, that rely on two digit date fields to perform computations and
decision making functions may cause computer systems to malfunction when
processing information involving dates after 1999. Such malfunctions could lead
to business delays and disruptions. VFL does not maintain any systems. Instead,
it relies on the systems of CNAF, third party vendors and other business
partners. CNAF, on behalf of VFL, has a plan under which it reviews periodically
the progress that these parties are making on this issue. To date, CNAF has
certified internally as Year 2000-ready all of the internal systems used by VFL.
    
 
   
     CNAF has also received statements of Year 2000 compliance from certain key
business partners. VFL management believes that the systems on which it relies
do not have any significant remaining exposure to the Year 2000 issue and,
therefore VFL does not have material exposure to the Year 2000 issue. However,
due to the interdependent nature of computer systems, there may be an adverse
impact on VFL if its business partners fail to address the Year 2000 issue
successfully. To mitigate this impact, if any, CNAF on behalf of itself and VFL
is communicating with its business partners to
    
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   55
 
   
coordinate Year 2000 conversion. In addition, CNAF has developed business
resumption plans to ensure that it and VFL are able to continue critical
processes through other means in the event that it becomes necessary to do so.
Formal strategies have been developed to include appropriate recovery processes
and use of alternative vendors.
    
 
   
     CNAF estimates that the total cost to replace and upgrade its systems to
accommodate Year 2000 processing will be approximately $60 million to $70
million. As of December 31, 1998, CNAF has spent approximately $59 million on
Year 2000 readiness matters. VFL is allocated its proportionate share of this
cost.
    
 
   
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
    
 
   
     The liquidity requirements of VFL have been met by funds generated from
operating, investing and financing activities. VFL's principal operating cash
flow sources are premiums, investment income, receipts for investment contracts
sold and sales and maturities of investments. The primary operating cash flow
uses are payments for claims, policy benefits, payments on matured policyholder
contracts and operating expenses.
    
 
   
     For the year ended December 31, 1998, VFL's operating activities utilized
cash of $5.2 million, compared with net positive cash flows of $20.5 million in
1997 and $136.8 million use of cash in 1996. The use of cash by operating
activities in 1998 is primarily the result of increased insurance receivables'
balances and deferred acquisition costs, combined with cash used to reduce
commissions and other payables. The net positive cash flows from operations in
1997 are due, in large part, to the collection of certain receivables from
affiliates and higher revenues generated by the increase in premium volume.
Although VFL's 1998 operations required the use of cash, VFL believes that
future liquidity needs will be met primarily by cash generated from operations.
Net cash flows from operations are primarily invested in marketable securities.
Investment strategies employed by VFL consider the cash flow requirements of the
insurance products sold and the tax attributes of the various types of
marketable investments.
    
 
   
     Cash flow from financing activities include a $30.0 million capital
contribution received from Assurance during December 1998.
    
 
   
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
    
 
   
Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments
    
 
   
     In December 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants'
Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued Statement of Position (SOP)
97-3, "Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related
Assessments." SOP 97-3 requires that entities recognize liabilities for
insurance-related assessments when all of the following criteria have been met:
an assessment has been imposed or it is probable that an assessment will be
imposed; the event obligating an entity to pay an imposed or probable assessment
has occurred on or before the date of the financial statements; and the amount
of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. This SOP is effective for
financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998. The
effects of this SOP will result in VFL recording a pre-tax charge in the first
quarter of 1999 between $0.2 million and $0.5 million as a cumulative effect of
a change in accounting principal. This change represents VFL's share of the
combined pool's total charges.
    
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   56
 
   
Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal
Use
    
 
   
     In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants'
Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued SOP 98-1, "Accounting for the
Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." For purposes
of this SOP, internal-use software is software acquired, internally developed or
modified solely to meet the entity's internal needs for which no substantive
plan exists or is being developed to market the software externally during the
software's development or modification. Accounting treatment for costs
associated with software developed or obtained for internal use, as defined by
this SOP, is based upon a number of factors, including the point in time during
the project that costs are incurred as well as the types of costs incurred. This
SOP is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1998 and will be adopted in the first quarter of 1999. VFL is
currently evaluating the effects of this SOP.
    
 
   
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
    
 
   
     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This statement
requires that entities recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities
in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair
value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction, or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an
unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security, or a
foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes
in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative
and the resulting designation. This Statement is effective for all fiscal
quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. VFL is currently
evaluating the effects of this Statement on its accounting and reporting for
derivative securities and hedging activities.
    
 
   
Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities
    
 
   
     In April 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant's
Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the
Costs of Start-Up Activities." This SOP requires costs of start-up activities
and organization costs, as defined, to be expensed as incurred. SOP 98-5 is
effective for financial statements in 1999. Initial application of this SOP
should be reported as a change in accounting principle, and will, accordingly,
involve a cumulative adjustment. VFL does not expect the adoption of the SOP to
have a significant impact on the operations or equity of VFL.
    
 
   
Accounting for Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts That Do Not Transfer
Insurance Risk
    
 
   
     In October 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant's
Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued SOP 98-7, "Accounting for
Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts That Do Not Transfer Insurance Risk." This
guidance excludes long-duration life and health insurance contracts from its
scope. This Statement is effective for financial statements in the year 2000,
with early adoption encouraged. VFL is currently evaluating the effects of this
SOP.
    
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   57
 
   
                                  MARKET RISK
    
 
   
     Market risk is a broad term related to economic losses due to adverse
changes in the fair value of a financial instrument. Market risk is inherent to
all financial instruments, and accordingly, VFL's risk management policies and
procedures include all market risk sensitive financial instruments.
    
 
   
     According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure rules,
discussions regarding market risk focus on only one element of market risk --
change in price levels. Price levels can be affected by changes in interest
rates, equity prices, foreign exchange rates or other factors that relate to
volatility of the interest rates, index or price of the underlying financial
instrument. VFL's primary market risk exposures are due to changes in interest
rates, although VFL has certain exposures to changes in equity prices and
foreign currency exchange rates.
    
 
   
     Active management of market risk is integral to VFL's operations. VFL may
use the following tools to manage its exposure to market risk within tolerable
ranges: 1) change the character of future investments purchased or sold, 2) use
derivatives to offset the market behavior of existing assets and liabilities or
assets expected to be purchased and liabilities to be incurred, or 3) rebalance
its existing asset and liability portfolios.
    
 
   
     For purposes of this disclosure, market risk sensitive instruments are
divided into two categories: instruments entered into for trading purposes and
instruments entered into for purposes other than trading.
    
 
   
     Interest Rate Risk: VFL has exposure to economic losses due to interest
rate risk arising from changes in the level or volatility of interest rates. VFL
attempts to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk through active portfolio
management. VFL may also reduce this risk by utilizing instruments such as
interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, commitments to purchase securities,
options, futures and forwards. This exposure is also offset by VFL's
asset/liability duration matching strategy.
    
 
   
     Equity Price Risk: VFL is exposed to equity price risk as a result of its
investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk
results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices, which affect
the value of equity securities, or instruments which derive their value from
such securities or indexes. VFL attempts to mitigate its security specific risk
by limiting its investment in any one security or index.
    
 
   
     Foreign Exchange Risk: Foreign exchange rate risk arises from the
possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the
value of financial instruments. VFL has foreign exchange exposure when it buys
or sells foreign currencies or financial instruments denominated in a foreign
currency. VFL's foreign transactions are primarily denominated in Canadian
Dollars. This exposure is mitigated by VFL's asset/liability matching strategy
and through the use of forwards for those instruments, which are not matched.
    
 
   
     Sensitivity Analysis: CNA monitors its sensitivity to interest rate risks
by evaluating the change in its financial assets and liabilities relative to
fluctuations in interest rates. The evaluation is made using an instantaneous
parallel change in interest rates of varying magnitudes on a static balance
sheet to determine the effect such a change in rates would have on VFL's market
value at risk and the resulting effect on stockholder's equity. The analysis
presents the sensitivity of the market value of VFL's financial instruments to
selected changes in market rates and prices.
    
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   58
 
   
     The range of changes selected reflects VFL's view of changes, which are
reasonably possible over a one-year period. The selection of the range of values
chosen to represent changes in interest rates should not be construed as VFL's
prediction of future market events, but rather an illustration of the impact of
such events. Accordingly, the analysis may not be indicative of, is not intended
to provide, and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes of
market interest rates on VFL's income or stockholder's equity. Further, the
computations do not reflect any actions CNA would undertake in response to
changes in interest rates.
    
 
   
     The sensitivity analysis modeled an instantaneous increase and decrease in
market interest rates of 100 and 150 basis points from their levels at December
31, 1998 with all other variables held constant. A 100 and 150 basis point
increase in market interest rates would result in a pre-tax decrease in the net
financial instrument position of $32.5 million and $47.8 million, respectively.
Similarly, a 100 and 150 basis point decrease in market interest rates would
result in a pre-tax increase in the net financial instrument position of $34.8
million and $53.0 million, respectively.
    
 
   
     Equity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous 10% and 25% change
in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (the Index) from its level of December 31,
1998 with all other variables held constant. VFL's equity holdings were assumed
to be perfectly positively correlated with the Index. A 10% and 25% decrease in
the Index would result in a $5.8 million and $14.6 million decrease,
respectively, in the market rate of VFL's equity investments. Of these amounts,
$5.6 million and $13.9 million, respectively, would be offset by decreases in
liabilities to customers under variable annuity contracts. Similarly, increases
in the Index would result in like increases in the market value of VFL's equity
investments and increases in liabilities to customers under variable annuity
contracts.
    
 
   
     The sensitivity analysis also assumes an instantaneous 10% and 20% change
in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. Dollar from their levels
at December 31, 1998, with all other variables held constant. A 10% and 20%
strengthening of the U.S. Dollar versus other currencies would result in
decreases of $1.1 million and $2.2 million in the market value of financial
instruments that are denominated in foreign currencies. Weakening of the U.S.
Dollar versus all other currencies would result in like increases in the market
value of financial instruments that are denominated in foreign currencies.
    
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   59
 
   
     The following table reflects the estimated effects on the market value of
VFL's financial instruments due to an increase in interest rates of 100 basis
points, a 10% decline in the S&P 500 Index, and a decline of 10% in foreign
currency exchange rates.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 MARKET     INTEREST     CURRENCY    EQUITY
              DECEMBER 31, 1998                  VALUE      RATE RISK      RISK       RISK
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (In thousands of dollars)                                                  -------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Held for Trading Purposes
General Account:
  Interest Rate Caps..........................  $    115    $     40     $    --     $    --
Separate Accounts:
  Other derivative securities.................       474          --          --         (47)
                                                --------    --------     -------     -------
       Total trading securities...............       589          40          --         (47)
                                                --------    --------     -------     -------
Held for Other Than Trading Purposes
General Account:
  Fixed maturity securities...................   460,516     (32,461)     (1,111)         --
  Equity securities...........................     2,218          --          --        (222)
  Short term investments......................    81,418         (22)         --          --
                                                --------    --------     -------     -------
       Total general account..................   544,152     (32,483)     (1,111)       (222)
                                                --------    --------     -------     -------
Separate Accounts Business:
  Fixed maturity securities...................       247          (7)         --          --
  Equity securities...........................    55,577          --          --      (5,558)
  Short term investments......................    17,446          --          --          --
                                                --------    --------     -------     -------
       Total separate accounts business.......    73,270          (7)         --      (5,558)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total securities held for other than
          trading purposes                       617,422     (32,490)     (1,111)     (5,780)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total all securities                     $618,011    $(32,450)    $(1,111)    $(5,827)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   60
 
   
     The following table reflects the estimated affects on the market value of
VFL's financial instruments due to an increase in interest rates of 150 basis
points, a 25% decline in the S&P 500 Index, and a decline of 20% in foreign
currency exchange rates.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              MARKET    INTEREST    CURRENCY    EQUITY
             DECEMBER 31, 1998                VALUE     RATE RISK     RISK       RISK
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Held for Trading Purposes
General Account:
  Interest Rate Caps.......................  $    115   $     70    $    --    $     --
Separate Accounts:
  Other derivative securities..............       474         --         --        (118)
                                             --------   --------    -------    --------
       Total trading securities............       589         70         --        (118)
                                             --------   --------    -------    --------
Held for Other Than Trading Purposes
General Account:
  Fixed maturity securities................   460,516    (47,820)    (2,222)         --
  Equity securities........................     2,218         --         --        (555)
  Short term investments...................    81,418        (33)        --          --
                                             --------   --------    -------    --------
       Total general account...............   544,152    (47,853)    (2,222)       (555)
                                             --------   --------    -------    --------
Separate Accounts Business:
  Fixed maturity securities................       247        (11)        --          --
  Equity securities........................    55,577         --         --     (13,894)
  Short term investments...................    17,446          1         --          --
                                             --------   --------    -------    --------
       Total separate accounts business....    73,270        (10)        --     (13,894)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total securities held for other than
          trading purposes                    617,422    (47,863)    (2,222)    (14,449)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total all securities                  $618,011   $(47,793)   $(2,222)   $(14,567)
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    
 
   
     The statements contained in this management's discussion and analysis that
are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. When included in this
management's discussion and analysis, the words "believe," "expects," "intends,"
"anticipates," "estimates," and analogous expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such statements inherently are subject to a variety
of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the
impact of competitive products, policies and pricing; product and policy demand
and market responses; development of claims and the effect on loss reserves; the
performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with VFL;
general economic and business conditions; changes in financial markets (interest
rate, credit, currency, commodities and stocks or in the value of specific
investments held by VFL); changes in foreign, political, social and economic
conditions; regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations;
judicial decisions and rulings; rating agency policies and practices; the
results of financing efforts; the actual closing of contemplated transactions
and agreements and various other matters and risks (many of which are beyond
VFL's control) detailed in VFL's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this annual
report. VFL expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained
herein to reflect any change in VFL's
    
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   61
 
   
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any statement is based.
    
 
                          OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of December 31, 1998, VFL had no employees as it has contracted with
Casualty for services provided by Casualty employees. Casualty has experienced
satisfactory labor relations and has never had work stoppages due to labor
disputes.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     VFL does not own or directly lease any office space. VFL reimburses
Casualty for its proportionate share of office facilities.
 
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS
 
   
     VFL is party to the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement with Assurance which was
previously mentioned and is also discussed in the Notes to VFL's Financial
Statements included in this Prospectus. In addition, VFL is party to the CNA
Intercompany Expense Agreement whereby expenses incurred by CNAF and each of its
subsidiaries are allocated to the appropriate company. All acquisition and
underwriting expenses allocated to VFL are further subject to the Reinsurance
Pooling Agreement with Assurance, so that acquisition and underwriting expenses
recognized by VFL are ten percent of the acquisition and underwriting expenses
of the combined pool. For information regarding expenses pursuant to the CNA
Intercompany Expense Agreement see Note 9 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
    
 
REGULATION
 
   
     VFL is subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania governing
insurance companies and to the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of
Insurance ("Insurance Department"). Regulation by the Insurance Department
includes periodic examination to determine, among other items, contract
liabilities and reserves so that the Insurance Department may certify that these
items are correct. VFL's books and accounts are subject to review by the
Insurance Department at all times.
    
 
     In addition, VFL is subject to regulation under the insurance laws of all
jurisdictions in which it operates. The laws of the various jurisdictions
establish supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers with respect to
various matters, including licensing to transact business, overseeing trade
practices, licensing agents, approving contract forms, establishing reserve
requirements, fixing maximum interest rates on life insurance contract loans and
minimum rates for accumulation of surrender values, prescribing the form and
content of required financial statements and regulating the type and amounts of
investments permitted.
 
     Further, many states regulate affiliated groups of insurers, such as VFL
and its affiliates, under insurance holding company legislation. Under such
laws, inter-company transfers of assets and dividend payments from insurance
subsidiaries may be subject to
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   62
 
prior notice or approval, depending on the size of the transfer payments in
relation to the financial positions of the companies involved.
 
   
     Under insurance guaranty fund laws in most states, insurers doing business
therein can be assessed as a result of insolvency of other insurers. The
assessments are based on formulas, subject to prescribed limits, and are
intended to fund the benefits and continuation of coverage for policyholders of
the insolvent insurers. Most of these laws provide that an assessment may be
excused or deferred if it would threaten an insurer's own solvency.
    
 
     Although the Federal government generally does not directly regulate the
business of insurance, Federal initiatives often have an impact on the business
in a variety of ways. Certain insurance products of VFL are subject to various
Federal securities laws and regulations. In addition, current and proposed
Federal measures that may significantly affect the insurance business include
regulation of insurance company solvency, employee benefit regulation, removal
of barriers preventing banks from engaging in the insurance business, tax law
changes affecting the taxation of insurance companies and the tax treatment of
insurance products and its impact on the relative desirability of various
personal investment vehicles.
 
     Increased scrutiny of state regulated insurer solvency requirements by
certain members of the U.S. Congress resulted in the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") developing industry minimum Risk-Based Capital
("RBC") requirements, establishing a formal state accreditation process designed
to more closely regulate for solvency, minimizing the diversity of approved
statutory accounting and actuarial practices, and increasing the annual
statutory statement disclosure requirements.
 
   
     The RBC formulas are designed to identify an insurer's minimum capital
requirements based upon the inherent risks (e.g., asset default, credit and
underwriting) of its operations. In addition to the minimum capital
requirements, the RBC formula and related regulations identify various levels of
capital adequacy and corresponding actions that the state insurance departments
should initiate. The level of capital adequacy below which insurance departments
would take action is defined as Company Action Level. As of December 31, 1998,
VFL has capital in excess of Company Action Level.
    
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   63
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The name, age, positions and offices, term as director, and business
experience during the past five years for VFL's directors and executive officers
are listed in the following table:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          OFFICERS OF VFL
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    POSITION(S) HELD
      NAME AND ADDRESS        AGE       WITH VFL      PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>   <C>               <C>
Philip L. Engel*              58    Director and      President of CNA since September, 1992. Prior
CNA Plaza                           President         thereto, Mr. Engel was Executive Vice
Chicago, IL 60685                                     President of CNA. Mr. Engel has served as a
                                                      Director of VFL since September, 1992.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bernard L. Hengesbaugh        52    Chairman of the   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
CNA Plaza                           Board, Chief      Officer of CNA since February, 1999. Prior
Chicago, IL 60685                   Executive         thereto, Mr. Hengesbaugh served as Executive
                                    Officer, and      Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
                                    Director          CNA since February, 1998. Prior thereto, Mr.
                                                      Hengesbaugh was Senior Vice President of CNA
                                                      since November, 1990. Mr. Hengesbaugh has
                                                      served as Director since February, 1999.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter E. Jokiel               51    Senior Vice       Senior Vice President of CNA since November,
CNA Plaza                           President         1990. Chief Financial Officer of CNA from
Chicago, IL 60685                                     November, 1990 through October, 1997. Mr.
                                                      Jokiel served as a Director of VFL from July,
                                                      1992 through October, 1997.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan D. Kantor            43    Senior Vice       Senior Vice President, Secretary and General
CNA Plaza                           President,        Counsel of CNA since April, 1997. Group Vice
Chicago, IL 60685                   Secretary,        President of CNA since April, 1994. Prior
                                    General Counsel   thereto, Mr. Kantor was a partner at the law
                                    and Director      firm of Shea & Gould.** Mr. Kantor has served
                                                      as a Director of VFL since April, 1997.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W. James MacGinnitie          60    Senior Vice       Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
CNA Plaza                           President, Chief  Officer of CNA since October, 1997. From 1994
Chicago, IL 60685                   Financial         through 1997, Mr. MacGinnitie was a partner at
                                    Officer and       Ernst & Young. Prior thereto, Mr. MacGinnitie
                                    Director          was a principal with Tillinghast. Mr.
                                                      MacGinnitie has served as a Director of VFL
                                                      since October, 1997.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
     Each director is elected to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders or until his or her successor is elected and shall have qualified.
Some directors hold various executive positions with insurance company
affiliates of VFL. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
 
   
      * Mr. Engel plans to retire effective September, 1999.
    
