IDS LIFE ACCOUNT F
497, 1997-05-06
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PAGE 1
IDS Life Flexible Annuity

Prospectus
May 1, 1997

The Flexible Annuity is an individual deferred  fixed/variable  annuity contract
offered by IDS Life  Insurance  Company  (IDS Life),  a  subsidiary  of American
Express Financial  Corporation (AEFC).  Purchase payments may be allocated among
different  accounts,  providing  variable and/or fixed returns and payouts.  The
annuity is available for qualified and nonqualified retirement plans.

IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ

Sold by:  IDS Life Insurance Company, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN
55440-0010, Telephone: 800-437-0602.

This prospectus contains the information about the variable
accounts that you should know before investing.  Refer to "The
variable accounts" in this prospectus.

The prospectus is accompanied or preceded by the retirement  annuity mutual fund
prospectus for IDS Life aggressive  growth fund, IDS Life  International  Equity
Fund,  IDS Life Capital  Resource  Fund, IDS Life Managed Fund, IDS Life Special
Income Fund, IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund, IDS Life
Global  Yield  Fund  and IDS Life  Income  Advantage  Fund.  Please  read  these
documents carefully and keep them for future reference.

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.

IDS Life is not a financial  institution  and the  securities  it offers are not
deposits  or  obligations  of,  or  guaranteed  or  endorsed  by  any  financial
institution nor are these insured by the federal deposit insurance  corporation,
the federal  reserve  board or any other  agency.  Investments  in this  annuity
involve investment risk including the possible loss of principal.

A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) (incorporated by reference into this
prospectus)  has been filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  (SEC),
and is available  without charge by contacting IDS Life at the telephone  number
above or by  completing  and  sending  the  order  form on the last page of this
prospectus.  The  table  of  contents  of the  SAI is on the  last  page of this
prospectus.




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PAGE 2
Table of contents

Key terms

The Flexible Annuity in brief

Expense summary

Condensed financial information

Financial statements

Performance information

The variable accounts

The funds
IDS Life  Aggressive  Growth  Fund 
IDS Life  International  Equity Fund 
IDS Life Capital  Resource  Fund 
IDS Life Managed  Fund
IDS Life Special  Income Fund
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund
IDS Life Growth  Dimensions Fund 
IDS Life Global Yield Fund
IDS Life Income Advantage Fund

The fixed account

Buying your annuity
The retirement date
Beneficiary
How to make purchase payments

Charges
Contract administrative charge
Mortality and expense risk fee
Surrender charge
Premium taxes

Valuing your investment
Number of units
Accumulation unit value
Net investment factor
Factors that affect variable account
 accumulation units

Making the most of your annuity  
Automated  dollar-cost  averaging  
Transferring money  between  accounts 
Transfer  policies  
How to  request  a  transfer  or a surrender

Surrendering your contract
Surrender policies
Receiving payment when you request a surrender




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PAGE 3

TSA special surrender provisions

Changing ownership

Benefits in case of death

The annuity payout period
Annuity payout plans
Death after annuity payouts begin

Taxes

Voting rights

Distribution of the contracts

About IDS Life
Legal Proceedings

Regular and special reports
Services
Table of contents of the Statement of
 Additional Information



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PAGE 4
Key terms

These terms can help you understand details about your annuity.

Annuity  -  A  contract   purchased  from  an  insurance   company  that  offers
tax-deferred  growth of the investment until earnings are withdrawn and that can
be tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual during retirement.

Accumulation  unit - A measure  of the  value of each  variable  account  before
annuity payouts begin.

Annuitant - The person on whose life or life  expectancy the annuity payouts are
based.

Annuity payouts - An amount paid at regular intervals under one of several plans
available  to the owner  and/or any other  payee.  This  amount may be paid on a
variable or fixed basis or a combination of both.

Annuity unit - A measure of the value of each variable account used to calculate
the annuity payouts.

Beneficiary - The person  designated to receive annuity  benefits in case of the
owner's or annuitant's death.

Close of business - When the New York Stock Exchange  (NYSE) closes,  normally 3
p.m. Central time.

Code - Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Contract value - The total value of your annuity before any applicable surrender
charge and any contract administrative charge have been deducted.

Contract year - A period of 12 months,  starting on the  effective  date of your
contract and on each anniversary of the effective date.

Fixed account - An account to which you may allocate purchase payments.  Amounts
allocated to this account earn interest at rates that are declared  periodically
by IDS Life.

IDS Life - In this  prospectus,  "we,"  "us,"  "our" and "IDS Life" refer to IDS
Life Insurance Company.

Mutual funds (funds) - Nine IDS Life Retirement  Annuity mutual funds, each with
a different  investment  objective.  (See "The  funds.") You may  allocate  your
purchase  payments into variable  accounts  investing in shares of any or all of
these funds.

Owner (you,  your) - The person who controls the annuity  (decides on investment
allocations,  transfers,  payout options,  etc.).  Usually,  but not always, the
owner is also the annuitant.  The owner is responsible for taxes,  regardless of
whether he or she receives the annuity's benefits.



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PAGE 5

Purchase payments - Payments made to IDS Life for an annuity.

Qualified  annuity - An annuity  purchased for a retirement plan that is subject
to applicable federal law and any rules of the plan itself. These plans include:

o Individual  Retirement  Annuities (IRAs) 
o SIMPLE IRAs* 
o Simplified  Employee pension (SEP) plans
o Section 401(k) plans
o  Custodial and trusteed pension and profit-sharing plans
o  Tax-Sheltered Annuities (TSAs)
o  Section 457 plans.

*The Flexible Annuity can be purchased for a SIMPLE IRA only in New
Jersey.

All other annuities are considered nonqualified annuities.

Retirement  date - The date when annuity  payouts are  scheduled to begin.  This
date is first established when you start your contract. You can change it in the
future.

Surrender  charge - A deferred sales charge that may be applied if you surrender
your annuity before the retirement date.

Surrender  value - The amount you are entitled to receive if you surrender  your
annuity.  It is the contract  value minus any  applicable  surrender  charge and
contract administrative charge.

Valuation date - Any normal business day,  Monday through Friday,  that the NYSE
is open.  The  value of each  variable  account  is  calculated  at the close of
business on each valuation date.

Variable  accounts  -  Separate  accounts  to which  you may  allocate  purchase
payments;  each  invests  in  shares of one  mutual  fund.  (See  "The  variable
accounts.") The value of your  investment in each variable  account changes with
the performance of the particular fund.

The Flexible Annuity in brief

Purpose:  The  Flexible  Annuity is  designed to allow you to build up funds for
retirement.  You do this by making one or more investments  (purchase  payments)
that may earn  returns that  increase  the value of the annuity.  Beginning at a
specified future date (the retirement  date),  the annuity provides  lifetime or
other forms of payouts to you or to anyone you designate.

Ten-day free look: You may return your annuity to your financial  advisor or our
Minneapolis  office  within 10 days after it is  delivered  to you and receive a
full refund of the contract  value.  No charges will be deducted.  However,  you
bear the investment risk from the time of purchase until return of the contract;
the refund amount may be more or less than the payment you made. (Exceptions: If
the law so requires, all of your purchase payment will be refunded.)


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PAGE 6
Accounts:  You may allocate your purchase payments among any or all
of:

o  nine  variable  accounts,  each of  which  invests  in  mutual  funds  with a
   particular  investment  objective.  The value of each variable account varies
   with the  performance  of the particular  fund. We cannot  guarantee that the
   value at the  retirement  date  will  equal or exceed  the total of  purchase
   payments allocated to the variable accounts. (p.)

o  one fixed account, which earns interest at rates that are
   adjusted periodically by IDS Life. (p.)

Buying your annuity: Your financial advisor will help you complete and submit an
application.  Applications are subject to acceptance at our Minneapolis  office.
You may buy a  nonqualified  annuity or a qualified  annuity  including  an IRA.
Payment may be made either in a lump sum or installments:

o  Minimum purchase payment - $2,000 ($1,000 for qualified annuities) unless you
   pay in installments by means of a bank authorization or under a group billing
   arrangement such as a payroll deduction.
o  Minimum installment payment - $50 monthly; $23.08 biweekly
   payroll deductions.
o  Maximum first-year payment(s) - $50,000 to $1,000,000 depending
   on your age.
o  Maximum payment for each subsequent year - $50,000.  (p.)

Transfers:  Subject to certain  restrictions,  you may  redistribute  your money
among accounts  without charge at any time until annuity  payouts begin and once
per contract  year among the variable  accounts  thereafter.  You may  establish
automated transfers among the fixed and variable account(s). (p.)

Surrenders: You may surrender all or part of your contract value at
any time before the retirement date.  You also may establish
automated partial surrenders.  Surrenders may be subject to charges
and tax penalties and may have other tax consequences; also,
certain restrictions apply.  (p.)

Changing  ownership:  You may  change  ownership  of a  nonqualified  annuity by
written instruction,  however,  such changes of nonqualified  annuities may have
federal income tax consequences. Certain restrictions apply concerning change of
ownership of a qualified annuity. (p.)

Benefits in case of death:  If you or the annuitant dies before annuity  payouts
begin,  we will pay the  beneficiary  an amount at least  equal to the  contract
value. (p.)

Annuity  payouts:  The contract  value of your  investment  can be applied to an
annuity  payout plan that begins on the  retirement  date. You may choose from a
variety of plans to make sure that payouts  continue as long as they are needed.
If you purchased a qualified annuity, the payout schedule must meet requirements
of the qualified plan. Payouts may be made on a fixed or variable


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PAGE 7

basis, or both. Total monthly payouts include amounts from each variable account
and the fixed account.  During the annuity payout period, you cannot be invested
in more than five variable  accounts at any one time unless we agree  otherwise.
(p.)

Taxes: Generally, your annuity grows tax-deferred until you
surrender it or begin to receive payouts.  (Under certain
circumstances, IRS penalty taxes may apply.)  Even if you direct
payouts to someone else, you will still be taxed on the income if
you are the owner.  (p.)

Charges:  Your  Flexible  Annuity  is  subject to a $6  quarterly  ($24  annual)
contract  administrative  charge,  a 1% mortality  and expense  risk  charge,  a
surrender  charge  and any  premium  taxes that may be imposed by state or local
governments  and  deducted  either  from your  purchase  payments  or upon total
withdrawal or when annuity payouts begin. (p.)

Expense summary

The  purpose  of this  table is to help you  understand  the  various  costs and
expenses associated with your annuity.

You pay no sales charge when you  purchase the annuity.  All costs that you bear
directly or indirectly for the variable accounts and underlying mutual funds are
shown below. Some expenses may vary as explained under "Contract charges."

Owner Expenses*

     Surrender Charge
     (Contingent deferred sales charge as a percentage of new
     purchase payments)

     Purchase payments up to six contract           7%
     years old

     Earnings and purchase payments six years       0%
     old or more

     Annual Contract
     Administrative Charge                       $ 24

Separate Account Annual Expenses
(As a percentage of average daily net assets of the
underlying fund)

     Total Separate Account Annual Expenses         1%
     (Mortality and Expense Risk Fee)




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PAGE 8

Annual Operating  Expenses of Underlying Mutual Funds (Management fees and other
expenses deducted as a percentage of average net assets) <TABLE><CAPTION>
                 IDS Life       IDS Life      IDS Life               IDS Life                 IDS Life    IDS Life   IDS Life
                Aggressive   International    Capital     IDS Life   Special   IDS Life        Growth      Global     Income
                  Growth         Equity       Resource    Managed    Income    Moneyshare    Dimensions    Yield     Advantage
<S>                  <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>

Management fees      .60%           .82%           .60%       .59%       .59%        .50%          .63%       .84%       .63%

Other expenses       .09            .16            .08        .07        .10         .06           .22        .62        .54

Total**              .69%           .98%           .68%       .66%       .69%        .56%          .85%      1.46%      1.17%
</TABLE>
* Premium taxes imposed by some state and local governments are not reflected in
this table.

**Annualized operating expenses of underlying mutual funds at Dec.
31, 1996.
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Example:* You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,  assuming
5% annual return and surrender at the end of each time period:

                 IDS Life       IDS Life      IDS Life               IDS Life                 IDS Life    IDS Life   IDS Life
                Aggressive   International    Capital     IDS Life   Special   IDS Life        Growth      Global     Income
                  Growth         Equity       Resource    Managed    Income    Moneyshare    Dimensions    Yield     Advantage
<S>               <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>
1 year            $88.28         $91.25         $88.17     $87.97     $88.28      $86.94        $89.92     $96.17     $93.20

3 years           126.58         135.60         126.27     125.65     126.58      122.53        131.56     150.39     141.47

5 years           167.36         182.53         166.84     165.78     167.36      160.51        175.75     207.23     192.37

10 years          211.18         242.19         210.10     207.92     211.18      196.99        228.40     291.61     262.03

You  would  pay the  following  expenses  on the  same  investment  assuming  no
surrender or selection of an annuity payout plan at the end of each time period:

                 IDS Life       IDS Life      IDS Life               IDS Life                 IDS Life    IDS Life   IDS Life
                Aggressive   International    Capital     IDS Life   Special   IDS Life        Growth      Global     Income
                  Growth         Equity       Resource    Managed    Income    Moneyshare    Dimensions    Yield     Advantage

1 year            $18.28         $21.25         $18.17     $17.97     $18.28      $16.94        $19.92     $26.17     $23.20

3 years            56.58          65.60          56.27      55.65      56.58       52.53         61.56      80.39      71.47

5 years            97.36         112.53          96.84      95.78      97.36       90.51        105.75     137.23     122.37

10 years          211.18         242.19         210.10     207.92     211.18      196.99        228.40     291.61     262.03
</TABLE>
This  example  should  not be  considered  a  representation  of past or  future
expenses. Actual expenses may be more or less than those shown.

* In this example, the $24 annual contract administrative charge is approximated
as a .093% charge based on our average contract size.



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PAGE 9

Condensed financial information
(unaudited)

The following tables give per-unit  information  about the financial  history of
each variable account.

Years Ended Dec. 31,
<TABLE><CAPTION>
                              1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987

                                       Account F (investing in shares of Capital Resource Fund)

 <S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Accumulation unit              $6.25     $4.94     $4.93     $4.82     $4.67     $3.22     $3.23     $2.57     $2.31     $2.07
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $6.67     $6.25     $4.94     $4.93     $4.82     $4.67     $3.22     $3.23     $2.57     $2.31
at end of period

Number of accumulation       628,555   641,903   576,724   488,632   402,977   309,984   242,767   204,645   186,639   180,907
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%
expense to average
net assets

                                    Account IZ1 (investing in shares of International Equity Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.38     $1.25     $1.29     $0.98     $1.00      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.49     $1.38     $1.25     $1.29     $0.98      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
at end of period

Number of accumulation     1,220,486  1,088,874  913,364   405,536    69,874      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
expense to average
net assets

                                      Account JZ2 (investing in shares of Aggressive Growth Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.46     $1.12     $1.21     $1.08     $1.00      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.68     $1.46     $1.12     $1.21     $1.08      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
at end of period

Number of accumulation     1,172,793  1,007,976  780,423   347,336   115,574      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
expense to average
net assets
</TABLE>
1 Account IZ commenced operations on Jan. 13, 1992.
2 Account JZ commenced operations on Jan. 13, 1992.



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PAGE 10
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               1996      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987

                                        Account G (investing in shares of Special Income Fund)


<S>                            <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Accumulation unit              $4.59     $3.80     $3.99     $3.48     $3.21     $2.76     $2.67     $2.48     $2.27     $2.27
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $4.86     $4.59     $3.80     $3.99     $3.48     $3.21     $2.76     $2.67     $2.48     $2.27
at end of period

Number of accumulation       362,167   393,697   361,640   405,429   330,000   270,858   236,926   222,248   175,878   170,241
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%
expense to average
net assets

                                          Account H (investing in shares of Moneyshare Fund)

Accumulation unit              $2.27     $2.18     $2.12     $2.09     $2.04     $1.95     $1.82     $1.69     $1.59     $1.51
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $2.37     $2.27     $2.18     $2.12     $2.09     $2.04     $1.95     $1.82     $1.69     $1.59
at end of period

Number of accumulation        89,632   102,568    84,475    74,935   102,277   126,489   139,005   108,690    63,005    51,578
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%
expense to average
net assets

Simple yield3                  3.84%     4.10%     4.39%     1.89%     1.76%     3.26%     6.25%     6.81%     7.30%     5.72%

Compound yield3                3.92%     4.18%     4.49%     1.90%     1.77%     3.31%     6.44%     7.04%     7.57%     5.88%

                                            Account N (investing in shares of Managed Fund)

Accumulation unit              $2.56     $2.09     $2.21     $1.98     $1.86     $1.45     $1.42     $1.14     $1.06     $1.01
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $2.97     $2.56     $2.09     $2.21     $1.98     $1.86     $1.45     $1.42     $1.14     $1.06
at end of period

Number of accumulation     1,200,004 1,212,021 1,127,834   910,254   650,797   496,554   400 961   331,315   325,918   321,395
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%     1.00%
expense to average
net assets

3 Net of annual  contract  administrative  charge and mortality and expense risk
fee.



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PAGE 11

                                        Account KZ4 (investing in shares of Global Yield Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.00      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.07      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
at end of period

Number of accumulation        24,878      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
expense to average
net assets

                                      Account LZ4 (investing in shares of Income Advantage Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.00      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.05      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
at end of period

Number of accumulation        59,939      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
expense to average
net assets

                                      Account MZ4 (investing in shares of Growth Dimensions Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.00      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.11      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
at end of period

Number of accumulation       350,598      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating             1.00%      ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---
expense to average
net assets

4 Accounts KZ, LZ and MZ commenced operations on April 30, 1996.
</TABLE>
Financial statements

The SAI dated May 1, 1997, contains:

o       complete audited financial statements of the variable accounts
        including:
        -      statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1996;
        -      statements of operations for the year ended Dec. 31,
               1996, except for IDS Life Accounts KZ, LZ and MZ which
               are for the period April 30, 1996 (commencement of
               operations) to Dec. 31, 1996; and
        -      statements of changes in net assets for the years ended
               Dec. 31, 1996 and Dec. 31, 1995, except for IDS Life
               Accounts KZ, LZ and MZ which are for the period April 30,
               1996 (commencement of operations) to Dec. 31, 1996.




