IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND A
485BPOS, 1997-04-18
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PAGE 1
                                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                      Washington, D.C.  20549

                                             Form N-1


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

     Post-Effective Amendment No.  60  (File No. 2-29081)       X

                                              and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940

     Amendment No.  21  (File No. 811-1653)                     X
                   ----                                       ---


     IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A  (Individual and Employer)

     IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0010

                           (612) 671-3678

      Mary Ellyn Minenko - IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis 55440-0010


Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
     immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  X  on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b)
     60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
     on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number or amount of securities under
the Securities  Act of 1933 pursuant to section 24-F of the  Investment  Company
Act of 1940.  Registrant's Rule 24f-2 Notice for its most recent fiscal year was
filed on February 19, 1997.



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PAGE 2
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A            Post-Effective
(Individual and Employer)                   Amendment No. 60
                                            Registration Form N-1

Cross  reference  sheet showing  location in the  prospectus of the  information
called for by the items enumerated in Part I of Form N-1.

Negative answers omitted from prospectus are so indicated.

IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND A (INDIVIDUAL AND EMPLOYER)

               Section
Item No.       In Prospectus

   1              Cover

   2              Summary of Contents

   3              Financial Highlights

   4(a)           History
    (b)           Not Applicable
    (c)           Not Applicable

   5(a)           Investment Objective
    (b)           Investments the Fund will not make
    (c)           Investment objective
    (d)           Financial Highlights; Investment objective

   6(a)           Tax charges
    (b)           Tax charges; What about your taxes?
    (c)           Not Applicable
    (d)           Not Applicable

   7(a)           Brokerage
    (b)           Brokerage
    (c)           Brokerage
    (d)           Not Applicable

   8              Not Applicable

   9(a)           Ownership of IDS Life and American Express
                  Financial Corporation
    (b)           Not Applicable
    (c)           Members of the Board of Managers and Officers of
                  the Fund

  10              Members of the Board of Managers and Officers of
                  the Fund

  11              Not Applicable

  12(a)           Custodian
    (b)           Not Applicable




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PAGE 3
  13(a)           Investment agreements; Brokerage; Ownership of
                  IDS Life and American Express Financial
                  Corporation
    (b)           Not Applicable
    (c)           Not Applicable
    (d)           Not Applicable

  14(a)           Voting rights
    (b)           Not Applicable

  15(a)           Measuring the value of your contract; Dates we
                  revalue-Valuation date; The Valuation period;
                  Valuing Fund assets; The charges you pay
    (b)           Automated transfers and partial surrenders;
                  Valuing an annuity unit; Annuity payment starting
                  date; Table of settlement rates; Annuity payment
                  plans; Determination of monthly annuity payments
                  for deferred contracts; Determination of monthly
                  annuity payments for immediate contracts;
                  Surrendering your contract; Making withdrawals on
                  your contract; Special rules if the annuitant
                  dies before the annuity payment starting date;
                  Your right to cancel installment contracts
    (c)           Not Applicable

  16(a)           Investment agreements; Brokerage; Cover; Annuity
                  payment plans; The charges you pay; Making
                  withdrawals on your contract
    (b)           Directors and officers of IDS Life Insurance
                  Company; Other affiliations
    (c)           The charges you pay
    (d)           Not Applicable

  17              Not Applicable

  18              Financial statements; IDS Life Financial
                  Information



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PAGE 4
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A

Individual Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Annuity
Contracts for Employer Plans

   
Prospectus/May 1, 1997
    

IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A (the Fund) is a segregated asset account of IDS
Life  Insurance  Company  (IDS Life).  The  investment  objective of the Fund is
long-term capital  appreciation.  The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of
U.S. corporations. The Fund also may invest in preferred stocks and in corporate
and government bonds.

This prospectus describes the following types of individual
non-tax-qualified, variable annuity contracts offered by IDS Life:
1) an annuity for use in connection with non-qualified retirement
or deferred compensation plans or programs adopted by an employer
that are not intended to qualify under Sections 401, 403, or 408 of
the Internal Revenue Code (the Code); 2) an installment payment
deferred annuity; 3) a single payment deferred annuity; and 4) a
single payment immediate annuity.

New contracts are not currently being offered.  This prospectus  gives you facts
about the Fund. You should read it and keep it with your investment  records for
future reference.

The Fund is responsible  only for statements  included in this  prospectus or in
authorized sales material.

   
These  securities  have not been approved or  disapproved  by the Securities and
Exchange  Commission or any state  securities  commission nor has the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  or any state  securities  commission  passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis,  Minnesota 55440-0010
General Information (612) 671-3733
Annuity Service (612) 671-4738
                (800) 437-0602
    



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PAGE 5
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A

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

   
Prospectus, May 1, 1997
Individual Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Annuity
Contracts For Employer Plans
    



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PAGE 6
Table of Contents                                              Page

   
Summary of Contents...........................................
Financial highlights..........................................
The variable annuity..........................................
Investment objective..........................................
Investments the Fund will not make............................
Portfolio manager.............................................
Investment agreements.........................................
Brokerage.....................................................
The contracts.................................................
The fixed account.............................................
Automated transfers and partial surrenders....................
Measuring the value of your contract..........................
Valuing Fund assets...........................................
When we credit your purchase payments.........................
The investment factor.........................................
Valuing an accumulation unit..................................
Valuing an annuity unit.......................................
Annuity payment starting date.................................
Table of settlement rates.....................................
Annuity payment plans.........................................
The charges you pay...........................................
Surrendering your contract....................................
Making withdrawals on your contract...........................
Special rules if annuitant dies before
the annuity payment starting date.............................
Your right to cancel installment contracts....................
What about your taxes?........................................
Voting rights.................................................
Management....................................................
Directors and officers of IDS Life Insurance Company..........
Other Information.............................................
Insurance regulation..........................................
Financial statements..........................................
    




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PAGE 7
Summary of Contents

About the variable annuity - The variable annuities are offered for sale through
the Fund, a diversified open-end management investment company. Variable annuity
contracts guarantee regular payments to contract purchasers. The amount of these
payments is influenced by the  performance  of the  securities in which the Fund
invests (page __).

   
Financial highlights - This table shows important financial information you will
need to evaluate the Fund's performance (page __).
    

Investment  objective - The Fund's  investment  objective is  long-term  capital
appreciation in order to build up values and to make annuity payments.  The Fund
invests  primarily in common stock and also may invest in preferred stock and in
government  and  corporate  bonds.  The Fund may invest in  foreign  securities,
futures  contracts and options.  There can be no guarantee the Fund will achieve
its investment objective because any investment involves risk (page __).

Portfolio  manager - The Fund is  managed  by  senior  portfolio  manager  Mitzi
Malevich (page __).

Investment  agreements  - The Fund is a  segregated  asset  account  of IDS Life
Insurance Company,  a stock life insurance company.  The investments of the Fund
are managed by IDS Life pursuant to an Investment  Management  Agreement.  Under
this  agreement,  IDS Life receives a management fee equal to 0.4% of the Fund's
average daily net assets for each year.  Pursuant to a Distribution and Services
Agreement,  IDS Life also serves as principal  underwriter of the Fund. IDS Life
annually  pays  0.25% of the Fund's net  assets to  American  Express  Financial
Corporation for investment advice regarding management of the Fund's investments
(page __).

Contracts  -  This  prospectus  describes  the  following  types  of  individual
non-tax-qualified variable annuity contracts:

o       An individual variable annuity contract for use in connection
        with non-qualified retirement or deferred compensation plans
        or programs adopted by an employer.  These plans or programs
        are not intended to qualify under Sections 401, 403, or 408 of
        the Code.  Under this contract, you make an annual purchase
        payment.  This payment must be at least equal to the larger of
        an amount which, when multiplied by the number of contract
        years between the application date and the retirement date,
        equals (1) $3,000 or (2) $300 a year.  This contract also
        provides several optional settlement plans which may be
        elected, except that if at the annuity payment starting date
        the accumulation value of the contract is less than $2,000,
        the accumulation value may be paid in a lump sum (page __);

o       A single payment deferred annuity that can be purchased by
        making an initial payment of at least $3,000 (page __);



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PAGE 8
o       A single payment immediate annuity that can be purchased by
        making an initial payment of at least $3,000 (page __); and

o       An installment  payment deferred annuity that may be purchased by making
        10 or more annual payments that total at least $300 (page __).

   
Who owns the  contract?  - The annuitant is the owner,  unless your  application
says otherwise,  or if ownership of the contract is later transferred to someone
else.
    

If the  contract  described  in this  prospectus  is purchased by an employer in
connection with a deferred compensation plan, the employer becomes the exclusive
owner of all rights under the contract. Any employee referred to in the contract
as an annuitant is called an  annuitant  solely for purposes of  identification.
All funds payable under the contract are paid to and are the exclusive  property
of the  employer.  No  certificates  are issued by IDS Life to any employee with
whom an  employer  has  entered  into a  deferred  compensation  agreement.  Any
employee  participating  in a deferred  compensation  plan  should  refer to the
deferred  compensation  agreement  with  his  employer  for  information  on any
additional charges in connection with the plan.

   
Transfers  between  accounts - Before the annuity payment starting date, you may
give IDS Life written or telephone  instructions  to transfer the contract value
of your investment between the fixed account and the variable account. Transfers
must be at least for $50 and go into  effect  when  recorded  by IDS Life at its
corporate office (page __).
    

Charges  you pay - IDS Life will  deduct a  combined  sales  and  administrative
charge from payments you make into the Fund.

For the individual variable annuity contract intended for use with non-qualified
plans  adopted by an employer,  the deduction is 5.75% of the first $10,000 paid
into the Fund, 4% of the next $40,000 and 2% of all amounts in excess of $50,000
(page __).

For the other three individual annuity contracts,  if you make a single payment,
the deduction is 8% of the first  $15,000,  5% of the next $10,000 and 2% of any
further  amounts.  If you choose to make  installment  payments,  the deductions
average 8.7% over the first 10 years.  You may lose money if you surrender  your
individual installment contract too soon because the percentage that is deducted
is higher in the earlier years (20% for the first year of an installment payment
contract,  18% for the second and third contract  years,  7% for the fourth year
and 4% thereafter) (page __).