 
   
     ** Shea & Gould declared bankruptcy in 1995.
    
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   64
 
   
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
    
 
   
     The following table includes compensation paid by CNAF and its subsidiaries
for services rendered in all capacities for the years indicated for the Chief
Executive Officer and the next four most highly compensated Executive Officers
as of December 31, 1998. These officers also serve as executive officers of VFL;
therefore, an applicable portion of their compensation (4.45%) is charged to
VFL.
    
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                              ANNUAL COMPENSATION
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION      ALL OTHER       LONG-TERM
                                           ---------------------       ANNUAL       COMPENSATION       ALL OTHER
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR    SALARY(A)    BONUS(B)    COMPENSATION     PAYOUTS(C)     COMPENSATION(D)
  ---------------------------      ----    ---------    --------    ------------    ------------    ---------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>     <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>
Dennis H. Chookaszian(e).......    1998    $950,000           --      $71,358(f)     $  900,000         140,423(g)
  Chairman of the Board and        1997     950,000           --           --         1,650,000         129,288(h)
  Chief Executive Officer of       1996     950,000           --           --         1,450,000          51,362(i)
  CNA Insurance Companies
Philip L. Engel(j).............    1998     800,000           --           --           300,000          67,794(g)
  President                        1997     800,000           --           --           500,000          62,226(h)
  CNA Insurance Companies          1996     800,000           --           --           400,000          40,131(i)
Bernard L. Hengesbaugh(e)......    1998(k)  684,423     $750,000(l)        --            42,500          28,746
  Executive Vice President &       1997(k)  550,000      508,000           --                --          23,100
  Chief Operating Officer          1996(k)  550,000      250,000           --                --          23,100
  CNA Insurance Companies
Peter E. Jokiel................    1998     550,000      550,000           --                --          23,100
  Senior Vice President            1997     550,000      399,000           --                --          23,100
  CNA Insurance Companies          1996     500,000      240,000           --                --          21,000
W. James MacGinnitie(m)........    1998     500,000      220,000           --                --          21,000
  Senior Vice President &          1997     123,077      317,000(n)        --                --           1,131
  Chief Financial Officer
  CNA Insurance Companies
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
Notes
 
   
(a) Base salary includes compensation deferred under the CNA Savings Plan and
    CNA Supplemental Savings Plan.
    
 
   
(b) Amounts disclosed are for bonus awards earned and accrued in the year
    indicated under the company's annual incentive plans and the supplemental
    incentive bonus ("Supplemental Bonus") hereinafter described. Bonus awards
    are typically paid in March of the following year unless deferred.
    
 
   
(c) Represents payout under the Incentive Compensation Plan for Certain
    Executive Officers.
    
 
   
(d) Represents amounts contributed or accrued to the named officers for the CNA
    Savings Plan and CNA Supplemental Savings Plan.
    
 
   
(e) On February 9, 1999, Mr. Chookaszian retired as Chairman and Chief Executive
    Officer of CNA Companies and was succeeded by Mr. Hengesbaugh See
    "Director's Compensation" above.
    
 
   
(f) Includes compensation for personal use of corporate transportation.
    
 
   
(g) Includes $30,004 and $12,584 of insurance premiums paid by the company on
    behalf of Messrs. Chookaszian and Engel, respectively.
    
 
   
(h) Includes $27,356 and $11,260 of insurance premiums paid by the company on
    behalf of Messrs. Chookaszian and Engel, respectively.
    
 
   
(i) Includes $10,422 and $6,009 of insurance premiums paid by the company on
    behalf of Messrs. Chookaszian and Engel, respectively.
    
 
   
(j) Mr. Engel has announced his intention to retire as President effective
    September, 1999.
    
 
   
(k) Mr. Hengesbaugh's compensation for 1996, 1997 and through February 4, 1998
    was paid to him as Senior Vice President of CNA Insurance Companies.
    
 
   
(l) Mr. Hengesbaugh was awarded a $750,000 retention recognition award, of which
    $460,000 will be deferred, pursuant to his promotion.
    
 
   
(m) Mr. MacGinnitie was employed by the Company effective October 1, 1997.
    Consequently, he received no compensation from the Company during a portion
    of 1997 and all of 1996.
    
 
   
(n) Includes $150,000 hiring bonus paid.
    
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   65
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
 
   
     VFL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Assurance. Assurance is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Casualty which is wholly-owned by CNAF. Loews Corporation owns
approximately 85% of the outstanding common stock of CNAF. All employees of the
CNA Insurance Companies are employed by Casualty, with the exception of Bernard
L. Hengesbaugh and Philip L. Engel who are employees of CNAF.
    
 
   
     CNAF is party to employment agreements with each of Bernard L. Hengesbaugh
and Philip L. Engel.
    
 
   
     The term of Mr. Hengesbaugh's agreement with CNAF (the "Agreement") expires
on December 31, 2000. The Agreement provides that he will be paid an annual Base
Salary of $950,000. In addition, Mr. Hengesbaugh will participate in an
Incentive Compensation Plan that will provide him with an opportunity to earn a
bonus based on performance and the attainment of specified corporate goals as
approved by the Incentive Compensation Committee. The amount of the Incentive
Compensation Award for the calendar year 1999 shall be determined as follows:
(i) dividing the lesser of (a) the Net Operating Income for the 1999 calendar
year or (b) $100 million by (c) $100 million, and multiplying the resulting
percentage by $950,000; and (ii) dividing the lesser of (a) the Net Operating
Income for the calendar year in excess of $200 million for the calendar year or
(b) $300 million by (c) $300 million and multiplying the resulting percentage by
200% of $950,000 and adding the products of (i) and (ii) subject to a cap of
$2,850,000. For 2000, the award shall be determined as follows: (i) dividing the
lesser of (a) the Net Operating Income for the 2000 calendar year or (b) $200
million by (c) $200 million, and multiplying the resulting percentage by
$950,000, and (ii) dividing the lesser of (a) the Net Operating Income for the
calendar year in excess of $200 million for the calendar year or (b) $300
million by (c) $300 million and multiplying the resulting percentage by 200% of
$950,000 and adding the products of (i) and (ii) subject to a cap of $2,850,000.
Any incentive compensation paid is included in the computation of pensionable
earnings under CNAF's retirement plans. Mr. Hengesbaugh may participate in the
Qualified and Supplemental Savings Plan established by CNAF wherein CNAF pays a
matching percentage of 70% of the first 6% of the employee's contributions. The
Agreement permits Mr. Hengesbaugh to participate in other benefit programs
offered by CNAF to its employees. The Agreement requires CNAF to pay Mr.
Hengesbaugh a one-time award of $750,000 for assuming the position of Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. A portion of the one-time award has been deferred.
    
 
   
     CNAF may terminate the Agreement without cause at any time, in which event
CNAF is required to continue to make payments to Mr. Hengesbaugh for a period of
three years from the date of termination of three times his annual rate of base
salary. The Agreement contemplates negotiation of a renewal and provides that if
the parties have not reached an agreement before March 31, 2001 then the
employment shall be considered terminated by CNAF and Mr. Hengesbaugh shall be
entitled to termination pay of three times his annual rate of base salary as of
December 31, 2000 for a period of three years. The Agreement requires Mr.
Hengesbaugh to maintain the confidentiality of information concerning CNAF's
business while he is employed by CNAF and at all times thereafter and contains
covenants whereunder Mr. Hengesbaugh shall not compete or interfere with any of
CNAF's businesses for a specified period of time.
    
 
   
     Mr. Engel's employment agreement with CNAF (the "Agreement") expired on
December 31, 1998 and has been extended until September 30, 1999. Mr. Engel will
retire
    
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   66
 
   
from his position with CNAF on or about September 30, 1999. See "Election of
Directors" above. The Agreement provides that he will be paid an annual Base
Salary of $800,000. In addition, Mr. Engel will participate in an Incentive
Compensation Plan that will provide him with an opportunity to earn a bonus
based on performance and the attainment of specified corporate goals. The amount
of the award for 1999 shall consist of 0.3% of Net Operating Income capped at
$900,000. Any incentive compensation paid is included in the computation of
pensionable earnings under CNAF's retirement plans. Mr. Engel may participate in
the Qualified and Supplemental Savings Plan established by CNAF wherein CNAF
pays a matching percentage of 70% of the first 6% of the employee's
contributions. This matching amount is also included in the computation of
pensionable earnings. CNAF may terminate the Agreement without cause at any
time, in which event CNAF is required to continue to make payments to Mr. Engel
for a period of three years from the date of termination at a fixed rate based
on base salary and the incentive compensation in effect at the time of such
termination.
    
 
   
     CNAF was party to an employment agreement with Mr. Chookaszian which
expired on December 31, 1998 at which time all compensation obligations of CNAF
thereunder ceased. On February 9, 1999, CNAF and Mr. Chookaszian entered into a
Continuing Service Agreement. See "Director Compensation" above for a
description of Mr. Chookaszian's Continuing Service Agreement with CNAF.
    
 
   
RETIREMENT PLANS
    
 
   
     CNAF provides funded, tax qualified, non-contributory retirement plans for
all salaried employees, including executive officers (the "Retirement Plans")
and an unfunded, non-qualified, non-contributory benefits equalization plan (the
"Supplemental Retirement Plan") that provides for the accrual and payment of
benefits that are not available under tax qualified plans such as the Retirement
Plans. The following description of the Retirement Plans also gives effect to
benefits provided under the Supplemental Retirement Plan.
    
 
   
     The Retirement Plans provide for retirement benefits based upon average
final compensation (i.e., based upon the highest average sixty consecutive
months compensation and years of credited service with CNAF). Compensation under
the Retirement Plans consists of salary paid by CNAF and its subsidiaries
included under "Salary," "Bonus" and "Long-Term Compensation Payouts" in the
Summary Compensation Table above. The following table shows estimated annual
benefits payable upon retirement under the Retirement Plans for various
compensation levels and years of credited service, based upon normal retirement
in 1999 and a straight life annuity form of benefit. In addition to a straight
life annuity, the Plans also allow the participant to elect payment to be made
in a Joint and Contingent (or Survivor) Annuitant form where the Contingent (or
Survivor) Annuitant would receive payment at 50%, 66 2/3% or 100% of the
participant's benefit amount.
    
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   67
 
   
                               PENSION PLAN TABLE
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    ESTIMATED ANNUAL PENSION FOR
                              REPRESENTATIVE YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       AVERAGE
       ANNUAL
    COMPENSATION            15              20               25               30               35
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
$ 400,000............    $116,343       $  155,125       $  193,906       $  206,021       $  218,136
   500,000...........     146,343          195,125          243,906          259,354          274,803
   600,000...........     176,343          235,125          293,906          312,688          331,470
   700,000...........     206,343          275,125          343,906          366,021          388,137
   800,000...........     236,343          315,125          393,906          419,355          444,804
   900,000...........     266,343          355,125          443,906          472,688          501,471
 1,000,000...........     296,343          395,125          493,906          526,022          558,138
 1,100,000...........     326,343          435,125          543,906          579,355          614,805
 1,200,000...........     356,343          475,125          593,906          632,689          671,472
 1,300,000...........     386,343          515,125          643,906          686,022          728,139
 1,400,000...........     416,343          555,125          693,906          739,356          784,806
 1,500,000...........     446,343          595,125          743,906          792,689          841,473
 1,600,000...........     476,343          635,125          793,906          846,023          898,140
 1,700,000...........     506,343          675,125          843,906          899,356          954,807
 1,800,000...........     536,343          715,125          893,906          952,690        1,011,474
 1,900,000...........     566,343          755,125          943,906        1,006,023        1,068,141
 2,000,000...........     596,343          795,125          993,906        1,059,357        1,124,808
 2,100,000...........     626,343          835,125        1,043,906        1,112,690        1,181,475
 2,200,000...........     656,343          875,125        1,093,906        1,166,024        1,238,142
 2,300,000...........     686,343          915,125        1,143,906        1,219,357        1,294,809
 2,400,000...........     716,343          955,125        1,193,906        1,272,691        1,351,476
 2,500,000...........     746,343          995,125        1,243,906        1,326,024        1,408,143
 2,600,000...........     776,343        1,035,125        1,293,906        1,379,358        1,464,810
 2,700,000...........     806,343        1,075,125        1,343,906        1,432,691        1,521,477
 2,800,000...........     836,343        1,115,125        1,393,906        1,486,025        1,578,144
 2,900,000...........     866,343        1,155,125        1,443,906        1,539,358        1,634,811
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The amounts in the table reflect deductions for estimated Social Security
payments.
    
 
   
     Mr. Chookaszian, Mr. Engel, Mr. Hengesbaugh and Mr. MacGinnitie have 23,
33, 18 and 5 years of credited service, respectively.
    
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   68
 
   
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN -- AWARDS IN 1998
    
 
   
     The following table contains information with respect to awards made in
1998 under CNAF's Incentive Compensation Plan and under CNAF's long-term award
plan to CNAF's most highly compensated executive officers:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
                                                        -----------------------------------
                        NAME                            PERFORMANCE PERIOD(1)    MAXIMUM(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>                      <C>
Dennis H. Chookaszian...............................        1 year - 1998          900,000
Philip L. Engel.....................................        1 year - 1998         $300,000
Bernard L. Hengesbaugh..............................        1 year - 1998         $ 42,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Pursuant to the Incentive Compensation Plan, in 1996 the Incentive
    Compensation Committee granted three single year awards (each, an "Award")
    to Dennis Chookaszian and Philip Engel for each of the years 1996, 1997 and
    1998 (each year being a "Performance Period"). On February 4, 1998, Mr.
    Hengesbaugh was approved as a participant in the Plan. Each Award represents
    a designated percentage of CNAF's consolidated after-tax net income,
    exclusive of realized investment gains and losses ("Net Operating Income")
    for one or more Performance Periods reduced by factors which in the judgment
    of the Incentive Compensation Committee merited consideration. There is no
    award of units or securities under the Incentive Compensation Plan. As
    previously stated, Mr. Chookaszian's employment agreement expired on
    December 31, 1998.
    
 
   
(2) The figures given for Messrs. Chookaszian, Engel and Hengesbaugh represent
    actual payouts to those executives pursuant to the Incentive Compensation
    Plan. The Estimated Future Payouts Maximum for Messrs. Chookaszian, Engel
    and Hengesbaugh had been $1,850,000, $600,000 and $600,000 respectively. The
    Performance Goal set for Dennis Chookaszian for the 1998 Performance Period
    was 1/3% of 1996 Net Operating Income plus 1/3% of 1997 Net Operating Income
    plus 1/3% of 1998 Net Operating Income. The Performance Goal set for Philip
    Engel for the 1998 Performance Period was 1/12% of 1996 Net Operating Income
    plus 1/12% of 1997 Net Operating Income plus 1/12% of 1998 Net Operating
    Income. The Performance Goal set for Bernard Hengesbaugh for the 1998
    Performance Period was 1/4% of 1998 Net Operating Income.
    
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   69
 
   
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
    
 
   
The Board of Directors and Stockholder
    
   
Valley Forge Life Insurance Company
    
 
   
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Valley Forge Life
Insurance Company (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Assurance Company,
which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Casualty Company, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CNA Financial Corporation, an affiliate of Loews
Corporation) as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statements of
operations, stockholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1998. Our audits also included the financial
statement schedules listed in Item 16(b) of Part II. These financial statements
and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
    
 
   
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
    
 
   
     In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, such
financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects
the information set forth therein.
    
 
   
Deloitte & Touche LLP
    
 
   
Chicago, Illinois
    
   
February 10, 1999
    
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   70
 
          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
   
     The following financial statements are those of VFL and not those of the
separate account. They are included for the purpose of informing investors as to
the financial position and operations of VFL.
    
