NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
485BPOS, 1997-04-22
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<PAGE>   1

              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                       `33 Act File No. 33-60063

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

                REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES [X]
                                  ACT OF 1933

   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 5
    

                                      and

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                       INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940       [_]

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              (Name of Depositor)

   
                   One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    

        (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

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

   
   Gordon E. McCutchan, Secretary, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    

                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

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

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

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

   
[X]   on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
    

[_]   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[_]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[_]   this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
      previously filed post-effective amendment.

   
      The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of securities by a
prior registration statement in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Pursuant to Paragraph (a)(3) thereof, a non-refundable fee
in the amount of $500 has been paid to the Commissioner. Registrant filed its
Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, on February 25,
1997.
    

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


                                    1 of 124                          REDLINED
<PAGE>   2

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

Caption in Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and Other
Information

N-4 Item                                                                   Page
Part A     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS

   
     Item   1.    Cover page...................................................3
     Item   2.    Definitions..................................................5
     Item   3.    Synopsis or Highlights......................................13
     Item   4.    Condensed Financial Information.............................14
     Item   5.    General Description of Registrant, Depositor, 
                    and Portfolio Companies...................................19
     Item   6.    Deductions and Expenses.....................................20
     Item   7.    General Description of Variable Annuity Contracts...........20
     Item   8.    Annuity Period..............................................26
     Item   9.    Death Benefit and Distributions.............................28
     Item  10.    Purchases and Contract Value................................21
     Item  11.    Redemptions.................................................24
     Item  12.    Taxes.......................................................30
     Item  13.    Legal Proceedings...........................................39
     Item  14.    Table of Contents of the Statement of 
                    Additional Information....................................40
    

Part B     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
     Item  15.    Cover Page..................................................50
     Item  16.    Table of Contents...........................................50
     Item  17.    General Information and History.............................50
     Item  18.    Services....................................................50
     Item  19.    Purchase of Securities Being Offered........................50
     Item  20.    Underwriters................................................51
     Item  21.    Calculation of Performance Information......................51
     Item  22.    Annuity Payments............................................55
     Item  23.    Financial Statements........................................56
    

Part C     OTHER INFORMATION

   
     Item  24.    Financial Statements and Exhibits..........................107
     Item  25.    Directors and Officers of the Depositor....................109
     Item  26.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control 
                    with the Depositor or Registrant.........................111
     Item  27.    Number of Contract Owners..................................120
     Item  28.    Indemnification............................................120
     Item  29.    Principal Underwriter......................................120
     Item  30.    Location of Accounts and Records...........................122
     Item  31.    Management Services........................................122
     Item  32.    Undertakings...............................................122
    


                                    2 of 124
<PAGE>   3

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                   Home Office
                                 P.O. Box 182356
                    Columbus, Ohio 43216-2356, 1-800-243-6295

     Voice Response (available 24 hours) 1-800-848-8258, TDD 1-800-238-3035

   
                 INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                 ISSUED BY THE NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                   THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
    

      The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
prospectus are flexible purchase payment contracts (collectively referred to as
the "Contracts"). Reference throughout the prospectus to such Contracts shall
also mean Certificates issued under Group Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts.
For such Group Contracts, references to "Owner" shall mean the "Participant"
unless the Plan otherwise permits or requires the Owner to exercise contractual
rights under the authority of the Plan terms. The Contracts are sold to
individuals for use in retirement plans which may qualify for special federal
tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Annuity payments under the
Contracts are deferred until a selected later date. 

     Purchase Payments are allocated to the Nationwide Variable Account-II
("Variable Account"), a separate account of Nationwide Life Insurance Company
(the "Company"). The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of
which invests in shares of one of the underlying Mutual Funds described below:

                           AVAILABLE FOR ALL CONTRACTS

   
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., an affiliate of American Century
Companies, Inc.
    American Century VP Balanced       American Century VP Capital Appreciation
  American Century VP International            American Century VP Value
    

                                    DREYFUS
   
                            Dreyfus Stock Index Fund
          Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund Growth & Income Portfolio*
    
                  The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund

                   FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND

                Equity-Income Portfolio       Growth Portfolio
                 High Income Portfolio*      Overseas Portfolio

                  FIDELITY VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II

               Asset Manager Portfolio      Contrafund Portfolio

                       NATIONWIDE SEPARATE ACCOUNT TRUST
              Capital Appreciation Fund      Government Bond Fund
        Money Market Fund      Small Company Fund      Total Return Fund

                  NEUBERGER & BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
 Growth Portfolio      Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio      Partners Portfolio

                       OPPENHEIMER VARIABLE ACCOUNT FUNDS
         Oppenheimer Bond Fund      Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund
                      Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund

                          STRONG SPECIAL FUND II, INC.

                     STRONG VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
        Strong Discovery Fund II, Inc.      International Stock Fund II

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

               VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
                          Real Estate Securities Fund

                              WARBURG PINCUS TRUST
   
       International Equity Portfolio      Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
    
                         Small Company Growth Portfolio

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


                                       1


                                    3 of 124
<PAGE>   4

   
      This prospectus provides you with the basic information you should know
about the Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts issued by the
Nationwide Variable Account-II before investing. You should read it and keep it
for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 1997,
containing further information about the Contracts and the Nationwide Variable
Account-II has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can
obtain a copy without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by calling
the number listed above, or writing P.O. Box 182356, Columbus, Ohio 43216-2356.
    

INVESTMENTS IN THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, AND ARE NOT
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY ANY CREDIT UNION OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. ANY
INVESTMENT IN THE CONTRACT INVOLVES CERTAIN INVESTMENT RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE
THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

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

   
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1997, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 38 OF THE PROSPECTUS.

                   THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1997.
    


                                       2


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<PAGE>   5

                            GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

Accumulation Unit- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the Variable
Account Contract Value prior to the Annuitization Date. 

   
Annuitant- The person designated to receive annuity payments during
Annuitization and whose continuation of life any annuity payment involving life
contingencies depends. This person must be age 90 or younger at the time of
Contract issuance, unless the Company has approved a request for an Annuitant of
greater age. The Annuitant may be changed prior to the Annuitization Date with
the consent of the Company.
    

Annuitization- The period during which annuity payments are actually received.

   
Annuitization Date- The date on which annuity payments actually commence at
Annuitization.

Annuity Commencement Date- The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence. The Annuity Commencement Date is shown on the Data Page of the
Contract, and is subject to change by the Contract Owner.
    

Annuity Payment Option- The chosen form of annuity payments. Several options are
available under the Contract.

Annuity Unit- An accounting unit of measure used to calculate the value of
Variable Annuity payments.

Beneficiary- The Beneficiary is the person designated to receive certain
benefits under the Contract upon the death of the Designated Annuitant prior to
the Annuitization Date. The Beneficiary can be changed by the Contract Owner as
set forth in the Contract.

Code- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company- Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

   
Contingent Annuitant- The Contingent Annuitant may be the recipient of certain
rights or benefits under this Contract when the Annuitant dies before the
Annuitization Date. If a Contingent Annuitant is designated and the Annuitant
dies before the Annuitization Date, the Contingent Annuitant becomes the
Annuitant. A Contingent Annuitant may not be named for Contracts issued as
Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs.
    

Contingent Beneficiary- The Contingent Beneficiary is the person designated to
be the Beneficiary if the named Beneficiary is not living at the time of the
death of the Designated Annuitant.

   
Contingent Owner- A Contingent Owner succeeds to the rights of the Contract
Owner upon the Contract Owner's death before Annuitization. For Contracts issued
in the State of New York, references throughout this prospectus to "Contingent
Owner" shall mean "Owner's Beneficiary." A Contingent Owner may not be named for
Contracts issued as Individual Retirement Annuities or SEP IRAs.
    

Contract- The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract described in this
prospectus.

Contract Anniversary- An anniversary of the Date of Issue of the Contract.

Contract Owner (Owner)- The Contract Owner is the person who possesses all
rights under the Contract, including the right to designate and change any
designations of the Owner, Contingent Owner, Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant,
Beneficiary, Contingent Beneficiary, Annuity Payment Option, and the Annuity
Commencement Date. The Contract Owner is the person named as Owner in the
application, unless changed.

Contract Value- The sum of the value of all Accumulation Units attributable to
the Contract plus any amount held under the Contract in the Fixed Account.

Contract Year- Each year the Contract remains in force commencing with the Date
of Issue.

Date of Issue- The date shown as the Date of Issue on the Data Page of the
Contract.

   
Death Benefit- The benefit which is payable upon the death of the Annuitant or
the Contingent Annuitant, if applicable. This benefit does not apply upon the
death of the Contract Owner when the Owner and Annuitant are not the same
person. If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable shall be as specified in the Annuity Payment Option elected.
    

Distribution- Any payment of part or all of the Contract Value

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


                                       3


                                    5 of 124
<PAGE>   6

Fixed Account- The Fixed Account is made up of all assets of the Company other
than those in the Variable Account or any other segregated asset account of the
Company.

Fixed Annuity- An annuity providing for payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during Annuitization.

Home Office- The main office of the Company located in Columbus, Ohio.

Individual Retirement Annuity - An annuity contract which qualifies for
favorable tax treatment under Section 408 of the Code.

Interest Rate Guarantee Period- An Interest Rate Guarantee Period is the
interval of time during which an interest rate credited to the Fixed Account
under the Contract is guaranteed to remain the same. For new Purchase Payments
allocated to the Fixed Account or transfers from the Variable Account, this
period begins upon the date of deposit or transfer and ends at the end of the
calendar quarter at least one year (but not more than 15 months) from deposit or
transfer. At the end of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period, a new interest rate
is declared with an Interest Rate Guarantee Period starting at the end of the
prior period and ending at the end of the calendar quarter one year later.

   
Joint Owner- The Joint Owner, if any, possesses an undivided interest in the
entire Contract in conjunction with the Owner. If a Joint Owner is named,
references to "Contract Owner", "Owner", or "Joint Owner" in this prospectus
will apply to both the Owner and Joint Owner or either of them. If permitted by
state law, Joint Owners must be spouses at the time Joint Ownership is
requested. Joint Ownership may be selected only for a Non-Qualified Contract.
    

Mutual Fund (Fund)- A registered management investment company in which the
assets of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account will be invested.

Non-Qualified Contract- A Contract which does not qualify for favorable tax
treatment under Sections 401 and 403(a) (Qualified Plans), 408 (IRAs) or 403(b)
(Tax Sheltered Annuities) of the Code.

Plan Participant-The Plan Participant is the person for whom contributions are
being made to a Qualified Contract or Tax Sheltered Annuity either through
employer contributions or employee salary reduction contributions.

Purchase Payment- A deposit of new value into the Contract. The term "Purchase
Payment" does not include transfers between the Variable Account and Fixed
Account, or among the Sub-Accounts.

   
Qualified Contracts- A Contract issued to fund a Qualified Plan.

Qualified Plans- Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
the provisions of Sections 401 or 403(a) of the Code.

SEP IRA- A retirement plan which receives favorable tax treatment under the
provisions of Section 408(k) of the Code.
    

Sub-Accounts- Separate and distinct divisions of the Variable Account, to which
specific underlying Mutual Fund shares are allocated and for which Accumulation
Units and Annuity Units are separately maintained.

Tax Sheltered Annuity- An annuity which qualifies for favorable tax treatment
under Section 403(b) of the Code.

Valuation Date- Each day the New York Stock Exchange and the Company's Home
Office are open for business or any other day during which there is a sufficient
degree of trading of the Variable Account's underlying Mutual Fund shares that
the current net asset value of its Accumulation Units might be materially
affected.

Valuation Period- The period of time commencing at the close of a Valuation Date
and ending at the close of business for the next succeeding Valuation Date.

Variable Account- The Nationwide Variable Account-II, a separate investment
account of the Company into which Variable Account Purchase Payments are
allocated. The Variable Account is divided into Sub-Accounts, each of which
invests in shares of a separate underlying Mutual Fund.

Variable Annuity- An annuity providing for payments which are not predetermined
or guaranteed as to dollar amount and which vary in amount with the investment
experience of the Variable Account.


                                       4


                                    6 of 124
<PAGE>   7

                                Table of Contents

   
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS.....................................................3
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES..................................................7
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES........................................7
SYNOPSIS.....................................................................11
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION..............................................12
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY............................................17
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.........................................................17
           Underlying Mutual Fund Options....................................17
           Voting Rights.....................................................17
           Substitution of Securities........................................18
VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS................................18
           Expenses of the Variable Account..................................18
           Mortality Risk Charge.............................................18
           Premium Taxes.....................................................18
OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT....................................................18
           Investments of the Variable Account...............................18
           Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value................19
           Value of an Accumulation Unit.....................................19
           Net Investment Factor.............................................19
           Valuation of Assets...............................................20
           Determining the Contract Value....................................20
           Right to Revoke...................................................20
           Transfers.........................................................20
           Contract Ownership Provisions.....................................21
           Joint Ownership Provisions........................................21
           Contingent Ownership Provisions...................................22
           Beneficiary Provisions............................................22
           Surrender (Redemption)............................................22
           Assignment........................................................22
           Contract Owner Services...........................................23
           Asset Rebalancing.................................................23
           Dollar Cost Averaging.............................................23
           Systematic Withdrawals............................................24
ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT, AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS...............24
           Annuity Commencement Date.........................................24
           Change in Annuity Commencement Date...............................24
           Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account...........................24
           Value of an Annuity Unit..........................................24
           Assumed Investment Rate...........................................24
           Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments..........................25
           Change in Form of Annuity.........................................25
           Annuity Payment Options...........................................25
           Death of Contract Owner Provisions-Non-Qualified Contracts........25
           Death of Annuitant Provisions- Non-Qualified Contracts............26
           Death of the Owner/Annuitant Provisions...........................26
           Death Benefit Payment Provisions..................................26
           Required Distribution Provisions for Non-Qualified Contracts......26
           Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities 
            and SEP IRAs.....................................................27
           Generation-Skipping Transfers.....................................28
    


                                       5


                                    7 of 124
<PAGE>   8

   
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS...................................................28
           Federal Income Taxes..............................................28
           Non-Qualified Contracts-Natural Persons as Owners.................28
           Non-Qualified Contracts-Non-Natural Persons as Owners.............29
           Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs......................30
           Withholding.......................................................30
           Non-Resident Aliens...............................................30
           Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes......31
           Charge for Tax Provisions.........................................31
           Diversification...................................................31
           Tax Changes.......................................................32
GENERAL INFORMATION..........................................................32
           Contract Owner Inquiries..........................................32
           Statements and Reports............................................32
           Advertising.......................................................32
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS............................................................37
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.....................38
APPENDIX A...................................................................39
APPENDIX B...................................................................41
    


                                       6


                                    8 of 124
<PAGE>   9

                          SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES

       Mortality Risk Charges.......................................   0.80  %
       Administration Charge........................................   0.00  %
         Total Variable Account Annual Expenses.....................   0.80  %

                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(1)
             (as a percentage of underlying Mutual Fund net assets)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Management        Other         Total Mutual
                                                      Fees         Expenses       Fund Expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>  
American Century Variable Portfolios,                 1.00%           0.00%           1.00%
Inc.-American Century VP Balanced
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios,                 1.00%           0.00%           1.00%
Inc.-American Century VP Capital Appreciation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios,                 1.50%           0.00%           1.50%
Inc.-American Century VP International
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable Portfolios,                 1.00%           0.00%           1.00%
Inc.-American Century VP Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                              0.25%           0.05%           0.30%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund-Growth &             0.75%           0.08%           0.83%
Income Portfolio 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund*         0.72%           0.24%           0.96%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income Portfolio             0.51%           0.07%           0.58%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth Portfolio                    0.61%           0.08%           0.69%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income Portfolio               0.59%           0.12%           0.71%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas Portfolio                  0.76%           0.17%           0.93%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Asset Manager Portfolio*         0.64%           0.10%           0.74%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-Contrafund Portfolio             0.61%           0.13%           0.74%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund                        0.50%           0.02%           0.52%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund                             0.50%           0.01%           0.51%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                                0.50%           0.03%           0.53%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company Fund                               1.00%           0.10%           1.10%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                                0.50%           0.02%           0.52%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                0.83%           0.09%           0.92%
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                0.65%           0.13%           0.78%
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management                0.84%           0.11%           0.95%
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds-Bond Fund          0.74%           0.04%           0.78%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds-Global             0.73%           0.08%           0.81%
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds-Multiple           0.73%           0.04%           0.77%
Strategies Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.                          1.00%           0.17%           1.17%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,                      1.00%           0.21%           1.21%
Inc.-Discovery Fund II, Inc. 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,                      1.00%           0.90%           1.90%
Inc.-International Stock Fund II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   10

                     UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(1)
             (as a percentage of underlying Mutual Fund net assets)
                                    Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Management        Other         Total Mutual
                                                      Fees         Expenses       Fund Expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>  
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide           1.00%           0.08%           1.08%
Hard Assets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide           1.00%           0.08%           1.08%
Bond Fund*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust-Worldwide           1.00%           0.00%           1.00%
Emerging Markets Fund*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment           0.83%           0.27%           1.10%
Trust-Real Estate Securities Fund*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg  Pincus   Trust-International  Equity         0.96%           0.40%           1.36%
Portfolio*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Post-Venture Capital             0.62%           0.78%           1.40%
Portfolio*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company Growth             0.90%           0.26%           1.16%
Portfolio*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
(1)   The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the underlying Mutual
      Fund level and are not direct charges against Variable Account assets or
      reductions from Contract Values. These underlying Mutual Fund expenses are
      taken into consideration in computing each underlying Mutual Fund's net
      asset value, which is the share price used to calculate the unit values of
      the Variable Account. The management fees and other expenses, are more
      fully described in the prospectus for each individual underlying Mutual
      Fund. The information relating to the underlying Mutual Fund expenses was
      provided by the underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified
      by the Company.

*     The investment advisers for the indicated underlying Mutual Funds have
      voluntarily agreed to reimburse a portion of the management fees and/or
      operating expenses resulting in a reduction of the total expenses. Absent
      any such partial reimbursement, "Management Fees" and "Other Expenses"
      would have been 0.75% and 0.24% for the Dreyfus Socially Responsible
      Growth Fund, Inc.; 0.71% and 0.10% for the Fidelity VIP Fund II-Asset
      Manager Portfolio; 1.00% and 0.10% for the Van Eck Worldwide Insurance
      Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund; 1.00% and 1.06% for the Van Eck Worldwide
      Insurance Trust-Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund: 1.00% and 0.27% for the
      Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust-Real Estate Securities
      Fund. Absent any such partial reimbursement, "Total Mutual Fund Expenses"
      would have been 1.40% for the Warburg Pincus Trust-International Equity
      Portfolio; 5.56% for the Warburg Pincus Trust Post-Venture Capital
      Portfolio; and 1.17% for the Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company Growth
      Portfolio.

    


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                                   10 of 124
<PAGE>   11

                                     EXAMPLE

The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be incurred
under this Contract assuming a $1000 investment and 5% annual return. These
dollar figures are illustrative only and should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
====================================================================================================================================
                               If you surrender your              If you do not surrender         If you annuitize your Contract
                                     Contract                   your Contract at the end of        at the end of the applicable
                                 at the end of the               the applicable time period                time period
                                    applicable                                                  
                                    time period                                                 
====================================================================================================================================
                              1 Yr.   3 Yrs.   5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.   1 Yr.   3 Yrs   5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.    1 Yr.  3 Yrs.   5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                            <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>               <C>      <C>     <C>
American Century Variable       19      58      101      218      19      58      101      218        *      58      101      218
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Balanced
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

American Century Variable       19      58      101      218      19      58      101      218        *      58      101      218
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Capital
Appreciation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

American Century Variable       24      74      127      272      24      74      127      272        *      74      127      272
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP International
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

American Century Variable       19      58      101      218      19      58      101      218        *      58      101      218
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dreyfus Stock Index Fund        12      36       62      138      12      36       62      138        *      36       62      138
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dreyfus VIF-Growth &            17      53       91      199      17      53       91      199        *      53       91      199
Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dreyfus Socially            18      57       98      213      18      57       98      213        *      57       98      213
Responsible Growth Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP                    14      45       78      170      14      45       78      170        *      45       78      170
Fund-Equity-Income
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth        16      49       84      183      16      49       84      183        *      49       84      183
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas      18      56       97      210      18      56       97      210        *      56       97      210
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund-High          16      49       85      185      16      49       85      185        *      49       85      185
Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund II-Asset      16      50       87      189      16      50       87      189        *      50       87      189
Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fidelity VIP Fund               16      50       87      189      16      50       87      189        *      50       87      189
II-Contrafund Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Capital Appreciation       14      43       74      163      14      43       74      163        *      43       74      163
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Government Bond Fund       14      43       74      162      14      43       74      162        *      43       74      162
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund          14      43       75      165      14      43       75      165        *      43       75      165
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT - Small Company Fund       20      62      106      229      20      62      106      229        *      62      106      229
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSAT-Total Return Fund          14      43       74      163      14      43       74      163        *      43       74      163
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neuberger & Berman              18      56       96      209      18      56       96      209        *      56       96      209
Advisers Management
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neuberger & Berman              17      51       89      193      17      51       89      193        *      51       89      193
Advisers Management
Trust-Limited Maturity
Bond Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       9


                                   11 of 124
<PAGE>   12

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
====================================================================================================================================
                               If you surrender your              If you do not surrender         If you annuitize your Contract
                                     Contract                   your Contract at the end of        at the end of the applicable
                                 at the end of the               the applicable time period                time period
                                    applicable                                                  
                                    time period                                                 
====================================================================================================================================
                              1 Yr.   3 Yrs.   5 Yrs. 10 Yrs.   1 Yr.   3 Yrs   5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.    1 Yr.  3 Yrs.   5 Yrs.  10 Yrs.
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                            <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>               <C>      <C>     <C>
Neuberger & Berman             18      57       98      212      18      57       98      212        *      57       98      212
Advisers Management
Trust- Partners Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oppenheimer Variable           17      51       89      193      17      51       89      193        *      51       89      193
Account Funds-Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable           17      52       90      197      17      52       90      197        *      52       90      197
Account Funds-Global
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oppenheimer Variable           16      51       88      192      16      51       88      192        *      51       88      192
Account Funds-Multiple
Strategies Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Special Fund II,        21      64      110      236      21      64      110      236        *      64      110      236
Inc. 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Variable                21      65      112      241      21      65      112      241        *      65      112      241
Insurance Funds, Inc.-
Discovery Fund II, Inc. 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strong Variable                28      87      148      313      28      87      148      313        *      87      148      313
Insurance Funds, Inc. 
- -International Stock
Fund II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Eck Worldwide              20      61      105      227      20      61      105      227        *      61      105      227
Insurance
Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Eck Worldwide              19      58      101      218      19      58      101      218        *      58      101      218
Insurance
Trust-Worldwide Emerging
Markets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Eck Worldwide              20      61      105      227      20      61      105      227        *      61      105      227
Insurance
Trust-Worldwide Hard
Assets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Van Kampen American            20      62      106      229      20      62      106      229        *      62      106      229
Capital Life Investment
Trust-Real Estate
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warburg Pincus                 23      70      120      257      23      70      120      257        *      70      120      257
Trust-International
Equity Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warburg Pincus                 23      71      122      261      23      71      122      261        *      71      122      261
Trust-Post-Venture
Capital Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warburg Pincus                 21      64      109      235      21      64      109      235        *      64      109      235
Trust-Small Company
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

*The Contracts sold under this prospectus do not permit annuitizations during
the first two Contract Years.

The purpose of the Summary of Contract Expenses and Example is to assist the
Contract Owner in understanding the various costs and expenses that will be
borne directly or indirectly when investing in the Contract. The expenses of the
Nationwide Variable Account-II as well as those of the underlying Mutual Fund
options are reflected in the Example. For more complete descriptions of the
expenses of the Variable Account, see "Variable Account Charges and Other
Deductions." For more complete information regarding expenses paid out of the
assets of the underlying Mutual Fund options, see the underlying Mutual Fund
prospectuses. Deductions for premium taxes may also apply but are not reflected
in the Example shown above (see "Premium Taxes").


                                       10


                                   12 of 124
<PAGE>   13

                                    SYNOPSIS

   
      The Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts described in this
prospectus are designed for use in connection with the following types of
Contracts (1) Non-Qualified, (2) Individual Retirement Annuities, and (3) SEP
IRAs. Non-Qualified Contracts may be purchased with money from any source or an
Individual Retirement Annuity may be purchased with annual IRA contributions or
contributions rolled-over from Qualified Plans, IRAs, Tax-Sheltered Annuities or
custodial accounts.
    

      There is no minimum initial Purchase Payment or minimum subsequent
Purchase Payment Requirements. The cumulative total of all Purchase Payments
under Contracts issued on the life of any one Designated Annuitant may not
exceed $1,000,000 without the prior consent of the Company (see "Allocation of
Purchase Payments and Contract Value").

       The Company does not deduct a sales charge from Purchase Payments made
for these Contracts. The Company deducts a Mortality Risk Charge equal to an
annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable Account for
mortality risks assumed by the Company (see "Mortality Risk Charge").

   
      Upon Annuitization, the selected Annuity Payment Option will begin (see
"Annuity Payment Option"). However, if the net amount to be applied to any
Annuity Payment Option at the Annuitization Date is less than $5,000, the
Contract Value may be distributed in one lump sum in lieu of annuity payments.
If any annuity payment would be less than $50, the Company shall have the right
to change the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments
of at least $50. In no event, however, will annuity payments be made less
frequently than annually (see "Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments").

      The Company will charge against the Purchase Payments or the Contract
Value the amount of any premium taxes levied by a state or any other
governmental entity (see "Premium Taxes").

      To be sure that the Contract Owner is satisfied with the Contract, the
Contract Owner has a ten day free look. Within ten days of the date the Contract
is received, it may be returned to the Home Office of the Company, at the
address shown on page 1 of this prospectus. If a Contract is returned to the
Company in a timely manner, the Company will void the Contract and refund the
Contract Value in full unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law.
State and/or federal law may provide additional free look privileges. All
Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be return of Purchase Payments (see
"Right to Revoke").
    


                                       11


                                   13 of 124
<PAGE>   14

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Accumulation Unit Values for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                           Number of Units
                                                                            At The End Of
         Fund           Beginning Unit     Ending Unit     Percent Change     The Period          Year
                            Value             Value        in Unit Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>               <C>                <C>              <C>               <C> 
American Century          10.216536         11.371689          11.31%           5,362             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolios,      10.000000         10.216536           2.17%               0             1995
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century          10.216536         11.371689          11.31%           1,084             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolios,      10.000000         10.216536           2.17%               0             1995
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century           9.880281          9.377268          -5.09%           7,475             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolios,      10.000000          9.880281          -1.20%           2,625             1995
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Appreciation-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century           9.880281          9.377268          -5.09%          10,548             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolios,      10.000000          9.880281          -1.20%           2,306             1995
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital
Appreciation-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century          10.355977         11.752593          13.49%             365             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolios,      10.000000         10.355977           3.56%              72             1995
Inc
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century          10.355977         11.752593          13.49%           9,164             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolios,      10.000000         10.355977           3.56%             741             1995
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century          10.000000         10.143681           1.44%               0             1996*
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolio,
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century          10.000000         10.143681           1.44%             109             1996*
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Portfolio,
Inc.
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century VP
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable          10.000000          9.988028          -0.12%               0             1996*
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Fund-
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Income
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable          10.000000          9.988028          -0.12%             100             1996*
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Fund-
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Income
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-N Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index       10.575706         12.854891          21.55%          21,527             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q                    10.000000         10.575706           5.76%             750             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index       10.575706         12.854891          21.55%          17,543             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ                   10.000000         10.575706           5.76%               0             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially      10.330490         12.423035          20.26            3,819             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsible Growth        10.000000         10.330490           3.30%             806             1995
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund, Inc.-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Socially      10.330490         12.423035          20.26            4,955             1996
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsible Growth        10.000000         10.330490           3.30%             232             1995
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund, Inc.-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       12


                                   14 of 124
<PAGE>   15

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Continued
Accumulation Unit Value for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                                  Number of
                                                                               Units At The
            Fund               Beginning Unit     Ending Unit      Percent      End Of The        Year
                                    Value            Value        Change in       Period
                                                                 Unit Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>            <C> 
Fidelity VIP Fund-                10.484931        11.775309       12.31%          511            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overseas Portfolio-Q              10.000000        10.484931        4.85%        1,164            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund--               10.484931        11.775309       12.31%        3,662            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overseas Portfolio-NQ             10.000000        10.484931        4.85%          252            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High            10.155366        11.487324       13.12%       13,647            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Portfolio-Q                10.000000        10.155366        1.55%          806            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High            10.155366        11.487324       13.12%       18,821            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Portfolio-NQ               10.000000        10.155366        1.55%          525            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-                10.729806        12.163794       13.36%       38,049            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity- Income                    10.000000        10.729806        7.30         2,701            1995
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-                10.729806        12.163794       13.36%       26,246            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity- Income                    10.000000        10.729806        7.30           920            1995
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-NQ
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-                 9.643317        10.972453       13.78%       38,429            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Portfolio-Q                10.000000         9.643317       -3.57%        5,324            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-                 9.643317        10.972453       13.78%       35,425            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Portfolio-NQ               10.000000         9.643317       -3.57%        4,256            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -            10.533861        11.975202       13.68%        6,477            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Manager                     10.000000        10.533861        5.34%          488            1995
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -            10.533861        11.975202       13.68%        1,925            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Manager                     10.000000        10.533861        5.34%           69            1995
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-NQ
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-             10.207482        12.282942       20.33%       14,615            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contrafund Portfolio-Q            10.000000        10.207482        2.07%          484            1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II-             10.207482        12.282942       20.33%       12,689            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contrafund Portfolio-NQ           10.000000        10.207482        2.07%        1,565            1995
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Capital Appreciation        10.763065        13.467403       25.13%       12,286            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q                            10.000000        10.763065        7.63%            0            1995
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Capital Appreciation        10.763065        13.467403       25.13%       16,971            1996
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ                           10.000000        10.763065        7.63%            0            1995
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       13


                                   15 of 124
<PAGE>   16

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Continued
Accumulation Unit Value for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                                Number of
                                                                              Units At The
            Fund              Beginning Unit     Ending Unit      Percent      End Of The        Year
                                   Value            Value        Change in       Period
                                                                 Unit Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>              <C>              <C>            <C>            <C> 
NSAT-Government                  10.262495        10.534938        2.65%          5,170          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bond Fund-Q                      10.000000        10.262495        2.62%            329          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government                  10.262495        10.534938        2.65%         16,048          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bond Fund-NQ                     10.000000        10.262495        2.62%              0          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Money Market               10.076854        10.507347        4.27%         32,496          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund- Q**                        10.000000        10.076854        0.77%          1,951          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT- Money Market               10.076854        10.507347        4.27%         33,761          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund- NQ**                       10.000000        10.076854        0.77%            578          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company               11.411037        13.903343       21.84%         13,231          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q                           10.000000        11.411037       14.11%          1,552          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company               11.411037        13.903343       21.84%         31,720          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ                          10.000000        11.411037       14.11%            676          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total                       10.500717        12.691338       20.86%         49,402          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return Fund-Q                    10.000000        10.500717        5.01%             42          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total                       10.500717        12.691338       20.86%         65,856          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return Fund-NQ                   10.000000        10.500717        5.01%            450          1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman               9.971367         10.795282        8.26%          6,941          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers Management              10.000000         9.971367       -0.29%          2,596          1995
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Growth Portfolio-Q
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman                9.971367        10.795282        8.26%          7,119          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers Management              10.000000         9.971367       -0.29%          1,831          1995
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Growth Portfolio-NQ
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman               10.180593        10.533549        3.47%          1,473          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers Management              10.000000        10.180593        1.81%              0          1995
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman               10.180593        10.533549        3.47%          2,542          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers Management              10.000000        10.180593        1.81%         18,239          1995
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-NQ
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman               10.570046        13.585552       28.53%         11,527          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers Management              10.000000        10.570046        5.70             934          1995
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Partners Portfolio-Q
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger & Berman               10.570046        13.585552       28.53%         19,721          1996
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisers Management              10.000000        10.570046        5.70             233          1995
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Partners Portfolio-NQ
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
**The 7-day yield on the Money Market Fund as of December 31, 1996 was 4.14%.
    


                                       14


                                   16 of 124
<PAGE>   17

     CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Continued
Accumulation Unit Values for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                           Number of Units
                                                                            At The End Of
        Fund           Beginning Unit     Ending Unit     Percent Change     The Period           Year
                           Value             Value        in Unit Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>               <C> 
Oppenheimer Variable     10.087683         11.787738          16.85%            1,508             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Funds-Global     10.000000         10.087683           0.88%                0             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Fund-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable     10.087683         11.787738          16.85%            4,650             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Funds-Global     10.000000         10.087683           0.88%               44             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Fund-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable     10.302692         11.803522          14.57%            4,469             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Funds-           10.000000         10.302692           3.03%                0             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multiple Strategies
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable     10.302692         11.803522          14.57%            4,093             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Funds-           10.000000         10.302692           3.03%               78             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multiple Strategies
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable     10.287129         10.693801           3.95%            5,191             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Funds-Bond       10.000000         10.287129           2.87%                0             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable     10.287129         10.693801           3.95%            2,496             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Funds Bond       10.000000         10.287129           2.87%               71             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable          10.468286         10.467953          -0.00%              897             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Funds,         10.000000         10.468286           4.68%              418             1995
Inc.-
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discovery Fund II-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable          10.468286         10.467953          -0.00%            5,000             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Funds,         10.000000         10.468286           4.68%            1,763             1995
Inc.-
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discovery Fund II-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable          10.176527         11.142737           9.49%            3,313             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Funds,         10.000000         10.176527           1.77%                0             1995
Inc.-
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund II-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable          10.176527         11.142737           9.49%            2,222             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Funds,         10.000000         10.176527           1.77%                0             1995
Inc.-
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund II-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund      10.587949         12.408965          17.20%            7,847             1996
II,
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inc.- Q                  10.000000         10.587949           5.88%              491             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund      10.587949         12.408965          17.20%            8,283             1996
II,
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inc.-NQ                  10.000000         10.587949           5.88%              309             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide        10.113918         10.285816           1.70%              683             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Trust -        10.000000         10.113918           1.14%              496             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Bond
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide        10.113918         10.285816           1.70%              181             1996
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Trust-         10.000000         10.113918           1.14%                0             1995
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Bond
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       15


                                   17 of 124
<PAGE>   18

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, Continued
Accumulation Unit Values for an Accumulation Unit outstanding throughout the
period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                             Number of Units
                                                                              At The End Of
           Fund             Beginning Unit    Ending Unit    Percent Change     The Period          Year
                                Value            Value       in Unit Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>              <C>               <C>                <C>             <C>  
Van Eck Worldwide             10.000000        10.078944         0.79%              0               1996*
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Trust-
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Emerging Markets
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-Q
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide             10.000000        10.078944         0.79%            151               1996*
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Trust-
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Emerging Markets
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund-NQ
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide             11.060595        12.953621        17.12%          1,121               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Trust-Worldwide     10.000000        11.060595        10.61%            305               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Assets Fund-Q
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide             11.060595        12.953621        17.12%          8,904               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance Trust-Worldwide     10.000000        11.060595        10.61%            194               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Assets-NQ
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American           10.597781        14.773661        39.40%          3,666               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Life Investment       10.000000        10.597781         5.98%            231               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Real Estate
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Fund-Q
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American           10.597781        14.773661        39.40%         10,037               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Life Investment       10.000000        10.597781         5.98%            235               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Real Estate
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Fund-NQ
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-         10.363169        11.306243         9.10%          6,990               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity          10.000000        10.363169         3.63%             56               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-         10.363169        11.306243         9.10%          7,213               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity          10.000000        10.363169         3.63%              0               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-NQ
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-         10.000000        10.164891         1.65%              0               1996*
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Venture Capital
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-         10.000000        10.164891         1.65%             74               1996*
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-Venture Capital
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-NQ
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-         11.154927        12.604244        12.99%         11,253               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Growth          10.000000        11.154927        11.55%          3,368               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-Q
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-         11.154927        12.604244        12.99%         26,142               1996
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Growth          10.000000        11.154927        11.55%            959               1995
                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio-NQ
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
* The American Century Variable Portfolio, Inc. - American Century VP Value,
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund Growth and Income Portfolio, Van Eck Worldwide
Insurance Trust - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund, and Warburg Pincus Trust -
Post-Venture Capital Portfolio were added December 23, 1996. Consequently, the
Condensed financial information reflects the accumulation unit outstanding for
the period from December 23, 1996 to December 31, 1996.
    


                                       16


                                   18 of 124
<PAGE>   19

                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

   
      The Company is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of
the State of Ohio in March 1929. The Company is a member of the "Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise," with its Home Office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio 43215. The Company offers a complete line of life insurance, including
annuities and accident and health insurance. It is admitted to do business in
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and in all states.
    

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

      The Variable Account was established by the Company on October 7, 1981,
pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law. The Company has caused the Variable
Account to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit
investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
1940. Such registration does not involve supervision of the management of the
Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      The Variable Account is a separate investment account of the Company and
as such, is not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
the Company may conduct. The Company does not guarantee the investment
performance of the Variable Account. Obligations under the Contracts, however,
are obligations of the Company. Income, gains and losses, whether or not
realized, from the assets of the Variable Account are, in accordance with the
Contracts, credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to
other income, gains, or losses of the Company.

