NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
497, 1996-05-06
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             [LOGO]


                                                       -------------------------
                                                       April 30, 1996 Prospectus
                                                       -------------------------

                                                             INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED

                                                                  VARIABLE/FIXED

                                                                ANNUITY CONTRACT





                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
                    [LOGO] Northwestern National Life
                           20 Washington Avenue South
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401

                                   -----------

              INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE/FIXED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                                    ISSUED BY
                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                                       AND
                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

     The Individual Deferred  Variable/Fixed Annuity Contracts described in this
Prospectus are flexible purchase payment contracts. The Contracts are sold to or
in  connection  with  retirement  plans which may or may not qualify for special
federal tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. (See "Federal Tax Status"
on page 19.) Annuity  payments under the Contracts are deferred until a selected
later date.

     Purchase  payments  may  be  allocated  to  one or  more  of the  available
Sub-Accounts  of NWNL  Select  Variable  Account  (the  "Variable  Account"),  a
separate   account  of  Northwestern   National  Life  Insurance   Company  (the
"Company"),  and/or to the Fixed  Account  (which is the general  account of the
Company).

     Purchase payments allocated to one or more of the available Sub-Accounts of
the Variable  Account,  as selected by the Contract  Owner,  will be invested in
shares at net asset  value of one or more of a group of  investment  funds  (the
"Investment  Funds").  The Investment Funds are currently the Variable Insurance
Products Fund which has five portfolios and the Variable Insurance Products Fund
II which has made available three  portfolios  managed by Fidelity  Management &
Research Company of Boston, Massachusetts and Putnam Capital Manager Trust which
has made available four portfolios managed by Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
("Putnam  Management") of Boston,  Massachusetts.  Each Investment Fund pays its
investment  adviser  certain fees charged  against the assets of the  Investment
Fund. The Variable  Account  Contract  Value and the amount of variable  annuity
payments  will  vary,  primarily  based  on the  investment  performance  of the
Investment Funds whose shares are held in the Sub-Accounts  selected.  (For more
information  about the Funds, see "Investments of the Variable  Account" on page
10.)

     The Variable Account Contract Value is subject to daily charges  consisting
of a mortality  risk premium  equal to 0.9%  annually and an expense risk charge
equal to 0.4% annually.  There is also an annual  administrative  charge of $30,
and there may be a surrender  charge  (contingent  deferred  sales charge) of 5%
which will, with certain  exceptions,  apply to whole or partial surrenders made
within five years of the last  purchase  payment.  (For more  information  about
charges see "Charges Made By the Company" on page 12.)

     Additional  information  about the Contracts,  the Company and the Variable
Account,  contained in a Statement  of  Additional  Information  dated April 30,
1996,  has been  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and is
available  upon  request   without  charge  by  writing  to  Washington   Square
Securities, Inc., 20 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis,  Minnesota 55401. The
Statement of Additional  Information  relating to the Contracts  having the same
date as this  Prospectus is incorporated  by reference in this  Prospectus.  The
Table of Contents for the  Statement of Additional  Information  may be found on
page 25 of this Prospectus.

     Information  about the Fixed  Account  may be found in  Appendix A, on page
A-1.

     NO  PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED  TO  GIVE  ANY   INFORMATION   OR  TO  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATIONS  OTHER THAN THOSE  CONTAINED IN THIS  PROSPECTUS OR ACCOMPANYING
FUND  PROSPECTUSES  AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH  INFORMATION OR  REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED  UPON AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION  OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES
OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED  SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES.  THIS PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER
OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY THE INFORMATION  ABOUT THE CONTRACTS THAT A
PROSPECTIVE  INVESTOR OUGHT TO KNOW BEFORE  INVESTING AND SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.  IT IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES
OF THE INVESTMENT FUNDS.

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

SHARES OF THE  INVESTMENT  FUNDS AND INTERESTS IN THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS
OR  OBLIGATIONS  OF, OR  GUARANTEED  OR ENDORSED BY, A BANK,  AND THE SHARES AND
INTERESTS  ARE  NOT  FEDERALLY   INSURED  BY  THE  FEDERAL   DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS APRIL 30, 1996.

N700.20m

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


Definitions ..........................................................    3
Summary of Contract Expenses .........................................    5
Summary ..............................................................    7
Condensed Financial Information ......................................    8
Performance Information ..............................................    9
The Company ..........................................................   10
The Variable Account .................................................   10
Investments of the Variable Account ..................................   10
Charges Made by the Company ..........................................   12
   Surrender Charge (Contingent
     Deferred Sales Charge) ..........................................   12
   Administrative Charge .............................................   13
   Mortality Risk Premium ............................................   13
   Expense Risk Charge ...............................................   13
   Sufficiency of Charges ............................................   13
   Premium Taxes .....................................................   13
   Expenses of the Investment Funds ..................................   13
Administration of the Contracts ......................................   14
The Contracts ........................................................   14
   Allocation of Purchase Payments ...................................   14
   Sub-Account Accumulation Unit Value ...............................   14
   Net Investment Factor .............................................   14
   Death Benefit Before the
     Annuity Commencement Date .......................................   15
   Death Benefit After the
     Annuity Commencement Date .......................................   15
   Surrender (Redemption) ............................................   15
   Transfers .........................................................   16
   Assignments .......................................................   17
   Contract Owner and Beneficiaries ..................................   17
   Contract Inquiries ................................................   17
Annuity Provisions ...................................................   17
   Annuity Commencement Date .........................................   17
   Annuity Form Selection - Change ...................................   17
   Annuity Forms .....................................................   18
   Automatic Annuity Form ............................................   18
   Frequency and Amount
     of Annuity Payments .............................................   18
   Annuity Payments ..................................................   18
   Sub-Account Annuity Unit Value ....................................   19
   Assumed Investment Rate ...........................................   19
Federal Tax Status ...................................................   19
   Introduction ......................................................   19
   Tax Status of the Contract ........................................   19
   Taxation of Annuities .............................................   20
   Transfers, Assignments or Exchanges of a Contract .................   21
   Withholding .......................................................   21
   Multiple Contracts ................................................   22
   Taxation of Qualified Plans .......................................   22
   Possible Charge for the Company's Taxes ...........................   22
   Other Tax Consequences ............................................   23
Voting of Fund Shares ................................................   23
Distribution of the Contracts ........................................   23
Revocation ...........................................................   23
Reports to Owners ....................................................   24
Legal Proceedings ....................................................   24
Financial Statements and Experts .....................................   24
Further Information ..................................................   24
Statement of Additional 
   Information Table of Contents .....................................   25
Appendix .............................................................   A-1
Fund Prospectuses
   Fidelity's Variable Insurance Products
   Fund (VIPF):
      Money Market Portfolio .........................................   VIP-1
      High Income Portfolio ..........................................   VIP-1
      Equity-Income Portfolio ........................................   VIP-1
      Growth Portfolio ...............................................   VIP-1
      Overseas Portfolio .............................................   VIP-1
   Fidelity's Variable Insurance Products
   Fund II (VIPF II):
      Asset Manager Portfolio ........................................   VIPII-1
      Investment Grade Bond Portfolio ................................   VIPII-1
      Index 500 Portfolio ............................................   VIPII-1
   Putnam Capital Manager Trust (PCM):
      PCM Diversified Income Fund ....................................   PCM-1
      PCM Growth and Income Fund .....................................   PCM-1
      PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund ...........................   PCM-1
      PCM Voyager Fund ...............................................   PCM-1

                                       2

<PAGE>

                                   DEFINITIONS

ANNUITANT - The person who is named by the Owner to receive annuity payments.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT  DATE  (COMMENCEMENT  DATE) - The date on which the annuity
     payments  are to start,  which  must be the first day of a month.  The date
     will be the first day of the month following the Annuitant's  75th birthday
     unless an earlier or later date has been  selected by the Owner and, if the
     date is  later,  it has  been  agreed  to by the  Company.  If the  Annuity
     Commencement Date selected by the Owner does not occur on a Valuation Date,
     at least 60 days  after  the date on which the  Contract  was  issued,  the
     Company  reserves  the right to adjust the  Commencement  Date to the first
     Valuation Date after the Commencement  Date selected by the Owner and which
     is at least 60 days after the Contract issue date.

BENEFICIARY - The person who is named by the Owner to receive the Contract Value
     upon the death of the Owner or Annuitant prior to the Annuity  Commencement
     Date or to receive  the balance of the  annuity  payments if the  Annuitant
     does not live to receive all payments due.

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

CONTRACT  ANNIVERSARY - Occurs yearly on the same day and month the Contract was
     issued.

CONTRACT OWNER  (OWNER) - The  person  who  controls  all the  rights  under the
     Contract until the earlier of the Annuity  Commencement Date or the date of
     death of the annuitant.

CONTRACT VALUE - The sum of (a) the Variable  Account  Contract Value,  which is
     the value of the Sub-Account  Accumulation Units under the Contract and (b)
     the Fixed Account  Contract  Value,  which is the sum of purchase  payments
     allocated to the Fixed Account under the Contract,  plus credited interest,
     minus surrenders,  surrender charges, and any annual administrative charges
     applicable  to the Fixed  Account,  and minus any transfers to the Variable
     Account.

CONTRACT YEAR - The twelve-month period starting on a Contract Anniversary.

FIXED ACCOUNT - The Fixed Account is the general  account of the Company,  which
     consists  of all assets of the  Company  other than  those  allocated  to a
     separate account of the Company.

FIXED ANNUITY - An annuity with payments which do not vary as to dollar amount.

INVESTMENT FUNDS - Any  open-end  management  investment  company (or  portfolio
     thereof)  or  unit  investment   trust  (or  series  thereof)  in  which  a
     Sub-Account invests as described herein.

PCM - Putnam Capital Manager Trust
     PCM Diversified Income Fund
     PCM Growth and Income Fund
     PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund
     PCM Voyager Fund

QUALIFIED PLAN - A  retirement  plan  under  Sections  401,  403,  404 or 408 or
     similar provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

SUB-ACCOUNT - That portion of the Variable  Account which invests in shares of a
     specific Mutual Fund.

SUB-ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT - A unit of measure, similar to a share of stock,
     used to  determine  the Variable  Account  Contract  Value  before  annuity
     payments start.

SUCCESSOR  BENEFICIARY  - The  person  named to become  the  Beneficiary  if the
     Beneficiary is not alive.

VALUATION DATE - The close of the market each day the New York Stock Exchange is
     open for trading,  and valuations have not been suspended by the Securities
     and Exchange Commission.

VALUATION  PERIOD - The time  interval  between  a  Valuation  Date and the next
     Valuation Date.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT - A separate  account of the Company  consisting  of assets set
     aside by the Company, the investment  performance of which is kept separate
     from that of the general assets of the Company.

VARIABLE ANNUITY - A series of periodic  payments  to the  Annuitant  which will
     vary in amount,  primarily based on the investment  results of the Variable
     Account Sub-Accounts under the Contract.

                                       3


<PAGE>

VARIABLE ANNUITY UNIT - A unit of measure used in the  calculation of the second
     and each subsequent variable annuity payment from the Variable Account.

VIPF - Variable Insurance Products Fund
     Money Market Portfolio
     High Income Portfolio
     Equity-Income Portfolio
     Growth Portfolio
     Overseas Portfolio

VIPF II - Variable Insurance Products Fund II
     Asset Manager Portfolio
     Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
     Index 500 Portfolio

                                       4


<PAGE>
                          SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES


Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases .....................................     None
Deferred Sales Charge (a)..............................................    5.00%
  (as a percentage of purchase payments paid in last 5 years)
Surrender Fees ........................................................     None
Exchange Fee ..........................................................     None

         ANNUAL CONTRACT FEE ..........................................      $30

         SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
            (as a percentage of average account value)
         Mortality and Expense Risk Fees ..............................    1.30%
         Account Fees and Expenses ....................................     None
         Total Separate Account Annual Expenses .......................    1.30%

ANNUAL INVESTMENT FUND EXPENSES
(as a percentage of portfolio company average net assets)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                  TOTAL INVESTMENT
                                                                              MANAGEMENT          OTHER             FUND ANNUAL
                                                                                 FEES           EXPENSES              EXPENSES
                                                                                 ----           --------              --------
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>                   <C>  
VIPF Money Market Portfolio...............................................       0.24%           0.09%                 0.33%
VIPF High Income Portfolio.(b)............................................       0.60%           0.11%                 0.71%
VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio..............................................       0.51%           0.10%                 0.61%
VIPF Growth Portfolio.....................................................       0.61%           0.09%                 0.70%
VIPF Overseas Portfolio...................................................       0.76%           0.15%                 0.91%

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                  TOTAL INVESTMENT
                                                                              MANAGEMENT          OTHER             FUND ANNUAL
                                                                                 FEES           EXPENSES              EXPENSES
                                                                                 ----           --------              --------
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>                   <C>  
VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio.(b).......................................       0.71%           0.08%                 0.79%
VIPF II Investment Grand Bond Portfolio...................................       0.45%           0.14%                 0.59%
VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio.(c)...........................................       0.28%           0.00%                 0.28%

<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                  TOTAL INVESTMENT
                                                                              MANAGEMENT          OTHER             FUND ANNUAL
                                                                                 FEES           EXPENSES              EXPENSES
                                                                                 ----           --------              --------
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C>                   <C>  
PCM Diversified Income Fund...............................................       0.70%           0.15%                 0.85%
PCM Growth and Income Fund................................................       0.52%           0.05%                 0.57%
PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund.(d)..................................       0.70%           0.08%                 0.78%
PCM Voyager Fund..........................................................       0.62%           0.06%                 0.68%

</TABLE>

     The fee and expense information regarding the Investment Funds was provided
by the  Investment  Funds.  The Variable  Insurance  Products Fund, the Variable
Insurance  Products Fund II, and Putnam Capital Manager Trust are not affiliated
with the Company.

EXAMPLES

     If you surrender  your contract at the end of the  applicable  time period,
you would pay the  following  expenses  on a $1,000  investment,  assuming  a 5%
annual return on assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1 YEAR      3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
                                                                                      ------      -------      -------      --------
<S>                                                                                     <C>        <C>           <C>          <C> 
VIPF Money Market Portfolio........................................................     $63        $101          $96          $208
VIPF High Income Portfolio.........................................................      67         112          115           248
VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio.......................................................      66         109          110           238
VIPF Growth Portfolio..............................................................      67         112          115           247
VIPF Overseas Portfolio............................................................      69         118          126           269

</TABLE>
                                       5
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1 YEAR      3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
                                                                                      ------      -------      -------      --------
<S>                                                                                     <C>        <C>          <C>           <C> 
VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio....................................................     $68        $115         $119          $256
VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio............................................      66         109          109           236
VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio........................................................      62          99           93           203

<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1 YEAR      3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
                                                                                      ------      -------      -------      --------
<S>                                                                                     <C>        <C>          <C>           <C> 
PCM Diversified Income Fund........................................................     $68        $117         $123          $263
PCM Growth and Income Fund.........................................................      65         108          108           234
PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund...............................................      68         114          119           255
PCM Voyager Fund...................................................................      67         111          114           245

</TABLE>

     If you annuitize at the end of the applicable  time period or if you do not
surrender  your  contract,  you would  pay the  following  expenses  on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1 YEAR      3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
                                                                                      ------      -------      -------      --------
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>          <C>          <C> 
VIPF Money Market Portfolio........................................................     $18         $56          $96          $208
VIPF High Income Portfolio.........................................................      22          67          115           248
VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio.......................................................      21          64          110           238
VIPF Growth Portfolio..............................................................      22          67          115           247
VIPF Overseas Portfolio............................................................      24          73          126           269

<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1 YEAR      3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
                                                                                      ------      -------      -------      --------
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>           <C> 
VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio....................................................     $23         $70         $119          $256
VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio............................................      21          64          109           236
VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio........................................................      17          54           93           203

<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1 YEAR      3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
                                                                                      ------      -------      -------      --------
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>           <C> 
PCM Diversified Income Fund........................................................     $23         $72         $123          $263
PCM Growth and Income Fund.........................................................      20          63          108           234
PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund...............................................      23          69          119           255
PCM Voyager Fund...................................................................      22          66          114           245

</TABLE>

(a)  The  Deferred  Sales  Charge  may be less  than  5%,  since  under  certain
     situations  amounts may be  surrendered  or withdrawn free of any surrender
     charge.  For more  information on the Deferred  Sales Charge,  see page 12,
     "Surrender Charge (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge)."

(b)  During 1995, a portion of the brokerage commissions paid by the High Income
     Portfolio  and Asset Manager  Portfolio was used to reduce each  respective
     portfolio's expenses. Without the reduction, total operating expenses would
     have been  0.71% and  0.81%,  respectively,  for each  portfolio.  For more
     information  on the  portfolios'  Management  Fees  and  Expenses,  see the
     prospectus for the Fund.

(c)  During 1995, the investment adviser to the Index 500 Portfolio reimbursed a
     portion of the  portfolio's  expenses.  Without  the  reimbursement,  total
     operating  expenses  would have been  0.47%.  For more  information  on the
     portfolio's Management Fees and Expenses, see the prospectus for the Fund.

(d)  On January 7, 1996, the Trustees of Putnam Capital Manager Trust approved a
     proposal  to change  the fees  payable  to the  trust's  adviser  under its
     management  contract for PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund. The proposed
     change, which increases total operating expenses from 0.68% to 0.78% and is
     reflected in the figures shown above, is subject to shareholder approval at
     a meeting  scheduled for July 11, 1996. For more  information on the Fund's
     management fees and expenses, see the prospectus for the Fund.

     THE  EXAMPLES  SHOWN  IN  THE  TABLE  ABOVE  SHOULD  NOT  BE  CONSIDERED  A
REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES.  ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR LESS
THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE 5% ANNUAL RETURN ASSUMED IS HYPOTHETICAL AND SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED  A  REPRESENTATION  OF PAST OR FUTURE  ANNUAL  RETURNS,  WHICH MAY BE
GREATER OR LESS THAN THE ASSUMED RATE.

     The purpose of this table is to assist the Contract Owner in  understanding
the various costs and expenses that a Contract  Owner will bear either  directly
or indirectly.  The table reflects the expenses of the Variable  Account as well
as those of the Investment Funds. The $30 Annual Contract Charge is reflected as
an annual percentage charge in this table based on the average net assets in the
Variable  Account and Fixed Account during the preceding year,  which translates
to a charge equal to an annual rate of 0.140% of the Variable and Fixed  Account
values.

     In addition to the costs and expenses  shown in this table,  state  premium
taxes may also be applicable.  For more  information on state premium taxes, see
page 13, "Premium Taxes".

                                       6

<PAGE>

                                     SUMMARY

     The Contracts are  individual  deferred  variable/fixed  annuity  contracts
issued by the  Variable  Account and the  Company.  (See "The  Company" and "The
Variable Account" on page 10.) They are sold to or in connection with retirement
plans which may or may not qualify for special  federal tax treatment  under the
Internal  Revenue Code. (See "Federal Tax Status" on page 19.) Annuity  payments
under the Contracts are deferred until a later date.

     Purchase  payments  may be  allocated  to one or more  Sub-Accounts  of the
Variable Account and/or to the Fixed Account. Purchase payments allocated to one
or more  Sub-Accounts of the Variable  Account will be invested in shares at net
asset  value  of one or more  of the  Investment  Funds.  The  Variable  Account
Contract Value and the amount of variable annuity payments will vary,  primarily
based on the investment  performance  of the  Investment  Funds whose shares are
held in the Sub-Accounts selected. (See "Investments of the Variable Account" on
page 10.)

     No deduction for a sales charge is made from the purchase  payments for the
Contracts.  However,  if all or any part of the  Contract  Value is  surrendered
within five years from the date of the last purchase payment,  the Company will,
with  certain  exceptions,  deduct a  surrender  charge  (which  may be deemed a
contingent deferred sales charge).  (See "Surrender Charge (Contingent  Deferred
Sales Charge)" on page 12.)

     In  addition,  on each  Contract  Anniversary  and on the  surrender of the
Contract for full value if it is not surrendered on a Contract Anniversary,  the
Company will deduct from the  Contract  Value an  administrative  charge of $30.
During the  annuity  period the annual  administrative  charge  will be deducted
proportionately from each monthly annuity payment. The administrative  charge is
to reimburse the Company for  administrative  expenses relating to the issue and
maintenance of the Contracts. (See "Administrative Charge" on page 13.)

     The Company  also  deducts a  Mortality  Risk  Premium and an Expense  Risk
Charge,  equal to an annual  rate of 1.3% of the  daily  net asset  value of the
Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account, for mortality and expense risks assumed by
the Company.  (See  "Mortality  Risk  Premium" and "Expense Risk Charge" on page
13.)

     The  initial  purchase  payment  must be  $2,500 or more.  However,  if the
Contract is being  purchased  by or in  connection  with a Qualified  Plan,  the
minimum  amount of purchase  payments the Company  will accept  during the first
Contract Year will be $600, with no individual  payment to be less than $50. The
Company may choose not to accept any subsequent  purchase  payment if it is less
than $50 or if the purchase payment together with the Contract Value at the next
Valuation Date exceeds $250,000.

     If the Contract Value at the Annuity Commencement Date is less than $2,500,
the Contract Value may be distributed in a single sum payment 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  each.  (See  "Frequency  and  Amount  of  Annuity
Payments" on page 18.)

     Premium taxes payable to any  governmental  entity will be charged  against
the Contracts. (See "Premium Taxes" on page 13.)

     The  Contract  Owner may  request  early  withdrawal  of all or part of the
Contract  Value  before  the  Annuity   Commencement   Date.   (See   "Surrender
(Redemption)"  on page 17.) A penalty  tax may be  assessed  pursuant to Section
72(q) of the Internal Revenue Code upon withdrawal of amounts  accumulated under
a Contract. (See "Taxation of Annuities in General" on page 20.)

     The  Contract  Owner may return the  Contract  within ten days after it was
delivered to the Owner,  and the full amount of the purchase  payments  received
will be refunded. (See "Revocation" on page 23.)

                                       7

<PAGE>

                         CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table shows,  for each  Sub-Account of the Variable  Account,  the
value of a Sub-Account  Accumulation  Unit as they are invested in portfolios at
the  dates  shown,  and the  total  number  of  Sub-Account  Accumulation  Units
outstanding at the end of each period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-ACCOUNT INVESTING IN                    1995      1994      1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988    1987  1986
FIDELITY'S VIPF: (a)                        ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----    ----  ----
<S>                                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>               
(all portfolios from May 1, 1988):
Money Market Portfolio
   Beginning of  period.................. $13.4845  $13.1036  $12.8597  $12.5397  $11.9736   $11.2268  $10.4179  $10.0000   -     -
   End of period......................... $14.0932  $13.4845  $13.1036  $12.8597  $12.5397   $11.9736  $11.2268  $10.4179   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period. ..  605,511   755,428   827,229   987,748 1,129,026  1,120,621   370,316    38,447   -     -
High Income Portfolio
   Beginning of period................... $17.7525  $18.2678  $15.3580  $12.6454   $9.4711    $9.8322  $10.4064  $10.0000   -     -
   End of period......................... $21.1332  $17.7525  $18.2678  $15.3580  $12.6454    $9.4711   $9.8322  $10.4064   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period. ..  760,359   778,501   798,986   441,253   273,750    224,342   157,944    67,794   -     -
Equity-Income Portfolio
   Beginning of period................... $19.3743  $18.3330  $15.7132  $13.6101  $10.4896   $12.5467  $10.8324  $10.0000   -     -
   End of period......................... $25.8348  $19.3743  $18.3330  $15.7132  $13.6101   $10.4896  $12.5467  $10.8324   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....2,562,446 2,548,087 2,319,004 1,655,722 1,303,735  1,242,548   934,804   288,561   -     -
Growth Portfolio
   Beginning of period................... $21.0608  $21.3412  $18.1132  $16.7875  $11.6882   $13.4173  $10.3448  $10.0000   -     -
   End of period......................... $28.1402  $21.0608  $21.3412  $18.1132  $16.7875   $11.6882  $13.4173  $10.3448   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....2,477,276 2,337,733 2,019,876 1,448,782   980,079    719,979   296,757   148,480   -     -
Overseas Portfolio
   Beginning of period................... $15.7366  $15.6727  $11.5705  $13.1298  $12.2980   $12.6820  $10.1743  $10.0000   -     -
   End of period......................... $17.0360  $15.7366  $15.6727  $11.5705  $13.1298   $12.2980  $12.6820  $10.1743   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....1,055,251 1,176,636   819,348   456,484   364,272    333,194    64,228    15,105   -     -

FIDELITY'S VIPF II: (b)
Asset Manager Portfolio
(from May 1, 1991):
   Beginning of period................... $13.1500  $14.1866  $11.8736  $10.7527  $10.0000          -         -         -   -     -
   End of period......................... $15.1807  $13.1500  $14.1866  $11.8736  $10.7527          -         -         -   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....2,327,409 2,293,509 1,727,141   522,702   118,419          -         -         -   -     -
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
(from May 1, 1991):
   Beginning of period................... $12.0868  $12.7234  $11.6171  $11.0360  $10.0000          -         -         -   -     -
   End of period......................... $13.9972  $12.0868  $12.7234  $11.6171  $11.0360          -         -         -   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....  616,360   687,602   729,335   352,116    79,859          -         -         -   -     -
Index 500 Portfolio
(from May 3, 1993):
   Beginning of period................... $10.6006  $10.6290  $10.0000         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   End of period......................... $14.3550  $10.6006  $10.6290         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....  261,975   174,454   102,493         -         -          -         -         -   -     -

PUTNAM'S: (c)
(all portfolios from May 2, 1994):
PCM Diversified Income Fund
   Beginning of period...................  $9.8430  $10.0000         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   End of Period......................... $11.5741   $9.8430         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....   57,511    16,459         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
PCM Growth and Income Fund
   Beginning of period................... $10.1294  $10.0000         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   End of Period......................... $13.6691  $10.1294         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....  140,310    34,789         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund
   Beginning of period...................  $9.7315  $10.0000         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   End of Period......................... $12.5909   $9.7315         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
   Units outstanding at end of period....   56,662    11,486         -         -         -          -         -         -   -     -
PCM Voyager Fund
   Beginning of period................... $10.4653  $10.0000         -         -         -          -         -         -    -    -
   End of Period......................... $14.5313  $10.4653         -         -         -          -         -         -    -    -
   Units outstanding at end of period....  280,197    84,232         -         -         -          -         -         -    -    -

</TABLE>

(a)  The portfolios of VIPF were not available under the Contract prior to 1988.

(b)  The VIPF II Asset Manager  Portfolio and  Investment  Grade Bond  Portfolio
     were not available  under the Contract prior to 1991, and the VIPF II Index
     500 Portfolio was not available under the Contract prior to 1993.

(c)  The portfolios of PCM were not available under the Contract prior to 1994.

                                       8

<PAGE>


                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

     From time to time, the Company may advertise or include in sales literature
yields,  effective  yields,  and total returns for the  available  Sub-Accounts.
THESE  FIGURES ARE BASED ON  HISTORICAL  EARNINGS AND DO NOT INDICATE OR PROJECT
FUTURE  PERFORMANCE.  Each  Sub-Account  may,  from time to time,  advertise  or
include in sales literature performance relative to certain performance rankings
and indices compiled by independent organizations.  More detailed information as
to the  calculation of  performance  information,  as well as  comparisons  with
unmanaged market indices, appears in the Statement of Additional Information.

     Effective  yields and total returns for the  Sub-Accounts  are based on the
investment performance of the corresponding  portfolios of the Investment Funds.
The  performance  in part  reflects  the  Investment  Funds'  expenses.  See the
Prospectuses for the Investment Funds.

     The yield of the Sub-Account  investing in the VIPF Money Market  Portfolio
refers to the annualized  income  generated by an investment in the  Sub-Account
over a specified  seven-day period. The yield is calculated by assuming that the
income  generated for that seven-day  period is generated each seven-day  period
over a  52-week  period  and is shown as a  percentage  of the  investment.  The
effective yield is calculated similarly but, when annualized,  the income earned
by an investment in the  Sub-Account is assumed to be reinvested.  The effective
yield will be slightly higher than the yield because of the  compounding  effect
of this assumed reinvestment.

     The yield of a Sub-Account  (except the Money Market Sub-Account  investing
in the VIPF Money Market Portfolio) refers to the annualized income generated by
an investment in the Sub-Account  over a specified  30-day or one-month  period.
The yield is calculated by assuming that the income  generated by the investment
during that 30-day or one-month  period is generated each period over a 12-month
period and is shown as a percentage of the investment.

     The total return of a Sub-Account  refers to return quotations  assuming an
investment under a Contract has been held in the Sub-Account for various periods
of time  including,  but not  limited  to, a period  measured  from the date the
Sub-Account commenced  operations.  When a Sub-Account has been in operation for
one, five, and ten years, respectively,  the total return for these periods will
be provided. For periods prior to the date the Sub-Account commenced operations,
performance  information  for  Contracts  funded  by the  Sub-Accounts  will  be
calculated based on the performance of the Investment Funds' portfolio's and the
assumption that the Sub-Accounts were in existence for the same periods as those
indicated  for the  Investment  Funds'  portfolios,  with the level of  Contract
charges  that  were in  effect  at the  inception  of the  Sub-Accounts  for the
Contracts.