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PAGE 12

o       complete audited financial statements for IDS Life including:
        -      consolidated balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1996 and Dec.
               31, 1995; and
        -      related consolidated statements of income, stockholder's
               equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
               period ended Dec. 31, 1996.

Performance information

Performance  information for the variable  accounts may appear from time to time
in advertisements or sales literature.  In all cases, such information  reflects
the  performance of a hypothetical  investment in a particular  account during a
particular time period.
Calculations are performed as follows:

Simple yield - Account H (investing  in  Moneyshare  Fund):  Income over a given
seven-day  period  (not  counting  any  change  in  the  capital  value  of  the
investment) is annualized (multiplied by 52) by assuming that the same income is
received for 52 weeks. This annual income is then stated as an annual percentage
return on the investment.

Compound  yield - Account H:  Calculated  like simple yield,  except that,  when
annualized,  the income is assumed to be  reinvested.  Compounding of reinvested
returns increases the yield as compared to a simple yield.

Yield - For accounts  investing in income funds:  Net investment  income (income
less expenses) per accumulation  unit during a given 30-day period is divided by
the value of the unit on the last day of the period.  The result is converted to
an annual percentage.

Average annual total return:  Expressed as an average annual  compounded rate of
return of a hypothetical  investment over a period of one, five and 10 years (or
up to the life of the  account  if it is less than 10 years  old).  This  figure
reflects   deduction  of  all   applicable   charges,   including  the  contract
administrative  charge,  mortality  and expense risk fee and  surrender  charge,
assuming a surrender at the end of the illustrated period.

Optional average annual total return  quotations may be made that do not reflect
a surrender charge deduction (assuming no surrender).

Aggregate  total return:  Represents  the  cumulative  change in the value of an
investment over a specified  period of time  (reflecting  change in an account's
accumulation  unit value).  The calculation  assumes  reinvestment of investment
earnings and reflects the  deduction of all  applicable  charges,  including the
contract  administrative  charge,  mortality  and expense risk fee and surrender
charge,  assuming a surrender  at the end of the  illustrated  period.  Optional
aggregate  total return  quotations  may be made that do not reflect a surrender
charge deduction (assuming no surrender). Aggregate total return may be shown by
means of schedules, charts or graphs.




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PAGE 13

Performance  information  should  be  considered  in  light  of  the  investment
objectives  and policies,  characteristics  and quality of the fund in which the
account  invests and the market  conditions  during the given time period.  Such
information is not intended to indicate future  performance.  Because advertised
yields and total return figures include all charges attributable to the annuity,
which has the effect of decreasing advertised  performance,  account performance
should not be compared to that of mutual funds that sell their  shares  directly
to the  public.  (See  the SAI for a  further  description  of  methods  used to
determine yield and total return for the accounts.)

If you would like additional information about actual performance,  contact your
financial advisor.

The variable accounts

Purchase  payments can be allocated to any or all of the variable  accounts that
invest in shares of the following funds:

                                 IDS Life Account    Established

IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund         JZ           Sept. 20, 1991
IDS Life International Equity Fund      IZ           Sept. 20, 1991
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund          F            May 13, 1981
IDS Life Managed Fund                   N            April 17, 1985
IDS Life Special Income Fund            G            May 13, 1981
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                H            May 13, 1981
IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund         MZ           April 2, 1996
IDS Life Global Yield Fund              KZ           April 2, 1996
IDS Life Income Advantage Fund          LZ           April 2, 1996

Each variable  account meets the definition of a separate  account under federal
securities  laws.  Income,  capital gains and capital losses of each account are
credited or charged to that account alone.  No variable  account will be charged
with liabilities of any other account or of our general business.  Each variable
account's  net assets are held in relation to the  contracts  described  in this
prospectus as well as other  variable  annuity  contracts that we issue that are
not described in this  prospectus.  All obligations  arising under the contracts
are general obligations of IDS Life.

All variable  accounts were  established  under Minnesota law and are registered
together as a single unit investment  trust under the Investment  Company Act of
1940 (the 1940 Act). This  registration  does not involve any supervision of our
management or investment practices and policies by the SEC.

The funds

IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund
Objective: capital appreciation.  Invests primarily in common stock
of small- and medium-size companies.  The fund also may invest in
warrants or debt securities or in large well-established companies
when the portfolio manager believes such investments offer the best
opportunity for capital appreciation.




<PAGE>



PAGE 14

IDS Life International Equity Fund
Objective:  capital  appreciation.  Invests primarily in common stock of foreign
issuers and foreign securities  convertible into common stock. The fund also may
invest in certain  international  bonds if the portfolio  manager  believes they
have a greater potential for capital appreciation than equities.

IDS Life Capital Resource Fund
Objective: capital appreciation.  Invests primarily in U.S. common
stocks and other securities convertible into common stock,
diversified over many different companies in a variety of
industries.

IDS Life Managed Fund
Objective: maximum total investment return.  Invests primarily in
U.S. common stocks, securities convertible into common stock,
warrants, fixed income securities (primarily high-quality corporate
bonds) and money-market instruments.  The fund invests in many
different companies in a variety of industries.

IDS Life Special Income Fund
Objective: to provide a high level of current income while
conserving the value of the investment for the longest time period.
Invests primarily in high-quality, lower-risk corporate bonds
issued by many different companies in a variety of industries and
in government bonds.

IDS Life Moneyshare Fund
Objective:  maximum current income consistent with liquidity and conservation of
capital.   Invests  in  high-quality  money  market  securities  with  remaining
maturities of 13 months or less.  The fund also will maintain a  dollar-weighted
average portfolio  maturity not exceeding 90 days. The fund attempts to maintain
a constant net asset value of $1 per share.

IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund
Objective: long-term growth of capital.  Invests primarily in
common stocks of U.S. and foreign companies showing potential for
significant growth.

IDS Life Global Yield Fund
Objective: high total return through income and growth of capital.
Invests primarily in a non-diversified portfolio of debt securities
of U.S. and foreign issuers.

IDS Life Income Advantage Fund
Objective: high current income, with capital growth as a secondary
objective.  Invests in long-term, high-yielding, high-risk debt
securities below investment grade issued by U.S. and foreign
corporations.

More  comprehensive  information  regarding  each fund is  contained in the fund
prospectus. You should read the fund prospectus and consider carefully, and on a
continuing  basis,  which fund or  combination  of funds is best  suited to your
long-term investment needs. There is no assurance that the investment objectives
of the funds will be attained nor is there any guarantee that the contract



<PAGE>



PAGE 15

value will  equal or exceed the total  purchase  payments  made.  Some funds may
involve more risk than others -- please monitor your investments accordingly.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations  relating to the
diversification  requirements under Section 817(h) of the Code. Each mutual fund
intends to comply with these requirements.

The U.S.  Treasury and the IRS have indicated  that they may provide  additional
guidance  concerning  how many  variable  accounts  may be offered  and how many
exchanges among variable  accounts may be allowed before the owner is considered
to have  investment  control and thus is currently taxed on income earned within
variable  account  assets.  We do not  know at this  time  what  the  additional
guidance  will be or when action  will be taken.  We reserve the right to modify
the  contract,  as  necessary,  to ensure  that the owner will not be subject to
current taxation as the owner of the variable account assets.

We intend to  comply  with all  federal  tax laws to  ensure  that the  contract
continues to qualify as an annuity for federal  income tax purposes.  We reserve
the right to modify the contract as necessary to comply with any new tax laws.

IDS Life is the investment  manager and AEFC is the investment  advisor for each
of the funds. IDS International, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEFC, is the
sub-investment advisor for International Equity Fund. The investment manager and
advisors cannot guarantee that the funds will meet their investment  objectives.
Please  read  the  Retirement   Annuity  Mutual  Fund  prospectus  for  complete
information on investment risks, deductions, expenses and other facts you should
know before investing.  It is available by contacting IDS Life at the address or
telephone  number  on the  front  of this  prospectus,  or from  your  financial
advisor.

The fixed account

Purchase payments may also be allocated to the fixed account.  The cash value of
the fixed  account  increases as interest is credited to the  account.  Purchase
payments and transfers to the fixed account  become part of the general  account
of IDS Life, the company's main portfolio of  investments.  Interest is credited
daily and  compounded  annually.  We may change the interest  rates from time to
time.

Because of exemptive and exclusionary provisions, interests in the fixed account
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act), nor is the
fixed  account   registered  as  an  investment  company  under  the  1940  Act.
Accordingly,  neither the fixed  account nor any  interests in it are  generally
subject to the  provisions  of the 1933 or 1940 Acts,  and we have been  advised
that the staff of the SEC has not reviewed the  disclosures  in this  prospectus
that relate to the fixed account. Disclosures regarding



<PAGE>



PAGE 16

the fixed  account,  however,  may be subject to  certain  generally  applicable
provisions  of  the  federal  securities  laws  relating  to  the  accuracy  and
completeness of statements made in prospectuses.

Buying your annuity

Your  financial  advisor will help you prepare and submit your  application  and
send it along with your initial purchase payment to our Minneapolis  office.  As
the owner,  you have all rights and may receive all benefits under the contract.
The annuity can be owned in joint tenancy only in spousal situations. You cannot
buy an annuity or be an annuitant if you are 91 or older. (In Pennsylvania,  the
annuitant must be under age 79.) Please  remember that  investment  performance,
expenses and deduction of certain charges affect accumulation unit value.

When you apply, you can select:
o       the account(s) in which you want to invest;
o       how you want to make purchase payments;
o       the date you want to start receiving annuity payouts (the
        retirement date); and
o       a beneficiary.

If your  application  is complete,  we will  process it and apply your  purchase
payment to your  account(s)  within two business days after we receive it at our
Minneapolis  office.  If  your  application  is  accepted,  we will  send  you a
contract.  If we cannot accept your  application  within five business  days, we
will  decline it and return your  payment.  We will credit  additional  purchase
payments to your  account(s) at the next close of business  after we receive and
accept your payments at our Minneapolis office.

The retirement date
Upon processing your  application,  we will establish the retirement date to the
maximum age or date as  specified  below.  You can also select a date within the
maximum limits. This date can be aligned with your actual retirement from a job,
or it can be a different  future date,  depending on your needs and goals and on
certain restrictions. You can also change the date, provided you send us written
instructions at least 30 days before annuity payouts begin.

For nonqualified annuities, the retirement date must be:

o       no earlier than the 60th day after the contract's effective
        date; and
o       no later than the annuitant's 85th birthday (or before the
        10th contract anniversary, if purchased after age 75).

For  qualified  annuities,  to avoid IRS  penalty  taxes,  the  retirement  date
generally must be:

o       on or after the date the annuitant reaches age 59 1/2;
o       for IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and SEPs, by April 1 of the year
        following the calendar year when the annuitant reaches age 70
        1/2; and



<PAGE>



PAGE 17

o       for all other qualified annuities,  by April 1 of the year following the
        calendar  year  when the  annuitant  reaches  age 70 1/2,  or if  later,
        retires; except that 5% business owners may not select a retirement date
        that is later than April 1 of the year  following the calendar year when
        they reach age 70 1/2.

If you are taking the minimum IRA or TSA  distributions  as required by the Code
from another tax-qualified  investment or in the form of partial surrenders from
this annuity, annuity payouts can start as late as the annuitant's 85th birthday
or the 10th contract anniversary.

Certain restrictions on retirement dates apply to participants in
the Texas Optional Retirement Program.  (See "Special surrender
provisions.")

Beneficiary
If death  benefits  become  payable  before  the  retirement  date,  your  named
beneficiary will receive all or part of the contract value. If there is no named
beneficiary,  then you or your estate will be the beneficiary. (See "Benefits in
case of death" for more about beneficiaries.)

Purchase payments

Minimum purchase payment

If single payment:

Nonqualified:      $2,000
Qualified:         $1,000

If installment payments:

$50 monthly; $23.08 biweekly

Installments must total at least $600 in the first year.*

*If you make no purchase payments for 24 months and your previous payments total
$600 or less, we have the right to give you 30 days' written  notice and pay you
the total  value of your  contract  in a lump sum.  This right does not apply to
contracts sold to New Jersey residents.

Minimum additional purchase payment(s):       $50; $23.08 biweekly

Maximum first-year payment(s):

This maximum is based on your age or age of the annuitant (whomever is older) on
the effective date of the contract.

Up to age 75           $1 million
76 to 85               $500,000
86 to 90               $50,000

Maximum payment for each subsequent year:     $50,000**



<PAGE>



PAGE 18

**These  limits apply in total to all IDS Life annuities you own. We reserve the
right to increase maximum limits or reduce age limits.  For qualified  annuities
the qualified plan's limits on annual contributions also apply.

How to make purchase payments

1    By letter

Send your check along with your name and account number to:

Regular mail:

IDS Life Insurance Company
Box 74
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0074

Express mail:

IDS Life Insurance Company
733 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55402

2    By scheduled payment plan

Your financial advisor can help you set up:

o  an automatic payroll deduction, salary reduction or other group
   billing arrangement; or
o  a bank authorization.

Charges

Contract administrative charge
This fee is for establishing and maintaining your records. We deduct $6 from the
contract  value at the end of each  contract  quarter (each  three-month  period
measured from the effective  date of your  contract).  This equates to an annual
charge of $24.

If you surrender  your  contract,  the quarterly  charge will be deducted at the
time of surrender.  The quarterly  charge cannot be increased and does not apply
after annuity payouts begin.

Mortality and expense risk fee
This fee is to cover the mortality risk and expense risk and is applied daily to
the variable  accounts and  reflected  in the unit values of the  accounts.  The
variable  accounts pay this fee at the time that dividends are distributed  from
the funds in which they  invest.  Annually,  the fee  totals 1% of the  variable
accounts' average daily net assets.  Approximately  two-thirds of this amount is
for our  assumption  of mortality  risk and  one-third is for our  assumption of
expense risk. This fee does not apply to the fixed account.

Mortality  risk arises  because of our  guarantee to pay a death benefit and our
guarantee to make annuity  payouts  according to the terms of the  contract,  no
matter how long a specific annuitant


<PAGE>



PAGE 19

lives and no matter how long the entire group of IDS Life  annuitants  live. If,
as a group,  IDS Life annuitants  outlive the life expectancy we have assumed in
our actuarial  tables,  then we must take money from our general  assets to meet
our  obligations.  If, as a group,  IDS Life  annuitants  do not live as long as
expected, we could profit from the mortality risk fee.

Expense  risk  arises  because  the  contract  administrative  charge  cannot be
increased and may not cover our  expenses.  Any deficit would have to be made up
from our general assets.

We may use any profits  realized from the mortality and expense risk fee for any
proper  corporate  purpose,  including,  among others,  payment of  distribution
(selling) expenses. We do not expect that the surrender charge, discussed in the
following paragraphs, will cover sales and distribution expenses.

Surrender charge
A  surrender  charge of 7% applies on each  purchase  payment  you make.  We may
deduct this  surrender  charge if you  request a  surrender  within six years of
making that purchase payment.  The surrender amount you request is determined by
drawing from your total contract value in the following order:

1) First we surrender any contract earnings (contract value minus
all purchase payments received and not previously surrendered).
There is no surrender charge on contract earnings.  Note:  Contract
earnings are determined by looking at the entire contract value,
not the earnings of any particular variable or the fixed account.

2) Next, if necessary,  we surrender amounts representing  purchase payments six
contract years old or more and not previously surrendered. There is no surrender
charge on these old purchase payments.