      Purchase Payments are allocated within the Variable Account among one or
more Sub-Accounts made up of shares in the underlying Mutual Fund option(s)
designated by the Contract Owner. A separate Sub-Account is established within
the Variable Account for each of the underlying Mutual Fund options that may be
designated by the Contract Owner.

Underlying Mutual Fund Options

   
      Contract Owners may choose from among a number of different underlying
Mutual Fund options. (See Appendix B which contains a summary of investment
objectives for each underlying Mutual Fund option.) More detailed information
may be found in the current prospectus for each underlying Mutual Fund offered.
Such a prospectus for the underlying Mutual Fund option(s) should be read in
conjunction with this prospectus. A copy of each prospectus may be obtained
without charge from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by calling 1-800-848-6295,
Voice Response (available 24 hours) 1-800-848-8258, TDD 1-800-238-3035 or
writing P.O. Box 182356, Columbus, Ohio 43216-2356.
    

      The underlying Mutual Fund options may also be available to registered
separate accounts offering variable annuity and variable life products of other
participating insurance companies, as well as to the Variable Account and other
separate accounts of the Company. Although the Company does not anticipate any
disadvantages to this, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise
between the interest of the Variable Account and one or more of the other
separate accounts participating in the underlying Mutual Funds. A conflict may
occur due to a change in law affecting the operations of variable life and
variable annuity separate accounts, differences in the voting instructions of
the Contract Owners and those of other companies, or some other reason. In the
event of conflict, the Company will take any steps necessary to protect Contract
Owners and variable annuity payees, including withdrawal of the Variable Account
from participation in the underlying Mutual Fund or Mutual Funds which are
involved in the conflict.

Voting Rights

      Voting rights under the Contracts apply ONLY with respect to Purchase
Payments or accumulated amounts allocated to the Variable Account.

      In accordance with its view of present applicable law, the Company will
vote the shares of the underlying Mutual Funds held in the Variable Account at
regular and special meetings of the shareholders of the underlying Mutual Funds.
These shares will be voted in accordance with instructions received from
Contract Owners who have an interest in the Variable Account. If the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or any Regulation thereunder should be amended or if the
present interpretation thereof should change, and as a result the Company
determines that it is permitted to vote the shares of the underlying Mutual
Funds in its own right, it may elect to do so.


                                       17


                                   19 of 124
<PAGE>   20

   
      The Contract Owner shall be the person who has the voting interest under
the Contract. The number of underlying Mutual Fund shares attributable to each
Contract Owner is determined by dividing the Contract Owner's interest in each
respective Sub-Account of the Variable Account by the net asset value of the
underlying Mutual Fund corresponding to the Sub-Account. The number of shares
which a person has the right to vote will be determined as of the date to be
chosen by the Company not more than 90 days prior to the meeting of the
underlying Mutual Fund. Each person having a voting interest will receive
periodic reports relating to the underlying Mutual Fund, proxy material and a
form with which to give such voting instructions.

      Voting instructions will be solicited by written communication at least 21
days prior to such meeting. Underlying Mutual Fund shares held in the Variable
Account as to which no timely instructions are received will be voted by the
Company in the same proportion as the voting instructions which are received
with respect to all Contracts participating in the Variable Account.

Substitution of Securities

      If the shares of the underlying Mutual Fund options described in this
prospectus should no longer be available for investment by the Variable Account
or if, in the judgment of the Company's management, further investment in such
underlying Mutual Fund shares should become inappropriate, the Company may
eliminate Sub-Accounts, combine two or more Sub-Accounts, or substitute shares
of another underlying Mutual Fund for underlying Mutual Fund shares already
purchased or to be purchased in the future with Purchase Payments under the
Contract. No substitution of securities in the Variable Account may take place
without prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, under such
requirements as it may impose.
    

                  VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS

   
Expenses of Variable Account

      The Variable Account is responsible for mortality risk charge associated
with guaranteeing the annuity purchase rates at issue for the life of the
Contracts.

      For 1996, the Variable Account incurred total expenses equal to 1.50% of
its average net assets, relating to the mortality risk charges described below
for all Contracts outstanding during that year. Deductions from and expenses
paid out of the assets of the underlying Mutual Funds are described in each
underlying Mutual Fund prospectus.
    

Mortality Risk Charge

      The Company assumes a "mortality risk" by virtue of annuity rates
incorporated in the Contract which cannot be changed regardless of the death
rates of persons receiving annuity payments or of the general population.

      For assuming this mortality risk, the Company deducts a Mortality Risk
Charge from the Variable Account. This amount is computed on a daily basis, and
is equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the daily net asset value of the Variable
Account. The Company expects to generate a profit through assessing this charge.

Premium Taxes

      The Company will charge against the Contract Value the amount of any
premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental entity upon Purchase
Payments received by the Company. Premium taxes currently imposed by certain
jurisdictions range from 0% to 3.5%. This range is subject to change. The method
used to recoup premium tax expense will be determined by the Company at its sole
discretion and in compliance with applicable state law. The Company currently
deducts such charges from a Contract Owner's Contract Value either: (1) at the
time the Contract is surrendered, (2) at Annuitization, or (3) at such earlier
date as the Company may become subject to such taxes.

   
                            OPERATION OF THE CONTRACT
    

Investments of the Variable Account

      The Contract Owner elects to have Purchase Payments attributable to his or
her participation in the Variable Account allocated among one or more of the
Sub-Accounts which consist of shares in the underlying Mutual Fund options.
Shares of the respective underlying Mutual Fund options specified by the
Contract Owner are purchased at net asset value for the respective
Sub-Account(s) and converted into Accumulation Units. The Contract Owner may
change the election as to allocation of Purchase Payments or may elect to


                                       18


                                   20 of 124
<PAGE>   21

exchange amounts among the Sub-Account options pursuant to such terms and
conditions applicable to such transactions as may be imposed by each of the
underlying Mutual Funds, in addition to those set forth in the Contracts.

   
Allocation Of Purchase Payments and Contract Value

      Purchase Payments are allocated to the Fixed Account or to one or more
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account in accordance with the designation of
the underlying Mutual Funds by the Contract Owner and converted into
Accumulation Units.

      There are no minimum initial or subsequent Purchase Payment requirements.
The cumulative total of all Purchase Payments under Contracts issued on the life
of any one Designated Annuitant may not exceed $1,000,000 without prior consent
of the Company.

      The initial Purchase Payment allocated to designated Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account will be priced no later than 2 business days after receipt of
an order to purchase if the application and all information necessary for
processing the purchase order are complete. The Company may, however, retain the
Purchase Payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete an
incomplete application. If the application cannot be made complete within 5
days, the prospective purchaser will be informed of the reasons for the delay
and the Purchase Payment will be returned immediately unless the prospective
purchaser specifically consents to the Company retaining the Purchase Payment
until the application is complete. Thereafter, subsequent Purchase Payments will
be priced on the basis of the Accumulation Value next computed for the
appropriate Sub-Account after the additional Purchase Payment is received.

      Purchase Payments will not be priced on the following nationally
recognized holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Value of an Accumulation Unit

      The value of an Accumulation Unit for each Sub-Account was arbitrarily set
initially at $10 when underlying Mutual Fund shares in that Sub-Account were
available for purchase. The value for any subsequent Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value for each Sub-Account for
the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor for the
Sub-Account during the subsequent Valuation Period. The value of an Accumulation
Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period to Valuation Period. The
number of Accumulation Units will not change as a result of investment
experience.

Net Investment Factor

      The Net Investment Factor for any Valuation Period is determined by
dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result where:

      (a)   is the net of:

            (1)   the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund
                  held in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the current
                  Valuation Period, plus

            (2)   the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain
                  Distributions made by the underlying Mutual Fund held in the
                  Sub-Account if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the
                  current Valuation Period.

      (b)   is the net of:

            (1)   the net asset value per share of the underlying Mutual Fund
                  held in the Sub-Account determined at the end of the
                  immediately preceding Valuation Period, plus or minus

            (2)   the per share charge or credit, if any, for any taxes reserved
                  for in the immediately preceding Valuation Period (see "Charge
                  For Tax Provisions").

(c)   is a factor representing the daily Mortality Risk Charge, deducted from
      the Variable Account. Such factor is equal to an annual rate of .80% of
      the daily net asset value of the Variable Account.

      For underlying Mutual Fund options that credit dividends on a daily basis
and pay such dividends once a month (the Nationwide Separate Account Trust -
Money Market Fund), the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly
reinvestment of these daily dividends.
    


                                       19


                                   21 of 124
<PAGE>   22

   
      The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the
value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. It should be noted that
changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly proportional to changes
in the net asset value of underlying Mutual Fund shares, because of the
deduction for Mortality Risk Charge and any charge or credit for tax reserves..

Valuation of Assets

      Underlying Mutual Fund shares in the Variable Account will be valued at
their net asset value.

Determining the Contract Value

      The sum of the value of all Accumulation Units attributable to the
Contract and amounts credited to the Fixed Account is the Contract Value. The
number of Accumulation Units credited per each Sub-Account are determined by
dividing the net amount allocated to the Sub-Account by the Accumulation Unit
Value for the Sub-Account for the Valuation Period during which the Purchase
Payment is received by the Company. In the event part or all of the Contract
Value is surrendered or charges or deductions are made against the Contract
Value, an appropriate number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and
an appropriate amount from the Fixed Account will be deducted in the same
proportion that the Contract Owner's interest in each of the Variable Account
and the Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value.

Right to Revoke

      Unless otherwise required by state and/or federal law, the Contract Owner
may revoke the Contract 10 days after receipt of the Contract and receive a
refund of the Contract Value. All Individual Retirement Annuity refunds will be
return of Purchase Payments. In order to revoke the Contract, it must be mailed
or delivered to the Home Office of the Company at the mailing address shown on
page 1 of this prospectus. Mailing or delivery must occur on or before 10 days
after receipt of the Contract for revocation to be effective. In order to revoke
the Contract, if it has not been received, written notice must be mailed or
delivered to the Home Office of the Company at the mailing address shown on page
1 of this prospectus.
    

       The liability of the Variable Account under this provision is limited to
the Contract Value in each Sub-Account on the date of revocation. Any additional
amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid by the Company.

Transfers

   
      Transfers between the Fixed and Variable Account must be made prior to the
Annuitization Date. The Contract Owner may request a transfer of up to 100% of
the Variable Account Value to the Fixed Account, without penalty or adjustment.
However, the Company reserves the right to restrict transfers from the Variable
Account to the Fixed Account to 10% of the Contract Value for any 12 month
period. All amounts transferred to the Fixed Account must remain on deposit in
the Fixed Account until the expiration of the current Interest Rate Guarantee
Period. In addition, transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made prior to
the end of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The Interest Rate
Guarantee Period for any amount allocated to the Fixed Account expires on the
final day of a calendar quarter during which the one year anniversary of the
allocation to the Fixed Account occurs. For all transfers involving the Variable
Account, the Contract Owner's value in each Sub-Account will be determined as of
the date the transfer request is received in the Home Office in good order. The
Company reserves the right to refuse transfers or purchase payments into the
Fixed Account if the Fixed Account is greater than or equal to 30% of the total
Contract Value.

      The Contract Owner may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee
Period, transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable
Account. The amount that may be transferred from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account will be determined by the Company, at its sole discretion, but
will not be less than 10% of the total value of the portion of the Fixed Account
that is maturing. The amount that may be transferred will be declared upon the
expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. Transfers
from the Fixed Account must be made within 45 days after the expiration date of
the guarantee period. Contract Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost
Averaging agreement with the Company (see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer
from the Fixed Account to the Variable Account under the terms of that
agreement.

      Transfers may be made either in writing or, in states allowing such
transfers, by telephone. This telephone exchange privilege is made available to
Contract Owners automatically without the Contract Owner's election. The Company
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
    


                                       20


                                   22 of 124
<PAGE>   23

   
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include the following: requesting
identifying information, such as name, contract number, Social Security Number,
and/or personal identification number; tape recording all telephone
transactions; or providing written confirmation thereof to both the Contract
Owner and any agent of record, at the last address of record; or such other
procedures as the Company may deem reasonable. Although the Company's failure to
follow reasonable procedures may result in the Company's liability for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transfers, the Company will
not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone which it
reasonably believes to be genuine. Any losses incurred pursuant to actions taken
by the Company in reliance on telephone instructions reasonably believed to be
genuine shall be borne by the Contract Owner. The Company may withdraw the
telephone exchange privilege upon 30 days' written notice to the Contract
Owners.

      Contracts described in this prospectus may in some cases be sold to
individuals who independently utilize the services of a firm or individual
engaged in market timing. Generally, such firms or individuals obtain
authorization from multiple Contract Owners to make transfers and exchanges
among the Sub-Accounts (the underlying Mutual Funds) on the basis of perceived
market trends. Because of the unusually large transfers of funds associated with
some of these transactions, the ability of the Company or underlying Mutual
Funds to process such transactions may be compromised, and the execution of such
transactions may possibly disadvantage or work to the detriment of other
Contract Owners not utilizing market timing services.

      Accordingly, the right to exchange Contract Values among the Sub-Accounts
may be subject to modification if such rights are exercised by a market timing
firm or any other third party authorized to initiate transfer or exchange
transactions on behalf of multiple Contract Owners. THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL
CONTRACT OWNERS TO EXCHANGE CONTRACT VALUES, WHEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE SUBMITTED
DIRECTLY BY THE CONTRACT OWNER, OR BY THE CONTRACT OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE OF
RECORD AS AUTHORIZED BY THE EXECUTION OF A VALID NATIONWIDE LIMITED POWER OF
ATTORNEY FORM, WILL NOT BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. In modifying such rights, the
Company may, among other things, not accept (1) the transfer or exchange
instructions of any agent acting under a power of attorney on behalf or more
than one Contract Owner, or (2) the transfer or exchange instructions of
individual Contract Owners who have executed preauthorized transfer or exchange
forms which are submitted by market timing firms or other third parties on
behalf of more than one Contract Owner at the same time. The Company will not
impose any such restrictions or otherwise modify exchange rights unless such
action is reasonably intended to prevent the use of such rights in a manner that
will disadvantage or potentially impair the contract rights of other Contract
Owners.

Contract Ownership Provisions

      Unless otherwise provided, the Contract Owner has all rights under the
Contract. IF THE PURCHASER NAMES SOMEONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS OWNER,
THE PURCHASER WILL HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT. Prior to the Annuitization
Date, the Contract Owner may name a new Contract Owner in Non-Qualified
Contracts. Such change may be subject to state and federal gift taxes and may
also result in federal income taxation. Any change of Contract Owner designation
will automatically revoke any prior Contract Owner designation. Once proper
notice of the change is received and recorded by the Company, the change will
become effective as of the date the written request is signed. A change of Owner
will not apply and will not be effective with respect to any payment made or
action taken by the Company prior to the time that the change was received and
recorded by the Company.

      Prior to the Annuitization Date, the Contract Owner may request a change
in the Annuitant, the Contingent Annuitant, Contingent Owner, Beneficiary, or
Contingent Beneficiary. Such a request must be made in writing on a form
acceptable to the Company and must be signed by both the Contract Owner and the
person to be named as Annuitant, Contingent Annuitant, or Contingent Owner, as
applicable. Such request must be received by the Company at its Home Office
prior to the Annuitization Date. Any such change is subject to underwriting and
approval by the Company. If the Contract Owner is not a natural person and there
is a change of the Annuitant, such change shall be treated as the death of a
Contract Owner and Distributions shall be made as if the Contract Owner died at
the time of such change.

      On the Annuitization Date, the Annuitant shall become the Contract Owner.

Joint Ownership Provisions

      Where permitted by state law, joint owners must be spouses at the time
joint ownership is requested. If a Joint Owner is named, the Joint Owner will
possess an undivided interest in the Contract. Unless otherwise provided, the
exercise of any ownership right in the Contract (including the right to
surrender or partially surrender the Contract, to change the Contract Owner, the
Contingent Owner, the Annuitant, the Contingent Annuitant, the Beneficiary, the
    


                                       21


                                   23 of 124
<PAGE>   24

   
Contingent Beneficiary, the Annuity Payment Option or the Annuitization Date)
shall require a written request signed by both Joint Owners. The Company will
not be liable for any loss, liability, cost, or expense for acting in accordance
with the instructions of either the Owner or Joint Owner.

Contingent Ownership Provisions

The Contingent Owner is the person who may receive certain benefits under the
Contract if the Contract Owner, who is not the Annuitant, dies prior to the
Annuitization Date and there is no surviving Joint Owner. If more than one
Contingent Owner survives the Contract Owner, each will share equally unless
otherwise specified in the Contingent Owner designation. If no Contingent Owner
survives a Contract Owner and there is no surviving Joint Owner, all rights and
interest of the Contingent Owner will vest in the Contract Owner's estate. If a
Contract Owner, who is also the Annuitant, dies before the Annuitization Date
and there is no surviving Joint Owner, then the Contingent Owner does not have
any rights in the Contract; however, if the Contingent Owner is also the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Owner will have all the rights of a beneficiary.

      Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Contingent Owner prior to the Annuitization Date by written notice to
the Company. The change will take effect upon receipt and recording by the
Company at its Home Office, whether or not the Contract Owner is living at the
time of recording, but without further liability as to any payment or settlement
made by the Company before receipt of such change.

Beneficiary Provisions

      The Beneficiary is the person or persons who may receive certain benefits
under the Contract in the event the Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization
Date. If more than one Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, each will share
equally unless otherwise specified in the Beneficiary designation. If no
Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Beneficiary
shall vest in the Contingent Beneficiary, and if more than one Contingent
Beneficiary survives, each will share equally unless otherwise specified in the
Contingent Beneficiary designation. If no Contingent Beneficiaries survive the
Annuitant, all rights and interest of the Contingent Beneficiary will vest with
the Contract Owner or the estate of the last surviving Contract Owner.

      Subject to the terms of any existing assignment, the Contract Owner may
change the Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary during the lifetime of the
Annuitant, by written notice to the Company. The change will take effect upon
receipt and recording by the Company at its Home Office, whether or not the
Annuitant is living at the time of recording, but without further liability as
to any payment or settlement made by the Company before receipt of such change.

Surrender (Redemption)

      While the Contract is in force and prior to the earlier of the
Annuitization Date or the death of the Annuitant, the Company will, upon proper
written application by the Contract Owner deemed by the Company to be in good
order, allow the Contract Owner to surrender a portion or all of the Contract
Value. "Proper written application" means that the Contract Owner must request
the surrender in writing and include the Contract. In some cases (for example,
requests by a corporation, partnership, agent, fiduciary, or surviving spouse),
the Company will require additional documentation of a customary nature. The
Company may require that the signature(s) be guaranteed by a member firm of a
major stock exchange or other depository institution qualified to give such a
guaranty.

      The Company will, upon receipt of any such written request, surrender a
number of Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and an amount from the
Fixed Account necessary to equal the gross dollar amount requested. In the event
of a partial surrender, the Company will, unless instructed to the contrary,
surrender Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts in which the Contract Owner
has an interest, and the Fixed Account. The number of Accumulation Units
surrendered from each Sub-Account and the amount surrendered from the Fixed
Account will be in the same proportion that the Contract Owner's interest in the
Sub-Accounts and Fixed Account bears to the total Contract Value.

      The Company will pay any funds applied for from the Variable Account
within 7 days of receipt of such application in the Company's Home Office.
However, the Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any
payment of any benefit or values for any Valuation Period (1) when the New York
Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is closed, (2) when trading on the Exchange is
restricted, (3) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of
securities held in the Variable Account is not reasonably practicable or it is
not reasonably practicable to determine the value of the Variable Account's net
assets, or (4) during any other period when the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by order, so permits for the protection of security 
    


                                       22


                                   24 of 124
<PAGE>   25

   
holders; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (2)
and (3) exist. The Contract Value on surrender may be more or less than the
total of Purchase Payments made by a Contract Owner, depending on the market
value of the underlying Mutual Fund shares.
    

Assignment

      Where permitted, the Contract Owner may assign some or all rights under
the Contract at any time during the lifetime of the Annuitant prior to the
Annuitization Date. Such assignment will take effect upon receipt and recording
by the Company at its Home Office of a written notice executed by the Contract
Owner. The Company is not responsible for the validity or tax consequences of
any assignment. The Company shall not be liable as to any payment or other
settlement made by the Company before recording of the assignment. Where
necessary for the proper administration of the terms of the Contract, an
assignment will not be recorded until the Company has received sufficient
direction from the Contract Owner and assignee as to the proper allocation of
Contract rights under the assignment.

   
      If this Contract is a Non-Qualified Contract, any portion of the Contract
Value, which is pledged or assigned, shall be treated as a Distribution and
shall be included in gross income to the extent that the cash value exceeds the
investment in the Contract for the taxable year in which it was pledged or
assigned. In addition, any Contract Values assigned may, under certain
conditions, be subject to a tax penalty equal to 10% of the amount which is
included in gross income. All rights in this Contract are personal to the
Contract Owner and may not be assigned without written consent of the Company.
Assignment of the entire Contract Value may cause the portion of the Contract
Value exceeding the total investment in the Contract and previously taxed
amounts to be included in gross income for federal income tax purposes each year
that the assignment is in effect. Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs,
may not be assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred except under such
conditions as may be allowed by law.

Contract Owner Services

      Asset Rebalancing- The Contract Owner may direct the automatic
reallocation of Contract Values to the underlying Mutual Fund options on a
predetermined percentage basis every three months or based on another frequency
authorized by the Company. If the last day of the three month period falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, recognized holiday or any other day when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed, the Asset Rebalancing exchange will occur on the first
business day after that day. An Asset Rebalancing request must be in writing on
a form provided by the Company. The Contract Owner may want to contact a
financial adviser in order to discuss the use of Asset Rebalancing in his or her
Contract.

      The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Asset Rebalancing
upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect Asset
Rebalancing programs which have already commenced. The Company also reserves the
right to assess a processing fee for this service.

      Dollar Cost Averaging- The Contract Owner may direct the Company to
automatically transfer a specified amount from the Money Market Fund
Sub-Account, Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio Sub-Account or the Fixed Account to
any other Sub-Account within the Variable Account on a monthly basis or as
frequently as otherwise authorized by the Company. This service is intended to
allow the Contract Owner to utilize Dollar Cost Averaging, a long-term
investment program which provides for regular, level investments over time. The
Company makes no guarantees that Dollar Cost Averaging will result in a profit
or protect against loss in a declining market. The minimum monthly Dollar Cost
Averaging transfer is $100. In addition, Dollar Cost Averaging monthly transfers
from the Fixed Account must be equal to or less than 1/30th of the Fixed Account
value when the Dollar Cost Averaging program is requested. Transfers out of the
Fixed Account, other than for Dollar Cost Averaging, may be subject to certain
additional restrictions (see "Transfers"). A written election of this service,
on a form provided by the Company, must be completed by the Contract Owner in
order to begin transfers. Once elected, transfers from the Money Market Fund
Sub-Account, Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio Sub-Account or the Fixed Account
will be processed monthly or on another approved frequency until either the
value in the Money Market Fund Sub-Account, Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
Sub-Account or the Fixed Account is completely depleted or the Contract Owner
instructs the Company in writing to cancel the transfers.

      The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Dollar Cost
Averaging upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
Dollar Cost Averaging programs which have already commenced. The Company also
reserves the right to assess a processing fee for this service.
    


                                       23


                                   25 of 124
<PAGE>   26

   
      Systematic Withdrawals- A Contract Owner may elect in writing on a form
provided by the Company to take Systematic Withdrawals of a specified dollar
amount (of at least $100) on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
The Company will process the withdrawals as directed by surrendering on a
pro-rata basis Accumulation Units from all Sub-Accounts in which the Contract
Owner has an interest, and the Fixed Account. Each Systematic Withdrawal is
subject to federal income taxes on the taxable portion. Unless directed by the
Contract Owner, the Company will withhold federal income taxes from each
Systematic Withdrawal. In addition, the Internal Revenue may assess a 10%
federal penalty tax may be assessed on Systematic Withdrawals if the Contract
Owner is under age 59 1/2. Unless the Contract Owner has made an irrevocable
election of distributions of substantially equal payments, the Systematic
Withdrawals may be discontinued at any time by notifying the Company in writing.

      The Company reserves the right to discontinue offering Systematic
Withdrawals upon 30 days' written notice; such discontinuation will not affect
any Systematic Withdrawal programs already commenced. The Company also reserves
the right to assess a processing fee for this service. Systematic withdrawals
are not available prior to the expiration of the ten day free look provision of
the Contract or of applicable state/federal law.

          ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD, DEATH BENEFIT AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS

Annuity Commencement Date

      An Annuity Commencement Date will be selected. Such date may be the first
day of a calendar month or any other agreed upon date and must be at least 2
years after the Date of Issue.

Change in Annuity Commencement Date

      If the Contract Owner requests in writing, and the Company approves the
request, the Annuity Commencement Date may be changed. The new date must comply
with the Annuity Commencement Date provisions above.

Annuity Payment Period-Variable Account
    

      At the Annuitization Date the Variable Account value is applied to the
Annuity Payment Option elected and the amount of the first such payment shall be
determined in accordance with the Annuity Table in the Contract.

      Subsequent Variable Annuity payments vary in amount in accordance with the
investment performance of the Variable Account. The dollar amount of the first
annuity payment determined as above is divided by the value of an Annuity Unit
as of the Annuitization Date to establish the number of Annuity Units
representing each monthly annuity payment. This number of Annuity Units remains
fixed during the annuity payment period. The dollar amount of the second and
subsequent payments is not predetermined and may change from month to month. The
dollar amount of each subsequent payment is determined by multiplying the fixed
number of Annuity Units by the Annuity Unit Value for the Valuation Period in
which the payment is due. The Company guarantees that the dollar amount of each
payment after the first will not be affected by variations in mortality
experience from mortality assumptions used to determine the first payment.

Value of an Annuity Unit

      The value of an Annuity Unit was arbitrarily set initially at $10 when the
first underlying Mutual Fund shares were purchased. The value of an Annuity Unit
for a Sub-Account for any subsequent Valuation Period is determined by
multiplying the Annuity Unit Value for the immediately preceding Valuation
Period by the Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which the
Annuity Unit Value is being calculated, and multiplying the result by an
interest factor to neutralize the assumed investment rate of 3.5% per annum
built into the Annuity Tables contained in the Contracts (see "Net Investment
Factor").

Assumed Investment Rate

   
      A 3.5% assumed investment rate is built into the Annuity Tables contained
in the Contracts. A higher assumption would mean a higher initial payment but
more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments. A lower
assumption would have the opposite effect. If the actual investment rate is at
the annual rate of 3.5%, the annuity payments will be level.
    


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Frequency and Amount of Annuity Payments

      Annuity payments will be paid as monthly installments. However, if the net
amount available to apply under any Annuity Payment Option is less than $5,000,
the Company shall have the right to pay such amount in one lump sum in lieu of
the payments otherwise provided for. In addition, if the payments provided for
would be or become less than $50, the Company shall have the right to change the
frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in payments of at least
$50. In no event will the Company make payments under an annuity option less
frequently than annually.

Change in Form of Annuity

      The Contract Owner may, upon prior written notice to the Company, at any
time prior to the Annuitization Date, elect one of the Annuity Payment Options.

Annuity Payment Options

      Any of the following Annuity Payment Options may be elected:

   
      Option 1-Life Annuity-An annuity payable periodically, but at least
      annually, during the lifetime of the Annuitant, ceasing with the last
      payment due prior to the death of the Annuitant. IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE
      UNDER THIS OPTION FOR THE ANNUITANT TO RECEIVE ONLY ONE ANNUITY PAYMENT IF
      HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE SECOND ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, TWO ANNUITY
      PAYMENTS IF HE OR SHE DIED BEFORE THE THIRD ANNUITY PAYMENT DATE, AND SO
      ON.

      Option 2-Joint and Last Survivor Annuity-An annuity payable periodically,
      but at least annually, during the joint lifetimes of the Annuitant and
      designated second person and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of
      the survivor. AS IS THE CASE UNDER OPTION 1 ABOVE, THERE IS NO MINIMUM
      NUMBER OF PAYMENTS GUARANTEED UNDER THIS OPTION. PAYMENTS CEASE UPON THE
      DEATH OF THE LAST SURVIVING ANNUITANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PAYMENTS
      RECEIVED.
    

      Option 3-Life Annuity With 120 or 240 Monthly Payments Guaranteed-An
      annuity payable monthly during the lifetime of the Annuitant with the
      guarantee that if at the death of the Annuitant payments have been made
      for fewer than 120 or 240 months, as selected, payments will be made as
      follows:

   
      (1)   If the Annuitant is the payee, any guaranteed annuity payments will
            be continued during the remainder of the selected period to such
            recipient as chosen by the Annuitant at a time the Annuity Payment
            Option was selected. In the alternative, the recipient may, at any
            time, elect to have the present value of the guaranteed number of
            annuity payments remaining paid in a lump sum as specified in
            section (2) below.

      (2)   If someone other than the Annuitant is the payee, the present value,
            computed as of the date on which notice of death is received by the
            Company at its Home Office, of the guaranteed number of annuity
            payments remaining after receipt of such notice and to which the
            deceased would have been entitled had he or she not died, computed
            at the Assumed Investment Rate effective in determining the Annuity
            Tables, shall be paid in a lump sum.
    

      Some of the stated Annuity Options may not be available in all states. The
Owner may request an alternative non-guaranteed option by giving notice in
writing prior to Annuitization. If such a request is approved by the Company, it
will be permitted under the Contract.

   
      If the Contract Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract fails to elect an
Annuity Payment Option, no distribution will be made until an effective Annuity
Payment Option has been elected. Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs
are subject to the minimum Distribution requirements set forth in the Plan,
Contract, or Code.

Death of Contract Owner Provisions - Non-Qualified Contracts

      For Non-Qualified Contracts, if the Contract Owner and the Annuitant are
not the same person and such Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuitization
Date, then the Joint Owner, if any, becomes the new Contract Owner. If there is
no surviving Joint Owner, the Contingent Owner becomes the new Contract Owner.
If there is no surviving Contingent Owner, the last surviving Contract Owner's
estate becomes the Contract Owner. The entire interest in the Contract Value,
less any applicable deductions, must be distributed in accordance with the
"Required Distribution Provisions- Non-Qualified Contracts" provisions.
    


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Death of the Annuitant Provisions - Non-Qualified Contracts

      If the Contract Owner and Annuitant are not the same person, and the
Annuitant dies prior to the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable
to the Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last
surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the "Beneficiary Provisions",
unless there is a surviving Contingent Annuitant. In such case, the Contingent
Annuitant becomes the Annuitant and no Death Benefit is payable.

      The Beneficiary may elect to receive such Death Benefits in the form of:
(1) a lump sum distribution; (2) election of an annuity payout; or (3) any
distribution that is permitted under state and federal regulations and is
acceptable by the Company. Such election must be received by the Company within
60 days of the Annuitant's death.

      If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable shall be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

Death of the Contract Owner/Annuitant Provisions

      If any Contract Owner and Annuitant are the same person, and such person
dies before the Annuitization Date, a Death Benefit will be payable to the
Beneficiary, the Contingent Beneficiary, the Contract Owner, or the last
surviving Contract Owner's estate, as specified in the Beneficiary Provisions
and in accordance with the appropriate "Required Distributions Provisions."

      If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any benefit that may
be payable shall be paid according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

Death Benefit Payment Provisions

      The value of the Death Benefit will be determined as of the Valuation Date
coincident with or next following the date the Company receives in writing at
the Home Office the following three items: (1) proper proof of the Annuitant's
death; (2) an election specifying the distribution method; and (3) any
applicable state required form(s).

      If the Designated Annuitant dies prior to his or her 86th birthday the
dollar amount of the death benefit will be the greater of: (1) the Contract
Value; or, (2) the sum of all purchase payments, less any amounts surrendered or
(3) the Contract Value as of the most recent five-year Contract Anniversary,
less any amounts surrendered since the most recent five-year Contract
Anniversary.

      If the Contract Owner has (1) requested an Annuity Commencement Date later
than the Annuitant's 86th birthday; (2) the Company has approved the request;
and (3) the Annuitant dies on or after his or her 86th birthday, the dollar
amount of the death benefit will be equal to the Contract Value.

      If the Annuitant dies after the Annuitization Date, any payment that may
be payable will be determined according to the selected Annuity Payment Option.

Required Distribution Provisions For Non-Qualified Contracts

      Upon the death of any Contract Owner or Joint Owner (including an
Annuitant who becomes the Owner of the Contract on the Annuitization Date) (each
of the foregoing "a deceased Owner"), certain distributions for Non-Qualified
Contracts, are required by Section 72(s) of the Code. Notwithstanding any
provision of the Contract to the contrary, the following distributions shall be
made in accordance with such requirements:

      1.    If any deceased Owner dies on or after the Annuitization Date and
            before the entire interest under the Contract has been distributed,
            then the remaining portion of such interest shall be distributed at
            least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect as of
            the date of such deceased Owner's death.

      2.    If any deceased Owner dies prior to the Annuitization Date, then the
            entire interest in the Contract (consisting of either the Death
            Benefit or the Contract Value reduced by certain charges as set
            forth elsewhere in the Contract) shall be distributed within 5 years
            of the death of the deceased Owner, provided however:

            (a)   If any portion of such interest is payable to or for the
                  benefit of a natural person who is a surviving Contract Owner,
                  Contingent Owner, Joint Owner, Annuitant, Contingent
                  Annuitant, Beneficiary, or Contingent Beneficiary as the case
                  may be (each a "designated beneficiary"), such portion may, at
                  the election of the designated beneficiary, be distributed
                  over the life of such designated beneficiary, or over a period
                  not extending beyond the life expectancy of such designated
                  beneficiary, provided 
    


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                  that payments begin within one year of the date of the
                  deceased Owner's death (or such longer period as may be
                  permitted by federal income tax regulations), and

            (b)   If the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the
                  deceased Owner, such spouse may elect to become the Owner of
                  this Contract, in lieu of a Death Benefit, and the
                  distributions required under these distribution rules will be
                  made upon the death of such spouse.

      In the event that this Contract is owned by a person that is not a natural
person (e.g., a trust or corporation), then, for purposes of these distribution
provisions, (i) the death of the Annuitant shall be treated as the death of any
Owner, (ii) any change of the Annuitant shall be treated as the death of any
Owner, and (iii) in either case the appropriate distribution required under
these distribution rules shall be made upon such death or change, as the case
may be. The Annuitant is the primary annuitant as defined in Section 72(s)(6)(B)
of the Code.

      These distribution provisions shall not be applicable to any Contract that
is not required to be subject to the provisions of 72(s) of the Code by reason
of Section 72(s)(5) or any other law or rule (including Tax Sheltered Annuities,
Individual Retirement Annuities, Qualified Plans and SEP IRAs).

      Upon the death of a "deceased Owner", the designated beneficiary must
elect a method of distribution which complies with these above distribution
provisions and which is acceptable to the Company. Such election must be
received by the Company within 60 days of the deceased Owner's death.

Required Distributions for Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs

      Distribution from an Individual Retirement Annuity must begin not later
than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Owner
attains age 70 1/2. Distribution may be accepted in a lump sum or in
substantially equal payments over: (a) the Owner's life or the lives of the
Owner and his or her spouse or designated beneficiary, or (b) a period not
extending beyond the life expectancy of the Owner or the joint life expectancy
of the Owner and the Owner's designated beneficiary.
    

      If the Owner dies prior to the commencement of his or her Distribution,
the interest in the Individual Retirement Annuity must be distributed by
December 31 of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of his or her
death occurs, unless:

      (a)   The Owner names his or her surviving spouse as the Beneficiary and
            such spouse elects to:

            (i)   treat the annuity as an Individual Retirement Annuity
                  established for his or her benefit; or

            (ii)  receive Distribution of the account in nearly equal payments
                  over his or her life (or a period not exceeding his or her
                  life expectancy) and commencing not later than December 31 of
                  the year in which the Owner would have attained age 70 1/2; or

      (b)   The Owner names a Beneficiary other than his or her surviving spouse
            and such Beneficiary elects to receive a Distribution of the account
            in nearly equal payments over his or her life (or a period not
            exceeding his or her life expectancy) commencing not later than
            December 31 of the year following the year in which the Owner dies.

   
      No Distribution will be required from this Contract if Distributions
otherwise required from this Contract are being withdrawn from another
Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual Annuity Account of the Contract
Owner.

      If the Owner dies after Distribution has commenced, Distribution must
continue at least as rapidly as under the schedule being used prior to his or
her death, except that a surviving spouse who is the beneficiary under the
Annuity Payment Option, may treat the Contract as his or her own, in the same
manner as is described in section (a)(i) of this provision.

      If the amounts distributed to the Contract Owner are less than those
mentioned above, penalty tax of 50% is levied on the excess of the amount that
should have been distributed for that year over the amount that actually was
distributed for that year.