     The average  annual total return  quotations  represent the average  annual
compounded  rates of return that would  equate an initial  investment  of $1,000
under a Contract to the redemption  value of that  investment as of the last day
of each of the periods for which total return  quotations are provided.  Average
annual total return information shows the average percentage change in the value
of an investment  in the  Sub-Account  from the beginning  date of the measuring
period to the end of that period.  This  version of average  annual total return
reflects all  historical  investment  results,  less all charges and  deductions
applied against the Sub-Account (including any surrender charge that would apply
if an Owner  terminated  the Contract at the end of each period  indicated,  but
excluding any deductions for premium taxes.)

     Average total return  information  may be  presented,  computed on the same
basis as  described  above,  except  deductions  will not include the  surrender
charge.  In addition,  the Company may from time to time disclose average annual
total return in non-standard  formats and cumulative  total return for Contracts
funded by the Sub-Accounts.

     The Company may, from time to time,  also disclose  yield and total returns
for the  portfolios of the  Investment  Funds,  including  such  disclosure  for
periods prior to the dates the Sub-Accounts commenced operations.

     For additional  information  regarding the calculation of other performance
data, please refer to the Statement of Additional Information.

     In advertising and sales  literature,  the performance of each  Sub-Account
may be compared to the performance of other variable  annuity issuers in general
or to the  performance of particular  types of variable  annuities  investing in
mutual funds, or investment  series of mutual funds with  investment  objectives
similar to each of the Sub-Accounts. Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. ("Lipper")
and the  Variable  Annuity  Research  Data  Service  ("VARDS")  are  independent
services which monitor and rank the  performance of variable  annuity issuers in
each of the major categories of investment objectives on an industry-wide basis.


<PAGE>

     Lipper's  rankings  include  variable  life  insurance  issuers  as well as
variable annuity issuers.  VARDS rankings compare only variable annuity issuers.
The performance  analyses prepared by Lipper and VARDS each rank such issuers on
the basis of total return,  assuming  reinvestment of distributions,  but do not
take sales  charges,  redemption  fees,  or certain  expense  deductions  at the
separate account level into consideration. In addition, VARDS prepares risk

                                       9
<PAGE>

adjusted  rankings,  which  consider  the effects of market risk on total return
performance.  This type of ranking  provides  data as to which funds provide the
highest total return within various categories of funds defined by the degree of
risk inherent in their investment objectives.

     Advertising  and sales  literature may also compare the performance of each
Sub-Account  to the Standard & Poor's  Composite  Index of 500 Stocks,  a widely
used measure of stock performance. This unmanaged index assumes the reinvestment
of dividends but does not reflect any  "deduction"  for the expense of operating
or managing an investment  portfolio.  Other  independent  ranking  services and
indices may also be used as a source of performance comparison.

     The Company  may also  report  other  information  including  the effect of
tax-deferred  compounding on a Sub-Account's  investment  returns, or returns in
general,  which may be illustrated by tables,  graphs, or charts. All income and
capital gains derived from  Sub-Account  investments are reinvested and can lead
to substantial  long-term  accumulation of assets,  provided that the underlying
portfolio's investment experience is positive.

                                  THE COMPANY

The Company,  organized in 1885, is a stock life insurance company  incorporated
under the laws of the State of Minnesota. Effective January 3, 1989, the Company
converted  from a stock  and  mutual  life  insurance  company  to a stock  life
insurance company and, through a merger became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary
of ReliaStar  Financial Corp., a holding company  incorporated under the laws of
the  State of  Delaware.  The  Company  offers  individual  life  insurance  and
annuities,  employee benefits, and retirement contracts. The Company is admitted
to do business in the District of Columbia and all states  except New York.  Its
home office is at 20  Washington  Avenue  South,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota  55401
(telephone 612/372-5507).

     The  Contracts  described  in this  Prospectus  are  nonparticipating.  The
capital and surplus of the Company should be considered as bearing only upon the
ability of the Company to meet its obligations under the Contracts.

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

     The Variable  Account is a Separate  Account of the Company  established by
the Board of Directors of the Company on November 12, 1981, pursuant to the laws
of the State of  Minnesota.  The Company has caused the  Variable  Account to be
registered  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission as a unit  investment
trust under the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940.  Such  registration  does not
involve  supervision by such Commission of the management or investment policies
or practices of the Variable Account, the Company or the Funds.

     The  assets  of the  Variable  Account  are owned by the  Company,  and the
Company is not a trustee  with respect to such assets.  However,  the  Minnesota
laws under which the Variable Account was established  provide that the Variable
Account  shall  not be  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.  The  Contract  Value and the  amount of
annuity payments will vary, primarily based on the investment performance of the
Funds whose shares are held in the Variable Account Sub-Accounts selected by the
Owner.

     Purchase  payments  allocated to the Variable  Account under a Contract are
invested in one or more Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account. These Sub-Accounts
are divided into  Sub-Accounts  for Contracts  issued to or in  connection  with
Qualified Plans and Sub-Accounts  for all other  Contracts.  Each Sub-Account is
invested  in shares  of one of the  Investment  Funds on the list of  Investment
Funds  provided by the  Company.  The  purchase  payments  under a Contract  are
allocated to the  Sub-Account  or  Sub-Accounts  selected by the Owner,  and the
future  Variable  Account  Contract  Value depends  primarily on the  investment
performance  of the Investment  Funds whose shares are held in the  Sub-Accounts
selected.

     Shares of the Funds are also available to separate accounts for other types
of  variable  contracts.  Although  we do not  foresee  that this will cause any
disadvantages  to Owners,  for a brief  explanation of the conflicts that may be
involved  in  such  situations,  refer  to the  section  entitled  "FMR  and Its
Affiliates"  contained  in the VIPF and VIPF II  Prospectuses,  and the  section
entitled "Sales and  Redemptions"  contained in the Putnam Capital Manager Trust
Prospectus.

                      INVESTMENTS OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

     When a  Contract  is  applied  for,  the Owner  may elect to have  purchase
payments  allocated to one or more  Sub-Accounts each of which invests in shares
of one  of the  Investment  Funds  on the  list  provided  by the  Company.  The
Sub-Accounts  invest in shares of the Investment Funds at their net asset value,
subject  to  any  minimum  purchase  requirements  that  may be  imposed  by the

<PAGE>

Investment Funds. The Owner may change a purchase payment  allocation for future
purchase  payments  and may at any  time  transfer  all or part of any  existing
values in a Sub-Account to another Sub-

                                       10

<PAGE>

Account that invests in shares of another  Investment Fund on the list,  subject
to any terms and conditions  the  Investment  Funds may impose on transfers from
one Investment  Fund to another in addition to transfer  requirements  under the
Contract.

     Fidelity  Management & Research  Company is the investment  adviser for the
five  portfolios  of VIPF  and the  three  portfolios  of VIPF  II,  and  Putnam
Management  is the  investment  adviser  for the  four  portfolios  of PCM.  The
investment  advisers are paid fees for their  services by the  Investment  Funds
they manage. The Investment Funds currently offered are described below. A brief
summary  of  investment  objectives  is  contained  in the  description  of each
Investment  Fund.  More  detailed  information  may  be  found  in  the  current
prospectus for each Investment Fund offered,  which Investment Fund prospectuses
are combined with this Prospectus and should be read in conjunction herewith.

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND (VIPF)

     VIPF is a mutual fund currently offering five investment  portfolios,  each
with a different investment objective.

     MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain as high a level of current income as
     is  consistent  with  preserving  capital  and  providing  liquidity.   The
     portfolio will invest only in high-quality  U.S. dollar  denominated  money
     market  instruments of domestic and foreign  issuers.  An investment in the
     portfolio is not insured or  guaranteed by the U.S.  Government,  and there
     can be no assurance  that the portfolio  will maintain a stable asset value
     per share of $1.00.

     HIGH  INCOME  PORTFOLIO  seeks to obtain a high level of current  income by
     investing  primarily in  lower-rated,  fixed-income  securities  (sometimes
     referred to as "junk  bonds"),  while also  considering  growth of capital.
     Lower-rated, fixed-income securities are considered speculative and involve
     greater risk of default than higher-rated,  fixed-income securities and are
     more sensitive to the issuer's capacity to pay. Consult the VIPF prospectus
     for  further  information  on the  risks  associated  with the  portfolio's
     investment in lower-rated, fixed income securities.

     EQUITY-INCOME  PORTFOLIO seeks reasonable income by investing  primarily in
     income-producing  equity  securities.  In  choosing  these  securities  the
     portfolio  will also 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  Composite  Index of 500
     Stocks.

     GROWTH  PORTFOLIO  seeks to achieve  capital  appreciation.  The  Portfolio
     normally  purchases  common  stocks,   although  its  investments  are  not
     restricted to any one type of security.  Capital  appreciation  may also be
     found in other types of securities, including bonds and preferred stocks.

     OVERSEAS  PORTFOLIO  seeks long term  growth of capital  primarily  through
     investments in foreign securities.  Overseas Portfolio provides a means for
     investors to diversify their own portfolios by  participating  in companies
     and economies outside of the United States.

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II (VIPF II)

     VIPF II is a mutual fund  currently  offering five  investment  portfolios,
each with a different  investment  objective.  Presently,  the  following  three
portfolios are available under this Contract.

     ASSET MANAGER  PORTFOLIO seeks 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.

     INVESTMENT  GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO seeks as high a level of current income as
     is  consistent  with the  preservation  of capital by  investing in a broad
     range of investment-grade, fixed-income securities.

     INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO seeks to provide  investment results that correspond to
     the total return (i.e.,  the  combination of capital changes and income) of
     common  stocks  publicly  traded in the  United  States.  In  seeking  this
     objective,  the portfolio  attempts to duplicate the  composition and total
     return of the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks while keeping
     transaction  costs and other  expenses  low. The portfolio is designed as a
     long-term investment option.

PUTNAM CAPITAL MANAGER TRUST (PCM)

     PCM is a mutual  fund  currently  offering  eleven  investment  funds  with
differing  investment  objectives.   Four  of  these  portfolios  are  currently
available under this Contract.

     PCM  DIVERSIFIED  INCOME FUND seeks high  current  income  consistent  with
     capital  preservation by allocating its investments  among U.S.  government
     securities,  high-yield,  higher risk  securities  (commonly known as "junk
     bonds")  and  international  fixed  income  securities.   Consult  the  PCM
     Prospectus for further information on the risks associated with this Fund's
     investments in high-yield, higher-risk fixed income securities.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     PCM GROWTH  AND INCOME  FUND seeks  capital  growth and  current  income by
     investing  primarily  in common  stocks  that offer  potential  for capital
     growth, current income, or both.

     PCM  UTILITIES  GROWTH AND INCOME  FUND seeks  capital  growth and  current
     income by  concentrating  its  investments  in debt and  equity  securities
     issued by companies in the public utilities industries.

     PCM VOYAGER FUND seeks capital  appreciation  primarily from a portfolio of
     common stocks of companies that Putnam  Management  believes have potential
     for capital appreciation which is significantly greater than that of market
     averages.

     In the  future,  additional  Investment  Funds  may be added to the list of
Investment Funds in which the assets of the Variable Account may be invested.

REINVESTMENT

     The Investment  Funds described above have as a policy the  distribution of
income  dividend and capital gains.  However,  under the Contracts  described in
this Prospectus there is an automatic reinvestment of such distributions.

SUBSTITUTION OF INVESTMENT FUND SHARES

     If the shares of any of the Investment  Funds should no longer be available
for  investment  by a  Sub-Account  or if  in  the  judgment  of  the  Company's
management investment in such Investment Fund shares has become inappropriate in
view of the  purposes of the  Contract,  the Company  may  substitute  shares of
another  Investment  Fund for  Investment  Fund  shares  already  purchased.  No
substitution  of  shares  in any  Sub-Account  may take  place  without  a prior
favorable  vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by persons having
a voting  interest in the Investment Fund shares  allocated to such  Sub-Account
and prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     If a purchase  payment for a selected  Sub-Account is unable to be invested
because shares of the  applicable  Investment  Fund are no longer  available for
investment or if in the judgment of the Company's  management further investment
in such Investment Fund shares would be inappropriate in view of the purposes of
the  Contract,  the Owner will be so notified and may direct  investment  of the
purchase  payment in a different  Sub-Account,  which investment will be made on
the next Valuation  Date after such direction is received by the Company.  Until
receipt of such  direction,  the purchase  payment will be invested in shares of
the VIPF Money Market Portfolio.

                           CHARGES MADE BY THE COMPANY

SURRENDER CHARGE (CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE)

     No deduction for a sales charge is made from the purchase  payments for the
Contracts.  However, the surrender charge described below (which may be deemed a
contingent  deferred  sales  charge),  when it is  applicable,  is  intended  to
reimburse  the  Company  for  expenses  relating  to the sale of the  Contracts,
including  commissions  to sales  personnel,  costs of sales  material and other
promotional  activities and sales  administration  costs.  Commissions and other
distribution  compensation  to be paid on the sale of the Contracts  will not be
more than 7.00% of the purchase payments.

     If part or all of a Contract's value is surrendered,  surrender charges may
be  made  by the  Company.  For  purposes  of  the  following  surrender  charge
description,  "New  Purchase  Payments"  are those  Contract  purchase  payments
received by the Company  during the Contract Year in which the surrender  occurs
or in the four immediately preceding Contract Years; "Old Purchase Payments" are
those  Contract  purchase  payments  not defined as New Purchase  Payments;  and
"Contract  Earnings" at any Valuation Date is the Contract Value less the sum of
New Purchase Payments and Old Purchase Payments.

     For purposes of determining  surrender  charges,  surrenders shall first be
taken  from Old  Purchase  Payments  until  they are  exhausted,  then  from New
Purchase  Payments  until  they are  exhausted,  and  thereafter  from  Contract
Earnings.

     The following  amounts ("Free  Surrenders")  are not subject to a surrender
charge  during any  Contract  Year:  (a) any Old  Purchase  Payments not already
surrendered; (b) 10% of all New Purchase Payments that have been received by the
Company  (however,  this  does not apply to  surrenders  made  during  the first
Contract Year); and (c) any Contract Earnings being surrendered.

     Partial surrenders may be made in an amount not greater than the sum of the
following:  (a)  amounts  eligible  for a  Free  Surrender  (including  Contract
Earnings);  and  (b)  95% of  New  Purchase  Payments  not  eligible  for a Free
Surrender.  In the  event of a partial  surrender,  the  amount  of the  partial
surrender  subject to a surrender  charge  will be  determined  by dividing  the
amount being surrendered which is not eligible for a Free Surrender by 0.95. The

<PAGE>

surrender  charge  to be  assessed  by the  Company  in the  event of a  partial
surrender will be equal to 5% of the amount of the partial  surrender subject to
a surrender charge determined as described in the preceding sentence.

                                       12

<PAGE>

     In the event of a total  surrender  of a Contract  for its full value,  the
surrender charge to be assessed by the Company will be equal to 5% of the amount
being surrendered which is not eligible for a Free Surrender.

     If the  surrender  charge  is less than the  Contract  Value  that  remains
immediately  after  surrender,  it will be  deducted  proportionately  from  the
Sub-Accounts  that make up such Contract Value. If the surrender  charge is more
than such remaining Contract Value, the portion of the surrender charge that can
be deducted  from such  remaining  Contract  Value will be so  deducted  and the
balance will be deducted from the surrender  payment.  In computing  surrenders,
any portion of a surrender  charge that is deducted from the remaining  Contract
Value will be deemed a part of the surrender.

ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE

     Each  year on the  Contract  Anniversary,  the  Company  deducts  from  the
Contract  Value an  annual  administrative  charge  of $30 to  reimburse  it for
administrative  expenses relating to the Contract,  the Variable Account and the
Sub-Accounts.  In any Contract Year when a Contract is surrendered  for its full
value on other than the Contract Anniversary,  the administrative charge will be
deducted at the time of such  surrender.  During the  annuity  period the annual
administrative  charge will be divided by the number of payments to be made in a
twelve-month period and the resulting amount will be deducted from each payment.

MORTALITY RISK PREMIUM

     The variable  annuity  payments made to Annuitants  will vary in accordance
with the  investment  performance  of the  Sub-Accounts  selected  by the Owner.
However,  they will not be affected by the mortality  experience (death rate) of
persons  receiving  annuity  payments  from the  Variable  Account.  The Company
assumes this "mortality risk" and has guaranteed the annuity rates  incorporated
in the Contract, which cannot be changed.

     To  compensate  the  Company  for  assuming  this  mortality  risk  and the
mortality  risk that  Beneficiaries  of  Annuitants  dying  before  the  Annuity
Commencement  Date may receive  amounts in excess of the then  current  Contract
Value (see "Death Benefit Before the Annuity Commencement Date" on page 15), the
Company  deducts a Mortality  Risk Premium from the  Variable  Account  Contract
Value.  The deduction is made daily in an amount that is equal to an annual rate
of 0.9% of the daily Contract Values under the Variable Account. The Company may
not change the rate charged for the Mortality Risk Premium under any Contract.

EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

     The  Company  will  not  increase  charges  for   administrative   expenses
regardless of its actual  expenses.  To compensate the Company for assuming this
expense risk, the Company  deducts an Expense Risk Charge from Variable  Account
Contract  Value.  The  deduction  is made daily in an amount that is equal to an
annual rate of 0.4% of the daily Variable Account  Contract Values.  The Company
may not change the rate of the Expense Risk Charge under any Contract.

SUFFICIENCY OF CHARGES

     If the amount of all charges  assessed in  connection  with the  Contracts,
i.e., surrender charges,  administrative charges, the Mortality Risk Premium and
the  Expense  Risk  Charge,  is not  enough to cover all  expenses  incurred  in
connection therewith, the loss will be borne by the Company.  Conversely, if the
amount of such charges  proves more than  enough,  the excess may be used to pay
distribution expenses. Any expenses borne by the Company will be paid out of its
general account which may include, among other things, proceeds derived from the
Mortality  Risk  Premiums and Expense Risk  Charges  deducted  from the Variable
Account.

PREMIUM TAXES

     Various  states  and  other  governmental  entities  levy  a  premium  tax,
currently  ranging  up to  3.50%,  on  annuity  contracts  issued  by  insurance
companies.  If the Owner of the Contract  lives in a  governmental  jurisdiction
that  levies such a tax,  the  Company  will deduct the amount of the tax either
from purchase  payments as they are received or from the Contract  Value applied
to an Annuity Form at the Annuity  Commencement  Date as required by  applicable
law.

     The  current  range of premium  tax rates is a guide only and should not be
relied on to determine  actual premium taxes on any purchase payment or Contract
because  the taxes are subject to change  from time to time by  legislative  and
other governmental  action. The timing of tax levies also varies from one taxing
authority to another.  Consequently,  in many cases the  purchaser of a Contract
will not be able to  accurately  determine  the  premium tax  applicable  to the
Contract by reference to the range of tax rates described above.


<PAGE>

EXPENSES OF THE INVESTMENT FUNDS

     There  are  deductions  from and  expenses  paid out of the  assets  of the
Investment  Funds that are described in the  accompanying  prospectuses  for the
Funds.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                         ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONTRACTS

     The Company  has  entered  into a contract  with  Continuum  Administrative
Services Corporation (formerly known as Vantage Computer Systems,  Inc.), Kansas
City,  Missouri  ("CASC")  under  which  CASC  has  agreed  to  perform  certain
administrative  functions  relating to the Contracts  and the Variable  Account.
These functions include,  among other things,  maintaining the books and records
of the Variable  Account and the  Sub-Accounts,  and maintaining  records of the
name, address, taxpayer identification number, Contract number, type of Contract
issued to each Owner,  Contract Value and other pertinent  information necessary
to the administration and operation of the Contracts.

                                  THE CONTRACTS

     The  Contracts  described in this  Prospectus  are designed for  retirement
plans which may or may not be Qualified Plans. Usually a single purchase payment
will be made for a deferred annuity,  although  subsequent purchase payments are
allowed  under the  Contract.  The minimum  amount the Company will accept as an
initial purchase payment is $2,500.  However, if the Contract is purchased by or
in connection with a Qualified Plan, the minimum amount of purchase payments the
Company  will  accept  during  the first  Contract  Year  will be $600,  with no
individual payment to be less than $50. The Company may choose not to accept any
subsequent  purchase  payment if it is less than $50 or if the purchase  payment
together with the Contract  Value at the next  Valuation  Date exceeds  $250,000
(any such purchase payment not accepted by the Company will be refunded).

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

     Purchase  payments may be allocated to the Fixed  Account (see  Appendix A)
and/or to Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account selected by the Owner.

     Purchase  payments will be allocated to the  appropriate  Sub- Accounts not
later  than  two  business  days  after  receipt,  if the  application  and  all
information necessary for processing the Contract are complete.  The Company may
retain  purchase  payments  for up to five  business  days while  attempting  to
complete an incomplete  application.  If the application cannot be made complete
within this period,  the applicant will be informed of the reasons for the delay
and the  purchase  payment  will be returned  immediately  unless the  applicant
consents to retention  of the payment by the Company  until the  application  is
made  complete.  Thereafter  the payment must be  allocated  within two business
days. For any subsequent purchase payments, the payments will be credited at the
Sub-Account  Accumulation  Unit  Value  next  determined  after  receipt  of the
purchase payment.

     Upon allocation to Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account, a purchase payment
is converted  into  Accumulation  Units of the Sub-  Account.  The amount of the
purchase payment  allocated to a particular  Sub-Account is divided by the value
of an  Accumulation  Unit  for  the  Sub-Account  to  determine  the  number  of
Accumulation  Units of the  Sub-Account to be held in the Variable  Account with
respect to the Contract.  The net  investment  results of each Sub- Account vary
primarily  with the investment  performance of the Investment  Fund whose shares
are held in the Sub-Account.

     In the event any Investment  Fund in the future imposes a minimum  purchase
requirement that is in excess of the aggregate of all purchase payments received
on any  given  day that are to be  applied  to the  purchase  of  shares of such
Investment Fund, such purchase payments will be refunded.

SUB-ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE

     Each  Sub-Account  Accumulation  Unit was initially  valued at $10 when the
first  Investment  Fund  shares  were  purchased.  Thereafter  the value of each
Sub-Account Accumulation Unit will vary up or down according to a Net Investment
Factor, which is primarily based on the investment performance of the applicable
Investment Fund.  Investment Fund shares in the  Sub-Accounts  will be valued at
their net asset value.

     Dividend and capital gain  distributions  from an  Investment  Fund will be
automatically  reinvested  in  additional  shares  of such  Investment  Fund and
allocated  to  the   appropriate   Sub-Account.   The  number  of  Sub-  Account
Accumulation  Units does not increase because of the additional  shares, but the
Accumulation Unit value may increase.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

     The Net  Investment  Factor is an index number which is primarily  based on
the investment  performance  during a Valuation  Period of the Fund whose shares
are held in the particular Sub-Account. If the Net Investment Factor is

                                       14

<PAGE>

greater than one, the value of a Sub-Account Accumulation Unit has increased. If
the  Net  Investment  Factor  is less  than  one,  the  value  of a  Sub-Account
Accumulation  Unit has  decreased.  The Net  Investment  Factor is determined by
dividing (1) by (2) then subtracting (3) from the result, where:

     (1)  is the net result of:

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

          (b)  the  per  share   amount  of  any   dividend   or  capital   gain
               distributions  made on the Fund  shares  held in the  Sub-Account
               during the current Valuation Period, plus or minus

          (c)  a per share charge or credit for any taxes provided for which the
               Company   determines  to  have   resulted  from  the   investment
               operations  of  the  Sub-Account  and  to be  applicable  to  the
               Contract;

     (2)  is the net result of:

          (a)  the net  asset  value per  share of the Fund  shares  held in the
               Sub-Account,  determined  at the end of the last prior  Valuation
               Period, plus or minus

          (b)  a per share  charge or credit for any taxes  reserved  for during
               the last prior Valuation  Period which the Company  determines to
               have resulted from the investment  operations of the  Sub-Account
               and to be applicable to the Contract; and

     (3)  is a factor  representing  the Mortality Risk Premium and Expense Risk
          Charge  deducted from the  Sub-Account,  which factor is equal,  on an
          annual basis, to 1.3% of the daily net asset value of the Sub-Account.

DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

     If the Owner or primary  Annuitant  dies  before the  Annuity  Commencement
Date, the  Beneficiary  will be entitled to receive the Contract Value as of the
Valuation  Date next  after the  Company  receives  (a) proof of the  Owner's or
primary  Annuitant's  death and (b) a written  request from the  Beneficiary for
either a single sum payment or an Annuity  form.  For this  purpose the Contract
Value will be:

     (1)  if any Owner or primary  Annuitant  dies on or before the first day of
          the month following the Annuitant's 75th birthday,  the greater of (i)
          the  Contract  Value at such  Valuation  Date,  or (ii) the sum of the
          purchase  payments  received by the Company under the Contract to such
          Valuation  Date,  less any surrender  payments  previously made by the
          Company; or

     (2)  if any  Owner or  primary  Annuitant  dies  after the first day of the
          month following the Annuitant's  75th birthday,  the Contract Value at
          such Valuation Date.

     If a single sum is requested,  it will be paid within seven days after such
Valuation Date. If an Annuity Form is requested,  it may be any Annuity Form the
Owner could have selected before the Annuity Commencement Date, provided (a) the
payment  schedule of the Annuity Form does not exceed the life expectancy of the
Beneficiary, (b) payment begins within 12 months from the date of the Owner's or
Annuitant's  death, and (c) the Annuity Form is selected within eleven months of
the date of such death.  An alternative  selection is to commence  payment as in
(b) above and have payments  completed within 5 years. An Annuity Form selection
must be in  writing  and  received  by the  Company  within 90 days  after  such
Valuation  Date,  otherwise the Contract Value as of such Valuation Date will be
paid in a single sum to the Beneficiary and the Contract will be canceled.

     If the only Beneficiary is the Owner's  surviving  spouse,  such spouse may
continue the Contract as the Owner, and then (1) select a single sum payment, or
(2) select any Annuity Form which does not exceed such spouse's life expectancy.

     If the  Beneficiary  elects to receive  annuity  payments  under an Annuity
Form, the amount and duration of payments may vary depending on the Annuity Form
selected and whether fixed and/or variable annuity payments are requested.  (See
"Annuity Provisions" beginning on page 17.)

DEATH BENEFIT AFTER THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

     If the  Annuitant  dies  after the  Annuity  Commencement  Date,  the death
benefit shall be as stated in the Annuity Form in effect.

SURRENDER (REDEMPTION)

     If a written  request  therefor  from the Owner is  received by the Company
before the Annuity  Commencement Date, all or part of the Contract Value will be
paid to the Owner after  deducting any  applicable  surrender  charge and taxes.
(See  "Surrender  Charge  (Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge)" on page 12.) In
addition, if a total surrender occurs other

                                       15
<PAGE>

than on a Contract Anniversary the annual administrative charge will be deducted
from the Contract Value before the surrender payment is made. Surrenders must be
consented  to by each  collateral  assignee  and if in excess of $50,000 must be
signature  guaranteed  by a  member  firm of the  New  York,  American,  Boston,
Midwest, Philadelphia, or Pacific Stock Exchange, or by a commercial bank (not a
savings bank) which is a member of the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,
or, in certain cases, by a member firm of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. that has entered into an appropriate agreement with the Company.

     The Company may require  that the  Contract be returned  before a surrender
takes place.  A surrender  will take place on the next  Valuation Date after the
requirements  for  surrender are completed and payment will be made within seven
days after such  Valuation  Date. If a surrender is partial and unless the Owner
requests the  surrender  to be made from the Fixed  Account or  particular  Sub-
Accounts,  the surrender payments will be taken  proportionately  from the Fixed
Account  and all  Sub-Accounts  on a basis  that  reflects  their  proportionate
percentage of the Contract Value.

     The Company may cancel the Contract on any Contract Anniversary, or if such
Contract  Anniversary  is not a  Valuation  Date  on  the  next  Valuation  Date
thereafter,  by paying to the Owner the Contract Value as of such Valuation Date
if such Contract Value after all charges is less than $1,000.

     If this Contract is purchased as a  "tax-sheltered  annuity"  under Section
403(b) of the  Internal  Revenue  Code (the  "Code"),  it is  subject to certain
restrictions  on  redemption  imposed  by  Section  403(b)(11)  of the Code (See
"Tax-Sheltered  Annuities" on page 22).  These  restrictions  on redemption  are
imposed by the Variable  Account and the Company in full  compliance with and in
reliance  upon the terms and  conditions  of a  no-action  letter  issued by the
Office of Insurance Products and Legal Compliance of the Securities and Exchange
Commission  to the  American  Council  of  Life  Insurance  (publicly  available
November 28, 1988).

