IDS LIFE SPECIAL INCOME FUND INC
485BPOS, 1999-10-29
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                           Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

                                    Form N-1A


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 (File No. 2-73113)                         [X]
                             --
                                                  and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF l940

Amendment No. 41 (File No. 811-3219)                                       [X]
              ---

AXP Variable Portfolio - Income Series, Inc.
(Formerly known as IDS LIFE SPECIAL INCOME FUND, INC.)
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0010

Leslie L. Ogg - 901 S. Marquette Ave., Suite 2810,
Minneapolis, MN  55402-3268
(612) 330-9283

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

It  is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
     [ ]  immediately  upon filing  pursuant to paragraph  (b)
     [X] on Oct. 29, 1999 pursuant to  paragraph  (b)
     [ ] 60 days after  filing  pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
     [ ] on (date)  pursuant to paragraph  (a)(1)
     [ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph  (a)(2)
     [ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph  (a)(2) of rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:
     [ ] This post-effective  amendment  designates a new effective date for a
         previously filed post-effective amendment.

<PAGE>

PART A

     The  combined    Prospectus    containing    information    for   AXP
     Variable Portfolio-Investment  Series, Inc., AXP Variable  Portfolio-Income
     Series, Inc.,  AXP  Variable  Portfolio-Managed  Series,  Inc.,  and  AXP
     Variable Portfolio-Money  Market Series, Inc. filed in Post-Effective
     Amendment No. 40 to Registration Statement No. 2-73115 is incorporated by
     reference.

PART B

     The  combined Statement of Additional Information containing information
     for AXP Variable  Portfolio - Investment  Series,  Inc.,  AXP Variable
     Portfolio - Income Series, Inc., AXP Variable Portfolio - Managed Series,
     Inc., and AXP Variable  Portfolio - Money Market  Series,  Inc.  filed in
     Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to  Registration  Statement No. 2-73115 is
     incorporated by reference.


<PAGE>

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 23.      Exhibits

(a)  Articles of Incorporation as amended Oct. 13, 1989, filed electronically as
     Exhibit  No.  1  to  Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  24,  are
     incorporated by reference.

(b)  By-laws as amended Jan. 12, 1989, filed  electronically as Exhibit No. 2 to
     Registrant's   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  24,  are   incorporated  by
     reference.

(c)  Stock  certificate  for  common  shares,  is on  file  at the  Registrant's
     headquarters.

(d)(1) Investment Management Services Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of
     IDS Life Special Income Fund,  and IDS Life  Insurance  Company dated March
     20,  1995,   filed   electronically   as  Exhibit   5(a)  to   Registrant's
     Post-Effective Amendment No. 29, is incorporated by reference.

(d)(2) Investment Management Services Agreement between Registrant, on behalf of
     IDS Life Global Yield Fund and IDS Life Income Advantage Fund, and IDS Life
     Insurance  Company dated April 11, 1996,  filed  electronically  as Exhibit
     5(b) to  Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 32, is incorporated by
     reference.

(d)(3) Investment  Management Services Agreement,  dated Sept. 13, 1999, between
     Registrant  on behalf of AXP Variable  Portfolio - Federal  Income Fund and
     IDS Life Insurance Company, filed electronically herewith.

(d)(4) Investment  Advisory  Agreement  between IDS Life  Insurance  Company and
     American  Express   Financial   Corporation  dated  Oct.  14,  1998,  filed
     electronically as Exhibit (5)(c) to Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment
     No. 35 filed on or about Oct. 30, 1998, is incorporated by reference.

(d)(5) Addendum to Investment  Advisory  Agreement,  dated Oct. 14, 1999 between
     IDS Life Insurance Company and American Express Financial Corporation filed
     electronically  as  Exhibit  (d)(5)  to AXP  Variable  Portfolio-Investment
     Series,  Inc.'s Post-Effective  Amendment No. 40 to Registration  Statement
     No. 2-73115 filed on or about Oct. 28, 1999, is incorporated by reference.

(d)(6)  Administrative  Services  Agreement,   dated  March  20,  1995,  between
     Registrant, on behalf of IDS Life Special Income Fund, and American Express
     Financial Corporation, filed electronically as Exhibit 5(c) to Registrant's
     Post-Effective Amendment No. 29, is incorporated by reference.

(d)(7)  Administrative  Services  Agreement,   dated  April  11,  1996,  between
     Registrant,  on behalf of IDS Life  Global  Yield Fund and IDS Life  Income
     Advantage  Fund,  and  American  Express   Financial   Corporation,   filed
     electronically as Exhibit 5(e) to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No.
     32, is incorporated by reference.

(d)(8)  Administrative   Services  Agreement,   dated  Sept.  13,  1999  between
     Registrant  on behalf of AXP Variable  Portfolio - Federal  Income Fund and
     American Express Financial Corporation, filed electronically herewith.

(e)  Underwriting Contracts: Not Applicable.

<PAGE>

(f)  All employees are eligible to participate  in a profit sharing plan.  Entry
     into the plan is Jan. 1 or July 1. The Registrant  contributes each year an
     amount up to 15 percent of their annual  salaries,  the maximum  deductible
     amount permitted under Section 404(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(g)(1) Custodian  Agreement  between  Registrant,  on behalf of IDS Life Special
     Income Fund,  and American  Express  Trust  Company,  dated March 20, 1995,
     filed  electronically  as  Exhibit  8(a)  to  Registrant's   Post-Effective
     Amendment No. 30, is incorporated by reference.

(g)(2)  Custodian  Agreement  between  Registrant,  on behalf of IDS Life Global
     Yield Fund and IDS Life Income  Advantage Fund, and American  Express Trust
     Company,  dated April 11, 1996, is filed  electronically as Exhibit 8(b) to
     Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, is incorporated by reference.

(g)(3) Custodian Agreement, dated Sept. 13, 1999 between Registrant on behalf of
     AXP Variable  Portfolio - Federal  Income Fund and American  Express  Trust
     Company, filed electronically herewith.

(g)(4) Custodian  Agreement  dated May 13, 1999 between  American  Express Trust
     Company and The Bank of New York filed  electronically as Exhibit (g)(3) to
     IDS  Precious  Metal  Fund,   Inc.'s   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  33,
     Registration  Statement  No.  2-93745  filed on or about May 21,  1999,  is
     incorporated by reference

(h)(1) Plan and Agreement of Merger between IDS Life Special  Income  Minnesota,
     Inc. and IDS Life Special Income Fund, Inc. dated April 10, 1986,  filed as
     electronically as Exhibit No. 9(a) to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment
     No. 24, is incorporated by reference.

(h)(2) License Agreement between Registrant and IDS Financial Corporation, dated
     Jan. 25, 1988,  filed  electronically  as Exhibit No. 9(b) to  Registrant's
     Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, is incorporated by reference.

(h)(3) License  Agreement dated June 17, 1999 between the American Express Funds
     and American  Express  Company filed  electronically  on or about Sept. 23,
     1999 as Exhibit (h)(4) to AXP Stock Fund, Inc.'s  Post-Effective  Amendment
     No. 98 to Registration Statement No. 2-11358, is incorporated by reference.

(i)  Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the  securities  being
     registered, filed electronically herewith.

(j)  Independent  Auditors'  Consent  filed  electronically  as  Exhibit  (j) to
     Post-Effective  Amendment No. 40 to Registration  Statement No. 2-73115, is
     incorporated by reference.

(k)  Omitted Financial Statements: Not Applicable.

(l)  Investment Letter of IDS Life Insurance Company, dated Oct. l3, l98l, filed
     electronically as Exhibit No. 13 to Registrant's  Post-Effective  Amendment
     No. 24, is incorporated by reference.

(m)  Plan and Agreement of Distribution dated Sept. 13, 1999, between Registrant
     on behalf of AXP  Variable  Portfolio  - Federal  Income  Fund and IDS Life
     Insurance Company, filed electronically herewith.

(n)  Financial Data Schedules: Not Applicable.

(o)  Rule 18f-3 Plan: Not Applicable.

(p)(1) Directors'  Power of Attorney,  to sign  Amendments to this  Registration
     Statement dated Jan. 14, 1999,  filed  electronically  as Exhibit (p)(1) to
     Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registration Statement No. 2-73115 filed
     on or about May 28, 1999, is incorporated by reference.


<PAGE>

(p)(2) Officers'  Power of Attorney,  to sign  Amendments  to this  Registration
     Statement,  dated March 1, 1999, filed  electronically as Exhibit (p)(2) to
     Post-Effective  Amendment No. 37, to  Registration  Statement  No.  2-73115
     filed on or about May 28, 1999, is incorporated by reference.

Item 24.      Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

IDS Life and its subsidiaries  are the record holders of all outstanding  shares
of AXP Variable  Portfolio - Investment  Series,  Inc., AXP Variable Portfolio -
Income Series,  Inc., AXP Variable Portfolio - Money Market Series, Inc. and AXP
Variable  Portfolio - Managed  Series Inc. All of such shares were purchased and
are held by IDS Life and its subsidiaries  pursuant to instructions  from owners
of  variable  annuity  contracts  issued  by  IDS  Life  and  its  subsidiaries.
Accordingly, IDS Life disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares of each fund.