 
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        DECEMBER 31,                               1998          1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
ASSETS:
  Investments:
    Fixed maturities available-for-sale (amortized cost:
      $454,635 and $466,267)................................    $  460,516    $  471,707
    Equity securities available-for-sale (cost: $981 and
      $981).................................................         2,218         2,260
    Policy loans............................................        74,150        66,971
    Other invested assets...................................           485           433
    Short-term investments..................................        81,418         4,597
                                                                ----------    ----------
        TOTAL INVESTMENTS...................................       618,787       545,968
  Cash......................................................         3,750        24,565
  Receivables:
    Reinsurance.............................................     2,119,897     1,586,471
    Premium and other insurance.............................        54,690        65,196
    Less allowance for doubtful accounts....................           (26)         (285)
  Deferred acquisition costs................................       111,963        95,354
  Accrued investment income.................................         7,721         5,245
  Receivables for securities sold...........................            --           744
  Due from affiliates.......................................            --        35,999
  Other.....................................................           902           228
  Separate Account business.................................        73,745         8,941
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL ASSETS                                            $2,991,429    $2,368,426
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
Liabilities:
  Insurance reserves:
    Future policy benefits..................................    $2,438,305    $1,906,899
    Claims..................................................        93,001        81,242
    Policyholders' funds....................................        42,746        39,928
  Payables for securities purchased.........................           370           497
  Federal income taxes payable..............................         6,468         5,975
  Deferred income taxes.....................................         6,213         4,098
  Due to affiliates.........................................         1,946            --
  Commissions and other payables............................        64,815       104,586
  Separate Account business.................................        73,745         8,941
                                                                ----------    ----------
        TOTAL LIABILITIES...................................     2,727,609     2,152,166
                                                                ----------    ----------
Commitments and contingent liabilities -- Notes 8 and 10....            --            --
Stockholder's Equity
  Common stock ($50 par value; Authorized-200,000 shares;
    Issued-50,000 shares)...................................         2,500         2,500
  Additional paid-in capital................................        69,150        39,150
  Retained earnings.........................................       187,683       170,230
  Accumulated other comprehensive income....................         4,487         4,380
                                                                ----------    ----------
        TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY..........................       263,820       216,260
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY              $2,991,429    $2,368,426
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
    
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   71
 
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
 
   
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                         1998        1997        1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Revenues:
  Premiums..................................................    $315,599    $332,172    $325,486
  Net investment income.....................................      35,539      29,913      29,312
  Realized investment gains.................................      16,967       4,200       4,771
  Other.....................................................       7,959       6,872       8,217
                                                                --------    --------    --------
                                                                 376,064     373,157     367,786
                                                                --------    --------    --------
Benefits and expenses:
  Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits..............     301,900     307,207     304,840
  Amortization of deferred acquisition costs................      11,807      11,818       1,177
  Other operating expenses..................................      35,813      33,505      36,022
                                                                --------    --------    --------
                                                                 349,520     352,530     342,039
                                                                --------    --------    --------
    Income before income tax................................      26,544      20,627      25,747
Income tax expense..........................................       9,091       7,297       9,028
================================================================================================
    NET INCOME                                                  $ 17,453    $ 13,330    $ 16,719
================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
    
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   72
 
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
 
   
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     ACCUMULATED
                                            ADDITIONAL                                  OTHER           TOTAL
                                   COMMON    PAID-IN     COMPREHENSIVE   RETAINED   COMPREHENSIVE   STOCKHOLDER'S
                                   STOCK     CAPITAL        INCOME       EARNINGS      INCOME          EQUITY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                <C>      <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>             <C>
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995.......  $2,500    $39,150                     $140,181     $ 13,641        $195,472
Comprehensive income:
  Net income.....................     --          --       $ 16,719       16,719                        16,719
  Other comprehensive loss.......     --          --        (12,651)          --       (12,651)        (12,651)
                                                           --------
      Total comprehensive
        income...................                          $  4,068
                                                           ========
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996.......  2,500      39,150                     156,900           990         199,540
Comprehensive income:
  Net income.....................     --          --       $ 13,330       13,330            --          13,330
  Other comprehensive income.....     --          --          3,390           --         3,390           3,390
                                                           --------
      Total comprehensive
        income...................                          $ 16,720
                                                           ========
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997.......  2,500      39,150                     170,230         4,380         216,260
Capital contribution from
  Assurance......................     --      30,000                          --            --          30,000
Comprehensive income:
  Net income.....................     --          --       $ 17,453       17,453            --          17,453
  Other comprehensive income.....     --          --            107           --           107             107
                                                           --------
      Total comprehensive
        income...................                          $ 17,560
=================================================================================================================
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998         $2,500    $69,150                     $187,683     $  4,487        $263,820
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
    
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   73
 
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
 
   
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                         1998         1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>          <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income..................................................    $  17,453    $  13,330    $  16,719
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from
  operating activities:
  Deferred income tax provision.............................        2,115        2,581        3,309
  Realized investment gains.................................      (16,967)      (4,200)      (4,771)
  Amortization of bond discount.............................       (4,821)      (2,438)      (4,922)
  Changes in:
    Insurance receivables, net..............................     (522,920)    (269,787)    (254,549)
    Deferred acquisition costs..............................      (16,746)     (20,765)     (23,989)
    Accrued investment income...............................       (2,476)        (300)        (258)
    Due to/from affiliates..................................       37,945       31,500      (62,563)
    Federal income taxes payable............................          493        2,151        4,399
    Insurance reserves......................................      541,560      221,252      198,239
    Commissions and other payables and other................      (40,861)      47,212       (8,376)
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
        TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS...................................      (22,678)       7,206     (153,481)
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
        NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES............       (5,225)      20,536     (136,762)
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturities...............................     (744,431)    (464,361)    (535,263)
Proceeds from fixed maturities:
  Sales.....................................................      741,277      278,459      530,828
  Maturities, calls and redemptions.........................       33,635       45,442       36,726
Purchases of equity securities..............................           (5)      (1,334)        (728)
Proceeds from sale of equity securities.....................            5        2,447        1,306
Change in short-term investments............................      (73,233)      39,301       (2,851)
Change in policy loans......................................       (7,179)      (6,704)      (4,259)
Change in other invested assets.............................          (82)        (580)          --
Other, net..................................................           --           --           72
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
        NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES............      (50,013)    (107,330)      25,831
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Receipts for investment contracts credited to policyholder
    accounts................................................       30,007      111,478       98,091
  Return of policyholder account balances on investment
    contracts...............................................      (25,584)     (24,878)      (4,504)
  Capital contribution from Affiliate.......................       30,000           --           --
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
        NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES............       34,423       86,600       93,587
                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
        NET CASH FLOWS......................................      (20,815)        (194)     (17,344)
Cash at beginning of period.................................       24,565       24,759       42,103
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AT END OF PERIOD.......................................    $   3,750    $  24,565    $  24,759
===================================================================================================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Federal income taxes paid.................................    $   6,651    $   2,488    $   1,965
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
    
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   74
 
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
 
   
NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
    
 
   
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    
 
   
     Valley Forge Life Insurance Company (VFL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Continental Assurance Company (Assurance). Assurance is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Continental Casualty Company (Casualty) which is wholly-owned by
CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF). Loews Corporation owns approximately 85% of
the outstanding common stock of CNAF.
    
 
   
     VFL markets and underwrites insurance products designed to satisfy the
life, health and retirement needs of individuals and groups. Products available
in individual policy form include annuities as well as term and universal life
insurance. Products available in group policy form include life, pension,
accident and health.
    
 
   
     The operations, assets and liabilities of VFL and its parent, Assurance,
are managed on a combined basis. Pursuant to a Reinsurance Pooling Agreement,
amended July 1, 1996, VFL cedes all of its business, excluding its separate
account business, to its parent, Assurance. This business is then pooled with
the business of Assurance, which excludes Assurance's participating contracts
and separate account business, and 10% of the combined pool is assumed by VFL.
    
 
   
     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Certain amounts applicable to
prior years have been reclassified to conform to classifications followed in
1998.
    
 
   
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
    
 
   
INSURANCE
    
 
   
     Premium revenue--Revenues on universal life type contracts are comprised of
contract charges and fees which are recognized over the coverage period.
Accident and health insurance premiums are earned ratably over the terms of the
policies after provision for estimated adjustments on retrospectively rated
policies and deductions for ceded insurance. Other life insurance premiums are
recognized as revenue when due, after deductions for ceded insurance.
    
 
   
     Future policy benefit reserves--Reserves for traditional life insurance
products (whole and term life products) are computed based upon the net level
premium method using actuarial assumptions as to interest rates, mortality,
morbidity, withdrawals and expenses. Actuarial assumptions include a margin for
adverse deviation and generally vary by plan, age at issue and policy duration.
Interest rates range from 3% to 9%, and mortality, morbidity and withdrawal
assumptions reflect VFL and industry experience prevailing at the time of issue.
Expense assumptions include the estimated effects of inflation and expenses
beyond the premium paying period. Reserves for universal life-type contracts are
    
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   75
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 1.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
equal to the account balances that accrue to the benefit of the policyholders.
Interest crediting rates ranged from 4.30% to 7.25% for the three years ended
December 31, 1998.
    
 
   
     Claim reserves--Claim reserves include provisions for reported claims in
the course of settlement and estimates of unreported losses based upon past
experience.
    
 
   
     Reinsurance--In addition to the Pooling Agreement with Assurance, VFL also
assumes and cedes insurance with other insurers and reinsurers and members of
various reinsurance pools and associations. VFL utilizes reinsurance
arrangements to limit its maximum loss, provide greater diversification of risk
and minimize exposures on larger risks. The reinsurance coverages are tailored
to the specific risk characteristics of each product line with VFL's retained
amount varying by type of coverage. VFL's reinsurance includes coinsurance,
yearly renewable term and facultative programs. Amounts recoverable from
reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability.
    
 
   
     Deferred acquisition costs--Life acquisition costs are capitalized and
amortized based on assumptions consistent with those used for computing policy
benefit reserves. Acquisition costs on traditional life business are amortized
over the assumed premium paying periods. Universal life and annuity acquisition
costs are amortized in proportion to the present value of the estimated gross
profits over the products' assumed durations. To the extent that unrealized
gains or losses on available-for-sale securities would result in an adjustment
of deferred policy acquisition costs had those gains or losses actually been
realized, the related unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs are recorded
as an adjustment of the unrealized gains or losses included in stockholder's
equity.
    
 
   
INVESTMENTS
    
 
   
     Valuation of investments--VFL classifies its fixed maturities and its
equity securities as available-for-sale, and as such, they are carried at fair
value. The amortized cost of fixed maturities is adjusted for amortization of
premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization and accretion
are included in net investment income.
    
 
   
     Policy loans are carried at unpaid balances. Short-term investments, which
have an original maturity of one year or less, are carried at amortized cost
that approximates market value. VFL has no real estate or mortgage loans.
    
 
   
     VFL accounts for its derivative securities under the fair value method.
Under this method the derivative securities are recorded at fair value at the
reporting date and changes in fair value are reflected in realized investment
gains and losses. VFL's derivatives are made up of interest rate caps and
purchased options and are classified as other invested assets.
    
 
   
     Investment gains and losses--All securities transactions are recorded on
the trade date. Realized investment gains and losses are determined on the basis
of the cost of the specific securities sold. Unrealized investment gains and
losses on fixed maturities and equity securities are reflected as part of
stockholder's equity, net of applicable deferred income taxes and deferred
acquisition costs. Investments are written down to estimated fair
    
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   76
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 1.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
values and losses are charged to income when a decline in value is considered to
be other than temporary.
    
 
   
     Securities lending activities--VFL has a securities lending program were
securities are loaned to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms.
Borrowers of these securities must deposit 100% of the fair value of the
securities if the collateral is cash, or 102%, if the collateral is securities.
Cash deposits from these transactions are invested in short-term investments
(primarily commercial paper). VFL continues to receive the interest on the
loaned debt securities, as beneficial owner, and accordingly, loaned debt
securities are included within fixed maturity securities. VFL had no securities
on loan at December 31, 1998 or 1997.
    
 
   
     Separate Account business--VFL writes certain variable annuity contracts
and universal life policies. The supporting assets and liabilities of these
contracts and policies are legally segregated and reflected as assets and
liabilities of Separate Account business. Substantially all assets of the
Separate Account business are carried at fair value. Separate Account
liabilities are principally obligations due to contractholders and are carried
at contract values.
    
 
   
INCOME TAXES
    
 
   
     The provision for income taxes includes deferred taxes, resulting from
temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return basis of
assets and liabilities under the liability method. Temporary differences
primarily relate to insurance reserves, deferred acquisition costs, investment
valuation differences, and net unrealized investment gains/losses.
    
 
                                       71
<PAGE>   77
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 2. INVESTMENTS:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                      1998         1997         1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Fixed maturities:
  Taxable bonds.............................................  $27,150      $20,669      $21,597
Equity securities...........................................       72           72           59
Policy loans................................................    4,760        4,264        3,669
Short-term investments......................................    3,803        4,885        4,197
Other.......................................................      105          201           12
                                                              -------      -------      -------
                                                               35,890       30,091       29,534
Investment expense..........................................      351          178          222
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                   $35,539      $29,913      $29,312
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANALYSIS OF INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                      1998         1997          1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Realized investment gains (losses):
  Fixed maturities..........................................  $16,907      $ 3,333      $  4,123
  Equity securities.........................................       --        1,021           578
  Other.....................................................       60         (154)           70
                                                              -------      -------      --------
                                                               16,967        4,200         4,771
Income tax expense..........................................   (5,938)      (1,470)       (1,670)
                                                              -------      -------      --------
      NET REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS.........................   11,029        2,730         3,101
                                                              -------      -------      --------
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses):
  Fixed maturities..........................................      441        5,806       (20,726)
  Equity securities.........................................      (42)        (607)        1,263
  Separate Account business and other.......................     (235)          20            --
                                                              -------      -------      --------
                                                                  164        5,219       (19,463)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit.......................      (57)      (1,829)        6,812
                                                              -------      -------      --------
      CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)....      107        3,390       (12,651)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)   $11,136      $ 6,120      $ (9,550)
================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF GROSS REALIZED
INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES) FOR FIXED
MATURITIES AND EQUITY SECURITIES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1998                       1997                       1996
                                        -----------------------    -----------------------    -----------------------
                                          FIXED        EQUITY        FIXED        EQUITY        FIXED        EQUITY
        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31          MATURITIES   SECURITIES    MATURITIES   SECURITIES    MATURITIES   SECURITIES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Proceeds from sales...................   $741,277       $ 5         $278,459      $2,447       $530,828      $1,306
                                         ========       ===         ========      ======       ========      ======
Gross realized gains..................   $ 17,604       $--         $  4,793      $1,113       $  7,927      $  578
Gross realized losses.................       (697)       --           (1,460)        (92)        (3,804)      --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NET REALIZED GAINS ON SALES        $ 16,907       $--         $  3,333      $1,021       $  4,123      $  578
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       72
<PAGE>   78
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 2.--(CONTINUED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANALYSIS OF NET UNREALIZED INVESTMENT
GAINS (LOSSES) INCLUDED IN ACCUMULATED
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                1998                           1997
                                                    ----------------------------    ---------------------------
                   DECEMBER 31                      GAINS     LOSSES       NET      GAINS     LOSSES      NET
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Fixed maturities..................................  $6,926    $(1,045)   $ 5,881    $6,227    $(787)    $ 5,440
Equity securities.................................   1,237      --         1,237     1,279     --         1,279
Separate Account business and other...............    --         (215)      (215)       20     --            20
                                                    ------    -------    -------    ------    -----     -------
                                                    $8,163    $(1,260)     6,903    $7,526    $(787)      6,739
                                                    ======    =======               ======    =====
Deferred income tax expense.......................                        (2,416)                        (2,359)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NET UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS                                    $ 4,487                        $ 4,380
===============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS IN FIXED MATURITIES
AND EQUITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          GROSS         GROSS
                                                           AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED     MARKET
                    DECEMBER 31, 1998                        COST         GAINS         LOSSES       VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
U.S. Treasuries and obligations of government agencies...  $223,743       $1,601        $  563      $224,781
Asset-backed securities..................................   109,207        1,163           180       110,190
Corporate securities.....................................    98,466        2,512            81       100,897
Other debt securities....................................    23,219        1,650           221        24,648
                                                           --------       ------        ------      --------
    Total fixed maturities...............................   454,635        6,926         1,045       460,516
Equity securities........................................       981        1,237         --            2,218
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL                                                  $455,616       $8,163        $1,045      $462,734
============================================================================================================
DECEMBER 31, 1997
U.S. Treasuries and obligations of government agencies...  $299,066       $2,073        $  711      $300,428
Asset-backed securities..................................    68,612          147            74        68,685
Corporate securities.....................................    72,431        2,384             2        74,813
Other debt securities....................................    26,158        1,623         --           27,781
                                                           --------       ------        ------      --------
      Total fixed maturities.............................   466,267        6,227           787       471,707
Equity securities........................................       981        1,279         --            2,260
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL                                                $467,248       $7,506        $  787      $473,967
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS IN FIXED
MATURITIES BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1998
                                                                ---------------------
                                                                AMORTIZED     MARKET
                        DECEMBER 31                               COST        VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>
Due in one year or less.....................................    $  7,507     $  7,508
Due after one year through five years.......................     111,381      112,434
Due after five years through ten years......................      45,393       46,494
Due after ten years.........................................     181,146      183,891
Asset-backed securities not due at a single maturity date...     109,208      110,189
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL                                                     $454,635     $460,516
=====================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   79
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 2.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
     Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because securities
may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties.
    
 
   
     There are no investments, other than equity securities, that have not
produced income for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997. There are no
equity investments in a single issuer that when aggregated exceed 10% of
stockholder's equity.
    
 
   
NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
    
 
   
     In the normal course of business, VFL invests in various financial assets,
incurs various financial liabilities, and enters into agreements involving
derivative securities, including off-balance sheet financial instruments.
    
 
   
     Fair values are required to be disclosed for all financial instruments,
whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to
estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair
values may be based on estimates using present value or other valuation
techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used,
including the discount rates and estimates of future cash flows. Potential taxes
and other transaction costs have not been considered in estimating fair value.
The estimates presented herein are subjective in nature and are not necessarily
indicative of the amounts VFL could realize in a current market exchange.
    
 
   
     All non-financial instruments such as deferred acquisition costs,
reinsurance receivables, deferred income taxes and insurance reserves are
excluded from fair value disclosure. Thus, the total fair value amounts cannot
be aggregated to determine the underlying economic value of VFL.
    
 
   
     The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate fair value
for cash, short-term investments, accrued investment income, receivables for
securities sold, payables for securities purchased and certain other assets and
other liabilities because of their short-term nature. Accordingly, these
financial instruments are not listed in the table below. The carrying amounts
and estimated fair values of VFL's other financial instrument assets and
liabilities are listed below:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1998                      1997
                                                             CARRYING    ESTIMATED     CARRYING    ESTIMATED
                       DECEMBER 31                            AMOUNT     FAIR VALUE     AMOUNT     FAIR VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
FINANCIAL ASSETS
  Investments:
  Fixed maturities.......................................    $460,516    $  460,516    $471,707    $  471,707
  Equity securities......................................       2,218         2,218       2,260         2,260
  Policy loans...........................................      74,150        72,148      66,971        63,756
  Other..................................................         485           485         433           433
  Separate Account business:
  Fixed maturities.......................................         247           247       3,198         3,198
  Mutual funds...........................................      55,577        55,577       5,233         5,233
  Other..................................................         340           340         305           305
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Premium deposits and annuity contracts...................     332,665       312,979     266,093       247,567
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       74
<PAGE>   80
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 3.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
     The following methods and assumptions were used by VFL in estimating the
fair value amounts for financial instruments:
    
 
   
          Fixed maturities and equity securities are based on quoted market
     prices, where available. For securities not actively traded, fair values
     are estimated using values obtained from independent pricing services,
     costs to settle, or quoted market prices of comparable instruments.
    
 
   
          The fair values for policy loans are estimated using discounted cash
     flow analyses at interest rates currently offered for similar loans to
     borrowers with comparable credit ratings. Loans with similar
     characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
    
 
   
          Valuation techniques to determine fair value of Separate Account
     business assets consist of discounted cash flows and quoted market prices
     of (a) the investments or (b) comparable instruments. The fair value of
     Separate Account business liabilities approximates their carrying value.
    
 
   
          Premium deposits and annuity contracts are valued based on cash
     surrender values and the outstanding fund balances.
    
 
   
     VFL invests from time to time in certain derivative financial instruments
primarily to reduce its exposure to market risk. Financial instruments used for
such purposes may include interest rate caps, put and call options, commitments
to purchase securities, futures and forwards. VFL also uses derivatives to
mitigate the risk associated with certain guaranteed annuity contracts by
purchasing certain options in a notional amount equal to the original customer
deposit. VFL generally does not hold or issue these instruments for trading
purposes.
    