3) Finally, if necessary, we surrender amounts representing purchase payments up
to six contract years old and not previously surrendered.  A surrender charge of
7% applies to any amount surrendered from these new purchase payments.

The surrender charge is calculated so that the total amount  surrendered,  minus
any surrender charge, equals the amount you request:

o  for a total surrender,  the surrender charge equals the amount withdrawn from
   amounts representing new purchase payments times 7%; and
o  for a partial  surrender,  the surrender  charge equals the amount  withdrawn
   from amounts representing new purchase payments divided by 0.93 times 7%;

Example of surrender charge on new purchase payments:

you request..............$1,000 partial surrender = $1,075.27
                                    .93




<PAGE>



PAGE 20

Total amount surrendered.........$1,075.27
                                  X   0.07
Total surrender charge...........$   75.27

There are no surrender charges for:

o       amounts surrendered after the later of the annuitant attaining
        age 65 or the 10th contract anniversary (except in Washington
        and Oregon);
o       contracts settled using an annuity payout plan; and
o       death benefits.

Other information on charges: AEFC makes certain custodial services available to
some  custodial and trusteed  pension and profit  sharing plans and 401(k) plans
funded by IDS Life annuities.  Fees for these services start at $30 per calendar
year per  participant.  A  termination  fee for owners  under age 59 1/2 will be
charged (fee waived in case of death or disability).

Possible group  reductions:  In some cases (for example,  an employer making the
annuity available to employees) lower sales and  administrative  expenses may be
incurred due to the size of the group,  the average  contribution and the use of
group  enrollment  procedures.  In  such  cases,  we may be able  to  reduce  or
eliminate the contract administrative and surrender charges.  However, we expect
this to occur infrequently.

Premium taxes
Certain state and local  governments  impose  premium taxes (up to 3.5%).  These
taxes  are  dependent  upon the  state of  residence  or the  state in which the
contract was sold and are deducted as applicable.  In some cases,  premium taxes
are deducted from your purchase  payments  before they are  allocated.  In other
cases,  the deduction is made when you  surrender  your contract or when annuity
payouts begin.

Valuing your investment

Here is how your accounts are valued:

Fixed account: The amounts allocated to the fixed account are valued directly in
dollars and equal the sum of your purchase payments,  plus interest earned, less
any amounts  surrendered or transferred  (including the contract  administrative
charge).

Variable accounts: Amounts allocated to the variable accounts are converted into
accumulation  units.  Each time you make a purchase  payment or transfer amounts
into one of the variable  accounts,  a certain number of accumulation  units are
credited to your  contract for that  account.  Conversely,  each time you take a
partial surrender,  transfer amounts out of a variable account or are assessed a
contract  administrative  charge,  a certain  number of  accumulation  units are
subtracted from your contract.




<PAGE>



PAGE 21

The accumulation  units are the true measure of investment value in each account
during the  accumulation  period.  They are related to, but not the same as, the
net asset value of the underlying  fund.  The dollar value of each  accumulation
unit can rise or fall  daily  depending  on the  performance  of the  underlying
mutual  fund  and on  certain  fund  expenses.  Here  is  how  unit  values  are
calculated:

Number of units
To  calculate  the number of  accumulation  units for a particular  account,  we
divide your  investment  after  deduction of any premium  taxes,  by the current
accumulation unit value.

Accumulation unit value
The current  accumulation  unit value for each variable  account equals the last
value times the account's current net investment factor.

Net investment factor
o  Determined  each business day by adding the underlying  mutual fund's current
   net asset value per share,  plus per share amount of any current  dividend or
   capital gain distribution; then
o  dividing that sum by the previous net asset value per share; and
o  subtracting the percentage factor representing the mortality and
   expense risk fee from the result.

Because the net asset value of the  underlying  mutual fund may  fluctuate,  the
accumulation unit value may increase or decrease.  You bear this investment risk
in a variable account.

Factors that affect variable account  accumulation  units Accumulation units may
change in two ways; in number and in value.  Here are the factors that influence
those changes:

The number of accumulation units you own may fluctuate due to:

o  additional purchase payments allocated to the variable
   account(s);
o transfers  into or out of the variable  account(s);  o partial  surrenders;  
o surrender charges; and/or o contract administrative charges.

Accumulation unit values may fluctuate due to:

o changes in underlying mutual fund(s) net asset value; 
o dividends  distributed to the  variable  account(s); 
o capital  gains or losses of  underlying  mutual funds; 
o mutual fund  operating  expenses;  and/or o mortality and expense risk fees.

Making the most of your annuity

Automated dollar-cost averaging
You can use  automated  transfers  to take  advantage of  dollar-cost  averaging
(investing a fixed amount at regular intervals).  For example,  you might have a
set amount transferred monthly from a relatively  conservative  variable account
to a more aggressive one or to several others.


<PAGE>



PAGE 22

This systematic  approach can help you benefit from fluctuations in accumulation
unit values  caused by  fluctuations  in the market  value(s) of the  underlying
mutual fund(s).  Since you invest the same amount each period, you automatically
acquire more units when the market value falls,  fewer units when it rises.  The
potential  effect is to lower the average cost per unit.  For specific  features
contact your financial advisor.

How dollar-cost averaging works

         Amount      Accumulation    Number of units
Month    invested    unit value      purchased

Jan      $100          $20           5.00
Feb       100           18           5.56
March     100           17           5.88
April     100           15           6.67
May       100           16           6.25
June      100           18           5.56
July      100           17           5.88
Aug       100           19           5.26
Sept      100           21           4.76
Oct       100           20           5.00

(footnotes to table) By investing an equal number of dollars each
month...

(arrow in table pointing to April) you automatically buy more units when the per
unit market price is low...

(arrow in table  pointing to September) and fewer units when the per unit market
price is high.

You have paid an average price of only $17.91 per unit over the 10 months, while
the average market price actually was $18.10.

Dollar-cost  averaging does not guarantee that any variable subaccount will gain
in value,  nor will it protect against a decline in value if market prices fall.
Because  this  strategy  involves  continuous   investing,   your  success  with
dollar-cost  averaging  will depend upon your  willingness to continue to invest
regularly through periods of low price levels.  Dollar-cost  averaging can be an
effective way to help meet your long-term goals.

Transferring money between accounts
You may transfer  money from any one account,  including the fixed  account,  to
another before the annuity  payouts begin. If we receive your request before the
close of business,  we will  process it that day.  Requests  received  after the
close of business will be processed  the next  business day.  There is no charge
for transfers.  Before making a transfer, you should consider the risks involved
in switching investments.

We may suspend or modify transfer  privileges at any time. Certain  restrictions
apply to transfers involving the fixed account.




<PAGE>



PAGE 23

Transfer policies
o  You may transfer contract values between the variable  accounts,  or from the
   variable  account(s) to the fixed account at any time.  However,  if you have
   made a transfer  from the fixed account to the variable  account(s),  you may
   not make a transfer (including automated transfers) from any variable account
   back to the fixed account until the next contract anniversary.

o  You may  transfer  contract  values  from the fixed  account to the  variable
   account(s)  once a year  during a 31-day  transfer  period  starting  on each
   contract anniversary (except for automated transfers, which can be set up for
   transfer periods of your choosing subject to certain minimums).

o  If we receive  your  transfer  request  within 30 days  before  the  contract
   anniversary  date,  the  transfer  from the  fixed  account  to the  variable
   account(s) will be effective on the anniversary.

o  If  we  receive  your  request  on or  within  30  days  after  the  contract
   anniversary  date,  the  transfer  from the  fixed  account  to the  variable
   account(s) will be effective on the day we receive it.

o  We will not accept requests for transfers from the fixed account at any other
   time.

o  Once annuity  payouts  begin,  no transfers  may be made to or from the fixed
   account,  but transfers may be made once per contract year among the variable
   accounts.  During the annuity payout  period,  you cannot be invested in more
   than five variable accounts at any one time unless we agree otherwise.

How to request a transfer or a surrender

1    By letter

Send  your  name,   account   number,   Social   Security   Number  or  Taxpayer
Identification Number and signed request for a transfer or surrender to:

Regular mail:
IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0010

Express mail:
IDS Life Insurance Company
733 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55402

Minimum amount
Mail transfers:        $250 or entire account balance
Mail surrenders:       $250 or entire account balance

Maximum amount
Mail transfers:        None (up to contract value)
Mail surrenders:       None (up to contract value)



<PAGE>



PAGE 24

2    By phone

Call between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time:

1-800-437-0602 (toll free) or
(612) 671-4738 (Minneapolis/St. Paul area)

TTY service for the hearing impaired:

1-800-285-8846 (toll free)

Minimum amount
Phone transfers:       $250 or entire account balance
Phone surrenders:      $250 or entire account balance

Maximum amount
Phone transfers:       None (up to contract value)
Phone surrenders:      $50,000

We answer phone requests  promptly,  but you may experience delays when the call
volume  is  unusually  high.  If you are  unable  to get  through,  use the mail
procedure as an alternative.

We will  honor any  telephone  transfer  or  surrender  request  believed  to be
authentic  and will use  reasonable  procedures  to confirm that they are.  This
includes  asking  identifying  questions and tape  recording  calls. A telephone
surrender will not be allowed within 30 days of a phoned-in  address change.  As
long as these procedures are followed,  neither IDS Life nor its affiliates will
be liable for any loss resulting from fraudulent requests.

Telephone transfers or surrenders are automatically  available.  You may request
that telephone  transfers or surrenders  not be authorized  from your account by
writing IDS Life.

3    By automated transfers and automated partial surrenders

o  Your  financial  advisor can help you set up automated  transfers  among your
   accounts or partial surrenders from the accounts.

You can start or stop this service by written request or other method acceptable
to IDS Life. You must allow 30 days for IDS Life to change any instructions that
are currently in place.

o  Automated  transfers from the fixed to variable  account(s) may not exceed an
   amount that, if continued, would deplete the fixed account within 12 months.

o  Automated  transfers and automated  partial  surrenders are subject to all of
   the contract  provisions  and terms,  including  transfer of contract  values
   between  accounts.  Automated  surrenders may be restricted by applicable law
   under some contracts.

o  You may not make additional purchase payments if automated
   partial surrenders are in effect.

o  Automated partial  surrenders may result in IRS taxes and penalties on all or
   part of the amount surrendered.


<PAGE>



PAGE 25

Minimum amount
Automated transfers or surrenders:  $50

Maximum amount
Automated transfers or surrenders:  None (except for automated
                                    transfers from the fixed
                                    account)

Surrendering your contract

As owner,  you may  surrender  all or part of your  contract  at any time before
annuity  payouts  begin by sending a written  request or calling  IDS Life.  For
total  surrenders  we will  compute  the value of your  contract at the close of
business  after we receive your request.  We may ask you to return the contract.
You may have to pay surrender charges (see "Surrender charge") and IRS taxes and
penalties (see "Taxes"). No surrenders may be made after annuity payouts begin.

Surrender policies
If you have a balance in more than one account and request a partial  surrender,
we will  withdraw  money from all your  accounts in the same  proportion as your
value in each  account  correlates  to your  total  contract  value,  unless you
request otherwise. The minimum contract value after partial surrender is $600.

Receiving payment when you request a surrender

By regular or express mail:

o       payable to owner;

o       mailed to address of record.

o       special payee and/or addressee.

Note:          You will be charged a fee if you request express mail
               delivery.

By wire:

o       request that payment be wired to your bank;

o       bank account must be in the same ownership as your contract;

o       pre-authorization required.  For instructions, contact your
        financial advisor.

Payment  normally will be sent within seven days after  receiving  your request.
However, we may postpone the payment if:
    o  the surrender amount includes a purchase payment check that
       has not cleared;
    o  the NYSE is closed, except for normal holiday and weekend
       closings;
    o  trading on the NYSE is restricted, according to SEC rules;



<PAGE>



PAGE 26

    o  an emergency, as defined by SEC rules, makes it impractical
       to sell securities or value the net assets of the
       accounts; or
    o  the SEC permits us to delay payment for the protection of
       security holders.

TSA special surrender provisions

Participants in Tax-Sheltered  Annuities:  The Code imposes certain restrictions
on your right as owner to receive early distributions from a TSA:

o  Distributions  attributable to salary reduction contributions made after Dec.
   31,  1988,  plus the  earnings on them,  or to transfers or rollovers of such
   amounts from other contracts, may be made from the TSA only if:

        -you have attained age 59 1/2;  
        -you have become  disabled as defined in the Code;  
        -you have  separated  from the  service of the  employer  who
        purchased the annuity;  or 
        -the distribution is made to your beneficiary because of your death.

o  If you encounter a financial  hardship  (within the meaning of the Code), you
   may receive a  distribution  of all contract  values  attributable  to salary
   reduction contributions made after Dec.
   31, 1988, but not the earnings on them.

o  Even though a distribution may be permitted under the above
   rules, it still may be subject to IRS taxes and penalties.  (See
   "Taxes.")

o  The above  restrictions  on the right to receive a distribution do not affect
   the  availability of the amount credited to the contract as of Dec. 31, 1988.
   The  restrictions  do not apply to transfers  or exchanges of contract  value
   within the annuity,  or to another  registered  variable  annuity contract or
   investment vehicle available through the employer.

o  If the contract has a loan  provision,  the right to receive a loan from your
   fixed  account is described in detail in your  contract.  You may borrow from
   the contract value allocated to the fixed account.

o  For certain types of  contributions  under a TSA contract to be excluded from
   taxable  income,  the  employer  must comply with  certain  nondiscrimination
   requirements.  You should  consult  your  employer to  determine  whether the
   nondiscrimination rules apply to you.

Participation  in the  Portland  Public  Schools  TSA  program:  IDS  Life  will
guarantee  that your  fixed  account  surrender  value will not be less than the
purchase payments paid, less any amounts previously surrendered, provided:




<PAGE>



PAGE 27

o  all purchase payments under the contract have been allocated
   only to the fixed account; and

o  there have been no transfers of fixed account contract values to any variable
   account.  If  payments  are  allocated  to a  variable  account or monies are
   transferred from the fixed account to a variable account,  the guarantee does
   not apply.

Participants in the Texas Optional  Retirement  Program:  You cannot receive any
distribution  before  retirement  unless you become totally disabled or end your
employment at a Texas college or university. This restriction affects your right
to:

o  surrender all or part of your annuity at any time; and
o  move up your retirement date.

If you are in the  program  for only  one  year,  the  portion  of the  purchase
payments  made by the  state of Texas  will be  refunded  to the  state  with no
surrender  charge.  These  restrictions  are  based on an  opinion  of the Texas
Attorney General interpreting Texas law.

Changing ownership

You may change  ownership of your  nonqualified  annuity at any time by filing a
change of ownership with us at our  Minneapolis  office.  The change will become
binding upon us when we receive and record it. We take no responsibility for the
validity of the change.

If you  have a  nonqualified  annuity,  you may  lose  your  tax  advantages  by
transferring, assigning or pledging any part of it.
(See "Taxes.")

If you have a qualified annuity, you may not sell, assign, transfer, discount or
pledge  your  contract  as  collateral  for a  loan,  or  as  security  for  the
performance  of an  obligation or for any other purpose to any person except IDS
Life. However, if the owner is a trust or custodian,  or an employer acting in a
similar capacity, ownership of a contract may be transferred to the annuitant.

Benefits in case of death

If you or the  annuitant  dies (or, for  qualified  annuities,  if the annuitant
dies) before annuity payouts begin, we will pay the beneficiary as follows.

For contracts issued in all states except Oregon, Texas and Washington:

If death occurs before the annuitant's 75th birthday,  the beneficiary  receives
the  greatest  of: o the contract  value;  o the  contract  value as of the most
recent sixth contract
   anniversary,  minus any  surrenders  since  that  anniversary;  or o purchase
payments, minus any surrenders.




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PAGE 28

If death  occurs on or after the  annuitant's  75th  birthday,  the  beneficiary
receives the greater of: 
o the contract value; or 
o the contract value as of the most recent sixth contract anniversary, minus
  any surrenders since that anniversary.

For contracts issued in Oregon, Texas and Washington:

If death occurs before the annuitant's 75th birthday,  the beneficiary  receives
the greater of: 
o purchase  payments  minus any  surrenders;  or
o the  contract value.

If death  occurs on or after the  annuitant's  75th  birthday,  the  beneficiary
receives the contract value.

If your  spouse is sole  beneficiary  under a  nonqualified  annuity and you die
before the  retirement  date,  your spouse may keep the annuity as owner.  To do
this your spouse must,  within 60 days after we receive proof of death,  give us
written instructions to keep the contract in force.

Under a qualified annuity, if the annuitant dies before the retirement date, and
the spouse is the only  beneficiary,  the  spouse may keep the  annuity in force
until the date on which the annuitant would have reached age 70 1/2 or any other
date  permitted  by the  Code.  To do this,  the  spouse  must  give us  written
instructions within 60 days after we receive proof of death.

