VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCT C OF AETNA LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO
485BPOS, 1997-04-11
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange            Registration No. 33-91846*
Commission on April 11, 1997                         Registration No. 811-2513

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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

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                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 10 TO
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                and Amendment To

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

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     Variable Annuity Account C of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                    Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
                               (Name of Depositor)

            151 Farmington Avenue, RE4A, Hartford, Connecticut 06156
         (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

        Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (860) 273-7834

                            Susan E. Bryant, Counsel
                    Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
            151 Farmington Avenue, RE4A, Hartford, Connecticut 06156
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

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It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

                  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
       --------
          X       on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
       --------

Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant has
registered an indefinite number of securities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Registrant filed a Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
on February 28, 1997.

*Pursuant to Rule 429(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, Registrant has
included a combined prospectus under this Registration Statement which includes
all the information which would currently be required in a prospectus relating
to the securities covered by the following earlier Registration Statement:
33-75976.

<PAGE>

                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C
                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    FORM N-4
    ITEM NO.                      PART A (PROSPECTUS)                          LOCATION

<S>               <C>                                                   <C>
       1          Cover Page..........................................  Cover Page

       2          Definitions.........................................  Definitions

       3          Synopsis............................................  Prospectus Summary; Fee Table

       4          Condensed Financial Information.....................  Condensed Financial Information

       5          General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and
                  Portfolio Companies.................................  The Company; Variable Annuity Account C; The
                                                                        Funds

       6          Deductions and Expenses.............................  Charges and Deductions; Distribution

       7          General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts...  Purchase; Miscellaneous

       8          Annuity Period......................................  Annuity Period

       9          Death Benefit.......................................  Death Benefit During Accumulation Period;
                                                                        Death Benefit Payable During the Annuity
                                                                        Period

       10         Purchases and Contract Value........................  Purchase; Contract Valuation

       11         Redemptions.........................................  Right to Cancel; Withdrawals

       12         Taxes...............................................  Tax Status

       13         Legal Proceedings...................................  Miscellaneous - Legal Matters and Proceedings

       14         Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional
                  Information.........................................  Contents of the Statement of Additional
                                                                        Information

<PAGE>



<CAPTION>
     Form N-4
     Item No.            Part B (Statement of Additional Information)                 Location
     --------            --------------------------------------------                 --------

<S>                  <C>                                                    <C>
        15           Cover Page...........................................  Cover page

        16           Table of Contents....................................  Table of Contents

        17           General Information and History......................  General Information and History

        18           Services.............................................  General Information and History;
                                                                            Independent Auditors

        19           Purchase of Securities Being Offered.................  Offering and Purchase of Contracts

        20           Underwriters.........................................  Offering and Purchase of Contracts

        21           Calculation of Performance Data......................  Performance Data; Average Annual
                                                                            Total Return Quotations

        22           Annuity Payments.....................................  Annuity Payments

        23           Financial Statements.................................  Financial Statements
</TABLE>

                           Part C (Other Information)
                           --------------------------

Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate
item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

                                  PROSPECTUS

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The Contracts offered in connection with this Prospectus are group deferred
variable annuity contracts ("Contracts") issued by Aetna Life Insurance and
Annuity Company (the "Company"). The Contracts are designed to fund plans that
provide retirement income for employees of educational institutions. The
Contracts are available through participation in retirement programs which
receive favorable tax deferred treatment under Federal income tax law. (See
"Purchase.")

The Contracts provide that contributions may be allocated to one or more of the
Credited Interest Options or to one or more of the Subaccounts of Variable
Annuity Account C, a separate account of the Company. The Subaccounts invest
directly in shares of the following Funds:

[bullet] Aetna Variable Fund
[bullet] Aetna Income Shares
[bullet] Aetna Variable Encore Fund
[bullet] Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.
[bullet] Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio
[bullet] Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio
[bullet] Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio
[bullet] Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation Portfolio
[bullet] Aetna Variable Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio
[bullet] Aetna Variable Small Company Portfolio
[bullet] Alger American Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Alger American Small Cap Portfolio
[bullet] American Century VP Capital Appreciation
    (formerly known as TCI Growth)

[bullet] Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio
[bullet] Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio
[bullet] Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio
[bullet] Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio
[bullet] Franklin Government Securities Trust
[bullet] Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio
[bullet] Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio
[bullet] Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio
[bullet] Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Lexington Natural Resources Trust
[bullet] Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio
[bullet] Scudder International Portfolio Class A Shares

The Credited Interest Options currently available under the Contract are the
Guaranteed Accumulation Account, the Fixed Plus Account and the Fixed Account
(available for accumulation only in limited circumstances). Except as
specifically mentioned, this Prospectus describes only investments through the
Separate Account. A brief description of each of the Credited Interest Options
is contained in Appendices to this Prospectus. Additional information concerning
the Guaranteed Accumulation Account is contained in a separate prospectus.

The availability of the Funds and the Credited Interest Options is subject to
applicable regulatory authorization. Not all Funds or Credited Interest Options
may be available in all jurisdictions, under all Contracts, or under all Plans.
Please check with your employer to determine option availability. (See
"Investment Options.")

   
This Prospectus provides investors with the information that they should know
about the Separate Account before investing in the Contract. Additional
information about the Separate Account is contained in a Statement of Additional
Information ("SAI") which is available at no charge. The SAI has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Table of Contents for the SAI is printed on page 17 of this Prospectus. An
SAI may be obtained by indicating the request on the enrollment form or on the
prospectus receipt contained in this Prospectus, or by calling the number listed
under the "Inquiries" section of the Prospectus Summary. You may also obtain an
SAI for any of the Funds by calling that phone number.
    

THIS PROSPECTUS IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES OF
THE FUNDS AND THE GUARANTEED ACCUMULATION ACCOUNT. ALL PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE
READ AND RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

   
THIS PROSPECTUS, THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
ABOUT THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (SEC) CAN BE FOUND IN THE SEC'S WEB SITE AT http://www.sec.gov.
    

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

This Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information are dated May 1,
1997.

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

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- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEFINITIONS ..................................................  DEFINITIONS - 1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY ...........................................      SUMMARY - 1
FEE TABLE ....................................................... FEE TABLE - 1
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION ............................... AUV HISTORY - 1
THE COMPANY ............................................................      1
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C .............................................      1
INVESTMENT OPTIONS   ...................................................      1
  The Funds ............................................................      1
  Credited Interest Options   ..........................................      4
PURCHASE ...............................................................      5
  Contract Availability ................................................      5
  Purchasing Interests in the Contract .................................      5
  Rights Under the Contract   ..........................................      5
  Right to Cancel ......................................................      5
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS  ................................................      5
  Daily Deductions from the Separate Account ...........................      5
    Mortality and Expense Risk Charge  .................................      5
    Asset Based Sales Charge  ..........................................      6
    Administrative Expense Charge   ....................................      6
  Fund Expenses   ......................................................      6
  Premium and Other Taxes  .............................................      6
CONTRACT VALUATION   ...................................................      7
  Account Value   ......................................................      7
  Accumulation Units ...................................................      7
  Net Investment Factor ................................................      7
TRANSFERS   ............................................................      7
  Dollar Cost Averaging Program  .......................................      7
WITHDRAWALS ............................................................      8
  Reinvestment Privilege   .............................................      8
CONTRACT LOANS .........................................................      8
ADDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS ..........................................      8
DEATH BENEFIT DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD  ..............................      9
ANNUITY PERIOD .........................................................     10
  Annuity Period Elections .............................................     10
  Annuity Options ......................................................     10
  Duration of Annuity Payments   .......................................     11
  Charges Deducted During the Annuity Period ...........................     11
  Death Benefit Payable During the Annuity Period  .....................     11
TAX STATUS  ............................................................     12
  Introduction .........................................................     12
  Taxation of the Company  .............................................     12
  Contracts Used with Certain Retirement Plans  ........................     12

<PAGE>

MISCELLANEOUS  ............................................................  14
  Distribution ............................................................  14
  Delay or Suspension of Payments   .......................................  15
  Performance Reporting ...................................................  15
  Voting Rights   .........................................................  15
  Changes in Beneficiary Designations  ....................................  15
  Modification of the Contract   ..........................................  16
  Legal Matters and Proceedings  ..........................................  16
CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   .....................  17
APPENDIX I--GUARANTEED ACCUMULATION ACCOUNT  ..............................  18
APPENDIX II--FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT  ..........................................  19
APPENDIX III--FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT (Applicable Only In Limited Circumstances)  21
APPENDIX IV--FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT (Applicable Only In Limited Circumstances)   23
APPENDIX V--FIXED ACCOUNT (Applicable Only In Limited Circumstances) ......  25

THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANY
PERSON TO GIVE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE CONTAINED HEREIN.
<PAGE>
                                  DEFINITIONS

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The following terms are defined as they are used in this Prospectus:

Account: A record which identifies contract values accumulated on behalf of each
Participant during the Accumulation Period. One or more Employee Accounts and
Employer Accounts may be established for each Participant.

Account Value: The total dollar value of amounts held in an Account as of each
Valuation Date during the Accumulation Period.

Account Year: A period of twelve months measured from the date on which an
Account is established (the effective date) or from an anniversary of such
effective date.

Accumulation Period: The period during which Purchase Payment(s) credited to an
Account are invested to fund future annuity payments.

Accumulation Unit: A measure of the value of each Subaccount before annuity
payments begin.

Annuitant: The person on whose life or life expectancy the annuity payments are
based.

Annuity: A series of payments for life, a definite period or a combination of
the two.

Annuity Date: The date on which annuity payments begin.

Annuity Period: The period during which annuity payments are made.

Annuity Unit: A measure of the value of each Subaccount selected during the
Annuity Period.

Beneficiary(ies): The person(s) entitled to receive any death benefit upon the
death of the Participant.

Code: Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company (We, Us): Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company.

Contract: The group deferred variable annuity contracts offered by this
Prospectus.

Contract Holder: The entity to whom the Contract is issued. The Contract Holder
is usually the employer.

Credited Interest Options: The fixed interest options under the Contract. The
Credited Interest Options currently consist of the Guaranteed Accumulation
Account and the Fixed Plus Account, each of which is described in an Appendix to
this Prospectus. The Fixed Account is an additional Credited Interest Option
described in an Appendix to this Prospectus; however, the Fixed Account is
available during accumulation only in limited circumstances. Amounts allocated
to the Credited Interest Options are included in the Account Value.

Employee Account: An account that is credited with payments derived from
employee salary reduction or salary deduction contributions (as provided for by
the Plan) and remitted to the Company by the employer on behalf of each
Participant.

Employer Account: An account that is credited with net Purchase Payments made by
the Contract Holder.

Fund(s): An open-end registered management investment company whose shares are
purchased by the Separate Account to fund the benefits provided by the Contract.

Home Office: The Company's principal executive offices located at 151 Farmington
Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.

Loan Account: An account established for record keeping purposes and credited
with the amount of any loan.

Master Contracts: Contracts used in conjunction with a group of affiliated
government institutions of higher education.

Participant (You): A person participating in a Plan maintained by an eligible
organization.

Plan(s): Tax-deferred retirement plans adopted by higher education systems for
their employees under Section 401(a) or Section 403(b) of the Code.

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                                 DEFINITIONS - 1
<PAGE>

Purchase Payment(s): The gross payment(s) submitted to the Company under a
Contract.

Section 403(b) Contract: A Contract that accepts Purchase Payments made pursuant
to Code Section 403(b) and transferred funds attributable to Code Section
403(b).

Section 401(a) Contract: A Contract that accepts Purchase Payments made pursuant
to Code Section 401(a) and transferred funds attributable to Section 401(a)
contributions. Section 401(a) Contracts issued to some Plans may also accept
Purchase Payments made pursuant to Code Section 414(h) and transferred funds
attributable to Section 414(h).

Separate Account: Variable Annuity Account C, a separate account established by
the Company for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts issued by the
Company.

Subaccount(s): The portion of the assets of the Separate Account that is
allocated to a particular Fund. Each Subaccount invests in the shares of only
one corresponding Fund.

Valuation Date: The date and time at which the value of the Accumulation Unit
Value and Annuity Unit Value of a Subaccount is calculated. Currently, this
calculation occurs after the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange on
any normal business day, Monday through Friday, that the New York Stock Exchange
is open.

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                                DEFINITIONS - 2

<PAGE>

                              PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

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CONTRACTS OFFERED

     The Contracts offered in connection with this Prospectus are group deferred
variable annuity contracts issued by Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
(the "Company"). The purpose of the Contract is to accumulate values and to
provide benefits upon retirement. The Contracts are available for institutions
of higher education to fund (1) tax-deferred annuity programs under Section
403(b) of the Code, and/or (2) qualified defined contribution plans under
Section 401(a) of the Code. Section 401 Contracts issued to some Plans may also
accept payments and transferred funds made pursuant to Section 414(h) of the
Code.

CONTRACT PURCHASE

     The Contract may be purchased by institutions of higher education on behalf
of a group made up of their employees. One or more Contracts are issued to the
Contract Holder once we receive a completed master application form(s). Eligible
employees may participate in the Contract by completing the enrollment form (and
any other required forms) and submitting them to the Company. Depending upon the
terms of the Plan, Purchase Payments can be applied to the Contract either
through a lump-sum transfer, through periodic salary reduction or salary
deduction, or through employer contributions. For each Contract, one or more
Employee Accounts will be established for contributions made by an employee, and
one or more Employer Accounts may be established for contributions made by the
employer on the employee's behalf. (See "Purchase.")

FREE LOOK PERIOD

     You or the Contract Holder may cancel participation in the Contract within
10 days after you receive the Contract or other document evidencing your
interest in the Contract (or longer if required by state law) by returning it to
the Company along with a written notice of cancellation. Unless state law
requires otherwise, the amount that will be received upon cancellation will
reflect the investment performance of the Subaccounts into which Purchase
Payments were deposited. In some cases this may be more or less than the amount
of Purchase Payments. (See "Purchase--Right to Cancel.")

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     The Company has established Variable Annuity Account C, a registered unit
investment trust, for the purpose of funding the variable portion of the
Contracts. The Separate Account is divided into Subaccounts which invest
directly in shares of the Funds described herein. The Contract allows investment
in any or all of the Subaccounts, as well as in the Credited Interest Options
described below. The total number of investment options that may be selected
during the Accumulation Period is limited. For a complete list of the Funds
available under the Contracts, a description of the investment objectives of
each of the Funds and their investment advisers, and a description of the
limitations on the number of investment options, see "Investment Options--The
Funds" in this Prospectus, as well as the prospectuses for each of the Funds.

     The Contract also provides for investment in Credited Interest Options
which allow you to earn fixed rates of interest. The fixed options available
under the Contract are the Guaranteed Accumulation Account ("GAA"), the Fixed
Plus Account and the Fixed Account (available during accumulation only in
limited circumstances). (See the Appendices to this Prospectus.)

CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

     Certain charges are associated with these Contracts. These charges include
daily deductions from the Separate Account (the mortality and expense risk
charges, an asset based sales charge and an administrative expense charge), as
well as premium and other taxes. Not all charges apply to all Contracts. The
Funds also incur certain fees and expenses which are deducted directly from the
Funds. (See the Fee Table and "Charges and Deductions.")

TRANSFERS

     Subject to certain limitations, Account Values may be transferred among the
Subaccounts and the Credited Interest Options without charge. Transfers can be
requested in writing or by telephone in accordance with the Company's transfer
procedures. (See the Appendices for a full description of the restrictions
applicable to transfers made from the Credited Interest Options.) (See
"Transfers.")

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                                  SUMMARY - 1

<PAGE>

WITHDRAWALS

     All or a part of the Account Value may be withdrawn prior to the Annuity
Date, subject to Plan provisions, by properly completing a disbursement form and
sending it to the Company. Limitations apply to withdrawals from the Credited
Interest Options. A distribution can be made from certain Employer Accounts and
certain Employee Accounts (as provided by the Plan) only if the Contract Holder
certifies in writing that you are eligible, both as to timing and form of
distribution. The withdrawal will generally be subject to income tax and may be
subject to a federal tax penalty. The Code restricts full and partial
withdrawals in some circumstances. (See "Withdrawals.")

     The Contract also offers certain Additional Withdrawal Options during the
Accumulation Period to persons meeting certain criteria. Additional Withdrawal
Options are not available in all states and may not be suitable in every
situation. (See "Additional Withdrawal Options.")

LOANS

     If allowed by the Plan, Participants may request a loan from their Account
Value during the Accumulation Period. (See "Contract Loans.")

DEATH BENEFIT

     A death benefit is payable if the Participant dies before the Annuity Date.
Death benefit proceeds will be paid to the Beneficiary. Until the election of a
method of payment, the Account Value will remain invested under the Contract.
The Beneficiary may elect to receive the proceeds in a lump sum or under any of
the payment options available under the Contract. However, the Code requires
that distributions begin within a certain time period. (See "Death Benefit
During the Accumulation Period.")

     After Annuity Payments have commenced, a death benefit may be payable to
the Beneficiary depending upon the terms of the Contract and the Annuity Option
selected. (See "Death Benefit Payable During the Annuity Period.")

THE ANNUITY PERIOD

     You may elect to begin receiving Annuity Payments on the Annuity Date. For
certain Employer and Employee Accounts, the Contract Holder must provide written
certification that the distribution is in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
(See "Rights Under the Contract.") Annuity Payments can be made on either a
fixed, variable or combination fixed and variable basis. If you choose a
variable payout, the payments will vary with the investment performance of the
Subaccount(s) selected. The Company reserves the right to limit the number of
Subaccounts that may be available during the Annuity Period. (See "Annuity
Period.")

TAXES

     Contributions and earnings are not generally taxed until you or your
beneficiary(ies) actually receive a distribution from the Contract. A 10%
federal tax penalty and a 20% withholding for income tax may be imposed on
certain withdrawals. (See "Tax Status.")

INQUIRIES

     Questions, inquiries or requests for additional information can be directed
to your agent or local representative, or you may contact the Company as
follows:

[bullet]  Write to:      Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
                         151 Farmington Avenue
                         Hartford, Connecticut 06156-1277
                         Attention: Customer Service

[bullet]  Call Customer  1-800-525-4225 (for automated transfers
          Service:       or changes in the allocation of Account
                         Values, call: 1-800-262-3862)

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                                  SUMMARY - 2

<PAGE>

                                   FEE TABLE

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This Fee Table describes the various charges and expenses associated with the
Contract. The charges and expenses shown below do not include premium taxes that
may be applicable. For more information regarding the expenses paid out of the
assets of a particular Fund, see the Fund's prospectus.

                TABLE A--FOR MASTER CONTRACTS ISSUED OR ENDORSED
                          ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1996

1. CHARGES AGAINST THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT. Each Subaccount pays these expenses out
of its assets. The charges are reflected in the Subaccount's daily Accumulation
Unit Value and are not charged directly to an Account. They include:

During the Accumulation Period:
  Mortality and Expense Risk Charge   ......    1.00%*
  Administrative Expense Charge    .........    0.00%**
                                                ----
  Total Separate Account Charges   .........    1.00%

During the Annuity Period (All Contracts):
  Mortality and Expense Risk Charge   ......    1.25%
  Administrative Expense Charge    .........    0.00%**
                                                ----
  Total Separate Account Charges   .........    1.25%

 *The mortality and expense risk charge during the Accumulation Period is 0.75%
for Contracts issued to Plans that meet certain criteria. See "Charges and
Deductions."

**We currently do not impose an Administrative Expense Charge. However, we
reserve the right to deduct a daily charge of not more than 0.25% per year
from the Subaccounts.

2. ANNUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS

The following table illustrates the advisory fees and other expenses applicable
to the Funds. A Fund's "Other Expenses" include operating costs of the Fund.
These expenses are reflected in the Fund's net asset value and are not deducted
from the Account Value under the Contract. (Except as noted, the following
figures are a percentage of average net assets and, except where otherwise
indicated, are based on figures for the year ended December 31, 1996.)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Investment
                                                                     Advisory Fees(1)    Other Expenses
                                                                      (after expense     (after expense      Total Fund
                                                                       reimbursement     reimbursement)    Annual Expenses
                                                                    ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                 <C>               <C>
Aetna Variable Fund(2)                                                      0.50%               0.06%             0.56%
Aetna Income Shares(2)                                                      0.40%               0.08%             0.48%
Aetna Variable Encore Fund(2)                                               0.25%               0.10%             0.35%
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.(2)                                     0.50%               0.08%             0.58%
Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio(2)                                          0.60%               0.15%             0.75%
Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio(2)                                      0.60%               0.15%             0.75%
Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio(2)                                          0.60%               0.15%             0.75%
Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation Portfolio(2)                            0.60%               0.15%             0.75%
Aetna Variable Growth Portfolio(2)                                          0.60%               0.15%             0.75%
Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio                                         0.35%               0.15%             0.50%
Aetna Variable Small Company Portfolio(2)                                   0.75%               0.15%             0.90%
Alger American Growth Portfolio                                             0.75%               0.04%             0.79%
Alger American Small Cap Portfolio                                          0.85%               0.03%             0.88%
American Century VP Capital Appreciation (formerly "TCI Growth")(3)         1.00%               0.00%             1.00%
Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio(4)                          0.71%               0.13%             0.84%
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio(5)                                     0.61%               0.13%             0.74%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio(5)                                     0.51%               0.07%             0.58%
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio(5)                                            0.61%               0.08%             0.69%
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio(5)                                          0.76%               0.17%             0.93%
</TABLE>
    

                                 FEE TABLE - 1

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Investment
                                                    Advisory Fees(1)      Other Expenses
                                                    (after expense        (after expense       Total Fund
                                                     reimbursement        reimbursement)      Annual Expenses
                                                   -------------------   -----------------   -----------------
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>                 <C>  
Franklin Government Securities Trust(6)                   0.63%                 0.07%               0.70%
Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth Portfolio(7)                0.72%                 0.04%               0.76%
Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio(7)                         0.79%                 0.15%               0.94%
Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio                     0.65%                 0.19%               0.84%
Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio(7)                           0.65%                 0.04%               0.69%
Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio(7)                  0.47%                 0.19%               0.66%
Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio(7)                 0.66%                 0.14%               0.80%
Lexington Natural Resources Trust                         1.00%                 0.42%               1.42%
Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio(8)                    0.83%                 0.09%               0.92%
Scudder International Portfolio Class A Shares            0.86%                 0.19%               1.05%
</TABLE>

(1) Certain of the unaffiliated Fund advisers reimburse the Company for
    administrative costs incurred in connection with administering the Funds as
    variable funding options under the Contract. These reimbursements are paid
    out of the investment advisory fees and are not charged to investors.

(2) The Company provides administrative services to the Fund and assumes the
    Fund's ordinary recurring direct costs under an Administrative Services
    Agreement. The new Administrative Services Agreement became effective on May
    1, 1996 for Aetna Variable Fund, Aetna Income Shares, Aetna Variable Encore
    Fund, Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc., Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio,
    Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio, and Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio.
    Therefore, for these Funds the "Other Expenses" shown are not based on
    actual figures for the year ended December 31, 1996, but reflect the fee
    payable under that Agreement. The Administrative Services Agreement was in
    effect for Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation Portfolio, Aetna Variable
    Growth Portfolio, Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio and Aetna Variable
    Small Company Portfolio since their inception.

    Effective August 1, 1996, Investment Advisory Fees were increased for Aetna
    Variable Fund, Aetna Income Shares, Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.,
    Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio, Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio, and
    Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio. The Advisory Fees shown above are not based
    on actual figures for the year ended December 31, 1996, but reflect the
    increased Investment Advisory Fees.

(3) The Portfolio's investment adviser pays all expenses of the Portfolio except
    brokerage commissions, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the
    non-interested person directors (including counsel fees) and extraordinary
    expenses. These expenses have historically represented a very small
    percentage (less than 0.01%) of total net assets in a fiscal year.

(4) The figures above are based on expenses for fiscal year 1996, and have been
    restated to reflect an increase in transfer agency expenses of 0.03%
    expected to be incurred in 1997. "Investment Advisory Fees" include a
    performance adjustment, which could cause the fee to be as high as 0.85% or
    as low as 0.55%, depending on performance. "Other Expenses" reflect an
    indirect fee of 0.03% (relating to an expense offset arrangement with the
    Portfolio's custodian). Net fund operating expenses after reductions for
    fees paid indirectly (again, restated) would be 0.81%.

(5) A portion of the brokerage commissions that certain funds pay was used to
    reduce expenses. In addition, certain funds have entered into arrangements
    with their custodian and transfer agent whereby interest earned on
    uninvested cash balances was used to reduce custodian and transfer agent
    expenses. Including these reductions, the total operating expenses would
    have been 0.56% for Equity Income Portfolio, 0.67% for Growth Portfolio,
    0.92% for Overseas Portfolio, and 0.71% for Contrafund Portfolio.

(6) An expense reimbursement arrangement was in effect until February 1, 1996;
    however, it is no longer in effect. The advisory fee and total annual
    expenses shown above reflect the actual expenses of the Fund before
    reimbursement, as if such arrangement had not been in effect at any time
    during 1996.

(7) The fees and expenses shown above are based on gross expenses of the Shares
    before expense offset arrangements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
    1996. The information for each Portfolio other than the Flexible Income
    Portfolio is net of fee waivers or reductions from Janus Capital. Fee
    reductions for the Aggressive Growth, Balanced, Growth, and Worldwide Growth
    Portfolios reduce the management fee to the level of the corresponding Janus
    retail fund. Other waivers, if applicable, are first applied against the
    management fee and then against other expenses. Without such waivers or
    reductions, the Management Fee, Other Expenses and Total Fund Annual
    Expenses would have been 0.79%, 0.04% and 0.83% for Aggressive Growth
    Portfolio; 0.92%, 0.15% and 1.07% for Balanced Portfolio; 0.79%, 0.04% and
    0.83% for Growth Portfolio; 0.65%, 0.19% and 0.84% for Short-Term Bond
    Portfolio; and 0.77%, 0.14% and 0.91% for Worldwide Growth Portfolio,
    respectively. Janus Capital may modify or terminate the waivers or
    reductions at any time upon at least 90 days' notice to the Portfolio's
    Board of Trustees.

(8) Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust is divided into portfolios
    ("Portfolio"), each of which invests all of its net investable assets in a
    corresponding series ("Series") of Advisers Managers Trust. The figures
    reported under "Investment Advisory Fees" include the aggregate of the
    administration fees paid by the Portfolio and the management fees paid by
    its corresponding Series. Similarly, "Other Expenses" includes all other
    expenses of the Portfolio and its corresponding Series.
    

- --------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 FEE TABLE - 2

<PAGE>

3. HYPOTHETICAL ILLUSTRATION (EXAMPLE)

   
THESE EXAMPLES ARE PURELY HYPOTHETICAL. THEY SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR EXPECTED RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES
AND/OR RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN BELOW.
    

Whether or not you withdraw or if you annuitize your Account, assuming a 5%
annual return on assets and an annual mortality and expense risk charge of
1.00%, you would have paid the following expenses on a $1,000 investment at the
end of the applicable time period:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1 year      3 years     5 years       10 years
                                                    ---------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>          <C>          <C> 
Aetna Variable Fund                                    $16         $49          $85          $186
Aetna Income Shares                                    $15         $47          $81          $177
Aetna Variable Encore Fund                             $14         $43          $74          $162
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.                   $16         $50          $86          $188
Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio                        $18         $55          $95          $206
Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio                    $18         $55          $95          $206
Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio                        $18         $55          $95          $206
Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation Portfolio          $18         $55          $95          $206
Aetna Variable Growth Portfolio                        $18         $55          $95          $206
Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio                    $15         $47          $82          $179
Aetna Variable Small Company Portfolio                 $19         $60          $103         $222
Alger American Growth Portfolio                        $18         $56          $97          $211
Alger American Small Cap Portfolio                     $19         $59          $102         $220
American Century VP Capital Appreciation               $20         $63          $108         $233
Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio        $19         $58          $100         $216
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio                   $18         $55          $94          $205
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio                   $16         $50          $86          $188
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio                          $17         $53          $92          $200
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio                        $20         $61          $104         $225
Franklin Government Securities Trust                   $17         $54          $92          $201
Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth Portfolio                $18         $55          $95          $207
Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio                         $20         $61          $105         $226
Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio                  $19         $58          $100         $216
Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio                           $17         $53          $92          $200
Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio                  $17         $52          $90          $197
Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio                 $18         $57          $97          $212
Lexington Natural Resources Trust                      $25         $75          $129         $276
Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio                    $20         $60          $104         $224
Scudder International Portfolio Class A Shares         $21         $64          $110         $238
</TABLE>
    

            TABLE B--FOR CONTRACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 1996

1. CHARGES AGAINST THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT. Each Subaccount pays these expenses out
of its assets. The charges are reflected in the Subaccount's daily Accumulation
Unit Value and are not charged directly to an Account. They include:

Mortality and Expense Risk Charge   ......    1.25%
Asset-Based Sales Charge   ...............    0.15%*
Administrative Expense Charge    .........    0.00%**
                                              -----
   Total Separate Account Charges   ......    1.40%
                                              =====

 *We will monitor the deductions applicable to each Account for the total sales
charges to ensure they will never exceed 8.5% of the total Purchase Payments
actually made to the Account. The sales charges apply during the Accumulation
Period only.