 
   
     Derivative financial instruments consist of interest rate caps in the
general account and purchased options in the Separate Accounts at December 31,
1998. The gross notional principal or contractual amounts of derivative
financial instruments in the general account at December 31, 1998 and 1997
totaled $50 million. The gross notional principal or contractual amounts of
derivative financial instruments in the Separate Accounts totaled $1.5 million
at December 31, 1998 and 1997. The contract or notional amounts are used to
calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are not
representative of the potential for gain or loss on these agreements.
    
 
   
     The fair values associated with derivative financial instruments are
generally affected by interest rates, equity stock prices and foreign exchange
rates. The credit exposure associated with these instruments is generally
limited to the unrealized fair value of the instruments and will vary based on
the credit worthiness of the counterparties. The risk of default depends on the
creditworthiness of the counterparty to the instrument. Although VFL is exposed
to the aforementioned credit risk, it does not expect any counterparty to fail
to perform as contracted based on the creditworthiness of the counterparties.
Due to the nature of the derivative securities, VFL does not require collateral.
    
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   81
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 3.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
     The fair value of derivatives generally reflects the estimated amounts that
VFL would receive or pay upon termination of the contracts at the reporting
date. Dealer quotes are available for substantially all of VFL's derivatives.
For securities not actively traded, fair values are estimated using values
obtained from independent pricing services, costs to settle, or quoted market
prices of comparable instruments. The fair value of derivative financial assets
(liabilities) in the general account and Separate Accounts at December 31, 1998
totaled $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and compares to $0.4
million and $0.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 1997. Net realized gains
(losses) on derivative financial instruments held in the general account and
Separate Accounts totaled ($0.2) million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 1998. Net realized losses on derivative financial
instruments held in the general account totaled $0.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, while net realized losses on derivatives in the Separate
Accounts were negligible for the same period.
    
 
   
     Options are contracts that grant the purchaser, for a premium payment, the
right, but not the obligation, to either purchase or sell a financial instrument
at a specified price within a specified period of time.
    
 
   
     An interest rate cap consists of a guarantee given by the issuer to the
purchaser in exchange for the payment of a premium. This guarantee states that
if interest rates rise above a specified rate, the issuer will pay to the
purchaser the difference between the then current market rate and the specified
rate on the notional principal amount. The notional principal amount is not
actually borrowed or repaid.
    
 
   
NOTE 4. STATUTORY CAPITAL AND SURPLUS (UNAUDITED):
    
 
   
     Statutory capital and surplus and net income for VFL are determined in
accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Pennsylvania
Insurance Department. Prescribed statutory accounting practices are set forth in
a variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
as well as state laws, regulations, and general administrative rules. VFL has no
material permitted accounting practices. VFL had statutory net losses of $8.1
million, $1.0 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively. The statutory net losses for 1998, 1997 and 1996
were primarily due to the immediate expensing of acquisition costs which were
substantial and a result of sales of individual life and annuity products. Under
GAAP, such costs are capitalized and amortized to income over the duration of
these contracts. Statutory capital and surplus for VFL was $147.1 million, and
$125.3 million at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
    
 
   
     The payment of dividends by VFL to Assurance without prior approval of the
Pennsylvania Insurance Department is limited to formula amounts. As of December
31, 1998, dividends of approximately $14.7 million was not subject to prior
Insurance Department approval.
    
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   82
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 5. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
    
 
   
     Comprehensive income is comprised of all changes to stockholder's equity,
including net income, except those changes resulting from investments by, and
distributions to, the stockholder. Other comprehensive income (loss) is
comprehensive income exclusive of net income. The change in the components of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are shown in the following tables.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              PRE-TAX     TAX (EXPENSE)      NET
                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998                   AMOUNT        BENEFIT        AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>              <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Net unrealized gains on investment securities:
  Net unrealized holding gains arising during the period....  $  3,756       $(1,314)      $  2,442
  Adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income......    (3,592)        1,257         (2,335)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                        $    164       $   (57)      $    107
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              PRE-TAX     TAX (EXPENSE)      NET
                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997                   AMOUNT        BENEFIT        AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>              <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Net unrealized gains on investment securities:
  Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the
    period..................................................  $  6,447       $(2,256)      $  4,191
  Adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income......    (1,228)          427           (801)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                      $  5,219       $(1,829)      $  3,390
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              PRE-TAX     TAX (EXPENSE)      NET
                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996                   AMOUNT        BENEFIT        AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>              <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:
  Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the
    period..................................................  $ (5,822)      $ 2,038       $ (3,784)
  Adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income......   (13,641)        4,774         (8,867)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS                        $(19,463)      $ 6,812       $(12,651)
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
NOTE 6. BENEFIT PLANS:
    
 
   
     VFL has no employees as it has contracted with Casualty for services
provided by Casualty employees. As Casualty is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
CNAF, all Casualty employees are covered by CNAF's Benefit Plans. The plans are
discussed below.
    
 
   
PENSION PLAN
    
 
   
     CNAF has noncontributory pension plans covering all full-time employees age
21 or over that have completed at least one year of service. While the benefits
for the plans vary, they are generally based on years of credited service and
the employee's highest sixty consecutive months of compensation. Casualty is
included in the CNA Employees' Retirement Plan and VFL is allocated its
proportionate share of these expenses. The net pension cost allocated to VFL was
$1.1 million, $4.0 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
                                       77
<PAGE>   83
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 6.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS
    
 
   
     CNAF provides certain health and dental care benefits for eligible retirees
through age 64, and provides life insurance and reimbursement of Medicare Part B
premiums for all eligible retired persons. CNAF funds benefit costs principally
on the basis of current benefit payments.
    
 
   
     Net postretirement benefit cost allocated to VFL was $0.5 million, $2.1
million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
    
 
   
SAVINGS PLAN
    
 
   
     Casualty is included in the CNA Employees' Savings Plan, which is a
contributory plan that allows employees to make regular contributions of up to
6% of their salary. VFL is allocated its proportionate share of CNA Employees'
Savings Plan expenses. CNAF contributes an amount equal to 70% of the employee's
regular contribution. Employees may also make an additional contribution of up
to 10% of their salaries for which there is no matching contribution by CNAF.
CNAF contributions allocated to and expensed by VFL for the Savings Plan were
$0.2 million in 1998 and 1997, and $1.0 million in 1996.
    
 
   
NOTE 7. INCOME TAXES:
    
 
   
     VFL is taxed under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable to life insurance companies, and is included along with Assurance,
its parent company, which is ultimately included in the consolidated Federal
income tax return of Loews. The Federal income tax provision of VFL generally is
computed on a stand-alone basis, as if VFL was filing its own separate tax
return.
    
 
   
     VFL maintains a special tax memorandum account designated as the
"Shareholder's Surplus Account." Dividends from this account may be distributed
to the shareholder without resulting in any additional tax. The amount in the
Shareholder's Surplus Account was $156.3 million and $121.8 million at December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
    
 
   
     Significant components of VFL's deferred tax liabilities as of December 31,
1998 and 1997 are shown in the table below:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        DECEMBER 31                               1998        1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Insurance reserves..........................................    $ 26,880    $ 24,961
Deferred acquisition costs..................................     (37,729)    (33,374)
Investment valuation........................................       3,693       6,129
Net unrealized gains........................................      (2,416)     (2,359)
Receivables.................................................       1,009      (2,486)
Other, net..................................................       2,350       3,031
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES                                 $ (6,213)   $ (4,098)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       78
<PAGE>   84
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 7.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
     At December 31, 1998, gross deferred tax assets and liabilities amounted to
$35.5 million and $41.7 million, respectively. Gross deferred tax assets and
liabilities, at December 31, 1997, amounted to $35.1 million and $39.2 million,
respectively.
    
 
   
     The components of income tax expense are as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                        1998      1997      1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>       <C>       <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Current tax expense.........................................    $7,033    $4,716    $5,719
Deferred tax expense........................................     2,058     2,581     3,309
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE................................    $9,091    $7,297    $9,028
==========================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate on income is as
follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  % OF                % OF                % OF
                                                                 PRETAX              PRETAX              PRETAX
              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                    1998     INCOME     1997     INCOME     1996     INCOME
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
Income taxes at statutory rates....................    $9,290     35.0     $7,219     35.0     $9,011     35.0
Other..............................................      (199)    (0.8)        78      0.4         17      0.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    INCOME TAX AT EFFECTIVE RATES..................    $9,091     34.2     $7,297     35.4     $9,028     35.1
===============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
NOTE 8. REINSURANCE:
    
 
   
     The ceding of insurance does not discharge primary liability of VFL. VFL
places reinsurance with other carriers only after careful review of the nature
of the contract and a thorough assessment of the reinsurers' credit quality and
claim settlement performance. For carriers that are not authorized reinsurers in
VFL's state of domicile, VFL receives collateral, primarily in the form of bank
letters of credit. Such collateral totaled approximately $0.1 million at both
December 31, 1998 and 1997.
    
 
   
     In the table below, the majority of life premium revenue is from long
duration type contracts, while the majority of accident and health earned
premiums is from short
    
 
                                       79
<PAGE>   85
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 8.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
duration contracts. The effects of reinsurance on premium revenues are shown in
the following table:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    PREMIUMS
                                                  --------------------------------------------    ASSUMED/NET
            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                 DIRECT     ASSUMED      CEDED        NET            %
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
1998
  Life........................................    $687,644    $78,156     $690,541    $ 75,259        104%
  Accident and Health.........................       4,158    240,340        4,158     240,340        100
                                                  --------    --------    --------    --------        ---
    Total premiums............................    $691,802    $318,496    $694,699    $315,599        101%
                                                  ========    ========    ========    ========        ===
1997
  Life........................................    $564,891    $81,502     $567,217    $ 79,176        103%
  Accident and Health.........................       2,776    252,996        2,776     252,996        100
                                                  --------    --------    --------    --------        ---
    Total premiums............................    $567,667    $334,498    $569,993    $332,172        101%
                                                  ========    ========    ========    ========        ===
1996
  Life........................................    $422,700    $72,718     $424,907    $ 70,511        103%
  Accident and Health.........................       1,080    254,975        1,080     254,975        100
                                                  --------    --------    --------    --------        ---
    Total premiums............................    $423,780    $327,693    $425,987    $325,486        101%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     Transactions with Assurance, as part of the Pooling Agreement described in
Note 1, are reflected in the above table. Premium revenues ceded to
non-affiliated companies were $263.4 million, $116.2 million and $43.0 million
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Additionally, benefits and expenses for insurance claims and policyholder
benefits are net of reinsurance recoveries from non-affiliated companies of
$203.4 million, $77.8 million and $7.0 million for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
   
     Reinsurance receivables reflected on the balance sheets are amounts
recoverable from reinsurers who have assumed a portion of the Company's
insurance reserves. These balances are principally due from Assurance pursuant
the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement.
    
 
   
     The impact of reinsurance, including transactions with Assurance, on life
insurance in force is shown in the following schedule:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          LIFE INSURANCE IN FORCE
                                                 ------------------------------------------    ASSUMED/NET
                                                  DIRECT     ASSUMED     CEDED        NET           %
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
(In thousands of dollars)
December 31, 1998............................    $224,615    $32,253    $230,734    $26,134       123.4%
December 31, 1997............................    $166,308    $25,557    $168,353    $23,512       108.7
December 31, 1996............................    $108,126    $22,085    $109,873    $20,338       108.6
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
NOTE 9. RELATED PARTIES:
    
 
   
     As discussed in Note 1, VFL is party to a pooling agreement with its
parent, Assurance. In addition, VFL is party to the CNA Intercompany Expense
Agreement whereby expenses incurred by CNAF and each of its subsidiaries are
allocated to the
    
 
                                       80
<PAGE>   86
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 9.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
appropriate companies. All acquisition and underwriting expenses allocated to
VFL are further subject to the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement with Assurance, so
that acquisition and underwriting expenses recognized by VFL are ten percent of
the acquisition and underwriting expenses of the combined pool. Pursuant to the
foregoing agreements, VFL recorded amortization of deferred acquisition costs
and other operating expenses totaling $47.6 million, $45.3 million and $37.2
million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Expenses of VFL exclude $9.2
million, $9.9 million and $12.3 million of general and administrative expenses
incurred by VFL and allocated to CNAF for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively. At December 31, 1998, VFL had a payable of $1.9
million to affiliated companies. VFL had a $36.0 million affiliated receivable
at December 31, 1997, for net cash settlements due from Assurance in the normal
course of operations related to pooling and general expense reimbursements.
    
 
   
     There are no interest charges on intercompany receivables or payables.
During 1998, Assurance made a $30.0 million capital contribution to VFL.
    
 
   
NOTE 10.  LEGAL:
    
 
   
     VFL is party to litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The
outcome of this litigation will not, in the opinion of management, materially
affect the results of operations or equity of VFL.
    
 
   
NOTE 11. BUSINESS SEGMENTS:
    
 
   
     VFL operates in one reportable segment, the business of which is to market
and underwrite insurance products designed to satisfy the life, health and
retirement needs of individuals and groups. VFL products are distributed
primarily in the United States. Premium revenues earned outside the United
States are not material.
    
 
   
     The operations, assets and liabilities of VFL and its parent, Assurance,
are managed on a combined basis. Pursuant to a Reinsurance Pooling Agreement,
amended July 1, 1996, VFL cedes all of its business, excluding its Separate
Account business, to Assurance which is then pooled with the business of
Assurance, excluding Assurance's participating contracts and separate account
business, and 10% of the combined pool is assumed by VFL.
    
 
   
     The following represents premiums by product group for each of the years in
the three years ended December 31, 1998:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)                         1998        1997        1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Life........................................................    $ 75,259    $ 79,176    $ 70,511
Accident and Health.........................................     240,340     252,996     254,975
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................................    $315,599    $332,172    $325,486
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       81
<PAGE>   87
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED
    
 
   
NOTE 11.--(CONTINUED)
    
   
     Assurance is a large provider of health insurance benefits to postal and
other federal employees under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP).
Premiums under this contract totaled $2.0 billion, $2.1 billion and $2.1 billion
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and the
portion of these premiums assumed by VFL under the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement
totaled $202 million, $212 million and $210 million for the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
    
 
                                       82
<PAGE>   88
 
                                    GLOSSARY
 
     ACCUMULATION UNIT: A unit of measure we use to calculate Variable Contract
Value.
 
     ADJUSTED CONTRACT VALUE: The Contract Value plus or minus any applicable
Market Value Adjustment, less purchase payment tax charges not previously
deducted, less the annual administration fee.
 
     AGE: The age of any person on the birthday nearest the date for which we
determine Age.
 
     ANNUITANT: The person or persons whose life (or lives) determines the
Annuity Payments payable under the Contract and whose death determines the death
benefit. With regard to joint and survivorship Annuity Payment Options, the
maximum number of joint Annuitants is two and provisions referring to the death
of an Annuitant mean the death of the last surviving Annuitant. Provisions
relating to an action by the Annuitant mean, in the case of joint Annuitants,
both Annuitants acting jointly.
 
     ANNUITY DATE: The date on which we apply Surrender Value or Adjusted
Contract Value to purchase Annuity Units or to initiate Fixed Annuitization.
 
     ANNUITY PAYMENT: One of several periodic payments we make to the Payee
under an Annuity Payment Option.
 
     ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE: The date each month, quarter, semi-annual period, or
year as of which VFL computes Annuity Payments. The Annuity Payment Date(s) is
shown on the Contract.
 
     ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTION: The form of Annuity Payments you select under the
Contract. The Annuity Payment Option is shown on the Contract.
 
     ANNUITY UNIT: A unit of measure we use to calculate Variable Annuity
Payments.
 
     BENCHMARK RATE OF RETURN: An annual rate of return shown on the Contract
that we use to determine the degree of fluctuation in the amount of Variable
Annuity Payments in response to fluctuations in the net investment return of
selected Subaccounts. We assume (among other things) that the assets in the
Variable Account supporting the Contract will have a net annual investment
return over the anticipated Annuity Payment period equal to that rate of return.
 
     BENEFICIARY: The person(s) to whom we will pay the death benefit if
Annuitant dies prior to the Annuity Date.
 
     CANCELLATION PERIOD: The period described on the cover page of the Contract
during which you may return the Contract for a refund.
 
     THE CODE: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
     CONTINGENT ANNUITANT: The person that the Owner designates in the
application who becomes the Annuitant in the event that the Annuitant dies
before the Annuity Date while the Owner is still alive.
 
     CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY: The person(s) to whom we will pay the death benefit
if the Beneficiary (or Beneficiaries) is not living.
 
                                       83
<PAGE>   89
 
     CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY: The same date in each Contract Year as the Contract
Effective Date.
 
     CONTRACT EFFECTIVE DATE: The date on which VFL issues the Contract and upon
which the Contract becomes effective. The Contract Effective Date is shown on
the Contract and is used to determine Contract Years and Contract Anniversaries.
 
     CONTRACT YEAR: A twelve-month period beginning on the Contract Effective
Date or on a Contract Anniversary.
 
     CONTRACT VALUE: The total amount invested under the Contract. It is the sum
of Variable Contract Value and the Guaranteed Interest Option Value.
 
     DUE PROOF OF DEATH: Proof of death satisfactory to VFL. Due Proof of Death
may consist of the following if acceptable to VFL:
 
          (a) a certified copy of the death record;
 
          (b) a certified copy of a court decree reciting a finding of death; or
 
          (c) any other proof satisfactory to VFL.
 
     FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENT: An Annuity Payment that the General Account supports
and which does not vary in amount as a function of the investment return of the
Variable Account from one Annuity Payment Date to the next.
 
     FUND: Any open-end management investment company or investment portfolio
thereof or unit investment trust or series thereof, in which a Subaccount
invests.
 
     GENERAL ACCOUNT: VFL's assets, other than those allocated to the Variable
Account or any other separate account of VFL.
 
     GIO ACCOUNT: Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Guaranteed Interest Option
Separate Account.
 
     GUARANTEE AMOUNT: The amount equal to that part of any Net Purchase Payment
that you allocate to, or any amount you transfer to the GIO Account for a
designated Guarantee Period with a particular expiration date plus any interest
thereon and less the amount of any withdrawals (including any applicable
surrender charges and any applicable premium payment tax charge) or transfers
therefrom.
 
     GUARANTEE PERIOD: A specific number of years for which VFL agrees to credit
a particular effective annual rate of interest.
 
     GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION: An investment option under the Contract
supported by the GIO Account. It is not part of nor dependent upon the Variable
Account's investment performance.
 
     GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION VALUE: The sum of all Guarantee Amounts.
 
     GUARANTEED INTEREST RATE: Unless a Market Value Adjustment is made, an
effective annual rate of interest that VFL will pay on a Guarantee Amount.
 
     MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT: A positive or negative adjustment made to any
portion of a Guarantee Amount upon the surrender, withdrawal, transfer or
application to an Annuity
 
                                       84
<PAGE>   90
 
Payment Option of such portion of the Guarantee Amount prior to 30 days before
the expiration of the Guarantee Period applicable to that Guarantee Amount.
 
     NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE: The value per share of any Fund on any Valuation
Day. The method of computing the Net Asset Value Per Share is described in the
prospectus for the Funds.
 
     NET PURCHASE PAYMENT: A purchase payment less any premium payment tax
charge deducted from the purchase payment.
 
     NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT: A Contract that is not a "qualified contract."
 
     OWNER: The person or persons who owns (or own) the Contract and who is
(are) entitled to exercise all rights and privileges provided in the Contract.
The maximum number of joint Owners is two. Provisions relating to action by the
Owner mean, in the case of joint Owners, both Owners acting jointly. In the
context of a Contract issued on a group basis, Owners refers to holders of
certificates under a group Contract.
 
     PAYEE: The person entitled to receive Annuity Payments under the Contract.
The Annuitant is the Payee unless the Owner designates a different person as
Payee.
 
     QUALIFIED CONTRACT: A Contract that is issued in connection with a
retirement plan that qualifies for special federal income tax treatment under
Sections 401, 403(b), 408, 408A or 457 of the Code.
 
     SEC: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     SERVICE CENTER: The offices of VFL's administrative department at P.O. Box
305139, Nashville, Tennessee 37230-5139 (1-800-808-4537). Any overnight
deliveries should be sent to us at:
               CNA Insurance Company
               100 CNA Drive
               Attention: Variable POS/Correspondence Team
               Nashville, TN 37214
 
     SUBACCOUNT: A subdivision of the Variable Account, the assets of which are
invested in a corresponding Fund.
 
     SUBACCOUNT VALUE: The amount equal to that part of any Net Purchase Payment
allocated to the Subaccount and any amount transferred to that Subaccount,
adjusted by interest income, dividends, net capital gains or losses (actually
realized or not yet realized) and decreased by withdrawals (including any
applicable surrender charges and any applicable premium payment tax charge) and
any amounts transferred out of that Subaccount.
 
     SUCCESSOR OWNER: Any Owner named in the application to follow the original
Owner should the original Owner die, provided the original Owner is not also the
Annuitant.
 
     SURRENDER VALUE: The Adjusted Contract Value less any applicable surrender
charges.
 
     VALUATION DAY: For each Subaccount, each day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open for business except for certain holidays listed in the
prospectus and days that a Subaccount's corresponding Fund does not value its
shares.
 
                                       85
<PAGE>   91
 
     VALUATION PERIOD: The period that starts at the close of regular trading on
the New York Stock Exchange on any Valuation Day and ends at the close of
regular trading on the next succeeding Valuation Day.
 
     VARIABLE ACCOUNT: Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity
Separate Account.
 
     VARIABLE CONTRACT VALUE: The sum of all Subaccount Values.
 
     VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT: An Annuity Payment that may vary in amount from
one Annuity Payment Date to the next as a function of the investment experience
of one or more Subaccounts selected by the Owner to support such payments.
 
     VFL: Valley Forge Life Insurance Company.
 
     WRITTEN NOTICE: A notice or request submitted in writing in a form
satisfactory to VFL that the Owner signs and VFL receives at the Service Center.
 
                                       86
<PAGE>   92
   
                                   APPENDIX A
 
                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The Variable Account commenced operations in 1997. Following are the number
of Accumulation Units outstanding and their values at inception, at December 31,
1997 and December 31, 1998. This information should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements, including related notes, for the Variable Annuity
Separate Account (as well as the independent auditor's report thereon) which are
included in the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"). The SAI, having the
same date as this prospectus and providing additional information about the
Contract and the Variable Account, has been filed with the SEC and is
incorporated herein by reference.
 
     The audited financial statements of VFL (as well as the independent
auditor's report thereon) appear elsewhere herein.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               FEDERATED
                       FEDERATED                 HIGH      FIDELITY   FIDELITY
                         PRIME     FEDERATED    INCOME       VIP       VIP II    FIDELITY                   ALGER      ALGER
                         MONEY      UTILITY      BOND      EQUITY-     ASSET      VIP II      FIDELITY    AMERICAN    AMERICAN
                        FUND II     FUND II     FUND II     INCOME    MANAGER    INDEX 500   CONTRAFUND   SMALL CAP    GROWTH
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Unit value at
 inception...........  $  10.00     $ 10.00     $ 10.00    $ 10.00    $ 10.00     $ 10.00     $ 10.00      $ 10.00    $ 10.00
Unit value at
 December 31, 1997...  $   1.00     $ 14.29     $ 10.95    $ 24.28    $ 18.01     $114.39     $ 19.94      $ 43.75    $ 42.76
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1997...  861,083.8    3,546.7    17,395.3    20,427.1   14,845.4    4,920.8    16,502.8      4,473.8    5,832.2
Unit value at
 December 31, 1998...  $   1.00     $ 15.27     $ 10.92    $ 25.42    $ 18.16     $141.25     $ 24.44      $ 43.97    $ 53.22
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1998...  5,562,204    110,914     289,997    167,760    124,340      75,681     151,918       36,417    102,309
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        ALGER                             MFS                                 SOGEN      VANECK      VANECK
                       AMERICAN     MFS                 GROWTH      MFS                     OVERSEAS    WORLDWIDE   WORLDWIDE
                       MID-CAP    EMERGING     MFS       WITH     LIMITED        MFS        VARIABLE      HARD      EMERGING
                        GROWTH     GROWTH    RESEARCH   INCOME    MATURITY   TOTAL RETURN   PORTFOLIO    ASSETS      MARKETS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>
Unit value at
 inception...........  $ 10.00    $ 10.00    $ 10.00    $10.00    $ 10.00      $ 10.00       $ 10.00     $ 10.00     $ 10.00
Unit value at
 December 31, 1997...  $ 24.18    $ 16.14    $ 15.79    $16.44    $ 10.01      $ 16.63       $  9.77     $ 15.72     $ 11.00
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1997...  1,754.7    8,776.2    9,906.0    13,322.2  8,162.4     15,625.0      77,061.7       574.9     1,535.5
Unit value at
 December 31, 1998...  $ 28.87    $ 21.47    $ 19.05    $20.11    $ 10.16      $ 18.12       $ 10.07     $  9.20     $  7.12
Units outstanding at
 December 31, 1998...   40,631    136,181     88,093    118,618   101,531      104,481       202,429      15,342      56,387
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   93
 
                                   APPENDIX B
 
     The Market Value Adjustment is computed by multiplying the amount being
surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or applied to an Annuity Payment Option, by
the Market Value Adjustment factor. The Market Value Adjustment factor is
calculated as follows:
 
     Market Value Adjustment = Amount multiplied by
 
                                            F11+A2  (N/12)      G
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                              1+B        -1
 
          Where:
 
          "Amount" is the amount being surrendered, withdrawn, transferred or
     applied to an Annuity Payment Option less any applicable annual
     administration fees or transfer processing fees;
 
          "a" is the Guaranteed Interest Rate currently being credited to the
     "Amount"; and
 
          "b" is the Guaranteed Interest Rate that is currently being offered
     for a Guarantee Period of duration equal to the time remaining to the
     expiration of the Guarantee Period for the Guarantee Amount from which the
     "Amount" is taken. Where the time remaining to the expiration of the
     Guarantee Period is not 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years, "b" is the rate found by
     linear interpolation of the rate for the Guarantee Period having the
     duration closest to the time remaining or, if the time remaining is less
     than 1 year, "b" is the rate for a 1 year period; and
 
          "n" is the number of complete months remaining before the expiration
     of the Guarantee Period for the Guarantee Amount from which the "Amount" is
     taken.
 
     As an example of calculating "b" by linear interpolation, if the time
remaining to the expiration of the Guarantee Period is 4.5 years, the
interpolated Guaranteed Interest Rate is equal to the sum of one-fourth of the
three-year Guaranteed Interest Rate and three-fourths of the five-year
Guaranteed Interest Rate. If the three-year Guaranteed Interest Rate is 3.6% and
the five-year Guaranteed Interest Rate is 4%, the interpolated Guaranteed
Interest Rate equals 3.9%--that is, 3.6% multiplied by 0.25 plus 4% multiplied
by 0.75.
 
     The Market Value Adjustment is computed as in the following examples:
 
     1. Assume that the Owner selects a 7 year Guarantee Period and that VFL is
crediting a 3.75% effective annual interest rate on the amount allocated or
transferred to such Guarantee Period. Assume also that 55 months into the 7-year
Period (seven months into the fifth year), the Owner withdraws $7,500.
 
     If at the time of the withdrawal VFL is offering a 3.4% effective annual
rate of interest on Guarantee Periods of 3 years and a 3.0% effective annual
rate of interest on Guarantee Periods of 1 year, then:
 
     a = 0.03750
 
     b = 0.03283 = (0.034 * 17/24) + (0.03 * 7/24) = linear interpolation
between the 3 year rate and the 1 year rate
 
     The MVA factor = F(1.03750)G(29/12)-1 = 0.01096
                         -----------------------------------
                       (1.03283)
 
                                       B-1
<PAGE>   94
 
     MVA = $7,500.00 * 0.01096 = $82.20 Amount received = $7,500 + $82.20 =
$7,582.20
 
     If at the time of the withdrawal VFL is offering a 5.75% effective annual
rate of interest on Guarantee Periods of 3 years and a 6.5% effective annual
rate of interest on Guarantee Periods of 1 year, then:
 
     a = 0.03750
 
     b = 0.05969 = (0.0575 * 17/24) + (0.065 * 7/24) = linear interpolation
between the 3 year rate and the 1 year rate
 
     The MVA factor = F(1.03750)G(29/12)-1 = -0.04986
                         -----------------------------------
                       (1.05969)
 
     MVA = $7,500.00 * -0.04986 = -$373.95
 
     Amount received = $7,500 - $373.95 = $7,126.05
 
                                       B-2
<PAGE>   95
 
                                   APPENDIX C
 
     Assume that an Owner makes purchase payments on the first day of certain
Contract Years as shown in the table below. Assume also that the Owner withdraws
$7,500 during the seventh month of Contract Year five and $5,000 at the
beginning of Contract Years thirteen and fifteen. Assume that the Annuitant is
younger than age 76 for all twenty years. All "beginning of year death benefits"
are computed as of the first day of the Contract Year except for the figure for
Contract Year 5 which is computed as of the seventh month of that year (i.e., as
of the time of the $7,500 withdrawal).
 
EXPLANATIONS:
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Years 1 through 4 is
determined from the Contract Value at the end of the prior Contract Year plus
the purchase payment made at the beginning of the year for which the computation
is being made.
 
     The Death Benefit at the end of month 7 of Contract Year 5 is determined
from the prior year's Contract Value plus the purchase payment made at the
beginning of that year, minus the $7,500 withdrawn in the seventh month minus a
$318.75 surrender charge assessed in connection with the withdrawal.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Years 6 through 10 is
determined from the Contract Value at the end of the prior Contract Year plus
the purchase payment made at the beginning of the Year for which the computation
is being made. Since the first day of Contract Year 6 is a minimum death benefit
floor computation anniversary, a new death benefit floor amount is set at
$8,506.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 11 is determined solely
from the prior Year's Contract Value. Since this is a minimum death benefit
floor computation anniversary, a new death benefit floor amount is set at
$42,610.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 12 is determined from
the minimum death benefit which is the most recently reset death benefit floor
amount of $42,610. This is so because the Contract Value declined and no
purchase payments or withdrawals occurred since the prior reset of the death
benefit floor amount.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 13 is determined from
the minimum death benefit which is the most recently reset death benefit floor
amount of $42,610 adjusted for the $5,000 withdrawal. The $36,762 results from
$42,610 being multiplied by $31,432/$36,432.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 14 is the minimum death
benefit which is the most recently reset death benefit floor amount adjusted for
the $5,000 withdrawal made since that floor amount was set, or $36,762.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 15 is the minimum death
benefit which is the most recently reset death benefit floor amount of $42,610
adjusted for both $5,000 withdrawals made since that floor amount was set. The
$28,372 results from $42,610 being multiplied by $31,432/$36,432, and this
result multiplied by $16,908/$21,908.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 16 is the minimum death
benefit which is the most recently reset death benefit floor amount of $42,610
adjusted for both $5,000 withdrawals made since that floor amount was set. The
$28,372 results from
 
                                       C-1
<PAGE>   96
 
$42,610 being multiplied by $31,432/$36,432, and this result multiplied by
$16,908/$21,908. Even though this is a death benefit floor computation
anniversary, the death benefit floor amount is not reset since the Contract
Value has not exceeded its previous high of $42,610 occurring in Contract Year
10. No purchase payments or withdrawals were made.
 
     The Death Benefit at the beginning of Contract Year 17 through 20 is the
minimum death benefit which is the most recently reset death benefit floor
amount of $42,610 adjusted for both $5,000 withdrawals made since that floor
amount was set and adjusted further for the $10,000 purchase payment made on the
first day of Contract Year 17.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ACCUMULATED
 BEGINNING                                  NET       END OF YEAR                     BEGINNING YEAR
OF CONTRACT   PURCHASE                   PURCHASE     ACCUMULATION    END OF YEAR         DEATH
   YEAR       PAYMENTS    WITHDRAWALS    PAYMENTS      UNIT VALUE    CONTRACT VALUE      BENEFIT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>              <C>
     1         $ 2,000      $    0        $ 2,000       10.50000        $ 2,100          $ 2,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         $ 2,000      $    0        $ 4,000       11.23500        $ 4,387          $ 4,100
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         $ 2,500      $    0        $ 6,500       12.13380        $ 7,438          $ 6,887
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         $ 3,000      $    0        $ 9,500       13.34718        $11.482          $10.438
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         $ 4,000      $7,500        $ 6,000       14.81537        $ 8,506          $ 7,663
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         $ 5,000      $    0        $11,000       16.59321        $15,127          $13,506
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     7         $ 5,000      $    0        $16,000       18.25254        $22,139          $20,127
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8         $ 5,000      $    0        $21,000       19.71274        $29,310          $27,139
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9         $ 5,000      $    0        $26,000       20.89550        $36,369          $34,310
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    10         $ 5,000      $    0        $31,000       21.52237        $42,610          $41,369
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    11         $     0      $    0        $31,000       20.44625        $40,480          $42,610
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    12         $     0      $    0        $31,000       18.40162        $36,432          $42,610
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    13         $     0      $5,000        $26,000       15.64138        $26,717          $36,762
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    14         $     0      $    0        $26,000       12.82593        $21,908          $36,762
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    15         $     0      $5,000        $21,000       13.46723        $17,753          $28,372
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    16         $     0      $    0        $21,000       14.14059        $18,641          $28,372
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    17         $10,000      $    0        $31,000       14.14059        $28,641          $38,372
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    18         $     0      $    0        $31,000       13.43356        $27,209          $38,372
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    19         $     0      $    0        $31,000       13.43356        $27,209          $38,372
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    20         $     0      $    0        $31,000       13.97090        $28,297          $38,372
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       C-2
<PAGE>   97
 
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
              FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                   ISSUED BY
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                      AND
              VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY VARIABLE ANNUITY
                                SEPARATE ACCOUNT
 
     THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1999 IS NOT A
PROSPECTUS. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD BE READ IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1999 FOR THE VALLEY FORGE LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT WHICH IS
REFERRED TO HEREIN.
 
     THE PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH INFORMATION THAT A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD
KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING A CONTRACT. FOR A COPY OF THE PROSPECTUS, SEND A WRITTEN
REQUEST TO THE SERVICE CENTER AT P.O. BOX 305139, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
37230-5139 OR BY TELEPHONE 1-800-262-1755.
<PAGE>   98
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.....................................   1
   Money Market Subaccount Yields...........................   1
   Other Subaccount Yields..................................   2
   Average Annual Total Returns.............................   3
   Other Total Returns......................................   4
   Effect of the Annual Administration Fee on Performance
     Data...................................................   4
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS...................................   4
   Annuity Unit Value.......................................   4
   Illustration of Calculation of Annuity Unit Value........   5
   Illustration of Variable Annuity Payments................   5
VALUATION DAYS..............................................   5
OTHER INFORMATION...........................................   5
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS........................................   5
</TABLE>
 
                                        i
<PAGE>   99
 
                            PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
   
     From time to time, Valley Forge Life Insurance Company ("VFL" or "the
Company") may disclose yields, total returns, and other performance data
pertaining to the Contracts for a Subaccount. Such performance data will be
computed, or accompanied by performance data computed, in accordance with the
standards defined by the SEC.
    
 
     Because of the charges and deductions imposed under a Contract, the yield
for the Subaccounts will be lower than the yield for their respective Funds. The
calculation of yields, total returns and other performance data do not reflect
the effect of any premium tax that may be applicable to a particular Contract.
Premium taxes currently range generally from 0% to 3.5% of the annuity
considerations (purchase payments) based on the jurisdiction is which the
Contract is sold.
 
MONEY MARKET SUBACCOUNT YIELDS
 
     From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may quote the current
annualized yield of the Money Market Subaccount for a seven-day period in a
manner that does not take into consideration any realized or unrealized gains or
losses on shares of the Money Market Fund or on that Fund's portfolio
securities.
 
     This current annualized yield is computed by determining the net change
(exclusive of realized gains and losses on the sale of securities and unrealized
appreciation and depreciation) at the end of the seven-day period in the value
of a hypothetical account under a Contract having a balance of one unit of the
Money Market Subaccount at the beginning of the period, dividing such net change
in account value by the value of the hypothetical account at the beginning of
the period to determine the base period return, and annualizing this quotient on
a 365-day basis. The net change in account value reflects: 1) net income from
the Subaccount attributable to the hypothetical account; and 2) charges and
deductions imposed under the Contract that are attributable to the hypothetical
account. The charges and deductions include the per unit charges for the
hypothetical account for: 1) the annual administration fee; 2) the mortality and
expense risk charge; and 3) the asset-based administration charge. For purposes
of calculating current yields for a Contract, an average per unit annual
administration fee is used based on the $30 annual administration fee deducted
for the prior Contract Year of the Contract Anniversary. Current Yield is
calculated according to the following formula:
 
     Current Yield = ((NCS - ES)/UV) X (365/7)
 
     Where:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>  <C>  <C>
    NCS   =   the net change in the value of the Money Market Subaccount
              (exclusive of realized gains or losses on the sale of
              securities and unrealized appreciation and depreciation) for
              the seven-day period attributable to a hypothetical account
              having a balance of 1 Subaccount unit.
    ES    =   Per unit expenses attributable to the hypothetical account
              for the seven-day period.
    UV    =   The unit value for the first day of the seven-day period.
</TABLE>
 
     Effective Yield = (1 + (NCS - ES)/UV) 365/7 - 1
 
     Where:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>  <C>  <C>
    NCS   =   the net change in the value of the Money Market Subaccount
              (exclusive of realized gains or losses on the sale of
              securities and unrealized appreciation and depreciation) for
              the seven-day period attributable to a hypothetical account
              having a balance of 1 Subaccount unit.
    ES    =   per unit expenses attributable to the hypothetical account
              for the seven-day period.
    UV    =   the unit value for the first day of the seven-day period.
</TABLE>
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   100
 
     Because of the charges and deductions imposed under the Contract, the yield
for the Money Market Subaccount is lower than the yield for the Money Market
Fund.
 