     For tax purposes,  surrender  payments  shall be deemed to be from earnings
and then  gains  until  cumulative  surrender  payments  equal  all  accumulated
earnings  and gains,  and  thereafter  from  purchase  payments  received by the
Company.  Consideration  should be given to the tax  implications of a surrender
prior to making a surrender request,  including a surrender in connection with a
Qualified Plan.

TRANSFERS

     Prior to the Annuity  Commencement Date the Owner may request a transfer in
writing (or by telephone if a telephone  authorization  form has been  completed
and is in effect),  subject to any conditions the Investment  Funds whose shares
are  involved  may  impose,  of all or part of a  Sub-Account's  value  to other
Sub-Accounts  or to the Fixed Account.  The transfer will be made by the Company
on the first Valuation Date after the request for such a transfer is received by
the Company  (provided that under certain  circumstances  large transfers may be
delayed  until  proceeds  from related  Investment  Fund share  redemptions  are
received,  which may be for up to seven  days).  There is no  charge  for such a
transfer,  other  than  those  that  may be made  by the  Investment  Funds.  To
accomplish the transfer,  the Variable Account will surrender Accumulation Units
in the particular  Sub-Accounts and reinvest that value in Accumulation Units of
other  particular  Sub-Accounts  appropriate for the Contract as directed in the
request. After the Annuity Commencement Date, the Annuitant may request transfer
of Annuity  Unit values in the same manner and subject to the same  requirements
as for an Owner-transfer of Sub-Account Accumulation Unit values.

     Transfers  may also be  requested  from the Fixed  Account to the  Variable
Account,  provided,  however,  that (a)  transfers  may only be made  during the
period   starting  30  days  before  and  ending  30  days  after  the  Contract
Anniversary,  and only one transfer may be made during each such period,  (b) no
more than 50% of the Fixed Account Contract Value may be the subject of any such
transfer (unless the balance, after such transfer, would be less than $1,000, in
which case the full Fixed Account  Contract Value may be  transferred),  and (c)
such transfer  must involve at least $500 (or the total Fixed  Account  Contract
Value, if less).

     If the Owner elects to complete the telephone  transfer  form, the Owner in
so doing  agrees  that the Company and its  Contract  Administrator  will not be
liable for any loss,  liability,  cost or expense when the  Company,  and/or the
Contract   Administrator   act  in  accordance   with  the  telephone   transfer
instructions which are received and recorded on voice recording equipment.  If a
telephone  transfer,  processed  after  the Owner has  completed  the  telephone
transfer  form,  is later  determined  not to have been made by the Owner or was
made  without  the  Owner's   authorization,   and  a  loss  results  from  such
unauthorized  transfer,  the Owner bears the risk of this loss. The Company will
employ  reasonable  procedures  to confirm  that  instructions  communicated  by
telephone are genuine. In the event the Company does not employ such procedures,
the  Company  may be liable  for any losses due to  unauthorized  or  fraudulent
instructions.  Such  procedures may include,  among others,  requiring  forms of

<PAGE>

personal identification prior to acting upon telephone  instructions,  providing
written  confirmation  of such  instructions  and/or  tape  recording  telephone
instructions.

                                       16
<PAGE>

ASSIGNMENTS

     If the  Contract is issued  pursuant to or in  connection  with a Qualified
Plan,  it may not be sold,  transferred,  pledged or  assigned  to any person or
entity other than the Company. In other circumstances,  a transfer or assignment
of the Contract is permitted but may not be made after the Annuity  Commencement
Date. Before the Annuity  Commencement Date the Owner may assign or transfer all
rights under the Contract by giving the Company the original or a certified copy
of the assignment or transfer.  The Company shall not be bound by any assignment
or  transfer  until it is  actually  received  by the  Company  and shall not be
responsible for the validity of any assignment or transfer. Any payments made or
actions taken by the Company before the Company actually receives any assignment
or transfer shall not be affected by the assignment or transfer.

CONTRACT OWNER AND BENEFICIARIES

     Unless  someone  else is named  as the  Owner  in the  application  for the
Contract,  the  applicant  is the Owner of the  Contract  and before the Annuity
Commencement Date may exercise all of the Owner's rights under the Contract.

     The Owner may name a Beneficiary and a Successor Beneficiary.  In the event
the  Owner  or  Annuitant  dies  before  the  Annuity   Commencement  Date,  the
Beneficiary  shall  receive the Contract  Value  according to the death  benefit
provisions of the Contract. In the event the Owner or Annuitant dies on or after
the Annuity  Commencement Date, the Beneficiary shall receive payments according
to the  Annuity  Form in effect.  If the  Beneficiary  is not living on the date
payment is due or if no Beneficiary  has been named,  the last to survive of the
Owner and Annuitant will receive the Contract Value.  If none of the Owner,  the
Annuitant  or the  Beneficiary  is living at the time the  payment  is due,  the
Contract  Value  will be paid to the estate of the last to survive of the Owner,
the Annuitant and the Beneficiary.

     A person named as an Annuitant,  a Beneficiary  or a Successor  Beneficiary
shall not be  entitled  to exercise  any rights  relating to the  Contract or to
receive any  payments or  settlements  under the  Contract or any Annuity  Form,
unless such person is living on the earlier of (a) the day due proof of death of
the Owner,  the  Annuitant  or the  Beneficiary,  whichever  is  applicable,  is
received by the  Company or (b) the tenth day after the death of the Owner,  the
Annuitant or the Beneficiary, whichever is applicable.

     Unless different arrangements have been made with the Company by the Owner,
if more than one  Beneficiary  is  entitled  to  payments  from the  Company the
payments shall be in equal shares.

     Before  the  Annuity  Commencement  Date and while the named  Annuitant  is
living,  the Owner may change the  Annuitant,  the  Beneficiary or the Successor
Beneficiary by giving the Company  written notice of the change,  but the change
shall not be effective until actually  received by the Company.  Upon receipt by
the Company of a notice of change,  it will be  effective  as of the date it was
signed but shall not affect any  payments  made or actions  taken by the Company
before the Company received the notice, and the Company shall not be responsible
for the validity of any change.

CONTRACT INQUIRIES

     Inquiries  regarding  a  Contract  may be made by  writing  to the  Annuity
Service Center, P.O. Box 13208, Kansas City, Missouri 64199-3208.

                               ANNUITY PROVISIONS

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE

     The Owner selects the Annuity  Commencement  Date,  which must be the first
day of a month, when making  application for the Contract.  The date will be the
first day of the month following the Annuitant's 75th birthday unless an earlier
or later date has been  selected by the Owner and, if the date is later,  it has
been agreed to by the Company. The Owner may change an Annuity Commencement Date
selection by written notice received by the Company at least 30 days before both
the  Annuity   Commencement  Date  currently  in  effect  and  the  New  Annuity
Commencement  Date. The new date selected must satisfy the  requirements  for an
Annuity  Commencement  Date.  If the Annuity  Commencement  Date selected by the
Owner  does not occur on a  Valuation  Date,  at least 60 days after the date on
which the  Contract  was issued,  the Company  reserves  the right to adjust the
Annuity  Commencement  Date  to the  first  Valuation  Date  after  the  Annuity
Commencement  Date selected by the Owner and which is at least 60 days after the
Contract issue date.

ANNUITY FORM SELECTION - CHANGE

     The Owner may select an Annuity Form with payments  starting at the Annuity
Commencement Date when making  application for the Contract.  The Owner may also
change a choice of Annuity Form by written notice received by the Company before
the Annuity Commencement Date.

                                       17

<PAGE>

ANNUITY FORMS

     Any one of the  following  Annuity  Forms may be selected  (all provide for
variable payments):

     LIFE ANNUITY - An annuity payable on the first day of each month during the
Annuitant's life, starting with the first payment due according to the Contract.
Payments  cease with the payment made on the first day of the month in which the
Annuitant's  death occurs.  It would be possible under this Annuity Form for the
Annuitant  to  receive  only one  payment  if he or she died  before  the second
annuity  payment,  only two  payments if he or she died after the third  annuity
payment, etc.

     LIFE ANNUITY WITH PAYMENTS GUARANTEED FOR 10 YEARS (120 MONTHS) OR 20 YEARS
(240  MONTHS) - An annuity  payable  on the first day of each  month  during the
Annuitant's life, starting with the first payment due according to the Contract.
If the Annuitant receives all of the guaranteed payments, payments will continue
thereafter  but  cease  with the  payment  made on the first day of the month in
which the Annuitant's death occurs.  If all of the guaranteed  payments have not
been  made  before  the  Annuitant's  death,  the  unpaid  installments  of  the
guaranteed payments will be continued to the Beneficiary.

     JOINT AND FULL  SURVIVOR  ANNUITY - An annuity  payable on the first day of
each  month  during the  Annuitant's  life and the life of a named  person  (the
"Joint  Annuitant"),  starting  with the  first  payment  due  according  to the
Contract.  Payments  will  continue  while  either  the  Annuitant  or the Joint
Annuitant  is living  and cease  with the  payment  made on the first day of the
month in which the death of the  Annuitant  or the  Joint  Annuitant,  whichever
lives longer,  occurs.  There is no minimum number of payments  guaranteed under
this Annuity  Form.  Payments  cease upon the death of the last  survivor of the
Annuitant and the Joint Annuitant regardless of the number of payments received.

     The Company also has other annuity forms  available and  information  about
them can be obtained by writing to the Company.

AUTOMATIC ANNUITY FORM

     If no valid  selection  of an  Annuity  Form has been  made by the  Annuity
Commencement  Date, the Life Annuity with Payments  Guaranteed for 10 years (120
Months) shall be automatically effective.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     Annuity payments will be paid as monthly installments, unless the Annuitant
and the Company agree to a different payment schedule.  However, if the Contract
Value at the Annuity  Commencement Date is less than $2,500, the Company may pay
the Contract Value in a single sum and the Contract will be canceled.  Also if a
monthly  payment  would be or become  less than $50,  the Company may change the
frequency of payments to intervals  that will result in payments of at least $50
each.

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     The amount of the first fixed annuity payment is determined by applying the
Contract Value to be used for a fixed annuity at the Annuity  Commencement  Date
to the annuity  table in the Contract for the fixed Annuity Form  selected.  The
table shows the amount of the initial  annuity  payment for each $1,000  applied
and all  subsequent  payments  shall be equal to this amount.  The amount of the
first variable  annuity  payment is determined by applying the Contract Value to
be used for a variable annuity at the Annuity  Commencement  Date to the annuity
table in the Contract for the Annuity Form selected.  The table shows the amount
of the initial annuity payment for each $1,000 applied.

     Subsequent  variable annuity payments vary in amount in accordance with the
investment performance of the applicable Sub-Account.  Assuming annuity payments
are based on the unit values of a single  Sub-Account,  the dollar amount of the
first  annuity  payment,  determined  as set  forth  above,  is  divided  by the
Sub-Account Annuity Unit Value as of the Annuity  Commencement Date to establish
the number of Variable Annuity Units  representing  each annuity  payment.  This
number of Variable  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 the
second and each subsequent payment is determined by multiplying the fixed number
of  Variable  Annuity  Units  by the  Sub-Account  Annuity  Unit  Value  for the
Valuation  Period  with  respect  to which the  payment is due.  If the  monthly
payment is based upon the Annuity Unit Values of more than one Sub-Account,  the
foregoing  procedure is repeated for each applicable  Sub-Account and the sum of
the  payments  based on each  Sub-Account  is the amount of the monthly  annuity
payment.  The appropriate  portion of the annual  administrative  charge is then
deducted from each monthly annuity payment.

     A proportionate  amount of the administrative  charge will be deducted from
each annuity payment.


<PAGE>

     The  annuity  tables  in the  Contracts  are  based on the 1971  Individual
Annuity Mortality Table (set back two years).

                                       18
<PAGE>

     The Company  guarantees  that the dollar  amount of each  variable  annuity
payment  after the first  payment will not be affected by variations in expenses
or in mortality experience from the mortality  assumptions used to determine the
first payment.

SUB-ACCOUNT ANNUITY UNIT VALUE

     A Sub-Account's Variable Annuity Units will initially be valued at $10 each
at the time  Accumulation  Units  with  respect  to the  Sub-Account  are  first
converted into Variable  Annuity Units.  The Sub-Account  Annuity Unit Value for
any subsequent  Valuation  Period is determined by multiplying  the  Sub-Account
Annuity Unit Value for the  immediately  preceding  Valuation  Period by the Net
Investment  Factor for the  Sub-Account  for the Valuation  Period for which the
Sub-Account  Annuity Unit Value is being calculated,  and multiplying the result
by an interest factor to neutralize the assumed  investment rate of 4% per annum
built into the annuity tables  contained in the Contracts.  (See "Net Investment
Factor" on page 14.)

ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

     A 4% 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 and more rapidly falling subsequent  payments.  A lower assumption
would have the opposite  effect.  If the actual net investment  rate were at the
annual rate of 4%, the annuity payments would be level.

                               FEDERAL TAX STATUS

INTRODUCTION

     THIS  DISCUSSION IS GENERAL AND NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE.  The discussion
is not  intended  to  address  the tax  consequences  resulting  from all of the
situations  in which a person may be entitled  to or may receive a  distribution
under the  Contract.  The  Contracts  are  designed  for use by  individuals  in
connection with  retirement  plans which may or may not be Qualified Plans under
the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The ultimate effect of
federal  income  taxes on the  Contract  Value,  on annuity  payments and on the
economic benefit to the Owner, the Annuitant or the Beneficiary depends upon the
type of retirement  plan for which the Contract is  purchased,  and upon the tax
and  employment  status  of the  individual  concerned.  No  attempt  is made to
consider any applicable  state or other tax laws. The discussion is based on the
Company's understanding of Federal Income Tax Laws as currently interpreted.  No
representation  is made  regarding  the  likelihood of the  continuation  of the
present  Federal Income Tax Laws or the current  interpretation  by the Internal
Revenue Service ("IRS").

     The Contract may be purchased  on a  non-qualified  basis ("Non-Qualified
Contract")  or  purchased  and used in  connection  with  plans  qualifying  for
favorable  tax  treatment  ("Qualified  Contract").  The  Qualified  Contract is
designed for use by individuals  whose premium  payments are comprised solely of
proceeds from and/or  contributions under retirement plans which are intended to
qualify as plans entitled to special income tax treatment under Sections 401(a),
403(b),  or 408 of the Code. The ultimate  effect of Federal income taxes on the
amounts held under a Contract, or annuity payments,  and on the economic benefit
to the  Owner,  the  Annuitant,  or the  Beneficiary  depends  on  the  type  of
retirement plan, on the tax and employment  status of the individual  concerned,
and on the  Company's  tax status.  In addition,  certain  requirements  must be
satisfied in purchasing a Qualified  Contract with proceeds from a tax-qualified
plan and receiving  distributions from a Qualified Contract in order to continue
receiving favorable tax treatment.  Therefore, purchasers of Qualified Contracts
should  seek  competent  legal and tax advice  regarding  the  suitability  of a
Contract for their situation, the applicable requirements, and the tax treatment
of the rights and benefits of a Contract.  The following discussion assumes that
Qualified Contracts are purchased with proceeds from and/or  contributions under
retirement  plans that  qualify  for the  intended  special  Federal  income tax
treatment.

TAX STATUS OF THE CONTRACT

     DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

     Section  817(h) of the Code  provides  that  separate  account  investments
underlying  a contract  must be  "adequately  diversified"  in  accordance  with
Treasury regulations in order for the contract to qualify as an annuity contract
under  Section  72 of the  Code.  The  Variable  Account,  through  each  of the
Investment  Funds,  intends  to  comply  with the  diversification  requirements
prescribed in regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code, which affect how the
assets in the various  Sub-Accounts  may be invested.  Although the Company does
not have  control  over the  Investment  Funds in  which  the  Variable  Account
invests,  the Company  expects that each  Investment  Fund in which the Variable
Account  owns shares  will meet the  diversification  requirements  and that the
Contract will be treated as an annuity contract under the Code.

     The Treasury has also announced that the diversification regulations do not
provide  guidance  concerning  the  extent  to which  Owners  may  direct  their
investments to particular Sub-Accounts of a variable account or how concentrated
the

                                       19

<PAGE>

investments of the Investment  Funds underlying a variable account may be. It is
possible that if additional  guidance in this regard is issued, the Contract may
need to be modified to comply with such additional guidance.  For these reasons,
the Company reserves the right to modify the Contract as necessary to attempt to
prevent  the  Owner  from  being  considered  the  owner  of the  assets  of the
Investment  Funds or  otherwise  to  qualify  the  contract  for  favorable  tax
treatment.

     REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS

     In order to be  treated  as an  annuity  contract  for  Federal  income tax
purposes, Section 72(s) of the Code also requires any Non-Qualified Contract to
provide that:  (a) if any Owner dies on or after the Annuity  Commencement  Date
but prior to the time the entire interest in the Contract has been  distributed,
the remaining  portion of such interest will be  distributed at least as rapidly
as under the method of  distribution  being used as of the date of that  Owner's
death;  and (b) if any Owner dies prior to the Annuity  Commencement  Date,  the
entire interest in the Contract will be distributed  within five years after the
date of the Owner's death. These requirements will be considered satisfied as to
any portion of the Owner's  interest which is payable to or for the benefit of a
"designated  Beneficiary"  and  which  is  distributed  over  the  life  of such
Beneficiary  or over a period not extending  beyond the life  expectancy of that
Beneficiary,  provided  that such  distributions  begin  within one year of that
Owner's death. The Owner's "designated  Beneficiary" is the person designated by
such owner as a  Beneficiary  and to whom  ownership of the  Contract  passes by
reason  of  death  and  must  be a  natural  person.  However,  if  the  owner's
"designated  Beneficiary" is the surviving spouse of the Owner, the Contract may
be continued with the surviving  spouse as the new Owner. If the Owner is not an
individual,  any change in the primary Annuitant is treated as a change of Owner
for tax purposes.

     The Non-Qualified Contracts contain provisions which are intended to comply
with the  requirements  of Section  72(s) of the Code,  although no  regulations
interpreting  these  requirements  have yet been issued.  The Company intends to
review such  provisions  and modify them if necessary to assure that they comply
with the  requirements  of Code Section  72(s) when  clarified by  regulation or
otherwise. Other rules may apply to Qualified Contracts.

TAXATION OF ANNUITIES

     IN GENERAL

     Section 72 of the Code  governs  taxation  of  annuities  in  general.  The
Company believes that an Owner who is a natural person generally is not taxed on
increases in the value of a Contract  until  distribution  occurs by withdrawing
all or part of the  Contract  Value  (e.g.,  partial  withdrawals  and  complete
surrenders) or as annuity  payments  under the Annuity Form  selected.  For this
purpose, the assignment, pledge, or agreement to assign or pledge any portion of
the Contract Value (and in the case of a Qualified  Contract,  any portion of an
interest in the qualified plan) generally will be treated as a distribution. The
taxable  portion  of a  distribution  (in the form of a single  sum  payment  or
annuity) is taxable as ordinary income.

     The Owner of any annuity  contract  who is not a natural  person  generally
must  include in income any  increase in the excess of the net  surrender  value
over the  "investment  in the  contract"  during the taxable  year.  The Company
restricts  ownership  of  Non-Qualified  Contracts  to no more than two  natural
persons.

     The following  discussion  generally  applies to Contracts owned by natural
persons.

     SURRENDERS

     In the case of a surrender from a Qualified  Contract,  under Section 72(e)
of the Code a ratable portion of the amount received is taxable, generally based
on the ratio of the  "investment  in the  contract" to the  participant's  total
accrued  benefit or balance under the retirement  plan.  The  "investment in the
contract"  generally equals the portion, if any, of any premium payments paid by
or on behalf of any individual  under a Contract which was not excluded from the
individual's  gross income.  For Contracts  issued in connection  with qualified
plans,  the  "investment in the contract" can be zero.  Special tax rules may be
available for certain distributions from Qualified Contracts.

     In the  case  of a  surrender  (including  Systematic  Withdrawals)  from a
Non-Qualified  Contract before the Annuity Commencement Date, under Code Section
72(e)  amounts  received are generally  first  treated as taxable  income to the
extent  that  the  Contract  Value  immediately  before  surrender  exceeds  the
"investment in the contract" at that time. Any additional amount  surrendered is
not taxable.

     In  the  case  of a full  surrender  under  a  Qualified  or  Non-Qualified
Contract,  the amount  received  generally will be taxable only to the extent it
exceeds the "investment in the contract."

     A Federal  penalty tax may apply to certain  surrenders  from Qualified and
Non-Qualified  Contracts.  (See "Penalty Tax on Certain  Distributions"  on page
21.)

                                       20

<PAGE>

     ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     Although tax  consequences  may vary depending on the Annuity Form selected
under the  Contract,  in general,  only the portion of the Annuity  Payment that
represents  the amount by which the Contract Value exceeds the investment in the
Contract will be taxed;  after the investment in the Contract is recovered,  the
full amount of any additional annuity payments is taxable.  For variable annuity
payments,  the taxable  portion is  generally  determined  by an  equation  that
establishes  a specific  dollar  amount of each payment  that is not taxed.  The
dollar amount is  determined  by dividing the  investment in the contract by the
total number of expected periodic  payments.  However,  the entire  distribution
will be taxable once the recipient has recovered the dollar amount of his or her
investment in the contract.  For fixed annuity payments, in general, there is no
tax on the  portion of each  payment  which  represents  the same ratio that the
investment  in the  contract  bears to the total  expected  value of the annuity
payments for the term of the  payments;  however,  the remainder of each annuity
payment is taxable until the recovery of the  investment  in the  Contract,  and
thereafter the full amount or each annuity payment is taxable.

     TAXATION OF DEATH BENEFIT PROCEEDS

     Amounts may be distributed from a Contract because of the death of an Owner
or an  Annuitant.  Generally,  such amounts are  includible in the income of the
recipient as follows:  (i) if  distributed  in a lump sum, they are taxed in the
same manner as a full surrender of the contract;  or (ii) if distributed under a
payment option, they are taxed in the same way as annuity payments.

     PENALTY TAX ON CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS

     In the case of a  distribution  pursuant  to a  Non-Qualified  Contract,  a
Federal  penalty  equal to 10% of the amount  treated  as taxable  income may be
imposed. In general, however, there is no penalty on distributions:

     1.   made on or after the taxpayer reaches age 59 1/2;

     2.   made on or after the death of the  holder (a holder is  considered  an
          Owner)  (or if the  holder  is not an  individual,  the  death  of the
          primary annuitant);

     3.   attributable to the taxpayer's becoming disabled;

     4.   a part of a series of substantially  equal periodic payments (not less
          frequently  than  annually) for the life (or life  expectancy)  of the
          taxpayer  or the  joint  lives  (or joint  life  expectancies)  of the
          taxpayer and his or her designated beneficiary;

     5.   made under an annuity contract that is purchased with a single premium
          when the annuity  starting  date is no later than a year from purchase
          of the annuity and substantially equal periodic payments are made, not
          less frequently than annually, during the annuity period; and

     6.   made under  certain  annuities  issued in connection  with  structured
          settlement agreements.

     Other tax  penalties may apply to certain  distributions  under a Qualified
Contract,  as well  as to  certain  contributions  to,  loans  from,  and  other
circumstances,  applicable to the Qualified Plan of which the Qualified Contract
is part.

     POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAXATION

     In past years,  legislation  has been  proposed  that would have  adversely
modified  the  Federal  taxation of certain  annuities.  For  example,  one such
proposal  would have changed the tax treatment of  non-qualified  annuities that
did not have "substantial life contingencies" by taxing income as it is credited
to the  annuity.  Although  as of the date of this  prospectus  Congress  is not
considering any legislation regarding the taxation of annuities, there is always
the  possibility  that tax treatment of annuities could change by legislation or
other means  (such as IRS  regulations,  revenue  rulings,  judicial  decisions,
etc.).  Moreover, it is also possible that any change could be retroactive (that
is, effective prior to the date of the change).

TRANSFERS, ASSIGNMENTS OR EXCHANGES OF A CONTRACT

     A transfer of ownership or assignment of a Contract,  the designation of an
Annuitant, Payee or other Beneficiary who is not also the Owner, or the exchange
of a Contract may result in certain tax  consequences  to the Owner that are not
discussed  herein.  An Owner  contemplating  any such transfer,  assignment,  or
exchange of a Contract  should  contact a competent  tax adviser with respect to
the potential tax effects of such a transaction.


<PAGE>

WITHHOLDING

     Pension and annuity  distribution  generally are subject to withholding for
the recipient's Federal income tax liability at rates that vary according to the
type of  distribution  and the  recipient's  tax  status.  Recipients,  however,
generally  are 

                                       21
<PAGE>

provided the  opportunity to elect not to have tax withheld from  distributions.
Effective  January 1,  1993,  distributions  from  certain  qualified  plans are
generally subject to mandatory withholding.  Withholding for Contracts issued to
retirement plans established under Section 401 of the Code is the responsibility
of the plan trustee.

MULTIPLE CONTRACTS

     Section  72(e)(11) of the Code treats all  non-qualified  deferred  annuity
contracts entered into after October 21, 1988 that are issued by the Company (or
its  affiliates)  to the same Owner  during  any  calendar  year as one  annuity
contract for purposes of determining the amount includible in gross income under
Code  Section  72(e).  The effects of this rule are not yet clear;  however,  it
could  affect  the time when  income is  taxable  and the  amount  that might be
subject to the 10%  penalty tax  described  above.  In  addition,  the  Treasury
Department  has  specific  authority  to  issue  regulations  that  prevent  the
avoidance of Section 72(e) through the serial  purchase of annuity  contracts or
otherwise. There may also be other situations in which the Treasury may conclude
that  it  would  be  appropriate  to  aggregate  two or more  annuity  contracts
purchased by the same Owner.  Accordingly,  an Owner should  consult a competent
tax adviser before purchasing more than one annuity contract.

TAXATION OF QUALIFIED PLANS

     The Contracts  are designed for use with several types of qualified  plans.
The tax rules applicable to participants in these qualified plans vary according
to the type of plan and the terms and  conditions  of the plan  itself.  Special
favorable tax treatment may be available for certain types of contributions  and
distributions.  Adverse tax consequences may result from contributions in excess
of  specified  limits;  distributions  prior to age 59 1/2  (subject  to certain
exceptions);  distributions  that do not conform to specified  commencement  and
minimum  distribution  rules;  aggregate  distributions in excess of a specified
annual amount; and in other specified  circumstances.  Therefore,  no attempt is
made to provide more than  general  information  about the use of the  Contracts
with the various  types of qualified  retirement  plans.  Contract  Owners,  the
Annuitants, and Beneficiaries are cautioned that the rights of any person to any
benefits under these qualified  retirement plans may be subject to the terms and
conditions of the plans  themselves,  regardless of the terms and  conditions of
the Contract,  but the Company shall not be bound by the terms and conditions of
such plans to the extent such terms contradict the Contract,  unless the Company
consents. Brief descriptions follow of the various types of qualified retirement
plans in  connection  with a Contract.  The Company  will amend the  Contract as
necessary to conform it to the requirements of such plan.

     PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS

     Section 401(a) of the Code permits employers and  self-employed  persons to
establish various types of retirement plans for employees. Such retirement plans
may permit the  purchaser of the Contract to provide  benefits  under the plans.
Persons  intending  to use the Contract  with such plans  should seek  competent
advice.

     INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

     Section 408 of the Code permits  eligible  individuals  to contribute to an
individual  retirement  program known as an "Individual  Retirement  Annuity" or
"IRA".  These IRAs are subject to limits on the amount that may be  contributed,
the  persons  who  may be  eligible,  and on the  time  when  distributions  may
commence.  Also,  distributions from certain other types of qualified retirement
plans may be "rolled  over" on a tax- deferred  basis into an IRA.  Sales of the
Contract for use with IRAs may be subject to special requirements of the IRS.

     TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

     Section 403(b) of the Code allows  employees of certain  Section  501(c)(3)
organizations and public schools to exclude from their gross income the premiums
paid,  within certain limits, on a Contract that will provide an annuity for the
employee's retirement.  Code section 403(b)(11) restricts the distribution under
Code section 403(b)  annuity  contracts of: (1) elective  contributions  made in
years  beginning  after December 31, 1988; (2) earnings on those  contributions;
and (3)  earnings  in such years on amounts  held as of the last year  beginning
before January 1, 1989.  Distribution of those amounts may only occur upon death
of the employee,  attainment of age 59 1/2, separation from service, disability,
or  financial   hardship.   In  addition,   income   attributable   to  elective
contributions may not be distributed in the case of hardship.

POSSIBLE CHARGE FOR THE COMPANY'S TAXES

     At the present  time,  the Company makes no charge to the Sub- Accounts for
any  Federal,  state,  or local  taxes  that the  Company  incurs  which  may be
attributable  to such  Sub-Accounts or to the Contracts.  The Company,  however,
reserves  the right in the future to make a charge for any such tax laws that it
determines to be properly attributable to the Sub-Accounts of the Contracts.