      A pro-rata portion of all Distributions will be included in the gross
income of the person receiving the Distribution and taxed at ordinary income tax
rates. The portion of the Distribution which is taxable is based on the ratio
between the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments exceed prior
non-taxable Distributions and total account balances at the time of the
Distribution. The Owner of an Individual Retirement Annuity must annually report
the amount of non-deductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any Distribution,
    


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the amount by which non-deductible Purchase Payments for all years exceed
non-taxable Distributions for all years, and the total balance of all Individual
Retirement Annuities.
    

      Individual Retirement Annuity Distributions will not receive the benefit
of the tax treatment of a lump sum Distribution from a Qualified Plan. If the
Owner dies prior to the time Distribution of his or her interest in the annuity
is completed, the balance will also be included in his or her gross estate.

   
      Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) and Salary Reduction Simplified
Employee Pensions (SAR SEPs), described in Section 408(k) of the Code, are taxed
in a manner similar to IRAs, and are subject to similar distribution
requirements as IRAs. SAR SEPs cannot be established after 1996.
    

Generation-Skipping Transfers

      The Company may determine whether the Death Benefit or any other payment
constitutes a direct skip as defined in Section 2612 of the Code, and the amount
of the tax on the generation-skipping transfer resulting from such direct skip.
If applicable, such payment will be reduced by any tax the Company is required
to pay by Section 2603 of the Code.

      A direct skip may occur when property is transferred to or a Death Benefit
is paid to an individual two or more generations younger than the Contract
Owner.

   
                           FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
    

Federal Income Taxes

   
      The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status for any
Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts. Contract Owners should
consult a financial consultant, legal counsel or tax advisor to discuss in
detail the taxation and the use of the Contracts.

      Section 72 of the Code governs federal income taxation of annuities in
general. That section sets forth different rules for: (1) Individual Retirement
Annuities, including SEP IRAs; and (2) Non-Qualified Contracts. Each type of
annuity is discussed below.

      Distributions from Individual Retirement Annuities and Contracts owned by
Individual Retirement Accounts are generally taxed when received. The portion of
each such payment which is excludable is based on the ratio between the amount
by which nondeductible Purchase Payments to all such Contracts exceeds prior
non-taxable Distributions from such Contracts, and the total account balances in
such Contracts at the time of the Distribution. The Owner of such Individual
Retirement Annuities or the Annuitant under Contracts held by Individual
Retirement Accounts must annually report to the Internal Revenue Service the
amount of nondeductible Purchase Payments, the amount of any Distribution, the
amount by which nondeductible Purchase Payments for all years exceed non-taxable
Distributions for all years, and the total balance in all Individual Retirement
Annuities and Accounts.

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

Non-Qualified Contracts - Natural Persons as Owners

   
      The rules applicable to Non-Qualified Contracts provide that a portion of
each annuity payment received is excludable from taxable income based on the
ratio between the Contract Owner's investment in the Contract and the expected
return on the Contract until the investment has been recovered; thereafter the
entire amount is includable in income. The maximum amount excludable from income
is the investment in the Contract. If the Annuitant dies prior to excluding from
income the entire investment in the Contract, the Annuitant's final tax return
may reflect a deduction for the balance of the investment in the Contract.

      Distributions made from the Contract prior to the Annuitization Date are
taxable to the Contract Owner to the extent that the cash value of the Contract
exceeds the Contract Owner's investment at the time of the Distribution.
Distributions, for this purpose, include partial surrenders, dividends, loans,
or any portion of the Contract which is assigned or pledged; or for Contracts
issued after April 22, 1987, any portion of the Contract transferred by gift.
For these purposes, a transfer by gift may occur upon Annuitization if the
Contract Owner and the Annuitant are not the same individual. In determining the
taxable amount of a Distribution, all annuity contracts issued after October 21,
1988, by the same company to the same contract owner during any 12 month period,
will be treated as one annuity contract. Additional limitations on the use of
multiple contracts may be imposed by Treasury Regulations. Distributions prior
to the Annuitization Date with respect to that 
    


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portion of the Contract invested prior to August 14, 1982, are treated first as
a recovery of the investment in the Contract as of that date. A Distribution in
excess of the amount of the investment in the Contract as of August 14, 1982,
will be treated as taxable income.

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

      Code Section 72 also provides for a penalty tax, equal to 10% of the
portion of any Distribution that is includable in gross income, if such
Distribution is made prior to attaining age 59 1/2. The penalty tax does not
apply if the Distribution is attributed to the Contract Owner's death,
disability or is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made
over the life or life expectancy of the Contract Owner (or the joint lives or
joint life expectancies of the Contract Owner and the beneficiary selected by
the Contract Owner to receive payment under the Annuity Payment Option selected
by the Contract Owner) or for the purchase of an immediate annuity, or is
allocable to an investment in the Contract before August 14, 1982. A Contract
Owner wishing to begin taking Distributions to which the 10% tax penalty does
not apply should forward a written request to the Company. Upon receipt of a
written request from the Contract Owner, the Company will inform the Contract
Owner of the procedures pursuant to Company policy and subject to limitations of
the Contract including but not limited to first year withdrawals. Such election
shall be irrevocable and may not be amended or changed.

      In order to qualify as an annuity contract under Section 72 of the Code,
the contract must provide for Distribution of the entire contract to be made
upon the death of a Contract Owner. If a Contract Owner dies prior to the
Annuitization Date, then the Joint Contract Owner, the Contingent Owner or other
named recipient must receive the Distribution within 5 years of the Contract
Owner's death. However, the recipient may elect for payments to be made over
his/her life or life expectancy provided that such payments begin within one
year from the death of the Contract Owner. If the Joint Contract Owner,
Contingent Owner or other named recipient is the surviving spouse, such spouse
may be treated as the Contract Owner and the Contract may be continued
throughout the life of the surviving spouse. In the event the Contract Owner
dies on or after the Annuitization Date and before the entire interest has been
distributed, the remaining portion must be distributed at least as rapidly as
under the method of Distribution being used as of the date of the Contract
Owner's death (see "Required Distribution For Qualified Plans and Tax Sheltered
Annuities"). If the Contract Owner is not an individual, the death of the
Annuitant (or a change in the Annuitant) will result in a Distribution pursuant
to these rules, regardless of whether a Contingent Annuitant is named.

The Code requires that any election to receive an annuity rather than a lump sum
payment must be made within 60 days after the lump sum becomes payable
(generally, the election must be made within 60 days after the death of an Owner
or the Annuitant). If the election is made more than 60 days after the lump sum
first becomes payable, the election would be ignored for tax purposes, and the
entire amount of the lump sum would be subject to immediate tax. If the election
is made within the 60 day period, each Distribution would be taxable when it is
paid.

Non-Qualified Contracts - Non-Natural Persons as Owners

      The foregoing discussion of the taxation of Non-Qualified Contracts
applies to Contracts owned (or, pursuant to Section 72(u) of the Code, deemed to
be owned) by individuals; it does not apply to Contracts where one or more
non-individuals is an Owner.

      As a general rule, contracts owned by corporations, partnerships, trusts,
and similar entities ("Non-Natural Persons"), rather than by one or more
individuals, are not treated as annuity contracts for most purposes under the
Code; in particular, they are not treated as annuity contracts for purposes of
Section 72. Therefore, the taxation rules for Distributions, as described above,
do not apply to Non-Qualified Contracts owned by Non-Natural Persons. Rather,
the following rules will apply.
    


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      The income earned under a Non-Qualified Contract that is owned by a
Non-Natural Person is taxed as ordinary income during the taxable year that it
is earned, and is not deferred, even if the income is not distributed out of the
Contract to the Owner.

      The foregoing Non-Natural Person rule does not apply to all entity-owned
contracts. First, for this purpose, a Contract that is owned by a Non-Natural
Person as an agent for an individual is treated as owned by the individual. This
exception does not apply, however, to a Non-Natural Person who is an employer
that holds the Contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement
for one or more employees.

      The Non-Natural Person rules also do not apply to a Contract that is (a)
acquired by the estate of a decedent by reason of the death of the decedent; (b)
issued in connection with certain qualified retirement plans and individual
retirement plans; (c) used in connection with certain structured settlements;
(d) purchased by an employer upon the termination of certain qualified
retirement plans; or (e) an immediate annuity.

Individual Retirement Annuities and SEP IRAs

      The Contract may be purchased as an Individual Retirement Annuity or SEP
IRA. The Contract Owner should seek competent advice as to the tax consequences
associated with the use of a Contract as an Individual Retirement Annuity.

      For information regarding eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts
of Purchase Payments, and the tax consequences of distributions from Individual
Retirement Annuities, SEP IRAs and other plans that receive favorable tax
treatment, the purchasers of such contracts should seek competent advice. The
terms of such plans may limit the rights available under the Contracts.

      The Code permits the rollover of most Distributions from Qualified Plans
to other Qualified Plans or Individual Retirement Annuities. Most Distributions
from Tax-Sheltered Annuities may be rolled into another Tax-Sheltered Annuity,
Individual Retirement Annuity, or an Individual Retirement Account.
Distributions that may not be rolled over are those which are:

      1.    one of a series of substantially equal annual (or more frequent)
            payments made: (a) over the life (or life expectancy) of the
            Contract Owner, (b) over the joint lives (or joint life
            expectancies) of the Contract Owner and the Contract Owner's
            designated Beneficiary, or (c) for a specified period of ten years
            or more, or

      2.    a required minimum distribution.

      Any Distribution eligible for rollover will be subject to federal tax
withholding at a rate of twenty percent (20%) unless the Distribution is
transferred directly to an appropriate plan as described above.

      Individual Retirement Annuities may not provide life insurance benefits.
If the Death Benefit exceeds the greater of the cash value of the Contract or
the sum of all Purchase Payments (less any surrenders), it is possible the
Internal Revenue Service could determine that the Individual Retirement Annuity
did not qualify for the desired tax treatment.

Withholding

      The Company is required to withhold tax from certain Distributions to the
extent that such Distribution would constitute income to the Contract Owner or
other payee. The Contract Owner or other payee is entitled to elect not to have
federal income tax withheld from any such Distribution, but may be subject to
penalties in the event insufficient federal income tax is withheld during a
calendar year. However, if the Internal Revenue Service notifies the Company
that the Contract Owner or other payee has furnished an incorrect taxpayer
identification number, or if the Contract Owner or other payee fails to provide
a taxpayer identification number, the Distributions may be subject to back-up
withholding at the statutory rate, which is presently 31%, and which cannot be
waived by the Contract Owner or other payee.

Non-Resident Aliens

      Distributions to nonresident aliens (NRAs) are generally subject to
federal income tax and tax withholding, at a statutory rate of thirty percent
(30%) of the amount of income that is distributed. The Company may be required
to withhold such amount from the Distribution and remit it to the Internal
Revenue Service. Distributions to certain NRAs may be subject to lower, or in
certain instances, zero tax and withholding rates, if the United States has
entered into an applicable treaty. However, in order to obtain the benefits of
such treaty provisions, the NRA must give to the Company sufficient proof of his
or her residency 
    


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and citizenship in the form and manner prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service. In addition, for any Distribution made after December 31, 1997, the NRA
must obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal
Revenue Service, and furnish that number to the Company prior to the
Distribution. If the Company does not have the proper proof of citizenship or
residency and (for Distributions after December 31, 1997) a proper Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number prior to any Distribution, the Company will be
required to withhold 30% of the income, regardless of any treaty provision.

      A payment may not be subject to withholding where the recipient
sufficiently establishes to the Company that such payment is effectively
connected to the recipient's conduct of a trade or business in the United States
and that such payment is includable in the recipient's gross income for United
States federal income tax purposes. Any such Distributions will be subject to
the rules set forth in the section entitled "Withholding."

Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes

      A transfer of the Contract from one Contract Owner to another, or the
payment of a Distribution under the Contract to someone other than a Contract
Owner, may constitute a gift for federal gift tax purposes. Upon the death of
the Contract Owner, the value of the Contract may be included in his or her
gross estate, even if a all or a portion of the value is also subject to federal
income taxes.

      The Company may be required to determine whether the Death Benefit or any
other payment or Distribution constitutes a "direct skip" as defined in Section
2612 of the Code, and the amount of the generation skipping transfer tax, if
any, resulting from such direct skip. A direct skip may occur when property is
transferred to, or a Death Benefit or other Distribution is made to (a) an
individual who is two or more generations younger than the Owner; or (b) certain
trusts, as described in Section 2613 of the Code (generally, trusts that have no
beneficiaries who are not 2 or more generations younger than the Owner). If the
Owner is not an individual, then for this purpose only, "Owner" refers to any
person who would be required to include the Contract, Death Benefit,
Distribution, or other payment in his federal gross estate at his death, or who
is required to report the transfer of the Contract, Death Benefit, Distribution,
or other payment for federal gift tax purposes.

      If the Company determines that a generation skipping transfer tax is
required to be paid by reason of such direct skip, the Company is required to
reduce the amount of such Death Benefit, Distribution, or other payment by such
tax liability, and pay the tax liability directly to the Internal Revenue
Service.

      Federal estate, gift and generation skipping transfer tax consequences,
and state and local estate, inheritance, succession, generation skipping
transfer, and other tax consequences, of owning or transferring a Contract, and
of receiving a Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment, depend on the
circumstances of the person owning or transferring the Contract, or receiving a
Distribution, Death Benefit, or other payment.
    

Charge for Tax Provisions

      The Company is no longer required to maintain a capital gain reserve
liability on Non-Qualified Contracts since capital gains attributable to assets
held in the Company's Variable Account for such Contracts are not taxable to the
Company. However, the Company reserves the right to implement and adjust the tax
charge in the future, if the tax laws change.

Diversification

      The Internal Revenue Service has promulgated regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code relating to diversification standards for the investments
underlying a variable annuity contract. The regulations provide that a variable
annuity contract which does not satisfy the diversification standards will not
be treated as an annuity contract, unless the failure to satisfy the regulations
was inadvertent, the failure is corrected, and the Owner or the Company pays an
amount to the Internal Revenue Service. The amount will be based on the tax that
would have been paid by the Owner if the income, for the period the contract was
not diversified, had been received by the Owner. If the failure to diversify is
not corrected in this manner, the Owner of an annuity contract will be deemed
the Owner of the underlying securities and will be taxed on the earnings of his
or her account. The Company believes, under its interpretation of the Code and
regulations thereunder, that the investments underlying this Contract meet these
diversification standards.

      Representatives of the Internal Revenue Service have suggested, from time
to time, that the number of underlying Mutual Funds available or the number of
transfer opportunities available under a variable product 


                                       31


                                   33 of 124
<PAGE>   34

may be relevant in determining whether the product qualifies for the desired tax
treatment. No formal guidance has been issued in this area. Should the Secretary
of the Treasury issue additional rules or regulations limiting the number of
underlying Mutual Funds, transfers between underlying Mutual Funds, exchanges of
underlying Mutual Funds or changes in investment objectives of underlying Mutual
Funds such that the Contract would no longer qualify as an annuity under Section
72 of the Code, the Company will take whatever steps are available to remain in
compliance.

   
Tax Changes

      In the recent past, the Code has been subjected to numerous amendments and
changes, and it is reasonable to believe that it will continue to be revised.
The United States Congress has, in the past, considered numerous legislative
proposals that, if enacted, could change the tax treatment of the Contracts. It
is reasonable to believe that such proposals, and other proposals will be
considered in the future, and some of them may be enacted into law. In addition,
the Treasury Department may amend existing regulations, issue new regulations,
or adopt new interpretations of existing law that may be in variance with its
current positions on these matters. In addition, current state law (which is not
discussed herein), and future amendments to state law, may affect the tax
consequences of the Contract.

      The foregoing discussion, which is based on the Company's understanding of
federal tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue
Service, is general and is not intended as tax advice. Statutes, regulations,
and rulings are subject to interpretation by the courts. The courts may
determine that a different interpretation than the currently favored
interpretation is appropriate, thereby changing the operation of the rules that
are applicable to annuity contracts.

      Any of the foregoing may change from time to time without any notice, and
the tax consequences arising out of a Contract may be changed retroactively.
There is no way of predicting whether, when, and to what extent any such change
may take place. No representation is made as to the likelihood of the
continuation of these current laws, interpretations, and policies.

THE FOREGOING IS A GENERAL EXPLANATION AS TO CERTAIN TAX MATTERS PERTAINING TO
ANNUITY CONTRACTS. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE, AND SHOULD NOT
TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX AND/OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
    

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

   
Contract Owner Inquiries

      Contract Owner inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life Insurance
Company by writing P.O. Box 182356, Columbus, Ohio 43216-2356 , or calling
1-800-243-6295, Voice Response (available 24 hours) 1-800-848-8258, TDD
1-800-238-3035.
    

Statements and Reports

      The Company will mail to Contract Owners, at their last known address of
record, any statements and reports required by applicable law. Contract Owners
should therefore give the Company prompt notice of any address change. The
Company will send a confirmation statement to Contract Owners each time a
transaction is made affecting the Owners' Variable Account Contract Value, such
as making additional Purchase Payments, transfers, exchanges or withdrawals.
Quarterly statements are also mailed detailing the Contract activity during the
calendar quarter. Instead of receiving an immediate confirmation of transactions
made pursuant to some types of periodic payment plan (such as a dollar cost
averaging program) or salary reduction arrangement, the Contract Owner may
receive confirmation of such transactions in their quarterly statements. The
Contract Owner should review the information in these statements carefully. All
errors or corrections must be reported to the Company immediately to assure
proper crediting to the Owner's Contract. The Company will assume all
transactions are accurately reported on quarterly statements or confirmation
statements unless the Contract Owner notifies the Company otherwise within 30
days after receipt of the statement. The Company will also send to Contract
Owners each year an annual report and a semi-annual report containing financial
statements for the Variable Account, as of December 31 and June 30,
respectively.

Advertising

      A "yield" and "effective yield" may be advertised for the Nationwide
Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund Sub-Account. "Yield" is a measure of
the net dividend and interest income earned over a specific seven-day period
(which period will be stated in the advertisement) expressed as a percentage of
the offering 


                                       32


                                   34 of 124
<PAGE>   35

price of the Sub-Account's units. Yield is an annualized figure, which means
that it is assumed that the Sub-Account generates the same level of net income
over a 52-week period. The "effective yield" is calculated similarly but
includes the effect of assumed compounding, calculated under rules prescribed by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The effective yield will be slightly
higher than yield due to this compounding effect.

      The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of a
Sub-Account of the Variable Account relative to the performance of other
variable annuity sub-accounts or underlying mutual fund options with similar or
different objectives, or the investment industry as a whole. Other investments
to which the Sub-Accounts may be compared include, but are not limited to:
precious metals; real estate; stocks and bonds; closed-end funds; CDs; bank
money market deposit accounts and passbook savings; and the Consumer Price
Index.

      The Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account may also be compared to certain
market indexes, which may include, but are not limited to: S&P 500;
Shearson/Lehman Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index; Shearson/Lehman
Long-Term Government/Corporate Bond Index; Donoghue Money Fund Average; U.S.
Treasury Note Index; Bank Rate Monitor National Index of 2 1/2 Year CD Rates;
and Dow Jones Industrial Average.

   
      Normally these rankings and ratings are published by independent tracking
services and publications of general interest including, but not limited to:
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger, Morningstar, Donoghue's,
magazines such as Money, Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine,
Financial World, Consumer Reports, Business Week, Time, Newsweek, National
Underwriter, U.S. News and World Report; rating services such as LIMRA, Value,
Best's Agent Guide, Western Annuity Guide, Comparative Annuity Reports; and
other publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Investor's Daily,
and Standard & Poor's Outlook. In addition, Variable Annuity Research & Data
Service (The VARDS Report) is an independent rating service that ranks over 500
variable annuity funds based upon total return performance. These rating
services and publications rank the performance of the underlying Mutual Fund
options against all underlying mutual funds over specified periods and against
underlying mutual funds in specified categories. The rankings may or may not
include the effects of sales charges or other fees.
    

      The Company is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating
services, among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company. The
purpose of these ratings is to reflect the financial strength or claims-paying
ability of the Company. The ratings are not intended to reflect the investment
experience or financial strength of the Variable Account. The Company may
advertise these ratings from time to time. In addition, the Company may include
in certain advertisements, endorsements in the form of a list of organizations,
individuals or other parties which recommend the Company or the Contracts.
Furthermore, the Company may occasionally include in advertisements comparisons
of currently taxable and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax
brackets, or discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
conditions.

      The Company may from time to time advertise several types of historical
performance for the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account. The Company may
advertise for the Sub-Accounts standardized "average annual total return,"
calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
nonstandardized "total return." "Average annual total return" will show the
percentage rate of return of a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for at
least the most recent one, five and ten year period, or for a period covering
the time the underlying Mutual Fund option held in the Sub-Account has been in
existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund option has not been in existence for
one of the prescribed periods. This calculation reflects the deduction of all
applicable charges made to the Contracts except for premium taxes, which may be
imposed by certain states.

      Nonstandardized "total return" will be calculated in a similar manner and
for the same time periods as the average annual total return except total return
will assume an initial investment of $10,000 and will not reflect the deduction
of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, which, if reflected, would
decrease the level of performance shown. The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge is
not reflected because the Contracts are designed for long term investment. An
assumed initial investment of $10,000 will be used because that figure more
closely approximates the size of a typical Contract than does the $1,000 figure
used in calculating the standardized average annual total return quotations.


                                       33


                                   35 of 124
<PAGE>   36

      For those underlying Mutual Fund options which have not been held as
Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the
standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized total return
quotations will show the investment performance such underlying Mutual Fund
options would have achieved (reduced by the applicable charges) had they been
held as Sub-Accounts within the Variable Account for the period quoted.

All performance information and comparative material advertised by the Company
is historical in nature and is not intended to represent or guarantee future
results. A Contract Owner's Contract Value at redemption may be more or less
than original cost.

      Below are quotations of standardized average annual total return and
non-standardized total return calculated as described above, for each of the
Sub-Accounts available within the Variable Account for which there is
significant investment history. These figures are based upon historical earnings
and are not necessarily representative of future results.

                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
                          Non-Standardized Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1 Year To        5 Years To       Life of Fund       Date Fund
      SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96        To 12/31/96        Effective
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>                <C>           <C>   <C>
American Century Variable              11.31%           5.86%              9.35%         05-01-91
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Balanced
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable              -5.09%           5.33%              9.93%         11-20-87
Portfolios, Inc.- American
Century VP Capital Appreciation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable              13.49%           N/A                6.87%         05-01-94
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP International
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable               N/A             N/A               18.00%         05-01-96
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund               21.55%          13.73%             12.78%         09-29-89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible           20.26%           N/A               18.50%         10-06-93
Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment            18.68%           N/A               26.12%         05-02-94
Fund-Growth & Income Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income        13.36%          17.04%             12.84%*        10-09-86
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth               13.78%          14.25%             14.24%*        10-09-86
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income          13.12%          14.05%             10.24%*        09-19-85
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       34


                                   36 of 124
<PAGE>   37

                          Non-Standardized Total Return
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1 Year To        5 Years To       Life of Fund       Date Fund
      SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96        To 12/31/96        Effective
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>           <C>   <C>
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas             12.31%            8.26%             7.03%         01-28-87
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Fund-Asset             13.68%           10.37%            10.79%         09-06-89
Manager Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Fund-Contrafund        20.33%             N/A             28.92%         07-01-95
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund         25.13%            N/A              13.36%         04-15-92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government. Bond Fund              2.65%            6.18%             7.55%*        11-08-82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                  4.27%            3.33%             4.89%*        11-10-81
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company Fund                21.84%             N/A             31.97%         10-23-95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                 20.86%           12.88%            11.71%*        11-08-82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                 8.26%            8.95%            10.55%*        09-10-84
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                 3.47%            4.48%             5.83%*        09-10-84
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            3.95%            6.82%             7.94%*        04-30-85
Funds-Bond Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account           16.85%           11.54%             9.81%         11-12-90
Funds-Global Securities Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account           14.57%           10.79%            10.64%         02-09-87
Funds-Multiple Strategies Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.           17.20%            N/A              17.99%         05-08-92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance              -0.00%            N/A              11.40%         05-08-92
Funds, Inc.-Discovery Fund II,
Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance               9.49%            N/A              10.06%         10-23-95
Funds, Inc.-International Stock
Fund II
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance             1.70%            3.08              5.84%         09-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance            25.82%            N/A              24.20%         12-27-95
Trust-Worldwide Emerging
Markets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance            17.12%           13.64%             7.39%         09-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital            39.40%            N/A              31.35%         07-01-95
Life Investment Trust-Real
Estate Securities Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus                         9.10%             N/A              10.73%         07-01-95
Trust-International Equity
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-                  N/A               N/A              -9.28%         09-30-96
Post-Venture Capital Trust
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small            12.99%             N/A              25.51%         07-01-95
Company Growth Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96


                                       35


                                   37 of 124
<PAGE>   38

                    Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 Year To       5 Years To      Life of Fund      Date Fund
        SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96       To 12/31/96       Effective
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>
American Century Variable                 11.31%          5.86%            9.35%        5-01-91
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century                                   
VP Balanced                                                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable                 -5.09%          5.33%            9.93%        11-20-87
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century                                   
VP Capital Appreciation                                             
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable                 13.49%         N/A               6.87%        05-01-94
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century                                   
VP International                                                    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable                 N/A            N/A              18.00%        05-01-96
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century                                   
VP Value                                                            
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                  21.55%         13.73%           12.78%        09-29-89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible              20.26%         N/A              18.50%        10-06-93
Growth Fund                                                         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment               18.68%         N/A              26.12%        05-02-94
Fund-Growth & Income Portfolio                                      
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income           13.36%         17.04%           12.84%*       10-09-86
Portfolio                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth Portfolio        13.78%         14.25%           14.24%*       10-09-86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income             13.12%         14.05%           10.24%*       9-19-85
Portfolio                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas                12.31%          8.26%            7.03%        1-28-87
Portfolio                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Asset               13.68%         10.37%           10.79%        9-06-89
Manager Portfolio                                                   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Contrafund          20.33%         N/A              28.92%        7-01-95
Portfolio                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund            25.13%         N/A              13.36%        4-15-92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund                  2.65%          6.18%            7.55%*       11-08-82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                     4.27%          3.33%            4.89%*       11-10-81
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company Fund                   21.84%         N/A              31.97%        10-23-95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                    20.86%         12.88%           11.71%*       11-08-82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                    8.26%          8.95%           10.55%*       9-10-84
Trust-Growth Portfolio                                              
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                    3.47%          4.48%            5.83%*       9-10-84
Trust-Limited Mat. Bond Port                                        
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                   28.53%         N/A              20.78%        03-22-94
Trust-Partners Portfolio                                            
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account               3.95%          6.82%            7.94%*       4-30-85
Funds-Bond Fund                                                     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account              16.85%         11.54%            9.81%        11-12-90
Funds-Global Securities Fund                                        
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account              14.57%         10.79%           10.64%        2-09-87
Funds-Multiple Strategies Fund                                      
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.              17.20%         N/A              17.99%        5-08-92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       36


                                   38 of 124
<PAGE>   39

                    Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 Year To       5 Years To      Life of Fund      Date Fund
        SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96       To 12/31/96       Effective
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>  <C>
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,          -0.00           N/A              11.40%           5-08-92
Inc.-Discovery Fund II, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,           9.49%          N/A              10.06%          10-23-95
Inc.-International Stock Fund II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance                1.70%          3.08%             5.84%           9-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance               25.82%          N/A              24.20%          12-27-95
Trust-Worldwide Emerging Markets
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance               17.12%         13.64%             7.39%           9-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life          39.40%          N/A              31.35%          07-01-95
Investment Trust-Real Estate
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International         9.10%          N/A              10.73%          07-01-95
Equity Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-                      N/A            N/A              -9.28%          09-30-96
Post-Venture Capital Trust
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company        12.99%          N/A              25.51%          07-01-95
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96.
    

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the business to which the Company and the Variable
Account are parties or to which any of their property is the subject.

   
      The General Distributor, Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc., is not
engaged in any litigation of any material nature.

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

      In recent years, life insurance companies have been named as defendants in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, relating to life insurance pricing
and sales practices. A number of these lawsuits have resulted in substantial
jury awards or settlements. In October 1996, a policyholder of Nationwide Life
filed a complaint in Alabama state court against Nationwide Life and an agent of
Nationwide Life (Wayne M. King v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Danny
Nix) related to the sale of a whole life policy on a "vanishing premium" basis
and seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. In February 1997,
Nationwide Life was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme
Court also related to the sale of whole life policies on a "vanishing premium"
basis (John H. Snyder v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Nationwide Mutual
Insurance Co. and Nationwide Life Insurance Co.). The plaintiff in such lawsuit
seeks to represent a national class of Nationwide Life policyholders and claims
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. This lawsuit is in an early stage
and has not been certified as a class action. Nationwide Life intends to defend
these cases vigorously. There can be no assurance that any future litigation
relating to pricing and sales practices will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company.
    


                                       37


                                   39 of 124
<PAGE>   40

            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                                                            Page

General Information and History..............................................1
Services.....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered.........................................1
Underwriters.................................................................2
Calculations of Performance..................................................2
Underlying Mutual Fund Performance Summary...................................3
Annuity Payments.............................................................6
Financial Statements.........................................................7


                                       38


                                   40 of 124
<PAGE>   41

                                   APPENDIX A

                                  FIXED ACCOUNT

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

                            FIXED ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS

The Fixed Account

      The Fixed Account is made up of all the general assets of the Company,
other than those in the Variable Account and any other segregated asset account.
Fixed Account Purchase Payments will be allocated to the Fixed Account by
election of the Contract Owner at the time of purchase.

      The Company will invest the assets of the Fixed Account in those assets
chosen by the Company and allowed by applicable law. Investment income from such
Fixed Account assets will be allocated by the Company between itself and the
Contracts participating in the Fixed Account.

      The level of annuity payments made to Annuitants under the Contracts will
not be affected by the mortality experience (death rate) of persons receiving
such payments or of the general population. The Company assumes this "mortality
risk" by virtue of annuity rates incorporated in the Contract which cannot be
changed. In addition, the Company guarantees that it will not increase charges
for maintenance of the Contracts regardless of its actual expenses.

      Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to the Company includes
compensation for mortality and expense risks borne by the Company in connection
with Fixed Account Contracts. The amount of such investment income allocated to
the Contracts will vary from year to year in the sole discretion of the Company
at such rate or rates as the Company prospectively declares from time to time.
Any such rate or rates so determined will remain effective for a period of not
less than twelve months, and remain at such rate unless changed. However, the
Company guarantees that it will credit interest at not less than 3.0% per year
(or as otherwise required under state law, or at such minimum rate as stated in
the contract when sold). ANY INTEREST CREDITED TO AMOUNTS ALLOCATED TO THE FIXED
ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 3.0% PER YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF
THE COMPANY. THE CONTRACT OWNER ASSUMES THE RISK THAT INTEREST CREDITED TO FIXED
ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS MAY NOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM GUARANTEE OF 3.0% FOR ANY GIVEN
YEAR. New Purchase Payments deposited to the Contract which are allocated to the
Fixed Account may receive a different rate of interest than money transferred
from the Variable Account Sub-Accounts to the Fixed Account and amounts maturing
in the Fixed Account at the expiration of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period.

      The Company guarantees that, at any time, the Fixed Account Contract Value
will not be less than the amount of the Purchase Payments allocated to the Fixed
Account, plus interest credited as described above, less the sum of all
administrative charges, any applicable premium taxes, and less any amounts
surrendered.

Transfers

      Contract Owners may at the maturity of an Interest Rate Guarantee Period,
transfer a portion of the value of the Fixed Account to the Variable Account.
The maximum percentage that may be transferred will be determined by the Company
at its sole discretion, but will not be less than 10% of the total value of the
portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing and will be declared upon the
expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The Interest
Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a calendar quarter. Transfers
must be made within 45 days after the expiration date of the guarantee period.
Owners who have entered into a Dollar Cost Averaging Agreement with the Company
(see "Dollar Cost Averaging") may transfer from the Fixed Account to the
Variable Account under the terms of that agreement.


                                       39


                                   41 of 124
<PAGE>   42

                      ANNUITY PAYMENT PERIOD-FIXED ACCOUNT

First and Subsequent Payments

      A Fixed Annuity is an annuity with payments which are guaranteed by the
Company as to dollar amount during the annuity payment period. The first Fixed
Annuity payment will be determined by applying the Fixed Account Contract Value
to the applicable Annuity Table in accordance with the Annuity Payment Option
elected. This will be done at the Annuitization Date on an age last birthday
basis. Fixed Annuity payments after the first will not be less than the first
Fixed Annuity payment.

      The Company does not credit discretionary interest to Fixed Annuity
payments during the annuity payment period for annuity options based on life
contingencies. The Annuitant must rely on the Annuity Tables applicable to the
Contracts to determine the amount of such Fixed Annuity payments.


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                                   APPENDIX B

                      PARTICIPATING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

      Below are the investment objectives of each underlying Mutual Fund
      available through the Variable Account. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE
      INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.

   
American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., a member of the American CenturySM
Investments.

      American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc., was organized as a Maryland
corporation in 1987. It is a diversified, open-end management investment
company, designed only to provide investment vehicles for variable annuity and
variable life insurance products of insurance companies. American Century
Variable Portfolios is managed by American Century Investment Management, Inc.

      -American Century VP Balanced (formerly "TCI Balanced")
    

      Investment Objective: Capital growth and current income. The Fund will
      seek to achieve its objective by maintaining approximately 60% of the
      assets of the Fund in common stocks (including securities convertible into
      common stocks and other equity equivalents) that are considered by
      management to have better-than-average prospects for appreciation and
      approximately 40% in fixed income securities. A minimum of 25% of the
      fixed income portion of the Fund will be invested in fixed income senior
      securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
      investment objective.

   
      -American Century VP Capital Appreciation (formerly "TCI Growth")
    

      Investment Objective: Capital growth. The Fund will seek to achieve its
      objective by investing in common stocks (including securities convertible
      into common stocks and other equity equivalents) that meet certain
      fundamental and technical standards of selection and have, in the opinion
      of the Fund's investment manager, better than average potential for
      appreciation. The Fund tries to stay fully invested in such securities,
      regardless of the movement of stock prices generally.

      The Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents temporarily or when it is
      unable to find common stocks meeting its criteria of selection. It may
      purchase securities only of companies that have a record of at least three
      years continuous operation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will
      achieve its investment objective.

   
      -American Century VP International (formerly "TCI International")
    

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

   
      -American Century VP Value (formerly "TCI Valued")

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

      (Although the Statement of Additional Information concerning American
      Century Variable Portfolios refers to redemptions of securities in kind
      under certain conditions, all surrendering or redeeming Contract Owners
      will receive cash from the Company.)
    


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Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.

   
      The Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc. is an open-end, non-diversified,
management investment company. It was incorporated under Maryland law on January
24, 1989, and commenced operations on September 29, 1989. The Dreyfus
Corporation ("Dreyfus") serves as the Fund's manager, while Mellon Equity
Associates, an affiliate of Dreyfus, serves as the Fund's index manager.

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

Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund

      Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end, management
investment company. It was organized as an unincorporated business trust under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on October 29, 1986 and commenced
operations on August 31, 1990. The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") serves as the
Fund's manager. Dreyfus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A., which
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation.

      -Growth and Income Portfolio

      Investment Objective: To provide long-term capital growth, current income
      and growth of income, consistent with reasonable investment risk. The
      Portfolio invests in equity securities, debt securities and money market
      instruments of domestic and foreign issuers. The proportion of the
      Portfolio's assets invested in each type of security will vary from time
      to time in accordance with Dreyfus' assessment of economic conditions and
      investment opportunities. In purchasing equity securities, Dreyfus will
      invest in common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into
      common stocks, particularly those which offer opportunities for capital
      appreciation and growth of earnings, while paying current dividends. The
      Portfolio will generally invest in investment-grade debt obligations,
      except that it may invest up to 35% of the value of its net assets in
      convertible debt securities rated not lower than Caa by Moody's Investor
      Service, Inc. or CCC by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, Fitch Investors
      Service, L.P. or Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co., or if unrated, deemed to
      be of comparable quality by Dreyfus. These securities are considered to
      have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to
      pay interest and repay principal and are considered to be of poor
      standing. See "Investment Considerations and Risks-Lower Rated Securities"
      in the Portfolio's prospectuses.
    

The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.

      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. is an open-end,
diversified, management investment company. It was incorporated under Maryland
law on July 20, 1992, and commenced operations on October 7, 1993. The Dreyfus
Corporation serves as the Fund's investment advisor. NCM Capital Management
Group, Inc. serves as the Fund's sub-investment adviser and provides day-to-day
management of the Fund's portfolio.

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

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

      The Fund is an open-end, diversified, management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 13, 1981. The Fund's
shares are purchased by insurance companies to fund benefits under variable
insurance and annuity policies. Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR")
is the Fund's manager.

      -Equity-Income Portfolio

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


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      -Growth Portfolio

      Investment Objective: Seeks to achieve capital appreciation. This
      Portfolio will invest in the securities of both well-known and established
      companies, and smaller, less well-known companies which may have a narrow
      product line or whose securities are thinly traded. These latter
      securities will often involve greater risk than may be found in the
      ordinary investment security. FMR's analysis and expertise plays an
      integral role in the selection of securities and, therefore, the
      performance of the Portfolio. Many securities which FMR believes would
      have the greatest potential may be regarded as speculative, and investment
      in the Portfolio may involve greater risk than is inherent in other
      underlying mutual funds. It is also important to point out that the
      Portfolio makes most sense for you if you can afford to ride out changes
      in the stock market, because it invests primarily in common stocks. FMR
      also can make temporary investments in securities such as investment-grade
      bonds, high-quality preferred stocks and short-term notes, for defensive
      purposes when it believes market conditions warrant.