Payments:  We will pay the beneficiary in a single sum unless you
have given us other written instructions, or the beneficiary may
receive payouts under any annuity payout plan available under this
contract if:
o  the beneficiary asks us in writing within 60 days after we
   receive proof of death;
o  payouts begin no later than one year after death, or other date
   as permitted by the Code; and
o  the payout period does not extend beyond the beneficiary's life
   or life expectancy.

When paying the beneficiary, we will determine the contract's value
at the next close of business after our death claim requirements
are fulfilled.  Interest, if any, will be paid from the date of
death at a rate no less than required by law.  We will mail payment
to the beneficiary within seven days after our death claim
requirements are fulfilled.  (See "Taxes.")

The annuity payout period

As owner of the  contract,  you have the right to decide how and to whom annuity
payouts will be made starting at the retirement  date. You may select one of the
annuity  payout plans  outlined  below or we will mutually agree on other payout
arrangements.  The amount available for payouts under the plan you select is the
contract value on your retirement date. No surrender  charges are deducted under
the payout plans listed below.



<PAGE>



PAGE 29

You also decide whether annuity payouts are to be made on a fixed
or variable basis, or a combination of fixed and variable.  Amounts
of fixed and variable payouts depend on:
o  the annuity payout plan you select;
o  the annuitant's age and, in most cases, sex;
o  the annuity table in the contract; and
o  the amounts you allocated to the account(s) at settlement.

In  addition,  for  variable  payouts  only,  amounts  depend on the  investment
performance of the account(s) you select.  These payouts will vary from month to
month because the performance of the underlying mutual funds will fluctuate. (In
the case of fixed annuities, payouts remain the same from month to month.)

For information with respect to transfers between accounts after annuity payouts
begin, see "Transfer policies."

Annuity payout plans
You may  choose  any one of these  annuity  payout  plans by giving  us  written
instructions  at least 30 days before contract values are to be used to purchase
the payout plan.

o Plan A - Life  annuity  - no  refund:  Monthly  payouts  are  made  until  the
annuitant's  death.  Payouts  end with the last  payout  before the  annuitant's
death;  no further  payouts will be made.  This means that if the annuitant dies
after only one monthly payout has been made, no more payouts will be made.

o Plan B - Life annuity with five, 10 or 15 years certain:  Monthly  payouts are
made for a guaranteed payout period of five, 10 or 15 years that you elect. This
election will  determine the length of the payout period to the  beneficiary  if
the annuitant  should die before the elected period has expired.  The guaranteed
payout period is calculated from the retirement date. If the annuitant  outlives
the  elected   guaranteed  payout  period,   payouts  will  continue  until  the
annuitant's death.

o Plan C - Life annuity - installment refund: Monthly payouts are made until the
annuitant's death, with our guarantee that payouts will continue for some period
of time.  Payouts will be made for at least the number of months  determined  by
dividing  the amount  applied  under this  option by the first  monthly  payout,
whether or not the annuitant is living.

o Plan D - Joint and last survivor life annuity - no refund: Monthly payouts are
made  while both the  annuitant  and a joint  annuitant  are  living.  If either
annuitant dies,  monthly payouts  continue at the full amount until the death of
the surviving annuitant. Payouts end with the death of the second annuitant.

o Plan E - Payouts for a specified period:  Monthly payouts are
made for a specific payout period of 10 to 30 years that you elect.
Payouts will be made only for the number of years specified whether
the annuitant is living or not.  Depending on the time period
selected, it is foreseeable that an annuitant can outlive the
payout period selected.  In addition, a 10% IRS penalty tax could
apply under this payout plan.  (See "Taxes.")


<PAGE>



PAGE 30

Restrictions for some qualified plans: If you purchased a qualified annuity, you
must select a payout plan that provides for payouts:

o  over the life of the annuitant;
o  over the joint lives of the annuitant and a designated
   beneficiary;
o  for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the
   annuitant; or
o  for a period not exceeding the joint life expectancies
   of the annuitant and a designated beneficiary.

If we do not receive instructions: You must give us written instructions for the
annuity payouts at least 30 days before the annuitant's  retirement date. If you
do not, we will make payouts under Plan B, with 120 monthly payouts guaranteed.

If  monthly  payouts  would be less than $20:  We will  calculate  the amount of
monthly  payouts  at the time the  contract  value is used to  purchase a payout
plan. If the  calculations  show that monthly payouts would be less than $20, we
have the right to pay the contract value to the owner in a lump sum.

Death after annuity payouts begin

If you or the annuitant dies after annuity payouts begin,  any amount payable to
the beneficiary will be provided in the annuity payout plan in effect.

Taxes

Generally,  under current law, any increase in your contract value is taxable to
you only when you  receive  a payout  or  surrender.  (See  detailed  discussion
below.) Any portion of the annuity  payouts and any  surrenders you request that
represent  ordinary  income are  normally  taxable.  You will receive a 1099 tax
information form for any year in which a taxable distribution was made according
to our records.

Annuity payouts under nonqualified  annuities:  A portion of each payout will be
ordinary  income  and  subject  to tax,  and a portion  of each  payout  will be
considered  a return  of part of your  investment  and will  not be  taxed.  All
amounts received after your investment in the annuity is fully recovered will be
subject to tax.

Tax law requires that all nonqualified  deferred annuity contracts issued by the
same  company  to the same  owner  during a  calendar  year are to be taxed as a
single,  unified  contract  when  distributions  are taken  from any one of such
contracts.

Annuity payouts under qualified annuities: Under a qualified annuity, the entire
payout generally will be includable as ordinary income and subject to tax except
to the extent that  contributions  were made with after-tax  dollars.  If you or
your  employer  invested  in your  contract  with  pre-tax  dollars as part of a
qualified  retirement  plan,  such amounts are not considered to be part of your
investment in the contract and will be taxed when paid to you.


<PAGE>



PAGE 31

Surrenders:  If you surrender  part or all of your contract  before your annuity
payouts begin, your surrender payment will be taxed to the extent that the value
of your contract  immediately before the surrender exceeds your investment.  You
also may have to pay a 10% IRS penalty for  surrenders  before  reaching  age 59
1/2. For qualified  annuities,  other  penalties may apply if you surrender your
annuity before your plan specifies that you can receive payouts.

Death  benefits  to  beneficiaries:  The death  benefit  under an annuity is not
tax-exempt.  Any amount received by the beneficiary  that represents  previously
deferred income  earnings within the contract,  is taxable as ordinary income to
the beneficiary in the year(s) he or she receives the payment(s).

Annuities  owned by  corporations,  partnerships  or  trusts:  For  nonqualified
annuities  any annual  increase in the value of annuities  held by such entities
generally will be treated as ordinary  income  received  during that year.  This
provision is effective for purchase payments made after Feb. 28, 1986.  However,
if the trust was set up for the  benefit of a natural  person  only,  the income
will continue to be tax-deferred.

Penalties: If you receive amounts from your contract before reaching age 59 1/2,
you may have to pay a 10% IRS penalty on the amount  includable in your ordinary
income.  If you receive amounts from your SIMPLE IRA before reaching age 59 1/2,
generally the IRS 10% penalty  provisions apply.  However,  if you receive these
amounts  before age 59 1/2 and within the first two years of your  participation
in the SIMPLE IRA plan,  the IRS  penalty  will be  assessed  at the rate of 25%
instead of 10%.  However,  this penalty will not apply to any amount received by
you or your beneficiary:
o  because of your death;
o  because you become disabled (as defined in the Code);
o  if the distribution is part of a series of substantially equal
   periodic payments,  made at least annually, over your life or life expectancy
   (or joint lives or life expectancies of you and your beneficiary); or
o  if it is allocable to an investment before Aug. 14, 1982 (except
   for qualified annuities).

For other  qualified  annuities,  other penalties or exceptions may apply if you
surrender your annuity before your plan specifies that payouts can be made.

Withholding, generally: If you receive all or part of the contract value from an
annuity,  withholding  may be imposed  against the taxable income portion of the
payout. Any withholding that is done represents a prepayment of your tax due for
the year.  You take  credit for such  amounts on the annual tax return  that you
file.

If the  payout is part of an annuity  payout  plan,  the  amount of  withholding
generally is computed using payroll tables.  You can provide us with a statement
of how many exemptions to use in calculating the withholding.  As long as you've
provided  us with a valid  Social  Security  Number or  Taxpayer  Identification
Number, you can elect not to have any withholding occur.


<PAGE>



PAGE 32

If the  distribution  is any other  type of  payment  (such as a partial or full
surrender) withholding is computed using 10% of the taxable portion.  Similar to
above,  as long as you've  provided us with a valid  Social  Security  Number or
Taxpayer  Identification  Number,  you can elect  not to have  this  withholding
occur.

If a  distribution  is taken from a contract  offered  under a Section  457 plan
(deferred  compensation  plan of state  and  local  governments  and  tax-exempt
organizations),  withholding is computed using payroll  methods,  depending upon
the type of payment.

Some  states  also  impose  withholding  requirements  similar  to  the  federal
withholding  described above. If this should be the case, any payment from which
federal withholding is deducted may also have state withholding deducted.

The withholding  requirements  may differ if payment is being made to a non-U.S.
citizen or if the payment is being delivered outside the United States.

Withholding from qualified annuities: If you receive directly all or part of the
contract  value from a qualified  annuity  (except an IRA,  SEP,  SIMPLE IRA, or
Section  457  plan),  mandatory  20% income tax  withholding  generally  will be
imposed at the time the payout is made.  This mandatory  withholding is in place
of the elective withholding discussed above. This mandatory withholding will not
be imposed if:
o  instead of receiving the distribution check, you elect to have
   the distribution rolled over directly to an IRA or another eligible plan;
o  the payout is one in a series of substantially  equal periodic payouts,  made
   at least  annually,  over your life or life expectancy (or the joint lives or
   life expectancies of you and your designated beneficiary) or over a specified
   period of 10 years or more; or
o  the payment is a minimum distribution required under the Code.

Payments made to a surviving  spouse instead of being directly rolled over to an
IRA may also be subject to mandatory 20% income tax withholding.

State withholding also may be imposed on taxable distributions.

Transfer of ownership  of a  nonqualified  annuity:  If you make such a transfer
without receiving adequate consideration,  the transfer is considered a gift and
also may be considered a surrender for federal income tax purposes.  If the gift
is a currently  taxable  event for income tax  purposes,  the amount of deferred
earnings at the time of the transfer  will be taxed to the original  owner,  who
also may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty as discussed earlier. In this case, the
new owner's  investment  in the annuity  will be the value of the annuity at the
time of the transfer.

Collateral  assignment of a nonqualified  annuity: If you collaterally assign or
pledge your contract, earnings on purchase payments you made after Aug. 13, 1982
will be taxed to you like a surrender.


<PAGE>



PAGE 33

Important: Our discussion of federal tax laws is based upon our understanding of
these  laws as they are  currently  interpreted.  Federal  tax  laws or  current
interpretations of them may change. For this reason and because tax consequences
are complex and highly  individual and cannot always be anticipated,  you should
consult a tax advisor if you have any questions about taxation of your contract.

Tax  qualifications:  The  contract  is  intended  to qualify as an annuity  for
federal income tax purposes.  To that end, the provisions of the contract are to
be interpreted to ensure or maintain such tax qualification, notwithstanding any
other provisions of the contract.  We reserve the right to amend the contract to
reflect any  clarifications  that may be needed or are  appropriate  to maintain
such  qualification or to conform the contract to any applicable  charges in the
tax qualification requirements. We will send you a copy of any such amendment.

Voting rights

As a contract owner with investments in the variable  account(s) you may vote on
important mutual fund policies until annuity payouts begin. Once they begin, the
person  receiving them has voting rights.  We will vote fund shares according to
the instructions of the person with voting rights.

Before annuity payouts begin,  the number of votes is determined by applying the
percentage  interest  in each  variable  account  to the  total  number of votes
allowed to the account.

After annuity payouts begin, the number of votes is equal to:

o  the reserve held in each account for your contract, divided by

o  the net asset value of one share of the applicable underlying
   mutual fund.

As we make annuity payouts,  the reserve for the annuity  decreases;  therefore,
the number of votes also will decrease.

We calculate  votes  separately  for each account not more than 60 days before a
shareholders' meeting. Notice of these meetings, proxy materials and a statement
of the number of votes to which the voter is entitled, will be sent.

We will vote  shares  for which we have not  received  instructions  in the same
proportion  as the votes for which we have received  instructions.  We also will
vote the shares for which we have voting  rights in the same  proportion  as the
votes for which we have received instructions.




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PAGE 34

Distribution of the contracts

IDS Life, a registered  broker/dealer  is the sole  distributor of the contract.
IDS Life pays total  commissions  of up to 7.0% of the total  purchase  payments
received  on the  contracts.  A  portion  of this  total  commission  is paid to
district managers and field vice presidents of the selling representative.

About IDS Life

The Flexible  Annuity is issued by IDS Life, a wholly-owned  subsidiary of AEFC,
which itself is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the American  Express  Company,  a
financial services company headquartered in New York City.

IDS Life is a stock life insurance  company  organized in 1957 under the laws of
the State of Minnesota and located at IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis,  MN 55440-0010.
IDS Life  conducts a  conventional  life  insurance  business in the District of
Columbia and all states except New York.

American Express Financial Advisors Inc. offers mutual funds,
investment certificates and a broad range of financial management
services.  IDS Life offers insurance and annuities.

American Express Financial Advisors Inc. serves individuals and
businesses through its nationwide network of more than 175 offices
and more than 7,800 financial advisors.

Other  subsidiaries  provide  investment  management  and related  services  for
pension, profit-sharing,  employee savings and endowment funds of businesses and
institutions.

Legal Proceedings
A number of  lawsuits  have been  filed  against  life and  health  insurers  in
jurisdictions  in  which  IDS  Life  does  business  involving  insurers'  sales
practices,  alleged agent misconduct,  failure to properly supervise agents, and
other matters. IDS Life, like other life and health insurers,  from time to time
is involved in such  litigation.  On December 13, 1996, an action of this nature
was commenced in Minnesota  state court.  The plaintiffs  purport to represent a
class consisting of all persons who replaced existing IDS Life policies with new
IDS Life policies from and after January 1, 1985.  Plaintiffs seek damages in an
unspecified  amount and also seek to establish a claims resolution  facility for
the  determination  of  individual  issues.  IDS  Life  filed an  answer  to the
Complaint on February 18, 1997. A similar  action  involving the  replacement of
existing IDS Life insurance policies and annuity contracts was filed in the same
court on March 21, 1997.

IDS Life believes it has meritorious defenses to these and other actions arising
in connection with the conduct of its business  activities and intends to defend
them vigorously. IDS Life believes that it is not a party to, nor are any of its
properties  the  subject of, any pending  legal  proceedings  which would have a
material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition.




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PAGE 35

Regular and special reports

Services
To help you track and evaluate the performance of your annuity, we provide:

Quarterly statements showing the value of your investment.

Annual reports containing required information on the annuity and its underlying
investments.

A personalized annuity progress report detailing the cumulative return since the
contract  was  purchased  and  the  average   annual  rate  of  return  on  your
investments.  This report,  which is unique in the industry,  is available  upon
request from your financial advisor.

Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

IDS Life Preferred Retirement Account......... 3
Performance information....................... 3
Calculating annuity payouts................... 6
Rating agencies............................... 8
Principal underwriter......................... 8
Independent auditors.......................... 9
Prospectus.................................... 9
Financial statements -
      IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N,
      KZ, LZ and MZ
      IDS Life Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Please  check  the  appropriate  box to  receive  a copy  of  the  Statement  of
Additional Information for:

_____ IDS Life Flexible Annuity

_____ IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds

Please return this request to:

IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0010

Your name _______________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City ______________________  State ______________ Zip ___________




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PAGE 36

















                                STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                for

                                         FLEXIBLE ANNUITY

                        IDS LIFE ACCOUNTS F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ

                                            May 1, 1997


IDS Life  Accounts  F, IZ,  JZ,  G, H, N, KZ,  LZ and MZ are  separate  accounts
established and maintained by IDS Life Insurance Company (IDS Life).

This  Statement  of  Additional  Information,  dated  May  1,  1997,  is  not  a
prospectus. It should be read together with the accounts' prospectus,  dated May
1, 1997,  which may be obtained from your  financial  advisor,  or by writing or
calling IDS Life at the address or telephone number below.