**We currently do not impose an Administrative Expense Charge. However, we
reserve the right to deduct a daily charge of not more than 0.25% per year from
the Subaccounts.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 FEE TABLE - 3

<PAGE>

2. ANNUAL EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS

Please refer to "Annual Expenses of The Funds" under Table A for a full
illustration of the advisory fees and other expenses applicable to the Funds.

3. HYPOTHETICAL ILLUSTRATION (EXAMPLE)

THIS EXAMPLE IS PURELY HYPOTHETICAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR EXPECTED RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES
AND/OR RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN BELOW.

Whether or not you withdraw or if you annuitize your Account, assuming a 5%
annual return on assets, you would have paid the following expenses on a $1,000
investment at the end of the applicable time period:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1 year      3 years     5 years       10 years
                                                    ---------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                                    <C>         <C>         <C>            <C> 
Aetna Variable Fund                                    $20         $62         $106           $229
Aetna Income Shares                                    $19         $59         $102           $220
Aetna Variable Encore Fund                             $18         $55         $ 95           $206
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.                   $20         $62         $107           $231
Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio                        $22         $67         $115           $248
Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio                    $22         $67         $115           $248
Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio                        $22         $67         $115           $248
Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation Portfolio          $22         $67         $115           $248
Aetna Variable Growth Portfolio                        $22         $67         $115           $248
Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio                    $19         $60         $103           $222
Aetna Variable Small Company Portfolio                 $23         $72         $123           $264
Alger American Growth Portfolio                        $22         $69         $117           $252
Alger American Small Cap Portfolio                     $23         $71         $122           $262
American Century VP Capital Appreciation               $24         $75         $128           $274
Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio        $23         $70         $120           $257
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio                   $22         $67         $115           $247
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio                   $20         $62         $107           $231
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio                          $21         $65         $112           $242
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio                        $24         $73         $125           $267
Franklin Government Securities Trust                   $21         $66         $113           $243
Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth Portfolio                $22         $68         $116           $249
Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio                         $24         $73         $125           $268
Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio                  $23         $70         $120           $257
Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio                           $21         $65         $112           $242
Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio                  $21         $65         $111           $239
Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio                 $22         $69         $118           $253
Lexington Natural Resources Trust                      $29         $87         $149           $315
Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio                    $24         $72         $124           $266
Scudder International Portfolio Class A Shares         $25         $76         $131           $279
</TABLE>
    


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 FEE TABLE - 5

<PAGE>

                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                     TABLE I

          FOR CONTRACTS WITH A 1.25% MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

   (Selected data for accumulation units outstanding throughout each period)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
The condensed financial information presented below for each of the years in the
five-year period ended December 31, 1996, is derived from the financial
statements of the Separate Account, which financial statements have been audited
by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors. The financial statements and
the independent auditors' report thereon are included in the Statement of
Additional Information. The Accumulation Unit Values and the percentage change
in the value of an accumulation unit reflect a mortality and expense risk
charge of 1.25% and an asset based sales charge of 0.15% for the periods shown.
For Master Contracts issued or endorsed on or after October 1, 1996, the
mortality and expense risk charge is 1.00% (0.75% if the Plan meets certain
criteria) during the Accumulation Period, and the asset based sales charge does
not apply. (See Table II)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1996            1995
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>
AETNA VARIABLE FUND
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  14.113       $  10.823
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  17.318       $  14.113
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......         22.71%          30.40%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................       157,726         121,691
AETNA INCOME SHARES
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  12.283       $  10.536
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  12.546       $  12.283
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......          2.14%          16.59%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................        27,007          20,427
AETNA VARIABLE ENCORE FUND
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  11.003       $  10.523
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  11.431       $  11.003
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......          3.89%           4.57%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................        37,703          19,202
AETNA INVESTMENT ADVISERS FUND, INC.
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  13.693       $  10.900
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  15.548       $  13.693
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......         13.55%          25.62%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................        21,915          19,038
AETNA ASCENT VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  10.666         $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  12.996       $  10.666
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......         21.84%          6.66%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................         2,058             202
AETNA CROSSROADS VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  10.605         $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  12.422          10.605
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......         17.14%          6.05%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................         1,088             243
AETNA LEGACY VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $  11.049(9)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  11.903
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......          7.73%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................            13
AETNA VARIABLE INDEX PLUS PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................       $10.000(9)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $  10.919
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......          9.19%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................             5


<CAPTION>
                                                                 1994        1993         1992
<S>                                                              <C>         <C>          <C>
AETNA VARIABLE FUND
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.083     $10.531      $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $10.823     $11.083      $10.531
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (2.35)%      5.24%        5.31%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     77,511      37,807        3,948
AETNA INCOME SHARES
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.107     $10.271      $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $10.536     $11.107      $10.271
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (5.14)%      8.14%        2.71%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     14,482       4,936          416
AETNA VARIABLE ENCORE FUND
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $10.252     $10.076      $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $10.523     $10.252      $10.076
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       2.64%       1.75%        0.76%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     12,934       3,066          547
AETNA INVESTMENT ADVISERS FUND, INC.
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.109     $10.253      $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $10.900     $11.109      $10.253
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (1.88)%      8.35%        2.53%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     11,773       6,540          221
AETNA ASCENT VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
AETNA CROSSROADS VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
AETNA LEGACY VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
AETNA VARIABLE INDEX PLUS PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
</TABLE>
    

                                AUV HISTORY - 1

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996          1995
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>
ALGER AMERICAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $10.365       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $11.583       $10.365
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      11.75%        3.65%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     20,853         7,966
ALGER AMERICAN SMALL CAP PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $13.463       $ 9.461
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $13.829       $13.463
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       2.72%        42.29%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     80,691        31,528
AMERICAN CENTURY VP CAPITAL APPRECIATION*
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $15.176       $11.740
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $14.299       $15.176
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (5.78%)       29.27%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     37,549        24,826
CALVERT RESPONSIBLY INVESTED BALANCED**
 PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $13.870       $10.839
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $15.400       $13.870
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      11.04%        27.96%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     18,957        14,656
FIDELITY VIP II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $10.461       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $12.511       $10.461
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      19.60%        4.61%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     15,206         6,415
FIDELITY VIP EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.047       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $12.447       $11.047
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      12.68%        10.47%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     14,151         1,108
FIDELITY VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $10.183       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $11.516       $10.183
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      13.09%        1.83%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     13,493         2,541
FIDELITY VIP OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $ 9,954       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $11.111       $ 9.954
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      11.62%        (0.46)%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................        776           191
FRANKLIN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TRUST
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.946       $10.294
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $12.258       $11.946
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       2.60%        16.06%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     21,263        16,226
JANUS ASPEN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $13.296       $10.577
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $14.151       $13.296
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       6.43%        25.71%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     34,853        15,482
JANUS ASPEN BALANCED PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $10.843       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $12.421       $10.843
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      14.55%        8.43%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................      2,590           160


<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994            1993             1992
<S>                                                               <C>             <C>              <C>
ALGER AMERICAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
ALGER AMERICAN SMALL CAP PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $10.000       $10.000(3)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $ 9.461       $10.000
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       (5.39)%        0.00%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................       4,575             2
AMERICAN CENTURY VP CAPITAL APPRECIATION
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $12.046       $10.000(5)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $11.740       $12.046
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       (2.54)%      20.46%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................      15,078         4,104
CALVERT RESPONSIBLY INVESTED BALANCED
 PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................     $11.352       $10.589       $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................     $10.839       $11.352       $10.589
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       (4.52)%        7.21%         5.89%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................       8,469         2,383           125
FIDELITY VIP II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
FIDELITY VIP EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
FIDELITY VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
FIDELITY VIP OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
FRANKLIN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TRUST
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................       $10.843     $10.214       $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................       $10.294     $10.843       $10.214
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......         (5.06)%      6.16%         2.14%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................        10,738       4,409           470
JANUS ASPEN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................       $10.000(4)
 Value at end of period  ....................................       $10.577
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......          5.77%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................           820
JANUS ASPEN BALANCED PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
</TABLE>
    

                                AUV HISTORY - 2

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996          1995
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>
JANUS ASPEN FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $12.054       $10,000(7)
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $12.976       $12.054
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      7.66%        20.54%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     2,552           745
JANUS ASPEN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $10.872       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $12.698       $10.872
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......     16.79%        8.72%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     7,503           166
JANUS ASPEN SHORT-TERM BOND PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $10.316       $10.000(6)
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $10.576       $10.316
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      2.52%         3.16%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................       812            24
JANUS ASPEN WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $10.952       $10.000(8)
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $13.934       $10.952
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......     27.22%        9.52%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................    21,176        11,128
LEXINGTON NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $12.095       $10.496
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $15.132       $12.095
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......     25.11%        15.24%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................    11,145         8,348
NEUBERGER & BERMAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $14.359       $11.055
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $15.451       $14.359
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      7.60%        29.89%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................    47,408        35,941
SCUDDER INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO Class A Shares
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................   $13.799       $12.595
 Value at end of period  ....................................   $15.616       $13.799
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......     13.17%        9.56%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................    48,672        38,067


<CAPTION>
                                                                 1994         1993        1992
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>         <C>
JANUS ASPEN FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $10.000
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $10.000
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......       0.00%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................          0
JANUS ASPEN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
JANUS ASPEN SHORT-TERM BOND PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
JANUS ASPEN WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................
 Value at end of period  ....................................
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................
LEXINGTON NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.261     $10.196       $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $10.496     $11.261       $10.196
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (6.79)%    10.45%         1.96%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................      7,350       2,438           165
NEUBERGER & BERMAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $11.796     $10.927       $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $11.055     $11.796       $10.927
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (6.28)%      7.95%         9.27%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     21,935       7,403           477
SCUDDER INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO Class A Shares
 Value at beginning of period  ..............................    $12.883     $ 9.539       $10.000(2)
 Value at end of period  ....................................    $12.595     $12.883       $ 9.539
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)  ......      (2.24)%    35.06%         (4.81)%
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period   ..................................................     22,036       4,560           281
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) The above figures are calculated by subtracting the beginning Accumulation
    Unit value from the ending Accumulation Unit value during a calendar year or
    period, and dividing the result by the beginning Accumulation Unit value.

(2) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established at $10.000 on July 20, 1992.

(3) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established at $10.000 on September 17, 1993,
    the date on which the Portfolio became available under the Contract.

(4) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established at $10.000 during October 1994, when
    funds were first received in this option.

(5) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established at $10.000 on February 1, 1993.

(6) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established at $10.000 during August 1995, when
    the Fund became available under the Contract.

(7) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. Funds were first
    available in this option during March 1995.

(8) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established at $10.000 during July 1995, when
    the Fund became available under the Contract.

(9) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit value was established during August 1996, when the fund
    became available under the Contract, when funds were first received in this
    option or when the applicable daily asset charge was first utilized.

 *  Formerly TCI Portfolios, Inc.--TCI Growth
**  Formerly Calvert Socially Responsible Series
    

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                AUV HISTORY - 3

<PAGE>

   
                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                    TABLE II

          FOR CONTRACTS WITH A 1.00% MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

   (Selected data for accumulation units outstanding throughout each period)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The condensed financial information presented below for the period ended
December 31, 1996, is derived from the financial statements of the Separate
Account, which financial statements have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent auditors. The financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and the independent auditors' report thereon, are included in
the Statement of Additional Information. The Accumulation Unit Values and the
percentage change in the value of an accumulation unit reflect a mortality and
expense risk charge of 1.00% and for the periods shown. For Master Contracts
issued prior to October 1, 1996, the mortality and expense risk charge is 1.25%
during the Accumulation Period. (See Table I)
    

   
                                                                   1996
AETNA VARIABLE FUND
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $11.465
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......       14.65%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................      13,125
AETNA INCOME SHARES
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $10.500
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        5.00%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................         679
AETNA VARIABLE ENCORE FUND
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $10.274
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        2.74%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................       1,551
AETNA ASCENT VARIABLE PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $11.468
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......       14.68%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................          13
ALGER AMERICAN GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $10.491
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        4.91%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................      19,500
ALGER AMERICAN SMALL CAP PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $ 9.184
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        8.16%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................         971
FIDELITY VIP II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $11.239
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......       12.39%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period .....................................................      20,020
FIDELITY VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO   ..............................
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................     $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................     $10.358
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        3.58%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period    ..................................................          21
    

                                AUV HISTORY - 4

<PAGE>

   
                                                                   1996
JANUS ASPEN AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO  .....................
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................      $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................      $ 9.507
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        (4.93%)(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period    ..................................................       17,055
JANUS ASPEN WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO   .....................
 Value at beginning of period   ..............................      $10.000
 Value at end of period   ....................................      $11.366
 Increase (decrease) in value of accumulation unit(1)   ......        13.66%(2)
 Number of accumulation units outstanding at end of
  period    ..................................................       36,305

(1) The above figures are calculated by subtracting the beginning Accumulation
    Unit value from the ending Accumulation Unit value during a calendar year or
    period, and dividing the result by the beginning Accumulation Unit value.

(2) Reflects less than a full year of performance activity. The initial
    Accumulation Unit Value was established during April 1996 when the
    fund/portfolio became available under the Contract, when funds were first
    received in this option or when the applicable daily asset charge was first
    utilized.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

                                AUV HISTORY - 5

<PAGE>

                                  THE COMPANY

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (the "Company") is the issuer of
the Contract, and as such, it is responsible for providing the insurance and
annuity benefits under the Contract. The Company is a stock life insurance
company organized under the insurance laws of the State of Connecticut in 1976.
Through a merger, it succeeded to the business of Aetna Variable Annuity Life
Insurance Company (formerly Participating Annuity Life Insurance Company, an
Arkansas life insurance company organized in 1954). The Company is engaged in
the business of issuing life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts
in all states of the United States. The Company's principal executive offices
are located at 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.

      The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings,
Inc., which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Services,
Inc. and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Inc.

                          VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      The Company established Variable Annuity Account C (the "Separate
Account") in 1976 as a segregated asset account for the purpose of funding its
variable annuity contracts. The Separate Account is registered as a unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and
meets the definition of "separate account" under the federal securities laws.
The Separate Account is divided into "subaccounts" which do not invest directly
in stocks, bonds or other investments. Instead, each Subaccount buys and sells
shares of a corresponding Fund.

      Although the Company holds title to the assets of the Separate Account,
such assets are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other
business conducted by the Company. Income, gains or losses of the Separate
Account are credited to or charged against the assets of the Separate Account
without regard to our other income, gains or losses. All obligations arising
under the Contracts are our general corporate obligations.

                              INVESTMENT OPTIONS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE FUNDS

      Purchase Payments may be allocated to one or more of the Subaccounts as
designated on the enrollment form. In turn, the Subaccounts invest in the
corresponding Funds at net asset value. The total number of investment options
that you may select during the Accumulation Period is limited to 18. Each
Subaccount selected, the Fixed Account, each version of the Fixed Plus Account
(see Appendices II, III and IV) and each guaranteed term of GAA counts as one
option, even if you no longer have amounts allocated to that option.

      The Contract Holder may decide to offer only a select number of Funds
under its Plan. In addition, the Company may add, withdraw or substitute Funds,
subject to the conditions in the Contract and to compliance with regulatory
requirements. The availability of Funds may also be subject to applicable
regulatory authorization. Not all Funds may be available in all jurisdictions,
under all Contracts or in all Plans.

      If the shares of any Fund should no longer be available for investment by
the Separate Account, or if in the judgment of the Company further investments
in such shares should become inappropriate under this type of Contract, we may
cease to make such Fund shares available for investment under the Contract on a
prospective basis. The Company may, alternatively, substitute shares of another
Fund for shares already acquired. The Company reserves the right to substitute
shares of another Fund for shares already acquired without a proxy vote. Any
elimination, substitution or addition of Funds will be done in accordance with
applicable state and federal securities laws.

      The investment results of the Funds described below are likely to differ
significantly and there is no assurance that any of the Funds will achieve their
respective investment objectives. Except where otherwise noted, all of the Funds
are diversified, as defined in the 1940 Act.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       1

<PAGE>

[bullet] Aetna Variable Fund seeks to maximize total return through investments
         in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and securities convertible
         into common stock.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Income Shares seeks to maximize total return, consistent with
         reasonable risk, through investments in a diversified portfolio
         consisting primarily of debt securities.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Variable Encore Fund seeks to provide high current return,
         consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity, through
         investment in high-quality money market instruments. An investment in
         the Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc. is a managed fund which seeks to
         maximize investment return consistent with reasonable safety of
         principal by investing in one or more of the following asset classes:
         stocks, bonds and cash equivalents based on the Company's judgment of
         which of those sectors or mix thereof offers the best investment
         prospects.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Generation Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio
         seeks to provide capital appreciation by allocating its investments
         among equities and fixed income securities. The Portfolio is managed
         for investors who generally have an investment horizon exceeding 15
         years and who have a high level of risk tolerance.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Generation Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio
         seeks to provide total return (i.e., income and capital appreciation,
         both realized and unrealized) by allocating its investments among
         equities and fixed income securities. The Portfolio is managed for
         investors who generally have an investment horizon exceeding 10 years
         and who have a moderate level of risk tolerance.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Generation Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio
         seeks to provide total return consistent with preservation of capital
         by allocating its investments among equities and fixed income
         securities. The Portfolio is managed for investors who generally have
         an investment horizon exceeding five years and who have a low level of
         risk tolerance.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Variable Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation
         Portfolio seeks growth of capital primarily through investment in a
         diversified portfolio of common stocks and securities convertible into
         common stock. The Portfolio will use a value-oriented approach in an
         attempt to outperform the total return performance of publicly traded
         common stocks represented by the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index
         ("S&P 500"), a broad based stock market index composed of 500 common
         stocks selected by the Standard & Poor's Corporation. The Portfolio
         uses the S&P 500 as a comparative benchmark because it represents
         approximately two-thirds of the total market value of all U.S. common
         stocks, and is well known to investors.(1)

[bullet] Aetna Variable Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Variable Growth Portfolio seeks
         growth of capital through investment in a diversified portfolio of
         common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks believed to
         offer growth potential.(1)

   
[bullet] Aetna Variable Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio
         seeks to outperform the total return performance of publicly traded
         common stocks represented by the S&P 500.
    

[bullet] Aetna Variable Portfolios, Inc.--Aetna Variable Small Company Portfolio
         seeks growth of capital primarily through investment in a diversified
         portfolio of common stocks and securities convertible into common
         stocks of companies with smaller market capitalizations. Companies with
         smaller market capitalizations generally will have market
         capitalization at the time of purchases of $1 billion or less.(1)

[bullet] Alger American Fund--Alger American Growth Portfolio seeks long-term
         capital appreciation by investing in a diversified, actively managed
         portfolio of equity securities. The Portfolio primarily invests in
         equity securities of companies which have a market capitalization of $1
         billion or greater.(2)

   
[bullet] Alger American Fund--Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio
         seeks long-term capital appreciation. Except during temporary defensive
         periods, the Portfolio invests at least 65% of its total assets in
         equity securities of companies that, at the time of purchase of such
         securities, have total market capitalization within the range of
         companies included in the Russell 2000 Growth Index ("Russell Index")
         and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index ("S&P Index"), updated quarterly. As of
         March 31, 1997, the range of market capitalization of the Companies in
         the Russell Index was $10 million to $1.94 billion; the range of market
         capitalization of the companies in the S&P Index at that date was
         $32 million to $2.58 billion. The combined range was $10 million to
         $2.58 billion.(2)
    

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       2

<PAGE>

   
[bullet] American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc.--American Century VP Capital
         Appreciation (formerly TCI Portfolios, Inc.--TCI Growth) seeks capital
         growth. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in common
         stocks (including securities convertible into common stocks) and other
         securities that meet certain fundamental and technical standards of
         selection and, in the opinion of the Fund's investment manager, have
         better than average potential for appreciation.(3)

[bullet] Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio is a nondiversified
         portfolio that seeks to achieve a total return above the rate of
         inflation through an actively managed, nondiversified portfolio of
         common and preferred stocks, bonds and money market instruments which
         offer income and capital growth opportunity and which satisfy the
         social criteria established for the Portfolio.(4)
    

[bullet] Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund II--Contrafund
         Portfolio seeks maximum total return over the long term by investing
         mainly in equity securities of companies that are undervalued or
         out-of-favor.(5)

[bullet] Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund--Equity-Income
         Portfolio seeks reasonable income by investing primarily in
         income-producing equity securities. In selecting investments, the Fund
         also considers the potential for capital appreciation.(5)

[bullet] Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund-- Growth
         Portfolio seeks capital appreciation by investing mainly in common
         stocks, although its investments are not restricted to any one type of
         security.(5)

   
[bullet] Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund--Overseas
         Portfolio seeks long-term growth by investing mainly in foreign
         securities (at least 65% of the Fund's total assets in securities of
         issuers from at least three countries outside of North America).
         Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments,
         including political and economic risks and the risk of currency
         fluctuation.(5)
    

[bullet] Franklin Government Securities Trust seeks income through investments
         in obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies or
         instrumentalities, primarily GNMA obligations.(6) (This Fund is only
         available under limited circumstances.)
   
[bullet] Janus Aspen Series--Aggressive Growth Portfolio is a nondiversified
         portfolio that seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner consistent
         with the preservation of capital. The Portfolio pursues its investment
         objective by normally investing at least 50% of its equity assets in
         securities issued by medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are
         those whose market capitalizations fall within the range of companies
         in the S & P Midcap 400 Index, which as of December 30, 1996 included
         companies with capitalizations between approximately $192 million and
         $6.5 billion, but which is expected to change on a regular basis.(7)

[bullet] Janus Aspen Series--Balanced Portfolio seeks long-term capital growth,
         consistent with preservation of capital and balanced by current income.
         The Portfolio pursues its investment objective by, under normal
         circumstances, investing 40%-60% of its assets in equity securities
         selected primarily for their growth potential and 40%-60% of its assets
         in fixed-income securities selected primarily for their income
         potential.(7)
    

[bullet] Janus Aspen Series--Flexible Income Portfolio seeks to obtain maximum
         total return, consistent with preservation of capital. Total return is
         expected to result from a combination of current income and capital
         appreciation. The Portfolio invests in all types of income producing
         securities and may have substantial holdings of debt securities rated
         below investment grade (e.g., junk bonds).(7)

[bullet] Janus Aspen Series--Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital
         in a manner consistent with the preservation of capital. The Portfolio
         pursues its investment objective by investing in common stocks of
         companies of any size.(7)

[bullet] Janus Aspen Series--Short-Term Bond Portfolio seeks as high a level of
         current income as is consistent with preservation of capital. The
         Portfolio pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in
         short- and intermediate-term fixed income securities.(7)

[bullet] Janus Aspen Series--Worldwide Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth
         of capital in a manner consistent with preservation of capital. The
         Portfolio pursues its investment objective primarily through
         investments in common stocks of foreign and domestic issuers.(7)

[bullet] Lexington Natural Resources Trust is a nondiversified portfolio that
         seeks long-term growth of capital through investment primarily in
         common stocks of companies which own or develop natural resources and
         other basic commodities or supply goods and services to such
         companies.(8)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       3

<PAGE>

   
[bullet] Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust--Growth Portfolio seeks
         capital growth without regard to income through investments in common
         stocks of companies believed to be undervalued and have above- average
         potential for capital appreciation. The Portfolio is heavily
         diversified among a number of stocks to limit risk.(9)
    

[bullet] Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund--International Portfolio Class A
         Shares seeks long-term growth of capital primarily through diversified
         holdings of marketable foreign equity investments.(10)

 Investment Advisers for each of the Funds:

    (1) Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (investment adviser); Aeltus
        Investment Management, Inc. (sub-adviser)

    (2) Fred Alger Management, Inc.

    (3) American Century Investment Management, Inc.

    (4) Calvert Asset Management Company, Inc.

    (5) Fidelity Management & Research Company

    (6) Franklin Advisers, Inc.

    (7) Janus Capital Corporation

    (8) Lexington Management Corporation (adviser); Market Systems Research
        Advisors, Inc. (subadviser)

    (9) Neuberger & Berman Management Inc. (Investment Manager); Neuberger &
        Berman, L.P. (Sub-Adviser)

   (10) Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc.

   
Risks Associated with Investment in the Funds. Some of the Funds may use
instruments known as derivatives as part of their investment strategies. The use
of certain derivatives may involve high risk of volatility to a Fund, and the
use of leverage in connection with such derivatives can also increase risk of
losses. Some of the Funds may also invest in foreign or international securities
which involve greater risks than U.S. investments.

      More comprehensive information, including a discussion of potential risks,
is found in the current prospectus for each Fund which is distributed with and
accompanies this Prospectus. You should read the Fund prospectuses and consider
carefully, and on a continuing basis, which Fund or combination of Funds is best
suited to your long-term investment objectives. Additional prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information for this Prospectus and for each of the
Funds can be obtained from the Company's Home Office at the address and
telephone number listed under the "Inquiries" section of the Prospectus Summary.

    

Conflicts of Interest (Mixed and Shared Funding). Shares of the Funds are sold
to each of the Subaccounts for funding the variable annuity contracts issued by
the Company. Shares of the Funds may also be sold to other insurance companies
for the same purpose. This is referred to as "shared funding." Shares of the
Funds may also be used for funding variable life insurance contracts issued or
sponsored by the Company or by third parties. This is referred to as "mixed
funding."

      Because the Funds available under the Contract are sold to fund variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by us or by other
companies, certain conflicts of interest could arise. If a conflict of interest
were to occur, one of the separate accounts might withdraw its investment in a
Fund, which might force that Fund to sell portfolio securities at
disadvantageous prices, causing its per share value to decrease. Each Fund's
Board of Directors or Trustees has agreed to monitor events in order to identify
any material irreconcilable conflicts which might arise and to determine what
action, if any, should be taken to address such conflict.

CREDITED INTEREST OPTIONS

      Purchase Payments may be allocated to one or more of the Credited Interest
Options available under the Contract as described below. The Contract Holder may
elect not to offer all Credited Interest Options under its Plan.

[bullet] The Guaranteed Accumulation Account (GAA) is a credited interest option
         through which we guarantee stipulated rates of interest for stated
         periods of time. Amounts must remain in the GAA for the full guaranteed
         term to receive the quoted interest rates, or a market value adjustment
         (which may be positive or negative) will be applied. (See Appendix I.)

[bullet] The Fixed Plus Account is a part of the Company's general account and
         guarantees a minimum interest rate, as specified in the Contract. The
         Company may credit higher interest rates in its discretion. Withdrawals
         and transfers from the Fixed Plus Account are limited. (See Appendices
         II, III and IV.)

[bullet] The Fixed Account is part of the Company's general account. The Fixed
         Account guarantees a minimum interest rate, as specified in the
         Contract. The Company may credit higher interest rates from time to
         time. The Fixed Account is only available in limited circumstances.
         Transfers from the Fixed Account are limited. (See Appendix V.)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       4

<PAGE>

                                   PURCHASE

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTRACT AVAILABILITY

      The Contracts are designed to fund Plans adopted by institutions of higher
education for their employees. The Plans may be (1) tax-deferred annuity
programs under Section 403(b) of the Code, and/or (2) qualified defined
contribution plans under Section 401(a) and 414(h) of the Code.

      Eligible participants in the Plan seeking to invest and accumulate money
for retirement can purchase individual interests in group Contracts. The group
Contract is generally owned by the employer, and individual accounts are
established for each Participant. For each Contract, one or more Employee
Accounts will be established for contributions derived from employee salary
reduction or salary deduction (as provided for by the Plan), and one or more
Employer Accounts may be established for contributions made by the employer on
the employee's behalf.

PURCHASING INTERESTS IN THE CONTRACT

      Eligible organizations may acquire both types (403(b) and 401(a)) of group
Contracts for its Plans(s) by submitting the appropriate master application
form(s) to the Company. Once we approve the application, a group Contract is
generally issued to the employer as the group Contract Holder. Participants may
purchase interests in a group Contract by submitting an enrollment form to the
Company.

      The Company must accept or reject the enrollment form within two business
days of receipt. If the enrollment materials are incomplete, the Company may
hold any forms and accompanying Purchase Payments for five days. Purchase
Payments may be held for longer periods only with the consent of the
Participant, or under limited circumstances, with the consent of the Contract
Holder pending acceptance of the form. If we agree to hold Purchase Payments for
longer than the five business days based on the consent of the Contract Holder,
the Purchase Payments will be deposited in the Aetna Variable Encore Fund
Subaccount until the forms are completed.

      Purchase Payments will initially be allocated to the Subaccounts or
Credited Interest Options as specified by the Participant on the enrollment
form. Changes in such allocation may be made in writing or by telephone
transfer. Allocations must be in whole percentages, and there may be limitations
on the number of investment options that can be selected during the Accumulation
Period. (See "Transfers.") The Code imposes a maximum limit on annual Purchase
Payments which may be excluded from a Participant's gross income. (See "Tax
Status.")

RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT

      You have a nonforfeitable right to the value of your Employee Account. You
have a nonforfeitable right to the value of your Employer Account to the extent
of your vested percentage under the Plan as interpreted by the Contract Holder.
Subject to the terms of the Plan, you may select the investment options for your
Employer Account and your Employee Account. You may elect an Annuity option for
your Account Value; however, for your Employer and certain Employee Accounts (as
provided in the Plan), the Contract Holder must certify that you are eligible
for a distribution and that the form of Annuity is permitted under the terms of
the Plan.