Item 25.      Indemnification

The  Articles of  Incorporation  of the  registrant  provide that the Fund shall
indemnify  any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party,
by reason of the fact that she or he is or was a director,  officer, employee or
agent  of the  Fund,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Fund  as a
director,  officer,  employee or agent of another  company,  partnership,  joint
venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  to any  threatened,  pending or completed
action,  suit or  proceeding,  wherever  brought,  and  the  Fund  may  purchase
liability  insurance  and advance  legal  expenses,  all to the  fullest  extent
permitted  by the laws of the State of  Minnesota,  as now existing or hereafter
amended.  The By-laws of the registrant provide that present or former directors
or  officers  of the Fund made or  threatened  to be made a party to or involved
(including as a witness) in an actual or threatened  action,  suit or proceeding
shall be indemnified by the Fund to the full extent  authorized by the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act, all as more fully set forth in the By-laws filed as an
exhibit to this registration statement.

Insofar as  indemnification  for liability  arising under the  Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to  directors,  officers  and  controlling  persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

Any  indemnification  hereunder  shall not be  exclusive  of any other rights of
indemnification  to which the  directors,  officers,  employees  or agents might
otherwise  be  entitled.  No  indemnification  shall be made in violation of the
Investment Company Act of 1940.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisor
         (IDS Life Insurance Company).

Directors and officers of IDS Life  Insurance  Company who are directors  and/or
officers of one or more other companies:

- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
<S>                            <C>                          <C>                          <C>
Name and Title                  Other company(s)             Address                      Title within other
                                                                                          company(s)
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Timothy V. Bechtold,            American Centurion Life      IDS Tower 10                 Director and President
Executive Vice President        Assurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55440

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Director and President
                                of New York                  Albany, NY  12205
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Mark W. Carter,                 American Express Financial   IDS Tower 10                 Senior Vice President and
Executive Vice President        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55440       Chief Marketing Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Director, Senior Vice
                                Corporation                                               President and Chief
                                                                                          Marketing Officer
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Robert M. Elconin,              American Express Financial   IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55440

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Lorraine R. Hart,               AMEX Assurance Company       IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Vice President                                               Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Centurion Life                                   Vice President
                                Assurance Company

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Vice President
                                Insurance Company

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and Vice
                                Insurance Company                                         President

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Vice President

                                IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                Vice President

                                IDS Life Variable Annuity                                 Vice President
                                Funds A and B

                                Investors Syndicate                                       Director and Vice
                                Development Corp.                                         President

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Vice President
                                of New York                  Albany, NY 12205

                                IDS Property Casualty        1 WEG Blvd.                  Vice President
                                Insurance Company            DePere, WI 54115
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Jeffrey S. Horton,              AMEX Assurance Company       IDS Tower 10                 Vice President, Treasurer
Vice President                                               Minneapolis, MN 55440        and Assistant Secretary

                                American Centurion Life                                   Vice President and
                                Assurance Company                                         Treasurer

                                American Enterprise                                       Vice President and
                                Investment Services Inc.                                  Treasurer

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Vice President and
                                Insurance Company                                         Treasurer

                                American Express Asset                                    Vice President and
                                Management Group Inc.                                     Treasurer

                                American Express Asset                                    Vice President and
                                Management International                                  Treasurer
                                Inc.

                                American Express Client                                   Vice President and
                                Service Corporation                                       Treasurer

                                American Express                                          Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Treasurer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Treasurer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Corporate Treasurer

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President and
                                Agency of Arizona Inc.                                    Treasurer

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President and
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.                                      Treasurer

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President and
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.                                     Treasurer

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President and
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.                                     Treasurer

                                American Express Minnesota                                Vice President and
                                Foundation                                                Treasurer

                                American Express Property                                 Vice President and
                                Casualty Insurance Agency                                 Treasurer
                                of Kentucky Inc.

                                American Express Property                                 Vice President and
                                Casualty Insurance Agency                                 Treasurer
                                of Maryland Inc.

                                American Express Property                                 Vice President and
                                Casualty Insurance Agency                                 Treasurer
                                of Pennsylvania Inc.

                                American Partners Life                                    Vice President and
                                Insurance Company                                         Treasurer

                                IDS Cable Corporation                                     Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Treasurer

                                IDS Cable II Corporation                                  Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Treasurer

                                IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                 Vice President, Treasurer
                                                                                          and Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Alabama Inc.                                              Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Arkansas Inc.                                             Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Massachusetts Inc.                                        Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                New Mexico Inc.                                           Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                North Carolina Inc.                                       Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Ohio Inc.                                                 Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Wyoming Inc.                                              Treasurer

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Vice President and
                                of New York                  Albany, NY 12205             Treasurer

                                IDS Life Series Fund Inc.                                 Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                IDS Life Variable Annuity                                 Vice President and
                                Funds A & B                                               Treasurer

                                IDS Management Corporation                                Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Treasurer

                                IDS Partnership Services                                  Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Treasurer

                                IDS Plan Services of                                      Vice President and
                                California, Inc.                                          Treasurer

                                IDS Real Estate Services,                                 Vice President and
                                Inc.                                                      Treasurer

                                IDS Realty Corporation                                    Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                IDS Sales Support Inc.                                    Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Advisors Japan Inc.                                       Treasurer

                                Investors Syndicate                                       Vice President and
                                Development Corp.                                         Treasurer

                                IDS Property Casualty        1 WEG Blvd.                  Vice President, Treasurer
                                Insurance Company            DePere, WI 54115             and Assistant Secretary

                                Public Employee Payment                                   Vice President and
                                Company                                                   Treasurer
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

David R. Hubers,                AMEX Assurance Company       IDS Tower 10                 Director
Director                                                     Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Express Financial                                Chairman, President and
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Chief Executive Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Director, President and
                                Corporation                                               Chief Executive Officer

                                American Express Service                                  Director and President
                                Corporation

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director

                                IDS Plan Services of                                      Director and President
                                California, Inc.

                                IDS Property Casualty        1 WEG Blvd.                  Director
                                Insurance Company            DePere, WI 54115
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

James M. Jensen,                American Express Financial   IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                Director
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Richard W. Kling,               AMEX Assurance Company       IDS Tower 10                 Director
Director and President                                       Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Centurion Life                                   Director and Chairman of
                                Assurance Company                                         the Board

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Director and Chairman of
                                Insurance Company                                         the Board

                                American Express                                          Director and President
                                Corporation

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Director and Senior Vice
                                Corporation                                               President

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Arizona Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.

                                American Express Property                                 Director and President
                                Casualty Insurance Agency
                                of Kentucky Inc.

                                American Express Property                                 Director and President
                                Casualty Insurance Agency
                                of Maryland Inc.

                                American Express Property                                 Director and President
                                Casualty Insurance Agency
                                of Pennsylvania Inc.

                                American Express Service                                  Vice President
                                Corporation

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and Chairman of
                                Insurance Company                                         the Board

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director and Chairman of
                                                                                          the Board

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                New Mexico Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                North Carolina Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Wyoming Inc.

                                IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                Director and President

                                IDS Life Variable Annuity                                 Manager, Chairman of the
                                Funds A and B                                             Board and President

                                IDS Property Casualty        1 WEG Blvd.                  Director
                                Insurance Company            DePere, WI 54115

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Director and Chairman of
                                of New York                  Albany, NY 12205             the Board
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Paul F. Kolkman,                American Express Financial   IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Director and Executive Vice     Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN 55440
President

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                Vice President and Chief
                                                                                          Actuary

                                IDS Property Casualty        1 WEG Blvd.                  Director
                                Insurance Company            DePere, WI 54115
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Paula R. Meyer,                 American Enterprise Life     IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Director and Executive Vice     Insurance Company            Minneapolis, MN 55440
President

                                American Express                                          Director
                                Corporation

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and President
                                Insurance Company

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director and President

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                Investors Syndicate                                       Director, Chairman of the
                                Development Corporation                                   Board and President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Pamela J. Moret,                American Express Financial   IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Executive Vice President        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                American Express Trust                                    Vice President
                                Company
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Barry J. Murphy,                American Express Client      IDS Tower 10                 Director and President
Director and Executive Vice     Service Corporation          Minneapolis, MN 55440
President

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Director and Senior Vice
                                Corporation                                               President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

James R. Palmer,                American Express Financial   IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Stuart A. Sedlacek,             AMEX Assurance Company       IDS Tower 10                 Director
Director and Executive Vice                                  Minneapolis, MN 55440
President

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Executive Vice President
                                Insurance Company

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President and
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Chief Financial Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Chief Financial Officer

                                American Express Trust                                    Director
                                Company

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and Vice President
                                Insurance Agency

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director and President

                                IDS Property Casualty        1 WEG Blvd.                  Director
                                Insurance Company            DePere, WI 54115
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

F. Dale Simmons,                AMEX Assurance Company       IDS Tower 10                 Vice President
Vice President                                               Minneapolis, MN 55440

                                American Centurion Life                                   Vice President
                                Assurance Company

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Vice President
                                Insurance

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Corporation

                                American Partners Life                                    Vice President
                                Insurance Company

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Vice President

                                IDS Partnership Services                                  Director and Vice President
                                Corporation

                                IDS Real Estate Services                                  Director and Vice President
                                Inc.

