TRAVELERS SEPARATE ACCOUNT PF II FOR VARIABLE ANNUITIES
497, 1998-05-04
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<PAGE>   1
 
                           PRIMELITE VARIABLE ANNUITY
                                CONTRACT PROFILE
 
                                 APRIL 30, 1998
 
THIS PROFILE IS A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT POINTS THAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW AND CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING THE CONTRACT. THE CONTRACT IS MORE FULLY
DESCRIBED IN THE FULL PROSPECTUS WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROFILE. PLEASE READ
THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY. THE TERMS "WE," "US," "OUR" AND THE "COMPANY" REFER TO
TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY COMPANY. "YOU" AND "YOUR" REFER TO THE CONTRACT
OWNER.
 
1. THE VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT.  The Contract offered by Travelers Life and
Annuity Company is a variable annuity that is intended for retirement savings or
other long-term investment purposes. The Contract provides a death benefit as
well as guaranteed income options. Under a qualified Contract, you can make one
or more payments, as you choose, on a tax-deferred basis. Under a nonqualified
Contract, you can make one or more payments with after-tax dollars. You direct
your payment(s) to one or more of the variable funding options listed in Section
4, and/or to the Fixed Account. We guarantee money directed to the Fixed Account
as to principal and interest. The initial interest rate is guaranteed for a
one-year period. After that, interest is guaranteed each calendar quarter by the
Company. The variable funding options are designed to produce a higher rate of
return than the Fixed Account; however, this is not guaranteed. You may also
lose money in the variable funding options.
 
The Contract, like all deferred variable annuity contracts, has two phases: the
accumulation phase and the income phase. During the accumulation phase, under a
qualified contract, your pre-tax contributions accumulate on a tax-deferred
basis and are taxed as income when you make a withdrawal, presumably when you
are in a lower tax bracket. During the accumulation phase, under a nonqualified
contract, earnings on your after-tax contributions accumulate on a tax-deferred
basis and are taxed as income when you make a withdrawal. The income phase
occurs when you begin receiving payments from your Contract. The amount of money
you accumulate in your Contract determines the amount of income (annuity
payments) you receive during the income phase.
 
2. ANNUITY PAYMENTS (THE INCOME PHASE).  You may chose to receive annuity
payments from the Fixed Account or the variable funding options. If you want to
receive scheduled payments from your annuity, you can choose one of the
following annuity options: Option 1 -- payments for your life (life
annuity) -- assuming that you are the annuitant; Option 2 -- payments for your
life with an added guarantee that payments will continue to your beneficiary for
a certain number of months (120, 180 or 240, as you select), if you should die
during that period; Option 3 -- Joint and Last Survivor Annuity, in which
payments are made for your life and the life of another person (usually your
spouse); Option 4 -- Joint Survivor Life Annuity -- the annuity is reduced on
death of Primary Payee. There are also two Income Options: Fixed Amount -- the
cash surrender value of your Contract will be paid to you in equal payments; or
Fixed Period -- the cash surrender value will be used to make payments for a
fixed time period. If you should die before the end of the Fixed Period, the
remaining amount will go to your beneficiary.
 
Once you make an election of an annuity option and begin to receive payments, it
cannot be changed. During the income phase, you have the same investment choices
you had during the accumulation phase. If amounts are directed to the variable
funding options, the dollar amount of your payments may increase or decrease.
 
3. PURCHASE PAYMENTS.  You may purchase the Contract with an initial payment of
at least $5,000 which amount may be paid in one or more installments within the
first twelve months after the contract date. You may make additional payments of
at least $100 at any time during the accumulation phase.
 
WHO SHOULD PURCHASE THIS CONTRACT?  The Contract is currently available for use
in connection with (1) individual nonqualified purchases; (2) rollovers from
Individual Retirement Annuities
<PAGE>   2
 
(IRAs); and (3) rollovers from other qualified retirement plans. Qualified
contracts include contracts qualifying under Section 401(a), 403(b), or 408(b)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
4. INVESTMENT OPTIONS.  You can direct your money into the Fixed Account or any
or all of the following variable funding options. The funding options are
described in the accompanying fund prospectuses. Depending on market conditions,
you may make or lose money in any of these options:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
  Appreciation Portfolio
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
  Concert Select Balanced Portfolio
  Concert Select Conservative Portfolio
  Concert Select Growth Portfolio
  Concert Select High Growth Portfolio
  Concert Select Income Portfolio
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
  MFS Total Return Portfolio
  Smith Barney High Income Portfolio
  Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio
  Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio
  Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio
TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
  MFS Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
  MFS Research Portfolio
</TABLE>
 
5. EXPENSES.  The Contract has insurance features and investment features, and
there are costs related to each. The Company deducts an annual administrative
charge of $30. The annual insurance charge is 1.25% of the amounts you direct to
the funding options; and a related sub-account administrative charge of .15%
annually is charged.
 
Each funding option has charges for management and other expenses. The charges
range from 0.65% to 1.24% annually, of the average daily net asset balance of
the funding option, depending on the funding option.
 
If you withdraw money, the Company may deduct a withdrawal charge (0% to 8%) of
the purchase payments from the Contract. If you withdraw all amounts under the
contract, or if you begin receiving annuity payments, the Company may be
required by your state to deduct a premium tax of 0% -5%.
 
The following table is designed to help you understand the Contract charges. The
"Total Annual Insurance Charge" includes the mortality and expense risk charge
and the administrative charges. The column "Total Annual Charges" reflects the
$30 annual contract administrative charge (which is represented as .100% below),
the mortality and expense risk charge, the sub-account charge and the investment
charges for each portfolio. The columns under the heading "Examples" show how
much you would pay under the Contract for a one-year period and for a 10-year
period. As required by the SEC, the examples assume that you invested $1,000 in
a Contract that earns 5% annually and that you withdraw your money at the end of
year 1 and at the end of year 10. For year 1, the Total Annual Insurance Charges
are assessed as well as the withdrawal charges. For year 10, the example shows
the aggregate of all the annual charges assessed during that time, but no
withdrawal charge is shown. For these examples, the premium tax is assumed to be
0%. Please refer to the Fee Table contained in the prospectus for more details.
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   3
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      TOTAL                EXAMPLES: TOTAL
                                                           TOTAL      ANNUAL               ANNUAL EXPENSES
                                                          ANNUAL     FUNDING     TOTAL       AT END OF:
                                                         INSURANCE    OPTION    ANNUAL    -----------------
                    PORTFOLIO NAME                        CHARGES    EXPENSES   CHARGES   1 YEAR   10 YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
    Appreciation Portfolio.............................    1.50%       1.00%     2.50%     $105      $284
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
    Concert Select Balanced Portfolio..................    1.50%       1.10%     2.60%      106       293
    Concert Select Conservative Portfolio..............    1.50%       1.06%     2.56%      106       290
    Concert Select Growth Portfolio....................    1.50%       1.15%     2.65%      107       298
    Concert Select High Growth Portfolio...............    1.50%       1.24%     2.74%      108       307
    Concert Select Income Portfolio....................    1.50%       1.00%     2.50%      105       284
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
    MFS Total Return Portfolio.........................    1.50%       0.86%     2.36%      104       270
    Smith Barney High Income Portfolio.................    1.50%       0.70%     2.20%      102       253
    Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio........    1.50%       1.01%     2.51%      105       285
    Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio.............    1.50%       0.69%     2.19%      102       253
    Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio................    1.50%       0.65%     2.15%      102       248
THE TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
    MFS Mid Cap Growth Portfolio.......................    1.50%       1.00%     2.50%      105       284
    MFS Research Portfolio.............................    1.50%       1.00%     2.50%      105       284
</TABLE>
 
6. TAXES.  The payments you make to a qualified Contract during the accumulation
phase are made with before-tax dollars. You will be taxed on your purchase
payments and on any earnings when you make a withdrawal or begin receiving
annuity payments. Under a nonqualified Contract, payments to the Contract are
made with after-tax dollars, and any earnings will accumulate tax-deferred. You
will be taxed on these earnings when they are withdrawn from the Contract.
 
For owners of qualified Contracts, if you reach a certain age, you may be
required by federal tax laws to begin receiving payments from your annuity or
risk paying a penalty tax. In those cases, we can calculate and pay you the
minimum required distribution amounts. If you are younger than 59 1/2 when you
take money out, you may be charged a 10% federal penalty tax on the amount
withdrawn.
 
7. ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY.  You can take withdrawals any time during the
accumulation phase. A withdrawal charge may apply. The amount of the charge
depends on a number of factors, including the length of time since the purchase
payment was made (8% if withdrawn within one year, gradually decreasing to 0%
for payments held by the Company for 8 years or more). During the first contract
year, you may withdraw up to 15% of the initial purchase payment without a
withdrawal charge. After the first contract year, you may withdraw up to 15% of
the contract value (as of the end of the previous contract year) without a
withdrawal charge. Of course, you may also have to pay income taxes and a tax
penalty on taxable amounts you withdraw.
 
8. PERFORMANCE.  The value of the Contract will vary depending upon the
investment performance of the funding options you choose. Past performance is
not a guarantee of future results. Performance information that predates the
separate account is considered "nonstandard" by the SEC. Such nonstandard
performance information is shown in the Statement of Additional Information that
you may request free of charge.
 
9. DEATH BENEFIT.  Assuming you are the Annuitant, if you die before you move to
the income phase, the person you have chosen as your beneficiary will receive a
death benefit. The death benefit paid depends on your age at the time of your
death. The death benefit value is calculated at the close of the business day on
which the Company's Home Office receives due proof of death and written
distribution instructions. If you die after you reach age 85, the death benefit
equals the cash value less any applicable premium tax and outstanding loans.
Please refer to the Contract prospectus for a description of the death benefit
applicable if you die before you reach age 85.
 