RIGHT TO CANCEL

      The Contract or participation under the Contract may be canceled without
penalty by returning it (or other document evidencing your interest) to the
Company with a written notice of intent to cancel. In most states, you have ten
days to exercise this right; some states allow you a longer free-look period.
When we receive the request for cancellation, we will return the Account Value,
unless the laws of the state in which the Contract was issued require that we
return the initial Purchase Payment (if greater than the Account Value). In
states that do not require a return of Purchase Payments, the purchaser bears
the entire investment risk for amounts allocated among the Subaccounts during
the free look period. Account Values will be determined as of the Valuation Date
on which we receive the request for cancellation at our Home Office.

                            CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

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DAILY DEDUCTIONS FROM THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT

Mortality and Expense Risk Charge. The Company makes a daily deduction from each
of the Subaccounts for the mortality and expense risk charge. For Master
Contracts issued on or after October 1, 1996 (and for Master Contracts issued
prior to that date that are endorsed to contain this provision), during the
Accumulation Period, the charge is equal, on an annual basis, to 1.00% of the
daily net assets of the Subaccounts. However, for Master

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                                       5

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Contracts issued to Plans that meet the following criteria, the charge during
the Accumulation Period is equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of daily net assets
of the Subaccounts:

- --the employer requires that we distribute the Contracts through salaried
enrollers;

- --both employer and Participant contributions are mandatory; and

- --the Plan has existing assets of at least $300 million in an Optional
Retirement Plan.

For Master Contracts issued prior to October 1, 1996, the mortality and expense
risk charge during the Accumulation Period is equivalent to 1.25% per year.

During the Annuity Period, for any Contract, the deduction for mortality and
expense risks is equivalent to 1.25% per year.

      The mortality and expense risk charge compensates the Company for the
assumption of the mortality and expense risks under the Contract. The mortality
risks are those assumed for our promise to make lifetime payments according to
annuity rates specified in the Contract. The expense risk is the risk that the
actual expenses for costs incurred under the Contract will exceed the maximum
costs that can be charged under the Contract.

      If the amount deducted for mortality and expense risks is not sufficient
to cover the mortality costs and expense shortfalls, the loss is borne by the
Company. If the deduction is more than sufficient, the excess may be used to
recover distribution expenses relating to the Contracts and as a source of
profit to the Company. The Company expects to make a profit from the mortality
and expense risk charge.

Asset Based Sales Charge. There are no deductions from Purchase Payments for
sales commissions or related expenses. For Contracts issued prior to October 1,
1996 (except for Contracts that are endorsed to delete this provision), sales
commissions and expenses are advanced by the Company and recovered out of an
asset based sales charge that is deducted from the Account in an amount that
equals 0.15% on an annual basis. The deduction is made from amounts held in the
Subaccounts during the Accumulation Period only. We will monitor each Account to
ensure that the total sales charges will never exceed 8.5% of the total Purchase
Payments actually made to the Account.

      If the asset based sales charges are insufficient to recover sales
commissions, such commissions would be recovered out of the Company's profits
from investment activities, including the mortality and expense risk charges
under the Contract. For sales commissions paid in connection with the sale of
the Contracts, see "Distribution."

Administrative Expense Charge. The Company reserves the right to make a
deduction from each of the Subaccounts for an administrative expense charge. The
administrative expense charge compensates the Company for administrative
expenses that exceed revenues from the maintenance fee described below. The
charge is set at a level which does not exceed the average expected cost of the
administrative services to be provided while the Contract is in force. The
Company does not expect to make a profit from this charge.

      Under the Contract, the amount of the administrative expense charge may be
of an amount equal, on an annual basis, to a maximum of 0.25% of the daily net
assets of the Subaccounts. There is currently no administrative expense charge
during the Accumulation Period or Annuity Period. Once an Annuity Option is
elected, the charge will be established and will be effective during the entire
Annuity Period.

FUND EXPENSES

      Each Fund incurs certain expenses which are paid out of its net assets.
These expenses include, among other things, the investment advisory or
"management" fee. The expenses of the Funds are set forth in the Fee Table in
this Prospectus and described more fully in the accompanying Fund prospectuses.

PREMIUM AND OTHER TAXES

      Several states and municipalities impose a premium tax on Annuities. These
taxes currently range from 0% to 4%. The Company reserves the right to deduct
premium tax against Purchase Payments or Account Values, but no earlier than
when we have a tax liability under state law. The Company's current practice is
to deduct for premium taxes at the time of complete withdrawal or annuitization.
In addition to the premium tax, the Company reserves the right to assess a
charge for any state or federal taxes due against the Contract or the Separate
Account assets. (See "Tax Status.")

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                                       6

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                              CONTRACT VALUATION

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ACCOUNT VALUE

      Until the Annuity Date, the Account Value is the total dollar value of
amounts held in your Account as of any Valuation Date. The Account Value at any
given time is based on the value of the units held in each Subaccount, plus the
value of amounts held in any of the Credited Interest Options.

ACCUMULATION UNITS

      The value of your interests in a Subaccount is expressed as the number of
"Accumulation Units" that you hold multiplied by an "Accumulation Unit Value"
(or "AUV") for each unit. The AUV on any Valuation Date is determined by
multiplying the value on the immediately preceding Valuation Date by the net
investment factor of that Subaccount for the period between the immediately
preceding Valuation Date and the current Valuation Date. (See "Net Investment
Factor" below.) The Accumulation Unit Value will be affected by the investment
performance, expenses and charges of the applicable Fund and is reduced each day
by a percentage that accounts for the daily assessment of mortality and expense
risk charges, the asset based sales charge (if applicable) and the
administrative expense charge (if any).

      Initial Purchase Payments will be credited to your Account at the AUV
computed on the next Valuation Date following our acceptance of the enrollment
materials, as described under "Purchase--Purchasing Interests in the Contract."
Each subsequent Purchase Payment (or amount transferred) received by the Company
by the close of business of The New York Stock Exchange will be credited to your
Account at the AUV computed on the next Valuation Date following our receipt of
your payment or transfer request. The value of an Accumulation Unit may increase
or decrease.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

      The net investment factor is used to measure the investment performance of
a Subaccount from one Valuation Date to the next. The net investment factor for
a Subaccount for any valuation period is equal to the sum of 1.0000 plus the net
investment rate. The net investment rate equals:

(a) the net assets of the Fund held by the Subaccount on the current Valuation
    Date, minus

(b) the net assets of the Fund held by the Subaccount on the preceding Valuation
    Date, plus or minus

(c) taxes or provisions for taxes, if any, attributable to the operation of the
    Subaccount;

(d) divided by the total value of the Subaccount's Accumulation and Annuity
    Units on the preceding Valuation Date;

(e) minus a daily charge for mortality and expense risks, administrative
    expenses (if applicable), and asset based sales charges (if applicable).
    (See "Charges and Deductions" for further details on the charges
    pertaining to your Contract.)

      The net investment rate may be either positive or negative.

                                   TRANSFERS

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      You can transfer amounts held under your Account from one Subaccount to
another. Transfers between the Credited Interest Options and the Subaccounts are
subject to certain restrictions. (See the Appendices.) A request for transfer
can be made either in writing or by telephone. The telephone transfer privilege
is available automatically; no special election is necessary. All transfers must
be in accordance with the terms of the Contract and your Plan, as applicable.

      The Company currently allows unlimited transfers of accumulated amounts to
available investment options without charge. However, the total number of
investment options that you may select during the Accumulation Period is
limited. (See "Investment Options--The Funds.") The minimum transfer amount is
$500. Any transfer will be based on the Accumulation Unit Value next determined
after the Company receives a valid transfer request at its Home Office.

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAM

   
      You may establish automated transfers of Account Values on a monthly or
quarterly basis through the Company's Dollar Cost Averaging Program. There is no
additional charge for the program. Dollar Cost Averaging is a system for
investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals over a period of time.
Dollar Cost Averaging does not ensure a profit nor guarantee against loss in a
declining market. You should consider your financial ability to continue
purchases through periods of low price levels. Please refer to the "Inquiries"
section of the Prospectus Summary which describes how you can obtain further
information.
    

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                                       7

<PAGE>

                                  WITHDRAWALS

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      All or a portion of the Account Value may be withdrawn at any time during
the Accumulation Period, subject to the withdrawal restrictions under Section
403(b) Contracts described below, and subject to limitations on withdrawals from
the Credited Interest Options. The Contract may require that the Contract Holder
certify in writing that you are eligible both as to the timing and form of
distribution. To request a withdrawal, you must properly complete a disbursement
form and send it to our Home Office. Payments for withdrawal requests will be
made in accordance with SEC requirements, but normally not later than seven
calendar days following our receipt of a disbursement form. Withdrawals may be
requested in one of the following forms:
    

[bullet] Full Withdrawal of an Account: The amount paid for a full withdrawal
         will be the Account Value allocated to the Subaccounts, the Guaranteed
         Accumulation Account (plus or minus a market value adjustment) (see
         Appendix I), and the Fixed Account, plus the amount available for
         withdrawal from the Fixed Plus Account (see Appendices II, III and IV).

[bullet] Partial Withdrawals (Percentage or Specified Dollar Amount): The amount
         paid will be the percentage of the Account Value or the dollar amount
         requested; however, the amount available for withdrawal from the Fixed
         Plus Account is limited (see Appendices II, III and IV).

      For any partial withdrawal, amounts will be withdrawn proportionately from
each Subaccount or Credited Interest Option in which the Account is invested,
unless you request otherwise in writing. All amounts paid will be based on
Account Values as of the next Valuation Date after we receive a request for
withdrawal at our Home Office, or on such later date as the disbursement form
may specify. A 20% federal income tax may be withheld from amounts paid directly
to you. (See "Tax Status--Contracts Used with Certain Retirement Plans.")

Withdrawal Restrictions from 403(b) Plans. Under Section 403(b) Contracts, a
withdrawal of salary reduction contributions and earnings on such contributions
is generally prohibited prior to your death, disability, attainment of age
59 1/2, separation from service or financial hardship. (See "Tax Status.")

REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE

      You may elect to reinvest all or a portion of the proceeds received from a
full withdrawal of your Account within 30 days after such withdrawal has been
made. Accumulation Units will be credited to the Account for the amount
reinvested. Reinvested amounts will be reallocated to the applicable investment
options in the same proportion as they were allocated at the time of withdrawal.
Accumulation Units will be credited to your Account based on the Accumulation
Unit Value next computed following our receipt of your request along with the
amount to be reinvested. The reinvestment privilege may be used only once. See
Appendix I for a discussion of amounts withdrawn from GAA and then reinvested.
If you are contemplating reinvestment, you should seek competent advice
regarding the tax consequences associated with such a transaction.

                                CONTRACT LOANS

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      If allowed by the Plan, Participants may request a loan from their Account
Value during the Accumulation Period. Loans can only be made from those Account
Values held in the Subaccounts or from those Credited Interest Options that
allow loans. (See Appendices I, II and III.) A loan may be obtained by reviewing
and reading the terms of your loan agreement, properly completing a loan request
form and submitting it to the Company's Home Office.

                         ADDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS

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      The Company offers certain withdrawal options under the Contract that are
not considered annuity options ("Additional Withdrawal Options"). To exercise
these options, your Account Value must meet the minimum dollar amounts and age
criteria applicable to that option. In addition, for Employer and certain
Employee Accounts, the Contract Holder must provide written certification that
the distribution is in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The Additional
Withdrawal Options that may be available under the Contract include the
following:

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                                       8

<PAGE>

[bullet] SWO--Systematic Withdrawal Option. SWO is a series of partial
         withdrawals from your Account based on a payment method you select. It
         is designed for those who want a periodic income while retaining
         investment flexibility for amounts accumulated under a Contract. (This
         option may not be elected if you have an outstanding contract loan.)

[bullet] ECO--Estate Conservation Option. ECO offers the same investment
         flexibility as SWO but is designed for those who want to receive only
         the minimum distribution that the Code requires each year. Under ECO,
         the Company calculates the minimum distribution amount required by law
         at the later of age 70 1/2 or retirement, or for 5% owners at age 70
         1/2 and pays you that amount once a year. (See "Tax Status.")

[bullet] LEO--Life Expectancy Option. LEO is a distribution option under which a
         portion of your Account Value will be automatically surrendered and
         distributed each year, payable over a period equal to the life
         expectancy of the Participant or the joint life expectancy of the
         Participant and the designated Beneficiary.

      Other Additional Withdrawal Options may be added from time to time.
Information relating to any of the Additional Withdrawal Options may be obtained
from your local representative or from the Company at its Home Office.

      If you select one of the Additional Withdrawal Options, you will retain
all of the rights and flexibility permitted under the Contract during the
Accumulation Period. Your Account Value will continue to be subject to the
charges and deductions described in this Prospectus. Taking a withdrawal under
one of these Additional Withdrawal Options may have tax consequences. Any person
concerned about tax implications should consult a competent tax advisor prior to
electing an option.

      Once you elect an Additional Withdrawal Option, you may revoke it any time
by submitting a written request to our Home Office. Once an option is revoked,
it may not be elected again, nor may any other Additional Withdrawal Option be
elected unless permitted by the Code. The Company reserves the right to
discontinue the availability of one or all of these Additional Withdrawal
Options at any time, and/or to change the terms of future elections.

                   DEATH BENEFIT DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD

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      The Contract provides that a death benefit is payable to the
Beneficiary(ies) upon the death of the Participant before the Annuity Date. If a
lump-sum distribution or an Annuity Option is elected within six months of the
Participant's death, a guaranteed death benefit is provided. For each Account,
the guaranteed death benefit is the greater of:

(a) the Account Value, plus any positive aggregate Market Value Adjustment (MVA)
    that applies to amounts allocated to the Guaranteed Accumulation Account
    (GAA), on the day the death notice and request for payment are received in
    good order at our Home Office; or

(b) the sum of the net Purchase Payments made to each Account, minus the total
    of all withdrawals or annuitizations made from the Account and any amount
    allocated to the Loan Account.

      If a lump-sum distribution or Annuity Option is elected six months or more
after your death, the Beneficiary will receive the Account Value, plus or minus
any MVA that would apply to any portion of the Account allocated to GAA. If a
full or partial withdrawal is made within six months after your death, the
Beneficiary will receive the Account Value, plus any positive MVA that would
apply to any portion of the Account allocated to GAA. The value of the Account
is determined as of the Valuation Date on which proof of death acceptable to us
and a request for payment are received at our Home Office.

      Death benefit proceeds may be paid to the Beneficiary:

[bullet] in a lump sum; or

[bullet] in accordance with any of the Annuity Options available under the
         Contract.

      The Beneficiary may instead elect one of the following two options;
however, the Code limits how long the death benefit proceeds may be left in
these options (see below):

[bullet] to leave the Account Value invested in the Contract; or

[bullet] to leave the Account Value on deposit in the Company's general account,
         and to receive monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual interest
         payments at the interest rate then being credited on such deposits. The
         balance on deposit can be withdrawn at any time or applied to an
         Annuity Option.

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                                       9

<PAGE>

      When paying the Beneficiary, we will determine the Account Value on the
Valuation Date following the date on which we receive proof of death acceptable
to the Company. Interest, if any, will be paid from the date of death at a rate
no less than required by law. We will mail payment to the Beneficiary within
seven days after we receive proof of death and request for payment.

      The Code requires that distribution of death proceeds begin within a
certain period of time. Generally, either payments must begin by December 31 of
the year following the year of your death, or the entire value of your benefits
must be distributed by December 31 of the fifth year following the year of your
death. If your Beneficiary is your spouse, he or she is not required to begin
distributions until the year you would have attained age 70 1/2. In no event may
payments extend beyond the life of the Beneficiary or any specified period
greater than the Beneficiary's life expectancy. If no elections are made, no
distributions will be made. Failure to commence distributions within the above
time periods can result in tax penalties. Regardless of the method of payment,
death benefit proceeds will generally be taxed to the Beneficiary in the same
manner as if you had received those payments. (See "Tax Status.")

                                ANNUITY PERIOD

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ANNUITY PERIOD ELECTIONS

      The Code generally requires that minimum annual distributions of the
Account Value must begin by April 1st of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which a Participant attains age 70 1/2 (or retires, if later,
unless the Participant is a 5% owner). In addition, distributions must be in a
form and amount sufficient to satisfy the Code requirements. These requirements
may be satisfied by the election of certain Annuity Options or Additional
Withdrawal Options. (See "Tax Status.")

      At least 30 days prior to the Annuity Date, you must notify us in writing
of the following:

[bullet] the date on which you would like to start receiving annuity payments;

[bullet] the Annuity Option under which you want your payments to be calculated
         and paid; and

[bullet] the investment option(s) used to provide annuity payments (i.e., a
         fixed annuity using the general account or any of the Subaccounts
         available at the time of annuitization).

      For the Employer and certain Employee Accounts, the Contract Holder must
provide written certification that the distribution is in accordance with the
terms of the Plan. (See "Rights Under the Contract.")

      Annuity Payments will not begin until you have selected an Annuity Date
and an Annuity Option. Until a date and option are elected the Account will
continue in the Accumulation Period. Annuity Payments will be made monthly,
unless a Participant elects otherwise. Once Annuity Payments begin, the Annuity
Option selected may not be changed. If your Plan requires, you may also be
required to submit the appropriate joint and survivor annuity waiver and spousal
consent form(s) to us. Transfers among Subaccounts during the Annuity Period are
only permitted under Master Contracts issued, or endorsed to allow such
transfers, on or after October 1, 1996. We reserve the right to limit such
transfers to four per year.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

      You may choose one of the following Annuity Options:

Lifetime Annuity Options:

[bullet] Option 1--Life Annuity--An annuity with payments ending on the
         Participant's death.

[bullet] Option 2--Life Annuity with Guaranteed Payments--An annuity with
         payments guaranteed for 5-30 years.

[bullet] Option 3--Life Annuity with Cash Refund Feature--An annuity with a cash
         refund feature. Payments may be guaranteed for the amount applied to
         the Annuity option. If the Annuitant dies prior to the payment of the
         amount applied to the Annuity Option (less any premium tax), any
         remaining balance will be paid in one sum to the Beneficiary. This
         option is only available on a fixed basis.

[bullet] Option 4--Life Annuity based upon the Lives of Two Annuitants--An
         annuity will be paid during the lives of the Annuitant and a second
         Annuitant. You may select either an Annuity with 100%, 662/3% or 50% of
         the payment to continue after the first death, or an Annuity with 100%
         of the payment to continue at the death of the second Annuitant and 50%
         of the payment to continue at the death of the Annuitant.

[bullet] Option 5--Life Annuity based Upon the Lives of Two Annuitants with
         Guaranteed Payments--An annuity with Payments for a minimum of 5-30
         years, with 100% of the payment to continue after the first death.

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                                       10

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[bullet] Option 6--Life Annuity Based Upon the Lives of Two Annuitants with a
         Cash Refund Feature--An annuity with 100% of the payment to continue
         after the first death with a cash refund feature. Payments are
         guaranteed for the amount applied to the Annuity Option. If both
         Annuitants die prior to the total payment of the amount applied to the
         Annuity Option (less any premium tax), any remaining balance will be
         paid in one sum to the beneficiary. This option is only available on a
         fixed basis.

      If Option 1 or 4 is elected, it is possible that only one Annuity Payment
will be made if the Annuitant under Option 1, or the surviving Annuitant under
Option 4, should die prior to the due date of the second Annuity Payment. Once
lifetime Annuity payments begin, the Participant cannot elect to receive a
lump-sum settlement.

Nonlifetime Annuity Options:

[bullet] Option 1--Payments for a Specified Period--payments will continue for a
         specified period of time, as provided for under your Contract. Under
         some Contracts, for amounts held in the Fixed Plus Account, the Annuity
         must be paid on a fixed basis. (See Appendices II, III and IV to
         determine if this applies to the Contract.)

      If a nonlifetime option is elected on a variable basis, the Participant,
with the consent of the Contract Holder, may request at any time during the
payment period that the present value of all or a portion of the remaining
variable payments be paid in one sum. The nonlifetime option is not available on
a variable basis under a Contract which provides for immediate Annuity benefits.

      We may also offer additional Annuity Options under your Contract from time
to time.

DURATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

      Annuity payments may not extend beyond (a) the life of the Participant,
(b) the joint lives of the Participant and Beneficiary, (c) a period greater
than the Participant's life expectancy, or (d) a period greater than the joint
life expectancies of the Participant and Beneficiary.

Amount of Each Annuity Payment. The amount of each payment depends on how you
allocate your Account Value between fixed and variable payouts. For Master
Contracts issued on or after October 1, 1996 (and Master Contracts issued prior
to that date that are endorsed to contain this provision), no election may be
made that would result in the first Annuity payment of less than $50, or total
yearly Annuity payments of less than $250. For Contracts issued prior to October
1, 1996, no election may be made that would result in the first Annuity payment
of less than $25, or total yearly Annuity payments of less than $125. If your
Account Value on the Annuity Date is insufficient to elect an option for the
minimum amount specified, a lump-sum payment must be elected.

      If Annuity Payments are to be made on a variable basis, the first and
subsequent payments will vary depending on the assumed net investment rate
selected (3 1/2% or 5% per annum). Selection of a 5% rate causes a higher first
payment, but Annuity Payments will increase thereafter only to the extent that
the net investment rate exceeds 5% on an annualized basis. Annuity Payments
would decline if the rate were below 5%. Use of the 3 1/2% assumed rate causes a
lower first payment, but subsequent payments would increase more rapidly or
decline more slowly as changes occur in the net investment rate. (See the
Statement of Additional Information for further discussion on the impact of
selecting an assumed net investment rate.)

CHARGES DEDUCTED DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD

      During the Annuity Period, we will make a daily deduction of 1.25% for
mortality and expense risks from any amounts held on a variable basis.
Therefore, electing the nonlifetime option on a variable basis will result in a
deduction being made even though we assume no mortality risk. We may also deduct
a daily administrative charge from amounts held under the variable options. (See
"Charges and Deductions.")

DEATH BENEFIT PAYABLE DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD

      If a Participant dies after Annuity Payments have begun, any death benefit
payable will depend on the terms of the Contract and the Annuity Option
selected. If Option 1 or Option 4 was elected, Annuity Payments will cease on
the death of the Participant under Option 1 or the death of the surviving
Annuitant under Option 4.

      If Lifetime Option 2 or Option 5 was elected and the death of the
Participant under Option 2, or the surviving Annuitant under Option 5, occurs
prior to the end of the guaranteed minimum payment period, we will continue
payments to the Beneficiary unless the Beneficiary elects a lump sum.

      If the nonlifetime option was elected, and the Annuitant dies before all
payments are made, the value of any remaining payments will be paid to the
Beneficiary unless the Beneficiary elects a lump sum.

      If the Participant dies after Annuity payments have begun and if there is
a death benefit payable under the Annuity option elected, the remaining value
must be

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                                       11

<PAGE>

distributed to the Beneficiary at least as rapidly as under the original method
of distribution.

      Any lump-sum payment paid under the applicable lifetime or nonlifetime
Annuity options will be made within seven calendar days after acceptable proof
of death, and a request for payment are received at our Home Office. The value
of any death benefit proceeds will be determined as of the next Valuation Date
after we receive acceptable proof of death and a request for payment. Under
Options 2 and 5, such value will be reduced by any payments made after the date
of death.

                                  TAX STATUS

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INTRODUCTION

      The following provides a general discussion and is not intended as tax
advice. This discussion reflects the Company's understanding of current federal
income tax law. Such laws may change in the future, and it is possible that any
change could be retroactive (i.e., effective prior to the date of the change).
The Company makes no guarantee regarding the tax treatment of any contract or
transaction involving a Contract. The ultimate effect of federal income taxes on
the amounts held under a Contract, on Annuity payments, and on the economic
benefit to the Contract Holder, Participant or Beneficiary may depend upon the
tax status of the individual concerned. Any person concerned about these tax
implications should consult a competent tax adviser before initiating any
transaction.

TAXATION OF THE COMPANY

      The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since the
Separate Account is not an entity separate from the Company, it will not be
taxed separately as a "regulated investment company" under the Code. Investment
income and realized capital gains are automatically applied to increase reserves
under the Contracts. Under existing federal income tax law, the Company believes
that the Separate Account investment income and realized net capital gains will
not be taxed to the extent that such income and gains are applied to increase
the reserves under the Contracts.

      The Company does not anticipate that it will incur any federal income tax
liability attributable to the Separate Account and, therefore, the Company does
not intend to make provisions for any such taxes. However, if changes in the
federal tax laws or interpretation thereof result in the Company being taxed on
income or gains attributable to the Separate Account, then the Company may
impose a charge against the Separate Account (with respect to some or all
Contracts) in order to set aside provisions to pay such taxes.

CONTRACTS USED WITH CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS

In General. The Contract is designed for use with Section 403(b) plans and
Section 401(a) plans. The tax rules applicable to retirement plans vary
according to the type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan.

      The Company makes no attempt to provide more than general information
about use of the Contracts with the various types of retirement plans.
Participants as well as Beneficiaries are cautioned that the rights of any
person to any benefits under the Contracts may be subject to the terms and
conditions of the plans themselves, in addition to the terms and conditions of
the Contracts issued in connection with such plans. Some retirement plans are
subject to limitations on distribution and other requirements that are not
incorporated in the Contracts. Purchasers are responsible for determining that
contributions, distributions and other transactions relating to the Contracts
satisfy applicable laws, and should consult their legal counsel and tax adviser
regarding the suitability of the Contract.

Minimum Distribution Requirements. The Code has required distribution rules for
Section 403(b) and 401(a) Plans. Under 403(b) Plans, distributions of amounts
held as of December 31, 1986 must generally begin by the end of the calendar
year in which you attain age 75 or retire, if later. However, special rules
require that some or all of that balance be distributed earlier if any
distributions are taken in excess of the minimum required amount. For all
Participants, other than 5% owners, distributions under 401(a) Plans, and
distributions attributable to contributions under Section 403(b) Plans on or
after January 1, 1987 (including any earnings on the entire Account Value after
that date), must generally begin by April 1 of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which you attain age 70 1/2 or retire, if later. For 5% owners,
such distributions must begin April 1st of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which you attain age 70 1/2.

      In general, annuity payments must be distributed over your life or the
joint lives of you and your beneficiary, or

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                                       12

<PAGE>

over a period not greater than your life expectancy or the joint life
expectancies of you and your beneficiary.

      If you die after the required minimum distribution has commenced,
distributions to your beneficiary must be made at least as rapidly as under the
method of distribution in effect at the time of your death. However, if the
minimum required distribution is calculated each year based on your single life
expectancy or the joint life expectancies of you and your beneficiary, the
regulations for Code Section 401(a)(9) provide specific rules for calculating
the minimum required distributions at your death. For example, if you have
elected ECO with the calculation based on your single life expectancy, and the
life expectancy is recalculated each year, your recalculated life expectancy
becomes zero in the calendar year following your death and the entire remaining
interest must be distributed to your beneficiary by December 31 of the year
following your death. However, a spousal beneficiary has certain rollover rights
which can only be exercised in the year of your death. The rules are complex and
you should consult your tax adviser before electing the method of calculation to
satisfy the minimum distribution requirements.

      If you die before the required minimum distribution has commenced, your
entire interest must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year in which
the fifth anniversary of the date of your death occurs. Alternatively, payments
may be made over the life of the beneficiary or over a period not extending
beyond the life expectancy of the beneficiary provided the distribution begins
by December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year of your death.
If the Beneficiary is your spouse, the distribution must begin on or before the
later of (1) December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year of
your death, or (2) December 31 of the calendar year in which you would have
attained age 70 1/2.

      If you fail to receive the minimum required distribution for any tax year,
a 50% excise tax is imposed on the required amount that was not distributed.

Taxation of Distributions. All distributions will be taxed as they are received
unless you made a rollover contribution of the distribution to another plan of
the same type or to an individual retirement annuity/account ("IRA") in
accordance with the Code, or unless you have made after-
tax contributions to the plan, which are not taxed upon distribution. The Code
has specific rules that apply, depending on the type of distribution received,
if after-tax contributions were made.

      In general, payments received by your beneficiaries after your death are
taxed in the same manner as if you had received those payments.

      Pension and annuity distributions generally are subject to withholding for
the recipient's federal income tax liability at rates that vary according to the
type of distribution and the recipient's tax status. Recipients may be provided
the opportunity to elect not to have tax withheld from distributions; however,
certain distributions from annuities are subject to mandatory federal income tax
withholding. We will report to the IRS the taxable portion of all distributions.

      The Code imposes a 10% penalty tax on the taxable portion of any
distribution unless made when (a) you have attained age 59 1/2, (b) you have
become disabled, (c) you have died, (d) you have separated from service with the
plan sponsor at or after age 55, (e) the distribution amount is rolled over into
another plan of the same type or to an IRA in accordance with the terms of the
Code, or (f) the distribution amount is made in substantially equal periodic
payments (at least annually) over your life or life expectancy or the joint
lives or joint life expectancies of you and your plan beneficiary, provided you
have separated from service with the plan sponsor. In addition, the penalty tax
does not apply for the amount of a distribution equal to unreimbursed medical
expenses incurred by you that qualify for deduction as specified in the Code.
The Code may impose other penalty taxes in other circumstances.