                                IDS Realty Corporation                                    Director and Vice President

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Vice President
                                of New York                  Albany, NY 12205
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

William A. Stoltzmann,          American Enterprise Life     IDS Tower 10                 Director, Vice President,
Vice President, General         Insurance Company            Minneapolis, MN 55440        General Counsel and
Counsel and Secretary                                                                     Secretary

                                American Express                                          Director, Vice President
                                Corporation                                               and Secretary

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Assistant General Counsel

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Assistant General Counsel

                                American Partners Life                                    Director, Vice President,
                                Insurance Company                                         General Counsel and
                                                                                          Secretary

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President, General
                                                                                          Counsel and Secretary

                                IDS Life Series Fund Inc.                                 General Counsel and
                                                                                          Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Life Variable Annuity                                 General Counsel and
                                Funds A & B                                               Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Philip C. Wentzel,              American Centurion Life      IDS Tower 10                 Vice President and
Vice President and Controller   Assurance Company            Minneapolis, MN 55440        Controller, Risk Management

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Vice President and
                                Insurance Company                                         Controller

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Vice President and
                                of New York                  Albany, NY 12205             Controller, Risk Management
</TABLE>

Item 27.          Principal Underwriters
                  The Fund has no principal underwriter.

Item 28.          Location of Accounts and Records
                  American Express Financial Corporation
                  IDS Tower 10
                  Minneapolis, MN  55440-0010

Item 29.          Management Services
                  Not Applicable.

Item 30.          Undertakings
                  Not Applicable.


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities Act and the Investment  Company
Act, AXP Variable Portfolio - Income Series, Inc. certifies that it meets all of
the  requirements  for  effectiveness  of  this  Amendment  to its  Registration
Statement  under Rule  485(b) of the  Securities  Act and has duly  caused  this
Amendment  to its  Registration  Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned,  duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis and State of Minnesota
on the 28th day of October 1999.


AXP VARIABLE PORTFOLIO - INCOME SERIES, INC.


By     /s/    Arne H. Carlson**
              Arne H. Carlson, Chief Executive Officer


By    /s/     John Knight
              John Knight, Treasurer


Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act,  this  Amendment  to its
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities indicated on the 28th day of October 1999.

Signature                                            Capacity

/s/  H. Brewster Atwater, Jr.*                       Director
     H. Brewster Atwater, Jr.

/s/  Arne H. Carlson*                                Chairman of the Board
     Arne H. Carlson

/s/  Lynne V. Cheney*                                Director
     Lynne V. Cheney

/s/  David R. Hubers*                                Director
     David R. Hubers

/s/  Heinz F. Hutter*                                Director
     Heinz F. Hutter

/s/  Anne P. Jones*                                  Director
     Anne P. Jones

/s/  William R. Pearce*                              Director
     William R. Pearce

/s/  Alan K. Simpson*                                Director
     Alan K. Simpson

/s/  John R. Thomas*                                 Director
     John R. Thomas


<PAGE>

/s/  C. Angus Wurtele*                               Director
     C. Angus Wurtele



*Signed  pursuant to Directors' Power of Attorney dated Jan. 14, 1999, and filed
electronically  as  Exhibit  (p)(1),  to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  37  to
Registration Statement No. 2-73115, by:





/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg


** Signed  pursuant to Officers'  Power of Attorney  dated March 1, 1999,  filed
electronically  as  Exhibit  (p)(2)  to  Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  37  to
Registration Statement No. 2-73115, by:





/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg


<PAGE>


CONTENTS OF THIS POST-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT NO. 39 TO REGISTRATION  STATEMENT NO.
2-73113

This post-effective amendment contains the following papers and documents:

The facing sheet.

Part A (incorporated by reference).

      The prospectus.

Part B (incorporated by reference).

      Statement of Additional Information.

Part C.

      Other information.

      The signatures.

      Exhibits.




<PAGE>

AXP VARIABLE PORTFOLIO-INCOME SERIES, INC.
File No. 2-73113/811-3219

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit (d)(3):     Investment Management Services Agreement, dated Sept. 13,
                    1999.

Exhibit (d)(8):     Administrative Services Agreement, dated Sept. 13, 1999.

Exhibit (g)(3):     Custodian Agreement, dated Sept. 13, 1999.

Exhibit (i):        Opinion and Consent of Counsel.

Exhibit (m):        Plan and Agreement of Distribution, dated Sept. 13, 1999.




                    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT  made the 13th day of  September,  1999,  by and  between AXP
Variable  Portfolio  - Income  Series,  Inc.  (the  "Corporation")  a  Minnesota
corporation,  on behalf of its underlying  series fund AXP Variable  Portfolio -
Federal Income Fund (the "Fund"), and IDS Life Insurance Company ("IDS Life"), a
Minnesota corporation.

Part One: INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

(1)      The  Corporation  hereby  retains IDS Life, and IDS Life hereby agrees,
         for the  period of this  Agreement  and under the terms and  conditions
         hereinafter  set forth, to furnish the  Corporation  continuously  with
         suggested investment planning; to determine, consistent with the Funds'
         investment  objectives  and  policies,  which  securities in IDS Life's
         discretion shall be purchased, held or sold and to execute or cause the
         execution of purchase or sell orders;  to prepare and make available to
         the Funds all  necessary  research and  statistical  data in connection
         therewith;  to furnish  all  services of  whatever  nature  required in
         connection  with the management of the Funds  including  transfer agent
         and  dividend-disbursing  agent  services;  to  furnish  or pay for all
         supplies,  printed  material,  office  equipment,  furniture and office
         space as the Funds may require;  and to pay or reimburse  such expenses
         of the Funds as may be provided  for in Part Three;  subject  always to
         the direction and control of the Board of Directors (the "Board"),  the
         Executive  Committee and the authorized officers of the Corporation and
         its underlying Funds. IDS Life agrees to maintain  (directly or through
         the contract  described in paragraph  (7) of this Part One) an adequate
         organization  of  competent  persons to  provide  the  services  and to
         perform the functions  herein  mentioned.  IDS Life agrees to meet with
         any  persons  at such  times as the  Board  deems  appropriate  for the
         purpose of reviewing IDS Life's performance under this Agreement.

(2)      IDS Life agrees that the investment  planning and investment  decisions
         will be in accordance with general investment  policies of the Funds as
         disclosed  to IDS Life  from time to time by the Funds and as set forth
         in its prospectuses  and registration  statements filed with the United
         States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

(3)      IDS Life agrees that it will maintain all required records,  memoranda,
         instructions   or   authorizations   relating  to  the  acquisition  or
         disposition of securities for the Funds.

(4)      Each Fund agrees that it will furnish to IDS Life any information  that
         the  latter  may  reasonably  request  with  respect  to  the  services
         performed or to be performed by IDS Life under this Agreement.

(5)      IDS Life is  authorized  to select the  brokers  or  dealers  that will
         execute the purchases and sales of portfolio  securities  for the Funds
         and is  directed to use its best  efforts to obtain the best  available
         price  and most  favorable  execution,  except  as  prescribed  herein.
         Subject to prior authorization by the Board of appropriate policies and
         procedures,  and subject to termination  at any time by the Board,  IDS
         Life  may  also  be   authorized   to  effect   individual   securities
         transactions  at commission  rates in excess of the minimum  commission
         rates  available,  to  the  extent  authorized  by  law,  if  IDS  Life
         determines in good faith that such amount of commission  was reasonable
         in  relation  to the  value  of the  brokerage  and  research  services
         provided  by such  broker or  dealer,  viewed  in terms of either  that
         particular  transaction  or American  Express  Financial  Corporation's
         ("AEFC") or IDS Life's  overall  responsibilities  with  respect to the
         Funds and other funds for which it acts as investment adviser.

(6)      It is  understood  and  agreed  that in  furnishing  the Funds with the
         services  as  herein  provided,  neither  IDS  Life,  nor any  officer,
         director  or  agent  thereof  shall  be  held  liable  to a Fund or its
         creditors or shareholders for errors of judgment or for anything except
         willful misfeasance,  bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
         of its duties,  or reckless  disregard  of its  obligations  and duties
         under the terms of this Agreement.  It is further understood and agreed
         that IDS Life may rely  upon  information  furnished  to it  reasonably
         believed to be accurate and reliable.

(7)      The existence of an investment  advisory agreement between IDS Life and
         AEFC is specifically acknowledged and approved.