                                       iii
<PAGE>   4
 
NOTE: In all cases, death benefit amounts will be reduced by premium taxes owed,
partial withdrawals not previously deducted, and any outstanding loans, (if
applicable). Certain states may have varying age requirements. The death benefit
applies upon the first death of the Owner, Joint Owner or Annuitant. Please
refer to the Contract prospectus for more details.
 
10. OTHER INFORMATION
 
RIGHT TO RETURN.  If you cancel the Contract within twenty days after you
receive it, you will receive a full refund of the Contract Value (including
charges). Where state law requires a longer right to return period, or the
return of purchase payments, the Company will comply. You bear the investment
risk during the right to return period; therefore, the Contract Value returned
may be greater or less than your purchase payment. If the Contract is purchased
as an Individual Retirement Annuity, and is returned within the first seven days
after delivery, your full purchase payment will be refunded; during the
remainder of the right to return period, the Contract Value (including charges)
will be refunded. The Contract Value will be determined at the close of business
on the day we receive a written request for a refund.
 
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDING OPTIONS.  You can transfer between the variable funding
options as frequently as you wish without any current tax implications.
Currently there is no charge for transfers, nor a limit to the number of
transfers allowed. The Company may charge a fee for any transfer requests, or
may limit the number of transfers allowed. The Company, at the minimum, would
always allow one transfer every six months. Please refer to Appendix A for
information regarding transfers between the Fixed Account and variable funding
options.
 
ADDITIONAL FEATURES.  This Contract has other features you may be interested in.
These include:
 
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING.  This is a program that allows you to invest a fixed
amount of money in funding options each month, theoretically giving you a lower
average cost per unit over time than a single one-time purchase. Dollar Cost
Averaging requires regular investments regardless of fluctuating price levels
and does not guarantee profits or prevent losses in a declining market.
Potential investors should consider their financial ability to continue
purchases through periods of low price levels.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL OPTION.  Before the maturity date, you can arrange to have
money sent to you at set intervals throughout the year. Of course any applicable
income and penalty taxes will apply on amounts withdrawn.
 
AUTOMATIC REBALANCING.  You may elect to have the Company periodically
reallocate the values in your contract to match your original (or your latest)
funding option allocation request.
 
11. INQUIRIES.  If you need more information, please contact us at (888)
    556-5412 or:
    Travelers Life and Annuity Company
    PrimElite Travelers Service Center
    One Tower Square
    Hartford, CT 06183-8036
 
                                       iv
<PAGE>   5
 
                                   PRIMELITE:
                      THE TRAVELERS SEPARATE ACCOUNT PF II
                             FOR VARIABLE ANNUITIES
 
This prospectus describes PRIMELITE, a flexible premium variable annuity
contract (the "Contract") issued by The Travelers Life and Annuity Company (the
"Company," "we" or "our"). The Contract is available in connection with certain
retirement plans that qualify for special federal income tax treatment
("qualified Contracts") as well as those that do not qualify for such treatment
("nonqualified Contracts"). PrimElite may be issued as an individual Contract or
as a group Contract. In states where only group Contracts are available, you
will be issued a certificate summarizing the provisions of the group Contract.
For convenience, this prospectus refers to both Contracts and certificates as
"Contracts."
 
You can choose to have your purchase payments accumulate on a fixed basis (i.e.,
a Fixed Account funded through the Company's general account) and/or a variable
basis (i.e., one or more of the sub-accounts ("funding options") of the
Travelers Separate Account PF II ("Separate Account PF II"). Your contract value
will vary daily to reflect the investment experience of the funding options you
select. The funding options currently available are:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
  Appreciation Portfolio
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
  Concert Select Balanced Portfolio
  Concert Select Conservative Portfolio
  Concert Select Growth Portfolio
  Concert Select High Growth Portfolio
  Concert Select Income Portfolio
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
  MFS Total Return Portfolio
  Smith Barney High Income Portfolio
  Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio
  Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio
  Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio
TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
  MFS Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
  MFS Research Portfolio
</TABLE>
 
The contracts and/or some of the funding options may not be available in all
states. THIS PROSPECTUS IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT
PROSPECTUSES FOR THE FUNDING OPTIONS. THESE PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ AND
RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
This prospectus provides the information that you should know before investing
in the Contract. You can receive additional information about Separate Account
PF II by requesting a copy of the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
dated April 30, 1998. The SAI has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To
request a copy, write to The Travelers Life and Annuity Company, PrimElite
Travelers Service Center, One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183-8036,
call (888) 556-5412, or access the SEC's Web site (http://www.sec.gov). The
Table of Contents of the SAI appears in Appendix C of this prospectus.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR ENDORSED OR
GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK, NOR ARE THEY FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY
THE FDIC, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY; THEY ARE SUBJECT TO
INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT.
 
                        PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 30, 1998
<PAGE>   6
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
INDEX OF SPECIAL TERMS.................      2
FEE TABLE..............................      3
THE ANNUITY CONTRACT...................      5
Purchase Payments......................      5
Accumulation Units.....................      5
The Funding Options....................      5
Substitutions and Additions............      6
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS.................      7
Withdrawal Charge......................      7
Free Withdrawal Allowance..............      7
Administrative Charges.................      8
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge......      8
Reduction or Elimination of Contract
  Charges..............................      8
Funding Option Expenses................      8
Premium Tax............................      9
Changes in Taxes Based Upon Premium or
  Value................................      9
OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS...................      9
Types of Ownership.....................      9
Beneficiary............................      9
Annuitant..............................     10
TRANSFERS..............................     10
Dollar Cost Averaging..................     10
ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY...................     10
Systematic Withdrawals.................     11
Loans..................................     11
DEATH BENEFIT..........................     11
Death Proceeds Prior to the Maturity Date .    11
Death Proceeds After the Maturity Date .    13
THE ANNUITY PERIOD.....................     13
Maturity Date..........................     13
Allocation of Annuity..................     13
Variable Annuity.......................     14
Fixed Annuity..........................     14
PAYMENT OPTIONS........................     14
Election of Options....................     14
Annuity Options........................     15
Income Options.........................     15
MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACT PROVISIONS......     16
Right to Return........................     16
Termination............................     16
Required Reports.......................     16
Suspension of Payments.................     16
Transfers of Contract Values to Other
  Annuities............................     17
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT...................     17
Performance Information................     17
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.............     18
General Taxation of Annuities..........     18
Types of Contracts: Qualified or
  Nonqualified.........................     18
Nonqualified Annuity Contracts.........     18
Qualified Annuity Contracts............     19
Penalty Tax for Premature
  Distributions........................     19
Diversification Requirements for
  Variable Annuities...................     19
Ownership of the Investments...........     20
Mandatory Distributions for Qualified
  Plans................................     20
OTHER INFORMATION......................     20
The Insurance Company..................     20
IMSA...................................     20
Year 2000 Compliance...................     20
Distribution of Variable Annuity
  Contracts............................     21
Conformity with State and Federal
  Laws.................................     21
Voting Rights..........................     21
Legal Proceedings And Opinions.........     21
APPENDIX A: The Fixed Account..........     22
APPENDIX B: Waiver of Withdrawal Charge
  for Nursing Home Confinement.........     23
APPENDIX C: Table of Contents of the
  Statement of Additional
  Information..........................     24
</TABLE>
 
                             INDEX OF SPECIAL TERMS
 
The following terms are italicized throughout the prospectus. Refer to the page
listed for an explanation of each term.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
Accumulation Unit......................      5
Annuitant..............................     10
Annuity Payments.......................     13
Annuity Unit...........................     14
Cash Surrender Value...................     10
Contract Date..........................      5
Contract Owner (You, Your).............      5
Contract Value.........................      5
Contract Year..........................      5
Fixed Account..........................     22
Funding Option(s)......................      5
Maturity Date..........................      5
Purchase Payment.......................      5
Written Request........................      5
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   7
 
                             SEPARATE ACCOUNT PF II
                                   FEE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
     WITHDRAWAL CHARGE (as a percentage of purchase payments
      withdrawn):
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            LENGTH OF TIME FROM
             PURCHASE PAYMENT
             (NUMBER OF YEARS)                    CHARGE
            <S>                                   <C>
                    1                               8%
                    2                               7%
                    3                               6%
                    4                               5%
                    5                               4%
                    6                               3%
                    7                               2%
                    8                               1%
                9 and over                          0%
ANNUAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE:             $30
ANNUAL SEPARATE ACCOUNT CHARGES:
  (as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the
  Separate Account)
      Mortality and Expense Risk Charge.....................   1.25%
      Administrative Expense Charge.........................    .15%
                                                               -----
          Total Separate Account Charges....................   1.40%
FUNDING OPTION EXPENSES:
  (as a percentage of average daily net assets of the funding option
     as of December 31, 1997, unless otherwise noted)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              TOTAL ANNUAL
                                                          MANAGEMENT FEE    OTHER EXPENSES      FUNDING
                                                          (AFTER EXPENSES   (AFTER EXPENSES      OPTION
                     PORTFOLIO NAME                       ARE REIMBURSED)   ARE REIMBURSED)     EXPENSES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>               <C>               <C>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
    Appreciation Portfolio..............................       0.75%             0.25%            1.00%
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
    Concert Select Balanced Portfolio...................       0.35%             0.75%(1)         1.10%
    Concert Select Conservative Portfolio...............       0.35%             0.71%(1)         1.06%
    Concert Select Growth Portfolio.....................       0.35%             0.80%(1)         1.15%
    Concert Select High Growth Portfolio................       0.35%             0.89%(1)         1.24%
    Concert Select Income Portfolio.....................       0.35%             0.65%(1)         1.00%
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
    MFS Total Return Portfolio..........................       0.80%             0.06%(2)         0.86%
    Smith Barney High Income Portfolio..................       0.60%             0.10%(2)         0.70%
    Smith Barney International Equity Portfolio.........       0.90%             0.11%(2)         1.01%
    Smith Barney Large Cap Value Portfolio..............       0.65%             0.04%2)          0.69%
    Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio.................       0.60%             0.05%(3)         0.65%
THE TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
    MFS Mid Cap Growth Portfolio........................       0.80%             0.20%(4)         1.00%
    MFS Research Portfolio..............................       0.80%             0.20%(4)         1.00%
</TABLE>
 
NOTES:
 
The purpose of the Fee Table is to assist Contract Owners in understanding the
various costs and expenses that a Contract Owner will bear, directly or
indirectly. See "Charges and Deductions" in this prospectus for additional
information. Expenses shown do not include premium taxes, which may be
applicable. "Other Expenses" include operating costs of the fund. These expenses
are reflected in each funding option's net asset value and are not deducted from
the account value under the contract.
 