Additionally,  IDS Life may deduct for premium  taxes.  Most  states  don't have
premium taxes but in those that do, IDS Life may make a deduction. State premium
taxes range from 0 to 3.5% of the gross purchase payments.  You may receive some
money in excess of the



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PAGE 9
amount requested if, as a result of your surrender, the Fund's state premium tax
liability is reduced (page __).

Surrendering your contract - You can surrender all or part of a deferred annuity
contract any time before the annuity  payment  starting  date by giving IDS Life
written  or  telephone  instructions.  IDS  Life  will  cash  in the  number  of
accumulation units or fixed dollar accumulation value required for the amount of
money you request.  The accumulation  units will be given the accumulation  unit
value  determined  on the date your  request  is  received.  However,  you can't
surrender part of your contract if the remaining accumulation value is less than
$20. There can be no surrenders of any type after annuity payments have started.
You will pay income tax on the taxable part of your  surrender  and you may have
to pay an IRS penalty tax on early  withdrawal if you  surrender  part or all of
your contract before reaching age 59-1/2.

A surrender  may result in adverse tax  consequences.  You should  consult a tax
advisor before making a surrender request (page __).




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PAGE 10
Additional Information

For information about the Fund's history,  organization and headquarters as well
as information  about IDS Life and American Express Financial  Corporation,  see
page __.

   
Financial highlights from Jan 1, 1987 to Dec. 31, 1996
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
Years ended Dec. 31,                    1996     1995     1994     1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation unit value at
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>  
beginning of year                     $13.93   $10.27   $10.70   $ 9.77     $9.13     $6.10     $5.98     $4.58     $4.26     $3.35
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)           (.07)    (.02)      .03    (.02)     (.03)       .02       .06       .05       .05       .03
Net gains (losses) on securities,
both realized and unrealized            3.18     3.68   (0.46)     0.95      0.67      3.01       .06      1.35       .27       .88
Total from investment operations        3.11     3.66   (0.43)     0.93      0.64      3.03       .12      1.40       .32       .91
of year                               $17.04   $13.93   $10.27   $10.70     $9.77     $9.13     $6.10     $5.98     $4.58     $4.26
Total return*                         22.33%   35.64%  (4.01)%    9.50%     6.97%    49.83%     1.97%    30.60%     7.56%    26.90%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Total contract owner's equity
at end of year (000 omitted)        $327,778 $284,407 $223,317 $241,623  $228,366  $222,205  $155,426  $163,568  $136,141  $140,773
Ratio of operating expenses
to average net assets                  1.41%    1.40%    1.40%    1.40%     1.40%     1.41%     1.41%     1.43%     1.40%     1.40%
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average net assets         (0.43)%  (0.19)%    0.27%  (0.17)%   (0.30)%     0.22%     0.97%     0.99%     1.22%     0.67%
Portfolio turnover rate                  13%      46%      63%      64%       74%       68%       56%       55%       66%       87%
Average brokerage commission rate**   $.0550      --       --       --        --        --        --        --        --        --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Total return does not reflect payment of a sales charge.
**  Effective  for 1996,  the Fund is required to disclose an average  brokerage
commission  rate.  The  rate is  calculated  by  dividing  the  total  brokerage
commissions paid on applicable  purchases and sales of portfolio  securities for
the period by the total number of related shares purchased and sold.

This table pertains to  accumulation  units only. When you begin to receive your
annuity  payments,  accumulation  units change to annuity units. The value of an
annuity unit  (assuming a 3.5%  investment  rate) was $6.37 as of Dec. 31, 1996,
$5.39 as of Dec. 31, 1995, $4.11 as of Dec. 31, 1994, $4.44 as of Dec. 31, 1993,
$4.19 as of Dec. 31, 1992, $4.06 as of Dec. 31, 1991, $2.80 as of Dec. 31, 1990,
$2.84 as of Dec.  31,  1989,  $2.25 as of Dec. 31, 1988 and $2.17 as of Dec. 31,
1987. The value of an annuity unit (assuming a 5% investment  rate) was $4.21 as
of Dec. 31, 1996, $3.61 as of Dec. 31, 1995, $2.80 as of Dec. 31, 1994, $3.06 as
of Dec. 31, 1993, $2.93 as of Dec. 31, 1992, $2.88 as of Dec. 31, 1991, $2.02 as
of Dec. 31, 1990, $2.08 as of Dec. 31, 1989, $1.67 as of Dec. 31, 1988 and $1.63
as of Dec. 31, 1987.
    

The information in this table has been derived from financial  statements of the
Fund that have been  audited by Ernst & Young  LLP,  independent  auditors.  The
independent auditor's report and additional information about the performance of
the Fund are contained in the Fund's annual  report,  which if not included with
this prospectus, may be obtained without charge.



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PAGE 11
The variable annuity

An annuity is a contract with a life insurance  company that guarantees  regular
income to the  purchaser.  Most people buy annuities to provide  income in their
retirement years.  When most people think of an annuity,  they are thinking of a
fixed dollar annuity.  With a fixed dollar annuity,  the insurance company bears
the risk of investment  gain or loss and guarantees  payment of an exact monthly
amount. A variable annuity also guarantees you regular  payments.  However,  the
amount of the payments will fluctuate with the  performance of the securities in
which the annuity fund invests.  So if the  securities  go up in value,  you may
receive  larger  annuity  payments.  If they go down,  the amount of the annuity
payments you receive may be reduced.

Investment objective

The Fund's investment  objective is long-term  capital  appreciation so that the
Fund can build up values and increase the size of annuity payments. There can be
no  guarantee  the Fund  will  achieve  its  investment  objective  because  any
investment involves risk. The Fund's investment  objective can be changed by IDS
Life without the approval of the Fund's  contract  holders,  but IDS Life has no
intention of doing so.

The Fund invests primarily in U.S. common stocks.  The Fund also
may invest in preferred stocks and in corporate and government
bonds.  Some bonds issued by agencies of the U.S. government are
not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.

The Fund may  invest up to 30% of its total  assets at the time of  purchase  in
foreign securities.  In selecting foreign  investments,  the Fund generally will
seek to invest in companies that it anticipates will experience  economic growth
at least as great as that anticipated in the U.S. companies in which it invests.
The  securities  that the  Fund  believes  offer  attractive  opportunities  for
investment may change from time to time.  Foreign  investments may be subject to
additional  risks,  including  future political and economic  developments,  the
possible  imposition of  withholding  taxes on dividend  income,  the seizure or
nationalization  of companies,  the  establishment  of exchange  controls or the
adoption of other restrictions that might adversely affect an investment.

The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers directly or in the form
of American Depository Receipts (ADRs). ADRs are receipts typically issued by an
American bank or trust company that evidence ownership of underlying  securities
issued by a foreign  corporation.  Since investments in foreign  securities will
involve  currencies  of foreign  countries,  the value of the  Fund's  assets as
measured in U.S. dollars may be affected  favorably or unfavorably by changes in
currency rates and in exchange control regulations. The Fund also may enter into
forward commitments for the purchase or sale of foreign currencies,  but only in
connection with the settlement of foreign  securities  transactions  and not for
speculative purposes.



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PAGE 12
The Fund may enter into a forward contract to buy or sell foreign
currencies.  For example, if the Fund believes the value of the
U.S. dollar will decline in relationship to a foreign currency, the
Fund will buy the foreign currency at today's price in U.S. dollars
agreeing to pay for the currency at a future date.  If the U.S.
dollar declines, then the foreign currency can be sold for more
U.S. dollars than it cost and the Fund realizes a profit.  The Fund
will not enter into forward contracts in excess of an offsetting
position of cash and investment in U.S. dollars.  If the U.S.
dollar does not decline as expected, the Fund will sustain a loss
because of having entered into the forward contract.

The Fund may buy or write (sell) options traded on any U.S. or foreign  exchange
or in the  over-the-counter  market.  It  may  write  covered  call  options  on
individual securities.  Options in the over-the-counter market will be purchased
only when the investment  manager  believes a liquid secondary market exists for
the  options and only from  dealers  and  institutions  the  investment  manager
believes  present a minimal credit risk. Some options are exercisable  only on a
specific date. In that case, or if a liquid secondary market does not exist, the
Fund could be  required to buy or sell  securities  at  disadvantageous  prices,
thereby  incurring  losses.  In  covered  call  options,  the  seller  owns  the
underlying security required to be sold upon exercise of the option.

Options  can  be  used  to  produce  incremental  earnings,  protect  gains  and
facilitate buying and selling securities.  The writer of an option agrees to buy
or sell a  security  at a fixed  price and could  forgo a profit or incur a loss
from a change in the market price of the  security.  The  purchaser of an option
pays a premium  whether or not the option is  exercised.  If a liquid  secondary
market does not exist at a particular time, it might not be possible to close an
option  position  when it is  desirable  to do so. The Fund may buy put and call
options as a trading technique.

For  temporary  purposes,  the  Fund may make  certain  investments.  It may buy
short-term  U.S.  and  Canadian  government  securities.  It may  invest in bank
obligations including negotiable  certificates of deposit,  non-negotiable fixed
time deposits,  bankers'  acceptances and documented  discount notes (letters of
credit).  The Fund may buy short-term  corporate notes and obligations  rated in
the top two classifications by Standard and Poor's, Moody's or the equivalent.

The Fund does not look to buy and sell stocks for the short-term, but will do so
if it is appropriate. The Fund may use repurchase agreements with broker-dealers
registered  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 and  commercial  banks.
Repurchase  agreements  involve  investments in debt securities where the seller
agrees to  repurchase  the  securities  at cost plus an agreed-to  interest rate
within a specified time. A risk of a repurchase  agreement is that if the seller
seeks the protection of the bankruptcy  laws the Fund's ability to liquidate the
security involved could be impaired,  and it might  subsequently incur a loss if
the  value of the  securities  declines  or if the other  party to a  repurchase
agreement defaults on its obligation.