Section 403(b) Plans. Under Section 403(b), contributions made by public school
systems and Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations to purchase annuity
contracts for their employees are generally excludable from the gross income of
the employee.

      In order to be excludable from taxable income, total annual contributions
made by you and your employer cannot exceed either of two limits set by the
Code. The first limit, under Section 415, is generally the lesser of 25% of your
includable compensation or $30,000. The second limit, which is the exclusion
allowance under Section 403(b), is usually calculated according to a formula
that takes into account your length of employment and any pretax contributions
to certain other retirement plans. These two limits apply to your contributions
as well as to any contributions made by your employer on your behalf. There is
an additional limit that specifically limits your salary reduction contributions
to generally no more than $9,500 annually (subject to indexing); your own limit
may be higher or lower, depending on certain conditions.

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                                       13

<PAGE>

      Section 403(b)(11) restricts the distribution under Section 403(b)
contracts of: (1) salary reduction contributions made after December 31, 1988;
(2) earnings on those contributions; and (3) earnings during such period on
amounts held as of December 31, 1988. Distribution of those amounts may only
occur upon death of the employee, attainment of age 59 1/2, separation from
service, disability, or financial hardship. In addition, income attributable to
salary reduction contributions may not be distributed in the case of hardship.

      If, pursuant to Revenue Ruling 90-24, the Company agrees to accept, under
any of the Contracts covered by this Prospectus, amounts transferred from a Code
Section 403(b)(7) custodial account, such amounts will be subject to the
withdrawal restrictions set forth in Code Section 403(b)(7)(A)(ii).

      Generally, no amounts accumulated under the Contract will be taxable prior
to the time of actual distribution. However, the IRS has stated in published
rulings that a variable contract owner, including participants under Section
403(b) plans, will be considered the owner of separate account assets if the
owner possesses incidents of investment control over the assets. In these
circumstances, income and gains from the separate account assets would be
currently includable in the variable contract owner's gross income. The Treasury
announced that guidance would be issued in the future regarding the extent to
which owners could direct their investments among Subaccounts without being
treated as owners of the underlying assets of the Separate Account. It is
possible that the Treasury's position, when announced, may adversely affect the
tax treatment of existing contracts. The Company therefore reserves the right to
modify the Contract as necessary to attempt to prevent the owner from being
considered the federal tax owner of the assets of the Separate Account.

Section 401(a) Plans. Section 401(a) permits certain employers to establish
various types of retirement plans for employees, and permits self-employed
individuals to establish various types of retirement plans for themselves and
for their employees. These retirement plans may permit the purchase of the
Contracts to accumulate retirement savings under the plans. Adverse tax
consequences to the Plan, to the Participant or to both may result if this
Contract is assigned or transferred to any individual except to a Participant as
a means to provide benefit payments.

      The Code imposes a maximum limit on annual Purchase Payments that may be
excluded from a Participant's gross income. Such limit must be calculated under
the Plan by the employer in accordance with Section 415 of the Code. This limit
is generally the lesser of 25% of your compensation or $30,000. In addition,
Purchase Payments will be excluded from a Participant's gross income only if the
401(a) Plan meets certain nondiscrimination requirements.

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

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DISTRIBUTION

      The Company will serve as the Principal Underwriter for the securities
sold by this Prospectus. The Company is registered as a broker-dealer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD). As Underwriter, the Company will contract
with one or more registered broker-dealers ("Distributors"), including at least
one affiliate of the Company, to offer and sell the Contracts. All persons
offering and selling the Contracts must be registered representatives of the
Distributors and must also be licensed as insurance agents to sell variable
annuity contracts. These registered representatives may also provide services to
Participants in connection with establishing their Accounts under the Contract.

Payment of Commissions. Persons offering and selling the Contracts may receive
commissions in connection with the sale of the Contracts. The maximum percentage
amount that the Company will ever pay as commission with respect to any given
Purchase Payment is with respect to those made during the first year of Purchase
Payments under an Account. The percentage amount will range from 1% to 6% of
those Purchase Payments. The Company may also pay renewal commissions on
Purchase Payments made after the first year and asset-based service fees. The
average of all payments made by the Company is estimated to equal approximately
3% of the total Purchase Payments made over the life of an average Contract. In
addition, some sales personnel may receive various types of non-cash
compensation as special sales incentives, including trips and educational and/or
business seminars. Supervisory and other management personnel of the Company may
receive compensation that will vary based on the relative profitability to the
Company of the funding options you select. Funding options that invest in Funds
advised by the Company or its affiliates are generally more profitable to

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                                       14

<PAGE>
the Company. The Company may also reimburse the Distributor for certain
expenses. The name of the Distributor and the registered representative
responsible for your Account are set forth in your enrollment materials.
Commissions and sales related expenses are paid by the Company and are not
deducted from Purchase Payments. (See "Charges and Deductions.")

Third Party Compensation Arrangements. Occasionally, we may pay commissions and
fees to Distributors which are affiliated or associated with the Contract Holder
or the Participants. We may also enter into agreements with some entities
associated with the Contract Holder or Participants in which we would agree to
pay the entity for certain services in connection with administering the
Contracts. In both these circumstances there may be an understanding that the
Distributor or entity would endorse the Company as a provider of the Contract.
You will be notified if you are purchasing a Contract that is subject to these
arrangements.

DELAY OR SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS

      The Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of payment
for any benefit or values (a) on any Valuation Date on which the New York Stock
Exchange ("Exchange") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or when trading on the Exchange is restricted; (b) when an emergency
exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of securities held in the
Subaccounts is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Company fairly to determine the value of the Subaccount's assets; or (c)
during such other periods as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of
investors. The conditions under which restricted trading or an emergency exists
shall be determined by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

PERFORMANCE REPORTING

      From time to time, the Company may advertise different types of historical
performance for the Subaccounts of the Separate Account. The Company may
advertise the "standardized average annual total returns" of the Subaccounts,
calculated in a manner prescribed by the SEC, as well as the "non-standardized
returns." "Standardized average annual total returns" are computed according to
a formula in which a hypothetical investment of $1,000 is applied to the
Subaccount and then related to the ending redeemable values over the most recent
one, five and ten-year periods (or since inception, if less than ten years).
Standardized returns will reflect the reduction of all recurring charges during
each period (e.g., mortality and expense risk charges, asset based sales charges
(if applicable) and any administrative expense charge). The non-standardized
figures are computed in the same manner but may also include monthly, quarterly,
year-to-date and three-year periods.

      The Company may also advertise certain ratings, rankings or other
information related to the Company, the Subaccounts or the Funds. Further
details regarding performance reporting and advertising are described in the
Statement of Additional Information.

VOTING RIGHTS

      In accordance with the Company's view of present applicable law, it will
vote the shares of each of the Funds held by the Separate Account at regular and
special meetings of Fund shareholders in accordance with instructions received
from persons having a voting interest in the Separate Account. Participants may
instruct the Contract Holder how to direct the Company to cast the votes for the
portion of the Account Value or valuation reserve attributable to their
Accounts. The Company will vote shares for which it has not received
instructions in the same proportion as it votes shares for which it has received
instructions.

      Each person having a voting interest in the Separate Account will receive
periodic reports relating to the Fund(s) in which he or she has an interest, as
well as any proxy materials and a form on which to give voting instructions.
Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication at least 14 days
before such meeting. The number of votes to which each person may give direction
will be determined as of the record date set by the Fund.

      The number of votes each Contract Holder or Participant, or Beneficiary as
applicable, may cast during the Accumulation Period is equal to the portion of
the Account Value to that Fund, divided by the net asset value of one share of
that Fund. During the Annuity Period, the number of votes is equal to the
valuation reserve applicable to the portion of the Contract attributable to that
Fund, divided by the net asset value of one share of that Fund. In determining
the number of votes, fractional votes will be recognized.

CHANGES IN BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

      The designated Beneficiary may be changed at any time prior to the Annuity
Date, subject to limitations contained in the Code and other applicable laws.
Such change will not become effective until written notice of the change is
received by the Company.

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                                       15
<PAGE>

MODIFICATION OF THE CONTRACT

      Master Contracts Issued on or after October 1, 1996 (and Master Contracts
issued prior to that date that are endorsed to contain this provision). Only an
authorized officer of the Company may change the terms of this Contract. The
Company reserves the right to modify this Contract to meet the requirements of
applicable state and federal laws or regulations. The Company will notify the
Contract Holder and Participants in writing of any changes.

   
      The Company may change the tables for determining the amount of Annuity
benefit payments attributable only to Contributions accepted after the effective
date of change, without Contract Holder consent. Such a change will not become
effective earlier than twelve months after (1) the effective date of the
Contract, or (2) the effective date of a previous change. The Company will
notify the Contract Holder in writing at least thirty (30) days before the
effective date of the change. The Company may not make changes which adversely
affect the Annuity benefits attributable to contributions already made to the
Contract. 
    
      Contracts Issued Prior to October 1, 1996. The Company may change the
Contract as required by federal or state law. In addition, the Company may, upon
thirty days written notice to the Contract Holder, make other changes that would
apply only to individuals who become Participants under that Contract after the
effective date of such changes. If the Contract Holder does not agree to a
change, no new Participants will be covered under the Contract. Certain changes
will require the approval of appropriate state or federal regulatory
authorities.


LEGAL MATTERS AND PROCEEDINGS

      The Company knows of no material legal proceedings pending to which the
Separate Account or the Company is a party or which would materially affect the
Separate Account. The validity of the securities offered by this Prospectus has
been passed upon by Counsel to the Company.

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                                       16

<PAGE>

              CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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     The Statement of Additional Information contains more specific information
on the Separate Account and the Contract, as well as the financial statements of
the Separate Account and the Company. A list of the contents of the SAI is set
forth below:

         General Information and History
         Variable Annuity Account C
         Offering and Purchase of Contracts
         Performance Data
          General
          Average Annual Total Return Quotations
         Annuity Payments
         Sales Material and Advertising
         Independent Auditors
         Financial Statements of the Separate Account
         Financial Statements of the Company

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                                       17

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX I
                        GUARANTEED ACCUMULATION ACCOUNT

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The Guaranteed Accumulation Account ("GAA") is a Credited Interest Option
available during the Accumulation Period under the Contracts described in this
Prospectus. Amounts allocated to Long-Term Classifications of GAA are held in a
noninsulated, nonunitized separate account. Amounts allocated to Short-Term
Classifications of GAA are held in the Company's general account. This Appendix
is a summary of GAA and is not intended to replace the GAA prospectus. You
should read the accompanying GAA prospectus carefully before investing.

     GAA is a Credited Interest Option in which we guarantee stipulated rates of
interest for stated periods of time on amounts directed to GAA. The interest
rate stipulated is an annual effective yield; that is, it reflects a full year's
interest. Interest is credited daily at a rate that will provide the guaranteed
annual effective yield for one year. This option guarantees the minimum interest
rate specified in the Contract.

     During a specified period of time (the "deposit period"), amounts may be
applied to any or all available Guaranteed Terms within the Short-Term and
Long-Term classifications. Short-Term GAA has Guaranteed Terms from one to three
years, and Long-Term GAA has Guaranteed Terms from three to ten years.

     Purchase Payments must remain in GAA for the full Guaranteed Term to
receive the quoted interest rates. Withdrawals or transfers from a Guaranteed
Term before the end of that Guaranteed Term may be subject to a market value
adjustment ("MVA"). An MVA reflects the change in the value of the investments
due to changes in interest rates since the date of deposit. When interest rates
increase after the date of deposit, the value of the investment decreases and
the MVA is negative. Conversely, when interest rates decrease after the date of
deposit, the value of the investment increases, and the MVA is positive. It is
possible that a negative MVA could result in the Participant receiving an amount
which is less than the amount paid into GAA.

     As a Guaranteed Term matures, assets accumulating under GAA may be (a)
transferred to a new Guaranteed Term, (b) transferred to other available
investment options, or (c) withdrawn. Amounts withdrawn may be subject to
federal tax penalties or mandatory income tax withholding.

     By notifying us at least 30 days prior to the Annuity Date, you may elect a
variable annuity and have amounts that have been accumulating under GAA
transferred to one or more of the Subaccounts available during the Annuity
Period. GAA cannot be used as an investment option during the Annuity Period.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES

     We make no deductions from the credited interest rate for mortality and
expense risks; these risks are considered in determining the credited rate.

TRANSFERS

     Transfers are permitted among Guaranteed Terms. However, amounts applied to
GAA may not be transferred to another Guaranteed Term of GAA, or to any other
Subaccount or Credited Interest Option available under the Contract, during the
deposit period or the 90 days after the close of the deposit period. We will
apply an MVA to transfers made before the end of a Guaranteed Term, unless such
transfer is due to the maturity of the Guaranteed Term.

CONTRACT LOANS

     Loans may not be made against amounts held in GAA, although such value is
included in determining the Account Value against which a loan may be made.

REINVESTMENT PRIVILEGE

     If amounts are withdrawn for GAA and are reinvested, they will be applied
to the current deposit period. Amounts are proportionately reinvested in the
same manner as they were allocated before the withdrawal. Any negative MVA
amount applied to a withdrawal is not included in the reinvestment.

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                                       18

<PAGE>

                                  APPENDIX II
                               FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT

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The following summarizes material information concerning the Fixed Plus Account.
Amounts allocated to the Fixed Plus Account are held in the Company's general
account that supports general insurance and annuity obligations. Interests in
the Fixed Plus Account have not been registered with the SEC in reliance on
exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Disclosure in the
Prospectus regarding the Fixed Plus Account, may, however, be subject to certain
generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the
accuracy and completeness of such statements. Disclosure in this Appendix
regarding the Fixed Plus Account has not been reviewed by the SEC.

     The Fixed Plus Account guarantees the minimum Fixed Plus interest rate
specified in the Contract. The Company may credit a higher interest rate from
time to time. The current rate is subject to change at any time, but will never
fall below the guaranteed minimum. The Company's determination of interest rates
reflects the investment income earned on invested assets and the amortization of
any capital gains and/or losses realized on the sale of invested assets. Under
the Fixed Plus Account, the Company assumes the risk of investment gain or loss
by guaranteeing Account Values and promising a minimum interest rate and Annuity
Payment.

     The Fixed Plus Account will reflect a compound interest rate credited by
us. The interest rate quoted is an annual effective yield. Amounts applied to
the Fixed Plus Account will earn the Fixed Plus interest rate in effect when
actually applied to the Fixed Plus Account. We make no deductions from the
credited interest rate for mortality and expense risks; these risks are
considered in determining the credited rate.

     Under certain emergency conditions, we may defer payment of a Fixed Account
withdrawal value (a) for a period of up to 6 months; or (b) as provided by
federal law.

     The Company reserves the right to limit Purchase Payment(s) and/or
transfers to the Fixed Plus Account.

FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT WITHDRAWALS

     The amount eligible for partial withdrawal is 20% of the amount held in the
Fixed Plus Account on the day our Home Office receives a written request,
reduced by any Fixed Plus Account withdrawals, transfers, loans or
annuitizations made in the prior 12 months. In calculating the 20% limit, we
reserve the right to include payments made due to the election of any Additional
Withdrawal Options.

   
     The 20% limit is waived if the partial withdrawal is due to annuitization
under a fixed lifetime or non-lifetime Annuity option, or a variable lifetime
Annuity option, or due to death. The waiver upon death will only be exercised
once and must occur within six months after the Participant's date of death. Any
such surrender or annuitization must also be made pro rata from all Subaccounts
and Credited Interest Options available under the Contract.
    

     If a full withdrawal is requested, we will pay any amounts held in the
Fixed Plus Account, with interest, in five annual payments equal to:

   1. One-fifth of the Fixed Plus Account Value on the day the request is
      received, reduced by any Fixed Plus Account withdrawals, transfers, loans
      or annuitizations made during the prior 12 months;

     2. One-fourth of the remaining Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later;

     3. One-third of the remaining Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later;

     4. One-half of the remaining Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later; and

     5. The balance of the Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later.

     Once we receive a request for a full withdrawal, no further withdrawals,
loans or transfers will be permitted from the Fixed Plus Account. A full
withdrawal from the Fixed Plus Account may be cancelled at any time before the
end of the five-payment period. We will waive the Fixed Plus Account full
withdrawal provision if a full withdrawal is made:

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                                       19

<PAGE>

   (a) due to your death, before Annuity payments begin;

   
   (b) due to the election or a fixed lifetime or non-lifetime Annuity option or
       a variable lifetime Annuity option; or;
    

   (c) when the Fixed Plus Account value is $3,500 or less (and no withdrawals,
       transfers or annuitizations have been made from the Account within the
       prior 12 months);

   (d) due to hardship from an unforeseeable emergency, as defined by the Code,
       if the following conditions are met:

      (1) the hardship is certified by the employer;

      (2) the amount is paid directly to you; and

      (3) the amount paid for all withdrawals due to hardship during the
          previous 12-month period does not exceed 10% of the average value of
          all Accounts during that same period; or

   (e) due to your separation from service with the employer, provided that:

      (1) the employer certifies that you have separated from service;

      (2) the amount withdrawn is paid directly to you; and

      (3) the amount paid for all partial and full withdrawals due to separation
          from service during the previous 12-month period does not exceed 20%
          of the average value of all Accounts under the Contract during that
          same period.

TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     The amount eligible for transfer from the Fixed Plus Account is 20% of the
amount held in the Fixed Plus Account on the day we receive a written request,
reduced by any Fixed Plus Account withdrawals, transfers, loans or
annuitizations made during the prior 12 months. In calculating the 20% limit, we
reserve the right to include payments made due to the election of one of the
Additional Withdrawal Options. The 20% limit on transfers will be waived when
the value in the Fixed Plus Account is $1,000 or less.

     By notifying us at our Home Office at least 30 days before the Annuity
Date, you may elect to have amounts which have been accumulating under the Fixed
Plus Account transferred to one or more of the Subaccounts available during the
Annuity Period to provide lifetime variable Annuity Payments. For amounts which
have been accumulating under the Fixed Plus Account, a nonlifetime annuity
option may only be elected on a fixed basis.

SWO

     The Systematic Withdrawal Option may not be elected if you have requested a
Fixed Plus Account transfer or withdrawal within the prior 12 month period.

CONTRACT LOANS

     If permitted under the Plan, loans may be made from Account Values held in
the Fixed Plus Account. See the loan agreement for a description of the amount
available and the consequences upon loan default if more than 20% of the Fixed
Plus Account Value is used for a loan.

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                                       20

<PAGE>

                                  APPENDIX III
                               FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT

                  (APPLICABLE ONLY IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES)

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The following summarizes material information concerning the Fixed Plus Account.
Amounts allocated to the Fixed Plus Account are held in the Company's general
account that supports general insurance and annuity obligations. Interests in
the Fixed Plus Account have not been registered with the SEC in reliance on
exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Disclosure in the
Prospectus regarding the Fixed Plus Account, may, however, be subject to certain
generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the
accuracy and completeness of such statements. Disclosure in this Appendix
regarding the Fixed Plus Account has not been reviewed by the SEC.

     The Fixed Plus Account guarantees the minimum Fixed Plus interest rate
specified in the Contract. The Company may credit a higher interest rate from
time to time. The current rate is subject to change at any time, but will never
fall below the guaranteed minimum. The Company's determination of interest rates
reflects the investment income earned on invested assets and the amortization of
any capital gains and/or losses realized on the sale of invested assets. Under
the Fixed Plus Account, the Company assumes the risk of investment gain or loss
by guaranteeing Account Values and promising a minimum interest rate and Annuity
Payment.

     The Fixed Plus Account will reflect a compound interest rate credited by
us. The interest rate quoted is an annual effective yield. Amounts applied to
the Fixed Plus Account will earn the Fixed Plus interest rate in effect when
actually applied to the Fixed Plus Account. We make no deductions from the
credited interest rate for mortality and expense risks; these risks are
considered in determining the credited rate.

     Beginning on the tenth Account Year, we will credit amounts held in the
Fixed Plus Account with an interest rate that is at least 0.25% higher than the
then declared interest rate for the Fixed Plus Account for Accounts that have
not reached their tenth anniversary.

     Under certain emergency conditions, we may defer payment of a Fixed Account
withdrawal value (a) for a period of up to 6 months; or (b) as provided by
federal law.

     The Company reserves the right to limit Purchase Payment(s) and/or
transfers to the Fixed Plus Account.

FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT WITHDRAWALS

     The amount eligible for partial withdrawal is 20% of the amount held in the
Fixed Plus Account on the day our Home Office receives a written request,
reduced by any Fixed Plus Account withdrawals, transfers, loans or
annuitizations made in the prior 12 months. In calculating the 20% limit, we
reserve the right to include payments made due to the election of any Additional
Withdrawal Options.

   
     The 20% limit is waived if the partial withdrawal is due to annuitization
under a fixed lifetime or non-lifetime Annuity option, or a variable lifetime
Annuity option, or due to death. The waiver upon death will only be exercised
once and must occur within six months after the Participant's date of death. Any
such surrender or annuitization must also be made pro rata from all Subaccounts
and Credited Interest Options available under the Contract.
    

     If a full withdrawal is requested, we will pay any amounts held in the
Fixed Plus Account, with interest, in five annual payments equal to:
   1. One-fifth of the Fixed Plus Account Value on the day the request is
      received, reduced by any Fixed Plus Account withdrawals, transfers, loans
      or annuitizations made during the prior 12 months;
   2. One-fourth of the remaining Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later;
   3. One-third of the remaining Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later;
   4. One-half of the remaining Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later; and
   5. The balance of the Fixed Plus Account Value 12 months later.

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                                       21

<PAGE>

   
     Once we receive a request for a full withdrawal, no further withdrawals,
loans or transfers will be permitted from the Fixed Plus Account. A full
withdrawal from the Fixed Plus Account may be cancelled at any time before the
end of the five-payment period. We will waive the Fixed Plus Account full
withdrawal provision if a full withdrawal is made due to (a) the Participant's
death within 6 months after the Participant's date of death before Annuity
payments begin and request for payment is received; (b) the election of a fixed
lifetime or non-lifetime Annuity option or a variable lifetime Annuity option;
or (c) if the Fixed Plus Account value is $3,500 or less and no withdrawals,
transfers, loans or annuitizations have been made from the Account within the
prior 12 months; or (d) the Participant's separation from service with the
employer (if the separation from service is certified by the employer and the
withdrawal request is received within 60 days of the date of termination)
subject to a 3% charge based on the entire Fixed Plus Account value. If the
Participant who separates from service chooses to have the five annual payments
of the Fixed Plus Account withdrawal, as described above, then no charge will be
assessed.
    

TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     The amount eligible for transfer from the Fixed Plus Account is 20% of the
amount held in the Fixed Plus Account on the day we receive a written request,
reduced by any Fixed Plus Account withdrawals, transfers, loans or
annuitizations made during the prior 12 months. In calculating the 20% limit, we
reserve the right to include payments made due to the election of one of the
Additional Withdrawal Options. The 20% limit on transfers will be waived when
the value in the Fixed Plus Account is $1,000 or less.

     By notifying us at our Home Office at least 30 days before the Annuity
Date, you may elect to have amounts which have been accumulating under the Fixed
Plus Account transferred to one or more of the Subaccounts available during the
Annuity Period to provide lifetime variable Annuity Payments. For amounts which
have been accumulating under the Fixed Plus Account, a nonlifetime annuity
option may only be elected on a fixed basis.

SWO

     The Systematic Withdrawal Option may not be elected if you have requested a
Fixed Plus Account transfer or withdrawal within the prior 12 month period.

CONTRACT LOANS

     If permitted under the Plan, loans may be made from Account Values held in
the Fixed Plus Account. See the loan agreement for a description of the amount
available and the consequences upon loan default if more than 20% of the Fixed
Plus Account Value is used for a loan.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       22

<PAGE>

                                  APPENDIX IV
                               FIXED PLUS ACCOUNT

   
                  (APPLICABLE ONLY IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES)
    

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following summarizes material information concerning the Fixed Plus Account.
Amounts allocated to the Fixed Plus Account are held in the Company's general
account that supports general insurance and annuity obligations. Interests in
the Fixed Plus Account have not been registered with the SEC in reliance on
exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Disclosure in the
Prospectus regarding the Fixed Plus Account, may, however, be subject to certain
generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the
accuracy and completeness of such statements. Disclosure in this Appendix
regarding the Fixed Plus Account has not been reviewed by the SEC.

     The Fixed Plus Account guarantees that amounts allocated to this option
will earn the minimum interest rate specified in the Contract. We may credit a
higher interest rate from time to time. The Company's determination of interest
rates reflects the Investment income earned on invested assets and the
amortization of any capital gains and/or losses realized on the sale of invested
assets. Under this option, we assume the risk of investment gain or loss by
guaranteeing Net Purchase Payment values and promising a minimum interest rate
and Annuity payment.

     Under certain emergency conditions, we may defer payment of a Fixed Plus
Account withdrawal value (a) for a period of up to 6 months or (b) as provided
by federal law.

     During any calendar year, any withdrawals requested from an Account's Fixed
Plus Account value may not exceed 20% of the Account's Fixed Plus Account Value
as of the date the withdrawal request is received in good order at our Home
Office. The withdrawal value will be reduced by any Fixed Plus Account
withdrawal(s), transfer(s) or annuitizations previously made during the calendar
year.

     The 20% limit is waived if the partial withdrawal is due to annuitization
or death. The waiver upon death will only be exercised once and must occur
within 6 months after the Participant's date of death.

     In the event of an complete Account withdrawal, we will pay any Fixed Plus
Account withdrawal value from the Account with interest, in five annual payments
of:

   1. One-fifth of the Fixed Plus Account withdrawal value minus any Fixed Plus
      Account withdrawal(s), transfer(s) or annuitizations made during the
      calendar year;
   2. One-fourth of the remaining Fixed Plus Account withdrawal value 12
      months later;
   3. One third of the remaining Fixed Plus Account withdrawal value 12 months
      later;
   4. One-half of the remaining Fixed Plus Account withdrawal value 12 months
      later; and
   5. The balance of the Fixed Plus Account withdrawal value as the fifth and
      final payment 12 months later.

     Once we receive notification of an Account termination, no further
withdrawal(s) or transfer(s) will be permitted from the Fixed Plus Account.

   We will waive the Fixed Plus Account full surrender provision if a full
      withdrawal is made due to:

   (a) the Participant's death within 6 months after the Participant's date of
       death before Annuity payments begin and request for payment is received;
   (b) the election of an Annuity option;
   (c) if the Fixed Plus Account value is $3,500 or less (and no withdrawals,
       transfers or annuitizations have been made from the Account during the
       calendar year), the entire Fixed Plus Account value will be paid in one
       sum.

     Amounts applied to the Fixed Plus Account will earn the interest rate in
effect when actually applied to the Fixed Plus Account.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       23

<PAGE>

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES

     The Fixed Plus Account will reflect a compound interest rate credited by
us. The interest rate quoted is an annual effective yield. We make no deductions
from the credited interest rate for mortality and expense risks; these risks are
considered in determining the credited rate.

TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     Transfers from the Fixed Plus Account to any other available investment
option(s) are allowed once in each calendar year during the Accumulation Period.
The amount that may be transferred will be up to 20% of the amount held in the
Fixed Plus Account. We will waive the 20% transfer limit when the value in the
Fixed Plus Account is $1,000 or less.

     By notifying us at our Home Office at least 30 days before annuity payments
begin, the Contract Holder, on your behalf, may elect to have amounts which have
been accumulating under the Fixed Plus Account transferred to one or more of the
Subaccounts available during the Annuity Period to provide variable annuity
payments under any of the lifetime or nonlifetime Annuity Options.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       24

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX V
                                  FIXED ACCOUNT

                   (AVAILABLE ONLY IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following summarizes material information concerning the Fixed Account.
Amounts allocated to the Fixed Account are held in the Company's general account
that supports general insurance and annuity obligations. Interests in the Fixed
Account have not been registered with the SEC in reliance on exemptions under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Disclosure in the Prospectus regarding
the Fixed Account, may, however, be subject to certain generally applicable
provisions of the federal securities laws relating to the accuracy and
completeness of such statements. Disclosure in this Appendix regarding the Fixed
Account has not been reviewed by the SEC.

     The Fixed Account guarantees the minimum interest rate specified in the
Contract. The Contract may credit a higher interest rate from time to time. The
current rate is subject to change at any time, but will never fall below the
guaranteed minimum. The Company's determination of interest rates reflects the
investment income earned on invested assets and the amortization of any capital
gains and/or losses realized on the sale of invested assets. Under the Fixed
Account, the Company assumes the risk of investment gain or loss by guaranteeing
Account Values and promising a minimum interest rate and Annuity Payment.

     Under certain emergency conditions, we may defer payment of a Fixed Account
withdrawal value (a) for a period of up to six months, or (b) as provided by
federal law.

     Amounts applied to the Fixed Account will earn the interest rate in effect
when actually applied to the Fixed Account.

     The Fixed Account will reflect a compound interest rate credited by us. The
interest rate quoted is an annual effective yield. We make no deductions from
the credited interest rate for mortality and expense risks; these risks are
considered in determining the credited rate.

TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     Transfers from the Fixed Account to any other available investment
option(s) are allowed in each calendar year during the Accumulation Period. The
amount which may be transferred may vary at our discretion; however, it will
never be less than 10% of the amount held under the Fixed Account. Transfers to
the Fixed Plus Account will be permitted without regard to this limitation.

     By notifying us at our Home Office at least 30 days before Annuity payments
begin, you may elect to have amounts which have been accumulating under the
Fixed Account transferred to one or more of the Subaccounts available during the
Annuity Period to provide variable Annuity Payments.

CONTRACT LOANS

     Loans may be made from Account Values held in the Fixed Account.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       25

<PAGE>

                         For Master Applications Only

I hereby acknowledge receipt of an Account C Group Deferred Variable Annuity
prospectus dated May 1, 1997, as well as all current prospectuses pertaining to
the variable investment options available under the Contracts.

____ Please send an Account C Statement of Additional Information
     (Form No. SAI.91846-97) dated May 1, 1997.

_______________________________________________________________________________
                           CONTRACT HOLDER'S SIGNATURE

_______________________________________________________________________________
                                      DATE

Form No. PROS. 91846-97


























- -------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C
                                       OF
                    AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


              Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 1997
   
                        Group Variable Annuity Contracts
                      for Optional Retirement Programs and
                Retirement Programs for Educational Institutions
    

This Statement of Additional  Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction  with the current  prospectus for Variable Annuity Account C (the
"Separate Account") dated May 1, 1997.

A free  prospectus is available upon request from the local Aetna Life Insurance
and Annuity Company office or by writing to or calling:

                    Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
                                Customer Service
                              151 Farmington Avenue
                           Hartford, Connecticut 06156
                                 1-800-525-4225

Read the prospectus before you invest. Unless otherwise indicated, terms used in
this Statement of Additional  Information  shall have the same meaning as in the
prospectus.



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page

General Information and History..............................................2
Variable Annuity Account C...................................................2
Offering and Purchase of Contracts...........................................3
Performance Data.............................................................3
     General.................................................................3
     Average Annual Total Return Quotations..................................4
Annuity Payments.............................................................7
Sales Material and Advertising...............................................8
Independent Auditors.........................................................8
Financial Statements of the Separate Account.................................S-1
Financial Statements of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company.............F-1




<PAGE>


                         GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
   
Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (the "Company") is a stock life
insurance company which was organized under the insurance laws of the State of
Connecticut in 1976. Through a merger, it succeeded to the business of Aetna
Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (formerly Participating Annuity Life
Insurance Company organized in 1954). As of December 31, 1996, the Company had
$30.1 billion invested through its products, including $15.0 billion in its
separate accounts (of which the Company oversees the management of $10.5
billion) and $1.1 billion in its mutual funds offered outside of its separate
accounts. As of December 31, 1995, it ranked among the top 2% of all U.S. life
insurance companies based on assets. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc., which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of
Aetna Retirement Services, Inc., and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Aetna Inc. The Company is engaged in the business of issuing life insurance
policies and annuity contracts in all states of the United States. The Company's
Home Office is located at 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.
    

In addition to serving as the principal underwriter and the depositor for the
Separate Account, the Company is also a registered investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and a registered broker-dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company provides investment advice to
several of the registered management investment companies offered as variable
investment options under the Contracts funded by the Separate Account (see
"Variable Annuity Account C" below).

Other than the mortality and expense risk charges, asset-based sales charge and
administrative expense charge, if any, described in the prospectus, all expenses
incurred in the operations of the Separate Account are borne by the Company.
(See "Charges and Deductions" in the prospectus.) The Company receives
reimbursement for certain administrative costs from some unaffiliated sponsors
of the Funds used as funding options under the Contract. These fees generally
range up to 0.25%.

The assets of the Separate Account are held by the Company. The Separate Account
has no custodian. However, the Funds in whose shares the assets of the Separate
Account are invested each have custodians, as discussed in their respective
prospectuses.

                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C
   
Variable Annuity Account C (the "Separate Account") is a separate account
established by the Company for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts
issued by the Company. The Separate Account is registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended. Purchase Payments made under the Contract may be
allocated to one or more of the Subaccounts. Each Subaccount invests in the
shares of only one of the Funds listed below. The Company may make additions to,
deletions from or substitutions of available investment options as permitted by
law and subject to the conditions of the Contract. The availability of the Funds
is subject to applicable regulatory authorization. Not all Funds are available
in all jurisdictions, under all Contracts, or under all Plans. 
    





                                       2
<PAGE>


The Funds currently available under the Contract are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
  Aetna Variable Fund                                           Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio
  Aetna Income Shares                                           Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio
  Aetna Variable Encore Fund                                    Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio
  Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.                          Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio
  Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio                               Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio
  Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio                           Franklin Government Securities Trust
  Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio                               Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth Portfolio
  Aetna Variable Capital Appreciation Portfolio                 Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio
  Aetna Variable Growth Portfolio                               Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio
  Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio                           Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio
  Aetna Variable Small Company Portfolio                        Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio
  Alger American Growth Portfolio                               Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio
  Alger American Small Cap Portfolio                            Lexington Natural Resources Trust
  American Century VP Capital Appreciation                      Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio
    (formerly TCI Growth)                                       Scudder International Portfolio Class A Shares
</TABLE>

Complete descriptions of each of the Funds, including their investment
objectives, policies, risks and fees and expenses, is contained in the
prospectuses and statements of additional information for each of the Funds.

                       OFFERING AND PURCHASE OF CONTRACTS

The Company is both the depositor and the principal underwriter for the
securities sold by the prospectus. The Company offers the Contracts through life
insurance agents licensed to sell variable annuities who are registered
representatives of the Company or of other registered broker-dealers who have
sales agreements with the Company. The offering of the Contracts is continuous.
A description of the manner in which Contracts are purchased may be found in the
prospectus under the sections titled "Purchase" and "Contract Valuation."

                                PERFORMANCE DATA

General

From time to time, the Company may advertise different types of historical
performance for the Subaccounts of the Separate Account available under the
Contracts issued by the Company in connection with Plans described in the
prospectus. The Company may advertise the "standardized average annual total
returns," calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "standardized return"), as well as "non-standardized returns",
calculated in an identical manner but including additional periods. 

   
The standardized total return figures are computed according to a formula in
which a hypothetical initial Purchase Payment of $1,000 is applied to the
various Subaccounts under the Contract, and then related to the ending
redeemable values over one, five and ten year periods (or fractional periods
thereof). The redeemable value is then divided by the initial investment and
this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N represents the number of years in the
period) and 1 is subtracted from the result which is then expressed as a
percentage, carried to at least the nearest hundredth of a percent. The
standardized figures use the actual



                                       3
<PAGE>

returns of the Fund since inception and then adjust them to reflect the
deduction of all recurring charges under the Contracts during each period (as
applicable) (e.g., mortality and expense risk charges, asset-based sales charges
and administrative expense charges). These charges will be deducted on a pro
rata basis in the case of fractional periods. The total return figures shown
below may be different from the actual historical total return under your
Contract because for periods prior to 1994, the Subaccount's investment
performance was based on the performance of the underlying Fund plus any cash
held by the Subaccount.
    

The non-standardized figures use the same formula, but may be computed to
include monthly, quarterly, year-to-date and three-year periods.

   
    

Investment results of the Subaccounts will fluctuate over time, and any
presentation of the Subaccounts' total return quotations for any prior period
should not be considered as a representation of how the Subaccounts will perform
in any future period. Additionally, your Account Value upon redemption may be
more or less than your original cost.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN QUOTATIONS - Standardized and Non-Standardized

The table below reflects the average annual standardized and non-standardized
total return quotation figures for the period ended December 31, 1996 for each
of the Subaccounts available under the Contract. For those Subaccounts where
results are not available for the full calendar period indicated, the percentage
shown is an average annual return since inception (denoted with an *).



                                       4
<PAGE>


       FOR MASTER CONTRACTS ISSUED OR ENDORSED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1996
             (ASSUMES A MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE OF 1.00%)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            FUND
                                                    STANDARDIZED                         NON-STANDARDIZED                INCEPTION
                                                                                                                            DATE
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               SUBACCOUNT                1  Year    5 Years     10 Years    1 Year      3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>
 Aetna Variable Fund                       23.22%     12.04%      13.09%      23.22%      16.51%     12.04%     13.09%   05/01/75
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Income Shares                        2.56%      5.71%       7.75%       2.56%       4.54%      5.71%      7.75%   05/15/73
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Variable Encore Fund                 4.31%      3.42%       5.03%       4.31%       4.10%      3.42%      5.03%   08/01/75
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.      14.02%     10.16%      10.19%*     14.02%      12.28%     10.16%     10.19%*  04/03/89
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio           22.35%    21.95%*       n/a        22.35%     21.95%*      n/a        n/a     07/05/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio       17.62%    17.94%*       n/a        17.62%     17.94%*      n/a        n/a     07/05/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio           13.05%    14.12%*       n/a        13.05%     14.12%*      n/a        n/a     07/05/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio        9.33%*     n/a         n/a         9.33%*      n/a        n/a        n/a     09/16/96
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Alger American Growth Portfolio           12.22%     15.48%      17.50%*     12.22%      15.03%     15.48%     17.50%*  01/09/89
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Alger American Small Cap Portfolio         3.14%      9.92%      19.03%*      3.14%      11.74%      9.92%     19.03%*  09/21/88
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 American Century VP Capital               (5.28)%     5.12%       9.72%*     (5.28)%      6.36%      5.12%      9.72%*  11/20/87
   Appreciation
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced     11.49%      9.35%      10.01%      11.49%      11.13%      9.35%     10.01%   09/02/86
   Portfolio
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio      20.00%    29.00%*       n/a        20.00%     29.00%*      n/a        n/a     01/03/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio      13.14%     16.81%      12.61%      13.14%      17.07%     16.81%     12.61%   10/09/86
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio             13.56%     14.02%      14.01%      13.56%      14.64%     14.02%     14.01%   10/09/86
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio           12.02%      8.07%       6.86%*     12.02%       7.02%      8.07%      6.86%*  02/13/87
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Franklin Government Securities Trust       3.03%      5.37%       7.42%*      3.03%       4.59%      5.37%      7.42%*  02/17/89
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth              6.87%    20.08%*       n/a         6.87%      15.82%    20.08%*      n/a     09/13/93
 Portfolio
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio            15.02%    13.46%*       n/a        15.02%      12.37%    13.46%*      n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio      8.10%     8.43%*       n/a         8.10%       9.16%    8.43%*       n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio              17.27%    15.03%*       n/a        17.27%      15.43%    15.03%*      n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio      2.94%     3.37%*       n/a         2.94%       3.71%    3.37%*       n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio    27.75%    21.93%*       n/a        27.75%      17.43%    21.93%*      n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lexington Natural Resources Trust         25.63%      8.85%     8.92%*       25.63%      10.84%      8.85%      8.92%*  10/14/91
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio        8.05%      8.74%      10.33%       8.05%       9.85%      8.74%     10.33%   09/10/84
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Scudder International Portfolio           13.63%      9.95%       8.84%*     13.63%       7.06%      9.95%      8.84%*  05/01/87
   Class A Shares
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Please refer to the discussion preceding the Tables for an explanation of the
charges included in the Standardized and Non-Standardized figures. These figures
represent historical performance and should not be considered a projection of
future performance.




                                       5
<PAGE>

              FOR MASTER CONTRACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 1996
              (ASSUMES A MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE OF 1.25%
                    AND AN ASSET BASED SALES CHARGE OF 0.15%)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            FUND
                                                    STANDARDIZED                         NON-STANDARDIZED                INCEPTION
                                                                                                                            DATE
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               SUBACCOUNT                1  Year    5 Years     10 Years    1 Year      3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>
 Aetna Variable Fund                       22.71%     11.59%      12.63%      22.71%      16.03%     11.59%     12.63%   05/01/75
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Income Shares                        2.14%      5.28%       7.31%       2.14%       4.11%      5.28%      7.31%   05/15/73
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Variable Encore Fund                 3.89%      3.00%       4.60%       3.89%       3.67%      3.00%      4.60%   08/01/75
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.      13.55%      9.72%       9.74%*     13.55%      11.82%      9.72%      9.74%*  04/03/89
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio           21.84%    21.44%*       n/a        21.84%     21.44%*      n/a        n/a     07/05/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio       17.14%    17.46%*       n/a        17.14%     17.46%*      n/a        n/a     07/05/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio           12.58%    13.66%*       n/a        12.58%     13.66%*      n/a        n/a     07/05/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio        9.19%*     n/a         n/a         9.19%*      n/a        n/a        n/a     09/16/96
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Alger American Growth Portfolio           11.75%     15.01%      17.02%*     11.75%      14.56%     15.01%     17.02%*  01/09/89
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Alger American Small Cap Portfolio         2.72%      9.47%      18.55%*      2.72%      11.29%      9.47%     18.55%*  09/21/88
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 American Century VP Capital               (5.67)%     4.69%       9.27%*     (5.67)%      5.92%      4.69%      9.27%*  11/20/87
   Appreciation                                                                                                          
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced     11.04%      8.91%       9.56%      11.04%      10.68%      8.91%      9.56%   09/02/86
   Portfolio                                                                                                             
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio      19.52%    28.48%*       n/a        19.52%     28.48%*      n/a        n/a     01/03/95
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio      12.68%     16.34%      12.16%      12.68%      16.59%     16.34%     12.16%   10/09/86
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio             13.09%     13.56%      13.55%      13.09%      14.17%     13.56%     13.55%   10/09/86
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio           11.56%      7.63%       6.42%*     11.56%       6.59%      7.63%      6.42%*  02/13/87
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Franklin Government Securities Trust       2.61%      4.94%       6.98%*      2.61%       4.16%      4.94%      6.98%*  02/17/89
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Aggressive Growth              6.43%    19.59%*       n/a         6.43%      15.35%    19.59%*      n/a     09/13/93
 Portfolio                                                                                                               
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Balanced Portfolio            14.55%    13.00%*       n/a        14.55%      11.91%    13.00%*      n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Flexible Income Portfolio      7.66%     7.99%*       n/a         7.66%       8.71%    7.99%*       n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Growth Portfolio              16.79%    14.56%*       n/a        16.79%      14.96%    14.56%*      n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Short-Term Bond Portfolio      2.52%     2.95%*       n/a         2.52%       3.29%    2.95%*       n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janus Aspen Worldwide Growth Portfolio    27.22%    21.44%*       n/a        27.22%      16.96%    21.44%*      n/a     09/13/93
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lexington Natural Resources Trust         25.11%      8.41%     8.47%*       25.11%      10.39%      8.41%    8.47%*    10/14/91
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Neuberger & Berman Growth Portfolio        7.60%      8.29%       9.88%       7.60%       9.40%      8.29%      9.88%   09/10/84
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Scudder International Portfolio           13.17%      9.50%       8.40%*     13.17%       6.63%      9.50%      8.40%*  05/01/87
   Class A Shares                                                                                                        
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       6
<PAGE>


Please refer to the discussion preceding the Tables for an explanation of the
charges included in the Standardized and Non-Standardized figures. These figures
represent historical performance and should not be considered a projection of
future performance.

                                ANNUITY PAYMENTS

When Annuity payments are to begin, the value of the Account is determined using
Accumulation Unit values as of the tenth Valuation Date before the first Annuity
payment is due. Such value (less any applicable premium tax) is applied to
provide an Annuity in accordance with the Annuity and investment options
elected.

The Annuity option tables found in the Contract show, for each form of Annuity,
the amount of the first Annuity payment for each $1,000 of value applied.
Thereafter, variable Annuity payments fluctuate as the Annuity Unit value(s)
fluctuates with the investment experience of the selected investment option(s).
The first payment and subsequent payments also vary depending on the assumed net
investment rate selected (3.5% or 5% per annum). Selection of a 5% rate causes a
higher first payment, but Annuity payments will increase thereafter only to the
extent that the net investment rate increases by more than 5% on an annual
basis. Annuity payments would decline if the rate failed to increase by 5%. Use
of the 3.5% assumed rate causes a lower first payment, but subsequent payments
would increase more rapidly or decline more slowly as changes occur in the net
investment rate.

When the Annuity Period begins, the Annuitant is credited with a fixed number of
Annuity Units (which does not change thereafter) in each of the designated
investment options. This number is calculated by dividing (a) by (b), where (a)
is the amount of the first Annuity payment based on a particular investment
option, and (b) is the then current Annuity Unit value for that investment
option. As noted, Annuity Unit values fluctuate from one Valuation Date to the
next; such fluctuations reflect changes in the net investment factor for the
appropriate Subaccount(s) (with a ten Valuation Date lag which gives the Company
time to process Annuity payments) and a mathematical adjustment which offsets
the assumed net investment rate of 3.5% or 5% per annum.

The operation of all these factors can be illustrated by the following
hypothetical example. These procedures will be performed separately for the
investment options selected during the Annuity Period.

EXAMPLE:
Assume that, at the date Annuity payments are to begin, there are 3,000
Accumulation Units credited under a particular Contract or Account and that the
value of an Accumulation Unit for the tenth Valuation Date prior to retirement
was $13.650000. This produces a total value of $40,950.

Assume also that no premium tax is payable and that the Annuity table in the
Contract provides, for the option elected, a first monthly variable Annuity
payment of $6.68 per $1000 of value applied; the Annuitant's first monthly
payment would thus be 40.950 multiplied by $6.68, or $273.55.

Assume then that the value of an Annuity Unit for the Valuation Date in which
the first payment was due was $13.400000. When this value is divided into the
first monthly payment, the number of Annuity Units is determined to be 20.414.
The value of this number of Annuity Units will be paid in each subsequent month.

If the net investment factor with respect to the appropriate Subaccount is
1.0015000 as of the tenth Valuation Date preceding the due date of the second
monthly payment, multiplying this factor by 



                                       7
<PAGE>

 .9999058* (to neutralize the assumed net investment rate of 3.5% per annum built
into the number of Annuity Units determined above) produces a result of
1.0014057. This is then multiplied by the Annuity Unit value for the prior
Valuation Date (assume such value to be $13.504376) to produce an Annuity Unit
value of $13.523359 for the Valuation Date in which the second payment is due.

The second monthly payment is then determined by multiplying the number of
Annuity Units by the current Annuity Unit value, or 20.414 times $13.523359,
which produces a payment of $276.07.

*If an assumed net investment rate of 5% is elected, the appropriate factor to
neutralize such assumed rate would be .9998663.

                         SALES MATERIAL AND ADVERTISING

The Company may include hypothetical illustrations in its sales literature that
explain the mathematical principles of dollar cost averaging, compounded
interest, tax deferred accumulation, and the mechanics of variable annuity
contracts. The Company may also discuss the difference between variable annuity
contracts and other types of savings or investment products, including, but not
limited to, personal savings accounts and certificates of deposit.

We may distribute sales literature that compares the percentage change in
Accumulation Unit values for any of the Subaccounts to established market
indices such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Average or to the percentage change in values of other management
investment companies that have investment objectives similar to the Subaccount
being compared.

We may publish in advertisements and reports, the ratings and other information
assigned to us by one or more independent rating organizations such as A.M. Best
Company, Duff & Phelps, Standard & Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investors
Services, Inc. The purpose of the ratings is to reflect our financial strength
and/or claims-paying ability. We may also quote ranking services such as
Morningstar's Variable Annuity/Life Performance Report and Lipper's Variable
Insurance Products Performance Analysis Service (VIPPAS), which rank variable
annuity or life Subaccounts or their underlying funds by performance and/or
investment objective. We may illustrate in advertisements the performance of the
underlying funds, if accompanied by performance which also shows the performance
of such funds reduced by applicable charges under the Separate Account. We may
also show in advertisements the portfolio holdings of the underlying funds,
updated at various intervals. From time to time, we will quote articles from
newspapers and magazines or other publications or reports, including, but not
limited to The Wall Street Journal, Money magazine, USA Today and The VARDS
Report.

The Company may provide in advertising, sales literature, periodic publications
or other materials information on various topics of interest to current and
prospective Contract Holders or Participants. These topics may include the
relationship between sectors of the economy and the economy as a whole and its
effect on various securities markets, investment strategies and techniques (such
as value investing, market timing, dollar cost averaging, asset allocation,
constant ratio transfer and account rebalancing), the advantages and
disadvantages of investing in tax-deferred and taxable investments, customer
profiles and hypothetical purchase and investment scenarios, financial
management and tax and retirement planning, and investment alternatives to
certificates of deposit and other financial instruments, including comparison
between the Contracts and the characteristics of and market for such financial
instruments.



                                       8
<PAGE>

                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, CityPlace II, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-4103, are the
independent auditors for the Separate Account and for the Company. The services
provided to the Separate Account include primarily the examination of the
Separate Account's financial statements and the review of filings made with the
SEC.




                                       9
<PAGE>


                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C


                                      Index


Statement of Assets and Liabilities........................................ S-2
Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets......................... S-5
Notes to Financial Statements ............................................. S-6
Independent Auditors' Report............................................... S-12



                                      S-1

<PAGE>


Variable Annuity Account C

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                            <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at net asset value: (Note 1)
  Aetna Variable Fund; 151,485,109 shares (cost $4,579,080,272) .............................  $4,906,825,216
  Aetna Income Shares;  28,507,123 shares (cost $369,163,545)................................     359,849,312
  Aetna Variable Encore Fund; 18,592,739 shares (cost $246,054,502) .........................     245,304,466
  Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.; 53,928,968 shares (cost $718,075,860) ...............     815,295,428
  Aetna GET Fund, Series B; 4,575,463 shares (cost $47,775,458) .............................      65,062,153
  Aetna GET Fund, Series C; 19,458,746 shares (cost $196,074,278) ...........................     199,058,163
  Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio; 1,716,448 shares (cost $19,943,767) ......................      21,660,591
  Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio; 1,232,084 shares (cost $13,920,592) ..................      14,758,921
  Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio; 805,622 shares (cost $8,954,520) .........................       9,067,002
  Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio; 976,838 shares (cost $10,573,112) ....................      10,653,437
  Alger American Funds:
    Growth Portfolio; 3,054,826 shares (cost $98,141,364) ...................................     104,872,172
    Small Capitalization Portfolio; 7,916,675 shares (cost $284,506,629) ....................     323,871,170
  Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Fund; 22,541,903 shares (cost $37,025,408) ..........      39,989,335
  Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund:
    Equity-Income Portfolio; 5,062,740 shares (cost $95,793,557) ............................     106,469,428
    Growth Portfolio; 2,583,239 shares (cost $75,185,783) ...................................      80,442,047
    Overseas Portfolio; 448,481 shares (cost $7,799,758) ....................................       8,449,388
  Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund II:
    Asset Manager Portfolio; 1,010,226 shares (cost $14,600,538) ............................      17,103,129
    Contrafund Portfolio; 7,179,138 shares (cost $103,725,028) ..............................     118,886,521
    Index 500 Portfolio; 238,202 shares (cost $18,926,038) ..................................      21,230,903
 Franklin Government Securities Trust; 1,774,843 shares (cost $22,950,984) ..................      23,356,943
 Janus Aspen Series:
    Aggressive Growth Portfolio; 9,477,882 shares (cost $155,207,650) .......................     172,876,567
    Balanced Portfolio; 1,034,616 shares (cost $14,529,701) .................................      15,281,267
    Flexible Income Portfolio; 748,885 shares (cost $8,276,798) .............................       8,417,464
    Growth Portfolio; 2,630,613 shares (cost $38,608,238) ...................................      40,800,809
    Short-Term Bond Portfolio; 169,569 shares (cost $1,697,074) .............................       1,690,606
    Worldwide Growth Portfolio; 8,868,224 shares (cost $155,687,884) ........................     172,398,274
  Lexington Emerging Markets Fund; 480,702 shares (cost $4,742,490) .........................       4,845,481
  Lexington Natural Resources Trust Fund; 1,668,604 shares (cost $19,847,176) ...............      23,844,347
  Neuberger and Berman Advisers Management Trust -
    Growth Portfolio; 3,688,195 shares (cost $85,622,163) ...................................      95,081,684
  Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund -
    International Portfolio; 14,454,018 shares (cost $162,216,238) ..........................     191,515,746
TCI Portfolios Inc. - Growth Fund; 33,812,929 shares (cost $338,104,873) ....................     346,244,393
                                                                                               --------------
NET ASSETS  (cost $7,952,811,278)............................................................  $8,565,202,363
                                                                                               ==============
Net assets represented by:

Reserves for annuity contracts in accumulation and payment period: (Notes 1 and 5)

Aetna Variable Fund:
  Annuity contracts in accumulation..........................................................  $4,694,078,344
  Annuity contracts in payment period........................................................     212,746,872
Aetna Income Shares:
  Annuity contracts in accumulation..........................................................     354,233,289
  Annuity contracts in payment period........................................................       5,616,023
Aetna Variable Encore Fund:
  Annuity contracts in accumulation..........................................................     245,304,466
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.:
  Annuity contracts in accumulation..........................................................     800,532,626
  Annuity contracts in payment period........................................................      14,762,802
</TABLE>

                                      S-2
<PAGE>

Variable Annuity Account C

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - December 31, 1996 (continued):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                               <C>
 Aetna GET Fund, Series B:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     $65,062,153
 Aetna GET Fund, Series C:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     199,058,163
 Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      21,660,591
 Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      14,758,921
 Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................       9,067,002
 Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      10,653,437
 Alger American Funds:
   Growth Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     104,872,172
   Small Capitalization Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     323,871,170
 Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Fund:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      39,989,335
 Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund:
   Equity-Income Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     106,469,428
   Growth Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      80,442,047
   Overseas Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................       8,449,388
 Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund II:
   Asset Manager Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      17,103,129
   Contrafund Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     118,886,521
   Index 500 Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      21,230,903
 Franklin Government Securities Trust Fund:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      23,356,943
 Janus Aspen Series:
   Aggressive Growth Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     172,876,567
   Balanced Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      15,281,267
   Flexible Income Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................       8,417,464
   Growth Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      40,800,809
   Short-Term Bond Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................       1,690,606
   Worldwide Growth Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     172,398,274
 Lexington Emerging Markets Fund:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................       4,845,481
 Lexington Natural Resources Trust Fund:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      23,844,347
 Neuberger and Berman Advisers Management Trust -
   Growth Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................      95,081,684
 Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund - International Portfolio:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................     191,515,746
</TABLE>

                                      S-3
<PAGE>

Variable Annuity Account C

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - December 31, 1996 (continued):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                            <C>
 TCI Portfolios, Inc. - Growth Fund:
   Annuity contracts in accumulation.........................................................    $346,244,393
                                                                                               --------------
                                                                                               $8,565,202,363
                                                                                               ==============
</TABLE>


See Notes to Financial Statements

                                      S-4
<PAGE>

Variable Annuity Account C

Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year Ended December 31,
                                                                          1996                1995
                                                                          ----                ----
<S>                                                                  <C>                 <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Income: (Notes 1, 3 and 5)
   Dividends .....................................................     $712,854,599        $730,430,612
Expenses: (Notes 2 and 5)
   Valuation Period Deductions ...................................      (93,446,331)        (71,090,542)
                                                                     --------------      --------------
Net investment income ............................................      619,408,268         659,340,070
                                                                     --------------      --------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
  ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain on sales of investments: (Notes 1, 4 and 5)
  Proceeds from sales ............................................    2,060,808,031         570,154,582
  Cost of investments sold .......................................    1,547,239,509         409,480,615
                                                                     --------------      --------------
    Net realized gain ............................................      513,568,522         160,673,967
Net unrealized gain on investments: (Note 5)
  Beginning of year ..............................................      594,083,184          73,479,233
  End of year ....................................................      612,391,085         594,083,184
                                                                     --------------      --------------
    Net change in unrealized gain ................................       18,307,901         520,603,951
                                                                     --------------      --------------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments ..................      531,876,423         681,277,918
                                                                     --------------      --------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .............    1,151,284,691       1,340,617,988
                                                                     --------------      --------------
FROM UNIT TRANSACTIONS:
Variable annuity contract purchase payments ......................      951,293,520         771,594,245
Sales and administrative charges deducted by the Company .........          (61,783)            (98,694)
                                                                     --------------      --------------
    Net variable annuity contract purchase payments...............      951,231,737         771,495,551
Transfer from the Company for mortality guarantee adjustments ....        3,247,064           3,678,430
Transfers (to) from the Company's fixed account options ..........      187,508,331         (44,377,350)
Redemptions by contract holders ..................................     (339,383,183)       (287,945,984)
Annuity Payments .................................................      (20,948,181)        (14,807,537)
Other ............................................................          144,245           1,144,770
                                                                     --------------      --------------
    Net increase in net assets from unit transactions (Note 5) ...      781,800,013         429,187,880
                                                                     --------------      --------------
Change in net assets .............................................    1,933,084,704       1,769,805,868
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year ................................................    6,632,117,659       4,862,311,791
                                                                     --------------      --------------
End of year ......................................................   $8,565,202,363      $6,632,117,659
                                                                     ==============      ==============
</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      S-5
<PAGE>

Variable Annuity Account C

Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 1996

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Variable Annuity Account C ("Account") is a separate account established by
     Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and is registered under the
     Investment Company Act of 1940 as a unit investment trust. The Account is
     sold exclusively for use with variable annuity contracts that are qualified
     under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
     accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
     assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. Although actual results
     could differ from these estimates, any such differences are expected to be
     immaterial to the net assets of the Account.

     a.  Valuation of Investments
     Investments in the following Funds are stated at the closing net asset
     value per share as determined by each Fund on December 31, 1996:


     Aetna Variable Fund                           
     Aetna Income Shares
     Aetna Variable Encore Fund
     Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.
     Aetna GET Fund, Series B
     Aetna GET Fund, Series C
     Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio
     Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio
     Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio
     Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio
     Alger American Funds:
     [bullet]  Growth Portfolio
     [bullet]  Small Capitalization Portfolio
     Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio
     Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund:
     [bullet]  Equity-Income Portfolio
     [bullet]  Growth Portfolio
     [bullet]  Overseas Portfolio
     Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund II:
     [bullet]  Asset Manager Portfolio
     [bullet]  Contrafund Portfolio
     [bullet]  Index 500 Portfolio



     Franklin Government Securities Trust
     Janus Aspen Series:
     [bullet]  Aggressive Growth Portfolio
     [bullet]  Balanced Portfolio
     [bullet]  Flexible Income Portfolio
     [bullet]  Growth Portfolio
     [bullet]  Short-Term Bond Portfolio
     [bullet]  Worldwide Growth Portfolio 
     Lexington Fund Emerging Markets Fund
     Lexington Natural Resources Trust Fund
     Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust - 
       Growth Portfolio
     Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund - 
       International Portfolio
     TCI Portfolios, Inc. - Growth Fund



     b.  Other
     Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis and
     dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The cost of
     investments sold is determined by specific identification.

     c.  Federal Income Taxes
     The operations of the Account form a part of, and are taxed with, the total
     operations of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company ("Company") which is
     taxed as a life insurance company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
     as amended.