      -High Income Portfolio

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

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

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

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

      -Overseas Portfolio

      Investment Objective: To seek long term growth of capital primarily
      through investments in foreign securities. The Overseas Portfolio provides
      a means for investors to diversify their own portfolios by participating
      in companies and economies outside of the United States.

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II

      The Variable Insurance Products Fund II is an open-end, diversified,
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on
March 21, 1988. The Fund's shares are purchased by insurance companies to fund
benefits under variable insurance and annuity policies. Fidelity Management &
Research Company ("FMR") is the Fund's manager.

      -Asset Manager Portfolio

      Investment Objective: To seek high total return with reduced risk over the
      long-term by allocating its assets among domestic and foreign stocks,
      bonds and short-term fixed income instruments.

      -Contrafund Portfolio

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


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Nationwide Separate Account Trust

   
      Nationwide Separate Account Trust (the "Trust") is a diversified open-end
management investment company created under the laws of Massachusetts. The Trust
offers shares in the five separate mutual funds listed below, each with its own
investment objectives. Currently, shares of the Trust will be sold only to life
insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits under variable life
insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance
companies. The assets of the Trust are managed by Nationwide Advisory Services,
Inc., One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
    

      -Capital Appreciation Fund

      Investment Objective: The Fund is designed for investors who are
      interested in long-term growth. The Fund seeks to meet its objective
      primarily through a diversified portfolio of the common stock of companies
      which the investment manager determines have a better-than-average
      potential for sustained capital growth over the long term.

      -Government Bond Fund

      Investment Objective: To provide as high a level of income as is
      consistent with the preservation of capital. It seeks to achieve its
      objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities issued or
      backed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

      -Money Market Fund

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

      -Small Company Fund

   
      Investment Objective: The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital by
      investing primarily in equity securities of domestic and foreign companies
      with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion at the time of
      purchase. Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), the Fund's adviser,
      has employed a group of sub-advisers, each of which will manage a portion
      of the Fund's portfolio. These sub-advisers are the Dreyfus Corporation,
      Neuberger & Berman, L. P., Pictet International Management Limited, Van
      Eck Associates Corporation, Strong Capital Management, Inc. and Warburg
      Pincus Counsellors, Inc. The sub-advisers were chosen because they utilize
      a number of different investment styles when investing in small company
      stocks. By utilizing a number of investment styles, NAS hopes to increase
      prospects for investment return and to reduce market risk and volatility.
    

      -Total Return Fund

      Investment Objective: To obtain a reasonable long-term total return (i.e.,
      earnings growth plus potential dividend yield) on invested capital from a
      flexible combination of current return and capital gains through
      investments in common stocks, convertible issues, money market instruments
      and bonds with a primary emphasis on common stocks.

Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust (formerly "Advisers Management
Trust")

      Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust is an open-end diversified
management investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust on
December 14, 1983. Shares of the Trust are offered in connection with certain
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued through
life insurance company separate accounts and are also offered directly to
qualified pension and retirement plans outside of the separate account context.
The investment adviser is Neuberger & Berman Management Incorporated.

      -Growth Portfolio

      Investment Objective: The Portfolio seeks capital growth through
      investments in common stocks of companies that the investment adviser
      believes will have above average earnings or otherwise provide investors
      with above average potential for capital appreciation. To maximize this
      potential, the investment adviser may also utilize, from time to time,
      securities convertible into common stocks, warrants and options to
      purchase such stocks.


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      -Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (formerly "Bond Portfolio")

      Investment Objective: To provide the high level of current income,
      consistent with low risk to principal and liquidity. As a secondary
      objective, it also seeks to enhance its total return through capital
      appreciation when market factors, such as falling interest rates and
      rising bond prices, indicate that capital appreciation may be available
      without significant risk to principal. It seeks to achieve its objectives
      through investments in a diversified portfolio of limited maturity debt
      securities.

      -Partners Portfolio

      Investment Objective: To seek capital growth. This Portfolio will seek to
      achieve its objective by investing primarily in the common stock of
      established companies. Its investment program seeks securities believed to
      be undervalued based on fundamentals such as low price-to-earnings ratios,
      consistent cash flows, and support from asset values. The objective of the
      Partners Portfolio is not fundamental and can be changed by the Trustees
      of the Trust without shareholder approval. Shareholders will, however,
      receive at least 30 days prior notice thereof. There is no assurance the
      investment objective will be met.

Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds

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

      -Oppenheimer Bond Fund

      Investment Objective: Primarily to seek a high level of current income
      from investment in high yield fixed-income securities rated "Baa" or
      better by Moody's or "BBB" or better by Standard & Poor's. Secondarily,
      the Fund seeks capital growth when consistent with its primary objective.

      -Oppenheimer Global Securities Fund

      Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital appreciation by investing
      a substantial portion of assets in securities of foreign issuers,
      "growth-type" companies, cyclical industries and special situations which
      are considered to have appreciation possibilities. Current income is not
      an objective. These securities may be considered to be speculative.

      -Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies Fund

      Investment Objective: To seek a total investment return (which includes
      current income and capital appreciation in the value of its shares) from
      investments in common stocks and other equity securities, bonds and other
      debt securities, and "money market" securities.

Strong Special Fund II, Inc.

      The Strong Special Fund II, Inc. is a diversified, open-end management
company commonly called a Mutual Fund. The Special Fund II, Inc. was
incorporated in Wisconsin and may only be purchased by the separate accounts of
insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies. Strong Capital Management Inc. (the "Advisor")
is the investment advisor for the Fund.

      Investment Objective: To seek capital appreciation through investments in
      a diversified portfolio of equity securities.

Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.

      Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. ("Corporation") is an open-end
management investment company commonly referred to as a mutual fund.
Incorporated in the State of Wisconsin, the Corporation has been authorized to
issue shares of common stock and series and classes of series of common stock.
The International Stock Fund II and The Strong Discovery Fund II, Inc. ("Funds")
are offered by the Corporation to insurance company separate accounts for the
purpose of funding variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts. Strong Capital Management, Inc. is the investment advisor to the
Funds.


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      -Discovery Fund II, Inc.

      Investment Objective: To seek maximum capital appreciation through
      investments in a diversified portfolio of securities. The Fund normally
      emphasizes investment in equity securities and may invest up to 100% of
      its total assets in equity securities including common stocks, preferred
      stocks and securities convertible into common or preferred stocks.
      Although the Fund normally emphasizes investment in equity securities, the
      Fund has the flexibility to invest in any type of security that the
      Advisor believes has the potential for capital appreciation including up
      to 100% of its total assets in debt obligations, including intermediate to
      long-term corporate or U.S. government debt securities.

      -International Stock Fund II

      Investment Objective: To seek capital growth by investing primarily in the
      equity securities of issuers located outside the United States.

Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (formerly "Van Eck Investment Trust")

      Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust is an open-end management investment
company organized as a "Business Trust" under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on January 7, 1987. Trust shares are offered only to separate
accounts of various insurance companies to fund the benefits of variable
insurance and annuity policies. The investment adviser and manager is Van Eck
Associates Corporation.

      -Worldwide Bond Fund (formerly "Global Bond Fund")

      Investment Objective: To seek high total return through a flexible policy
      of investing globally, primarily in debt securities.

   
      -Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund

      Investment Objective: Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
      primarily in equity securities in emerging markets around the world. The
      Fund specifically emphasizes investment in countries that, compared to the
      world's major economies, exhibit relatively low gross national product per
      capita, as well as the potential for rapid economic growth. Peregrine
      Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited serves as sub-investment adviser to
      this Fund.

      -Worldwide Hard Assets Fund (formerly "Gold And Natural Resources Fund")

      Investment Description: Seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
      globally, primarily in "Hard Assets Securities." Hard assets are tangible,
      finite assets, such as real estate, energy, timber, and industrial and
      previous metals. Income is a secondary consideration.
    

Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust

      The Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust is an open-end
diversified management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust on June 3, 1985. The Trust offers shares in separate funds which are sold
only to insurance companies to provide funding for variable life insurance
policies and variable annuity contracts. Van Kampen American Capital Asset
Management, Inc. serves as the Fund's investment adviser.

      -Real Estate Securities Fund

      Investment Objective: To seek long-term capital growth by investing in a
      portfolio of securities of companies operating in the real estate industry
      ("Real Estate Securities"). Current income is a secondary consideration.
      Real Estate Securities include equity securities, including common stocks
      and convertible securities, as well as non-convertible preferred stocks
      and debt securities of real estate industry companies. A "real estate
      industry company" is a company that derives at least 50% of its assets
      (marked to market), gross income or net profits from the ownership,
      construction, management or sale of residential, commercial or industrial
      real estate. Under normal market conditions, at least 65% of the Fund's
      total assets will be invested in Real Estate Securities, primarily equity
      securities of real estate investment trusts. The Fund may invest up to 25%
      of its total assets in securities issued by foreign issuers, some or all
      of which may also be Real Estate Securities. There can be no assurance
      that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.


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Warburg Pincus Trust

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

      -International Equity Portfolio

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

   
      -Post-Venture Capital Portfolio

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

      -Small Company Growth Portfolio

      Investment Objective: To seek capital growth by investing in a portfolio
      of equity securities of small-sized domestic companies. The Portfolio
      ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks
      or warrants of small-sized companies (i.e., companies having stock market
      capitalizations of between $25 million and $1 billion at the time of
      purchase) that represent attractive opportunities for capital growth. The
      Portfolio intends to invest primarily in companies whose securities are
      traded on domestic stock exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. The
      Portfolio's investments will be made on the basis of their equity
      characteristics and securities ratings generally will not be a factor in
      the selection process.


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                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
                                   May 1, 1997
    

    INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ISSUED BY
     THE NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THROUGH ITS NATIONWIDE VARIABLE
                                   ACCOUNT-II

   
      This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It contains
information in addition to and more detailed than set forth in the prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated, May 1, 1997. The
prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance Company by writing
P.O. Box 182356, Columbus, Ohio 43216-2356, or calling 1-800-243-6295, Voice
Response (available 24 hours) 1-800-848-8258, TDD 1-800-238-3035.
    

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

General Information and History..............................................1
Services.....................................................................1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered.........................................1
Underwriters.................................................................2
Calculations of Performance..................................................2
Underlying Mutual Fund Performance Summary...................................3
Annuity Payments.............................................................6

   
Financial Statements.........................................................7
    

General Information and History

   
      The Nationwide Variable Account-II is a separate investment account of
Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("Company"). The Company is a member of the
Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and all of the Company's common stock is owned
by Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), a holding company. NFS has two
classes of common stock outstanding with different voting rights enabling
Nationwide Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding Class B Common
Stock) to control NFS. Nationwide Corporation is a holding company, as well. All
of its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (95.3%) and
Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.7%), the ultimate controlling
persons of Nationwide Insurance Enterprise. The Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
is one of America's largest insurance and financial services family of
companies, with combined assets of over $67.5 billion as of December 31, 1996.
    

Services

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

      The Custodian of the assets of the Variable Account is the Company. The
Company will maintain a record of all purchases and redemptions of shares of the
underlying Mutual Funds. The Company, or affiliates of the Company may have
entered into agreements with either the investment adviser or distributor for
several of the underlying Mutual Funds. The agreements relate to administrative
services furnished by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and provide for
an annual fee based on the average aggregate net assets of the Variable Account
(and other separate accounts of the Company or life insurance company
subsidiaries of the Company) invested in particular underlying Mutual Funds.
These fees in no way affect the net asset value of the underlying Mutual Funds
or fees paid by the Contract Owner.

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

Purchase of Securities Being Offered

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


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<PAGE>   51

   
      The Contract Owner may transfer up to 100% of the Contract Value from the
Variable Account to the Fixed Account. However, the Company, at its sole
discretion reserves the right to limit such transfers to 25% of the Contract
Value for any 12 month period. Contract Owners may at the maturity of an
Interest Rate Guarantee Period transfer a portion of the Contract Value of the
Fixed Account to the Variable Account. Such portion will be determined by the
Company at its sole discretion (but will not be less than 10% of the total value
of the portion of the Fixed Account that is maturing), and will be declared upon
the expiration date of the then current Interest Rate Guarantee Period. The
Interest Rate Guarantee Period expires on the final day of a calendar quarter.
The Company reserves the right to refuse transfers or Purchase Payments into the
Fixed Account if the Fixed Account is greater than or equal to 30% of the total
Contract Value. Transfers under this provision must be made within 45 days after
the termination date of the guarantee period. Owners who have entered into a
Dollar Cost Averaging Agreement with the Company may transfer from the Fixed
Account under the terms of that agreement.
    

      Transfers from the Fixed and Variable Accounts may not be made prior to
the first Contract Anniversary. Transfers from the Fixed Account may not be made
within 12 months of any prior Transfers. Transfers must also be made prior to
the Annuitization Date.

Underwriters

   
      The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by
Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio, 43215, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. During the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, no underwriting commissions were paid by
the Company to NAS.
    

Calculations of Performance

   
      Any current yield quotations of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust
Money Market Fund Sub-Account, subject to Rule 482 of the Securities Act of
1933, shall consist of a seven calendar day historical yield, carried at least
to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The yield shall be calculated by
determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of
hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one accumulation unit at
the beginning of the base period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting
deductions from Contract Owner accounts, and dividing the net change in account
value by the value of the account at the beginning of the period to obtain a
base period return, and multiplying the base period return by (365/7) or (366/7)
in a leap year. As of December 31, 1996, the Nationwide Separate Account Trust
Money Market Fund Sub-Account's seven-day current unit value yield was 4.14%.
The Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund Sub-Account's effective
yield shall be computed similarly but includes the effect of assumed compounding
on an annualized basis of the current unit value yield quotations of the
Nationwide Separate Account Trust Money Market Fund, and for the period ending
December 31, 1996 was 4.23%.
    

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

      Income generated within a bond Sub-Account may be reflected in "30 Day
Yield" quotations. Such quotations are computed by dividing the net investment
income per Accumulation Unit during the 30 day period by the maximum unit value
per Accumulation Unit on the last day of the period. The formula for arriving at
bond fund yield quotations is as follows: 2[((a-b)/cd+1)6-1] where: a = net
investment income earned by the applicable portfolio; b = expenses for the
period, including contract level fees and charges; c = the average daily number
of Accumulation Units outstanding during the period; and d = the maximum
offering price per Accumulation Unit on the last day of the period.

      All performance advertising shall also include quotations of standardized
average annual total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to facilitate
comparison with standardized Average annual total return advertised for a
specific 


                                       2


                                   51 of 124
<PAGE>   52

period is found by first taking a hypothetical $1,000 investment in each of the
Sub-Accounts' units on the first day of the period at the offering price, which
is the Accumulation Unit Value per unit ("initial investment") and computing the
ending redeemable value ("redeemable value") of that investment at the end of
the period. The redeemable value is then divided by the initial investment and
this quotient is taken to the Nth root (N represents the number of years in the
period) and 1 is subtracted from the result which is then expressed as a
percentage, carried to at least the nearest hundredth of a percent. Standardized
average annual total return reflects the deduction of a .80% Mortality Charge.
No deduction is made for premium taxes which may be assessed by certain states.
Non standardized total return may also be advertised, and is calculated in a
manner similar to standardized average annual total return except the non
standardized total return is based on a hypothetical initial investment of
$25,000. An assumed initial investment of $25,000 will be used because that
figure more closely approximates the size of a typical Contract than does the
$1,000 figure used in calculating the standardized average annual total return
quotations.

      The standardized average annual total return and non standardized total
return quotations will be current to the last day of the calendar quarter
preceding the date on which an advertisement is submitted for publication. Both
the standardized average annual return and the non standardized total return
will be based on rolling calendar quarters and will cover periods of one, five,
and ten years, or a period covering the time the underlying Mutual Fund option
held in the Sub-Account has been in existence, if the underlying Mutual Fund
option has not been in existence for one of the prescribed periods. For those
underlying Mutual Fund options which have not been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for one of the quoted periods, the standardized average
annual total return and non standardized total return quotations will show the
investment performance such underlying Mutual Fund options would have achieved
(reduced by the applicable charges) had they been held as Sub-Accounts within
the Variable Account for the period quoted.

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

                   UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
                          Non-Standardized Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1 Year To        5 Years To       Life of Fund       Date Fund
      SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96        To 12/31/96        Effective
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>               <C>           <C>   <C>
American Century Variable              11.31%           5.86%             9.35%         05-01-91
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Balanced
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable              -5.09%           5.33%             9.93%         11-20-87
Portfolios, Inc.- American
Century VP Capital Appreciation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable              13.49%           N/A               6.87%         05-01-94
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP International
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable               N/A             N/A              18.00%         05-01-96
Portfolios, Inc.-American
Century VP Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund               21.55%          13.73%            12.78%         09-29-89
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible           20.26%           N/A              18.50%         10-06-93
Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment            18.68%           N/A              26.12%         05-02-94
Fund-Growth & Income Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income        13.36%          17.04%            12.84%*        10-09-86
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth               13.78%          14.25%            14.24%*        10-09-86
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income          13.12%          14.05%            10.24%*        09-19-85
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       3


                                   52 of 124
<PAGE>   53

                          Non-Standardized Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1 Year To        5 Years To       Life of Fund       Date Fund
      SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96        To 12/31/96        Effective
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>   <C>
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas             12.31%            8.26%             7.03%          01-28-87
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Fund-Asset             13.68%           10.37%            10.79%          09-06-89
Manager Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP II Fund-Contrafund        20.33%            N/A              28.92%          07-01-95
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund         25.13%            N/A              13.36%          04-15-92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government. Bond Fund              2.65%            6.18%             7.55%*         11-08-82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                  4.27%            3.33%             4.89%*         11-10-81
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company Fund                21.84%            N/A              31.97%          10-23-95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                 20.86%           12.88%            11.71%*         11-08-82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                 8.26%            8.95%            10.55%*         09-10-84
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                 3.47%            4.48%             5.83%*         09-10-84
Trust-Limited Maturity Bond
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NB Advisers Management                 28.53%            N/A              20.78%          03-22-94
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            3.95%            6.82%             7.94%*         04-30-85
Funds-Bond Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account           16.85%           11.54%             9.81%          11-12-90
Funds-Global Securities Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account           14.57%           10.79%            10.64%          02-09-87
Funds-Multiple Strategies Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.           17.20%            N/A              17.99%          05-08-92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance              -0.00%            N/A              11.40%          05-08-92
Funds, Inc.-Discovery Fund II,
Inc. 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance               9.49%            N/A              10.06%          10-23-95
Funds, Inc.-International Stock
Fund II
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance             1.70%            3.08              5.84%          09-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance            25.82%            N/A              24.20%          12-27-95
Trust-Worldwide Emerging
Markets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance            17.12%           13.64%             7.39%          09-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital            39.40%            N/A              31.35%          07-01-95
Life Investment Trust-Real
Estate Securities Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus                          9.10%            N/A              10.73%          07-01-95
Trust-International Equity
Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-                   N/A              N/A              -9.28%          09-30-96
Post-Venture Capital Trust
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small             12.99%            N/A              25.51%          07-01-95
Company Growth Portfolio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96
    


                                       4


                                   53 of 124
<PAGE>   54

                    Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 Year To       5 Years To      Life of Fund      Date Fund
        SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96       To 12/31/96       Effective
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                <C>             <C>            <C>  <C>
American Century Variable               11.31%             5.86%           9.35%          5-01-91
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century
VP Balanced
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable               -5.09%             5.33%           9.93%         11-20-87
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century
VP Capital Appreciation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable               13.49%              N/A            6.87%         05-01-94
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century
VP International
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Century Variable                 N/A               N/A           18.00%         05-01-96
Portfolios, Inc.-American Century
VP Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund                21.55%            13.73%          12.78%         09-29-89
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Socially Responsible            20.26%              N/A           18.50%         10-06-93
Growth Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreyfus Variable Investment             18.68%              N/A           26.12%         05-02-94
Fund-Growth & Income Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Equity-Income         13.36%            17.04%          12.84%*        10-09-86
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Growth Portfolio      13.78%            14.25%          14.24%*        10-09-86
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-High Income           13.12%            14.05%          10.24%*         9-19-85
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund-Overseas              12.31%             8.26%           7.03%          1-28-87
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Asset             13.68%            10.37%          10.79%          9-06-89
Manager Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity VIP Fund II -Contrafund        20.33%              N/A           28.92%          7-01-95
Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Capital Appreciation Fund          25.13%              N/A           13.36%          4-15-92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Government Bond Fund                2.65%             6.18%           7.55%*        11-08-82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Money Market Fund                   4.27%             3.33%           4.89%*        11-10-81
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Small Company Fund                 21.84%              N/A           31.97%         10-23-95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NSAT-Total Return Fund                  20.86%            12.88%          11.71%*        11-08-82
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                  8.26%             8.95%          10.55%*         9-10-84
Trust-Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                  3.47%             4.48%           5.83%*         9-10-84
Trust-Limited Mat. Bond Port 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N&B Advisers Management                 28.53%              N/A           20.78%         03-22-94
Trust-Partners Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account             3.95%             6.82%           7.94%*         4-30-85
Funds-Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            16.85%            11.54%           9.81%         11-12-90
Funds-Global Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oppenheimer Variable Account            14.57%            10.79%          10.64%          2-09-87
Funds-Multiple Strategies Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Special Fund II, Inc.            17.20%              N/A           17.99%          5-08-92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>


                                       5


                                   54 of 124
<PAGE>   55

                    Standardized Average Annual Total Return

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1 Year To       5 Years To      Life of Fund      Date Fund
        SUB-ACCOUNT OPTIONS            12/31/96         12/31/96       To 12/31/96       Effective
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,         -0.00              N/A            11.40%          5-08-92
Inc.-Discovery Fund II, Inc. 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strong Variable Insurance Funds,          9.49%             N/A            10.06%         10-23-95
Inc.-International Stock Fund II
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance               1.70%            3.08%            5.84%          9-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance              25.82%             N/A            24.20%         12-27-95
Trust-Worldwide Emerging Markets
Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance              17.12%           13.64%            7.39%          9-01-89
Trust-Worldwide Hard Assets Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen American Capital Life         39.40%             N/A            31.35%         07-01-95
Investment Trust-Real Estate
Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-International        9.10%             N/A            10.73%         07-01-95
Equity Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-                      N/A              N/A            -9.28%         09-30-96
Post-Venture Capital Trust
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Trust-Small Company       12.99%             N/A            25.51%         07-01-95
Growth Portfolio
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
* Represents 10 years to 12/31/96
    

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


                                       6


                                   55 of 124
<PAGE>   56

<PAGE>   1
                          Independent Auditors' Report

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

      We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of Nationwide Variable Account-II as of December 31,
1996, and the related statements of operations and changes in contract owners'
equity and schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the
three year period then ended. These financial statements and schedules of
changes in unit value are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
schedules of changes in unit value based on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and schedules of
changes in unit value are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures include confirmation of securities
owned as of December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the transfer agents of
the underlying mutual funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, the financial statements and schedules of changes in unit
value referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Nationwide Variable Account-II as of December 31, 1996, and the
results of its operations and its changes in contract owners' equity and the
schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the three year
period then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 1997



<PAGE>   2
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                          <C>
ASSETS:

   Investments at market value:
 
      American VI Series - Growth Fund (AVISGro)
         591,641 shares (cost $17,724,667) .............................................     $   23,446,735

      American VI Series - High-Yield Bond Fund (AVISHiYld)
         206,455 shares (cost $2,831,913) ..............................................          2,970,891

      American VI Series - U.S. Government/AAA-Rated Securities Fund (AVISGvt)
         558,936 shares (cost $6,405,065) ..............................................          6,125,940

      Dreyfus VIF - Growth and Income Portfolio (DryGroInc)
         10,651 shares (cost $208,490) .................................................            208,234

      The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. (DrySRGro)
         4,048,465 shares (cost $80,578,592) ...........................................         81,333,655

      Dreyfus Stock Index Fund (DryStkIx)
         22,473,273 shares (cost $421,400,078) .........................................        455,757,970

      Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio (FidVIPEI)
         88,020,775 shares (cost $1,496,527,408) .......................................      1,851,076,908

      Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio (FidVIPGr)
         53,397,112 shares (cost $1,442,803,412) .......................................      1,662,786,063

      Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio (FidVIPHI)
         52,277,585 shares (cost $618,483,737) .........................................        654,515,361

      Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio (FidVIPOv)
         29,860,586 shares (cost $497,414,533) .........................................        562,573,437

      Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio (FidVIPAM)
         54,719,104 shares (cost $789,170,511) .........................................        926,394,430

      Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio (FidVIPCon)
         31,863,416 shares (cost $470,893,739) .........................................        527,658,176

      Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
         8,543,374 shares (cost $130,457,688) ..........................................        139,086,134

      Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
         25,523,974 shares (cost $278,390,626) .........................................        281,784,675

      Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
         842,095,034 shares (cost $842,095,034) ........................................        842,095,034

      Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund (NSATSmCo)
         11,411,941 shares (cost $153,200,271) .........................................        158,511,867

      Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)
         43,928,334 shares (cost $493,101,989) .........................................        582,928,991

      Neuberger & Berman - Growth Portfolio (NBAMTGro)
         14,576,973 shares (cost $355,570,591) .........................................        375,794,365

      Neuberger & Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (NBAMTLMat)
         14,503,021 shares (cost $202,666,998) .........................................        203,767,444

</TABLE>



<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                        <C>
      Neuberger & Berman - Partners Portfolio (NBAMTPart)
         21,480,783 shares (cost $316,971,355) .........................................      354,003,309

      Oppenheimer - Bond Fund (OppBdFd)
         18,495,009 shares (cost $212,436,168) .........................................      215,096,952

      Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund (OppGlSec)
         17,352,191 shares (cost $273,206,728) .........................................      306,613,219

      Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund (OppMult)
         15,186,448 shares (cost $210,778,683) .........................................      237,364,175

      Strong Special Fund II, Inc. (StSpec2)
         31,310,474 shares (cost $502,480,063) .........................................      602,413,525

      Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II (StDisc2)
         19,325,445 shares (cost $231,435,391) .........................................      208,714,811

      Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II (StIntStk2)
         6,217,919 shares (cost $69,638,167) ...........................................       69,827,234

      TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced (TCIBal)
         17,471,812 shares (cost $113,742,920) .........................................      131,737,463

      TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth (TCIGro)
         44,171,041 shares (cost $481,435,940) .........................................      452,311,464

      TCI Portfolios - TCI International (TCIInt)
         14,897,654 shares (cost $81,567,837) ..........................................       88,790,017

      TCI Portfolios - TCI Value (TCIValue)
         192,219 shares (cost $1,073,951) ..............................................        1,072,583

      Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund (VEGoldNR)
         9,078,169 shares (cost $146,560,262) ..........................................      151,786,988

      Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund (VEWrldBd)
         9,841,666 shares (cost $109,164,680) ..........................................      109,242,492

      Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (VEWrldEMkt)
         975,190 shares (cost $12,083,831) .............................................       12,180,122

      Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund (VKACRESec)
         10,164,489 shares (cost $130,485,494) .........................................      150,231,143

      Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio (WPIntEq)
         23,071,607 shares (cost $262,173,995) .........................................      264,862,050

      Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio (WPPVenCap)
         968,094 shares (cost $9,297,111) ..............................................        9,448,597

      Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio (WPSmCoGr)
         18,047,620 shares (cost $255,570,779) .........................................      257,178,579
                                                                                          ---------------
            Total investments ..........................................................   12,961,691,033

   Accounts receivable .................................................................          344,106
                                                                                         ----------------
            Total assets ...............................................................   12,962,035,139

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE .......................................................................       32,685,984
                                                                                         ----------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY (NOTE 4) ....................................................... $ 12,929,349,155
                                                                                         ================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   4


                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1996                1995                1994
                                                                      ----                ----                ----
<S>                                                           <C>                      <C>                  <C>
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY:
   Reinvested capital gains and dividends ...................      $  600,928,342         255,746,278         219,361,059
   Mortality, expense and administration charges (note 2) ...        (146,901,903)        (94,261,621)        (63,749,637)
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
      Net investment activity ...............................         454,026,439         161,484,657         155,611,422
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------

   Proceeds from mutual fund shares sold ....................       4,787,197,972       2,702,034,116       2,081,239,624
   Cost of mutual fund shares sold ..........................      (4,367,124,608)     (2,527,741,633)     (1,966,796,733)
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
      Realized gain (loss) on investments ...................         420,073,364         174,292,483         114,442,891
   Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments ..........         281,999,873         974,875,269        (372,586,662)
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
      Net gain (loss) on investments ........................         702,073,237       1,149,167,752        (258,143,771)
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
         Net increase (decrease) in contract owners'
            equity resulting from operations ................       1,156,099,676       1,310,652,409        (102,532,349)
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
EQUITY TRANSACTIONS:
   Purchase payments received from contract owners ..........       3,619,439,725       2,272,793,729       2,110,347,434
   Redemptions ..............................................        (664,029,620)       (445,809,864)       (229,544,830)
   Annuity benefits .........................................            (792,443)           (401,351)           (155,993)
   Annual contract maintenance charge (note 2) ..............          (6,040,328)         (5,167,706)         (3,881,459)
   Contingent deferred sales charges (note 2) ...............         (10,783,506)         (7,795,056)         (4,253,379)
   Adjustments to maintain reserves .........................             559,630            (180,793)             29,075
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
       Net equity transactions ..............................       2,938,353,458       1,813,438,959       1,872,540,848
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
NET CHANGE IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY .......................       4,094,453,134       3,124,091,368       1,770,008,499
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY BEGINNING OF PERIOD .................       8,834,896,021       5,710,804,653       3,940,796,154
                                                                 ----------------     ---------------     ---------------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY END OF PERIOD .......................    $ 12,929,349,155       8,834,896,021       5,710,804,653
                                                                 ================     ===============     ===============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.


<PAGE>   5
                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

      The Nationwide Variable Account-II (the Account) was established pursuant
to a resolution of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company
(the Company) on October 7, 1981. The Account has been registered as a unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

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

   (b) The Contracts

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

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

         Funds of the American Variable Insurance Series (American VI Series)
         (available only for contracts issued on or after May 1, 1987 and
         before September 1, 1989);
            American VISeries - Growth Fund (AVISGro)
            American VISeries - High-Yield Bond Fund (AVISHiYld)
            American VISeries - U.S. Government/AAA-Rated Securities Fund
                                (AVISGvt)

         Portfolio of the Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund (Dreyfus VIF);
            Dreyfus VIF - Growth andIncome Portfolio (DryGroInc)

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

         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund (DryStkIx)

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

         Portfolios of the Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund II
         (Fidelity VIP-II);
            Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio (FidVIPAM)
            Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio (FidVIPCon)

         Funds of the Nationwide Separate Account Trust (Nationwide SAT)
         (managed for a fee by an affiliated investment advisor);
            Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund (NSATCapAp)
            Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund (NSATGvtBd)
            Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund (NSATMyMkt)
            Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund (NSATSmCo)
            Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund (NSATTotRe)

         Portfolios of the Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust
         (Neuberger & Berman);
            Neuberger & Berman - Growth Portfolio (NBAMTGro)
            Neuberger & Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (NBAMTLMat)
            Neuberger & Berman - Partners Portfolio (NBAMTPart)


<PAGE>   6

         Funds of the Oppenheimer Variable Account Funds (Oppenheimer);
            Oppenheimer - Bond Fund (OppBdFd)
            Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund (OppGlSec)
            Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund (OppMult)

         Strong Special Fund II, Inc. (StSpec2)

         Funds of the Strong Variable Insurance Funds, Inc. (Strong VIF);
            Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II (StDisc2)
            Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II (StIntStk2)

         Portfolios of the TCIPortfolios, Inc. (TCI Portfolios);
            TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced (TCIBal)
            TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth (TCIGro)
            TCI Portfolios - TCI International (TCIInt)
            TCI Portfolios - TCIValue (TCIValue)

         Funds of the Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust (Van Eck);
            Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund (VEGoldNR)
            Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund (VEWrldBd)
                (formerly Van Eck - Global Bond Fund (VEGlobBd)
            Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (VEWrldEMkt)

         Fund of the Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust (Van
         Kampen American Capital LIT); 
            Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities
            Fund (VKACRESec)

         Portfolios of the Warburg Pincus Trust (Warburg Pincus);
            Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio (WPIntEq)
            Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio (WPPVenCap)
            Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio (WPSmCoGr)

      At December 31, 1996, contract owners have invested in all of the above
funds. The contract owners' equity is affected by the investment results of
each fund, equity transactions by contract owners and certain contract expenses
(see note 2).

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

   (c) Security Valuation, Transactions and Related Investment Income

      The market value of the underlying mutual funds is based on the closing
net asset value per share at December 31, 1996. The cost of investments sold is
determined on the specific identification basis. Investment transactions are
accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and
dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

   (d) Federal Income Taxes

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

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

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

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

   (f) Reclassifications

      Certain 1995 and 1994 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current year presentation.

<PAGE>   7

(2) EXPENSES

      The Company does not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments
received from the contract owners. However, if any part of the contract value
of such contracts is surrendered the Company will, with certain exceptions,
deduct from a contract owner's contract value a contingent deferred sales
charge. For contracts issued prior to December 15, 1988, the contingent
deferred sales charge will be equal to 5% of the lesser of the total of all
purchase payments made within 96 months prior to the date of the request for
surrender or the amount surrendered. For contracts issued on or after December
15, 1988, the Company will deduct a contingent deferred sales charge not to
exceed 7% of the lesser of purchase payments or the amount surrendered, such
charge declining 1% per year, to 0%, after the purchase payment has been held
in the contract for 84 months. No sales charges are deducted on redemptions
used to purchase units in the fixed investment options of the Company.

      The following contract charges are deducted by the Company: (a) for The
BEST OF AMERICA(R) contracts, an annual contract maintenance charge of $30, with
certain exceptions, which is satisfied by surrendering units; and (b) for The
BEST OF AMERICA(R) contracts issued prior to December 15, 1988, a charge for
mortality and expense risk assessed through the daily unit value calculation
equal to an annual rate of 0.80% and 0.50%, respectively; for The BEST OF
AMERICA(R) contracts issued on or after December 15, 1988, a mortality risk
charge, an expense risk charge and an administration charge assessed through the
daily unit value calculation equal to an annual rate of 0.80%, 0.45% and 0.05%,
respectively; for The BEST OF AMERICA(R) America's Vision Annuity(SM) contracts,
a mortality risk charge, an expense risk charge and an administration charge
assessed through the daily unit value calculation equal to an annual rate of
0.80%, 0.45% and 0.15%, respectively; and for The BEST OF AMERICA(R) Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise Annuity contracts, a mortality risk charge assessed through
the daily unit value calculation equal to an annual rate of 0.80%.

(3) SCHEDULE I

      Schedule I presents the components of the change in the unit values,
which are the basis for contract owners' equity. This schedule is presented for
each series, as applicable, in the following format:

            o  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1

            o  Reinvested capital gains and dividends
               (This amount reflects the increase in the unit value due to
               capital gains and dividend distributions from the underlying
               mutual funds.)

            o  Unrealized gain (loss)
               (This amount reflects the increase (decrease) in the unit value
               resulting from the market appreciation (depreciation) of the
               underlying mutual funds.)

            o  Contract charges
               (This amount reflects the decrease in the unit value due to the
               mortality risk charge, an expense risk charge and an
               administration charge discussed in note 2.)

            o  Ending unit value - Dec. 31

            o  Percentage increase (decrease) in unit value.

      For contracts in the payout phase, an assumed investment return of 3.5%,
used in the calculation of the annuity benefit payment amount, results in a
corresponding reduction in the components of the unit values as shown in
Schedule I.