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PAGE 13
The Fund may enter into stock  index  futures  contracts  traded on any U.S.  or
foreign  exchange.  The  Fund may buy or write  put and  call  options  on these
futures and on stock indexes.  These  instruments may be considered  speculative
and may expose the Fund to greater risk. Stock index futures contracts,  options
on futures  contracts and options on stock indexes must be used as a hedge. This
means they must be used to offset changes in the value of some or all the Fund's
existing  investments  in stocks or be offset by the Fund's cash  position.  The
futures  contracts and related  options may help the Fund to gain rapid exposure
or protect  itself from changes in the market.  Successful  hedges depend on the
portfolio  manager's  ability to predict the future direction of stock prices or
interest rates.  If the portfolio  manager's  prediction is incorrect,  the Fund
would  have  been  better  off if no  hedge  had been  made.  Also,  skills  and
techniques  necessary to arrive at such  predictions  are  different  from those
needed for predicting changes in individual stocks.

No more than 5% of the  Fund's  net  assets can be used at any one time for good
faith deposits on futures and premiums for options on futures that do not offset
existing investment positions.

No securities  will be bought on margin,  nor will the Fund make any short sales
of securities.

The Fund will not invest in securities that are not readily  marketable  without
registration  or the filing of a  notification  under the Securities Act of 1933
(1933 Act), or the taking of similar action under other securities laws relating
to the  sale  of  securities,  if  immediately  after  the  making  of any  such
investment  more than 10% of the  Fund's  net  assets  (taken at market or other
current value) is invested in these  securities.  For valuation,  see page __ of
this prospectus.

The Fund will not buy securities of any investment trust or investment  company,
except by purchase in the open market where no commission or profit to a sponsor
or dealer results from a purchase other than customary broker's commission.  The
Fund does not intend to invest in these  securities  but may do so to the extent
of not more than 15% of the Fund's net assets  (taken at market or other current
value). The Fund will not invest in other mutual funds.

Notwithstanding any of the Fund's other investment policies, the Fund may invest
its assets in an open-end management investment company having substantially the
same  investment  objectives,  policies  and  restrictions  as the  Fund for the
purpose of having those assets managed as part of a combined pool.

The investment policies described above may be changed by the board of managers.

   
For 1996,  the Fund's  portfolio  turnover  rate was 13%.  For 1995,  the Fund's
portfolio turnover rate was 46% and for 1994, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate
was 63%.  Portfolio turnover results in brokerage costs and may affect the taxes
the Fund must pay.
    



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PAGE 14
The prices of the  securities in which the Fund invests  fluctuate  daily.  This
means that the value of your contract goes up and down. If values go down,  your
contract may be worth less than what you paid for it.

Investments the Fund will not make

The Fund observes the following fundamental  investment  restrictions,  that may
not be changed without approval by a vote of the contract holders:

o       The Fund will not borrow money or property except as a temporary measure
        for extraordinary or emergency purposes,  and in an amount not exceeding
        one third of the market value of its total assets (including borrowings)
        less  liabilities   (other  than  borrowings)   immediately   after  the
        borrowing.

o       The Fund shall not underwrite securities of other issuers.
        However, this shall not preclude the purchase of securities
        for investment, on original issue or otherwise, and shall not
        preclude the acquisition of portfolio securities under
        circumstances where the Fund would not be free to sell them
        without being deemed an underwriter for purposes of the 1933
        Act and without registration of these securities or the filing
        of a notification under the 1933 Act, or the taking of similar
        action under other securities laws relating to the sale of
        securities.

o       The Fund does not intend to  concentrate  investments  in any particular
        industry, but reserves freedom of action to do so provided that not more
        than 25% of its total assets,  taken at cost,  may be so invested at any
        one time.

o       The Fund may  invest up to 10% of its total  assets,  taken at cost,  in
        real properties, but will not do so as a principal activity.

o       The Fund will not  invest  more than 5% of its total  assets,  at market
        value,  in  securities  of any  one  company,  government  or  political
        subdivision  thereof,  except  that the  limitation  will  not  apply to
        investments in securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or
        instrumentalities  and except that up to 25% of the Fund's  total assets
        may be invested without regard to this 5% limitation.

o       The Fund will not buy securities of any issuer if immediately after, and
        as a result  of a  purchase,  the Fund  would  own more  than 10% of the
        outstanding voting securities of the issuer.

o       The Fund may not make cash loans if the total commitment  amount exceeds
        5% of the Fund's total assets.

o       The Fund will not buy or sell physical  commodities unless acquired as a
        result of  ownership of  securities  or other  instruments,  except this
        shall not prevent the Fund from



<PAGE>



PAGE 15
        buying or selling  options and futures  contracts  or from  investing in
        securities  or other  instruments  backed by, or whose  value is derived
        from, physical commodities.

Portfolio manager

Mitzi Malevich joined American Express Financial  Corporation in 1983 and serves
as vice president and senior portfolio manager. She was appointed to manage this
fund and IDS Life  Variable  Annuity  Fund B (Fund B) in January  1995,  and has
managed IDS Growth Fund since 1992.  Prior to that, she was a portfolio  manager
of pension fund accounts.

Investment agreements

IDS Life is the  Fund's  investment  manager.  Under the  Investment  Management
Agreement between IDS Life and the Fund, IDS Life charges a fee for managing the
Fund's investments.  This amounts to 0.4% of the Fund's average daily net assets
for the year.

IDS Life does not keep all of this fee. IDS Life and American Express  Financial
Corporation have an Investment Advisory Agreement that calls for IDS Life to pay
American Express Financial  Corporation a fee for serving as investment  advisor
for the Fund. The fee is 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets for the
year.

In addition to paying its own  management  fee, the Fund also pays all brokerage
commissions  and charges in the purchase and sale of assets.  Brokerage  charges
are paid to IDS Life for  reimbursement  of charges incurred in the purchase and
sale of foreign securities.

An Investment  Management  Agreement and an Advisory  Agreement were approved by
the contract holders on Dec. 30, 1983, as a result of the  IDS/American  Express
Company  merger.  Both  agreements  will  continue each year as long as they are
approved:

o       by a majority of the Board of Managers of the Fund or a
        majority of the outstanding votes of the Fund, and

o       by a majority of the Board of Managers of the Fund who are not
        "interested persons" of IDS Life or American Express Financial
        Corporation.

All  votes  by  the  Board  of  Managers  must  be  taken  at a  meeting  called
specifically  to approve or disapprove the agreements and all votes must be cast
in person.

IDS Life may cancel either of its agreements without penalty,  provided it gives
60 days' notice in writing.  American Express Financial Corporation and the Fund
may do the same. If the Fund decides to cancel its management agreement with IDS
Life, it must have the approval of either the Board of Managers or a majority of
the votes of contract holders. If there is any assignment of either agreement it
ends immediately.



<PAGE>



PAGE 16
Brokerage

   
Under the  Investment  Management  Agreement,  IDS Life has  responsibility  for
making the Fund's  investment  decisions,  for effecting the execution of trades
for the Fund's portfolio and for negotiating any brokerage commissions. IDS Life
intends to direct American Express  Financial  Corporation to execute trades and
negotiate  commissions  on  its  behalf.  These  services  are  covered  by  the
Investment Advisory Agreement between American Express Financial Corporation and
IDS Life. When American Express Financial  Corporation acts on IDS Life's behalf
for the Fund, it follows the rules described here for IDS Life.  Total brokerage
commissions  paid by the Fund for each of the last three  years were as follows:
$89,747 for 1996,  $225,653 for 1995 and $310,227 for 1994.  IDS Life intends to
continue to examine and consider ways available to reduce brokerage costs.
    

The Investment  Management Agreement generally requires IDS Life to use its best
efforts to obtain the best  available  price and the most  favorable  execution.
However, brokerage firms may provide some extra services,  including economic or
investment research and analysis.  Sometimes it may be desirable to compensate a
broker for research or brokerage  services by paying a commission that might not
otherwise  be charged,  or a commission  in excess of what another  broker might
charge. The Board of Managers has adopted a policy authorizing IDS Life to do so
to the extent authorized by law, if IDS Life determines, in good faith, that the
amount of  commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage or
research services provided by the broker.

In purchases and sales of  securities  involving  transactions  not listed on an
exchange or in listed  securities that are traded off of the exchange,  the Fund
will deal with a market maker as principal, or a broker as agent, depending upon
the method  believed  to produce  the best  available  price and most  favorable
execution  as  described  above.  In  transactions  with a  broker  who  acts as
principal,  commissions are generally not stated separately, but are included in
the price of the securities.

American Express  Financial  Corporation  gives investment advice to a number of
investment companies and mutual funds. Where more than one of these companies or
funds are interested in the same securities at the same time,  American  Express
Financial  Corporation  carries out the sale or purchase in a way that all agree
in advance is fair.

Sharing  in a large  transaction  may  affect  the  price or  volume  of  shares
acquired.  But by these  transactions,  the Fund hopes to gain an  advantage  in
execution.

The Fund may pay brokerage commissions to broker-dealer  affiliates of IDS Life,
American Express Financial Corporation and American
Express Company.




<PAGE>



PAGE 17
The contracts

This prospectus  describes the following  types of individual  non-tax-qualified
variable annuity contracts:

o       An individual  variable  annuity contract offered for sale in connection
        with an employer  plan that, as of Dec. 8, 1981,  had already  purchased
        one or more Fund  annuity  contracts.  These plans or  programs  are not
        intended to qualify under  Sections  401, 403, or 408 of the Code.  Your
        purchase  payment  for  this  contract  is made by a  number  of  annual
        payments;

o       Installment payment - deferred annuity. You make purchase
        payments in installments over a number of years.  Annuity
        payments will begin at some future date after all installments
        have been paid;

o       Single payment - deferred annuity. You make a single purchase
        payment.  Annuity payments are deferred until some future
        date; and

o       Single payment - immediate annuity.  You make a single purchase payment.
        Annuity  payments will start within 60 days after IDS Life approves your
        application.

The fixed account

The fixed account is an  additional  account to which you may choose to allocate
purchase  payments  and  contract  values.  It  provides  guaranteed  values and
periodically adjusted interest-crediting rates.

If you have a deferred annuity  contract,  you can change your mind from time to
time  and  apply  all or part of your  future  purchase  payments  to the  fixed
account.

Also,  the contract  provides  that once each  contract  year,  you can transfer
accumulation  values of at least  $250 from the  variable  account  to the fixed
account or from the fixed  account to the variable  account.  This right ends 30
days before annuity payments begin. Presently, IDS Life does not intend to limit
the number of transfers from the variable account to the fixed account; however,
transfers from the fixed account to the variable  account are limited to one per
contract year.  Just write or telephone IDS Life and indicate the dollar amount,
percentage  of, or number of variable  accumulation  units to transfer  from the
Fund or the amount of fixed dollar accumulation value to transfer to the Fund.