IDS Life Insurance Company
P10/199
P.O. Box 74
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0074
612-671-3131




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PAGE 37

                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDS Life Preferred Retirement Account.........................p. 3

Performance Information.......................................p. 3

Calculating Annuity Payouts...................................p. 6

Rating Agencies...............................................p. 8

Principal Underwriter.........................................p. 8

Independent Auditors..........................................p. 9

Prospectus....................................................p. 9

Financial Statements
          - IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ
            and MZ
          - IDS Life Insurance Company




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PAGE 38

IDS LIFE PREFERRED RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

The  Flexible  Annuity  may be used to fund  the IDS Life  Preferred  Retirement
Account (PRA) as a way to build  tax-deferred  retirement income. The PRA can be
used to  supplement,  or as an  alternative  to, a  non-deductible  IRA or other
retirement plan.

The   advantages  of  the  IDS  Life   Preferred   Retirement   Account  over  a
non-deductible IRA are shown below:

                IDS Life                   Non-deductible
                Preferred Retirement       IRA
                Account
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum         $1 million initially,      $2,000 per year
amount you      then $50,000 per          ($4,000 per year
can             year (spouse can           for married individuals
contribute      have own plan and          filing jointly)
                also contribute
                $50,000, whether
                or not employed)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Highest age     The later of age 85        70 1/2 years old
you can         or the 10th contract
contribute      anniversary

- --------------------------------------------------------------
Types of        Any type: wages,           Generally limited
income you      investment income,         to income from
can             gifts, inheritance,        employment
contribute      etc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Records         None required, but         You must keep all
you must        IDS Life furnishes         records yourself
keep            you regular reports
                for your files
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Reports you     None                       You must report all
must file                                  contributions and
with the                                   withdrawals each
IRS                                        year
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Age at which    The later of age 85        70 1/2 years old
you must        or the 10th contract
begin           anniversary
withdrawals
- --------------------------------------------------------------

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Calculation of yield for Account H

IDS Life Account H, which  invests in IDS Life  Moneyshare  Fund,  calculates an
annualized simple yield and compound yield based on a seven-day period.


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PAGE 39

The simple yield is calculated by  determining  the net change in the value of a
hypothetical  account  having  the  balance  of  one  accumulation  unit  at the
beginning  of the  seven-day  period.  (The net change does not include  capital
change,  but does include a pro rata share of the annual charges,  including the
annual contract  administrative  charge and the mortality and expense risk fee.)
The net change in the  account  value is divided by the value of the  account at
the beginning of the period to obtain the return for the period.  That return is
then  multiplied  by 365/7 to  obtain  an  annualized  figure.  The value of the
hypothetical account includes the amount of any declared dividends, the value of
any shares  purchased with any dividend paid during the period and any dividends
declared  for such  shares.  The  variable  account's  (account)  yield does not
include any  realized  or  unrealized  gains or losses,  nor does it include the
effect of any applicable surrender charge.

The account calculates its compound yield according to the following formula:

Compound Yield = [(return for seven-day period +1)365/7 ]  - 1

On Dec. 31, 1996, the account's annualized simple yield was 3.84%
and its compound yield was 3.92%.

The rate of return,  or yield, on the account's  accumulation unit may fluctuate
daily and does not provide a basis for determining future yields. Investors must
consider,  when comparing an investment in Account H with fixed annuities,  that
fixed  annuities  often  provide an  agreed-to or  guaranteed  fixed yield for a
stated  period of time,  whereas the variable  account's  yield  fluctuates.  In
comparing the yield of Account H to a money market fund, you should consider the
different services that the annuity provides.

Calculation of yield for accounts investing in income funds

Quotations  of yield  will be based on all  investment  income  earned  during a
particular  30-day  period,   less  expenses  accrued  during  the  period  (net
investment  income) and will be computed by dividing net  investment  income per
accumulation  unit by the value of an  accumulation  unit on the last day of the
period, according to the following formula:

                         YIELD = 2[(a-b + 1) 6 - 1]
                                     cd

where:    a = dividends and investment income earned during the
              period.
          b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
              reimbursements).
          c = the  average  daily  number of  accumulation  units  outstanding
              during the period that were entitled to receive dividends.
          d = the maximum offering price per accumulation unit on
              the last day of the period.



<PAGE>



PAGE 40

Yield on the  account  is earned  from the  increase  in the net asset  value of
shares of the fund in which the account invests and from dividends  declared and
paid by the fund, which are automatically invested in shares of the fund.

On Dec. 31, 1996, the annualized yield for Account G was 7.64% for
Account KZ 2.79% and for Account LZ 9.34%.

Calculation of average annual total return

Quotations  of average  annual  total return for an account will be expressed in
terms  of the  average  annual  compounded  rate  of  return  of a  hypothetical
investment in the annuity contract over a period of one, five and ten years (or,
if less, up to the life of the Account),  calculated  according to the following
formula:

                                              P(1+T)n = ERV

where:       P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
             T = average annual total return.
             n = number of years.
           ERV = Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made
                 at the  beginning  of the one,  five,  or ten  year (or  other)
                 period  at the end of the one,  five,  or ten  year (or  other)
                 period (or fractional portion thereof).

The  following  performance  figures are  calculated  on the basis of historical
performance of the funds.

                   Average Annual Total Return For Period Ended:  Dec. 31, 1996
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Average Annual Total Return with Surrender
                                                                                     Since
Account investing in:                     1 Year        5 Year       10 Year       Inception
- --------------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>         <C>            <C>
IDS Life
  Aggressive Growth Fund (1/92)*           7.94%             -%           -%         10.08%
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)           -0.22           6.23        12.28              -
  International Equity Fund (1/92)         1.36              -            -           7.32
  Managed Fund (4/86)                      8.70           8.67        11.29              -
  Moneyshare Fund (10/81)                 -3.11           1.62         4.46              -
  Special Income Fund (10/81)             -1.21           7.54         7.81              -
  Growth Dimensions Fund (4/96)               -              -            -           3.80
  Global Yield Fund (4/96)                    -              -            -           0.12
  Income Advantage Fund (4/96)                -              -            -          -2.06

Average Annual Total Return without Surrender
                                                                                     Since
Account Investing in:                     1 Year        5 Year       10 Year       Inception
- --------------------

IDS Life
  Aggressive Growth Fund (1/92)           14.94%             -%           -%         11.03%
  Capital Resource Fund (10/81)            6.78           7.30        12.28              -
  International Equity Fund (1/92)         8.36              -            -           8.37
  Managed Fund (4/86)                     15.70           9.66        11.29              -
  Moneyshare Fund (10/81)                  3.89           2.90         4.46              -
  Special Income Fund (10/81)              5.79           8.57         7.81              -
  Growth Dimensions Fund (4/96)               -              -            -          10.80
  Global Yield Fund (4/96)                    -              -            -           7.12
  Income Advantage Fund (4/96)                -              -            -           4.94

  * inception dates of the funds are shown in parentheses
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



PAGE 41

Aggregate total return

Aggregate  total  return  represents  the  cumulative  change in the value of an
investment over a specified  period of time  (reflecting  change in an account's
accumulation unit value) and is computed by the following formula:

                                              ERV - P
                                                 P

where:       P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
           ERV = Ending Redeemable Value of a hypothetical $1,000
                 payment made at the beginning of the one, five, or ten year (or
                 other)  period  at the end of the  one,  five,  or ten year (or
                 other) period (or fractional portion thereof).

The Securities and Exchange  Commission requires that an assumption be made that
the contract owner  surrenders  the entire  contract at the end of one, five and
ten  year  periods  (or,  if  less,  up to the life of the  account)  for  which
performance is required to be calculated.  In addition,  performance figures may
be shown without the deduction of a surrender charge.

Total return figures reflect the deduction of all applicable  charges  including
the contract administrative charge and mortality and expense risk fee.

Performance  of the accounts may be quoted or compared to rankings,  yields,  or
returns as published or prepared by independent  rating or statistical  services
or  publishers or  publications  such as The Bank Rate Monitor  National  Index,
Barron's, Business Week, CDA Technologies,  Donoghue's Money Market Fund Report,
Financial  Services Week,  Financial Times,  Financial World,  Forbes,  Fortune,
Global Investor,  Institutional Investor, Investor's Daily, Kiplinger's Personal
Finance, Lipper Analytical Services, Money, Morningstar, Mutual Fund Forecaster,
Newsweek, The New York Times, Personal Investor, Stanger Report, Sylvia Porter's
Personal Finance, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal
and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Service.

CALCULATING ANNUITY PAYOUTS

The Variable Account

The  following  calculations  are  done  separately  for  each  of the  variable
accounts.  The separate  monthly  payouts,  added  together,  make up your total
variable annuity payout.

Initial Payout:  To compute your first monthly payment, we:
o  determine the dollar value of your annuity as of the valuation
date seven days before the retirement date and then deduct any
applicable premium tax.




<PAGE>



PAGE 42

o apply the result to the annuity  table  contained  in the  contract or another
table at least as  favorable.  The  annuity  table shows the amount of the first
monthly payment for each $1,000 of value which depends on factors built into the
table, as described below.

Annuity Units:  The value of your account is then converted to annuity units. To
compute the number  credited to you, we divide the first monthly  payment by the
annuity unit value (see below) on the valuation  date on (or next day preceding)
the seventh calendar day before the retirement date. The number of units in your
account is fixed.  The value of the units  fluctuate with the performance of the
underlying mutual fund.

Subsequent Payouts:  To compute later payouts, we multiply:
o  the annuity unit value on the valuation date on or immediately
preceding the seventh calendar day before the payout is due; by
o  the fixed number of annuity units credited to you.

Annuity Table:  The table shows the amount of the first monthly payment for each
$1,000 of contract value according to the age and, when  applicable,  the sex of
the annuitant.  (Where required by law, we will use a unisex table of settlement
rates.) The table  assumes that the contract  value is invested at the beginning
of the annuity payout period and earns a 5% rate of return,  which is reinvested
and helps to support future payouts.

Substitution of 3.5% Table: If you ask us at least 30 days before the retirement
date, we will  substitute  an annuity table based on an assumed 3.5%  investment
rate for the 5% table in the contract.  The assumed investment rate affects both
the  amount of the first  payout  and the  extent  to which  subsequent  payouts
increase or decrease.  Using the 5% table results in a higher  initial  payment,
but later  payouts will increase more slowly when annuity unit values are rising
and decrease more rapidly when they are declining.

Annuity  Unit  Values:  This value was  originally  set at $1 for each  variable
account.  To calculate  later  values we multiply the last annuity  value by the
product of: 
o the net investment  factor;  and 
o the  neutralizing  factor.  The purpose  of the  neutralizing  factor is to  
offset  the  effect of the  assumed investment rate built into the annuity 
table. With an assumed investment rate of 5%, the neutralizing factor is
0.999866 for a one day valuation period.

Net Investment Factor:
o Determined  each business day by adding the  underlying  mutual fund's current
net asset  value per share  plus per share  amount of any  current  dividend  or
capital gain  distribution;  then 
o  dividing  that sum by the previous net asset value per share;  and 
o  subtracting  the  percentage  factor  representing  the mortality and 
   expense risk fee from the result.




<PAGE>



PAGE 43

Because the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund may fluctuate, the net
investment  factor may be greater or less than one,  and the  accumulation  unit
value may  increase or  decrease.  You bear this  investment  risk in a variable
account.

The Fixed Account

Your fixed annuity payout amounts are guaranteed.  Once calculated,  your payout
will remain the same and never change. To calculate your annuity payouts we:

o take the value of your fixed  account at the  retirement  date or the date you
have selected to begin receiving your annuity  payouts;  then 
o using an annuity
table we apply the value according to the annuity payout plan you select;  and 
o the annuity payout table we use will be the one in effect at the time you 
choose to begin your  annuity  payouts.  The table will be equal to or greater
than the table in your contract.

RATING AGENCIES

The following chart reflects the ratings given to IDS Life by independent rating
agencies.  These  agencies  evaluate the financial  soundness and  claims-paying
ability of  insurance  companies  based on a number of different  factors.  This
information  does not relate to the  management or  performance  of the variable
accounts of the annuity.  This information relates only to the fixed account and
reflects IDS Life's  ability to make annuity  payouts and to pay death  benefits
and other distributions from the annuity.

Rating agency            Rating

A.M. Best                  A+
                       (Superior)

Duff & Phelps             AAA

Moody's                   Aa2

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

The principal underwriter for the accounts is IDS Life which offers the variable
annuities on a continuous basis.

Surrender  charges  received  by IDS Life for 1996,  1995 and  1994,  aggregated
$11,956,753, $10,125,726 and $6,969,493,  respectively.  Commissions paid by IDS
Life  for  1996,  1995  and  1994,   aggregated   $17,247,007,   $9,019,184  and
$17,331,801,  respectively. The surrender charges were applied toward payment of
commissions.




<PAGE>



PAGE 44

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The financial  statements of IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
including the  statements of net assets as of December 31, 1996, and the related
statements of operations  for the year then ended,  except for IDS Life Accounts
KZ,  LZ and MZ  which  are  for the  period  April  30,  1996  (commencement  of
operations)  to December 31, 1996 and the related  statements  of changes in net
assets for each of the two years in the period then  ended,  except for IDS Life
Accounts KZ, LZ and MZ which are for the period April 30, 1996  (commencement of
operations) to December 31, 1996, and the consolidated  financial  statements of
IDS Life  Insurance  Company as of  December  31, 1996 and for each of the three
years in the period  then ended,  appearing  in this SAI,  have been  audited by
Ernst & Young LLP,  independent  auditors,  as stated in their reports appearing
herein.

PROSPECTUS

The prospectus  dated May 1, 1997, is hereby  incorporated  in this Statement of
Additional Information by reference.


<PAGE>
IDS Life Financial Information

The financial  statements shown below are those of the insurance company and not
those of any other  entity.  They are included for the purpose of informing  the
investor as to the financial  condition of the insurance company and its ability
to carry out its obligations under its variable contracts.

                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                        Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,
ASSETS                                                    1996           1995
- ------                                                    ----        ---------
                                                             (thousands)

Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
1996, $10,521,650; 1995, $11,878,377) ..............   $10,236,379   $11,257,591
Available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost:
1996, $11,008,622; 1995, $10,146,136) ..............    11,146,845    10,516,212
Mortgage loans on real estate ......................     3,493,364     2,945,495
Policy loans .......................................       459,902       424,019
Other investments ..................................       251,465       146,894

Total investments ..................................    25,587,955    25,290,211

Cash and cash equivalents ..........................       224,603        72,147
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers ................       157,722       114,387
Amounts due from brokers ...........................        11,047            --
Other accounts receivable ..........................        44,089        39,108
Accrued investment income ..........................       343,313       348,008
Deferred policy acquisition costs ..................     2,330,805     2,025,725
Deferred income taxes ..............................        33,923            --
Other assets .......................................        37,364        36,410
Separate account assets ............................    18,535,160    14,974,082

Total assets .......................................   $47,305,981   $42,900,078
                                                       ===========   ===========

<PAGE>

                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)


                                                       Dec. 31,        Dec. 31
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                    1996             1995
- ------------------------------------                    ----             ----
                                                             (thousands)


Liabilities:
Future policy benefits:
Fixed annuities ....................................   $21,838,008   $21,404,836
Universal life-type insurance ......................     3,177,149     3,076,847
Traditional life insurance .........................       209,685       209,249
Disability income and long-term care insurance .....       424,200       327,157

Policy claims and other
policyholders' funds ...............................        83,634        56,323
Deferred income taxes ..............................          --         112,904
Amounts due to brokers .............................       261,987       121,618
Other liabilities ..................................       332,078       285,354
Separate account liabilities .......................    18,535,160    14,974,082

Total liabilities ..................................    44,861,901    40,568,370

Stockholder's equity:
Capital stock, $30 par value per share;
100,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding ..         3,000         3,000
Additional paid-in capital .........................       283,615       278,814
Net unrealized gain on investments .................        86,102       230,129
Retained earnings ..................................     2,071,363     1,819,765

Total stockholder's equity .........................     2,444,080     2,331,708

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity .........   $47,305,981   $42,900,078
                                                       ===========   ===========

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                                              IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                       1996               1995                1994
                                                       ----               ----                ----
                                                                      (thousands)
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Revenues:
Premiums:
Traditional life insurance                        $    51,403         $   50,193          $   48,184
Disability income and long-term care insurance        131,518            111,337              96,456

Total premiums                                        182,921            161,530             144,640

Policyholder and contractholder charges               302,999            256,454             219,936
Management and other fees                             271,342            215,581             164,169
Net investment income                               1,965,362          1,907,309           1,781,873
Net realized loss on investments                         (159)            (4,898)             (4,282)

Total revenues                                      2,722,465          2,535,976           2,306,336

Benefits and expenses:
Death and other benefits:
Traditional life insurance                             26,919             29,528              28,263
Universal life-type insurance
and investment contracts                               85,017             71,691              52,027
Disability income and
long-term care insurance                               19,185             16,259              13,393

Increase (decrease) in liabilities for future policy benefits:
Traditional life insurance                              1,859             (1,315)             (3,229)
Disability income and
long-term care insurance                               57,230             51,279              37,912

