NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT 9
485APOS, 1998-12-31
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<PAGE>   1


              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                      `33 Act File No. 333-56073

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                   REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                  ACT OF 1933

   
                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1      [X]
    

                                       and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9
                           (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT)

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               (NAME OF DEPOSITOR)

                   ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
         (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

        Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (614) 249-7111

     DENNIS W. CLICK, SECRETARY, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

   
This Post-Effective Amendment amends the Registration Statement in respect of
the Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the Financial
Statements.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate space):

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

[X] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485

[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.
    

================================================================================


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<PAGE>   2


                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9
                     REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

Caption in Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and Other
Information

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-4 ITEM                                                                                                    PAGE
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
     Item   1.    Cover page..................................................................................  3
     Item   2.    Definitions.................................................................................  5
     Item   3.    Synopsis or Highlights...................................................................... 15
     Item   4.    Condensed Financial Information.............................................................N/A
     Item   5.    General Description of Registrant, Depositor, and Portfolio Companies....................... 16
     Item   6.    Deductions and Expenses..................................................................... 18
     Item   7.    General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts........................................... 21
     Item   8.    Annuity Period.............................................................................. 30
     Item   9.    Death Benefit and Distributions............................................................. 32
     Item  10.    Purchases and Contract Value................................................................ 23
     Item  11.    Redemptions................................................................................. 25
     Item  12.    Taxes....................................................................................... 36
     Item  13.    Legal Proceedings........................................................................... 43
     Item  14.    Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information................................ 44

Part B     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
     Item  15.    Cover Page.................................................................................. 60
     Item  16.    Table of Contents........................................................................... 60
     Item  17.    General Information and History............................................................. 60
     Item  18.    Services.................................................................................... 60
     Item  19.    Purchase of Securities Being Offered........................................................ 61
     Item  20.    Underwriters................................................................................ 61
     Item  21.    Calculation of Performance Information...................................................... 61
     Item  22.    Annuity Payments............................................................................ 62
     Item  23.    Financial Statements........................................................................ 63

Part C     OTHER INFORMATION
     Item  24.    Financial Statements and Exhibits...........................................................108
     Item  25.    Directors and Officers of the Depositor.....................................................110
     Item  26.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or
                  Registrant..................................................................................112
     Item  27.    Number of Contract Owners...................................................................122
     Item  28.    Indemnification.............................................................................122
     Item  29.    Principal Underwriter.......................................................................122
     Item  30.    Location of Accounts and Records............................................................124
     Item  31.    Management Services.........................................................................124
     Item  32.    Undertakings................................................................................124
</TABLE>



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<PAGE>   3



                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                       Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts

            Issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company through its
                          Nationwide Variable Account-9

                The date of this prospectus is __________________.

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

This prospectus contains basic information you should know about the contracts
before investing.

Please read it and keep it for future reference.

The following underlying mutual funds are available under the contracts:

AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC., A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN CENTURY(SM)
FAMILY OF INVESTMENTS

     o        American Century VP Income & Growth
     o        American Century VP International
     o        American Century VP Value

DREYFUS

     o        The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
     o        Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.
     o        Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Capital Appreciation Portfolio

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

     o        VIP Equity-Income Portfolio: Service Class
     o        VIP Growth Portfolio: Service Class
     o        VIP High Income Portfolio: Service Class*
     o        VIP Overseas Portfolio: Service Class

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

     o        VIP II Contrafund Portfolio: Service Class

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCT FUND III

     o        VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio: Service Class

MORGAN STANLEY

     o        Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. - Emerging Markets Debt
              Portfolio
     o        Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Morgan Stanley Real Estate
              Securities Portfolio

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST

     o        Capital Appreciation Fund
     o        Government Bond Fund
     o        Money Market Fund
     o        Total Return Fund
     o        Nationwide Balanced Fund
     o        Nationwide Equity Income Fund
     o        Nationwide Global Equity Fund
     o        Nationwide High Income Bond Fund*
     o        Nationwide Multi Sector Bond Fund
     o        Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund
     o        Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund
     o        Nationwide Small Company Fund
     o        Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund
     o        Nationwide Strategic Value Fund

NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST

     o        AMT Guardian Portfolio
     o        AMT Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
     o        AMT Partners Portfolio

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS

     o        Oppenheimer Aggressive Growth Fund
     o        Oppenheimer Growth Fund
     o        Oppenheimer Growth & Income Fund

VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST
     o        Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund
     o        Worldwide Hard Assets Fund

WARBURG PINCUS TRUST

     o        Growth & Income Portfolio
     o        International Equity Portfolio
     o        Post-Venture Capital Portfolio

*    These Underlying Mutual Funds may invest in lower quality debt securities
     commonly referred to as junk bonds.

Purchase payments not invested in the underlying mutual fund options of the
Nationwide Variable Account-9 ("variable account") may be allocated to the fixed
account or the Guaranteed Term Options (Guaranteed Term Options may not be
available in every jurisdiction - refer to your contract for specific benefit
information).




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<PAGE>   4



The Statement of Additional Information (_____________, _______________) which
contains additional information about the contracts and the variable account, is
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is incorporated
herein by reference. The table of contents for the Statement of Additional
Information is on page 42.

For general information or to obtain FREE copies of the:

     o        Statement of Additional Information
     o        prospectus for any underlying mutual fund
     o        prospectus for the Guaranteed Term Options,
     o        required Nationwide forms,

     call:         1-800-243-6295
             TDD   1-800-238-3035

     or write:

             NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
             P.O. BOX 182356
             COLUMBUS, OHIO 43218-2356

The Statement of Additional Information and other material incorporated by
reference can be found on the SEC website at:

                                   WWW.SEC.GOV

Information about this and other Best of America products can be found at:

                              WWW.BESTOFAMERICA.COM

This annuity is NOT:

     o        a bank deposit
     o        endorsed by a bank or government agency
     o        federally insured
     o        available in every state

Investors assume certain risks when investing in the contracts, including the
possibility of losing money.

These contracts are offered to customers of various financial institutions and
brokerage firms. No financial institution or brokerage firm is responsible for
the guarantees under the contracts. Guarantees under the contracts are the sole
responsibility of Nationwide.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC, NOR HAS THE
SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



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<PAGE>   5




GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS


ACCUMULATION UNIT- An accounting unit used to calculate the contract value
allocated to the variable account before the annuitization date.

ANNUITIZATION DATE- The date on which annuity payments begin.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
begin. This date may be changed by the contract owner with Nationwide's consent.

ANNUITY UNIT- An accounting unit used to calculate the variable payment annuity
payments.

CONTRACT VALUE- The total of all accumulation units in a contract, any amount
held in the fixed account, and any amount held under Guaranteed Term Options.

CONTRACT YEAR- Each year the contract is in force beginning with the date the
contract is issued.

ERISA- The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

FIXED ACCOUNT- An investment option that is funded by the general account of
Nationwide.

GENERAL ACCOUNT- All assets of Nationwide other than those of the variable
account or in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by
Nationwide.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT- An account that qualifies for favorable tax
treatment under Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not
include Roth IRAs.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY- An annuity contract that qualifies for favorable
tax treatment under Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, but does not
include Roth IRAs or Simple IRAs.

NATIONWIDE- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT- A contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment as a Qualified Plan, Individual Retirement Annuity, Roth IRA, SEP IRA,
Simple IRA, or Tax Sheltered Annuity.

QUALIFIED PLANS- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
Section 401 or 403(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ROTH IRA- An annuity contract which qualifies for favorable tax treatment under
Section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code.

SEP IRA- An annuity contract which qualifies for favorable tax treatment under
Section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SIMPLE IRA- An annuity contract which qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 408(p) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SUB-ACCOUNTS- Divisions of the variable account to which underlying mutual fund
shares are allocated and for which accumulation units and annuity units are
separately maintained.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY- An annuity that qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

VALUATION DATE- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and Nationwide's home
office are open for business.

VALUATION PERIOD- The period of time beginning at the close of business on a
valuation date and ending at the close of business on the next valuation date.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT- Nationwide Variable Account-9, a separate account of
Nationwide that contains variable account allocations. The variable account is
divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in shares of a separate
underlying mutual fund.



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<PAGE>   6




TABLE OF CONTENTS


GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS.........................3

SUMMARY OF STANDARD CONTRACT EXPENSES.............6

ADDITIONAL CONTRACT OPTIONS.......................7

UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES............8

EXAMPLE..........................................10

SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS........................13

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY................14

NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC................14

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT........................14

     The Variable Account and Underlying
          Mutual Funds 
     Guaranteed Term Options
     The Fixed Account

STANDARD CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS..................16

     Contract Maintenance Charge
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charges
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
     Premium Taxes

OPTIONAL CONTRACT BENEFITS, CHARGES 
     AND DEDUCTIONS..............................18

     CDSC Options and Charges
     Optional Death Benefits and Charges

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP...............................19

     Joint Ownership
     Contingent Ownership
     Beneficiary and Contingent Beneficiary

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT........................21

     Minimum Initial and Subsequent
          Purchase Payments
     Pricing
     Allocation of Purchase Payments
     Value of an Accumulation Unit
     Net Investment Factor
     Determining the Contract Value
     Transfers

RIGHT TO REVOKE..................................23

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)...........................23

     Surrenders Under a Tax Sheltered Annuity

LOAN PRIVILEGE...................................24

     Minimum & Maximum Loan Amounts
     Loan Processing Fee
     How Loan Requests are Processed
     Interest
     Loan Repayment
     Distributions & Annuity Payments
     Transferring the Contract
     Grace Period & Loan Default

ASSIGNMENT.......................................26

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES..........................26

     Asset Rebalancing
     Dollar Cost Averaging
     Systematic Withdrawals

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE........................28

ANNUITIZING THE CONTRACT.........................28

     Annuitization Date
     Annuitization
     Fixed Payment Annuity - First and
          Subsequent Payments
     Variable Payment Annuity - First and
          Subsequent Payments
     Variable Payment Annuity - Assumed
          Investment Rate
     Variable Payment Annuity - Value of an
          Annuity Unit
     Variable Payment Annuity - Exchanges among
          Underlying Mutual Funds
     Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments
     Annuity Payment Options

DEATH BENEFITS...................................30

     Death of Contract Owner - Non-Qualified
          Contracts
     Death of Annuitant - Non-Qualified
          Contracts
     Death of Contract Owner/Annuitant
     Death Benefit Payment

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS...........................31
     
     Required Distributions for Non-Qualified
          Contracts
     Required Distributions for Tax Sheltered
          Annuities


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<PAGE>   7

     Required Distributions for Individual
          Retirement Annuities
     Required Distributions for Roth IRAs

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.......................34

     Federal Income Taxes
     Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax
          Sheltered Annuities
     Roth IRAs
     Withholding
     Non-Resident Aliens
     Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation
          Skipping Transfer Taxes
     Puerto Rico
     Charge for Tax
     Diversification
     Tax Changes

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS...........................40

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES......................40

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS................................41

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
     INFORMATION.................................42

APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING
     MUTUAL FUNDS................................43

APPENDIX B: ADVERTISING AND SUB-ACCOUNT
     PERFORMANCE SUMMARY.........................53





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<PAGE>   8




SUMMARY OF STANDARD CONTRACT EXPENSES


The expenses listed below are charged to all contracts unless:

         o        the contract owner meets an available exception, or
         o        a contract owner has replaced a standard benefit with an
                  available option for an additional charge.

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") (as a percentage of
the lesser of purchase payments or amount surrendered).....................7%(1)

Range of CDSC over time:


               --------------------------------------------------------- 
               Number of Completed Years from            CDSC            
                  Date of Purchase Payment            Percentage         
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              0                           7%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              1                           7%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              2                           6%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              3                           5%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              4                           4%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              5                           3%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              6                           2%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 
                              7                           0%             
               --------------------------------------------------------- 

(1)      Each contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC the
         greater of:
a)       10% of all purchase payments made to the contract; or
b)       any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements under
         the Internal Revenue Code

This free withdrawal privilege is non-cumulative. Free amounts not taken during
any given contract year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent contract
year (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

Withdrawals may be restricted for contracts issued to fund a Tax Sheltered
Annuity plan.


MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE.............................$15(2)

VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES(3)
(as a percentage of average account value)

Mortality and Expense Risk Charges....................................1.10%
     Total Variable Account Charges...................................1.10%(4)

LOAN PROCESSING FEE
(per loan transaction).................................................$25

(2)      The Contract Maintenance Charge is deducted annually from all contracts
         containing less than $25,000 on each contract anniversary. This charge
         is waived for any contract valued at $25,000 or more on any contract
         anniversary.
(3)      These charges apply only to sub-account allocations. They do not apply
         to allocations made to the fixed account or to the Guaranteed Term
         Options. They are charged on an annual basis.
(4)      Charges shown include the Five-Year Reset Death Benefit that is
         standard to every contract (see "Death Benefit Payment").



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<PAGE>   9



ADDITIONAL CONTRACT OPTIONS

For an additional charge, the following options are available to contract
owners. These options must be elected at the time of application and will
replace the corresponding standard contract benefits.

If the contract owner chooses one or more of the following optional benefits, a
corresponding charge will be deducted. Charges for the optional benefits are IN
ADDITION TO the standard variable account charges. Optional benefit charges will
only apply to allocations made to the underlying mutual funds.

CDSC OPTION FOR ROTH IRAS

For an additional 0.15% of the daily net assets of the variable account, a Roth
IRA applicant can receive a five year CDSC schedule, instead of the standard
seven year CDSC schedule.

   Five Year CDSC Option ................................................0.15%
     Total Variable Account Charges
     (including Five Year CDSC Option)...................................1.25%

Range of Five-Year CDSC over time:


               ------------------------------------------------------
               Number of Completed Years from           CDSC          
                  Date of Purchase Payment           Percentage       
               ------------------------------------------------------
                              0                          7%           
               ------------------------------------------------------
                              1                          7%           
               ------------------------------------------------------
                              2                          6%          
               ------------------------------------------------------
                              3                          4%           
               ------------------------------------------------------
                              4                          2%           
               ------------------------------------------------------
                              5                          0%          
               ------------------------------------------------------

CDSC WAIVER OPTIONS

         ADDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT CHARGE AND DISABILITY WAIVER

         For an additional 0.10% of the daily net assets of the Variable
         Account, an applicant can receive an additional 5% CDSC-free withdrawal
         privilege, which also includes a disability waiver. This 5% is in
         addition to the standard 10% CDSC-free withdrawal privilege that
         applies to every contract (see "CDSC Options and Charges").



         Additional Withdrawal Without
         Charge and Disability Waiver.................................0.10%
               Total Variable Account Charges
               (including Additional Withdrawal Without Charge
               and Disability Waiver) ................................1.20%

         ADDITIONAL CDSC WAIVER OPTIONS FOR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

         Applicants of a Tax Sheltered Annuity may also elect two additional
         CDSC waiver options (see "CDSC Options and Charges").

         10 Year and Disability Waiver................................0.05%
               Total Variable Account Charges 
               (including 10 Year and Disability Waiver)..............1.15%

         Hardship Waiver..............................................0.15%
               Total Variable Account Charges 
               (including Hardship Waiver)............................1.25%

OPTIONAL DEATH BENEFITS

An applicant may choose one of two optional death benefits instead of the
Five-Year Reset Death Benefit that is standard to every contract. The optional
death benefits are:

   Optional One-Year Step Up
   Death Benefit......................................................0.05%
     Total Variable Account Charges
     (including One Year Step Up Death Benefit).......................1.15%

   Optional 5% Enhanced Death Benefit.................................0.10%
     Total Variable Account Charges
     (including 5% Enhanced Death Benefit)............................1.20%



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<PAGE>   10


                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
             (AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND NET ASSETS,
                          AFTER EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Management        Other         12b-1      Total Mutual
                                                             Fees         Expenses         Fees      Fund Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       0.70%          0.00%          0.00%          0.70%
Century VP Income & Growth
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       1.50%          0.00%          0.00%          1.50%
Century VP International
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       1.00%          0.00%          0.00%          1.00%
Century VP Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.          0.75%          0.01%          0.00%          0.76%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.                              0.25%          0.03%          0.00%          0.28%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Capital                  0.75%          0.05%          0.00%          0.80%
Appreciation Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio:  Service Class,       0.50%          0.05%          0.10%          0.65%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio:  Service Class               0.60%          0.07%          0.10%          0.77%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP  High Income Portfolio:  Service Class         0.59%          0.11%          0.10%          0.80%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio:  Service Class             0.75%          0.16%          0.10%          1.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio:  Service Class        0.60%          0.08%          0.10%          0.78%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio:            0.60%          0.13%          0.10%          0.83%
Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. - Emerging             0.04%          1.26%          0.00%          1.30%
Markets Debt Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Capital Appreciation Fund                             0.60%          0.09%          0.00%          0.69%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Government Bond Fund                                  0.50%          0.08%          0.00%          0.58%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Money Market Fund                                     0.40%          0.08%          0.00%          0.48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Total Return Fund                                     0.60%          0.07%          0.00%          0.67%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Balanced Fund                               0.75%          0.15%          0.00%          0.90%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Equity Income Fund                         0.80%          0.15%          0.00%          0.95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Global Equity Fund                         1.00%          0.20%          0.00%          1.20%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide High Income Bond Fund                      0.80%          0.15%          0.00%          0.95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Multi-Sector Bond Fund                     0.75%          0.15%          0.00%          0.90%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund               1.05%          0.15%          0.00%          1.20%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund                       0.90%          0.15%          0.00%          1.05%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Company Fund                         1.00%          0.11%          0.00%          1.11%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund                      0.90%          0.10%          0.00%          1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Value Fund                       0.90%          0.10%          0.00%          1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Guardian Portfolio                   0.60%          0.40%          0.00%          1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio             0.60%          0.40%          0.00%          1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Partners Portfolio                   0.80%          0.06%          0.00%          0.86%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            0.71%          0.02%          0.00%          0.73%
Aggressive Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            0.73%          0.02%          0.00%          0.75%
Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            0.75%          0.08%          0.00%          0.83%
Growth & Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




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<PAGE>   11


               UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Management        Other         12b-1      Total Mutual
                                                             Fees         Expenses         Fees      Fund Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>  
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Emerging      0.80%          0.00%          0.00%          0.80%
Markets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Hard          1.00%          0.17%          0.00%          1.17%
Assets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Morgan Stanley Real      1.00%          0.07%          0.00%          1.07%
Estate Securities Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth & Income Portfolio            0.65%          0.35%          0.00%          1.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio       1.00%          0.35%          0.00%          1.35%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-Venture Capital Portfolio       1.07%          0.33%          0.00%          1.40%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The expenses shown above are deducted by the underlying mutual fund before it
provides Nationwide with the daily net asset value. Nationwide then deducts
applicable variable account charges from the net asset value to calculate the
unit value of the corresponding sub-account. The management fees and other
expenses are more fully described in the prospectus for each underlying mutual
fund. Information relating to the underlying mutual funds was provided by the
underlying mutual funds and not independently verified by Nationwide.

Some underlying mutual funds are subject to fee waivers and expense
reimbursements. The following chart shows what the expenses would have been for
such funds without fee waivers and expense reimbursements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Management        Other         12b-1      Total Mutual
                                                             Fees         Expenses         Fees      Fund Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio:  Service Class,       0.50%          0.08%          0.10%          0.68%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio:  Service Class               0.60%          0.09%          0.10%          0.79%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio:  Service Class             0.75%          0.17%          0.10%          1.02%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio:  Service Class        0.60%          0.11%          0.10%          0.81%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio:            0.60%          0.14%          0.10%          0.84%
Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. - Emerging             0.80%          1.26%          0.00%          2.06%
Markets Debt Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Balanced Fund                               0.75%          4.15%          0.00%          4.90%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Equity Income Fund                         0.80%          4.83%          0.00%          5.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Global Equity Fund                         1.00%          1.84%          0.00%          2.84%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide High Income Bond Fund                      0.80%          1.38%          0.00%          2.18%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Multi-Sector Bond Fund                     0.75%          3.66%          0.00%          4.41%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund               1.05%          2.26%          0.00%          3.31%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund                       0.90%          5.41%          0.00%          6.31%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund                      0.90%          5.43%          0.00%          6.33%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Value Fund                       0.90%          4.64%          0.00%          5.54%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Emerging      1.00%          0.34%          0.00%          1.34%
Markets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Hard          1.00%          0.18%          0.00%          1.18%
Assets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth & Income Portfolio            0.75%          0.45%          0.00%          1.20%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio       1.00%          0.36%          0.00%          1.36%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-Venture Capital Portfolio       1.25%          0.33%          0.00%          1.58%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                       9

                                   11 of 126
<PAGE>   12


EXAMPLE

The following chart shows the amount of expenses (in dollars) that would be
incurred under this contract assuming a $1,000 investment, 5% annual return, and
no change in expenses. These dollar figures are illustrative only and should not
be considered a representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may
be greater or less than those shown below.

The example reflects expenses of both the variable account and the underlying
mutual funds. The example reflects the standard 7 year CDSC schedule and the
maximum amount of variable account charges that could be assessed to a contract
(1.50%). These variable account charges include:

         o        the Additional Withdrawal Without Charge and Disability
                  Waiver,
         o        the 10 Year and Disability Waiver,
         o        the Hardship Waiver, and
         o        the Optional 5% Enhanced Death Benefit.

For those contracts that do not elect the maximum number of options, the
expenses would be reduced. Deductions for premium taxes are not reflected but
may apply.

The maximum amount that could be assessed to a Non-Qualified Contract or
Individual Retirement Annuity is 1.30% of the daily net assets of the variable
account. For a contract issued as a Roth IRA, the maximum amount that could be
assessed is 1.45% of the daily net assets of the variable account.

The summary of contract expenses and example are to help contract owners
understand the expenses associated with the contract.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               If you surrender your Contract If you do not surrender your  If you annuitize your Contract
                                at the end of the applicable   Contract at the end of the    at the end of the applicable
                                        time period              applicable time period                time period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               1 Yr.  3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr.  3 Yrs 5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>   <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
American Century Variable        83     122    156     261      23    71     122     261      *     71     122     261
Portfolios, Inc. - American
Century VP Income & Growth
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable        91     147    197     343      32    96     163     343      *     96     163     343
Portfolios, Inc. - American
Century VP International
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable        86     132    172     292      26    81     138     292      *     81     138     292
Portfolios, Inc. - American
Century VP Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially             83     124    159     267      24    73     125     267      *     73     125     267
Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.   78     109    133     216      19    58      99     216      *     58      99     216
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment      84     125    161     272      24    74     127     272      *     74     127     272
Fund - Capital Appreciation
Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income       82     122    155     259      23    71     121     259      *     71     121     259
Portfolio:  Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Growth              84     125    161     271      24    74     127     271      *     74     127     271
Portfolio:  Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP  High Income        84     126    162     273      24    75     128     273      *     75     128     273
Portfolio:  Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                       10

                                   12 of 126
<PAGE>   13



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               If you surrender your Contract If you do not surrender your  If you annuitize your Contract
                                at the end of the applicable   Contract at the end of the    at the end of the applicable
                                        time period              applicable time period               time period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               1 Yr.  3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr.  3 Yrs 5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>   <C>     <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>    <C>
Fidelity VIP Overseas            86     132    173     294      26    81     139     294      *     81     139     294
Portfolio:  Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund       84     126    162     273      24    75     128     273      *     75     128     273
Portfolio:  Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP III Growth          84     127    163     276      25    76     129     276      *     76     129     276
Opportunities Portfolio:
Service Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal         89     141    187     323      29    90     153     323      *     90     153     323
Funds, Inc. - Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund   82     122    155     260      23    71     121     260      *     71     121     260
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund        81     118    150     248      22    67     116     248      *     67     116     248
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund           80     115    144     237      21    64     110     237      *     64     110     237
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund           82     121    154     258      23    70     120     258      *     70     120     258
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Balanced Fund    85     128    166     282      25    77     132     282      *     77     132     282
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Equity Income    85     130    169     287      26    79     135     287      *     79     135     287
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Global Equity    88     138    182     313      28    87     148     313      *     87     148     313
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide High Income      85     130    169     287      26    79     135     287      *     79     135     287
Bond Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Select           88     138    182     313      28    87     148     313      *     87     148     313
Advisers Mid-Cap Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Small Cap        86     133    174     298      27    82     140     298      *     82     140     298
Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Small Company    87     135    177     304      27    84     143     304      *     84     143     304
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Strategic        86     132    172     292      26    81     138     292      *     81     138     292
Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT Nationwide Strategic        86     132    172     292      26    81     138     292      *     81     138     292
Value Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT-          86     132    172     292      26    81     138     292      *     81     138     292
Guardian Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT-          86     132    172     292      26    81     138     292      *     81     138     292
Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT-          84     127    164     278      25    76     130     278      *     76     130     278
Partners Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account     83     123    157     264      23    72     123     264      *     72     123     264
Funds - Oppenheimer
Aggressive Growth Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account     83     124    159     266      24    73     125     266      *     73     125     266
Funds - Oppenheimer Growth
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                       11

                                   13 of 126
<PAGE>   14



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               If you surrender your Contract If you do not surrender your  If you annuitize your Contract
                                at the end of the applicable   Contract at the end of the    at the end of the applicable
                                        time period              applicable time period               time period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               1 Yr.  3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.  1 Yr.  3 Yrs 5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.  1 Yr. 3 Yrs.  5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>   <C>     <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>
Oppenheimer Variable Account     84     126    163     275      24    75     129     275      *     75     129     275
Funds - Oppenheimer Growth &
Income Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance      84     125    161     272      24    74     127     272      *     74     127     272
Trust - Worldwide Emerging
Markets Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance      88     137    180     310      28    86     146     310      *     86     146     310
Trust - Worldwide Hard Assets
Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen Life Investment       86     134    175     300      27    83     141     300      *     83     141     300
Trust - Morgan Stanley Real
Estate Securities Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth    86     132    172     292      26    81     138     292      *     81     138     292
& Income Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust -           89     143    190     328      30    92     156     328      *     92     156     328
International Equity Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust -           90     144    192     333      30    93     158     333      *     93     158     333
Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*        The contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitization
         during the first two contract years.




                                       12

                                   14 of 126
<PAGE>   15

SYNOPSIS OF THE CONTRACTS

The contracts described in this prospectus are modified single purchase payment
contracts. The contracts may be issued as either individual or group contracts.
In those states where contracts are issued as group contracts, references
throughout this prospectus to "contract(s)" will also mean "certificate(s)."

The contracts can be categorized as:

     o        Non-Qualified
     o        Individual Retirement Annuities
     o        Roth IRAs
     o        SEP IRAs
     o        Simple IRAs
     o        Tax Sheltered Annuities and
     o        Charitable Remainder Trusts.

MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS

          --------------------------------------------------------- 
                                MINIMUM INITIAL       MINIMUM       
               CONTRACT            PURCHASE          SUBSEQUENT     
                 TYPE               PAYMENT           PAYMENTS      
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          Non-Qualified             $1,000              $0          
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          IRA                       $1,000              $0          
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          Roth IRA                  $1,000              $0          
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          SEP IRA                   $1,000              $0          
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          Simple IRA                $1,000              $0          
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          Tax Sheltered               $0                $25         
          Annuity                                                   
          --------------------------------------------------------- 
          Charitable                  $0                $0          
          Remainder Trust                                           
          --------------------------------------------------------- 


Guaranteed Term Options

Guaranteed Term Options are separate investment options under the contract. The
minimum amount that may be allocated to a Guaranteed Term Option is $1,000.

CHARGES AND EXPENSES

Nationwide does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments upon deposit
into the contract. However, Nationwide may deduct a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge if any amount is withdrawn from the contract. This CDSC reimburses
Nationwide for sales expenses. The amount of the CDSC will not exceed the lesser
of:

         (1)      7% of the amount surrendered; or
         (2)      7% of the total of all purchase payments made within 7 years
                  of the surrender date.

There are several CDSC options that are available to contract owners, each with
different characteristics and costs. They are as follows:


               ------------------------------------------------------- 
                         OPTION             CONTRACT     CHARGE        
                                              TYPE                     
               ------------------------------------------------------- 
               Five Year CDSC Option        Roth IRAs     0.15%        
               ------------------------------------------------------- 
               Additional Withdrawal        all           0.10%        
               Without Charge and                                      
               Disability Waiver                                       
               ------------------------------------------------------- 
               10 Year and Disability       Tax           0.05%        
               Waiver                       Sheltered                  
                                            Annuities                  
               ------------------------------------------------------- 
               Hardship Waiver              Tax           0.15%        
                                            Sheltered                  
                                            Annuities                  
               ------------------------------------------------------- 


A $15 Contract Maintenance Charge is assessed against each contract on the
contract anniversary. This charge will be waived if the contract value is
$25,000 or more on that contract anniversary (see "Contract Maintenance
Charge").

Nationwide deducts a mortality and expense risk charge equal to an annual rate
of 1.10% of the daily net assets of the variable account. Nationwide assesses
these charges in return for bearing certain mortality and administrative risks.

Two optional death benefits are available under the contract. If the contract
owner elects one of these options, Nationwide will deduct either 0.05% for the
One-Year Step Up Death Benefit, or 0.10% for the 5% Enhanced Death Benefit.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Annuity payments begin on the annuitization date. The payments will be based on
the annuity payment option chosen at the time of application (see "Annuity
Payment Options").

TAXATION

How the contracts are taxed depends on the type of contract issued. Nationwide
will charge against the contract any premium taxes levied by any governmental
authority (see "Federal Tax Considerations" and "Premium Taxes").



                                       13

                                   15 of 126
<PAGE>   16

TEN DAY FREE LOOK

Contract owners may return the contract for any reason within ten days of
receipt and Nationwide will refund the contract value or the amount required by
law (see "Right to Revoke").

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Nationwide is a stock life insurance company organized under Ohio law in March,
1929. Nationwide is a member of the "Nationwide Insurance Enterprise" with its
home office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Nationwide is a
provider of life insurance, annuities and retirement products. It is admitted to
do business in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.

The contracts are distributed by the general distributor, Nationwide Advisory
Services, Inc. ("NAS"), Three Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215. NAS is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

INVESTING IN THE CONTRACT

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

Nationwide Variable Account-9 is a separate account that invests in the
underlying mutual funds listed in Appendix B. Nationwide established the
separate account on May 22, 1997, pursuant to Ohio law. Although the separate
account is registered with the SEC as a unit investment trust pursuant to the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), the SEC does not supervise the
management of Nationwide or the variable account.

Income, gains, and losses credited to, or charged against, the variable account
reflect the variable account's own investment experience and not the investment
experience of Nationwide's other assets. The variable account's assets are held
separately from Nationwide's assets and are not chargeable with liabilities
incurred in any other business of Nationwide. Nationwide is obligated to pay all
amounts promised to contract owners under the contracts.

The variable account is divided into sub-accounts. Nationwide uses the assets of
each sub-account to buy shares of the underlying mutual funds based on contract
owner instructions. There are two sub-accounts for each underlying mutual fund.
One sub-account contains shares attributable to accumulation units under
Non-Qualified Contracts. The other contains shares attributable to accumulation
units under Individual Retirement Accounts, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs,
Tax Sheltered Annuities, and Charitable Remainder Trusts.

Each underlying mutual fund's prospectus contains more detailed information
about that fund. Prospectuses for the underlying mutual funds should be read in
conjunction with this prospectus.

Underlying mutual funds in the variable account are NOT publicly traded mutual
funds. They are only available as investment options in variable life insurance
policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance companies, or in
some cases, through participation in certain qualified pension or retirement
plans.

The investment advisers of the underlying mutual funds may manage publicly
traded mutual funds with similar names and investment objectives. However, the
underlying mutual funds are NOT directly related to any publicly traded mutual
fund. Contract owners should not compare the performance of a publicly traded
fund with the performance of underlying mutual funds participating in the
variable account. The performance of the underlying mutual funds could differ
substantially from that of any publicly traded funds.




                                       14


                                    16 of 126
<PAGE>   17



Voting Rights

Contract owners who have allocated assets to the underlying mutual funds are
entitled to certain voting rights. Nationwide will vote contract owner shares at
special shareholder meetings based on contract owner instructions. However, if
the law changes and Nationwide is allowed to vote in its own right, it may elect
to do so.

Contract owners with voting interests in an underlying mutual fund will be
notified of issues requiring the shareholders' vote as soon as possible before
the shareholder meeting. Notification will contain proxy materials and a form
with which to give Nationwide voting instructions. Nationwide will vote shares
for which no instructions are received in the same proportion as those that are
received.

The number of shares which a contract owner may vote is determined by dividing
the cash value of the amount they have allocated to an underlying mutual fund by
the net asset value of that underlying mutual fund. Nationwide will designate a
date for this determination not more than 90 days before the shareholder
meeting.

Material Conflicts

The underlying mutual funds may be offered through separate accounts of other
insurance companies, as well as through other separate accounts of Nationwide.
Nationwide does not anticipate any disadvantages to this. However, it is
possible that a conflict may arise between the interests of the variable account
and one or more of the other separate accounts in which these underlying mutual
funds participate.

Material conflicts may occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of
variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts, or differences
in the voting instructions of the contract owners and those of other companies.
If a material conflict occurs, Nationwide will take whatever steps are necessary
to protect contract owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of
the variable account from participation in the underlying mutual fund(s)
involved in the conflict.

Substitution of Securities

Nationwide may substitute, eliminate, or combine shares of another underlying
mutual fund for shares already purchased or to be purchased in the future if
either of the following occurs:

         1)       shares of a current underlying mutual fund are no longer
                  available for investment; or
         2)       further investment in an underlying mutual fund is
                  inappropriate.

No substitution, elimination, or combination of shares may take place without
the prior approval of the SEC and state insurance departments.

GUARANTEED TERM OPTIONS

Guaranteed Term Options are separate investment options under the contract. A
Guaranteed Term Option prospectus must be read along with this prospectus. The
minimum amount that may be allocated to a Guaranteed Term Option is $1,000.
Allocations to the Guaranteed Term Options are not subject to variable account
charges.

Guaranteed Term Options provide a guaranteed rate of interest over four
different maturity durations: three (3), five (5), seven (7) or ten (10) years.
Note: The guaranteed term may last for up to 3 months beyond the 3, 5, 7, or 10
year period since every guaranteed term will end on the final day of a calendar
quarter.

For the duration selected, Nationwide will declare a guaranteed interest rate.
That rate will be credited to amounts allocated to the Guaranteed Term Option
UNLESS a distribution is taken before the maturity date. If a distribution
occurs before the maturity date, the amount distributed will be subject to a
market value adjustment. A market value adjustment can increase or decrease the
amount distributed depending on current interest rate fluctuations. No market
value adjustment will be applied if Guaranteed Term Option allocations are held
to maturity.



                                       15

                                   17 of 126
<PAGE>   18

Because a market value adjustment can affect the value of a distribution, its
effects should be carefully considered before surrendering or transferring from
Guaranteed Term Options. When actual interest rates are higher than the
guaranteed rate, a market value adjustment would reduce the value of the amount
distributed. When actual interest rates are lower than the guaranteed rate, the
value of the amount distributed would increase.

Guaranteed Term Options are available only during the accumulation phase of a
contract. They are not available after the annuitization date. In addition,
Guaranteed Term Options are not available for use with asset rebalancing, dollar
cost averaging, or systematic withdrawals.

Guaranteed Term Options may not be available in every state.

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

The fixed account is an investment option that is funded by assets of
Nationwide's general account. The general account contains all of Nationwide's
assets other than those in other Nationwide separate accounts. It is used to
support Nationwide's annuity and insurance obligations and may contain
compensation for mortality and expense risks. Purchase payments will be
allocated to the fixed account by election of the contract owner.

The investment income earned by the fixed account will be allocated to the
contracts at varying rate(s) set by Nationwide. The guaranteed rate for any
purchase payment will be effective for not less than twelve months.
Nationwide guarantees that the rate will not be less than 3.0% per year.