<PAGE>   8

(4) COMPONENTS OF CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY

      The following is a summary of contract owners' equity at December 31,
1996, for each series, in both the accumulation and payout phases.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Contract owners' equity represented by:                                     UNITS       UNIT VALUE
                                                                            -----       ----------
<S>      <C>                                                               <C>             <C>             <C>
   Contracts in accumulation phase:
      The BEST OF AMERICA(R) Nationwide Insurance
      Enterprise Annuity contracts:
         Dreyfus VIF - Growth and Income Portfolio:
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................         100      $ 9.988028            $    999
         The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.:
            Tax qualified ..............................................       3,819       12.423035              47,444
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................       4,955       12.423035              61,556
         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      21,527       12.854891             276,727
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      17,543       12.854891             225,513
         Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      38,049       12.163794             462,820
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      26,246       12.163794             319,251
         Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      38,429       10.972453             421,660
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      35,425       10.972453             388,699
         Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      13,647       11.487324             156,768
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      18,821       11.487324             216,203
         Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................         511       11.775309               6,017
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................       3,662       11.775309              43,121
         Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................       6,477       11.975202              77,563
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................       1,925       11.975202              23,052
         Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      14,615       12.282942             179,515
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      12,689       12.282942             155,858
         Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      12,286       13.467403             165,461
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      16,971       13.467403             228,555
         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................       5,170       10.534938              54,466
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      16,048       10.534938             169,065
         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      32,496       10.507347             341,447
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      33,761       10.507347             354,739
         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      13,231       13.903343             183,955
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      31,720       13.903343             441,014
         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      49,402       12.691338             626,977
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      65,856       12.691338             835,801
         Neuberger & Berman - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................       6,941       10.795282              74,930
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................       7,119       10.795282              76,852
         Neuberger & Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................       1,473       10.533549              15,516
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................       2,542       10.533549              26,776
         Neuberger & Berman - Partners Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ..............................................      11,527       13.585552             156,601
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................      19,721       13.585552             267,921
         Oppenheimer - Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ..............................................       5,191       10.693801              55,512
            Non-tax qualified ..........................................       2,496       10.693801              26,692

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   9

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                 <C>          <C>               <C>
         Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................        1,508       11.787738              17,776
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        4,650       11.787738              54,813
         Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................        4,469       11.803522              52,750
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        4,093       11.803522              48,312
         Strong Special Fund II, Inc.:
            Tax qualified .............................................        7,847       12.408965              97,373
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        8,283       12.408965             102,783
         Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II:
            Tax qualified .............................................          897       10.467953               9,390
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        5,000       10.467953              52,340
         Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II:
            Tax qualified .............................................        3,313       11.142737              36,916
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        2,222       11.142737              24,759
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced:
            Tax qualified .............................................        5,362       11.371689              60,975
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        1,084       11.371689              12,327
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth:
            Tax qualified .............................................        7,475        9.377268              70,095
            Non-tax qualified .........................................       10,548        9.377268              98,911
         TCI Portfolios - TCI International:
            Tax qualified .............................................          365       11.752593               4,290
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        9,164       11.752593             107,701
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Value:
            Non-tax qualified .........................................          109       10.143681               1,106
         Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................        1,121       12.953621              14,521
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        8,904       12.953621             115,339
         Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................          683       10.285816               7,025
            Non-tax qualified .........................................          181       10.285816               1,862
         Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund:
            Non-tax qualified .........................................          151       10.078944               1,522
         Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................        3,666       14.773661              54,160
            Non-tax qualified .........................................       10,037       14.773661             148,283
         Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio:
            Tax qualified .............................................        6,990       11.306243              79,031
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        7,213       11.306243              81,552
         Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio:
            Non-tax qualified .........................................           74       10.164891                 752
         Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified .............................................       11,253       12.604244             141,836
            Non-tax qualified .........................................       26,142       12.604244             329,500
      The BEST OF AMERICA(R) contracts:
         American VI Series - Growth Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................      486,423       24.479182          11,907,237
            Non-tax qualified .........................................      471,250       24.479182          11,535,815
         American VI Series - High-Yield Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................       74,769       23.160826           1,731,712
            Non-tax qualified .........................................       53,096       23.160826           1,229,747
         American VI Series - U.S. Government Fund/AAA-Rated Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified .............................................      183,087       18.395431           3,367,964
            Non-tax qualified .........................................      149,634       18.395431           2,752,582
         Dreyfus VIF - Growth and Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified .............................................       15,022        9.986925             150,024
            Non-tax qualified .........................................        2,643        9.986925              26,395


</TABLE>
<PAGE>   10

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                             <C>              <C>              <C>
         The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,552,615       17.037112          26,452,076
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,190,421       17.037112          20,281,336
         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      7,592,255       16.470432         125,047,720
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      6,210,747       16.470432         102,293,686
         Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     23,565,494       28.043676         660,863,079
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     20,058,276       28.043676         562,507,793
         Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     17,849,804       38.497038         687,164,583
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     13,715,597       38.497038         528,009,859
         Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      7,274,256       24.553550         178,608,808
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      8,722,126       24.553550         214,159,157
         Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     13,781,464       16.573676         228,409,519
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     12,840,712       16.573676         212,817,800
         Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     21,570,235       20.422622         440,520,756
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     13,822,886       20.422622         282,299,576
         Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     10,594,586       13.255157         140,432,901
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      9,866,842       13.255157         130,786,540
         Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,288,355       17.979967          41,144,547
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      2,612,175       17.979967          46,966,820
         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,938,276       30.296925         119,317,653
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,184,368       30.216906          96,221,749
         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      9,766,503       22.132823         216,160,282
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     10,963,993       22.132823         242,664,116
         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,071,120       13.831813          42,479,158
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,061,699       13.831813          42,348,848
         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,546,292       62.707634         222,379,581
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,148,253       61.092889         192,335,871
         Neuberger & Berman - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      5,597,573       29.757359         166,568,989
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      4,702,904       29.757359         139,946,003
         Neuberger & Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,722,398       16.791470          62,504,534
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,388,267       16.791470          56,893,984
         Neuberger & Berman - Partners Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      5,383,558       17.256151          92,899,490
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      5,392,259       17.256151          93,049,636
         Oppenheimer - Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,808,030       17.356310          66,093,349
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,276,566       17.356310          56,869,095
         Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      7,895,779       13.266755         104,751,366
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      5,355,527       13.266755          71,050,465
         Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      4,869,534       18.045475          87,873,054
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,811,559       18.045475          68,781,393
         Strong Special Fund II, Inc.:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     11,342,542       21.072564         239,016,442
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      8,634,564       21.072564         181,952,403

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   11

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                           <C>               <C>              <C>
         Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      4,502,456       16.129688          72,623,211
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,833,429       16.129688          61,832,014
         Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,788,555       11.140682          19,925,722
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,660,749       11.140682          18,501,876
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,254,121       14.300170          46,534,484
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      2,577,277       14.300170          36,855,499
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      9,324,052       23.677551         220,770,717
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      6,231,979       23.677551         147,558,001
         TCI Portfolios - TCI International:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,194,705       11.745639          25,778,213
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,758,586       11.745639          20,655,716
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Value:
            Tax qualified ...........................................         12,933       10.142565             131,174
            Non-tax qualified .......................................         77,276       10.142565             783,777
         Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,151,393       16.248199          51,204,461
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,558,069       16.248199          57,812,213
         Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,627,198       14.604281          38,368,338
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      2,639,292       14.604281          38,544,962
         Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................        271,881       10.077830           2,739,970
            Non-tax qualified .......................................        239,183       10.077830           2,410,446
         Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,491,780       14.931303          37,205,522
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,554,657       14.931303          53,075,661
         Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      5,551,036       11.572294          64,238,221
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      5,736,148       11.572294          66,380,391
         Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................        205,349       10.163772           2,087,120
            Non-tax qualified .......................................        198,784       10.163772           2,020,395
         Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      4,899,073       13.973889          68,459,102
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      4,810,067       13.973889          67,215,342
      The BEST OF AMERICA(R) America's Vision Annuity(SM) contracts:
         Dreyfus VIF - Growth andIncome Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................          1,683        9.986704              16,808
            Non-tax qualified .......................................          1,403        9.986704              14,011
         The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.:
            Tax qualified ...........................................        863,844       16.091197          13,900,284
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,278,742       16.091197          20,576,489
         Dreyfus Stock Index Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      5,666,553       16.369120          92,756,486
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      8,243,399       16.369120         134,937,187
         Fidelity VIP - Equity-Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     16,618,114       16.150507         268,390,966
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     22,169,855       16.150507         358,054,398
         Fidelity VIP - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     12,013,122       15.220265         182,842,900
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     17,297,852       15.220265         263,277,891
         Fidelity VIP - High Income Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      8,108,419       13.162137         106,724,122
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     11,738,433       13.162137         154,502,863
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   12

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                            <C>              <C>               <C>
         Fidelity VIP - Overseas Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,807,002       12.718928          48,420,984
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      5,707,057       12.718928          72,587,647
         Fidelity VIP-II - Asset Manager Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      6,899,163       12.472730          86,051,397
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      9,363,900       12.472730         116,793,396
         Fidelity VIP-II - Contrafund Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      8,168,270       13.235075         108,107,666
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     11,178,146       13.235075         147,943,601
         Nationwide SAT - Capital Appreciation Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,424,586       15.932775          22,697,608
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,750,256       15.932775          27,886,435
         Nationwide SAT - Government Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,626,441       11.423331          30,002,705
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,145,104       11.423331          35,927,564
         Nationwide SAT - Money Market Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................     12,748,020       11.072205         141,148,691
            Non-tax qualified .......................................     18,836,301       11.072205         208,559,386
         Nationwide SAT - Small Company Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,079,253       13.815158          28,725,209
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,209,131       13.815158          44,334,652
         Nationwide SAT - Total Return Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      4,698,191       15.378605          72,251,624
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      6,080,735       15.378605          93,513,222
         Neuberger & Berman - Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,819,563       13.220449          24,055,440
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,383,799       13.220449          44,735,342
         Neuberger & Berman - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,722,579       11.092313          30,199,698
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      4,876,119       11.092313          54,087,438
         Neuberger & Berman - Partners Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,997,138       17.213970          68,806,614
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      5,741,323       17.213970          98,830,962
         Oppenheimer - Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,583,135       11.601791          41,570,783
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      4,341,063       11.601791          50,364,106
         Oppenheimer - Global Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      4,661,410       12.171005          56,734,044
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      6,079,421       12.171005          73,992,663
         Oppenheimer - Multiple Strategies Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,607,467       13.395639          34,928,687
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,408,601       13.395639          45,660,388
         Strong Special Fund II, Inc.:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      5,059,293       15.477893          78,307,196
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      6,638,439       15.477893         102,749,049
         Strong VIF - Strong Discovery Fund II:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,193,936       13.350547          29,290,246
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      3,358,454       13.350547          44,837,198
         Strong VIF - Strong International Stock Fund II:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,170,883       11.127252          13,028,710
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,645,592       11.127252          18,310,917
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Balanced:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,516,835       13.180739          19,993,006
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      2,144,874       13.180739          28,271,024
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Growth:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      2,639,035       12.067726          31,847,151
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      4,282,747       12.067726          51,683,017
         TCI Portfolios - TCI International:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,434,727       11.716901          16,810,554
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      2,170,866       11.716901          25,435,822
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   13

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                            <C>              <C>                <C>
         TCI Portfolios - TCI Value:
            Tax qualified ...........................................          4,681       10.142340              47,476
            Non-tax qualified .......................................         10,752       10.142340             109,050
         Van Eck - Gold and Natural Resources Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,203,386       13.331794          16,043,294
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,997,123       13.331794          26,625,232
         Van Eck - Worldwide Bond Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,142,334       11.597396          13,248,100
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      1,639,285       11.597396          19,011,437
         Van Eck - Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................        343,730       10.077608           3,463,976
            Non-tax qualified .......................................        353,687       10.077608           3,564,319
         Van Kampen American Capital LIT - Real Estate Securities Fund:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      1,646,291       14.908696          24,544,052
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      2,361,457       14.908696          35,206,245
         Warburg Pincus - International Equity Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      4,575,313       11.554772          52,866,699
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      7,026,060       11.554772          81,184,521
         Warburg Pincus - Post Venture Capital Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................        258,812       10.163549           2,630,448
            Non-tax qualified .......................................        266,629       10.163549           2,709,897
         Warburg Pincus - Small Company Growth Portfolio:
            Tax qualified ...........................................      3,578,020       13.952718          49,923,104
            Non-tax qualified .......................................      5,095,747       13.952718          71,099,521
                                                                           ---------       ---------
      Reserves for annuity contracts in payout phase:
            Tax qualified ...........................................                                          2,554,123
            Non-tax qualified .......................................                                          2,710,327
                                                                                                        ----------------
                                                                                                        $ 12,929,349,155
                                                                                                        ================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   14


                                                                      SCHEDULE I

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                             The BEST OF AMERICA(R)
               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                DRYGROINC      DRYSRGRO     DRYSTKIX     FIDVIPEI     FIDVIPGR     FIDVIPHI
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  Beginning unit value -
    Jan. 1                    $10.000000    10.330490    10.575706    10.729806     9.643317    10.155366
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital gains
    and dividends               .000000       .536263      .457726      .495196      .693009      .926355
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)       (.010213)     1.647572     1.914712     1.030017      .719991      .492885
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges             (.001759)     (.091290)    (.093253)    (.091225)    (.083864)    (.087282)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value -
    Dec. 31                  $ 9.988028     12.423035    12.854891    12.163794    10.972453    11.487324
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase
    (decrease)
     in unit value*  (a)            0%(b)         20%          22%          13%          14%          13%
============================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value - 
     Jan. 1                      **        $10.000000    10.000000    10.000000    10.000000    10.000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                             .284361      .133565      .055400      .000000      .000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                      .059585      .455824      .688141     (.343684)     .168653
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.013456)    (.013683)    (.013735)    (.012999)    (.013287)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $10.330490    10.575706    10.729806     9.643317    10.155366
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                           3%(b)        6%(b)        7%(b)      (4)%(b)        2%(b)
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                FIDVIPOV      FIDVIPAM    FIDVIPCON    NSATCAPAP   NSATGVTBD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
  Beginning unit value -
    Jan. 1                   10.484931     10.533861    10.207482    10.763065   10.262495
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital gains
    and dividends              .258087       .693290      .096225      .560736     .636972
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)      1.121390       .837636     2.068018     2.239869    (.282546)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges            (.089099)     (.089585)    (.088783)    (.096267)   (.081983)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value -
    Dec. 31                  11.775309     11.975202    12.282942    13.467403   10.534938
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase
    (decrease)
    in unit value*  (a)            12%           14%          20%          25%         3%
============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                  10.000000     10.000000    10.000000       **       10.000000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends             .000000       .000000      .131621                  .160077
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)      .498416       .547401      .089202                  .115777
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges           (.013485)     (.013540)    (.013341)                (.013359)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                 10.484931     10.533861    10.207482                10.262495
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)            5%(b)         5%(b)        2%(b)                   3%(b)
============================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year 
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.


<PAGE>   15

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                             The BEST OF AMERICA(R)
               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                NSATMYMKT      NSATSMCO    NSATTOTRE     NBAMTGRO    NBAMTLMAT    NBAMTPART
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                           <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.076854     11.411037    10.500717     9.971367    10.180593    10.570046
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .513543       .133865      .702739      .904925      .857039      .430854
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .000000      2.461847     1.579762      .002333     (.421520)    2.680302
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.083050)     (.103406)    (.091880)    (.083343)    (.082563)    (.095650)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $10.507347     13.903343    12.691338    10.795282    10.533549    13.585552
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               4%           22%          21%           8%           3%          29%
============================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.000000     10.000000    10.000000    10.000000    10.000000    10.000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .090135       .017460      .616695      .000000      .000000      .000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .000000      1.407776     (.102353)    (.015308)     .193905      .583646
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.013281)     (.014199)    (.013625)    (.013325)    (.013312)    (.013600)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $10.076854     11.411037    10.500717     9.971367    10.180593    10.570046
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             1%(b)        14%(b)        5%(b)        0%(b)        2%(b)        6%(b)
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  OPPBDFD      OPPGLSEC      OPPMULT      STSPEC2     STDISC2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                            <C>           <C>       <C>             <C>         <C>
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    10.287129     10.087683    10.302692    10.587949   10.468286
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .661948       .000000      .785088      .498307    2.134313
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.172176)     1.787331      .804123     1.414208   (2.052747)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.083100)     (.087276)    (.088381)    (.091499)   (.081899)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   10.693801     11.787738    11.803522    12.408965   10.467953
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               4%           17%          15%          17%          0%
=============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    10.000000     10.000000    10.000000    10.000000   10.000000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .170891       .000000      .105143      .031024     .134105
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .129602       .100810      .210984      .570573     .347815
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.013364)     (.013127)    (.013435)    (.013648)   (.013634)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   10.287129     10.087683    10.302692    10.587949   10.468286
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             3%(b)         1%(b)        3%(b)        6%(b)       5%(b)
=============================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.


<PAGE>   16
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                             The BEST OF AMERICA(R)
               NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                STINTSTK2      TCIBAL      TCIGRO      TCIINT   TCIVALUE    VEGOLDNR    VEWRLDBD
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                           <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>
   Beginning unit value -
   Jan. 1                     $10.176527   10.216536    9.880281   10.355977  10.000000   11.060595   10.113918
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .050845     .483345    1.108725     .246392    .000000     .234696     .275985
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       1.003660     .758083   (1.532596)   1.237834    .145456    1.758754    (.023506)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.088295)   (.086275)   (.079142)   (.087610)  (.001775)   (.100424)   (.080581)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $11.142737   11.371689    9.377268   11.752593  10.143681   12.953621   10.285816
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value*  (a)              9%          11%        (5)%         13%      1%(b)         17%          2%
================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                       **          **      $10.000000   10.000000     **       10.000000   10.000000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                                       .000000     .000000                 .53476     .187333
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                               (.106657)    .369293               1.021372    (.060143)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                                     (.013062)   (.013316)              (.014253)   (.013272)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                                          $ 9.880281   10.355977              11.060595   10.113918
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                                   (1)%(b)       4%(b)                 11%(b)       1%(b)
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 VEWRLDEMKT   VKACRESEC     WPLNTEQ   WPPVENCAP   WPSMCOGR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                              <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                      10.000000   10.597781   10.363169   10.000000  11.154927
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                 .000000     .284217     .220456     .000000    .000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)          .080700    3.985795     .811087     .166654   1.546684
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges               (.001756)   (.094132)   (.088469)   (.001763)  (.097367)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                     10.078944   14.773661   11.306243   10.164891  12.604244
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value*  (a)              1%(b)         39%          9%       2%(b)        13%
==========================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                         **       10.000000   10.000000        **    10.000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                             .090508     .075167                .000000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                      .520696     .301322               1.168850
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.013423)   (.013320)              (.013923)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                                 10.597781   10.363169              11.154927
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                           6%(b)       4%(b)                12%(b)
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.

<PAGE>   17
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                        The BEST OF AMERICA(R) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 AVISGRO+    AVISHIYLD+     AVISGVT+    DRYGROINC     DRYSRGRO     DRYSTKIX
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $21.880052     20.729452    18.077072    10.000000    14.239508    13.619180
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.871220      1.958372     1.351206      .000000      .735635      .587282
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       1.027121       .758000     (.798218)    (.010207)    2.266421     2.459091
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.299211)     (.284998)    (.234629)    (.002868)    (.204452)    (.195121)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $24.479182     23.160826    18.395431     9.986925    17.037112    16.470432
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              12%           12%           2%        0%(b)          20%          21%
===========================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $16.632869     17.247186    15.872495       **        10.721141    10.087774
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.970200      1.862872     1.241711                   .391978      .361278
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       3.537128      1.870069     1.184664                  3.289326     3.325716
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.260145)     (.250675)    (.221798)                 (.162937)    (.155588)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $21.880052     20.729452    18.077072                 14.239508    13.619180
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              32%           20%          14%                       33%          35%
===========================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $16.767635     18.696382    16.810323       **        10.702195    10.130946
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .539769      1.648226     1.072204                   .276343      .283238
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.458197)    (2.863015)   (1.799954)                 (.117315)    (.195244)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.216338)     (.234407)    (.210078)                 (.140082)    (.131166)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $16.632869     17.247186    15.872495                 10.721141    10.087774
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             (1)%          (8)%         (6)%                        0%           0%
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 FIDVIPEI      FIDVIPGR     FIDVIPHI     FIDVIPOV    FIDVIPAM
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    24.863579     34.006052    21.817076    14.832631   18.056027
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.146951      2.442671     1.989184      .364935    1.187807
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       2.376638      2.528836     1.052032     1.580901    1.428293
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.343492)     (.480521)    (.304742)    (.204791)   (.249505)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   28.043676     38.497038    24.553550    16.573676   20.422622
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              13%           13%          13%          12%        13%
=============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    18.646331     25.451479    18.327364    13.701507   15.641016
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.458073       .140639     1.326946      .104797     .328525
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       5.043000      8.817717     2.428014     1.210063    2.303674
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.283825)     (.403783)    (.265248)    (.183736)   (.217188)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   24.863579     34.006052    21.817076    14.832631   18.056027
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              33%           34%          19%           8%        15%
=============================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    17.644458     25.790764    18.859652    13.646118   16.874276
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.324090      1.551366     1.728139      .070437     .820188
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.084066)    (1.565204)   (2.016825)     .168983   (1.841072)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.238151)     (.325447)    (.243602)    (.184031)   (.212376)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   18.646331     25.451479    18.327364    13.701507   15.641016
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               6%          (1)%         (3)%           0%       (7)%
=============================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.

  +  See note 1(b).

<PAGE>   18
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                        The BEST OF AMERICA(R) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NSATGVTBD    NSATGVTBD
                                FIDVIPCON     NSATCAPAP         QUAL     NON-QUAL    NSATMYMKT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $11.071500     14.442619    29.663756    29.585401    21.334141
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .104321       .749106     1.835340     1.830491     1.084427
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       2.235809      2.998126     (.817100)    (.814933)     .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.156473)     (.209884)    (.385071)    (.384053)    (.285745)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $13.255157     17.979967    30.296925    30.216906    22.132823
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              20%           24%           2%           2%           4%
===============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.000000     11.311683    25.309101    25.242252    20.457373
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .142778       .642190     1.790910     1.786181     1.150096
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .998371      2.653706     2.924333     2.916602      .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.069649)     (.164960)    (.360588)    (.359634)    (.273328)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $11.071500     14.442619    29.663756    29.585401    21.334141
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)            11%(b)           28%          17%          17%           4%
===============================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                       **        $11.564256    26.497619    26.427634    19.951530
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                             .182737     1.662261     1.657870      .769331
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     (.286833)   (2.516459)   (2.509816)     .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.148477)    (.334320)    (.333436)    (.263488)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                                $11.311683    25.309101    25.242252    20.457373
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                           (2)%         (4)%         (4)%           3%
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NSATTOTRE     NSATTOTRE
                                  NSATSMCO         QUAL      NON-QUAL     NBAMTGRO    NBAMTLMAT   NBAMTPART
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                             <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                     11.410135    52.147953     50.805130    27.626244    16.311479   13.494251
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                .133283     3.474445      3.384976     2.505038     1.372002     .549587
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        2.456383     7.826655      7.625118      .001295     (.677039)   3.410729
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges              (.167988)    (.741419)     (.722335)    (.375218)    (.214972)   (.198416)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                    13.831813    62.707634     61.092889    29.757359    16.791470   17.256151
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               21%          20%           20%           8%           3%        28%
===========================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                     10.000000    40.926247     39.872391    21.247525    14.896724   10.017795
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                .017459     4.054856      3.950443      .751645      .827026     .081856
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        1.418317     7.778269      7.577969     5.960166      .791918    3.550121
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges              (.025641)    (.611419)     (.595673)    (.333092)    (.204189)   (.155521)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                    11.410135    52.147953     50.805130    27.626244    16.311479   13.494251
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             14%(b)          27%           27%          30%           9%        35%
===========================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                        **        41.023082     39.966728    22.656907    15.115753   10.000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                            2.069920      2.016621     2.730116      .638336     .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    (1.626696)    (1.584802)   (3.855326)    (.662388)    .072563
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.540059)     (.526156)    (.284172)    (.194977)   (.054768)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                                 40.926247     39.872391    21.247525    14.896724   10.017795
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                             0%            0%         (6)%         (1)%      0%(b)
===========================================================================================================

</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.

<PAGE>   19
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                        The BEST OF AMERICA(R) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  OPPBDFD         OPPGISEC         OPPMULT         STSPEC2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
<S>                           <C>               <C>             <C>             <C>
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $16.781326        11.411200       15.831164       18.071722
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.076598          .000000        1.203421         .849258
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.281316)        2.015955        1.231538        2.405366
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.220298)        (.160400)       (.220648)       (.253782)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $17.356310        13.266755       18.045475       21.072564
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               3%              16%             14%             17%
=============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $14.531774        11.307851       13.216172       14.551898
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.000174          .297358        1.064619         .752969
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       1.454423         (.045704)       1.742703        2.978530
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.205045)        (.148305)       (.192330)       (.211675)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $16.781326        11.411200       15.831164       18.071722
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              15%               1%            20%              24%
=============================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $15.013579        12.151882       13.655607       14.230988
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .845781          .214070         .695235         .407882
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)      (1.135198)        (.900281)       (.959283)        .103551
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.192388)        (.157820)       (.175387)       (.190523)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $14.531774        11.307851       13.216172       14.551898
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             (3)%             (7)%           (3)%               2%
=============================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    STDISC2       STINTSTK2          TCIBAL          TCIGRO            TCIINT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                      16.212409       10.226470       12.912980       25.074858         10.402550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                3.300022         .050935         .609851        2.810305           .247026
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        (3.176638)       1.007473         .954518       (3.881210)         1.239063
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges               (.206105)       (.144196)       (.177179)       (.326402)         (.143000)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                     16.129688       11.140682       14.300170       23.677551         11.745639
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               (1)%              9%             11%            (6)%               13%
=============================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                      12.143604       10.000000       10.801286       19.378026          9.392316
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                 .211635         .041084         .305744         .022298           .000000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)         4.041557         .209464        1.961261        5.972516          1.136498
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges               (.184387)       (.024078)       (.155311)       (.297982)         (.126264)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                     16.212409       10.226470       12.912980       25.074858         10.402550
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                34%           2%(b)             20%             29%               11%
=============================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                      13.003747          **           10.876699       19.864882         10.000000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                 .971108                         .260548         .002124           .000000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        (1.670219)                       (.194362)       (.235006)         (.554314)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges               (.161032)                       (.141599)       (.253974)         (.053370)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                     12.143604                       10.801286       19.378026          9.392316
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               (7)%                            (1)%            (2)%           (6)%(b)
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.

<PAGE>   20
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                        The BEST OF AMERICA(R) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                TCIVALUE     VEGOLDNR     VEWRLDBD   VEWRLDEMKT    VKACRESEC      WPINTEQ    WPPVENCAP    WPSMCOGR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.000000    13.944310    14.433345    10.000000    10.765351    10.661059    10.000000   12.430073
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .000000      .295267      .393026      .000000      .287350      .225703      .000000     .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .145460     2.214346     (.035238)     .080692     4.033978      .833419      .166646    1.720113
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.002895)    (.205724)    (.186852)    (.002862)    (.155376)    (.147887)    (.002874)   (.176297)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $10.142565    16.248199    14.604281    10.077830    14.931303    11.572294    10.163772   13.973889
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             1%(b)          17%           1%        1%(b)          39%           9%        2%(b)        12%
===================================================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                       **       $12.728311    12.465907       **        10.000000    10.000000       **       10.000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                            .125379     1.008457                   .091958      .077344                  .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    1.262065     1.139655                   .739393      .650502                 2.501564
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                          (.171445)    (.180674)                 (.066000)    (.066787)                (.071491)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                               $13.944310    14.433345                 10.765351    10.661059                12.430073
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                            10%          16%                     8%(b)        7%(b)                  24%(b)
===================================================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                       **       $13.544828    12.798654       **           **           **           **         **
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                            .068031      .051478
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                    (.711769)    (.222396)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                          (.172779)    (.161829)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                               $12.728311    12.465907
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                           (6)%          (3)%
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.


<PAGE>   21

                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                             The BEST OF AMERICA(R)
                     AMERICA'S VISION ANNUITY(SM) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                DRYGROINC      DRYSRGRO     DRYSTKIX     FIDVIPEI     FIDVIPGR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.000000     13.462638    13.549203    14.333670    13.458405
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .000000       .694830      .583832      .661147      .966633
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.010207)     2.141897     2.445129     1.368948     1.000033
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.003089)     (.208168)    (.209044)    (.213258)    (.204806)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $ 9.986704     16.091197    16.369120    16.150507    15.220265
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             0%(b)          20%          21%          13%          13%
===============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                       **        $10.146464    10.046079    10.760332    10.082986
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                             .370596      .359517      .841191      .055711
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     3.111650     3.310456     2.908537     3.491973
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.166072)    (.166849)    (.176390)    (.172265)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                                $13.462638    13.549203    14.333670    13.458405
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                            33%          35%          33%          33%
===============================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                       **        $10.138790    10.099271    10.192462    10.227729
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                             .261532      .282153      .764674      .615160
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     (.110944)    (.194528)    (.048662)    (.620912)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.142914)    (.140817)    (.148142)    (.138991)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value - Dec. 31              $10.146464    10.046079    10.760332    10.082986
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                             0%         (1)%           6%         (1)%
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 FIDVIPHI     FIDVIPOV      FIDVIPAM    FIDVIPCON    NSATCAPAP   NSATGVTBD
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    11.707151    11.394419     11.038610    11.065996    12.811228   11.196001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends              1.067306      .280317       .726101      .104260      .663900     .692273
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .563776     1.213612       .872284     2.233243     2.658151    (.308425)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.176096)    (.169420)     (.164265)    (.168424)    (.200504)   (.156518)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   13.162137    12.718928     12.472730    13.235075    15.932775   11.423331
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              12%          12%           13%          20%          24%         2%
==========================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                     9.844496    10.536141      9.571852    10.000000    10.044095    9.562079
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .712698      .080579       .201029      .142710      .569727     .676196
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       1.303393      .929853      1.408870      .998320     2.355148    1.104438
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.153436)    (.152154)     (.143141)    (.075034)    (.157742)   (.146712)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   11.707151    11.394419     11.038610    11.065996    12.811228   11.196001
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              19%           8%           15%       11%(b)          28%        17%
==========================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    10.140663    10.504149     10.337032       **        10.278752   10.021251
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .929117      .054214       .502389                   .162311     .628252
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)      (1.084223)     .130333     (1.127465)                 (.254834)   (.951262)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.141061)    (.152555)     (.140104)                 (.142134)   (.136162)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                    9.844496    10.536141      9.571852                 10.044095    9.562079
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             (3)%           0%          (7)%                      (2)%       (5)%
=========================================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.


<PAGE>   22
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                             The BEST OF AMERICA(R)
                     AMERICA'S VISION ANNUITY(SM) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                NSATMYMKT      NSATSMCO    NSATTOTRE     NBAMTGRO    NBAMTLMAT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.683538     11.408018    12.801951    12.286164    10.786223
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .542750       .133144      .852193     1.113872      .907105
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .000000      2.454868     1.920473      .000119     (.447926)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.154083)     (.180872)    (.196012)    (.179706)    (.153089)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $11.072205     13.815158    15.378605    13.220449    11.092313
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               4%           21%          20%           8%           3%
===============================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.254838     10.000000    10.057257     9.458916     9.860649
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .576257       .017456      .995563      .334560      .547347
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .000000      1.418186     1.910936     2.652367      .523785
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.147557)     (.027624)    (.161805)    (.159679)    (.145558)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $10.683538     11.408018    12.801951    12.286164    10.786223
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)                4%        14%(b)          27%          30%           9%
===============================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                   $10.011385        **        10.091256    10.096549    10.015749
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .385849                    .508763     1.216477      .422915
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .000000                   (.399693)   (1.717723)    (.438889)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.142396)                  (.143069)    (.136387)    (.139126)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                  $10.254838                  10.057257     9.458916     9.860649
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                2%                         0%         (6)%         (2)%
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                NBAMTPART      OPPBDFD      OPPGISEC      OPPMULT      STSPEC2     STDISC2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    13.474969    11.228877     10.479380    11.763879    13.287288   13.432714
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .548709      .719951       .000000      .893804      .624234    2.733315
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       3.403649     (.188311)     1.850267      .914532     1.767320   (2.631584)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.213357)    (.158726)     (.158642)    (.176576)    (.200949)   (.183898)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   17.213970    11.601791     12.171005    13.395639    15.477893   13.350547
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              28%           3%           16%          14%          16%       (1)%
==========================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    10.013591     9.733460     10.394970     9.830640    10.710138   10.071698
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .081808      .669514       .273289      .791531      .553997     .175352
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       3.546970      .973805      (.042048)    1.295766     2.190922    3.350345
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.167400)    (.147902)     (.146831)    (.154058)    (.167769)   (.164681)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   13.474969    11.228877     10.479380    11.763879    13.287288   13.432714
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value*(a)               35%          15%            1%          20%          24%        33%
==========================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    10.000000    10.066342     11.182167    10.167774    10.484543   10.796000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .000000      .566682       .196942      .517326      .300283     .805515
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .072593     (.760661)     (.827742)    (.713828)     .076473   (1.385836)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.059002)    (.138903)     (.156397)    (.140632)    (.151161)   (.143981)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   10.013591     9.733460     10.394970     9.830640    10.710138   10.071698
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)             0%(b)         (3)%          (7)%         (3)%           2%       (7)%
==========================================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.


<PAGE>   23
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                             The BEST OF AMERICA(R)
                     AMERICA'S VISION ANNUITY(SM) CONTRACTS
                      TAX QUALIFIED and NON-TAX QUALIFIED
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  STINTSTK2      TCIBAL     TCIGRO      TCIINT    TCIVALUE   VEGOLDNR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                     $10.224570   11.914266  12.792935   10.387676   10.000000  11.453100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                 .050894     .562489   1.433431     .246577     .000000    .242414
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)         1.007035     .880033  (1.979303)   1.236426     .145458   1.818253
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges               (.155247)   (.176049)  (.179337)   (.153778)   (.003118)  (.181973)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                    $11.127252   13.180739  12.067726   11.716901   10.142340  13.331794
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                 9%         11%       (6)%         13%       1%(b)        16%
======================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                     $10.000000    9.975959   9.896469    9.388381      **      10.464922
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                 .041077     .282199    .011387     .000000                .103018
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)          .209428    1.810577   3.048970    1.135219               1.036957
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges               (.025935)   (.154469)  (.163891)   (.135924)              (.151797)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                    $10.224570   11.914266  12.792935   10.387676              11.453100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              2%(b)         19%        29%         11%                     9%
======================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                         **      $10.055760  10.155359   10.000000      **      11.147499
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends                             .240728    .001086     .000000                .055957
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)                     (.179560)  (.120150)   (.554133)              (.585405)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges                           (.140969)  (.139826)   (.057486)              (.153129)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                                $ 9.975959   9.896469    9.388381              10.464922
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)                            (1)%       (3)%     (6)%(b)                   (6)%
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 VEWRLDBD  VEWRLDEMKT   VKACRESEC    WPLNTEQ   WPPVENCAP    WPSMCOGR
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>
1996
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    11.473340   10.000000   10.759998  10.655759   10.000000   12.423899
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .312292     .000000     .286935    .225373     .000000     .000000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.028284)    .080691    4.028984    .832826     .166644    1.718585
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.159952)   (.003083)   (.167221)  (.159186)   (.003095)   (.189766)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   11.597396   10.077608   14.908696  11.554772   10.163549   13.952718
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)               1%       1%(b)         39%         8%       2%(b)        12%
====================================================================================================
1995
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                     9.919400      **       10.000000  10.000000      **       10.000000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .802034                 .091916    .077309                 .000000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)        .906733                 .739173    .650383                2.500906
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.154827)               (.071091)  (.071933)               (.077007)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                   11.473340               10.759998  10.655759               12.423899
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              16%                   8%(b)      7%(b)                  24%(b)
====================================================================================================
1994
   Beginning unit value -
     Jan. 1                    10.194477      **          **         **          **         **
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Reinvested capital gains
     and dividends               .040987
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unrealized gain (loss)       (.177244)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Contract charges             (.138820)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Ending unit value -
     Dec. 31                    9.919400
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Percentage increase
     (decrease)
     in unit value* (a)              (3)%
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>


  *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

      (a) Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
          discussed in note 2; and

      (b) This investment option was not being utilized for the entire year
          indicated.

 **  This investment option was not being utilized or was not available.

See Note 3.




<PAGE>   57

<PAGE>   1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries (collectively the Company) as of December 31,
1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholder's
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996.  These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

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

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

In 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.