Interest credited on universal life-type
insurance and investment contracts                  1,370,468          1,315,989           1,174,985
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs     278,605            280,121             280,372
Other insurance and operating expenses                261,468            211,642             210,101

Total benefits and expenses                         2,100,751          1,975,194           1,793,824

Income before income taxes                            621,714            560,782             512,512

Income taxes                                         207,138            195,842             176,343

Net income                                         $  414,576         $  364,940          $  336,169
                                                   ==========         ==========          ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                                             Three years ended Dec. 31, 1996
                                                       (thousands)

                                                            Additional    Net Unrealized
                                              Capital           Paid-In     Gain (Loss) on     Retained
                                               Stock            Capital       Investments      Earnings            Total
                                               -----            -------       -----------      --------            -----
<S>                                           <C>            <C>           <C>               <C>              <C>
Balance, Dec. 31, 1993                         $3,000         $ 222,000     $      114        $1,468,230       $1,693,344
Initial adoption of SFAS No. 115                   --                --        181,269                --          181,269
Net income                                         --                --             --           336,169          336,169
Change in net unrealized
gain (loss) on  investments                        --                --       (457,091)               --         (457,091)
Cash dividends                                     --                --             --          (165,000)        (165,000)

Balance, Dec. 31, 1994                          3,000           222,000       (275,708)        1,639,399        1,588,691
Net income                                         --                --             --           364,940          364,940
Change in net unrealized
gain (loss) on investments                         --                --        505,837                --          505,837
Capital contribution from parent                   --            56,814             --                --           56,814
Loss on reinsurance transaction
with affiliate                                     --                --             --            (4,574)          (4,574)
Cash dividends                                     --                --             --          (180,000)        (180,000)

Balance, Dec. 31, 1995                          3,000           278,814        230,129         1,819,765        2,331,708
Net income                                         --                --             --           414,576          414,576
Change in net unrealized
gain (loss) on investments                         --                --       (144,027)               --         (144,027)
Capital contribution from parent                   --             4,801             --                --            4,801
Other changes                                      --                --             --             2,022            2,022
Cash dividends                                     --                --             --          (165,000)        (165,000)

Balance, Dec. 31, 1996                         $3,000          $283,615       $ 86,102        $2,071,363       $2,444,080
                                                =====           =======         ======          ========         ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                       Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                            1996               1995                1994
                                                            ----               ----                ----
                                                                            (thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>                <C>                 <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                               $ 414,576          $ 364,940           $ 336,169
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Policy loan issuance, excluding universal
life-type insurance                                        (49,314)           (46,011)            (37,110)
Policy loan repayment, excluding universal
life-type insurance                                         41,179             36,416              33,384
Change in amounts recoverable from reinsurers              (43,335)           (34,083)            (25,006)
Change in other accounts receivable                         (4,981)            12,231             (28,551)
Change in accrued investment income                          4,695            (30,498)            (10,333)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
costs, net                                                (294,755)          (196,963)           (192,768)
Change in liabilities for future policy
benefits for traditional life,
disability income and
long-term care insurance                                    97,479             85,575              55,354
Change in policy claims and other
policyholders' funds                                        27,311              6,255               5,552
Change in deferred income taxes                            (65,609)           (33,810)            (19,176)
Change in other liabilities                                 46,724             (6,548)               (122)
(Accretion of discount)
amortization of premium, net                               (23,032)           (22,528)             30,921
Net realized loss on investments                               159              4,898               4,282
Policyholder and contractholder
charges, non-cash                                         (154,286)          (140,506)           (126,918)
Other, net                                                 (10,816)             3,849              (8,709)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating
activities                                               $ (14,005)         $   3,217           $  16,969
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)


                                                                         Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                            1996               1995                1994
                                                                            (thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>                <C>                   <C>
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
Purchases                                             $    (43,751)      $ (1,007,208)         $ (879,740)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls                759,248            538,219           1,651,762
Sales                                                      279,506            332,154              58,001
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases                                               (2,299,198)        (2,452,181)         (2,763,278)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls              1,270,240            861,545           1,234,401
Sales                                                      238,905            136,825             374,564
Other investments, excluding policy loans:
Purchases                                                 (904,536)          (823,131)           (634,807)
Sales                                                      236,912            160,521             243,862
Change in amounts due from brokers                         (11,047)             7,933              (2,214)
Change in amounts due to brokers                           140,369           (105,119)           (124,749)

Net cash used in investing activities                     (333,352)        (2,350,442)           (842,198)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity related to universal life-type insurance
and investment contracts:
Considerations received                                  3,567,586          4,189,525           3,566,814
Surrenders and death benefits                           (4,250,294)        (3,141,404)         (3,602,392)
Interest credited to account balances                    1,370,468          1,315,989           1,174,985
Universal life-type insurance policy loans:
Issuance                                                   (86,501)           (84,700)            (78,239)
Repayment                                                   58,753             52,188              50,554
Capital contribution from parent                             4,801                 --                  --
Cash dividends to parent                                  (165,000)          (180,000)           (165,000)

Net cash provided by financing activities                  499,813          2,151,598             946,722

Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents                                           152,456           (195,627)            121,493

Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of year                                           72,147            267,774             146,281

Cash and cash equivalents at
end of year                                          $     224,603        $    72,147         $   267,774
                                                         =========           ========            ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>


                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  ($ thousands)

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

   Nature of business

   IDS Life Insurance  Company (the Company) is a stock life  insurance  company
   organized  under the laws of the State of Minnesota.  The Company is a wholly
   owned subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation, which is a wholly
   owned subsidiary of American Express Company. The Company serves residents of
   all  states  except  New York.  IDS Life  Insurance  Company of New York is a
   wholly owned  subsidiary of the Company and serves New York State  residents.
   The Company also wholly owns  American  Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,
   American  Centurion Life Assurance Company (ACLAC) and American Partners Life
   Insurance Company.

   The Company's  principal  products are deferred  annuities and universal life
   insurance,  which are  issued  primarily  to  individuals.  It offers  single
   premium and flexible premium deferred  annuities on both a fixed and variable
   dollar  basis.  Immediate  annuities  are  offered  as  well.  The  Company's
   insurance  products include universal life (fixed and variable),  whole life,
   single  premium  life and term  products  (including  waiver of  premium  and
   accidental death benefits).  The Company also markets  disability  income and
   long-term care insurance.

   Basis of presentation

   The accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of
   the Company and its wholly  owned  subsidiaries.  All  material  intercompany
   accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

   The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  have been prepared in
   conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  which  vary in
   certain  respects from reporting  practices  prescribed or permitted by state
   insurance regulatory authorities.

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

   Investments

   Fixed  maturities  that the  Company  has both the  positive  intent  and the
   ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity and carried at
   amortized  cost.  All  other  fixed  maturities  and  all  marketable  equity
   securities  are  classified  as available for sale and carried at fair value.
   Unrealized  gains and losses on  securities  classified as available for sale
   are carried as a separate component of stockholder's  equity, net of deferred
   taxes.

   Realized investment gain or loss is determined on an identified cost basis.

   Prepayments  are  anticipated  on  certain   investments  in  mortgage-backed
   securities  in  determining  the constant  effective  yield used to recognize
   interest income.  Prepayment estimates are based on information received from
   brokers who deal in mortgage-backed securities.

   Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at amortized cost less reserves for
   mortgage  loan losses.  The  estimated  fair value of the  mortgage  loans is
   determined by a discounted  cash flow analysis using mortgage  interest rates
   currently offered for mortgages of similar maturities.

   Impairment of mortgage loans is measured as the excess of the loan's recorded
   investment over its present value of expected principal and interest payments
   discounted  at the  loan's  effective  interest  rate,  or the fair  value of
   collateral.  The  amount of the  impairment  is  recorded  in a  reserve  for
   mortgage loan losses.  The reserve for mortgage loans losses is maintained at
   a level that management  believes is adequate to absorb  estimated  losses in
   the  portfolio.  The level of the  reserve  account  is  determined  based on
   several factors,  including historical experience,  expected future principal
   and  interest  payments,   estimated   collateral  values,  and  current  and
   anticipated economic and political conditions. Management regularly evaluates
   the adequacy of the reserve for mortgage loan losses.

   The Company  generally  stops  accruing  interest on mortgage loans for which
   interest   payments  are  delinquent   more  than  three  months.   Based  on
   management's  judgement  as to  the  ultimate  collectibility  of  principal,
   interest  payments received are either recognized as income or applied to the
   recorded investment in the loan.

   The cost of interest rate caps and floors is amortized to  investment  income
   over the life of the  contracts  and  payments  received as a result of these
   agreements  are recorded as investment  income when  realized.  The amortized
   cost of  interest  rate caps and  floors is  included  in other  investments.
   Amounts paid or received under  interest rate swap  agreements are recognized
   as an adjustment to investment income.

   Policy loans are carried at the aggregate of the unpaid loan  balances  which
   do not exceed the cash surrender values of the related policies.

   When  evidence  indicates a decline,  which is other than  temporary,  in the
   underlying value or earning power of individual investments, such investments
   are written down to the fair value by a charge to income.

   Statements of cash flows

   The  Company  considers  investments  with a  maturity  at the  date of their
   acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  These securities
   are carried principally at amortized cost which approximates fair value.

   Supplementary information to the consolidated statements of cash flows
   for the years ended Dec. 31 is summarized as follows:

                                         1996         1995          1994
                                      ---------      --------      -----
     Cash paid during the year for:
       Income taxes                    $317,283     $191,011     $226,365
       Interest on borrowings             4,119        5,524        1,553

   Recognition of profits on annuity contracts and insurance policies

   Profits on fixed  deferred  annuities are  recognized by the Company over the
   lives  of  the  contracts,  using  primarily  the  interest  method.  Profits
   represent the excess of investment  income earned from investment of contract
   considerations over interest credited to contract owners and other expenses.

   The  retrospective  deposit  method  is  used  in  accounting  for  universal
   life-type  insurance.  This method  recognizes  profits over the lives of the
   policies  in  proportion  to  the  estimated  gross  profits  expected  to be
   realized.

   Premiums on traditional life,  disability income and long-term care insurance
   policies  are  recognized  as revenue  when due,  and  related  benefits  and
   expenses  are  associated  with  premium  revenue in a manner that results in
   recognition  of  profits  over the  lives  of the  insurance  policies.  This
   association  is  accomplished  by means of the  provision  for future  policy
   benefits and the deferral and subsequent  amortization of policy  acquisition
   costs.

   Policyholder and contractholder charges include the monthly cost of insurance
   charges and issue and  administrative  fees.  These  charges also include the
   minimum  death  benefit  guarantee  fees  received  from  the  variable  life
   insurance  separate  accounts.  Management and other fees include  investment
   management fees and mortality and expense risk fees from the variable annuity
   and variable life insurance separate accounts and underlying funds.

   Deferred policy acquisition costs

   The costs of acquiring new business,  principally sales compensation,  policy
   issue costs,  underwriting and certain sales expenses,  have been deferred on
   insurance  and annuity  contracts.  The deferred  acquisition  costs for most
   single premium deferred annuities and installment  annuities are amortized in
   relation  to  surrender  charge  revenue  and a  portion  of  the  excess  of
   investment income earned from investment of the contract  considerations over
   the interest credited to contract owners.  The costs for universal  life-type
   insurance and certain installment  annuities are amortized as a percentage of
   the  estimated  gross profits  expected to be realized on the  policies.  For
   traditional life,  disability  income and long-term care insurance  policies,
   the costs are amortized over an  appropriate  period in proportion to premium
   revenue.

   Liabilities for future policy benefits

   Liabilities  for  universal  life-type  insurance,  single  premium  deferred
   annuities and installment annuities are accumulation values.

   Liabilities  for  fixed  annuities  in a  benefit  status  are  based  on the
   Progressive  Annuity  Table with interest at 5 percent,  the 1971  Individual
   Annuity Table with interest at 7 percent or 8.25 percent,  or the 1983a Table
   with  various  interest  rates  ranging  from  5.5  percent  to 9.5  percent,
   depending on year of issue.

   Liabilities  for future  benefits on traditional  life insurance are based on
   the net level  premium  method and  anticipated  rates of  mortality,  policy
   persistency  and interest  earnings.  Anticipated  mortality  rates generally
   approximate the 1955-1960 Select and Ultimate Basic Table for policies issued
   prior to 1980,  the  1965-1970  Select and Ultimate  Basic Table for policies
   issued from  1981-1984 and the 1975-1980  Select and Ultimate Basic Table for
   policies  issued after 1984.  Anticipated  policy  persistency  rates vary by
   policy form,  issue age and policy  duration with  persistency  on cash value
   plans generally  anticipated to be better than  persistency on term insurance
   plans.  Anticipated  interest  rates are 4% for policies  issued before 1974,
   5.25% for policies issued from 1974-1980,  and range from 10% to 6% depending
   on policy form,  issue year and policy  duration  for  policies  issued after
   1980.

   Liabilities for future  disability income policy benefits include both policy
   reserves  and  claim  reserves.  Policy  reserves  are based on the net level
   premium  method  and  anticipated  rates  of  morbidity,   mortality,  policy
   persistency and interest earnings.  Anticipated  morbidity rates are based on
   the 1964  Commissioners  Disability Table for policies issued before 1996 and
   the 1985 CIDA table for policies issued in 1996.  Anticipated mortality rates
   are based on the 1958  Commissioners  Standard  Ordinary  Table for  policies
   issued before 1996 and the 1975-1980 Basic Table for policies issued in 1996.
   Anticipated policy  persistency rates vary by policy form,  occupation class,
   issue age and policy duration. Anticipated interest rates are 3% for policies
   issued  before  1996 and grade from 7.5% to 5% over five  years for  policies
   issued in 1996.  Claim  reserves are  calculated on the basis of  anticipated
   rates  of  claim  continuance  and  interest   earnings.   Anticipated  claim
   continuance  rates are based on the 1964  Commissioners  Disability Table for
   claims incurred before 1993 and the 1985 CIDA Table for claims incurred after
   1992. Anticipated interest rates are 8% for claims incurred prior to 1992, 7%
   for claims incurred in 1992 and 6% for claims incurred after 1992.

   Liabilities  for future  long-term care policy  benefits  include both policy
   reserves  and  claim  reserves.  Policy  reserves  are based on the net level
   premium  method  and  anticipated  rates  of  morbidity,   mortality,  policy
   persistency and interest earnings.  Anticipated  morbidity rates are based on
   the 1985 National Nursing Home Survey.  Anticipated mortality rates are based
   on the 1983a Table. Anticipated policy persistency rates vary by policy form,
   issue age and policy duration. Anticipated interest rates are 9.5% grading to
   7% over 10 years for policies  issued from  1989-1992 and 7.75% grading to 7%
   over 4 years for policies issued after 1992. Claim reserves are calculated on
   the basis of anticipated  rates of claim  continuance and interest  earnings.
   Anticipated  claim  continuance  rates are based on the 1985 National Nursing
   Home Survey.  Anticipated  interest rates are 8% for claims incurred prior to
   1992, 7% claims incurred in 1992 and 6% for claims incurred after 1992.

   Reinsurance

   The maximum  amount of life insurance risk retained by the Company on any one
   life is $750 of life and waiver of premium  benefits  plus $50 of  accidental
   death benefits.  The maximum amount of disability income risk retained by the
   Company on any one life is $6 of monthly  benefit for benefit  periods longer
   than three  years.  The  excesses  are  reinsured  with other life  insurance
   companies on a yearly  renewable  term basis.  Graded  premium whole life and
   long-term care policies are primarily reinsured on a coinsurance basis.

   Federal income taxes

   The Company's  taxable income is included in the consolidated  federal income
   tax return of American Express Company. The Company provides for income taxes
   on a separate return basis,  except that, under an agreement between American
   Express  Financial  Corporation and American Express Company,  tax benefit is
   recognized for losses to the extent they can be used on the  consolidated tax
   return.  It is the  policy  of  American  Express  Financial  Corporation  to
   reimburse subsidiaries for all tax benefits.

   Included  in other  liabilities  at Dec.  31,  1996 and 1995 are  $33,358 and
   ($13,415),  respectively,   receivable  from/(payable  to)  American  Express
   Financial Corporation for federal income taxes.

   Separate account business

   The separate  account  assets and  liabilities  represent  funds held for the
   exclusive  benefit  of the  variable  annuity  and  variable  life  insurance
   contract owners.

   The Company makes  contractual  mortality  assurances to the variable annuity
   contract  owners  that the net assets of the  separate  accounts  will not be
   affected by future variations in the actual life expectancy experience of the
   annuitants and the beneficiaries from the mortality  assumptions  implicit in
   the annuity  contracts.  The Company  makes  periodic  fund  transfers to, or
   withdrawals  from, the separate  accounts for such actuarial  adjustments for
   variable  annuities that are in the benefit payment period. For variable life
   insurance,  the Company  guarantees that the rates at which insurance charges
   and  administrative  fees are deducted  from  contract  funds will not exceed
   contractual maximums. The Company also guarantees that the death benefit will
   continue payable at the initial level regardless of investment performance so
   long as minimum premium payments are made.