Automated transfers and partial surrenders

IDS Life currently allows deferred  annuity  contract holders to establish:  (1)
automated  transfers of contract  values  between the fixed account and variable
account;  or (2) automated partial surrenders of contract values.  Both services
can be in effect at



<PAGE>



PAGE 18
the same time and may be  established  through a one-time  written or  telephone
request to IDS Life.

The minimum  transfer amount from any account or partial  surrender  amount from
the  contract is $50 and such  transfer or  surrender  can be made on a monthly,
quarterly,  semi-annual  or annual basis.  You may start or stop this service at
any time but you must  give IDS Life 30 days'  notice to  change  any  automated
transfer  or  surrender  instructions  that are  currently  in place.  Automated
transfers  or  partial  surrenders  are  subject  to all of the  other  contract
provisions  and terms  including  provisions  relating to the  transfer of money
between  accounts.  They are not available for 1969 Series  Contracts  that were
issued prior to May 1971.

   
Automated  transfers  from the fixed  account may not exceed an amount that will
deplete  the  fixed  account  within  12  months.  If you have  made any type of
transfer from the fixed account,  you may not transfer  contract values from the
variable account back to the fixed account until the next contract anniversary.
    

Automated  partial  surrenders  may be  restricted  by  applicable  law in  some
contracts.  In addition, the payment of additional purchase payments, if allowed
under the contract, while automated partial surrenders are in effect, may not be
appropriate and therefore, is not permitted.

IDS Life has the  authority  to honor  any  telephone  requests  believed  to be
authentic  and will use  reasonable  procedures  to confirm that they are.  This
includes asking  identifying  questions and tape recording calls. As long as the
procedures are followed,  neither IDS Life nor its affiliates will be liable for
any loss resulting from fraudulent requests.  If IDS Life receives your transfer
and/or variable  surrender request before its close of business (normally 3 p.m.
Central time),  it will be processed that day. Calls received after its close of
business  will be processed  the next  business day. At times when the volume of
telephone  requests is unusually  high,  IDS Life will take special  measures to
ensure that your call is answered as promptly as possible. A telephone surrender
request will not be allowed within 30 days of a phoned-in address change.

You may request that telephone  withdrawals  not be authorized from your account
by writing IDS Life.

Automated  partial  surrenders  may result in income taxes and IRS penalty taxes
being applied to all or a portion of the amount surrendered. See the sections on
Tax charges and Surrendering your contract (page __).

Consult  your tax advisor if you have any  questions  about the taxation of your
annuity.

Measuring the value of your contract

Because  values  are  always   changing  with  the  performance  of  the  Fund's
investments, it is not easy to measure value with a variable



<PAGE>



PAGE 19
annuity contract. For this reason, we use a technique that involves "units." The
performance  of the Fund is measured  by changes in the value of a single  unit,
rather than the total value of the Fund.  There are two kinds of units.  As long
as you are paying into the Fund they are called  "accumulation  units." When you
begin to receive your annuity payments, they change to "annuity units."

o       Accumulation  units are used to measure  the value of  deferred  annuity
        contracts during the period before annuity payments are made.

number of your          value of one           total
accumulation     x      accumulation     =     accumulation
units                   unit                   value

When  you buy a  deferred  annuity  contract,  your  purchase  payments  will be
credited as accumulation units to your contract.

o       Annuity units determine the value of each annuity payment.  When you buy
        an immediate annuity contract, your purchase payment will be credited as
        annuity units to your account.

Under a deferred  annuity  contract,  when annuity  payments are to start,  your
accumulation  value will be  converted  into annuity  units.  From then on, your
annuity payments are based on the current annuity unit value.

number of your     x     annuity       =     value of one
annuity units            unit value          annuity payment

Dates we revalue units - Valuation date

Your units are valued at least once every seven days. At the present time,  your
units are  revalued  each  business  day at the close of trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Fund's securities also will be valued on any business
day there is a sufficient  degree of trading in the Fund's portfolio  securities
such that the current net asset value of units might be materially  affected (if
on that day the Fund is  required to sell or redeem  securities).  The net asset
value per share generally  changes each day.  During an emergency,  the Fund can
suspend redemption. Such emergency situations would occur if:

o       The NYSE closes for reasons other than the usual weekend and
        holiday closings, or trading on the NYSE is restricted;

o       Disposal of the Fund's securities is not reasonably
        practicable, or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund
        to determine the fair value of its net assets, or

o       The Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of
        the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) declares a
        period of emergency to exist.




<PAGE>



PAGE 20
Splitting units

IDS Life can split accumulation or annuity units. It will only do so if it is in
the best interests of the contract holders, the annuitants and IDS Life.

The valuation period

The valuation  period  starts after the close of business on one valuation  date
and ends with the close of business on the next valuation date.

Valuing Fund assets

The net value of the Fund's assets is determined at the start of each  valuation
period  by  taking  the  total  value  of  the  Fund's  assets  and  subtracting
liabilities. The Fund's portfolio securities are valued as follows:

o       Securities  traded on national  securities  exchanges  are valued at the
        last quoted  sales price on that day. If a  particular  security  hasn't
        been traded on a certain day, we take the average price between the last
        bid (offer to buy) and the last asked (offer to sell) price.

o       Securities  with  readily  available  market  quotations  but  without a
        listing on an exchange  also are valued at the average  between the last
        bid and the last asked price.

o       Short-term securities maturing more than 60 days from the
        valuation date are valued at the market price or approximate
        market value based on current interest rates.  Short-term
        securities maturing in 60 days or less but that originally had
        maturities of more than 60 days at the acquisition date are
        valued on an amortized cost basis using the market value on
        the 61st day before maturity.  Short-term securities maturing
        in 60 days or less at the acquisition date are valued at
        amortized cost. (Amortized cost is an approximation of market
        value determined by systematically increasing the carrying
        value of a security if acquired at a discount, or
        systematically reducing the carrying value if acquired at a
        premium, so that the carrying value is equal to maturity value
        on the maturity date.)

o       Securities  and other assets  without a ready market price are valued at
        fair value.  The Board of Managers is  responsible  for using  valuation
        methods that they believe give fair value.  In cases like this, they may
        use  an  outside   organization   to  value  these   securities.   These
        organizations  may use  methods  that  take into  consideration  yields,
        trading characteristics and other market data.




<PAGE>



PAGE 21
When we credit your purchase payments

   
IDS Life credits each purchase payment at the end of the valuation period during
which it received and accepted the payment at its corporate office.
    

The investment factor

On each  valuation  date, an investment  factor is calculated  for the valuation
period.  This  factor  measures  the Fund's  investment  performance  during the
period. Here is how the investment factor is determined:

First,  the  investment  income for the period is  determined  by combining  the
Fund's income (interest and any dividends),  net realized and unrealized capital
gains or losses on investments  and expenses.  Then, the net investment  rate is
determined by dividing the Fund's net investment  income by the net value of the
Fund's assets at the beginning of the valuation period.

Finally, the investment factor for any valuation period is the sum of 1 plus the
net investment  rate. If the Fund has a negative  investment  rate for a period,
the investment factor will be less than 1.

Valuing an accumulation unit

Accumulation  units are used to measure  the value of your  contract  during the
period before  annuity  payments  begin.  The value of an  accumulation  unit is
determined by  multiplying  the  accumulation  unit value for the last valuation
period by the investment factor for the current period.

Here is an  example:  Assume the  Fund's  assets at the start of the day were $1
million and the  investment  income for the day was $2,000.  The total  expenses
were $398.35 and the value of an accumulation unit the day before was $1.101000.

Step 1.  First, the net investment income is determined.  This is
income minus expenses or $1,601.65 ($2,000 - $398.35).

Step 2.  Next the  investment  rate is  determined.  This is the net  investment
income  divided  by the  assets at the start of the day or  0.001602  ($1,601.65
divided by 1,000,000).

Step 3. The investment factor is one plus the investment rate, or 1.001602.

   
Step 4. Finally,  the value of an accumulation unit is determined by multiplying
yesterday's  accumulation unit value by the investment factor. The current value
of an accumulation unit comes out to $1.102764 (1.101000 x 1.001602).
    




<PAGE>



PAGE 22
Valuing an annuity unit

When you are ready to receive  annuity  payments,  your  accumulation  units are
exchanged  for annuity  units.  Annuity  units  measure  each  variable  annuity
payment.  To determine the value of an annuity  unit,  the annuity unit value on
the last  valuation  date is  multiplied  by the  product of (1) the  investment
factor for the current period, and (2) the neutralizing factor.

The neutralizing  factor removes the assumed  investment rate that is built into
the variable  annuity tables in your  contract.  The  neutralizing  factor for a
one-day valuation period is 0.999866,  when the usual 5% assumed investment rate
is used.

Here is a shortcut for calculating the value of an annuity unit:  Substitute the
term "annuity unit" for the term "accumulation unit" each time it appears in the
example used for calculating accumulation unit values.

Then take the answer in Step 4 ($1.102764)  and multiply it by the  neutralizing
factor  (0.999866).  The  answer is the  current  value of an annuity  unit,  or
$1.102616.

The assumed investment rate is not always 5%. For example,  contracts subject to
Texas law cannot use more than a 3.5%  investment  rate.  You can request a 3.5%
investment rate by sending a written request to IDS Life at its home office. The
current policy of IDS Life is to grant a request  received no later than 30 days
before settlement.

Why would you want a lower assumed investment rate? The value of an annuity unit
will rise or fall to the extent that the actual  investment  rate for the period
is more or less than the assumed  investment rate. A lower assumed rate produces
a lower initial  annuity  payment,  but later  payments will rise faster if unit
values are going up.  Later  payments  will fall more  slowly if unit values are
dropping.

Annuity payment starting date

For individual deferred contracts paid for in annual  installments,  the annuity
payment  starting date selected must be at least 10 years after the date of your
application.  You can change the payment  date at any time not less than 30 days
before annuity payments are to start.

For single payment deferred contracts, the annuity payment starting date must be
at least 60 days after the application date.

For immediate contracts, the annuity payment starting date must be no later than
60 days after the application date.