(1) The Concert Allocation Series Select Portfolios (a "Fund of Funds") invest
    in the shares of other mutual funds. Their management fee is 0.35% and they
    have no expenses. The other expenses shown are based on the expected
    weighted average of underlying fund expense ratios (which include a
    management fee and other expenses) as of January 31, 1998, the underlying
    funds' fiscal year end. See the Fund prospectus for information regarding
    the equity/fixed income (including money market) investment target and range
    for each portfolio, and for the expense ratios for the underlying funds.
    Such ratios range from 0.50% to 1.29%.
                                        3
<PAGE>   8
 
(2) Other expenses are as of October 31, 1997 (the Fund's fiscal year end).
    There were no fees waived or expenses reimbursed for these funds in 1997.
 
(3) Other expenses are as of October 31, 1997 and take into account the current
    expense limitations agreed to by the Portfolio's investment manager (the
    "Manager"). The Manager waived all of its fees for the period and reimbursed
    the Portfolio for its expenses. Without such arrangements, the Total
    Expenses for the Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio would have been 0.67%.
 
(4) Other Expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year and will
    include fees for shareholder services, administrative fees, custodial fees ,
    legal and accounting fees, printing costs and registration fees.
    Additionally, these fees reflect a voluntary expense reimbursement
    arrangement by Travelers to reimburse the Portfolios for the amount by which
    their aggregate total operating expenses exceed 1.00%. These expenses have
    been illustrated at a limit which the Portfolios' adviser believes to be in
    line with the actual projected expenses of the Portfolios.
 
    EXAMPLE*
 
Assuming a 5% annual return, a $1,000 investment would be subject to the
following expenses:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            IF CONTRACT IS SURRENDERED AT THE       IF CONTRACT IS NOT SURRENDERED OR
                                                  END OF PERIOD SHOWN:            IS ANNUITIZED AT END OF PERIOD SHOWN:
                                          -------------------------------------   -------------------------------------
                                          1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS   1 YEAR   3 YEARS   5 YEARS   10 YEARS
<S>                                       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
   Appreciation Portfolio...............   105       138       173        284       25        78       133        284
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
   Concert Select Balanced Portfolio....   106       141       178        293       26        81       138        293
   Concert Select Conservative
     Portfolio..........................   106       140       176        290       26        80       136        290
   Concert Select Growth Portfolio......   107       142       181        298       27        82       141        298
   Concert Select High Growth
     Portfolio..........................   108       145       185        307       28        85       145        307
   Concert Select Income Portfolio......   105       138       173        284       25        78       133        284
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
   MFS Total Return Portfolio...........   104       134       166        270       24        74       126        270
   Smith Barney High Income Portfolio...   102       129       158        253       22        69       118        253
   Smith Barney International Equity
     Portfolio..........................   105       138       174        285       25        78       134        285
   Smith Barney Large Cap Value
     Portfolio..........................   102       129       158        253       22        69       117        252
   Smith Barney Money Market Portfolio..   102       127       155        248       22        67       115        248
THE TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
   MFS Mid Cap Growth Portfolio.........   105       138       173        284       25        78       133        284
   MFS Research Portfolio...............   105       138       173        284       25        78       133        284
</TABLE>
 
* THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
  EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THIS
  EXAMPLE REFLECTS THE $30 ANNUAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE AS AN ANNUAL
  CHARGE OF 0.100% OF ASSETS.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   9
 
                              THE ANNUITY CONTRACT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PrimElite is a contract between you, the contract owner, and Travelers Life and
Annuity Company (called "us" or the "Company"). Under this contract, you make
purchase payments to us and we credit them to your Contract. The Company
promises to pay you an income, in the form of annuity payments, beginning on a
future date that you choose, the maturity date. The purchase payments accumulate
tax deferred in the funding option(s) of your choice. The contract owner assumes
the risk of gain or loss according to the performance of the funding options.
The contract value is the amount of purchase payments, plus or minus any
investment experience or interest. The contract value also reflects all
surrenders made and charges deducted. There is generally no guarantee that at
the maturity date the contract value will equal or exceed the total purchase
payments made under the Contract, except as noted under the Death Benefit
provisions described in this prospectus. The date the contract and its benefits
became effective is referred to as the contract date. Each anniversary of this
contract date is called a contract year.
 
Certain changes and elections must be made in writing to the Company. Where the
term "written request" is used, it means that written information must be sent
to the Company's Home Office in a form and content satisfactory to us.
 
PURCHASE PAYMENTS
 
The initial purchase payment must be at least $5,000. This amount may be paid in
one or more installments within the first twelve months after the contract date.
Additional payments of at least $100 may be made under the Contract at any time.
Under certain circumstances, we may waive the minimum purchase payment
requirement. Purchase Payments over $1,000,000 may be made with our prior
consent.
 
We will apply the initial purchase payment within two business days after we
receive it at our Home Office in good order. Subsequent purchase payments
received in good order will be credited to a Contract within one business day.
Our business day ends when the New York Stock Exchange closes, usually 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time.
 
ACCUMULATION UNITS
 
An accumulation unit is used to calculate the value of a Contract. An
accumulation unit works like a share of a mutual fund. Each funding option has a
corresponding accumulation unit value. The accumulation units are valued each
business day and may increase or decrease from day to day. The number of
accumulation units we will credit to your Contract once we receive a purchase
payment is determined by dividing the amount directed to each funding option by
the value of the accumulation unit. We calculate the value of an accumulation
unit for each funding option each day after the New York Stock Exchange closes.
After the value is calculated, your Contract is credited. During the annuity
period (i.e., after the maturity date), you are credited with annuity units.
 
THE FUNDING OPTIONS
 
You choose which of the following funding options to have your purchase payments
allocated to. You will find detailed information about the options and their
inherent risks in the current prospectuses for the funding options which must
accompany this prospectus. Since each option has varying degrees of risk, please
read the prospectuses carefully before investing. Additional copies of the
prospectuses may be obtained by contacting your Primerica Financial Services
representative or by calling 1-888-556-5412.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   10
 
The current funding options are listed below, along with their investment
advisers and any subadviser:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        FUNDING OPTION                          INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE                 INVESTMENT ADVISER/SUB-ADVISER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                                                 <C>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
    Appreciation Portfolio       Seeks long-term appreciation of capital by          Mutual Management Corp. ("MMC")
                                 investing primarily in equity securities.           (formerly Smith Barney Mutual
                                                                                     Funds Management, Inc.)
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION
  SERIES, INC.
    Concert Select Balanced      Seeks a balance of growth of capital and income by  Travelers Investment Adviser
    Portfolio                    investing in a select group of mutual funds.        ("TIA")
    Concert Select Conservative  Seeks income and, secondarily, long-term growth of  TIA
    Portfolio                    capital by investing in a select group of mutual
                                 funds.
    Concert Select Growth        Seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in   TIA
    Portfolio                    a select group of mutual funds.
    Concert Select High Growth   Seeks capital appreciation by investing in a        TIA
    Portfolio                    select group of mutual funds.
    Concert Select Income        Seeks high current income by investing in a select  TIA
    Portfolio                    group of mutual funds.
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, INC.
    MFS Total Return Portfolio   Seeks to obtain above-average income (compared to   TIA
                                 a portfolio entirely invested in equity             Subadviser: MFS
                                 securities) consistent with the prudent employment
                                 of capital. Generally, at least 40% of the
                                 Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity
                                 securities.
    Smith Barney High Income     Seeks high current income. Capital appreciation is  MMC
    Portfolio                    a secondary objective. The Portfolio will invest
                                 at least 65% of its assets in high-yielding
                                 corporate debt obligations and preferred stock.
    Smith Barney International   Seeks total return on assets from growth of         MMC
    Equity Portfolio             capital and income by investing at least 65% of
                                 its assets in a diversified portfolio of equity
                                 securities of established non-U.S. issuers.
    Smith Barney Large Cap       Seeks current income and long-term growth of        MMC
    Value Portfolio (formerly    income and capital by investing primarily, but not
    "Smith Barney Income and     exclusively in common stocks.
    Growth Portfolio")
    Smith Barney Money Market    Seeks maximum current income and preservation of    MMC
    Portfolio                    capital by investing in high quality, short-term
                                 money market instruments. An investment in this
                                 fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
                                 Government, and there is no assurance that a
                                 stable $1 value per share will be maintained.
TRAVELERS SERIES TRUST
    MFS Mid Cap Growth           Seeks to obtain long-term growth of capital by      Travelers Asset Management
    Portfolio                    investing, under normal market conditions, at       International Corporation
                                 least 65% of its total assets in equity securities  ("TAMIC")
                                 of companies with medium market capitalization      Subadviser:
                                 which the investment adviser believes have          Massachusetts Financial
                                 above-average growth potential.                     Services Company ("MFS")
    MFS Research Portfolio       Seeks to provide long-term growth of capital and    TAMIC
                                 future income.                                      Subadviser: MFS
</TABLE>
 
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
 
If any of the funding options become unavailable for allocating purchase
payments, or if we believe that further investment in a funding option is
inappropriate for the purposes of the Contract, we may substitute another
funding option. However, we will not make any substitutions without notifying
you and obtaining any applicable state and SEC approval. From time to time we
may make new funding options available.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   11
 
                             CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
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WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
 
No sales charges are deducted from purchase payments when they are applied under
the Contract. However, a withdrawal charge will be deducted if any or all of the
contract value is withdrawn during the first eight years following a purchase
payment. The length of time from when we receive the purchase payment to the
time of withdrawal determines the amount of the charge. The withdrawal charge
will be deducted from the total amount requested unless you instruct us to
deduct it from the remaining contract value.
 