Any interest in excess of 3.0% will be credited to fixed account allocations at
Nationwide's sole discretion. . The contract owner assumes the risk that
interest credited to fixed account allocations may not exceed the minimum
guarantee of 3.0% for any given year.

New purchase payments deposited to the contract which are allocated to the fixed
account may receive a different rate of interest than amounts transferred from
the sub-accounts to the fixed account and amounts maturing in the fixed account.

Nationwide guarantees that the fixed account contract value will not be less
than the amount of the purchase payments allocated to the fixed account, plus
interest credited as described above, less any applicable charges including
CDSC.

STANDARD CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE

On each contract anniversary (and upon a full surrender of the contract),
Nationwide deducts a $15 Contract Maintenance Charge. This charge reimburses
Nationwide for administrative expenses involved in issuing and maintaining the
contract.

If, on any contract anniversary (or on the date of a full surrender), the
contract value is $25,000 or more, Nationwide will waive the Contract
Maintenance Charge for that year.

The deduction of the Contract Maintenance Charge will be taken proportionately
from each sub-account, the fixed account and the Guaranteed Term Options based
on the value in each option as compared to the total contract value.

Nationwide will not increase the Contract Maintenance Charge. Nationwide will
not reduce or eliminate the Contract Maintenance Charge where it would be
discriminatory or unlawful.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES

Nationwide deducts mortality and expense risk charges from the variable account.
This amount is computed on a daily basis, and is equal to an annual rate of
1.10% of the daily net assets of the variable account.

The mortality risk charges compensate Nationwide for guaranteeing the annuity
rate of the contracts. This guarantee ensures that the annuity rates will not
change regardless of the death rates of annuity payees or the general
population.



                                       16

                                   18 of 126
<PAGE>   19

The expense risk charges compensate Nationwide for guaranteeing that
administration charges will not increase regardless of actual expenses.

If these charges are insufficient to cover actual expenses, the loss is borne by
Nationwide.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

No sales charge deduction is made from the purchase payments when amounts are
deposited into the contracts. However, if any part of the contract is
surrendered, Nationwide will deduct a CDSC, as described below.

The CDSC will not exceed the lesser of:

         (1)      7% of the amount surrendered; or
         (2)      7% of the total of all purchase payments made within 7 years
                  of the surrender date.

The CDSC is calculated by multiplying the applicable CDSC percentage (noted
below) by the lesser of the amount surrendered or the total of all purchase
payments made within 7 years of the surrender request.

For purposes of calculating the CDSC, surrenders are considered to come first
from the oldest purchase payment made to the contract, then the next oldest
purchase payment, and so forth. For tax purposes, a surrender is usually treated
as a withdrawal of earnings first.

The CDSC applies as follows:

          ---------------------------------------------------------
           Number of Years from Date               CDSC            
              of Purchase Payment               Percentage         
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       0                            7%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       1                            7%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       2                            6%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       3                            5%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       4                            4%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       5                            3%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       6                            2%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                       7                            0%             
          ---------------------------------------------------------


The CDSC is used to cover sales expenses, including commissions (maximum of 6%
of purchase payments), production of sales material, and other promotional
expenses. If expenses are greater than the CDSC, the shortfall will be made up
from Nationwide's general account, which may indirectly include portions of the
Contract Maintenance Charge and other variable account charges, since Nationwide
may generate a profit from these charges.

Contract owners taking withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% tax
penalty. In addition, all or a portion of the withdrawal may be subject to
federal income taxes (see "Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract
Owners").

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

Each contract year, the contract owner may withdraw without a CDSC the greater
of: 

         (a)      10% of all purchase payments; or
         (b)      any amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements
                  under the Internal Revenue Code.

This CDSC-free privilege is non-cumulative. Free amounts not taken during any
given contract year cannot be taken as free amounts in a subsequent contract
year.

In addition, no CDSC will be deducted:

         (1)      upon the annuitization of contracts which have been in force
                  for at least two years;
         (2)      upon payment of a death benefit; or
         (3)      from any values which have been held under a contract for at
                  least 7 years.

No CDSC applies to transfers among sub-accounts or between or among the
Guaranteed Term Options, the fixed account, or the variable account. Nationwide
may waive the CDSC if a contract described in this prospectus is exchanged for
another Nationwide contract (or a contract of any of its affiliated insurance
companies). A CDSC may apply to the contract received in the exchange.

A contract held by a Charitable Remainder Trust may withdraw CDSC-free the
greater of (a) or (b), where:

         (a)      is the amount which would otherwise be available for
                  withdrawal without a CDSC; and


                                       17

                                   19 of 126
<PAGE>   20

         (b)      is the difference between the total purchase payments made to
                  the contract as of the date of the withdrawal (reduced by
                  previous withdrawals) and the contract value at the close of
                  the day prior to the date of the withdrawal.

The CDSC will not be eliminated if to do so would be unfairly discriminatory or
prohibited by state law.

PREMIUM TAXES

Nationwide will charge against the contract value any premium taxes levied by a
state or other government entity. Premium tax rates currently range from 0% to
3.5%. This range is subject to change. The method used to assess premium tax
will be determined by Nationwide at its sole discretion in compliance with state
law.

If applicable, Nationwide will deduct premium taxes from the contract either at:

         (1)      the time the contract is surrendered;
         (2)      annuitization; or
         (3)      such earlier date as Nationwide becomes subject to premium
                  taxes.

OPTIONAL CONTRACT BENEFITS, CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

CDSC OPTIONS AND CHARGES

Five Year CDSC Option for Roth IRAs

For an additional charge of 0.15% of the daily net assets of the variable
account, the contract owner of a Roth IRA may choose the Five-Year CDSC Option.

Under this option, CDSC will not exceed the lesser of:

         (1)      7% of the amount surrendered; or
         (2)      7% of the total of all purchase payments made within 60 months
                  of the surrender date.

The Five Year CDSC Option for Roth IRAs applies as follows:

               ---------------------------------------------------
                Number of Years from Date of          CDSC        
                      Purchase Payment             Percentage     
               ---------------------------------------------------
                              0                        7%         
               ---------------------------------------------------
                              1                        7%         
               ---------------------------------------------------
                              2                        6%         
               ---------------------------------------------------
                              3                        4%         
               ---------------------------------------------------
                              4                        2%         
               ---------------------------------------------------
                              5                        0%         
               ---------------------------------------------------


Additional Withdrawal Without Charge and Disability Waiver

Each contract has a standard 10% CDSC-free withdrawal privilege. For an
additional charge of 0.10% of the daily net assets of the variable account, the
contract owner can withdraw an additional 5% of total purchase payments without
incurring a CDSC. This would allow the contract owner to withdraw a total of 15%
of the total of all purchase payments free of CDSC. Like the standard 10%
CDSC-free privilege, this additional withdrawal benefit is non-cumulative.

This option also contains a disability waiver. Nationwide will waive CDSC if a
contract owner (or annuitant if the contract is owned by a non-natural owner) is
disabled after the contract is issued but before reaching age 65. If this waiver
becomes effective due to disability, no additional purchase payments may be made
to the contract.

Additional CDSC Waiver Options for Tax Sheltered Annuities

         10 Year and Disability Waiver

         For an additional charge of 0.05% of the daily net assets of the
         variable account, the contract owner of a Tax Sheltered Annuity can
         purchase the 10 Year and Disability Waiver. Under this option,
         Nationwide will waive CDSC if two conditions are met:

         1)       the contract owner has been the owner of the contract for 10
                  years; and
         2)       the contract owner has made regular payroll deferrals during
                  the entire contract year for at least 5 of those 10 years.

         This option also contains a disability waiver. Nationwide will waive
         CDSC if the


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<PAGE>   21

         contract owner is disabled after the contract is issued but before
         reaching age 65. If this waiver becomes effective due to disability, no
         additional purchase payments may be made to the contract.

         Hardship Waiver

         For an additional charge of 0.15% of the daily net assets of the
         variable account, the contract owner of a Tax Sheltered Annuity can
         purchase the Hardship Waiver. Under this option, Nationwide will waive
         CDSC if the contract owner experiences a hardship (as defined for
         purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k)). The contract owner
         may be required to provide proof of hardship.

         If this waiver becomes effective, no additional purchase payments may
         be made to the contract.

OPTIONAL DEATH BENEFITS AND CHARGES

If the contract owner chooses an optional death benefit, Nationwide will deduct
a charge equal to an annual rate of either 0.05% or 0.10% of the daily net
assets of the variable account, depending upon which option was chosen. These
charges reimburse Nationwide for increased expenses and mortality risks.

Nationwide may lower either of these charges at any time without notifying
contract owners. Nationwide may generate a profit from optional death benefit
charges.

Long Term Care Facility Provisions

No CDSC will be charged if:

         o        The contract owner elected an optional death benefit; and
         o        The third contract anniversary has passed; and
         o        The contract owner has been confined to a long-term care
                  facility or hospital for a continuous 90-day period that began
                  after the contract issue date.

Additionally, no CDSC will be charged if:

         o        The contract owner elected an optional death benefit; and
         o        The contract owner has been diagnosed by a physician to have a
                  terminal illness; and
         o        Nationwide receives and records a letter from that physician
                  indicating such diagnosis.

For those contracts that have a non-natural person as contract owner for the
benefit of a natural person, the annuitant may exercise the rights of the
contract owner for the purposes described in this provision. If the non-natural
contract owner has NOT been established for the benefit of a natural person
(e.g., the contract owner is a corporation or a trust for the benefit of an
entity), the annuitant may NOT exercise the rights described in this provision.

CONTRACT OWNERSHIP

The contract owner has all rights under the contract. Purchasers who name
someone other than themselves as the contract owner will have no rights under
the contract.

Contract owners of Non-Qualified Contracts may name a new contract owner at any
time before the annuitization date. Any change of contract owner automatically
revokes any prior contract owner designation. Changes in contract ownership may
result in federal income taxation and may be subject to state and federal gift
taxes.

A change in contract ownership must be submitted in writing and recorded at
Nationwide's home office. Once recorded, the change will be effective as of the
date signed. However, the change will not affect any payments made or actions
taken by Nationwide before it was recorded.

The contract owner may also request a change in the annuitant, contingent
annuitant, contingent owner, beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary before the
annuitization date. These changes must be:

         o        on a Nationwide form;
         o        signed by the contract owner; and


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<PAGE>   22

         o        received at Nationwide's home office before the annuitization
                  date.

Nationwide must review and approve any change requests. If the contract owner is
not a natural person and there is a change of the annuitant, distributions will
be made as if the contract owner died at the time of the change.

On the annuitization date, the annuitant will become the contract owner, unless
the contract owner is a Charitable Remainder Trust.

JOINT OWNERSHIP

Joint owners each own an undivided interest in the contract. A joint owner will
receive a death benefit if a contract owner who is also the annuitant dies
before the annuitization date. If a contract owner who is NOT the annuitant dies
before the annuitization date, the joint owner becomes the contract owner.

Contract owners can name a joint owner at any time before annuitization subject
to the following conditions: 

         o        Joint owners can only be named for Non-Qualified Contracts;
         o        Joint owners must be spouses at the time joint ownership is
                  requested, unless state law requires Nationwide to allow
                  non-spousal joint owners;
         o        The exercise of any ownership right in the contract will
                  require a written request signed by both joint owners;
         o        Nationwide will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost,
                  or expense for acting in accordance with the instructions of
                  either joint owner.

CONTINGENT OWNERSHIP

The contingent owner is entitled to certain benefits under the contract, if a
contract owner who is NOT the annuitant dies before the annuitization date, and
there is no surviving joint owner. However, if the contingent owner dies before
the contract owner, and there is no surviving joint owner, all of the contract
benefits that would have gone to the contingent owner will go to the contract
owner's estate.

If the contract owner and annuitant are the same, and the contract
owner/annuitant dies before the annuitization date, the contingent owner will
not have any rights in the contract unless the contingent owner is also the
beneficiary.

The contract owner may name or change a contingent owner at any time before the
annuitization date. To change the contingent owner, a written request must be
submitted to Nationwide. Once Nationwide has recorded the change, it will be
effective as of the date it was signed, whether or not the contract owner was
living at the time it was recorded. The change will not affect any action taken
by Nationwide before the change was recorded.

BENEFICIARY AND CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY

The beneficiary is the person(s) who is entitled to the death benefit if the
annuitant dies before the annuitization date and there is no joint owner. The
contract owner can name more than one beneficiary. The beneficiaries will share
equally, unless otherwise specified.

If no beneficiaries survive the annuitant, the contingent beneficiary(ies)
receives the death benefit. Contingent beneficiaries will share equally, unless
otherwise specified.

If no beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries survive the annuitant, the
contract owner or the last surviving contract owner's estate will receive the
death benefit.

If the contract owner is a Charitable Remainder Trust and the annuitant dies
before the annuitization date, the death benefit will accrue to the Charitable
Remainder Trust. Any designation in conflict with the Charitable Remainder
Trust's right to the death benefit will be void.

The contract owner may change the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary during
the annuitant's lifetime by submitting a written request to Nationwide. Once
recorded, the change will be effective as of the date it was signed, whether or
not the annuitant was living at the time it was recorded. The change will not
affect any action taken by Nationwide before the change was recorded.



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<PAGE>   23

OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT

MINIMUM INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE PAYMENTS



               <TABLE>                                                  
               <CAPTION>                                                
               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    MINIMUM INITIAL        MINIMUM      
                    CONTRACT        PURCHASE PAYMENT     SUBSEQUENT     
                      TYPE                                PAYMENTS      
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               <S>                       <C>                 <C>        
               Non-Qualified             $1,000              $0         
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               IRA                       $1,000              $0         
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               Roth IRA                  $1,000              $0         
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               SEP IRA                   $1,000              $0         
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               Simple IRA                $1,000              $0         
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               Tax Sheltered               $0                $25        
               Annuity                                                  
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               Charitable                  $0                $0         
               Remainder Trust                                          
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               </TABLE>


Guaranteed Term Options

Guaranteed Term Options are separate investment options under the contract. The
minimum amount that may be allocated to a Guaranteed Term Option is $1,000.

PRICING

Initial purchase payments allocated to sub-accounts will be priced no later than
2 business days after receipt of an order to purchase if the application and all
necessary information are complete. If the application is not complete,
Nationwide may retain a purchase payment for up to 5 business days while
attempting to complete it. If the application is not completed within 5 business
days, the prospective purchaser will be informed of the reason for the delay.
The purchase payment will be returned unless the prospective purchaser
specifically allows Nationwide to hold the purchase payment until the
application is completed.

Subsequent purchase payments will be priced based on the next available
accumulation unit value after the payment is received. The cumulative total of
all purchase payments under contracts on the life of any one annuitant cannot
exceed $1,000,000 without Nationwide's prior consent.

Purchase payments will not be priced on the following nationally recognized
holidays:

o        New Year's Day
o        Martin Luther King, Jr.
o        Presidents Day
o        Good Friday
o        Memorial Day
o        Independence Day
o        Labor Day Day
o        Thanksgiving
o        Christmas


ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

Nationwide allocates purchase payments to sub-accounts, the fixed account,
and/or Guaranteed Term Options as instructed by the contract owner. Shares of
the sub-accounts are purchased at net asset value, then converted into
accumulation units. Contract owners can change allocations or make exchanges
among the sub-accounts, fixed account or Guaranteed Term Options. Certain
transactions may be subject to conditions imposed by the underlying mutual
funds, as well as those set forth in the contract.

VALUE OF AN ACCUMULATION UNIT

The accumulation unit value for a valuation period is determined by multiplying
the accumulation unit value for each sub-account for the immediately preceding
valuation period by the net investment factor for the sub-account for the
subsequent valuation period. Though the number of accumulation units will not
change as a result of investment experience, the value of an accumulation unit
may increase or decrease from valuation period to valuation period.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

Nationwide determines the net investment factor by dividing (a) by (b), and then
subtracting (c) from the result, where:

         (a)      is the net of:
                  (1)      the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund as
                           of the end of the current valuation period; and
                  (2)      the per share amount of any dividend or income
                           distributions made by the underlying mutual fund (if
                           the ex-dividend date occurs during the current
                           valuation period).


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<PAGE>   24

         (b)      is the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund
                  determined as of the end of the preceding valuation period.
         (c)      is a factor representing the daily variable account charges,
                  which may include charges for contract options chosen by the
                  contract owner. The factor is equal to an annual rate ranging
                  from 1.10% to 1.50% of the daily net assets of the variable
                  account, depending on which contract features the contract
                  owner chose.

Based on the net investment factor, the value of an accumulation unit may
increase or decrease. Changes in the net investment factor may not be directly
proportional to changes in the net asset value of underlying mutual fund shares
because of the deduction of variable account charges.

DETERMINING THE CONTRACT VALUE

Contract value is equal to the sum of the value of all accumulation units,
amounts allocated to the fixed account, and amounts allocated to a Guaranteed
Term Option. Nationwide calculates the number of accumulation units credited to
each sub-account by dividing the amount allocated to that sub-account by the
accumulation unit value for that sub-account for the valuation period the
purchase payment was received.

If part or all of the contract value is surrendered, or charges are assessed
against the contract value, Nationwide will deduct a proportionate amount from
each of the sub-accounts, fixed account and Guaranteed Term Options based on
current cash values.

TRANSFERS

Contract owners can transfer allocations without penalty or adjustment subject
to the following conditions: 

         o        For any 12 month period, Nationwide may restrict transfers
                  from the variable account to the fixed account to 10% of the
                  combined value of Guaranteed Term Option allocations and the
                  variable account contract value.
         o        Transfers from a Guaranteed Term Option prior to maturity are
                  subject to a market value adjustment.
         o        Nationwide reserves the right to refuse transfers or purchase
                  payments into the fixed account if the fixed account value is
                  greater than or equal to 30% of the total contract value.
         o        After annuitization, transfers may only be made on the
                  anniversary of the annuitization date.
         o        Contract owners who use Dollar Cost Averaging may transfer
                  from the fixed account to the variable account (but not to
                  Guaranteed Term Options) under the terms of that program (see
                  "Dollar Cost Averaging").

Transfer Requests

Nationwide will accept transfer requests in writing or, in those states that
allow them, over the telephone. Nationwide will use reasonable procedures to
confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. Nationwide's failure to follow
these procedures will result in its liability for fraudulent or unauthorized
transfers. However, Nationwide will not be liable for following telephone
instructions that it reasonably believed to be genuine. Nationwide may withdraw
the telephone exchange privilege upon 30 days written notice to contract owners.

For transfers involving the variable account, Nationwide determines contract
value as of the date the completed transfer request is received.

Interest Rate Guarantee Period

The interest rate guarantee period is the period of time that the fixed account
interest rate is guaranteed to remain the same. Within 45 days of the end of an
interest rate guarantee period, transfers may be made from the fixed account to
the variable account or to the Guaranteed Term Options. Nationwide will
determine the amount that may be transferred and will declare this amount at the
end of the guarantee period. This amount will not be less than 10% of the amount
in the fixed account that is maturing.



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For new purchase payments allocated to the fixed account, or transfers to the
fixed account from the variable account or a Guaranteed Term Option, this period
begins on the date of deposit or transfer and ends on the one year anniversary
of the deposit or transfer. The guaranteed interest rate period may last for up
to 3 months beyond the 1 year anniversary because guaranteed terms end on the
last day of a calendar quarter.

The interest rate guarantee period does not in any way refer to interest rate
crediting practices connected with Guaranteed Term Options.

During an interest rate guarantee period, transfers cannot be made from the
fixed account, and amounts transferred to the fixed account must remain on
deposit.

Market Timing Firms

Some contract owners may use market timing firms or other third parties to make
transfers on their behalf. Generally, in order to take advantage of perceived
market trends, market-timing firms will submit transfer or exchange requests on
behalf of multiple contract owners at the same time. Sometimes this can result
in unusually large transfers of funds. These large transfers might interfere
with the ability of Nationwide or the underlying mutual fund to process
transactions. This can potentially disadvantage contract owners not using
market-timing firms. To avoid this, Nationwide may modify transfer and exchange
rights of contract owners who use market timing firms (or other third parties)
to transfer or exchange funds on their behalf.

The exchange and transfer rights of individual contract owners will not be
modified in any way when instructions are submitted directly by the contract
owner, or by the contract owner's representative (as authorized by the execution
of a valid Nationwide Limited Power of Attorney Form).

To protect contract owners, Nationwide may refuse exchange and transfer
requests:

o        submitted by any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf of
         more than one contract owner; or
o        submitted on behalf of individual contract owners who have executed
         pre-authorized exchange forms which are submitted by market timing
         firms (or other third parties) on behalf of more than one contract
         owner at the same time.

Nationwide will not restrict exchange rights unless Nationwide believes it to be
necessary for the protection of all contract owners.

RIGHT TO REVOKE

Contract owners have a ten day "free look" to examine the contract. The contract
may be returned to Nationwide's home office for any reason within ten days of
receipt and Nationwide will refund the contract value or another amount required
by law. All IRA and Roth IRA refunds will be a return of purchase payments.
State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges.

Liability of the variable account under this provision is limited to the
contract value in each sub-account on the date of revocation. Any additional
amounts refunded to the contract owner will be paid by Nationwide.

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

Contract owners may surrender some or all of their contract value before the
earlier of the annuitization date or the annuitant's death. Surrender requests
must be in writing and Nationwide may require additional information. When
taking a full surrender, the contract must accompany the written request.
Nationwide may require a signature guarantee.

For partial surrenders, Nationwide will surrender accumulation units from the
sub-accounts and an amount from the fixed account and Guaranteed Term Options to
equal the requested dollar amount, less any applicable CDSC. The amount
withdrawn from each investment option will be in proportion to the value in each
option at the time of the surrender request.



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Nationwide will pay any amounts surrendered from the sub-accounts within 7 days.
However, Nationwide may suspend or postpone payment when:

         (1)      the New York Stock Exchange is closed;
         (2)      trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;
         (3)      an emergency exists making disposal or valuation of securities
                  held in the variable account impracticable; or
         (4)      the SEC, by order, permits a suspension or postponement for
                  the protection of security holders.

Rules and regulations of the SEC will govern as to when the conditions described
in (2) and (3) exist.

The contract value upon full surrender may be more or less than the total of all
purchase payments made to the contract. The contract value will reflect variable
account charges and the investment performance of the underlying mutual funds.

SURRENDERS UNDER A TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY

Contract owners of a Tax Sheltered Annuity may surrender part or all of their
contract value before the earlier of the annuitization date or the annuitant's
death, except as provided below:

A.       Contract value attributable to contributions made under a qualified
         cash or deferred arrangement (within the meaning of Internal Revenue
         Code Section 402(g)(3)(A)), a salary reduction agreement (within the
         meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 402(g)(3)(C)), or transfers
         from a Custodial Account (described in Section 403(b)(7) of the
         Internal Revenue Code), may be surrendered only:

         1.       when the contract owner reaches age 59 1/2, separates from
                  service, dies, or becomes disabled (within the meaning of
                  Internal Revenue Code Section 72(m)(7)); or
         2.       in the case of hardship (as defined for purposes of Internal
                  Revenue Code Section 401(k)), provided that any such hardship
                  surrender may NOT include any income earned on salary
                  reduction contributions.

B.       The surrender limitations described in Section A also apply to:

         1.       salary reduction contributions to Tax Sheltered Annuities made
                  for plan years beginning after December 31, 1988;
         2.       earnings credited to such contracts after the last plan year
                  beginning before January 1, 1989, on amounts attributable to
                  salary reduction contributions; and
         3.       all amounts transferred from 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts
                  (except that earnings and employer contributions as of
                  December 31, 1988 in such Custodial Accounts may be withdrawn
                  in the case of hardship).

C.       Any distribution other than the above, including a ten day free look
         cancellation of the contract (when available) may result in taxes,
         penalties, and/or retroactive disqualification of a Qualified Contract
         or Tax Sheltered Annuity.

In order to prevent disqualification of a Tax Sheltered Annuity after a ten day
free look cancellation, Nationwide will transfer the proceeds to another Tax
Sheltered Annuity upon proper direction by the contract owner.

These provisions explain Nationwide's understanding of current withdrawal
restrictions. These restrictions may change.

Distributions pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders will not violate
the restrictions stated above.

LOAN PRIVILEGE

The loan privilege is ONLY available to owners of Tax Sheltered Annuities. These
contract owners can take loans from the contract value beginning 30 days after
the contract is issued up to the annuitization date. Loans are subject to the
terms of the contract, the plan, and the Internal Revenue Code. Nationwide may
modify the terms of a loan to comply with changes in applicable law.



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<PAGE>   27

MINIMUM & MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS

Contract owners may borrow a minimum of $1000, unless Nationwide is required by
law to allow a lesser minimum amount. Each loan must individually satisfy the
contract minimum amount.

Nationwide will calculate the maximum nontaxable loan amount based upon
information provided by the participant or the employer. Loans may be taxable if
a participant has additional loans from other plans. The total of all
outstanding loans must not exceed the following limits:


               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                CONTRACT     MAXIMUM OUTSTANDING LOAN   
                                VALUES       BALANCE ALLOWED            
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               NON-ERISA PLANS  up to        up to 80% of contract      
                                $20,000      value (not more than       
                                             $10,000)                   
               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                $20,000      up to 50% of contract      
                                and over     value (not more than       
                                             $50,000*)                  
               ---------------------------------------------------------
               ERISA PLANS      All          up to 50% of contract      
                                             value (not more than       
                                             $50,000*)                  
               ---------------------------------------------------------

                  *        The $50,000 limits will be reduced by the highest
                           outstanding balance owed during the previous 12
                           months.

For salary reduction Tax Sheltered Annuities, loans may be secured only by the
contract value.

LOAN PROCESSING FEE

Nationwide charges a $25 loan processing fee at the time each loan is processed.
This fee compensates Nationwide for expenses related to administering and
processing loans.

The fee is taken from the sub-accounts, fixed account, and Guaranteed Term
Options in proportion to the contract value at the time the loan is processed.

HOW LOAN REQUESTS ARE PROCESSED

All loans are made from the collateral fixed account. Nationwide transfers
accumulation units in proportion to the assets in each sub-account to the
collateral fixed account until the requested amount is reached. If there are not
enough accumulation units available in the contract to reach the requested loan
amount, Nationwide next transfers contract value from the fixed account. Any
remaining required collateral will be transferred from the Guaranteed Term
Options. Transfers from the Guaranteed Term Options may be subject to a market
value adjustment. No CDSC will be deducted on transfers related to loan
processing.

INTEREST

The outstanding loan balance in the collateral fixed account is credited with
interest until the loan is repaid in full. The interest rate will be 2.25% less
than the loan interest rate fixed by Nationwide. It is guaranteed never to fall
below 3.0%.

Specific loan terms are disclosed at the time of loan application or issuance.

LOAN REPAYMENT

Loans must be repaid in five years. However, if the loan is used to purchase the
contract owner's principal residence, the contract owner has 15 years to repay
the loan.

Contract owners must identify loan repayments as loan repayments or they will be
treated as purchase payments and will not reduce the outstanding loan. Payments
must be substantially level and made at least quarterly.

Loan repayments will consist of principal and interest in amounts set forth in
the loan agreement. Repayments are allocated to the sub-accounts in accordance
with the contract, unless Nationwide and the contract owner have agreed to amend
the contract at a later date on a case by case basis.

Loan repayments to the Guaranteed Term Options must be at least $1,000. If the
proportional share of the repayment to the Guaranteed Term Option is less than
$1,000, that portion of the repayment will be allocated to the NSAT-Money Market
Fund unless the contract owner directs otherwise.




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<PAGE>   28


DISTRIBUTIONS & ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Distributions made from the contract while a loan is outstanding will be reduced
by the amount of the outstanding loan plus accrued interest if:

         o        the contract is surrendered;
         o        the contract owner/annuitant dies;
         o        the contract owner who is not the annuitant dies prior to
                  annuitization; or
         o        annuity payments begin.

TRANSFERRING THE CONTRACT

Nationwide reserves the right to restrict any transfer of the contract while the
loan is outstanding.

GRACE PERIOD & LOAN DEFAULT

If a loan payment is not made when due, interest will continue to accrue. A
grace period may be available (please refer to the terms of the loan agreement).
If a loan payment is not made by the end of the applicable grace period, the
entire loan will be treated as a deemed distribution and will be taxable to the
borrower. This deemed distribution may also be subject to an early withdrawal
tax penalty by the Internal Revenue Service.

After default, interest will continue to accrue on the loan. Defaulted amounts,
plus interest, are deducted from the contract value when the participant is
eligible for a distribution of at least that amount. Additional loans are not
available while a previous loan is in default.

ASSIGNMENT

Contract rights are personal to the contract owner and may not be assigned
without Nationwide's written consent. IRAs, Roth IRAs, and Tax Sheltered
Annuities may not be assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred except where
allowed by law.

A Non-Qualified Contract owner may assign some or all rights under the contract.
An assignment must occur before annuitization while the annuitant is alive. Once
proper notice of assignment is recorded by Nationwide's home office, the
assignment will become effective as of the date the written request was signed.

Nationwide is not responsible for the validity or tax consequences of any
assignment. Nationwide is not liable for any payment or settlement made before
the assignment is recorded. Assignments will not be recorded until Nationwide
receives sufficient direction from the contract owner and the assignee regarding
the proper allocation of contract rights.

Amounts pledged or assigned will be treated as distributions and will be
included in gross income to the extent that the cash value exceeds the
investment in the contract for the taxable year in which it was pledged or
assigned. Amounts assigned may be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the
amount included in gross income.

Assignment of the entire contract value may cause the portion of the contract
value exceeding the total investment in the contract and previously taxed
amounts to be included in gross income for federal income tax purposes each year
that the assignment is in effect.

CONTRACT OWNER SERVICES

ASSET REBALANCING

Asset rebalancing is the automatic reallocation of contract values to the
sub-accounts on a predetermined percentage basis. Asset rebalancing is not
available for assets held in the fixed account or the Guaranteed Term Options.
Requests for asset rebalancing must be on a Nationwide form.

Asset rebalancing occurs every three months or on another frequency if permitted
by Nationwide. If the last day of the three-month period falls on a Saturday,
Sunday, recognized holiday, or any other day when the New York Stock Exchange is
closed, asset rebalancing will occur on the next business day.



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<PAGE>   29



Asset rebalancing may be subject to employer limitations or restrictions for
contracts issued to a Tax Sheltered Annuity plan. Contract owners should consult
a financial adviser to discuss the use of asset rebalancing.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new asset rebalancing
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service.

DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

Dollar cost averaging is a long-term transfer program that allows you to make
regular, level investments over time. It involves the automatic transfer of a
specified amount from certain sub-accounts into other sub-accounts or the fixed
account. Contract owners may participate in this program if their contract value
is $15,000 or more. Nationwide does not guarantee that this program will result
in profit or protect contract owners from loss.

Contract owners direct Nationwide to automatically transfer specified amounts
from the fixed account and the following underlying mutual funds: Fidelity VIP
High Income Portfolio, NSAT-Government Bond Fund, NSAT-Nationwide High Income
Bond Fund, and NSAT-Money Market Fund to any other underlying mutual fund.
Dollar cost averaging transfers may not be directed to Guaranteed Term Options.
The minimum monthly transfer is $100. Transfers from the fixed account must be
equal to 1/30th of the fixed account value at the time the program is requested.

Transfers occur monthly or on another frequency if permitted by Nationwide.
Nationwide will process transfers until either the value in the originating
investment option is exhausted, or the contract owner instructs Nationwide in
writing to stop the transfers.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new dollar cost averaging
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS

Systematic withdrawals allow contract owners to receive a specified amount (of
at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. Requests
for systematic withdrawals and requests to discontinue systematic withdrawals
must be in writing.

The withdrawals will be taken from the sub-accounts and the fixed account
proportionately unless Nationwide is instructed otherwise. Systematic
withdrawals are not available from the Guaranteed Term Options.

Nationwide will withhold federal income taxes from systematic withdrawals unless
otherwise instructed by the contract owner. The Internal Revenue Service may
impose a 10% penalty tax if the contract owner is under age 59-1/2 unless the
contract owner has made an irrevocable election of distributions of
substantially equal payments.

If the contract owner takes systematic withdrawals, the maximum amount that can
be withdrawn annually without a CDSC is the greatest of:

         1)       10% of all purchase payments made to the contract as of the
                  withdrawal date;
         2)       an amount withdrawn to meet minimum distribution requirements
                  under the Internal Revenue Code; or
         3)       a percentage of the contract value based on the contract
                  owner's age, as shown in the table below:

  
          -----------------------------------------------------
                CONTRACT OWNER'S            PERCENTAGE OF      
                      AGE                   CONTRACT VALUE     
          -----------------------------------------------------
                 Under age 59-1/2                 5%        
          -----------------------------------------------------
             Age 59-1/2 through age 61            7%         
          -----------------------------------------------------
             Age 62 through age 64                8%           
          -----------------------------------------------------
             Age 65 through age 74               10%           
          -----------------------------------------------------
                Age 75 and over                  13%           
          -----------------------------------------------------


Contract value and contract owner's age are determined as of the date the
request for the withdrawal program is recorded by Nationwide's home office. For
joint owners, the older joint owner's age will be used.



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If total amounts withdrawn in any contract year exceed the CDSC-free amount
described above, those amounts will only be eligible for the 10% of purchase
payment CDSC-free withdrawal privilege described in the "Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge" section. The total amount of CDSC for that contract year will be
determined in accordance with that provision.

The CDSC-free withdrawal privilege for systematic withdrawals is non-cumulative.
Free amounts not taken during any contract year cannot be taken as free amounts
in a subsequent contract year.

Nationwide reserves the right to stop establishing new systematic withdrawal
programs. Nationwide also reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this
service. Systematic withdrawals are not available before the end of the ten-day
free look period (see "Right to Revoke").

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

The annuity commencement date is the date on which annuity payments are
scheduled to begin. The contract owner may change the annuity commencement date
before annuitization. This change must be in writing and approved by Nationwide.

ANNUITIZING THE CONTRACT

ANNUITIZATION DATE

The annuitization date is the date that annuity payments begin. It will be the
first day of a calendar month unless otherwise agreed, and must be at least 2
years after the contract is issued. If the contract is issued to fund a Tax
Sheltered Annuity plan, annuitization may occur during the first 2 years subject
to Nationwide's approval.

ANNUITIZATION

Annuitization is the period during which annuity payments are received. It is
irrevocable once payments have begun. Upon arrival of the annuitization date,
the annuitant must choose: 

         (1)      an annuity payment option; and 
         (2)      either a fixed payment annuity, variable payment annuity, or
                  an available combination.

Nationwide guarantees that each payment under a fixed payment annuity will be
the same throughout annuitization. Under a variable payment annuity, the amount
of each payment will vary with the performance of the underlying mutual funds
chosen by the contract owner.

FIXED PAYMENT ANNUITY - FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

The first payment under a fixed payment annuity is determined on the
annuitization date on an age last birthday basis by:

         1)       deducting applicable premium taxes from the total contract
                  value; then
         2)       applying the contract value amount specified by the contract
                  owner to the fixed payment annuity table for the annuity
                  payment option elected.

Subsequent payments will remain level unless the annuity payment option elected
provides otherwise. Nationwide does not credit discretionary interest during
annuitization.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT PAYMENTS

The first payment under a variable payment annuity is determined on the
annuitization date on an age last birthday basis by:

         1)       deducting applicable premium taxes from the total contract
                  value; then
         2)       applying the contract value amount specified by the contract
                  owner to the variable payment annuity table for the annuity
                  payment option elected.

The dollar amount of the first payment is converted into a set number of annuity
units that will represent each monthly payment. This is done by dividing the
dollar amount of the first payment by the value of an annuity unit as of the
annuitization date. This number of annuity units remains fixed during
annuitization.