For employer  plans,  the annuity  starting  date must be at least so many years
after the  application  date that the number of years  multiplied  by the annual
purchase payment equals or exceeds $3,000.



<PAGE>



PAGE 23
For all contracts the annuity payment starting date must come before  (whichever
one is later):

o       the contract anniversary nearest the annuitant's 75th
        birthday, or

o       the 30th contract anniversary.

Table of settlement rates

Settlement rates are based on the Progressive  Annuity Table assuming all births
in  1900.  To  determine  the  rate  applicable  at  settlement,  we look at the
annuitant's  birthday  nearest the  settlement  date and subtract an  adjustment
according to the following chart.

Calendar year of                       Adjustment for
annuitant's birth                      Male     Female
- ------------------------------------------------------
Prior to 1920......................     0         4
1920 through 1939..................     1         5
1940 through 1954..................     2         6
1955 through 1969..................     3         7
After 1969.........................     4         8
- ------------------------------------------------------

In  Arizona   Governing   Committee  for  Tax  Deferred   Annuity  and  Deferred
Compensation  Plans,  etc. et al. v. Nathalie  Norris,  etc.,  the United States
Supreme Court  decided that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964  prohibits
an employer  from  offering its  employees  the option of  receiving  retirement
benefits from one of several  companies  selected by the employer,  all of which
pay a woman lower monthly retirement benefits than a similarly situated man. The
Court ordered that all retirement  benefits derived from  contributions  made on
and after Aug.  1, 1983,  must be  calculated  without  regard to the sex of the
annuitant.

IDS Life has been  administering  contributions  received since Aug. 1, 1983, on
the company's in-force annuity contracts to provide retirement  benefits without
regard to the sex of the  annuitant in those  markets  which are affected by the
Norris decision.  Annuity  contract  amendments also have been developed for new
contracts  in  order  to  assure  continued  compliance  by  employers  with the
obligations imposed on them by the Norris decision.

Annuity payment plans

You may select on the  application  how you want annuity  payments made and when
the  payments  are to begin.  If you have a deferred  annuity  contract  you may
change your payment plan at any time at least 30 days before the annuity payment
starting date.

Here are the plans  available  for all annuity  contracts  as  described in this
prospectus:



<PAGE>



PAGE 24
Plan A - An annuity is paid each month during the lifetime of the annuitant.  No
payments  are made after the  annuitant's  death,  therefore,  it is possible to
receive only one annuity  payment if the  annuitant  dies shortly  after annuity
payments begin.

Plan B - An annuity is paid each month during the lifetime of the annuitant with
the additional guarantee that payments will be made for at least five, 10, or 15
years as you select.

Plan C - An annuity is paid each month during the lifetime of the annuitant with
the  additional  guarantee that payments will be made for a period not less than
the number of months  determined by dividing the amount applied to Plan C by the
amount of the first monthly annuity payment.

Plan D - An  annuity  is paid  each  month  during  the  lifetimes  of two named
annuitants. When the first annuitant dies, payments continue for the lifetime of
the survivor. No payments are made after the survivor's death unless you ask for
the Plan D option.  This provides  payments for a guaranteed period as in Plan B
or Plan C. A beneficiary of a variable  annuity  contract may ask for a lump-sum
payment under Plan B or Plan C. IDS Life will not grant the request if you asked
us not to.

If no plan has been selected by the annuity  payment  starting date, Plan B with
120 guaranteed monthly payments will be used.

If the value of the contract is less than $2,000 on the annuity payment starting
date, the accumulation value may be paid in a lump-sum.

Determination of monthly annuity payments for deferred contracts

When annuity  payments are to begin,  the first monthly variable annuity payment
is computed on the valuation  date on or right before the seventh day before the
annuity payment starting date.

The  computations  are made using the table of settlement rates in your contract
unless an optional  table is agreed upon. A different  table is used if you have
elected a 3.5%  assumed  investment  rate.  The  amount of the first  payment is
divided by the annuity  unit value to give the number of annuity  units for your
contract.

Each monthly  payment after the first one will be determined by multiplying  the
number of annuity units by the current annuity unit value. Payouts made by check
will be computed on the  valuation  date on or right before the fifth day before
the annuity payment date. Payouts made by a transfer to another IDS fund account
will be computed on the  valuation  date on or right before the annuity  payment
date.

Here is an example: Assume the variable accumulation value on the valuation date
seven days before the annuity payment starting date was $30,000 and the plan you
selected produces an initial payment



<PAGE>



PAGE 25
of $6 for each $1,000 of accumulation value.  Ignoring premium
taxes, if any, the first payment would be $180 (30 x $6 = $180).

Now assume the annuity  unit value on the  valuation  date seven days before the
annuity payment starting date is $1.800000. The number of annuity units for your
contract is 100 ($180 divided by $1.800000 = 100). Ordinarily,  the value of the
same number of annuity units will be paid each month.

Determination of monthly annuity payments for immediate contracts

The number of your annuity  units is  multiplied  by the value of one unit.  The
value of one unit is  determined  on the  valuation  date on or right before the
seventh day before the annuity  payment is due. The following  example shows how
the number of your annuity units is determined:  Assume the net purchase payment
is $30,000 and the conversion factor, based on actuarial tables and the contract
you selected, is $5.50.

Assume the value of one annuity unit on the valuation date is $1.500000.

First divide the net purchase payments by $1,000: $30,000 divided
by $1,000 = $30.  Next, multiply the answer by the conversion
factor: $30 x $5.50 = $165.

Divide the answer by the value of one unit.  This gives the number
of annuity units paid out each month: $165 divided by $1.500000 =
110 units.

The charges you pay

1) Sales and administrative charges

The tables below show the deductions  from your purchase  payments for sales and
administrative  charges.  The net amount invested is the total purchase payments
minus the deduction for sales and administrative charges.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Single payment contracts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>             <C>                   <C>                    <C>    
                                                              Total charge         Total deduction
 Part of the          Deduction        Deduction for        as percentage of       as percentage of
 total purchase       for sales       administrative         total purchase          net amount
 payment               charge             charge                payment               invested
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 First $15,000           6%                 2%                     8%                   8.70%
 Next $10,000            4                  1                      5                    5.26
 Over $25,000            1.5                0.5                    2                    2.04
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Installment payment contracts (other than employer plan contracts)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Total charge       Total deduction
                                Deduction     Deduction for     as percentage of     as percentage of
                                for sales     administrative     total purchase        net amount
 Contract year                   charge          charge             payments            invested
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1st                              18%              2%                  20%                25.00%
 2nd & 3rd                        16               2                   18                 21.95
 4th                               5               2                    7                  7.53

<PAGE>

PAGE 26
 5th and after                     2               2                    4                  4.17
 If kept through 10 years          6.7             2                    8.7                9.53
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Employer plan -- annual purchase contracts
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Part of                   Deduction      Deduction              Total                   Total
 the total                    for            for               charge as              deduction as
 purchase                    sales      administrative     percentage of total     percentage of net
 payment                    charge         charge           purchase payments       amount invested
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 First $10,000               3.75%           2%                  5.75%                   6.10%
 Next $40,000                2               2                   4                       4.17
 Excess over $50,000         0.5             1.5                 2                       2.04
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

   
Pursuant to a Distribution and Services Agreement with the Fund, IDS Life is the
principal underwriter and performs all sales and administrative  duties. It pays
salaries, sales commissions,  legal, accounting,  auditing or actuarial fees and
death benefits under deferred  variable  annuity  contracts.  The deductions for
sales and administrative  charges came to $83,478 for 1996, $91,903 for 1995 and
$91,643 for 1994.
    

The sales and  administrative  charge may be reduced or eliminated,  but only to
the  extent  IDS  Life   anticipates   that  it  will  incur   lower  sales  and
administrative  expenses or perform fewer services due to economies arising from
the size of the particular  group, the average  contribution per participant and
the utilization of mass enrollment procedures.  Generally,  this will occur with
programs  established by an employer for all employees or for all employees in a
class,  wherein  employees  do not  individually  elect  to  participate  in the
program.

2) Premium taxes

Some  states  may  charge a premium  tax in an amount of up to 3.5%.  If a state
requires  payment of a premium tax on your  contract,  a deduction  will be made
from your purchase payments or from your contract's accumulation value.

3) Increases in life expectancy and administrative expenses

IDS  Life  will  bear  any  expenses  that  occur  because  of  an  increase  in
administrative  expenses,  or because of an increase in the life  expectancy  of
people  receiving  variable  annuity  payments.  But, it is not  responsible for
increases  in  brokers'  fees and  transfer  taxes on the  purchase  and sale of
assets.

   
For bearing this risk, IDS Life charges the Fund a fee equal to 1% of the Fund's
average  daily net  assets  for the  year.  This  came to  $3,105,070  for 1996,
$2,556,131 for 1995 and $2,323,727 for 1994.
    

If the fee is more than  enough to cover the  increases,  IDS Life will keep the
difference. If the fee is not enough, IDS Life bears the loss.




<PAGE>



PAGE 27
4) Charge for investment management

   
For acting as investment manager,  IDS Life charges the Fund a fee equal to 0.4%
of the Fund's average net assets for the year, less any brokerage credits.  This
came to $1,242,190 for 1996, $1,022,508 for 1995 and $929,540 for 1994.
    

5) Tax charges

IDS Life is taxed as a life  insurance  company under  Subchapter L of the Code.
The Fund is treated as part of IDS Life for  federal  income tax  purposes.  IDS
Life must pay all taxes that come about  because of the Fund.  For this  reason,
IDS Life can charge the Fund for tax charges.  Under current  federal income tax
law, no taxes are payable with respect to any income of the Fund.

Investment  results  credited to a contract are not taxed until annuity benefits
are received.

Surrendering your contract

You can  surrender  all or part of your  annuity  contract  any time  before the
annuity  payment  starting  date.  There can be no surrender in whole or in part
after annuity payments have started.

For a discussion of automated partial surrenders, see page __.

Make your  request to IDS Life in  writing.  IDS Life will cash in the number of
accumulation  units for the amount you request.  The units are valued on the day
your request is received in our Minneapolis  home office.  You cannot  surrender
part of your contract if the remaining accumulation value will be less than $20,
and you cannot repay any amount you surrender. A check usually will be mailed to
you within seven days after we process your request. However, IDS Life can delay
sending  your check  until we are sure we have  received  good  payment  for the
accumulation units you want to surrender.