The withdrawal charge is equal to a percentage of purchase payments withdrawn
from the Contract and is calculated as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LENGTH OF TIME FROM
 PURCHASE PAYMENT                     WITHDRAWAL
 (NUMBER OF YEARS)                      CHARGE
<S>                                   <C>
         1                                8%
         2                                7%
         3                                6%
         4                                5%
         5                                4%
         6                                3%
         7                                2%
         8                                1%
    9 and over                            0%
</TABLE>
 
For purposes of the withdrawal charge calculation, withdrawals will be deemed to
be taken in the following order:
 
        (a) from any purchase payments to which no withdrawal charge is
            applicable;
 
        (b) from any remaining free withdrawal allowance (as described below)
            after reduction by the amount of (a);
 
        (c) from any purchase payments to which withdrawal charges are
            applicable (on a first-in, first-out basis); and, finally
 
        (d) from any Contract earnings.
 
NOTE:  Any free withdrawals taken will not reduce purchase payments still
       subject to a withdrawal charge.
 
We will not deduct a withdrawal charge (1) from payments we make due to the
death of the contract owner or the death of the annuitant with no contingent
annuitant surviving; or (2) upon election of an annuity payout (based upon life
expectancy); (3) due to a minimum distribution under our minimum distribution
rules then in effect; or (4) if the contract owner is confined to an Eligible
Nursing Home as described in Appendix B.
 
FREE WITHDRAWAL ALLOWANCE
 
There is a 15% free withdrawal allowance available each year. For the first
contract year, the available amount will be calculated as a percentage of the
initial purchase payment. Beginning in the second contract year, the available
amount will be calculated as a percentage of the contract value available at the
end of the previous contract year. The free withdrawal allowance applies to any
partial withdrawals and to full withdrawals, except those transferred directly
to annuity contracts issued by other financial institutions. In Washington
state, the free withdrawal provision applies to all withdrawals.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   12
 
Any withdrawal deemed to be taken from purchase payments to which no withdrawal
charge applies will reduce any free withdrawal allowance available in that
contract year. Any withdrawal deemed to be taken from the free withdrawal
allowance will not reduce the amount of purchase payments to which withdrawal
charges are applicable.
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES
 
A Contract administrative charge of $30 is deducted annually. This charge
compensates us for expenses incurred in establishing and maintaining the
Contract. The charge is deducted from the contract value on the fourth Friday of
each August by canceling accumulation units applicable to each funding option on
a pro rata basis. No contract administrative charge will be deducted from the
Fixed Account. For the first year, this charge will be prorated (i.e.
calculated) from the date of purchase. A prorated charge will also be made if
the Contract is completely withdrawn or terminated. We will not deduct a
contract administrative charge: (1) from the distribution of death proceeds; or
(2) after an annuity payout has begun.
 
An administrative expense charge (sometimes called "sub-account administrative
charge") is deducted on each business day from amounts allocated to the variable
funding options in order to compensate the Company for certain related
administrative and operating expenses. The charge equals, on an annual basis,
0.15% of the daily net asset value allocated to each of the variable funding
options.
 
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
 
Each business day, the Company deducts a mortality and expense risk charge. The
deduction is reflected in our calculation of accumulation and annuity unit
values. This charge equals, on an annual basis, 1.25% of the amounts held in
each funding option. We reserve the right to lower this charge at any time. The
mortality risk portion compensates us for guaranteeing to provide annuity
payments according to the terms of the Contract regardless of how long the
annuitant lives and for guaranteeing to provide the death benefit if an
annuitant dies prior to the maturity date. The expense risk portion compensates
us for the risk that the charges under the Contract, which cannot be increased
during the duration of the Contract, will be insufficient to cover actual costs.
 
REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF CONTRACT CHARGES
 
The withdrawal charge, the administrative charges, the mortality and expense
risk charge, and the distribution charge under the Contract may be reduced or
eliminated when certain sales or administration of the Contract result in
savings or reduction of administrative or sales expenses, and/or mortality and
expense risks. Any such reduction will be based on the following: (1) the size
and type of group to which sales are to be made; (2) the total amount of
purchase payments to be received; and (3) any prior or existing relationship
with the Company. There may be other circumstances, of which we are not
presently aware, which could result in fewer sales expenses, administrative
charges, or mortality and expense risk charges. For certain trusts, the Company
may change the order in which purchase payments and earnings are withdrawn in
order to determine the withdrawal charge. In no event will reduction or
elimination of the withdrawal charge or the administrative charge be permitted
where such reduction or elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any
person.
 
FUNDING OPTION EXPENSES
 
The deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of the various funding
options are summarized in the fee table and are described in the accompanying
prospectuses.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   13
 
PREMIUM TAX
 
Certain state and local governments charge premium taxes ranging from 0% to 5%,
depending upon jurisdiction. The Company is responsible for paying these taxes
and will determine the method used to recover premium tax expenses incurred.
Where required, the Company will deduct any applicable premium taxes from the
contract value either upon death, surrender, annuitization, or at the time
purchase payments are made to the Contract, but no earlier than when the Company
has a tax liability under state law.
 
CHANGES IN TAXES BASED UPON PREMIUM OR VALUE
 
If there is any change in a law assessing taxes against the Company based upon
premiums, contract gains or value of the contract, we reserve the right to
charge you proportionately for this tax.
 
                              OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS
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TYPES OF OWNERSHIP
 
Contract Owner ("you").  The Contract belongs to the contract owner named in the
Contract (on the Specifications page), or to any other person to whom the
contract is subsequently assigned. An assignment of ownership or a collateral
assignment may be made only for nonqualified contracts. You have sole power
during the annuitant's lifetime to exercise any rights and to receive all
benefits given in the contract provided you have not named an irrevocable
beneficiary and provided the Contract is not assigned.
 
You receive all payments while the annuitant is alive unless you direct them to
an alternate recipient. An alternate recipient does not become the contract
owner.
 
Joint Owner.  For nonqualified contracts only, joint owners (i.e., spouses) may
be named in a written request before the contract is in effect. Joint owners may
independently exercise transfers allowed under the Contract. All other rights of
ownership must be exercised by both owners. Joint owners own equal shares of any
benefits accruing or payments made to them. All rights of a joint owner end at
death if the other joint owner survives. The entire interest of the deceased
joint owner in the Contract will pass to the surviving joint owner.
 
BENEFICIARY
 
The beneficiary is named by you in a written request.  The beneficiary has the
right to receive any remaining contractual benefits upon the death of the
annuitant or the contract owner. If more than one beneficiary survives the
annuitant, they will share equally in benefits unless different shares are
recorded with the Company by written request before the death of the annuitant
or contract owner.
 
With nonqualified contracts, as discussed under "Death Benefit," the beneficiary
named in the contract may differ from the designated beneficiary (for example,
the joint owner or a contingent annuitant). In such cases, the designated
beneficiary receives the contract benefits (rather than the beneficiary) upon
your death.
 
Unless an irrevocable beneficiary has been named, you have the right to change
any beneficiary by written request during the lifetime of the annuitant and
while the Contract continues.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   14
 
ANNUITANT
 
The annuitant is designated in the Contract (on the Specifications page), and is
the individual on whose life the maturity date and the amount of the monthly
annuity payments depend. The annuitant may not be changed after the contract is
in effect.
 
For nonqualified Contracts only, the contract owner may also name one individual
as a contingent annuitant by written request before the Contract becomes
effective. A contingent annuitant may not be changed, deleted or added after the
Contract becomes effective.
 
                                   TRANSFERS
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Up to 30 days before the maturity date, you may transfer all or part of the
contract value between funding options. There are no charges or restrictions on
the amount or frequency of transfers currently; however, we reserve the right to
charge a fee for any transfer request, and to limit the number of transfers. We
will always allow at least one transfer in any six-month period. Since different
funding options have different expenses, a transfer of contract values from one
funding option to another could result in your investment becoming subject to
higher or lower expenses. After the maturity date, you may make transfers
between funding options only with our consent. Please refer to Appendix A for
information regarding transfers between Fixed Account and funding options.
 
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
 
Dollar cost averaging (or "automated transfers") allows you to transfer a set
dollar amount to other funding options on a monthly or quarterly basis so that
more accumulation units are purchased in a funding option if the value per unit
is low and less accumulation units are purchased if the value per unit is high.
Therefore, a lower-than-average cost per unit may be achieved over the long run.
 
You may elect automated transfers through written request or other method
acceptable to the Company. You must have a minimum total contract value of
$5,000 to enroll in the Dollar Cost Averaging program. The minimum amount that
may be transferred through this program is $100.
 
You may establish automated transfers of contract values from the Fixed Account,
subject to certain restrictions. Automated transfers from the Fixed Account may
not deplete your Fixed Account Value in less than twelve months from your
enrollment in the Dollar Cost Averaging program.
 