                                       22

<PAGE>

OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES

     As noted above,  the foregoing  comments about the Federal tax consequences
under these  Contracts are not  exhaustive,  and special rules are provided with
respect to other tax situations not discussed in this Prospectus.  Further,  the
Federal  income  tax   consequences   discussed  herein  reflect  the  Company's
understanding  of current law and the law may change.  Federal  estate and state
and local  estate,  inheritance,  and other tax  consequences  of  ownership  or
receipt of distributions under a Contract depend on the individual circumstances
of each Owner or recipient of the  distribution.  A competent tax adviser should
be consulted for further information.

                             VOTING OF FUND SHARES

     As long as the Variable  Account is registered as a unit  investment  trust
under the Investment  Company Act of 1940 and the assets of the Variable Account
are allocated to Sub-Accounts  that are invested in Investment Fund shares,  the
Investment Fund shares held in the Sub-Accounts  will be voted by the Company in
accordance with  instructions  received from the person having voting  interests
under the Contracts as described  below. If the Company  determines  pursuant to
applicable  law  or  regulation   that   Investment  Fund  shares  held  in  the
Sub-Accounts  and  attributable  to the Contracts  need not be voted pursuant to
instructions  received from persons otherwise having the voting interests,  then
the Company may vote such Investment Fund shares held in the Sub-Accounts in its
own right.

     Before  the  Annuity  Commencement  Date,  the Owner  shall have the voting
interest  with  respect  to  the  Investment  Fund  shares  attributable  to the
Contract.

     On and after the Annuity  Commencement  Date,  the person then  entitled to
receive  annuity  payments  shall have the voting  interest  with respect to the
Investment Fund shares.  Such voting interest will generally decrease during the
annuity payout period.

     Any Investment Fund shares held in the Variable Account for which we do not
receive timely voting  instructions,  or which are not  attributable to Contract
Owners, will be voted by us in proportion to the instructions  received from all
Contract Owners having a voting interest in the Investment  Fund. Any Investment
Fund shares held by us or any of our  affiliates in general  accounts  will, for
voting purposes,  be allocated to all separate  accounts having voting interests
in the Investment  Fund in proportion to each account's  voting  interest in the
respective  Investment  Fund and will be  voted  in the same  manner  as are the
respective account's vote.

     All  Investment  Fund proxy  material will be sent to persons having voting
interests  together  with  appropriate  forms  which may be used to give  voting
instructions. Persons entitled to voting interests and the number of votes which
they may cast shall be  determined  as of a record  date,  to be selected by the
Company,  not more than 90 days before the meeting of the applicable  Investment
Fund.

     Persons having voting interests under the Contracts as described above will
not, as a result thereof,  have voting interests with respect to meetings of the
stockholders of the Company.

                         DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS

     The  Contracts  will be sold by licensed  insurance  agents in those 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.
The Contracts will be distributed by the General Distributor,  Washington Square
Securities,  Inc., 20 Washington  Avenue South,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota  55401,
which  is  controlled  by  the  Company.   Commissions  and  other  distribution
compensation  will be paid by the Company and will not be more than 7.00% of the
purchase payments.

                                   REVOCATION

     The Contract  Owner may revoke the contract at any time between the date of
Application  and the date 10 days after  receipt of the  Contract  and receive a
refund of the Contract Value unless  otherwise  required by state and/or federal
law.  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
Company's Contract  Administrator at the mailing address shown on the back cover
page of this  Prospectus or the agent through whom it was purchased.  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 Company's  Contract
Administrator  at the  mailing  address  shown  on the back  cover  page of this
Prospectus.


<PAGE>

     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.

                                       23
<PAGE>

                                REPORTS TO OWNERS

     The Company will mail to the Contract  Owner,  at the last known address of
record at the home  office of the  Company,  at least  annually  after the first
Contract Year, a report  containing  such  information as may be required by any
applicable law or regulation and a statement showing the Contract Value.

                               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     There are no legal  proceedings  to which the Variable  Account is a party.
The Company is a defendant  in various  lawsuits in  connection  with the normal
conduct of its operations. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution
of such litigation will not result in any significant liability to the Company.

                        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPERTS

     The financial statements of NWNL Select Variable Account as of December 31,
1995 and for each of the three  years in the  period  then  ended and the annual
financial statements of Northwestern National Life Insurance Company,  which are
included  in the  Statement  of  Additional  Information,  have been  audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP,  independent  auditors,  as stated in their reports which
are included  herein,  and have been so included in reliance upon the reports of
such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                               FURTHER INFORMATION

     A  Registration  Statement  under the Securities Act of 1933 has been filed
with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  with  respect to the  contracts
described  herein.  The Prospectus  does not contain all of the  information set
forth in the Registration  Statement and exhibits thereto, to which reference is
hereby made for further information concerning the Variable Account, the Company
and  the  Contracts.  The  information  so  omitted  may be  obtained  from  the
Commission's  principal  office in  Washington,  D.C.,  upon  payment of the fee
prescribed  by the  Commission,  or examined  there without  charge.  Statements
contained in this  Prospectus  as to the  provisions  of the Contracts and other
legal  documents are summaries,  and reference is made to the documents as filed
with the Commission for a complete statement of the provisions thereof.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ..........................................................    2
Administration of the Contracts .......................................    2
Custody of Assets .....................................................    3
Independent Auditors ..................................................    3
Distribution of the Contracts .........................................    3
Calculation of Yield and Return .......................................    3
Financial Statements ..................................................   11


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

If you  would  like  to  receive  a copy of the  NWNL  Select  Variable  Account
Statement of Additional Information, please return this request to:

WASHINGTON SQUARE SECURITIES, INC.
20 WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401

Your name ......................................................................

Address ........................................................................

City ..........................   State  ......................   Zip ..........

Please  send  me a  copy  of the  NWNL  Select  Variable  Account  Statement  of
Additional Information.

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


                                       25


<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX A
                                THE FIXED ACCOUNT

     CONTRIBUTIONS  UNDER THE FIXED PORTION OF THE CONTRACT AND TRANSFERS TO THE
FIXED  PORTION  BECOME  PART OF THE GENERAL  ACCOUNT OF THE COMPANY  (THE "FIXED
ACCOUNT"),  WHICH  SUPPORTS  INSURANCE  AND  ANNUITY  OBLIGATIONS.   BECAUSE  OF
EXEMPTIVE AND EXCLUSIONARY  PROVISIONS,  INTERESTS IN THE FIXED ACCOUNT HAVE NOT
BEEN  REGISTERED  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ("1933 ACT") NOR IS THE FIXED
ACCOUNT  REGISTERED AS AN INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF
1940  ("1940  ACT").  ACCORDINGLY,  NEITHER THE FIXED  ACCOUNT NOR ANY  INTEREST
THEREIN ARE GENERALLY SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE 1933 OR 1940 ACTS AND THE
COMPANY  HAS  BEEN  ADVISED  THAT  THE  STAFF  OF THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE
COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED THE DISCLOSURES IN THIS  PROSPECTUS  WHICH RELATE TO
THE FIXED  PORTION OF THE CONTRACT.  DISCLOSURES  REGARDING THE FIXED PORTION OF
THE ANNUITY CONTRACT AND THE FIXED ACCOUNT,  HOWEVER,  MAY BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
GENERALLY  APPLICABLE  PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO THE
ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF STATEMENTS MADE IN PROSPECTUSES.

     The Fixed Account is made up of all the general assets of the Company other
than  those  allocated  to any  separate  account.  Purchase  payments  will  be
allocated  to the Fixed  Account as elected by the Owner at the time of purchase
or as  subsequently  changed.  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  between the
Company and the contracts participating in the Fixed Account, in accordance with
the terms of such contracts.

     Fixed annuity  payments  made to Annuitants  under the Contract 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 Company expects to derive a profit from this
compensation.  The amount of such investment  income  allocated to the Contracts
will vary from year to year at the sole discretion of the Company.  However, the
Company  guarantees  that it will credit  interest at a rate of not less than 4%
per year,  compounded annually,  to amounts allocated to the Fixed Account under
the  Contract.  The  Company  may credit  interest at a rate in excess of 4% per
year; however,  the Company is not obligated to credit any interest in excess of
4% per  year.  There is no  specific  formula  for the  determination  of excess
interest credits.  Such credits, if any, will be determined by the Company based
on information as to expected  investment  yields.  Some of the factors that the
Company  may  consider  in  determining  whether to credit  interest  to amounts
allocated  to the Fixed  Account and the amount  thereof,  are general  economic
trends,  rates of return  currently  available and  anticipated on the Company's
investments,  regulatory  and tax  requirements  and  competitive  factors.  ANY
INTEREST  CREDITED TO AMOUNTS ALLOCATED TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 4% PER
YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE COMPANY. THE OWNER ASSUMES
THE RISK THAT INTEREST CREDITED TO FIXED ACCOUNT  ALLOCATIONS MAY NOT EXCEED THE
MINIMUM GUARANTEE OF 4% FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR.

     The Company is aware of no statutory  limitations  on the maximum amount of
interest  it may  credit,  and the Board of  Directors  has set no  limitations.
However,  inherent in the Company's exercise of discretion in this regard is the
equitable  allocation  of  distributable  earnings and surplus among its various
policyholders and Contract Owners and to its stockholders.

     Excess  interest,  if any, will be credited on the Fixed  Account  Contract
Value.  The Company  guarantees  that, at any time,  the Fixed Account  Contract
Value  will not be less  than the  amount of  purchase  payments  and  transfers
allocated  to the  Fixed  Account,  plus  interest  at the rate of 4% per  year,
compounded annually,  plus any additional interest which the Company may, in its
discretion,   credit  to  the  Fixed  Account,   less  the  sum  of  all  annual
administrative  or surrender charges levied,  any applicable  premium taxes, and
less any amounts surrendered or transferred from the Fixed Account. If the Owner
surrenders  the Contract,  the amount  available  from the Fixed Account will be
reduced by any applicable  surrender  charge and annual  administration  charge.
(See "Charges Made by the Company" on page 12.)

                                      A-1

<PAGE>

This Prospectus is accompanied by the following Prospectuses for the Funds:



FUND PROSPECTUS                    CIK                    ACCESSION NUMBER
- ---------------                    ---                    ----------------

Fidelity Investments               0000356494             0000927384-96-000024
Variable Insurance
Products Funds Dated April
30, 1996

Fidelity Investments               0000831016             0000927384-96-000022
Variable Insurance
Products Funds II Dated
April 30, 1996

Putnam Capital Manager             0000822671             0000822671-96-000011
Trust Dated May 1, 1996


<PAGE>

Contract Administrator
Annuity Service Center
301 West 11th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105

General Distributor
Washington Square Securities, Inc.
20 Washington Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55401



[LOGO] NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE
       A ReliaStar Company

     Select*Annuity II Prospectus
     N700.20m (April 30, 1996)

<PAGE>

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                   ----------

              INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE/FIXED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                                    ISSUED BY
                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                                       AND
                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

         This  Statement of  Additional  Information  is not a  Prospectus,  but
should be read in  conjunction  with the  Prospectus,  dated April 30, 1996 (the
"Prospectus")  relating  to  the  Individual  Deferred   Variable/Fixed  Annuity
Contracts  issued by NWNL Select Variable  Account (the "Variable  Account") and
Northwestern  National  Life  Insurance  Company  (the  "Company").  Much of the
information  contained in this Statement of Additional  Information expands upon
subjects  discussed in the Prospectus.  A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained
from  Washington   Square   Securities,   Inc.,  20  Washington   Avenue  South,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401.

         Capitalized terms used in this Statement of Additional Information that
are not otherwise  defined  herein shall have the meanings  given to them in the
Prospectus.

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

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE

Introduction...............................................................  2

Administration of the Contracts............................................  2

Custody of Assets..........................................................  3

Independent Auditors.......................................................  3

Distribution of the Contracts..............................................  3

Calculation of Yield and Return............................................  3

Financial Statements.......................................................  11


                                    ---------

         The date of this Statement of Additional Information is April 30, 1996.

                                       1

<PAGE>


                                  INTRODUCTION

         The Individual Deferred  Variable/Fixed  Annuity Contracts described in
the Prospectus are flexible purchase payment  contracts.  The Contracts are sold
to or in  connection  with  retirement  plans  which may or may not  qualify for
special federal tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. (See "Federal Tax
Status" on page 19 of the Prospectus.)  Annuity payments under the Contracts are
deferred until a selected later date.

         Purchase  payments may be allocated to one or more  Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account, a separate account of the Company, and/or to the Fixed Account
(which is the general account of the Company).

         Purchase payments allocated to one or more Sub-Accounts of the Variable
Account,  as selected by the Contract  Owner,  will be invested in shares at net
asset  value  of one or more of a group of  investment  funds  (the  "Investment
Funds"). The Investment Funds are currently the Variable Insurance Products Fund
which has five portfolios and the Variable  Insurance Products Fund II which has
made  available  three  portfolios  managed by  Fidelity  Management  & Research
Company of Boston,  Massachusetts,  and Putnam  Capital  Manager Trust which has
made available four portfolios managed by Putnam Investment Management,  Inc. of
Boston, Massachusetts.  Each Investment Fund pays its investment adviser certain
fees charged  against the assets of the Investment  Fund.  The Variable  Account
Contract Value and the amount of variable annuity payments will vary,  primarily
based on the investment  performance  of the  Investment  Funds whose shares are
held in the Sub-Accounts  selected.  (For more information  about the Investment
Funds, see "Investments of the Variable Account" on page 10 of the Prospectus.)

         Purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account,  which is the general
account of the Company,  will be credited  with interest at a rate not less than
4% per year.  Interest  credited in excess of 4%, if any,  will be determined at
the sole  discretion of the Company.  That part of the Contract  relating to the
Fixed Account is not  registered  under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Fixed
Account is not  subject to the  restrictions  of the  Investment  Company Act of
1940. (See Appendix A to the Prospectus.)

                         ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONTRACTS

         The Company has entered into a contract with  Continuum  Administrative
Services Corporation (formerly known as Vantage Computer Systems,  Inc.), Kansas
City,  Missouri  ("CASC")  under  which  CASC  has  agreed  to  perform  certain
administrative  functions  relating to the Contracts  and the Variable  Account.
These functions include,  among other things,  maintaining the books and records
of the Variable  Account and the  Sub-Accounts,  and maintaining  records of the
name, address, taxpayer identification number, Contract number, type of Contract
issued to each Owner,  Contract Value and other pertinent  information necessary
to the  administration  and  operation  of the  Contracts.  For the years  ended
December  31,  1993,  1994,  and 1995,  the Company  paid fees to CASC under the
contract in the amounts of $494,048, $706,115, and $543,048, respectively.

                                       2
<PAGE>


                                CUSTODY OF ASSETS

         The  Company,  whose  address  appears on the cover of the  Prospectus,
maintains custody of the assets of the Variable Account.

                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     The financial  statements of NWNL Select Variable  Account and Northwestern
National  Life  Insurance  Company,  which  are  included  in the  Statement  of
Additional  Information,  have been  audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, 120 South
6th Street,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota 55402,  independent  auditors, as stated in
their reports which are included  herein,  and have been so included in reliance
upon the  reports  of such  firm  given  upon  their  authority  as  experts  in
accounting and auditing.

                          DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS

         The Contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in those 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.
The Contracts will be distributed by the General Distributor,  Washington Square
Securities,  Inc.,  which is a  direct,  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  ReliaStar
Financial Corp. and is an affiliate of the Company. For the years ended December
31, 1993,  1994, and 1995 the General  Distributor  was paid fees by the Company
with respect to distribution of the Contracts  aggregating  $940,000,  $544,927,
and $988,000, respectively.

         The offering of the Contracts is continuous.

         There  are  no  special  purchase  plans  or  exchange  privileges  not
described in the  Prospectus  (see "The  Contracts - Transfers" at page 16 of
the Prospectus).

         No deduction for a sales charge is made from the purchase  payments for
the Contracts.  However,  if part or all of a Contract's  value is  surrendered,
surrender charges (which may be deemed to be contingent  deferred sales charges)
may be made by the  Company.  The method  used to  determine  the amount of such
charge is described in the  Prospectus  under the heading  "Charges  Made By The
Company - Surrender Charge (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge)" on page 12. There
is no  difference  in the  amount of this  charge  or any of the  other  charges
described in the  Prospectus  as between  Contracts  purchased by members of the
public  as  individuals  or  groups,  and  Contracts  purchased  by any class of
individuals,  such as  officers,  directors  or  employees  of the Company or of
Washington Square Securities, Inc.

                         CALCULATION OF YIELD AND RETURN

Current Yield and Effective Yield:

         Current yield and effective  yield will be calculated only for the VIPF
Money Market Portfolio Sub-Account.

                                       3


<PAGE>

         The current  yield is based on a seven-day  period (the "base  period")
and is calculated  by  determining  the "net change in value" on a  hypothetical
account  having a  balance  of one  Accumulation  Unit at the  beginning  of the
period,  dividing the net change in account value by the value of the account at
the  beginning  of the base  period  to  obtain  the  base  period  return,  and
multiplying  the base period  return by 365/7 with the  resulting  yield  figure
carried to the nearest hundredth of one percent. The effective yield is computed
in a similar manner,  except that the base period return is compounded by adding
1, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7, and  subtracting 1 from
the result, according to the following formula:


         EFFECTIVE YIELD  =  [(Base Period Return  +  1)^ 365/7 ]  -  1

         Net  changes  in value  of a  hypothetical  account  will  include  net
investment  income of the account  (accrued  daily  dividends as declared by the
VIPF Money Market  Portfolio,  less daily  expense and  contract  charges to the
account) for the period,  but will not include  realized or unrealized  gains or
losses on its underlying fund shares.

         The VIPF Money Market Portfolio Sub-Account's yield and effective yield
will vary in response to any  fluctuations in interest rates and expenses of the
Sub-Account.

         The yield and effective  yield of the  Sub-Account  for the seven day 
period ending December 29, 1995 were as follows:

         Yield:                4.11%
         Effective Yield:      4.20%

Standardized Yield:

         A standardized yield computation may be used for bond Sub-Accounts. The
yield  quotation will be based on a recent 30 day (or one month) period,  and is
computed by dividing  the net  investment  income per  Accumulation  Unit earned
during the period by the  maximum  offering  price on the last day of the period
according to the following formula:

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


Where:

         a =  net  investment  earned  during  the  period  by the  Fund  or
              Portfolio attributable to shares owned by the Sub-Account.

         b =  expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).

         c =  the average daily number of Accumulation Units outstanding during 
              the period.

         d =  the maximum offering price per Accumulation Unit on the last day 
              of the period.

                                       4


<PAGE>

         Yield on each Sub-Account is earned from dividends declared and paid by
the underlying Fund or Portfolio,  which are automatically reinvested in Fund or
Portfolio shares.

         AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS.  From time to time,  sales  literature or
advertisements  may also quote  average  annual total returns for one or more of
the Sub-Accounts for various periods of time.

         Average annual total returns  represent the average  annual  compounded
rates of return  that  would  equate an  initial  investment  of $1,000  under a
Contract to the redemption  value of that  investment as of the last day of each
of the  periods.  The  ending  date for  each  period  for  which  total  return
quotations  are  provided  will be for the most  recent  month-end  practicable,
considering  the type and media of the  communication  and will be stated in the
communication.

         Average annual total returns will be calculated using  Sub-Account unit
values  which  the  Company  calculates  on each  Valuation  Date  based  on the
performance of the Sub-Account's  underlying  Portfolio,  the deductions for the
Mortality and Expense Risk Premiums,  the Administration  Charge, and the Annual
Contract Charge. The calculation  assumes that the Annual Contract Charge is $30
per year per Contract deducted at the end of each Contract Year. For purposes of
calculating  average annual total return,  an average per dollar Annual Contract
Charge  attributable  to the  hypothetical  account for the period is used.  The
calculation also assumes  surrender of the Contract at the end of the period for
the return  quotation.  Total returns will therefore  reflect a deduction of the
Surrender  Charge for any period less than six years. The total return will then
be calculated according to the following formula:

                  TR =     ((ERV/P)^1/N) - 1

                  Where:

                  TR =     The  average  annual  total  return net of
                           Sub-Account recurring charges.

                  ERV =    the  ending redeemable value (net of any applicable
                           surrender charge) of the hypothetical account at  the
                           end of the period.

                  P =      a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.

                  N =      the number of years in the period.

                                       5

<PAGE>

    Such average annual total return information for the Sub-Accounts is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                  DATE OF INCEPTION
                                 FOR THE 1-YEAR PERIOD      FOR THE 5-YEAR PERIOD     FOR THE 10-YEAR PERIOD       OF SUB-ACCOUNT
SUB-ACCOUNT                          ENDED 12/31/95            ENDED 12/31/95             ENDED 12/31/95            TO 12/31/95
- -----------                          --------------            --------------             --------------            -----------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>                            <C>                      <C>   
VIPF High Income Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception: 05/01/88)        14.40%                 17.32%                         N/A                      10.14%

VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/88)       28.71%                 19.65%                         N/A                      13.06%

VIPF Growth Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/88)       28.97%                 19.12%                         N/A                      14.34%

VIPF Overseas Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/88)        3.62%                  6.61%                         N/A                       7.08%

VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/91)       10.80%                    N/A                         N/A                       8.54%

VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/91)       11.17%                    N/A                         N/A                       6.58%

VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/03/93)       30.78%                    N/A                         N/A                      13.02%

PCM Diversified Income Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       12.95%                    N/A                         N/A                       5.45%

PCM Growth and Income Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       30.30%                    N/A                         N/A                      18.16%

PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       24.74%                    N/A                         N/A                      12.27%

PCM Voyager Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       34.21%                    N/A                         N/A                      22.74%

</TABLE>

                                       6
<PAGE>


         From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may quote average
annual total  returns for periods prior to the date the  Sub-Accounts  commenced
operations. Such performance information for the Sub-Accounts will be calculated
based  on  the  performance  of the  Portfolios  and  the  assumption  that  the
Sub-Accounts  were in existence for the same periods as those  indicated for the
Portfolios, with the level of Contract charges currently in effect.

         Such average annual total return information for the Sub-Accounts is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                  DATE OF INCEPTION
                                 FOR THE 1-YEAR PERIOD      FOR THE 5-YEAR PERIOD     FOR THE 10-YEAR PERIOD      OF FUND PORTFOLIO
SUB-ACCOUNT                          ENDED 12/31/95            ENDED 12/31/95             ENDED 12/31/95            TO 12/31/95
- -----------                          --------------            --------------             --------------            -----------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>                            <C>                      <C>   
VIPF High Income Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception: 09/19/85)          14.40%                 17.32%                         9.92%                   10.26%

VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  10/09/86)         28.71%                 19.65%                         11.70%                  11.77%

VIPF Growth Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  10/09/86)         28.97%                 19.12%                         N/A                     13.26%

VIPF Overseas Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  01/28/87)          3.62%                  6.61%                         N/A                      5.80%

VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  09/06/89)         10.80%                 11.19%                         N/A                      9.70%

VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  12/05/88)         11.17%                  7.70%                         N/A                      7.40%

VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  08/27/92)         30.78%                    N/A                         N/A                     12.84%

PCM Diversified Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  09/15/93)         12.95%                    N/A                         N/A                      3.60%

PCM Growth and Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  02/01/88)         30.30%                 13.81%                         N/A                     13.50%

PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  05/01/92)         24.74%                    N/A                         N/A                      8.76%

PCM Voyager Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  02/01/88)         34.21%                 20.48%                         N/A                     16.11%

</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>


         The Company may also  disclose  average  annual  total  returns for the
Investment Fund's Portfolios, including such disclosure for periods prior to the
date the Variable Account commenced operations.

         Such average annual total return  information for the Portfolios of the
Investment Funds is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                  DATE OF INCEPTION
                                 FOR THE 1-YEAR PERIOD      FOR THE 5-YEAR PERIOD     FOR THE 10-YEAR PERIOD      OF FUND PORTFOLIO
SUB-ACCOUNT                          ENDED 12/31/95            ENDED 12/31/95             ENDED 12/31/95            TO 12/31/95
- -----------                          --------------            --------------             --------------            -----------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>                            <C>                      <C>   
VIPF High Income Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  09/19/85)         20.60%                 18.95%                         11.47%                   11.81%

VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  10/09/86)         35.09%                 21.33%                         N/A                      13.34%

VIPF Growth Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  10/09/86)         35.37%                 20.78%                         N/A                      14.84%

VIPF Overseas Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  01/28/87)          9.68%                  8.14%                         N/A                       7.31%

VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  09/06/89)         16.96%                 12.76%                         N/A                      11.26%

VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  12/05/88)         17.32%                  9.23%                         N/A                       8.93%

VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  08/27/92)         37.19%                    N/A                         N/A                      15.48%

PCM Diversified Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  09/15/93)         19.13%                    N/A                         N/A                       6.99%

PCM Growth and Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  02/01/88)         36.71%                 15.42%                         N/A                      15.09%

PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  05/01/92)         31.08%                    N/A                         N/A                      11.31%

PCM Voyager Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  02/01/88)         40.67%                 22.16%                         N/A                      17.73%

</TABLE>

         OTHER  TOTAL  RETURNS.   From  time  to  time,   sales   literature  or
advertisements  may quote average annual total returns for the Sub-Accounts that
do not reflect the Surrender  Charge.  Such  performance  information  may quote
average  annual total  returns for periods  during which the  Sub-Accounts  were
operating  and  for  periods  prior  to  the  date  the  Sub-Accounts  commenced
operations.  These  returns  are  calculated  in exactly the same way as average
annual total returns described above, except that the ending redeemable value of
the hypothetical account for the period is replaced with an ending value for the
period that does not take into  account any  charges on amounts  surrendered  or
withdrawn. Such information is as follows:

                                       8
<PAGE>


                 RETURNS SINCE SUB-ACCOUNTS COMMENCED OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                  DATE OF INCEPTION
                                 FOR THE 1-YEAR PERIOD      FOR THE 5-YEAR PERIOD     FOR THE 10-YEAR PERIOD        OF SUB-ACCOUNT
SUB-ACCOUNT                          ENDED 12/31/95            ENDED 12/31/95             ENDED 12/31/95            TO 12/31/95
- -----------                          --------------            --------------             --------------            -----------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>                            <C>                      <C>   
VIPF High Income Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception: 05/01/88)        18.90%                 17.32%                         N/A                      10.14%

VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/88)       33.21%                 19.65%                         N/A                      13.06%

VIPF Growth Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/88)       33.47%                 19.12%                         N/A                      14.34%

VIPF Overseas Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/88)        8.12%                  6.61%                         N/A                       7.08%

VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/91)       15.30%                    N/A                         N/A                       9.25%

VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/01/91)       15.67%                    N/A                         N/A                       7.33%

VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/03/93)       35.28%                    N/A                         N/A                      14.39%

PCM Diversified Income Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       17.45%                    N/A                         N/A                       7.58%

PCM Growth and Income Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       34.80%                    N/A                         N/A                      20.56%

PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fun
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       29.24%                    N/A                         N/A                      14.76%

PCM Voyager Fund
(Sub-Account Inception:  05/02/94)       38.71%                    N/A                         N/A                      25.08%

</TABLE>

                                       9
<PAGE>


    RETURNS INCLUDING PERIOD PRIOR TO DATE SUB-ACCOUNTS COMMENCED OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                                                                                                  DATE OF INCEPTION
                                 FOR THE 1-YEAR PERIOD      FOR THE 5-YEAR PERIOD     FOR THE 10-YEAR PERIOD      OF FUND PORTFOLIO
SUB-ACCOUNT                          ENDED 12/31/95            ENDED 12/31/95             ENDED 12/31/95            TO 12/31/95
- -----------                          --------------            --------------             --------------            -----------
<S>                                      <C>                    <C>                            <C>                      <C>   
VIPF High Income Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception: 09/19/85)          18.90%                 17.32%                         9.92%                   10.26%

VIPF Equity-Income Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  10/09/86)         33.21%                 19.65%                         N/A                     11.77%

VIPF Growth Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  10/09/86)         33.47%                 19.12%                         N/A                     13.26%

VIPF Overseas Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  01/28/87)          8.12%                  6.61%                         N/A                      5.80%

VIPF II Asset Manager Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  09/06/89)         15.30%                 11.19%                         N/A                      9.70%

VIPF II Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  12/05/88)         15.67%                  7.70%                         N/A                      7.40%

VIPF II Index 500 Portfolio
(Portfolio Inception:  08/27/92)         35.28%                    N/A                         N/A                     12.84%

PCM Diversified Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  09/15/93)         17.45%                    N/A                         N/A                      3.60%

PCM Growth and Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  02/01/88)         34.80%                 13.81%                         N/A                     13.50%

PCM Utilities Growth and Income Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  05/01/92)         29.24%                    N/A                         N/A                      8.76%

PCM Voyager Fund
(Portfolio Inception:  02/01/88)         38.71%                 20.48%                         N/A                     16.11%

</TABLE>

         The Company may disclose  Cumulative  Total Returns in conjunction with
the standard  formats  described  above.  The  Cumulative  Total Returns will be
calculated using the following formula.