                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 31, 1997
<PAGE>   2





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

                           December 31, 1996 and 1995
                                ($000's omitted)

                                        Assets                                                1996               1995
                                        ------                                          -----------------   ----------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>                 <C>       
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9): 
   Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
      Fixed maturity securities (cost $11,970,878 in 1996; $11,862,556 in 1995)             $12,304,639          12,485,564
      Equity securities (cost $43,890 in 1996; $23,617 in 1995)                                  59,131              29,953
   Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                         5,272,119           4,602,764
   Real estate, net                                                                             265,759             229,442
   Policy loans                                                                                 371,816             336,356
   Other long-term investments                                                                   28,668              61,989
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                               4,789              32,792
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             18,306,921          17,778,860
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Cash                                                                                             43,784               9,455
Accrued investment income                                                                       210,182             212,963
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,366,509           1,020,356
Investment in subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (notes 1 and 2)                485,707             506,677
Other assets (note 6)                                                                           426,441             388,214
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                    26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================

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

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                           $17,179,060          16,358,614
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                           361,401             348,027
Other policyholder funds                                                                         60,073              65,297
Accrued federal income tax (note 7):
   Current                                                                                       30,170              35,301
   Deferred                                                                                     162,212             246,627
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                                192,382             281,928
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Dividend payable to shareholder (notes 1 and 2)                                                 485,707                   -
Other liabilities                                                                               423,047             234,147
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                            26,926,702          18,591,108
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             45,628,372          35,879,121
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------

Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 9 and 15)

Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13):
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000,000 shares, issued and
      outstanding 3,814,779 shares                                                                3,815               3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                   527,874             657,118
   Retained earnings                                                                          1,432,593           1,583,275
   Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net                                       173,592             384,304
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                              2,137,874           2,628,512
                                                                                        -----------------   ----------------
                                                                                            $47,766,246          38,507,633
                                                                                        =================   ================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   3


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        Consolidated Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995            1994
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>             <C>    
Revenues (note 16):
   Investment product and universal life insurance product policy charges       $   400,902        286,534         217,245
   Traditional life insurance premiums                                              198,642        199,106         176,658
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                 1,357,759      1,294,033       1,210,811
   Realized losses on investments  (note 5)                                            (326)        (1,724)        (16,527)
   Other income                                                                      35,861         20,702          11,312
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,992,838      1,798,651       1,599,499
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
Benefits and expenses:
   Benefits and claims                                                            1,160,580      1,115,493         992,667
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies (note 12)        40,973         39,937          38,754
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                133,394         82,695          85,568
   Other operating expenses (note 13)                                               342,394        272,954         240,652
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                  1,677,341      1,511,079       1,357,641
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations before federal income tax expense           315,497        287,572         241,858
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

Federal income tax expense (benefit) (note 7):
   Current                                                                          116,512         88,700          73,559
   Deferred                                                                          (5,623)        11,108           5,030
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
                                                                                    110,889         99,808          78,589
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------
      Income from continuing operations                                             204,608        187,764         163,269

Income from discontinued operations (less federal income tax expense of
   $4,453, $7,446 and $10,915 in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively) (note 2)         11,324         24,714          20,459
                                                                              ---------------  --------------  -------------

      Net income                                                                $   215,932        212,478         183,728
                                                                              ===============  ==============  =============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   4


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Unrealized
                                                                                           gains (losses)
                                                             Additional                    on securities        Total
                                                 Capital      paid-in        Retained      available-for-   shareholder's
                                                  shares      capital        earnings        sale, net          equity
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>             <C>               <C>      
1994:
   Balance, beginning of year                       $3,815      406,089       1,194,519             6,745       1,611,168
   Capital contribution                                  -      200,000               -                 -         200,000
   Net income                                            -            -         183,728                 -         183,728
   Adjustment for change in accounting for
      certain investments in debt and equity
      securities, net (note 4)                           -            -               -           212,553         212,553
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (338,971)       (338,971)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1995:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      606,089       1,378,247          (119,673)      1,868,478
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -       51,029               -            (4,111)         46,918
   Dividends to shareholder                              -            -          (7,450)                -          (7,450)
   Net income                                            -            -         212,478                 -         212,478
   Unrealized gains on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -           508,088         508,088
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

1996:
   Balance, beginning of year                        3,815      657,118       1,583,275           384,304       2,628,512
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        -           25               5                 -              30
   Dividends to shareholder                              -     (129,269)       (366,619)          (39,819)       (535,707)
   Net income                                            -            -         215,932                 -         215,932
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      -            -               -          (170,893)       (170,893)
                                                ----------- ------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------
   Balance, end of year                             $3,815      527,874       1,432,593           173,592       2,137,874
                                                =========== ============= =============== ================= ===============

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   5


               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       1996            1995            1994
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>             <C>    
  Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income                                                                    $    215,932        212,478         183,728
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
        activities:
           Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                         (422,572)      (321,327)       (242,431)
           Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            133,394         82,695          85,568
           Amortization and depreciation                                                  6,962         10,234           3,603
           Realized (gains) losses on invested assets, net                                 (284)         3,250          16,094
           Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)                                  7,603        (30,673)          9,946
           Decrease (increase) in accrued investment income                               2,781        (16,999)        (12,808)
           (Increase) decrease in other assets                                          (38,876)        39,880        (102,676)
           Increase in policy liabilities                                               305,755        135,937         118,361
           Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                             13,374         12,639          15,298
           (Decrease) increase in accrued federal income tax payable                     (5,131)        30,836          (5,714)
           Increase in other liabilities                                                188,900         26,851             506
           Other, net                                                                   (61,679)         1,832         (29,595)
                                                                                 ---------------  --------------- ---------------
              Net cash provided by operating activities                                 346,159        187,633          39,880
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from investing activities:
     Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                          1,162,766        634,553         544,843
     Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                                299,558        107,345         228,308
     Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -        564,450         491,862
     Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                          309,050        207,832         190,574
     Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                   18,519         48,331          46,713
     Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets          22,795         53,587         120,506
     Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                  (1,573,640)    (1,942,413)     (1,816,370)
     Cost of fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity acquired                              -       (593,636)       (410,379)
     Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                    (972,776)      (796,026)       (471,570)
     Cost of real estate acquired                                                        (7,862)       (10,928)         (6,385)
     Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                             (57,740)       (75,910)        (65,302)
     Short-term investments, net                                                         28,003         77,837         (89,376)
     Purchase of affiliate (note 13)                                                          -              -        (155,000)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------
              Net cash used in investing activities                                    (771,327)    (1,724,978)     (1,391,576)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- ---------------

  Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from capital contributions                                                     30              -         200,000
     Dividends paid to shareholder                                                      (50,000)        (7,450)              -
     Increase in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                      2,293,933      2,809,385       3,547,976
     Decrease in investment product and universal life insurance
        product account balances                                                     (1,784,466)    (1,258,758)     (2,412,595)
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------
              Net cash provided by financing activities                                 459,497      1,543,177       1,335,381
                                                                                ---------------- --------------- --------------

  Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                        34,329          5,832         (16,315)

                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, beginning of year                                                                 9,455          3,623          19,938
                                                                                 ---------------- --------------- ---------------
  Cash, end of year                                                               $      43,784          9,455           3,623
                                                                                 ================ =============== ===============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>   6




               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                        December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                ($000's omitted)

(1)      Organization and Description of Business
         ----------------------------------------

         Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
         of Nationwide Corporation (Nationwide Corp.). Wholly owned subsidiaries
         of NLIC include Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC),
         Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau and subsidiaries (ELICW),
         National Casualty Company (NCC), West Coast Life Insurance Company
         (WCLIC), Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. (formerly Nationwide
         Financial Services, Inc.), Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
         (formerly PEBSCO Securities Corporation) (NISC) and NWE, Inc. NLIC and
         its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as "the Company."

         Nationwide Corp. formed Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NFS) in
         November 1996 as a holding company for NLIC and the other companies of
         the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise that offer or distribute long-term
         savings and retirement products. On January 27, 1997, Nationwide Corp.
         contributed to NFS the common stock of NLIC and three marketing and
         distribution companies. NFS is planning an initial public offering of
         its Class A common stock during the first quarter of 1997.

         In anticipation of the restructuring described above, on September 24,
         1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend payable January 1,
         1997 to Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common
         stock of certain subsidiaries (ELICW, NCC and WCLIC) that do not offer
         or distribute long-term savings and retirement products. In addition,
         during 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and another affiliate effective January 1, 1996. These
         subsidiaries and all accident and health and group life insurance
         business have been accounted for as discontinued operations for all
         periods presented. See notes 2 and 13.

         In addition, as part of the restructuring described above, NLIC intends
         to make an $850,000 distribution to NFS which will then make an
         equivalent distribution to Nationwide Corp.

         The Company is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement
         products to retail and institutional customers and is subject to
         competition from other financial services providers throughout the
         United States. The Company is subject to regulation by the Insurance
         Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes periodic
         examinations by those departments.

         The following is a description of the most significant risks facing
         life insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:

              LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK is the risk that changes in the legal or
              regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create
              additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
              products. That is, regulatory initiatives, new legal theories or
              insurance company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments
              may create costs for the insurer beyond those currently recorded
              in the consolidated financial statements. The Company mitigates
              this risk by offering a wide range of products and by operating
              throughout the United States, thus reducing its exposure to any
              single product or jurisdiction, and also by employing underwriting
              practices which identify and minimize the adverse impact of this
              risk.

              CREDIT RISK is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the
              Company or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by
              the Company will default or that other parties, including
              reinsurers, which owe the Company money, will not pay. The Company
              minimizes this risk by adhering to a conservative investment
              strategy, by maintaining reinsurance and credit and collection
              policies and by providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.
<PAGE>   7



               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              INTEREST RATE RISK is the risk that interest rates will change and
              cause a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. This
              change in rates may cause certain interest-sensitive products to
              become uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation. The Company
              mitigates this risk by charging fees for non-conformance with
              certain policy provisions, by offering products that transfer this
              risk to the purchaser, and/or by attempting to match the maturity
              schedule of its assets with the expected payouts of its
              liabilities. To the extent that liabilities come due more quickly
              than assets mature, an insurer would have to borrow funds or sell
              assets prior to maturity and potentially recognize a gain or loss.

(2)      Discontinued Operations
         -----------------------

         As discussed in note 1, NFS is a holding company for NLIC and certain
         other companies that offer or distribute long-term savings and
         retirement products. Prior to the contribution by Nationwide Corp. to
         NFS of the outstanding common stock of NLIC and other companies, NLIC
         effected certain transactions with respect to certain subsidiaries and
         lines of business that were unrelated to long-term savings and
         retirement products.

         On September 24, 1996, NLIC's Board of Directors declared a dividend to
         Nationwide Corp. consisting of the outstanding shares of common stock
         of three subsidiaries: ELICW, NCC and WCLIC. ELICW writes group
         accident and health and group life insurance business and maintains it
         offices in Wausau, Wisconsin. NCC is a property and casualty company
         that serves as a fronting company for a property and casualty
         subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC), an affiliate.
         NCC maintains its offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. WCLIC writes high
         dollar term life insurance policies and is located in San Francisco,
         California. ELICW, NCC and WCLIC have been accounted for as
         discontinued operations for all periods presented. NLIC did not
         recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of these subsidiaries.

         A summary of the combined results of operations, including the results
         of the accident and health and group life insurance business ELICW
         assumed from NLIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of ELICW, NCC and
         WCLIC as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is
         as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

               <S>                                                               <C>             <C>           <C>   
               Revenues                                                          $   668,870       422,149        84,226
               Net income                                                             11,324        26,456        11,753
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                         3,029,293     2,967,326     2,537,692
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims     2,543,586     2,460,649     2,179,263
</TABLE>

         During 1996, NLIC entered into two reinsurance agreements whereby all
         of NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business was
         ceded to ELICW and NMIC, effective January 1, 1996. See note 13 for a
         complete discussion of the reinsurance agreements. NLIC has
         discontinued its accident and health and group life insurance business
         and in connection therewith has entered into reinsurance agreements to
         cede all existing and any future writings to other affiliated companies
         and will cease writing any new business prior to December 31, 1997.
         NLIC's accident and health and group life insurance business is
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         NLIC did not recognize any gain or loss on the disposal of the accident
         and health and group life insurance business. The assets, liabilities,
         results of operations and activities of discontinued operations are
         distinguished physically, operationally and for financial reporting
         purposes from the remaining assets, liabilities, results of operations
         and activities of NLIC.
<PAGE>   8
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         A summary of the results of operations, net of amounts ceded to ELICW
         and NMIC in 1996, and assets and liabilities of NLIC's accident and
         health and group life insurance business as of and for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>           <C>    
               Revenues                                                             $      -       354,788       362,476
               Net income (loss)                                                           -        (1,742)        8,706
               Assets, consisting primarily of investments                           259,185       239,426       234,082
               Liabilities, consisting primarily of policy benefits and claims       259,185       239,426       234,082
</TABLE>

(3)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
         ------------------------------------------

         The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
         materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
         accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which
         differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
         regulatory authorities. Annual Statements for NLIC and its insurance
         subsidiaries, filed with the department of insurance of each insurance
         company's state of domicile, are prepared on the basis of accounting
         practices prescribed or permitted by each department. Prescribed
         statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of the
         National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as
         state laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted
         statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not
         so prescribed. The Company has no material permitted statutory
         accounting practices.

         In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is
         required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
         amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent
         assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial
         statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the
         reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those
         estimates.

         The most significant estimates include those used in determining
         deferred policy acquisition costs, valuation allowances for mortgage
         loans on real estate and real estate investments and the liability for
         future policy benefits and claims. Although some variability is
         inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided
         are adequate.

         (a)  Consolidation Policy
              --------------------

              The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NLIC
              and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Subsidiaries that are
              classified and reported as discontinued operations are not
              consolidated but rather are reported as "Investment in
              Subsidiaries Classified as Discontinued Operations" in the
              accompanying consolidated balance sheets and "Income for
              Discontinued Operations" in the accompanying consolidated
              statements of income. All significant intercompany balances and
              transactions have been eliminated.

         (b)  Valuation of Investments and Related Gains and Losses
              -----------------------------------------------------

              The Company is required to classify its fixed maturity securities
              and equity securities as either held-to-maturity,
              available-for-sale or trading. Fixed maturity securities are
              classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive
              intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity and are
              stated at amortized cost. Fixed maturity securities not classified
              as held-to-maturity and all equity securities are classified as
              available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, with the
              unrealized gains and losses, net of adjustments to deferred policy
              acquisition costs and deferred federal income tax, reported as a
              separate component of shareholder's equity. The adjustment to
              deferred policy acquisition costs represents the change in
              amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs that would have
              been required as a charge or credit to operations had such
              unrealized amounts been realized. The Company has no fixed
              maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity or trading as
              of December 31, 1996 or 1995.
<PAGE>   9
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued



              Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at the unpaid principal
              balance less valuation allowances. The Company provides valuation
              allowances for impairments of mortgage loans on real estate based
              on a review by portfolio managers. The measurement of impaired
              loans is based on the present value of expected future cash flows
              discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a
              practical expedient, at the fair value of the collateral, if the
              loan is collateral dependent. Loans in foreclosure and loans
              considered to be impaired are placed on non-accrual status.
              Interest received on non-accrual status mortgage loans on real
              estate are included in interest income in the period received.

              Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and
              valuation allowances. Other long-term investments are carried on
              the equity basis, adjusted for valuation allowances. Impairment
              losses are recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
              indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash
              flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the
              assets' carrying amount.

              Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are
              determined on the basis of specific security identification.
              Estimates for valuation allowances and other than temporary
              declines are included in realized gains and losses on investments.

         (c)  Revenues and Benefits
              ---------------------

              INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS:
              Investment products consist primarily of individual and group
              variable and fixed annuities, annuities without life contingencies
              and guaranteed investment contracts. Universal life insurance
              products include universal life insurance, variable universal life
              insurance and other interest-sensitive life insurance policies.
              Revenues for investment products and universal life insurance
              products consist of net investment income, asset fees, cost of
              insurance, policy administration and surrender charges that have
              been earned and assessed against policy account balances during
              the period. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense
              include interest credited to policy account balances and benefits
              and claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy
              account balances.

              TRADITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Traditional life insurance
              products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums
              and benefits and consist primarily of whole life insurance,
              limited-payment life insurance, term life insurance and certain
              annuities with life contingencies. Premiums for traditional life
              insurance products are recognized as revenue when due. Benefits
              and expenses are associated with earned premiums so as to result
              in recognition of profits over the life of the contract. This
              association is accomplished by the provision for future policy
              benefits and the deferral and amortization of policy acquisition
              costs.

              ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS: Accident and health
              insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms of the
              policies. Policy claims are charged to expense in the period that
              the claims are incurred. All accident and health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (d)  Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
              ---------------------------------

              The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
              certain expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department
              and certain variable agency expenses have been deferred. For
              investment products and universal life insurance products,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are being amortized with
              interest over the lives of the policies in relation to the present
              value of estimated future gross profits from projected interest
              margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy administration and
              surrender charges. For years in which gross profits are negative,
              deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on the
              present value of gross revenues. For traditional life products,
              these deferred policy acquisition costs are predominantly being
              amortized with interest over the premium paying period of the
              related policies in proportion to the ratio of actual annual
              premium revenue to the anticipated total premium revenue. Such
              anticipated premium revenue was estimated using the same
              assumptions as were used for computing liabilities for future
              policy benefits. Deferred policy acquisition costs are adjusted to
              reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed
              maturity securities available-for-sale as described in note 3(b).
<PAGE>   10

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         (e)  Separate Accounts
              -----------------

              Separate Account assets and liabilities represent contractholders'
              funds which have been segregated into accounts with specific
              investment objectives. The investment income and gains or losses
              of these accounts accrue directly to the contractholders. The
              activity of the Separate Accounts is not reflected in the
              consolidated statements of income and cash flows except for the
              fees the Company receives.

         (f)  Future Policy Benefits
              ----------------------

              Future policy benefits for investment products in the accumulation
              phase, universal life insurance and variable universal life
              insurance policies have been calculated based on participants'
              contributions plus interest credited less applicable contract
              charges.

              Future policy benefits for traditional life insurance policies
              have been calculated using a net level premium method based on
              estimates of mortality, morbidity, investment yields and
              withdrawals which were used or which were being experienced at the
              time the policies were issued, rather than the assumptions
              prescribed by state regulatory authorities. See note 6.

              Future policy benefits and claims for collectively renewable
              long-term disability policies and group long-term disability
              policies are the present value of amounts not yet due on reported
              claims and an estimate of amounts to be paid on incurred but
              unreported claims. The impact of reserve discounting is not
              material. Future policy benefits and claims on other group health
              insurance policies are not discounted. All health insurance
              business is accounted for as discontinued operations. See note 2.

         (g)  Participating Business
              ----------------------

              Participating business represents approximately 52% in 1996 (54%
              in 1995 and 55% in 1994) of the Company's life insurance in force,
              78% in 1996 (79% in 1995 and 79% in 1994) of the number of life
              insurance policies in force, and 40% in 1996 (47% in 1995 and 51%
              in 1994) of life insurance premiums. The provision for
              policyholder dividends is based on current dividend scales. Future
              dividends are provided for ratably in future policy benefits based
              on dividend scales in effect at the time the policies were issued.

         (h)  Federal Income Tax
              ------------------

              The Company, with the exception of ELICW, files a consolidated
              federal income tax return with NMIC, the majority shareholder of
              Nationwide Corp. The members of the consolidated tax return group
              have a tax sharing arrangement which provides, in effect, for each
              member to bear essentially the same federal income tax liability
              as if separate tax returns were filed. Through 1994, ELICW filed a
              consolidated federal income tax return with Employers Insurance of
              Wausau A Mutual Company, an affiliate. Beginning in 1995, ELICW
              files a separate federal income tax return.

              The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting
              for income tax. Under this method, deferred tax assets and
              liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
              attributable to differences between the financial statement
              carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
              respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
              carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
              using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
              years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
              recovered or settled. Under this method, the effect on deferred
              tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
              in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
              Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the
              deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
<PAGE>   11
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         (i)  Reinsurance Ceded
              -----------------
  
              Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits
              and claims incurred are deducted from the respective income and
              expense accounts. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance
              ceded are reported on a gross basis. All of the Company's accident
              and health and group life insurance business is ceded to
              affiliates and is accounted for as discontinued operations. See
              notes 2 and 13.

         (j)  Reclassification
              ----------------

              Certain items in the 1995 and 1994 consolidated financial
              statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1996
              presentation.


(4)      Change in Accounting Principle
         ------------------------------

         Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of accounting
         for certain investments in debt and equity securities in connection
         with the issuance of STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (SFAS)
         NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY
         SECURITIES. As of January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed
         maturity securities with amortized cost and fair value of $6,299,665
         and $6,721,714, respectively, as available-for-sale and recorded the
         securities at fair value. Previously, these securities were recorded at
         amortized cost. The effect as of January 1, 1994 has been recorded as a
         direct credit to shareholder's equity as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             <S>                                                                     <C>    
             Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
                securities available-for-sale                                         $ 422,049
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                            (95,044)
             Deferred federal income tax                                               (114,452)
                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                      $ 212,553
                                                                                    ==============
</TABLE>


(5)      Investments
         -----------

         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                  ------------    ----------    -----------    -----------  
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>    
             1996:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   275,696         4,795        (1,340)        279,151
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        6,242           450            (2)          6,690
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         100,656         2,141          (857)        101,940
                 Corporate securities                                7,999,310       285,946       (33,686)      8,251,570
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,588,974        91,438       (15,124)      3,665,288
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,970,878       384,770       (51,009)     12,304,639
               Equity securities                                        43,890        15,571          (330)         59,131
                                                                   ------------    ----------   ------------   ------------ 
                                                                   $12,014,768       400,341       (51,339)     12,363,770
                                                                   ============    ==========   ============   ============ 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   12
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
         available-for-sale were as follows as of December 31, 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Gross         Gross
                                                                    Amortized     unrealized    unrealized     Estimated
                                                                      cost           gains        losses       fair value
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>              <C>         <C>    
             1995:
               Fixed maturity securities:
                 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of 
                   U.S. government corporations and agencies       $   310,186        12,764           (1)         322,949
                 Obligations of states and political subdivisions        8,655         1,205           (1)           9,859
                 Debt securities issued by foreign governments         101,414         4,387          (66)         105,735
                 Corporate securities                                7,888,440       473,681      (25,742)       8,336,379
                 Mortgage-backed securities                          3,553,861       165,169       (8,388)       3,710,642
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                     Total fixed maturity securities                11,862,556       657,206      (34,198)      12,485,564
               Equity securities                                        23,617         6,382          (46)          29,953
                                                                   ------------    ----------   -----------  ---------------
                                                                   $11,886,173       663,588      (34,244)      12,515,517
                                                                   ============    ==========   ===========  ===============
</TABLE>


         The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity
         securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 1996, by contractual
         maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from
         contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or
         prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              
                                                                                   Amortized        Estimated
                                                                                      cost          fair value
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                
<S>                                                                             <C>                    <C>                 
             Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
                Due in one year or less                                         $     440,235          444,214
                Due after one year through five years                               3,937,010        4,053,152
                Due after five years through ten years                              2,809,813        2,871,806
                Due after ten years                                                 1,194,846        1,270,179
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                    8,381,904        8,639,351

             Mortgage-backed securities                                             3,588,974        3,665,288
                                                                                ---------------   --------------
                                                                                  $11,970,878       12,304,639
                                                                                ===============   ==============
</TABLE>


         The components of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale,
         net, were as follows as of December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996            1995
                                                                              ---------------  --------------

             <S>                                                                  <C>              <C>    
             Gross unrealized gains                                               $349,002         629,344
             Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                       (81,939)       (138,914)
             Deferred federal income tax                                           (93,471)       (171,649)
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                   173,592         318,781

             Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net, of
                subsidiaries classified as discontinued operations (note 2)              -          65,523
                                                                              ---------------  --------------
                                                                                  $173,592         384,304
                                                                              ===============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   13
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of the change in gross unrealized gains (losses) on
         securities available-for-sale and fixed maturity securities
         held-to-maturity follows for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995            1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
             <S>                                                     <C>               <C>            <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                               $(289,247)         876,332       (675,373)
                Equity securities                                           8,905              (26)        (1,927)
             Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                         -           75,626       (398,183)
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                                                                        $(280,342)         951,932     (1,075,483)
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $299,558, $107,345 and $228,308, respectively.
         During 1996, gross gains of $6,606 ($4,838 and $3,045 in 1995 and 1994,
         respectively) and gross losses of $6,925 ($2,147 and $21,280 in 1995
         and 1994, respectively) were realized on those sales.

         During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities
         classified as held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $25,429 to
         available-for-sale securities due to evidence of a significant
         deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness. The transfer of those
         fixed maturity securities resulted in a gross unrealized loss of
         $3,535.

         As permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Special
         Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR
         CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, issued in November
         1995 the Company transferred all of its fixed maturity securities
         previously classified as held-to-maturity to available-for-sale. As of
         December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the fixed maturity securities
         had amortized cost of $3,320,093, resulting in a gross unrealized gain
         of $155,940.

         Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
         preceding December 31, 1996 amounted to $26,805 ($27,712 in 1995) and
         consisted of $248 ($6,982 in 1995) in fixed maturity securities,
         $20,633 ($14,740 in 1995) in real estate and $5,924 ($5,990 in 1995) in
         other long-term investments.

         Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of
         $30,338 as of December 31, 1996 ($30,482 as of December 31, 1995) and
         valuation allowances of $15,219 as of December 31, 1996 ($25,819 as of
         December 31, 1995).

         The recorded investment of mortgage loans on real estate considered to
         be impaired (under SFAS NO. 114 - ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR
         IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN as amended by SFAS NO. 118 - ACCOUNTING BY
         CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN-INCOME RECOGNITION AND DISCLOSURE)
         as of December 31, 1996 was $51,765 ($44,409 as of December 31, 1995),
         which includes $41,663 ($23,975 as of December 31, 1995) of impaired
         mortgage loans on real estate for which the related valuation allowance
         was $8,485 ($5,276 as of December 31, 1995) and $10,102 ($20,434 as of
         December 31, 1995) of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which
         there was no valuation allowance. During 1996, the average recorded
         investment in impaired mortgage loans on real estate was approximately
         $39,674 ($22,181 in 1995) and interest income recognized on those loans
         was $2,103 ($387 in 1995), which is equal to interest income recognized
         using a cash-basis method of income recognition.

         Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real
         estate is summarized for the years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   1996           1995
                                                                               -------------  --------------

<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>   
             Allowance, beginning of year                                          $49,128         46,381
                  Additions charged to operations                                    4,497          7,433
                  Direct write-downs charged against the allowance                  (2,587)        (4,686)
                                                                               -------------  -------------  
             Allowance, end of year                                                $51,038         49,128
                                                                               =============  ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   14

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the
         years ended December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          1996             1995           1994
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ------------
        <S>                                                           <C>              <C>            <C>          
             Gross investment income:
                 Securities available-for-sale:
                   Fixed maturity securities                          $   917,135          685,787        647,927
                   Equity securities                                        1,291            1,330            509
                 Fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity                     -          201,808        185,938
                 Mortgage loans on real estate                            432,815          395,478        372,734
                 Real estate                                               44,332           38,344         40,170
                 Short-term investments                                     4,155           10,576          6,141
                 Other                                                      3,998            7,239          2,121
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  --------------
                       Total investment income                          1,403,726        1,340,562      1,255,540
             Less investment expenses                                      45,967           46,529         44,729
                                                                     ---------------   -------------  ---------------  
                       Net investment income                           $1,357,759        1,294,033      1,210,811
                                                                     ===============   =============  ==============
</TABLE>

         An analysis of realized gains (losses) on investments, net of valuation
         allowances, by investment type follows for the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996          1995          1994
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------
        <S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>    
             Securities available-for-sale:
                Fixed maturity securities                              $(3,462)        4,213        (7,296)
                Equity securities                                        3,143         3,386         1,422
             Mortgage loans on real estate                              (4,115)       (7,091)      (20,446)
             Real estate and other                                       4,108        (2,232)        9,793
                                                                     ------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                                      $   (326)       (1,724)      (16,527)
                                                                     ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>

         Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $6,161 and $5,592
         as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were on deposit with
         various regulatory agencies as required by law.

(6)      Future Policy Benefits and Claims
         ---------------------------------

         The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts
         represents approximately 87% and 87% of the total liability for future
         policy benefits as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
         average interest rate credited on investment product policies was
         approximately 6.3%, 6.6% and 6.5% for the years ended December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

         The liability for future policy benefits for traditional life insurance
         policies has been established based upon the following assumptions:

              Interest rates:  Interest rates vary as follows:
              --------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                   Year of issue                Interest rates
                   -----------------   ----------------------------------------

                   <S>                <C>                
                   1996                6.6%, not graded
                   1984-1995           6.0% to 10.5%, not graded
                   1966-1983           6.0% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4.0% to 6.6%
                   1965 and prior      generally lower than post 1965 issues

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   15
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              WITHDRAWALS: Rates, which vary by issue age, type of coverage
              and policy duration, are based on Company experience.

              MORTALITY: Mortality and morbidity rates are based on
              published tables, modified for the Company's actual
              experience.

         The Company has entered into a reinsurance contract to cede a portion
         of its general account individual annuity business to The Franklin Life
         Insurance Company (Franklin). Total recoveries due from Franklin were
         $240,451 and $245,255 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
         The contract is immaterial to the Company's results of operations. The
         ceding of risk does not discharge the original insurer from its primary
         obligation to the policyholder. Under the terms of the contract,
         Franklin has established a trust as collateral for the recoveries. The
         trust assets are invested in investment grade securities, the market
         value of which must at all times be greater than or equal to 102% of
         the reinsured reserves.

         The Company has reinsurance agreements with certain affiliates as
         described in note 13. All other reinsurance agreements are not material
         to either premiums or reinsurance recoverables.

(7)      Federal Income Tax
         -------------------

         The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
         components of the net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 1996
         and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996               1995
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
            <S>                                                         <C>                 <C>    
             Deferred tax assets:
                Future policy benefits                                        $175,571            149,192
                Liabilities in Separate Accounts                               188,426            129,120
                Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                   23,366             25,165
                Other policyholder funds                                         7,407              7,424
                Other assets and other liabilities                              53,757             41,847
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax assets                              448,527            352,748
                  Less valuation allowances                                     (7,000)            (7,000)
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Net deferred tax assets                                      441,527            345,748
                                                                        =================   ===============

             Deferred tax liabilities:
                Deferred policy acquisition costs                              399,345            299,579
                Fixed maturity securities                                      133,210            227,345
                Deferred tax on realized investment gains                       37,597             40,634
                Equity securities and other long-term investments                8,210              3,780
                Other                                                           25,377             21,037
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                  Total gross deferred tax liabilities                         603,739            592,375
                                                                        -----------------   ---------------
                                                                              $162,212            246,627
                                                                        =================   ===============
</TABLE>

         In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
         considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the
         total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. Nearly all future
         deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery
         of federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. There
         has been no change in the valuation allowance for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
<PAGE>   16

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Total federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S.
         federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                1996                    1995                    1994
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
                                                      Amount        %          Amount        %          Amount        %
                                                   ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------

             <S>                                      <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C> 
             Computed (expected) tax expense          $110,424     35.0        $100,650     35.0         $84,650     35.0
             Tax exempt interest and dividends
                received deduction                        (212)    (0.1)            (18)    (0.0)           (130)    (0.1)
             Other, net                                    677      0.3            (824)    (0.3)         (5,931)    (2.5)
                                                   ------------  --------   ------------- --------   ------------- --------
               Total (effective rate of each year)    $110,889     35.2       $  99,808     34.7         $78,589     32.5
                                                   ============  ========   ============= ========   ============= ========
</TABLE>

         Total federal  income tax paid was $115,839,  $51,840 and $83,239  
         during the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994, 
         respectively.


 (8)     Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
         -----------------------------------------------------

         SFAS NO. 107 - DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
         (SFAS 107) requires disclosure of fair value information about existing
         on and off-balance sheet financial instruments. SFAS 107 defines the
         fair value of a financial instrument as the amount at which the
         financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction
         between willing parties. In cases where quoted market prices are not
         available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or
         other valuation techniques.

         These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used,
         including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows.
         Although fair value estimates are calculated using assumptions that
         management believes are appropriate, changes in assumptions could cause
         these estimates to vary materially. In that regard, the derived fair
         value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent
         markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in the immediate
         settlement of the instruments. SFAS 107 excludes certain assets and
         liabilities from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the
         aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying
         value of the Company.

         Although insurance contracts, other than policies such as annuities
         that are classified as investment contracts, are specifically exempted
         from SFAS 107 disclosures, estimated fair value of policy reserves on
         life insurance contracts is provided to make the fair value disclosures
         more meaningful.

         The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can
         have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been
         considered in the estimates.

         The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
         estimating its fair value disclosures:

              CASH, SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS: The carrying amount
              reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
              approximates their fair value.

              FIXED MATURITY AND EQUITY SECURITIES: Fair value for fixed
              maturity securities is based on quoted market prices, where
              available. For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair
              value is estimated using values obtained from independent pricing
              services or, in the case of private placements, is estimated by
              discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
              applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the
              investments. The fair value for equity securities is based on
              quoted market prices.

              SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: The fair value of assets
              held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. The
              fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
              amount payable on demand, which includes certain surrender
              charges.
<PAGE>   17
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


              MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE: The fair value for mortgage loans
              on real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses,
              using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to
              borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar
              characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
              Fair value for mortgages in default is the estimated fair value of
              the underlying collateral.

              INVESTMENT CONTRACTS: Fair value for the Company's liabilities
              under investment type contracts is disclosed using two methods.
              For investment contracts without defined maturities, fair value is
              the amount payable on demand. For investment contracts with known
              or determined maturities, fair value is estimated using discounted
              cash flow analyses. Interest rates used are similar to currently
              offered contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining
              for the contracts being valued.

              POLICY RESERVES ON LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS: Included are
              disclosures for individual life insurance, universal life
              insurance and supplementary contracts with life contingencies for
              which the estimated fair value is the amount payable on demand.
              Also included are disclosures for the Company's limited payment
              policies, which the Company has used discounted cash flow analyses
              similar to those used for investment contracts with known
              maturities to estimate fair value.

              POLICYHOLDERS' DIVIDEND ACCUMULATIONS AND OTHER POLICYHOLDER
              FUNDS: The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance
              sheets for these instruments approximates their fair value.

              COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT: Commitments to extend credit have
              nominal fair value because of the short-term nature of such
              commitments. See note 9.

           Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
           subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts
           were as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           1996                            1995
                                                             ------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                                Carrying      Estimated          Carrying       Estimated
                                                                 amount       fair value          amount        fair value
                                                             ------------------------------   --------------- ---------------
               <S>                                             <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>       
               Assets
               ------
               Investments:
                  Securities available-for-sale:
                     Fixed maturity securities                 $12,304,639     12,304,639        12,485,564      12,485,564
                     Equity securities                              59,131         59,131            29,953          29,953
                  Mortgage loans on real estate, net             5,272,119      5,397,865         4,602,764       4,961,655
                  Policy loans                                     371,816        371,816           336,356         336,356
                  Short-term investments                             4,789          4,789            32,792          32,792
               Cash                                                 43,784         43,784             9,455           9,455
               Assets held in Separate Accounts                 26,926,702     26,926,702        18,591,108      18,591,108

               Liabilities
               -----------
               Investment contracts                             13,914,441     13,484,526        13,229,360      12,876,798
               Policy reserves on life insurance contracts       2,971,337      2,775,991         2,836,323       2,733,486
               Policyholders' dividend accumulations               361,401        361,401           348,027         348,027
               Other policyholder funds                             60,073         60,073            65,297          65,297
               Liabilities related to Separate Accounts         26,926,702     26,164,213        18,591,108      18,052,362
</TABLE>

(9)      Additional Financial Instruments Disclosures
         --------------------------------------------
         
         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK: The Company is a
         party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
         normal course of business through management of its investment
         portfolio. These financial instruments include commitments to extend
         credit in the form of loans. These instruments involve, to varying
         degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized on the
         consolidated balance sheets.
<PAGE>   18
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are
         agreements to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions
         established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed
         expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment
         of a deposit. Commitments extended by the Company are based on
         management's case-by-case credit evaluation of the borrower and the
         borrower's loan collateral. The underlying mortgage property represents
         the collateral if the commitment is funded. The Company's policy for
         new mortgage loans on real estate is to lend no more than 75% of
         collateral value. Should the commitment be funded, the Company's
         exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower
         is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments less the
         net realizable value of the collateral. The contractual amounts also
         represent the cash requirements for all unfunded commitments.
         Commitments on mortgage loans on real estate of $327,456 extending into
         1997 were outstanding as of December 31, 1996.

         SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK: The Company grants mainly
         commercial mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the
         United States. The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more
         than 21% (20% in 1995) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2%
         in 1995) with any one borrower as of December 31, 1996.

         The Company had a significant reinsurance recoverable balance from one
         reinsurer as of December 31, 1996 and 1995. See note 6.

         The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Apartment
                                                Office       Warehouse         Retail         & other           Total
                                              ------------  -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------
              <S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>                 
               1996:
                 East North Central             $139,518        119,069         549,064         215,038        1,022,689
                 East South Central               33,267         22,252         172,968          90,623          319,110
                 Mountain                         17,972         43,027         113,292          73,390          247,681
                 Middle Atlantic                 129,077         54,046         160,833          18,498          362,454
                 New England                      33,348         43,581         161,960               -          238,889
                 Pacific                         202,562        325,046         424,295         110,108        1,062,011
                 South Atlantic                  103,889        134,492         482,934         385,185        1,106,500
                 West North Central              126,467          2,441          75,180          40,529          244,617
                 West South Central              104,877        120,314         197,090         304,256          726,537
                                              -------------   -------------   -------------   --------------  ------------
                                                $890,977        864,268       2,337,616       1,237,627        5,330,488
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            58,369
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $5,272,119
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 <S>                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>    
               1995:
                 East North Central             $138,965        101,925         514,995         175,213          931,098
                 East South Central               21,329         13,053         180,858          82,383          297,623
                 Mountain                              -         17,219         138,220          45,274          200,713
                 Middle Atlantic                 116,187         64,813         158,252          10,793          350,045
                 New England                       9,559         39,525         148,449               1          197,534
                 Pacific                         183,206        233,186         374,915         105,419          896,726
                 South Atlantic                  106,246         73,541         446,800         278,265          904,852
                 West North Central              133,899         14,205          78,065          36,651          262,820
                 West South Central               69,140         92,594         190,299         267,268          619,301
                                              ------------  ------------    -------------   -------------   --------------
                                                $778,531        650,061       2,230,853       1,001,267        4,660,712
                                              ============  =============   =============   =============
                    Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                            57,948
                                                                                                            --------------
                         Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                             $4,602,764
                                                                                                            ==============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   19
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(10)     Pension Plan
         ------------

         The Company is a participant, together with other affiliated companies,
         in a pension plan covering all employees who have completed at least
         one thousand hours of service within a twelve-month period and who have
         met certain age requirements. Benefits are based upon the highest
         average annual salary of a specified number of consecutive years of the
         last ten years of service. The Company funds pension costs accrued for
         direct employees plus an allocation of pension costs accrued for
         employees of affiliates whose work efforts benefit the Company.