Part Two: COMPENSATION TO INVESTMENT MANAGER

(1)      The  Corporation  agrees to pay to IDS Life, and IDS Life covenants and
         agrees to accept from the  Corporation in full payment for the services
         furnished,  a fee for each calendar day of each year equal to the total
         of  1/365th  (1/366th  in each  leap  year)  of each of the  respective
         percentages  set  forth  below of the net  assets of the  Funds;  to be
         computed  for each day on the  basis of net  assets  as of the close of
         business of the full  business day two (2)  business  days prior to the
         day for  which  the  computation  is  being  made.  In the  case of the
         suspension of the computation of net asset value,  the asset charge for
         each day during  such  suspension  shall be computed as of the close of
         business  on the last full  business  day on which the net assets  were
         computed.  Net  assets  as of the  close of a full  business  day shall
         include all  transactions  in shares of the Funds recorded on the books
         of the Funds for that day.

         AXP Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund

               Assets                Annual rate at
             (billions)             each asset level
             ----------             ----------------
         First      $1.00                 0.610%
         Next        1.00                 0.595
         Next        1.00                 0.580
         Next        3.00                 0.565
         Next        3.00                 0.550
         Over        6.00                 0.535

(2)      The fee  shall be paid on a  monthly  basis  and,  in the  event of the
         termination of this Agreement, the fee accrued shall be prorated on the
         basis of the number of days that this Agreement is in effect during the
         month with respect to which such payment is made.

(3)      The fee provided for hereunder shall be paid in cash by the Corporation
         to IDS Life within five business days after the last day of each month.

Part Three: ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES

(1)      The Corporation agrees to pay:

         (a)      Fees  payable  to IDS Life for the  latter's  services  under
                  this Agreement.

         (b)      All  fees,  costs,  expenses  and  allowances  payable  to any
                  person,  firm or corporation  for services under any agreement
                  entered into by the Funds covering the offering for sale, sale
                  and distribution of the Funds' shares.

         (c)      All taxes of any kind  payable by the Funds other than federal
                  original issuance taxes on shares issued by the Funds.

         (d)      All brokerage  commissions  and charges in the purchase and
                  sale of assets.

(2)      The Corporation  agrees to reimburse IDS Life or its affiliates for the
         aggregate cost of the services listed below incurred by IDS Life in its
         operation of the Funds.

         (a)      All custodian or trustee fees, costs and expenses.

         (b)      Costs  and  expenses  in  connection  with  the  auditing  and
                  certification  of the  records  and  accounts  of the Funds by
                  independent certified public accountants.

         (c)      Costs of obtaining and printing of dividend checks, reports to
                  shareholders,  notices,  proxies,  proxy  statements  and  tax
                  notices to  shareholders,  and also the cost of  envelopes  in
                  which such are to be mailed.

         (d)      Postage  on all  communications,  notices  and  statements  to
                  brokers, dealers, and the Funds' shareholders.

         (e)      All fees and expenses paid to directors of the Funds; however,
                  IDS Life  will  pay  fees to  directors  who are  officers  or
                  employees of IDS Life or its affiliated companies.

         (f)      Costs  of  fidelity  and  surety  bonds   covering   officers,
                  directors and employees of the Funds.

         (g)      All fees and  expenses of  attorneys  who are not  officers or
                  employees of IDS Life or any of its affiliates.

         (h)      All  fees  paid for the  qualification  and  registration  for
                  public sales of the  securities of the Funds under the laws of
                  the  United  States  and of the  several  states of the United
                  States in which the  securities  of the Funds shall be offered
                  for sale.

         (i)      Cost  of  printing  prospectuses,   statements  of  additional
                  information and application  forms for existing  shareholders,
                  and any supplements thereto.

         (j)      Any losses due to theft and  defalcation  of the assets of the
                  Funds,  or due to  judgments  or  adjustments  not  covered by
                  surety or  fidelity  bonds,  and not covered by  agreement  or
                  obligation.

         (k)      Expenses incurred in connection with lending  portfolio
                  securities of the Funds.

         (l)      Expenses properly payable by the Funds, approved by the Board.

Part Four: MISCELLANEOUS

(1)      IDS Life shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as
         expressly  provided  or  authorized  in this  Agreement,  shall have no
         authority to act for or represent the Funds.

(2)      A "full business day" shall be as defined in the By-laws.

(3)      The Fund  recognizes that AEFC and IDS Life now render and may continue
         to render  investment  advice and other  services  to other  investment
         companies and persons which may or may not have investment policies and
         investments  similar  to those of the  Funds and that AEFC and IDS Life
         manage their own investments and/or those of their  subsidiaries.  AEFC
         and IDS Life shall be free to render such  investment  advice and other
         services and the Funds hereby consents thereto.

(4)      Neither this Agreement nor any transaction had pursuant hereto shall be
         invalidated  or in  any  way  affected  by  the  fact  that  directors,
         officers,  agents  and/or  shareholders  of  the  Funds  are  or may be
         interested in AEFC or IDS Life or any successor or assignee thereof, as
         directors,   officers,   stockholders  or  otherwise;  that  directors,
         officers,  stockholders  or  agents  of AEFC or IDS  Life are or may be
         interested  in the  Funds  as  directors,  officers,  shareholders,  or
         otherwise; or that AEFC or IDS Life or any successor or assignee, is or
         may be interested in the Funds as shareholder  or otherwise,  provided,
         however,  that neither AEFC or IDS Life,  nor any officer,  director or
         employee  thereof or of the Funds,  shall sell to or buy from the Funds
         any property or security other than shares issued by the Funds,  except
         in accordance with applicable regulations or orders of the SEC.

(5)      Any notice under this Agreement  shall be given in writing,  addressed,
         and  delivered,  or mailed  postpaid,  to the  party to this  Agreement
         entitled to receive such, at such party's  principal  place of business
         in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or to such other address as either party may
         designate in writing mailed to the other.

(6)      IDS Life agrees that no officer,  director or employee of IDS Life will
         deal for or on behalf of the Funds with  himself as principal or agent,
         or with any corporation or partnership in which he may have a financial
         interest, except that this shall not prohibit:

         (a)      Officers,  directors  or  employees  of IDS Life from having a
                  financial interest in the Funds or in IDS Life.

         (b)      The  purchase  of  securities  for the  Funds,  or the sale of
                  securities  owned by the Funds,  through a security  broker or
                  dealer, one or more of whose partners,  officers, directors or
                  employees  is an  officer,  director  or employee of IDS Life,
                  provided  such  transactions  are  handled in the  capacity of
                  broker  only and  provided  commissions  charged do not exceed
                  customary brokerage charges for such services.

         (c)      Transactions  with the Funds by a  broker-dealer  affiliate of
                  IDS Life as may be allowed by rule or order of the SEC, and if
                  made pursuant to procedures adopted by the Funds' Board.

(7)      IDS Life agrees that, except as herein otherwise  expressly provided or
         as  may  be  permitted  consistent  with  the  use  of a  broker-dealer
         affiliate  of IDS  Life  under  applicable  provisions  of the  federal
         securities  laws,  neither  it nor any of its  officers,  directors  or
         employees shall at any time during the period of this Agreement,  make,
         accept  or  receive,  directly  or  indirectly,  any fees,  profits  or
         emoluments of any character in connection  with the purchase or sale of
         securities  (except  shares  issued by the Funds) or other assets by or
         for the Funds.

Part Five: RENEWAL AND TERMINATION

(1)      This Agreement  shall continue in effect for two years from the date of
         this  Agreement,  or until a new agreement is approved by a vote of the
         majority  of the  outstanding  shares  of the  Funds and by vote of the
         Board, including the vote required by (b) of this paragraph,  and if no
         new agreement is so approved,  this Agreement  shall continue from year
         to year  thereafter  unless  and until  terminated  by either  party as
         hereinafter   provided,   except   that  such   continuance   shall  be
         specifically  approved at least  annually (a) by the Board or by a vote
         of the majority of the  outstanding  shares of the Funds and (b) by the
         vote  of a  majority  of the  directors  who are  not  parties  to this
         Agreement or interested  persons of any such party, cast in person at a
         meeting called for the purpose of voting on such  approval.  As used in
         this  paragraph,  the  term  "interested  person"  shall  have the same
         meaning as set forth in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended
         (the "1940 Act").

(2)      This  Agreement  may be  terminated by either a Fund or IDS Life at any
         time by  giving  the  other  party  60  days'  written  notice  of such
         intention to  terminate,  provided that any  termination  shall be made
         without  the  payment  of  any  penalty,   and  provided  further  that
         termination  may be  effected  either  by the Board or by a vote of the
         majority of the outstanding  voting shares of the Fund. The vote of the
         majority of the  outstanding  voting shares of the Fund for the purpose
         of this Part Five shall be the vote at a shareholders' regular meeting,
         or a special meeting duly called for the purpose, of 67% or more of the
         Fund's  shares  present at such meeting if the holders of more than 50%
         of the  outstanding  voting shares are present or represented by proxy,
         or  more  than  50% of  the  outstanding  voting  shares  of the  Fund,
         whichever is less.

(3)      This Agreement shall terminate in the event of its assignment, the term
         "assignment"  for this purpose  having the same meaning as set forth in
         the 1940 Act.