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The second and subsequent payments are determined by multiplying the fixed
number of annuity units by the annuity unit value for the valuation period in
which the payment is due. The amount of the second and subsequent payments will
vary with the performance of the selected underlying mutual funds. Nationwide
guarantees that variations in mortality experience from assumptions used to
calculate the first payment will not affect the dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

A 3.5% assumed investment rate is built into the variable payment annuity
purchase rate basis in the contracts. If the actual net investment rate is equal
to the annual rate of 3.5%, annuity payments will be level. However, a higher
assumption would mean a higher initial payment but more slowly rising or more
rapidly falling subsequent payments. A lower assumption would have the opposite
effect.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - VALUE OF AN ANNUITY UNIT

Annuity unit values for sub-accounts are determined by multiplying the net
investment factor for the valuation period for which the annuity unit is being
calculated by the immediately preceding valuation period's annuity unit value,
and multiplying the result by an interest factor to neutralize the assumed
investment rate of 3.5% per annum built into the variable payment annuity
purchase rate basis in the contracts.

VARIABLE PAYMENT ANNUITY - EXCHANGES AMONG UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

Exchanges among underlying mutual funds during annuitization must be in writing.
Exchanges will occur on each anniversary of the annuitization date.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Payments are made based on the annuity payment option selected, unless:

         o        the amount to be distributed is less than $5,000, in which
                  case Nationwide may make one lump sum payment of the contract
                  value; or
         o        an annuity payment would be less than $50, in which case
                  Nationwide can change the frequency of payments to intervals
                  that will result in payments of at least $50. Payments will be
                  made at least annually.

ANNUITY PAYMENT OPTIONS

Contract owners must elect an annuity payment option before the annuitization
date. The annuity payment options are:

(1)  LIFE ANNUITY - An annuity payable periodically, but at least annually, for
     the lifetime of the annuitant. Payments will end upon the annuitant's
     death. For example, if the annuitant dies before the second annuity payment
     date, the annuitant will receive only one annuity payment. The annuitant
     will only receive two annuity payments if he or she dies before the third
     annuity payment date, and so on.

(2)  JOINT AND LAST SURVIVOR ANNUITY - An annuity payable periodically, but at
     least annually, during the joint lifetimes of the annuitant and a
     designated second individual. If one of these parties dies, payments will
     continue for the lifetime of the survivor. As is the case under option 1,
     there is no guaranteed number of payments. Payments end upon the death of
     the last surviving party, regardless of the number of payments received.

(3)  LIFE ANNUITY WITH 120 OR 240 MONTHLY PAYMENTS GUARANTEED - An annuity
     payable monthly during the lifetime of the annuitant. If the annuitant dies
     before all of the guaranteed payments have been made, payments will
     continue to the end of the guaranteed period and will be paid to a designee
     chosen by the annuitant at the time the annuity payment option was elected.

     The designee may elect to receive the present value of the remaining
     guaranteed payments in a lump sum. The present value will be computed as of
     the date Nationwide receives the notice of the annuitant's death.



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Not all of the annuity payment options may be available in all states. Contract
owners may request other options before the annuitization date. These options
are subject to Nationwide's approval.

No distribution for Non-Qualified Contracts will be made until an annuity
payment option has been elected. IRAs and Tax Sheltered Annuities are subject to
the "minimum distribution" requirements set forth in the plan, contract, and the
Internal Revenue Code.

DEATH BENEFITS

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the contract owner who is not the annuitant dies before the annuitization
date, the joint owner becomes the contract owner. If no joint owner is named,
the contingent owner becomes the contract owner. If no contingent owner is
named, the last surviving contract owner's estate becomes the contract owner.

Distributions under Non-Qualified Contracts will be made pursuant to the
"Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

DEATH OF ANNUITANT - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

If the annuitant who is not the contract owner dies before the annuitization
date, a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary unless a contingent
annuitant is named. If a contingent annuitant is named, the contingent annuitant
becomes the annuitant and no death benefit is payable.

The beneficiary may elect to receive the death benefit:

         (1)      in a lump sum;
         (2)      as an annuity; or
         (3)      in any other manner permitted by law and approved by
                  Nationwide.

The beneficiary must notify Nationwide of this election within 60 days of the
annuitant's death.

If the annuitant dies after the annuitization date, any benefit that may be
payable will be paid according to the selected annuity payment option.

DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER/ANNUITANT

If a contract owner who is also the annuitant dies before the annuitization
date, a death benefit is payable according to the "Death of the Annuitant -
Non-Qualified Contracts" provision.

If the contract owner/annuitant dies after the annuitization date, any benefit
that may be payable will be paid according to the selected annuity payment
option.

DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT

Contract owners may select one of three death benefits available under the
contract at the time of application (not all death benefit options may be
available in all states). If no selection is made at the time of application,
the death benefit will be the Five-Year Reset Death Benefit.

The death benefit value is determined as of the date Nationwide receives:

         (1)      proper proof of the annuitant's death;
         (2)      an election specifying the distribution method; and
         (3)      any state required form(s).

Five-Year Reset Death Benefit (Standard Contractual Death Benefit)

If the annuitant dies before the annuitization date, the death benefit will be
the greatest of:

         1)       the contract value;
         2)       the total of all purchase payments, less an adjustment for
                  amounts surrendered; or
         3)       the contract value as of the most recent five year contract
                  anniversary before the annuitant's 86th birthday, less an
                  adjustment for amounts surrendered, plus purchase payments
                  received after that five year contract anniversary.

The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce items (2) and (3) above in
the same proportion that the contract value was reduced on the date(s) of the
partial surrender(s).




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One-Year Step Up Death Benefit

If the annuitant dies before the annuitization date, the death benefit will be
the greatest of:

         1)       the contract value;
         2)       the total of all purchase payments, less an adjustment for
                  amounts surrendered; or
         3)       the highest contract value on any contract anniversary before
                  the annuitant's 86th birthday, less an adjustment for amounts
                  subsequently surrendered, plus purchase payments received
                  after that contract anniversary.

The adjustment for amounts surrendered will reduce items (2) and (3) above in
the same proportion that the contract value was reduced on the date(s) of the
partial surrender(s).

5% Enhanced Death Benefit

If the annuitant dies before the annuitization date, the death benefit will be
the greater of:

         (1)      the contract value; or
         (2)      the total of all purchase payments, less any amounts
                  surrendered, accumulated at 5% simple interest from the date
                  of each purchase payment or surrender to the most recent
                  contract anniversary prior to the annuitant's 86th birthday,
                  less an adjustment for amounts subsequently surrendered, plus
                  purchase payments received since that contract anniversary.

The total accumulated amount will not exceed 200% of the net of purchase
payments and amounts surrendered. The adjustment for amounts subsequently
surrendered after the most recent contract anniversary will reduce the 5%
interest anniversary value in the same proportion that the contract value was
reduced on the date(s) of the partial surrender(s).

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

Internal Revenue Code Section 72(s) requires Nationwide to make certain
distributions when a contract owner dies. The following distributions will be
made according to those requirements:

         1)       If any contract owner dies on or after the annuitization date
                  and before the entire interest in the contract has been
                  distributed, then the remaining interest must be distributed
                  at least as rapidly as the distribution method in effect on
                  the contract owner's death.
         2)       If any contract owner dies before the annuitization date, then
                  the entire interest in the contract (consisting of either the
                  death benefit or the contract value reduced by charges set
                  forth elsewhere in the contract) will be distributed within 5
                  years of the contract owner's death, provided however:
                  a)       any interest payable to or for the benefit of a
                           natural person (referred to herein as a "designated
                           beneficiary"), may be distributed over the life of
                           the designated beneficiary or over a period not
                           longer than the life expectancy of the designated
                           beneficiary.
                           Payments must begin within one year of the contract
                           owner's death unless otherwise permitted by federal
                           income tax regulations;
                  b)       if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse
                           of the deceased contract owner, the spouse can choose
                           to become the contract owner instead of receiving a
                           death benefit. Any distributions required under these
                           distribution rules will be made upon that spouse's
                           death.

In the event that the contract owner is NOT a natural person (e.g., a trust or
corporation), then, for purposes of these distribution provisions:

         a)       the death of the annuitant will be treated as the death of a
                  contract owner;
         b)       any change of annuitant will be treated as the death of a
                  contract owner; and
         c)       in either case, the appropriate distribution will be made upon
                  the death or change, as the case may be. The annuitant is the
                  primary annuitant as defined in Section 72(s)(6)(B) of the
                  Internal Revenue Code.



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These distribution provisions do not apply to any contract exempt from Section
72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of Section 72(s)(5) or any other
law or rule.

The designated beneficiary must elect a method of distribution and notify
Nationwide of this election within 60 days of the contract owner's death.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities will be made according to the Minimum
Distribution and Incidental Benefit provisions of Section 401(a)(9) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Distributions will be made to the annuitant according to
the selected annuity payment option over a period not longer than 

         a)       the life of the annuitant or the joint lives of the annuitant
                  and the annuitant's designated beneficiary; or
         b)       a period not longer than the life expectancy of the annuitant
                  or the joint life expectancies of the annuitant and the
                  annuitant's designated beneficiary.

Required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they
are being withdrawn from another Tax Sheltered Annuity of the annuitant.

If the annuitant's entire interest in a Tax Sheltered Annuity will be
distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over a period described in
a) or b), the payments will begin on the required beginning date. The required
beginning date is the later of:

         a)       April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in
                  which the annuitant reaches age 70-1/2; or
         b)       the annuitant's retirement date.

Provision b) does not apply to any employee who is a 5% owner (as defined in
Section 416 of the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to the plan year ending
in the calendar year when the employee attains the age of 70-1/2.

Payments beginning on the required beginning date will not be less than the
lesser of the quotient obtained by dividing the entire interest of the annuitant
by the annuitant's life expectancy or the joint life expectancies of the
annuitant and the annuitant's designated beneficiary (if the annuitant dies
before the required beginning date) or the beneficiary under the selected
annuity payment option (if the annuitant dies after the required beginning
date), whichever is applicable under the applicable minimum distribution or MDIB
provisions. Life expectancy and joint life expectancies are computed by using
return multiples contained in Section 1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

If the annuitant dies before distributions begin, the interest in the Tax
Sheltered Annuity must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year in
which the fifth anniversary of the annuitant's death occurs unless:

         a)       the annuitant names his or her surviving spouse as the
                  beneficiary and the spouse chooses to receive distribution of
                  the contract in substantially equal payments over his or her
                  life (or a period not longer than his or her life expectancy)
                  and beginning no later than December 31 of the year in which
                  the annuitant would have attained age 70-1/2; or
         b)       the annuitant names a beneficiary other than his or her
                  surviving spouse and the beneficiary elects to receive
                  distribution of the contract in substantially equal payments
                  over his or her life (or a period not longer than his or her
                  life expectancy) beginning no later than December 31 of the
                  year following the year in which the annuitant dies.

If the annuitant dies after distributions have begun, distributions must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule used before the annuitant's
death.



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If distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the
difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year
and the amount that actually was distributed for that year.

REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Distributions from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin no later than
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the contract
owner reaches age 70-1/2. Distribution may be paid in a lump sum or in
substantially equal payments over:

         a)       the contract owner's life or the lives of the contract owner
                  and his or her spouse or designated beneficiary; or
         b)       a period not longer than the life expectancy of the contract
                  owner or the joint life expectancy of the contract owner and
                  the contract owner's designated beneficiary.

If the contract owner dies before distributions begin, the interest in the
Individual Retirement Annuity must be distributed by December 31 of the calendar
year in which the fifth anniversary of the contract owner's death occurs,
unless:

         a)       the contract owner names his or her surviving spouse as the
                  beneficiary and such spouse chooses to:
                  1)       treat the contract as an Individual Retirement
                           Annuity established for his or her benefit; or
                  2)       receive distribution of the contract in substantially
                           equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
                           longer than his or her life expectancy) and beginning
                           no later than December 31 of the year in which the
                           contract owner would have reached age 70-1/2; or
         b)       the contract owner names a beneficiary other than his or her
                  surviving spouse and such beneficiary elects to receive a
                  distribution of the contract in substantially equal payments
                  over his or her life (or a period not longer than his or her
                  life expectancy) beginning no later than December 31 of the
                  year following the year of the contract owner's death.

Required distributions do not have to be withdrawn from this contract if they
are being withdrawn from another Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual
Retirement Account of the contract owner.

If the contract owner dies after distributions have begun, distributions must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used before the
contract owner's death. However, a surviving spouse who is the beneficiary under
the annuity payment option may treat the contract as his or her own, in the same
manner as is described in section (a)(i) of this provision.

If distribution requirements are not met, a penalty tax of 50% is levied on the
difference between the amount that should have been distributed for that year
and the amount that actually was distributed for that year.

A portion of each distribution will be included in the recipient's gross income
and taxed at ordinary income tax rates. The portion of a distribution which is
taxable is based on the ratio between the amount by which non-deductible
purchase payments exceed prior non-taxable distributions and total account
balances at the time of the distribution. The owner of an Individual Retirement
Annuity must annually report the amount of non-deductible purchase payments, the
amount of any distribution, the amount by which non-deductible purchase payments
for all years exceed non-taxable distributions for all years, and the total
balance of all Individual Retirement Annuities.

Individual Retirement Annuity distributions will not receive the favorable tax
treatment of a lump sum distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the contract
owner dies before the entire interest in the contract has been distributed, the
balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.



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REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR ROTH IRAS

The rules for Roth IRAs do not require distributions to begin during the
contract owner's lifetime.

When the contract owner dies, the interest in the Roth IRA must be distributed
by December 31 of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of his or her
death occurs, unless:

         a)       the contract owner names his or her surviving spouse as the
                  beneficiary and the spouse chooses to:
                  1)       treat the contract as a Roth IRA established for his
                           or her benefit; or
                  2)       receive distribution of the contract in substantially
                           equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
                           longer than his or her life expectancy) and beginning
                           no later than December 31 of the year following the
                           year in which the contract owner would have reached
                           age 70-1/2; or
         b)       the contract owner names a beneficiary other than his or her
                  surviving spouse and the beneficiary chooses to receive
                  distribution of the contract in substantially equal payments
                  over his or her life (or a period not longer than his or her
                  life expectancy) beginning no later than December 31 of the
                  year following the year in which the contract owner dies.

Distributions from Roth IRAs may be either taxable or nontaxable, depending upon
whether they are "qualified distributions" or "nonqualified distributions" (see
"Federal Income Taxes").

FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

Contract owners should consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax
advisor to discuss in detail the taxation and the use of the contracts.

Nationwide does not guarantee the tax status of the contracts or any
transactions involving the contracts.

Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code governs federal income taxation of
annuities in general. That section sets forth different rules for: (1)
Individual Retirement Annuities and Individual Retirement Accounts; (2) Roth
IRAs; (3) SEP IRAs; (4) Simple IRAs; (5) Tax Sheltered Annuities; and (6)
Non-Qualified Contracts. Each type of annuity is discussed below.

Individual Retirement Annuities and Individual Retirement Accounts

Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and contracts owned by
Individual Retirement Accounts are generally taxed when received. The excludable
portion of each payment is based on the ratio between the amount by which
non-deductible purchase payments to all the contracts exceeds prior non-taxable
distributions from the contracts, and the total account balances in the
contracts at the time of the distribution. The owner of these Individual
Retirement Annuities or the annuitant under contracts held by Individual
Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal Revenue Service:

         o        the amount of nondeductible purchase payments; o the amount of
                  any distributions;
         o        the amount by which nondeductible purchase payments for all
                  years exceed non-taxable distributions for all years; and
         o        the total balance in all Individual Retirement Annuities and
                  Individual Retirement Accounts.

Roth IRAs

Distributions of earnings from Roth IRAs are taxable or nontaxable, depending
upon whether they are "qualified distributions" or "nonqualified distributions."
A "qualified distribution" is one that satisfies the five-year rule and meets
one of the following requirements:



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         (i)      it is made on or after the date on which the contract owner
                  attains age 59-1/2;
         (ii)     it is made to a beneficiary (or the contract owner's estate)
                  on or after the death of the contract owner;
         (iii)    it is attributable to the contract owner's disability; or
         (iv)     it is a qualified first-time homebuyer distribution (as
                  defined in Section 72(t)(2)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code).

If the Roth IRA does not have any qualified rollover contributions from a
retirement plan other than a Roth IRA (or income allocable thereto), the five
year rule is satisfied if the distribution is not made within the five year
period beginning with the first contribution to the Roth IRA. If the Roth IRA
contains qualified rollover contributions from a retirement plan other than a
Roth IRA (or income allocable thereto), the five year rule is satisfied if the
distribution is not made within the five taxable year period commencing with the
taxable year in which the qualified rollover contribution was made.

A nonqualified distribution is any distribution that is not a qualified
distribution.

A qualified distribution is not included in gross income for federal income tax
purposes. A nonqualified distribution is not includible in gross income to the
extent that the distribution, when added to all previous distributions, does not
exceed that total amount of contributions made to the Roth IRA. Any nonqualified
distribution in excess of the aggregate amount of contributions will be included
in the contract owner's gross income in the year that is distributed to the
contract owner.

Taxable distributions will not receive the same favorable tax treatment of a
lump sum distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the contract owner dies before
the contract is completely distributed, the balance will also be included in the
contract owner's gross estate for tax purposes.

A change of the annuitant or contingent annuitant may be treated by the Internal
Revenue Service as a taxable transaction.

Tax Sheltered Annuities

Distributions from Tax Sheltered Annuities are generally taxed when received. A
portion of each distribution is excludable from income based on a formula
required by the Internal Revenue Code. The formula excludes from income the
amount invested in the contract divided by the number of anticipated payments
(as determined pursuant to Section 72(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) until the
full investment in the contract is recovered. Thereafter all distributions are
fully taxable.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Contract Owners

The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of each
annuity payment is excludable from taxable income based on the ratio between the
contract owner's investment in the contract and the expected return on the
contract until the investment has been recovered. Thereafter the entire amount
is includible in income. The maximum amount excludable from income is the
investment in the contract. If the annuitant dies before the entire investment
in the contract has been excluded from income, it may be included on his or her
final tax return.

Distributions before the annuitization date are taxable to the contract owner to
the extent that the cash value of the contract exceeds the contract owner's
investment at the time of the distribution. Distributions, for this purpose,
include partial surrenders, dividends, loans, or any portion of the contract
that is assigned or pledged; or for contracts issued after April 22, 1987, any
portion of the contract transferred by gift. For these purposes, a transfer by
gift may occur upon annuitization if the contract owner and the annuitant are
not the same individual.

In determining the taxable amount of a distribution, all annuity contracts
issued after October 21, 1988 by the same company to the same contract owner
during any 12-month period will be treated as one annuity contract. Additional
limitations on the use of multiple contracts may be imposed by Treasury
Regulations.

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Distributions before the annuitization date allocable to a portion of the
contract invested prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as a recovery of
the investment in the contract as of that date. A distribution in excess of the
amount of the investment in the contract as of August 14, 1982, will be treated
as taxable income.

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 has changed the tax treatment of certain
Non-Qualified Contracts held by entities other than individuals. Such entities
are taxed currently on earnings from contributions made to the contract after
February 28, 1986. There are exceptions for immediate annuities and certain
contracts owned for the benefit of an individual. An immediate annuity, for
purposes of this discussion, is a single premium contract on which payments
begin within one year of purchase. If this contract is issued as the result of
an exchange described in Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code, for purposes
of determining whether the contract is an immediate annuity, it will generally
be considered to have been purchased on the purchase date of the contract given
up in the exchange.

Internal Revenue Code Section 72 also assesses a penalty tax if a distribution
is made before the contract owner reaches age 59-1/2. The amount of the penalty
is 10% of the portion of any distribution that is includible in gross income.
The penalty tax does not apply if the distribution

         1)       is the result of a contract owner's death;
         2)       is the result of a contract owner's disability;
         3)       is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments
                  made over the life or life expectancy of the contract owner
                  (or the joint lives or joint life expectancies of the contract
                  owner and the beneficiary selected by the contract owner to
                  receive payment under the annuity payment option selected by
                  the contract owner),
         4)       is for the purchase of an immediate annuity;
         5)       is allocable to an investment in the contract before August
                  14, 1982.

A contract owner that wants to begin taking distributions to which the 10% tax
penalty does not apply should forward a written request to Nationwide. Upon
receipt of this written request, Nationwide will inform the contract owner of
Nationwide's policies and procedures, as well as contract limitations. An
election to begin taking these withdrawals will be irrevocable and may not be
amended or changed.

In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Internal
Revenue Code, the contract must provide for distribution of the entire contract
upon a contract owner's death.

If a contract owner dies before the annuitization date, then the joint owner,
the contingent owner or other named recipient must receive the distribution
within 5 years of the contract owner's death. However, the recipient may elect
to receive payments over his or her life or life expectancy as long as the
payments begin within one year of the contract owner's death. If the joint
owner, contingent owner or other named recipient is the surviving spouse, the
spouse may choose to take over the contract as contract owner and the contract
will be continued throughout the life of the surviving spouse.

If the contract owner dies on or after the annuitization date and before the
entire interest has been distributed, the remainder must be distributed at least
as rapidly as under the method being used on the date of the contract owner's
death (see "Required Distributions for Tax Sheltered Annuities").

If the contract owner is not a natural person, the death of the annuitant (or a
change in the annuitant) will result in a distribution 



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pursuant to these rules, regardless of whether a contingent annuitant is named.

The Internal Revenue Code requires that any election to receive an annuity
instead of a lump sum payment be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes
payable (generally, within 60 days of the death of a contract owner or the
annuitant). As long as the election is made within the 60 day period, each
distribution will be taxable when it is paid. Upon the end of this 60 day
period, if no election has been made, the entire amount of the lump sum will be
subject to immediate tax, even if the payee decides at a later date to take the
distribution as an annuity.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Contract Owners

The previous discussion related to the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts owned
(or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Internal Revenue Code, deemed to be owned)
by individuals. Different rules apply if the contract owner is not a natural
person.

Generally, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts, and similar
entities ("non-natural persons") are not treated as annuity contracts under the
Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, they are not treated as annuity contracts
for purposes of Section 72. Therefore, income earned under a Non-Qualified
Contract that is owned by a non-natural person is taxed as ordinary income
during the taxable year that it is earned. Taxation is not deferred, even if the
income is not distributed out of the contract to the contract owner.

This non-natural person rule does not apply to all entity-owned contracts. A
contract that is owned by a non-natural person for the benefit of an individual
is treated as owned by the individual. This would put the contract back under
Section 72, allowing tax deferral. However, this exception does not apply when
the non-natural person is an employer that holds the contract under a
non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for one or more employees.

The non-natural person rule also does not apply to contracts that are:

         a)       acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of
                  the decedent;
         b)       issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans
                  and individual retirement plans;
         c)       used in connection with certain structured settlements;
         d)       purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain
                  qualified retirement plans; or
         e)       an immediate annuity.

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES AND TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Contract owners looking for information on eligibility, limitations on
permissible amounts of purchase payments, and the tax consequences of
distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Tax Sheltered Annuities
should contact a qualified adviser. The terms of each plan may limit the rights
available under the contracts.

Section 403(b)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code requires a contract issued as
a Tax Sheltered Annuity to limit purchase payments for any year to an amount
that does not exceed the limit set forth in Section 402(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code. This limit is increased from time to time to reflect increases in
the cost of living. This limit may be reduced by deposits, contributions or
payments made to another Tax Sheltered Annuity or other plan, contract or
arrangement by or on behalf of the contract owner.

The Internal Revenue Code allows most distributions from Qualified Plans to be
rolled into Individual Retirement Annuities. Most distributions from Tax
Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax Sheltered Annuity, Individual
Retirement Annuity, or an Individual Retirement Account. Distributions that may
NOT be rolled over are those that are:




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         a)       one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more
                  frequent) payments made:
                  1)       over the life (or life expectancy) of the contract
                           owner;
                  2)       over the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of
                           the contract owner and the contract owner's
                           designated beneficiary;
                  3)       for a specified period of ten years or more; or
         b)       a required minimum distribution.

Any distribution that is eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding of 20% if the distribution is not rolled into an appropriate plan as
described above.

Individual Retirement Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities may not
provide life insurance benefits. If the death benefit exceeds the greater of the
contract's cash value or the sum of all purchase payments (less any surrenders),
the contract could be considered life insurance. Consequently, the Internal
Revenue Service could determine that the Individual Retirement Account or
Individual Retirement Annuity does not qualify for the desired tax treatment.

ROTH IRAS

The contract may be purchased as a Roth IRA. For detailed information on
purchasing and holding this contract as a Roth IRA, the contract owner should
contact a financial adviser.

The Internal Revenue Code allows distributions from Individual Retirement
Accounts and Individual Retirement Annuities to be rolled into Roth IRAs. The
rollovers are subject to federal income tax as distributions from the Individual
Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity.

For rollovers that take place in 1998, the contract owner may either:

         1)       elect to include the income from rollovers in income ratably
                  over the four year period commencing in 1998; or
         2)       include the entire amount in income in 1998.

For rollovers in subsequent years, all of the income from the rollover will be
required to be included in income in the year of the rollover distribution from
the Individual Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity.

A distribution from a Roth IRA that contains the proceeds of a rollover from an
Individual Retirement Account or Individual Retirement Annuity within the
preceding five years could be subject to a 10% penalty, even if the distribution
is not taxable. In addition, if the rollover from the Individual Retirement
Account or Individual Retirement Annuity was made in 1998, and the income from
that rollover was included in income ratably over a four year period, a
distribution from the Roth IRA within four years of the rollover may result in
the loss of the four year spread, subject to the amount deferred under the four
year election to be taxed immediately.

WITHHOLDING

Pre-death distributions from the contracts are subject to federal income tax.
Nationwide will withhold the tax from the distributions unless the contract
owner requests otherwise. Contract owners may not waive withholding if the
distribution is subject to mandatory back-up withholding (if no mandatory
taxpayer identification number is given or if the Internal Revenue Service
notifies Nationwide that mandatory back-up withholding is required). Mandatory
back-up withholding rates are 31% of income that is distributed.

NON-RESIDENT ALIENS

Generally, a pre-death distribution from a contract to a non-resident alien is
subject to federal income tax at a rate of 30% of the amount of income that is
distributed. Nationwide is required to withhold this amount and send it to the
Internal Revenue Service. Some distributions to non-resident aliens may be
subject to a lower (or no) tax if a treaty applies. In order to obtain the
benefits of such a treaty, the non-resident alien must:



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         1)       provide Nationwide with proof of residency and citizenship (in
                  accordance with Internal Revenue Service requirements); and
         2)       provide Nationwide with an individual taxpayer identification
                  number.

If the non-resident alien does not meet the above conditions, Nationwide will
withhold 30% of income from the distribution.

Another way to avoid the 30% withholding is for the non-resident alien to
provide Nationwide with sufficient evidence that:

         1)       the distribution is connected to the non-resident alien's
                  conduct of business in the United States; and
         2)       the distribution is includible in the non-resident alien's
                  gross income for United States federal income tax purposes.

Note that these distributions may be subject to back-up withholding, currently
31%, if a correct taxpayer identification number is not provided.

FEDERAL ESTATE, GIFT, AND GENERATION SKIPPING TRANSFER TAXES

The following transfers may be considered a gift for federal gift tax purposes:

         o        a transfer of the contract from one contract owner to another;
                  or
         o        a distribution to someone other than a contract owner.

Upon the contract owner's death, the value of the contract may subject to estate
taxes, even if all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal income
taxes.

Section 2612 of the Internal Revenue Code may require Nationwide to determine
whether a death benefit or other distribution is a "direct skip" and the amount
of the resulting generation skipping transfer tax, if any. A direct skip is when
property is transferred to, or a death benefit or other distribution is made to:

         a)       an individual who is two or more generations younger than the
                  contract owner; or
         b)       certain trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Internal
                  Revenue Code (generally, trusts that have no beneficiaries who
                  are not 2 or more generations younger than the contract
                  owner).

If the contract owner is not an individual, then for this purpose ONLY,
"contract owner" refers to any person:

         o        who would be required to include the contract, death benefit,
                  distribution, or other payment in his or her federal gross
                  estate at his or her death; or
         o        who is required to report the transfer of the contract, death
                  benefit, distribution, or other payment for federal gift tax
                  purposes.

If a transfer is a direct skip, Nationwide will deduct the amount of the
transfer tax from the death benefit, distribution or other payment, and remit it
directly to the Internal Revenue Service.

PUERTO RICO

Under the Puerto Rico tax code, distributions from a Non-Qualified Contract
before annuitization are treated as nontaxable return of principal until the
principal is fully recovered. Thereafter all distributions are fully taxable.
Distributions after annuitization are treated as part taxable income and part
nontaxable return of principal. The amount excluded from gross income after
annuitization is equal to the amount of the distribution in excess of 3% of the
total purchase payments paid, until an amount equal to the total purchase
payments paid has been excluded. Thereafter, the entire distribution is included
in gross income. Puerto Rico does not impose an early withdrawal penalty tax.
Generally, Puerto Rico does not require income tax to be withheld from
distributions of income. A personal adviser should be consulted in these
situations.

CHARGE FOR TAX

Nationwide is not required to maintain a capital gain reserve liability on
Non-Qualified Contracts. If tax laws change 



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requiring a reserve, Nationwide may implement and adjust a tax charge.

DIVERSIFICATION

Internal Revenue Code Section 817(h) contains rules on diversification
requirements for variable annuity contracts. A variable annuity contract that
does not meet these diversification requirements will not be treated as an
annuity, unless

         o        the failure to diversify was accidental;
         o        the failure is corrected; and
         o        a fine is paid to the Internal Revenue Service.

The amount of the fine will be the amount of tax that would have been paid by
the contract owner if the income, for the period the contract was not
diversified, had been received by the contract owner.

If the violation is not corrected, the contract owner will be considered the
owner of the underlying securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his or
her contract. Nationwide believes that the investments underlying this contract
meet these diversification requirements.

TAX CHANGES

The foregoing tax information is based on Nationwide's understanding of federal
tax laws. It is NOT intended as tax advice. All information is subject to change
without notice. For more details, contact your personal tax and/or financial
advisor.

STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

Nationwide will mail contract owners all statements and reports required by law.
Therefore, contract owners should promptly notify Nationwide of any address
change.

These mailings will contain:

         o        statements showing the contract's quarterly activity;
         o        confirmation statements showing transactions that affect the
                  contract's value. Confirmation statements will not be sent for
                  recurring transactions (i.e., dollar cost averaging or salary
                  reduction programs). Instead, confirmation of recurring
                  transactions will appear in the contract's quarterly
                  statements;
         o        semi-annual reports as of June 30 containing financial
                  statements for the variable account; and
         o        annual reports as of December 31 containing financial
                  statements for the variable account.

Contract owners should review statements and confirmations carefully. All errors
or corrections must be reported to Nationwide immediately to assure proper
crediting to the contract. Unless Nationwide is notified within 30 days of
receipt of the statement, Nationwide will assume statements and confirmation
statements are correct.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE ISSUES

Nationwide has developed and implemented a plan to address issues related to the
Year 2000. The problem relates to many existing computer systems using only two
digits to identify a year in a date field. These systems were designed and
developed without considering the impact of the upcoming change in the century.
If not corrected, many computer systems could fail or create erroneous results
when processing information dated after December 31, 1999.

Like many organizations, Nationwide is required to renovate or replace computer
systems so that the systems will function properly after December 31, 1999.
Nationwide has completed an inventory and assessment of all computer systems and
has developed a plan to renovate or replace all applications that were
identified as not Year 2000 compliant.

As of the end of July 1998, Nationwide has renovated 97% of all applications
that required renovation. Testing of the renovated programs is in process,
including running each application with the date moved forward to Year 2000.
Nationwide expects to complete the testing of



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all renovated applications by the end of 1998. For applications being replaced,
Nationwide anticipates all replacement systems to be in place and functioning by
the end of 1998. Contingency plans are substantially completed which identify
actions to be taken if Nationwide's renovation and replacement strategies fall
behind schedule.

Nationwide is also completing an inventory and assessment of all vendor
products. As of the end of July 1998, 83% of products had been assessed and 69%
were Year 2000 compliant. Nationwide is certifying that each vendor product is
Year 2000 compliant. At the end of July 1998, 24% of vendor products that were
identified as Year 2000 compliant had been certified. Nationwide anticipates
having all vendor products assessed and certified by the end of 1998. Any vendor
products that cannot be certified as Year 2000 compliant will be replaced or
eliminated.

In addition to resolving internal Year 2000 readiness issues, Nationwide is
working with all business partners to assess Year 2000 issues associated with
the exchange of electronic data. Nationwide has completed an inventory and
assessment of all interfaces with business partners and is in the process of
testing those interfaces. Nationwide has also initiated plans to survey producer
business partners to ascertain their Year 2000 readiness.

Operating expenses in 1997 and in the first six months of 1998 include
approximately $45 million and $22.6 million, respectively, for technology
projects, including costs related to Year 2000. In the second half of 1998,
Nationwide anticipates spending an amount comparable to expense for the first
half of 1998. At this time, no significant Year 2000 costs are anticipated in
1999. Management does not anticipate that the completion of Year 2000 renovation
and replacement activities will result in a reduction in operating expenses.
Rather, personnel and resources currently allocated to Year 2000 issues will be
assigned to other technology-related projects. These expenses do not have an
effect on the assets of the variable account and are not charged through to the
contract owner.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Nationwide is a party to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary
course of its business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse
effect on Nationwide.

In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance and
annuity pricing and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in
substantial jury awards or settlements.

In February 1997, Nationwide Life Insurance Company was named as a defendant in
a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court related to the sale of whole life
policies on a "vanishing premium" basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Life
Insurance Co.). The plaintiff in this lawsuit seeks to represent a national
class of Nationwide policyholders and claims unspecified compensatory and
punitive damages. On August 20, 1998, the Court in the Snyder case signed an
order preliminarily approving a class for settlement purposes and scheduled a
fairness hearing for December 17, 1998. The proposed settlement, if ultimately
approved, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition of Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

In April 1998, Nationwide Life Insurance Company was named as a defendant in a
lawsuit filed in Ohio State Court similar to the Snyder lawsuit (David Mishler
v. Nationwide Life Insurance Co.). These plaintiffs seek to represent a similar
class, make similar allegations and seek unspecified compensatory and punitive
damages.

In November 1997, two plaintiffs, one who was the owner of a variable life
insurance contract and the other who was the owner of a variable annuity
contract, brought an action in a Texas federal court against Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and the American Century Group as defendants (Robert Young and
David D. Distad



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v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company et al.). In this action, plaintiffs seek to
represent a class of variable life insurance policy owners and variable annuity
contract owners who they claim were misled when purchasing these variable
contracts. Plaintiffs alleged the purchasers were led to believe that the
performance of an underlying mutual fund managed by American Century, whose
shares may only be purchased by insurance companies, would track the performance
of a public mutual fund, also managed by American Century. The amended complaint
seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. On April 27, 1998, the
Court denied, in part, and granted, in part, motions to dismiss the complaint
filed by Nationwide Life Insurance Company and American Century. The parties are
presently engaged in discovery on the issue of whether the lawsuit should be
certified as a class action. Plaintiffs filed their motion in support of class
certification and Nationwide Life Insurance Company intends to file a response
opposing class certification. Nationwide Life Insurance Company intends to
defend this case vigorously.

There can be no assurance that any litigation relating to pricing or sales
practices will not have a material adverse effect on Nationwide in the future.

            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                           PAGE

General Information and History...............................................1
Services......................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered..........................................2
Underwriters..................................................................2
Calculations of Performance...................................................2
Annuity Payments..............................................................3
Financial Statements..........................................................4




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APPENDIX A: OBJECTIVES FOR UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

The underlying mutual funds listed below are designed primarily as investments
for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by
insurance companies.

There is no guarantee that the investment objectives will be met.

AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC., A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN CENTURY(SM)
FAMILY OF INVESTMENTS
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. was organized as a Maryland
corporation in 1987. It is a diversified, open-end investment management company
that offers its shares only as investment vehicles for variable annuity and
variable life insurance products of insurance companies. American Century
Variable Portfolios, Inc. is managed by American Century Investment Management,
Inc.

         AMERICAN CENTURY VP INCOME & GROWTH
         Investment Objective: Dividend growth, current income and capital
         appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by
         investing in common stocks. The investment manager constructs the
         portfolio to match the risk characteristics of the S&P 500 Stock Index
         and then optimizes each portfolio to achieve the desired balance of
         risk and return potential. This includes targeting a dividend yield
         that exceeds that of the S&P 500. Such a management technique known as
         "portfolio optimization" may cause the Fund to be more heavily invested
         in some industries than in others. However, the Fund may not invest
         more than 25% of its total assets in companies whose principal business
         activities are in the same industry.

         AMERICAN CENTURY VP INTERNATIONAL
         Investment Objective: To seek capital growth. The Fund will seek to
         achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in securities
         of foreign companies that meet certain fundamental and technical
         standards of selection and, in the opinion of the investment manager,
         have potential for appreciation. Under normal conditions, the Fund will
         invest at least 65% of its assets in common stocks or other equity
         securities of issuers from at least three countries outside the United
         States. While securities of United States issuers may be included in
         the portfolio from time to time, it is the primary intent of the
         manager to diversify investments across a broad range of foreign
         issuers. Although the primary investment of the Fund will be common
         stocks (defined to include depository receipts for common stock and
         other equity equivalents), the Fund may also invest in other types of
         securities consistent with the Fund's objective. When the manager
         believes that the total capital growth potential of other securities
         equals or exceeds the potential return of common stocks, the Fund may
         invest up to 35% of its assets in such other securities. There can be
         no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objectives.

         AMERICAN CENTURY VP VALUE
         Investment Objective: The investment objective of the Fund is long-term
         capital growth; income is a secondary objective. The equity securities
         in which the Fund will invest will be primarily securities of
         well-established companies with intermediate-to-large market
         capitalizations that are believed by management to be undervalued at
         the time of purchase. Under normal market conditions, the Fund expects
         to invest at least 80% of the value of its total asset in equity
         securities, including common and preferred stock, convertible preferred
         stock and convertible debt obligations.

DREYFUS STOCK INDEX FUND, INC.
The Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc. is an open-end, non-diversified, management
investment company incorporated under Maryland law on January 24, 1989 and
commenced operations on September 29, 1989. The Fund offers its shares only as
investment vehicles for variable annuity and variable life insurance products of
insurance companies. The Dreyfus Corporation


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("Dreyfus") serves as the Fund's manager, while Mellon Equity Associates, an
affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the Fund's index manager. Dreyfus is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Mellon Bank Corporation.

         Investment Objective: To provide investment results that correspond to
         the price and yield performance of publicly traded common stocks in the
         aggregate, as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock
         Price Index. The Fund is neither sponsored by nor affiliated with
         Standard & Poor's Corporation.

DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund is an open-end, management investment company.
It was organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 29, 1986 and commenced operations on
August 31, 1990. The Fund offers its shares only as investment vehicles for
variable annuity and variable life insurance products of insurance companies.
Dreyfus serves as the Fund's manager. Fayez Sarofim & Company serves as the
sub-adviser and provides day-to-day management of the Portfolio.

         CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: The Portfolio's primary investment objective is
         to provide long-term capital growth consistent with the preservation of
         capital; current income is a secondary investment objective. This
         Portfolio invests primarily in the common stocks of domestic and
         foreign issuers.

THE DREYFUS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GROWTH FUND, INC.
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. is an open-end, diversified,
management investment company incorporated under Maryland law on July 20, 1992
and commenced operations on October 7, 1993. The Fund offers its share only as
investment vehicles for variable annuity and variable life insurance products of
insurance companies. Dreyfus serves as the Fund's investment adviser. NCM
Capital Management Group, Inc. serves as the Fund's sub-investment adviser and
provides day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio.

         Investment Objective: Capital growth through equity investment in
         companies that, in the opinion of the Fund's advisers, not only meet
         traditional investment standards, but which also show evidence that
         they conduct their business in a manner that contributes to the
         enhancement of the quality of life in America. Current income is
         secondary to the primary goal.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund (VIP) is an open-end, diversified,
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
November 13, 1981. Shares of VIP are purchased by insurance companies to fund
benefits under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") is the manager for VIP and its
portfolios.

         VIP EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS
         Investment Objective: Reasonable income by investing primarily in
         income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities FMR
         also will consider the potential for capital appreciation. The
         Portfolio's goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite
         yield on the securities comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
         Stock Price Index.

         VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS
         Investment Objective: Capital appreciation. This Portfolio will invest
         in the securities of both well-known and established companies, and
         smaller, less well-known companies which may have a narrow product line
         or whose securities are thinly traded. These latter securities will
         often involve greater risk than may be found in the ordinary investment
         security. FMR's analysis and expertise plays an integral role in the
         selection of securities and, therefore, the performance of the
         Portfolio. Many



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         securities which FMR believes would have the greatest potential may be
         regarded as speculative, and investment in the Portfolio may involve
         greater risk than is inherent in other underlying mutual funds. It is
         also important to point out that this Portfolio makes sense for you if
         you can afford to ride out changes in the stock market because it
         invests primarily in common stocks. FMR can also make temporary
         investments in securities such as investment-grade bonds, high-quality
         preferred stocks and short-term notes, for defensive purposes when it
         believes market conditions warrant.

         VIP HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS

         Investment Objective: High level of current income by investing
         primarily in high-risk, lower-rated, high-yielding, fixed-income
         securities, while also considering growth of capital. FMR will seek
         high current income normally by investing the Portfolio's assets as
         follows:

         o        at least 65% in income-producing debt securities and preferred
                  stocks, including convertible securities

         o        up to 20% in common stocks and other equity securities when
                  consistent with the Portfolio's primary objective or acquired
                  as part of a unit combining fixed-income and equity securities

         Higher yields are usually available on securities that are lower-rated
         or that are unrated. Lower-rated securities are usually defined as Ba
         or lower by Moody's Investor Service, Inc. ("Moody's"); BB or lower by
         Standard & Poor's and may be deemed to be of a speculative nature. The
         Portfolio may also purchase lower-quality bonds such as those rated Ca3
         by Moody's or C- by Standard & Poor's which provide poor protection for
         payment of principal and interest (commonly referred to as "junk
         bonds"). For a further discussion of lower-rated securities, please see
         the "Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" section of the Portfolio's
         prospectus.

         VIP OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS

         Investment Objective: Long-term capital growth primarily through
         investments in foreign securities. This Portfolio provides a means for
         investors to diversify their own portfolios by participating in
         companies and economies outside the United States.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II (VIP II) is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on March 21, 1988. VIP II's shares are purchased by insurance companies to
fund benefits under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts. FMR is the manager of VIP II and its portfolios.

         VIP II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS
         Investment Objective: To seek capital appreciation by investing
         primarily in companies that FMR believes to be undervalued due to an
         overly pessimistic appraisal by the public. This strategy can lead to
         investments in domestic or foreign companies, small and large, many of
         which may not be well known. The Portfolio primarily invests in common
         stock and securities convertible into common stock, but it has the
         flexibility to invest in any type of security that may produce capital
         appreciation.

FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
The Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III (VIP III) is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on July 14, 1994. VIP III's shares are purchased by insurance companies to
fund benefits under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts. FMR is the manager of VIP III and it's portfolios.

         VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO: SERVICE CLASS
         Investment Objective: Capital growth by investing primarily in common
         stocks and



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         securities convertible into common stocks. The Portfolio, under normal
         conditions, will invest at least 65% of its total assets in securities
         of companies that FMR believes have long-term growth potential.
         Although the Portfolio invests primarily in common stock and securities
         convertible into common stock, it has the ability to purchase other
         securities, such as preferred stock and bonds, that may produce capital
         growth. The Portfolio may invest in foreign securities without
         limitation.

MORGAN STANLEY UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. is a mutual fund designed to provide
investment vehicles for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies and for certain tax-qualified investors. Its Emerging Markets Debt
Portfolio is managed by Morgan Stanley Asset Management, Inc.

         EMERGING MARKETS DEBT PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: High total return by investing primarily in
         dollar and non-dollar denominated fixed income securities of government
         and government-related issuers located in emerging market countries,
         which securities provide a high level of current income, while at the
         same time holding the potential for capital appreciation if the
         perceived creditworthiness of the issuer improves due to improving
         economic, financial, political, social or other conditions in the
         country in which the issuer is located.

NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
Nationwide Separate Account Trust ("NSAT") is a diversified open-end management
investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. NSAT offers shares
in the mutual funds listed below, each with its own investment objectives.
Shares of NSAT will be sold primarily to separate accounts to fund the benefits
under variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts issued by
life insurance companies. The assets of NSAT are managed by Nationwide Advisory
Services, Inc. ("NAS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance
Company.

         CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
         Investment Objective: Long-term growth by primarily investing in a
         diversified portfolio of the common stock of companies which NAS
         determines have a better-than-average potential for sustained capital
         growth over the long term.

         GOVERNMENT BOND FUND
         Investment Objective: As high a level of income as is consistent with
         the preservation of capital by investing in a diversified portfolio of
         securities issued or backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
         instrumentalities.

         MONEY MARKET FUND
         Investment Objective: As high a level of current income as is
         considered consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity by
         investing primarily in money market instruments.

         TOTAL RETURN FUND
         Investment Objective: Capital growth by investing in common stocks of
         companies that NAS believes will have above-average earnings or
         otherwise provide investors with above-average potential for capital
         appreciation. To maximize this potential, NAS may also utilize from
         time to time, securities convertible into common stock, warrants and
         options to purchase such stocks.

         SUBADVISED NATIONWIDE FUNDS

         NATIONWIDE BALANCED FUND
         Subadviser: Salomon Brothers Asset Management, Inc. Investment
         Objective: Primarily seeks above-average income compared to a portfolio
         entirely invested in equity securities. The Fund's secondary objective
         is to take advantage of opportunities for growth of capital and income.
         The Fund seeks its objective primarily through investments in a broad
         variety of securities, including equity



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         securities, fixed-income securities and short-term obligations. Under
         normal market conditions, it is anticipated that the Fund will invest
         at least 40% of the Fund's total assets in equity securities and at
         least 25% in fixed-income senior securities. The Fund's subadviser,
         Salomon Brothers Asset Management, Inc., will have discretion to invest
         in the full range of maturities of fixed-income securities. Generally,
         most of the Fund's long-term debt investments will consist of
         "investment grade" securities, but the Fund may invest up to 20% of its
         net assets in non-convertible fixed-income securities rated below
         investment grade or determined by the subadviser to be of comparable
         quality. These securities are commonly known as junk bonds. In
         addition, the Fund may invest an unlimited amount in convertible
         securities rated below investment grade.

         NATIONWIDE EQUITY INCOME FUND
         Subadviser: Federated Investment Counseling Investment Objective: Seeks
         above average income and capital appreciation by investing at least 65%
         of its assets in income-producing equity securities. Such equity
         securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, and securities
         (including debt securities) that are convertible into common stocks.
         The portion of the Fund's total assets invested in each type of equity
         security will vary according to the Fund's subadviser's assessment of
         market, economic conditions and outlook.

         NATIONWIDE GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
         Subadviser: J. P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Investment
         Objective: To provide high total return from a globally diversified
         portfolio of equity securities. Total return will consist of income
         plus realized and unrealized capital gains and losses. The Fund seeks
         its investment objective through country allocation, stock selection
         and management of currency exposure. Under normal market conditions,
         J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. intends to keep the Fund
         essentially fully invested with at least 65% of the value of its total
         assets in equity securities consisting of common stocks and other
         securities with equity characteristics such as preferred stocks,
         warrants, rights, convertible securities, trust certificates, limited
         partnership interests and equity participations. The Fund's primary
         equity instruments are the common stock of companies based in the
         developed countries around the world. The assets of the Fund will
         ordinarily be invested in the securities of at least five different
         countries.

         NATIONWIDE HIGH INCOME BOND FUND
         Subadviser: Federated Investment Counseling Investment Objective: Seeks
         to provide high current income by investing primarily in a
         professionally managed, diversified portfolio of fixed income
         securities. To meet its objective, the Fund intends to invest at least
         65% of its assets in lower-rated fixed income securities such as
         preferred stocks, bonds, debentures, notes, equipment lease
         certificates and equipment trust certificates which are rated BBB or
         lower by Standard & Poor's or Fitch Investors Service or Baa or lower
         by Moody's (or if not rated, are determined by the Fund's subadviser to
         be of a comparable quality). Such investments are commonly referred to
         as "junk bonds." For a further discussion of lower-rated securities,
         please see the "High Yield Securities" section of the Fund's
         prospectus.




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         NATIONWIDE MULTI SECTOR BOND FUND
         Subadviser: Salomon Brothers Asset Management, Inc. with Salomon
         Brothers Asset Management Limited Investment Objective: Primarily seeks
         a high level of current income. Capital appreciation is a secondary
         objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing in a
         globally diverse portfolio of fixed-income investments and by giving
         the subadviser, Salomon Brothers Asset Management, Inc. broad
         discretion to deploy the Fund's assets among certain segments of the
         fixed-income market that the subadviser believes will best contribute
         to achievement of the Fund's investment objectives. The Fund reserves
         the right to invest predominantly in securities rated in medium or
         lower categories, or as determined by the subadviser to be of
         comparable quality, commonly referred to as "junk bonds." Although the
         subadviser has the ability to invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in
         lower-rated securities, the subadviser does not anticipate investing in
         excess of 75% of the Fund's assets in such securities. The Subadviser
         has entered into a subadvisory agreement with its London based
         affiliate, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Limited, pursuant to which
         the subadviser has delegated to Salomon Brothers Asset Management
         Limited responsibility for management of the Fund's investments in
         non-dollar denominated debt securities and currency transactions.

         NATIONWIDE SELECT ADVISERS MID CAP FUND
         Subadvisers: First Pacific Advisors, Inc., Pilgrim Baxter & Associates,
         Ltd., and Rice, Hall, James & Associates Investment Objective: Capital
         appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of
         medium-sized companies (market capitalization between $500 million and
         $7 billion). Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in
         equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock and
         securities convertible into common stocks, including convertible
         preferred stock and convertible bonds. NAS has chosen the Fund's
         subadvisers because they utilize a number of different investment
         styles. In utilizing these different styles, NAS hopes to increase
         prospects for investment return and to reduce market risk and
         volatility.

         NATIONWIDE SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
         Subadviser: The Dreyfus Corporation Investment Objective: Capital
         appreciation through investment in a diversified portfolio of equity
         securities of companies with a median market capitalization of
         approximately $1 billion. Under normal market conditions, at least 75%
         of the Fund's total assets will be invested in equity securities of
         companies with market capitalizations at the time of purchase of
         between $200 million and $2.5 billion. The Fund will invest in equity
         securities of domestic and foreign issuers characterized as "value"
         companies according to criteria established by The Dreyfus Corporation,
         the Fund's subadviser.

         NATIONWIDE SMALL COMPANY FUND
         Subadvisers: The Dreyfus Corporation, Neuberger & Berman, L.P., Lazard
         Asset Management, Strong Capital Management, Inc. and Warburg Pincus
         Asset Management, Inc. Investment Objective: Long-term growth of
         capital by investing primarily in equity securities of domestic and
         foreign companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion
         at the time of purchase. The subadvisers were chosen because they
         utilize a number of different investment styles when investing in small
         company stocks. By utilizing different investment styles, NAS hopes to
         increase prospects for investment return and to reduce market risk and
         volatility.



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         NATIONWIDE STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND
         Subadviser: Strong Capital Management Inc. Investment Objective:
         Capital growth by investing primarily in equity securities that the
         Fund's subadviser believes have above-average growth prospects. The
         Fund will generally invest in companies whose earnings are believed to
         be in a relatively strong growth trend, and to a lesser extent, in
         companies in which significant further growth is not anticipated but
         whose market value is thought to be undervalued. Under normal market
         conditions, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
         equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, and
         securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, such as
         warrants and convertible bonds. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its
         total assets in debt obligations, including intermediate- to long-term
         corporate or U.S. Government debt securities.

         NATIONWIDE STRATEGIC VALUE FUND
         Subadviser: Strong Capital Management Inc./Schafer Capital Management
         Inc. Investment Objective: Primarily long-term capital appreciation;
         current income is a secondary objective. The Fund seeks to meet its
         objectives by investing in securities which are believed to offer the
         possibility of increase in value, primarily common stocks of
         established companies having a strong financial position and a low
         stock market valuation at the time of purchase in relation to
         investment value. Other than considered appropriate for cash reserves,
         the Fund will generally maintain a fully invested position in common
         stocks of publicly held companies, primarily in stocks of companies
         listed on a national securities exchange or other equity securities
         (common stock or securities convertible into common stock). Investments
         may also be made in debt securities which are convertible into common
         stocks and in warrants or other rights to purchase common stock, which
         in such case are considered equity securities by the Fund. Strong
         Capital Management, Inc. has subcontracted with Schafer Capital
         Management, Inc. to subadvise the Fund.

NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust ("N&B AMT") is an open-end,
diversified management investment company consisting of several series. Shares
of the series of N&B AMT are offered in connection with certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance policies issued through life insurance
company separate accounts and are also offered directly to qualified pension and
retirement plans outside of the separate account context.

The Guardian, Partners and Mid-Cap Growth Portfolios of N&B AMT invest all of
their investable assets in a corresponding series of Advisers Managers Trust
managed by Neuberger & Berman Management Incorporated ("N&B Management"). Each
series then invests in securities in accordance with an investment objective,
policies and limitations identical to those of the Portfolio. This
"master/feeder fund" structure is different from that of many other investment
companies which directly acquire and manage their own portfolios of securities.
(For more information regarding "master/feeder fund" structure, see "Special
Information Regarding Organization, Capitalization, and Other Matters" in the
underlying mutual fund prospectus.) The investment advisor is N&B Management.

         AMT GUARDIAN PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Capital appreciation and secondarily, current
         income. The Portfolio and its corresponding series seek to achieve
         these objectives by investing in common stocks of long-established,
         high-quality companies. N&B Management uses a value-oriented investment
         approach in selecting securities, looking for low price



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         -to-earnings ratios, strong balance sheets, solid management, and
         consistent earnings.

         AMT MID-CAP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Capital appreciation by investing in equity
         securities of medium-sized companies that N&B Management believes have
         the potential for long-term, above-average capital appreciation.
         Medium-sized companies have market capitalizations form $300 million to
         $10 billion at the time of investment. The Portfolio and its
         corresponding series may invest up to 10% of its net assets, measured
         at the time of investment, in corporate debt securities that are below
         investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by N&B Management to be of
         comparable quality. Securities that are below investment grade, as well
         as unrated securities, are often considered to be speculative and
         usually entail greater risk. As a part of the Portfolio's investment
         strategy, the Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its net assets in
         securities of issuers organized and doing business principally outside
         the United States. This limitation does not apply with respect to
         foreign securities that are denominated in U.S. dollars.

         AMT PARTNERS PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Capital growth by investing primarily in the
         common stock of established companies. Its investment program seeks
         securities believed to be undervalued based on fundamentals such as low
         price-to-earnings ratios, consistent cash flows, and the company's
         track record through all parts of the market cycle.

OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
The Oppenheimer variable account Funds are an open-end, diversified management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust in 1984. Shares
of the Funds are sold to provide benefits under variable life insurance policies
and variable annuity contracts. OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is the investment
adviser.

OPPENHEIMER AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
Investment Objective: Capital appreciation by investing in "growth type"
companies. Such companies are believed to have relatively favorable long-term
prospects for increasing demand for their goods or services, or to be developing
new products, services or markets and normally retain a relatively larger
portion of their earnings for research, development and investment in capital
assets. The Fund may also invest in cyclical industries in "special situations"
that OppenheimerFunds, Inc. believes present opportunities for capital growth.

OPPENHEIMER GROWTH FUND

Investment Objective: Capital appreciation by investing in securities of
well-known established companies. Such securities generally have a history of
earnings and dividends and are issued by seasoned companies (companies which
have an operating history of at least five years including predecessors).
Current income is a secondary consideration in the selection of the Fund's
portfolio securities.

OPPENHEIMER GROWTH & INCOME FUND
Investment Objective: High total return, which stocks, preferred stocks,
convertible securities and warrants. Debt investments will include bonds,
participation includes growth in the value of its shares as well as current
income from quality and debt securities. In seeking its investment objectives,
the Fund may invest in equity and debt securities. Equity investments will
include common interests, asset-backed securities, private-label mortgage-backed
securities and CMOs, zero coupon securities and U.S. debt obligations, and cash
and cash equivalents. From time to time, the Fund may focus on small to medium
capitalization issuers, the securities of which may be subject to greater price
volatility than those of larger capitalized issuers.




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VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust is an open-end management investment company
organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on January 7, 1987. Shares of Van Eck Trust are offered only to
separate accounts of insurance companies to fund the benefits of variable life
insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. The investment advisor and
manager is Van Eck Associates Corporation.

         WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND
         Investment Objective: Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
         primarily in equity securities in emerging markets around the world.
         The Fund emphasizes investment in countries that, compared to the
         world's major economies, exhibit relatively low gross national product
         per capita, as well as the potential for rapid economic growth.

         WORLDWIDE HARD ASSETS FUND
         Investment Objective: Long-term capital appreciation by investing
         primarily in "Hard Asset Securities." For the Fund's purpose, "Hard
         Assets" are real estate, energy, timber, and industrial and precious
         metals. Income is a secondary consideration.

VAN KAMPEN LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust is an open-end diversified management
investment company organized as a Delaware business trust. Shares are offered in
separate portfolios which are sold only to insurance companies to provide
funding for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. Van
Kampen Asset Management Inc. serves as the Fund's investment adviser.

         MORGAN STANLEY REAL ESTATE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Long-term capital growth by investing principally
         in a diversified portfolio of securities of companies operating in the
         real estate industry ("Real Estate Securities"). Current income is a
         secondary consideration. Real Estate Securities include equity
         securities, including common stocks and convertible securities, as well
         as non-convertible preferred stocks and debt securities of real estate
         industry companies. A "real estate industry company" is a company that
         derives at least 50% of its assets (marked to market), gross income or
         net profits from the ownership, construction, management or sale of
         residential, commercial or industrial real estate. Under normal market
         conditions, at least 65% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in
         Real Estate Securities, primarily equity securities of real estate
         investment trusts. The Portfolio may invest up to 25% of its total
         assets in securities issued by foreign issuers, some or all of which
         may also be Real Estate Securities.

WARBURG PINCUS TRUST
The Warburg Pincus Trust is an open-end management investment company organized
in March 1995 as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. The Trust offers its shares to insurance companies for allocation
to separate accounts for the purpose of funding variable annuity and variable
life contracts. Portfolios are managed by Warburg Pincus Asset Management, Inc.
("Warburg").

         GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Long-term growth of capital and income by
         investing primarily in dividend-paying equity securities. Under normal
         market conditions, the Portfolio will invest substantially all of its
         asset in equity securities that Warburg considers to be relatively
         undervalued based upon research and analysis, taking into account
         factors such as price/book ratio, price/cash flow ratio, earnings
         growth, debt/capital ratio and multiples of earnings of comparable
         securities. Although the Portfolio may hold securities of any size, it
         currently expects to focus on companies with market capitalizations of
         $1 billion or greater at the time of initial purchase.




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         INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Long-term capital appreciation by investing
         primarily in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities of
         companies, wherever organized, that in the judgment of Warburg have
         their principal business activities and interests outside the United
         States. The Portfolio will ordinarily invest substantially all of its
         assets, but no less than 65% of its total assets, in common stocks,
         warrants and securities convertible into or exchangeable for common
         stocks. The Portfolio intends to invest principally in the securities
         of financially strong companies with opportunities for growth within
         growing international economies and markets through increased earning
         power and improved utilization or recognition of assets.

         POST-VENTURE CAPITAL PORTFOLIO
         Investment Objective: Long-term growth of capital by investing
         primarily in equity securities of issuers in their post-venture capital
         stage of development and pursues an aggressive investment strategy.
         Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio will invest at least 65%
         of its total assets in equity securities of "post-venture capital
         companies." A post-venture capital company is one that has received
         venture capital financing either: (a) during the early stages of the
         company's existence or the early stages of the development of a new
         product or service; or (b) as part of a restructuring or
         recapitalization of the company. The Portfolio may invest up to 10% of
         its assets in venture capital and other investment funds.



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APPENDIX B:  ADVERTISING AND SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

ADVERTISING

A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the NSAT-Money Market
Fund. "Yield" is a measure of the net dividend and interest income earned over a
specific seven-day period (which period will be stated in the advertisement)
expressed as a percentage of the offering price of the NSAT-Money Market Fund's
units. Yield is an annualized figure, which means that it is assumed that the
NSAT-Money Market Fund generates the same level of net income over a 52-week
period. The "effective yield" is calculated similarly but includes the effect of
assumed compounding, calculated under rules prescribed by the SEC. The effective
yield will be slightly higher than yield due to this compounding effect.

Nationwide may advertise the performance of a sub-account in relation to the
performance of other variable annuity sub-accounts, underlying mutual fund
options with similar or different objectives, or the investment industry as a
whole. Other investments to which the sub-accounts may be compared include, but
are not limited to:

         o        precious metals;
         o        real estate;
         o        stocks and bonds;
         o        closed-end funds;
         o        bank money market deposit accounts and passbook savings; o
                  CDs; and
         o        the Consumer Price Index.

Market Indexes

The sub-accounts will be compared to certain market indexes, such as:

         o        S&P 500;
         o        Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index;
         o        Shearson/Lehman Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index;
         o        Donoghue Money Fund Average;
         o        U.S. Treasury Note Index;
         o        Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2-1/2 Year CD Rates; and
         o        Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Tracking & Rating Services; Publications

Nationwide's rankings and ratings are sometimes published by other services,
such as:

         o        Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
         o        CDA/Wiesenberger,
         o        Morningstar,
         o        Donoghue's,
         o        magazines such as:
                  => Money;
                  => Forbes;
                  => Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine;
                  => Financial World
                  => Consumer Reports
                  => Business Week;
                  => Time;
                  => Newsweek;
                  => National Underwriter;
                  => News and World Report;
         o        LIMRA;
         o        Value;
         o        Best's Agent Guide;
         o        Western Annuity Guide;
         o        Comparative Annuity Reports;
         o        Wall Street Journal;
         o        Barron's;
         o        Investor's Daily;
         o        Standard & Poor's Outlook; and
         o        Variable Annuity Research & Data Service (The VARDS Report)

These rating services and publications rank the underlying mutual funds'
performance against other funds. These rankings may or may not include the
effects of sales charges or other fees.

Financial Rating Services

Nationwide is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating services,
among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company. Nationwide may
advertise these ratings. These ratings reflect Nationwide's financial strength
or claims-paying ability. The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment



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experience or financial strength of the variable account.

Some Nationwide advertisements and endorsements may include lists of
organizations, individuals or other parties that recommend Nationwide or the
contract. Furthermore, Nationwide may occasionally advertise comparisons of
currently taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax
brackets, or discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
conditions.

Historical Performance of the Sub-Accounts

Nationwide will advertise historical performance of the sub-accounts. Nationwide
may advertise for the sub-account's standardized "average annual total return,"
calculated in a manner prescribed by the SEC, and nonstandardized "total
return." Average annual total return shows the percentage rate of return of a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for the most recent one, five and ten
year periods (or for a period covering the time the underlying mutual fund has
been available in the variable account if it has not been available for one of
the prescribed periods). This calculation reflects the standard 7-year CDSC
schedule and the deduction of all charges that could be made to the contracts if
all available options were chosen, except for the loan processing fee and
premium taxes, which may be imposed by certain states.

Nonstandardized "total return," calculated similar to standardized "average
annual total return," shows the percentage rate of return of a hypothetical
initial investment of $10,000 for the most recent one, five and ten year periods
(or for a period covering the time the underlying mutual fund has been in
existence). For those underlying mutual funds which have not been available for
one of the prescribed periods, the nonstandardized total return illustrations
will show the investment performance the underlying mutual funds would have
achieved (reduced by the same charges except the CDSC) had they been available
in the variable account for one of the periods. The CDSC is not reflected
because the contracts are designed for long term investment. The CDSC, if
reflected, would decrease the level of performance shown. An initial investment
of $10,000 is assumed because that amount is closer to the size of a typical
contract than $1,000, which was used in calculating the standardized average
annual total return.

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations are calculated using data for the period ended December 31, 1997.
However, Nationwide generally provides performance information more frequently.
Information relating to performance of the sub-accounts is based on historical
earnings and does not represent or guarantee future results.



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                         SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        10 Years
                                                                                      or Date Fund
                                                                                      Available in    Date Fund
                                                                                      the Variable   Available in
                                                           1 Year         5 Years        Account     the Variable
                  Sub-Account Option                     to 12/31/97    to 12/31/97    to 12/31/97     Account
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       N/A             N/A            19.56%        11/03/97
Century VP Income & Growth
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       N/A             N/A            -3.41%        11/03/97
Century VP International
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       N/A             N/A            11.06%        11/03/97
Century VP Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.          N/A             N/A             2.16%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.                              N/A             N/A            14.53%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Capital                  N/A             N/A             7.68%        11/03/97
Appreciation Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio:  Service Class        N/A             N/A            14.13%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio:  Service Class               N/A             N/A            -7.10%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP  High Income Portfolio:  Service Class         N/A             N/A            -0.85%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio:  Service Class             N/A             N/A           -14.45%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio:  Service Class        N/A             N/A           -11.51%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio:            N/A             N/A            18.84%        11/03/97
Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. - Emerging             N/A             N/A            20.78%        11/03/97
Markets Debt Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Capital Appreciation Fund                             N/A             N/A            17.70%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Government Bond Fund                                  N/A             N/A             0.26%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Money Market Fund                                     N/A             N/A            -4.56%        10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Total Return Fund                                     N/A             N/A             7.17%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Balanced Fund                               N/A             N/A            -0.58%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Equity Income Fund                         N/A             N/A             1.52%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Global Equity Fund                         N/A             N/A            -2.48%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide High Income Bond Fund                      N/A             N/A             5.02%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Multi-Sector Bond Fund                     N/A             N/A            -3.36%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund               N/A             N/A           -11.84%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund                       N/A             N/A           -18.70%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Company Fund                         N/A             N/A           -29.26%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund                      N/A             N/A             4.44%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Value Fund                       N/A             N/A             0.55%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Guardian Portfolio                   N/A             N/A            27.05%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio             N/A             N/A           159.13%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Partners Portfolio                   N/A             N/A            -0.46%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            N/A             N/A           -32.95%        11/03/97
Aggressive Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            N/A             N/A           -18.52%        11/03/97
Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




                                       55

                                   57 of 126
<PAGE>   58



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (CONTINUED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        10 Years
                                                                                      or Date Fund
                                                                                      Available in    Date Fund
                                                                                      the Variable   Available in
                                                           1 Year         5 Years        Account     the Variable
                  Sub-Account Option                     to 12/31/97    to 12/31/97    to 12/31/97     Account
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            N/A             N/A             8.35%        11/03/97
Growth & Income Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide               N/A             N/A           -59.61%        11/03/97
Emerging Markets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Hard          N/A             N/A           -54.44%        11/03/97
Assets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Morgan Stanley           N/A             N/A            14.15%        11/03/97
Real Estate Securities Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth & Income Portfolio            N/A             N/A            16.79%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio       N/A             N/A           -36.42%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-Venture Capital Portfolio       N/A             N/A           -17.16%        11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        10 Years
                                                                                      to 12/31/97
                                                           1 Year        5 Years       or Life of     Date Fund
                  Sub-Account Option                     to 12/31/97   to 12/31/97        Fund        Effective
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American       N/A            N/A             7.52%         10/30/97
Century VP Income & Growth
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American      16.71%          N/A             8.78%         05/02/94
Century VP International
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. - American      24.04%          N/A            21.17%         05/01/96
Century VP Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.         26.36%          N/A            19.54%         10/06/93
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.                             30.82%         17.79%          13.99%         09/29/89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund - Capital                 26.01%          N/A            17.96%         04/05/93
Appreciation Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio:  Service Class       25.99%         18.22%          14.90%         10/09/86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio:  Service Class              21.45%         16.11%          15.35%         10/09/86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP  High Income Portfolio:  Service Class        15.67%         12.09%          11.08%         09/19/85
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Overseas Portfolio:  Service Class             9.73%         12.26%           7.87%         01/28/87
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Portfolio:  Service Class       22.07%          N/A            26.14%         01/03/95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP III Growth Opportunities Portfolio:           27.85%          N/A            24.56%         01/03/95
Service Class
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. - Emerging             N/A            N/A            -0.04%         01/16/97
Markets Debt Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Capital Appreciation Fund                            32.33%         17.06%          15.68%         04/15/92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Government Bond Fund                                  7.87%          5.64%           7.51%         11/08/82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Money Market Fund                                     3.53%          2.82%           3.91%         11/30/81
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Total Return Fund                                    27.34%         16.05%          13.80%         11/08/82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Nationwide Balanced Fund                               N/A            N/A             1.20%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Equity Income Fund                         N/A            N/A             1.51%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Global Equity Fund                         N/A            N/A             0.92%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>




                                       56

                                   58 of 126
<PAGE>   59



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (CONTINUED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        10 Years
                                                                                      to 12/31/97
                                                           1 Year        5 Years       or Life of     Date Fund
                  Sub-Account Option                     to 12/31/97   to 12/31/97        Fund        Effective
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
NSAT- Nationwide High Income Bond Fund                      N/A            N/A             2.02%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Multi-Sector Bond Fund                     N/A            N/A             0.79%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund               N/A            N/A            -0.51%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Cap Value Fund                       N/A            N/A            -1.86%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Small Company Fund                        15.44%          N/A            23.57%         10/23/95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Growth Fund                      N/A            N/A             1.94%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Nationwide Strategic Value Fund                       N/A            N/A             1.37%         10/31/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Guardian Portfolio                   N/A            N/A             4.95%         11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio             N/A            N/A            16.92%         11/03/97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman AMT Partners Portfolio                  29.13%          N/A            22.19%         03/22/94
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer            9.87%         14.09%          14.41%         08/15/86
Aggressive Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer           24.67%         16.72%          14.85%         04/03/85
Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds - Oppenheimer           30.38%          N/A            35.03%         07/05/95
Growth & Income Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide             -13.08%          N/A             3.50%         12/21/95
Emerging Markets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust - Worldwide Hard         -3.30%         13.30%           5.25%         09/01/89
Assets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen Life Investment Trust - Morgan Stanley          19.50%          N/A            25.85%         07/03/95
Real Estate Securities Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth & Income Portfolio            N/A            N/A             3.63%         10/31/87
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio      -3.87%          N/A             4.11%         06/30/95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust - Post-Venture Capital Portfolio      11.49%          N/A             6.52%         09/30/96
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>






                                       57

                                   59 of 126
<PAGE>   60





                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                 _________, ____

      MODIFIED SINGLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED BY
   NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than set forth in the prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated _________, ____. The
prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by writing
P.O. Box 16609, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6609, or calling 1-800-848-6331, TDD
1-800-238-3035.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE
General Information and History................................................1
Services.......................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered...........................................2
Underwriters...................................................................2
Calculations of Performance....................................................2
Annuity Payments...............................................................3
Financial Statements...........................................................4

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Purchase Payments under the Fixed Account of the Contract and transfers to the
Fixed Account become part of the general account of the Company, which support
insurance and annuity obligations. Because of exemptive and exclusionary
provisions, interests in the general account have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 nor is the general account registered as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Accordingly, neither the
general account nor ant interest therein are subject to the provisions of the
1933 or 1940 Acts, and we have been advised that the staff of the SEC has not
reviewed the disclosures in this prospectus which relate to the Fixed Account.
Disclosures regarding the Fixed Account and the general account may be subject
to certain provisions of the federal securities law relating to the accuracy and
completeness of statements made in the prospectus.