You may receive extra money if the Fund's state premium tax liability is reduced
as a result of your  surrender.  If it is, you will receive either the amount of
the reduction or the amount  already  deducted  from your purchase  payments for
premium taxes, whichever is less.

Your surrender may result in adverse tax  consequences.  Consult a qualified tax
advisor before requesting a surrender.

Making withdrawals on your contract

You can make a temporary withdrawal on your contract any time before the annuity
payment starting date. The least you can withdraw,  including charges,  is $250.
The most you can withdraw is the sum of your purchase  payments less any amounts
you previously surrendered. There may be no more than one temporary withdrawal



<PAGE>



PAGE 28
outstanding at any one time. A charge of 2% of your  withdrawal  will be made at
the time of withdrawal in order to cover the administrative costs of IDS Life.

You must pay your withdrawal back within two years.  Your repayment will be used
to buy  accumulation  units at their current price.  However,  you cannot make a
repayment after the annuity payment  starting date.  There are no sales charges.
If you do not pay your withdrawal back within two years, IDS Life will regard it
as if you surrendered that part of your contract.

How do you repay your  withdrawal?  Inform IDS Life in writing.  Otherwise  your
regular purchase payments will be used toward repayment.  What is left after you
fully repay your withdrawal will go toward your regular purchase  payments.  Any
amount of your purchase payment left over after repayment must be at least $10.

o Example: You make a withdrawal of $295 and your next purchase payment is $300.
Instead of  applying  $295  toward  the  withdrawal  and $5 toward the  purchase
payment,  we will apply $290 toward the  withdrawal  and $10 toward the purchase
payment.  Now you owe $5 on your withdrawal.  This amount will be taken out next
time.

Keep track of all your withdrawals and surrenders.  If your  accumulation  value
falls to zero, your account will be closed.

Special rules if the annuitant dies before the annuity payment
starting date

Under a deferred annuity contract, if the annuitant dies before annuity payments
begin, the beneficiary will receive the greater of:

o the sum of all purchase payments minus surrenders and unrepaid
withdrawals; or

o the accumulation value of the contract.

If the annuitant dies on or after the contract  anniversary  date nearest his or
her 75th birthday, only the accumulation value will be paid to the beneficiary.

Your right to cancel installment contracts

You will  receive a  Statement  of Charges and a Notice of  Cancellation  Rights
within 60 days after the contract is sent to you. You will have 45 days from the
time this notice was sent to you to cancel your installment  contract.  You will
receive the current accumulation value of your account plus any amounts deducted
for taxes and charges.

What about your taxes?

Part of the annuity payment you receive is taxed as ordinary income



<PAGE>



PAGE 29
and part is  excluded  from  income as your  investment  in the  contract  under
Section 72 of the Code.

The income earned on an annuity  contract held by such entities as corporations,
partnerships  or trusts  generally will be treated as ordinary  income  received
during that year.  This  provision is effective  for annuity  contract  purchase
payments made after Feb.
28, 1986.

   
If you  surrender  all or part  of the  contract  before  your  annuity  payment
starting date, the federal income tax consequences  will depend on when you made
your purchase  payments.  For amounts  allocable to purchase payments made after
Aug. 13,  1982,  the amount of any partial  surrender  will be taxed as ordinary
income to the extent that contract  value exceeds the owner's  investment in the
contract.  In  addition,  a 10% penalty tax will be imposed on the amount of any
surrender  proceeds  that is  includable  in the owner's  income.  However,  the
penalty tax would not affect any surrender occurring after (1) the owner reaches
age 59-1/2, (2) death of the owner (or the death of the primary annuitant if the
owner  is  not  an  individual),  (3)  the  owner's  disability,  or  (4) if the
distribution is part of a series of substantially  equal periodic  payments over
the life or life  expectancy of the owner (or joint lives or life  expectancy of
the owner and beneficiary).
    

Any  amount  received  as a  withdrawal  and the value of any part of an annuity
contract  pledged or assigned as collateral is taxed as a cash withdrawal to the
extent allocable to investment in annuity contracts after Aug. 13, 1982.

Amounts  allocable to earlier purchase payments will be taxed as ordinary income
to the extent the amount  surrendered  exceeds  the  owner's  investment  in the
contract and will not be subject to the 10% penalty tax.

Unlike life insurance  proceeds,  the death benefit under an annuity contract is
not tax  exempt.  The  gain,  if any,  is  taxable  as  ordinary  income  to the
beneficiary in the year(s) he or she receives the payments.

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

Important:  This discussion of federal tax laws is based upon IDS
Life's understanding of these laws as they are currently
interpreted.  Federal tax laws or current interpretations of them
may change.  For this reason and because tax consequences are



<PAGE>



PAGE 30
complex  and highly  individual  and cannot  always be  anticipated,  you should
consult a tax advisor if you have any questions about taxation of your contract.

Voting rights

Voting rights of contract  holders are granted and defined by the regulations of
the Fund. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, these voting rights may be
modified  by  IDS  Life  without  submission  to a  vote  of a  majority  of the
outstanding voting units.
Variable contract holders can vote on:

o any changes in fundamental investment restrictions;

o the approval of and any changes to the investment management and
  advisory agreements;

o the election of the Board of Managers; and

o the acceptance of the Fund's independent auditors.

A variable contract holder with  accumulation  units has a number of votes equal
to the  number of  accumulation  units  owned.  Under a contract  where  annuity
payments have started, the number of votes is determined by dividing the present
value of all future annuity  payments by the value of one  accumulation  unit on
the  record  date.  So there may be a gradual  decline in the number of votes to
which a contract  holder is  entitled  as annuity  payments  continue to be made
under the  contract.  The record date will be set by the Board of  Managers  not
more than 60 days before the regular  meeting or any special meeting of variable
contract holders. Cumulative voting is not authorized.

Management

Members of the Board of Managers and officers of the Fund

   
Richard W. Kling*
Chairman of the Board of Managers and President
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN

Director of IDS Life  Insurance  Company since February  1984;  President  since
March 1994.  Executive Vice President,  Marketing and Products from January 1988
to March 1994. Senior Vice President,  American Express  Financial  Corporation,
since 1994.
Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.
    

Edward Landes
Member of the Board of Managers
30 South 9th Street
Minneapolis, MN

   
Development consultant.  Director of Endowment Development, YMCA of Metropolitan
Minneapolis  since 1996.  Vice  President  for  Financial  Development,  YMCA of
Metropolitan Minneapolis from 1985 to 1995.
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 31
Former sales manager - Supplies  Division and district  manager Data  Processing
Division of IBM Corporation. Retired 1983.
       

Carl N. Platou
Member of the Board of Managers
312 South 6th Street
Minneapolis, MN
   
President Emeritus and Chief Executive Officer, Fairview Hospital
and Healthcare Services.  Director, St. Thomas University since
1990.
    
Gordon H. Ritz
Member of the Board of Managers
404 WCCO Radio Building
Minneapolis, MN

Director, Mid-America Publishing and Atrix International, Inc.
Former president, Com Rad Broadcasting Corp.  Former director,
Sunstar Foods.

Morris Goodwin Jr.*
Vice President and Treasurer
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN

   
Vice President and Treasurer, IDS Life, since March 1994.  Vice
President and Corporate Treasurer, American Express Financial
Corporation, since July 1989.
    

Lorraine R. Hart*
Vice President, Investments
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN

Vice President - Insurance investments of American Express
Financial Corporation since 1989.  Vice President - Investments of
IDS Life since 1992.

   
Jeffrey S. Horton*
Vice President and Controller
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN

Vice President and Controller since July 1996.
    

Timothy S. Meehan*
Secretary
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN

Secretary of American Express Financial Corporation, American
Express Financial Advisors Inc. and IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.
since October 1995.  Senior counsel to American Express Financial
Corporation since 1995.  Counsel from 1990 to 1995.




<PAGE>



PAGE 32
William A. Stoltzmann*
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
IDS Tower
Minneapolis, MN

Vice  President  and  Assistant  General  Counsel,  American  Express  Financial
Corporation,  since  November  1985  and Vice  President,  General  Counsel  and
Secretary, IDS Life, since December 1989.

*Interested  person of the Fund by reason  of being an  employee  of IDS Life or
American Express Financial Corporation.

You vote at each regular  meeting for the Fund's Board of Managers.  Members who
are not salaried  employees of IDS Life or one of its  affiliates  receive up to
$4,000 annually for serving on the Board.

All officers of the Fund are salaried  employees of IDS Life or American Express
Financial  Corporation and receive no  remuneration  from the Fund. The officers
and managers of the Fund aggregately hold less than 1% of the outstanding voting
units.

Directors and officers of IDS Life Insurance Company*

The Directors:

David R. Hubers
Director since September 1989;  President and Chief Executive Officer,  American
Express Financial Corporation,  since August 1993 and Director, American Express
Financial Corporation,  since January 1984. Senior Vice President,  Finance, and
Chief Financial Officer,  American Express Financial  Corporation,  from January
1984 to August 1993.

   
Richard W. Kling
Director  since  February  1984;  President  since  March 1994;  Executive  Vice
President,  Marketing and Products from January 1988 to March 1994.  Senior Vice
President,  American  Express  Financial  Corporation,   since  May  1994,  Vice
President from 1988 to 1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and Chairman
of the Board of Managers and President of IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A & B.
    

Paul F. Kolkman
Director  since May 1984;  Executive  Vice  President  since  March  1994;  Vice
President, Finance from May 1984 to March 1994; Vice President, American Express
Financial  Corporation,  since January 1987. Vice President and Chief Actuary of
IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.
       

James A. Mitchell
Chairman  of the Board  since  March  1994;  Director  since  July  1984;  Chief
Executive  Officer since November 1986;  President from July 1984 to March 1994;
Executive Vice President,  American Express Financial  Corporation,  since March
1994; Director, American Express Financial Corporation,  since July 1984. Senior
Vice President,  American Express Financial Corporation, from July 1984 to March
1994.



<PAGE>



   
PAGE 33
Barry J. Murphy
Director and Executive Vice President,  Client Service since March 1994;  Senior
Vice President,  American Express  Financial  Corporation since May 1994. Senior
Vice  President,  Operations,  Travel  Related  Services  (TRS), a subsidiary of
American  Express  Company,  from July 1992 to April 1994; Vice President,  TRS,
from November 1989 to July 1992.
    