         IN WITNESS  THEREOF,  the parties  hereto have  executed the  foregoing
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


AXP VARIABLE PORTFOLIO - INCOME SERIES, INC.
     AXP Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund





By: /s/ Leslie L. Ogg
        Leslie L. Ogg
        Vice President


IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY





By: /s/ Pamela J. Moret
        Pamela J. Moret
        Executive Vice President, Variable Assets





<PAGE>

                        ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT  made the 13th day of  September,  1999,  by and between AXP  Variable
Portfolio - Income Series, Inc. (the "Corporation") a Minnesota corporation,  on
behalf of its  underlying  series fund AXP Variable  Portfolio - Federal  Income
Fund (the  "Fund"),  and  American  Express  Financial  Corporation,  a Delaware
corporation.

Part One: SERVICES

(1)      The Corporation hereby retains American Express Financial  Corporation,
         and American  Express  Financial  Corporation  hereby  agrees,  for the
         period of this Agreement and under the terms and conditions hereinafter
         set  forth,   to  furnish  the   Corporation   continuously   with  all
         administrative,   accounting,  clerical,  statistical,  correspondence,
         corporate  and all  other  services  of  whatever  nature  required  in
         connection with the administration of the Corporation as provided under
         this Agreement; and to pay such expenses as may be provided for in Part
         Three hereof;  subject always to the direction and control of the Board
         of Directors,  the Executive  Committee and the authorized  officers of
         the  Corporation.  American  Express  Financial  Corporation  agrees to
         maintain an adequate  organization of competent  persons to provide the
         services  and to  perform  the  functions  herein  mentioned.  American
         Express Financial  Corporation  agrees to meet with any persons at such
         times as the Board of Directors  deems  appropriate  for the purpose of
         reviewing  American Express Financial  Corporation's  performance under
         this Agreement.

(2)      The  Corporation  agrees  that  it will  furnish  to  American  Express
         Financial  Corporation any  information  that the latter may reasonably
         request with  respect to the  services  performed or to be performed by
         American Express Financial Corporation under this Agreement.

(3)      It is understood and agreed that in furnishing the Corporation with the
         services  as  herein  provided,   neither  American  Express  Financial
         Corporation,  nor any officer,  director or agent thereof shall be held
         liable to the Corporation or its creditors or  shareholders  for errors
         of judgment or for anything except willful  misfeasance,  bad faith, or
         gross  negligence  in  the  performance  of  its  duties,  or  reckless
         disregard  of its  obligations  and  duties  under  the  terms  of this
         Agreement.  It is further  understood and agreed that American  Express
         Financial  Corporation  may  rely  upon  information  furnished  to  it
         reasonably believed to be accurate and reliable.

Part Two: COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES

(1)      The   Corporation   agrees  to  pay  to  American   Express   Financial
         Corporation,  and American Express Financial  Corporation covenants and
         agrees to accept from the  Corporation in full payment for the services
         furnished,  based on the net assets of the  Corporation as set forth in
         the following table:

         AXP Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund

               Assets                Annual rate at
             (billions)             each asset level
             ----------             ----------------
         First      $1.00                 0.050%
         Next        1.00                 0.045
         Next        1.00                 0.040
         Next        3.00                 0.035
         Next        3.00                 0.030
         Over        9.00                 0.025

         The  administrative  fee for each  calendar  day of each year  shall be
         equal to  1/365th  (1/366th  in each  leap  year) of the  total  amount
         computed.  The computation shall be made for each such day on the basis
         of net assets as of the close of business of the full  business day two
         (2) business days prior to the day for which the  computation  is being
         made.  In the case of the  suspension of the  computation  of net asset
         value, the administrative fee for each day during such suspension shall
         be computed as of the close of business on the last full  business  day
         on which the net assets were computed.  As used herein, "net assets" as
         of the close of a full business day shall include all  transactions  in
         shares of the Corporation  recorded on the books of the Corporation for
         that day.

(2)      The  administrative  fee shall be paid on a monthly  basis and,  in the
         event of the  termination of this  Agreement,  the  administrative  fee
         accrued  shall be prorated on the basis of the number of days that this
         Agreement  is in effect  during  the month  with  respect to which such
         payment is made.

(3)      The  administrative fee provided for hereunder shall be paid in cash by
         the Corporation to American Express Financial  Corporation  within five
         (5) business days after the last day of each month.

Part Three: ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES

(1)      The Corporation agrees to pay:

         (a)      Administrative  fees  payable to  American  Express  Financial
                  Corporation   for  its  services   under  the  terms  of  this
                  Agreement.

         (b)      Taxes.

         (c)      Fees  and  charges  of  its   independent   certified   public
                  accountants for services the Corporation requests.

         (d)      Fees and expenses of attorneys (i) it employs in matters not
                  involving the assertion of a claim by a third party against
                  the Corporation, its directors and officers, (ii) it employs
                  in conjunction with a claim asserted by the Board of Directors
                  against American Express Financial Corporation, except that
                  American Express Financial Corporation shall reimburse the
                  Corporation for such fees and expenses if it is ultimately
                  determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or American
                  Express Financial Corporation agrees, that it is liable in
                  whole or in part to the Corporation, and (iii) it employs to
                  assert a claim against a third party.

         (e)      Fees paid for the  qualification  and  registration for public
                  sale of the  securities of the  Corporation  under the laws of
                  the  United  States  and of the  several  states in which such
                  securities shall be offered for sale.

         (f)      Office  expenses  which shall include a charge for  occupancy,
                  insurance on the premises, furniture and equipment, telephone,
                  telegraph,    electronic    information    services,    books,
                  periodicals,  published services,  and office supplies used by
                  the  Corporation,  equal  to the  cost  of  such  incurred  by
                  American Express Financial Corporation.

         (g)      Fees of consultants employed by the Corporation.

         (h)      Directors, officers and employees expenses which shall include
                  fees, salaries,  memberships, dues, travel, seminars, pension,
                  profit sharing, and all other benefits paid to or provided for
                  directors,  officers  and  employees,  directors  and officers
                  liability insurance, errors and omissions liability insurance,
                  worker's compensation  insurance and other expenses applicable
                  to  the  directors,   officers  and   employees,   except  the
                  Corporation  will not pay any fees or  expenses  of any person
                  who is an officer or employee of  American  Express  Financial
                  Corporation or its affiliates.

         (i)      Filing  fees and charges  incurred  by the Fund in  connection
                  with filing any amendment to its articles of incorporation, or
                  incurred  in  filing  any  other  document  with the  State of
                  Minnesota or its political subdivisions.

         (j)      Organizational expenses of the Corporation.

         (k)      One-half of the Investment  Company Institute  membership dues
                  charged jointly to the American  Express(R) Funds and American
                  Express Financial Corporation.

(l)      Expenses properly payable by the Corporation, approved by the Board of
         Directors.

(2)      American  Express  Financial  Corporation  agrees  to pay all  expenses
         associated  with the  services  it  provides  under  the  terms of this
         Agreement.  Further, American Express Financial Corporation agrees that
         if, at the end of any month, the expenses of the Corporation under this
         Agreement and any other agreement  between the Corporation and American
         Express Financial  Corporation,  but excluding those expenses set forth
         in (1)(b) of this Part Three,  exceed the most  restrictive  applicable
         state expenses limitation, the Corporation shall not pay those expenses
         set  forth in (1)(a)  and (c)  through  (m) of this  Part  Three to the
         extent necessary to keep the Corporation's  expenses from exceeding the
         limitation,   it  being  understood  that  American  Express  Financial
         Corporation  will assume all unpaid  expenses and bill the  Corporation
         for them in subsequent  months but in no event can the  accumulation of
         unpaid expenses or billing be carried past the end of the Corporation's
         fiscal year.

Part Four: MISCELLANEOUS

(1)      American  Express  Financial  Corporation  shall  be  deemed  to  be an
         independent  contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized
         in this Agreement,  shall have no authority to act for or represent the
         Corporation.

(2)      A "full business day" shall be as defined in the By-laws.

(3)      The Corporation  recognizes that American Express Financial Corporation
         now renders  and may  continue  to render  investment  advice and other
         services to other investment companies and persons which may or may not
         have  investment  policies  and  investments  similar  to  those of the
         Corporation and that American Express Financial Corporation manages its
         own  investments  and/or those of its  subsidiaries.  American  Express
         Financial  Corporation  shall be free to render such investment  advice
         and other services and the Corporation hereby consents thereto.

(4)      Neither this Agreement nor any transaction had pursuant hereto shall be
         invalidated or in anyway affected by the fact that directors, officers,
         agents and/or  shareholders of the Corporation are or may be interested
         in American Express Financial  Corporation or any successor or assignee
         thereof,  as  directors,  officers,  stockholders  or  otherwise;  that
         directors,  officers,   stockholders  or  agents  of  American  Express
         Financial  Corporation  are or may be interested in the  Corporation as
         directors,  officers,  shareholders,  or  otherwise;  or that  American
         Express Financial  Corporation or any successor or assignee,  is or may
         be interested in the Corporation as shareholder or otherwise, provided,
         however, that neither American Express Financial  Corporation,  nor any
         officer,  director or employee thereof or of the Fund, shall sell to or
         buy from the  Corporation  any  property or security  other than shares
         issued  by  the  Corporation,  except  in  accordance  with  applicable
         regulations  or orders of the United  States  Securities  and  Exchange
         Commission.