The Nationwide Variable Account-9 is a separate investment account of Nationwide
Life Insurance Company ("Company"). The Company is a member of the Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise. All of the Company's common stock is owned by Nationwide
Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding company. NFS has two classes of
common stock outstanding with different voting rights enabling Nationwide
Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding Class B Common Stock) to
control NFS. Nationwide Corporation is a holding company, as well. All of its
common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (95.3%) and
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%), the ultimate controlling
persons of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. The Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
is one of America's largest insurance and financial services family of
companies, with combined assets of over $83.2 billion as of December 31, 1997.

SERVICES

The Company, which has responsibility for administration of the Contracts and
the Variable Account, maintains records of the name, address, taxpayer
identification number, and other pertinent information for each Contract Owner
and the number and type of Contract issued to each such Contract Owner and
records with respect to the Contract Value of each Contract.

The Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is the Company. The Company
will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
Underlying Mutual Funds. The Company, or affiliates of the Company may have
entered into agreements with either the investment adviser or distributor for
several of the Underlying Mutual Funds. The agreements relate to administrative
services furnished by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and provide for
an annual fee based on the average aggregate net assets of the Variable Account
(and other separate accounts of the Company or life insurance company
subsidiaries of the



                                        1

                                   60 of 126
<PAGE>   61

Company) invested in particular Underlying Mutual Funds. These fees in no way
affect the net asset value of the Underlying Mutual Funds or fees paid by the
Contract Owner.

The audited financial statements have been included herein in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, Two
Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.

PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

The Contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in the states where the
Contracts may be lawfully sold. Such agents will be registered representatives
of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 who are
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").

When a Contract described in the prospectus is exchanged for another contract
issued by the Company or any of its affiliated insurance companies of the type
and class which the Company determines is eligible for such an exchange, the
Company may waive any remaining Contingent Deferred Sales Charges on the first
Contract. A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply to the contract received
in the exchange.

UNDERWRITERS

The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by Nationwide
Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), Three Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216, a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. During the fiscal years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, no underwriting commissions were paid by the Company to
NAS.

CALCULATIONS OF PERFORMANCE

Any current yield quotations of the NSAT- Money Market Fund, subject to Rule 482
of the Securities Act of 1933, will consist of a seven calendar day historical
yield, carried at least to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The yield will be
calculated by determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the
value of hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation
unit at the beginning of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge
reflecting deductions from Contract Owner accounts, and dividing the net change
in account value by the value of the account at the beginning of the period to
obtain a base period return, and multiplying the base period return by (365/7)
or (366/7) in a leap year. The NSAT- Money Market Fund's effective yield is
computed similarly, but includes the effect of assumed compounding on an
annualized basis of the current unit value yield quotations of the NSAT- Money
Market Fund.

The NSAT- Money Market Fund's yield and effective yield will fluctuate daily.
Actual yields will depend on factors such as the type of instruments in the
Fund's portfolio, portfolio quality and average maturity, changes in interest
rates, and the Fund's expenses. Although the NSAT- Money Market Fund determines
its yield on the basis of a seven day period, it may use a different time period
on occasion. The yield quotes may reflect the expense limitation described
"Investment Manager and Other Services" in the NSAT- Money Market Fund's
Statement of Additional Information. There is no assurance that the yields
quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect for any period of time and
there is no guarantee that the Net Asset Values will remain constant. It should
be noted that a Contract Owner's investment in the NSAT- Money Market Fund is
not guaranteed or insured. Yield of other money market funds may not be
comparable if a different base period or another method of calculation is used.

All performance advertising will include quotations of standardized average
annual total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method prescribed
by rules of the SEC. Standardized average annual total return is found by taking
a hypothetical $1,000 investment in each of the Sub-Accounts' units on the first
day of the period at the offering price, which is the Accumulation Unit Value
per unit ("initial investment") and computing the ending redeemable value
("redeemable value") of that investment at the end of the period. 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. Standardized average annual total
return is calculated using the standard 7 year CDSC schedule and reflects the
deduction of a 1.10% Variable Account Charge and all additional charges which
could be assessed if all available Contract options were chosen by the Contract
Owner at the time of application. No deduction is made for the Loan Processing
Fee and premium taxes which may be assessed by certain states. Nonstandardized
total return may also be advertised, and is calculated in a manner similar to



                                        2

                                   61 of 126
<PAGE>   62

standardized average annual total return except the nonstandardized total return
is based on a hypothetical initial investment of $10,000. An assumed initial
investment of $10,000 will be used because that figure more closely approximates
the size of a typical Contract than does the $1,000 figure used in calculating
the standardized average annual total return quotations.

The standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized average annual
total return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar quarter
preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for publication. The
standardized average annual return will be based on rolling calendar quarters
and will cover periods of one, five, and ten years, or a period covering the
time the Underlying Mutual Fund has been available in the Variable Account if
the Underlying Mutual Fund has not been available for one of the prescribed
periods. Nonstandardized average annual total return will based on rolling
calendar quarters and will cover periods of one, five and ten years, or a period
covering the time the Underlying Mutual Fund has been in existence.

Quotations of average annual total return and total return are based upon
historical earnings and will fluctuate. Any quotation of performance, is not a
guarantee of future performance. Factors affecting a Sub-Account's performance
include general market conditions, operating expenses and investment management.
A Contract Owner's account when redeemed may be more or less than original cost.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

See "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments" located in the prospectus.



                                       3

                                   62 of 126
<PAGE>   63

<PAGE>   1

                          Independent Auditors' Report


The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and 
   Contract Owners of Nationwide Variable Account-9:

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide Variable Account-9 as of December 31,
1997, and the related statement of operations and changes in contract owners'
equity for the period November 3, 1997 (commencement of operations) through
December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.

      We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1997, by correspondence with
the transfer agents of the underlying mutual funds. 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Variable
Account-9 as of December 31, 1997, and the results of its operations and its
changes in contract owners' equity for the period November 3, 1997 (commencement
of operations) through December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

                                              KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 6, 1998

<PAGE>   2
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9

          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

                                DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
ASSETS:
   Investments at market value:
      American Century VP - American Century VP Income & Growth (ACVPIncGr)
         84,893 shares (cost $450,578) ................................................  $    457,574
      American Century VP - American Century VP International (ACVPInt)
         80,394 shares (cost $542,059) ................................................       549,894
      American Century VP - American Century VP Value (ACVPValue)
         196,160 shares (cost $1,338,005) .............................................     1,359,390
      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. (DrySRGro)
         34,310 shares (cost $860,435) ................................................       856,728
      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund (DryStkIx)
         237,689 shares (cost $6,131,037) .............................................     6,120,488
      Dreyfus VIF - Capital Appreciation Portfolio (DryCapAp)
         33,406 shares (cost $933,581) ................................................       932,024
      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPEI)
         219,066 shares (cost $5,236,886) .............................................     5,316,739
      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPGr)
         54,069 shares (cost $1,982,184) ..............................................     2,005,421
      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPHI)
         214,286 shares (cost $2,891,778) .............................................     2,907,867
      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPOv)
         47,969 shares (cost $915,194) ................................................       921,008
      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPCon)
         186,227 shares (cost $3,654,849) .............................................     3,711,501
      Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPGrOp)  
         133,797 shares (cost $2,533,275) .............................................     2,578,274
      Morgan Stanley - Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (MSEmMkt)
         20,291 shares (cost $198,057) ................................................       196,210
      Nationwide SAT - Balanced Fund (NSATBal)
         88,368 shares (cost $887,470) ................................................       892,518
      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
         125,479 shares (cost $2,670,893) .............................................     2,661,401
      Nationwide SAT - Equity Income Fund (NSATEqInc)
         58,341 shares (cost $583,644) ................................................       592,744
      Nationwide SAT - Global Equities Fund (NSATGlobEq)
         50,842 shares (cost $510,241) ................................................       513,508
      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
         278,560 shares (cost $3,197,266) .............................................     3,170,007
      Nationwide SAT - High Income Bond Fund (NSATHIncBd)
         90,314 shares (cost $915,644) ................................................       913,981
      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
         13,547,449 shares (cost $13,547,449) .........................................    13,547,449
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)


<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
      Nationwide SAT - Multi Sector Bond Fund (NSATMSecBd)
         103,611 shares (cost $1,041,445) .............................................     1,041,294 
      Nationwide SAT - Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund (NSATMidCap)                                      
         23,045 shares (cost $223,629) ................................................       229,068 
      Nationwide SAT - Small Cap Value Fund (NSATSmCapV)                                              
         118,195 shares (cost $1,152,448) .............................................     1,157,126 
      Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund (NSATSmCo)                                                  
         98,316 shares (cost $1,579,198) ..............................................     1,558,309 
      Nationwide SAT - Strategic Growth Fund (NSATStrGro)                                             
         31,934 shares (cost $317,603) ................................................       326,042 
      Nationwide SAT - Strategic Value Fund (NSATStrVal)                                              
         47,632 shares (cost $479,420) ................................................       483,462 
      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)                                                  
         369,863 shares (cost $6,138,365) .............................................     6,058,352 
      Neuberger & Berman AMT - Guardian Portfolio (NBAMTGuard)                                        
         43,903 shares (cost $450,063) ................................................       461,856 
      Neuberger & Berman AMT - Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio (NBAMTMCGr)                                   
         134,925 shares (cost $1,507,668) .............................................     1,581,319 
      Neuberger & Berman AMT - Partners Portfolio (NBAMTPart)                                         
         648,620 shares (cost $13,284,917) ............................................    13,361,565 
      Oppenheimer VAF - Capital Appreciation Fund (OppCapAp)                                          
         17,589 shares (cost $715,409) ................................................       720,432 
      Oppenheimer VAF - Growth Fund (OppGro)                                                          
         29,292 shares (cost $940,476) ................................................       950,219 
      Oppenheimer VAF - Growth & Income Fund (OppGrInc)                                               
         52,688 shares (cost $1,059,047) ..............................................     1,084,321 
      Van Eck WIT - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (VEWrldEMkt)                                      
         59,776 shares (cost $653,391) ................................................       657,534 
      Van Eck WIT - Worldwide Hard Assets Fund (VEWrldHAs)                                            
         14,006 shares (cost $216,855) ................................................       220,174 
      Van Kampen American Capital LIT -                                                               
      Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio (MSRESec)                                       
         66,892 shares (cost $1,120,342) ..............................................     1,060,238 
      Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth & Income Portfolio (WPGrInc)                                      
         42,112 shares (cost $428,967) ................................................       435,022 
      Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio (WPIntEq)                                 
         77,526 shares (cost $857,239) ................................................       813,248 
      Warburg Pincus Trust - Post Venture Capital Portfolio (WPPVenCap)                               
         12,882 shares (cost $140,450) ................................................       142,473 
                                                                                            --------- 
            Total investments .........................................................    82,546,780 
   Accounts receivable ................................................................         3,013 
                                                                                            --------- 
            Total assets ..............................................................    82,549,793 
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ......................................................................       364,121 
                                                                                            --------- 
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY (NOTE 4)                                                         $ 82,185,672 
                                                                                            ========= 
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   4



                        NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 9
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
          FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 3, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
                           THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         TOTAL            ACVPINCGR           ACVPINT           ACVPVALUE     
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                <C>                <C>            
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends...........................  $      184,101                 --                 --                 --    
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)....         (44,505)              (231)              (247)              (638)   
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
  Net investment activity........................         139,596               (231)              (247)              (638)   
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
                                                                                                                              
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold............       1,928,035              3,255                 --                 --    
Cost of mutual fund shares sold..................      (1,932,025)            (3,092)                --                 --    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
  Realized gain (loss) on investments............          (3,990)               163                 --                 --    
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments..         259,323              6,996              7,835             21,385    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
  Net gain (loss) on investments.................         255,333              7,159              7,835             21,385    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
Reinvested capital gains.........................         478,503                 --                 --                 --    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                               
      equity resulting from operations...........         873,432              6,928              7,588             20,747    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                          
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                             
   contract owners..............................       81,649,336            389,541            451,373            929,382    
  Transfers between funds.......................               --             61,740             90,951            410,117    
  Redemptions...................................         (339,129)              (635)               (18)              (856)   
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)....             (409)                --                 --                 --    
  Adjustments to maintain reserves..............            2,442                  5                  4                  8    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
    Net equity transactions.....................       81,312,240            450,651            542,310          1,338,651    
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
                                                                                                                              
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY...........       82,185,672            457,579            549,898          1,359,398    
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD.....               --                 --                 --                 -- 
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD...........      $82,185,672            457,579            549,898          1,359,398    
                                                      ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========    
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    DRYSRGRO           DRYSTKIX           DRYCAPAP            FIDVIPEI
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
<S>                                                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends...........................        2,537             19,230              4,948                 --  
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)....         (432)            (2,973)              (430)            (2,576) 
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
  Net investment activity........................        2,105             16,257              4,518             (2,576) 
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
                                                                                                                         
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold............           --             53,202                 --             72,868  
Cost of mutual fund shares sold..................           --            (55,328)                --            (74,460) 
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
  Realized gain (loss) on investments............           --             (2,126)                --             (1,592) 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments..       (3,707)           (10,549)            (1,557)            79,853  
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
  Net gain (loss) on investments.................       (3,707)           (12,675)            (1,557)            78,261  
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
Reinvested capital gains.........................       20,741             83,330                414                 --  
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'..                                                                        
      equity resulting from operations...........       19,139             86,912              3,375             75,685  
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                     
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                        
   contract owners..............................       806,446          5,885,293            894,637          4,978,409  
  Transfers between funds.......................        32,713            151,175             34,011            268,956 
  Redemptions...................................        (1,570)            (3,783)                --             (7,395)
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)....            --                 --                 --                 -- 
  Adjustments to maintain reserves..............            (4)             1,038                 (1)             1,150 
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        ----------- 
    Net equity transactions.....................       837,585          6,033,723            928,647          5,241,120 
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        ----------- 
                                                                                                                        
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY...........       856,724          6,120,635            932,022          5,316,805 
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD.....            --                 --                 --                 --
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD...........       856,724          6,120,635            932,022          5,316,805 
                                                   ===========        ===========        ===========        =========== 
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   5

                        NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 9
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
          FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 3, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
                           THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     FIDVIPGR           FIDVIPHI           FIDVIPOV       FIDVIPCON        
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------    -----------    
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                <C>           <C>            
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends...........................  $              -               -               -               -  
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)....               (956)         (1,568)           (438)         (2,331)
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
  Net investment activity........................               (956)         (1,568)           (438)         (2,331)
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
                                                                                                                     
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold............             24,231              -            5,931              -  
Cost of mutual fund shares sold..................            (24,000)             -           (5,843)             -  
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
  Realized gain (loss) on investments............                231              -               88              -  
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments..             23,237          16,089           5,814          56,652 
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
  Net gain (loss) on investments.................             23,468          16,089           5,902          56,652 
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
Reinvested capital gains.........................                 -               -               -               -  
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                      
      equity resulting from operations...........             22,512          14,521           5,464          54,321 
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ---------- 
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                 
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                    
   contract owners..............................           1,981,907       2,761,595         757,896       3,573,555
  Transfers between funds.......................               1,697         132,705         157,648          83,693  
  Redemptions...................................                (577)           (954)             -              (70) 
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)....                  -               -               -               -   
  Adjustments to maintain reserves..............                (111)             (1)             (2)              7  
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ----------  
    Net equity transactions.....................           1,982,916       2,893,345         915,542       3,657,185  
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ----------  
                                                                                                                      
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY...........           2,005,428       2,907,866         921,006       3,711,506  
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD.....   $              -               -               -               -   
                                                      --------------     -----------        --------      ----------  
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD...........           2,005,428       2,907,866         921,006       3,711,506  
                                                      ==============     ===========        ========      ==========  
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   FIDVIPGROP           MSEMMKT            NSATBAL           NSATCAPAP
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------
<S>                                                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends...........................          -            3,740                   3,951            5,462 
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)....      (1,137)           (110)                   (459)          (1,430)
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
  Net investment activity........................      (1,137)          3,630                   3,492            4,032 
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
                                                                                                                       
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold............           3             810                      -                -  
Cost of mutual fund shares sold..................          (3)           (823)                     -                -  
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
  Realized gain (loss) on investments............          -               -                       -                -  
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments..      44,999          (1,847)                  5,048           (9,492)
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
  Net gain (loss) on investments.................      44,999          (1,860)                  5,048           (9,492)
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
Reinvested capital gains.........................          -            1,623                      -            52,894 
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                        
      equity resulting from operations...........      43,862           3,393                   8,540           47,434 
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                   
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                      
   contract owners..............................    2,201,875         185,958                 818,465        2,528,751 
  Transfers between funds.......................      332,841           6,858                  65,644           88,972 
  Redemptions...................................         (304)             -                      (90)          (3,756)
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)....           -               -                       -                -  
  Adjustments to maintain reserves..............           (4)             (1)                    (26)               4 
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
    Net equity transactions.....................    2,534,408         192,815                 883,993        2,613,971 
                                                   ----------          ------               ---------        --------- 
                                                                                                                       
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY...........    2,578,270         196,208                 892,533        2,661,405 
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD.....           -               -                       -                -  
                                                   ----------         -------                 -------        ---------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD...........    2,578,270         196,208                 892,533        2,661,405
                                                   ==========         =======                ========        ========= 

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6


                        NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 9
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
          FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 3, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
                           THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NSATEqInc         NSATGlobEq          NSATGvtBd         NSATHIncBd        
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
<S>                                                <C>                <C>               <C>                 <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends                             $     989               871              46,514               9,587  
  Mortality and expense risk charges note 2)            (411)             (326)             (1,730)               (637) 
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
  Net investment activity                                578               545              44,784               8,950  
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
                                                                                                                        
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold                      2                -               24,775                 663  
Cost of mutual fund shares sold                           (3)               -              (24,775)               (653) 
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
  Realized gain (loss) on investments                     (1)               -                   -                   10  
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments        9,100             3,267             (27,259)             (1,663) 
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
  Net gain (loss) on investments                       9,099             3,267             (27,259)             (1,653) 
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
Reinvested capital gains                                  -                 -                   -                   -   
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                         
      equity resulting from operations                 9,677             3,812              17,525               7,297  
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                    
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                       
   contract owners                                   524,315           505,387           3,147,571             762,946  
  Transfers between funds                             58,870             4,389               4,912             144,381  
  Redemptions                                           (135)               -                   -                 (643) 
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)              -                 -                   -                   -   
  Adjustments to maintain reserves                        14              (105)                  1                  -   
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
    Net equity transactions                          583,064           509,671           3,152,484             906,684  
                                                   ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
                                                                                                                        
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                592,741           513,483           3,170,009             913,981  
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD               -                 -                   -                   -   
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD              ---------         ---------          ----------           ---------  
                                                   $ 592,741           513,483           3,170,009             913,981  
                                                   =========         =========          ==========           =========  
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NSATMyMkt         NSATMSecBd      NSATMidCap          NSATSmCapV
                                                      -----------        -----------     -----------        -------------    
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>             <C>                <C>            
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends                                      35,527            5,220              535                 590          
  Mortality and expense risk charges note 2)                (7,038)            (610)            (121)               (603)         
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
  Net investment activity                                   28,489            4,610              414                 (13)         
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
                                                                                                                                  
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold                      772,983                3               -                   -           
Cost of mutual fund shares sold                           (772,983)              (3)              -                   -           
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
  Realized gain (loss) on investments                           -                -                -                   -           
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments                 -              (151)           5,439               4,678          
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
  Net gain (loss) on investments                                -              (151)           5,439               4,678          
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
Reinvested capital gains                                        -                -                -                4,611          
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                                   
      equity resulting from operations                      28,489            4,459            5,853               9,276          
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                              
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                                 
   contract owners                                      16,698,066          862,594          205,427           1,082,589          
  Transfers between funds                               (3,252,991)         174,229           20,348              65,401          
  Redemptions                                             (289,851)              -                -                   -           
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)                  (409)              -                -                   -           
  Adjustments to maintain reserves                           2,636               14               (7)               (112)         
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
    Net equity transactions                             13,157,451        1,036,837          223,209           1,147,878          
                                                      ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
                                                                                                                                  
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                   13,185,940        1,041,296          229,062           1,157,154          
Contract owners' equity beginning of period                     -                -                -                   -           
Contract owners' equity end of period                 ------------       ----------       ----------         -----------          
                                                        13,185,940        1,041,296          229,062           1,157,154          
                                                      ============       ==========       ==========         ===========          
</TABLE>
                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>   7

                        NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 9
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
          FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 3, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
                           THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NSATSmCo         NSATStrGro         NSATStrVal          NSATTotRe
                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------    
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                <C>              <C>            
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends                             $       --                  301                542             15,396  
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)              (936)              (150)              (222)            (3,422) 
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
  Net investment activity                                  (936)               151                320             11,974  
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
                                                                                                                          
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold                      --                    1               --                 --    
Cost of mutual fund shares sold                            --                   (1)              --                 --    
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
  Realized gain (loss) on investments                      --                 --                 --                 --    
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments         (20,889)             8,439              4,042            (80,013) 
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
  Net gain (loss) on investments                        (20,889)             8,439              4,042            (80,013) 
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
Reinvested capital gains                                 39,296               --                 --              175,028  
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                           
      equity resulting from operations                   17,471              8,590              4,362            106,989  
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                      
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                         
   contract owners                                    1,396,707            310,341            364,129          5,708,934  
  Transfers between funds                               144,223              7,111            114,972            247,938  
  Redemptions                                               (19)              --                 --               (5,049) 
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)               --                 --                 --                 --    
  Adjustments to maintain reserves                          (67)              --                 --                 (666) 
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
    Net equity transactions                           1,540,844            317,452            479,101          5,951,157  
                                                    -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
                                                                                                                          
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                 1,558,315            326,042            483,463          6,058,146  
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD                --                 --                 --                 --    
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD                $1,558,315            326,042            483,463          6,058,146  
                                                    ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========  


</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   NBAMTGuard          NBAMTMCGr          NBAMTPart          OppCapAp
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
<S>                                                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends                                    --                 --                 --                 --         
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)             (322)              (702)            (7,474)              (478)      
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
  Net investment activity                                 (322)              (702)            (7,474)              (478)      
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
                                                                                                                              
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold                       34                  2              9,558              1,574       
Cost of mutual fund shares sold                            (32)                (2)            (8,600)            (1,616)      
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
  Realized gain (loss) on investments                        2               --                  (43)               (52)      
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments         11,793             73,651             76,648              5,023       
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
  Net gain (loss) on investments                        11,795             73,651             76,605              4,971       
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
Reinvested capital gains                                  --                 --                 --                 --         
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                               
      equity resulting from operations                  11,473             72,949             69,131              4,493       
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                          
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                             
   contract owners                                     399,649          1,023,027         12,820,732            690,779       
  Transfers between funds                               51,821            488,359            483,875             25,316       
  Redemptions                                             --               (3,016)           (12,173)              (192)      
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)              --                 --                 --                 --         
  Adjustments to maintain reserves                        (876)                 3                 21                 45       
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
    Net equity transactions                            450,594          1,508,373         13,292,455            715,948       
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------       
                                                                                                                              
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                  462,067          1,581,322         13,361,586            720,441       
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD               --                 --                 --                 --         
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD                  462,067          1,581,322         13,361,586            720,441       
                                                   ===========        ===========        ===========        ===========       


</TABLE>


<PAGE>   8

                        NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT - 9
                      STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
          FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 3, 1997 (COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS)
                           THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        OPPGRO          OPPGRINC           VEWRLDMKT         VEWRLDHAS
                                                      -----------      -----------        -----------       -----------    
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                <C>                <C>            
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends                             $        --               1,975              --                --     
  Mortality and expense risk charges (note 2)               (469)             (674)             (590)             (111)  
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
  Net investment activity                                   (469)            1,301              (590)             (111)  
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
                                                                                                                         
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold                       --                   8           505,309              --     
Cost of mutual fund shares sold                             --                  (8)         (492,562)             --     
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
  Realized gain (loss) on investments                       --                --              12,747              --     
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments            9,743            25,274             4,143             3,319   
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
  Net gain (loss) on investments                           9,743            25,274            16,890             3,319   
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
Reinvested capital gains                                    --                --                --                --     
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                          
      equity resulting from operations                     9,274            26,575            16,300             3,208   
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                     
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                        
   contract owners                                       933,456           953,722         1,193,031           178,412   
  Transfers between funds                                  7,668           104,635          (549,841)           38,553   
  Redemptions                                                (27)             (199)           (1,956)             --     
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)                --                --               --                 --
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
  Adjustments to maintain reserves                          (138)             (358)                2                 6   
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
    Net equity transactions                              940,959         1,057,800           641,236           216,971   
                                                      ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
                                                                                                                         
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY                    950,233         1,084,375           657,536           220,179   
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD                 --                --                --                --
                                                   $  ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------   
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD                    950,233         1,084,375           657,536           220,179   
                                                      ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========   
</TABLE>
                                                      


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     MSRESEC            WPGRINC            WPINTEQ           WPPVENCAP
                                                   -----------        -----------        -----------        -----------  
<S>                                                <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: 
  Reinvested dividends                                 19,701             1,508             4,961                16    
  Mortality and expense risk charges note 2)             (545)             (219)             (469)             (290)   
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
  Net investment activity                              19,156             1,289             4,492              (274)   
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
                                                                                                                       
Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold                    --                --               5,961           447,873    
Cost of mutual fund shares sold                          --                --              (6,534)         (460,704)   
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
  Realized gain (loss) on investments                    --                --                (573)          (12,831)   
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments       (60,104)            6,055           (43,991)            2,023    
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
  Net gain (loss) on investments                      (60,104)            6,055           (44,564)          (10,808)   
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
Reinvested capital gains                               66,235              --              34,331              --      
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
    Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'                                                                        
      equity resulting from operations                 25,287             7,344            (5,741)          (11,082)   
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                                   
  Purchase payments received from                                                                                      
   contract owners                                    917,137           402,032           838,600           584,670    
  Transfers between funds                             117,890            25,646           (19,613)         (427,813)   
  Redemptions                                            --                --                --              (3,302)   
  Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2)             --                --                --                --
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
  Adjustments to maintain reserves                        (46)               (2)               11              --      
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
    Net equity transactions                         1,034,981           427,676           818,998           153,555    
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
                                                                                                                       
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY               1,060,268           435,020           813,257           142,473    
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD              --                --                --                --
                                                   ----------        ----------        ----------        ----------    
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD               1,060,268           435,020           813,257           142,473    
                                                   ==========        ==========        ==========        ==========    
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.



<PAGE>   9
                          NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                DECEMBER 31, 1997


(1)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

         The Nationwide Variable Account-9 (the Account) was established
         pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life
         Insurance Company (the Company) on May 22, 1997. The Account has been
         registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act
         of 1940.

         The Company offers tax qualified and non-tax qualified Modified Single
         Premium Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts through the Account. The
         primary distribution for the contracts is through the brokerage
         community; however, other distributors are utilized.

     (b) The Contracts

         Only contracts without a front-end sales charge, but with a contingent
         deferred sales charge and certain other fees are offered for purchase.
         See note 2 for a discussion of contract expenses.

         With certain exceptions, contract owners in either the accumulation or
         the payout phase may invest in the following:

              Portfolios of the American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. 
                    (American Century VP); 
                American Century VP - American Century VP Income & Growth  
                    (ACVPIncGr)
                American Century VP - American Century VP International 
                    (ACVPInt) 
                American Century VP - American Century VP Value (ACVPValue)

              The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. (DrySRGro)

              Dreyfus Stock Index Fund (DryStkIx)

              Portfolio of the Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund (Dreyfus VIF);
                Dreyfus VIF - Capital Appreciation Portfolio (DryCapAp)

              Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund 
                    (Fidelity VIP);
                Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio - Service Class 
                    (FidVIPEI)
                Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPGr) 
                Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPHI) 
                Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio - Service Class (FidVIPOv)

              Portfolio of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II 
                    (Fidelity VIP-II);
                Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio - Service Class 
                    (FidVIPCon)

              Portfolio of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund III 
                    (Fidelity VIP-III);
                Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities Portfolio - Service 
                    Class (FidVIPGrOp)

              Portfolio of the Morgan Stanley Universal Funds, Inc. 
                    (Morgan Stanley); Morgan Stanley - Emerging Markets 
                    Debt Portfolio (MSEmMkt)



<PAGE>   10

              Funds of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust (Nationwide SAT)
              (managed for a fee by an affiliated investment advisor);
                Nationwide SAT - Balanced Fund (NSATBal)
                Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
                Nationwide SAT - Equity Income Fund (NSATEqInc)
                Nationwide SAT - Global Equity Fund (NSATGlobEq)
                Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
                Nationwide SAT - High Income Bond Fund (NSATHIncBd)
                Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
                Nationwide SAT - Multi Sector Bond Fund (NSATMSecBd)
                Nationwide SAT - Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund (NSATMidCap)
                Nationwide SAT - Small Cap Value Fund (NSATSmCapV)
                Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund (NSATSmCo)
                Nationwide SAT - Strategic Growth Fund (NSATStrGro)
                Nationwide SAT - Strategic Value Fund (NSATStrVal)
                Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)

              Portfolios of the Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust
                (Neuberger & Berman AMT);
                Neuberger & Berman AMT - Guardian Portfolio (NBAMTGuard)
                Neuberger & Berman AMT - Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio (NBAMTMCGr)
                Neuberger & Berman AMT - Partners Portfolio (NBAMTPart)

              Funds of the Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds (Oppenheimer VAF);
                Oppenheimer VAF - Capital Appreciation Fund (OppCapAp)
                Oppenheimer VAF - Growth Fund (OppGro) 
                Oppenheimer VAF - Growth & Income Fund (OppGrInc)

              Funds of the Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (Van Eck WIT);
                Van Eck WIT - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (VEWrldEMkt)
                Van Eck WIT - Worldwide Hard Assets Fund (VEWrldHAs)

              Portfolio of the Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust
                (Van Kampen American Capital LIT);
                Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Morgan Stanley Real Estate
                Securities Portfolio (MSRESec)

              Portfolios of the Warburg Pincus Trust;
                Warburg Pincus Trust - Growth & Income Portfolio (WPGrInc)
                Warburg Pincus Trust - International Equity Portfolio (WPIntEq)
                Warburg Pincus Trust - Post Venture Capital Portfolio 
                  (WPPVenCap)

      At December 31, 1997, contract owners have invested in all of the above
      funds. The contract owners' equity is affected by the investment results
      of each fund, equity transactions by contract owners and certain contract
      expenses (see note 2).

      The accompanying financial statements include only contract owners'
      purchase payments pertaining to the variable portions of their contracts
      and exclude any purchase payments for fixed dollar benefits, the latter
      being included in the accounts of the Company.

(c)   Security Valuation, Transactions and Related Investment Income

      The market value of the underlying mutual funds is based on the closing
      net asset value per share at December 31, 1997. The cost of investments
      sold is determined on the specific identification basis. Investment
      transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or
      sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

(d)   Federal Income Taxes

      Operations of the Account form a part of, and are taxed with, operations
      of the Company which is taxed as a life insurance company under the
      Internal Revenue Code.

      The Company does not provide for income taxes within the Account. Taxes
      are the responsibility of the contract owner upon termination or
      withdrawal.



<PAGE>   11

(e)       Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

          The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
          accepted accounting principles may require management to make
          estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
          and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities,
          if any, at the date of the financial statements and the reported
          amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
          results could differ from those estimates.

(2)   EXPENSES

      The Company does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments received
      from the contract owners. However, if any part of the contract value of
      such contracts is surrendered the Company will, with certain exceptions,
      deduct from a contract owner's contract value a contingent deferred sales
      charge not to exceed 7% of the lesser of purchase payments or the amount
      surrendered, such charge declining 1% per year, to 0%, after the purchase
      payment has been held in the contract for 84 months. No sales charges are
      deducted on redemptions used to purchase units in the fixed investment
      options of the Company.

      The Company deducts a mortality and expense risk charge assessed through
      the daily unit value calculation equal to an annual rate of 0.95% (Base).
      Optional long term care facility with a one-year stepped up death benefit
      rider is offered at an additional annual rate of 0.05% (Rider Option 1).
      Optional long term care facility with a 5% enhanced death benefit rider is
      offered at an additional annual rate of 0.10% (Rider Option 2).

      The following table provides mortality, expense and administration charges
      by contract type for the period ended December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             TOTAL           ACVPINCGR        ACVPINT          ACVPVALUE         DRYSRGRO
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $     26,321               119              169               235              245
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....          13,431                83               58               348              157
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....           4,753                29               20                55               30
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $     44,505               231              247               638              432
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============

                                           DRYSTKIX          DRYCAPAP         FIDVIPEI          FIDVIPGR         FIDVIPHI
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $      1,875               267            1,422               572            1,047
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....             946               133              815               312              382
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....             152                30              339                72              139
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $      2,973               430            2,576               956            1,568
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============

                                           FIDVIPOV         FIDVIPCON        FIDVIPGROP         MSEMMKT           NSATBAL
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $        303             1,607              596                54              195
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....              95               564              418                40              154
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....              40               160              123                16              110
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $        438             2,331            1,137               110              459
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============

                                           NSATCAPAP         NSATEQINC       NSATGLOBEQ         NSATGVTBD       NSATHINCBD
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $        739               265              165             1,060              359
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....             447               116              116               369              153
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....             244                30               45               301              125
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $      1,430               411              326             1,730              637
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============

                                           NSATMYMKT        NSATMSECBD       NSATMIDCAP        NSATSMCAPV        NSATSMCO
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $      4,055               353               37               376              473
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....           1,841               186               62               190              380
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....           1,142                71               22                37               83
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $      7,038               610              121               603              936
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   12

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NSATStrGro        NSATStrVal        NSATTotRe        NBAMTGuard        NBAMTMCGr
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $         83               125            2,108               110              183
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....              44                66              945               158              427
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....              23                31              369                54               92
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $        150               222            3,422               322              702
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============

                                           NBAMTPart         OppCapAp          OppGro           OppGrInc        VEWrldEMkt
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $      5,247               275              182               341              204
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....           1,929               120              193               204              380
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....             298                83               94               129                6
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $      7,474               478              469               674              590
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============

                                           VEWrldHAs          MSRESec          WPGrInc           WPIntEq        WPPVenCap
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
     BOA Future (Base)...............    $         79               302               61               325              108
     BOA Future (Rider Option 1).....              15               166              130               112              177
     BOA Future (Rider Option 2).....              17                77               28                32                5
                                         ------------      ------------     ------------      ------------     ------------
         Total.......................    $        111               545              219               469              290
                                         ============      ============     ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>

(3)   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

      The Company performs various services on behalf of the Mutual Fund
      Companies in which the Account invests and may receive fees for the
      services performed. These services include, among other things,
      shareholder communications, preparation, postage, fund transfer agency and
      various other record keeping and customer service functions. These fees
      are paid to an affiliate of the Company.