         CTR = ERV/P - 1

         Where:

         CTR = The Cumulative Total Return net of Sub-Account  recurring charges
               for the period.

         ERV = the ending redeemable value of the hypothetical investment at the
               end of the period.

         P =   a hypothetical single payment of $1,000.

                                       10

<PAGE>

     EFFECT  OF THE  ANNUAL  ADMINISTRATIVE  CHARGE  ON  PERFORMANCE  DATA.  The
Contract provides for a $30 Annual Administrative Charge to be deducted annually
at the end of each Contract Year,  from the  Sub-Accounts  and the Fixed Account
based on the  proportion  that the value of each such account bears to the total
Contract Value. For purposes of reflecting the Annual  Administrative  Charge in
yield and total return quotations, the annual charge is converted into an annual
charge per $1,000 invested based on the Annual Contract  Charges  collected from
the average total assets of the Variable  Account and Fixed  Account  during the
calendar year ending December 31, 1995.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     This Statement of Additional  Information contains Financial Statements for
the Variable  Account as of December 31, 1995 and for each of the three years in
the period then ended.  Deloitte & Touche LLP serves as independent auditors for
the Variable Account.  Although the financial statements are audited, the period
they cover is not necessarily  indicative of the longer term  performance of the
assets held in the Variable Account.

     The Company's statements of financial condition as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and the related  statements of operations,  shareholder's  equity and cash
flows for the years ended  December 31, 1995 and 1994 which are included in this
Statement of Additional Information, should be considered only as bearing on the
Company's ability to meet its obligations  under the Contracts.  They should not
be considered as bearing on the investment performance of the assets held in the
Variable Account.

                                       11
<PAGE>


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



Board of Directors
Northwestern National Life Insurance
Company and Contract Owners of
NWNL Select Variable Account:



  We have audited the  accompanying  statement of assets and liabilities of NWNL
Select  Variable  Account  as of  December  31,  1995 and the  related  combined
statements of operations and changes in Contract  Owners' equity for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1995.  These  financial  statements
are the responsibility of the management of Northwestern National Life Insurance
Company.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an  opinion  on  these  financial
statements based on our audits.

  We have 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
misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our procedures include
confirmation of the securities owned as of December 31, 1995, by  correspondence
with the Account  custodians.  An audit also includes  assessing the  accounting
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as well as
evaluating the overall  financial  statement  presentation.  We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

  In our opinion,  the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of NWNL Select Variable Account as
of December 31, 1995,  and the results of its operations and changes in Contract
Owners'  equity for each of the three  years in the period  ended  December  31,
1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.




Deloitte & Touche LLP



Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 2, 1996











                                       i

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                               December 31, 1995
                   (in Thousands, Except Share and Unit Data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      Select         Select       Fidelity's VIPF  Fidelity's VIPF   Fidelity's VIPF
                                                   Capital Growth    Managed       Money Market      High Income      Equity-Income
ASSETS:                                              Fund, Inc.     Fund, Inc.       Portfolio        Portfolio         Portfolio  
- -------
Investments in mutual funds at market value:       -------------   -------------   --------------   --------------    -------------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>      <C>              <C>                <C>       
NORTHWESTERN'S:
   Select Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                                      $-
    Select Managed Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                                                   $ -

FIDELITY'S VIPF AND VIPF II:
   Money Market Portfolio
     19,384,402 shares (cost $19,384)                                                  $19,384
    High Income Portfolio
     1,917,187 shares (cost $21,472)                                                                    $23,102
    Equity-Income Portfolio
     4,804,452 shares (cost $71,360)                                                                                       $92,582
    Growth Portfolio
     3,114,103 shares (cost $68,697)                                                                                        
    Overseas Portfolio
     1,539,261 shares (cost $24,059)                                                                                        
    Asset Manager Portfolio
     3,137,752 shares (cost $44,874)                                                                                        
    Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
     1,282,434 shares (cost $14,901)                                                                                        
    Index 500 Portfolio
     105,609 shares (cost $6,885)                                                                                           
   Contrafund Portfolio
     388,952 shares (cost $5,225)                                                                                           

PUTNAM'S PCM:
   Diversified Income Fund
     637,861 shares (cost $6,466)
    Growth and Income Fund
     536,994 shares (cost $9,984)
    Utilities Growth and Income Fund
     268,645 shares (cost $3,148)
    Voyager Fund
     633,805 shares (cost $16,013)
   Asia Pacific Growth Fund
     76,773 shares (cost $765)
   New Opportunities Fund
     240,228 shares (cost $3,441)

NORTHSTAR'S:
   Income and Growth Fund
     40,273 shares (cost $461)
   Growth Fund
     17,484 shares (cost $213)
   Multi-Sector Bond Fund
     48,730 shares (cost $248)
                                                     ----------    ----------       ----------       ----------         ----------
   Total Assets                                              $-            $-          $19,384          $23,102            $92,582
                                                     ==========    ==========       ==========       ==========         ==========

LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY:
Due to Northwestern National Life Insurance Company
   for contract charges and reserve transfers                $-            $-              $20              $24                $98
Contract Owners' Equity                                       -             -           19,364           23,078             92,484
                                                     ----------    ----------       ----------       ----------         ----------
   Total Liabilities and Contract Owners' Equity             $-            $-          $19,384          $23,102            $92,582
                                                     ==========    ==========       ==========       ==========         ==========

Units Outstanding:                                            -             -    1,607,916.548    1,368,646.703      4,437,068.543

Net Asset Value per Unit:
     Select*Annuity II
           Tax-Qualified                                     $-            $-       $14.093183       $21.133192         $25.834771
           Non-Tax Qualified                                 $-            $-       $14.093183       $21.133192         $25.834771
     Select*Annuity  III
           Tax-Qualified                                     $-            $-       $10.731589       $11.456275         $14.008100
           Non-Tax Qualified                                 $-            $-       $10.731589       $11.456275         $14.008100
</TABLE>

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                       ii
<PAGE>

                 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Fidelity's 
                                               Fidelity's                      Fidelity's      VIPF II       Fidelity's   Fidelity's
                                                  VIPF      Fidelity's VIPF     VIPF II       Investment        VIPF II     VIPF II
                                                 Growth        Overseas      Asset Manager    Grade Bond      Index 500   Contrafund
ASSETS:                                         Portfolio      Portfolio       Portfolio      Portfolio       Portfolio    Portfolio
- -------
Investments in mutual funds at market value: ------------- -------------     -------------   -------------  ------------ -----------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>       
NORTHWESTERN'S:
   Select Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                     
    Select Managed Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                     

FIDELITY'S VIPF AND VIPF II:
   Money Market Portfolio
     19,384,402 shares (cost $19,384)       
    High Income Portfolio
     1,917,187 shares (cost $21,472)        
    Equity-Income Portfolio
     4,804,452 shares (cost $71,360)        
    Growth Portfolio
     3,114,103 shares (cost $68,697)              $90,932
    Overseas Portfolio
     1,539,261 shares (cost $24,059)                              $26,244
    Asset Manager Portfolio
     3,137,752 shares (cost $44,874)                                             $49,545
    Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
     1,282,434 shares (cost $14,901)                                                            $16,005
    Index 500 Portfolio
     105,609 shares (cost $6,885)                                                                               $7,996
   Contrafund Portfolio
     388,952 shares (cost $5,225)                                                                                            $5,360

PUTNAM'S PCM:
   Diversified Income Fund
     637,861 shares (cost $6,466)
    Growth and Income Fund
     536,994 shares (cost $9,984)
    Utilities Growth and Income Fund
     268,645 shares (cost $3,148)
    Voyager Fund
     633,805 shares (cost $16,013)
   Asia Pacific Growth Fund
     76,773 shares (cost $765)
   New Opportunities Fund
     240,228 shares (cost $3,441)

NORTHSTAR'S:
   Income and Growth Fund
     40,273 shares (cost $461)
   Growth Fund
     17,484 shares (cost $213)
   Multi-Sector Bond Fund
     48,730 shares (cost $248)
                                               ----------      ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------   ----------
   Total Assets                                   $90,932         $26,244        $49,545        $16,005         $7,996       $5,360
                                                  =======         =======        =======        =======         ======       ======

LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY:
Due to Northwestern National Life Insurance 
   Company for contract charges and reserve 
   transfers                                          $98             $28            $53            $18             $9           $6
Contract Owners' Equity                            90,834          26,216         49,492         15,987          7,987        5,354
                                               ----------      ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------   ----------
   Total Liabilities and Contract Owners' 
    Equity                                        $90,932         $26,244        $49,545        $16,005         $7,996       $5,360
                                                  =======         =======        =======        =======         ======       ======

Units Outstanding:                          4,004,682.840   1,821,113.544  3,660,661.401  1,284,788.353    575,979.607  440,844.341

Net Asset Value per Unit:
     Select*Annuity II
           Tax-Qualified                       $28.140162      $17.036049     $15.180714     $13.997190     $14.354982           $-
           Non-Tax Qualified                   $28.140162      $17.036049     $15.180714     $13.997190     $14.354982           $-
     Select*Annuity  III
           Tax-Qualified                       $13.161108      $10.756888     $10.609566     $10.966152     $13.459368   $12.103084
           Non-Tax Qualified                   $13.161108      $10.756888     $10.609566     $10.966152     $13.459368   $12.103084
</TABLE>
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                      iii

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, CONTINUED
                               December 31, 1995
                   (in Thousands, Except Share and Unit Data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Putnam's PCM   Putnam's PCM    Putnam's PCM                     Putnam's PCM 
                                                        Diversified    Growth and   Utilities Growth   Putnam's PCM    Asia Pacific 
                                                          Income         Income        and Income         Voyager         Growth    
ASSETS:                                                    Fund           Fund            Fund             Fund            Fund     
- -------
Investments in mutual funds at market value:           -------------  -------------   -------------    -------------   -------------
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>        
NORTHWESTERN'S:
    Select Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                                                                                                             
    Select Managed Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                                                                                                             

FIDELITY'S VIPF AND VIPF II:
   Money Market Portfolio
     19,384,402 shares (cost $19,384)                                                                                               
    High Income Portfolio
     1,917,187 shares (cost $21,472)                                                                                                
    Equity-Income Portfolio
     4,804,452 shares (cost $71,360)                                                                                                
    Growth Portfolio
     3,114,103 shares (cost $68,697)                                                                                                
    Overseas Portfolio
     1,539,261 shares (cost $24,059)                                                                                                
    Asset Manager Portfolio
     3,137,752 shares (cost $44,874)                                                                                                
    Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
     1,282,434 shares (cost $14,901)                                                                                                
    Index 500 Portfolio
     105,609 shares (cost $6,885)                                                                                                   
   Contrafund Portfolio
     388,952 shares (cost $5,225)                                                                                                   

PUTNAM'S PCM:
   Diversified Income Fund
     637,861 shares (cost $6,466)                            $7,036                                                                 
    Growth and Income Fund
     536,994 shares (cost $9,984)                                         $11,529                                                   
    Utilities Growth and Income Fund
     268,645 shares (cost $3,148)                                                          $3,568                                   
    Voyager Fund
     633,805 shares (cost $16,013)                                                                         $19,331                  
   Asia Pacific Growth Fund
     76,773 shares (cost $765)                                                                                                 $785 
   New Opportunities Fund
     240,228 shares (cost $3,441)                                                                                                   

NORTHSTAR'S:
   Income and Growth Fund
     40,273 shares (cost $461)                                                                                                      
   Growth Fund
     17,484 shares (cost $213)                                                                                                      
   Multi-Sector Bond Fund
     48,730 shares (cost $248)                                                                                                      
                                                         ----------    ----------      ----------       ----------       ---------- 
   Total Assets                                              $7,036       $11,529          $3,568          $19,331             $785 
                                                            =======     =========       =========        =========        ========= 

LIABILITIES AND POLICYOWNERS' EQUITY:
Due to Northwestern National Life Insurance Company
   for accrued mortality and expense risks                $       8    $       12       $       4       $       26          $     - 
Contract Owners' Equity                                       7,028        11,517           3,564           19,305              785 
                                                         ----------    ----------      ----------       ----------       ---------- 
   Total Liabilities and Policyowners' Equity                $7,036       $11,529          $3,568          $19,331             $785 
                                                             ======       =======          ======          =======          =======

Units Outstanding:                                      632,420.015   859,405.339     294,096.722    1,370,458.827       77,406.519 

Net Asset Value per Unit:
     Select*Annuity II
           Tax-Qualified                                 $11.574062    $13.669050      $12.590873       $14.531254         $      - 
           Non-Tax Qualified                             $11.574062    $13.669050      $12.590873       $14.531254         $      - 
     Select*Annuity III
           Tax-Qualified                                 $11.066646    $13.316238      $12.007195       $13.927167       $10.136110 
           Non-Tax Qualified                             $11.066646    $13.316238      $12.007195       $13.927167       $10.136110 
</TABLE>
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                       iv

<PAGE>

                STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Putnam's PCM    Northstar's
                                                              New          Income       Northstar's     Northstar's
                                                         Opportunities   and Growth       Growth     Multi-Sector Bond
ASSETS:                                                      Fund           Fund           Fund            Fund            Total
- -------
Investments in mutual funds at market value:             -------------  ------------   ------------    ------------    ------------
NORTHWESTERN'S:
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>          
    Select Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                                                                                                         $-
    Select Managed Fund, Inc.
     0 shares (cost $-)                                                                                                          -

FIDELITY'S VIPF AND VIPF II:
   Money Market Portfolio
     19,384,402 shares (cost $19,384)                                                                                       19,384
    High Income Portfolio
     1,917,187 shares (cost $21,472)                                                                                        23,102
    Equity-Income Portfolio
     4,804,452 shares (cost $71,360)                                                                                        92,582
    Growth Portfolio
     3,114,103 shares (cost $68,697)                                                                                        90,932
    Overseas Portfolio
     1,539,261 shares (cost $24,059)                                                                                        26,244
    Asset Manager Portfolio
     3,137,752 shares (cost $44,874)                                                                                        49,545
    Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
     1,282,434 shares (cost $14,901)                                                                                        16,005
    Index 500 Portfolio
     105,609 shares (cost $6,885)                                                                                            7,996
   Contrafund Portfolio
     388,952 shares (cost $5,225)                                                                                            5,360

PUTNAM'S PCM:
   Diversified Income Fund
     637,861 shares (cost $6,466)                                                                                            7,036
    Growth and Income Fund
     536,994 shares (cost $9,984)                                                                                           11,529
    Utilities Growth and Income Fund
     268,645 shares (cost $3,148)                                                                                            3,568
    Voyager Fund
     633,805 shares (cost $16,013)                                                                                          19,331
   Asia Pacific Growth Fund
     76,773 shares (cost $765)                                                                                                 785
   New Opportunities Fund
     240,228 shares (cost $3,441)                             $3,755                                                         3,755

NORTHSTAR'S:
   Income and Growth Fund
     40,273 shares (cost $461)                                                  $459                                           459
   Growth Fund
     17,484 shares (cost $213)                                                                $202                             202
   Multi-Sector Bond Fund
     48,730 shares (cost $248)                                                                                $250             250
                                                          ----------      ----------    ----------      ----------      ----------
   Total Assets                                               $3,755            $459          $202            $250        $378,065
                                                              ======            ====          ====            ====        ========


LIABILITIES AND POLICYOWNERS' EQUITY:
Due to Northwestern National Life Insurance Company
   for accrued mortality and expense risks                 $       9          $    1       $     -              $-        $    414
Contract Owners' Equity                                        3,746             458           202             250         377,651
                                                          ----------      ----------    ----------      ----------      ----------
   Total Liabilities and Policyowners' Equity                 $3,755            $459          $202            $250        $378,065
                                                              ======            ====          ====            ====        ========

Units Outstanding:                                       279,169.636      38,118.380    16,298.318      21,963.823  22,791,039.459

Net Asset Value per Unit:
     Select*Annuity II
           Tax-Qualified                                   $       -         $     -       $     -         $     -
           Non-Tax Qualified                               $       -         $     -       $     -         $     -
     Select*Annuity  III
           Tax-Qualified                                  $13.350615      $12.022356    $12.371427      $11.388122
           Non-Tax Qualified                              $13.350615      $12.022356    $12.371427      $11.388122
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 

                                       v
<PAGE>


                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                      STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES
                           IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                                 (In Thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED         YEAR ENDED
                                                   DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                                       1995             1994                1993
                                                   ------------      -----------        ------------
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>                <C>     
Net investment income:
  Reinvested dividend income ...............         $    5,942         $    3,970         $    3,263
  Reinvested capital gains .................              3,314              6,860              1,162
  Administrative Expenses .................              (4,764)            (3,286)            (2,078)
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
    Net investment income and capital gains               4,492              7,544              2,347
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
  Net realized gains on
    redemptions of fund shares .............              9,391              3,754              2,426
  Increase (decrease) in unrealized
    appreciation of investments ............             51,022            (13,578)            14,384
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)           60,413             (9,824)            16,810
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
       Net additions (reductions) from operations        64,905            (2,280)             19,157
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
Contract Owners' transactions:
  Net purchase payments ....................             90,585             88,469             59,995
  Surrenders ...............................            (21,291)           (13,237)            (9,072)
  Transfers between Sub-Accounts
     and Fixed Account .....................               (913)              (508)               539
  Annuity payments .........................               (958)            (1,265)              (602)
  Transfers (from) to required reserves ....               (146)                17                (91)
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
    Net additions for Contract Owners' transactions      67,277             73,476             50,769
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
         Net additions for the year.........            132,182             71,196             69,926

Contract Owners' Equity, beginning of the year          245,469            174,273            104,347
                                                      ---------          ---------          ---------
Contract Owners' Equity, end of the year ...           $377,651           $245,469           $174,273
                                                       ========           ========           ========


</TABLE>


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

                                       vi


<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
   ORGANIZATION AND CONTRACTS:
   NWNL  Select  Variable  Account  (the  "Account")  is a  separate  account of
   Northwestern  National Life Insurance Company ("NWNL" or  "Northwestern"),  a
   wholly owned  subsidiary  of ReliaStar  Financial  Corp.  (formerly  The NWNL
   Companies,  Inc.). The Account is registered as a unit investment trust under
   the Investment Company Act of 1940.

   Purchase  payments received under the contracts are allocated to Sub-Accounts
   of the Account,  each of which invested in one of the following  Funds during
   the period (see note 4):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 FIDELITY'S VIPF AND VIPF II:             PUTNAM'S PCM:                               NORTHSTAR FUNDS:         
 ----------------------------             -------------                               ----------------         
<S>                                       <C>                                         <C> 
 Money Market Portfolio                   Diversified Income Fund                     Growth Fund              
 High Income Portfolio                    Growth and Income Fund                      Income and Growth Fund   
 Equity-Income Portfolio                  Utilities Growth and Income Fund            Multi-Sector Bond Fund   
 Growth Portfolio                         Voyager Fund                             
 Overseas Portfolio                       Asia Pacific Growth Fund
 Asset Manager Portfolio                  New Opportunities Fund
 Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
 Index 500 Portfolio
 Contrafund Portfolio

</TABLE>


   Northstar  Investment Management  Corporation,  an affiliate of NWNL, is the
   investment  adviser  for the three  Northstar  Funds and is paid fees for its
   services  by  the  Funds.  Fidelity  Management  &  Research  Company  is the
   investment  adviser for Fidelity's  VIPF and VIPF II and is paid fees for its
   services by the VIPF and VIPF II portfolios.  Putnam  Investment  Management,
   Inc.  is the  investment  adviser  for the PCM Funds and is paid fees for its
   services by the PCM Funds.  See the related Funds'  prospectuses  for further
   information.  On May 3, 1993, NWNL added the Sub-Accounts investing in shares
   of Index 500  Portfolio.  On  January 6, 1994 NWNL  established  sub-accounts
   investing in the PCM Funds which were made  available to purchasers of NWNL's
   Select*Annuity III variable annuity contracts.  On May 2, 1994,  Sub-Accounts
   investing in the PCM Funds were also made  available to  purchasers of NWNL's
   Select*Annuity  II  variable  annuity   contracts.   On  December  30,  1994,
   Sub-Accounts  investing  in  the  Northstar  Funds  were  made  available  to
   purchasers of NWNL's Select*Annuity III variable annuity contracts.  On April
   30, 1995, Sub-Accounts investing in the VIPF II Contrafund Portfolio, the PCM
   Asia  Pacific  Growth  Fund  and the PCM New  Opportunities  Fund  were  made
   available  to  purchasers  of  NWNL's  Select*Annuity  III  variable  annuity
   contracts.

   SECURITIES VALUATION TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME:
   The market value of investments in the  Sub-Accounts  is based on the closing
   net asset values of the Fund shares held at the end of the period. Investment
   transactions  are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to purchase
   or redeem is executed) and dividend income and capital gain distributions are
   recorded  on  the  ex-dividend   date.  Net  realized  gains  and  losses  on
   redemptions  of shares of the Funds are  determined  on the basis of specific
   identification of Fund share costs.

   VARIABLE ANNUITY RESERVES:
   The  amount of the  reserves  for  contracts  in the  distribution  period is
   determined by actuarial assumptions which meet statutory requirements.  Gains
   or losses resulting from actual mortality experience, the full responsibility
   for which is assumed by NWNL, are offset by transfers to, or from, NWNL.

2. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:
   Under current tax law, the income, gains and losses from the separate account
   investments are not taxable to either the Account or NWNL.

3. CONTRACT CHARGES:
   No deduction is made for a sales charge from the purchase  payments  made for
   the  contracts.  However,  on certain  surrenders,  NWNL will deduct from the
   contract value a surrender charge as set forth in the contract.

   Certain charges are made by NWNL to Contract  Owners'  Variable  Accumulation
   Values in the Account in accordance  with the terms of the  Contracts.  These
   charges may  include:  an annual  administrative/contract  charge of $30 from
   each  contract  on the  anniversary  date  or at the  time of  surrender,  if
   surrender   is  at  a  time  other  than  the   anniversary   date;  a  daily
   administrative  charge;  and a daily  charge for  mortality  and expense risk
   assumed by NWNL. NWNL bears the risk of adverse mortality  experience and any
   costs for sales and  administrative  services and expenses which exceed these
   periodic charges.

   Various  states and other  governmental  units levy a premium  tax on annuity
   contracts issued by insurance companies.  If the owner of a contract lives in
   a state which  levies such a tax,  NWNL may deduct the amount of the tax from
   the purchase payments received or the value of the contract at annuitization.

4. NORTHWESTERN'S SELECT FUNDS:
   On May 1, 1995, Select Capital Growth Fund, Inc. ("SCG") and Select Managed  
   Fund, Inc. ("SMF") were liquidated, and Contract Owners' values in the       
   Sub-Accounts investing in SCG and SMF were transferred to the Sub-Accounts   
   investing in shares of the VIPF Growth Portfolio and VIPF II Asset Manager   
   Portfolio, respectively.

                                      vii

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED



5. INVESTMENTS:
   The net realized  gains  (losses) on redemptions of fund shares for the years
   ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, were as follows, (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          SELECT              
                                                                                     CAPITAL GROWTH         
                                         TOTAL                                          FUND, INC.          
                     ---------------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------------

                     Year ended      Year ended      Year ended      Year ended     Year ended     Year ended     
                      Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,     
                        1995            1994            1993            1995           1994           1993       
                      ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------      ---------      ---------    
<S>                     <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>       
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......    $83,108         $49,854         $25,718          $6,333         $1,992         $1,749    
Cost ...............     73,717          46,100          23,292           6,809          2,111          1,738    
                      ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------      ---------      ---------    
Net realized gains
   (losses) on
   redemptions of
   fund shares .....   $  9,391          $3,754          $2,426           ($476)         ($119)           $11   
                       ========          ======          ======           =====          =====            ===   

<CAPTION>

                                    FIDELITY'S VIPF                                      FIDELITY'S VIPF   
                                      HIGH INCOME                                         EQUITY-INCOME    
                                       PORTFOLIO                                            PORTFOLIO      
                     -----------------------------------------      ----------------------------------------

                     Year ended     Year ended      Year ended       Year ended     Year ended    Year ended 
                      Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,     
                        1995           1994            1993            1995            1994          1993       
                      ---------      ---------       ---------       ----------      ---------    ----------    
<S>                      <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>      
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......     $5,766         $4,887          $1,962          $7,777         $5,135         $1,901   
Cost ...............      5,414          4,460           1,419           5,469          4,129          1,570   
                      ---------      ---------       ---------        ---------      ---------     ---------   
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......    $   352         $  427         $   543          $2,308         $1,006           $331   
                        =======         ======         =======          ======         ======           ====   



                                  FIDELITY'S VIPF II                            FIDELITY'S VIPF II                 
                                     ASSET MANAGER                               INVESTMENT GRADE                  
                                       PORTFOLIO                                  BOND PORTFOLIO                   
                     ----------------------------------------       ------------------------------------------ 

                     Year ended     Year ended     Year ended       Year ended      Year ended     Year ended    
                      Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,     
                        1995           1994           1993             1995            1994           1993       
                      ---------      ---------      ---------        ---------       ---------      ----------    
<S>                      <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>      
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......     $9,653         $2,543           $337           $5,108          $5,246          $1,759   
Cost ...............      8,857          2,270            285            4,997           5,342           1,648   
                      ---------      ---------      ---------        ---------       ---------       ---------   
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......     $  796         $  273          $  52         $    111           ($96)        $   111   
                      =========      =========      =========         ========      =========         =======   

</TABLE>



                                      viii

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         SELECT                                        FIDELITY'S VIPF
                                         MANAGED                                        MONEY MARKET
                                        FUND, INC.                                        PORTFOLIO
                     ---------------------------------------------       ---------------------------------------------

                     Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended
                      Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                        1995              1994             1993              1995             1994              1993
                      ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
<S>                      <C>                 <C>              <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......     $6,137            $2,175           $3,098           $16,985          $15,801            $9,347
Cost ...............      6,129             2,035            2,858            16,985           15,801             9,347
                      ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
Net realized gains
   (losses) on
   redemptions of
   fund shares .....     $    8           $   140           $  240            $    -        $       -          $      -
                         ======           =======            =====             =====        =========          ========

<CAPTION>

                                     FIDELITY'S VIPF                                     FIDELITY'S VIPF
                                         GROWTH                                             OVERSEAS
                                        PORTFOLIO                                           PORTFOLIO
                     ---------------------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------

                     Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended
                      Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                        1995              1994             1993              1995             1994              1993
                      ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
<S>                     <C>                <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>   
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......    $11,631            $6,277           $3,178            $6,179           $3,143            $2,269
Cost ...............      7,195             4,716            2,113             5,293            2,551             2,197
                      ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......     $4,436            $1,561           $1,065            $  886           $  592           $     72
                         ======            ======            =====             =====           ======           ========

<CAPTION>

                                   FIDELITY'S VIPF II                                  FIDELITY'S VIPF II
                                        INDEX 500                                          CONTRAFUND
                                        PORTFOLIO                                           PORTFOLIO
                     ---------------------------------------------        ---------------------------------------------

                     Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended
                      Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                        1995              1994             1993              1995             1994              1993
                      ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
<S>                      <C>                 <C>              <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......     $1,802              $355             $118              $140               $-                $-
Cost ...............      1,542               352              117               119                -                 -
                      ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......     $  260                $3            $   1             $  21               $-                $-
                      =========         =========        =========         =========        =========         =========
</TABLE>


                                       ix

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED



5. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED):
   The net realized  gains  (losses) on redemptions of fund shares for the years
   ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, were as follows, (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                        
                                     PUTNAM'S PCM                                         PUTNAM'S PCM                  
                                  DIVERSIFIED INCOME                                    GROWTH AND INCOME               
                                         FUND                                                 FUND                      
                     ---------------------------------------------       ---------------------------------------------- 

                     Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended  
                      Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,   
                        1995             1994              1993             1995              1994             1993     
                     ----------        ----------        ---------        ----------        ----------      ----------- 
<S>                      <C>                 <C>                <C>           <C>                <C>                 <C>
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......     $1,414              $500               $-            $1,006             $400                $-
Cost................      1,334               515                -               876              407                 - 
                      ---------         ---------        ---------        ----------        ---------       ----------- 
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......    $    80            ($ 15)               $-            $  130           ($  7)                $- 
                      =========         =========        =========         =========        =========         ========= 

<CAPTION>

                                     PUTNAM'S PCM                                         PUTNAM'S PCM                       
                                     ASIA PACIFIC                                       NEW OPPORTUNITIES                    
                                      GROWTH FUND                                             FUND                           
                     ---------------------------------------------       ----------------------------------------------      

                     Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended       
                      Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,        
                        1995             1994              1993             1995              1994             1993          
                      ---------        ---------         ---------        ----------         ---------        ---------      
<S>                         <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>      
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......        $96               $-               $-               $321              $-                $-       
Cost ...............         96                -                -                262               -                 -       
                      ---------        ---------         ---------        ----------         ---------        ---------      
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......         $-               $-               $-              $  59              $-                $-       
                      =========        =========        =========          =========         =========        ========       
</TABLE>


                                      NORTHSTAR'S
                                   MULTI-SECTOR BOND
                                         FUND
                     ---------------------------------------------