You may start or stop participation in the Dollar Cost Averaging program at any
time, but you must give the Company at least 30 days' notice to change any
automated transfer instructions that are currently in place. All provisions and
terms of the Contract apply to automated transfers, including provisions
relating to the transfer of money between investment options. We reserve the
right to suspend or modify transfer privileges at any time and to assess a
processing fee for this service.
 
                              ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Any time before the maturity date, you may redeem all or any portion of the cash
surrender value, that is, the contract value, less any withdrawal charge,
outstanding loans and any premium tax not previously deducted. You must submit a
written request specifying the fixed or variable funding option(s) from which
amounts are to be withdrawn. If no funding options are specified, the withdrawal
will be made on a pro rata basis. The cash surrender value will be determined as
of the close of business after we receive your surrender request at the Home
Office. The cash surrender value may be more or less than the purchase payments
made depending on the contract value at the time of surrender.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   15
 
We may defer payment of any cash surrender value for a period of up to seven
days after the written request is received, but it is our intent to pay as soon
as possible. We cannot process requests for withdrawal that are not in good
order. We will contact you if there is a deficiency causing a delay and will
advise what is needed to act upon the withdrawal request.
 
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS
 
Beginning in the second contract year, and before the maturity date, you may
choose to withdraw a specified dollar amount (at least $100) on a monthly,
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Any applicable withdrawal charges (on
amounts in excess of the free withdrawal allowance) and any applicable premium
taxes will be deducted. To elect systematic withdrawals, you must have a
contract value of at least $15,000 and you must make the election on the form
provided by the Company. We will surrender accumulation units pro rata from all
funding options in which you have an interest, unless you instruct us otherwise.
You may begin or discontinue systematic withdrawals at any time by notifying us
in writing, but at least 30 days' notice must be given to change any systematic
withdrawal instructions that are currently in place.
 
We reserve the right to discontinue offering systematic withdrawals or to assess
a processing fee for this service upon 30 days' written notice to contract
owners (where allowed by state law).
 
Each systematic withdrawal is subject to federal income taxes on the taxable
portion. In addition, a 10% federal penalty tax may be assessed on systematic
withdrawals if the contract owner is under age 59 1/2. You should consult with
your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of systematic withdrawals.
 
LOANS
 
Loans may be available under your contract. If available, all loan provisions
are described in your contract or loan agreement.
 
                                 DEATH BENEFIT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Before the maturity date, a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary when
either the annuitant, the contract owner or the first of joint owners dies and
there is no contingent annuitant. The death benefit is calculated at the close
of the business day on which the Company's Home Office received due proof of
death and written instructions on the distribution of death benefit proceeds.
 
DEATH PROCEEDS PRIOR TO THE MATURITY DATE
 
WHERE ANNUITANT WAS YOUNGER THAN AGE 67 ON THE CONTRACT DATE AND DIES BEFORE AGE
85:
 
The death benefit payable as of the Death Report Date will be the greatest of
(1), (2) or (3) below, less any applicable premium tax and outstanding loans:
 
        (1) the Contract Value on the Death Report Date;
 
        (2) the total Purchase Payments made under the Contract less the total
            amount of any partial surrenders; or
 
        (3) the maximum of all Step-Up Death Benefit Values (as described below)
            in effect on the Death Report Date which are associated with
            Contract Date anniversaries beginning with the eighth Contract Date
            anniversary, and ending with the last Contract Date anniversary
            occurring on or before the Annuitant's 76th birthday.
 
We must be notified no later than six months from the date of death in order for
Us to make payment of proceeds as described above. Where permitted by state law,
if notification is received more than six months after the date of death, the
Death Benefit payable will be the Contract Value on the Death Report Date less
any applicable premium tax and outstanding loans.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   16
 
WHERE ANNUITANT WAS AGE 67 THROUGH 75 ON THE CONTRACT DATE AND DIES BEFORE AGE
85:
 
The death benefit payable as of the Death Report Date will be the greatest of
(1), (2) or (3) below, less any applicable premium tax, and outstanding loans:
 
        (1) the Contract Value on the Death Report Date;
 
        (2) the total Purchase Payments made under the Contract less the total
            amount of any partial surrenders; or
 
        (3) the Step-Up Death Benefit Value (as described below) in effect on
            the Death Report Date associated with the eighth Contract Date
            Anniversary.
 
We must be notified no later than six months from the date of death in order for
Us to make payment of proceeds as described above. If notification is received
more than six months after the date of death, the Death Benefit payable will be
the Contract Value on the Death Report Date less any applicable premium tax and
any outstanding loans.
 
WHERE ANNUITANT WAS AGE 76 OR OLDER ON THE CONTRACT DATE:
 
The death benefit payable as of the Death Report Date will be the Contract Value
on the Death Report Date, less any applicable premium tax and outstanding loans.
 
WHERE ANNUITANT DIES ON OR AFTER AGE 85:
 
The death benefit payable as of the Death Report Date will be the Contract Value
on the Death Report Date, less any applicable premium tax and outstanding loans.
 
STEP-UP DEATH BENEFIT VALUE:
 
A separate Step-Up Death Benefit Value will be established on the eighth
Contract Date anniversary, and on each Contract Date anniversary thereafter
which occurs on or prior to the Death Report Date and will initially equal the
Contract Value on that anniversary. After a Step-Up Death Benefit Value has been
established, it will be recalculated each time a Purchase Payment is made or a
partial surrender is taken until the Death Report Date. Step-Up Death Benefit
Values will be recalculated by increasing them by the amount of each applicable
Purchase Payment and by reducing them by a Partial Surrender Reduction (as
described below) for each applicable partial surrender. Recalculations of
Step-Up Death Benefit Values related to any Purchase Payments or any partial
surrenders will be made in the order that such Purchase Payments or partial
surrenders occur.
 
The Partial Surrender Reduction referenced above is equal to:
 
        (1) the amount of a Step-Up Death Benefit Value immediately prior to the
            reduction for the partial surrender, multiplied by
 
        (2) the amount of the partial surrender divided by the Contract Value
            immediately prior to the partial surrender.
 
PAYMENT OF PROCEEDS
 
The process of paying death benefit proceeds under various situations is
described below. Generally, the person(s) receiving the benefit may request that
the proceeds be paid in a lump sum, or be applied to one of the settlement
options available under the Contract.
 
DEATH OF ANNUITANT WHO IS THE CONTRACT OWNER. The Company will pay the proceeds
to any surviving joint owner, or if none, the beneficiary(ies), or if none, to
the contract owner's estate.
 
Under a nonqualified contract, the death benefit proceeds must be distributed to
the beneficiary within five years of the contract owner's death. Or, the
beneficiary may elect to receive payments from an annuity which begins within
one year of the contract owner's death and is payable over the life of the
beneficiary over a period not exceeding the beneficiary's life expectancy.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   17
 
If the beneficiary is the contract owner's spouse, he or she may elect to
continue the contract as the new contract owner rather than receiving the
distribution. In such case, the distribution rules applicable when a contract
owner dies generally will apply when that spouse, as contract owner, dies.
 
DEATH OF ANNUITANT WHO IS NOT THE CONTRACT OWNER. In the case of a nonqualified
Contract, if there is no contingent annuitant, the Company will pay the death
proceeds to the beneficiary. However, if there is a contingent annuitant, he or
she becomes the annuitant and the Contract continues in effect (generally using
the original maturity date). The proceeds described above will be paid upon the
death of the last surviving contingent annuitant.
 
ENTITY AS OWNER. In the case of a nonqualified Contract owned by a nonnatural
person (e.g. a trust or another entity), any annuitant will be treated as the
contract owner. Any change in the annuitant will be treated as the death of the
contract owner.
 
DEATH PROCEEDS AFTER THE MATURITY DATE
 
If the death of any contract owner or annuitant occurs on or after the maturity
date, the Company will pay the beneficiary a death benefit consisting of any
benefit remaining under the annuity option then in effect.
 
                               THE ANNUITY PERIOD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
MATURITY DATE
 
Under the Contract, you can receive regular income payments (annuity payments).
You can choose the month and the year in which those payments begin (maturity
date). You can also choose among income plans (annuity or income options) or
elect a lump-sum distribution. We ask you to choose the maturity date and the
annuity option when you purchase the contract. While the annuitant is alive, you
can change your selection any time up to the maturity date. Annuity payments
will begin on the maturity date stated in the Contract unless the Contract has
been fully surrendered or the proceeds have been paid to the beneficiary before
that date. Annuity payments are a series of periodic payments (a) for life; (b)
for life with either a minimum number of payments or a specific amount assured;
or (c) for the joint lifetime of the annuitant and another person, and
thereafter during the lifetime of the survivor. We may require proof that the
annuitant is alive before annuity payments are made.
 
Unless you elect otherwise, the maturity date will be the annuitant's 70th
birthday for qualified contracts or, for nonqualified contracts, the annuitant's
75th birthday, or ten years after the effective date of the contract, if later.
(For Contracts issued in Florida and New York, the maturity date elected may not
be later than the annuitant's 90th birthday.)
 
For nonqualified Contracts, at least 30 days before the original maturity date,
a contract owner may elect to extend the maturity date to any time prior to the
annuitant's 85th birthday or, for qualified Contracts, to a later date with the
Company's consent. Certain annuity options taken at the maturity date may be
used to meet the minimum required distribution requirements of federal tax law,
or a program of partial surrenders may be used instead. These mandatory
distribution requirements take effect generally upon the death of the contract
owner, or with qualified contracts upon either the later of the contract owner's
attainment of age 70 1/2 or year of retirement; or the death of the contract
owner. Independent tax advice should be sought regarding the election of minimum
required distributions.
 