<PAGE>   13

(4)   COMPONENTS OF CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

      The following is a summary of contract owners' equity at December 31,
      1997, for each series, in both the accumulation and payout phases.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        PERIOD
Contract owners' equity represented by:                      UNITS               UNIT VALUE                             RETURN
                                                           ---------            -----------                             -------
<S>                                                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>    
   Contracts in accumulation phase:

      The BEST of AMERICA(R)
      America's FUTURE Annuity(SM) (Base):

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP Income & Growth:
            Tax qualified                                     5,919             $ 10.409767         $   61,615             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                14,727               10.409767            153,305             4%

         American Century VP -                                                                   
         American Century VP International:                                                      
            Tax qualified                                    11,451               10.088106            115,519             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                27,628               10.088106            278,714             1%

         American Century VP -                                                                   
         American Century VP Value:                                                              
            Tax qualified                                    32,890               10.296896            338,665             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                24,450               10.296896            251,759             3%

         The Dreyfus Socially Responsible                                                        
         Growth Fund, Inc.:                                                                      
            Tax qualified                                    13,265               10.171132            134,920             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                28,338               10.171132            288,230             2%

         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund:                                                               
            Tax qualified                                   167,229               10.343734          1,729,772             3%
            Non-tax qualified                               220,208               10.343734          2,277,773             3%

         Dreyfus VIF -                                                                           
         Capital Appreciation Portfolio:                                                         
            Tax qualified                                    23,139               10.249990            237,175             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                36,467               10.249990            373,786             2%

         Fidelity VIP -                                                                          
         Equity-Income Portfolio - Service Class:                                                
            Tax qualified                                   124,825               10.338433          1,290,495             3%
            Non-tax qualified                               152,449               10.338433          1,576,084             3%

         Fidelity VIP -                                                                          
         Growth Portfolio - Service Class:                                                       
            Tax qualified                                    51,944               10.030842            521,042             0%
            Non-tax qualified                                64,880               10.030842            650,801             0%

         Fidelity VIP -                                                                          
         High Income Portfolio - Service Class:                                                  
            Tax qualified                                    90,815               10.126638            919,651             1%
            Non-tax qualified                               114,247               10.126638          1,156,938             1%

         Fidelity VIP -                                                                          
         Overseas Portfolio - Service Class:                                                     
            Tax qualified                                    29,834                9.902344            295,427            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                32,688                9.902344            323,688            (1)%

         Fidelity VIP-II -                                                                       
         Contrafund Portfolio - Service Class:                                                   
            Tax qualified                                    94,143                9.954885            937,183             0%
            Non-tax qualified                               137,715                9.954885          1,370,937             0%
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   14

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                  <C>    
         Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
         Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    65,917               10.400464       685,567             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                74,836               10.400464       778,329             4%

         Morgan Stanley -
         Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     3,325               10.425451        34,665             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,093               10.425451        53,097             4%

         Nationwide SAT - Balanced Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    20,941               10.130674       212,146             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                23,584               10.130674       238,922             1%

         Nationwide SAT -
         Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    76,048               10.385596       789,804             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                74,609               10.385596       774,859             4%

         Nationwide SAT - Equity Income Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    10,838               10.161693       110,132             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                27,331               10.161693       277,729             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Global Equity Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    15,788               10.102208       159,494             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                12,998               10.102208       131,308             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    67,127               10.143182       680,881             1%
            Non-tax qualified                               138,589               10.143182     1,405,733             1%

         Nationwide SAT - High Income Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    15,004               10.212505       153,228             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                33,703               10.212505       344,192             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
            Tax qualified                                   155,902               10.074129     1,570,577             1%
            Non-tax qualified                               581,682               10.074129     5,859,940             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Multi Sector Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    13,658               10.088793       137,793             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                41,385               10.088793       417,525             1%

         Nationwide SAT -
         Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     3,322                9.949100        33,051            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,540                9.949100        55,118            (1)%

         Nationwide SAT - Small Cap Value Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    29,661                9.823904       291,387            (2)%
            Non-tax qualified                                42,125                9.823904       413,832            (2)%

         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    26,226                9.613184       252,115            (4)%
            Non-tax qualified                                60,510                9.613184       581,694            (4)%

         Nationwide SAT - Strategic Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     7,333               10.204129        74,827             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                14,559               10.204129       148,562             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Strategic Value Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    12,123               10.147459       123,018             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,612               10.147459       138,127             1%
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)


<PAGE>   15

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                 <C>    
         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund:
            Tax qualified                                   182,146               10.242940     1,865,711             2%
            Non-tax qualified                               197,787               10.242940     2,025,920             2%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Guardian Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     5,387               10.504106        56,586             5%
            Non-tax qualified                                 9,331               10.504106        98,014             5%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    24,058               11.702355       281,535            17%
            Non-tax qualified                                27,997               11.702355       327,631            17%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Partners Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                   123,308               10.132434     1,249,410             1%
            Non-tax qualified                               816,409               10.132434     8,272,210             1%

         Oppenheimer VAF -
         Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    17,204                9.533314       164,011            (5)%
            Non-tax qualified                                22,088                9.533314       210,572            (5)%

         Oppenheimer VAF - Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    32,359                9.827325       318,002            (2)%
            Non-tax qualified                                11,808                9.827325       116,041            (2)%

         Oppenheimer VAF -
         Growth & Income Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    18,417               10.259486       188,949             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                39,986               10.259486       410,236             3%

         Van Eck WIT -
         Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     9,145                8.814851        80,612           (12)%
            Non-tax qualified                                18,343                8.814851       161,691           (12)%

         Van Eck WIT -
         Worldwide Hard Assets Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    10,008                8.979477        89,867           (10)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 7,257                8.979477        65,164           (10)%

         Van Kampen American Capital LIT -
         Morgan Stanley Real Estate
         Securities Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    32,778               10.338661       338,881             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                27,341               10.338661       282,669             3%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         Growth & Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    11,884               10.373620       123,280             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 1,514               10.373620        15,706             4%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         International Equity Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    23,146                9.454794       218,841            (5)%
            Non-tax qualified                                35,372                9.454794       334,435            (5)%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         Post Venture Capital Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     1,213                9.852750        11,951            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 7,662                9.852750        75,492            (1)%
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   16

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                  <C>    
      The BEST of AMERICA(R)
      America's FUTURE Annuity(SM) (Rider Option 1):

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP Income & Growth:
            Tax qualified                                    11,674               10.408936       121,514             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,571               10.408936        57,988             4%

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP International:
            Tax qualified                                     3,170               10.087297        31,977             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                 9,299               10.087297        93,802             1%

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP Value:
            Tax qualified                                    42,338               10.296077       435,915             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                22,796               10.296077       234,709             3%

         The Dreyfus Socially Responsible
         Growth Fund, Inc.:
            Tax qualified                                    21,267               10.170317       216,292             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,946               10.170317       141,835             2%

         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    79,005               10.342909       817,142             3%
            Non-tax qualified                               103,007               10.342909     1,065,392             3%

         Dreyfus VIF -
         Capital Appreciation Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    16,809               10.249171       172,278             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                10,034               10.249171       102,840             2%

         Fidelity VIP -
         Equity-Income Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    80,230               10.337608       829,386             3%
            Non-tax qualified                               101,670               10.337608     1,051,025             3%

         Fidelity VIP -
         Growth Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    26,495               10.030041       265,746             0%
            Non-tax qualified                                42,184               10.030041       423,107             0%

         Fidelity VIP -
         High Income Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    28,809               10.125825       291,715             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                38,172               10.125825       386,523             1%

         Fidelity VIP -
         Overseas Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                     6,886                9.901549        68,182            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,646                9.901549       135,117            (1)%

         Fidelity VIP-II -
         Contrafund Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    52,859                9.954090       526,163             0%
            Non-tax qualified                                61,145                9.954090       608,643             0%

         Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
         Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    50,299               10.399630       523,091             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                34,840               10.399630       362,323             4%
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)


<PAGE>   17

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                  <C>    
         Morgan Stanley -
         Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     4,517               10.424614        47,088             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 4,151               10.424614        43,273             4%

         Nationwide SAT - Balanced Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    18,660               10.129864       189,023             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                 7,268               10.129864        73,624             1%

         Nationwide SAT -
         Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    42,993               10.384765       446,472             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                34,299               10.384765       356,187             4%

         Nationwide SAT - Equity Income Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    10,109               10.160882       102,716             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                 4,986               10.160882        50,662             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Global Equity Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    10,785               10.101401       108,944             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,708               10.101401        57,659             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    35,843               10.142367       363,533             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                31,348               10.142367       317,943             1%

         Nationwide SAT - High Income Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    15,211               10.211688       155,330             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                 7,868               10.211688        80,346             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
            Tax qualified                                   172,291               10.073279     1,735,535             1%
            Non-tax qualified                               228,200               10.073279     2,298,722             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Multi Sector Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    22,440               10.087985       226,374             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                12,227               10.087985       123,346             1%

         Nationwide SAT -
         Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     5,466                9.948304        54,377            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 4,072                9.948304        40,509            (1)%

         Nationwide SAT - Small Cap Value Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    16,510                9.823118       162,180            (2)%
            Non-tax qualified                                20,577                9.823118       202,130            (2)%

         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    30,320                9.612411       291,448            (4)%
            Non-tax qualified                                32,541                9.612411       312,797            (4)%

         Nationwide SAT - Strategic Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     3,708               10.203313        37,834             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                 2,921               10.203313        29,804             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Strategic Value Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     3,022               10.146650        30,663             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,153               10.146650       133,459             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    84,236               10.242118       862,755             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                76,652               10.242118       785,079             2%
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   18

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                 <C>    
         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Guardian Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     8,001               10.503269        84,037             5%
            Non-tax qualified                                14,929               10.503269       156,803             5%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    56,145               11.701424       656,976            17%
            Non-tax qualified                                16,768               11.701424       196,209            17%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Partners Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                   195,515               10.131623     1,980,884             1%
            Non-tax qualified                               133,165               10.131623     1,349,178             1%

         Oppenheimer VAF -
         Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    11,021                9.532548       105,058            (5)%
            Non-tax qualified                                10,675                9.532548       101,760            (5)%

         Oppenheimer VAF - Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    26,012                9.826536       255,608            (2)%
            Non-tax qualified                                16,143                9.826536       158,630            (2)%

         Oppenheimer VAF -
         Growth & Income Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    15,547               10.258664       159,491             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                15,661               10.258664       160,661             3%

         Van Eck WIT -
         Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    30,479                8.814146       268,646           (12)%
            Non-tax qualified                                15,119                8.814146       133,261           (12)%

         Van Eck WIT -
         Worldwide Hard Assets Fund:
            Tax qualified                                       765                8.978753         6,869           (10)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 4,496                8.978753        40,368           (10)%

         Van Kampen American Capital LIT -
         Morgan Stanley Real Estate
         Securities Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     8,443               10.337835        87,282             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                23,459               10.337835       242,515             3%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         Growth & Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                    10,462               10.372788       108,520             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                11,043               10.372788       114,547             4%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         International Equity Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     9,501                9.454036        89,823            (5)%
            Non-tax qualified                                11,346                9.454036       107,265            (5)%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         Post Venture Capital Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     1,263                9.851960        12,443            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 1,127                9.851960        11,103            (1)%
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)

<PAGE>   19

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                  <C>    
      The BEST of AMERICA(R)
      America's FUTURE Annuity(SM) (Rider Option 2): 

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP Income & Growth:
            Tax qualified                                       832               10.408098         8,660             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,236               10.408098        54,497             4%

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP International:
            Tax qualified                                       698               10.086493         7,040             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                 2,265               10.086493        22,846             1%

         American Century VP -
         American Century VP Value:
            Tax qualified                                     1,336               10.295249        13,754             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                 8,217               10.295249        84,596             3%

         The Dreyfus Socially Responsible
         Growth Fund, Inc.:
            Tax qualified                                     4,821               10.169503        49,027             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                 2,598               10.169503        26,420             2%

         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     9,203               10.342079        95,178             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,090               10.342079       135,378             3%

         Dreyfus VIF -
         Capital Appreciation Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     3,777               10.248351        38,708             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                   706               10.248351         7,235             2%

         Fidelity VIP -
         Equity-Income Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    18,611               10.336779       192,378             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                36,514               10.336779       377,437             3%

         Fidelity VIP -
         Growth Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                     4,718               10.029235        47,318             0%
            Non-tax qualified                                 9,713               10.029235        97,414             0%

         Fidelity VIP -
         High Income Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                     2,418               10.125013        24,482             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                12,697               10.125013       128,557             1%

         Fidelity VIP -
         Overseas Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                       887                9.900760         8,782            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 9,071                9.900760        89,810            (1)%

         Fidelity VIP-II -
         Contrafund Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                    12,678                9.953285       126,188             0%
            Non-tax qualified                                14,306                9.953285       142,392             0%

         Fidelity VIP-III - Growth Opportunities
         Portfolio - Service Class:
            Tax qualified                                     8,419               10.398800        87,547             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,599               10.398800       141,413             4%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   20

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                  <C>    
         Morgan Stanley -
         Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                       204               10.423780         2,126             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 1,531               10.423780        15,959             4%

         Nationwide SAT - Balanced Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     4,261               10.129053        43,160             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                13,393               10.129053       135,658             1%

         Nationwide SAT -
         Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     4,967               10.383931        51,577             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                23,354               10.383931       242,506             4%

         Nationwide SAT - Equity Income Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     2,466               10.160070        25,055             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                 2,603               10.160070        26,447             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Global Equity Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     1,682               10.100588        16,989             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                 3,870               10.100588        39,089             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    17,678               10.141552       179,282             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                21,953               10.141552       222,637             1%

         Nationwide SAT - High Income Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     2,543               10.210867        25,966             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                15,172               10.210867       154,919             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
            Tax qualified                                   109,198               10.072429     1,099,889             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                61,681               10.072429       621,277             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Multi Sector Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     2,097               10.087176        21,153             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                11,411               10.087176       115,105             1%

         Nationwide SAT -
         Select Advisers Mid Cap Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     2,671                9.947507        26,570            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 1,954                9.947507        19,437            (1)%

         Nationwide SAT - Small Cap Value Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     3,373                9.822329        33,131            (2)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,548                9.822329        54,494            (2)%

         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund:
            Tax qualified                                       453                9.611642         4,354            (4)%
            Non-tax qualified                                12,059                9.611642       115,907            (4)%

         Nationwide SAT - Strategic Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified                                       201               10.202497         2,051             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                 3,231               10.202497        32,964             2%

         Nationwide SAT - Strategic Value Fund:
            Tax qualified                                       227               10.145838         2,303             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,509               10.145838        55,893             1%

         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund:
            Tax qualified                                    13,269               10.241300       135,892             2%
            Non-tax qualified                                37,377               10.241300       382,789             2%
</TABLE>

                                                                     (Continued)


<PAGE>   21

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>                   <C>           <C>                 <C>    
         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Guardian Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                       590               10.502434         6,196             5%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,754               10.502434        60,431             5%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     3,696               11.700489        43,245            17%
            Non-tax qualified                                 6,472               11.700489        75,726            17%

         Neuberger & Berman AMT -
         Partners Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     9,975               10.130813       101,055             1%
            Non-tax qualified                                40,357               10.130813       408,849             1%

         Oppenheimer VAF -
         Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     3,437                9.531780        32,761            (5)%
            Non-tax qualified                                11,150                9.531780       106,279            (5)%

         Oppenheimer VAF - Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     2,404                9.825746        23,621            (2)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 7,972                9.825746        78,331            (2)%

         Oppenheimer VAF -
         Growth & Income Fund:
            Tax qualified                                     1,064               10.257840        10,914             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                15,025               10.257840       154,124             3%

         Van Eck WIT -
         Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund:
            Tax qualified                                       733                8.813437         6,460           (12)%
            Non-tax qualified                                   779                8.813437         6,866           (12)%

         Van Eck WIT -
         Worldwide Hard Assets Fund:
            Tax qualified                                       206                8.978030         1,849           (10)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 1,789                8.978030        16,062           (10)%

         Van Kampen American Capital LIT -
         Morgan Stanley Real Estate
         Securities Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                       416               10.337004         4,300             3%
            Non-tax qualified                                10,121               10.337004       104,621             3%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         Growth & Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                     2,908               10.371958        30,162             4%
            Non-tax qualified                                 4,127               10.371958        42,805             4%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         International Equity Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                       866                9.453278         8,187            (5)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 5,787                9.453278        54,706            (5)%

         Warburg Pincus Trust -
         Post Venture Capital Portfolio:
            Tax qualified                                       830                9.851173         8,176            (1)%
            Non-tax qualified                                 2,366                9.851173        23,308            (1)%
                                                           ========               =========   -----------
                                                                                              $82,185,672
                                                                                              ===========
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   64

<PAGE>   1
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries (collectively the Company), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholder's equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1997. 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 Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.



                                                    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Columbus, Ohio
January 30, 1998

<PAGE>   2



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                            (in millions of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   December 31,
                                                                                        -----------------------------------
                                        ASSETS                                                1997               1996
                                        ------
                                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>                 <C>  
Investments:
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
    Fixed maturity securities                                                               $13,204.1           $12,304.6
    Equity securities                                                                            80.4                59.1
  Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                          5,181.6             5,272.1
  Real estate, net                                                                              311.4               265.8
  Policy loans                                                                                  415.3               371.8
  Other long-term investments                                                                    25.2                28.7
  Short-term investments                                                                        358.4                 4.8
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                             19,576.4            18,306.9
                                                                                           ----------           ---------

Cash                                                                                            175.6                43.8
Accrued investment income                                                                       210.5               210.2
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,665.4             1,366.5
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations                                  -                 485.7
Other assets                                                                                    438.4               426.5
Assets held in Separate Accounts                                                             37,724.4            26,926.7
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                            $59,790.7           $47,766.3
                                                                                           ==========           =========

                         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
                         ------------------------------------

Future policy benefits and claims                                                           $18,702.8           $17,600.6
Other liabilities                                                                               885.6             1,101.1
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts                                                     37,724.4            26,926.7
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                             57,312.8            45,628.4
                                                                                           ----------           ---------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 7 and 13)

Shareholder's equity:
  Common stock, $1 par value.  Authorized 5.0 million shares;
    3.8 million shares issued and outstanding                                                     3.8                 3.8
  Additional paid-in capital                                                                    914.7               527.9
  Retained earnings                                                                           1,312.3             1,432.6
  Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                        247.1               173.6
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                              2,477.9             2,137.9
                                                                                           ----------           ---------
                                                                                            $59,790.7           $47,766.3
                                                                                           ==========           =========

</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   3


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                            (in millions of dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Years ended December 31,
                                                                              ---------------------------------------------
                                                                                  1997            1996           1995
                                                                              -------------   -------------  --------------

<S>                                                                            <C>             <C>            <C>      
Revenues:
  Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $   545.2       $   400.9      $   286.6
  Traditional life insurance premiums                                              205.4           198.6          199.1
  Net investment income                                                          1,409.2         1,357.8        1,294.0
  Realized gains (losses) on investments                                            11.1            (0.3)          (1.7)
  Other                                                                             46.5            35.9           20.7
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------
                                                                                 2,217.4         1,992.9        1,798.7
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------
Benefits and expenses:
  Interest credited to policyholder account balances                             1,016.6           982.3          950.3
  Other benefits and claims                                                        178.2           178.3          165.2
  Policyholder dividends on participating policies                                  40.6            41.0           39.9
  Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                167.2           133.4           82.7
  Other operating expenses                                                         384.9           342.4          273.0
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------
                                                                                 1,787.5         1,677.4        1,511.1
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------

    Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense            429.9           315.5          287.6

Federal income tax expense                                                         150.2           110.9           99.8
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------

    Income from continuing operations                                              279.7           204.6          187.8

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense
  of $4.5 and $7.4 in 1996 and 1995, respectively)                                   -              11.3           24.7
                                                                              ----------      ----------     ----------

    Net income                                                                 $   279.7       $   215.9      $   212.5
                                                                              ==========      ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   4


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                            (in millions of dollars)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Unrealized
                                                                                            gains
                                                                                           (losses)
                                                           Additional                   on securities       Total
                                                Common       paid-in       Retained       available-    shareholder's
                                                 stock       capital       earnings     for-sale, net       equity
                                              ----------- ------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>
December 31, 1994                                 $3.8       $ 606.2       $1,378.2         $(119.7)       $1,868.5

  Capital contribution                             -            51.0            -              (4.1)           46.9
  Net income                                       -             -            212.5             -             212.5
  Dividends to shareholder                         -             -             (7.5)            -              (7.5)
  Unrealized gains on securities available-
    for-sale, net                                  -             -              -             508.1           508.1
                                              --------      --------       --------        --------       ---------
December 31, 1995                                  3.8         657.2        1,583.2           384.3          2628.5

  Net income                                       -             -            215.9             -             215.9
  Dividends to shareholder                         -          (129.3)        (366.5)          (39.8)         (535.6)
  Unrealized losses on securities available-
    for-sale, net                                  -             -              -            (170.9)         (170.9)
                                              --------      --------       --------        --------       ---------
December 31, 1996                                  3.8         527.9        1,432.6           173.6         2,137.9

  Capital contribution                             -           836.8            -               -             836.8
  Net income                                       -             -            279.7             -             279.7
  Dividends to shareholder                         -          (450.0)        (400.0)            -            (850.0)
  Unrealized gains on securities available-
    for-sale, net                                  -             -              -              73.5            73.5
                                              --------      --------       --------        --------       ---------
December 31, 1997                                 $3.8       $ 914.7       $1,312.3         $ 247.1        $2,477.9
                                              ========      ========       ========        ========       =========

</TABLE>



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   5


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                            (in millions of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Years ended December 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                     1997           1996            1995
                                                                                ------------------------------ ---------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>             <C>    

Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                                     $    279.7      $   215.9       $   212.5
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Interest credited to policyholder account balances                            1,016.6          982.3           950.3
      Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            (487.9)        (422.6)         (321.3)
      Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                               167.2          133.4            82.7
      Amortization and depreciation                                                    (2.0)           7.0            10.2
      Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                 (11.1)          (0.3)            3.3
      (Increase) decrease in accrued investment income                                 (0.3)           2.8           (16.9)
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                                             (12.7)         (38.9)           39.9
      (Decrease) increase in policy liabilities                                       (23.1)        (151.0)          123.9
      Increase in other liabilities                                                   230.6          191.4            27.0
      Other, net                                                                      (10.9)         (61.7)            1.8
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
        Net cash provided by operating activities                                   1,146.1          858.3         1,113.4
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                             993.4        1,162.8           634.6
  Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                 574.5          299.6           107.3
  Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                  -              -             564.4
  Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                           437.3          309.0           207.8
  Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                    34.8           18.5            48.3
  Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets           22.7           22.8            53.6
  Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                   (2,828.1)      (1,573.6)       (1,942.4)
  Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                           -              -            (593.6)
  Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                     (752.2)        (972.8)         (796.0)
  Cost of real estate acquired                                                        (24.9)          (7.9)          (10.9)
  Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                              (62.5)         (57.7)          (75.9)
  Short-term investments, net                                                        (354.8)          28.0            77.8
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
        Net cash used in investing activities                                      (1,959.8)        (771.3)       (1,725.0)
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from capital contributions                                                 836.8            -               -
  Cash dividends paid                                                                   -            (50.0)           (7.5)
  Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                        2,488.5        1,781.8         1,883.7
  Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
    product account balances                                                       (2,379.8)      (1,784.5)       (1,258.7)
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
        Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                           945.5          (52.7)          617.5
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------
Net increase in cash                                                                  131.8           34.3             5.9

Cash, beginning of year                                                                43.8            9.5             3.6
                                                                                -----------      ---------        --------

Cash, end of year                                                                $    175.6      $    43.8       $     9.5
                                                                                ===========      =========       =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>   6

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


(1)      ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

         Prior to January 27, 1997, Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) was
         wholly owned by Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). On that
         date, Nationwide Corp. contributed the outstanding shares of NLIC's
         common stock to Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS), a holding
         company formed by Nationwide Corp. in November 1996 for NLIC and the
         other companies within the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. On March 11
         1997, NFS completed an initial public offering of its Class A common
         stock.

         During 1996 and 1997, Nationwide Corp. and NFS completed certain
         transactions in anticipation of the initial public offering that
         focused the business of NFS on long-term savings and retirement
         products. On September 24, 1996, NLIC declared a dividend payable to
         Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 consisting of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of certain subsidiaries that do not offer or
         distribute long-term savings or retirement products. In addition,
         during 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to two affiliates effective January 1, 1996. These subsidiaries,
         through December 31, 1996, and all accident and health and group life
         insurance business have been accounted for as discontinued operations
         for all periods presented. See notes 11 and 15. Additionally, NLIC paid
         $900.0 million of dividends, $50.0 million to Nationwide Corp. on
         December 31, 1996 and $850.0 million to NFS, which then made an
         equivalent dividend to Nationwide Corp., on February 24, 1997.

         NFS contributed $836.8 million to the capital of NLIC during March
         1997.

         Wholly owned subsidiaries of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity
         Insurance Company (NLAIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.,
         Nationwide Investment Services Corporation and NWE, Inc. NLIC and its
         subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products. The Company is subject to regulation by the Insurance
         Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes periodic
         examinations by those departments.

(2)      SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
         materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
         accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which differ
         from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
         regulatory authorities. Annual Statements for NLIC and NLAIC, filed
         with the Department of Insurance of the State of Ohio (the Department),
         are prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or
         permitted by the Department. Prescribed statutory accounting practices
         include a variety of publications of the National Association of
         Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as state laws, regulations and
         general administrative rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices
         encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed. The Company has
         no material permitted statutory accounting practices.



<PAGE>   7


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is
         required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
         amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent
         assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial
         statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the
         reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those
         estimates.

         The most significant estimates include those used in determining
         deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation allowances for mortgage
         loans on real estate and real estate investments and the liability for
         future policy benefits and claims. Although some variability is
         inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided
         are adequate.

         (a)  CONSOLIDATION POLICY

              The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC
              and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsidiaries that are
              classified and reported as discontinued operations are not
              consolidated but rather are reported as "Investment in
              subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets and "Income from
              discontinued operations" in the accompanying consolidated
              statements of income. All significant intercompany balances and
              transactions have been eliminated.

         (b)  VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED GAINS AND LOSSES

              The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
              and equity securities as either held-to-maturity,
              available-for-sale or trading. Fixed maturity securities are
              classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive
              intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are
              stated at amortized cost. Fixed maturity securities not classified
              as held-to-maturity and all equity securities are classified as
              available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, with the
              unrealized gains and losses, net of adjustments to deferred policy
              acquisition costs and deferred federal income tax, reported as a
              separate component of shareholder's equity. The adjustment to
              deferred policy acquisition costs represents the change in
              amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs that would have
              been required as a charge or credit to operations had such
              unrealized amounts been realized. The Company has no fixed
              maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity or trading as
              of December 31, 1997 or 1996.

              Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at the unpaid principal
              balance less valuation allowances. The Company provides valuation
              allowances for impairments of mortgage loans on real estate based
              on a review by portfolio managers. The measurement of impaired
              loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows
              discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a
              practical expedient, at the fair value of the collateral, if the
              loan is collateral dependent. Loans in foreclosure and loans
              considered to be impaired are placed on non-accrual status.
              Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans on real
              estate is included in interest income in the period received.

              Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
              valuation allowances. Other long-term investments are carried on
              the equity basis, adjusted for valuation allowances. Impairment
              losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
              indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
              flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the
              assets' carrying amount.

              Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are
              determined on the basis of specific security identification.
              Estimates for valuation allowances and other than temporary
              declines are included in realized gains and losses on investments.


<PAGE>   8



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (c)  REVENUES AND BENEFITS

              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed annuities. Universal life insurance products
              include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies.
              Revenues for investment products and universal life insurance
              products consist of net investment income, asset fees, cost of
              insurance, policy administration and surrender charges that have
              been earned and assessed against policy account balances during
              the period. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense
              include interest credited to policy account balances and benefits
              and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy
              account balances.

              TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Traditional life insurance
              products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums
              and benefits and consist primarily of whole life insurance,
              limited-payment life insurance, term life insurance and certain
              annuities with life contingencies. Premiums for traditional life
              insurance products are recognized as revenue when due. Benefits
              and expenses are associated with earned premiums so as to result
              in recognition of profits over the life of the contract. This
              association is accomplished by the provision for future policy
              benefits and the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition
              costs.

         (d)  DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

              The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
              certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department
              and certain variable sales expenses have been deferred. For
              investment products and universal life insurance products,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are being amortized with
              interest over the lives of the policies in relation to the present
              value of estimated future gross profits from projected interest
              margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy administration and
              surrender charges. For years in which gross profits are negative,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on the
              present value of gross revenues. Deferred policy acquisition costs
              are adjusted to reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses
              on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale as described in
              note 2(b). For traditional life insurance products, these deferred
              policy acquisition costs are predominantly being amortized with
              interest over the premium paying period of the related policies in
              proportion to the ratio of actual annual premium revenue to the
              anticipated total premium revenue. Such anticipated premium
              revenue was estimated using the same assumptions as were used for
              computing liabilities for future policy benefits.

         (e)  SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

              Separate Account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. For all but $365.5 million of separate
              account assets, the investment income and gains or losses of these
              accounts accrue directly to the contractholders. The activity of
              the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the consolidated
              statements of income and cash flows except for the fees the
              Company receives.

         (f)  FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS

              Future policy benefits for investment products in the accumulation
              phase, universal life insurance and variable universal life
              insurance policies have been calculated based on participants'
              contributions plus interest credited less applicable contract
              charges.

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies
              have been calculated using a net level premium method based on
              estimates of mortality, morbidity, investment yields and
              withdrawals which were used or which were being experienced at the
              time the policies were issued, rather than the assumptions
              prescribed by state regulatory authorities. See note 4.


<PAGE>   9


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (g)  PARTICIPATING BUSINESS

              Participating business represents approximately 50% in 1997 (52%
              in 1996 and 54% in 1995) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              77% in 1997 (78% in 1996 and 79% in 1995) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 27% in 1997 (40% in 1996 and 47%
              in 1995) of life insurance statutory premiums. The provision for
              policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales and is
              included in "Future policy benefits and claims" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         (h)  FEDERAL INCOME TAX

              The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with
              Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC), the majority
              shareholder of Nationwide Corp. The members of the consolidated
              tax return group have a tax sharing arrangement which provides, in
              effect, for each member to bear essentially the same federal
              income tax liability as if separate tax returns were filed.

              The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting
              for income tax. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
              liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
              attributable to differences between the financial statement
              carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
              respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
              carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
              using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
              years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
              recovered or settled. Under this method, the effect on deferred
              tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
              in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
              Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the
              deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

         (i)  REINSURANCE CEDED

              Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits
              and claims incurred are deducted from the respective income and
              expense accounts. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance
              ceded are reported on a gross basis. All of the Company's accident
              and health and group life insurance business is ceded to
              affiliates and is accounted for as discontinued operations. See
              notes 11 and 15.

         (j)  RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

              STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 130 - REPORTING
              COMPREHENSIVE INCOME was issued in June 1997 and is effective for
              fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The statement
              establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive
              income and its components in a full set of financial statements.
              Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a
              period except those resulting from investments by shareholders and
              distributions to shareholders and includes net income.
              Comprehensive income would be reported in addition to earnings
              amounts currently presented. The Company will adopt the statement
              and begin reporting comprehensive income in the first quarter of
              1998.

         (k)  RECLASSIFICATION

              Certain items in the 1996 and 1995 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1997
              presentation.


<PAGE>   10


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued




(3)      INVESTMENTS

         The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated
         fair value of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1997 and
         1996 were:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
             (in millions of dollars)                                 cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                 --------------  ------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>          <C>              <C> 
             December 31, 1997:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies            $     305.1    $     8.6      $    -        $     313.7
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          1.6          -             -                1.6
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments            93.3          2.7          (0.2)            95.8
                 Corporate securities                                  8,698.7        355.5         (11.5)         9,042.7
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,634.2        118.6          (2.5)         3,750.3
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  12,732.9        485.4         (14.2)        13,204.1
               Equity securities                                          67.8         12.9          (0.3)            80.4
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                                                                   $  12,800.7    $   498.3      $  (14.5)     $  13,284.5
                                                                  ============    =========     =========      ===========

             December 31, 1996:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
                   government corporations and agencies            $     275.7    $     4.8      $   (1.3)     $     279.2
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions          6.2          0.5           -                6.7
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments           100.7          2.1          (0.9)           101.9
                 Corporate securities                                  7,999.3        285.9         (33.7)         8,251.5
                 Mortgage-backed securities                            3,589.0         91.4         (15.1)         3,665.3
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                  11,970.9        384.7         (51.0)        12,304.6
               Equity securities                                          43.9         15.6          (0.4)            59.1
                                                                  ------------    ---------     ---------      -----------
                                                                   $  12,014.8    $   400.3      $  (51.4)     $  12,363.7
                                                                  ============    =========     =========      ===========
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1997, by contractual
         maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from
         contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or
         prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Amortized        Estimated
             (in millions of dollars)                                               cost          fair value
                                                                              --------------      ----------
<S>                                                                               <C>              <C>        
             Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
               Due in one year or less                                            $     419.2      $     422.1
               Due after one year through five years                                  4,573.5          4,708.4
               Due after five years through ten years                                 2,772.6          2,879.7
               Due after ten years                                                    1,333.4          1,443.6
                                                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                                                      9,098.7          9,453.8
             Mortgage-backed securities                                               3,634.2          3,750.3
                                                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                                                  $  12,732.9      $  13,204.1
                                                                                  ===========      ===========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   11

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The components of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale,
         net, were as follows as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                                1997          1996
                                                                                 -----------     ----------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>   
             Gross unrealized gains                                                 $ 483.8        $349.0
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                         (103.7)        (81.9)
             Deferred federal income tax                                             (133.0)        (93.5)
                                                                                   --------       -------
                                                                                    $ 247.1        $173.6
                                                                                   ========       =======
</TABLE>

         An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on
         securities available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities
         held-to-maturity follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


             (in millions of dollars)                                         1997          1996           1995
                                                                          -----------   -------------   -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>            <C>
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                      $137.5       $(289.2)       $876.3
               Equity securities                                                (2.7)          8.9           -
             Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                          -             -            75.6
                                                                             -------       -------       -------
                                                                              $134.8       $(280.3)      $ 951.9
                                                                             =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1997,
         1996 and 1995 were $574.5 million, $299.6 million and $107.3 million,
         respectively. During 1997, gross gains of $9.9 million ($6.6 million
         and $4.8 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively) and gross losses of
         $18.0 million ($6.9 million and $2.1 million in 1996 and 1995,
         respectively) were realized on those sales. In addition, gross gains of
         $15.1 million and gross losses of $0.7 million were realized in 1997
         when the Company paid a dividend to NFS, which then made an equivalent
         dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities having an
         aggregate fair value of $850.0 million.

         During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
         classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25.4 million to
         available-for-sale securities due to evidence of a significant
         deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. The transfer of those
         fixed maturity securities resulted in a gross unrealized loss of $3.5
         million.

         As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special
         Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR
         CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, issued in November
         1995, the Company transferred nearly all of its fixed maturity
         securities previously classified as held-to-maturity to
         available-for-sale. As of December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the
         fixed maturity securities had amortized cost of $3.32 billion,
         resulting in a gross unrealized gain of $155.9 million.

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired as of December 31, 1997 was $19.9 million ($51.8 million as
         of December 31, 1996), which includes $3.9 million ($41.7 million as of
         December 31, 1996) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which
         the related valuation allowance was $0.1 million ($8.5 million as of
         December 31, 1996) and $16.0 million ($10.1 million as of December 31,
         1996) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which there was no
         valuation allowance. During 1997, the average recorded investment in
         impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately $31.8 million
         ($39.7 million in 1996) and interest income recognized on those loans
         was $1.0 million ($2.1 million in 1996), which is equal to interest
         income recognized using a cash-basis method of income recognition.


<PAGE>   12


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
         estate is summarized for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                               1997          1996
                                                                                ------------- -------------
<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>
             Allowance, beginning of year                                            $51.0         $49.1
               (Reductions) additions charged to operations                           (1.2)          4.5
               Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                       (7.3)         (2.6)
                                                                                    ------        ------
             Allowance, end of year                                                  $42.5         $51.0
                                                                                    ======        ======
</TABLE>

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $45.1
         million as of December 31, 1997 ($30.3 million as of December 31, 1996)
         and valuation allowances of $11.1 million as of December 31, 1997
         ($15.2 million as of December 31, 1996).

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1997 amounted to $19.4 million ($26.8 million
         for 1996) and consisted of $3.0 million ($0.2 million in 1996) in
         securities available-for-sale, $16.4 million ($20.6 million in 1996) in
         real estate and none ($5.9 million in 1996) in other long-term
         investments.