(5)      Any notice under this Agreement  shall be given in writing,  addressed,
         and  delivered,  or mailed  postpaid,  to the  party to this  Agreement
         entitled to receive such, at such party's  principal  place of business
         in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or to such other address as either party may
         designate in writing mailed to the other.

(6)      American Express Financial Corporation agrees that no officer, director
         or employee of American Express Financial  Corporation will deal for or
         on behalf of the  Corporation  with himself as  principal or agent,  or
         with any  corporation  or  partnership in which he may have a financial
         interest,  except that this shall not prohibit  officers,  directors or
         employees  of  American  Express  Financial  Corporation  from having a
         financial  interest in the Corporation or in American Express Financial
         Corporation.

(7)      The Corporation agrees that American Express Financial  Corporation may
         subcontract for certain of the services  described under this Agreement
         with the understanding that there shall be no diminution in the quality
         or  level  of  the  services  and  that  American   Express   Financial
         Corporation remains fully responsible for the services.

(8)      This  Agreement  shall  extend to and shall be binding upon the parties
         hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however,
         that this Agreement shall not be assignable without the written consent
         of the other party. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
         State of Minnesota.

Part Five: RENEWAL AND TERMINATION

(1)      This Agreement shall become effective on the date first set forth above
         (the  "Effective  Date") and shall continue in effect from year to year
         thereafter  as the parties may  mutually  agree;  provided  that either
         party may terminate  this Agreement by giving the other party notice in
         writing  specifying  the date of such  termination,  which shall be not
         less than 60 days after the date of receipt of such notice.

(2)      This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a
         written agreement executed by both parties.

IN WITNESS THEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed the foregoing Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.


AXP VARIABLE PORTFOLIO - INCOME SERIES, INC.
     AXP Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund



By: /s/ Leslie L. Ogg
        Leslie L. Ogg
        Vice President


AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION



By: /s/ Pamela J. Moret
        Pamela J. Moret
        Vice President - Variable Assets





<PAGE>

                               CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

THIS  CUSTODIAN  AGREEMENT  dated  September  13,  1999,  between  AXP  Variable
Portfolio - Income Series, Inc., a Minnesota  Corporation (the "Corporation") on
behalf of its  underlying  series fund AXP Variable  Portfolio - Federal  Income
Fund (the "Fund"),  and American Express Trust Company, a corporation  organized
under the laws of the State of Minnesota with its principal place of business at
Minneapolis, Minnesota (the "Custodian").

WHEREAS,  the Corporation desires that its securities and cash be hereafter held
and administered by Custodian pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the mutual  agreements  herein made, the
Corporation and the Custodian agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions

The word  "securities"  as used herein shall be  construed  to include,  without
being limited to, shares, stocks, treasury stocks,  including any stocks of this
Corporation, notes, bonds, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, options to buy
or sell stocks or stock indexes,  certificates of interest or  participation  in
any profit-sharing  agreements,  collateral trust certificates,  preorganization
certificates or subscriptions, transferable shares, investment contracts, voting
trust  certificates,  certificates  of deposit  for a  security,  fractional  or
undivided  interests in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or any certificates of
interest or participation  in, temporary or interim  certificates  for, receipts
for, guarantees of, or warrants or rights to subscribe to or purchase any of the
foregoing,  acceptances  and other  obligations and any evidence of any right or
interest in or to any cash,  property or assets and any  interest or  instrument
commonly  known as a security.  In addition,  for the purpose of this  Custodian
Agreement,  the word  "securities" also shall include other instruments in which
the Corporation may invest including  currency forward contracts and commodities
such as  interest  rate or index  futures  contracts,  margin  deposits  on such
contracts or options on such contracts.

The words  "custodian  order"  shall mean a request or  direction,  including  a
computer  printout,  directed  to the  Custodian  and  signed in the name of the
Corporation  by any two  individuals  designated in the current  certified  list
referred to in Section 2.

The  word   "facsimile"   shall  mean  an  exact  copy  or  likeness   which  is
electronically transmitted for instant reproduction.

Section 2. Names, Titles and Signatures of Authorized Persons

The  Corporation  will certify to the Custodian the names and  signatures of its
present  officers  and  other  designated  persons  authorized  on behalf of the
Corporation to direct the Custodian by custodian order as herein before defined.
The Corporation agrees that whenever any change occurs in this list it will file
with the  Custodian a copy of a  resolution  certified  by the  Secretary  or an
Assistant  Secretary of the Corporation as having been duly adopted by the Board
of  Directors  or the  Executive  Committee  of the  Board of  Directors  of the
Corporation  designating  those  persons  currently  authorized on behalf of the
Corporation  to direct  the  Custodian  by  custodian  order,  as herein  before
defined,  and upon such  filing (to be  accompanied  by the  filing of  specimen
signatures  of the  designated  persons)  the  persons  so  designated  in  said
resolution  shall  constitute  the current  certified  list.  The  Custodian  is
authorized to rely and act upon the names and  signatures of the  individuals as
they appear in the most recent  certified  list from the  Corporation  which has
been delivered to the Custodian as herein above provided.

Section 3. Use of Subcustodians

The Custodian may make arrangements,  where appropriate, with other banks having
not less than two million  dollars  aggregate  capital,  surplus  and  undivided
profits for the custody of  securities.  Any such bank selected by the Custodian
to act as subcustodian shall be deemed to be the agent of the Custodian.

The  Custodian  also may enter into  arrangements  for the custody of securities
entrusted to its care through foreign  branches of United States banks;  through
foreign  banks,  banking  institutions  or  trust  companies;   through  foreign
subsidiaries  of United  States  banks or bank  holding  companies,  or  through
foreign securities  depositories or clearing agencies  (hereinafter also called,
collectively,  the  "Foreign  Subcustodian"  or  indirectly  through  an  agent,
established  under the first  paragraph  of this  section,  if and to the extent
permitted by Section 17(f) of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940 and the rules
promulgated  by the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  thereunder,  any order
issued by the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  or any  "no-action"  letter
received from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the extent
the existing  provisions of the  Custodian  Agreement  are  consistent  with the
requirements of such Section, rules, order or no-action letter, they shall apply
to  all  such  foreign  custodianships.   To  the  extent  such  provisions  are
inconsistent  with or additional  requirements  are established by such Section,
rules, order or no-action letter, the requirements of such Section, rules, order
or  no-action   letter  will  prevail  and  the  parties  will  adhere  to  such
requirements;  provided,  however,  in the  absence  of  notification  from  the
Corporation  of any changes or additions  to such  requirements,  the  Custodian
shall  have no duty or  responsibility  to  inquire  as to any such  changes  or
additions.

Section 4. Receipt and Disbursement of Money

(1) The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate  account or accounts in the
name of the  Corporation or cause its agent to open and maintain such account or
accounts subject only to checks,  drafts or directives by the Custodian pursuant
to the terms of this  Agreement.  The  Custodian or its agent shall hold in such
account or accounts,  subject to the provisions  hereof, all cash received by it
from or for the account of the  Corporation.  The  Custodian  or its agent shall
make  payments of cash to or for the account of the  Corporation  from such cash
only:

         (a)      for  the  purchase  of  securities  for the  portfolio  of the
                  Corporation  upon  the  receipt  of  such  securities  by  the
                  Custodian or its agent unless  otherwise  instructed on behalf
                  of the Corporation;

         (b)      for the purchase or redemption of shares of capital stock of
                  the Corporation;

         (c)      for the  payment of  interest,  dividends,  taxes,  management
                  fees, or operating  expenses  (including,  without  limitation
                  thereto, fees for legal, accounting and auditing services);

         (d)      for payment of distribution fees, commissions, or redemption
                  fees, if any;

         (e)      for payments in connection  with the  conversion,  exchange or
                  surrender  of  securities   owned  or  subscribed  to  by  the
                  Corporation held by or to be delivered to the Custodian;

         (f)      for  payments  in  connection  with the  return of  securities
                  loaned by the  Corporation  upon receipt of such securities or
                  the reduction of collateral upon receipt of proper notice;

         (g)      for payments for other proper corporate purposes;

         (h)      or upon the termination of this Agreement.

Before  making any such  payment for the purposes  permitted  under the terms of
items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of paragraph (1) of this section,  the
Custodian  shall  receive and may rely upon a  custodian  order  directing  such
payment and stating that the payment is for such a purpose permitted under these
items (a),  (b),  (c),  (d),  (e),  (f) or (g) or,  where  appropriate,  a trade
affirmation  report,  and that in respect to item (g), a copy of a resolution of
the Board of Directors or of the  Executive  Committee of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation  signed by an officer of the Corporation and certified by its
Secretary  or an Assistant  Secretary,  specifying  the amount of such  payment,
setting  forth the  purpose  to be a proper  corporate  purpose,  and naming the
person or persons to whom such payment is made.  Notwithstanding  the above, for
the purposes  permitted under items (a) or (f) of paragraph (1) of this section,
the Custodian may rely upon a facsimile order.