     The current and effective yields on amounts held in the Money Market
Subaccount normally fluctuate on a daily basis. THEREFORE, THE DISCLOSED YIELD
FOR ANY GIVEN PAST PERIOD IS NOT AN INDICATION OR REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE
YIELDS OR RATES OF RETURN. The Money Market Subaccount's actual yield is
affected by changes in interest rates on money market securities, average
portfolio maturity of the Money Market Fund, the types and quality of portfolio
securities held by the Fund and the Fund's operating expenses. Yields on amounts
held in the Money Market Subaccount may also be presented for periods other than
a seven-day period.
 
     Yield calculations do not take into account the surrender charge under the
Contract equal to 4% to 7% of certain purchase payments during the five full
years between the date of receipt of the purchase payment and the date of
surrender or withdrawal.
 
OTHER SUBACCOUNT YIELDS
 
     From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may quote the current
annualized yield of one or more of the Subaccounts (except the Money Market
Subaccount) for a Contract for 30-day or one-month periods. The annualized yield
of a Subaccount refers to income generated by the Subaccount during a 30-day or
one-month period and is assumed to be generated each period over a 12-month
period.
 
     The yield is computed by 1) dividing the net investment income of the Fund
attributable to the Subaccount units less Subaccount expenses for the period; by
2) the maximum offering price per unit on the last day of the period times the
daily average number of units outstanding for the period; by 3) compounding that
yield for a six-month period; and by 4) multiplying that result by 2. Expenses
attributable to the Subaccount include the annual administration fee, the
asset-based administration charge and the mortality and expense risk charge. The
yield calculation assumes an annual administration fee of $30 per year per
Contract deducted for the prior Contract Year as of the Contract Anniversary.
For purposes of calculating the 30-day or one-month yield, an average
administration fee based on the average Variable Account Value is used to
determine the amount of the charge attributable to the Subaccount for the 30-day
or one-month period. The 30-day or one-month yield is calculated according to
the following formula:
 
     Yield = 2 X (((NI - ES)/(U X UV) + 1) 6 - 1)
 
     Where:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>  <C>  <C>
    NI    =   net income of the Fund for the 30-day or one-month period
              attributable to the Subaccount's units.
    ES    =   expenses of the Subaccount for the 30-day or one-month
              period.
    U     =   the average number of units outstanding.
    UV    =   the unit value at the close (highest) of the last day in the
              30-day or one-month period.
</TABLE>
 
     Because of the charges and deductions imposed under the Contracts, the
yield for the Subaccount is lower than the yield for the corresponding Fund.
 
     The yield on the amounts held in the Subaccounts normally fluctuates over
time. THEREFORE, THE DISCLOSED YIELD FOR ANY GIVEN PAST PERIOD IS NOT AN
INDICATION OR REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE YIELDS OR RATES OF RETURN. A subaccount's
actual yield is affected by the types and quality of the securities held by the
corresponding Fund and that Fund's operating expenses.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   101
 
     Yield calculations do not take into account the surrender charge under the
Contract equal to 4% to 7% of certain purchase payments during the five full
years between the date of receipt of the purchase payment and the date of
surrender or withdrawal.
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
 
     From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may quote standard
average annual total returns for one or more of the Subaccounts for Various
periods of time.
 
     When a Subaccount or Fund has been in operation for 1, 5, and 10 years,
respectively, the standard average annual total return for these periods will be
provided. Average annual total returns for other periods of time may, from time
to time, also be disclosed.
 
     Standard average annual total returns represent the average annual
compounded rates of return that would equate an initial investment of $1,000
under a Contract to the redemption value of that investment as of the last day
of each of the periods. The ending date for each period for which total return
quotations are provided will be for the most recent calendar quarter-end
practicable, considering the type of the communication and the media through
which it is communicated.
 
     Standard average annual total returns are calculated using Subaccount unit
values which the Company calculates on each Valuation Day based on the
performance of the Subaccount's underlying Fund, the deductions for the
mortality and expense risk charge, and the deductions for the asset-based
administration charge and the annual administration fee. The calculation assumes
that the annual administration fee is $30 per year per Contract deducted for the
prior Contract Year as of the Contract Anniversary. For purposes of calculating
standard average annual total return, an average per-dollar per-day annual
administration fee attributable to the hypothetical account for the period is
used. The calculation also assumes surrender of the Contract at the end of the
period for the return quotation. Standard average annual total returns will
therefore reflect a deduction of the surrender charge for any period less than
six years. The standard average annual total return is calculated according to
the following formula:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>  <C>  <C>
    TR    =   ((ERV/P 1/N) - 1
    Where:
    TR    =   the average annual total return net of Subaccount recurring
              charges.
    ERV   =   the ending redeemable value (net of any applicable surrender
              charge) of the hypothetical account at the end of the
              period.
    P     =   a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
    N     =   the number of years in the period.
</TABLE>
 
     From time to time, sales literature or advertisements any quote standard
average annual total returns for periods prior to the date the Variable Account
commenced operations. Such performance information for the Subaccounts is
calculated based on the performance of the various Funds and the assumption that
the Subaccounts were in existence for the same periods as those indicated for
the Funds, with the level of Contract charges that were in effect at the
inception of the Subaccounts.
 
     Fund total return information used to calculate the standard average annual
total returns of the Subaccounts for periods prior to the inception of the
Subaccounts has been provided by the Funds. The Funds are not affiliated with
the Company. While the Company has no reason to doubt the accuracy of these
figures provided by the Funds, the Company has not independently verified the
accuracy of these figures.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   102
 
OTHER TOTAL RETURNS
 
     From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may also quote
average annual total returns that do not reflect the surrender charge. These are
calculated in exactly the same way as standard average annual total returns
described above, except that the ending redeemable value of the hypothetical
account for the period is replaced with an ending value for the period that does
not take into account any charges on amounts surrendered or withdrawn.
 
     The company may disclose cumulative total returns in conjunction with the
standard formats described above. The cumulative total returns will be
calculated using the following formula:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>  <C>  <C>
    CTR   =   (ERV/P) - 1
    Where:
    CTR   =   The cumulative total return net of Subaccount recurring
              charges for the period.
    ERV   =   The ending redeemable value of the hypothetical investment
              at the end of the period.
    P     =   A hypothetical single payment of $1,000.
</TABLE>
 
EFFECT OF THE ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE ON PERFORMANCE DATA
 
     The Contract provides for a $30 annual administration fee to be deducted
annually for each prior Contract Year as of the Contract Anniversary, from the
Subaccount Values and Guarantee Amounts based on the proportion that each bears
to the Contract Value. For purposes of reflecting the change in yield and total
return quotations, the charge is converted into a per-dollar per-day charge
based on the average Subaccount Value and Guarantee Amount of all Contracts on
the last day of the period for which quotations are provided. The per-dollar
per-day average charge will then be adjusted to reflect the basis upon which the
particular quotation is calculated.
 
                           VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
 
     The value of an Annuity Unit is calculated at the same time that the value
of an Accumulation Unit is calculated and is based on the same values for Fund
shares and other assets and liabilities. (See "Annuity Payments" in the
Prospectus.) The Annuity Unit Value for each Subaccount's first Valuation Period
was set at $10. The Annuity Unit Value for a Subaccount for each subsequent
Valuation Period is equal to (a) multiplied by (b) divided by (c) where:
 
     (a) is the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which the
         Annuity Unit Value is being calculated;
 
     (b) is the Annuity Unit Value for the preceding Valuation Period; and
 
     (c) is a daily Benchmark Rate of Return factor (for the 3% benchmark rate
         of return) adjusted for the number of days in the Valuation Period.
 
     The Benchmark Rate of Return factor is equal to one plus 3%, or 1.03. The
annual factor can be translated into a daily factor of 1.00008098.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   103
 
     The following illustrations show, by use of hypothetical examples, the
method of determining the Annuity Unit Value and the amount of several Variable
Annuity Payments based on one Subaccount.
 
               ILLUSTRATION OF CALCULATION OF ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
 
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>                                                           <C>
 1.  Annuity Unit Value for immediately preceding Valuation
     Period......................................................  10.00000000
 2.  Net Investment factor.......................................   1.00036164
 3.  Daily factor to compensate for Benchmark Rate of Return of
     3%..........................................................   1.00008099
 4.  Adjusted Net Investment Factor (2)/(3)......................   1.00028063
 5.  Annuity Unit Value for current Valuation Period (4)X(1).....  10.00280630
</TABLE>
 
                   ILLUSTRATION OF VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS
                    (ASSUMING NO PREMIUM TAX IS APPLICABLE)
 
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>                                                           <C>
 1.  Number of Accumulation Units at Annuity Date................     1,000.00
 2.  Accumulation Unit Value.....................................  12.55548000
 3.  Adjusted Contract Value (1)X(2).............................  $ 12,555.48
 4.  First monthly Annuity Payment per $1,000 of adjusted
     Contract Value..............................................         9.63
 5.  First monthly Annuity Payment (3)X(4)/1,000.................  $    120.91
 6.  Annuity Unit Value..........................................  10.00280630
 7.  Number of Annuity Units (5)/(6).............................  12.08760785
 8.  Assume Annuity Unit value for second month equal to.........  10.04000000
 9.  Second Monthly Annuity Payment (7)X(8)......................  $    121.36
10.  Assume Annuity Unit Value for third month equal to..........  10.05000000
11.  Third Monthly Annuity Payment (7)X(10)......................  $    121.48
</TABLE>
 
                                 VALUATION DAYS
 
     As defined in the prospectus, for each Subaccount a Valuation Day is each
day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, except for
certain holidays listed in the prospectus and days that a Subaccount's
corresponding Fund does not value its shares.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
     A registration statement has been filed with the SEC under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Contracts discussed in this
Statement of Additional Information. Not all the information set forth in the
registration statement, amendments and exhibits thereto has been included in
this Statement of Additional Information. Statements contained in this Statement
of Additional Information concerning the content of the Contracts and other
legal instruments are summaries. For a complete statement of the terms of these
documents, reference should be made to the instruments filed with the SEC.
 
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
     Financial statements of VFL are presented in the prospectus. The following
financial statements are for the Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable
Annuity Separate Account.
    
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   104
 
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   105
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
To the Contractholders of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity
Separate Account and the Board of Directors of Valley Forge Life Insurance
Company:
    
 
   
     We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of
the subaccounts of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity Separate
Account (the "Account") as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
statements of operations and changes in net assets for the year ended December
31, 1998 and the period from inception through December 31, 1997. The
subaccounts that collectively comprise the Account are the Federated Prime Money
Fund II, Federated Utility Fund II, Federated High Income Bond Fund II, Fidelity
Variable Insurance Products Fund Equity-Income Portfolio, Fidelity Variable
Insurance Products Fund II Asset Manager Portfolio, Fidelity Variable Insurance
Products Fund II Index 500 Portfolio, Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund
II Contrafund Portfolio, The Alger American Fund Small Capitalization Portfolio,
The Alger American Growth Portfolio, The Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio,
MFS Emerging Growth Series, MFS Research Series, MFS Growth With Income Series,
MFS Limited Maturity Series, MFS Total Return Series, SoGen Overseas Variable
Fund, Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Fund and Van Eck Emerging Markets Fund.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Variable Account's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
    
 
   
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned at December 31, 1998 and 1997. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
    
 
   
     In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of each of the subaccounts that comprise the
Account as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the results of their operations and
the changes in their net assets for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the
period from inception through December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
    
 
   
Chicago, Illinois
    
   
February 23, 1999
    
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   106
 
   
                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                FIDELITY     FIDELITY
                                      FEDERATED    FEDERATED     FEDERATED      EQUITY-       ASSET       FIDELITY      FIDELITY
                                     PRIME MONEY    UTILITY     HIGH INCOME      INCOME      MANAGER      INDEX 500    CONTRAFUND
         DECEMBER 31, 1998             FUND II      FUND II     BOND FUND II   PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
ASSETS:
  Investments, at market value:      $5,562,204    $1,693,662    $3,166,765    $4,264,468   $2,258,023   $10,689,980   $3,710,438
                                     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   -----------   ----------
     TOTAL ASSETS                     5,562,204     1,693,662     3,166,765     4,264,468    2,258,023    10,689,980    3,710,438
                                     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   -----------   ----------
LIABILITIES                              -             -             -             -            -             -            -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                           $5,562,204    $1,693,662    $3,166,765    $4,264,468   $2,258,023   $10,689,980   $3,710,438
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                FIDELITY     FIDELITY
                                      FEDERATED    FEDERATED     FEDERATED      EQUITY-       ASSET       FIDELITY      FIDELITY
                                     PRIME MONEY    UTILITY     HIGH INCOME      INCOME      MANAGER      INDEX 500    CONTRAFUND
         DECEMBER 31, 1997             FUND II      FUND II     BOND FUND II   PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
ASSETS:
  Investments, at market value:      $  861,084    $   50,683    $  190,479    $  495,969   $  267,366   $   562,885   $  329,066
                                     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   -----------   ----------
     TOTAL ASSETS                       861,084        50,683       190,479       495,969      267,366       562,885      329,066
                                     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   -----------   ----------
LIABILITIES                              -             -             -             -            -             -            -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                           $  861,084    $   50,683    $  190,479    $  495,969   $  267,366   $   562,885   $  329,066
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                 See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
    
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   107
   
                      STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       THE ALGER                   THE ALGER                                 MFS                 
                                       AMERICAN      THE ALGER     AMERICAN       MFS                      GROWTH        MFS     
                                        SMALL         AMERICAN      MIDCAP      EMERGING       MFS          WITH       LIMITED   
                                    CAPITALIZATION     GROWTH       GROWTH       GROWTH      RESEARCH      INCOME      MATURITY  
      DECEMBER 31, 1998               PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO      SERIES       SERIES       SERIES       SERIES   
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <S>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        
ASSETS:                             
  Investments, at market value:       $1,601,255     $5,444,900   $1,173,004   $2,923,811   $1,678,171   $2,385,418   $1,031,558 
                                      ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------- 
     TOTAL ASSETS                      1,601,255      5,444,900    1,173,004    2,923,811    1,678,171    2,385,418    1,031,558 
                                      ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------- 
LIABILITIES                              -               -            -            -            -            -            -      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                            $1,601,255     $5,444,900   $1,173,004   $2,923,811   $1,678,171   $2,385,418   $1,031,558 
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    VAN ECK
                                           MFS         SOGEN      WORLDWIDE
                                          TOTAL       OVERSEAS      HARD
                                          RETURN      VARIABLE     ASSETS
      DECEMBER 31, 1998                   SERIES        FUND        FUND
                                      -------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>
ASSETS:                                 
  Investments, at market value:         $1,893,187   $2,038,462   $141,143
                                        ----------   ----------   --------
     TOTAL ASSETS                        1,893,187    2,038,462    141,143
                                        ----------   ----------   --------
LIABILITIES                                 -            -           -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                              $1,893,187   $2,038,462   $141,143
==========================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        THE ALGER                   THE ALGER                                 MFS                  
                                         AMERICAN      THE ALGER     AMERICAN       MFS                      GROWTH        MFS     
                                          SMALL         AMERICAN      MIDCAP      EMERGING       MFS          WITH       LIMITED   
                                      CAPITALIZATION     GROWTH       GROWTH       GROWTH      RESEARCH      INCOME      MATURITY  
      DECEMBER 31, 1997                 PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO      SERIES       SERIES       SERIES       SERIES   
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <S>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        
ASSETS:                               
  Investments, at market value:            195,731
                                        $              $  249,383   $   42,427   $  141,648   $  156,415   $  219,017   $   81,706 
     TOTAL ASSETS                       ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------- 
                                           195,731        249,383       42,427      141,648      156,415      219,017       81,706 
LIABILITIES                             ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------- 
- ------------------------------------       -               -            -            -            -            -            -      
NET ASSETS                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $  195,731     $  249,383   $   42,427   $  141,648   $  156,415   $  219,017   $   81,706 
==================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   VAN ECK
                                           MFS         SOGEN      WORLDWIDE
                                          TOTAL       OVERSEAS      HARD
                                          RETURN      VARIABLE     ASSETS
      DECEMBER 31, 1997                   SERIES        FUND        FUND
                                      -------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>          <C>
ASSETS:                               
  Investments, at market value:       $  259,844   $  752,892   $  9,037
                                      ----------   ----------   --------
     TOTAL ASSETS                        259,844      752,892      9,037
                                      ----------   ----------   --------
LIABILITIES                                    -            -          -
                                      ----------------------------------
NET ASSETS                            $  259,844   $  752,892   $  9,037
========================================================================  
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                 See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
    