         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                                      1997             1996           1995
                                                                        -----------      ---------      ---------   
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>            <C>      
             Gross investment income:
               Securities available-for-sale:
                 Fixed maturity securities                                $  911.6        $  917.1       $  685.8
                 Equity securities                                             0.8             1.3            1.3
               Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                      -               -            201.8
               Mortgage loans on real estate                                 457.7           432.8          395.5
               Real estate                                                    42.9            44.3           38.3
               Short-term investments                                         22.7             4.2           10.6
               Other                                                          21.0             4.0            7.2
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Total investment income                                 1,456.7         1,403.7        1,340.5
             Less investment expenses                                         47.5            45.9           46.5
                                                                          --------        --------       --------
                   Net investment income                                  $1,409.2        $1,357.8       $1,294.0
                                                                          ========        ========       ========
</TABLE>

         An analysis of realized gains (losses) on investments, net of valuation
         allowances, by investment type follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                       1997            1996           1995
                                                                         ---------       ---------       --------    
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>  
             Securities available-for-sale:
               Fixed maturity securities                                    $ 3.6           $(3.5)         $ 4.2
               Equity securities                                              2.7             3.2            3.4
             Mortgage loans on real estate                                    1.6            (4.1)          (7.1)
             Real estate and other                                            3.2             4.1           (2.2)
                                                                           ------          ------         ------
                                                                            $11.1           $(0.3)         $(1.7)
                                                                           ======          ======         ======
</TABLE>

         Fixed  maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6.2 million as 
         of  December  31,  1997 and 1996 were on deposit with various
         regulatory agencies as required by law.


<PAGE>   13



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(4)      FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS AND CLAIMS

         The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts
         represents approximately 86% and 87% of the total liability for future
         policy benefits as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
         average interest rate credited on investment product policies was
         approximately 6.1%, 6.3% and 6.6% for the years ended December 31,
         1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

         The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance
         policies has been established based upon the following assumptions:

              INTEREST RATES: Interest rates vary by issue year and were 6.9%
              and 6.6% in 1997 and 1996, respectively. Interest rates have
              generally ranged from 6.0% to 10.5% for previous issue years.

              WITHDRAWALS: Rates, which vary by issue age, type of coverage and
              policy  duration, are based on Company experience.

              MORTALITY: Mortality and morbidity rates are based on published 
              tables, modified for the Company's actual experience.

         The Company has entered into a reinsurance contract to cede a portion
         of its general account individual annuity business to The Franklin Life
         Insurance Company (Franklin). Total recoveries due from Franklin were
         $220.2 million and $240.5 million as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
         respectively. The contract is immaterial to the Company's results of
         operations. The ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer
         from its primary obligation to the policyholder. Under the terms of the
         contract, Franklin has established a trust as collateral for the
         recoveries. The trust assets are invested in investment grade
         securities, the market value of which must at all times be greater than
         or equal to 102% of the reinsured reserves.

         The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain affiliates as
         described in note 11. All other reinsurance agreements are not material
         to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.


(5)      FEDERAL INCOME TAX

         The  Company's current federal income tax liability was $60.1 million 
         and $30.2 million as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


<PAGE>   14


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1997
         and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                        1997            1996
                                                                          ----------      ----------  
<S>                                                                        <C>             <C>  
             Deferred tax assets:
               Future policy benefits                                       $200.1          $183.0
               Liabilities in Separate Accounts                              242.0           188.4
               Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                  19.0            23.4
               Other assets and other liabilities                             59.2            53.7
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax assets                             520.3           448.5
                 Less valuation allowance                                     (7.0)           (7.0)
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Net deferred tax assets                                     513.3           441.5
                                                                           -------          ------

             Deferred tax liabilities:
               Deferred policy acquisition costs                             480.5           399.3
               Fixed maturity securities                                     193.3           133.2
               Deferred tax on realized investment gains                      40.1            37.6
               Equity securities and other long-term investments               7.5             8.2
               Other                                                          22.2            25.4
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Total gross deferred tax liabilities                        743.6           603.7
                                                                           -------          ------
                 Net deferred tax liability                                 $230.3          $162.2
                                                                           =======          ======
</TABLE>

         In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
         considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the
         total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. Nearly all future
         deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery
         of federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. There
         has been no change in the valuation allowance for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.

         Federal income tax expense attributable to income from continuing
         operations for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           (in millions of dollars)                                   1997            1996            1995
                                                                   ---------       ---------       ---------  
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>             <C> 
           Currently payable                                         $121.7          $116.5           $88.7
           Deferred tax expense (benefit)                              28.5            (5.6)           11.1
                                                                     ------          ------          ------
                                                                     $150.2          $110.9           $99.8
                                                                     ======          ======          ======
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1997,
         1996 and 1995 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           1997                     1996                     1995
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
         (in millions of dollars)                     Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                   ----------------------   ------------- --------   ------------- --------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C> 
         Computed (expected) tax expense               $150.5      35.0         $110.4      35.0         $100.6      35.0
         Tax exempt interest and dividends
           received deduction                             -         0.0           (0.2)     (0.1)           -         0.0
         Other, net                                      (0.3)     (0.1)           0.7       0.3           (0.8)     (0.3)
                                                       ------      ----         ------      ----         ------      ----
             Total (effective rate of each year)       $150.2      34.9         $110.9      35.2         $ 99.8      34.7
                                                       ======      ====         ======      ====         ======      ====
</TABLE>

         Total federal income tax paid was $91.8 million,  $115.8 million and 
         $51.8 million during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
         respectively.



<PAGE>   15


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(6)      FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         The following disclosures summarize the carrying amount and estimated
         fair value of the Company's financial instruments. Certain assets and
         liabilities are specifically excluded from the disclosure requirements
         of financial instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts
         presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

         The fair value of a financial instrument is defined as the amount at
         which the financial instrument could be exchanged in a current
         transaction between willing parties. In cases where quoted market
         prices are not available, fair value is to be based on estimates using
         present value or other valuation techniques. Many of the Company's
         assets and liabilities subject to the disclosure requirements are not
         actively traded, requiring fair values to be estimated by management
         using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques are
         significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount
         rate and estimates of future cash flows. Although fair value estimates
         are calculated using assumptions that management believes are
         appropriate, changes in assumptions could cause these estimates to vary
         materially. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be
         substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases,
         could not be realized in the immediate settlement of the instruments.

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from the disclosure requirements, estimated fair value of policy
         reserves on life insurance contracts is provided to make the fair value
         disclosures more meaningful.

         The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can
         have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been
         considered in the estimates.

         The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
         estimating its fair value disclosures:

              FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES: The fair value for fixed
              maturity securities is based on quoted market prices, where
              available. For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair
              value is estimated using values obtained from independent pricing
              services or, in the case of private placements, is estimated by
              discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
              applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the
              investments. The fair value for equity securities is based on
              quoted market prices.

              MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE, NET: The fair value for mortgage
              loans on real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow
              analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for similar
              loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar
              characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
              Fair value for mortgage loans in default is the estimated fair
              value of the underlying collateral.

              POLICY LOANS, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND CASH: The carrying amount
              reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
              approximates their fair value.

              SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: The fair value of assets
              held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. The
              fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
              amount payable on demand, which includes certain surrender
              charges.

              INVESTMENT CONTRACTS: The fair value for the Company's liabilities
              under investment type contracts is disclosed using two methods.
              For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value is
              the amount payable on demand. For investment contracts with known
              or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using discounted
              cash flow analysis. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.


<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              POLICY RESERVES ON LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS: Included are
              disclosures for individual life insurance, universal life
              insurance and supplementary contracts with life contingencies for
              which the estimated fair value is the amount payable on demand.
              Also included are disclosures for the Company's limited payment
              policies, which the Company has used discounted cash flow analyses
              similar to those used for investment contracts with known
              maturities to estimate fair value.

              COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 13.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to disclosure requirements and policy reserves on life
           insurance contracts were as follows as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                         1997                              1996
                                                             ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
               (in millions of dollars)                          amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                             ------------------------------   --------------- ---------------

<S>                                                             <C>            <C>               <C>             <C>    
               Assets:
                 Investments:
                   Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                  $13,204.1      $13,204.1         $12,304.6       $12,304.6
                     Equity securities                               80.4           80.4              59.1            59.1
                   Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,181.6        5,509.7           5,272.1         5,397.9
                   Policy loans                                     415.3          415.3             371.8           371.8
                   Short-term investments                           358.4          358.4               4.8             4.8
                 Cash                                               175.6          175.6              43.8            43.8
                 Assets held in Separate Accounts                37,724.4       37,724.4          26,926.7        26,926.7

               Liabilities:
                 Investment contracts                            14,708.2       14,322.1          13,914.4        13,484.5
                 Policy reserves on life insurance contracts      3,345.4        3,182.4           3,392.8         3,197.5
                 Liabilities related to Separate Accounts        37,724.4       36,747.0          26,926.7        26,164.2


</TABLE>


(7)      RISK DISCLOSURES

         The following is a description of the most significant risks facing
         life insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:

         LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK: The risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
         environment in which an insurer operates will result in increased
         competition, reduce demand for a company's products, or create
         additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
         products. The Company mitigates this risk by offering a wide range of
         products and by operating throughout the United States, thus reducing
         its exposure to any single product or jurisdiction, and also by
         employing underwriting practices which identify and minimize the
         adverse impact of this risk.

         CREDIT RISK: The risk that issuers of securities owned by the Company
         or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by the Company
         will default or that other parties, including reinsurers, which owe the
         Company money, will not pay. The Company minimizes this risk by
         adhering to a conservative investment strategy, by maintaining
         reinsurance and credit and collection policies and by providing for any
         amounts deemed uncollectible.


<PAGE>   17

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         INTEREST RATE RISK: The risk that interest rates will change and cause
         a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. This change in
         rates may cause certain interest-sensitive products to become
         uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation. The Company mitigates
         this risk by charging fees for non-conformance with certain policy
         provisions, by offering products that transfer this risk to the
         purchaser, and/or by attempting to match the maturity schedule of its
         assets with the expected payouts of its liabilities. To the extent that
         liabilities come due more quickly than assets mature, an insurer would
         have to borrow funds or sell assets prior to maturity and potentially
         recognize a gain or loss.

         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK: The Company is a
         party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
         normal course of business through management of its investment
         portfolio. These financial instruments include commitments to extend
         credit in the form of loans. These instruments involve, to varying
         degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized on the
         consolidated balance sheets.

         Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
         agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions
         established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed
         expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment
         of a deposit. Commitments extended by the Company are based on
         management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the borrower and the
         borrower's loan collateral. The underlying mortgage property represents
         the collateral if the commitment is funded. The Company's policy for
         new mortgage loans on real estate is to lend no more than 75% of
         collateral value. Should the commitment be funded, the Company's
         exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower
         is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments less the
         net realizable value of the collateral. The contractual amounts also
         represent the cash requirements for all unfunded commitments.
         Commitments on mortgage loans on real estate of $341.4 million
         extending into 1998 were outstanding as of December 31, 1997. The
         Company also had $63.9 million of commitments to purchase fixed
         maturity securities outstanding as of December 31, 1997.

         SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK: The Company grants mainly
         commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the
         United States. The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more
         than 20% (21% in 1996) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1996) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1997. As of December
         31, 1997, 46% (44% in 1996) of the remaining principal balance of the
         Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio financed retail
         properties.

         The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from one
         reinsurer as of December 31, 1997 and 1996. See note 4.

(8)      PENSION PLAN

         The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated companies,
         in a pension plan covering all employees who have completed at least
         one year of service. Benefits are based upon the highest average annual
         salary of a specified number of consecutive years of the last ten years
         of service. The Company funds pension costs accrued for direct
         employees plus an allocation of pension costs accrued for employees of
         affiliates whose work efforts benefit the Company.

         Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
         benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements and
         elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995. The entire cost
         of the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain of its property
         and casualty insurance company affiliates.


<PAGE>   18

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
         Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual
         Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau Insurance
         Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan). Immediately prior to the merger,
         the plans were amended to provide consistent benefits for service after
         January 1, 1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the
         accumulated benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of
         December 31, 1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company  during the years
         ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and 1995 were $7.5 million, $7.4
         million and $10.5 million, respectively.

         The Company had no net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1997
         ($1.1 million as of December 31, 1996).

         The net periodic pension cost for the Retirement Plan as a whole for
         the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the Nationwide
         Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a whole for the
         year ended December 31, 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions of dollars)                                   1997             1996              1995
                                                                     -----------      -----------       -----------  

<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>     
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)        $   77.3         $   75.5          $   64.5
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation              118.6            105.5              95.3
              Actual return on plan assets                              (328.0)          (210.6)           (249.3)
              Net amortization and deferral                              196.4            101.8             143.4
                                                                      --------         --------          --------
                                                                      $   64.3         $   72.2          $   53.9
                                                                      ========         ========          ========
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        1997             1996              1995
                                                                    -----------      -----------       -----------  

<S>                                                                    <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                           6.50%            6.00%             7.50%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.75%            4.25%             6.25%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         7.25%            6.75%             8.75%
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the Retirement Plan as a 
         whole as of  December  31,  1997 and 1996 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions of dollars)                                           1997              1996
                                                                             -----------       -----------  
<S>                                                                           <C>               <C> 
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                Vested                                                         $1,547.5          $1,338.6
                Nonvested                                                          13.5              11.1
                                                                               --------         ---------
                                                                               $1,561.0          $1,349.7
                                                                               ========         =========

              Net accrued pension expense:
                Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to date     $2,033.8          $1,847.8
                Plan assets at fair value                                       2,212.9           1,947.9
                                                                              ---------         ---------
                  Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation           179.1             100.1
                Unrecognized prior service cost                                    34.7              37.9
                Unrecognized net gains                                           (330.7)           (202.0)
                Unrecognized net asset at transition                               33.3              37.2
                                                                              ---------         ---------
                                                                              $   (83.6)        $   (26.8)
                                                                              =========         =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   19


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1997              1996
                                                                             -----------       -----------  

<S>                                                                          <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                                   6.00%             6.50%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels                   4.25%             4.75%

</TABLE>
         Assets of the Retirement Plan are invested in group annuity contracts
         of NLIC and Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau (ELICW).

(9)      POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

         In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
         with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care
         defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and
         health care benefits are contributory and generally available to full
         time employees who have attained age 55 and have accumulated 15 years
         of service with the Company after reaching age 40. Postretirement
         health care benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain
         cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition,
         there are caps on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of
         the postretirement health care benefits. These caps can increase
         annually, but not more than three percent. The Company's policy is to
         fund the cost of health care benefits in amounts determined at the
         discretion of management. Plan assets are invested primarily in group
         annuity contracts of NLIC.

         The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation (APBO), however, certain affiliated
         companies elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over
         periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

         The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
         1997 and 1996 was $36.5 million and $34.9 million, respectively, and
         the net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1997, 1996 and
         1995 was $3.0 million, $3.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                                         1997             1996
                                                                                          -----------       -----------  
<S>                                                                                        <C>               <C>    
             Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
               Retirees                                                                    $   93.3          $   93.0
               Fully eligible, active plan participants                                        31.6              23.7
               Other active plan participants                                                 113.0              84.0
                                                                                           --------          --------
                 Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                                237.9             200.7
               Plan assets at fair value                                                       69.2              63.0
                                                                                           --------          --------
                 Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation         (168.7)           (137.7)
               Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                                 1.5               1.7
               Unrecognized net losses (gains)                                                  1.6             (23.2)
                                                                                           --------          --------
                                                                                            $(165.6)          $(159.2)
                                                                                           ========          ========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   20


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             (in millions of dollars)                            1997          1996          1995
                                                              -----------   ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>           <C>  
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee
               service during the year)                          $  7.0        $  6.5        $  6.2
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
               benefit obligation                                  14.0          13.7          14.2
             Actual return on plan assets                          (3.6)         (4.3)         (2.7)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition
               obligation of affiliates                             0.2           0.2           3.0
             Net amortization and deferral                         (0.5)          1.8          (1.6)
                                                                -------        ------        ------
                                                                  $17.1         $17.9         $19.1
                                                                =======        ======        ======
</TABLE>

         Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the APBO and the
         NPPBC for 1997, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 1997          1996          1995
                                                              -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>           <C>     
             APBO:
               Discount rate                                  6.70%         7.25%         6.75%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                                12.13%        11.00%        11.00%
                 Ultimate rate                                6.12%         6.00%         6.00%
                 Uniform declining period                   12 Years      12 Years      12 Years

             NPPBC:
               Discount rate                                  7.25%         6.65%         8.00%
               Long term rate of return on plan
                 assets, net of tax                           5.89%         4.80%         8.00%
               Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                                11.00%        11.00%        10.00%
                 Ultimate rate                                6.00%         6.00%         6.00%
                 Uniform declining period                    12 Years      12 Years      12 Years
</TABLE>

         For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in the assumed
         health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of December 31,
         1997 by $0.4 million and have no impact on the NPPBC for the year ended
         December 31, 1997.

(10)     SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY, REGULATORY RISK-BASED CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS
         AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

         Ohio, NLIC's and NLAIC's state of domicile, imposes minimum risk-based
         capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for
         determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting
         factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of
         activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance
         is determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted
         capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized control level
         risk-based capital, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific
         trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of
         which requires specified corrective action. NLIC and NLAIC each exceed
         the minimum risk-based capital requirements.


<PAGE>   21


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The statutory capital and surplus of NLIC as of December 31, 1997, 1996
         and 1995 was $1.13 billion, $1.00 billion and $1.36 billion,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $111.7 million, $73.2 million and
         $86.5 million, respectively.

         As a result of the $850.0 million dividend paid on February 24, 1997,
         any dividend paid by NLIC during the twelve-month period immediately
         following the $850.0 million dividend would be an extraordinary
         dividend under Ohio insurance laws. Accordingly, no such dividend could
         be paid without prior regulatory approval. The Company has no reason to
         believe that any reasonably foreseeable dividend to be paid by NLIC
         would not receive the required approval.

         In addition, the payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject to
         restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of New York that limit the
         amount of statutory profits on NLIC's participating policies (measured
         before dividends to policyholders) that can inure to the benefit of the
         Company and its shareholder.

         The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to
         impair its ability to pay operating expenses and shareholder dividends
         in the future.

(11)     TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

         As part of the restructuring described in note 1, NLIC paid a dividend
         valued at $485.7 million to Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997
         consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock of ELICW, National
         Casualty Company (NCC) and West Coast Life Insurance Company (WCLIC).
         Also, on February 24, 1997, NLIC paid a dividend to NFS, and NFS paid
         an equivalent dividend to Nationwide Corp., consisting of securities
         having an aggregate fair value of $850.0 million. The Company
         recognized a gain of $14.4 million on the transfer of securities.

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $8.4
         million, $9.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively.

         Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
         direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides
         certain operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
         advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
         subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts
         allocated to the Company were $85.8 million, $101.6 million and $107.1
         million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The allocations are based
         on techniques and procedures in accordance with insurance regulatory
         guidelines. Measures used to allocate expenses among companies include
         individual employee estimates of time spent, special cost studies,
         salary expense, commissions expense and other methods agreed to by the
         participating companies that are within industry guidelines and
         practices. The Company believes these allocation methods are
         reasonable. In addition, the Company does not believe that expenses
         recognized under the inter-company agreements are materially different
         than expenses that would have been recognized had the Company operated
         on a stand alone basis. Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under
         the cost sharing agreement were $20.5 million and $15.1 million as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

         The Company also participates in intercompany repurchase agreements
         with affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the
         buyer at a stated value. Upon demand or a stated period, the securities
         will be repurchased by the seller at the original sales price plus a
         price differential. Transactions under the agreements during 1997 and
         1996 were not material. The Company believes that the terms of the
         repurchase agreements are materially consistent with what the Company
         could have obtained with unaffiliated parties.


<PAGE>   22

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Intercompany reinsurance agreements exist between NLIC and,
         respectively, NMIC and ELICW whereby all of NLIC's accident and health
         and group life insurance business is ceded on a modified coinsurance
         basis. NLIC entered into the reinsurance agreements during 1996 because
         the accident and health and group life insurance business was unrelated
         to the Company's long-term savings and retirement products.
         Accordingly, the accident and health and group life insurance business
         has been accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods
         presented. Under modified coinsurance agreements, invested assets are
         retained by the ceding company and investment earnings are paid to the
         reinsurer. Under the terms of the Company's agreements, the investment
         risk associated with changes in interest rates is borne by ELICW or
         NMIC, as the case may be. Risk of asset default is retained by the
         Company, although a fee is paid by ELICW or NMIC, as the case may be,
         to the Company for the Company's retention of such risk. The agreements
         will remain in force until all policy obligations are settled. However,
         with respect to the agreement between NLIC and NMIC, either party may
         terminate the contract on January 1 of any year with prior notice. The
         ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
         obligation to the policyholder. The Company believes that the terms of
         the modified coinsurance agreements are consistent in all material
         respects with what the Company could have obtained with unaffiliated
         parties. Amounts ceded to NMIC and ELICW for the years ended December
         31, 1997 and 1996 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   1997                          1996
                                                        ----------------------------  ----------------------------
             (in millions of dollars)                       NMIC          ELICW           NMIC          ELICW
                                                        -------------- -------------  ----------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>    
             Premiums                                       $ 91.4         $199.8         $ 97.3        $224.2
             Net investment income and other revenue        $ 10.7         $ 13.4         $ 10.9        $ 14.8
             Benefits, claims and other expenses            $100.7         $225.9         $100.5        $246.6

</TABLE>

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC), an affiliate, under which
         NCMC acts as a common agent in handling the purchase and sale of
         short-term securities for the respective accounts of the participants.
         Amounts on deposit with NCMC were $211.0 million and $4.8 million as of
         December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and are included in
         short-term investments on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         On March 1, 1995, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of Farmland Life Insurance Company (Farmland) to
         NLIC. Farmland merged into WCLIC effective June 30, 1995. The
         contribution resulted in a direct increase to consolidated
         shareholder's equity of $46.9 million. As discussed in note 15, WCLIC
         is accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies,
         which are also subsidiaries of NFS. Total commissions and fees paid to
         these affiliates for the three years ended December 31, 1997 were $66.1
         million, $76.9 million and $57.3 million, respectively.

(12)     BANK LINES OF CREDIT

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, entered into a $600.0 million
         revolving credit facility which provides for a $600.0 million loan over
         a five year term on a fully revolving basis with a group of national
         financial institutions. The credit facility provides for several and
         not joint liability with respect to any amount drawn by either NLIC or
         NMIC. NLIC and NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the financial
         institutions to maintain the revolving credit facility. All previously
         existing line of credit agreements were canceled. In September 1997,
         the credit agreement was amended to include NFS as a party to and
         borrower under the agreement.


<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(13)     CONTINGENCIES

         The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. In the opinion of
         management, the effects, if any, of such lawsuits are not expected to
         be material to the Company's financial position or results of
         operations.

(14)     SEGMENT INFORMATION

         The Company has three product segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
         Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists
         of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to
         invest in mutual funds managed by the Company and independent
         investment managers, with the investment returns accumulating on a
         tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment consists of annuity
         contracts that generate a return for the customer at a specified
         interest rate, fixed for a prescribed period, with returns accumulating
         on a tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment also includes the
         fixed option under the Company's variable annuity contracts. The Life
         Insurance segment consists of insurance products that provide a death
         benefit and may also allow the customer to build cash value on a
         tax-deferred basis. In addition, the Company reports corporate expenses
         and investments, and the related investment income supporting capital
         not specifically allocated to its product segments in a Corporate and
         Other segment. In addition, all realized gains and losses and
         investment management fees and other revenue earned from mutual funds,
         other than the portion allocated to the variable annuities and life
         insurance segments, are reported in the Corporate and Other segment.

         The following table summarizes revenues and income from continuing
         operations before federal income tax expense for the years ended
         December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and assets as of December 31, 1997,
         1996 and 1995, by segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (in millions of dollars)                                         1997               1996             1995
                                                                           -------------      ------------     ------------   
<S>                                                                         <C>               <C>              <C>  
              Revenues:
                  Variable Annuities                                         $    404.0        $    284.6       $    189.1
                  Fixed Annuities                                               1,141.4           1,092.6          1,052.0
                  Life Insurance                                                  473.1             435.6            409.1
                  Corporate and Other                                             198.9             180.1            148.5
                                                                            -----------        ----------       ----------
                                                                             $  2,217.4        $  1,992.9       $  1,798.7
                                                                            ===========        ==========       ==========

              Income from continuing operations before federal income tax
                expense:
                  Variable Annuities                                         $    150.9        $     90.3       $     50.8
                  Fixed Annuities                                                 169.5             135.4            137.0
                  Life Insurance                                                   70.9              67.2             67.6
                  Corporate and Other                                              38.6              22.6             32.2
                                                                            -----------        ----------       ----------
                                                                             $    429.9        $    315.5       $    287.6
                                                                            ===========        ==========       ==========

              Assets:
                  Variable Annuities                                         $ 35,278.7        $ 25,069.7       $ 17,333.0
                  Fixed Annuities                                              14,436.3          13,994.7         13,250.4
                  Life Insurance                                                3,901.4           3,353.3          3,027.4
                  Corporate and Other                                           6,174.3           5,348.6          4,896.8
                                                                            -----------        ----------       ----------
                                                                             $ 59,790.7        $ 47,766.3       $ 38,507.6
                                                                            ===========        ==========       ==========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   24



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.)

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(15)     DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies within the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. Prior to the
         contribution by Nationwide Corp. of the outstanding common stock of
         NLIC to NFS, NLIC effected certain transactions with respect to certain
         subsidiaries and lines of business that were unrelated to long-term
         savings and retirement products.

         On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend
         payable to Nationwide Corp. on January 1, 1997 consisting of the
         outstanding shares of common stock of three subsidiaries: ELICW, NCC
         and WCLIC. ELICW writes group accident and health and group life
         insurance business and maintains it offices in Wausau, Wisconsin. NCC
         is a property and casualty company with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of NMIC. WCLIC writes high dollar term life insurance
         policies and is located in San Francisco, California. ELICW, NCC and
         WCLIC have been accounted for as discontinued operations in the
         accompanying consolidated financial statements through December 31,
         1996. The Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of
         these subsidiaries.

         Also, during 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby
         all of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and NMIC, effective January 1, 1996. See note 11 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. The Company has
         discontinued its accident and health and group life insurance business
         and in connection therewith has entered into reinsurance agreements to
         cede all existing and any future writings to other affiliated
         companies. NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business
         is accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         The Company did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of the
         accident and health and group life insurance business. The assets,
         liabilities, results of operations and activities of discontinued
         operations are distinguished physically, operationally and for
         financial reporting purposes from the remaining assets, liabilities,
         results of operations and activities of the Company.

         A summary of the results of operations of discontinued operations for
         the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                               1997           1996          1995
                                                                                -------------- ------------- ------------

<S>                                                                               <C>            <C>           <C>
             Revenues                                                             $    -         $   668.9     $   776.9
             Net income                                                           $    -         $    11.3     $    24.7
</TABLE>

         A summary of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as 
         of December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             (in millions of dollars)                                               1997           1996          1995
                                                                                -------------- ------------- -------------

<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C> 
             Assets, consisting primarily of investments                            $247.3        $3,288.5      $3,206.7
             Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims        $247.3        $2,802.8      $2,700.0
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   65


PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

             (a)  Financial Statements:                                     PAGE

                  (1) Financial statements included in Prospectus               
                      (Part A).

                      Condensed Financial Information                        N/A
                      (Part B).
                      Those financial statements required by Item 23 to
                      be included in Part B have been incorporated
                      therein by reference to the Prospectus (Part A).
 
                  Nationwide Variable Account-9:

                      Independent Auditors' Report.                           63

                      Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Contract
                      Owners' Equity as of December 31, 1997.                 64

                      Statements of Operations and Changes in
                      Contract Owners' Equity for the period
                      November 3, 1997 (commencement of operations)
                      through December 31, 1997.                              66

                      Notes to Financial Statements.                          71

                  Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

                      Independent Auditors' Report.                           84

                      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December
                      31, 1997 and 1996.                                      85

                      Consolidated Statements of Income for the years
                      ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.                 86

                      Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity
                      for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
                      1995.                                                   87

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
                      the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
                      and 1995.                                               88

                      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.             89


                                   108 of 126

<PAGE>   66


<TABLE>
<S>            <C>                                                   <C>
Item 24.      (b) Exhibits
                 (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of Filed previously
                      with this Registration Directors authorizing the
                      establishment Statement and incorporated by reference of
                      the Registrant (333-56073).

                 (2)  Not Applicable

                 (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of               Filed previously with this Registration
                      contracts between the Registrant and          Statement and incorporated by reference
                      Principal Underwriter                         (333-56073).

                 (4)  The form of the variable annuity contract     Filed previously with this Registration
                                                                    Statement and incorporated by reference
                                                                    (333-56073).

                 (5)  Variable Annuity Application                  Filed previously with this Registration
                                                                    Statement and incorporated by reference
                                                                    (333-56073).

                 (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor        Filed previously with this Registration
                                                                    Statement and incorporated by reference
                                                                    (333-56073).
                 (7)  Not Applicable

                 (8)  Not Applicable

                 (9)  Opinion of Counsel                            Filed previously with this Registration
                                                                    Statement and incorporated by reference
                                                                    (333-56073).

                 (10) Not Applicable

                 (11) Not Applicable

                 (12) Not Applicable

                 (13) Performance Advertising Calculation           Filed previously with this Registration
                      Schedule                                      Statement and incorporated by reference
                                                                    (333-56073).
</TABLE>


                                   109 of 126
<PAGE>   67


Item 25.      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
                          <S>                                             <C>
                          Lewis J. Alphin                                        Director
                          519 Bethel Church Road
                          Mount Olive, NC  28365

                          A. I. Bell                                             Director
                          4121 North River Road West
                          Zanesville, OH 43701

                          Keith W. Eckel                                         Director
                          1647 Falls Road
                          Clarks Summit, PA 18411

                          Willard J. Engel                                       Director
                          300 East Marshall Street
                          Marshall, MN 56258

                          Fred C. Finney                                         Director
                          1558 West Moreland Road
                          Wooster, OH 44691

                          Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                              Director
                          600 South Washington Street
                          Butler, PA  16001

                          Joseph J. Gasper                         President and Chief Operating Officer
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                 and Director
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Dimon R. McFerson                        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
                          Columbus, OH  43215                                  and Director

                          David O. Miller                           Chairman of the Board and Director
                          115 Sprague Drive
                          Hebron, OH 43025

                          Yvonne L. Montgomery                                   Director
                          2859 Paces Ferry Road
                          Atlanta, GA 30339

                          James F. Patterson                                     Director
                          8765 Mulberry Road
                          Chesterland, OH  44026
</TABLE>




                                   110 of 126
<PAGE>   68



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
                          <S>                                             <C>
                          Arden L. Shisler                                       Director
                          1356 North Wenger Road
                          Dalton, OH  44618

                          Robert L. Stewart                                      Director
                          88740 Fairview Road
                          Jewett, OH  43986

                          Nancy C. Thomas                                        Director
                          10835 Georgetown Street NE
                          Louisville, OH  44641

                          Harold W. Weihl                                        Director
                          14282 King Road
                          Bowling Green, OH  43402

                          Dennis W. Click                              Vice President and Secretary
                          One Nationwide Plaza
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Robert A. Oakley                               Executive Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                            Chief Financial Officer
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Robert J. Woodward Jr.                         Executive Vice President
                          One Nationwide Plaza                           Chief Investment Officer
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          W. Sidney Druen                            Senior Vice President and General
                          One Nationwide Plaza                        Counsel and Assistant Secretary
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.                  Senior Vice President-Chief Actuary-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                          Life, Health and Annuities
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Richard A. Karas                            Senior Vice President - Sales -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Financial Services
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Susan A. Wolken                              Senior Vice President - Life
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Company Operations
                          Columbus, OH 43215

                          Michael D. Bleiweiss                                Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                         Individual Annuity Operations
                          Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>


                                   111 of 126
<PAGE>   69



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NAME AND PRINCIPAL                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
                            BUSINESS ADDRESS                                 WITH DEPOSITOR
                          <S>                                             <C>
                          Matthew S. Easley                                  Vice President -
                          One Nationwide Plaza                  Life Marketing and Administrative Services
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Timothy E. Murphy                                   Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                              Strategic Marketing
                          Columbus, Ohio  43215

                          R. Dennis Noice                                     Vice President-
                          One Nationwide Plaza                               Retail Operations
                          Columbus, OH  43215

                          Joseph P. Rath
                          One Nationwide Plaza                                Vice President
                          Columbus, OH  43215

</TABLE>

Item 26.      PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR
              OR REGISTRANT.