ALLOCATION OF ANNUITY
 
When an annuity option is elected, it may be elected as a variable annuity, a
fixed annuity, or a combination of both. (Variable payouts may not be available
in all states. Refer to your contract.) If, at the time annuity payments begin,
no election has been made to the contrary, the cash
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   18
 
surrender value will be applied to provide an annuity funded by the same
investment options (contract value, in Oregon). At least 30 days before the
maturity date, you may transfer the contract value among the funding options in
order to change the basis on which annuity payments will be determined. (See
"Transfers.")
 
VARIABLE ANNUITY
 
You may choose an annuity payout that fluctuates depending on the investment
experience of the variable funding options. The number of annuity units credited
to the Contract is determined by dividing the first monthly annuity payment
attributable to each funding option by the corresponding annuity unit value as
of 14 days before the date annuity payments begin. An annuity unit is used to
measure the dollar value of an annuity payment. The number of annuity units (but
not their value) remains fixed during the annuity period.
 
DETERMINATION OF FIRST ANNUITY PAYMENT.  The Contract contains tables used to
determine the first monthly annuity payment.  The amount applied to effect a
variable annuity will be the value of the funding options as of 14 days before
the date annuity payments begin less any applicable premium taxes not previously
deducted.
 
The amount of the first monthly payment depends on the annuity option elected. A
formula for determining the adjusted age is contained in the Contract. The total
first monthly annuity payment is determined by multiplying the benefit per
$1,000 of value shown in the tables of the Contract by the number of thousands
of dollars of value of the Contract applied to that annuity option. The Company
reserves the right to require satisfactory proof of age of any person on whose
life annuity payments are based before making the first payment under any of the
payment options.
 
DETERMINATION OF SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT ANNUITY PAYMENTS.  The dollar amount of
the second and subsequent annuity payments is not predetermined and may change
from month to month based on the investment experience of the applicable funding
option. The total amount of each annuity payment will be equal to the sum of the
basic payments in each funding option. The actual amounts of these payments are
determined by multiplying the number of annuity units credited to each funding
option by the corresponding annuity unit value as of the date 14 days before the
date the payment is due.
 
FIXED ANNUITY
 
You may choose a fixed annuity that provides payments which do not vary during
the annuity period. We will calculate the dollar amount of the first fixed
annuity payment as described under "Variable Annuity," except that the amount
applied to effect the annuity will be the cash surrender value, determined as of
the date annuity payments begin. If it would produce a larger payment, the first
fixed annuity payment will be determined using the Life Annuity Tables in effect
on the maturity date.
 
                                PAYMENT OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ELECTION OF OPTIONS
 
While the annuitant is alive, you can change your annuity option selection any
time up to the maturity date. Once annuity payments have begun, no further
elections are allowed.
 
During the annuitant's lifetime, if you do not elect otherwise before the
maturity date, we will pay you (or another designated payee) the first of a
series of monthly annuity payments based on the life of the annuitant, in
accordance with Annuity Option 2 (Life Annuity with 120 monthly payments
assured). For certain qualified contracts, Annuity Option 4 (Joint and Last
Survivor Joint
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   19
 
Life Annuity -- Annuity Reduced on Death of Primary Payee) will be the automatic
option as described in the contract.
 
The minimum amount that can be placed under an annuity option will be $1,000
unless we agree to a lesser amount. If any monthly periodic payment due is less
than $100, the Company reserves the right to make payments at less frequent
intervals, or to pay the contract value in a lump-sum.
 
On the maturity date, we will pay the amount due under the Contract in one lump
sum (except in Florida, where this is not permitted), or in accordance with the
payment option that you select. You must elect an option in writing, in a form
satisfactory to the Company. Any election made during the lifetime of the
annuitant must be made by the contract owner.
 
ANNUITY OPTIONS
 
Subject to the conditions described in "Election of Options" above, all or any
part of the cash surrender value (or, where required by state law, contract
value) may be paid under one or more of the following annuity options. Payments
under the annuity options may be elected on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or
annual basis. We may offer additional options.
 
Option 1 -- Life Annuity -- No Refund. The Company will make annuity payments
during the lifetime of the annuitant ending with the last payment before death.
This option offers the maximum periodic payment, since there is no assurance of
a minimum number of payments or provision for a death benefit for beneficiaries.
 
Option 2 -- Life Annuity with 120, 180 or 240 Monthly Payments Assured. The
Company will make monthly annuity payments during the lifetime of the annuitant,
with the agreement that if, at the death of that person, payments have been made
for less than 120, 180 or 240 months as elected, we will continue making
payments to the beneficiary during the remainder of the period.
 
Option 3 -- Joint and Last Survivor Life Annuity -- No Refund. The Company will
make regular annuity payments during the lifetime of the annuitant and a second
person. When either person dies, we will continue making payments to the
survivor. No further payments will be made following the death of the survivor.
 
Option 4 -- Joint and Last Survivor Life Annuity -- Annuity Reduced on Death of
Primary Payee. The Company will make annuity payments during the lifetimes of
the annuitant and a second person. One will be designated the primary payee, the
other will be designated the secondary payee. On the death of the secondary
payee, the Company will continue to make monthly annuity payments to the primary
payee in the same amount that would have been payable during the joint lifetime
of the two persons. On the death of the primary payee, the Company will continue
to make annuity payments to the secondary payee in an amount equal to 50% of the
payments which would have been made during the lifetime of the primary payee. No
further payments will be made once both payees have died.
 
Option 5 -- Other Annuity Options. The Company will make any other arrangements
for annuity payments as may be mutually agreed upon.
 
INCOME OPTIONS
 
Instead of one of the annuity options described above, and subject to the
conditions described under "Election of Options," all or part of the cash
surrender value (or, where required by state law, contract value) may be paid
under one or more of the following income options, provided that they are
consistent with federal tax law qualification requirements. Payments under the
income options may be elected on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
basis:
 
Option 1 -- Payments of a Fixed Amount. The Company will make equal payments of
the amount elected until the cash surrender value applied under this option has
been exhausted. The first payment and all later payments will be paid from
amounts attributable to each investment option
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   20
 
in proportion to the cash surrender value attributable to each. The final
payment will include any amount insufficient to make another full payment.
 
Option 2 -- Payments for a Fixed Period. The Company will make payments for the
fixed period selected based on the cash surrender value as of the date payments
begin. If, at the death of the annuitant, the total number of fixed payments has
not been made, the payments will be made to the beneficiary.
 
Option 3 -- Other Income Options. The Company will make any other arrangements
for income payments as may be mutually agreed upon.
 
The amount applied to effect an income option will be the cash surrender value
as of the date income payments begin, less any applicable premium taxes not
previously deducted and any applicable withdrawal charge. (Certain states may
have different requirements that we will honor.) The cash surrender value used
to determine the amount of any income payment will be determined on the same
basis as the cash surrender value during the accumulation period, including the
deduction for mortality and expense risks and the contract administrative
expense charge.
 
                       MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACT PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
RIGHT TO RETURN
 
You may return the Contract for a full refund of the contract value (including
charges) within twenty days after you receive it (the "right to return period").
Where state law requires a longer period, the Company will comply. You bear the
investment risk during the right to return period; therefore, the contract value
returned may be greater or less than your purchase payment. If the Contract is
purchased as an Individual Retirement Annuity, and is returned within the first
seven days after delivery, your purchase payment will be refunded in full;
during the remainder of the right to return period, the contract value
(including charges) will be refunded. The contract value will be determined
following the close of the business day on which we receive a written request
for a refund. Refer to your Contract for any state-specific information.
 
TERMINATION
 
You do not need to make any purchase payments after the first to keep the
Contract in effect. However, we reserve the right to terminate the Contract on
any business day if the contract value as of that date is less than $1,000 and
no purchase payments have been made for at least two years, unless otherwise
specified by state law. Termination will not occur until 31 days after the
Company has mailed notice of termination to the contract owner's last known
address and to any assignee of record. If the Contract is terminated, we will
pay you the cash surrender value (contract value less any applicable premium
tax, in the states that so require), less any applicable charges and any
outstanding loans.
 
REQUIRED REPORTS
 
As often as required by law, but at least once in each contract year before the
due date of the first annuity payment, we will furnish a report showing the
number of accumulation units credited to the Contract and the corresponding
accumulation unit value(s) as of the date of the report for each funding option
to which the contract owner has allocated amounts during the applicable period.
The Company will keep all records required under federal or state laws.
 
SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS
 
The Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any payment or
determination of values on any business day (1) when the New York Stock Exchange
("the Exchange") is
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   21
 
closed; (2) when trading on the Exchange is restricted; (3) when an emergency
exists as determined by the SEC so that the sale of securities held in the
Separate Account may not reasonably occur or so that the Company may not
reasonably determine the value the Separate Account's net assets; or (4) during
any other period when the SEC, by order, so permits for the protection of
security holders.
 
TRANSFERS OF CONTRACT VALUES TO OTHER ANNUITIES
 
We may permit contract owners to transfer their contract values into other
annuities offered by us or our affiliated insurance companies under rules then
in effect.
 
                              THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Travelers Separate Account PF II For Variable Annuities ("Separate Account
PF II") was established on July 30, 1997 and is registered with the SEC as a
unit investment trust (separate account) under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The assets of Separate Account PF II will be
invested exclusively in the shares of the variable funding options.
 
The assets of Separate Account PF II are held for the exclusive benefit of the
owners of this separate account, according to the laws of Connecticut. Income,
gains and losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to Separate
Account PF II are, in accordance with the Contracts, credited to or charged
against Separate Account PF II without regard to other income, gains and losses
of the Company. The assets held by Separate Account PF II are not chargeable
with liabilities arising out of any other business which the Company may
conduct. Obligations under the Contract are obligations of the Company.
 