                                      S-6
<PAGE>

Variable Annuity Account C

Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 1996 (continued):

     d.  Annuity Reserves
     Annuity reserves held in the Separate Accounts are computed for currently
     payable contracts according to the Progressive Annuity, a49, 1971
     Individual Annuity Mortality, 1971 Group Annuity Mortality, 83a, and 1983
     Group Annuity Mortality tables using various assumed interest rates not to
     exceed seven percent. Mortality experience is monitored by the Company.
     Charges to annuity reserves for mortality experience are reimbursed to the
     Company if the reserves required are less than originally estimated. If
     additional reserves are required, the Company reimburses the Account.

2.   Valuation Period Deductions

     Deductions by the Account for mortality and expense risk charges are made
     in accordance with the terms of the contracts and are paid to the Company.

3.   Dividend Income

     On an annual basis, the Funds distribute substantially all of their taxable
     income and realized capital gains to their shareholders. Distributions to
     the Account are automatically reinvested in shares of the Funds. The
     Account's proportionate share of each Fund's undistributed net investment
     income (distributions in excess of net investment income) and accumulated
     net realized gain (loss) on investments is included in net unrealized gain
     (loss) in the Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets.

4.   Purchases and Sales of Investments

     The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments other than
     short-term investments for the years ended December 31, 1996 and December
     31, 1995 aggregated $3,462,016,312 and $2,060,808,031; $1,658,682,532 and
     $570,154,582, respectively.

                                       S-7
<PAGE>


Variable Annuity Account C

Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 1996 (continued):

5.   Supplemental Information to Statements of Operations and Changes in 
     Net Assets - Year Ended December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                      Net Unrealized
                                                           Valuation       Proceeds         Cost of         Net         Gain (Loss)
                                                             Period          from          Investments    Realized       Beginning 
                                            Dividends      Deductions        Sales            Sold       Gain (Loss)      of Year  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>          <C>          
Aetna Variable Fund:                       $515,238,366   ($54,321,686)  $1,237,963,630   $841,837,896  $396,125,734 $267,567,573 
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
Annuity contracts in payment period                                                                                                
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Income Shares:                         23,144,319     (4,611,478)     155,474,786    153,469,788     2,004,998    3,230,862  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
Annuity contracts in payment period                                                                                                
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Variable Encore Fund:                  14,058,252     (2,878,790)     175,207,017    167,163,639     8,043,378    9,204,418  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.:        72,699,670     (9,562,496)     223,353,174    160,905,519    62,447,655  122,622,603  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
Annuity contracts in payment period                                                                                                
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna GET Fund, Series B:                     5,304,368     (1,100,778)      25,117,816     18,596,857     6,520,959   13,423,804  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna GET Fund, Series C:                       969,084       (280,865)         229,569        224,240         5,329            0  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio:                963,171       (137,931)         514,612        443,710        70,902      105,405  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio:            797,511       (106,179)         755,620        679,118        76,502       68,967  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio:                595,666        (63,355)       1,206,903      1,119,490        87,413       36,214  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio:             57,328        (16,537)         356,603        338,531        18,072            0  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alger American Funds:
 Growth Portfolio:                            2,138,198       (966,404)       3,326,813      3,149,890       176,923     (285,937) 
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Small Capitalization Portfolio:              1,173,212     (3,731,877)      24,333,106     17,577,100     6,756,006   38,038,924  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Fund:   3,000,539       (425,159)       1,793,014      1,429,393       363,621    2,175,908  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund:
  Equity-Income Portfolio:                    2,269,871       (994,896)       3,851,613      3,166,678       684,935    2,759,687  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth Portfolio:                            2,304,888       (707,334)         623,639        453,561       170,078      505,388  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Overseas Portfolio:                            115,737        (82,498)       2,280,928      2,065,136       215,792      163,196  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund II:
 Asset Manager Portfolio:                       955,910       (196,386)       2,016,939      1,797,456       219,483    1,530,985  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contrafund Portfolio:                          357,388       (910,633)       1,299,964      1,078,898       221,066      285,166  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Index 500 Portfolio:                           219,199       (139,391)       1,105,697        943,071       162,626      223,865  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Government Securities Trust:         1,223,061       (290,354)       5,788,894      5,646,267       142,627      831,241  
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       S-8
<PAGE>
Variable Annuity Account C

Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 1996 (continued):


5.   Supplemental Information to Statements of Operations and Changes in 
     Net Assets - Year Ended December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Net
                                             Net Unrealized         Net          Increase(Decrease)
                                               Gain (Loss)        Change in          In Net Assets              Net Assets
                                                  End            Unrealized          from Unit         Beginning          End
                                                of Year          Gain (Loss)        Transactions        of Year         of Year
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                <C>                 <C>             <C>             <C>
Aetna Variable Fund:                         $327,744,944       $60,177,371         $39,664,335
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                   $3,805,891,355  $4,694,078,344
Annuity contracts in payment period                                                                    144,049,741     212,746,872
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Income Shares:                           (9,314,233)      (12,545,095)        (34,151,027)
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                      380,937,626     354,233,289
Annuity contracts in payment period                                                                      5,069,969       5,616,023
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Variable Encore Fund:                      (750,036)       (9,954,454)          5,744,394
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                      230,291,686     245,304,466
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc.:          97,219,569       (25,403,034)         (7,904,062)
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                      713,304,833     800,532,626
Annuity contracts in payment period                                                                      9,712,862      14,762,802
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna GET Fund, Series B:                      17,286,695         3,862,891         (22,661,545)
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       73,136,258      65,062,153
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna GET Fund, Series C:                       2,983,885         2,983,885         195,380,730
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                0     199,058,163
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Ascent Variable Portfolio:                1,716,824         1,611,419          14,244,294
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        4,908,736      21,660,591
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Crossroads Variable Portfolio:              838,329           769,362           9,552,968
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        3,668,757      14,758,921
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Legacy Variable Portfolio:                  112,482            76,268           6,451,330
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        1,919,680       9,067,002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aetna Variable Index Plus Portfolio:               80,325            80,325          10,514,249
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                0      10,653,437
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alger American Funds:
 Growth Portfolio:                              6,730,808         7,016,745          58,052,710
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       38,454,000     104,872,172
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Small Capitalization Portfolio:               39,364,541         1,325,617          77,101,765
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                      241,246,447     323,871,170
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Fund:     2,963,927           788,019           7,573,554
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       28,688,761      39,989,335
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund:
  Equity-Income Portfolio:                     10,675,870         7,916,183          58,569,396
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       38,023,939     106,469,428
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth Portfolio:                              5,256,264         4,750,876          46,205,811
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       27,717,728      80,442,047
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Overseas Portfolio:                              649,630           486,434           3,994,936
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        3,718,987       8,449,388
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Investments Variable Insurance Products Fund II:
 Asset Manager Portfolio:                       2,502,591           971,606             782,358
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       14,370,158      17,103,129
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contrafund Portfolio:                         15,161,493        14,876,327          73,985,256
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       30,357,117     118,886,521
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Index 500 Portfolio:                           2,304,865         2,081,000          15,496,325
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        3,411,144      21,230,903
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Government Securities Trust:             405,959          (425,282)            664,776
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       22,042,115      23,356,943
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       S-9
<PAGE>
Variable Annuity Account C

Notes to Financial Statements - December 31, 1996 (continued):


5.   Supplemental Information to Statements of Operations and Changes in 
     Net Assets - Year Ended December 31, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
                                                              Valuation         Proceeds          Cost of            Net            
                                                                Period            from          Investments        Realized         
                                             Dividends        Deductions         Sales             Sold           Gain (Loss)       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>              <C>            <C>               <C>                 <C>              
Janus Aspen Series:
 Aggressive Growth Portfolio:                $1,589,459      ($1,739,222)      $4,803,682        $3,702,615        $1,101,067       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Balanced Portfolio:                            238,807          (87,725)       1,671,701         1,511,274           160,427       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Flexible Income Portfolio:                     499,929          (72,736)       1,541,843         1,429,353           112,490       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth Portfolio:                              630,364         (245,877)       1,130,979           963,703           167,276       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Short-Term Bond Portfolio:                      61,378          (14,453)         726,351           729,002            (2,651)      
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Worldwide Growth Portfolio:                  1,725,690       (1,035,043)       1,942,344         1,492,553           449,791       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexington Emerging Markets Fund:                      0          (55,554)         905,228           870,164            35,064       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexington Natural Resources Trust Fund:          80,144         (231,100)       7,649,108         6,026,027         1,623,081       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger and  Berman Advisers Management Trust -
 Growth Portfolio:                            8,437,018       (1,199,983)      15,336,623        13,853,081         1,483,542       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund -
 International Portfolio:                     4,063,525       (2,264,627)      26,981,873        22,523,390         4,458,483       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios, Inc. - Growth Fund:          47,942,547       (4,974,984)     131,517,962       112,052,109        19,465,853       
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                                                   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Variable Annuity Account C           $712,854,599     ($93,446,331)  $2,060,808,031    $1,547,239,509      $513,568,522       
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Net                                  Net
                                                  Unrealized              Net      Increase (Decrease)
                                                 Gain (Loss)           Change in      In Net Assets             Net Assets
                                          Beginning         End       Unrealized       from Unit        Beginning          End
                                           of Year        of Year     Gain (Loss)     Transactions       of Year         of Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>           
Janus Aspen Series:
 Aggressive Growth Portfolio:            $13,091,398    $17,668,916    $4,577,518     $79,952,029
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       $87,395,716    $172,876,567
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Balanced Portfolio:                          60,530       751,567        691,037      12,773,551
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                         1,505,170      15,281,267
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Flexible Income Portfolio:                  167,581       140,666        (26,915)      4,046,573
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                         3,858,123       8,417,464
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Growth Portfolio:                           145,978     2,192,571      2,046,593      33,135,966
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                         5,066,487      40,800,809
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Short-Term Bond Portfolio:                     (354)       (6,468)        (6,114)      1,108,236
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                           544,210       1,690,606

                                      S-10
<PAGE>


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Worldwide Growth Portfolio:                 786,497    16,710,390     15,923,893     139,287,080
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        16,046,863     172,398,274
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexington Emerging Markets Fund:             (46,118)      102,991        149,109       1,627,816
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                         3,089,046       4,845,481
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexington Natural Resources Trust Fund:    1,277,740     3,997,171      2,719,431       5,442,307
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        14,210,484      23,844,347
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger and  Berman Advisers Management Trust -
 Growth Portfolio:                        11,656,721     9,459,521     (2,197,200)       (937,272)
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                        89,495,579      95,081,684
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund -
 International Portfolio:                 12,783,439    29,299,509     16,516,070       4,017,712
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       164,724,583     191,515,746
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCI Portfolios, Inc. - Growth Fund:       91,671,503     8,139,519    (83,531,984)    (57,916,538)
Annuity contracts in accumulation                                                                       425,259,499     346,244,393
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Variable Annuity Account C        $594,083,184  $612,391,085    $18,307,901    $781,800,013    $6,632,117,659  $8,565,202,363
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                      S-11
<PAGE>

                          Independent Auditors' Report


The Board of Directors of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Contract
    Owners of Variable Annuity Account C:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Aetna
Life Insurance and Annuity Company Variable Annuity Account C (the "Account") as
of December 31, 1996, and the related statements of operations and changes in
net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and condensed
financial information for the year ended December 31, 1996. These financial
statements and condensed financial information are the responsibility of the
Account's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and condensed financial information 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 and condensed
financial information 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 as of December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the custodian. 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, the financial statements and condensed financial information
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company Variable Annuity Account C
as of December 31, 1996, the results of its operations and the changes in its
net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and condensed
financial information for the year ended December 31, 1996 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.



                                                        KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
February 14, 1997

                                      S-12


<PAGE>



            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBIDIARIES

                   Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

                                                                            Page

Independent Auditors' Report                                                 F-2

Consolidated Financial Statements:

   Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                                        F-3

   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996
     and 1995                                                                F-4

   Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
     for the Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                    F-5

   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years
     Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                                  F-6

   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                F-7



                                      F-1
<PAGE>







                          Independent Auditors' Report

The Shareholder and Board of Directors
Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aetna Life
Insurance and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholder's
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated 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. 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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Aetna Life Insurance
and Annuity Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.


                                                       /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
February 4, 1997


                                      F-2
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

                    Consolidated Statements of Income
                               (millions)

                                                Years Ended December 31,
                                           --------------------------------
                                              1996        1995       1994
                                              ----        ----       ----

Revenue:
  Premiums                                   $133.6      $212.7     $191.6
  Charges assessed against policyholders      396.5       318.9      279.0
  Net investment income                     1,045.6     1,004.3      917.2
  Net realized capital gains                   19.7        41.3        1.5
  Other income                                 45.4        42.0       10.3
                                            -------     -------    -------
    Total revenue                           1,640.8     1,619.2    1,399.6
                                            -------     -------    -------

Benefits and expenses:
  Current and future benefits                 968.6       997.2      921.5
  Operating expenses                          342.2       310.8      225.7
  Amortization of deferred policy
   acquisition costs                           69.8        48.0       31.5
  Severance and facilities charges             61.3        --         --
                                            -------     -------    -------
    Total benefits and expenses             1,441.9     1,356.0    1,178.7
                                            -------     -------    -------

Income before income taxes                    198.9       263.2      220.9

Income taxes                                   57.8        87.3       75.6
                                            -------     -------    -------
Net income                                   $141.1      $175.9     $145.3
                                            =======     =======    =======




See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                      F-3
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

                         Consolidated Balance Sheets
                        (millions, except share data)


                                                         December 31,
                                                    -------------------------
                                                      1996             1995
                                                      ----             ----
Assets
- ------

Investments:
  Debt securities, available for sale:
   (amortized cost: $12,539.1 and $11,923.7)        $12,905.5        $12,720.8
  Equity securities, available for sale:
   Non-redeemable preferred stock
    (cost: $107.6 and $51.3)                            119.0             57.6
   Investment in affiliated mutual funds
    (cost: $77.3 and $173.4)                             81.1            191.8
   Common stock (cost: $0.0 and $6.9)                     0.3              8.2
   Short-term investments                                34.8             15.1
   Mortgage loans                                        13.0             21.2
   Policy loans                                         399.3            338.6
                                                    ---------        ---------
       Total investments                             13,553.0         13,353.3

  Cash and cash equivalents                             459.1            568.8
  Accrued investment income                             159.0            175.5
  Premiums due and other receivables                     26.6             37.3
  Deferred policy acquisition costs                   1,515.3          1,341.3
  Reinsurance loan to affiliate                         628.3            655.5
  Other assets                                           33.7             26.2
  Separate Account assets                            15,318.3         10,987.0
                                                    ---------        ---------
       Total assets                                 $31,693.3        $27,144.9
                                                    =========        =========

Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity
- -------------------------------------

Liabilities:
  Future policy benefits                             $3,617.0          $3,594.6
  Unpaid claims and claim expenses                       28.9              27.2
  Policyholders' funds left with the Company         10,663.7          10,500.1
                                                    ---------         ---------
      Total insurance reserve liabilities            14,309.6          14,121.9
  Other liabilities                                     354.7             257.2
  Income taxes:
    Current                                              20.7              26.2
    Deferred                                             80.5             169.6
  Separate Account liabilities                       15,318.3          10,987.0
                                                    ---------         ---------
      Total liabilities                              30,083.8          25,561.9
                                                    ---------         ---------

Shareholder's equity:
  Common stock, par value $50 (100,000 shares
   authorized; 55,000 shares issued and
   outstanding)                                           2.8               2.8
  Paid-in capital                                       418.0             407.6
  Net unrealized capital gains                           60.5             132.5
  Retained earnings                                   1,128.2           1,040.1
                                                    ---------         ---------

      Total shareholder's equity                      1,609.5           1,583.0
                                                    ---------         ---------

       Total liabilities and shareholder's equity   $31,693.3         $27,144.9
                                                    =========         =========


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                      F-4
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

          Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
                                 (millions)


                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                  1996       1995      1994
                                                  ----       ----      ----

Shareholder's equity, beginning of year         $1,583.0   $1,088.5   $1,246.7

Capital contributions                               10.4      --         --

Net change in unrealized capital gains (losses)    (72.0)     321.5     (303.5)

Net income                                         141.1      175.9      145.3

Other changes                                      (49.5)     --         --

Common stock dividends declared                     (3.5)      (2.9)     --
                                                --------   --------   --------
Shareholder's equity, end of year               $1,609.5   $1,583.0   $1,088.5
                                                ========   ========   ========



See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                      F-5
<PAGE>




            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                 (millions)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                           -------------------------------------
                                                               1996        1995         1994
                                                               ----        ----         ----
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>   
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                                  $141.1       $175.9       $145.3
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash (used for) provided by operating activities:
  Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income              16.5        (33.3)       (17.5)
  Decrease in premiums due and other receivables                 1.6         25.4          1.3
  Increase in policy loans                                     (60.7)       (89.9)       (46.0)
  Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs               (174.0)      (177.0)      (105.9)
  Decrease in reinsurance loan to affiliate                     27.2         34.8         27.8
  Net increase in universal life account balances              243.2        393.4        164.7
  (Decrease) increase in other insurance
   reserve liabilities                                        (211.5)        79.0         75.1
  Net increase in other liabilities and other assets             3.1         13.0         52.5
  Decrease in income taxes                                     (26.7)        (4.5)       (10.3)
  Net accretion of discount on investments                     (68.0)       (66.4)       (77.9)
  Net realized capital gains                                   (19.7)       (41.3)        (1.5)
  Other, net                                                     1.1          --          (1.0)
                                                            --------     --------     --------
    Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities      (126.8)       309.1        206.6
                                                            --------     --------     --------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Proceeds from sales of:
   Debt securities available for sale                        5,182.2      4,207.2      3,593.8
   Equity securities                                           190.5        180.8         93.1
   Mortgage loans                                                8.7         10.7         --
   Limited partnership                                          --           26.6         --
  Investment maturities and collections of:
   Debt securities available for sale                          885.2        583.9      1,289.2
   Short-term investments                                       35.0        106.1         30.4
  Cost of investment purchases in:
   Debt securities available for sale                       (6,534.3)    (6,034.0)    (5,621.4)
   Equity securities                                          (118.1)      (170.9)      (162.5)
   Short-term investments                                      (54.7)       (24.7)      (106.1)
   Mortgage loans                                               --          (21.3)        --
   Limited partnership                                          --           --          (25.0)
  Other, net                                                   (17.6)        --           --
                                                            --------     --------     --------
    Net cash used for investing activities                    (423.1)    (1,135.6)      (908.5)
                                                            --------     --------     --------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Deposits and interest credited for investment contracts    1,579.5      1,884.5      1,737.8
  Withdrawals of investment contracts                       (1,146.2)    (1,109.6)      (948.7)
  Additional capital contributions                              10.4         --           --
  Dividends paid to shareholder                                 (3.5)        (2.9)        --
                                                            --------     --------     --------
    Net cash provided by financing activities                  440.2        772.0        789.1
                                                            --------     --------     --------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents          (109.7)       (54.5)        87.2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                   568.8        623.3        536.1
                                                            --------     --------     --------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                        $459.1       $568.8       $623.3
                                                            ========     ========     ========

Supplemental cash flow information:
  Income taxes paid, net                                       $85.5        $92.8        $85.9
                                                            ========     ========     ========

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>



                                      F-6
<PAGE>








            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries
     (collectively, the "Company") is a provider of financial services and life
     insurance products in the United States. The Company has two business
     segments: financial services and individual life insurance.

     Financial services products include annuity contracts that offer a variety
     of funding and payout options for individual and employer-sponsored
     retirement plans qualified under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403,
     408 and 457, and non-qualified annuity contracts. These contracts may be
     deferred or immediate ("payout annuities"). Financial services also include
     investment advisory services, financial planning and pension plan
     administrative services.

     Individual life insurance products include universal life, variable
     universal life, traditional whole life and term insurance.

     Basis of Presentation

     The consolidated financial statements include Aetna Life Insurance and
     Annuity Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Aetna Insurance Company
     of America and Aetna Private Capital, Inc. Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity
     Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.
     ("HOLDCO"). HOLDCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement
     Services, Inc., whose ultimate parent is Aetna Inc. ("Aetna").

     The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting principles. Certain reclassifications have
     been made to 1995 and 1994 financial information to conform to the 1996
     presentation.

     Future Application of Accounting Standards

     Financial Accounting Standard ("FAS") No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and
     Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, was
     issued in June 1996. This statement provides accounting and reporting
     standards for transfers of financial assets and extinguishments of
     liabilities. Transactions covered by this statement would include
     securitizations, sales of partial interests in assets, repurchase
     agreements and securities lending. This statement requires that after a
     transfer of financial assets, an entity would recognize any assets it
     controls and liabilities it has incurred. An entity would not recognize
     assets when control has been surrendered or liabilities have been
     satisfied. Portions of this statement are effective for each of 1997 and
     1998 financial statements and early adoption is not permitted. The Company
     does not expect adoption of this statement to have a material effect on its
     financial position or results of operations.



                                      F-7
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

     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 amounts reported in the financial statements
     and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from reported results
     using those estimates.

     Cash and Cash Equivalents

     Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments
     and other debt issues with a maturity of 90 days or less when purchased.

     Investments

     All of the Company's debt and equity securities are classified as available
     for sale and carried at fair value. These securities are written down (as
     realized capital losses) for other than temporary declines in value.
     Unrealized capital gains and losses related to available for sale other
     than amounts allocable to experience rated contractholders, are reflected
     in shareholder's equity, net of related taxes.

     Fair values for debt and equity securities are based on quoted market
     prices or dealer quotations. Where quoted market prices or dealer
     quotations are not available, fair values are measured utilizing quoted
     market prices for similar securities or by using discounted cash flow
     methods. Cost for mortgage-backed securities is adjusted for unamortized
     premiums and discounts, which are amortized using the interest method over
     the estimated remaining term of the securities, adjusted for anticipated
     prepayments.

     Purchases and sales of debt and equity securities are recorded on the trade
     date.

     The investment in affiliated mutual funds primarily represents an
     investment in the Aetna Series Fund, Inc., a retail mutual fund which has
     been seeded by the Company, and is carried at fair value.

     Mortgage loans and policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances,
     net of impairment reserves. Sales of mortgage loans are recorded on the
     closing date.

     Short-term investments, consisting primarily of money market instruments
     and other debt issues purchased with a maturity of 91 days to one year, are
     considered available for sale and are carried at fair value, which
     approximates amortized cost.



                                      F-8
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

     Futures contracts are carried at fair value and require daily cash
     settlement. Changes in the fair value of futures contracts that qualify as
     hedges are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the hedged asset or
     liability. Deferred gains or losses on such futures contracts are amortized
     over the life of the acquired asset or liability as a yield adjustment or
     through net realized capital gains or losses upon disposal of an asset.
     Changes in the fair value of futures contracts that do not qualify as
     hedges are recorded in net realized capital gains or losses. Hedge
     designation requires specific asset or liability identification, a
     probability at inception of high correlation with the position underlying
     the hedge, and that high correlation be maintained throughout the hedge
     period. If a hedging instrument ceases to be highly correlated with the
     position underlying the hedge, hedge accounting ceases at that date and
     excess gains and losses on the hedging instrument are reflected in net
     realized capital gains or losses.

     Swap agreements which are designated as interest rate risk management
     instruments at inception are accounted for using the accrual method.
     Accordingly, the difference between amounts paid and received on such
     agreements is reported in net investment income. There is no recognition in
     the Consolidated Balance Sheets for changes in the fair value of the
     agreement.

     Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

     Certain costs of acquiring insurance business are deferred. These costs,
     all of which vary with and are primarily related to the production of new
     and renewal business, consist principally of commissions, certain expenses
     of underwriting and issuing contracts, and certain agency expenses. For
     fixed ordinary life contracts, such costs are amortized over expected
     premium-paying periods (up to 20 years). For universal life and certain
     annuity contracts, such costs are amortized in proportion to estimated
     gross profits and adjusted to reflect actual gross profits over the life of
     the contracts (up to 20 years).

     Deferred policy acquisition costs are written off to the extent that it is
     determined that future policy premiums and investment income or gross
     profits are not adequate to cover related losses and expenses.

     Insurance Reserve Liabilities

     Future Policy Benefits include reserves for universal life, immediate
     annuities with life contingent payouts and traditional life insurance
     contracts. Reserves for universal life contracts are equal to cumulative
     deposits less charges and withdrawals plus credited interest thereon.
     Reserves for immediate annuities with life contingent payouts and
     traditional life insurance contracts are computed on the basis of assumed
     investment yield, mortality, and expenses, including a margin for adverse
     deviations. Such assumptions generally vary by plan, year of issue and
     policy duration. Reserve interest rates range from 2.25% to 12.00%.
     Investment yield is based on the Company's experience. Mortality and
     withdrawal rate assumptions are based on relevant Aetna experience and are
     periodically reviewed against both industry standards and experience.



                                      F-9
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

     Policyholders' Funds Left With the Company include reserves for deferred
     annuity investment contracts and immediate annuities without life
     contingent payouts. Reserves on such contracts are equal to cumulative
     deposits less charges and withdrawals plus credited interest thereon (rates
     range from 4.00% to 7.00%), net of adjustments for investment experience
     that the Company is entitled to reflect in future credited interest.
     Reserves on contracts subject to experience rating reflect the rights of
     contractholders, plan participants and the Company.

     Unpaid claims for all lines of insurance include benefits for reported
     losses and estimates of benefits for losses incurred but not reported.

     Premiums, Charges Assessed Against Policyholders, Benefits and Expenses

     For universal life and certain annuity contracts, charges assessed against
     policyholders' funds for the cost of insurance, surrender charges,
     actuarial margin and other fees are recorded as revenue in charges assessed
     against policyholders. Other amounts received for these contracts are
     reflected as deposits and are not recorded as revenue. Life insurance
     premiums, other than premiums for universal life and certain annuity
     contracts, are recorded as premium revenue when due. Related policy
     benefits are recorded in relation to the associated premiums or gross
     profit so that profits are recognized over the expected lives of the
     contracts. When annuity payments begin under contracts with life contingent
     payouts that were initially investment contracts, the accumulated balance
     in the account is treated as a single premium for the purchase of an
     annuity, reflected as an offsetting amount in both premiums and current and
     future benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

     Separate Accounts

     Assets held under variable universal life and variable annuity contracts
     are segregated in Separate Accounts and are invested, as designated by the
     contractholder or participant under a contract, in shares of Aetna Variable
     Fund, Aetna Income Shares, Aetna Variable Encore Fund, Aetna Investment
     Advisers Fund, Inc., Aetna GET Fund, the Aetna Series Fund Inc., or the
     Aetna Generation Funds (collectively, "Funds"), which are managed by the
     Company, or other selected mutual funds not managed by the Company.

     Separate Accounts assets and liabilities are carried at fair value except
     for those relating to a guaranteed interest option. Since the Company bears
     the investment risk where the contract is held to maturity, the assets of
     the Separate Account supporting the guaranteed interest option are carried
     at an amortized cost of $515.6 million for 1996 (fair value $523.0 million)
     and $322.2 million for 1995 (fair value $343.9 million). Reserves relating
     to the guaranteed interest option are maintained at fund value and reflect
     interest credited at rates ranging from 4.10% to 8.00% in 1996 and 4.50% to
     8.38% in 1995.



                                      F-10
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

     Separate Accounts assets and liabilities are shown as separate captions in
     the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deposits, investment income and net
     realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Separate Accounts
     are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income (with the
     exception of realized capital gains and losses on the sale of assets
     supporting the guaranteed interest option). The Consolidated Statements of
     Cash Flows do not reflect investment activity of the Separate Accounts.