Stuart A. Sedlacek
Director and Executive Vice President, Assured Assets since March
1994; Vice President, American Express Financial Corporation, since
September 1988.

   
Melinda S. Urion
Director and Controller  since  September  1991;  Executive Vice President since
March 1994;  Vice  President and Treasurer  from  September  1991 to March 1994;
Director,  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial  Officer,  American Express
Financial Corporation, since November 1995; Corporate Controller from April 1994
to November 1995;  Vice  President  from September 1991 to November 1995;  Chief
Accounting Officer from July 1988 to September 1991.
    

Officers Other Than Directors

   
Morris Goodwin Jr.
Vice  President and  Treasurer  since March 1994;  Vice  President and Corporate
Treasurer,  American  Express  Financial  Corporation,  since  July  1989;  Vice
President  and  Treasurer  of IDS Life Series Fund,  Inc. and IDS Life  Variable
Annuity Funds A & B.

William A. Stoltzmann
Vice  President,  General  Counsel and Secretary  since 1989; Vice President and
Assistant  General  Counsel,  American  Express  Financial  Corporation,   since
November  1985.  Vice  President,   General  Counsel  and  Secretary,   American
Enterprise Life Insurance Company, American Partners Life Insurance Company.
    

*The address for all of the directors and principal officers is:
IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010.

Other Information

History

The Fund is an open-end diversified investment company as defined under the 1940
Act. It was organized as a segregated  asset account by IDS Life under Minnesota
law on May 10, 1968.

IDS Life is a stock life insurance company organized under Minnesota law on Aug.
7, 1957. It conducts a conventional  life insurance  business in addition to its
variable annuity business.

IDS Life  Insurance  Company is not a bank, and the securities it offers are not
backed or guaranteed by any bank nor are they insured by the FDIC.




<PAGE>



PAGE 34
Assets of the Fund

   
On Dec. 31, 1996, there were 11,101 outstanding contracts.  The
assets were $327,981,049.
    

The assets of the Fund are held solely for the variable  contract  holders.  The
assets are not used to pay liabilities of any other business of IDS Life.

Headquarters

The  corporate  office of IDS Life is located  in the IDS Tower in  Minneapolis,
Minnesota.

Ownership of IDS Life and American Express Financial Corporation

All of the  capital  stock of IDS Life is owned by  American  Express  Financial
Corporation.  On Jan. 12, 1984, Investors Diversified  Services,  Inc., of which
IDS  Life  was a  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  was  merged  into a  wholly  owned
subsidiary of American  Express  Company to form IDS Financial  Services Inc. On
Jan. 1, 1995, IDS Financial  Corporation's  name was changed to American Express
Financial  Corporation,  and IDS Financial  Services  Inc.'s name was changed to
American Express Financial Advisors Inc. American Express Financial  Corporation
serves  as  investment   advisor  for  the  Fund.   American  Express  Financial
Corporation  is an  investment  advisor  for a  number  of  open-end  investment
companies  and  for its  subsidiaries.  The  headquarters  of  American  Express
Financial Corporation is IDS Tower, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Other affiliations

IDS Life also distributes  different variable annuity contracts including:  Fund
B,  IDS Life  Variable  Retirement  Annuity,  IDS  Life  Combination  Retirement
Annuity,  IDS Life Flexible Annuity,  IDS Life Flexible Portfolio  Annuity,  IDS
Life Real Estate Variable Annuity,  IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract and
IDS Life Employee Benefit Annuity.

The members of the Fund's Board of Managers  also serve on the Board of Managers
of Fund B and on the Board of Directors of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.

   
IDS Life manages Fund A, Fund B and nine mutual  funds  existing  within the IDS
MUTUAL FUND GROUP advised by American Express Financial Corporation.  These nine
mutual funds are available for purchase only through variable annuity  contracts
which  are  distributed  by IDS Life and its  subsidiaries,  IDS Life  Insurance
Company  of New York,  American  Enterprise  Life  Insurance  Company,  American
Partners Life Insurance Company and American  Centurion Life Assurance  Company.
The  names  of these  funds  are:  IDS  Life  Capital  Resource  Fund,  IDS Life
Aggressive  Growth Fund,  IDS Life  International  Equity Fund, IDS Life Special
Income Fund,  IDS Life Managed Fund, IDS Life  Moneyshare  Fund, IDS Life Growth
Dimensions Fund, IDS Life Global Yield Fund and IDS Life Income Advantage
    



<PAGE>



PAGE 35
Fund. IDS Life also manages IDS Life Series Fund,  Inc.,  which is available for
purchase only through  policies  distributed  by IDS Life and IDS Life Insurance
Company of New York.

Custodian

Pursuant to a custodian  agreement,  the Fund's  securities and cash are held by
American Express Trust Company,  1200 Northstar Center West, 625 Marquette Ave.,
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2307.

The custodian has entered into a sub-custodian  arrangement  with Morgan Stanley
Trust  Company,  One  Pierrepont  Plaza,  Brooklyn,  NY  11201.  As part of this
arrangement,  portfolio  securities  purchased  outside the United States may be
held in  custody  and  deposit  accounts  that have been  established  by Morgan
Stanley with one or more domestic or foreign banks, or through the facilities of
one or more  clearing  agencies  or central  securities  depositories  as may be
permitted by law and by the Fund's sub-custodian agreement.

Insurance regulation

IDS Life is regulated by the  Department  of Commerce of the State of Minnesota.
From  time to time,  the  department  examines  the  company's  liabilities  and
reserves and certifies their correctness.  IDS Life also is subject to insurance
laws and regulations of other states where it is licensed to do business.

Financial statements

   
The Report of Independent Auditors and the Financial Statements, including Notes
to Financial Statements and the schedule of investments in securities, contained
in the 1996 Annual Report to IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A contract  holders,
pursuant  to  Section  30(d) of the 1940 Act,  are hereby  incorporated  in this
Prospectus by  reference.  No other portion of the Annual  Report,  however,  is
incorporated by reference.

Legal proceedings

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




<PAGE>



   
PAGE 36
IDS Life believes it has meritorious defenses to these and other actions arising
in connection with the conduct of its business  activities and intends to defend
them vigorously. IDS Life believes that it is not a party to, nor are any of its
properties  the  subject of, any pending  legal  proceedings  which would have a
material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition.
    



<PAGE>




<PAGE>

                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>

                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

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

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

Total premiums                                        182,921            161,530             144,640

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Income taxes                                         207,138            195,842             176,343

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

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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

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

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

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

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

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>


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

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

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

<PAGE>


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>


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

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

   Nature of business

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

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

   Basis of presentation

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

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

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

   Investments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   Statements of cash flows

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

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

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

   Recognition of profits on annuity contracts and insurance policies

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

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

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

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

   Deferred policy acquisition costs

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

   Liabilities for future policy benefits

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

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

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

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

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

   Reinsurance

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

   Federal income taxes

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

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

   Separate account business

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

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

   Accounting changes

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

   Reclassification

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

2. Investments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                           Amortized             Fair
   Held to maturity                           Cost               Value

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

                                            Amortized             Fair
   Available for sale                         Cost                Value

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>

3. Income taxes

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

   Income tax expense consists of the following:

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

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

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

<PAGE>

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

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

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

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

4. Stockholder's equity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Related party transactions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Commitments and contingencies

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

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

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

7. Lines of credit 

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

8. Derivative financial instruments

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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>

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

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

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

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

9. Fair values of financial instruments

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

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

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

<PAGE>

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

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

10.Segment information

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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>

Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company

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

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

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

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



Ernst & Young LLP
February 7, 1997
Minneapolis, Minnesota


<PAGE>



PAGE 37
                                    PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)     Financial Statements

        List of  financial  statements  filed  as part of this  Post-Effective
        Amendment to the Registration Statement.

        Financial statements included in the prospectus, Part I:

        IDS Life Insurance Company:

               Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996, and December
               31, 1995.

               Consolidated  Statements  of Income for the years ended  December
               31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

          Consolidated  Statements of  Stockholder's  Equity for the years ended
          December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

               Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  years  ended
               December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

               Report of Independent Auditors dated February 7, 1997.

        Exhibits to Financial Statements included in Part II:

        IDS Life  Insurance  Company  Schedules  I, III, IV and V as required by
        Regulation S-X.

(b)     Exhibits

(1)     Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Board of
        Directors of Investors Syndicate Life Insurance and Annuity
        Company dated May 10, 1968, filed as Exhibit 1 to Registrant's
        Registration Statement No. 2-29081 filed on May 16, 1968, and
        refiled electronically April 27, 1994 as Exhibit 1 with Post-
        effective Amendment No. 56, is incorporated herein by
        reference.

(2)     Regulations of IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A as Amended and Restated,
        dated June 22, 1979,  filed as Exhibit 2 to Registrant's  Post-Effective
        Amendment No. 32 to Registration Statement No. 2-29081 filed on December
        10,  1979,  and  refiled  electronically  on or about April 11, 1995 are
        incorporated herein by reference.

(3)     Not applicable.

(4)     Contracts filed as Exhibit 4 to Registrant's Post-Effective
        Amendment No. 32 to Registration Statement No. 2-29081 filed
        on December 10, 1979, are incorporated herein by reference.



<PAGE>



PAGE 38
(5)     (a)    Investment Advisory Agreement between IDS Life
            Insurance Company and IDS/American Express dated
            January 12, 1984, filed as Exhibit 5(a) to Registrant's
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 44, and refiled
            electronically April 27, 1994 as Exhibit 5(a) with
            Post-Effective Amendment No. 56, is incorporated herein
            by reference.

        (b)    Investment  Management and Advisory  Agreements  between IDS Life
               Insurance  Company  and IDS Life  Variable  Annuity  Fund A dated
               January  12,  1984,   filed  as  Exhibit  5(b)  to   Registrant's
               Post-Effective Amendment No. 44, and refiled electronically April
               27, 1994 as Exhibit 5(b) with Post-  Effective  Amendment No. 56,
               are incorporated herein by reference.