                     Year ended       Year ended        Year ended
                      Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                        1995             1994              1993
                      ---------        ---------         ---------
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......        $37               $-               $-
Cost ...............         37                -                -
                      ---------        ---------         ---------
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......         $-               $-               $-
                      =========        =========         ========


                                       x


<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                       PUTNAM'S PCM
                                         UTILITIES                                          PUTNAM'S PCM
                                     GROWTH AND INCOME                                        VOYAGER
                                           FUND                                                FUND
                      ----------------------------------------------       ---------------------------------------------

                      Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended
                       Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                         1995              1994             1993              1995             1994              1993
                        ---------         ---------        ---------       ----------         ---------         ---------
<S>                          <C>              <C>                 <C>          <C>               <C>                   <C>
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......         $548             $231                $-           $2,124            $1,169                $-
Cost................          493              240                 -            1,764             1,171                 -
                        ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------         ---------         ---------
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......        $  55           ($  9)                $-           $  360         ($     2)                $-
                        =========       =========          =========        =========         ========          =========

<CAPTION>
                                        NORTHSTAR'S                                         NORTHSTAR'S
                                     INCOME AND GROWTH                                        GROWTH
                                           FUND                                                FUND
                      ---------------------------------------------        ---------------------------------------------

                      Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended       Year ended        Year ended
                       Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                         1995              1994             1993              1995             1994              1993
                      ----------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------       -----------
<S>                          <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>
Proceeds from
  redemptions ......         $36               $-                $-               $15               $-                $-
Cost ...............          34                -                 -                12                -                 -
                      ----------         ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------       -----------
Net realized gains
  (losses) on
  redemptions of
  fund shares ......          $ 2              $-                $-               $ 3               $-                $-
                        =========        ========         =========         =========        =========         =========
</TABLE>





                                       xi

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED


6. CONTRACT OWNERS' TRANSACTIONS:
   Unit  transactions  in each  Sub-Account  during the years ended December 31,
   1995, 1994 and 1993, were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                   SELECT
                                                   CAPITAL                                    SELECT                    
                                                   GROWTH                                     MANAGED                   
                                                 FUND, INC.                                 FUND, INC.                  
                                   ----------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------   

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended     
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      
                                      1995          1994          1993          1995          1994          1993        
                                   -----------   -----------   ------------  ------------   -----------   ------------  
<S>                                 <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............   199,602.754   236,351.642   271,515.708   385,981.897   495,999.026   638,164.404   
Units purchased .................     2,170.070     9,956.716    15,436.126     3,513.590    20,863.027    37,212.420   
Units redeemed ..................    (9,983.707)  (28,276.780)  (34,147.193)  (20,308.314)  (74,417.627) (110,890.381)  
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account.................  (191,789.117)  (18,428.824)  (16,452.999) (369,187.173)  (56,462.529)  (68,487.417)  
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   
Units outstanding,
   end of year ..................             -   199,602.754   236,351.642             -   385,981.897   495,999.026   
                                    ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   


<CAPTION>
                                              FIDELITY'S VIPF                            FIDELITY'S VIPF                
                                                   GROWTH                                    OVERSEAS                   
                                                  PORTFOLIO                                  PORTFOLIO                  
                                  ----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------    

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended     
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      
                                      1995          1994          1993          1995          1994          1993        
                                  -------------   -----------   -----------  ------------   -----------   -----------   
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year............. 3,085,291.094 2,019,876.667 1,448,782.791 1,680,499.232   819,347.654   456,485.166   
Units purchased .................   769,630.128 1,070,554.250   581,545.451   381,191.472   724,437.332   286,453.475   
Units redeemed ..................  (279,858.707) (153,211.193) (100,708.718) (120,861.323)  (55,236.857)  (38,568.188)  
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account.................   429,620.325   148,071.370    90,257.143  (119,715.837)  191,951.103   114,977.201   
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   
Units outstanding,
   end of year..................  4,004,682.840 3,085,291.094 2,019,876.667 1,821,113.544 1,680,499.232   819,347.654   
                                  ============= ============= ============= ============= =============   ===========
</TABLE>



                                      xii


<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                FIDELITY'S VIPF                           FIDELITY'S VIPF              
                                                  MONEY MARKET                               HIGH INCOME               
                                                    PORTFOLIO                                 PORTFOLIO                
                                   --------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------
 
                                   Year ended      Year ended    Year ended       Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
                                     Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,   
                                       1995            1994          1993             1995          1994          1993     
                                    -------------   ------------  ------------   -------------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>         
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............  1,183,020.139     827,229.012   987,749.178   1,018,223.635   798,986.176   441,254.684 
Units purchased .................  1,210,518.082     947,248.323   434,478.460     405,708.793   421,702.041   352,007.382 
Units redeemed ..................   (120,871.417)   (125,836.730) (133,871.819)    (74,441.049)  (62,304.904)  (24,288.804)
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account.................   (664,750.256)   (465,620.466) (461,126.807)     19,155.324  (140,159.678)   30,012.914 
                                     -----------     -----------   -----------     -----------   -----------   ----------- 
Units outstanding,
   end of year ..................  1,607,916.548   1,183,020.139   827,229.012    1,368,646.703 1,018,223.635  798,986.176 
                                   =============   =============   ===========    ============= =============  =========== 
</TABLE>


                                               FIDELITY'S VIPF
                                                EQUITY-INCOME
                                                  PORTFOLIO

                                   --------------------------------------------
                                     Year ended    Year ended      Year ended
                                      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,
                                        1995          1994            1993
                                   ------------   -------------   -------------
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............ 3,257,109.719   2,319,003.995   1,655,722.841
Units purchased ................. 1,101,417.898     933,801.967     660,349.935
Units redeemed ..................   259,661.010)   (196,100.661)   (114,399.458)
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account.................   338,201.936     200,404.418     117,330.677
                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
Units outstanding,
   end of year .................. 4,437,068.543   3,257,109.719   2,319,003.995
                                    ===========   =============   =============
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 FIDELITY'S VIPF II                          FIDELITY'S VIPF II            
                                                    ASSET MANAGER                            INVESTMENT GRADE             
                                                      PORTFOLIO                                BOND PORTFOLIO              
                                   -------------------------------------------     --------------------------------------- 
 
                                   Year ended      Year ended    Year ended       Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
                                     Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,         Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,   
                                       1995            1994          1993             1995          1994          1993     
                                   -------------     -----------   -----------     -----------   -----------   ----------- 
<S>                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>         
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year.............  3,382,528.684   1,727,140.831   522,703.230     993,890.531   729,334.990   352,117.005 
Units purchased .................    542,582.388   1,624,947.759   999,767.151     723,466.175   651,757.704   487,892.585 
Units redeemed ..................   (270,565.326)   (115,058.014)  (25,959.676)    (49,436.532)  (69,080.787)  (32,664.573)
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account.................      6,115.655     145,498.108   230,630.126    (383,131.821) (318,121.376)  (78,010.027)
                                   -------------     -----------   -----------     -----------   -----------   ----------- 
Units outstanding,
   end of year..................   3,660,661.401   3,382,528.684 1,727,140.831   1,284,788.353   993,890.531   729,334.990 
                                   =============   ============= =============   =============   ===========   =========== 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                             FIDELITY'S VIPF II
                                                  INDEX 500
                                                  PORTFOLIO
                                   ---------------------------------------

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,
                                      1995          1994          1993
                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year.............  263,727.290   102,493.314             -
Units purchased .................  230,822.310   139,102.547    89,685.213
Units redeemed ..................  (16,245.621)  (12,679.127)       (5.659)
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account.................   97,675.628    34,810.556    12,813.760
                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
Units outstanding,
   end of year..................   575,979.607   263,727.290   102,493.314
                                   ===========   ===========   ===========

                                      xiii

<PAGE>


                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED



6. CONTRACT OWNERS' TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED):
   Unit  transactions  in each  Sub-Account  during the years ended December 31,
   1995, 1994 and 1993, were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             FIDELITY'S VIPF II                            PUTNAM'S PCM                 
                                                 CONTRAFUND                             DIVERSIFIED INCOME              
                                                  PORTFOLIO                                    FUND                     
                                    -------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------   

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended     
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      
                                      1995          1994          1993          1995          1994          1993        
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>           <C>  <C>           <C>                   <C>   
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............             -             -             -   350,570.940             -             -   
Units purchased .................   349,595.850             -             -   342,422.647   364,540.968             -   
Units reedeemed .................    (2,747.245)            -             -   (18,550.684)   (4,879.794)            -   
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account ................    93,995.736             -             -   (42,022.888)   (9,090.234)            -   
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   
Units outstanding,
   end of year...................   440,844.341             -             -   632,420.015   350,570.940             -   
                                    ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========  


<CAPTION>

                                                PUTNAM'S PCM                               PUTNAM'S PCM                 
                                                ASIA PACIFIC                             NEW OPPORTUNITIES              
                                                 GROWTH FUND                                   FUND                     
                                    -------------------------------------      -------------------------------------    

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended    Year ended     
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      
                                      1995          1994          1993          1995          1994          1993        
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   
<S>                                 <C>           <C>               <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>           
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............             -             -             -             -             -             -   
Units purchased .................    59,171.003             -             -   191,561.789             -             -   
Units reedeemed .................      (164.483)            -             -    (1,607.939)            -             -   
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account ................    18,399.999             -             -    89,215.786             -             -   
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   
Units outstanding,
   end of year.................      77,406.519             -             -   279,169.636             -             -   
                                     ==========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>




                                      xiv

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 PUTNAM'S PCM                              PUTNAM'S PCM               
                                                GROWTH & INCOME                         UTILITIES GROWTH &            
                                                     FUND                                   INCOME FUND               
                                   ----------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------  

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended     Year ended    Year ended    Year ended  
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,   
                                      1995          1994          1993           1995          1994          1993     
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ----------- 
<S>                                 <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>         <C>        
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............   263,273.051             -             -   120,645.331             -             - 
Units purchased .................   411,254.359   211,628.753             -   109,716.900   104,433.541             - 
Units reedeemed .................   (19,519.533)   (6,596.040)            -    (6,323.494)   (1,165.178)            - 
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account ................   204,397.462    58,240.338             -    70,057.985    17,376.968             - 
                                    -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ----------- 
Units outstanding,
   end of year...................   859,405.339   263,273.051             -   294,096.722   120,645.331             - 
                                    ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   =========== 
</TABLE>

                                                  PUTNAM'S PCM
                                                     VOYAGER
                                                      FUND
                                     ---------------------------------------

                                     Year ended    Year ended    Year ended
                                      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,
                                        1995          1994          1993
                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............    423,202.264             -             -
Units purchased .................    702,903.236   305,026.287             -
Units reedeemed .................    (23,265.910)   (4,175.151)            -
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account ................    267,619.237   122,351.128             -
                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
Units outstanding,
   end of year...................  1,370,458.827   423,202.264             -
                                   =============   ===========   ===========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  NORTHSTAR'S                               NORTHSTAR'S              
                                                INCOME & GROWTH                               GROWTH                 
                                                     FUND                                      FUND                  
                                   ---------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 

                                   Year ended    Year ended    Year ended     Year ended    Year ended    Year ended 
                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,  
                                      1995          1994          1993           1995          1994          1993    
                                   ------------   ---------   -----------   -------------   -----------   ----------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>        
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............             -           -             -             -             -              -   
Units purchased .................    36,112.093           -             -    15,762.759             -              -   
Units reedeemed .................       (76.821)          -             -      (272.010)            -              -   
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account ................     2,083.108           -             -       807.569             -              -   
                                    -----------   ---------   -----------   -----------   -----------    -----------
Units outstanding,
   end of year.................      38,118.380           -             -    16,298.318             -              -   
                                     ==========   =========      ========    ==========      ========       ========

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                  NORTHSTAR'S
                                                MULTI-SECTOR BOND
                                                      FUND
                                     ---------------------------------------

                                     Year ended    Year ended    Year ended
                                      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,
                                        1995          1994          1993
                                     -----------   -----------   -----------
Units outstanding,
   beginning of year ............             -              -             -
Units purchased .................    21,443.118              -             -
Units reedeemed .................        (0.504)             -             -
Units transferred between
   Sub-Accounts and/or
   Fixed Account ................       521.209              -             -
                                     ----------    -----------    ----------
Units outstanding, 
   end of year.................      21,963.823              -             -
                                     ==========     ==========    ==========

                                       xv

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED



7. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY:
   Operations and changes in Contract Owners' equity for the year ended December
   31, 1995 were as follows, (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                               
                                                 Select                  Fidelity's   Fidelity's    Fidelity's   Fidelity's    
                                                 Capital      Select        VIPF         VIPF          VIPF         VIPF       
                                                 Growth       Managed   Money Market  High Income  Equity-Income   Growth      
                                     Total     Fund, Inc.   Fund, Inc.    Portfolio    Portfolio     Portfolio    Portfolio    
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    
<S>                                  <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Net investment income:
  Reinvested dividend income....  $    5,942  $         -   $         -    $     889     $  1,195    $   1,757    $     316    
  Reinvested capital gains ......      3,314            -             -            -            -        2,956            -    
  Administrative expenses.......      (4,764)         (31)          (37)        (258)        (362)      (1,160)      (1,186)   
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
        Net investment income (loss)
            and capital gains ...      4,492          (31)          (37)         631          833        3,553         (870)   
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
  Net realized gains (losses) on
     redemptions of fund shares..      9,391         (476)            8            -          352        2,308        4,436    
  Increase (decrease) in unrealized
    appreciation of investments .     51,022          671           191            -        2,123       14,818       17,432    
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
        Net realized and
          unrealized gains (losses)   60,413          195           199            -        2,475       17,126       21,868    
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
            Net additions
              from operations....     64,905          164           162          631        3,308       20,679       20,998    
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
Contract Owners' transactions:
  Net purchase payments.........      90,585           54            55       13,020        4,741       15,132       11,039    
  Surrenders ....................    (21,291)        (276)         (303)      (1,520)      (1,153)      (5,022)      (6,438)   
  Transfers between Sub-Accounts
    and/or Fixed Account........        (913)      (5,856)       (5,808)      (7,383)         125        5,000        8,840    
  Annuity payments ..............       (958)         (34)           (1)         (40)        (110)        (147)        (264)   
  Transfers (from) to required
    reserves ....................       (146)        (147)           (3)          (1)          (2)          (2)          24    
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
    Net additions (reductions) for
      Contract Owners' transactions   67,277       (6,259)       (6,060)       4,076        3,601       14,961       13,201    
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
        Net additions (reductions)
           for the year.........     132,182       (6,095)       (5,898)       4,707        6,909       35,640       34,199    

Contract Owners' Equity,
   beginning of the year ........    245,469        6,095         5,898       14,657       16,169       56,844       56,635    
                                   ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    
Contract Owners' Equity,
   end of the year ..............   $377,651    $       -     $       -      $19,364      $23,078      $92,484      $90,834    
                                    ========    =========     =========      =======      =======      =======      =======    
</TABLE>



                                      xvi

<PAGE>

                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                            Putnam's
                                                            Fidelity's                              Putnam's    Putnam's      PCM
                                  Fidelity's   Fidelity's      VIPF II    Fidelity's   Fidelity's       PCM         PCM    Utilities
                                    VIPF        VIPF II     Investment     VIPF II      VIPF II    Diversified  Growth &    Growth &
                                   Overseas   Asset Manager  Grade Bond    Index 500   Contrafund     Income      Income      Income
                                   Portfolio    Portfolio     Portfolio    Portfolio    Portfolio      Fund        Fund       Fund
                                   --------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------   --------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>   
Net investment income:
  Reinvested dividend income....  $       92    $     842    $     380     $     47          $ 22      $   193      $  108    $  73
  Reinvested capital gains ......         92            -            -            6            45            -          61        -
  Administrative expenses.......        (382)        (701)        (187)         (69)          (23)         (72)        (90)      29)
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
        Net investment income (loss)
            and capital gains ...       (198)         141          193          (16)           44          121          79       44
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
  Net realized gains (losses) on
     redemptions of fund shares..        886          796          111          260            21           80         130       55
  Increase (decrease) in unrealized
    appreciation of investments .      1,317        5,644        1,533        1,091           135          580       1,552      430
                                    --------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
        Net realized and
          unrealized gains (losses)    2,203        6,440        1,644        1,351           156          660       1,682      485
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
            Net additions
              from operations....      2,005        6,581        1,837        1,335           200          781       1,761      529
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
Contract Owners' transactions:
  Net purchase payments.........       4,248        5,759        7,616        2,858         4,088        3,564       4,937    1,190
  Surrenders ....................     (1,631)      (3,440)        (577)        (167)          (15)        (187)       (223)     (54)
  Transfers between Sub-Accounts
    and/or Fixed Account........      (1,843)         481       (4,104)       1,251         1,098         (437)      2,415      785
  Annuity payments ..............       (128)        (125)         (25)         (27)          (17)           -          (1)     (12)
  Transfers (from) to required
    reserves ....................         (2)          (3)          (2)           -             -            -          (2)       -
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
    Net additions (reductions) for
      Contract Owners' transactions .    644        2,672        2,908        3,915         5,154        2,940       7,126    1,909
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
        Net additions (reductions)
           for the year.........       2,649        9,253        4,745        5,250         5,354        3,721       8,887    2,438

Contract Owners' Equity,
   beginning of the year ........     23,567       40,239       11,242        2,737             -        3,307       2,630    1,126
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------   ---------   -------
Contract Owners' Equity,
   end of the year ..............    $26,216      $49,492      $15,987       $7,987        $5,354       $7,028     $11,517   $3,564
                                     =======      =======      =======       ======        ======       ======     =======   ======
</TABLE>


                                      xvii

<PAGE>


                          NWNL SELECT VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED



7. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED):
   Operations and changes in Contract Owners' equity for the year ended December
   31, 1995 were as follows, (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                   Putnam's       Putnam's
                                    Putnam's          PCM            PCM        Northstar's                   Northstar's
                                       PCM        Asia Pacific       New          Income and   Northstar's   Multi-Sector
                                     Voyager        Growth      Opportunities     Growth         Growth          Bond
                                      Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund           Fund
                                    ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>            <C> 
Net investment income:
  Reinvested dividend income....... $     18       $     -         $    -          $   5          $   1             $4
  Reinvested capital gains .........     132             -              -             10             12              -
  Administrative expenses..........     (157)           (4)           (13)            (1)            (1)            (1)
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
    Net investment income (loss)
       and capital gains ...........      (7)           (4)           (13)            14             12              3
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
  Net realized gains (losses) on
     redemptions of fund shares ....     360             -             59              2              3              -
  Increase (decrease) in unrealized
    appreciation of investments ....   3,182            20            314             (2)           (11)             2
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
    Net realized and
        unrealized gains (losses) ..   3,542            20            373              -             (8)             2
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
    Net additions
        from operations............    3,535            16            360             14              4              5
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Contract Owners' transactions:
  Net purchase payments ............   8,520           587          2,326            421            191            239
  Surrenders .......................    (272)           (1)            (8)            (1)            (3)             -
  Transfers between Sub-Accounts
    and/or Fixed Account ...........   3,218           183          1,082             24             10              6
  Annuity payments .................     (15)            -            (12)             -              -              -
  Transfers (from) to required
    reserves .......................      (4)            -             (2)             -              -              -
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
    Net additions (reductions) for
      Contract Owners' transactions   11,447           769          3,386            444            198            245
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
    Net additions (reductions)
      for the year .................  14,982           785          3,746            458            202            250

Contract Owners' Equity,
   beginning of the year ...........   4,323             -              -              -              -              -
                                   ---------     ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Contract Owners' Equity,
   end of the year ................. $19,305          $785         $3,746           $458           $202           $250
                                   =========     =========      =========      =========      =========      =========


</TABLE>



                                     xviii

<PAGE>

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

Board of Directors and Shareholder
Northwestern National Life Insurance Company
(A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of ReliaStar Financial Corp.)

Minneapolis, Minnesota

     We  have  audited  the   accompanying   consolidated   balance   sheets  of
Northwestern National Life Insurance Company and Subsidiaries as of December 31,
1995 and 1994, and the related statements of income,  shareholder's  equity, and
cash  flows for each of the two years in the period  ended  December  31,  1995.
These financial  statements are the responsibility of the Company's  management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based
on our audits.

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

     In our opinion,  the consolidated  financial  statements  referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Northwestern
National Life  Insurance  Company and  Subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1995 and
1994 and the  results of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the
two years in the period ended  December 31, 1995 in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 1, 1996


                                       i

<PAGE>



                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                  (IN MILLIONS)

                                     ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                         DECEMBER 31
                                                                                                     -------------------
                                                                                                     1995           1994
                                                                                                     ----           ----
<S>                                                                                             <C>            <C> 
Investments
      Fixed Maturity Securities
        Available-for-Sale (Amortized Cost: 1995, $8,485.4; 1994, $3,638.6) ..............      $   9,053.7    $   3,470.6
        Held-to-Maturity (Fair Value: $2,253.0) ..........................................               --        2,310.4
      Equity Securities (Cost: 1995, $34.8; 1994, $45.9) .................................             35.9           43.7
      Mortgage Loans on Real Estate ......................................................          1,948.4        1,570.3
      Real Estate and Leases .............................................................             97.9          111.0
      Policy Loans ................................. ................ ....................            499.8          306.8
      Other Invested Assets ..............................................................             47.0           42.3
      Short-Term Investments .............................................................            122.4           59.9
                                                                                                      -----           ----
          Total Investments ..............................................................         11,805.1        7,915.0
     Cash ................................................................................             43.0           19.8
     Accounts and Notes Receivable .......................................................            150.9          118.2
     Reinsurance Receivable ..............................................................            162.9           93.9
     Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ...................................................            860.7          885.2
     Present Value of Future Profits .....................................................            192.0             --
     Property and Equipment, Net .........................................................            122.6          121.1
     Accrued Investment Income ...........................................................            164.7          112.2
     Other Assets ........................................................................            275.0          128.4
     Participation Fund Account Assets ...................................................            319.6          323.4
     Assets Held in Separate Accounts ....................................................          1,369.0          623.6
                                                                                                    -------          -----
          Total Assets ...................................................................      $  15,465.5    $  10,340.8
                                                                                                ===========    ===========

<CAPTION>


                                                            LIABILITIES
<S>                                                                                             <C>            <C> 
     Future Policy and Contract Benefits .................................................      $  11,033.2    $   7,823.6
     Pending Policy Claims ...............................................................            257.7          193.5
     Other Policyholder Funds ............................................................            174.4          157.2
     Notes and Mortgages Payable - Unaffiliated ..........................................            144.6           74.8
     Note Payable - Parent ...............................................................            100.0          100.0
     Income Taxes ........................................................................            169.2             --
     Other Liabilities ...................................................................            328.9          235.0
     Participation Fund Account Liabilities ..............................................            319.6          323.4
     Liabilities Related to Separate Accounts ............................................          1,362.9          623.6
                                                                                                    -------          -----
          Total Liabilities ..............................................................         13,890.5        9,531.1
                                                                                                   --------        -------

<CAPTION>

                                                        SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

<S>                                                                                             <C>            <C> 
     Common Stock (2.0 Million Shares Issued in 1995 and 1994) ...........................              2.5            2.5
     Additional Paid-In Capital ..........................................................            538.9          216.4
     Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) ............................................            246.8          (79.4)
     Retained Earnings ...................................................................            786.8          670.2
                                                                                                      -----          -----
          Total Shareholder's Equity .....................................................          1,575.0          809.7
                                                                                                    -------          -----
               Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity ................................      $  15,465.5    $  10,340.8
                                                                                                ===========    ===========

               The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


</TABLE>
                                       ii


<PAGE>



                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                  (IN MILLIONS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                                                              ----------------------
                                                                                                               1995            1994
                                                                                                               ----            ----
REVENUES
<S>                                                                                                            <C>           <C>    
      Premiums .......................................................................................         $ 851.5       $ 726.9
      Net Investment Income ..........................................................................           890.3         618.1
      Realized Investment Gains (Losses) .............................................................             7.4        (27.4)
      Policy and Contract Charges ....................................................................           218.5         136.2
      Other Income ...................................................................................            94.4         111.1
                                                                                                                  ----         -----
          Total ......................................................................................         2,062.1       1,564.9
                                                                                                               -------       -------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
      Benefits to Policyholders ......................................................................         1,321.9       1,025.8
      Sales and Operating Expenses ...................................................................           344.4         281.8
      Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Profits ..........            90.5          56.7
      Interest Expense ...............................................................................            13.5          15.2
      Dividends and Experience Refunds to Policyholders ..............................................            23.4          19.0
                                                                                                                  ----          ----
          Total ......................................................................................         1,793.7       1,398.5
                                                                                                               -------       -------
     Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes ...........................................           268.4         166.4
       Income Tax Expense ............................................................................            94.4          57.9
                                                                                                                  ----          ----
          Income from Continuing Operations ..........................................................           174.0         108.5
                                                                                                                 -----         -----
       Loss from Discontinued Operations .............................................................            (5.4)        (2.6)
                                                                                                                  ----         ---- 
          Net Income .................................................................................        $  168.6      $  105.9
                                                                                                              ========      ========


          The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                       iii

<PAGE>



                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                                                    ----------------------
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY                                                                                  1995          1994
                                                                                                      ----          ----
<S>                                                                                             <C>              <C>     
Common Stock
      Beginning and End of Year ........................................................        $      2.5       $    2.5
                                                                                                ----------       --------
Additional Paid-In Capital
      Beginning of Year ................................................................             216.4          216.4
      Capital Contributions from Parent ................................................             322.5             --
                                                                                                     -----          -----
          End of Year ..................................................................             538.9          216.4
                                                                                                     -----          -----

Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
      Beginning of Year ................................................................             (79.4)           1.8
      Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change - Securities ..............................                --           85.3
      Change for the Year ..............................................................             326.2          166.5)
                                                                                                     -----          ----- 
          End of Year ..................................................................             246.8          (79.4)
                                                                                                     -----          ----- 
Retained Earnings
      Beginning of Year ................................................................             670.2          588.3
      Net Income .......................................................................             168.6          105.9
      Dividends to Shareholder .........................................................             (52.0)         (24.0)
                                                                                                     -----          ----- 
          End of Year ..................................................................             786.8          670.2
                                                                                                     -----          -----
Total Shareholder's Equity .............................................................        $  1,575.0       $  809.7
                                                                                                ==========       ========



          The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                       iv

<PAGE>



                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                  (IN MILLIONS)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                                                           ----------------------
                                                                                                              1995         1994
                                                                                                              ----         ----
<S>                                                                                                      <C>             <C>     
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income .................................................................................            $    168.6       $  105.9
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net
     Cash Provided by Operating Activities
          Interest Credited to Insurance Contracts .........................................                 500.1          364.7
          Future Policy Benefits ...........................................................                (117.5)         (60.1)
          Capitalization of Policy Acquisition Costs .......................................                (176.6)        (119.0)
          Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
             and Present Value of Future Profits ...........................................                  90.5           56.7
          Deferred Income Taxes ............................................................                  11.5            9.2
          Net Change in Receivables and Payables ...........................................                   8.5           45.2
          Other Assets .....................................................................                 (83.4)           4.0
          Realized Investment (Gains) Losses, Net ..........................................                  (7.4)          27.4
          Other ............................................................................                  (3.5)          15.7
                                                                                                              ----           ----
               Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ...................................                 390.8          449.7
                                                                                                             -----          -----
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from Sales of Fixed Maturity Securities ...........................................                 190.5          158.5
Proceeds from Maturities or Repayment of Fixed Maturity Securities
     Available-for-Sale ....................................................................                 329.9          177.2
     Held-to-Maturity ......................................................................                 415.6          390.2
Cost of Fixed Maturity Securities Acquired
     Available-for-Sale ....................................................................                (971.4)        (720.7)
     Held-to-Maturity ......................................................................                (519.8)        (617.5)
Sales (Purchases) of Equity Securities, Net ................................................                  31.0           (9.0)
Proceeds of Mortgage Loans Sold, Matured or Repaid .........................................                 314.2          358.2
Cost of Mortgage Loans Acquired ............................................................                (385.2)        (149.4)
Sales of Real Estate and Leases, Net .......................................................                  28.8           14.5
Policy Loans Issued, Net ...................................................................                 (63.0)         (49.4)
Sales of Other Invested Assets, Net ........................................................                  39.0           19.6
Sales (Purchases) of Short-Term Investments, Net ...........................................                 (56.4)          13.8
Cash Acquired with Acquisition of USLICO ...................................................                    .4             --
                                                                                                            ------         ------
     Net Cash Used by Investing Activities .................................................                (646.4)        (414.0)
                                                                                                            ------         ------ 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Deposits to Insurance Contracts ............................................................               1,265.6          862.6
Maturities and Withdrawals from Insurance Contracts ........................................              (1,015.3)        (849.7)
Increase in Notes and Mortgages Payable ....................................................                  72.1             --
Repayment of Notes and Mortgages Payable ...................................................                  (2.3)         (35.8)
Dividends to Shareholder ...................................................................                 (41.3)         (24.0)
                                                                                                             -----          ----- 
      Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities .....................................                 278.8          (46.9)
                                                                                                             -----          ----- 
Increase (Decrease) in Cash ................................................................                  23.2          (11.2)
Cash at Beginning of Year ..................................................................                  19.8           31.0
                                                                                                              ----           ----
Cash at End of Year ........................................................................             $    43.0       $   19.8
                                                                                                         =========       ========


          The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                       v

<PAGE>

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 1. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

     ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN

     Effective  January 1, 1995,  Northwestern  National Life Insurance  Company
(Northwestern) and its subsidiaries (the Company) adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of
a Loan" and SFAS No. 118  "Accounting  by Creditors  for  Impairment of a Loan -
Income  Recognition  and  Disclosure."  SFAS No. 114 and SFAS No. 118  require a
company to measure  impairment  based upon the present value of expected  future
cash  flows  discounted  at the  loan's  effective  interest  rate,  the  loan's
observable  market  price or the fair  value  of the  collateral  if the loan is
collateral dependent.  If foreclosure is probable, the measurement of impairment
must be based  upon the fair  value of the  collateral.  The  adoption  of these
standards  did not have a  significant  effect on the  financial  results of the
Company.

     ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES

     Effective  January 1, 1994, the Company  adopted SFAS No. 115,  "Accounting
for Certain  Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." SFAS No. 115 requires a
company to classify its  securities  into  categories  based upon the  company's
intent relative to the eventual disposition of the securities.

     SFAS  No.  115  establishes  three  categories  of  securities.  The  first
category,  held-to-maturity  securities,  is composed of debt securities which a
company  has  the  positive  intent  and  ability  to hold  to  maturity.  These
securities   are   carried   at   amortized    cost.   The   second    category,
available-for-sale  securities,  may be sold to address the  liquidity and other
needs of a company.  Debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale
are carried at fair value on the balance sheet with unrealized  gains and losses
excluded  from income and  reported  as a separate  component  of  shareholder's
equity.  The  third  category,  trading  securities,  is  for  debt  and  equity
securities  acquired  for the  purpose  of selling  them in the near  term.  The
Company has not classified any of its securities as trading securities.

     The  December  31, 1995 balance of  shareholder's  equity was  increased by
$246.8 million (comprised of an increase in the carrying value of the securities
of $569.9 million,  reduced by $189.4 million of related adjustments to deferred
policy acquisition costs and $133.7 million in deferred income taxes), while the
December 31, 1994 balance of  shareholder's  equity was reduced by $79.4 million
(comprised  of a decrease  in the  carrying  value of the  securities  of $170.2
million,  reduced by $48.1  million of related  adjustments  to deferred  policy
acquisition costs and $42.7 million in deferred income taxes) to reflect the net
unrealized gain/loss on fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-
sale.

NOTE 2. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     NATURE OF OPERATIONS

     The  Company is  principally  engaged in the  business  of  providing  life
insurance and related financial service products. The Company operates primarily
in the United States and,  through its subsidiaries is authorized to do business
in all 50 states.

     PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

     The consolidated  financial statements include the accounts of Northwestern
and its  subsidiaries.  Northwestern  is a wholly owned  subsidiary of ReliaStar
Financial Corp. (ReliaStar).  Northwestern's principal subsidiaries are Northern
Life Insurance Company (Northern), United Services Life Insurance Company (USL),
Bankers Security Life Insurance Society (BSL),  ReliaStar  Mortgage  Corporation
and  Washington  Square  Advisors,  Inc.  During 1995,  The North  Atlantic Life
Insurance Company of America was merged into BSL. These  consolidated  financial
statements exclude the effects of all material intercompany transactions.

                                       vi


<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 2. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

     USE OF ESTIMATES

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

     INVESTMENTS

     Fixed maturity securities (bonds and redeemable preferred stocks) which may
be sold to meet  liquidity  and other needs of the Company  are  categorized  as
available-for-sale and are valued at fair value. Fixed maturity securities which
the  Company  has the  positive  intent  and  ability  to hold to  maturity  are
categorized as held-to-maturity and are valued at amortized cost less write-offs
for other than temporary declines in fair value.

     Equity securities  (common stocks and  nonredeemable  preferred stocks) are
valued at fair value.

     Mortgage  loans on real  estate  are  carried  at  amortized  cost  less an
impairment allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts.

     Investment  real  estate  owned  directly by the Company is carried at cost
less accumulated  depreciation and allowances for estimated losses.  Investments
in real estate joint  ventures are accounted for using the equity  method.  Real
estate acquired through  foreclosure is carried at the lower of fair value minus
estimated costs to sell or cost.

     Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost.

     Unrealized  investment  gains and  losses of  equity  securities  and fixed
maturity securities  classified as  available-for-sale,  net of related deferred
acquisition  costs and tax effects,  are accounted  for as a direct  increase or
decrease in shareholder's equity.

     Realized  investment  gains and losses enter into the  determination of net
income.  Realized  investment  gains  and  losses  on  sales of  securities  are
determined on the specific identification method. Write-offs of investments that
decline in value  below cost on other than a  temporary  basis and the change in
the allowance for mortgage  loans and wholly owned real estate are included with
realized investment gains and losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

     The Company records write-offs or allowances for its investments based upon
an  evaluation  of  specific  problem  investments.  The Company  reviews,  on a
continual  basis,  all invested  assets  (including  marketable  bonds,  private
placements,  mortgage loans and real estate investments) to identify investments
where the Company has credit concerns.  Investments with credit concerns include
those the  Company  has  identified  as  problem  investments,  which are issues
delinquent in a required payment of principal or interest,  issues in bankruptcy
or  foreclosure  and  restructured  or  foreclosed   assets.  The  Company  also
identifies  investments as potential problem investments,  which are investments
where the  Company  has serious  doubts as to the  ability of the  borrowers  to
comply with the present loan repayment terms.

     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENt

     Property and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation
of $79.8 million and $67.5 million at December 31, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.
The Company provides for depreciation  of  

                                       vii


<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 2. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

property and equipment  using  straight-line  and  accelerated  methods over the
estimated useful lives of the assets.  Buildings are generally  depreciated over
35 to 50 years.  Depreciation expense for 1995 and 1994 amounted to $9.1 million
and $8.4 million, respectively.

     PARTICIPATION FUND ACCOUNT

     On January 3, 1989, the  Commissioner of Commerce of the State of Minnesota
approved a Plan of  Conversion  and  Reorganization  (the Plan) which  provided,
among other things, for the conversion of Northwestern from a combined stock and
mutual insurance company to a stock life insurance company.

     The Plan provided for the  establishment  of a  Participation  Fund Account
(PFA)  for the  benefit  of  certain  participating  individual  life  insurance
policies and annuities issued by Northwestern prior to the effective date of the
Plan.  Under the terms of the PFA,  the  insurance  liabilities  and assets with
respect  to  such  policies  are  segregated  in  the   accounting   records  of
Northwestern  to  assure  the  continuation  of  current  policyholder  dividend
practices.  Assets and  liabilities of the PFA are presented in accordance  with
statutory accounting  practices.  Earnings derived from the operation of the PFA
will inure  solely to the  benefit of the  policies  covered by the PFA,  and no
benefit will inure to the Company.  Accordingly,  results of operations  for the
PFA are excluded from the Company's  Consolidated  Statements of Income.  In the
event that the assets of the PFA are  insufficient  to provide  the  contractual
benefits  guaranteed by the affected  policies,  Northwestern  must provide such
contractual benefits from its general assets.

     SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

     The  Company   operates   separate   accounts.   The  assets   (principally
investments) and liabilities  (principally to  contractholders)  of each account
are clearly  identifiable and distinguishable  from other assets and liabilities
of the Company. Assets are valued at fair value.

     PREMIUM REVENUE AND BENEFITS TO POLICYHOLDERS

     Recognition  of traditional  life,  group and annuity  premium  revenue and
benefits to  policyholders - Traditional  life insurance  products include those
products  with  fixed  and  guaranteed   premiums  and  benefits,   and  consist
principally  of whole life  insurance  policies and certain  annuities with life
contingencies  (immediate  annuities).  Life  insurance  premiums and  immediate
annuity  premiums are recognized as premium  revenue when due.  Group  insurance
premiums  are  recognized  as premium  revenue over the time period to which the
premiums relate. Benefits and expenses are associated with earned premiums so as
to  result  in  recognition  of  profits  over the life of the  contracts.  This
association is accomplished by means of the provision for liabilities for future
policy benefits and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.

     Recognition  of  universal  life-type  contracts  revenue  and  benefits to
policyholders - Universal  life-type policies are insurance contracts with terms
that are not fixed and  guaranteed.  The terms that may be changed could include
one or more of the  amounts  assessed  the  policyholder,  premiums  paid by the
policyholder or interest accrued to policyholder  balances.  Amounts received as
payments for such contracts are not reported as premium revenues.

     Revenues  for  universal  life-type  policies  consist of charges  assessed
against  policy  account  values for  deferred  policy  loading  and the cost of
insurance and policy administration. Policy benefits and claims that are charged
to expense include interest credited to contracts and benefit claims incurred in
the period in excess of related policy account balances.

                                       viii


<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 2. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

     Recognition of investment  contract revenue and benefits to policyholders--
Contracts  that do not subject the Company to risks  arising  from  policyholder
mortality  or  morbidity  are referred to as  investment  contracts.  Guaranteed
Investment  Contracts  (GICs) and  certain  deferred  annuities  are  considered
investment  contracts.  Amounts  received as payments for such contracts are not
reported as premium revenues.

     Revenues for investment  contracts  consist of investment income and policy
administration  charges.  Contract  benefits that are charged to expense include
benefit claims  incurred in the period in excess of related  contract  balances,
and interest credited to contract balances.

     POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

     Those costs of acquiring  new  business,  which vary with and are primarily
related to the production of new business, have been deferred to the extent that
such costs are deemed recoverable. Such costs include commissions, certain costs
of policy issuance and underwriting and certain variable agency expenses.

     Costs deferred related to traditional life insurance are amortized over the
premium  paying  period of the related  policies,  in proportion to the ratio of
annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues.  Such anticipated
premium  revenues are estimated  using the same  assumptions  used for computing
liabilities for future policy benefits.

     Costs  deferred  related to universal  life-type  policies  and  investment
contracts  are  amortized  over the lives of the  policies,  in  relation to the
present value of estimated gross profits from mortality,  investment and expense
margins.

     PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE PROFITS

     The present value of future  profits  (PVFP)  reflects the  estimated  fair
value of the acquired  insurance business in force and represents the portion of
the cost to acquire USLICO  Corporation  (USLICO) that is allocated to the value
of  future  cash  flows  from  insurance  contracts  existing  at  the  date  of
acquisition.  Such  value is the  present  value of the  actuarially  determined
projected  net cash flows from the acquired  insurance  contracts.  The weighted
average discount rate used to determine such value was approximately 15%.

     An analysis of the present value of the future profits asset account is
presented below:

                                                                     YEAR ENDED
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1995
                                                                    -----------
                                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
Balance at Acquisition...............................................  $300.0
Imputed Interest.....................................................    17.6
Amortization.........................................................  (32.6)
Adjustment for Unrealized Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities.....  (93.0)
                                                                       ----- 
Balance, December 31, 1995........................................... $192.0
                                                                      ======

     Based on current conditions and assumptions as to future events on acquired
policies  in  force,  the  Company  expects  that  the net  amortization  of the
beginning  balance  of the PVFP will be  between  5% and 6% in each of the years
1996 through  2000.  The interest  rates used to determine the amount of imputed
interest on the unamortized PVFP balance ranged from 5% to 8%.

                                       ix

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 2. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

     GOODWILL

     Goodwill  is the  excess of the amount  paid to acquire a Company  over the
fair value of the net assets acquired.  Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line
basis over 40 years.  The carrying value of goodwill is monitored for impairment
of value based on the Company's estimate of future earnings.  The carrying value
of goodwill is reduced and a charge to income is recorded  when an impairment in
value is identified. No goodwill impairment charges have been recorded.

     FUTURE POLICY AND CONTRACT BENEFITS

     Liabilities for future policy  benefits for traditional  life contracts are
calculated  using the net level premium method and  assumptions as to investment
yields,  mortality,  withdrawals  and dividends.  The  assumptions  are based on
projections of past experience and include  provisions for possible  unfavorable
deviation. These assumptions are made at the time the contract is issued or, for
purchased contracts, at the date of acquisition.

     Liabilities for future policy and contract benefits on universal  life-type
and investment-type contracts are based on the policy account balance.

     The liabilities for future policy and contract  benefits for group disabled
life  reserves and  long-term  disability  reserves are based upon interest rate
assumptions and morbidity and termination rates from published tables,  modified
for Company experience.

     INCOME TAXES

     The  provision  for income taxes  includes  amounts  currently  payable and
deferred  income taxes  resulting from the cumulative  differences in the assets
and liabilities determined on a tax return and financial statement basis.

     INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS

     Interest  rate  swap  agreements  are used as  hedges  for  asset/liability
management of adjustable rate and short-term  invested assets.  The Company does
not enter into any  interest  rate swap  agreements  for trading  purposes.  The
interest rate swap transactions  involve the exchange of fixed and floating rate
interest  payments without the exchange of underlying  principal  amounts and do
not contain other optional  provisions.  The difference between amounts paid and
amounts received on interest rate swaps is reflected in net investment income.

     INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS

     Futures  contracts  are used as hedges for  asset/liability  management  of
fixed  maturity  securities  and  liabilities  arising  from GICs.  Realized and
unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts are deferred and amortized over
the life of the hedged asset or liability.

NOTE 3. ACQUISITION

     On  January  17,  1995,  ReliaStar  acquired  USLICO.  USLICO was a holding
company with two primary  subsidiaries:  USL of  Arlington,  Virginia and BSL of
Uniondale, New York. Concurrent with the acquisition,  ReliaStar contributed all
of the  capital  stock  of USL  and  BSL to the  Company.  The  acquisition  was
accounted  for using the  purchase  method of  accounting  and,  therefore,  the
consolidated  financial statements include the accounts of USL and BSL since the
date of acquisition.  Goodwill totaling $44.3 million representing the excess of
the  purchase  price  allocated  to USL and BSL over  the fair  value of the net
assets acquired has been recorded.

                                       x

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 3. ACQUISITION (CONTINUED)

     The  following  pro  forma  consolidated  financial  information  has  been
prepared assuming the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 1994:

                                                                    YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                       1994
                                                                   -----------
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Revenues..............................................        $1,961.1
     Net Income............................................           139.0

     The pro forma financial  information is not  necessarily  indicative of the
results of operations that would have occurred had the  acquisition  taken place
at the beginning of 1994 or of future operations of the combined companies.

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS
     Investment income summarized by type of investment was as follows:


                                                                  YEAR ENDED
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                ---------------
                                                                 1995    1994
                                                                 ----    ----
                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
     Fixed Maturity Securities...........................      $673.4    $449.6
     Equity Securities...................................         3.1       1.6
     Mortgage Loans on Real Estate.......................       184.3     160.0
     Real Estate and Leases..............................        16.8      15.7
     Policy Loans........................................        28.9      17.6
     Other Invested Assets...............................         7.8       3.6
     Short-Term Investments..............................         7.6       4.2
                                                                -----     -----
          Gross Investment Income........................       921.9     652.3
     Investment Expenses.................................        31.6      34.2
                                                                 ----      ----
          Net Investment Income..........................      $890.3    $618.1
                                                               ======    ======

                                       xi

<PAGE>

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
     Net pretax realized investment gains (losses) were as follows:

                                                                  YEAR ENDED
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                ---------------
                                                                 1995    1994
                                                                 ----    ----
                                                                 (IN MILLIONS)
     Net Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investments
          Fixed Maturity Securities.....................         $3.3     $2.1
          Equity Securities.............................         15.1       .6
          Mortgage Loans................................          (.1)      --
          Foreclosed Real Estate........................           .6       .7
          Real Estate ..................................          1.7      (.2)
          Other ........................................          2.2      3.2
                                                                  ---      ---
                                                                 22.8      6.4
                                                                 ----      ---
     Provisions for Losses on Investments
          Fixed Maturity Securities.....................         (3.0)   (13.9)
          Equity Securities.............................          (.1)    (1.0)
          Mortgage Loans................................         (6.3)    (4.9)
          Foreclosed Real Estate........................         (5.2)   (11.8)
          Real Estate ..................................          (.8)      --
          Other Assets .................................           --     (2.2)
                                                                 ----     ---- 

                                                                (15.4)   (33.8)
                                                                -----    ----- 
          Net Pretax Realized Investment Gains (Losses).         $7.4   $(27.4)
                                                                 ====   ====== 


     Gross realized  investment gains of $8.3 million and $5.0 million and gross
realized  investment  losses of $5.0 million and $2.9 million were recognized on
sales of fixed maturity  securities during the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1994,  respectively.  All 1995 and 1994 fixed maturity  security sales were from
the available-for-sale portfolio.

                                       xii


<PAGE>

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

     The  amortized  cost  and  fair  value of  investments  in  fixed  maturity
securities by type of investment were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  GROSS UNREALIZED
                                                                                 AMORTIZED        ----------------  
                                                                                   COST        GAINS       (LOSSES)    FAIR VALUE
                                                                                   ----        -----       --------    ----------
                                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>     
      United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities.....        $172.8      $13.2          --        $186.0
      States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions....................          64.4        4.2        $(.1)         68.5
      Foreign Governments..................................................          82.1        6.8         (.2)         88.7
      Public Utilities.....................................................         775.3       74.5         (.9)        848.9
      Corporate Securities.................................................       5,330.7      392.2       (21.6)      5,701.3
      Mortgage-Backed/Structured Finance Securities........................       2,058.0      102.7        (2.4)      2,158.3
      Redeemable Preferred Stock............ ..............................           2.1         --         (.1)          2.0
                                                                                      ---        ---         ---           ---
          Total............................................................      $8,485.4     $593.6      $(25.3)     $9,053.7
                                                                                 ========     ======      ======      ========

<CAPTION>


                                                                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                                                                -------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  GROSS UNREALIZED
                                                                                 AMORTIZED        ----------------  
                                                                                   COST        GAINS       (LOSSES)    FAIR VALUE
                                                                                   ----        -----       --------    ----------
                                                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>     
     United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities......          $5.8         --        $(.3)         $5.5
     States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions.....................           5.7         --          --           5.7
     Foreign Governments...................................................          56.4         --        (3.4)         53.0
     Public Utilities......................................................         309.4       $1.3       (17.5)        293.2
     Corporate Securities..................................................       2,649.8       13.3      (136.4)      2,526.7
     Mortgage-Backed/Structured Finance Securities.........................         608.5        2.5       (27.1)        583.9
     Redeemable Preferred Stock ...........................................           3.0         --         (.4)          2.6
                                                                                      ---        ---         ---           ---
          Total Available-for-Sale.........................................       3,638.6       17.1      (185.1)      3,470.6
                                                                                  =======       ====      ======       =======

HELD-TO-MATURITY
     States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions.....................            .7         --         (.1)           .6
     Public Utilities......................................................          42.5         .8        (1.8)         41.5
     Corporate Securities..................................................       1,202.1       15.0       (37.7)      1,179.4
     Mortgage-Backed/Structured Finance Securities.........................       1,065.1         .6       (34.2)      1,031.5
                                                                                  -------         --       -----       -------
          Total Held-to-Maturity...........................................       2,310.4       16.4       (73.8)      2,253.0
                                                                                  -------       ----       -----       -------
          Total............................................................      $5,949.0      $33.5     $(258.9)     $5,723.6
                                                                                 ========      =====     =======      ========

</TABLE>

                                       xiii

<PAGE>

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

         The  amortized  cost and fair  value of fixed  maturity  securities  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.

                                                       DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                       -----------------
                                                      AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                                      --------------------
                                                      AMORTIZED       FAIR
                                                        COST          VALUE
                                                        ----          -----
Due in One Year or Less..........................    $  123.1      $  122.8
Due After One Year Through Five Years............     2,497.4       2,634.3
Due After Five Years Through Ten Years...........     2,750.4       2,965.4
Due After Ten Years..............................     1,056.5       1,172.9
Mortgage-Backed/Structured Finance Securities....     2,058.0       2,158.3
                                                      -------       -------
   Total........................................     $8,485.4      $9,053.7
                                                     ========      ========



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    DECEMBER 31, 1994
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE            HELD-TO-MATURITY                    TOTAL
                                                 ------------------------      ------------------------     ------------------------
                                                   AMORTIZED         FAIR      AMORTIZED          FAIR       AMORTIZED        FAIR
                                                     COST           VALUE        COST            VALUE         COST           VALUE
                                                     ----           -----        ----            -----         ----           ----- 
                                                                                      (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                             <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>           <C>            <C>     
Due in One Year or Less.......................     $63.4           $63.0         $47.7            $47.8        $111.1         $110.8
Due After One Year Through Five Years.........     928.2           898.3         425.9            422.1       1,354.1        1,320.4
Due After Five Years Through Ten Years........   1,697.3         1,600.7         445.0            437.2       2,142.3        2,037.9
Due After Ten Years...........................     341.2           324.7         326.7            314.4         667.9          639.1
Mortgage-Backed/Structured Finance Securities.     608.5           583.9       1,065.1          1,031.5       1,673.6        1,615.4
                                                   -----           -----       -------          -------       -------        -------
   Total......................................  $3,638.6        $3,470.6      $2,310.4         $2,253.0      $5,949.0       $5,723.6
                                                ========        ========      ========         ========      ========       ========

</TABLE>

     The fair  values for the  marketable  bonds are  determined  based upon the
quoted market prices for bonds actively  traded.  The fair values for marketable
bonds without an active market are obtained through several  commercial  pricing
services  which  provide the  estimated  fair  values.  Fair values of privately
placed  bonds  which are not  considered  problems  are  determined  utilizing a
commercially  available  pricing model. The model considers the current level of
risk-free interest rates,  current corporate spreads,  the credit quality of the
issuer and cash flow characteristics of the security.  Utilizing these data, the
model generates  estimated market values which the Company considers  reflective
of the fair value of each  privately  placed  bond.  Fair  values for  privately
placed bonds which are considered  problems are determined though  consideration
of  factors  such as the net worth of  borrower,  the value of  collateral,  the
capital structure of the borrower,  the presence of guarantees and the Company's
evaluation of the borrower's ability to compete in the relevant market.

     At December 31, 1995,  the largest  industry  concentration  of the private
placement portfolio was consumer products/services, where 18.9% of the portfolio
was invested,  and the largest  industry  concentration  of the marketable  bond
portfolio was structured finance/mortgage-backed  securities, where 31.9% of the
portfolio  was  invested.   At  December 31, 1995,   the  largest   geographic
concentration  of  commercial  mortgage  loans was in the midwest  region of the
United  States,  where  approximately  32.5%  of the  commercial  mortgage  loan
portfolio was invested.

                                       xiv

<PAGE>

            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

     At December  31, 1995 and 1994,  gross  unrealized  appreciation  of equity
securities was $3.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively, and gross unrealized
depreciation was $1.9 million and $9.7 million, respectively.

     Invested assets which were nonincome  producing (no income received for the
12 months preceding the balance sheet date) were as follows:

                                                                 DECEMBER 31
                                                               --------------- 
                                                               1995       1994
                                                               ----       ----
                                                                (IN MILLIONS)
     Fixed Maturity Securities.............................    $ .7      $ 7.8
     Mortgage Loans on Real Estate.........................     2.8        2.5
     Real Estate and Leases................................    17.6       29.9
                                                               ----       ----
          Total.............................................  $21.1      $40.2
                                                              =====      =====


     Allowances  for losses on  investments  are  reflected on the  Consolidated
Balance Sheets as a reduction of the related assets and were as follows:

                                                                 DECEMBER 31
                                                               --------------- 
                                                               1995       1994
                                                               ----       ----
                                                                (IN MILLIONS)
     Mortgage Loans........................................   $12.4       $4.1
     Foreclosed Real Estate................................    10.6       11.9
     Investment Real Estate................................     1.0         .2
     Other Invested Assets.................................     2.3        2.5


     At December 31,  1995,  the total  investment  in impaired  mortgage  loans
(before  allowances  for credit  losses)  and the related  allowance  for credit
losses on these  impaired  mortgage  loans was $25.4 million and $12.4  million,
respectively.  Increases to the allowance for credit losses  account  charged to
income and the amount of  decreases to the  allowance  account were $6.3 million
and $9.5 million,  respectively,  during the year ended  December 31, 1995.  The
average  investment in impaired  mortgage  loans (before  allowances  for credit
losses) and the amount of the related  interest  income  recognized  on impaired
mortgage loans during 1995,  were  approximately  $2.0 million and $1.7 million,
respectively.  The Company does not accrue interest income on impaired  mortgage
loans when the likelihood of collection is doubtful.  Cash receipts for interest
payments are recognized as income in the period received.

         Noncash investing activities consisted of the following:

                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Real Estate Assets Acquired Through Foreclosure...........  $28.0    $24.9
     Mortgage Loans Acquired in Sales of Real Estate Assets....   15.3     27.9


     During 1994, the Company transferred four fixed maturity securities with an
amortized  cost of $31.0  million  and a fair  value of $27.1  million  from the
held-to-maturity  portfolio  to the  available-for-sale  portfolio.  Each of the
securities  transferred were private  placement  securities which  experienced a
significant  deterioration in the issuers'  creditworthiness  during the period.
None of the securities transferred were sold during the year.

                                       xv


<PAGE>

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

     Effective  December  31,  1995,  the  Company  adopted  the  implementation
guidance  contained in the Financial  Accounting Series Special Report, "A Guide
to Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt
and Equity  Securities."  Concurrent  with the  adoption of this  implementation
guidance,  the Company  reclassified all of its  held-to-maturity  securities to
available-for-sale  based  upon a  reassessment  of the  appropriateness  of the
classifications  of all securities held at that time. The amortized cost and net
unrealized  appreciation of the securities  reclassified  were $2.42 billion and
$108.1  million,  respectively,  at December 31, 1995.  In  accordance  with the
special report,  financial  statements  prior to December 31, 1995 have not been
restated  to  reflect  the  effects of  initially  adopting  the  implementation
guidance.

NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES

     The income tax liability  (asset) as reflected on the Consolidated  Balance
Sheets consisted of the following:

                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Current Income Taxes....................................     $6.4     $5.4
     Deferred Income Taxes...................................    162.8     (5.6)
                                                                 -----     ---- 
          Total..............................................   $169.2     $(.2)
                                                                ======     ==== 

     The provision for income taxes reflected on the Consolidated  Statements of
Income consisted of the following:

                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Currently Payable......................................     $82.9     $47.3
     Deferred...............................................      11.5      10.6
                                                                  ----      ----
          Total.............................................     $94.4     $57.9
                                                                 =====     =====


     The Internal  Revenue Service has completed its review of the Company's tax
return for all years through 1991.

                                       xvi

<PAGE>

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

     Deferred income taxes reflect the impact for financial  statement reporting
purposes of "temporary  differences"  between the financial  statement  carrying
amounts and tax bases of assets and  liabilities.  The  "temporary  differences"
that give rise to a significant  portion of the deferred tax  liability  (asset)
relate to the following:

                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Future Policy and Contract Benefits..................    $(269.7)  $(221.2)
     Investment Write-Offs and Allowances.................      (35.0)    (17.7)
     Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans.............       (8.3)     (6.3)
     Employee Benefits....................................       (9.3)     (5.2)
     Deferred Futures Gains...............................       (1.8)     (5.1)
     Net Unrealized Investment Losses.....................         --     (42.7)
     Other ...............................................      (42.0)    (35.8)
                                                                -----     ----- 
     Gross Deferred Tax Asset.............................     (366.1)   (334.0)
                                                               ------    ------ 
     Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs....................      267.9     260.4
     Present Value of Future Profits......................       99.0        --
     Net Unrealized Investment Gains......................       90.2        --
     Property and Equipment...............................       27.1      26.3
     Real Estate Joint Ventures...........................       12.2      14.3
     Accrual of Market Discount...........................        8.4       3.2
     Policyholder Dividends...............................        4.4       3.0
     Other................................................       19.7      21.2
                                                                 ----      ----
     Gross Deferred Tax Liability.........................      528.9     328.4
                                                                -----     -----
          Net Deferred Tax Liability (Asset)..............     $162.8     $(5.6)
                                                               ======     ===== 

     Federal income tax regulations  allowed certain special deductions for 1983
and prior years which are accumulated in a memorandum tax account  designated as
"policyholders'  surplus." Generally,  this policyholders'  surplus account will
become subject to tax at the then current rates only if the accumulated  balance
exceeds certain maximum  limitations or if certain cash distributions are deemed
to be paid out of the account.  At December 31, 1995,  Northwestern and its life
insurance  subsidiaries  have accumulated  approximately  $51.0 million in their
separate policyholders' surplus accounts.  Deferred taxes have not been provided
on this temporary difference.