All investment income and other distributions of the funding options are payable
to Separate Account PF II. All such income and/or distributions are reinvested
in shares of the respective funding option at net asset value. Shares of the
funding options are currently sold only to life insurance company separate
accounts to fund variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts.
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
   
From time to time, we may advertise several types of historical performance for
the Contract's funding options. We may advertise the "standardized average
annual total returns" of the funding option, calculated in a manner prescribed
by the SEC, and the "non-standardized total return," as described below. Once
available, specific examples of the performance information will appear in the
SAI.
    

 
STANDARDIZED METHOD.  Quotations of average annual total returns are computed
according to a formula in which a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 is
applied to the funding option, and then related to ending redeemable values over
one-, five-, and ten-year periods, or for a period covering the time during
which the funding option has been in existence, if less. These quotations
reflect the deduction of all recurring charges during each period (on a pro rata
basis in the case of fractional periods). The deduction for the annual
administrative charge ($30) is converted to a percentage of assets based on the
actual fee collected (or anticipated to be collected, if a new product), divided
by the average net assets for Contracts sold (or anticipated to be sold). Each
quotation assumes a total redemption at the end of each period with the
applicable withdrawal charge deducted at that time.
 
NONSTANDARDIZED METHOD.  Nonstandardized "total returns" will be calculated in a
similar manner based on the performance of the funding options over a period of
time, usually for the calendar year-to-date, and for the past one-, three-,
five- and ten-year periods. Nonstandardized total returns will not reflect the
deduction of any withdrawal charge or the $30 annual contract administrative
charge, which, if reflected, would decrease the level of performance shown. The
withdrawal charge is not reflected because the Contract is designed for
long-term investment.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   22
 
For funding options that were in existence prior to the date they became
available under the Separate Account, the standardized total return quotations
may be accompanied by returns showing the investment performance that such
funding options would have achieved (reduced by the applicable charges) had they
been held under the contract for the period quoted. The total return quotations
are based upon historical earnings and are not necessarily representative of
future performance.
 
GENERAL  Within the guidelines prescribed by the SEC and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), performance information may be
quoted numerically or may be presented in a table, graph or other illustration.
Advertisements may include data comparing performance to well-known indices of
market performance (including, but not limited to, the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index and the S&P 400 Index, the Lehman
Brothers Long T-Bond Index, the Russell 1000, 2000 and 3000 Indices, the Value
Line Index, and the Morgan Stanley Capital International's EAFE Index).
Advertisements may also include published editorial comments and performance
rankings compiled by independent organizations (including, but not limited to,
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc.) and publications that
monitor the performance of the Separate Account and the variable funding
options.
 
                           FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The following general discussion of the federal income tax consequences under
this Contract is not intended to cover all situations, and is not meant to
provide tax advice. Because of the complexity of the law and the fact that the
tax results will vary depending on many factors, you should consult your tax
adviser regarding your personal situation. For your information, a more detailed
tax discussion is contained in the SAI.
 
GENERAL TAXATION OF ANNUITIES
 
Congress has recognized the value of saving for retirement by providing certain
tax benefits, in the form of tax deferral, for money put into an annuity. The
Internal Revenue Code (Code) governs how this money is ultimately taxed,
depending upon the type of contract, qualified or non-qualified, and the manner
in which the money is distributed, as briefly described below.
 
TYPES OF CONTRACTS: QUALIFIED OR NONQUALIFIED
 
If you purchase an annuity contract with proceeds of an eligible rollover
distribution from any pension plan, specially sponsored program, or individual
retirement annuity (IRA) with pre-tax dollars, your contract is referred to as a
qualified contract. Some examples of qualified contracts are: IRAs, 403(b)
annuities, pension and profit-sharing plans (including 401(k) plans), Keogh
Plans, and certain other qualified deferred compensation plans. If you purchase
the contract on an individual basis with after-tax dollars and not under one of
the programs described above, your contract is referred to as nonqualified.
 
NONQUALIFIED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
 
As the owner of a nonqualified annuity, you do not receive any tax benefit
(deduction or deferral of income) on purchase payments, but you will not be
taxed on increases in the value of your contract until a distribution
occurs -- either as a withdrawal (distribution made prior to the maturity date),
or as annuity payments. When a withdrawal is made, you are taxed on the amount
of the withdrawal that is considered earnings. Similarly, when you receive an
annuity payment, part of each payment is considered a return of your purchase
payments and will not be taxed. The remaining portion of the annuity payment
(i.e., any earnings) will be considered ordinary income for tax purposes.
 
If a nonqualified annuity is owned by other than an individual, however, (e.g.,
by a corporation), increases in the value of the contract attributable to
purchase payments made after February 28,
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   23
 
1986 are includible in income annually. Furthermore, for contracts issued after
April 22, 1987, if you transfer the contract without adequate consideration all
deferred increases in value will be includible in your income at the time of the
transfer.
 
If you make a partial withdrawal, this money will generally be taxed as first
coming from earnings, (income in the contract), and then from your purchase
payments. These withdrawn earnings are includible in your income. (See "Penalty
Tax for Premature Distributions" below.) There is income in the contract to the
extent the contract value exceeds your investment in the contract. The
investment in the contract equals the total purchase payments you paid less any
amount received previously which was excludible from gross income. Any direct or
indirect borrowing against the value of the contract or pledging of the contract
as security for a loan will be treated as a cash distribution under the tax law.
 
Federal tax law requires that nonqualified annuity contracts meet minimum
mandatory distribution requirements upon the death of the contract owner,
including the first of joint owners. If these requirements are not met, the
surviving joint owner, or the beneficiary, will have to pay taxes prior to
distribution. The distribution required depends, among other things, upon
whether an annuity option is elected or whether the new contract owner is the
surviving spouse. We will administer Contracts in accordance with these rules
and we will notify you when you should begin receiving payments.
 
QUALIFIED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
 
Under a qualified annuity, since amounts paid into the contract have not yet
been taxed, the full amount of all distributions, including lump-sum withdrawals
and annuity payments, are taxed at the ordinary income tax rate unless the
distribution is transferred to an eligible rollover account or contract. The
Contract is available as a vehicle for IRA rollovers and for other qualified
contracts. There are special rules which govern the taxation of qualified
contracts, including withdrawal restrictions, requirements for mandatory
distributions, and contribution limits. We have provided a more complete
discussion in the SAI.
 
PENALTY TAX FOR PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
Taxable distributions taken before the contract owner has reached the age of
59 1/2 will be subject to a 10% additional tax penalty unless the distribution
is taken in a series of periodic distributions, for life or life expectancy, or
unless the distribution follows the death or disability of the contract owner.
Other exceptions may be available in certain qualified plans.
 
DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIABLE ANNUITIES
 
The Code requires that any nonqualified variable annuity contracts based on a
separate account shall not be treated as an annuity for any period if
investments made in the account are not adequately diversified. Final tax
regulations define how separate accounts must be diversified. The Company
monitors the diversification of investments constantly and believes that its
accounts are adequately diversified. The consequence of any failure to diversify
is essentially the loss to the Contract Owner of tax deferred treatment. The
Company intends to administer all contracts subject to this provision of law in
a manner that will maintain adequate diversification.
 
OWNERSHIP OF THE INVESTMENTS
 
Assets in the separate accounts, also referred to as segregated asset accounts,
must be owned by the Company and not by the Contract Owner for federal income
tax purposes. Otherwise, the deferral of taxes is lost and income and gains from
the accounts would be includable annually in the Contract Owner's gross income.
 
The Internal Revenue Service has stated in published rulings that a variable
contract owner will be considered the owner of the assets of a segregated asset
account if the owner possesses an incident of ownership in those assets, such as
the ability to exercise investment control over the assets. The Treasury
Department announced, in connection with the issuance of temporary
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   24
 
regulations concerning investment diversification, that those regulations "do
not provide guidance concerning the circumstances in which investor control of
the investments of a segregated asset account may cause the investor, rather
than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets of the
account." This announcement, dated September 15, 1986, also stated that the
guidance would be issued by way of regulations or rulings on the "extent to
which policyholders may direct their investments to particular subaccounts [of a
segregated asset account] without being treated as owners of the underlying
assets." As of the date of this prospectus, no such guidance has been issued.
 
The Company does not know if such guidance will be issued, or if it is, what
standards it may set. Furthermore, the Company does not know if such guidance
may be issued with retroactive effect. New regulations are generally issued with
a prospective-only effect as to future sales or as to future voluntary
transactions in existing contracts. The Company therefore reserves the right to
modify the contract as necessary to attempt to prevent Contract Owners from
being considered the owner of the assets of the separate account.
 
MANDATORY DISTRIBUTIONS FOR QUALIFIED PLANS
 
Federal tax law requires that minimum annual distributions begin by April 1st of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which an IRA owner attains age
70 1/2. Participants in qualified plans and 403(b) annuities may defer minimum
distributions until the later of April 1st of the calendar year following the
calendar year in which they attain age 70 1/2 or the year of retirement.
Distributions must begin or be continued according to required patterns
following the death of the contract owner or annuitant of both qualified and
nonqualified annuities.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
The Travelers Life and Annuity Company is a stock insurance company chartered in
1973 in Connecticut and continuously engaged in the insurance business since
that time. It is licensed to conduct life insurance business in a majority of
the states of the United States, and intends to seek licensure in the remaining
states, except New York. The Company is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Travelers Group Inc. The Company's Home Office is located at One Tower Square,
Hartford, Connecticut 06183.
 