     Income Taxes

     The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of
     Aetna. The Company is taxed at regular corporate rates after adjusting
     income reported for financial statement purposes for certain items.
     Deferred income tax expenses/benefits result from changes during the year
     in cumulative temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of
     assets and liabilities.



                                      F-11
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

2.   Investments

     Debt securities available for sale as of December 31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Gross       Gross
                                            Amortized  Unrealized   Unrealized    Fair
                                              Cost        Gains       Losses     Value
                                              ----        -----       ------     -----
                                                       (millions)
<S>                                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>      
U.S. government and government
   agencies and authorities                $ 1,072.4   $    20.5   $     4.5   $ 1,088.4

States, municipalities and political
   subdivisions                                  6.0         1.2        --           7.2

U.S. corporate securities:
     Financial                               2,143.4        43.1         9.7     2,176.8
     Food & fiber                              198.2         4.6         1.3       201.5
     Healthcare & consumer products            735.9        20.2         6.3       749.8
     Media & broadcast                         274.9         7.0         2.8       279.1
     Natural resources                         187.7         4.5         0.4       191.8
     Transportation & capital goods            521.9        22.0         1.8       542.1
     Utilities                                 448.8        14.8         2.8       460.8
     Other                                     141.5         3.0        --         144.5
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Total U.S. corporate securities           4,652.3       119.2        25.1     4,746.4

Foreign Securities:
     Government                                758.6        36.0         5.7       788.9
     Utilities                                 187.8        16.1        --         203.9
     Other                                     945.5        30.9         6.3       970.1
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Total foreign securities                  1,891.9        83.0        12.0     1,962.9

Residential mortgage-backed securities:
     Pass-throughs                             792.2        78.3         3.1       867.4
     Collateralized mortgage obligations     2,227.8        94.9        13.7     2,309.0
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Total residential mortgage-
   backed securities                         3,020.0       173.2        16.8     3,176.4

Commercial/Multifamily mortgage-
   backed securities                         1,008.7        24.8         5.6     1,027.9

Other asset-backed securities                  887.8        10.7         2.2       896.3
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

Total Debt Securities                      $12,539.1   $   432.6   $    66.2   $12,905.5
                                           =========   =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>



                                      F-12
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

2.   Investments (Continued)

     Debt securities available for sale as of December 31, 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Gross       Gross
                                            Amortized  Unrealized   Unrealized    Fair
                                              Cost        Gains       Losses     Value
                                              ----        -----       ------     -----
                                                       (millions)
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>     <C>    
U.S. government and government
   agencies and authorities                $   539.5   $    47.5   $    --     $   587.0

States, municipalities and political
   subdivisions                                 41.4        12.4        --          53.8

U.S. Corporate securities:
     Financial                               2,764.4       110.3         2.1     2,872.6
     Food & fiber                              310.8        20.8         0.6       331.0
     Healthcare & consumer products            766.0        59.2         0.2       825.0
     Media & broadcast                         191.7        10.0        --         201.7
     Natural resources                         186.9        12.6         0.2       199.3
     Transportation & capital goods            602.4        46.7         0.2       648.9
     Utilities                                 454.4        27.8         1.0       481.2
     Other                                     119.9        10.2        --         130.1
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Total U.S. corporate securities           5,396.5       297.6         4.3     5,689.8

Foreign securities:
     Government                                316.4        26.1         2.0       340.5
     Utilities                                 236.3        32.9                   269.2
     Other                                     749.9        60.5         3.5       806.9
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
   Total foreign securities                  1,302.6       119.5         5.5     1,416.6

Residential mortgage-backed securities:
     Pass-throughs                             556.7        99.2         1.8       654.1
     Collateralized mortgage obligations     2,383.9       167.6         2.2     2,549.3
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Total residential mortgage-
   backed securities                         2,940.6       266.8         4.0     3,203.4

Commercial/multifamily mortgage-
   backed securities                           741.9        32.3         0.2       774.0

Other asset-backed securities                  961.2        35.5         0.5       996.2
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

Total Debt Securities                      $11,923.7   $   811.6   $    14.5   $12,720.8
                                           =========   =========   =========   =========

</TABLE>


                                      F-13
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

2.   Investments (Continued)

     At December 31, 1996 and 1995, net unrealized appreciation of $366.4
     million and $797.1 million, respectively, on available for sale debt
     securities included $288.5 million and $619.1 million, respectively,
     related to experience rated contracts, which were not reflected in
     shareholder's equity but in Future Policy Benefits and Policyholders' Funds
     Left With the Company.

     The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities for the year ended
     December 31, 1996 are shown below by contractual maturity. Actual
     maturities may differ from contractual maturities because securities may be
     restructured, called, or prepaid.

                                                      Amortized          Fair
                                                         Cost            Value
                                                      ---------          -----
                                                               (millions)
      Due to mature:
        One year or less                              $   424.4        $   425.7
        After one year through five years               2,162.4          2,194.2
        After five years through ten years              2,467.4          2,509.6
        After ten years                                 2,568.4          2,675.4
        Mortgage-backed securities                      4,028.7          4,204.3
        Other asset-backed securities                     887.8            896.3
                                                      ---------        ---------
               Total                                  $12,539.1        $12,905.5
                                                      =========        =========

     The Company engages in securities lending whereby certain securities from
     its portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time.
     Collateral, primarily cash, which is in excess of the market value of the
     loaned securities, is deposited by the borrower with a lending agent, and
     retained and invested by the lending agent to generate additional income
     for the Company. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored on
     a daily basis with additional collateral obtained or refunded as the market
     value fluctuates. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had loaned
     securities (which are reflected as invested assets) with a market value of
     approximately $444.7 million and $264.5 million, respectively.

     At December 31, 1996 and 1995, debt securities carried at $7.6 million and
     $7.4 million, respectively, were on deposit as required by regulatory
     authorities.

     The carrying value of non-income producing investments was $0.9 million and
     $0.1 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

     The Company did not have any investments in a single issuer, other than
     obligations of the U.S. government, with a carrying value in excess of 10%
     of the Company's shareholder's equity at December 31, 1996.



                                      F-14
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

2.   Investments (Continued)

     Included in the Company's total debt securities were residential
     collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") supporting the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         1996                   1995
                                                         ----                   ----
                                                    Fair     Amortized     Fair      Amortized
                                                   Value        Cost      Value         Cost
                                                   -----        ----      -----         ----
                                                                  (millions)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     
     Total residential CMOs (1)                  $2,309.0    $2,227.8    $2,549.4    $2,383.9
                                                 ========    ========    ========    ========
     Percentage of total:
       Supporting experience rated products          84.2%                   85.3%
       Supporting remaining products                 15.8%                   14.7%
                                                 --------                --------
                                                    100.0%                  100.0%
                                                 ========                ========
</TABLE>

     (1)  At December 31, 1996 and 1995, approximately 71% and 81%,
          respectively, of the Company's residential CMO holdings were backed by
          government agencies such as GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC.

     There are various categories of CMOs which are subject to different degrees
     of risk from changes in interest rates and, for nonagency-backed CMOs,
     defaults. The principal risks inherent in holding CMOs are prepayment and
     extension risks related to dramatic decreases and increases in interest
     rates resulting in the repayment of principal from the underlying mortgages
     either earlier or later than originally anticipated.

     At December 31, 1996 and 1995, approximately 68% and 79%, respectively, of
     the Company's CMO holdings were in planned amortization class ("PAC") and
     sequential structure tranches, which are subject to less prepayment and
     extension risk than other types of CMO instruments. At December 31, 1996
     and 1995, approximately 3% of the Company's CMO holdings were in the
     interest-only ("IOs") and principal-only ("POs") tranches, which are
     subject to more prepayment and extension risks than other types of CMO
     instruments. Remaining CMO holdings are in other tranches that have
     prepayment and extension risks which fall between the degree of risk
     associated with PACs and sequentials, and IOs and POs.



                                      F-15
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

2.   Investments (Continued)

     Investments in available for sale equity securities were as follows:

                                             Gross         Gross
                              Amortized      Unrealized    Unrealized   Fair
                                 Cost        Gains         Losses       Value
                                 ----        ----------    ----------   -----
                                                  (millions)
       1996
       Equity Securities       $ 184.9       $  16.3       $   0.8      $ 200.4
                               =======       =======       =======      =======
       1995
       Equity Securities       $ 231.6       $  27.2       $   1.2      $ 257.6
                               =======       =======       =======      =======

3.   Financial Instruments

     Estimated Fair Value

     The carrying values and estimated fair values of certain of the Company's
     financial instruments at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    1996                    1995
                                             ------------------       -----------------
                                             Carrying     Fair        Carrying    Fair
                                             Value        Value       Value       Value
                                             -----        -----       -----       -----
                                                         (millions)
<S>                                          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>      
Assets:
    Mortgage loans                           $    13.0    $    13.2   $    21.2   $    21.9
Liabilities:
    Investment contract liabilities:
          With a fixed maturity              $ 1,014.1    $ 1,028.8   $   989.1   $ 1,001.2
          Without a fixed maturity             9,649.6      9,427.6     9,511.0     9,298.4
</TABLE>

     Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on
     available market information and judgments about the financial instrument,
     such as estimates of timing and amount of future cash flows. Such estimates
     do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for
     sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial
     instrument, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of
     unrealized gains or losses. In many cases, the fair value estimates cannot
     be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the
     disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. In
     evaluating the Company's management of interest rate, price and liquidity
     risks, the fair values of all assets and liabilities should be taken into
     consideration, not only those presented above.



                                      F-16
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

3.   Financial Instruments (Continued)

     The following valuation methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
     estimating the fair value of the above financial instruments:

     Mortgage loans: Fair values are estimated by discounting expected mortgage
     loan cash flows at market rates which reflect the rates at which similar
     loans would be made to similar borrowers. The rates reflect management's
     assessment of the credit quality and the remaining duration of the loans.

     Investment contract liabilities (included in Policyholders' Funds Left With
     the Company):

     With a fixed maturity: Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows at
     interest rates currently being offered by, or available to, the Company for
     similar contracts.

     Without a fixed maturity: Fair value is estimated as the amount payable to
     the contractholder upon demand. However, the Company has the right under
     such contracts to delay payment of withdrawals which may ultimately result
     in paying an amount different than that determined to be payable on demand.

     Off-Balance-Sheet and Other Financial Instruments (including Derivative
     Financial Instruments)

     The Company uses off-balance-sheet and other financial instruments
     primarily to manage portfolio risks, including interest rate,
     prepayment/call, credit, price, and liquidity risks. In 1996, Treasury
     futures contracts were used to manage interest rate risk in the Company's
     bond portfolio and stock index futures contracts were used to manage price
     risk in the Company's equity portfolio. In 1996 and 1995, interest rate
     swaps and forward commitments to enter into interest rate swaps,
     respectively, were also used to manage interest rate risk in the Company's
     bond portfolio.

     Futures Contracts:

     Futures contracts represent commitments to either purchase or sell
     underlying assets at a specified future date. Futures contracts trade on
     organized exchanges and, therefore, have minimal credit risk. Cash
     settlements are made daily based on changes in the prices of the underlying
     assets. There were no futures contracts open as of December 31, 1996 and
     1995.



                                      F-17
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

3.   Financial Instruments (Continued)

     Interest Rate Swaps:

     Under interest rate swaps, the Company agrees with other parties to
     exchange interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed notional
     principal amount. Generally, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the
     contract and no principal payments are made. A single net payment is
     usually made by one counterparty at each due date or upon termination of
     the contract. The Company would be exposed to credit-related losses in the
     event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments,
     however, the Company controls its exposure to credit risk through credit
     approvals, credit limits and regular monitoring procedures. The credit
     exposure of interest rate swaps is represented by the fair value (market
     value) of contracts with a positive fair value (market value) at the
     reporting date. There were no interest rate swap agreements open as of
     December 31, 1996. At December 31, 1995, the Company had an open forward
     swap agreement with a notional amount of $100.0 million and a fair value of
     $0.1 million.

     During 1995, the Company received $0.4 million for writing call options on
     underlying securities. The Company did not write any call options in 1996.
     As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, there were no option contracts
     outstanding.

     The Company also had investments in certain debt instruments with
     derivative characteristics, including those whose market value is at least
     partially determined by, among other things, levels of or changes in
     domestic and/or foreign interest rates (short or long term), exchange
     rates, prepayment rates, equity markets or credit ratings/spreads. The
     amortized cost and fair value of these securities, included in the debt
     securities portfolio, as of December 31, 1996 was as follows:

                                                          Amortized      Fair
                                                             Cost        Value
                                                             ----        -----
                                                                 (millions)

       Residential collateralized mortgage obligations    $ 2,227.8    $ 2,309.0
            Principal-only strips (included above)             44.5         53.3
            Interest-only strips (included above)              10.3         22.8
       Other structured securities with derivative
            characteristics (1)                               126.3        129.2

     (1)  Represents non-leveraged instruments whose fair values and credit risk
          are based on underlying securities, including fixed income securities
          and interest rate swap agreements.



                                      F-18
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

4.   Net Investment Income

     Sources of net investment income were as follows:
                                                1996         1995         1994
                                                ----         ----         ----
                                                          (millions)

     Debt securities                         $  945.3     $  891.5     $  823.9
     Preferred stock                              5.9          4.2          3.9
     Investment in affiliated mutual funds       14.3         14.9          5.2
     Mortgage loans                               2.2          1.4          1.4
     Policy loans                                18.4         13.7         11.5
     Reinsurance loan to affiliate               44.1         46.5         51.5
     Cash equivalents                            29.4         38.9         29.5
     Other                                        2.1          8.4          6.7
                                             --------     --------     --------
     Gross investment income                  1,061.7      1,019.5        933.6
     Less investment expenses                   (16.1)       (15.2)       (16.4)
                                             --------     --------     --------
     Net investment income                   $1,045.6     $1,004.3     $  917.2
                                             ========     ========     ========

     Net investment income includes amounts allocable to experience rated
     contractholders of $787.6 million, $744.2 million and $677.1 million for
     the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Interest
     credited to contractholders is included in Current and Future Benefits.

5.  Dividend Restrictions and Shareholder's Equity

     The Company paid $3.5 million in cash dividends to HOLDCO in 1996. In 1995,
     the Company dividended $2.9 million in the form of two of its subsidiaries,
     Systematized Benefits Administrators, Inc. and Aetna Investment Services,
     Inc., to Aetna Retirement Services, Inc. (the Company's former parent).

     The amount of dividends that may be paid to the shareholder in 1997 without
     prior approval by the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Connecticut is
     $71.1 million.

     The Insurance Department of the State of Connecticut (the "Department")
     recognizes as net income and shareholder's capital and surplus those
     amounts determined in conformity with statutory accounting practices
     prescribed or permitted by the Department, which differ in certain respects
     from generally accepted accounting principles. Statutory net income was
     $57.8 million, $70.0 million and $64.9 million for the years ended December
     31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus was
     $713.6 million and $670.7 million as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively.

     As of December 31, 1996 the Company does not utilize any statutory
     accounting practices which are not prescribed by state regulatory
     authorities that, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect
     statutory capital and surplus.



                                      F-19
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6.   Capital Gains and Losses on Investment Operations

     Realized capital gains or losses are the difference between the carrying
     value and sale proceeds of specific investments sold.

     Net realized capital gains on investments were as follows:

                                                  1996        1995        1994
                                                  ----        ----        ----
                                                           (millions)

       Debt securities                         $   11.1     $  32.8     $   1.0
       Equity securities                            8.6         8.3         0.2
       Mortgage loans                               --          0.2         0.3
                                               --------     --------    -------
       Pretax realized capital gains           $   19.7     $  41.3     $   1.5
                                               ========     =======     =======
       After tax realized capital gains        $   13.0     $  25.8     $   1.0
                                               ========     =======     =======

     Net realized capital gains of $53.1 million and $61.1 million for 1996 and
     1995, respectively, and net realized capital losses of $29.1 million for
     1994, allocable to experience rated contracts, were deducted from net
     realized capital gains (losses) and an offsetting amount was reflected in
     policyholder funds' left with the Company. Net unamortized gains were $53.3
     million and $7.3 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

     Changes to the mortgage loan valuation reserve and writedowns on debt
     securities for other than temporary declines in value are included in net
     realized capital gains (losses) and amounted to $(3.3) million, $3.1
     million and $1.1 million, of which $(3.2) million, $2.2 million and $0.8
     million were allocable to experience rated contractholders, for the years
     ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. There was no
     valuation reserve for mortgage loans at December 31, 1996 or at December
     31, 1995.

     Proceeds from the sale of available for sale debt securities and the
     related gross gains and losses were as follows:

                                           1996          1995            1994
                                           ----          ----            ----
                                                      (millions)

     Proceeds on Sales                   $5,182.2      $4,207.2       $3,593.8
     Gross gains                             24.3          44.6           26.6
     Gross losses                            13.2          11.8           25.6



                                      F-20
<PAGE>




            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6.   Capital Gains and Losses on Investment Operations (Continued)

     Changes in shareholder's equity related to changes in unrealized capital
     gains (losses), (excluding those related to experience rated
     contractholders), were as follows:

                                                 1996         1995        1994
                                                 ----         ----        ----
                                                         (millions)

     Debt securities                          $ (100.1)    $  255.9    $ (242.1)
     Equity securities                           (10.5)        27.3       (13.3)
     Limited partnership                           --           1.8        (1.8)
                                              --------     --------    --------
                                                (110.6)       285.0      (257.2)

     Deferred income taxes (See Note 8)          (38.6)       (36.5)       46.3
                                              --------     --------    --------
     Net change in unrealized
        capital gains (losses)                $  (72.0)    $  321.5    $ (303.5)
                                              ========     ========    ========

     Net unrealized capital gains allocable to experience rated contracts of
     $245.2 million and $43.3 million at December 31, 1996 and $515.0 million
     and $104.1 million at December 31, 1995 are reflected on the Consolidated
     Balance Sheets in Policyholders' Funds Left With the Company and Future
     Policy Benefits, respectively, and are not included in shareholder's
     equity.

     Shareholder's equity included the following unrealized capital gains
     (losses), which are net of amounts allocable to experience rated
     contractholders, at December 31:

                                               1996         1995          1994
                                               ----         ----          ----
                                                          (millions)
     Debt securities
       Gross unrealized capital gains         $101.7       $179.3       $  27.4
       Gross unrealized capital losses         (23.8)        (1.3)       (105.2)
                                              ------       ------       --------
                                                77.9        178.0         (77.8)
     Equity securities
       Gross unrealized capital gains           16.3         27.2           6.5
       Gross unrealized capital losses          (0.8)        (1.2)         (7.9)
                                              ------       ------       --------
                                                15.5         26.0          (1.4)
     Limited Partnership                        --           --            --
       Gross unrealized capital gains           --           --            --
       Gross unrealized capital losses          --           --            (1.8)
                                              ------       ------       --------
                                                --           --            (1.8)

     Deferred income taxes (See Note 8)         32.9         71.5         108.0
                                              ------       ------       --------

     Net unrealized capital gains (losses)    $ 60.5       $132.5       $(189.0)
                                              ======       ======       ========



                                      F-21
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

7.   Severance and Facilities Charges

     Severance and facilities charges during 1996, as described below, included
     the following (pretax):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Vacated
                                          Asset      Leased             Corporate
(Millions)                   Severance  Write-Off   Property     Other  Allocation    Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>   
Financial Services             $ 29.1     $  1.0     $  1.3     $  1.7     $ --       $ 33.1
Individual Life Insurance        12.5        0.4        0.5        0.8       --         14.2
Corporate Allocation             --         --         --         --         14.0       14.0
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------
   Total Company               $ 41.6     $  1.4     $  1.8     $  2.5     $ 14.0     $ 61.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

     In the third quarter of 1996, the Company recorded a $30.7 million after
     tax ($47.3 million pretax) charge principally related to actions taken or
     expected to be taken to improve its cost structure relative to its
     competitors. The severance portion of the charge is based on a plan to
     eliminate 702 positions (primarily customer service, sales and information
     technology support staff). The facilities portion of the charge is based on
     a plan to consolidate sales/service field offices.

     In addition to the above charge, Aetna recorded a facilities and severance
     charge in the second quarter of 1996, primarily as a result of actions
     taken or expected to be taken to reduce the level of corporate expenses and
     other costs previously absorbed by Aetna's property-casualty operations.
     The cost allocated to the Company associated with this charge was $9.1
     million after tax ($14.0 million pretax).

     The activity during 1996 within the severance and facilities reserve
     (pretax, in millions) and the number of positions eliminated related to
     such actions were as follows:

                                                    Reserve            Positions
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Beginning of year                           $   --                 --
       Severance and facilities charges               47.3                702
       Corporate Allocation                           14.0                --
       Actions taken (1)                             (13.4)              (178)
                                                 -------------------------------
          End of year                              $  47.9                524
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1)  Includes $8.0 million of severance-related actions and $4.1 million of
          corporate allocation-related actions.

     The Company's severance actions are expected to be substantially completed
     by March 31, 1998. The corporate allocation actions and the vacating of the
     leased office space are expected to be substantially completed in 1997.



                                      F-22
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

8.   Income Taxes

     The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return and
     combined Connecticut and New York state income tax returns of Aetna. Aetna
     allocates to each member an amount approximating the tax it would have
     incurred were it not a member of the consolidated group, and credits the
     member for the use of its tax saving attributes used in the consolidated
     returns.

     Income taxes for the years ended December 31, consist of:

                                                      1996      1995      1994
                                                      ----      ----      ----
                                                             (millions)
     Current taxes (benefits):
     Income Taxes:
       Federal                                       $ 50.9    $ 82.9    $ 78.7
       State                                            3.7       3.2       4.4
       Net realized capital gains (losses)             25.3      28.5     (33.2)
                                                     ------    ------    ------
                                                       79.9     114.6      49.9
                                                     ------    ------    ------
     Deferred taxes (benefits):
     Income Taxes:
       Federal                                         (3.5)    (14.4)     (8.0)
       Net realized capital gains (losses)            (18.6)    (12.9)     33.7
                                                     ------    ------    ------
                                                      (22.1)    (27.3)     25.7
                                                     ------    ------    ------
          Total                                      $ 57.8    $ 87.3    $ 75.6
                                                     ======    ======    ======


     Income taxes were different from the amount computed by applying the
     federal income tax rate to income before income taxes for the following
     reasons:

                                                      1996      1995      1994
                                                      ----      ----      ----
                                                            (millions)

     Income before income taxes                      $198.9    $263.2    $220.9
     Tax rate                                            35%       35%       35%
                                                     ------    ------    ------
     Application of the tax rate                       69.6      92.1      77.3
                                                     ------    ------    ------
     Tax effect of:
          State income tax, net of federal benefit      2.4       2.1       2.9
          Excludable dividends                         (8.7)     (9.3)     (8.6)
          Other, net                                   (5.5)      2.4       4.0
                                                     ------    ------    ------
            Income taxes                             $ 57.8    $ 87.3    $ 75.6
                                                     ======    ======    ======



                                      F-23
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

8.   Income Taxes (Continued)

     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax
     assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31 are presented below:

                                                            1996          1995
                                                            ----          ----
                                                                (millions)
       Deferred tax assets:
            Insurance reserves                            $ 344.6       $ 290.4
            Unrealized gains allocable to
              experience rated contracts                    100.8         216.7
            Investment losses                                 7.5           7.3
            Postretirement benefits other
              than pensions                                  27.0           7.7
            Deferred compensation                            25.0          18.9
            Pension                                           7.6           5.7
            Other                                            29.3           9.2
                                                          -------       -------
       Total gross assets                                   541.8         555.9

       Deferred tax liabilities:
            Deferred policy acquisition costs               482.1         433.0
            Market discount                                   6.8           4.4
            Net unrealized capital gains                    133.7         288.2
            Other                                            (0.3)         (0.1)
                                                          -------       -------
       Total gross liabilities                              622.3         725.5
                                                          -------       -------
       Net deferred tax liability                         $  80.5       $ 169.6
                                                          =======       =======

     Net unrealized capital gains and losses are presented in shareholder's
     equity net of deferred taxes. Valuation allowances are provided when it is
     not considered more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be
     realized. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, no valuation allowances were
     required for unrealized capital gains and losses.

     The "Policyholders' Surplus Account," which arose under prior tax law, is
     generally that portion of a life insurance company's statutory income that
     has not been subject to taxation. As of December 31, 1983, no further
     additions could be made to the Policyholders' Surplus Account for tax
     return purposes under the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984. The balance in
     such account was approximately $17.2 million at December 31, 1996. This
     amount would be taxed only under certain conditions. No income taxes have
     been provided on this amount since management believes the conditions under
     which such taxes would become payable are remote.



                                      F-24
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

8.   Income Taxes (Continued)

     The Internal Revenue Service ("Service") has completed examinations of the
     consolidated federal income tax returns of Aetna through 1990. Discussions
     are being held with the Service with respect to proposed adjustments.
     Management believes there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient
     reserves to provide for, any such adjustments. The Service has commenced
     its examinations for the years 1991 through 1994.

9.   Benefit Plans

     Employee Pension Plans - The Company, in conjunction with Aetna, has
     noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all
     employees. The plans provide pension benefits based on years of service and
     average annual compensation (measured over 60 consecutive months of highest
     earnings in a 120-month period). Contributions are determined using the
     Projected Unit Credit Method and, for qualified plans subject to ERISA
     requirements, are limited to the amounts that are tax-deductible. As of
     December 31, 1996, Aetna's accrued pension cost has been allocated to its
     subsidiaries, including the Company, under an allocation based on eligible
     salaries. Data on a separate company basis regarding the proportionate
     share of the projected benefit obligation and plan assets is not available.
     The accumulated benefit obligation and plan assets are recorded by Aetna.
     As of the measurement date (i.e., September 30), the accumulated plan
     assets exceeded accumulated plan benefits. Allocated pretax charges to
     operations for the pension plan (based on the Company's total salary cost
     as a percentage of Aetna's total salary cost) were $4.3 million, $6.1
     million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
     1994, respectively.

     Employee Postretirement Benefits - In addition to providing pension
     benefits, Aetna currently provides health care and life insurance benefits,
     subject to certain caps, for retired employees. A comprehensive medical and
     dental plan is offered to all full-time employees retiring at age 50 with
     15 years of service or at age 65 with 10 years of service. Retirees are
     generally required to contribute to the plans based on their years of
     service with Aetna. The costs to the Company associated with the Aetna
     postretirement plans for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $1.8 million, $1.4
     million and $1.0 million, respectively.

     As of December 31, 1996, Aetna transferred to the Company approximately
     $77.7 million of accrued liabilities, primarily related to the pension and
     postretirement benefit plans described above, that had been previously
     recorded by Aetna. The after tax amount of this transfer (approximately
     $50.5 million) is reported as a reduction in retained earnings.

     Agent Pension Plans - The Company, in conjunction with Aetna, has a
     non-qualified pension plan covering certain agents. The plan provides
     pension benefits based on annual commission earnings. As of the measurement
     date (i.e., September 30), the accumulated plan assets exceeded accumulated
     plan benefits.



                                      F-25
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

9.   Benefit Plans (Continued)

     Agent Postretirement Benefits - The Company, in conjunction with Aetna,
     also provides certain postretirement health care and life insurance
     benefits for certain agents. The costs to the Company associated with the
     agents' postretirement plans for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $0.7 million,
     $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

     Incentive Savings Plan - Substantially all employees are eligible to
     participate in a savings plan under which designated contributions, which
     may be invested in common stock of Aetna or certain other investments, are
     matched, up to 5% of compensation, by Aetna. Pretax charges to operations
     for the incentive savings plan were $5.4 million, $4.9 million and $3.3
     million in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Stock Plans - Aetna has a stock incentive plan that provides for stock
     options, deferred contingent common stock or equivalent cash awards or
     restricted stock to certain key employees. Executive and middle management
     employees may be granted options to purchase common stock of Aetna at or
     above the market price on the date of grant. Options generally become 100%
     vested three years after the grant is made, with one-third of the options
     vesting each year. Aetna does not recognize compensation expense for stock
     options granted at or above the market price on the date of grant under its
     stock incentive plans. In addition, executives may be granted incentive
     units which are rights to receive common stock or an equivalent value in
     cash. The incentive units may vest within a range from 0% to 175% at the
     end of a four year period based on the attainment of performance goals. The
     costs to the Company associated with the Aetna stock plans for 1996, 1995
     and 1994, were $8.1 million, $6.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
     As of December 31, 1996, Aetna transferred to the Company approximately
     $1.1 million of deferred tax benefits related to stock options. This amount
     is reported as an increase in retained earnings.

10.  Related Party Transactions

     The Company is compensated by the Separate Accounts for bearing mortality
     and expense risks pertaining to variable life and annuity contracts. Under
     the insurance contracts, the Separate Accounts pay the Company a daily fee
     which, on an annual basis, ranges, depending on the product, from .10% to
     1.90% of their average daily net assets. The Company also receives fees
     from the variable life and annuity mutual funds and The Aetna Series Fund
     for serving as investment adviser. Under the advisory agreements, the Funds
     pay the Company a daily fee which, on an annual basis, ranges, depending on
     the fund, from .25% to .85% of their average daily net assets. The Company
     also receives fees (expressed as a percentage of the average daily net
     assets) from the variable life and annuity mutual funds and The Aetna
     Series Fund for providing administration services, and from The Aetna
     Series Fund for providing shareholder services and promoting sales. The
     amount of compensation and fees received from the Separate Accounts and
     Funds, included in Charges Assessed Against Policyholders, amounted to
     $185.4 million, $128.1 million and $104.6 million in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
     respectively. The Company may waive advisory fees at its discretion.