   Accounting changes

   The Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board's (FASB) Statement  of  Financial
   Accounting  Standards (SFAS)  No. 121,  "Accounting  for  the  Impairment  of
   Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," was effective
   Jan. 1, 1996.  The new rule did not have a material  impact on the  Company's
   results of operations or financial condition.  The Company adopted SFAS No.
   115, "Accounting for Certain  Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." The
   effect of  adopting the  new rule was to  increase  stockholder's  equity by
   $181,269,  net of tax, as of Jan. 1, 1994,  but the adoption had no impact on
   the Company's net income.

   Reclassification

   Certain 1995 and 1994 amounts have been  reclassified  to conform to the 1996
   presentation.

2. Investments

   Fair values of investments in fixed maturities represent quoted market prices
   and estimated  values when quoted prices are not available.  Estimated values
   are  determined  by  established  procedures  involving,  among other things,
   review of market  indices,  price levels of current  offerings of  comparable
   issues,  price  estimates  and  market  data  from  independent  brokers  and
   financial files.

   Net realized gain (loss) on investments for the years ended Dec. 31 is
   summarized as follows:

                                          1996           1995            1994
                                       --------        --------        --------

   Fixed maturities ............       $  8,736        $  9,973        $ (1,575)
   Mortgage loans ..............         (8,745)        (13,259)         (3,013)
   Other investments ...........           (150)         (1,612)            306
                                       --------        --------        --------
                                       $   (159)       $ (4,898)       $ (4,282)
                                       ========        ========        ========

   <PAGE>
   Changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for the
   years ended Dec. 31 are summarized as follows:

                                         1996          1995            1994
                                     ----------    ------------     -----------
   Fixed maturities:
      Held to maturity .......     $  (335,515)     $ 1,195,847     $(1,329,740)
      Available for sale .....        (231,853)         811,649        (720,449)
   Equity securities .........             (52)           3,118          (2,917)

   The  amortized  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains and losses and fair values of
   investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at Dec. 31, 1996 are as
   follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Gross       Gross
                                        Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized   Fair
   Held to maturity                         Cost      Gains     Losses      Value
   ----------------                         ----      -----     ------      -----
<S>                                      <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>
   U.S. Government agency obligations    $ 44,002    $   933  $  1,276     $ 43,659
   State and municipal obligations          9,685        412        --       10,097
   Corporate bonds and obligations      8,057,997    356,687    47,639    8,367,045
   Mortgage-backed securities           2,124,695     21,577    45,423    2,100,849
                                     ------------  ---------   ------- ------------
                                      $10,236,379   $379,609   $94,338  $10,521,650
                                      ===========   ========   =======  ===========

                                                      Gross       Gross
                                       Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized       Fair
   Available for sale                       Cost      Gains      Losses        Value
   ------------------                       ----      -----      ------        -----
   U.S. Government agency obligations $    77,944   $  2,607   $     96  $    80,455
   State and municipal obligations         11,032      1,336         --       12,368
   Corporate bonds and obligations      3,701,604    122,559     24,788    3,799,375
   Mortgage-backed securities           7,218,042    104,808     68,203    7,254,647
                                       ----------   --------     ------  -----------
   Total fixed maturities              11,008,622    231,310     93,087   11,146,845
   Equity securities                        3,000        308         --        3,308
                                      -----------   --------    -------  -----------
                                      $11,011,622   $231,618    $93,087  $11,150,153
                                      ===========   ========    =======  ===========
</TABLE>

   The  amortized  cost,  gross  unrealized  gains and losses and fair values of
   investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at Dec. 31, 1995 are as
   follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Gross         Gross
                                          Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized     Fair
   Held to maturity                           Cost      Gains       Losses        Value

<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>
   U.S. Government agency obligations   $    64,523   $  3,919     $    --   $    68,442
   State and municipal obligations           11,936        362          32        12,266
   Corporate bonds and obligations        8,921,431    620,327      36,786     9,504,972
   Mortgage-backed securities             2,259,701     42,684       9,688     2,292,697
                                        -----------  ---------     -------   -----------
                                        $11,257,591   $667,292     $46,506   $11,878,377
                                        ===========   ========     =======   ===========

                                                        Gross        Gross
                                          Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized     Fair
   Available for sale                        Cost       Gains       Losses        Value

   U.S. Government agency obligations   $    84,082  $   3,248    $     50   $    87,280
   State and municipal obligations           11,020      1,476          --        12,496
   Corporate bonds and obligations        2,514,308    186,596       3,451     2,697,453
   Mortgage-backed securities             7,536,726    206,288      24,031     7,718,983
                                         ----------   --------     -------    ----------
   Total fixed maturities                10,146,136    397,608      27,532    10,516,212
   Equity securities                          3,156        361          --         3,517
                                         ----------   --------     -------    ----------
                                        $10,149,292   $397,969     $27,532   $10,519,729
                                        ===========   ========     =======   ===========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
   The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed  maturities at Dec.
   31, 1996 by contractual  maturity are shown below.  Expected  maturities will
   differ from contractual  maturities  because  borrowers may have the right to
   call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

                                           Amortized             Fair
   Held to maturity                           Cost               Value

   Due in one year or less               $    197,711       $    200,134
   Due from one to five years               2,183,374          2,294,335
   Due from five to ten years               4,606,775          4,779,690
   Due in more than ten years               1,123,824          1,146,642
   Mortgage-backed securities               2,124,695          2,100,849
                                         ------------       ------------
                                          $10,236,379        $10,521,650

                                            Amortized             Fair
   Available for sale                         Cost                Value

   Due in one year or less               $    227,051       $    229,650
   Due from one to five years                 851,428            899,098
   Due from five to ten years               2,140,579          2,182,079
   Due in more than ten years                 571,522            581,371
   Mortgage-backed securities               7,218,042          7,254,647
                                         ------------       ------------
                                          $11,008,622        $11,146,845

   During  the years  ended  Dec.  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994,  fixed  maturities
   classified  as held to maturity  were sold with  amortized  cost of $277,527,
   $333,508 and $61,290,  respectively. Net gains and losses on these sales were
   not  significant.  The sale of these fixed  maturities was due to significant
   deterioration in the issuers' creditworthiness.

   As a result of adopting the FASB Special Report,  "A Guide to  Implementation
   of Statement 115 on  Accounting  for Certain  Investments  in Debt and Equity
   Securities," the Company reclassified securities with a book value of $91,760
   and net unrealized  gains of $881 from held to maturity to available for sale
   in December 1995.

   In addition,  fixed maturities  available for sale were sold during 1996 with
   proceeds of $238,905 and gross realized gains and losses of $571 and $16,084,
   respectively.  Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1995 with
   proceeds of $136,825 and gross  realized gains and losses of $nil and $5,781,
   respectively.  Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1994 with
   proceeds  of  $374,564  and gross  realized  gains and  losses of $1,861  and
   $7,602, respectively.

   At Dec. 31, 1996, bonds carried at $13,571 were on deposit with various
   states as required by law.
<PAGE>

   Net investment income for the years ended Dec. 31 is summarized as follows:

                                         1996            1995           1994
                                        ---------       -------        -----

   Interest on fixed maturities       $1,666,929      $1,656,136    $1,556,756
   Interest on mortgage loans            283,830         232,827       196,521
   Other investment income                43,283          35,936        38,366
   Interest on cash equivalents            5,754           5,363         6,872
                                   -------------         -------   -----------
                                       1,999,796       1,930,262     1,798,515
   Less investment expenses               34,434          22,953        16,642
                                    ------------       ---------    ----------
                                      $1,965,362      $1,907,309    $1,781,873
                                      ==========      ==========    ==========

   At Dec. 31, 1996, investments in fixed maturities comprised 84 percent of the
   Company's total invested  assets.  These  securities are rated by Moody's and
   Standard & Poor's (S&P),  except for securities carried at approximately $1.9
   billion which are rated by American Express  Financial  Corporation  internal
   analysts using criteria  similar to Moody's and S&P. A summary of investments
   in fixed maturities, at amortized cost, by rating on Dec. 31 is as follows:

     Rating                              1996               1995
     ------                          -----------         -----------
     Aaa/AAA ....................... $ 9,460,134         $ 9,907,664
     Aaa/AA ........................       2,870               3,112
     Aa/AA .........................     241,914             279,403
     Aa/A ..........................     192,631             154,846
     A/A ...........................   2,949,895           3,104,122
     A/BBB .........................   1,034,661             871,782
     Baa/BBB .......................   4,531,515           4,417,654
     Baa/BB ........................     768,285             657,633
     Below investment grade ........   2,063,096           2,007,511
                                     -----------         -----------
                                     $21,245,001         $21,403,727

   At Dec. 31, 1996, 95 percent of the securities rated Aaa/AAA are GNMA, FNMA
   and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities.  No holdings of any other issuer are
   greater than 1 percent of the Company's  total investments in fixed
   maturities.
<PAGE>

   At Dec. 31, 1996, approximately 13.7 percent of the Company's invested assets
   were mortgage loans on real estate.  Summaries of mortgage loans by region of
   the United States and by type of real estate are as follows:

                                 Dec. 31, 1996               Dec. 31, 1995
                           -------------------------    ------------------------
                           On Balance   Commitments    On Balance   Commitments
     Region                   Sheet     to Purchase       Sheet     to Purchase
   ------------------      -----------   -----------    -----------   ----------
   East North Central      $  777,960      $  19,358     $  720,185    $ 67,206
   West North Central         389,285         29,620        303,113      34,411
   South Atlantic             891,852         35,007        732,529     111,967
   Middle Atlantic            553,869         17,959        508,634      37,079
   New England                310,177         14,042        244,816      40,452
   Pacific                    190,770          4,997        168,272      23,161
   West South Central         105,173         11,246         61,860      27,978
   East South Central          75,176             --         58,462      10,122
   Mountain                   236,597         11,401        184,964      16,774
                           ----------       --------       --------      ------
                            3,530,859        143,630      2,982,835     369,150
   Less allowance for losses   37,495             --         37,340          --
                           ----------       --------        -------         ---
                           $3,493,364       $143,630     $2,945,495    $369,150
                           ==========       ========     ==========    ========

                                   Dec. 31, 1996                Dec. 31, 1995
                           -------------------------    ------------------------
                           On Balance    Commitments    On Balance   Commitments
     Property type             Sheet     to Purchase       Sheet     to Purchase
- -----------------------     ---------      ---------    -----------  -----------
Department/retail stores   $1,154,179      $  68,032    $   985,660    $ 134,538
Apartments                  1,119,352         23,246      1,038,446       84,978
Office buildings              611,395         27,653        464,381       62,664
Industrial buildings          296,944          6,716        255,469       22,721
Hotels/motels                  97,870          6,257         31,335       48,816
Nursing/retirement homes       88,226          1,877         80,864        4,378
Mixed Use                      73,120             --         53,169           --
Medical buildings              67,178          8,289         57,772        2,495
Other                          22,595          1,560         15,739        8,560
                         ------------     ----------      ---------     --------
                            3,530,859        143,630      2,982,835      369,150
Less allowance for losses      37,495             --         37,340           --
                         ------------         ------      ---------       ------
                           $3,493,364       $143,630     $2,945,495     $369,150
                           ==========       ========     ==========     ========
<PAGE>

Mortgage loan fundings are restricted by state insurance regulatory  authorities
to 80  percent  or less of the  market  value of the real  estate at the time of
origination  of the loan. The Company holds the mortgage  document,  which gives
the right to take  possession  of the property if the borrower  fails to perform
according to the terms of the agreement. The fair value of the mortgage loans is
determined by a discounted  cash flow analysis  using  mortgage  interest  rates
currently offered for mortgages of similar  maturities.  Commitments to purchase
mortgages  are made in the ordinary  course of  business.  The fair value of the
mortgage commitments is $nil.

At Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company's  recorded  investment in impaired loans
was  $79,441 and $83,874  with a reserve of $16,162 and  $19,307,  respectively.
During 1996 and 1995,  the average  recorded  investment  in impaired  loans was
$74,338 and $74,567, respectively.

The Company  recognized $4,889 and $5,014 of interest income related to impaired
loans for the year ended Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

The  following  table  presents  changes in the  reserve for  investment  losses
related to all loans:

                                            1996              1995
                                         ---------         --------
Balance, Jan. 1 ....................      $ 37,340         $ 35,252
Provision for investment losses ....        10,005           15,900
Loan payoffs .......................        (4,700)         (11,900)
Foreclosures .......................        (5,150)          (1,350)
Other ..............................            --             (562)
                                          --------         --------
Balance, Dec. 31 ...................      $ 37,495         $ 37,340
                                          ========         ========

At Dec. 31, 1996,  the Company had  commitments to purchase  affordable  housing
limited partnership  investments of $28,476, which is recorded as a liability in
the accompanying  balance sheets.  The total amounts  committed in 1997 and 1998
are $25,234 and  $3,242,  respectively.  The  Company  also had  commitments  to
purchase  real estate  investments  for $35,425.  Commitments  to purchase  real
estate  investments are made in the ordinary course of business.  The fair value
of these commitments is $nil.

<PAGE>

3. Income taxes

   The Company  qualifies  as a life  insurance  company for federal  income tax
   purposes.  As such,  the  Company  is subject to the  Internal  Revenue  Code
   provisions applicable to life insurance companies.

   Income tax expense consists of the following:

                                     1996          1995          1994
                                    ------       --------      -------
   Federal income taxes:
         Current                   $260,357      $218,040     $186,508
         Deferred                   (65,609)      (33,810)     (19,175)
                                   --------      --------     --------
                                    194,748       184,230      167,333
   State income taxes-current        12,390        11,612        9,010
                                  ---------       -------       ------
   Income tax expense              $207,138      $195,842     $176,343
                                   ========      ========     ========

   Increases  (decreases)  to the federal  tax  provision  applicable  to pretax
   income based on the statutory rate are attributable to:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1996                  1995                  1994
                                 -----------------     -----------------     -----------------
                                 Provision    Rate     Provision    Rate     Provision    Rate
<S>                              <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>
        Federal income
          taxes based on
        the statutory rate       $217,600    35.0%      $196,274    35.0%     $179,379    35.0%
        Increases (decreases)
        are attributable to:
        Tax-excluded interest
          and dividend income      (9,636)   (1.6)        (8,524)   (1.5)       (9,939)   (2.0)
        Other, net                (13,216)   (2.1)        (3,520)   (0.6)       (2,107)   (0.4)
                                ---------   -----       --------    ----      --------    ----
        Federal income taxes     $194,748    31.3%      $184,230    32.9%     $167,333    32.6%
                                 ========   =====       ========    ====      ========    ====
</TABLE>

   A portion  of life  insurance  company  income  earned  prior to 1984 was not
   subject to current  taxation  but was  accumulated,  for tax  purposes,  in a
   policyholders'  surplus  account.  At  Dec.  31,  1996,  the  Company  had  a
   policyholders' surplus account balance of $20,114. The policyholders' surplus
   account  is  only  taxable  if  dividends  to  the  stockholder   exceed  the
   stockholder's  surplus  account  or if the  Company is  liquidated.  Deferred
   income taxes of $7,040 have not been established  because no distributions of
   such amounts are contemplated.

<PAGE>

   Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities
   as of Dec. 31  are as follows:

                                           1996            1995
                                          -------         -----
   Deferred tax assets:
   Policy reserves                       $724,412       $600,176
   Life insurance guarantee
      fund assessment reserve              29,854         26,785
   Other                                    2,763             --
                                        ---------        -------
   Total deferred tax assets              757,029        626,961
                                        ---------        -------

   Deferred tax liabilities:
   Deferred policy acquisition costs      665,685        590,762
   Unrealized gain on investments          48,486        129,653
   Investments, other                       8,935         17,152
   Other                                       --          2,298
                                         --------        -------
   Total deferred tax liabilities         723,106        739,865
                                         --------        -------
   Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$  33,923      $(112,904)
                                        =========      =========

   The Company is required to establish a "valuation  allowance" for any portion
   of the deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized.  In
   the opinion of  management,  it is more likely than not that the Company will
   realize  the  benefit of the  deferred  tax assets  and,  therefore,  no such
   valuation allowance has been established.

4. Stockholder's equity

   During 1996,  the Company  received a $4,801  capital  contribution  from its
   parent,  American  Express  Financial  Corporation.  During 1995, the Company
   received  a  $39,700  capital  contribution  from its  parent  in the form of
   investments in fixed  maturities and mortgage loans.  In addition,  effective
   Jan. 1, 1995, the Company began consolidating the financial results of ACLAC.
   This  change  reflected  the  transfer of  ownership  of ACLAC from Amex Life
   Assurance  Company (Amex Life), a former  affiliate,  to the Company prior to
   the sale of Amex Life to an  unaffiliated  third party on Oct. 2, 1995.  This
   transfer  of  ownership  to the  Company  has  been  reflected  as a  capital
   contribution of $17,114 in the accompanying financial statements.  The effect
   of this change in reporting entity was not significant and prior periods have
   not been restated.