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   108
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         FIDELITY    FIDELITY
                                 FEDERATED    FEDERATED    FEDERATED      EQUITY-      ASSET      FIDELITY     FIDELITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED              PRIME MONEY    UTILITY    HIGH INCOME     INCOME      MANAGER    INDEX 500    CONTRAFUND
DECEMBER 31, 1998                 FUND II      FUND II    BOND FUND II   PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO   PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
Investment income:
   Dividend income               $295,559     $ 11,976      $ 14,362     $ 37,197    $ 34,952    $   53,264    $ 26,355
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
                                  295,559       11,976        14,362       37,197      34,952        53,264      26,355
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
Expenses:
   Mortality and expense risk
     and administration charges    88,446        8,774        23,782       28,910      15,939        75,642      22,913
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
                                   88,446        8,774        23,782       28,910      15,939        75,642      22,913
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME
        (LOSS)                    207,113        3,202        (9,420)       8,287      19,013       (22,378)      3,442
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
Investment gains and (losses):
   Net realized gains (losses)        634       26,859        (8,426)      (6,499)    (25,723)      153,627      34,709
   Net unrealized gains
     (losses)                       -           70,495       (18,378)     193,083     166,937     1,134,905     472,743
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
      NET REALIZED AND
        UNREALIZED INVESTMENT
        GAINS (LOSSES)                634       97,354       (26,804)     186,584     141,214     1,288,532     507,452
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
  ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS                     $207,747     $100,556      $(36,224)    $194,871    $160,227    $1,266,154    $510,894
========================================================================================================================
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION
TO
DECEMBER 31, 1997                4-MAR-97     17-MAR-97     1-MAY-97     21-FEB-97   21-FEB-97   17-MAR-97    21-FEB-97
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income:
   Dividend income               $ 21,053     $     82      $  1,192        -           -            -            -
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
                                   21,053           82         1,192        -           -            -            -
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
Expenses:
   Mortality, expense risk and
     administration charges         5,938          150           647     $  1,842    $  1,397    $    1,805    $    917
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
                                    5,938          150           647        1,842       1,397         1,805         917
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME
        (LOSS)                     15,115          (68)          545       (1,842)     (1,397)       (1,805)       (917)
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
Investment gains and (losses):
   Net realized gains (losses)      -               85         1,461       18,226      11,160         9,302       3,732
   Net unrealized gains
     (losses)                       -            4,190         3,915        6,272       1,593        19,813       4,074
                                 --------     --------      --------     --------    --------    ----------    --------
      NET REALIZED AND
        UNREALIZED INVESTMENT
        GAINS (LOSSES)              -            4,275         5,376       24,498      12,753        29,115       7,806
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
  ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS                     $ 15,115     $  4,207      $  5,921     $ 22,656    $ 11,356    $   27,310    $  6,889
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   109
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  THE ALGER                   THE ALGER                              MFS                          
                                   AMERICAN      THE ALGER    AMERICAN       MFS                   GROWTH        MFS         MFS  
                                    SMALL         AMERICAN     MIDCAP     EMERGING       MFS        WITH       LIMITED      TOTAL 
                                CAPITALIZATION     GROWTH      GROWTH      GROWTH     RESEARCH     INCOME     MATURITY     RETURN 
                                  PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO    SERIES      SERIES      SERIES      SERIES      SERIES 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>     
Investment income:                                                                                                                 
   Dividend income                 $128,450      $  341,214   $ 25,115    $  5,508    $  7,886       -           -         $27,446
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
                                    128,450         341,214     25,115       5,508       7,886       -           -          27,446
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
Expenses:                                                                                                                         
   Mortality and expense risk                                                                                                     
     and administration charges      12,751          33,774      6,729      16,497       9,361    $ 16,356    $  7,862      14,613
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
                                     12,751          33,774      6,729      16,497       9,361      16,356       7,862      14,613
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                                                                                       
        (LOSS)                      115,699         307,440     18,386     (10,989)     (1,475)    (16,356)     (7,862)     12,833
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
Investment gains and (losses):                                                                                                    
   Net realized gains (losses)      (39,387)        (39,007)   (16,647)     40,933      10,492      40,525      11,121      20,622
   Net unrealized gains                                                                                                           
     (losses)                        41,796         805,569    148,089     507,545     161,921     194,052     (22,155)     48,663
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
      NET REALIZED AND                                                                                                            
        UNREALIZED INVESTMENT                                                                                                     
        GAINS (LOSSES)                2,409         766,562    131,442     548,478     172,413     234,577     (11,034)     69,285
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET                                                                                                    
  ASSETS RESULTING FROM                                                                                                           
  OPERATIONS                       $118,108      $1,074,002   $149,828    $537,489    $170,938    $218,221    $(18,896)    $82,118
===================================================================================================================================
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION                                                                                                     
TO                                                                                                                                
DECEMBER 31, 1997                  3-APR-97      17-JUN-97    21-FEB-97   21-FEB-97   21-FEB-97   13-MAR-97   1-MAY-97    21-FEB-97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income:                                                                                                                
   Dividend income                 $     51          -        $     89       -           -        $  5,132    $  3,140       -    
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
                                         51          -              89       -           -           5,132       3,140       -    
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
Expenses:                                                                                                                         
   Mortality, expense risk and                                                                                                    
     administration charges             661      $      621        199    $    692    $    969         792         470     $ 1,259
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
                                        661             621        199         692         969         792         470       1,259
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                                                                                       
        (LOSS)                         (610)           (621)      (110)       (692)       (969)      4,340       2,670      (1,259)
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
Investment gains and (losses):                                                                                                    
   Net realized gains (losses)        5,548             732      1,490         122       3,145       2,986       1,202       5,264
   Net unrealized gains                                                                                                           
     (losses)                       (13,637)         (8,997)    (1,453)      3,958       5,519       5,310      (1,986)     11,648
                                   --------      ----------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------     -------
      NET REALIZED AND                                                                                                            
        UNREALIZED INVESTMENT                                                                                                     
        GAINS (LOSSES)               (8,089)         (8,265)        37       4,080       8,664       8,296        (784)     16,912
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET                                                                                                    
  ASSETS RESULTING FROM                                                                                                           
  OPERATIONS                       $ (8,699)     $   (8,886)  $    (73)   $  3,388    $  7,695    $ 12,636    $  1,886     $15,653
===================================================================================================================================
                  

<CAPTION>
                                                     VAN ECK
                                          SOGEN     WORLDWIDE      VAN ECK
                                         OVERSEAS     HARD        EMERGING
                                         VARIABLE    ASSETS        MARKETS
                                           FUND       FUND          FUND
                                      ----------------------      ---------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>           <C>
Investment income:
   Dividend income                          -       $  5,831      $     783
                                         --------   --------      ---------
                                            -          5,831            783
                                         --------   --------      ---------
Expenses:
   Mortality and expense risk
     and administration charges          $ 24,005      1,223          3,457
                                         --------   --------      ---------
                                           24,005      1,223          3,457
                                         --------   --------      ---------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME
        (LOSS)                            (24,005)     4,608         (2,674)
                                         --------   --------      ---------
Investment gains and (losses):
   Net realized gains (losses)                (62)   (20,683)       (49,149)
   Net unrealized gains
     (losses)                             (64,430)   (20,082)       (60,604)
                                         --------   --------      ---------
      NET REALIZED AND
        UNREALIZED INVESTMENT
        GAINS (LOSSES)                    (64,492)   (40,765)      (109,753)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
  ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS                             $(88,497)  $(36,157)     $(112,427)
===========================================================================
FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION
TO
DECEMBER 31, 1997                        3-FEB-97   3-APR-97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income:
   Dividend income                          -          -              -
                                         --------   --------      ---------
                                            -          -              -
                                         --------   --------      ---------
Expenses:
   Mortality, expense risk and
     administration charges              $  8,364   $     20      $      94
                                         --------   --------      ---------
                                            8,364         20             94
                                         --------   --------      ---------
      NET INVESTMENT INCOME
        (LOSS)                             (8,364)       (20)           (94)
                                         --------   --------      ---------
Investment gains and (losses):
   Net realized gains (losses)              7,592         11           (404)
   Net unrealized gains
     (losses)                             (34,846)      (189)        (4,665)
                                         --------   --------      ---------
      NET REALIZED AND
        UNREALIZED INVESTMENT
        GAINS (LOSSES)                    (27,254)      (178)        (5,069)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
  ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS                             $(35,618)  $   (198)     $  (5,163)
===========================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   110
 
   
                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                             FIDELITY       FIDELITY
                                 FEDERATED     FEDERATED     FEDERATED        EQUITY-        ASSET       FIDELITY      FIDELITY
     FOR THE PERIOD ENDED       PRIME MONEY     UTILITY     HIGH INCOME       INCOME        MANAGER      INDEX 500    CONTRAFUND
       DECEMBER 31, 1998          FUND II       FUND II     BOND FUND II     PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO     PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>           <C>
From operations:
 Net investment income (loss)   $   207,113    $   3,202     $   (9,420)    $    8,287     $   19,013   $   (22,378)  $    3,442
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses)                       634       97,354        (26,804)       186,584        141,214     1,288,532      507,452
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from operations      207,747      100,556        (36,224)       194,871        160,227     1,266,154      510,894
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
From capital transactions:
 Net premiums/deposits           24,848,283    1,307,253      2,301,701      2,167,250      1,237,984     6,238,184    1,114,162
 Death benefits                     (15,275)     (19,978)       (13,846)        (7,421)        -             -           (10,449)
 Surrenders                        (198,856)     (15,885)       (12,264)       (37,904)        (1,620)      (50,773)     (23,821)
 Withdrawals                       (112,539)     (77,318)       (93,235)       (31,134)       (22,890)     (110,964)     (23,659)
 Transfers into (out of)
   subaccounts, net -- Note 1   (20,028,240)     348,351        830,154      1,482,837        616,956     2,784,494    1,814,245
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from capital
     transactions                 4,493,373    1,542,423      3,012,510      3,573,628      1,830,430     8,860,941    2,870,478
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
Increase in net assets            4,701,120    1,642,979      2,976,286      3,768,499      1,990,657    10,127,095    3,381,372
Net assets at beginning of
 period                             861,084       50,683        190,479        495,969        267,366       562,885      329,066
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD     $ 5,562,204    $1,693,662    $3,166,765     $4,264,468     $2,258,023   $10,689,980   $3,710,438
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT AT END
 OF PERIOD                      $      1.00    $   15.27     $    10.92     $    25.42     $    18.16   $    141.25   $    24.44
================================================================================================================================
UNITS OUTSTANDING AT END OF
 PERIOD                           5,562,204      110,914        289,997        167,760        124,340        75,681      151,818
================================================================================================================================
 FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION
              TO
       DECEMBER 31, 1997          4-MAR-97     17-MAR-97      1-MAY-97       21-FEB-97     21-FEB-97     17-MAR-97    21-FEB-97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From operations:
 Net investment income (loss)   $    15,115    $     (68)    $      545     $   (1,842)    $   (1,397)  $    (1,805)  $     (917)
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses)                    -             4,275          5,376         24,498         12,753        29,115        7,806
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from operations       15,115        4,207          5,921         22,656         11,356        27,310        6,889
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
From capital transactions:
 Net premiums/deposits            3,534,379       22,534        116,421        427,889        186,728       444,865      146,548
 Withdrawals                         (6,610)       -               (507)          (701)           (12)         (704)      -
 Transfers into (out of)
   subaccounts, net -- Note 1    (2,681,800)      23,942         68,644         46,125         69,294        91,414      175,629
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from capital
     transactions                   845,969       46,476        184,558        473,313        256,010       535,575      322,177
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
Increase in net assets              861,084       50,683        190,479        495,969        267,366       562,885      329,066
Net assets at beginning of
 period                              -             -             -              -              -             -            -
                                ------------   ----------    ----------     ----------     ----------   -----------   ----------
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD     $   861,084    $  50,683     $  190,479     $  495,969     $  267,366   $   562,885   $  329,066
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT AT END
 OF PERIOD                      $      1.00    $   14.29     $    10.95     $    24.28     $    18.01   $    114.39   $    19.94
================================================================================================================================
UNITS OUTSTANDING AT END OF
 PERIOD                             861,084        3,547         17,395         20,427         14,845         4,921       16,503
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   111
 
   
                      STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    THE                         THE
                                   ALGER           THE         ALGER                                   MFS                   
                                  AMERICAN        ALGER       AMERICAN       MFS                      GROWTH        MFS      
                                   SMALL         AMERICAN      MIDCAP      EMERGING       MFS          WITH       LIMITED    
     FOR THE PERIOD ENDED      CAPITALIZATION     GROWTH       GROWTH       GROWTH      RESEARCH      INCOME      MATURITY   
       DECEMBER 31, 1998         PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO    PORTFOLIO      SERIES       SERIES       SERIES       SERIES    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         
From operations:
 Net investment income (loss)   $   115,699     $  307,440   $   18,386   $  (10,989)  $   (1,475)  $ (16,356)   $  (7,862)  
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses)                     2,409        766,562      131,442      548,478      172,413     234,577      (11,034)  
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  
   Change in net assets
     resulting from operations      118,108      1,074,002      149,828      537,489      170,938     218,221      (18,896)  
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  
From capital transactions:
 Net premiums/deposits            1,012,659      2,385,652      456,073      845,164      586,011   1,164,678      743,654   
 Death benefits                      (3,193)        -            (3,436)      -            -           (4,023)      (7,699)  
 Surrenders                         (27,136)       (13,467)      -            (9,089)      (1,253)      -           (6,502)  
 Withdrawals                        (16,711)       (33,198)      (1,155)     (24,319)     (11,140)    (17,911)      (6,087)  
 Transfers into (out of)
   subaccounts, net -- Note 1       321,797      1,782,528      529,267    1,432,918      777,200     805,436      245,382   
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  
   Change in net assets
     resulting from capital
     transactions                 1,287,416      4,121,515      980,749    2,244,674    1,350,818   1,948,180      968,748   
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  
Increase in net assets            1,405,524      5,195,517    1,130,577    2,782,163    1,521,756   2,166,401      949,852   
Net assets at beginning of
 period                             195,731        249,383       42,427      141,648      156,415     219,017       81,706   
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------  ----------   ----------  
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD     $ 1,601,255     $5,444,900   $1,173,004   $2,923,811   $1,678,171  $2,385,418   $1,031,558  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT AT END
 OF PERIOD                      $     43.97     $   53.22    $    28.87   $    21.47   $    19.05   $   20.11    $   10.16   
==========================================================================================================================
UNITS OUTSTANDING AT END OF
 PERIOD                              36,417        102,309       40,631      136,181       88,093     118,618      101,531   
==========================================================================================================================
 FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION
              TO
       DECEMBER 31, 1997          3-APR-97      17-JUN-97    21-FEB-97    21-FEB-97    21-FEB-97    13-MAR-97     1-MAY-97   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From operations:
 Net investment income (loss)   $      (610)    $     (621)  $     (110)  $     (692)  $     (969)  $   4,340    $   2,670   
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses)                    (8,089)        (8,265)          37        4,080        8,664       8,296         (784)  
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------    ---------  
   Change in net assets
     resulting from operations       (8,699)        (8,886)         (73)       3,388        7,695      12,636        1,886   
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------    ---------  
From capital transactions:
 Net premiums/deposits              186,908        203,646       38,097       99,654      121,533     124,921       75,938   
 Withdrawals                        -               -            -            -            -            -             (960)  
 Transfers into (out of)
   subaccounts, net -- Note 1        17,522         54,623        4,403       38,606       27,187      81,460        4,842   
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------    ---------  
   Change in net assets
     resulting from capital
     transactions                   204,430        258,269       42,500      138,260      148,720     206,381       79,820   
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------    ---------  
Increase in net assets              195,731        249,383       42,427      141,648      156,415     219,017       81,706   
Net assets at beginning of
 period                             -               -            -            -            -            -            -       
                                -----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------    ---------  
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD     $   195,731     $  249,383   $   42,427   $  141,648   $  156,415   $ 219,017    $  81,706   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT AT END
 OF PERIOD                      $     43.75     $    42.76   $    24.18   $    16.14   $    15.79   $   16.44    $   10.01   
==========================================================================================================================
UNITS OUTSTANDING AT END OF
 PERIOD                               4,474          5,832        1,755        8,776        9,906      13,322        8,162   
==========================================================================================================================
 
<CAPTION>

                                                           VAN ECK
                                   MFS         SOGEN      WORLDWIDE       VAN ECK
                                  TOTAL       OVERSEAS      HARD         EMERGING
     FOR THE PERIOD ENDED         RETURN      VARIABLE     ASSETS         MARKETS
       DECEMBER 31, 1998          SERIES        FUND        FUND           FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
From operations:
 Net investment income (loss)   $   12,833   $  (24,005)  $  4,608       $  (2,674)
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses)                   69,285      (64,492)   (40,765)       (109,753)
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from operations      82,118      (88,497)   (36,157)       (112,427)
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
From capital transactions:
 Net premiums/deposits             968,524    1,098,070    128,466         348,583
 Death benefits                     -            (3,348)     -               -
 Surrenders                         (7,865)     (16,724)   (20,009)         (3,769)
 Withdrawals                       (11,868)     (21,157)    (1,198)         (4,392)
 Transfers into (out of)
   subaccounts, net -- Note 1      602,434      317,226     61,004         156,590
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from capital
     transactions                1,551,225    1,374,067    168,263         497,012
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
Increase in net assets           1,633,343    1,285,570    132,106         384,585
Net assets at beginning of
 period                            259,844      752,892      9,037          16,890
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD     $1,893,187   $2,038,462   $141,143       $ 401,475
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT AT END
 OF PERIOD                      $    18.12   $    10.07   $   9.20       $    7.12
==================================================================================
UNITS OUTSTANDING AT END OF
 PERIOD                            104,481      202,429     15,342          56,387
==================================================================================
 FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION
              TO
       DECEMBER 31, 1997        21-FEB-97     3-FEB-97    3-APR-97       
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From operations:                                                         
 Net investment income (loss)   $   (1,259)  $   (8,364)  $    (20)      $     (94)
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses)                   16,912      (27,254)      (178)         (5,069)
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from operations      15,653      (35,618)      (198)         (5,163)
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
From capital transactions:                                                        
 Net premiums/deposits             186,723      819,873      4,326          19,999
 Withdrawals                          (786)        (959)     -               -
 Transfers into (out of)                                                 
   subaccounts, net -- Note 1       58,254      (30,404)     4,909           2,054
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
   Change in net assets
     resulting from capital
     transactions                  244,191      788,510      9,235          22,053
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
Increase in net assets             259,844      752,892      9,037          16,890
Net assets at beginning of
 period                             -            -           -               -
                                ----------   ----------   --------       ---------
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD     $  259,844   $  752,892   $  9,037
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT AT END
 OF PERIOD                      $    16.63   $     9.77   $  15.72       $   11.00
==================================================================================
UNITS OUTSTANDING AT END OF
 PERIOD                             15,625       77,062        575           1,536
==================================================================================
</TABLE>
     
 
                 See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   112
 
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
   
                               DECEMBER 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
                              NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
     Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity Separate Account
("Variable Account"), a unit investment trust registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is a separate
account of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company ("VFL"). The Variable Account
began operation on February 3, 1997. The assets of the Variable Account are
segregated from VFL's general account and its other separate accounts. VFL is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Assurance Company ("Assurance").
Assurance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Casualty Company
("Casualty"), which is wholly-owned by CNA Financial Corporation ("CNA"). Loews
Corporation owns approximately 85% of the outstanding common stock of CNA.
    
 
   
     VFL sells a wide range of life insurance products, including the Flexible
Premium Deferred Annuity Contract ("Contract"). Under the terms of the Contract,
contractholders select where the net purchase payments of the Contract are
invested. The contractholder may choose to invest in either the Variable
Account, the Guaranteed Interest Option Separate Account ("GIO Account") or both
the Variable Account and the GIO Account.
    
 
   
     The Variable Account currently offers 18 subaccounts each of which invests
in shares of corresponding funds ("Funds"), in which the contractholders bear
all of the investment risk. Each Fund is either an open-end diversified
management investment company or a separate investment portfolio of such a
company and is managed by a registered investment advisor ("Investment
Advisor"). The Investment Advisors and subaccounts are identified in Notes 3 and
4.
    
 
   
     The GIO Account is also a separate account of VFL. Through the guaranteed
interest option, VFL offers specified effective annual rates of interest that
are credited daily and available for specified periods of time. Contractholders
choosing the guaranteed interest option do not participate in the investment
performance of the GIO Account and this performance does not determine the GIO
Account value or benefits relating thereto.
    