(2) The Custodian is hereby appointed the attorney-in-fact of the Corporation to
endorse and collect all checks,  drafts or other orders for the payment of money
received by the Custodian for the account of the  Corporation and drawn on or to
the  order  of the  Corporation  and to  deposit  same  to  the  account  of the
Corporation pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 5. Receipt of Securities

Except as permitted by the second  paragraph of this  section,  the Custodian or
its  agent  shall  hold  in a  separate  account  or  accounts,  and  physically
segregated at all times from those of any other persons,  firms or corporations,
pursuant to the provisions hereof, all securities received by it for the account
of the  Corporation.  The  Custodian  shall  record and maintain a record of all
certificate  numbers.  Securities  so received  shall be held in the name of the
Corporation, in the name of an exclusive nominee duly appointed by the Custodian
or in bearer form, as appropriate.

Subject to such rules,  regulations or guidelines as the Securities and Exchange
Commission  may  adopt,  the  Custodian  may  deposit  all  or any  part  of the
securities  owned by the Corporation in a securities  depository  which includes
any system for the central  handling  of  securities  established  by a national
securities  exchange or a national  securities  association  registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
such other  person as may be  permitted  by the  Commission,  pursuant  to which
system all securities of any particular  class or series of any issuer deposited
within the system are treated as fungible and may be  transferred  or pledged by
bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities.

All  securities  are to be held or disposed of by the Custodian for, and subject
at all times to the  instructions  of, the Corporation  pursuant to the terms of
this  Agreement.  The  Custodian  shall  have no power or  authority  to assign,
hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such securities, except pursuant
to the directive of the  Corporation and only for the account of the Corporation
as set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.

Section 6. Transfer Exchange, Delivery, etc. of Securities

The Custodian  shall have sole power to release or deliver any securities of the
Corporation  held by it  pursuant to this  Agreement.  The  Custodian  agrees to
transfer, exchange or deliver securities held by it or its agent hereunder only:

(a)      for sales of such securities for the account of the Corporation, upon
         receipt of payment therefor;

(b)      when such  securities  are called,  redeemed,  retired or  otherwise
         become payable;

(c)      for examination upon the sale of any such securities in accordance with
         "street  delivery"  custom which would include delivery against interim
         receipts or other proper delivery receipts;

(d)      in exchange for or upon conversion into other securities alone or other
         securities and cash whether pursuant to any plan of

(e)      merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or
         readjustment, or otherwise;

(f)      for the purpose of exchanging interim receipts or temporary
         certificates for permanent certificates;

(g)      upon  conversion  of such  securities  pursuant  to their  terms  into
         other securities;

(h)      upon  exercise  of  subscription,  purchase  or  other  similar  rights
         represented  by such  securities;  for loans of such  securities by the
         Corporation upon receipt of collateral; or

(i)      for other proper corporate purposes.

As to any deliveries made by the Custodian pursuant to items (a), (b), (c), (d),
(e), (f), (g) and (h),  securities or cash received in exchange  therefore shall
be delivered to the Custodian, its agent, or to a securities depository.  Before
making any such transfer,  exchange or delivery,  the Custodian  shall receive a
custodian  order or a facsimile from the  Corporation  requesting such transfer,
exchange  or  delivery  and  stating  that it is for a purpose  permitted  under
Section  6 or,  where  appropriate,  a trade  affirmation  report,  (whenever  a
facsimile  is utilized,  the  Corporation  will also deliver an original  signed
custodian  order)  and,  in respect to item (i), a copy of a  resolution  of the
Board of  Directors or of the  Executive  Committee of the Board of Directors of
the  Corporation  signed by an officer of the  Corporation  and certified by its
Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary,  specifying the securities,  setting forth
the  purpose  for which such  payment,  transfer,  exchange or delivery is to be
made,  declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate  purpose,  and naming the
person or persons to whom such transfer, exchange or delivery of such securities
shall be made.

Section 7. Custodian's Acts Without Instructions

Unless and until the  Custodian  receives a  contrary  custodian  order from the
Corporation, the Custodian shall or shall cause its agent to:

(a)      present for payment  all  coupons  and other  income  items held by the
         Custodian  or its agent for the account of the  Corporation  which call
         for payment  upon  presentation  and hold all cash  received by it upon
         such payment for the account of the Corporation;

(b)      present for payment all securities held by it or its agent which mature
         or when called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;

(c)      ascertain  all stock  dividends,  rights and similar  securities  to be
         issued with  respect to any  securities  held by the  Custodian  or its
         agent  hereunder,  and to  collect  and  hold  for the  account  of the
         Corporation all such securities; and

(d)      ascertain  all  interest  and  cash  dividends  to be paid to  security
         holders with  respect to any  securities  held by the  Custodian or its
         agent, and to collect and hold such interest and cash dividends for the
         account of the Corporation.

Section 8. Voting and Other Action

Neither the  Custodian  nor any nominee of the  Custodian  shall vote any of the
securities  held  hereunder  by or  for  the  account  of the  Corporation.  The
Custodian shall promptly  deliver to the  Corporation  all notices,  proxies and
proxy soliciting materials with relation to such securities,  such proxies to be
executed by the registered  holder of such  securities (if registered  otherwise
than in the name of the Corporation), but without indicating the manner in which
such proxies are to be voted.

Custodian shall transmit  promptly to the  Corporation  all written  information
(including,  without limitation,  pendency of calls and maturities of securities
and  expirations  of rights in connection  therewith)  received by the Custodian
from issuers of the securities being held for the  Corporation.  With respect to
tender  or  exchange  offers,  the  Custodian  shall  transmit  promptly  to the
Corporation  all written  information  received by the Custodian from issuers of
the  securities  whose  tender or  exchange is sought and from the party (or his
agents) making the tender or exchange offer.

Section 9. Transfer Taxes

The  Corporation  shall pay or reimburse the  Custodian  for any transfer  taxes
payable  upon  transfers  of  securities  made  hereunder,  including  transfers
resulting from the  termination of this  Agreement.  The Custodian shall execute
such  certificates  in  connection  with  securities  delivered to it under this
Agreement as may be required, under any applicable law or regulation,  to exempt
from taxation any transfers  and/or  deliveries of any such securities which may
be entitled to such exemption.

Section 10. Custodian's Reports

The Custodian shall furnish the Corporation as of the close of business each day
a  statement  showing  all  transactions  and  entries  for the  account  of the
Corporation. The books and records of the Custodian pertaining to its actions as
Custodian  under this Agreement and  securities  held hereunder by the Custodian
shall be open to inspection and audit by officers of the  Corporation,  internal
auditors  employed by the  Corporation's  investment  adviser,  and  independent
auditors   employed  by  the  Corporation.   The  Custodian  shall  furnish  the
Corporation  in such form as may  reasonably  be requested by the  Corporation a
report, including a list of the securities held by it in custody for the account
of the Corporation,  identification of any subcustodian,  and  identification of
such  securities held by such  subcustodian,  as of the close of business of the
last business day of each month,  which shall be certified by a duly  authorized
officer of the Custodian.  It is further  understood that additional reports may
from time to time be  requested  by the  Corporation.  Should any report ever be
filed with any governmental  authority  pertaining to lost or stolen securities,
the Custodian  will  concurrently  provide the  Corporation  with a copy of that
report.

The  Custodian  also  shall  furnish  such  reports on its  systems of  internal
accounting control as the Corporation may reasonably request from time to time.

Section 11. Concerning Custodian

For its services hereunder the Custodian shall be paid such compensation at such
times as may from time to time be agreed on in writing by the parties  hereto in
a Custodian Fee Agreement.

The  Custodian  shall not be liable for any action  taken in good faith upon any
custodian order or facsimile herein  described,  trade  affirmation  report,  or
certified  copy of any  resolution of the Board of Directors or of the Executive
Committee  of the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation,  and may rely on the
genuineness of any such document which it may in good faith believe to have been
validly prepared or executed.

The Corporation  agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and its nominee
from  all  taxes,  charges,  expenses,   assessments,   claims  and  liabilities
(including  counsel  fees)  incurred  or  assessed  against it or its nominee in
connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from
the Custodian's or its nominee's own negligent action,  negligent failure to act
or willful  misconduct.  Custodian  is  authorized  to charge any account of the
Corporation  for such items. In the event of any advance of cash for any purpose
made by Custodian  resulting from orders or instructions of the Corporation,  or
in the event that Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes,
charges,  expenses,  assessments,  claims or liabilities in connection  with the
performance  of  this  Agreement,  except  such  as may  arise  from  its or its
nominee's own negligent action,  negligent failure to act or willful misconduct,
any  property  at any time  held for the  account  of the  Corporation  shall be
security therefor.