   As discussed in Note 5, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with
   Amex Life during 1995. As a result of this transaction,  a loss of $4,574 was
   realized and reported as a direct charge to retained earnings.

   Other changes in the statements of stockholder's equity are primarily related
   to reinsurance transactions with affiliates.

   Retained  earnings  available for distribution as dividends to the parent are
   limited to the Company's  surplus as determined in accordance with accounting
   practices  prescribed by state insurance  regulatory  authorities.  Statutory
   unassigned surplus  aggregated  $1,261,592 as of Dec. 31, 1996 and $1,103,993
   as of Dec.  31,  1995 (see Note 3 with  respect  to the  income tax effect of
   certain  distributions).  In addition,  any dividend distributions in 1997 in
   excess of approximately  $351,306 would require approval of the Department of
   Commerce of the State of Minnesota.

   Statutory net income for the years ended Dec. 31 and capital and surplus as
   of Dec. 31 are summarized as follows:

                                       1996            1995           1994
                                      ------          ------        ------
   Statutory net income            $ 365,585       $ 326,799       $ 294,699
   Statutory capital and surplus   1,565,082       1,398,649       1,261,958

   Dividends paid to American  Express  Financial  Corporation  were $165,000 in
   1996, $180,000 in 1995, and $165,000 in 1994.

5. Related party transactions

   The Company has loaned funds to American Express Financial  Corporation under
   a collateral loan agreement.  The balance of the loan was $11,800 and $25,800
   at Dec.  31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  This loan can be  increased  to a
   maximum of $75,000 and pays interest at a rate equal to the preceding month's
   effective  new money  rate for the  Company's  permanent  investments.  It is
   collateralized  by equity  securities  valued at $116,543 at Dec.  31,  1996.
   Interest  income on related party loans  totaled  $780,  $1,371 and $2,894 in
   1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

   The Company  purchased a five year  secured note from an  affiliated  company
   which had an  outstanding  balance of $nil and  $19,444 at Dec.  31, 1996 and
   1995,  respectively.  The note bears a fixed rate of 8.42  percent.  Interest
   income on the above note totaled $1,637,  $1,937 and $2,278 in 1996, 1995 and
   1994, respectively.

   The Company has a reinsurance  agreement  whereby it assumed 100 percent of a
   block of single  premium life  insurance  business  from Amex Life  Assurance
   Company  (Amex  Life),  a former  affiliate.  The  accompanying  consolidated
   balance  sheets at Dec.  31, 1996 and 1995  include  $758,812  and  $764,663,
   respectively, of future policy benefits related to this agreement.

   The Company has a  reinsurance  agreement to cede 50 percent of its long-term
   care insurance business to Amex Life. The accompanying  consolidated  balance
   sheets at Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995 include $134,121 and $95,484,  respectively,
   of reinsurance receivables related to this agreement. Premiums ceded amounted
   to $32,917,  $25,553 and $20,360 and  reinsurance  recovered from  reinsurers
   amounted to $5,135, $4,998 and $3,022 for the years ended Dec. 31, 1996, 1995
   and 1994, respectively.

   The Company has a reinsurance  agreement to assume deferred annuity contracts
   from Amex Life. At Oct. 1, 1995, a $803,618  block of deferred  annuities and
   $28,327 of deferred policy acquisition costs were transferred to the Company.
   The  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheet  at Dec.  31,  1996  includes
   $828,298 of future policy benefits related to this agreement.  Contracts with
   future policy benefits  totaling $50,400 were still reinsured with the former
   affiliate at Dec.  31,  1996.  The  remaining  contracts  had been novated to
   Company contracts.

   Until July 1, 1995, the Company  participated  in the IDS Retirement  Plan of
   American Express Financial  Corporation which covered all permanent employees
   age 21 and over who had met certain employment  requirements.  Effective July
   1, 1995, the IDS Retirement Plan was merged with American  Express  Company's
   American Express Retirement Plan, which simultaneously was amended to include
   a  cash  balance  formula  and  a  lump  sum  distribution  option.  Employer
   contributions  to the plan are based on  participants'  age, years of service
   and total  compensation  for the year.  Funding of retirement  costs for this
   plan complies with the applicable minimum funding  requirements  specified by
   ERISA.  The Company's share of the total net periodic  pension cost was $174,
   $155 and $156 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

   The  Company  also  participates  in defined  contribution  pension  plans of
   American  Express  Company  which  cover all  employees  who have met certain
   employment requirements.  Company contributions to the plans are a percent of
   either each employee's eligible compensation or basic contributions. Costs of
   these plans charged to operations in 1996,  1995 and 1994 were $990, $815 and
   $957, respectively.

   The Company  participates  in defined  benefit  health care plans of American
   Express  Financial  Corporation  that provide  health care and life insurance
   benefits to retired  employees  and  retired  financial  advisors.  The plans
   include   participant   contributions   and   service   related   eligibility
   requirements.  Upon  retirement,  such  employees are considered to have been
   employees  of  American  Express  Financial  Corporation.   American  Express
   Financial  Corporation  expenses these benefits and allocates the expenses to
   its  subsidiaries.  Accordingly,  costs of such  benefits  to the Company are
   included in employee  compensation and benefits and cannot be identified on a
   separate company basis.

   Charges  by  American  Express   Financial   Corporation  for  use  of  joint
   facilities,  marketing  services  and  other  services  aggregated  $397,362,
   $377,139,  and $335,183  for 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Certain of
   these costs are included in deferred policy  acquisition  costs. In addition,
   the  Company  rents its home office  space from  American  Express  Financial
   Corporation on an annual renewable basis.

6. Commitments and contingencies

   At Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995, traditional life insurance and universal life-type
   insurance in force aggregated $67,274,354 and $59,683,532,  respectively,  of
   which  $3,875,921 and $3,771,204  were reinsured at the respective year ends.
   The Company also  reinsures a portion of the risks assumed  under  disability
   income  and  long-term  care  policies.  Under  all  reinsurance  agreements,
   premiums  ceded to  reinsurers  amounted to $48,250,  $39,399 and $31,016 and
   reinsurance  recovered  from  reinsurers  amounted to $15,612,  $14,088,  and
   $10,778  for the years  ended  Dec.  31,  1996,  1995 and  1994.  Reinsurance
   contracts  do  not  relieve  the  Company  from  its  primary  obligation  to
   policyholders.

   A number of  lawsuits  have been filed  against  life and health  insurers in
   jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries do business involving
   insurers'  sales  practices,  alleged agent  misconduct,  failure to properly
   supervise agents, and other matters. In December 1996, an action of this type
   was brought against the Company and its parent,  American  Express  Financial
   Corporation.  The plaintiffs  purport to represent a class  consisting of all
   persons who replaced existing Company policies with new Company policies from
   and after Jan. 1, 1985.  The complaint  puts at issue  various  alleged sales
   practices and  misrepresentations,  alleged  breaches of fiduciary duties and
   alleged violations of consumer fraud statutes.  Plaintiffs seek damages in an
   unspecified amount and seek to establish a claims resolution facility for the
   determination of individual  issues.  The Company and its parent believe they
   have meritorious defenses to the claims raised in the lawsuit. The outcome of
   any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty,  particularly in the early
   stages of an action.  In the opinion of  management,  however,  the  ultimate
   resolution of the above  lawsuit and others filed against the Company  should
   not have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  consolidated  financial
   position.

   During 1996, the Company  settled the federal tax audit for 1987 through 1989
   tax years.  There was no material impact as a result of that audit. Also, the
   IRS is  currently  auditing  the  Company's  1990  through  1992  tax  years.
   Management  does not believe  there will be a material  impact as a result of
   this audit.

7. Lines of credit 

   The  Company  has  available  lines of credit with two banks and its parent
   aggregating $175,000, of which $100,000 is with its parent. The lines of
   credit are at 40 to 80 basis  points over the lenders' cost of funds or equal
   to the prime rate,  depending on which line of credit agreement is used.  The
   $25,000 line of credit with one bank expired on Dec. 31, 1996 and the Company
   did not seek renewal. The $50,000 line  of credit with the other bank expires
   on  June 30, 1997  and  the  Company expects  to seek  renewal.  Borrowings
   outstanding under these agreements were $nil at Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995.

8. Derivative financial instruments

   The  Company  enters  into  transactions   involving   derivative   financial
   instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate risk,  including  hedging
   specific  transactions.  The Company does not hold derivative instruments for
   trading purposes. The Company manages risks associated with these instruments
   as described below.

   Market risk is the  possibility  that the value of the  derivative  financial
   instruments  will  change  due to  fluctuations  in a factor  from  which the
   instrument derives its value,  primarily an interest rate. The Company is not
   impacted by market risk related to derivatives held for non-trading  purposes
   beyond  that  inherent  in cash  market  transactions.  Derivatives  held for
   purposes  other than trading are largely used to manage risk and,  therefore,
   the cash flow and  income  effects  of the  derivatives  are  inverse  to the
   effects of the underlying transactions.

   Credit risk is the  possibility  that the  counterparty  will not fulfill the
   terms of the  contract.  The  Company  monitors  credit  exposure  related to
   derivative  financial  instruments through established  approval  procedures,
   including  setting  concentration  limits by counterparty  and industry,  and
   requiring  collateral,  where  appropriate.  A vast majority of the Company's
   counterparties are rated A or better by Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

   Credit  exposure  related to interest rate caps and floors is measured by the
   replacement  cost of the contracts.  The replacement cost represents the fair
   value of the instruments.

   The  notional or contract  amount of a  derivative  financial  instrument  is
   generally used to calculate the cash flows that are received or paid over the
   life of the  agreement.  Notional  amounts  are not  recorded  on the balance
   sheet. Notional amounts far exceed the related credit exposure.

<PAGE>

   The Company's holdings of derivative financial instruments are as follows:

                               Notional    Carrying      Fair      Total Credit
   Dec. 31, 1996                Amount       Value       Value       Exposure
   -------------              ---------     -------     --------   ------------
   Assets:
    Interest rate caps      $ 4,000,000     $16,227     $  7,439      $  7,439
    Interest rate floors      1,000,000       2,041        4,341         4,341
    Interest rate swaps       1,000,000          --      (24,715)           --
                             ----------     -------     --------       -------
                             $6,000,000     $18,268     $(12,935)      $11,780
                             ==========     =======     ========       =======
   Dec. 31, 1995
   Assets:
     Interest rate caps      $5,100,000     $26,680     $  8,366       $ 8,366
                             ==========     =======     ========       =======

   The fair  values  of  derivative  financial  instruments  are based on market
   values,  dealer quotes or pricing  models.  The interest rate caps and floors
   expire on various  dates from 1996 to 2001.  The  interest  rate swaps are in
   effect through 2001.

   Interest  rate  caps,  swaps and floors  are used  principally  to manage the
   Company's  interest  rate risk.  These  instruments  are used to protect  the
   margin between  interest  rates earned on investments  and the interest rates
   credited to related annuity contract holders.

9. Fair values of financial instruments

   The Company  discloses fair value  information  for most on- and  off-balance
   sheet  financial  instruments  for which it is  practicable  to estimate that
   value.  Fair  values  of life  insurance  obligations  and all  non-financial
   instruments,  such as deferred  acquisition  costs are excluded.  Off-balance
   sheet  intangible  assets,  such as the  value of the field  force,  are also
   excluded.  Management  believes the value of excluded  assets is significant.
   The fair value of the Company,  therefore, cannot be estimated by aggregating
   the amounts presented.

                                           1996                        1995
                                          ------                      -----
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Carrying         Fair        Carrying         Fair
   Financial Assets               Value           Value         Value         Value
   ----------------               -----           -----         -----         -----
<S>                            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>        
   Investments:
     Fixed maturities (Note 2):
       Held to maturity        $10,236,379   $10,521,650   $11,257,591   $11,878,377
       Available for sale       11,146,845    11,146,845    10,516,212    10,516,212
     Mortgage loans on
       real estate (Note 2)      3,493,364     3,606,077     2,945,495     3,184,666
     Other:
       Equity securities (Note 2)    3,308         3,308         3,517         3,517
       Derivative financial
         instruments (Note 8)       18,268       (12,935)       26,680         8,366
       Other                        63,993        66,242        52,182        52,182
   Cash and
     cash equivalents (Note 1)     224,603       224,603        72,147        72,147
   Separate account assets
     (Note 1)                   18,535,160    18,535,160    14,974,082    14,974,082

   Financial Liabilities
     Future policy benefits
       for fixed annuities      20,641,986    19,721,968    20,259,265    19,603,114
     Separate account 
         liabilities            17,358,087    16,688,519    14,208,619    13,665,636
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

   At Dec.  31,  1996 and 1995,  the  carrying  amount  and fair value of future
   policy benefits for fixed annuities exclude life insurance-related  contracts
   carried at  $1,112,155  and  $1,070,598,  respectively,  and policy  loans of
   $83,867 and $74,973,  respectively. The fair value of these benefits is based
   on the status of the  annuities at Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995.  The fair value of
   deferred  annuities is estimated as the carrying  amount less any  applicable
   surrender charges and related loans. The fair value for annuities in non-life
   contingent  payout  status is  estimated  as the present  value of  projected
   benefit payments at rates appropriate for contracts issued in 1996 and 1995.

   At Dec. 31, 1996 and 1995, the fair value of liabilities  related to separate
   accounts is estimated as the carrying  amount less any  applicable  surrender
   charges and less  variable  insurance  contracts  carried at  $1,177,073  and
   $765,463, respectively.

10.Segment information

   The Company's operations consist of two business segments;  first, individual
   and group life insurance, disability income and long-term care insurance, and
   second,  annuity  products  designed for  individuals,  pension plans,  small
   businesses  and   employer-sponsored   groups.  The  consolidated   condensed
   statements  of income for the years ended Dec.  31,  1996,  1995 and 1994 and
   total  assets at Dec. 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994 by segment are  summarized  as
   follows:

                                          1996           1995            1994
                                         ------         ------          -----
   Net investment income:
   Life, disability income
     and long-term care insurance   $    262,998   $    256,242   $     247,047
   Annuities                           1,702,364      1,651,067       1,534,826
                                     -----------    -----------    ------------
                                     $ 1,965,362    $ 1,907,309    $  1,781,873
                                     ===========    ===========    ============
   Premiums, charges and fees:
   Life, disability income
     and long-term care insurance   $    448,389   $    384,008   $     335,375
   Annuities                             308,873        249,557         193,370
                                    ------------   ------------   -------------
                                    $    757,262   $    633,565   $     528,745
                                    ============   ============   =============
   Income before income taxes:
   Life, disability income
     and long-term care insurance   $    161,115   $    125,402   $     122,677
   Annuities                             460,758        440,278         394,117
   Net loss on investments                  (159)        (4,898)         (4,282)
                                   -------------  -------------  --------------
                                    $    621,714   $    560,782   $     512,512
                                    ============   ============   =============
   Total assets:
   Life, disability income
     and long-term care insurance   $  7,028,906   $  6,195,870    $  5,269,188
   Annuities                          40,277,075     36,704,208      30,478,355
                                     -----------    -----------     -----------
                                     $47,305,981    $42,900,078     $35,747,543
                                     ===========    ===========     ===========

   Allocations of net investment  income and certain general  expenses are based
   on various assumptions and estimates.

   Assets are not  individually  identifiable by segment and have been allocated
   principally based on the amount of future policy benefits by segment.

   Capital  expenditures  and  depreciation   expense  are  not  material,   and
   consequently, are not reported.

<PAGE>

Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company

We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of IDS  Life
Insurance  Company (a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of American  Express  Financial
Corporation)  as of  December  31, 1996 and 1995,  and the related  consolidated
statements of income,  stockholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These financial  statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of IDS Life Insurance
Company at  December  31,  1996 and 1995,  and the  consolidated  results of its
operations  and its cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the Company
changed  its method of  accounting  for certain  investments  in debt and equity
securities in 1994.



Ernst & Young LLP
February 7, 1997
Minneapolis, Minnesota


<PAGE>


PAGE 45
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES

Difference                          Description


1)  Headings.                       1)  The headings in the
                                        prospectus are placed
                                        in blue strip at the top
                                        of the page.

2)  The page numbers in the         2)  The prospectus begins on
    electronic document do not          page 1 in both documents,
    correspond to the printed           ends on page 35 in the
    prospectus.                         electronic document, and
                                        page 60 in the printed
                                        prospectus.

3)  Financial language.             3)  A paragraph was added on
                                        the first page of the IDS
                                        Life Insurance Company
                                        Consolidated Balance
                                        Sheets.




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