 
   
     The assets of the GIO Account and the Variable Account are held separately
from other VFL assets and from the general account of VFL. The contractholder
(before the maturity date, while the contractholder is still living or the
Contract is in force) may transfer all or part of any subaccount value to
another subaccount(s) or to the GIO Account, or transfer all or part of GIO
Account value to any subaccounts. The GIO Account, however, unlike the Variable
Account, is not registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. Separate
financial statements are not prepared for the GIO Account and the accompanying
financial statements do not reflect amounts invested in the GIO Account.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   113
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
   
                               DECEMBER 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
               NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
     VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS -- Investments in the Variable Account consist of
shares of the Funds and are stated at market value based on quoted market
prices. Changes in the difference between market value and cost are reflected as
net unrealized gains (losses) in the accompanying financial statements.
    
 
   
     INVESTMENT INCOME -- Investment income consists of dividends declared by
the Funds and are recognized on the date of record.
    
 
   
     REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES -- Realized investment gains and
losses in the Variable Account represent the difference between the proceeds
from sales of shares of the Funds held by the subaccount and the cost of such
shares, which is determined using the average cost method.
    
 
   
     FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- Net investment income and realized gains and losses
on investments of the Variable Account are taxable to contractholders generally
upon distribution. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been recorded
in the accompanying financial statements.
    
 
   
     USE OF ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the opinion of Variable Accounts' management, these statements include all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary for
the fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and
changes in net assets in the accompanying financial statements.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   114
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
   
                               DECEMBER 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                              NOTE 3. INVESTMENTS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
     The investments in the Funds/subaccounts of the Variable Account at
December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 are as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISOR                                                        MARKET
FUND/SUBACCOUNT                                 SHARES        COST         VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>          <C>
FEDERATED ADVISERS:
  FEDERATED PRIME MONEY FUND II
     December 31, 1998                         5,562,204   $5,562,204   $ 5,562,204
     December 31, 1997                           861,084   $  861,084   $   861,084
  FEDERATED UTILITY FUND II
     December 31, 1998                           110,914   $1,618,977   $ 1,693,662
     December 31, 1997                             3,547   $   46,493   $    50,683
  FEDERATED HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II
     December 31, 1998                           289,997   $3,181,228   $ 3,166,765
     December 31, 1997                            17,395   $  186,564   $   190,479
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY:
  FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO
     ("FIDELITY EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO")
     December 31, 1998                           167,760   $4,065,113   $ 4,264,468
     December 31, 1997                            20,427   $  489,697   $   495,969
  FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO
     ("FIDELITY ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO")
     December 31, 1998                           124,340   $2,089,493   $ 2,258,023
     December 31, 1997                            14,845   $  265,773   $   267,366
  FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO
     ("FIDELITY INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO")
     December 31, 1998                            75,681   $9,535,262   $10,689,980
     December 31, 1997                             4,921   $  543,072   $   562,885
  FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO
     ("FIDELITY CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO")
     December 31, 1998                           151,818   $3,233,621   $ 3,710,438
     December 31, 1997                            16,503   $  324,992   $   329,066
FRED ALGER MANAGEMENT, INC.:
  THE ALGER AMERICAN SMALL CAPITALIZATION PORTFOLIO
     December 31, 1998                            36,417   $1,573,096   $ 1,601,255
     December 31, 1997                             4,474   $  209,368   $   195,731
  THE ALGER AMERICAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
     December 31, 1998                           102,309   $4,648,328   $ 5,444,900
     December 31, 1997                             5,832   $  258,380   $   249,383
  THE ALGER AMERICAN MIDCAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
     December 31, 1998                            40,631   $1,026,368   $ 1,173,004
     December 31, 1997                             1,755   $   43,880   $    42,427
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   115
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
   
                               DECEMBER 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                        NOTE 3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISOR                                                        MARKET
FUND/SUBACCOUNT                                 SHARES        COST         VALUE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>          <C>
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY:
  MFS EMERGING GROWTH SERIES
     December 31, 1998                           136,181   $2,412,308   $ 2,923,811
     December 31, 1997                             8,776   $  137,690   $   141,648
  MFS RESEARCH SERIES
     December 31, 1998                            88,093   $1,510,731   $ 1,678,171
     December 31, 1997                             9,906   $  150,896   $   156,415
  MFS GROWTH WITH INCOME SERIES
     December 31, 1998                           118,618   $2,186,056   $ 2,385,418
     December 31, 1997                            13,322   $  213,707   $   219,017
  MFS LIMITED MATURITY SERIES
     December 31, 1998                           101,531   $1,055,699   $ 1,031,558
     December 31, 1997                             8,162   $   83,692   $    81,706
  MFS TOTAL RETURN SERIES
     December 31, 1998                           104,481   $1,832,876   $ 1,893,187
     December 31, 1997                            15,625   $  248,196   $   259,844
SOCIETE GENERALE ASSETS MANAGEMENT CORP.:
  SOGEN OVERSEAS VARIABLE FUND
     December 31, 1998                           202,429   $2,137,738   $ 2,038,462
     December 31, 1997                            77,062   $  787,738   $   752,892
VAN ECK ASSOCIATES CORPORATION:
  VAN ECK WORLDWIDE HARD ASSETS FUND
     December 31, 1998                            15,342   $  161,414   $   141,143
     December 31, 1997                               575   $    9,226   $     9,037
  VAN ECK EMERGING MARKETS FUND
     December 31, 1998                            56,387   $  466,744   $   401,475
     December 31, 1997                             1,536   $   21,555   $    16,890
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   116
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
   
                               DECEMBER 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
                        NOTE 4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
     The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of Funds
in the subaccounts for the year ended December 31, 1998 and from inception
through 1997 are as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISOR                          1998                       1997
FUND/SUBACCOUNT                    PURCHASES       SALES      PURCHASES      SALES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
FEDERATED ADVISERS:
  Federated Prime Money Fund II   $37,915,138   $33,510,211   $3,550,031   $2,710,000
  Federated Utility Fund II         2,109,966       576,317      131,884       85,557
  Federated High Income Bond
     Fund II                        3,840,081       851,353      226,400       42,489
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH COMPANY:
  Fidelity Equity-Income
     Portfolio                      4,569,909     1,025,191      675,097      203,626
  Fidelity Asset Manager
     Portfolio                      2,313,974       499,483      429,770      175,157
  Fidelity Index 500 Portfolio     10,107,926     1,322,627      646,677      112,906
  Fidelity Contrafund Portfolio     3,468,672       621,107      366,624       45,364
FRED ALGER MANAGEMENT, INC.:
  The Alger American Small
     Capitalization Portfolio       1,599,548       324,883      327,651      123,882
  The Alger American Growth
     Portfolio                      4,889,796       802,055      391,931      134,284
  The Alger American MidCap
     Growth Portfolio               1,170,468       196,448       55,923       13,622
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY:
  MFS Emerging Growth Series        2,619,399       391,222      319,665      182,097
  MFS Research Series               1,743,636       402,179      181,534       33,784
  MFS Growth With Income Series     2,781,439       849,615      231,099       25,510
  MFS Limited Maturity Series       1,655,554       694,668      135,099       55,749
  MFS Total Return Series           2,062,990       526,378      466,510      223,577
SOCIETE GENERALE ASSETS MANAGEMENT CORP.:
  SoGen Overseas Variable Fund      1,826,237       476,175      994,765      214,619
VAN ECK ASSOCIATES CORPORATION:
  Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets
     Fund                             212,775        45,735       10,106          892
  Van Eck Emerging Markets Fund       623,134       129,579       26,885        4,925
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   117
   
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
   
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    
   
                       VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
    
   
                               DECEMBER 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                         NOTE 5. CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
     VFL deducts a daily charge from the assets of the Variable Account to
compensate it for mortality and expense risks that it assumes under the
Contract. The daily charge is equal to an annual rate of 1.25% of the net assets
of the subaccount.
    
 
   
     An annual administration fee of $30 is also deducted from the subaccounts
on each Contract if the contract value is below $50,000. This fee covers a
portion of VFL's administrative expenses related to the contracts.
    
 
   
     VFL deducts a daily administration charge from the assets of the
subaccounts on each Contract to compensate it for a portion of the expenses it
incurs in administering the contracts. The daily charge is equal to an annual
rate of 0.15% of the net assets of the subaccounts.
    
 
   
     VFL permits 12 transfers among and between the subaccounts within the
Variable Account (four of which can be applied to the GIO Account) per contract
year without an assessment of a fee. For each additional transfer, VFL charges
$25 at the time each such transfer is processed. The fee is deducted from the
amount being transferred.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
                      NOTE 6. DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
     Under the provisions of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(the Code), a variable annuity contract, other than a contract issued in
connection with certain types of employee benefit plans, will not be treated as
an annuity contract for federal tax purposes for any period for which the
investments of the segregated asset account on which the contract is based are
not adequately diversified. The Code provides that the "adequately diversified"
requirement may be met if the underlying investments satisfy either a statutory
safe harbor test or diversification requirements set forth in regulations issued
by the Secretary of the Treasury. VFL believes, based on the prospectuses of
each of the Funds that the Variable Account participates in, that the Funds
satisfy the diversification requirement of the regulations.
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   118
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

        Not Applicable

ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
        The Separate Account has no officers, directors or employees.  The 
        depositor and the registrant do not indemnify the officers,
        directors or  employees of the depositor.  CNA-Financial Corporation,
        ("CNAFC") a  parent of the depositor, indemnifies the depositor's
        officers,  directors and employees in their capacity as such.  Most of
        the  depositor's officers, directors and employees are also officers,   
        directors and/or employees of CNAFC.

        CNAFC indemnifies any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
        be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
        proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative 
        (other than an action by or in the right of CNAFC) by reason of the 
        fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of CNAFC,
        or was serving at the request of CNAFC as a director, officer, employee
        or agent of another corporation, partnership,joint venture, trust or 
        other enterprise, against expenses (including attorney's fees), 
        judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
        incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if 
        he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in 
        or not opposed to the best interests of CNAFC, and, with respect to any
        criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his 
        conduct was unlawful.

        CNAFC indemnifies any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
        be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit 
        by or in the right of CNAFC to procure a judgment in its favor by 
        reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or 
        agent of CNAFC, or was serving at the request of CNAFC as a director, 
        officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint 
        venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including 
        attorney's fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection 
        with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in 
        good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
        opposed to the best interests of CNAFC.  No indemnification is made, 
        however, in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such 
        person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or 
        misconduct in the performance of his duty to CNAFC unless and only to 
        the extent that a court determines that, despite the

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   119
         adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of
         the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity
         for such expenses which the court deems proper.
                
         To the extent that any person referred to above is successful on the
         merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding
         referred to above,or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
         CNAFC will indemnify such person against expenses (including
         attorney's fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
         therewith.  CNAFC may advance to such a person, expenses incurred in
         defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding as authorized
         by CNAFC's board of directors upon receipt of an undertaking by (or on
         behalf of) such person to repay the amount advanced unless it is
         ultimately determined that he is entitled to be indemnified.
                
         Indemnification and advancement of expenses described above (unless
         pursuant to a court order) is only made as authorized in the specific
         case upon a determination that such indemnification or advancement of
         expenses is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
         applicable standard of conduct.  Such determination must be made by a
         majority vote of a quorum of CNAFC's board of directors who are not
         parties to the action, suit or proceeding or by independent legal
         counsel in a written opinion or by CNAFC's stockholders.
                
         Insofar as indemnification for liability 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 Act 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 Act and will be
         governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
        
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

         Not applicable

ITEM 16(a). EXHIBITS

                1.      Form of Underwriting Agreement between Valley Forge
                        Life Insurance Company (the "Company") and CNA 
                        Investor Services, Inc.*
                3(i).   Articles of Incorporation of Valley Forge Life
                        Insurance Company.*
                 (ii).  By-Laws of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company.*
<PAGE>   120
4.                      (a)     Form of Flexible Premium Deferred Variable
                                Annuity Contract.*
                        (b)     Form of Qualified Plan Endorsement.*
                        (c)     Form of IRA Endorsement.*
                        (d)     Form of Nursing Home Confinement, Terminal
                                Medical Condition, Total Disability*
                5.      Opinion regarding legality and consent.*

                                      II-2
<PAGE>   121

                10.     (a)     Form of Participation Agreement between the
                                Company and Insurance Management Series.*
                        (b)     Form of Participation Agreement between the
                                Company and Variable Insurance Products
                                Fund.*
                        (c)     Form of Participation Agreement between the
                                Company and The Alger American Fund.*
                        (d)     Form of Participation Agreement between the
                                Company and MFS Variable Insurance
                                Trust.*
                        (e)     Form of Participation Agreement between the
                                Company and SoGen Variable Funds, Inc.*
                        (f)     Form of Participation Agreement between
                                the Company and Van Eck Worldwide Insurance
                                Trust.*
                23.     (a)     Consent of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP
   
                        (b)     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
    
                27.     Financial Data Schedule.


         *Incorporated herein by reference to Form N-4 Registration Statement 
          filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 
          1996.

         (b)     Financial Statement Schedules

                 (i)    Schedule III  Supplementary Insurance
                          Information      

                 (ii)   Schedule V  Valuation and Qualifying
                          Accounts and Reserves

                        Other schedules are omitted because of the absence of
                        conditions under which they are required or because the
                        information is provided in the Financial Statements or
                        notes thereto.

   
    

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

         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;
        
<PAGE>   122




(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.

               Valley Forge Life Insurance Company hereby represents that the
               fees and charges deducted under the Contract, in the aggregate,
               are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses
               expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Valley 
               Forge Life Insurance Company.


                                      II-3

<PAGE>   123


                                   SIGNATURES

   
     As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the registrant certifies that it has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf, by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois, on this 16th day
of April 1999.
    
                                                           
                                           VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                                        (Registrant)

Attest:  /s/ JONATHAN D. KANTOR                By:  /s/ W. JAMES. MACGINNITIE
       ------------------------------             ------------------------------
       Jonathan D. Kantor                         W. JAMES. MACGINNITIE
       Senior Vice President,                     Senior Vice President,
       Secretary and General                      Chief Financial Officer,
       Counsel, Director                          Director

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment
to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. 
     
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Signature                        Title                                   Date
- --------------------------       ------------------------               --------------------
<S>                             <C>                                     <C>                  

/s/ PHILIP L. ENGEL              President, Director                     April 16, 1999
- ----------------------------
Philip L. Engel


/s/ BERNARD L. HENGESBAUGH       Chairman of the Board,                  April 16, 1999
- ----------------------------     Chief Executive Officer,
Bernard L. Hengesbaugh           Director


/s/ PETER E. JOKIEL              Senior Vice President                   April 16, 1999
- ----------------------------                                                           
Peter E. Jokiel                          


/s/ JONATHAN D. KANTOR           Senior Vice President, Secretary,       April 16, 1999
- ----------------------------     General Counsel, 
Jonathan D. Kantor               Director


/s/W. JAMES MACGINNITIE          Senior Vice President,                  April 16, 1999
- ---------------------------      Chief Financial Officer,   
W. James MacGinnitie             Director



</TABLE>
                                      II-4


<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT 23(a)


               [Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP Letterhead]


   
                                        April 16, 1999
    


Board of Directors
Valley Forge Life Insurance Company
CNA Plaza
Chicago, IL  60685

Directors:

        We hereby consent to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus filed as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to
the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by Valley Forge Life Insurance
Company (Reg. File No. 333-1083) with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933.


                                        Very truly yours,

                                        SUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP


                                        By:  /s/ DAVID S. GOLDSTEIN
                                        David S. Goldstein

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(b)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



   
We consent to the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration
Statement No. 333-1083 on Form S-1 of Valley Forge Life Insurance Company of our
report on the financial statements and financial statement schedules of Valley
Forge Life Insurance Company, dated February 10, 1999, and our report on the
financial statements of the Valley Forge Life Insurance Company Variable Annuity
Separate Account, dated February 23, 1999, appearing in the Registration
Statement and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the
Registration Statement.
    



   
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 16, 1999
    


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           460,516
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                       2,218
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 618,787
<CASH>                                           3,750
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                           2,119,897
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         111,963
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,991,429
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,438,305
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  93,001
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           42,746
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     261,320
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,991,429
                                     315,599
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             35,539
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              16,967
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   7,959
<BENEFITS>                                     309,900
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     11,807
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            35,813
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,544
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,091
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,453
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,453
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   349.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   349.06
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99-1
                                                                    SCHEDULE III
                      VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                      SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
                                       
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

                                 GROSS INSURANCE RESERVES                                       
                              -------------------------------                                             AMORTIZATION
                               CLAIM                                                        INSURANCE          OF
                   DEFERRED     AND        FUTURE      POLICY-       NET         NET        CLAIMS AND       DEFERRED     OTHER
  Year Ended     ACQUISITION   CLAIM       POLICY      HOLDERS'    PREMIUM    INVESTMENT   POLICYHOLDERS'  ACQUISITION  OPERATING
  December 31,      COSTS     EXPENSE     BENEFITS      FUNDS      REVENUE      INCOME       BENEFITS        COSTS      EXPENSES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>       <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>     
       1998      $111,963   $ 93,001    $ 2,438,305   $ 42,746   $ 315,599   $ 35,539      $ 301,900      $ 11,807      $ 35,813
                 ========   ========    ===========   ========   =========   ========      =========      ========      ========
       1997      $ 95,354   $ 81,242    $ 1,906,899   $ 39,928   $ 332,172   $ 29,913      $ 307,207      $ 11,818      $ 33,505
                 ========   ========    ===========   ========   =========   ========      =========      ========      ========
       1996      $ 74,589   $ 60,568    $ 1,621,504   $ 38,145   $ 325,486   $ 29,312      $ 304,840      $  1,177      $ 36,022
                 ========   ========    ===========   ========   =========   ========      =========      ========      ========

</TABLE>





   
    

<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99-2
    
                                                                      SCHEDULE V
                     VALLEY FORGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             BALANCE      CHARGED      CHARGED                    BALANCE
                                                               AT           TO           TO                         AT
                                                            BEGINNING    COSTS AND      OTHER                     END OF
(In thousands of dollars)                                   OF PERIOD    EXPENSES      AMOUNTS     DEDUCTIONS     PERIOD
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 
     Deducted from assets:
     Allowance for doubtful accounts:
       Insurance receivables.......................         $  285       $    9       $    -       $  268       $   26
                                                            ======       ======       ========     ======       ======
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 
     Deducted from assets:
     Allowance for doubtful accounts:
       Insurance receivables.......................         $  378       $  246       $    -       $  339       $  285
                                                            ======       ======       ========     ======       ======
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 
     Deducted from assets:
     Allowance for doubtful accounts:
       Insurance receivables.......................         $  175       $  212       $    -       $    9       $  378
                                                            ======       ======       ========     ======       ======
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



   
    


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