The Custodian  shall maintain a standard of care  equivalent to that which would
be  required of a bailee for hire and shall not be liable for any loss or damage
to the  Corporation  resulting  from  participation  in a securities  depository
unless such loss or damage arises by reason of any negligence,  misfeasance,  or
willful  misconduct  of  officers or  employees  of the  Custodian,  or from its
failure to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against any securities
depository or from use of an agent,  unless such loss or damage arises by reason
of any negligence,  misfeasance,  or willful misconduct of officers or employees
of the Custodian,  or from its failure to enforce  effectively such rights as it
may have against any agent.

Section 12. Termination and Amendment of Agreement

The  Corporation  and the  Custodian  mutually  may  agree  from time to time in
writing to amend, to add to, or to delete from any provision of this Agreement.

The Custodian  may terminate  this  Agreement by giving the  Corporation  ninety
days' written  notice of such  termination  by registered  mail addressed to the
Corporation at its principal place of business.

The  Corporation  may  terminate  this  Agreement at any time by written  notice
thereof  delivered,  together  with a copy of the  resolution  of the  Board  of
Directors  authorizing  such  termination  and certified by the Secretary of the
Corporation, by registered mail to the Custodian.

Upon such  termination of this Agreement,  assets of the Corporation held by the
Custodian shall be delivered by the Custodian to a successor  custodian,  if one
has been appointed by the  Corporation,  upon receipt by the Custodian of a copy
of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation  certified by the
Secretary,  showing  appointment of the successor  custodian,  and provided that
such successor custodian is a bank or trust company, organized under the laws of
the United States or of any State of the United States, having not less than two
million  dollars  aggregate  capital,  surplus and undivided  profits.  Upon the
termination of this  Agreement as a part of the transfer of assets,  either to a
successor custodian or otherwise,  the Custodian will deliver securities held by
it  hereunder,  when so  authorized  and directed by  resolution of the Board of
Directors  of  the  Corporation,  to a duly  appointed  agent  of the  successor
custodian or to the appropriate transfer agents for transfer of registration and
delivery as directed.  Delivery of assets on termination of this Agreement shall
be effected in a reasonable,  expeditious  and orderly  manner;  and in order to
accomplish an orderly transition from the Custodian to the successor  custodian,
the Custodian shall continue to act as such under this Agreement as to assets in
its  possession  or  control.  Termination  as to  each  security  shall  become
effective upon delivery to the successor custodian,  its agent, or to a transfer
agent for a specific  security for the account of the successor  custodian,  and
such  delivery  shall  constitute  effective  delivery by the  Custodian  to the
successor under this Agreement.

In addition to the means of termination herein before authorized, this Agreement
may be  terminated  at any time by the  vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding
shares  of the  Corporation  and  after  written  notice  of such  action to the
Custodian.


<PAGE>


Section 13. General

Nothing  expressed or  mentioned in or to be implied from any  provision of this
Agreement  is  intended  to,  or  shall  be  construed  to give  any  person  or
corporation other than the parties hereto, any legal or equitable right,  remedy
or claim under or in respect of this  Agreement,  or any covenant,  condition or
provision herein contained, this Agreement and all of the covenants,  conditions
and provisions  hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota.

AXP VARIABLE PORTFOLIO - INCOME SERIES, INC.
     AXP Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund




By: /s/ Leslie L. Ogg
        Leslie L. Ogg
        Vice President


AMERICAN EXPRESS TRUST COMPANY




By: /s/ ChandraKant A. Patel
        ChandraKant A. Patel
        Vice President





                               Opinion of Counsel






October 28, 1999



AXP Variable Portfolio-Income Series, Inc.
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010

Gentlemen:

I have  examined the Articles of  Incorporation  and the By-Laws of AXP Variable
Portfolio-Income  Series,  Inc. (the  Company) and all  necessary  certificates,
permits,  minute books, documents and records of the Company, and the applicable
statutes of the State of Minnesota, and it is my opinion that the shares sold in
accordance  with  applicable  federal and state  securities laws will be legally
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

This opinion may be used in connection with the Post-Effective Amendment.

Sincerely,



/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg
    Attorney at Law
    901 S. Marquette Ave., Suite 2810
    Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3268



                       Plan and Agreement of Distribution

This Plan and  Agreement  of  Distribution  ("Plan")  is  between  AXP  Variable
Portfolio - Income Series,  Inc. on behalf of its series of capital  stock,  AXP
Variable  Portfolio - Federal  Income Fund, a registered  management  investment
company,  ("the  Portfolio") and IDS Life Insurance  Company ("IDS Life"). It is
effective September 13, 1999.

This Plan provides that:

1.       IDS Life will purchase the Portfolio's shares on behalf of its separate
         accounts and the separate  accounts of its  affiliated  life  insurance
         companies   established  for  the  purpose  of  funding  variable  life
         insurance,  annuity  contracts  or both  (collectively  referred  to as
         "Variable Contracts"). Additionally, IDS Life may offer the Portfolio's
         shares  to  one  or  more   unaffiliated   life   insurance   companies
         ("Unaffiliated  Life  Companies")  for purchase on behalf on certain of
         their separate accounts established for the purpose of funding Variable
         Contracts.

2.       The  Portfolio  will  reimburse  IDS Life up to 0.125% of its daily net
         assets for  various  costs  paid and  accrued  in  connection  with the
         distribution  of the  Portfolio's  shares and for services  provided to
         existing and prospective Variable Contract owners.  Payments made under
         the Plan are based on budgeted  expenses  and shall be made within five
         (5) business days after each month.  At the end of each calendar  year,
         IDS Life shall furnish a declaration setting out the actual expenses it
         has paid and  accrued.  Any  money  that has been paid in excess of the
         amount of these expenses shall be returned to the Portfolio.

3.       IDS Life  represents  that the money paid by the Portfolio will benefit
         the variable Contract owners and not the separate accounts that legally
         own the shares and be for the following:

         (a)      printing and mailing  prospectuses,  Statements  of Additional
                  Information,   supplements,   and  reports  to  existing   and
                  prospective Variable Contract owners;

         (b)      preparation   and   distribution   of   advertisement,   sales
                  literature,   brokers'  materials  and  promotional  materials
                  relating to the Portfolio;

         (c)      presentation of seminars and sales meetings describing or
                  relating to the Portfolio;

         (d)      training sales personnel regarding the Portfolio;

         (e)      compensation of sales personnel for sale of the Portfolio's
                  shares;

         (f)      compensation  of  sales   personnel  for  assisting   Variable
                  Contract owners with respect to the Portfolio shares;

         (g)      overhead  of  IDS  Life  and  its   affiliates   appropriately
                  allocated to the promotion of sale of the Portfolio's  shares;
                  and

         (h)      any activity  primarily  intended to result in the sale of the
                  Portfolio's  shares,  including  payments to Unaffiliated Life
                  Companies.

4.       IDS Life shall provide all  information  relevant and necessary for the
         Board to make informed  determinations about whether the Plan should be
         continued and shall:

         (a)      submit  quarterly a report that sets out the expenses  paid or
                  accrued by it, the names of the Unaffiliated Life Companies to
                  whom the Portfolio's shares are sold, and the payments made to
                  each Unaffiliated Life Company that has been reimbursed;

         (b)      monitor the level and  quality of services  provided by it and
                  all  affiliated  companies  and will use its best  efforts  to
                  assure that in each case  legitimate  services are rendered in
                  return for the reimbursement pursuant to the Plan ;and

         (c)      meet  with  the  Portfolio's  representatives,  as  reasonably
                  requested, to provide additional information.

5.       IDS  Life  represents  that it and  all  affiliated  insurance  company
         sponsors will provide full disclosure of the Portfolio's  12b-1 Plan in
         the prospectus for any separate account  investing in the Portfolio and
         will clearly  communicate  the  combined  effect of all fees and costs,
         including  the  reimbursement  under the  12b-1  Plan,  imposed  by the
         separate account and the Portfolio in accordance with applicable laws.

6.       All payments by IDS Life to  Unaffiliated  Life Companies shall be made
         pursuant to a written agreement (Related  Agreement).  All such written
         agreements  will be in a form approved by a majority of the Portfolio's
         independent  members  of the board  and the board as a whole  before it
         shall be used. The Related Agreement shall:

         (a)      require full disclosure of the combined effect of all fees and
                  charges in accordance with applicable laws;

         (b)      provide for the termination at any time without penalty as
                  required by Rule 12b-1; and

         (c)      continue so long as its continuance is done in accordance with
                  the requirements of Rule 12b-1.

7.       The Portfolio represents that the Plan has been approved as required by
         Rule  12b-1  and may  continue  for more than one year so long as it is
         continued as required by Rule 12b-1 and shall  terminate  automatically
         in the event of an assignment.

8.       The Plan may not be amended to  materially  increase  the amount of the
         payments without the approval of the outstanding voting securities.

AXP VARIABLE PORTFOLIO - INCOME SERIES, INC.
         AXP Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund





/s/ Leslie L. Ogg
    Leslie L. Ogg
    Vice President

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY




/s/ Pamela J. Moret
    Pamela J. Moret
    Executive Vice President, Variable Assets




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