                  *        Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements
                           are filed

                  **       Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated
                           financial statements

                  ***      Subsidiaries included in the respective group
                           financial statements filed for unconsolidated
                           subsidiaries

                  ****     other subsidiaries



                                   112 of 126
<PAGE>   70


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                       STATE             OTHERWISE
                    COMPANY                       OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                      <C>                  <C>             <C>
         Affiliate Agency, Inc.                       Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency
         Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.                 Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Allnations, Inc.                               Ohio                           Promotes cooperative insurance corporations
                                                                                       worldwide
         American Marine Underwriters, Inc.           Florida                          Underwriting Manager
         Auto Direkt Insurance Company                Germany                          Insurance Company
         The Beak and Wire Corporation                  Ohio                           Radio Tower Joint Venture
         California Cash Management Company          California                        Inactive
         Colonial County Mutual Insurance              Texas                           Insurance Company
         Company
         Colonial Insurance Company of               Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
         Wisconsin
         Columbus Insurance Brokerage and             Germany                          Insurance Broker
         Service GMBH
         Companies Agency, Inc.                      Wisconsin                         Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency Insurance Services         California                        Insurance  Broker
         of California
         Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.            Alabama                          Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Georgia, Inc.            Georgia                          Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.               Idaho                           Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Kentucky, Inc.           Kentucky                         Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Massachusetts,        Massachusetts                       Insurance Broker
         Inc.
         Companies Agency of New York, Inc.           New York                         Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.     Pennsylvania                       Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.            Arizona                          Insurance Broker
         Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.               Texas                           Local Recording Agent (P&C)
         Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,            Texas                           Group and Variable Contract Agent
         Inc.
         Cooperative Service Company                  Nebraska                         Insurance Agency
         Countrywide Services Corporation             Delaware                         Products Liability, Investigative and Claims
                                                                                       Management Services
         EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU A             Wisconsin                         Mutual Insurance Company
         Mutual Company
</TABLE>



                                   113 of 126
<PAGE>   71



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                       STATE             OTHERWISE
                    COMPANY                       OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                      <C>                  <C>             <C>
     **  Employers Life Insurance Company of         Wisconsin                         Life Insurance Company
         Wausau
         F & B, Inc.                                    Iowa                           Insurance Agency
         Farmland Mutual Insurance Company              Iowa                           Mutual Insurance Company
         Financial Horizons Distributors              Alabama                          Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Alabama, Inc.
         Financial Horizons Distributors                Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Ohio, Inc.
         Financial Horizons Distributors              Oklahoma                         Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.
         Financial Horizons Distributors               Texas                           Life Insurance Agency
         Agency of Texas, Inc.
     *   Financial Horizons Investment Trust       Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         Financial Horizons Securities                Oklahoma                         Broker Dealer
         Corporation
         Gates, McDonald & Company                      Ohio                           Cost Control Business
         Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada           Nevada                          Self-Insurance Administration Claims
                                                                                       Examinations and Data Processing Services
         Gates, McDonald & Company of New             New York                         Workers Compensation Claims Administration
         York, Inc.
         Gates McDonald Health Plus, Inc.               Ohio                           Managed Care Organization
         Greater La Crosse Health Plans, Inc.        Wisconsin                         Commercial Health and Medicare Supplement
                                                                                       Insurance
         Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                 Ohio                           Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency
         Irvin L. Schwartz and Associates, Inc.         Ohio                           Insurance Agency
         Key Health Plan, Inc.                       California                        Pre-paid Health Plans
         Landmark Financial Services of New           New York                         Life Insurance Agency
         York, Inc.
         Leben Direkt Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company
         Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                Texas                           Insurance Agency
     **  MRM Investments, Inc.                          Ohio                           Owns and Operates a Recreational Ski Facility
     **  National Casualty Company                   Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
         National Casualty Company of America,     Great Britain                       Insurance Company
         Ltd.
     **  National Premium and Benefit                 Delaware                         Insurance Administrative Services
         Administration Company
     **  Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.             Ohio                           Registered Broker-Dealer, Investment Manager
                                                                                       and Administrator
</TABLE>



                                   114 of 126
<PAGE>   72



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                       STATE             OTHERWISE
                    COMPANY                       OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                      <C>                  <C>             <C>
         Nationwide Agency, Inc.                        Ohio                           Insurance Agency
         Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance              Iowa                           Insurance Company
         Company
         Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust         Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         Nationwide Cash Management Company             Ohio                           Investment Securities Agent
         Nationwide Community Urban                     Ohio                           Redevelopment of blighted areas within the
         Redevelopment Corporation                                                     City of Columbus, Ohio
         Nationwide Corporation                         Ohio                           Organized for the purpose of acquiring, 
                                                                                       holding, encumbering, transferring,
                                                                                       or otherwise disposing of shares,
                                                                                       bonds, and other evidences of
                                                                                       indebtedness, securities, and
                                                                                       contracts of other persons,
                                                                                       associations, corporations,
                                                                                       domestic or foreign and to form or
                                                                                       acquire the control of other
                                                                                       corporations
         Nationwide/Dispatch LLC                        Ohio                           Engaged in related Arena development Activity
         Nationwide Financial Institution             Delaware                         Insurance Agency
         Distributors Agency, Inc.
         Nationwide Financial Services Capital        Delaware                         Statutory Business Trust
         Trust
         Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.          Delaware                         Organized for the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                       holding, encumbering, transferring,
                                                                                       or otherwise disposing of shares,  
                                                                                       bonds, and other evidences of      
                                                                                       indebtedness, securities, and      
                                                                                       contracts of other persons,        
                                                                                       associations, corporations,        
                                                                                       domestic or foreign and to form or 
                                                                                       acquire the control of other       
                                                                                       corporations                       
         Nationwide General Insurance Company           Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Nationwide Global Holdings, Inc.               Ohio                           Holding Company for Enterprise International
                                                                                       Operations
         Nationwide Health Plans, Inc.                  Ohio                           Health Maintenance Organization
     *   Nationwide Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Reinsurance Company
         Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Foundation
         Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                           Performs shares services functions for the
         Services, Ltd.                                                                Enterprise
         Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,           Ohio                           Membership Non-Profit Corporation
         Inc.
         Nationwide Investing Foundation              Michigan                         Investment Company
     *   Nationwide Investing                      Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         Foundation II
         Nationwide Investing Foundation III            Ohio                           Investment Company
</TABLE>



                                   115 of 126
<PAGE>   73


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                       STATE             OTHERWISE
                    COMPANY                       OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                      <C>                  <C>             <C>
         Nationwide Investment Services               Oklahoma                         Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
         Corporation                                                                   Compensation Market
         Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.            Ohio                           Stock Transfer Agent
     **  Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance          Ohio                           Life Insurance Company
         Company
     **  Nationwide Life Insurance Company              Ohio                           Life Insurance Company
         Nationwide Lloyds                             Texas                           Texas Lloyds Company
         Nationwide  Management Systems, Inc.           Ohio                           Offers Preferred Provider Organization and
                                                                                       Other Related Products and Services
         Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance               Ohio                           Mutual Insurance Company
         Company
         Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company            Ohio                           Mutual Insurance Company
         Nationwide Properties, Ltd.                    Ohio                           Develops, owns and operates real estate and
                                                                                       real estate investments
         Nationwide Property and Casualty               Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Insurance Company
         Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd.              Ohio                           Develops, owns and operates real estate and
                                                                                       real estate investments
     *   Nationwide Separate Account Trust         Massachusetts                       Investment Company
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,          Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency
         Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Alabama                          Life Insurance Agency
         Alabama, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Arizona                          Life Insurance Agency
         Arizona, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Montana                          Life Insurance Agency
         Montana, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Nevada                          Life Insurance Agency
         Nevada, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of          Ohio                           Life Insurance Agency
         Ohio, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Oklahoma                         Life Insurance Agency
         Oklahoma, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Texas                           Life Insurance Agency
         Texas, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Wyoming                          Life Insurance Agency
         Wyoming, Inc.
         NEA Valuebuilder Services Insurance       Massachusetts                       Life Insurance Agency
         Agency, Inc.
         Neckura General Insurance Company            Germany                          Insurance Company
         Neckura Holding Company                      Germany                          Administrative Service for Neckura Insurance
                                                                                       Group
         Neckura Insurance Company                    Germany                          Insurance Company
         Neckura Life Insurance Company               Germany                          Life Insurance Company
</TABLE>



                                   116 of 126
<PAGE>   74

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        NO. VOTING
                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       (SEE ATTACHED
                                                                       CHART) UNLESS
                                                       STATE             OTHERWISE
                    COMPANY                       OF ORGANIZATION        INDICATED         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                      <C>                  <C>             <C>
         NWE, Inc.                                      Ohio                           Special Investments
         PEBSCO of Massachusetts Insurance         Massachusetts                       Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Agency, Inc.                                                                  Plans for Public Employees
         PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                         Texas                           Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
                                                                                       Plans for Public Employees
         Pension Associates of Wausau, Inc.          Wisconsin                         Pension plan administration, record keeping
                                                                                       and consulting and compensation consulting
         Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation       Wisconsin                         Health Maintenance Organization
         Prevea Health Insurance Plan, Inc.          Wisconsin                         Health Maintenance Organization
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Delaware                         Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation                                                                   Plans for Public Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Alabama                          Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Alabama                                                        Plans for Public Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Arkansas                         Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Arkansas                                                       Plans for Public Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services            Montana                          Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of Montana                                                        Plans for Public Employees
         Public Employees Benefit Services           New Mexico                        Markets and Administers Deferred Compensation
         Corporation of New Mexico                                                     Plans for Public Employees
         Scottsdale Indemnity Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Scottsdale Insurance Company                   Ohio                           Insurance Company
         Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance           Arizona                          Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Company
         Company
         SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance            Germany                          Sales support for Neckura Insurance Group
         Group
         TIG Countrywide Insurance Group             California                        Independent Agency Personal Lines Underwriter
         Wausau (Bermuda) Ltd.                        Bermuda                          Rent-a-captive Reinsurer
         Wausau Business Insurance Company           Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
         Wausau General Insurance Company             Illinois                         Insurance Company
         Wausau Insurance Company (U.K.)           United Kingdom                      Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Limited
         Wausau International Underwriters           California                        Special Risks, Excess and Surplus Lines
                                                                                       Insurance Underwriting Manager
    **   Wausau Preferred Health Insurance           Wisconsin                         Insurance and Reinsurance Company
         Company
         Wausau Service Corporation                  Wisconsin                         Holding Company
         Wausau Underwriters Insurance Company       Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
</TABLE>


                                   117 of 126
<PAGE>   75





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                          STATE          (SEE ATTACHED CHART) UNLESS
                    COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION         OTHERWISE INDICATED          PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                         <C>                <C>                           <C>
     *   MFS Variable Account                             Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   NACo Variable Account                            Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide DC Variable Account                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
         Nationwide DCVA-II                               Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Separate Account No. 1                           Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account           Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide VA Separate Account-A                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Separate Account
     *   Nationwide VA Separate Account-B                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Separate Account
     *   Nationwide VA Separate Account-C                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Separate Account
         Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Separate Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account                      Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account-II                   Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account-3                    Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account-4                    Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account-5                    Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable             Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
         Account                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account-6                    Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
         Nationwide Variable Account-8                    Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide Variable Account-9                    Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                                        Account
     *   Nationwide VL Separate Account-A                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Separate Account              Policies
         Nationwide VL Separate Account-B                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Separate Account              Policies
         Nationwide VL Separate Account-C                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Separate Account              Policies
         Nationwide VL Separate Account-D                 Ohio          Nationwide Life and Annuity   Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Separate Account              Policies
</TABLE>


                                   118 of 126
<PAGE>   76





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                          STATE          (SEE ATTACHED CHART) UNLESS
                    COMPANY                          OF ORGANIZATION         OTHERWISE INDICATED          PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
         <S>                                         <C>                <C>                           <C>
     *   Nationwide VLI Separate Account                  Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Account                       Policies
     *   Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2                Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Account                       Policies
     *   Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3                Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Account                       Policies
         Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4                Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Account                       Policies
         Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5                Ohio          Nationwide Life Separate      Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                                        Account                       Policies
</TABLE>


                                   119 of 126
<PAGE>   77
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                  |      EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU     |
                                                  |           A MUTUAL COMPANY             |
                                                  |             (EMPLOYERS)                |
                                                  |                                        |========================================
                                                  | Contribution Note         Cost         |
                                                  | -----------------         ----         |
                                                  | Casualty                  $400,000,000 |
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                |
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                  |                                  |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|  KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.  |       |   WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.  |       |      WAUSAU SERVICE      |         |                         |
|                         |       |      (U.K.) LIMITED     |       |     CORPORATION (WSC)    |         |    NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |       |Common Stock: 8,506,800  |       |Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|         |                         |
|------------  Shares     |       |------------  Shares     |       |------------              |         |                         |
|                         |       |                         |       |                          |=========|                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |     ||  |      A TEXAS LLOYDS     |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |       |              ----        |     ||  |                         |
|Employers-               |       |Employers-               |       |Employers-                |     ||  |                         |
| 80%          $1,828,478 |       |100%          $18,683,300|       |100%          $176,763,000|     ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------     ||  ---------------------------
                                                                                 |                   ||
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ||
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|     WAUSAU BUSINESS     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES   |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |    OF KENTUCKY, INC.    |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 10,900,000 |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 100 Shares  |  |  ||  |        COMPANIES        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------              |  |  ||  |        AGENCY OF        |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ||==|        TEXAS, INC.      |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |  ||  |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |  ||  |                         |
|WSC-100%      $33,800,000|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $145,852    |  |  ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|   WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS   |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |      WAUSAU GENERAL      |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   | OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 8,750      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 200,000     |  |  ||  |     COMPANIES ANNUITY   |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |  ||  |         AGENCY OF       |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ====|         TEXAS, INC.     |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |                         |
|WSC-100%      $69,560,006|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $39,000,000 |  |      |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|   GREATER LA CROSSE     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL   |  |      |     AMERICAN MARINE     |
|   HEALTH PLANS, INC.    |   |   |    OF NEW YORK, INC.    |   |   |       UNDERWRITERS       |  |      |    UNDERWRITERS, INC.   |
|Common Stock: 3,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 20         |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |------|                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-33.3%     $1,461,761 |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $10,000     |  |      |WSC-100%      $248,222   |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |     COMPANIES AGENCY     |  |      |         COMPANIES       |
|    OF ALABAMA, INC.     |   |   |  OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.  |   |   |    INSURANCE SERVICES    |  |      |        AGENCY, INC.     |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |       OF CALIFORNIA      |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 100        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |---|------------  Shares      |  |------|------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |   |                          |         |                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |         |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |         |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000      |         |WSC-100%      $10,000    |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------         ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                                     |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COMPANIES AGENCY      |   |   |      PHYSICIANS PLUS     |         |    PENSION ASSOCIATES   |
|     OF IDAHO, INC.      |   |   |     OF PHOENIX, INC.    |   |   |         INSURANCE        |         |      OF WAUSAU, INC.    |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |        CORPORATION       |         |Common Stock: 1,000      |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock:    7,150    |         |------------  Shares     |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------     Shares   |         |                         |
|                         |-------|                         |   |---|Preferred Stock: 11,540   |         |                         |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |---------------  Shares   |         |Companies        Cost    |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |                          |         |Agency, Inc.     ----    |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |                Cost      |         |(Wisconsin)-100% $10,000 |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |                ----      |         |                         |
|WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-33-1/3%     $6,215,459|         |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------         ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                        
                              |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------                                    
                              |   |         WAUSAU          |   |   |      PREVEA HEALTH       |                                    
                              |   |     (BERMUDA) LTD.      |   |   |  INSURANCE PLAN, INC.    |                                    
                              |   | Common Stock:  120,000  |   |   |Common Stock: 3,000 Shares|                                    
                              |   | -------------  Shares   |   |   |------------              |                                    
                              ----|                         |   ----|                          |                                    
                                  |                         |       |                          |                                    
                                  |                Cost     |       |              Cost        |                                    
                                  |                ----     |       |              ----        |                                    
                                  | WSC-100%      $5,000,000|       |WSC-33-1/3%   $500,000    |                                    
                                  ---------------------------       ----------------------------                                    
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   78
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                           INSURANCE COMPANY                               |================================================
       |                              (CASUALTY)                                   |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||                              |
              |                        ||                              -------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    |                                                                      |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
|      ALLNATIONS, INC.        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL      |                  |        NECKURA HOLDING       |
|Common Stock:   10,330 Shares |       ||    |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |                  |       COMPANY (NECKURA)      |
|------------                  |       ||    |    |                              |                  |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |Common Stock:    20,000       |                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |------------     Shares       |                  |------------     Shares       |
|Casualty-18.6%   $88,320      |       ||    |    |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|Fire-18.6%       $88,463      |       ||    |    |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares |       ||    |----|Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         ---------|Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
|---------------               |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-6.8%    $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Fire-6.8%        $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       ||    |                                             |    
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |        |           NECKURA            |
|      INSURANCE COMPANY       |       ||    |    |         AND CASUALTY         |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Guaranty Fund                 |       ||    |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |=========    |----|Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--------|Common Stock:    6,000        |
|Certificate                   |--------     |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------     Shares       |
|-----------      Cost         |       |     |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |       |     |    |                 ----         |         |        |Neckura-         ----         |
|Casualty         $500,000     |       |     |    |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |        |100%             DM 6,000,000 |
- --------------------------------       |     |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                        |     |                                             |    
- --------------------------------       |     |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|        F & B, INC.           |       |     |    |      COLONIAL INSURANCE      |         |        |         NECKURA LIFE         |
|                              |       |     |    |     COMPANY OF WINCONSIN     |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1 Share      |       |     |    |          (COLONIAL)          |         |        |                              |
|------------                  | ------|     |----|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--------|Common Stock:   4,000         |
|                 Cost         |       |     |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------    Shares        |
|                 ----         |       |     |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                Cost          |
|Farmland                      |       |     |    |                 ----         |         |        |                ----          |
|Mutual-100%      $10          |       |     |    |Casualty-100%    $41,750,000  |         |        |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
- --------------------------------       |     |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       |     |                                             |        
- --------------------------------       |     |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|    COOPERATIVE SERVICE       |       |     |    |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |        |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
|          COMPANY             |       |     |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    600 Shares   |       |     |    |            (SIC)             |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |       |     |    |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500        |
|                 Cost         |--------     |----|------------     Shares       | ----    |--------|------------     Shares       |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 Cost         |    |    |        |                 Cost         |
|Farmland         $3,506,173   |             |    |                 ----         |    |    |        |                 ----         |
|Mutual-100%                   |             |    |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |    |    |        |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
|                              |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                              |
|                              |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                              |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                        |    |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
| NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS      |             |    |          SCOTTSDALE          |    |    |        |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY         |             |    |        SURPLUS LINES         |    |    |        |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
|Common Stock:    1,000,000    |             |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |    |    |        |              GmbH            |
|------------     Shares       |------------ |    | Common Stock:    100,000     |    |    |        |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
|                              |             |    | ------------     Shares      | ---|    |--------|------------                  |
|                    Cost      |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                 Cost         |
|Casualty-99.9%      ----      |             |    |                   Cost       |    |    |        |                 ----         |
|Other Capital:   $26,714,335  |             |    |                   ----       |    |    |        |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
|-------------                 |             |    | SIC-100%          $6,000,000 |    |    |        |                              |
|Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,576  |             |    |                              |    |    |        |                              |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                        |    |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------    |    |        --------------------------------
|    NATIONAL CASUALTY         |             |    |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |    |    |        |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
|          COMPANY             |             |    |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |    |    |        |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
|           (NC)               |             |    |           COMPANY            |    |    |        |                              |
|Common Stock:    100 Shares   |             |    |Common Stock:    10,000       |    |    |        |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
|------------                  |-------------     |------------     Shares       |-----    ---------|------------                  |
|                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |         |        |                 ----         |
|Casualty-100%    $67,442,439  |                  |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
|                              |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|                              |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                                                                            |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|    NCC OF AMERICA, LTD.      |                  |         SVM SALES            |         |        |          AUTO DIREKT         |
|        (INACTIVE)            |                  |            GmbH              |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|                              |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|                              |                  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500 Shares |
|                              |                  |------------                  |----------------- |------------                  |
|                              |                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|NC-100%                       |                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|                              |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
|                              |                  |                              |                  |                              |
|                              |                  |                              |                  |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   79
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>         
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                         FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY                            |
       |                                (FIRE)                                     |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       |
  |                                          |                                                                  |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                |          NATIONWIDE            |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      COMMUNITY URBAN         |                |          CORPORATION           |
  |     |                              |     |    |       REDEVELOPMENT          |                |                                |
  |     |                              |     |    |        CORPORATION           |                |Common Stock:    Control:       |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    10 Shares    |                |------------     -------        |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |                |$13,642,432      100%           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |         Shares     Cost        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |         ------     ----        |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,000       |                |Casualty 12,992,922 $751,352,485|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |Fire        649,510   24,007,936|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |          (See Page 2)          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          INSURANCE           |                                                  
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |                                                  
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |                                                  
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                   ||                     |                                                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |       CALIFORNIA CASH        |                                                  
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |          MANAGEMENT          |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |          (Inactive)          |
  |     |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |------------------            |     |----|                              |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%                 |                                                  
  |     |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |       TIG COUNTRYWIDE        |     |    |         THE BEAK AND         |                                                  
  |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |       WIRE CORPORATION       |                                                  
  |     |Common Stock     12,500       |     |    |                              |                                                  
   -----|------------     Shares       |     |    |Common Stock:    750 Shares   |                                                  
  |     |                              |     -----|------------                  |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $215,273,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,419,000   |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    |                              |                                                  
  |                                          |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------
  |     |     NATIONWIDE INSURANCE     |     |    |  NATIONWIDE/DISPATCH LLC     |
  |     |   ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LTD.  |     |    |                              |
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |
  |     |Single Member Limited         |     |    |                              |
  - - - |Liability Company             |     - - -|                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |                              |          |                              |
        |Casualty-100%                 |          |Casualty-90%                  |
        |                              |          |                              |
        --------------------------------          |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------

Subsidiary Companies      -- Solid Line
Contractual Association   -- Double Lines
Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line

December 31, 1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   80
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (Left Side)

                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |              EMPLOYERS INSURANCE               |
                                        |                  OF WAUSAU                     |==========================================
                                        |               A MUTUAL COMPANY                 |
                                         ------------------------------------------------



























<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      |   AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | Common Stock:     1,000   |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      | ------------      Shares  |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                           |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
                               |                                                                    ||  
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------        ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |  ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.  |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 66,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |      | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF OHIO, INC.      |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $58,070,003 |  |  | NW Life -100% $5,996,261  |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |  INVESTORS SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5 Shares    |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------              |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv. -100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $10,100      |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |     INVESTMENT TRUST      |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF TEXAS, INC.     |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life -100% $529,728    |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|      PROPERTIES, LTD.     |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------                    - -|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life -90%              |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| NW Mutual-10%             |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDAI -100% $100         |      |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------        --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|        NATIONWIDE         |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|       PROPERTIES, LTD.    |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||                               
| Units:                    - -|  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |     |                           |==||                               
|                           |     |                           |  ||                               
|                           |     |                           |  ||                               
| NW Life -97.6%            |     |                           |  ||                               
| NW Mutual -2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||                               
 ---------------------------       ---------------------------   ||                               
                                                                 ||                               
                                   ---------------------------   ||                               
                                  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
                                  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||                               
                                  |            TRUST          |  ||                               
                                  |                           |  ||                               
                                  |                           |__||                               
                                  |                           |                                   
                                  |                           |                                   
                                  |                           |                                   
                                  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                   
                                   ---------------------------                                    
</TABLE>                           
<PAGE>   81
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)
                                               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE (R)
<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |==========================================
                                        |                  (CASUALTY)                    |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
                                                                 |        ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |        |     
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                              |    NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW CORP)   |
                                              |   Common Stock:           Control     |
                                              |   ------------            -------     |
                                              |    13,642,432               100%      |
                                              |              Shares      Cost         |
                                              |             ------      ----          |
                                              | Casualty    12,992,922   $751,352,485 |
                                              | Fire           649,510     24,007,936 |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                                                  |-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    ---------------------------                      |
                                                   |    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |                     |
                                                   |    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |                     | 
                                                   |                           |                     |
                                                   | Common Stock: Control     |                     |
                                                   | ------------  -------     |                     |
                                                   |                           |                     |
                                                   |                           |                     |
                                                   | Class A     Public--100%  |                     |
                                                   | Class B     NW Corp--100% |                     |
                                                    ---------------------------                      |
                                                                  |                                  |     
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------                 | 
              |                               |                                    |                 |
 ---------------------------    ---------------------------         ---------------------------      |   ------------------------- 
|    IRVIN L. SCHWARTZ      |  | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT  |       |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |     |  |    NATIONWIDE GLOBAL    |
|       & ASSOCIATES        |  |   SERVICES CORPORATION    |       |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |     |  |      HOLDINGS, INC.     |
|                           |  |         (PEBSCO)          |       |             (NEA)         |     |  |                         | 
| Common Stock: Control     |  | Common Stock: 236,494     |==||   | Common Stock: 500         |= || |  | Common Stock: 1 Share   | 
| ------------  -------     |  | ------------  Shares      |  ||   | ------------  Shares      |  || |--| ------------            | 
|                           |  |                           |  ||   |                           |  || |  |                         | 
|                           |  |                           |  ||   |                           |  || |  |             Cost        | 
| Class A     Other -100%   |  |                           |  ||   |                           |  || |  |             ----        | 
| Class B     NFS -100%     |  | NFS -100%                 |  ||   | NFS -100%                 |  || |  | NW Corp-100%  $7,000,00 | 
- ----------------------------   ----------------------------   ||   ----------------------------   || |  --------------------------  
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   || |                              
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  || |  --------------------------  
                               |          ALABAMA          |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  || |  |   MRM INVESTMENT, INC.  | 
                               |                           |  ||   |     OF ALABAMA, INC.      |  || |  |                         | 
                               | Common Stock: 100,000     |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  || |  |                         | 
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--|| __ | Common Stock: 1 Share   | 
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||    | -----------             | 
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||    |             Cost        | 
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $1,000      |  ||   | NEA -100%      $5,000     |  ||    |             ----        | 
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    | NW Corp.-100% $7,000,000| 
                                                              ||                                  ||    --------------------------  
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||                                
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||                                
                               |         ARKANSAS          |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||                                
                               |                           |  ||   |      OF ARIZONA, INC.     |  ||                                
                               | Common Stock: 50,000      |  ||   | Common Stock: 100         |  ||                                
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--||                                
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||                                
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||                                
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||                                
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $500        |  ||   | NEA -100%     $1,000      |  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||                                
                                                              ||                                  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||                                
                               |  PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS  |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||                                
                               |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||                                
                               |                           |  ||   |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |  ||                                
                               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  ||                                
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--||                                
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||                                
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||                                
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||                                
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $1,000      |  ||   | NEA -100%     $500        |  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||                                
                                                              ||                                  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||     -------------------------  
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||    |    NEA VALUEBUILDER     | 
                               |          MONTANA          |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||    |    INVESTOR SERVICES    | 
                               |                           |  ||   |      OF NEVADA, INC.      |  ||    |      OF OHIO, INC.      | 
                               | Common Stock: 500         |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  ||    |                         | 
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--||====|                         | 
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||    |                         |
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||    |                         | 
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $500        |  ||   | NEA -100%     $500        |  ||    |                         | 
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    --------------------------  
                                                              ||                                  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||     -------------------------  
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||    |    NEA VALUEBUILDER     | 
                               |        NEW MEXICO         |  ||   |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||    |    INVESTOR SERVICES    | 
                               |                           |  ||   |      OF WYOMING, INC.     |  ||    |    OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    | 
                               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||   | Common Stock: 500         |  ||    |                         | 
                               | ------------  Shares      |--||   | ------------  Shares      |--||====|                         | 
                               |                           |  ||   |                           |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               Cost        |  ||   |               Cost        |  ||    |                         | 
                               |               ----        |  ||   |               ----        |  ||    |                         | 
                               | PEBSCO -100%  $1,000      |  ||   | NEA -100%     $500        |  ||    |                         | 
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    --------------------------  
                                                              ||                                  ||                                
                                ---------------------------   ||    ---------------------------   ||    --------------------------  
                               |                           |  ||   |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||    |    NEA VALUEBUILDER     | 
                               |                           |  ||   |    SERVICES INSURANCE     |  ||    |   INVESTOR SERVICES     | 
                               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||   |       AGENCY, INC.        |  ||    |     OF TEXAS, INC.      | 
                               |        TEXAS, INC.        |  ||   | Common Stock: 100         |  ||    |                         | 
                               |                           |==||   | ------------  Shares      |--||=== |                         |
                               |                           |       |                           |        |                         | 
                               |                           |       |               Cost        |        |                         | 
                               |                           |       |               ----        |        |                         | 
                               |                           |       | NEA -100%     $1,000      |        |                         | 
                                ---------------------------         ---------------------------         --------------------------  
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   82
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
                                        |                   (FIRE)                       |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------|   












- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |                                |                              |
                ---------------------------         ------------------------------       ------------------------------
               |      GATES, MCDONALD        |     |   EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE   |     |          NATIONWIDE          |
               |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |     |    HEALTH PLANS, INC. (NHP)  |
               |                             |     |                              |     |                              |
               | Common Stock:   254         |     | Common Stock:   250,000      |     | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  |                 Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | NW CORP. -100%  $25,683,532 |  |  | NW CORP. -100%  $126,509,480 |  |  | NW CORP. -100%  $14,603,732  |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    ---------------------------     |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |  |  |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |
           |   |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |  |  |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   3           |  |  | Common Stock:   200          |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |     |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |     |                 Cost         |  |  | NHP             Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |     |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | GATES -100%     $106,947    |     | ELIOW -100%     $57,413,193  |  |  | Inc. -100%      $25,149      |
           |    -----------------------------       ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                                                         |
           |    -----------------------------                                        |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |                                       |  |            NATIONWIDE        |
           |   |         OF NEVADA           |                                       |  |          AGENCY, INC.        |
           |   |                             |                                       |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   40          |                                       |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |                                       |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |                                          |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |                                          |                 Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |                                          | NHP             ----         |
           |   | Gates -100%     $93,750     |                                          | Inc. -99%       $116,077     |
           |    -----------------------------                                            ------------------------------
           |
           |    -----------------------------     
           |   |       GATESMCDONALD         |  
           |   |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |  
           |   |                             |  
           |   | Common Stock:   200         |       
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  
               |                             |  
               |                 Cost        |  
               |                 ----        |  
               | Gates -100%     $2,000,000  |  
                -----------------------------   









                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    --   Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association  --  Double Line
                                                                                
                                                                                Limited Liability Company -- Dotted Line




     
                                                                                                         December 31, 1997

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
                                                
                                                                              
<PAGE>   83









Item 27.      NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

              Not applicable.

Item 28.      INDEMNIFICATION

              Provision is made in the Company's Amended and Restated Code of
              Regulations and expressly authorized by the General Corporation
              Law of the State of Ohio, for indemnification by the Company of
              any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
              party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
              proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
              investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
              director, officer or employee of the Company, against expenses,
              including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
              settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
              connection with such action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and
              under the circumstances permitted by the General Corporation Law
              of the State of Ohio.

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

Item 29.      PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

              (a)          Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS") acts as
                           principal underwriter and general distributor for the
                           Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide DC
                           Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA II, Nationwide
                           Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-5,
                           Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide Variable
                           Account-9, Nationwide VA Separate Account-A,
                           Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA
                           Separate Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A,
                           Nationwide VL Separate Account-B, Nationwide VL
                           Separate Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate Account-D,
                           Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI
                           Separate Account-3, Nationwide VLI Separate
                           Account-4, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5, NACo
                           Variable Account and the Nationwide Variable Account,
                           all of which are separate investment accounts of the
                           Company or its affiliates.

                           NAS also acts as principal underwriter for Nationwide
                           Separate Account Trust, Nationwide Asset Allocation
                           Trust and Nationwide Investing Foundation III, which
                           are open-end management investment companies.

              (b)      NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                            DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

                                             POSITIONS AND OFFICES
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS                       WITH UNDERWRITER
Joseph J. Gasper                             President and Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Dimon R. McFerson                    Chairman of the Board of Directors and
One Nationwide Plaza                              Chairman and
Columbus, OH  43215                   Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide
                                       Insurance Enterprise and Director

Robert A. Oakley                   Executive Vice President - Chief Financial
One Nationwide Plaza                          Officer and Director
Columbus, OH  43215


                                   122 of 126
<PAGE>   84




         (b)           NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                            DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Susan A. Wolken                                   Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Robert J. Woodward, Jr.          Executive Vice President - Chief Investment
One Nationwide Plaza                         Officer and Director
Columbus, OH 43215

Elizabeth A. Davin                           Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

W. Sidney Druen                           Senior Vice President and
One Nationwide Plaza                         General Counsel and
Columbus, OH  43215                          Assistant Secretary

Dennis W. Click                                   Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

James F. Laird, Jr.                       Vice President and General
One Nationwide Plaza                               Manager
Columbus, OH  43215

Edwin P. Mc Causland                  Senior Vice President-Fixed Income
One Nationwide Plaza                              Securities
Columbus, OH 43215

William G. Goslee
One Nationwide Plaza                            Vice President
Columbus, OH  43215

Joseph P. Rath                           Vice President - Compliance
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Christopher A. Cray                               Treasurer
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

David E. Simaitis                            Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215

Patricia J. Smith                            Assistant Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               (c)NAME OF       NET UNDERWRITING        COMPENSATION ON
                 PRINCIPAL        DISCOUNTS AND          REDEMPTION OR         BROKERAGE
                UNDERWRITER        COMMISSIONS           ANNUITIZATION        COMMISSIONS       COMPENSATION
                <S>             <C>                     <C>                   <C>               <C>
                 Nationwide           N/A                     N/A                N/A                N/A
                  Advisory
                  Services,
                    Inc.
</TABLE>



                                   123 of 126
<PAGE>   85


Item 30.      LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

              Robert O. Cline
              Nationwide Life Insurance Company
              One Nationwide Plaza
              Columbus, OH  43215

Item 31.      MANAGEMENT SERVICES

              Not Applicable

Item 32.      UNDERTAKINGS

              The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

              (a) file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement
                  as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited
                  financial statements in the registration statement are never
                  more than 16 months old for so long as payments under the
                  variable annuity contracts may be accepted;

              (b) include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a
                  contract offered by the prospectus, a space that an applicant
                  can check to request a Statement of Additional Information, or
                  (2) a post card or similar written communication affixed to or
                  included in the prospectus that the applicant can remove to
                  send for a Statement of Additional Information; and

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

              The Registrant represents that any of the Contracts which are
              issued pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code, are issued by the
              Company through the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance
              with, a no-action letter issued by the Staff of the Securities and
              Exchange Commission to the American Council of Life Insurance
              (publicly available November 28, 1988) permitting withdrawal
              restrictions to the extent necessary to comply with Section
              403(b)(11) of the Code.

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



                                   124 of 126
<PAGE>   86


    INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and
Contract Owners of Nationwide Variable Account-9:



The audits referred to in our report on Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the
Company) dated January 30, 1998 included the related financial statement
schedules as of December 31, 1997, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997, included in the registration statement. These
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statement schedules based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects
the information set forth therein.

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.



                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Columbus, Ohio
September 8, 1998



                                   125 of 126

<PAGE>   87


As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9, certifies that it meets the
requirements of the Securities Act Rule 485 for effectiveness of the
Post-Effective Amendment and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to be
signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and the State if Ohio, on this
31st day of December, 1998.

                             NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-9
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Registrant)
                           NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Depositor)

                                  By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Joseph P. Rath
               Vice President - Office of Product and Market Compliance

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 31st day of December, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                                 TITLE
<S>                                                    <C>
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                        Director
- ----------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin

A. I. BELL                                             Director
- ----------------------------------------
A. I. Bell

KEITH W. ECKEL                                         Director
- ----------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel

Willard J. Engel                                       Director
- ----------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel

Fred C. Finney                                         Director
- ----------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney

Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                              Director
- ----------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.

Joseph J. Gasper                             President and Chief Operating
- ----------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper                                 Officer and Director

Dimon R. MCFerson                            Chairman and Chief Executive
- ----------------------------------------     Officer Nationwide Insurance
Dimon R. McFerson                               Enterprise and Director  
                                               Chairman of the Board and 

David O. Miller                                        Director
- ----------------------------------------
David O. Miller                                        

Yvonne L. Montgomery                                   Director
- ----------------------------------------
Yvonne L. Montgomery

Robert A. Oakley                           Executive Vice President - Chief
- ----------------------------------------           Financial Officer
Robert A. Oakley                                   

James F. Patterson                                     Director
- ----------------------------------------
James F. Patterson

Arden L. Shisler                                       Director                         By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
- ----------------------------------------                                        --------------------------------------
Arden L. Shisler                                                                           Joseph P. Rath
                                                                                          Attorney-in-Fact
Robert L. Stewart                                      Director                           
- ----------------------------------------
Robert L. Stewart

Nancy C. Thomas                                        Director
- ----------------------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas

Harold W. Weihl                                        Director
- ----------------------------------------
Harold W. Weihl
</TABLE>



                                   126 of 126
<PAGE>   88
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and NATIONWIDE
LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, both Ohio corporations, which have filed or
will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and if applicable, of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, various Registration Statements and amendments
thereto for the registration under said Act of Individual Deferred Variable
Annuity Contracts in connection with MFS Variable Account, Nationwide Variable
Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3,
Nationwide Variable Account-4, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide
Variable Account-6, Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide Variable
Account-9, Nationwide VA Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B,
Nationwide VA Separate Account-C and Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q; and the
registration of fixed interest rate options subject to a market value adjustment
offered under some or all of the aforementioned individual Variable Annuity
Contracts in connection with Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account and
Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account-A, and the registration of Group
Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts in connection with Nationwide DC Variable
Account, Nationwide DCVA-II, and NACo Variable Account; and the registration of
Group Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with Separate
Account No. 1; and the registration of variable life insurance policies in
connection with Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate
Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-4,
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-5, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and
Nationwide VL Separate Account-B, Nationwide VL Separate Account-C, and
Nationwide VL Separate Account-D hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon R.
McFerson, Joseph J. Gasper, W. Sidney Druen, Mark R. Thresher, and Joseph P.
Rath, and each of them with power to act without the others, his/her attorney,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such
Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix
the corporate seal of said corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting
unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and
perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as
he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which
said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. This instrument may be executed in one or more counterparts.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 22nd day of May, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ Yvonne L. Montgomery
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           Yvonne L. Montgomery, Director

/s/ A. I. Bell                                                      /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
A. I. Bell, Director                                                C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President - Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          James F. Patterson, Director

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ Arden L. Shisler
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                            /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director                                 Robert L. Stewart, Director

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Nancy C. Thomas, Director
and Director

/s/ Dimon R. McFerson                                               /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon R. McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                     Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director

/s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------
David O. Miller, Chairman of the Board, Director
</TABLE>






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