         Effective January 1, 1995, the plan was amended to provide enhanced
         benefits for participants who met certain eligibility requirements and
         elected early retirement no later than March 15, 1995. The entire cost
         of the enhanced benefit was borne by NMIC and certain of its property
         and casualty insurance company affiliates.

         Effective December 31, 1995, the Nationwide Insurance Companies and
         Affiliates Retirement Plan was merged with the Farmland Mutual
         Insurance Company Employees' Retirement Plan and the Wausau Insurance
         Companies Pension Plan to form the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan. Immediately prior to the merger, the plans were
         amended to provide consistent benefits for service after January 1,
         1996. These amendments had no significant impact on the accumulated
         benefit obligation or projected benefit obligation as of December 31,
         1995.

         Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years
         ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $7,381, $10,478 and
         $10,063, respectively.

         The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1996 and
         1995 was $1,075 and $1,392, respectively.

         The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
         Retirement Plan as a whole for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for
         the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement Plan as a
         whole for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                    <C>                  <C>               <C>   
              Service cost (benefits earned during the period)       $   75,466           64,524            64,740
              Interest cost on projected benefit obligation             105,511           95,283            73,951
              Actual return on plan assets                             (210,583)        (249,294)          (21,495)
              Net amortization and deferral                             101,795          143,353           (62,150)
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                     $   72,189           53,866            55,046
                                                                   ===============  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>


         Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                                   ---------------  ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                           6.00%            7.50%             5.75%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels           4.25%            6.25%             4.50%
              Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets         6.75%            8.75%             7.00%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   20
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
         Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1996 and 1995
         follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
              <S>                                                          <C>               <C>      
              Accumulated benefit obligation:
                 Vested                                                      $1,338,554         1,236,730
                 Nonvested                                                       11,149            26,503
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                             $1,349,703         1,263,233
                                                                           ===============   ===============

              Net accrued pension expense:
                 Projected benefit obligation for services rendered to       
                    date                                                     $1,847,828         1,780,616
                 Plan assets at fair value                                    1,947,933         1,738,004
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                    Plan assets in excess of (less than) projected benefit
                       obligation                                               100,105           (42,612)
                 Unrecognized prior service cost                                 37,870            42,845
                 Unrecognized net gains                                        (201,952)          (63,130)
                 Unrecognized net asset at transition                            37,158            41,305
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $   (26,819)          (21,592)
                                                                           ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------   ---------------

              <S>                                                              <C>               <C>  
              Weighted average discount rate                                   6.50%             6.00%
              Rate of increase in future compensation levels                   4.75%             4.25%
</TABLE>

         Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are
         invested in group annuity contracts of NLIC and ELICW.

(11)     Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
         -------------------------------------------

         In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
         with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care
         defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and
         health care benefits are contributory and generally available to full
         time employees who have attained age 55 and have accumulated 15 years
         of service with the Company after reaching age 40. Postretirement
         health care benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain
         cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition,
         there are caps on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of
         the postretirement health care benefits. These caps can increase
         annually, but not more than three percent. The Company's policy is to
         fund the cost of health care benefits in amounts determined at the
         discretion of management. Plan assets are invested primarily in group
         annuity contracts of NLIC.

         The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
         postretirement benefit obligation; however, certain affiliated
         companies elected to amortize their initial transition obligation over
         periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.

         The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995 was $34,884 and $33,537, respectively, and the net
         periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1996, 1995 and 1994
         was $3,286, $3,132 and $4,284, respectively.
<PAGE>   21
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

            <S>                                                                       <C>              <C>           <C>  
             Service cost (benefits attributed to employee service during the year)   $  6,541         6,235         8,586
             Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation             13,679        14,151        14,011
             Actual return on plan assets                                               (4,348)       (2,657)       (1,622)
             Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates              173         2,966           568
             Net amortization and deferral                                               1,830        (1,619)        1,622
                                                                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                       $17,875        19,076        23,165
                                                                                     ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

         Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             1996              1995
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>   
             Accrued postretirement benefit expense:
                Retirees                                                                  $   92,954            88,680
                Fully eligible, active plan participants                                      23,749            28,793
                Other active plan participants                                                83,986            90,375
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                      200,689           207,848
                Plan assets at fair value                                                     63,044            54,325
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                   Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation      (137,645)         (153,523)
                Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                               1,654             1,827
                Unrecognized net gains                                                       (23,225)           (1,038)
                                                                                        ---------------   ---------------
                                                                                           $(159,216)         (152,734)
                                                                                        ===============   ===============
</TABLE>

         Actuarial  assumptions  used for the  measurement  of the APBO as of 
         December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the NPPBC for 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 
         as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1996          1996         1995         1995         1994
                                                      APBO         NPPBC         APBO        NPPBC         NPPBC
                                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
             <S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>  

             Discount rate                            7.25%         6.65%        6.75%        8.00%        7.00%
             Long-term rate of return on plan
                 assets, net of tax                     -           4.80%         -           8.00%         N/A
             Assumed health care cost trend rate:
                 Initial rate                        11.00%        11.00%       11.00%       10.00%       12.00%
                 Ultimate rate                        6.00%         6.00%        6.00%        6.00%        6.00%
                 Uniform declining period           12 Years      12 Years     12 Years     12 Years     12 Years
</TABLE>


         The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts
         reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in
         the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of
         December 31, 1996 by $701 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31,
         1996 by $83.

(12)     Shareholder's Equity, Regulatory Risk-Based Capital, Retained Earnings 
         and Dividend Restrictions
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------

         Each insurance company's state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based
         capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for
         determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting
         factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of
         activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance
         is determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted
         capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized control level
         risk-based capital, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific
         trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of
         which requires specified corrective action. NLIC and each of its
         insurance company subsidiaries exceed the minimum risk-based capital
         requirements.
<PAGE>   22
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


         The statutory capital shares and surplus of NLIC as of December 31,
         1996, 1995 and 1994 was $1,000,647, $1,363,031 and $1,262,861,
         respectively. The statutory net income of NLIC for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $73,218, $86,529 and $76,532,
         respectively.

         NLIC is limited in the amount of shareholder dividends it may pay
         without prior approval by the Department of Insurance of the State of
         Ohio (the Department). NLIC's dividend of the outstanding shares of
         common stock of certain companies which was declared on September 24,
         1996 and the anticipated $850,000 dividend (as discussed in note 1) are
         deemed extraordinary under Ohio insurance laws. As a result of such
         dividends, any dividend paid by NLIC during the 12-month period
         immediately following the $850,000 dividend would also be an
         extraordinary dividend under Ohio insurance laws. Accordingly, no such
         dividend could be paid without prior regulatory approval.

         In addition, the payment of dividends by NLIC may also be subject to
         restrictions set forth in the insurance laws of New York that limit the
         amount of statutory profits on NLIC's participating policies (measured
         before dividends to policyholders) that can inure to the benefit of the
         Company and its stockholder.

         The Company currently does not expect such regulatory requirements to
         impair its ability to pay operating expenses and stockholder dividends
         in the future.

(13)     Transactions With Affiliates
         ----------------------------

         The Company leases office space from NMIC and certain of its
         subsidiaries. For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the
         Company made lease payments to NMIC and its subsidiaries of $9,065,
         $8,986 and $8,133, respectively.

         Pursuant to a cost sharing agreement among NMIC and certain of its
         direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Company, NMIC provides
         certain operational and administrative services, such as sales support,
         advertising, personnel and general management services, to those
         subsidiaries. Expenses covered by this agreement are subject to
         allocation among NMIC, the Company and other affiliates. Amounts
         allocated to the Company were $101,584, $107,112, and $100,601 in 1996,
         1995 and 1994, respectively. The allocations are based on techniques
         and procedures in accordance with insurance regulatory guidelines.
         Measures used to allocate expenses among companies include individual
         employee estimates of time spent, special cost studies, salary expense,
         commissions expense and other methods agreed to by the participating
         companies that are within industry guidelines and practices. The
         Company believes these allocation methods are reasonable. In addition,
         the Company does not believe that expenses recognized under the
         intercompany agreements are materially different than expenses that
         would have been recognized had the Company operated on a stand alone
         basis. Amounts payable to NMIC from the Company under the cost sharing
         agreement were $15,111 and $1,186 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
         respectively.

         The Company also participates in intercompany repurchase agreements
         with affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the
         buyer at a stated value. Upon demand or a stated period, the securities
         will be repurchased by the seller at the original sales price plus a
         price differential. Transactions under the agreements during 1996 and
         1995 were not material. The Company believes that the terms of the
         repurchase agreements are materially consistent with what the Company
         could have obtained with unaffiliated parties.
<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and, respectively
         NMIC and ELICW whereby all of NLIC's accident and health and group life
         insurance business is ceded on a modified coinsurance basis. NLIC
         entered into the reinsurance agreements during 1996 because the
         accident and health and group life insurance business was unrelated to
         NLIC's long-term savings and retirement products. Accordingly, the
         accident and health and group life insurance business has been
         accounted for as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
         Under modified coinsurance agreements, invested assets are retained by
         the ceding company and investment earnings are paid to the reinsurer.
         Under the terms of NLIC's agreements, the investment risk associated
         with changes in interest rates is borne by NMIC or ELICW, as the case
         may be. Risk of asset default is retained by NLIC, although a fee is
         paid by NMIC or ELICW, as the case may be, to NLIC for the NLIC's
         retention of such risk. The agreements will remain in force until all
         policy obligations are settled. However, with respect to the agreement
         between NLIC and NMIC, either party may terminate the contract on
         January 1 of any year with prior notice. The ceding of risk does not
         discharge the original insurer from its primary obligation to the
         policyholder. NLIC believes that the terms of the modified coinsurance
         agreements are consistent in all material respects with what NLIC could
         have obtained with unaffiliated parties.

         Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 are included in ELICW's results of
         operations for 1996 which, combined with the results of WCLIC and NCC,
         are summarized in note 2. Amounts ceded to ELICW in 1996 include
         premiums of $224,224, net investment income and other revenue of
         $14,833, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $246,641. Amounts
         ceded to NMIC in 1996 include premiums of $97,331, net investment
         income of $10,890, and benefits, claims and other expenses of $100,476.

         The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
         Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash
         Management Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC
         act as common agents in handling the purchase and sale of short-term
         securities for the respective accounts of the participants. Amounts on
         deposit with NCMC and CCMC were $4,789 and $9,654 as of December 31,
         1996 and 1995, respectively, and are included in short-term investments
         on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

         On April, 5 1996, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares, with shareholder equity value of $30, of NISC to NLIC. NLIC
         contributed an additional $500 to NISC on August 30, 1996.

         On March 1, 1995, Nationwide Corp. contributed all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of Farmland Life Insurance Company (Farmland) to
         NLIC. Farmland merged into WCLIC effective June 30, 1995. The
         contribution resulted in a direct increase to consolidated
         shareholder's equity of $46,918. As discussed in note 2, WCLIC is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding
         shares of common stock of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation (WSC)
         for $155,000. NLIC transferred fixed maturity securities and cash with
         a fair value of $155,000 to WSC on December 28, 1994, which resulted in
         a realized loss of $19,239 on the disposition of the securities. The
         purchase price approximated both the historical cost basis and fair
         value of net assets of ELICW. ELICW has and will continue to share home
         office, other facilities, equipment and common management and
         administrative services with WSC. As discussed in note 2, ELICW is
         accounted for as discontinued operations.

         Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies
         which are also subsidiaries of Nationwide Corp. Total commissions and
         fees paid to these affiliates for the years ended December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994 were $76,922, $57,280 and $50,168, respectively.

(14)     Bank Lines of Credit
         --------------------

         In August 1996, NLIC, along with NMIC, established a $600,000 revolving
         credit facility which provides for a $600,000 loan over a five year
         term on a fully revolving basis with a group of national financial
         institutions. The credit facility provides for several and not joint
         liability with respect to any amount drawn by either NLIC or NMIC. NLIC
         and NMIC pay facility and usage fees to the financial institutions to
         maintain the revolving credit facility. All previously existing line of
         credit agreements were canceled.
<PAGE>   24
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued


(15)     Contingencies
         -------------

         The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. In the opinion of
         management, the effects, if any, of such lawsuits are not expected to
         be material to the Company's financial position or results of
         operations.

(16)     Segment Information
         -------------------

         The Company has three primary segments: Variable Annuities, Fixed
         Annuities and Life Insurance. The Variable Annuities segment consists
         of annuity contracts that provide the customer with the opportunity to
         invest in mutual funds managed by the Company and independent
         investment managers, with the investment returns accumulating on a
         tax-deferred basis. The Fixed Annuities segment consists of annuity
         contracts that generate a return for the customer at a specified
         interest rate, fixed for a prescribed period, with returns accumulating
         on a tax-deferred basis. The Life Insurance segment consists of
         insurance products that provide a death benefit and may also allow the
         customer to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, the
         Company reports corporate expenses and investments, and the related
         investment income supporting capital not specifically allocated to its
         product segments in a Corporate and Other segment. In addition, all
         realized gains and losses, investment management fees and other revenue
         earned from mutual funds, other than the portion allocated to the
         variable annuities and life insurance segments, are reported in the
         Corporate and Other segment.

         During 1996, the Company changed its reporting segments to better
         reflect the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been
         restated to reflect these changes.

         The following table summarizes the revenues and income from continuing
         operations before federal income tax expense for the years ended
         December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and assets as of December 31, 1996,
         1995 and 1994, by business segment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              1996              1995              1994
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
             <S>                                                        <C>                <C>               <C>    
              Revenues:
                   Variable Annuities                                      $    284,638          189,071           132,687
                   Fixed Annuities                                            1,092,566        1,051,970           939,868
                   Life Insurance                                               435,657          409,135           383,150
                   Corporate and Other                                          179,977          148,475           143,794
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                           $  1,992,838        1,798,651         1,599,499
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Income from continuing operations before federal income tax
                 expense:
                   Variable Annuities                                            90,244           50,837            24,574
                   Fixed Annuities                                              135,405          137,000           138,950
                   Life Insurance                                                67,242           67,590            53,046
                   Corporate and Other                                           22,606           32,145            25,288
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                          $     315,497          287,572           241,858
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============

              Assets:

                   Variable Annuities                                        25,069,725       17,333,039        11,146,465
                   Fixed Annuities                                           13,994,715       13,250,359        11,668,973
                   Life Insurance                                             3,353,286        3,027,420         2,752,283
                   Corporate and Other                                        5,348,520        4,896,815         3,678,303
                                                                        -----------------  ---------------   ---------------
                                                                            $47,766,246       38,507,633        29,246,024
                                                                        =================  ===============   ===============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   25
<TABLE>


                                                                                                                 SCHEDULE I

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                                               Consolidated Summary of Investments -
                                             Other Than Investments in Related Parties
                                                                 
                                                      As of December 31, 1996
                                                         ($000's omitted)
<CAPTION>

- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
                           Column A                                 Column B         Column C          Column D
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
                                                                                                    Amount at which
                                                                                                     shown in the
                                                                                                     consolidated
                      Type of Investment                              Cost         Market value      balance sheet
- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------    --------------   -----------------
<S>                                                             <C>                <C>               <C>      
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
   Bonds:
      U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities     $  3,757,887        3,834,762           3,834,762
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions                  6,242            6,690               6,690
      Foreign governments                                              100,656          101,940             101,940
      Public utilities                                               1,798,736        1,843,938           1,843,938
      All other corporate                                            6,307,357        6,517,309           6,517,309
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------
          Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale        11,970,878       12,304,639          12,304,639
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------

Equity securities available-for-sale:
   Common stocks:
      Industrial, miscellaneous and all other                           43,501           50,405              50,405
   Non-redeemable preferred stock                                          389            8,726               8,726
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------
          Total equity securities available-for-sale                    43,890           59,131              59,131
                                                                ---------------    --------------   -----------------

Mortgage loans on real estate, net                                   5,327,317                            5,272,119 (1)
Real estate, net:
   Investment properties                                               253,383                              217,611 (1)
   Acquired in satisfaction of debt                                     57,933                               48,148 (1)
Policy loans                                                           371,816                              371,816
Other long-term investments                                             27,370                               28,668 (2)
Short-term investments                                                   4,789                                4,789
                                                                ---------------                      ----------------
          Total investments                                        $18,057,376                           18,306,921
                                                                ===============                      ================
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Difference from Column B is primarily due to valuation allowances due to
     impairments on mortgage loans on real estate and due to accumulated
     depreciation and valuation allowances due to impairments on real estate.
     See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

(2) Difference from Column B is primarily due to operating gains of investments
    in limited partnerships.

</TABLE>






See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   26
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                               SCHEDULE III

                                    NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                            Supplemental Insurance Information

                                          As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                           and for each of the years then ended

                                                     ($000's omitted)

- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------   ------------------ ---------------
             Column A                  Column B          Column C            Column D           Column E          Column F
- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------   -----------------  ---------------
                                       Deferred       Future policy                            Other policy
                                        policy      benefits, losses,                           claims and         
                                     acquisition        claims and      Unearned premiums    benefits payable    Premium
             Segment                    costs         loss expenses            (1)                 (2)           revenue
- ----------------------------------- --------------  ------------------  -----------------    ----------------  --------------

<C>                                 <C>             <C>                 <C>                    <C>                <C>    
1996: Variable Annuities               $   791,611                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      242,421          14,952,877                                    687          24,030
      Life Insurance                       414,417           1,995,802                                395,739         174,612
      Corporate and Other                  (81,940)            230,381                                 25,048               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                      $1,366,509          17,179,060                                421,474         198,642
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 

1995: Variable Annuities                   571,283                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      221,111          14,221,622                                    455          32,774
      Life Insurance                       366,876           1,898,641                                383,983         166,332
      Corporate and Other                 (138,914)            238,351                                 28,886               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                      $1,020,356          16,358,614                                413,324         199,106
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 

1994: Variable Annuities                   395,397                   -                                      -               -
      Fixed Annuities                      198,639          12,633,253                                    240          20,134
      Life Insurance                       327,079           1,806,762                                371,984         156,524
      Corporate and Other                   74,445             233,569                                 26,927               -
                                    --------------  ------------------                       ----------------  -------------- 
             Total                     $   995,560          14,673,584                                399,151         176,658
                                    ==============  ==================                       ================  ============== 
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------    ----------------  -------------- 
             Column A                  Column G          Column H            Column I           Column J          Column K
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------    ----------------  -------------- 
                                         Net                               Amortization           Other
                                      investment    Benefits, claims,      of deferred          operating        
                                        income          losses and            policy            expenses          Premiums
             Segment                     (3)       settlement expenses  acquisition costs          (3)            written
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------  -----------------   -----------------  -------------- 

1996: Variable Annuities               $   (21,449)              4,624             57,412             132,357
      Fixed Annuities                    1,050,557             838,533             38,635              79,737
      Life Insurance                       174,002             211,386             37,347              78,965
      Corporate and Other                  154,649             106,037                  -              51,335
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,357,759           1,160,580            133,394             342,394
                                    ============== ===================  =================   ================= 

1995: Variable Annuities                   (17,640)              2,881             26,264             109,089
      Fixed Annuities                    1,002,718             804,980             29,499              80,260
      Life Insurance                       171,255             201,986             31,021              68,832
      Corporate and Other                  137,700             105,646             (4,089)             14,773
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,294,033           1,115,493             82,695             272,954
                                    ============== ===================  =================   =================  

1994: Variable Annuities                   (13,415)              2,277             22,135              83,701
      Fixed Annuities                      903,572             702,082             29,849              69,975
      Life Insurance                       166,329             191,006             29,495              69,861
      Corporate and Other                  154,325              97,302              4,089              17,115
                                    -------------- -------------------  -----------------   ----------------- 
             Total                      $1,210,811             992,667             85,568             240,652
                                    ============== ===================  =================   =================  
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Unearned premiums are included in Column C amounts.

(2)  Column E agrees to the sum of the Balance Sheet captions, Policyholders'
     dividend accumulations and Other policyholder funds.

(3)  Allocations of net investment income and certain general expenses are based
     on a number of assumptions and estimates, and reported operating results
     would change by segment if different methods were applied.


</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   27


                                                                    SCHEDULE IV

                              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                  Reinsurance

                                    As of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                     and for each of the years then ended

                                                ($000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------   ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
           Column A                  Column B           Column C           Column D          Column E          Column F
- -------------------------------   ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
                                                                                                              Percentage
                                                        Ceded to         Assumed from                         of amount
                                   Gross amount      other companies   other companies      Net amount      assumed to net
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>               <C> 
1996:
Life insurance in force              $47,071,264          6,633,567            288,593        40,726,290           0.7%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        225,615             29,282              2,309           198,642           1.2%
   Accident and health insurance         291,871            305,789             13,918                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   517,486            335,071             16,227           198,642           8.2%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============


1995:
Life Insurance in force              $41,087,025          8,935,743            391,174        32,542,456           1.2%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        221,257             24,360              2,209           199,106           1.1%
   Accident and health insurance         298,058            313,036             14,978                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   519,315            337,396             17,187           199,106           8.6%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============


1994:
Life Insurance in force              $35,926,633          7,550,623            829,742        29,205,752           2.8%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        198,705             24,912              2,865           176,658           1.6%
   Accident and health insurance         303,435            321,696             18,261                 -         N/A
                                  ----------------- -----------------  ----------------   ----------------  ---------------
          Total                      $   502,140            346,608             21,126           176,658          12.0%
                                  ================= =================  ================   ================  ===============
<FN>

- ----------
Note:  The life insurance caption represents principally premiums from
       traditional life insurance and life-contingent immediate annuities and
       excludes deposits on invesment products and universal life insurance
       products.
</TABLE>


See accompanying independent auditors' report.
<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                 SCHEDULE V

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                 
                                                 Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                                                 
                                           Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
                                                         ($000's omitted)

- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -----------------------------   ------------ -------------
                    Column A                         Column B               Column C               Column D      Column E
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   -----------------------------   ------------ -------------
                                                    Balance at     Charged to                                   Balance at
                                                   beginning of     costs and      Charged to     Deductions      end of
                  Description                         period        expenses     other accounts      (1)          period
- -------------------------------------------------  ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>   
1996:
Valuation  allowances - mortgage loans on real
   estate                                              $49,128          4,497               -          2,587        51,038
Valuation allowances - real estate                      25,819        (10,600)              -              -        15,219
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $74,947         (6,103)              -          2,587        66,257
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============


1995:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities             -          8,908               -          8,908             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real
   estate                                               46,381          7,433               -          4,686        49,128
Valuation allowances - real estate                      27,330         (1,511)              -              -        25,819
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $73,711         14,830               -         13,594        74,947
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============


1994:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities         4,800         (4,800)              -              -             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real
   estate                                               42,150         20,445               -         16,214        46,381
Valuation allowances - real estate                      31,357         (4,027)              -              -        27,330
                                                   ------------   ------------   --------------   ------------ -------------
     Total                                             $78,307         11,618               -         16,214        73,711
                                                   ============   ============   ==============   ============ =============
<FN>

- ----------
(1)  Amounts represent direct write-downs charged against the valuation allowance.
</TABLE>



See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>   58

PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits

      (a) Financial Statements:                                            Page
          (1) Financial statements and schedule included
              in Prospectus
              (Part A):
   
              Condensed Financial Information.                                14

          (2) Financial statements and schedule included
              in Part B:                                                      56

              Those financial statements and schedule
              required by Item 23 to be included in Part B
              have been incorporated therein by reference
              to the Prospectus (Part A).

      Nationwide Variable Account-II:
              Independent Auditors' Report.                                   56
              Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Contract                   57
              Owners' Equity as of December 31, 1996.
              Statements of Operations and Changes in                         59
              Contract Owners' Equity for the years ended
              December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
              Notes to Financial Statements.                                  60
              Schedules of Changes in Unit Value.                             69

      Nationwide Life Insurance Company:
              Independent Auditors' Report.                                   79
              Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December                      80
              31, 1996 and 1995.
              Consolidated Statements of Income for the                       81

              years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
              1994.
              Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's                        82

              Equity for the years ended December 31,
              1996, 1995 and 1994.
              Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for                       83

              the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
              and 1994.
              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                     84

              Schedule I - Consolidated Summary of Investments 
              - Other Than Investments in Related Parties.                   103

              Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information.            104

              Schedule IV - Reinsurance.                                     105

              Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.                106
    


                                   107 of 124
<PAGE>   59

Item 24. (b) Exhibits

            (1)  Resolution of the Depositor's Board of Directors
                 authorizing the establishment of the Registrant -
                 Filed previously with the Registration Statement
                 and hereby incorporated by reference.
            (2)  Not Applicable
            (3)  Underwriting or Distribution of contracts between
                 the Registrant and Principal Underwriter - Filed
                 previously with the Registration Statement and
                 hereby incorporated by reference.
            (4)  The form of the variable annuity contract
                 Attached hereto.
            (5)  Variable Annuity Application
                 Attached hereto.
            (6)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor Filed
                 previously with the Registration Statement and
                 hereby incorporated by reference.
            (7)  Not Applicable
            (8)  Not Applicable
            (9)  Opinion of Counsel
                 Filed previously with the Registration Statement
                 and hereby incorporated by reference.
          (10)   Not Applicable
          (11)   Not Applicable
          (12)   Not Applicable
          (13)   Not Applicable


                                   108 of 124
<PAGE>   60

Item 25. Directors and Officers of the Depositor

             Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
              Business Address                       With Depositor

   
            Lewis J. Alphin                              Director
            519 Bethel Church Road
            Mount Olive, NC  28365
    

            Keith W. Eckel                               Director
            1647 Falls Road
            Clarks Summit, PA 18411

            Willard J. Engel                             Director
            1100 East Main Street
            Marshall, MN 56258

            Fred C. Finney                               Director
            1558 West Moreland Road
            Wooster, OH 44691

            Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.                    Director
            600 South Washington Street
            Butler, PA  16001

            Joseph J. Gasper               President and Chief Operating Officer
            One Nationwide Plaza                       and Director
            Columbus, OH  43215

   
            Henry S. Holloway                         Chairman of the
            1247 Stafford Road                      Board and Director
            Darlington, MD  21034

            Dimon Richard McFerson         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
            One Nationwide Plaza              Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
            Columbus, OH  43215                        and Director

            David O. Miller                              Director
            115 Sprague Drive
            Hebron, OH  43025

            C. Ray Noecker                               Director
            2770 Winchester Southern S.
            Ashville, OH 43103
    

            James F. Patterson                           Director
            8765 Mulberry Road
            Chesterland, OH  44026


                                   109 of 124
<PAGE>   61

             Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
              Business Address                       With Depositor

            Arden L. Shisler                             Director
            1356 North Wenger Road
            Dalton, OH  44618

            Robert L. Stewart                            Director
            88740 Fairview Road
            Jewett, OH  43986

            Nancy C. Thomas                              Director
            10835 Georgetown Street NE
            Louisville, OH  44641

            Harold W. Weihl                              Director
            14282 King Road
            Bowling Green, OH  43402

            Gordon E. McCutchan                  Executive Vice President,
            One Nationwide Plaza                Law and Corporate Services
            Columbus, OH  43215                        and Secretary

            Robert A. Oakley                     Executive Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                  Chief Financial Officer
            Columbus, Ohio  43215

   
            Robert J. Woodward, Jr.             Executive Vice President -
            One Nationwide Plaza                 Chief Investment Officer
            Columbus, OH 43215
    

            James E. Brock                        Senior Vice President -
            One Nationwide Plaza                  Life Company Operations
            Columbus, OH  43215

            W. Sidney Druen                  Senior Vice President and General
            One Nationwide Plaza              Counsel and Assistant Secretary
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.        Senior Vice President-Chief Actuary-
            One Nationwide Plaza                Life, Health and Annuities
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Richard A. Karas                  Senior Vice President - Sales -
            One Nationwide Plaza                    Financial Services
            Columbus, OH  43215

   
            Michael D. Bleiweiss                      Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza               Individual Annuity Operation
            Columbus, OH  43215
    


                                   110 of 124
<PAGE>   62

             Name and Principal                   Positions and Offices
              Business Address                       With Depositor

   
            Matthew S. Easley                   Vice President - Marketing,
            One Nationwide Plaza                 Innovation and Compliance
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Ronald L. Eppley                          Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                   Applications Service
            Columbus, OH  43215
    

            Timothy E. Murphy                         Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                    Strategic Marketing
            Columbus, Ohio  43215

   
            R. Dennis Noice                           Vice President-
            One Nationwide Plaza                     Retail Operations
            Columbus, OH  43215

            Joseph P. Rath                            Vice President
            One Nationwide Plaza
            Columbus, OH  43215
    

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

      *     Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are filed
      **    Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated financial
            statements
      ***   Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial statements
            filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries
      ****  other subsidiaries


                                   111 of 124
<PAGE>   63

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                            (see Attached Chart)
                                               STATE          unless otherwise
                                          OF ORGANIZATION        indicated
                   COMPANY                                                               PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

   
<S>                                       <C>              <C>                        <C>
    Affiliate Agency, Inc.                    Delaware                                Life Insurance Agency
    

    Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.              Ohio                                  Life Insurance Agency

    Allnations, Inc.                            Ohio                                  Promotes cooperative insurance
                                                                                      corporations worldwide

    American Marine Underwriters, Inc.        Florida                                 Underwriting Manager

    Auto Direkt Insurance Company             Germany                                 Insurance Company

    The Beak and Wire Corporation               Ohio                                  Radio Tower Joint Venture

    California Cash Management Company       California                               Investment Securities Agent

    Colonial County Mutual insurance           Texas                                  Insurance Company
    Company

    Colonial Insurance Company of            California                               Insurance Company
    California

    Columbus Insurance Brokerage and          Germany                                 Insurance Broker
    Service GMBH

   
    Companies Agency, Inc.                   Wisconsin                                Insurance Broker
    

    Companies Agency Insurance Services      California                               Insurance  Broker
    of California

    Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.         Alabama                                 Insurance Broker

    Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.            Idaho                                  Insurance Broker

    Companies Agency of Illinois, Inc.        Illinois                                Acts as Collection Agent for Policies
                                                                                      placed through Brokers

    Companies Agency of Kentucky, Inc.        Kentucky                                Insurance Broker

    Companies Agency of Massachusetts,     Massachusetts                              Insurance Broker
    Inc.

    Companies Agency of New York, Inc.        New York                                Insurance Broker

    Companies Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.  Pennsylvania                              Insurance Broker

    Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.         Arizona                                 Insurance Broker

    Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.            Texas                                  Insurance Broker

    Countrywide Services Corporation          Delaware                                Products Liability, Investigative and
                                                                                      Claims Management Services
    Employers Insurance of Wausau A          Wisconsin                                Insurance Company
    Mutual Company

**  Employers Life Insurance Company of      Wisconsin                                Life Insurance Company
    Wausau

    F & B, Inc.                                 Iowa                                  Insurance Agency

    Farmland Mutual Insurance Company           Iowa                                  Insurance Company
</TABLE>


                                   112 of 124
<PAGE>   64

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                  (see Attached Chart)
                                                  STATE             unless otherwise
                                             OF ORGANIZATION           indicated
                   COMPANY                                                                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

<S>                                          <C>                 <C>                     <C>
    Financial Horizons Distributors              Alabama                                 Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Alabama, Inc.

   
    Financial Horizons Distributors                Ohio                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Ohio, Inc.
    

    Financial Horizons Distributors              Oklahoma                                Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.

    Financial Horizons Distributors               Texas                                  Life Insurance Agency
    Agency of Texas, Inc.

 *  Financial Horizons Investment Trust       Massachusetts                              Investment Company

    Gates, McDonald & Company                      Ohio                                  Cost Control Business

    Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada           Nevada                                 Self-Insurance Administration Claims
                                                                                         Examinations and Data Processing
                                                                                         Services
    Gates, McDonald & Company                      Ohio                                  Cost Control Business

    Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada           Nevada                                 Self-Insurance Administration Claims
                                                                                         Examinations and Data Processing
                                                                                         Services

    Gates, McDonald & Company of New             New York                                Workers Compensation Claims
    York, Inc.                                                                           Administration

   
    Gates, McDonald Health Ohio Plus, Inc.         Ohio                                  Managed Care Organization
    

    Greater La Crosse Health Plans, Inc.        Wisconsin                                Writes Commercial Health and Medicare
                                                                                         Supplement Insurance

    Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.                 Ohio                                  Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency

    Key Health Plan, Inc.                       California                               Pre-paid health plans

    Landmark Financial Services of New           New York                                Life Insurance Agency
    York, Inc.

    Leben Direkt Insurance Company               Germany                                 Life Insurance Company

    Lone Star General Agency, Inc.                Texas                                  Insurance Agency

**  MRM Investments, Inc.                          Ohio                                  Owns and operates a Recreational Ski
                                                                                         Facility

**  National Casualty Company                    Michigan                                Insurance Company

    National Casualty Company of America,     Great Britain                              Insurance Company
    Ltd.

**  National Premium and Benefit                 Delaware                                Insurance Administrative Services
    Administration Company

   
**  Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc.            Ohio                                   Registered Broker-Dealer, Investment
                                                                                         Manager and Administrator
    Nationwide Agency, Inc.                        Ohio                                  Insurance Agency
    

    Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance              Iowa                                  Insurance Company
    Company

   
 *  Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust         Massachusetts                              Investment Company
    
</TABLE>


                                   113 of 124
<PAGE>   65

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                 (see Attached Chart)
                                                 STATE             unless otherwise
                                            OF ORGANIZATION           indicated
                        COMPANY                                                                PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

<S>                                               <C>                 <C>                <C>    
    Nationwide Cash Management Company             Ohio                                  Investment Securities Agent Radio 

    Nationwide Communications, Inc.                Ohio                                  Broadcasting Business Redevelopment 

    Nationwide Community Urban                     Ohio                                  of blighted areas within the City of 
    Redevelopment Corporation                                                            Columbus, Ohio Organized for 

    Nationwide Corporation                         Ohio                                  the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                         holding, encumbering, transferring, or
                                                                                         otherwise disposing of shares, bonds,
                                                                                         and other evidences of indebtedness,
                                                                                         securities, and contracts of other
                                                                                         persons, associations, corporations,
                                                                                         domestic or foreign and to form or
                                                                                         acquire the control of other
                                                                                         corporations

 *  Nationwide Development Company                 Ohio                                  Owns, leases and manages commercial
                                                                                         real estate

    Nationwide Financial Institution             Delaware                                Insurance Agency
    Distributors Agency, Inc.

   
    Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.          Delaware                                Holding Company
    

    Nationwide General Insurance Company           Ohio                                  Insurance Company

    Nationwide HMO, Inc.                           Ohio                                  Health Maintenance Organization

 *  Nationwide Indemnity Company                   Ohio                                  Reinsurance Company

    Nationwide Insurance Enterprise                Ohio                                  Membership Non-Profit Corporation
    Foundation

    Nationwide Insurance Golf Charities,           Ohio                                  Membership Non-Profit Corporation
    Inc.

    Nationwide Investing Foundation              Michigan                                Investment Company

 *  Nationwide Investing                      Massachusetts                              Investment Company
    Foundation II

    Nationwide Investment Services               Oklahoma                                Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
    Corporation                                                                          Compensation Market

    Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.            Ohio                                  Stock Transfer Agent

**  Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance          Ohio                                  Life Insurance Company
    Company

**  Nationwide Life Insurance Company              Ohio                                  Life Insurance Company

    Nationwide Lloyds                             Texas                                  Texas Lloyds Company

   
    Nationwide Management Systems, Inc.            Ohio                                  Develops and operates Managed Care
                                                                                         Delivery System
    

    Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance               Ohio                                  Insurance Company
    Company

    Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company            Ohio                                  Insurance Company

   
    Nationwide Properties, Ltd.                    Ohio                                  Develops, owns, and operates real
                                                                                         estate investments
    
</TABLE>


                                   114 of 124
<PAGE>   66

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                                 (see Attached Chart)
                                                 STATE             unless otherwise
                                            OF ORGANIZATION           indicated
                  COMPANY                                                                  PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
<S>                                         <C>                 <C>                     <C>
   Nationwide Property and Casualty               Ohio                                  Insurance Company
   Insurance Company

   
   Nationwide Realty Investors, Ltd.              Ohio                                  Develops, owns, and operates real
                                                                                        estate and real estate investments
    

*  Nationwide Separate Account Trust         Massachusetts                              Investment Company

   
   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,          Delaware                                Life Insurance Agency
   Inc.
    

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Alabama                                 Life Insurance Agency
   Alabama, Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Arizona                                 Life Insurance Agency
   Arizona, Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Montana                                 Life Insurance Agency
   Montana, Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Nevada                                 Life Insurance Agency
   Nevada, Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of          Ohio                                  Life Insurance Agency
   Ohio, Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Oklahoma                                Life Insurance Agency
   Oklahoma, Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of         Texas                                  Life Insurance Agency
   Texas, Inc.