     There have been no deferred  taxes  recorded for the  unremitted  equity in
subsidiaries  as the earnings are considered to be permanently  invested or will
be remitted only when tax effective to do so.

     The  difference   between  the  U.S.   federal  income  tax  rate  and  the
consolidated tax provision rate is summarized as follows:

                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Statutory Tax Rate......................................    35.0%     35.0%
     Other...................................................      .2       (.2)
                                                                   --       --- 
          Provision for Income Taxes...........................  35.2%     34.8%
                                                                 ====      ==== 

                                       xvii


<PAGE>

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 5.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

     Cash paid to ReliaStar for federal income taxes was $90.3 million and $29.8
million for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

NOTE 6.  NOTES AND MORTGAGES PAYABLE

     A summary of notes and mortgages payable is as follows:

                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Unaffiliated:
          Commercial Paper.....................................  $135.6   $ 65.6
          Other Indebtedness - Current Portion.................      .1       .1
                                                                  -----     ----
               Short-Term Debt.................................   135.7     65.7
                                                                  -----     ----
          Other Indebtedness - Noncurrent Portion..............     8.9      9.1
                                                                    ---      ---
               Total Unaffiliated..............................  $144.6   $ 74.8
                                                                 ======   ======
               Note Payable to Parent..........................  $100.0   $100.0
                                                                 ======   ======


     At December 31, 1995 and 1994, other indebtedness is primarily mortgage
notes assumed in connection with certain real estate  investments  with interest
rates ranging from 6.2% to 11.5%.

     The weighted average  interest rate on the commercial paper  outstanding at
December 31, 1995 and 1994 was 6.06% and 6.10%,  respectively,  with  maturities
ranging from 5 to 44 days at December 31, 1995.

     Principal  payments required on notes and mortgages payable to unaffiliated
companies in each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

                                     (IN MILLIONS)
                                     -------------
                    1996 - $135.7                       1999 - $ .2
                    1997 - $   .1                       2000 - $ .2
                    1998 - $   .2        2001 and thereafter - $8.2


     ReliaStar has loaned $100.0 million to  Northwestern  under a surplus note.
The  original  note,  dated  April  1,  1989,  was  issued  in  connection  with
Northwestern's  demutualization  and was used to offset  the  surplus  reduction
related  to  the  cash   distribution  to  the  mutual   policyholders   in  the
demutualization.  This  original  note was replaced by a successor  surplus note
(the 1994 Note) dated November 1, 1994.  The 1994 Note provides,  subject to the
regulatory constraints discussed below, that (i) it is a surplus note which will
mature on September 15, 2003 with principal due at maturity, but payable without
penalty, in whole or in part before maturity; (ii) interest is at 6 5/8% payable
semi-annually;  and (iii) in the event  that  Northwestern  is in default in the
payment of any  required  interest or  principal,  Northwestern  cannot pay cash
dividends on its capital  stock (all of which is owned  directly by  ReliaStar).
The 1994 Note  further  provides  that there may be no payment  of  interest  or
principal without the express approval of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

     Interest  paid on debt was $14.2  million  and $16.0  million  for 1995 and
1994, respectively.

                                       xviii

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 7.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     PENSION PLANS

     The Company has  noncontributory  defined benefit retirement plans covering
substantially all employees. The plans, which may be terminated as to accrual of
additional  benefits at any time by the Board of Directors,  provide benefits to
employees upon retirement.

     The  benefits  under  the  plans  are  based on years  of  service  and the
employee's compensation during the last five years of employment.  The Company's
policy  is to fund  the  minimum  required  contribution  necessary  to meet the
present  and future  obligations  of the plans.  Contributions  are  intended to
provide not only for benefits  attributed  to service to date but also for those
expected  to be earned in the  future.  Contributions  are made to a  tax-exempt
trust.  Plan assets consist  principally of investments in stock and bond mutual
funds,  common stock and  corporate  bonds.  Included in plan assets are 616,491
shares of ReliaStar common stock with a fair value of $27.4 million.

     The  Company  and  ReliaStar  also have  unfunded  noncontributory  defined
benefit  plans  providing  for  benefits  to  employees  in excess of limits for
qualified  retirement  plans and for  benefits  to  nonemployee  members  of the
ReliaStar Board of Directors.

     Net periodic  pension expense for ReliaStar and its  subsidiaries  included
the following components:

                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Service Cost - Benefits Earned During the Year............   $3.4     $3.1
     Interest Cost on Projected Benefit Obligation.............   11.9      5.2
     Actual Return on Plan Assets..............................  (33.7)     2.4
     Net Amortization and Deferral.............................   19.1     (7.5)
                                                                  ----     ---- 
          Net Periodic Pension Expense.........................    $.7     $3.2
                                                                  ====     ====

     The  following  table sets forth for  ReliaStar  and its  subsidiaries  the
funded status of the plans as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             FUNDED PLANS        UNFUNDED PLANS
                                                                                            1995      1994      1995       1994
                                                                                            ----      ----      ----       ----
                                                                                                         (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>   
     Accumulated Benefit Obligation
          Vested......................................................................   $(157.1)   $(48.5)    $(10.7)    $(3.5)
          Nonvested...................................................................      (5.1)     (3.2)      (1.2)      (.2)
     Effect of Projected Future Compensation Increases................................     (10.6)     (8.1)      (2.1)     (2.3)
                                                                                           -----      ----     ------     ------
     Projected Benefit Obligation.....................................................    (172.8)    (59.8)     (14.0)     (6.0)
     Plan Assets at Fair Value........................................................     169.9      53.3         --        --
                                                                                           -----      ----     ------     ------
     Plan Assets Less Than Projected Benefit Obligation...............................      (2.9)     (6.5)     (14.0)     (6.0)
     Unrecognized Net Loss............................................................      24.2       8.4        6.2       1.8
     Unrecognized Transition Obligation (Asset).......................................       (.8)     (1.1)        .1        .1
     Additional Minimum Liability.....................................................        --        --       (4.2)      (.1)
                                                                                           -----      ----     ------     ------
          Net Pension Asset (Liability)...............................................     $20.5       $.8     $(11.9)    $(4.2)
                                                                                           =====      ====     ======     ===== 
</TABLE>

                                       xix

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 7.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

     The above amounts are for ReliaStar and its  subsidiaries  as the Company's
portion is not  determinable.  The net periodic  pension expense relating to and
billed to ReliaStar was insignificant.

     The projected  benefit  obligation was determined using an assumed discount
rate of  7.25%  and  8.5%,  and a  weighted-average  assumed  long-term  rate of
compensation   increase   of  4.5%  and  5.0%  at  January  1,  1996  and  1995,
respectively. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets was 9.5%.

     POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

     The Company  provides  certain health care and life  insurance  benefits to
retired  employees (and their  eligible  dependents).  Substantially  all of the
Company's  employees  will  become  eligible  for  those  benefits  if they meet
specified age and service  requirements  and reach  retirement age while working
for the Company,  unless the plans are terminated or amended. The postretirement
health care plan is contributory,  with retiree contributions adjusted annually;
the life insurance plan is  noncontributory  and benefits are primarily based on
the employee's final compensation levels.

     The Company's  postretirement  health care plans  currently are not funded.
The  accumulated  postretirement  benefit  obligation  (APBO)  and  the  accrued
postretirement benefit liability were as follows:

                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Retirees...............................................    $10.3       $8.4
     Fully Eligible Active Plan Participants................      4.5        2.4
     Other Active Plan Participants.........................      4.9        2.6
                                                                  ---        ---
        Unfunded APBO.......................................     19.7       13.4
     Unrecognized Prior Service Cost........................       .1         .3
     Unrecognized Gain (Loss)...............................      (.3)       1.6
                                                                  ---        ---
          Accrued Postretirement Benefit Liability..........    $19.5      $15.3
                                                                =====      =====

     Net  periodic  postretirement  benefit  costs  consisted  of the  following
components:

                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Service Cost - Benefits Earned........................      $1.2      $1.1
     Interest Cost on APBO.................................       1.3       1.0
     Amortization of Prior Service Cost....................       (.1)      (.1)
                                                                  ---       --- 
          Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs........      $2.4      $2.0
                                                                 ====      ====

     The assumed  health care cost trend rate used in  measuring  the APBO as of
January 1, 1996 was  10.0%,  decreasing  gradually  to 5.0% in the year 2010 and
thereafter.  The assumed  health care cost trend rate used in measuring the APBO
as of January 1, 1995 was 10.0%,  decreasing  gradually to 6.0% in the year 2009
and thereafter. The assumed discount rate used in determining the APBO was 7.25%
and 8.5% at January 1, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The assumed health care cost
trend rate has a  significant  effect on the amounts  reported.  For example,  a
one-percentage-point  increase  in the  assumed  health care cost trend rate for
each year would  increase  the APBO as of December 31, 1995  approximately  $2.4
million  and 1995 net  postretirement  health  care  cost by  approximately  $.4
million.

                                       xx

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 7.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

     SUCCESS SHARING PLAN AND ESOP

     The Success  Sharing Plan and ESOP  (Success  Sharing Plan) was designed to
increase   employee   ownership  and  reward   employees  when  certain  Company
performance  objectives  are met.  Essentially  all  employees  are  eligible to
participate  in the Success  Sharing  Plan.  The Success  Sharing  Plan has both
qualified and nonqualified  components.  The nonqualified  component is equal to
25% of the  annual  award  and is  paid  in cash  to  employees.  The  qualified
component  is equal  to 75% of the  annual  award,  with  25%  contributed  to a
deferred  investment  account  and the  remaining  50%  contributed  to the ESOP
portion of the Success  Sharing  Plan.  Costs charged to expense for the Success
Sharing Plan were $8.6 million and $8.4 million in 1995 and 1994, respectively.

NOTE 8.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     The Company and ReliaStar have entered into  agreements  whereby  ReliaStar
and the Company provide certain  management,  administrative,  legal,  and other
services to each other.  The net amounts  billed  resulted in the Company making
payments  of $25.1  million  and $13.6  million to  ReliaStar  in 1995 and 1994,
respectively.  During  1995 the  Company  paid  dividends  of $52.0  million  to
ReliaStar  consisting of $41.3 million paid in cash and $10.7 million in noncash
dividends.

NOTE 9. SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

     DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

     The  ability  of  Northwestern  to  pay  cash  dividends  to  ReliaStar  is
restricted by law or subject to approval of the insurance regulatory authorities
of Minnesota.  These authorities  recognize only statutory  accounting practices
for the ability of an insurer to pay dividends to its shareholders.

     Under  Minnesota  insurance  law  regulating  the payment of  dividends  by
Northwestern,   any  such   payment  must  be  an  amount   deemed   prudent  by
Northwestern's  Board  of  Directors  and,  unless  otherwise  approved  by  the
Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce (the Commissioner), must be
paid solely from the adjusted  earned surplus of  Northwestern.  Adjusted earned
surplus means the earned  surplus as determined  in  accordance  with  statutory
accounting  practices  (unassigned funds), less 25% of the amount of such earned
surplus which is attributable to net unrealized capital gains. Further,  without
approval of the Commissioner,  Northwestern may not pay in any calendar year any
dividend which,  when combined with other dividends paid within the preceding 12
months,  exceeds the greater of (i) 10% of  Northwestern's  statutory surplus at
the  prior  year-end  or (ii)  100% of  Northwestern's  statutory  net gain from
operations (not including  realized  capital gains) for the prior calendar year.
For 1996,  the amount of  dividends  which can be paid by  Northwestern  without
commissioner approval is $117.7 million.

     STATUTORY SURPLUS AND NET INCOME

     Net  income  of  Northwestern  and  its  subsidiaries,   as  determined  in
accordance  with  statutory  accounting  practices  was $97.8  million and $57.6
million for 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Northwestern's  statutory surplus was
$728.3 million and $565.2 million at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

NOTE 10.  REINSURANCE

     The Company is a member of  reinsurance  associations  established  for the
purpose  of ceding  the  excess of life  insurance  over  retention  limits.  In
addition,  Northwestern's Life and Health Reinsurance Division assumes and cedes
reinsurance  on  certain  life  and  health  risks  as  its  primary   business.
Reinsurance  contracts  do not  relieve  the  Company  from its  obligations  to
policyholders.  Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in
losses to the Company;  consequently,  allowances  are  established  for amounts
deemed uncollectible.  The amount of the allowance for uncollectible

                                       xxi

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 10.  REINSURANCE (CONTINUED)

reinsurance  receivables  was  immaterial  at  December 31,  1995.  The Company
evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors  concentrations
of credit risk to minimize its  exposure to  significant  losses from  reinsurer
insolvencies.  The Company's retention limit is $400,000 per life for individual
coverage and, to the extent that Northwestern reinsures life policies written by
Northern and North Atlantic, the limit is increased up to $600,000 per life. For
group coverage and reinsurance  assumed, the retention is $500,000 per life with
per  occurrence  limitations,  subject to certain  maximums.  As of December 31,
1995, $12.0 billion of life insurance in force was ceded to other companies. The
Company has assumed $36.7 billion of life  insurance in force as of December 31,
1995  (including  $32.0  billion of  reinsurance  assumed  pertaining to Federal
Employees'  Group Life Insurance and Servicemans'  Group Life  Insurance).  Also
included  in these  amounts  are $513.1  million of  reinsurance  ceded and $4.7
billion of reinsurance  assumed by  Northwestern's  Life and Health  Reinsurance
Division.

     The effect of reinsurance on premiums and recoveries is as follows:

                                                                   YEAR ENDED
                                                                   DECEMBER 31
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Direct Premiums........................................   $643.8    $533.2
     Reinsurance Assumed....................................    297.6     261.8
     Reinsurance Ceded......................................    (89.9)    (68.1)
                                                                -----     ----- 
     Net Premiums ..........................................   $851.5    $726.9
                                                               ======    ======
     Reinsurance Recoveries.................................    $80.4     $59.0
                                                                =====     =====


NOTE 11.  LIABILITY FOR UNPAID ACCIDENT AND HEALTH CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT 
          EXPENSE

     The change in the liability for unpaid accident and health claims and claim
adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:

                                                                 1995       1994
                                                                 ----       ----
                                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
     Balance at January 1....................................    $322.9  $244.6
     Less Reinsurance Recoverables...........................      59.5    32.8
                                                                   ----    ----
              Net Balance at January 1.......................     263.4   211.8
     Incurred Related to:
          Current Year.......................................     273.1   266.2
          Prior Year.........................................      (2.7)  (16.6)
                                                                   ----   ----- 
               Total Incurred................................     270.4   249.6
     Paid Related to:
          Current Year.......................................     157.0   140.3
          Prior Year.........................................      89.0    66.7
                                                                   ----    ----
               Total Paid....................................     246.0   207.0
     Net Balance at December 31..............................     287.8   254.4
     Plus Reinsurance Recoverables...........................      81.6    50.5
                                                                   ----    ----
          Balance at December 31.............................    $369.4  $304.9
                                                                 ======  ======

                                       xxii


<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 11.  LIABILITY FOR UNPAID ACCIDENT AND HEALTH CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT 
          EXPENSE (CONTINUED)

     The  liability for unpaid  accident and health claims and claim  adjustment
expenses is included in Future Policy and Contract  Benefits on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets.

NOTE 12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     LITIGATION

     The  Company is a  defendant  in a number of  lawsuits  arising  out of the
normal course of the business of the Company. In the opinion of Management,  the
ultimate  resolution of such litigation will not result in any material  adverse
impact to operations or financial condition of the Company.

     JOINT GROUP LIFE AND ANNUITY CONTRACTS

     Northwestern has issued certain  participating group annuity and group life
insurance  contracts  jointly with another insurance  company.  Northwestern has
entered  into  an  arrangement  with  this  insurer  whereby  Northwestern  will
gradually transfer these liabilities  (approximately  $328.4 million at December
31, 1995) to the other  insurer over a ten year period which  commenced in 1993.
The terms of the  arrangement  specify the interest rate on the  liabilities and
provide  for  a  transfer  of  assets  and  liabilities  scheduled  in a  manner
consistent  with the expected cash flows of the assets  allocated to support the
liabilities.  A contingent  liability exists with respect to the joint obligor's
portion of the contractual  liabilities  attributable to contributions  received
prior to July 1,  1993 in the  event  the  joint  obligor  is unable to meet its
obligations.

     RESERVE INDEMNIFICATION

     In March 1992, the Company sold Chartwell Re Corporation  (Chartwell),  its
property  and casualty  reinsurance  subsidiary.  The Company and the  acquiring
company  entered  into  a  separate  agreement  which  provides  for  reciprocal
indemnity (but with different  ultimate exposure amounts) between the parties to
the  agreement  with  respect to the  adequacy  of the loss and loss  adjustment
expense  reserves of Chartwell  for all accident  years which ended on or before
December 31, 1991.  The  indemnity is measured for the period ending on December
31, 1996.  Under the terms of the  agreement,  the maximum amount payable by the
Company would be $23.0 million and the maximum amount payable by the acquirer to
the Company would be $5.0 million.

     Based  upon  analyses  completed  during the  fourth  quarter of 1995,  the
Company has accrued a cumulative total of $8.0 million of the maximum  potential
payment under the indemnification agreement. The ultimate amount to be paid will
be affected by subsequent favorable or adverse claims development.

     The amounts  accrued under the  indemnification  agreement are presented as
discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

     FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk
in the normal  course of business  to reduce its  exposure  to  fluctuations  in
interest  rates.  These  financial  instruments  include  commitments  to extend
credit,  financial guarantees,  futures contracts and interest rate swaps. Those
instruments  involve, to varying degrees,  elements of credit,  interest rate or
liquidity risk in excess of the amount  recognized in the  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets.

     The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
other party to the financial  instrument  for  commitments  to extend credit and
financial  guarantees  written is represented by the contractual amount of those
instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and
conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. For 

                                       xxiii

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

futures contracts and interest rate swap transactions,  the contract or notional
amounts do not  represent  exposure to credit  loss.  For swaps,  the  Company's
exposure  to credit  loss is limited to those  swaps  where the  Company  has an
unrealized  gain. For futures  contracts,  the Company has no exposure to credit
risk, as the contracts are marked to market daily.

     Unless otherwise  noted,  the Company does not require  collateral or other
security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              CONTRACT OR NOTIONAL AMOUNT
                                                                                                      DECEMBER 31 
                                                                                              ---------------------------
                                                                                                 1995            1994
                                                                                                 ----            ----
                                                                                                     (In Millions)
Financial Instruments Whose Contract Amounts Represent Credit Risk
<S>                                                                                              <C>            <C>  
      Commitments to Extend Credit........................................................       $82.6          $36.4
      Financial Guarantees................................................................        41.8           47.5
Financial Instruments Whose Notional or Contract 
     Amounts Exceed the Amount of Credit Risk
      Futures Contracts...................................................................        80.4           84.4
      Interest Rate Swap Agreements.......................................................     1,222.5        1,320.0

</TABLE>

     COMMITMENTS  TO EXTEND  CREDIT -  Commitments  to extend credit are legally
binding  agreements  to lend to a  customer.  Commitments  generally  have fixed
expiration dates or other termination  clauses and may require payment of a fee.
They generally may be terminated by the Company in the event of deterioration in
the  financial  condition of the  borrower.  Since some of the  commitments  are
expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not
necessarily represent future liquidity requirements.  The Company evaluates each
customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

     FINANCIAL  GUARANTEES - Financial  guarantees are  conditional  commitments
issued by the Company  guaranteeing  the  performance of the borrower to a third
party.  Those  guarantees  are  primarily  issued to support  public and private
commercial  mortgage  borrowing  arrangements.   The  credit  risk  involved  is
essentially the same as that involved in issuing commercial mortgage loans.

     Northwestern  is a partner in eight real estate joint ventures where it has
guaranteed the repayment of loans of the  partnership.  As of December 31, 1995,
Northwestern  had  guaranteed  repayment  of $41.8  million  ($47.5  million  at
December 31, 1994) of such loans including the portion  allocable to the PFA. If
any payments were made under these guarantees,  Northwestern would be allowed to
make a claim for repayment  from the joint  venture,  foreclose on the assets of
the  joint  venture  including  its  real  estate  investment  and,  in  certain
instances, make a claim against the joint venture's general partner.

     For  certain  of  these   partnerships,   Northwestern   has  made  capital
contributions from time to time to provide the partnerships with sufficient cash
to meet its obligations,  including operating expenses,  tenant improvements and
debt service.  Capital  contributions  during 1995 and 1994 were  insignificant.
Further  capital  contributions  are likely to be required in future periods for
certain of the joint  ventures with the  guarantees.  The Company cannot predict
the amount of such future contributions.

     FUTURES CONTRACTS - Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of
securities  or money  market  instruments  in which  the  seller  agrees to make
delivery at a specified future date of a specified  

                                       xxiv

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 12.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

instrument,  at a specified price or yield.  These contracts are entered into to
manage  interest  rate  risk  as  part  of the  Company's  asset  and  liability
management.  Risks arise from the  movements in  securities  values and interest
rates.

     INTEREST RATE SWAP  AGREEMENTS - The Company also enters into interest rate
swap  agreements to manage  interest rate  exposure.  The primary reason for the
interest  rate swap  agreements  is to extend the  duration of  adjustable  rate
investments.  Interest rate swap transactions  generally involve the exchange of
fixed and floating rate interest payment obligations without the exchange of the
underlying  principal  amounts.  Changes in market  interest rates impact income
from  adjustable  rate  investments  and  have an  opposite  (and  approximately
offsetting)  effect on the reported  income from the swap  portfolio.  The risks
under interest rate swap  agreements  are generally  similar to those of futures
contracts.  Notional  principal  amounts are often used to express the volume of
these  transactions  but do not represent the much smaller  amounts  potentially
subject to credit risk.

     LEASES

     The  Company has  operating  leases for office  space and certain  computer
processing and other equipment. Rental expense for these items was $13.6 million
and $11.0 million for 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Future  minimum  aggregate  rental  commitments  at  December  31, 1995 for
operating leases were as follows:

                                  (IN MILLIONS)
                                  -------------
               1996 - $7.6                                  1999 - $4.6
               1997 - $6.8                                  2000 - $5.4
               1998 - $5.7                   2001 and thereafter - $4.4


NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     The following  disclosures are made in accordance with the  requirements of
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial  Instruments." SFAS No.
107 requires  disclosure of fair value information about financial  instruments,
whether or not recognized in the balance  sheet,  for which it is practicable to
estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair
values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques.
Those techniques are significantly  affected by the assumptions used,  including
the  discount  rate and  estimates  of future cash flows.  In that  regard,  the
derived fair value estimates,  in many cases, could not be realized in immediate
settlement of the instrument.

     SFAS No. 107 excludes  certain  financial  instruments and all nonfinancial
instruments from its disclosure  requirements.  Accordingly,  the aggregate fair
value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

     The  fair  value  estimates   presented   herein  are  based  on  pertinent
information  available to Management as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.  Although
Management  is not aware of any  factors  that  would  significantly  affect the
estimated  fair  value  amounts,  such  amounts  have not  been  comprehensively
revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date;  therefore,
current  estimates  of fair  value may  differ  significantly  from the  amounts
presented herein.

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

     FIXED MATURITY  SECURITIES - The estimated fair value  disclosures for debt
securities  satisfy the fair value disclosure  requirements of SFAS No. 107 (See
Note 4).

                                       xxv

<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 13.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

     EQUITY  SECURITIES - Fair value equals  carrying value as these  securities
are carried at quoted market value.

     MORTGAGE  LOANS ON REAL ESTATE - The fair values for mortgage loans on real
estate are estimated using  discounted cash flow analyses,  using interest rates
currently  being offered in the  marketplace for similar loans to borrowers with
similar credit ratings.  Loans with similar  characteristics  are aggregated for
purposes of the calculations.

     CASH,  SHORT-TERM  INVESTMENTS AND POLICY LOANS - The carrying  amounts for
these assets approximate the assets' fair values.

     OTHER FINANCIAL  INSTRUMENTS  REPORTED AS ASSETS - The carrying amounts for
these financial  instruments  (primarily  premiums and other accounts receivable
and accrued investment income) approximate those assets' fair values.

     INVESTMENT CONTRACT LIABILITIES - The fair value for deferred annuities was
estimated  to be the  amount  payable on demand at the  reporting  date as those
investment  contracts  have no  defined  maturity  and are  similar to a deposit
liability.  The  amount  payable at the  reporting  date was  calculated  as the
account balance less applicable surrender charges.

     The fair value for GICs was estimated using  discounted cash flow analyses.
The discount rate used was based upon current industry offering rates on GICs of
similar durations.

     The fair values for supplementary  contracts without life contingencies and
immediate  annuities were estimated  using  discounted  cash flow analyses.  The
discount rate was based upon treasury rates plus a pricing margin.

     The carrying amounts reported for other investment contracts which includes
participating pension contracts and retirement plan deposits,  approximate those
liabilities' fair value.

     CLAIM AND OTHER  DEPOSIT  FUNDS - The carrying  amounts for claim and other
deposit funds approximate the liabilities' fair value.

     NOTES AND  MORTGAGES  PAYABLE  - The fair  value  for the note  payable  to
ReliaStar  was based  upon the  quoted  market  price of the  related  ReliaStar
publicly traded debt. For other debt obligations,  discounted cash flow analyses
were used.  The discount  rate was based upon the  Company's  estimated  current
incremental borrowing rates.

     OTHER FINANCIAL  INSTRUMENTS REPORTED AS LIABILITIES - The carrying amounts
for other  financial  instruments  (primarily  normal  payables of a  short-term
nature) approximate those liabilities' fair values.

     FINANCIAL  GUARANTEES  - The fair  values  for  financial  guarantees  were
estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based upon the expected future net
amounts to be expended. The estimated net amounts to be expended were determined
based on projected cash flows and a valuation of the underlying collateral.

     INTEREST RATE SWAPS - The fair value for interest rate swaps was estimated
using  discounted  cash flow  analyses.  The discount  rate was based upon rates
currently  being offered for similar  interest rate swaps available from similar
counterparties.

                                      xxvi


<PAGE>

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


                  NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
            (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF RELIASTAR FINANCIAL CORP.)

NOTE 13.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONTINUED)

     The carrying  amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's  financial
instruments were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                                       -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    1995                                1994
                                                                       -------------------------------    --------------------------
                                                                         CARRYING            FAIR            CARRYING          FAIR
                                                                          AMOUNT            VALUE             AMOUNT          VALUE
                                                                          ------            -----             ------          -----
                                                                                                 (In Millions)
<S>                                                                      <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>     
Financial Instruments Recorded as Assets
      Fixed Maturity Securities
          Available-for-Sale.....................................        $9,053.7         $9,053.7          $3,470.6       $3,470.6
          Held-to-Maturity............................. .........              --               --           2,310.4        2,253.0
      Equity Securities.......................... ...............            35.9             35.9              43.7           43.7
      Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
          Commercial ............................................         1,465.0          1,525.8           1,120.1        1,068.8
          Residential and Other .................................           483.4            496.1             450.2          443.1
      Policy Loans ..............................................           499.8            499.8             306.8          306.8
      Cash and Short-Term Investments ...........................           165.4            165.4              79.7           79.7
      Other Financial Instruments Recorded as Assets ............           503.3            503.3             349.7          349.7
Financial Instruments Recorded as Liabilities
      Investment Contracts
          Deferred Annuities................................... .        (6,704.9)        (6,285.6)         (4,690.0)      (4,369.3)
          GICs....................................... ...........          (115.0)          (148.6)           (239.9)        (261.5)
          Supplementary Contracts and Immediate Annuities .......           (99.8)           (99.7)            (99.1)         (93.9)
          Other Investment Contracts ............................          (529.2)          (529.2)           (539.4)        (539.4)
      Claim and Other Deposit Funds .............................          (114.9)          (114.9)           (101.2)        (101.2)
      Notes and Mortgages Payable ...............................          (243.6)          (244.4)           (173.7)        (159.4)
      Other Financial Instruments Recorded as Liabilities .......          (224.8)          (224.8)           (167.8)        (167.8)
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
      Financial Guarantees.......................................              --             (4.6)               --           (5.2)
      Interest Rate Swaps........................................              --             42.7                --          (46.5)

</TABLE>

     Fair  value  estimates  are made at a  specific  point  in  time,  based on
relevant  market  information and  information  about the financial  instrument.
These  estimates  do not reflect any premium or discount  that could result from
offering for sale at one time the Company's  holdings of a particular  financial
instrument.  Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company's
financial  instruments,  fair value  estimates are based on judgments  regarding
future   expected   loss   experience,   current   economic   conditions,   risk
characteristics  of  various  financial  instruments  and other  factors.  These
estimates  are  subjective  in nature and involve  uncertainties  and matters of
significant  judgment  and,  therefore,  cannot be  determined  with  precision.
Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

     Fair  value  estimates  are  based on  existing  on and  off-balance  sheet
financial  instruments  without  attempting to estimate the value of anticipated
future business and the value of assets and liabilities  that are not considered
financial  instruments.  In  addition,  the  tax  ramifications  related  to the
realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant  effect on
fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

                                      xxvii



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