IMSA
 
The Company is a member of the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association
("IMSA"), and as such may use the IMSA logo and IMSA membership in its
advertisements. Companies that belong to IMSA subscribe to a set of ethical
standards covering the various aspects of sales and service for individually
sold life insurance and annuities. IMSA members have adopted policies and
procedures that demonstrate a commitment to honesty, fairness and integrity in
all customer contacts involving the sale and service of individual life
insurance and annuity products.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
Generally, computer programs were designed without considering the impact of the
upcoming change in the century. As a result, software and computer systems may
need to be upgraded or replaced in order to comply with "Year 2000"
requirements. If not corrected, these computer applications could fail or create
erroneous results by or at the Year 2000. The business, financial condition, and
results of operations of a company could be materially and adversely affected by
the failure of its systems and applications (or those either provided or
operated by third-parties) to properly operate or manage dates beyond the year
1999.
 
The Company has investigated the nature and extent of the work required for our
computer systems to process beyond the turn of the century, and has made
progress toward achieving this
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   25
 
goal, including upgrading and/or replacing existing systems. We are confirming
with our service providers that they are also in the process of replacing or
modifying their systems with the same goal. We expect that our principal systems
will be Year 2000 compliant by early 1999. While these efforts involve
substantial costs, we closely monitor associated costs and continue to evaluate
associated risks based on actual expenses. While it is likely that these efforts
will be successful, if necessary modifications and conversions are not completed
in a timely manner, the Year 2000 requirements could have a material adverse
effect on certain operations of the Company.
 
DISTRIBUTION OF VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
 
The Company intends to sell the Contracts in all jurisdictions where it is
licensed to do business and where the Contract is approved. The Contracts will
be sold by life insurance sales agents who represent the Company, and who are
licensed registered representatives of Primerica Financial Services, Inc. The
compensation paid to sales representatives will not exceed 7.0% of the payments
made under the Contracts.
 
From time to time, the Company may pay or permit other promotional incentives,
in cash, credit or other compensation.
 
Any sales representative or employee will have been qualified to sell variable
annuities under applicable federal and state laws. Each broker-dealer is
registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and all are
members of the NASD. The principal underwriter for the Contracts is Tower Square
Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Company; however, it is currently
anticipated that Travelers Distribution Company, an affiliated broker-dealer,
may become the principal underwriter for the Contracts during 1998.
 
CONFORMITY WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS
 
The Contract is governed by the laws of the state in which it is delivered. Any
paid-up annuity, cash surrender value or death benefits that are available under
the Contract are not less than the minimum benefits required by the statutes of
the state in which the Contract is delivered. We reserve the right to make any
changes, including retroactive changes, in the Contract to the extent that the
change is required to meet the requirements of any law or regulation issued by
any governmental agency to which the Company, the Contract or the contract owner
is subject.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
The Company is the legal owner of the shares of the funding options. However, we
believe that when a funding option solicits proxies in conjunction with a vote
of shareholders we are required to obtain from you and from other owners
instructions on how to vote those shares. When we receive those instructions, we
will vote all of the shares we own in proportion to those instructions. This
will also include any shares we own on our own behalf. Should we determine that
we are no longer required to comply with the above, we will vote on the shares
in our own right.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND OPINIONS
 
There are no pending material legal proceedings affecting the separate account,
the principal underwriter or the Company. Legal matters in connection with the
federal laws and regulations affecting the issue and sale of the Contract
described in this prospectus, as well as the organization of the Company, its
authority to issue variable annuity contracts under Connecticut law and the
validity of the forms of the variable annuity contracts under Connecticut law,
have been passed on by the General Counsel of the Company.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   26
 
                                   APPENDIX A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               THE FIXED ACCOUNT
 
The Fixed Account is secured by part of the general assets of the Company. The
general assets of the Company include all assets of the Company other than those
held in Separate Account PF II or any other separate account sponsored by the
Company or its affiliates.
 
The staff of the SEC does not generally review the disclosure in the prospectus
relating to the Fixed Account. Disclosure regarding the Fixed Account and the
general account may, however, be subject to certain provisions of the federal
securities laws relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in
the prospectus.
 
Under the Fixed Account, the Company assumes the risk of investment gain or
loss, guarantees a specified interest rate, and guarantees a specified periodic
annuity payment. The investment gain or loss of Fund PF II or any of the funding
options does not affect the Fixed Account portion of the contract owner's
contract value, or the dollar amount of fixed annuity payments made under any
payout option.
 
We guarantee that, at any time, 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 below, less any applicable premium taxes or
prior surrenders. If the contract owner effects a surrender, the amount
available from the Fixed Account will be reduced by any applicable withdrawal
charge as described under "Charges and Deductions" in this prospectus.
 
Purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account and any transfers made to the
Fixed Account become part of the Company's general account which supports
insurance and annuity obligations. Neither the general account nor any interest
therein is registered under, nor subject to the provisions of, the Securities
Act of 1933 or Investment Company Act of 1940. We will invest the assets of the
Fixed Account at our discretion. Investment income from such Fixed Account
assets will be allocated to us and to the Contracts participating in the Fixed
Account.
 
Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to us includes compensation
for mortality and expense risks borne by us in connection with Fixed Account
Contracts. The amount of such investment income allocated to the Contracts will
vary from year to year in our sole discretion at such rate or rates as we
prospectively declare from time to time.
 
The initial rate for any allocations into the Fixed Account is guaranteed for
one year from the date of such allocation. Subsequent renewal rates will be
guaranteed for the calendar quarter. We also guarantee that for the life of the
Contract we will credit interest at not less than 3% per year. Any interest
credited to amounts allocated to the Fixed Account in excess of 3% per year will
be determined in our sole discretion. You assume the risk that interest credited
to the Fixed Account may not exceed the minimum guarantee of 3% for any given
year.
 
TRANSFERS
 
You may make transfers from the Fixed Account to any other available variable
funding option(s) twice a year during the 30 days following the semi-annual
anniversary of the contract effective date. The transfers are limited to an
amount of up to 15% of the Fixed Account Value on the semi-annual contract
effective date anniversary. (This restriction does not apply to transfers from
the Dollar Cost Averaging Program.) Amounts previously transferred from the
Fixed Account to other funding options may not be transferred back to the Fixed
Account for a period of at least six months from the date of transfer. We
reserve the right to waive either of these restrictions.
 
Automated transfers from the Fixed Account to any of the funding options may
begin at any time. Automated transfers from the Fixed Account may not deplete
your Fixed Account value in a period of less than twelve months from your
enrollment in the Dollar Cost Averaging Program.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   27
 
                                   APPENDIX B
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
            WAIVER OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGE FOR NURSING HOME CONFINEMENT
 
If, after the first contract year and prior to the maturity date of the
Contract, the annuitant begins confinement in an Eligible Nursing Home, and
remains confined for the qualifying period, you may make a total or partial
withdrawal, subject to the maximum withdrawal amount described below, without
incurring a Withdrawal Charge. In order for the Withdrawal Charge to be waived,
the withdrawal must be made during continued confinement in an Eligible Nursing
Home after the qualifying period has been satisfied, or within sixty (60) days
after such confinement ends. The qualifying period is confinement in an Eligible
Nursing Home for ninety (90) consecutive days. We will require proof of
confinement in a form satisfactory to us, which may include certification by a
licensed physician that such confinement is medically necessary.
 
An Eligible Nursing Home is defined as an institution or special nursing unit of
a hospital which:
 
(a) is Medicare approved as a provider of skilled nursing care services; and
 
(b) is not, other than in name only, an acute care hospital, a home for the
    aged, a retirement home, a rest home, a community living center, or a place
    mainly for the treatment of alcoholism, mental illness or drug abuse.
 
                                       OR
 
Meets all of the following standards:
 
(a) is licensed as a nursing care facility by the state in which it is licensed;
 
(b) is either a freestanding facility or a distinct part of another facility
    such as a ward, wing, unit or swing-bed of a hospital or other facility;
 
(c) provides nursing care to individuals who are not able to care for themselves
    and who require nursing care;
 
(d) provides, as a primary function, nursing care and room and board; and
    charges for these services;
 
(e) care is provided under the supervision of a licensed physician, registered
    nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN);
 
(f) may provide care by a licensed physical, respiratory, occupational or speech
    therapist; and
 
(g) is not, other than in name only, an acute care hospital, a home for the
    aged, a retirement home, a rest home, a community living center, or a place
    mainly for the treatment of alcoholism, mental illness or drug abuse.
 
FILING A CLAIM:  You must provide the Company with written notice of a claim
during continued confinement following completion of the qualifying period, or
within sixty days after such confinement ends.
 
The maximum withdrawal amount available without incurring a Withdrawal Charge is
the contract value on the next valuation date following written proof of claim,
less any purchase payments made within a one year period prior to the date
confinement in an Eligible Nursing Home begins, less any additional purchase
payments made on or after the Annuitant's 71st birthday.
 
Any withdrawal requested which falls under the scope of this waiver will be paid
as soon as we receive proper written proof of your claim, and will be paid in a
lump sum. You should consult with your personal tax adviser regarding the
taxable nature of any withdrawals taken from your contract.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   28
 
                                   APPENDIX C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
The Statement of Additional Information contains more specific information and
financial statements relating to The Travelers Life and Annuity Company. A list
of the contents of the Statement of Additional Information is set forth below:
 
     The Insurance Company
     Principal Underwriter
     Distribution and Management Agreement
     Valuation of Assets
     Performance Information
     Federal Tax Considerations
     Independent Accountants
     Financial Statements
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Copies of the Statement of Additional Information dated April 30, 1998 (Form No.
L-12685S) are available without charge. To request a copy, please clip this
coupon on the dotted line above, enter your name and address in the spaces
provided below, and mail to: The Travelers Life and Annuity Company, PrimElite
Travelers Service Center, One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183-8036.
 
Name:
 
Address:
 
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