   
   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services of        Wyoming                                 Life Insurance Agency
   Wyoming, Inc.
    

   NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,           Delaware                                Life Insurance Agency
   Inc.

   NEA Valuebuilder Services Insurance       Massachusetts                              Life Insurance Agency
   Agency, Inc.

   Neckura General Insurance Company            Germany                                 Insurance Company

   Neckura Holding Company                      Germany                                 Administrative Service for Neckura
                                                                                        Insurance Group

   Neckura Insurance Company                    Germany                                 Insurance Company

   Neckura Life Insurance Company               Germany                                 Life Insurance Company

   NWE, Inc.                                      Ohio                                  Special Investments

   PEBSCO of Massachusetts Insurance         Massachusetts                              Markets and Administers Deferred

   Agency, Inc.                                                                         Compensation Plans for Public Employees

   PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                         Texas                                  Markets and Administers Deferred
                                                                                        Compensation Plans for Public Employees

   Pension Associates of Wausau, Inc.          Wisconsin                                Pension plan administration, record
                                                                                        keeping and consulting and compensation
                                                                                        consulting
</TABLE>


                                   115 of 124
<PAGE>   67

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NO. VOTING 
                                                                 SECURITIES
                                                                 (see Attached
                                                                 Chart) unless 
                                                  STATE          otherwise
                   COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION     indicated              PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

<S>                                          <C>                 <C>             <C> 
   
    Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation       Wisconsin                        Health Maintenance Organization

    Prevea Health Insurance Plan, Inc.          Wisconsin                        Health Maintenance Organization

    Public Employees Benefit Services            Delaware                        Markets and Administers Deferred
    corporation                                                                  Compensation Plans for Public Employees
    

    Public Employees Benefit Services            Alabama                         Markets and Administers Deferred
    Corporation of Alabama                                                       Compensation Plans for Public Employees

    Public Employees Benefit Services            Arkansas                        Markets and Administers Deferred
    Corporation of Arkansas                                                      Compensation Plans for Public Employees

    Public Employees Benefit Services            Montana                         Markets and Administers Deferred
    Corporation of Montana                                                       Compensation Plans for Public Employees

    Public Employees Benefit Services           New Mexico                       Markets and Administers Deferred
    Corporation of New Mexico                                                    Compensation Plans for Public Employees

    Scottsdale Indemnity Company                   Ohio                          Insurance Company

   
    Scottsdale Insurance Company                   Ohio                          Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
                                                                                 Company

    Scottsdale Surplus Lines Insurance           Arizona                         Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance
    Company                                                                      Company
    

    SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance            Germany                         Sales support for Neckura Insurance
    Group                                                                        Group

   
    Wausau Business Insurance Company           Wisconsin                        Insurance Company
    

    Wausau General Insurance Company             Illinois                        Insurance Company

    Wausau Insurance Company (U.K.)           United Kingdom                     Insurance and Reinsurance Company
    Limited

    Wausau International Underwriters           California                       Special Risks, Excess and Surplus Lines
                                                                                 Insurance Underwriting Manager

**  Wausau Preferred Health Insurance           Wisconsin                        Insurance and Reinsurance Company
    Company

    Wausau Service Corporation                  Wisconsin                        Holding Company

    Wausau Underwriters Insurance Company       Wisconsin                        Insurance Company

**  West Coast Life Insurance Company           California                       Life Insurance Company
</TABLE>


                                   116 of 124
<PAGE>   68

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NO. VOTING 
                                                                 SECURITIES
                                                                 (see Attached
                                                                 Chart) unless 
                                                  STATE          otherwise
                   COMPANY                   OF ORGANIZATION     indicated                         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

<S>                                          <C>               <C>                             <C> 
*  MFS Variable Account                           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  NACo Variable Account                          Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

   
*  Nationwide DC Variable Account                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide DCVA II                             Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

    
*  Separate Account No. 1                         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account         Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide VA Separate Account-A               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Separate Account

*  Nationwide VA Separate Account-B               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Separate Account

   Nationwide VA Separate Account-C               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Separate Account

*  Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Separate Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account                    Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account-II                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account-3                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account-4                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account-5                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
   Account                                                     Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account-6                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide Variable Account-8                  Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide VL Separate Account-A               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                               Separate Account

*  Nationwide VL Separate Account-B               Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity     Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                               Separate Account

*  Nationwide VLI Separate Account                Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                               Account

*  Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate        Issuer of Life Insurance Policies
                                                               Account
</TABLE>


                                   117 of 124
<PAGE>   69
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                               (left side)
<S>                               <C>                               <C>                                  <C>
- ------------------------
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|      MEMBERSHIP      |
|      NONPROFIT       |
|     CORPORATION      |
- ------------------------
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                  |      EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU     |
                                                  |           A MUTUAL COMPANY             |
                                                  |             (EMPLOYERS)                |
                                                  |                                        |========================================
                                                  | Contribution Note         Cost         |
                                                  | -----------------         ----         |
                                                  | Casualty                  $400,000,000 |
                                                  ------------------------------------------
                                                                |
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           |                                  |                                  |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------         ---------------------------
|    SAN DIEGO LOTUS      |       |   WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.  |       |      WAUSAU SERVICE      |         |                         |
|     CORPORATION         |       |      (U.K.) LIMITED     |       |     CORPORATION (WSC)    |         |    NATIONWIDE LLOYDS    |
|Common Stock: 748,212    |       |Common Stock: 8,506,800  |       |Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|         |                         |
|------------  Shares     |       |------------  Shares     |       |------------              |         |                         |
|                         |       |                         |       |                          |=========|                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |       |              Cost        |     ||  |      A TEXAS LLOYDS     |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |       |              ----        |     ||  |                         |
|Employers-               |       |Employers-               |       |Employers-                |     ||  |                         |
|100%          $29,000,000|       |100%          $18,683,300|       |100%          $176,763,000|     ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------       ----------------------------     ||  ---------------------------
                                                                                 |                   ||
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------  ||
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|     WAUSAU BUSINESS     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES   |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   |    OF KENTUCKY, INC.    |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 10,900,000 |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 100 Shares  |  |  ||  |        COMPANIES        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------              |  |  ||  |        AGENCY OF        |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ||==|        TEXAS, INC.      |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |  ||  |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |  ||  |                         |
|WSC-100%      $33,800,000|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $145,852    |  |  ||  |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |  ||
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |  ||  ---------------------------
|   WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS   |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |      WAUSAU GENERAL      |  |  ||  |                         |
|    INSURANCE COMPANY    |   |   | OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |  |  ||  |                         |
|Common Stock: 8,750      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 200,000     |  |  ||  |     COMPANIES ANNUITY   |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |  ||  |         AGENCY OF       |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |  ====|         TEXAS, INC.     |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |                         |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |                         |
|WSC-100%      $69,560,006|   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $39,000,000 |  |      |                         |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|   GREATER LA CROSSE     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL   |  |      |     AMERICAN MARINE     |
|   HEALTH PLANS, INC.    |   |   |    OF NEW YORK, INC.    |   |   |       UNDERWRITERS       |  |      |    UNDERWRITERS, INC.   |
|Common Stock: 3,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 20         |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares      |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |---|                          |  |------|                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-33.3%     $861,761   |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-100%      $10,000     |  |      |WSC-100%      $248,222   |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |     COMPANIES AGENCY     |  |      |     COMPANIES AGENCY    |
|    OF ALABAMA, INC.     |   |   |  OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.  |   |   |    INSURANCE SERVICES    |  |      |     OF ILLINOIS, INC.   |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |       OF CALIFORNIA      |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000       |  |      |Common Stock: 250        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |---|------------  Shares      |  |------|------------  Shares     |
|                         |---|---|                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |   |   |              Cost       |   |   |              Cost        |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |   |   |              ----       |   |   |              ----        |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $100       |   |   |WSC-100%      $1,000      |  |      |WSC-100%      $2,500     |
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                              |                                 |                                 |      
- ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
|    COMPANIES AGENCY     |   |   |   COMPANIES AGENCY      |   |   |      PHYSICIANS PLUS     |  |      |         COMPANIES       |
|     OF IDAHO, INC.      |   |   |     OF PHOENIX, INC.    |   |   |         INSURANCE        |  |      |        AGENCY, INC.     |
|                         |   |   |                         |   |   |        CORPORATION       |  |      |                         |
|Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock: 1,000      |   |   |Common Stock:    7,150    |  |      |Common Stock: 100        |
|------------  Shares     |   |   |------------  Shares     |   |   |------------     Shares   |  |      |------------  Shares     |
|                         |-------|                         |   |---|Preferred Stock: 11,540   |  |------|                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |---------------  Shares   |  |      |                         |
|                         |       |                         |   |   |                          |  |      |                         |
|              Cost       |       |              Cost       |   |   |                Cost      |  |      |              Cost       |
|              ----       |       |              ----       |   |   |                ----      |  |      |              ----       |
|WSC-100%      $1,000     |       |WSC-100%      $1,000     |   |   |WSC-33 1/3%     $6,215,459|  |      |WSC-100%      $10,000    |
- ---------------------------       ---------------------------   |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |                                 |      
                                                                |   ----------------------------  |      ---------------------------
                                                                |   |      PREVEA HEALTH       |  |      |    PENSION ASSOCIATES   |
                                                                |   |  INSURANCE PLAN, INC.    |  |      |      OF WAUSAU, INC.    |
                                                                |   |Common Stock: 3,000 Shares|  |      |Common Stock: 1,000      |
                                                                |   |------------              |  |      |------------  Shares     |
                                                                ----|                          |  -------|                         |
                                                                    |                          |         |                         |
                                                                    |              Cost        |         |Companies        Cost    |
                                                                    |              ----        |         |Agency, Inc.     ----    |
                                                                    |WSC-33 1/3%   $500,000    |         |(Wisconsin)-100% $10,000 |
                                                                    ----------------------------         ---------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   70
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                                  (middle)
<S>                                               <C>                                               <C>         
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                           INSURANCE COMPANY                               |================================================
       |                              (CASUALTY)                                   |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||                              |
              |                        ||                              -------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                        ||    |                                                                      |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
|      ALLNATIONS, INC.        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL      |                  |        NECKURA HOLDING       |
|Common Stock:    3,136 Shares |       ||    |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |                  |       COMPANY (NECKURA)      |
|------------                  |       ||    |    |                              |                  |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |Common Stock:    20,000       |                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |------------     Shares       |                  |------------     Shares       |
|Casualty-24.5%   $88,320      |       ||    |    |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
|Fire-24.5%       $88,463      |       ||    |    |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
|Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares |       ||    |----|Casualty-100%    $5,944,422   |         ---------|Casualty-100%    $87,943,140  |
|---------------               |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 Cost         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|                 ----         |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-7.7%    $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|Fire-7.7%        $100,000     |       ||    |    |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                       ||    |                                             |    
- --------------------------------       ||    |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|       FARMLAND MUTUAL        |       ||    |    |      NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |         |        |           NECKURA            |
|      INSURANCE COMPANY       |       ||    |    |         AND CASUALTY         |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Guaranty Fund                 |       ||    |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |=========    |----|Common Stock:    60,000       |         |--------|Common Stock:    6,000        |
|Certificate                   |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------     Shares       |
|-----------      Cost         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |Neckura-         ----         |
|Casualty         $500,000     |             |    |Casualty-100%    $6,000,000   |         |        |100%             DM 6,000,000 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
              |                              |                                             |    
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|        F & B, INC.           |             |    |      COLONIAL INSURANCE      |         |        |         NECKURA LIFE         |
|                              |             |    |     COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1 Share      |             |    |          (COLONIAL)          |         |        |                              |
|------------                  |             |----|Common Stock:    1,750        |         |--------|Common Stock:   4,000         |
|                 Cost         |             |    |------------     Shares       |         |        |------------    Shares        |
|                 ----         |             |    |                 Cost         |         |        |                Cost          |
|Farmland                      |             |    |                 ----         |         |        |                ----          |
|Mutual-100%      $10          |             |    |Casualty-100%    $11,750,000  |         |        |Neckura-100%    DM 15,825,681 |
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                             |                                             |        
- --------------------------------             |    --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
|  NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS     |             |    |         SCOTTSDALE           |         |        |        NECKURA GENERAL       |
|     INSURANCE COMPANY        |             |    |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |         |        |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
|Common Stock:    1,000,000    |             |    |                              |         |        |                              |
|------------     Shares       |             |    |Common Stock:    30,136       |         |        |Common Stock:    1,500        |
|                 Cost         |------------------|------------     Shares       |         |--------|------------     Shares       |
|                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |         |        |                 Cost         |
|Casualty-99.9%   $26,714,335  |                  |                 ----         |         |        |                 ----         |
|Other Capital:                |                  |Casualty-100%    $150,000,000 |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 1,656,925 |
|-------------                 |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
|Casualty-Ptd.    $   713,567  |                  |                              |         |        |                              |
- --------------------------------                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |          SCOTTSDALE          |         |        |       COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
                                                  |        SURPLUS LINES         |         |        |      BROKERAGE AND SERVICE   |
                                                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |         |        |              GmbH            |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Common Stock:    1 Share      |
                                                  |                              |         |--------|------------                  |
                                                  |        "NEWLY FORMED"        |         |        |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                 ----         |
                                                  |                              |         |        |Neckura-100%     DM 51,639    |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  |                              |         |        |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                                 |                         |        
                                                  --------------------------------         |        --------------------------------
                                                  |      NATIONAL PREMIUM &      |         |        |          LEBEN DIREKT        |
                                                  |    BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION    |         |        |        INSURANCE COMPANY     |
                                                  |           COMPANY            |         |        |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    10,000       |         |        |Common Stock:    4,000 Shares |
                                                  |------------     Shares       |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Scottsdale-100%  $10,000      |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 4,000,000 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                                  |         SVM SALES            |                  |          AUTO DIREKT         |
                                                  |            GmbH              |                  |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |Common Stock:    50 Shares    |                  |Common Stock:    1,500 Shares |
                                                  |------------                  |                  |------------                  |
                                                  |                 Cost         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Neckura-100%     DM 50,000    |                  |Neckura-100%     DM 1,643,149 |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  |                              |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   71
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)                                              (right side)
<S>     <C>                                       <C>                                              <C>         
                                                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                                                            | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |
                                                                                                            | ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION|
                                                                                                            |                      |
                                                                                                            |      MEMBERSHIP      |
                                                                                                            |      NONPROFIT       |
                                                                                                            |     CORPORATION      |
                                                                                                            ------------------------
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       |                           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                               |
=======|                         FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY                            |
       |                                (FIRE)                                     |
       |                                                                           |
       |                                                                           |
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       |
- ---------------                                                        --------------------------------------------------
              |                                                                                                         |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       |
  |                                          |                                                                  |       |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |     |         SCOTTSDALE           |     |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                |          NATIONWIDE            |
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |      COMMUNITY URBAN         |                |          CORPORATION           |
  |     |                              |     |    |       REDEVELOPMENT          |                |                                |
  |     |                              |     |    |        CORPORATION           |                |Common Stock:    Control:       |
  |     |Common Stock:    50,000       |     |    |Common Stock:    10 Shares    |                |------------     -------        |
  |-----|------------     Shares       |     |----|------------                  |                |$13,642,432      100%           |
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                |         Shares     Cost        |
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                |         ------     ----        |
  |     |Casualty-100%    $8,800,000   |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,000       |                |Casualty 12,992,922 $751,352,485|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |Fire        649,510   24,007,936|
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                |          (See Page 2)          |
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                ----------------------------------
  |                                          |                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |         NATIONWIDE           |     |    |          INSURANCE           |                                                  
  |     |      INDEMNITY COMPANY       |     |    |     INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
  |-----|Common Stock:    28,000       |     |----|Common Stock:    1,615        |                                                  
  |     |------------     Shares       |     |    |------------     Shares       |                                                  
  |     |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
  |     |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
  |     |Casualty-100%    $294,529,000 |     |    |Casualty-100%    $1,615,000   |                                                  
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |                                          |                                                                                      
  |     --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
  |     |          LONE STAR           |     |    |       NATIONWIDE CASH        |                                                  
  |     |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.     |     |    |      MANAGEMENT COMPANY      |                                                  
  |     |                              |     |    |Common Stock:    100 Shares   |                                                  
  ------|Common Stock:    1,000        |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |------------     Shares       |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |Casualty-90%     $9,000       |                                                  
        |Casualty-100%    $5,000,000   |     |    |NW Adv. Serv.     1,000       |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                      ||                     |                                                                                      
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
        |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL     |     |    |       CALIFORNIA CASH        |                                                  
        |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |     |    |          MANAGEMENT          |                                                  
        |                              |     |    |                              |                                                  
        |Surplus Debentures            |     |    |Common Stock:    90 Shares    |                                                  
        |------------------            |     |----|------------                  |                                                  
        |                 Cost         |     |    |                 Cost         |                                                  
        |                 ----         |     |    |                 ----         |                                                  
        |Colonial         $500,000     |     |    |Casualty-100%    $9,000       |                                                  
        |Lone Star         150,000     |     |    |                              |                                                  
        --------------------------------     |    --------------------------------                                                  
                                             |                                                      
                                             |    --------------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                             |    |         NATIONWIDE           |                  |           THE BEAK AND       |
                                             |    |     COMMUNICATIONS, INC.     |                  |         WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                             |    |Common Stock:    14,750       |                  |                              |
                                             |    |------------     Shares       |                  |Common Stock:    750 Shares   |
                                             -----|                 Cost         |------------------|------------                  |
                                                  |                 ----         |                  |                 Cost         |
                                                  |Casualty-100%    $11,510,000  |                  |                 ----         |
                                                  |Other Capital:                |                  |NW Comm-100%     $531,000     |
                                                  |-------------                 |                  |                              |
                                                  |Casualty-Ptd.      1,000,000  |                  |                              |
                                                  --------------------------------                  --------------------------------



Subsidiary Companies -- Solid Line
Contractual Association -- Double Lines

March 6, 1997
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   72
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        (Left Side)
                                                NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE(R)

                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |              EMPLOYERS INSURANCE               |
                                        |                  OF WAUSAU                     |==========================================
                                        |               A MUTUAL COMPANY                 |
                                         ------------------------------------------------



























<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             |                                  |                                   |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
               | NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |      |        NATIONWIDE         |      |   NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL    |
               |     COMPANY (NW LIFE)     |      |    FINANCIAL SERVICES     |      | INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS  |
               |                           |      |      CAPITAL TRUST        |      |   AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)   |
               | Common Stock: 3,814,779   |      | Preferred Stock:          |      | Common Stock:     1,000   |
               | ------------  Shares      |      | ---------------           |      | ------------      Shares  |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                           |
               | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |      | NFS--100%                 |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ---------------------------
                               |                                                                    ||  
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------        ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE LIFE AND    |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |      |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
| ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY |  |  |     ADVISORY SERVICES     |      |    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |  ||  |                          |
|        (NW LIFE)          |  |  |      (NW ADV. SERV.)      |      |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 68,000      |  |  | Common Stock: 7,676       |      | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|--| ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |--||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF OHIO, INC.      |
|               Cost        |  |  |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $58,070,003 |  |  | NW Life--100% $5,996,261  |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   -------------------------- 
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                              
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|         NWE, INC.         |  |  |        NATIONWIDE         |  ||  |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |  ||  |        SERVICES OF        |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |       NEW YORK, INC.      |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 100         |  |  | Common Stock: 5           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  | ------------  Shares      |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |
|               Cost        |  |  |                     Cost  |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                     ----  |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $35,971,375 |  |  | NW Adv. Serv.--100% $5,000|  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $10,100      |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
|   NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT   |  |  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |  ||  |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |  ||  |                          |
|   SERVICES CORPORATION    |  |  |     INVESTMENT TRUST      |  ||  |      SECURITIES CORP.     |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock: 5,000       |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 10,000      |  ||  |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY   |
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |       OF TEXAS, INC.     |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                          |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                          |
| NW Life--100% $529,728    |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $153,000     |  ||  |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                 ||                    
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   --------------------------
| NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||  |   AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.  |  ||  |                          |
|    COMPANY OF NEW YORK    |  |  |         INVESTING         |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
|                           |  |  |         FOUNDATION        |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                          |
| Common Stock:             |  |  |                           |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |          AFFILIATE       |
| ------------  Shares      |--|  |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|          AGENCY OF       |
|               Cost        |  |  |                           |  ||  |                           |      |          OHIO, INC.      |
|               ----        |  |  |                           |  ||  |               Cost        |      |                          |
| NW Life--100%             |  |  |                           |  ||  |               ----        |      |                          |
| (Proposed)                |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||  | NFIDIA--100% $100         |      |                          |
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------        --------------------------
                               |                                 ||                                                                
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |          INVESTING        |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |        FOUNDATION II      |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |  |  |                           |==||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Life--90%              |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| NW Mutual--10%            |  |  |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |  ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
                               |                                 ||                               
 ---------------------------   |   ---------------------------   ||                               
|     NATIONWIDE REALTY     |  |  |         NATIONWIDE        |  ||                               
|      INVESTORS, LTD.      |  |  |      SEPARATE ACCOUNT     |  ||                               
|                           |  |  |            TRUST          |  ||                               
| Units:                    |  |  |                           |  ||                               
| ------                    |__|  |                           |__||                               
|                           |     |                           |                                   
|                           |     |                           |                                   
| NW Life--97.6%            |     |                           |                                   
| NW Mutual--2.4%           |     |      COMMON LAW TRUST     |                                   
 ---------------------------       ---------------------------                                    
</TABLE>                           
<PAGE>   73
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           (Center)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|               INSURANCE COMPANY                |==========================================
                                        |                  (CASUALTY)                    |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
                                                                 |              ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |              |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                              |    NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW CORP)   |
                                              |   Common Stock:           Control     |
                                              |   ------------            -------     |
                                              |    13,642,432               100%      |
                                              |              Shares      Cost         |
                                              |             ------      ----          |
                                              | Casualty    12,992,922   $751,352,485 |
                                              | Fire           649,510     24,007,936 |
                                               ---------------------------------------
                                                                |
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              |                                     |                                |                             |
 ---------------------------     --------------------------       -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
|    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |   |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.   |    |      WEST COAST LIFE        |    |    NATIONAL CASUALTY       |
|    SERVICES, INC. (NFS)   |   |                           |    |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |    |         COMPANY            |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |           (NC)             |
| Common Stock: Control     |   | Common Stock: 1           |    | Common Stock: 1,000,000     |    | Common Stock: 100          |
| ------------  -------     |   | ------------  Share       |    | ------------  Shares        |    | ------------  Shares       |
|                           |   |                           |    |                             |    |                            |
|                           |   |               Cost        |    |               Cost          |    |                Cost        | 
| Class A     Public--100%  |   |               ----        |    |               ----          |    |                ----        |
| Class B     NW Corp--100% |   | NW Corp.--100% $1,339,218 |    | NW Corp.--100% $152,946,930 |    | NW Corp.--100% $73,442,439 |
 ---------------------------     ---------------------------      -----------------------------      ---------------------------- 
             |                                                                                                     |
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                   |
                             |                                                  |                                  |
                ---------------------------                       ---------------------------        ----------------------------
               | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT  |                     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER       |    |   NCC OF AMERICA, INC.     |
               |   SERVICES CORPORATION    |                     |   INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.   |    |         (INACTIVE)         |
               |         (PEBSCO)          |                     |             (NEA)           |    |                            |
               | Common Stock: 236,494     |==||                 | Common Stock: 500           |    |                            |
               | ------------  Shares      |  ||                 | ------------  Shares        |    |                            |
               |                           |  ||                 |                             |    |                            |
               | NFS--100%                 |  ||                 | NFS--100%                   |    | NFS--100%                  |
                ---------------------------   ||                  -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||  
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  
               |          ALABAMA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |     OF ALABAMA, INC.      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 100,000     |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%      $5,000     |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 || 
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |         ARKANSAS          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF ARIZONA, INC      |  ||
               | Common Stock: 50,000      |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $1,000      |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
               |  PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS  |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||
               |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||
               |                           |  ||  |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |  ||
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |--||
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |          MONTANA          |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF NEVADA, INC.      |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|       OF OHIO, INC.       |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $500        |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                           |
               |        NEW MEXICO         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |  ||  |                           |
               |                           |  ||  |      OF WYOMING, INC.     |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               | Common Stock: 1,000       |  ||  | Common Stock: 500         |  ||  |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               | ------------  Shares      |--||  | ------------  Shares      |  ||==|     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
               |                           |  ||  |                           |  ||  |                           |
               |               Cost        |  ||  |               Cost        |  ||  |                           |
               |               ----        |  ||  |               ----        |  ||  |                           |
               | PEBSCO--100%  $1,000      |  ||  | NEA--100%     $500        |  ||  |                           |
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------
                                              ||                                 ||
                ---------------------------   ||   ---------------------------   ||   ----------------------------
               |                           |  ||  |     NEA VALUEBUILDER      |  ||  |                            |
               |                           |  ||  |    SERVICES INSURANCE     |  ||  |                            |
               |         PEBSCO OF         |  ||  |       AGENCY, INC.        |  ||  |      NEA VALUEBUILDER      |
               |        TEXAS, INC.        |  ||  | Common Stock: 100         |  ||  |      INVESTOR SERVICES     |
               |                           |==||  | ------------  Shares      |__||==|        OF TEXAS, INC.      |
               |                           |      |                           |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               Cost        |      |                            |
               |                           |      |               ----        |      |                            |
               |                           |      | NEA--100%     $1,000      |      |                            |
                ---------------------------        ---------------------------        ----------------------------

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   74
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                            (Right)

<S>            <C>                <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                        |               NATIONWIDE MUTUAL                |
========================================|            FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY              |
                                        |                   (FIRE)                       |
                                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                 |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------|   












- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              |                                |                              |
                ---------------------------         ------------------------------       ------------------------------
               |      GATES, MCDONALD        |     |   EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE   |     |    NATIONWIDE HMO, INC.      |
               |     & COMPANY (GATES)       |     |       OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)      |     |         (NW HMO)             |
               |                             |     |                              |     |                              |
               | Common Stock:   254         |     | Common Stock:   250,000      |     | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  |                 Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | NW CORP.--100%  $25,683,532 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $126,509,480 |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $14,603,732  |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    ---------------------------     |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |       WAUSAU PREFERRED       |  |  |    NATIONWIDE MANAGEMENT     |
           |   |      OF NEW YORK, INC.      |  |  |      HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |  |  |         SYSTEMS, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   3           |  |  | Common Stock:   250,000      |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |  |  |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |  |  |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | GATES--100%     $106,947    |  |  | NW CORP.--100%  $57,413,193  |  |  | Inc.--100%      $25,149      |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |                                    |                                    |
           |    -----------------------------   |   ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |   |  GATES, MCDONALD & COMPANY  |  |  |     KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.    |  |  |          NATIONWIDE          |
           |   |         OF NEVADA           |  |  |                              |  |  |          AGENCY, INC.        |
           |   |                             |  |  |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   | Common Stock:   40          |  |  | Common Stock:   1,000        |  |  | Common Stock:   100          |        
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  |--| ------------    Shares       |  |--| ------------    Shares       |
           |   |                             |     |                              |  |  |                              |
           |   |                 Cost        |     |                 Cost         |  |  | NW HMO          Cost         | 
           |   |                 ----        |     |                 ----         |  |  |                 ----         |
           |   | Gates--100%     $93,750     |     | ELIOPW--80%  $2,700,000      |  |  | Inc.--99%       $116,077     |
           |    -----------------------------       ------------------------------   |   ------------------------------
           |
           |    -----------------------------     
           |   |      GATES, MCDONALD        |  
           |   |     HEALTH PLUS, INC.       |  
           |   |                             |  
           |   | Common Stock:   200         |       
           |-- | ------------    Shares      |  
               |                             |  
               |                 Cost        |  
               |                 ----        |  
               | NW CORP.--100%  $2,000,000  |  
                -----------------------------   









                                                                                Subsidiary Companies    -- Solid Line

                                                                                Contractual Association -- Double Line

                                                                                Partnership Interest    -- Dotted Line



                                                                                                             March 6, 1997

                                                                                                                    Page 2
</TABLE>
                                                
                                                                              
<PAGE>   75

Item 27. Number of Contract Owners

   
      The number of Contract Owners of Qualified and Non-Qualified Contracts as
      of February 28, 1997 was 300 and 266, respectively.
    

Item 28. Indemnification

   
      Provision is made in the Company's Amended and Restated Code of
      Regulations and expressly authorized by the General Corporation Law of the
      State of Ohio, for indemnification by the Company of any person who was or
      is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
      or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
      administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that such person is
      or was a director, officer or employee of the Company, against expenses,
      including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
      actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such
      action, suit or proceeding, to the extent and under the circumstances
      permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio.
    

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

Item 29. Principal Underwriter

   
      (a)   Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. ("NAS") acts as principal
            underwriter and general distributor for the Nationwide Multi-Flex
            Variable Account, Nationwide DC Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA
            II, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-5,
            Nationwide Variable Account-6, Nationwide Variable Account-8,
            Nationwide VA Separate Account-A, Nationwide VL Separate Account-B,
            Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate Account-C,
            Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, Nationwide VL Separate Account B,
            Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate
            Account-3, NACo Variable Account and the Nationwide Variable
            Account, all of which are separate investment accounts of the
            Company or its affiliates. 

            NAS also acts as principal underwriter for Nationwide Investing
            Foundation, Nationwide Separate Account Trust, Financial Horizons
            Investment Trust, Nationwide Asset Allocation Trust and Nationwide
            Investing Foundation II, which are open-end management investment
            companies.
    

      (b)                  NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                                DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

                                                Positions and offices
Name and Business Address                         with Underwriter

   
Joseph J. Gasper                                President and Director
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

Dimon Richard McFerson                  Chairman of the Board of Directors and
One Nationwide Plaza                                 Chairman and
Columbus, OH  43215                      Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide
                                          Insurance Enterprise and Director

    
Gordon E. McCutchan
One Nationwide Plaza                       Executive Vice President-Law and
Columbus, OH  43215                        Corporate Services and Director

   
Robert A. Oakley                      Executive Vice President - Chief Financial
One Nationwide Plaza                             Officer and Director
Columbus, OH  43215
    


                                   120 of 124
<PAGE>   76

      (b)              NATIONWIDE ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
                             DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

   
Robert J. Woodward, Jr.
One Nationwide Plaza                            Executive Vice President - Chief
Columbus, OH 43215                              Investment Officer and Director
    

W. Sidney Druen
One Nationwide Plaza                              Senior Vice President and
Columbus, OH  43215                                  General Counsel and
                                                     Assistant Secretary

   
William G. Goslee
One Nationwide Plaza                                    Vice President
Columbus, OH  43215

James F. Laird, Jr.                                Vice President - General
One Nationwide Plaza                              Manager & Acting Treasurer
Columbus, OH  43215

Edwin P. Mc Causland                             Vice President-Fixed Income
One Nationwide Plaza                                      Securities
Columbus, OH 43215
    

Peter J. Neckermann                                     Vice President
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

   
Joseph P. Rath                                   Vice President - Compliance
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215
    

Harry S. Schermer                                Vice President - Investments
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215

   
Rae M. Pollina                                            Secretary
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH  43215
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(c)      Name Of      Net Underwriting    Compensation On
         Principal     Discounts and       Redemption Or      Brokerage
       Underwriter      Commissions         Annuitization    Commissions        Compensation
         Nationwide        N/A                  N/A              N/A                N/A
          Advisory
       Services, Inc.
<S>    <C>            <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>
</TABLE>


                                   121 of 124
<PAGE>   77

Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records

   
      Robert O. Cline
      Nationwide Life Insurance Company
      One Nationwide Plaza
      Columbus, OH  43215
    

Item 31. Management Services

      Not Applicable

Item 32. Undertakings

      The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

      (a)   file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement as
            frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited financial
            statements in the registration statement are never more than 16
            months old for so long as payments under the variable annuity
            contracts may be accepted;

      (b)   include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a contract
            offered by the prospectus, a space that an applicant can check to
            request a Statement of Additional Information, or (2) a post card or
            similar written communication affixed to or included in the
            prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for a Statement of
            Additional Information; and

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

   
      The Registrant represents that any of the Contracts which are issued
      pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code is issued by the Company through
      the Registrant in reliance upon, and in compliance with, a no-action
      letter issued by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission to
      the American Council of Life Insurance (publicly available November 28,
      1988) permitting withdrawal restrictions to the extent necessary to comply
      with Section 403(b)(11) of the Code. The Company represents that the fees
      and charges deducted under the Contract in the aggregate are reasonable in
      relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred
      and risks assumed by the Company.
    


                                   122 of 124
<PAGE>   78

              Accountants' Consent and Independent Auditors' Report
                        on Financial Statement Schedules

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

   
The audits referred to in our report on Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the
Company) dated January 31, 1997 included the related financial statement
schedules as of December 31, 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996, included in the registration statement. These
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statement schedules based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects
the information set forth herein.
    

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.


                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio

   
April 22, 1997
    


                                   123 of 124
<PAGE>   79

                                   SIGNATURES

   
      As required by the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, NATIONWIDE
VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II, certifies that it meets the requirements of Securities Act
485(b) for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment and has caused this
Post-Effective Amendment to be signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and
State of Ohio, on this 22nd day of April, 1997.
    

                                         NATIONWIDE VARIABLE ACCOUNT-II
                                        ---------------------------------
                                                    (Registrant)

                                        NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                        ---------------------------------
                                                     (Depositor)


                                               By/s/JOSEPH P. RATH
                                        ---------------------------------
                                                   Joseph P. Rath
                                                   Vice President

   
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this 22nd
day of April , 1997.
    

           Signature                          Title


LEWIS J. ALPHIN                             Director
- -----------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin


KEITH W. ECKEL                              Director
- -----------------------------
Keith W. Eckel


WILLARD J. ENGEL                            Director
- -----------------------------
Willard J. Engel


FRED C. FINNEY                              Director
- -----------------------------
Fred C. Finney


CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.                   Director
- -----------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.


JOSEPH J. GASPER                  President/Chief Operating Officer and Director
- -----------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper


HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                       Chairman of the Board and Director
 ----------------------------
Henry S. Holloway


D. RICHARD MCFERSON            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Nationwide
- -----------------------------       Insurance Enterprise and Director
D. Richard McFerson


DAVID O. MILLER                             Director
- -----------------------------
David O. Miller


C. RAY NOECKER                              Director
- -----------------------------
C. Ray Noecker


ROBERT A. OAKLEY               Executive Vice President- Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------
Robert A. Oakley


JAMES F. PATTERSON                          Director      By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
- -----------------------------                             ----------------------
James F. Patterson                                         Joseph P. Rath
                                                           Attorney-in-Fact

ARDEN L. SHISLER                            Director       
- -----------------------------
Arden L. Shisler


ROBERT L. STEWART                           Director
- -----------------------------
Robert L. Stewart


/s/ NANCY C. THOMAS                         Director
- -----------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas


/s/ HAROLD W. WEIHL                         Director
- -----------------------------
Harold W. Weihl


                                   124 of 124
<PAGE>   80
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



         KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, and NATIONWIDE
LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, both Ohio corporations, which have filed or
will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, various Registration Statements and
amendments thereto for the registration under said Act of Individual Deferred
Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with MFS Variable Account, Nationwide
Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3,
Nationwide Variable Account-4, Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide
Variable Account-6, Nationwide Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide
Multi-Flex Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA
Separate Account-A, Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
Account-C and Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q; and the registration of fixed
interest rate options subject to a market value adjustment offered under some or
all of the aforementioned individual Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account and Nationwide Multiple
Maturity Separate Account-A, and the registration of Group Flexible Fund
Retirement Contracts in connection with Nationwide DC Variable Account,
Nationwide DCVA-II, and NACo Variable Account; and the registration of Group
Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with Separate Account No.
1; and the registration of variable life insurance policies in connection with
Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide
VLI Separate Account-3, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A and Nationwide VL
Separate Account-B, hereby constitutes and appoints Dimon Richard McFerson,
Joseph J. Gasper, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P. Rath, and each of them with
power to act without the others, his/her attorney, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such Registration Statements and
any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said
corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and
thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This instrument may
be executed in one or more counterparts.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 2nd day of April, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                                                 /s/ David O. Miller
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director                                           David O. Miller, Director

/s/ Keith W. Eckel                                                  /s/ C. Ray Noecker
- -------------------------------------------------                   -------------------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director                                            C. Ray Noecker, Director

/s/ Willard J. Engel                                                /s/ Robert A. Oakley
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Willard J. Engel, Director                                          Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                                    Financial Officer

/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                  /s/ James F. Patterson
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Fred C. Finney, Director                                            James F. Patterson, Director

/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                            /s/ Arden L. Shisler
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr., Director                                 Arden L. Shisler, Director

/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                /s/ Robert L. Stewart
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief Operating Officer             Robert L. Stewart, Director
and Director

/s/ Henry S. Holloway                                               /s/ Nancy C. Thomas
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the Board, Director                  Nancy C. Thomas, Director

/s/ Dimon Richard McFerson                                          /s/ Harold W. Weihl
- -------------------------------------------------                   --------------------------------------------------
Dimon Richard McFerson, Chairman and Chief Executive                Harold W. Weihl, Director
Officer-Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and Director
</TABLE>






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