                                      F-26
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

10.  Related Party Transactions (Continued)

     The Company acts as an investment adviser for its affiliated mutual funds.
     Since August 1996, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc. ("Aeltus"), a wholly
     owned subsidiary of HOLDCO and an affiliate of the Company, has been acting
     as Subadvisor of all affiliated mutual funds and of most of the General
     Account assets. Fees paid by the Company to Aeltus, included in both
     Charges Assessed Against Policyholders and Net Investment Income, on an
     annual basis, range from .06% to .55% of the average daily net assets under
     management. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company paid $16.0
     million in such fees.

     The Company may, from time to time, make reimbursements to a Fund for some
     or all of its operating expenses. Reimbursement arrangements may be
     terminated at any time without notice.

     Since 1981, all domestic individual non-participating life insurance of
     Aetna and its subsidiaries has been issued by the Company. Effective
     December 31, 1988, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with
     Aetna Life Insurance Company ("Aetna Life") in which substantially all of
     the non-participating individual life and annuity business written by Aetna
     Life prior to 1981 was assumed by the Company. A $108.0 million commission,
     paid by the Company to Aetna Life in 1988, was capitalized as deferred
     policy acquisition costs. An additional $6.1 million commission, paid by
     the Company to Aetna Life in 1996, was capitalized as deferred policy
     acquisition costs. The Company maintained insurance reserves of $628.3
     million and $655.5 million as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively,
     relating to the business assumed. In consideration for the assumption of
     this business, a loan was established relating to the assets held by Aetna
     Life which support the insurance reserves. The loan is being reduced in
     accordance with the decrease in the reserves. The fair value of this loan
     was $625.3 million and $663.5 million as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively, and is based upon the fair value of the underlying assets.
     Premiums of $25.3 million, $28.0 million and $32.8 million and current and
     future benefits of $39.5 million, $43.0 million and $43.8 million were
     assumed in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Investment income of $44.1 million, $46.5 million and $51.5 million was
     generated from the reinsurance loan to affiliate in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
     respectively. Net income of approximately $8.1 million, $18.4 million and
     $25.1 million resulted from this agreement in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
     respectively.

     On December 16, 1988, the Company assumed $25.0 million of premium revenue
     from Aetna Life for the purchase and administration of a life contingent
     single premium variable payout annuity contract. In addition, the Company
     also is responsible for administering fixed annuity payments that are made
     to annuitants receiving variable payments. Reserves of $28.9 million and
     $28.0 million were maintained for this contract as of December 31, 1996 and
     1995, respectively.

     Effective February 1, 1992, the Company increased its retention limit per
     individual life to $2.0 million and entered into a reinsurance agreement
     with Aetna Life to reinsure amounts in excess of this limit, up to a
     maximum of $8.0 million on any new individual life business, on a yearly
     renewable term basis. Premium amounts related to this agreement were $5.2
     million, $3.2 million and $1.3 million for 1996, 1995 and 1994,
     respectively.



                                      F-27
<PAGE>



            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

10.  Related Party Transactions (Continued)

     The Company received a capital contribution of $10.4 million in cash from
     HOLDCO in 1996. The Company received no capital contributions in 1995 or
     1994.

     The Company paid $3.5 million in cash dividends to HOLDCO in 1996. In 1995,
     the Company dividended $2.9 million in the form of two of its subsidiaries,
     Systematized Benefits Administrators, Inc. and Aetna Investment Services,
     Inc., to Aetna Retirement Services, Inc. (the Company's former parent).

     Premiums due and other receivables include $2.8 million and $5.7 million
     due from affiliates in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Other liabilities
     include $10.7 million and $12.4 million due to affiliates for 1996 and
     1995, respectively.

     Substantially all of the administrative and support functions of the
     Company are provided by Aetna and its affiliates. The financial statements
     reflect allocated charges for these services based upon measures
     appropriate for the type and nature of service provided.

11.  Reinsurance

     The Company utilizes indemnity reinsurance agreements to reduce its
     exposure to large losses in all aspects of its insurance business. Such
     reinsurance permits recovery of a portion of losses from reinsurers,
     although it does not discharge the primary liability of the Company as
     direct insurer of the risks reinsured. The Company evaluates the financial
     strength of potential reinsurers and continually monitors the financial
     condition of reinsurers. Only those reinsurance recoverables deemed
     probable of recovery are reflected as assets on the Company's Consolidated
     Balance Sheets.



                                      F-28
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

11.  Reinsurance (Continued)

     The following table includes premium amounts ceded/assumed to/from
     affiliated companies as discussed in Note 10 above.

                                                Ceded to    Assumed
                                        Direct    Other    from Other      Net
                                        Amount  Companies   Companies     Amount
                                        ------  ---------   ---------     ------
                                                    (millions)
     1996
 Premiums:
   Life Insurance                      $  34.6   $  11.2     $  25.3     $  48.7
   Accident and Health Insurance           6.3       6.3        --          --
   Annuities                              84.3      --           0.6        84.9
                                       =======   =======     =======     =======
    Total earned premiums              $ 125.2   $  17.5     $  25.9     $ 133.6
                                       =======   =======     =======     =======
     1995
 Premiums:
   Life Insurance                      $  28.8   $   8.6     $  28.0     $  48.2
   Accident and Health Insurance           7.5       7.5        --          --
   Annuities                             164.0      --           0.5       164.5
                                       =======   =======     =======     =======
    Total earned premiums              $ 200.3   $  16.1     $  28.5     $ 212.7
                                       =======   =======     =======     =======
     1994
 Premiums:
   Life Insurance                      $  27.3   $   6.0     $  32.8     $  54.1
   Accident and Health Insurance           9.3       9.3        --          --
   Annuities                             137.3      --           0.2       137.5
                                       =======   =======     =======     =======
    Total earned premiums              $ 173.9   $  15.3     $  33.0     $ 191.6
                                       =======   =======     =======     =======

12.  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

     Commitments

     Through the normal course of investment operations, the Company commits to
     either purchase or sell securities or money market instruments at a
     specified future date and at a specified price or yield. The inability of
     counterparties to honor these commitments may result in either higher or
     lower replacement cost. Also, there is likely to be a change in the value
     of the securities underlying the commitments. At December 31, 1996, the
     Company had commitments to purchase investments of $17.9 million. The fair
     value of the investments at December 31, 1996 approximated $18.3 million.



                                      F-29
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

12.  Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Continued)

     Litigation

     The Company is involved in numerous lawsuits arising, for the most part, in
     the ordinary course of its business operations. While the ultimate outcome
     of litigation against the Company cannot be determined at this time, after
     consideration of the defenses available to the Company and any related
     reserves established, it is not expected to result in liability for amounts
     material to the financial condition of the Company, although it may
     adversely affect results of operations in future periods.



                                      F-30
<PAGE>





            AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
         (A wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Retirement Holdings, Inc.)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

13.  Segment Information (1)

     The Company's operations are reported through two major business segments:
     Financial Services and Individual Life Insurance.

     Summarized financial information for the Company's principal operations was
     as follows:

    (Millions)                                    1996        1995        1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue:
    Financial Services                         $ 1,195.1   $ 1,211.3   $ 1,013.5
    Individual Life Insurance                      445.7       407.9       386.1
                                               ---------------------------------
      Total revenue                            $ 1,640.8   $ 1,619.2   $ 1,399.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes: (2)
    Financial Services                         $   129.9   $   160.1   $   122.5
    Individual Life Insurance                       83.0       103.1        98.4
                                               ---------------------------------
     Total income before income taxes          $   212.9   $   263.2   $   220.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income: (2)
    Financial Services                         $    94.3   $   113.8   $    85.5
    Individual Life Insurance                       55.9        62.1        59.8
                                               ---------------------------------
Net income                                     $   150.2   $   175.9   $   145.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets under management: (3)
    Financial Services                         $27,268.1   $22,534.4   $18,122.9
    Individual Life Insurance                    2,830.5     2,590.9     2,220.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total assets under management           $30,098.6   $25,125.3   $20,343.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)  The 1996 results include severance and facilities charges of $30.7 million,
     after tax. Of this charge $21.5 million related to the Financial Services
     segment and $9.2 million related to the Individual Life Insurance segment.
(2)  Excludes any effect of the corporate facilities and severance charge
     recorded in 1996 which is not directly allocable to the Financial Services
     and Individual Life Insurance segments. (Refer to Note 7).
(3)  Excludes net unrealized capital gains (losses) of $366.4 million, $797.1
     million and $(386.4) million at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
     respectively.



                                      F-31



<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form No. SAI.91846-97                                      ALIAC Ed.  May 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>

                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C
                           PART C - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
   (a) Financial Statements:
       (1)      Included in Part A:
                Condensed Financial Information
       (2)      Included in Part B:
                Financial Statements of Variable Annuity Account C:
                -   Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1996
                -   Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets for the 
                    years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
                -   Notes to Financial Statements
                -   Independent Auditors' Report
                Financial Statements of the Depositor:
                -   Independent Auditors' Report
                -   Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
                    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 
                -   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
                -   Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
                    for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                -   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
                    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                -   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   (b) Exhibits
       (1)      Resolution of the Board of Directors of Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company establishing Variable Annuity Account C(1)
       (2)      Not applicable
       (3.1)    Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement(2)
       (3.2)    Alternative Form of Wholesaling Agreement and Related Selling
                Agreement(2)
       (4.1)    Form of Variable Annuity Contract (G-CDA-IB(ATORP)) and
                Endorsement (EGET-IC(R))(3)
       (4.2)    Form of Variable Annuity Contract and Certificate
                (G-CDA-95(TORP)) and (GTCC-95(TORP))(3)
       (4.3)    Form of Variable Annuity Contract (G-CDA-IB(AORP)) and
                Endorsement (EGET-IC(R))(3)
       (4.4)    Form of Variable Annuity Contract and Certificate
                (G-CDA-95(ORP)) and (GTCC-95(ORP))(3)
       (4.5)    Form of Variable Annuity Contract (G-CDA-96(TORP))(4)
       (4.6)    Endorsement (GET/96) to Form of Variable Annuity Contract
                (G-CDA-95(TORP)), (GTCC95(TORP)), (G-CDA-95(ORP)),
                (GTCC-95(ORP))(4)
<PAGE>

       (5)      Form of Variable Annuity Contract Application (300-MOP-IB)(5)
       (6.1)    Certification of Incorporation and By-Laws of Aetna Life
                Insurance and Annuity Company(6)
       (6.2)    Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Aetna Life
                Insurance and Annuity Company(7)
       (7)      Not applicable 
       (8.1)    Fund Participation Agreement (Amended and Restated) between
                Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company, Alger American Fund
                and Fred Alger Management, Inc. dated March 31, 1995(2)
       (8.2)    Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company and Calvert Asset Management Company (Calvert
                Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio, formerly Calvert
                Socially Responsible Series) dated March 13, 1989 and amended
                December 27, 1993(2)
       (8.3)    Second Amendment dated January 1, 1996 to Fund Participation
                Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and
                Calvert Asset Management Company (Calvert Responsibly Invested
                Balanced Portfolio, formerly Calvert Socially Responsible
                Series) dated March 13, 1989 and amended December 27, 1993(8)
       (8.4)    Third Amendment dated February 11, 1997 to Fund Participation
                Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and
                Calvert Asset Management Company (Calvert Responsibility
                Invested Balanced Portfolio, formerly Calvert Socially
                Responsible Series) dated March 13, 1989 and amended December
                27, 1993 and January 1, 1996(9)
       (8.5)    Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company, Variable Insurance Products Fund and Fidelity
                Distributors Corporation dated February 1, 1994 and amended on
                December 15, 1994, February 1, 1995, May 1, 1995, January 1,
                1996 and March 1, 1996(7)
       (8.6)    Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company, Variable Insurance Products Fund II and
                Fidelity Distributors Corporation dated February 1, 1994 and
                amended on December 15, 1994, February 1. 1995, May 1, 1995,
                January 1, 1996 and March 1,1996(7)
       (8.7)    Service Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity
                Company and Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations
                Company dated as of November 1, 1995(8)
       (8.8)    Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated January 31,
                1989(2)
       (8.9)    Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company and Janus Aspen Series dated April 19, 1994 and
                amended March 1, 1996(2)
       (8.10)   Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company and Lexington Management Corporation regarding
                Natural Resources Trust dated December 1, 1988 and amended
                February 11, 1991(2)
<PAGE>

       (8.11)   Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company and Advisers Management Trust (now Neuberger &
                Berman Advisers Management Trust) dated April 14, 1989 and as
                assigned and modified on May 1, 1995(2)
       (8.12)   Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company and Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund dated
                April 27, 1992 and amended February 19, 1993 and August 13,
                1993(2)
       (8.13)   Amendment dated as of February 20, 1996 to Fund Participation
                Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and
                Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund dated April 27, 1992 as
                amended February 19, 1993 and August 13, 1993(8)
       (8.14)   Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and
                Annuity Company, Investors Research Corporation and TCI
                Portfolios, Inc. dated July 29, 1992 and amended December 27,
                1992 and June 1, 1994(2)
       (9)      Opinion of Counsel(10)
       (10.1)   Consent of Independent Auditors
       (10.2)   Consent of Counsel
       (11)     Not applicable
       (12)     Not applicable
       (13)     Schedule for Computation of Performance Data(11)
       (14)     Not applicable
       (15.1)   Powers of Attorney(12)
       (15.2)   Authorization for Signatures(2)
       (27)     Financial Data Schedule

1.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75986), as filed electronically on April
     22, 1996.
2.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75986), as filed electronically on April
     12, 1996.
3.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-91846), as filed electronically on April
     15, 1996.
4.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-91846), as filed electronically on
     August 6, 1996.
5.   Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No.
     33-91846), as filed on May 1, 1995.
6.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration
     Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-60477), as filed electronically on April
     15, 1996.
7.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to
     Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75964), as filed
     electronically on February 11, 1997.
8.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-88720), as filed electronically on June
     28, 1996.
9.   Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 333-01107), as filed electronically on
     February 26, 1997.
<PAGE>

10.  Incorporated by reference to Registrant's 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year
     ended December 31, 1996, as filed electronically with the Securities and
     Exchange Commission on February 28, 1997.
11.  Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration
     Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-91846), as filed electronically on
     August 16, 1995.
12.  Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration
     Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-60477), as filed electronically on April
     4, 1997.



<PAGE>


Item 25. Directors and Officers of the Depositor
- ------------------------------------------------

Name and Principal
Business Address*                 Positions and Offices with Depositor
- -----------------                 ------------------------------------

Daniel P. Kearney                 Director and President

Timothy A. Holt                   Director, Senior Vice President and Chief 
                                  Financial Officer

Christopher J. Burns              Director and Senior Vice President

Laura R. Estes                    Director and Senior Vice President

J. Scott Fox                      Director and Senior Vice President

Gail P. Johnson                   Director and Vice President

John Y. Kim                       Director and Senior Vice President

Shaun P. Mathews                  Director and Vice President

Glen Salow                        Director and Vice President

Creed R. Terry                    Director and Vice President

Deborah Koltenuk                  Vice President and Treasurer, 
                                  Corporate Controller

Frederick D. Kelsven              Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer

Kirk P. Wickman                   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


*The principal business address of all directors and officers listed is 151
 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.

Item 26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant
- ----------

     Incorporated herein by reference to Item 26 of Post-Effective Amendment No.
2 to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-61897), as filed
electronically on April 11, 1997.


<PAGE>

Item 27. Number of Contract Owners
- ----------------------------------

     As of February 28, 1997, there were 606,945 individuals holding interests
in variable annuity contracts funded through Variable Annuity Account C.

Item 28. Indemnification
- ------------------------

Reference is hereby made to Section 33-771(f) of the Connecticut General
Statutes ("C.G.S.") regarding indemnification of directors and Section 33-776(4)
regarding indemnification of officers, employees and agents of Connecticut
corporations. These statutes provide in general that Connecticut corporations
incorporated prior to January 1, 1997 shall indemnify their officers, directors,
employees and agents against "liability" (defined as the obligation to pay a
judgment, settlement, penalty, fine, excise tax in the case of an employee
benefit plan or reasonable expenses incurred with respect to a proceeding). In
the case of a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification
is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding
against the corporation to which the individual was named a party. The
corporation's obligation to provide such indemnification does not apply unless
(1) the individual has met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 33-771;
and (2) a determination is made (by majority vote of a quorum of the board of
directors who were not parties to the proceeding, or if a quorum cannot be
obtained, by a committee of the board selected as described in Section
33-775(b)(2); by special legal counsel selected by the board of directors or
members thereof as described in Section 33-775(b)(3); by shareholders) that the
individual met the standard set forth in Section 33-771; or (3) the court, upon
application by the individual, determines in view of all the circumstances that
such person is reasonably entitled to be indemnified. Also, unless limited by
its Certificate of Incorporation, a corporation must indemnify an individual who
was wholly successful on the merits or otherwise against reasonable expenses
incurred by him in connection with a proceeding to which he was a party because
of his relationship as director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation.

The statute does specifically authorize a corporation to procure indemnification
insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a director, officer, employer
or agent of the corporation. Consistent with the statute, Aetna Inc. has
procured insurance from Lloyd's of London and several major United States excess
insurers for its directors and officers and the directors and officers of its
subsidiaries, including the Depositor.

Item 29. Principal Underwriter
- ------------------------------

     (a) In addition to serving as the principal underwriter and depositor for
         the Registrant, Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (Aetna) also
         acts as the principal underwriter and investment adviser for Aetna
         Variable Encore Fund, Aetna Variable Fund, Aetna Series Fund, Inc.,
         Aetna Generation Portfolios, Inc., Aetna Income Shares, Aetna
         Investment Advisers Fund, Inc., Aetna GET Fund, and Aetna Variable
         Portfolios, Inc. (all management investment companies registered under
         the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act)). Additionally, Aetna
         acts as the principal underwriter and depositor for Variable Life
         Account B of Aetna, Variable Annuity Account B of Aetna and Variable
         Annuity Account G of Aetna (separate accounts of Aetna registered as
         unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act). Aetna is also the principal
         underwriter for Variable Annuity


<PAGE>

         Account I of Aetna Insurance Company of America (AICA) (a separate
         account of AICA registered as a unit investment trust under the 1940
         Act).

     (b) See Item 25 regarding the Depositor.

     (c) Compensation as of December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  (1)                         (2)                      (3)                  (4)                  (5)

Name of                 Net Underwriting          Compensation on
Principal               Discounts and             Redemption or          Brokerage
Underwriter             Commissions               Annuitization          Commissions        Compensation*

<S>                     <C>                            <C>                                       <C>
Aetna Life Insurance                                   $1,325,661                                $96,924,599
and Annuity Company
</TABLE>

* Compensation shown in column 5 includes deductions for mortality and expense
  risk guarantees and contract charges assessed to cover costs incurred in the
  sales and administration of the contracts issued under Variable Annuity
  Account C.

Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
- -----------------------------------------

     All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules under it relating to the securities
described in and issued under this Registration Statement are located at the
home office of the Depositor as follows:

                      Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
                      151 Farmington Avenue
                      Hartford, Connecticut  06156

Item 31. Management Services
- ----------------------------

     Not applicable

Item 32. Undertakings
- ---------------------

     Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (a) to file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement on
         Form N-4 as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited
         financial statements in the registration statement are never more than
         sixteen months old for as long as payments under the variable annuity
         contracts may be accepted;


<PAGE>

     (b) to include as part of any application to purchase a contract offered by
         a prospectus which is part of this registration statement on Form N-4,
         a space that an applicant can check to request a Statement of
         Additional Information; and

     (c) to deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any financial
         statements required to be made available under this Form N-4 promptly
         upon written or oral request.

     (d) The Company hereby represents that it is relying upon and complies with
         the provisions of Paragraphs (1) through (4) of the SEC Staff's
         No-Action Letter dated November 22, 1988 with respect to language
         concerning withdrawal restrictions applicable to plans established
         pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. See American
         Counsel of Life Insurance; SEC No-Action Letter, [1989 Transfer Binder]
         Fed. SEC. L. Rep. (CCH) P. 78,904 at 78,523 (November 22, 1988).

     (e) 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 of 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.

     (f) Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company represents that the fees and
         charges deducted under the contracts covered by this registration
         statement, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services
         rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed
         by the insurance company.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

     As required by the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act
of 1940, the Registrant, Variable Annuity Account C of Aetna Life Insurance and
Annuity Company, certifies that it meets the requirements of Securities Act Rule
485(b) for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to its
Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-91846) and has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to its Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File
No. 33-91846) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut, on the 11th day of
April, 1997.

                                       VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C OF AETNA
                                       LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
                                           (Registrant)

                                 By:    AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
                                           (Depositor)

                                 By:    Daniel P. Kearney*
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Daniel P. Kearney
                                        President

     As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 10 to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-91846) has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature                 Title                                  Date
- ---------                 -----                                  ----

Daniel P. Kearney*        Director and President                 )
- ------------------------  (principal executive officer)          )
Daniel P. Kearney         
                                                                 )
Timothy A. Holt*          Director and Chief Financial Officer    )    April
- ------------------------
Timothy A. Holt                                                  )    11, 1997
                                                                 )
Christopher J. Burns*     Director                               )
- ------------------------
Christopher J. Burns                                             )
                                                                 )
Laura R. Estes*           Director                               )
- ------------------------
Laura R. Estes                                                   )
                                                                 )
J. Scott Fox*             Director                               )
- ------------------------
J. Scott Fox                                                     )


<PAGE>



Gail P. Johnson*           Director                              )
- ------------------------
Gail P. Johnson                                                  )
                                                                 )
John Y. Kim*               Director                              )
- ------------------------
John Y. Kim                                                      )
                                                                 )
Shaun P. Mathews*          Director                              )
- ------------------------
Shaun P. Mathews                                                 )
                                                                 )
Glen Salow*                Director                              )
- ------------------------
Glen Salow                                                       )
                                                                 )
Creed R. Terry*            Director                              )
- ------------------------
Creed R. Terry                                                   )
                                                                 )
Deborah Koltenuk*         Vice President and Treasurer, 
- ------------------------  Corporate Controller                   )
Deborah Koltenuk                                                 )

By:     /s/ Julie E. Rockmore
        -------------------------------------
        *Julie E. Rockmore
        Attorney-in-Fact


<PAGE>


                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.   Exhibit                                                                        Page
- -----------   -------                                                                        ----

<S>           <C>                                                                             <C>
99-B.1        Resolution of the Board of Directors of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity        *
              Company establishing Variable Annuity Account C

99-B.3.1      Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement                                                 *

99-B.3.2      Alternative Form of Wholesaling Agreement and Related Selling Agreement         *

99-B.4.1      Form of Variable Annuity Contract (G-CDA-IB(ATORP) and Endorsement              *
              (EGET-IC(R))

99-B.4.2      Form of Variable Annuity Contract and Certificate                               *
              (G-CDA-95(TORP) and (GTCC-95(TORP))

99-B.4.3      Form of Variable Annuity Contract (G-CDA-IB(AORP) and Endorsement               *
              (EGET-IC(R))

99-B.4.4      Form of Variable Annuity Contract and Certificate                               *
              (G-CDA-95(ORP) and (GTCC-95(ORP))

99-B.4.5      Form of Variable Annuity Contract (GCDA-96(TORP))                               *

99-B.4.6      Endorsement (GET/96) to Form of Variable Annuity Contract                       *
              (G-CDA-95(TORP), GTCC95(TORP), G-CDA-95(ORP), GTCC-95(ORP))

99-B.5        Form of Variable Annuity Contract Application (300-MOP-IB)                      *

99-B.6.1      Certification of Incorporation and By-Laws of Depositor                         *

99-B.6.2      Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Depositor                          *

99-B.8.1      Fund Participation Agreement (Amended and Restated) between Aetna Life          *
              Insurance and Annuity Company, Alger American Fund and Fred Alger
              Management, Inc. dated March 31, 1995
</TABLE>

*Incorporated by reference


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.   Exhibit                                                                        Page
- -----------   -------                                                                        ----

<S>           <C>                                                                             <C>
99-B.8.2      Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company and Calvert Asset Management Company (Calvert Responsibly Invested
              Balanced Portfolio, formerly Calvert Socially Responsible Series) dated
              March 13, 1989 and amended December 27, 1993

99-B.8.3      Second Amendment dated January 1, 1996 to Fund Participation Agreement          *
              between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Calvert Asset
              Management Company (Calvert Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio,
              formerly Calvert Socially Responsible Series) dated March 13, 1989 and
              amended December 27, 1993

99-B.8.4      Third Amendment dated February 11, 1997 to Fund Participation Agreement         *
              between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Calvert Asset
              Management Company (Calvert Responsibility Invested Balanced Portfolio,
              formerly Calvert Socially Responsible Series) dated March 13, 1989 and
              amended December 27, 1993 and January 1, 1996

99-B.8.5      Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company, Variable Insurance Products Fund and Fidelity Distributors
              Corporation dated February 1, 1994 and amended on December 15, 1994,
              February 1, 1995, May 1, 1995, January 1, 1996 and March 1, 1996

99-B.8.6      Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company, Variable Insurance Products Fund II and Fidelity Distributors
              Corporation dated February 1, 1994 and amended on December 15, 1994,
              February 1. 1995, May 1, 1995, January 1, 1996 and March 1,1996

99-B.8.7      Service Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and          *
              Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company dated as of November
              1, 1995
</TABLE>

*Incorporated by reference


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.   Exhibit                                                                        Page
- -----------   -------                                                                        ----

<S>           <C>                                                                             <C>
99-B.8.8      Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated January 31, 1989

99-B.8.9      Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company and Janus Aspen Series dated April 19, 1994 and amended March 1, 1996

99-B.8.10     Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company and Lexington Management Corporation regarding Natural Resources
              Trust dated December 1, 1988 and amended February 11, 1991

99-B.8.11     Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company and Advisers Management Trust (now Neuberger & Berman Advisers
              Management Trust) dated April 14, 1989 and as assigned and modified on
              May 1, 1995

99-B.8.12     Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company and Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund dated April 27, 1992
              and amended February 19, 1993 and August 13, 1993

99-B.8.13     Amendment dated as of February 20, 1996 to Fund Participation Agreement         *
              between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Scudder Variable
              Life Investment Fund dated April 27, 1992 as amended February 19, 1993
              and August 13, 1993

99-B.8.14     Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity           *
              Company, Investors Research Corporation and TCI Portfolios, Inc. dated July
              29, 1992 and amended December 27, 1992 and June 1, 1994

99-B.9        Opinion of Counsel                                                              *

99-B.10.1     Consent of Independent Auditors
                                                                                             ---

99-B.10.2     Consent of Counsel
                                                                                             ---

99-B.13       Schedule for Computation of Performance Data                                    *
</TABLE>

*Incorporated by reference


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.   Exhibit                                                                        Page
- -----------   -------                                                                        ----

<S>           <C>                                                                             <C>
99-B.15.1     Powers of Attorney                                                              *

99-B.15.2     Authorization for Signatures                                                    *

27            Financial Data Schedule
                                                                                             ---
</TABLE>

*Incorporated by reference




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Board of Directors of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
and Contract Owners of Aetna Variable Annuity Account C:


We consent to the use of our reports dated February 4, 1997 and February 14,
1997 included herein and to the references to our Firm under the captions
"Condensed Financial Information" in the Prospectus and "Independent Auditors"
in the Statement of Additional Information.

                                            /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



Hartford, Connecticut
April 11, 1997





                                                151 Farmington Avenue
                                                Hartford, CT  06156

                                                Susan E. Bryant
                                                Counsel
                                                Law Division, RE4A
                                                Investments & Financial Services
                                                (860) 273-7834
                                                Fax:  (860) 273-0356

April 11, 1997


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

Re:    Variable Annuity Account C of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company
       Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registration Statement on Form N-4
       File Nos.  33-91846* and 811-2513

Dear Sir or Madam:

As Counsel of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company (the "Company"), I hereby
consent to the use of my opinion dated February 28, 1997 (incorporated herein by
reference to the 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 filed
on behalf of Variable Annuity Account C of Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity
Company on February 28, 1997) as an exhibit to this Post-Effective Amendment No.
10 to Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-91846).

Sincerely,

/s/ Susan E. Bryant

Susan E. Bryant
Counsel
Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company


- ----------------------
*Pursuant to Rule 429(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, Registrant has
included a combined prospectus under this Registration Statement which includes
all the information which would currently be required in a prospectus relating
to the securities covered by the following earlier Registration Statement:
33-75976.



<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     6
<CIK>                         0000103007
<NAME>                        Variable Annuity Account C
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                      JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                        DEC-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>             7,952,811,278
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>            8,565,202,363
<RECEIVABLES>                                 0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                          0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                    8,565,202,363
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                      0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                     0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                           0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                               0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         0
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                     0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                        0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                       0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                      0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                      0
<NET-ASSETS>                      8,565,202,363
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                   712,854,599
<INTEREST-INCOME>                             0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                0
<EXPENSES-NET>                       93,446,331
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>             619,408,268
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>            513,568,522
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