(6)     Distribution and Services Agreement between Registrant and IDS
        Life Insurance Company, dated January 12, 1984, filed as
        Exhibit 6 to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 44, and
        refiled electronically April 27, 1994 as Exhibit 6 with Post
        Effective Amendment No. 56, is incorporated herein by
        reference.

(7)     None.

(8)     (a)    Custodian Agreement between Registrant, IDS Life
               Insurance Company, and American Express Bank & Trust,
               dated July 12, 1990, filed as Exhibit 8(a) to
               Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to this
               Registration Statement, filed April 15, 1991, and refiled
               electronically April 27, 1994 as Exhibit 8(a) with Post-
               Effective Amendment No. 56, is incorporated herein by
               reference.

(8)     (b)    Custody Agreement between Morgan Stanley Trust Company
               and IDS Bank & Trust dated May, 1993 filed electronically
               on or about April 11, 1995 as Exhibit No. 8(b) to Post-
               Effective Amendment No. 58 is incorporated herein by
               reference.

(9)     Not applicable.

(10)    Opinion  and  Consent of Counsel as to the  legality  of the  securities
        registered was filed with Registrant's 24f-2 Notice.

(11)    Consent of Independent Auditors is filed electronically
        herewith.

(12)    Financial statement schedules omitted from Item 17 of Part I:

        Schedule I            -    Consolidated Summary of Investments Other
                                   than Investments in Related Parties

        Schedule III          -    Supplementary Insurance Information

        Schedule IV           -    Reinsurance



<PAGE>



PAGE 39
        Schedule V            -      Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

        Report of  Independent  Auditors,  dated  February 7, 1997,  on IDS Life
        Insurance Company financial statement schedules.

(13) through (15) not applicable.

(16)           Financial Data Schedule is filed electronically herewith.

(17)(a)        IDS Life Insurance  Company Power of Attorney to sign  Amendments
               to this  Registration  Statement  dated  March 12,  1997 is filed
               electronically herewith as Exhibit 17(a).

(17)(b)        Board of Managers  Power of Attorney to sign  Amendments  to this
               Registration   Statement   dated   March   25,   1997  is   filed
               electronically herewith as Exhibit 17(b).

Item 2.        PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH
            REGISTRANT

        Both the  Registrant  and IDS Life Variable  Annuity Fund B are separate
accounts of IDS Life.  Consequently,  the securities and funds of the Registrant
and Fund B are  technically  those of IDS Life,  even though the  securities and
funds of the two Funds are maintained as separate  accounts under  Minnesota Law
pursuant to a  safekeeping  agreement  with  American  Express Bank & Trust.  As
separate  Accounts,  Minnesota Law provides that the assets of the Funds are not
chargeable  with  liabilities  arising out of any other business of IDS Life and
are held for the exclusive benefit of owners of variable annuity contracts based
on the Funds.

Item 3.        NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

                                   Number of Record Holders
         Title of Class              as of March 31, 1997
         Variable Annuities                 11,024

Item 4.        INDEMNIFICATION

        The Regulations of the Registrant  provide that each member of the Board
of Managers and each Officer of the Fund shall be  indemnified  by IDS Life,  of
which the Fund is a separate account, for reasonable costs and expenses actually
and necessarily incurred in defense of any action, suit or proceedings where the
defendant is a party by reason of being a Manager or Officer. No indemnification
will be forthcoming in the event of an adjudication of willful misfeasance,  bad
faith,  gross negligence or reckless  disregard by the Officer or Manager of the
duties of his office. In the absence of an adjudication  expressly absolving the
Office or Manager of the afore-detailed  wrongful conduct,  indemnification  may
still be  advanced  should 2/3 of the members of the Board of  Directors  of IDS
Life who were not involved in the  processing  resolve  there was no instance of
such wrongful conduct. In the instance of such a resolution, the indemnification
claim still must be found to be reasonable in amount and proper in  presentation
by independent counsel of IDS Life. Should any proceeding be settled,


<PAGE>



PAGE 40
indemnification  shall not exceed the costs,  fees and expenses which would have
been incurred had the proceeding been litigated.  The payment of indemnification
by IDS Life will not prevent a variable  contract  holder from  challenging  the
payment by  appropriate  legal action on the basis that the payment was improper
because  of  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross  negligence  or  reckless
disregard by an Officer or Manager of his duties.

        The By-Laws of the Registrant's investment management  underwriter,  IDS
Life, also contains an indemnification clause. The clause provides that IDS Life
shall  indemnify  any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a
party,  by reason of the fact that he is or was a Manager  of  Variable  Annuity
Funds A and B,  director,  officer,  employee or agent of IDS Life, or is or was
serving at the  direction of IDS Life as a Manager of Variable  Annuity  Funds A
and B, Director, Officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint  venture,  trust  or  other  enterprise,  to any  threatened,  pending  or
completed action,  suit or proceeding,  wherever brought,  to the fullest extent
permitted  by the laws of the State of  Minnesota,  as now existing or hereafter
amended,  provided  that this  Article  shall not  indemnify or protect any such
Manager of Variable Annuity Funds A and B, Director,  Officer, employee or agent
against  any  liability  to IDS Life or its  security  holders to which he would
otherwise  be  subject  by reason of willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,  or gross
negligence,  in the  performance  of his  duties or by  reason  of his  reckless
disregard of his obligations and duties.

At the time of the filing of the Registration  Statement of the Registrant,  IDS
Life   included  the  following   undertaking   with  regard  to  the  foregoing
indemnification procedures:

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



<PAGE>



PAGE 41
<TABLE><CAPTION>
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)

Directors  and  officers  of  American  Express  Financial  Corporation  who are
directors and/or officers of one or more other companies:

Ronald G. Abrahamson, Vice President--Service Quality and Reengineering
<S>                                     <C>                        <C>
American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Service Quality
                                                                     and Reengineering

Douglas A. Alger, Vice President--Field Compensation and Administration

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Field
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440      Compensation and
                                                                    Administration

Peter J. Anderson, Director and Senior Vice President--Investments

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Investments
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Director and Chairman
                                                                     of the Board
IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                          Director and President
IDS Futures Corporation                                            Director
IDS Futures III Corporation                                        Director
IDS International, Inc.                                            Director, Chairman of the
                                                                     Board and Executive Vice
                                                                     President
IDS Securities Corporation                                         Executive Vice President-
                                                                     Investments
NCM Capital Management Group, Inc.      2 Mutual Plaza             Director
                                        501 Willard Street
                                        Durham, NC  27701

Ward D. Armstrong, Vice President- American Express Institutional Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Sales and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Marketing, American
                                                                     Express Institutional
                                                                     Retirement Services

John M. Baker, Vice President--Plan Sponsor Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Plan Sponsor
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Services
American Express Trust Company          IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440

Joseph M. Barsky III, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Senior
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Portfolio Manager




<PAGE>



PAGE 42
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Robert C. Basten, Vice President--Tax and Business Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Tax
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       and Business Services
American Express Tax & Business                                    Director, President and
  Services Inc.                                                      Chief Executive Officer

Timothy V. Bechtold, Vice President--Risk Management Products

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Risk
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Management Products
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President-Risk
                                                                     Management Products

Alan F. Bignall, Vice President--Technology and Development

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Technology and
                                                                     Development

John C. Boeder, Vice President--Mature Market Group

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Mature Market Group
IDS Life Insurance Company of New York  Box 5144                   Director
                                        Albany, NY  12205

Karl J. Breyer, Director, Senior Vice President--Corporate Affairs and General Counsel

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Corporate Affairs and
                                                                     Special Counsel
American Express Minnesota Foundation                              Director
IDS Aircraft Services Corporation                                  Director and President

Daniel J. Candura, Vice President--Marketing Support

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Marketing
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Support

Cynthia M. Carlson, Vice President--American Express Securities Services

American Enterprise Investment          IDS Tower 10               Director, President and
  Services Inc.                         Minneapolis, MN  55440       Chief Executive Officer
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President-American
                                                                   Express Securities Services
Orison Y. Chaffee III, Vice President--Field Real Estate

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Field
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Real Estate




<PAGE>



PAGE 43
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

James E. Choat, Director and Senior Vice President--Field Management

American Enterprise Life Insurance      IDS Tower 10               Director, President
   Company                              Minneapolis, MN  55440
American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Field Management
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
American Express Minnesota Foundation                              Director
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Vice President--North
                                                                     Central Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Vice President-- North
                                                                     Central Region

Kenneth J. Ciak, Vice President and General Manager--IDS Property Casualty

AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Director and President
American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and General
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Manager-IDS Property
                                                                     Casualty
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.     I WEG Blvd.                Director and President
                                        DePere, Wisconsin  54115

Colleen Curran, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel
American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assistant General Counsel
American Express Service Corporation                               Vice President and Chief
                                                                     Legal Counsel

Regenia David, Vice President--Systems Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Systems Services

Luz Maria Davis, Vice President--Communications

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Communications



<PAGE>



PAGE 44
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

William H. Dudley, Director and Executive Vice President--Investment Operations

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Director and Executive
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Vice President-
                                                                     Investment Operations
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Director
IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                          Director
IDS International, Inc.                                            Director
IDS Securities Corporation                                         Director, Chairman of the
                                                                     Board, President and
                                                                     Chief Executive Officer

Gordon L. Eid, Director, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       General Counsel
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Director and Vice President
IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Director and Vice President
IDS Real Estate Services, Inc.                                     Vice President
Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                              Director

Robert M. Elconin, Vice President--Government Relations

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Government Relations
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President

Mark A. Ernst, Vice President--Retail Services

American Enterprise Investment          IDS Tower 10               Director, Senior Vice
  Services Inc.                         Minneapolis, MN  55440       President
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President-
                                                                     Retail Services
American Express Tax & Business                                    Director and Chairman of
  Services Inc.                                                      the Board

Gordon M. Fines, Vice President--Mutual Fund Equity Investments

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Mutual Fund Equity
                                                                     Investments
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Executive Vice President

Douglas L. Forsberg, Vice President--Institutional Products Group

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Institutional Products
                                                                     Group




<PAGE>



PAGE 45
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Jeffrey P. Fox, Vice President and Corporate Controller
American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440     Corporate Controller

John J. Golden, Vice President--Human Resources Planning and Field Support

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Human
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Resources Planning and
                                                                     Field Support

Harvey Golub, Director

American Express Company                American Express Tower     Chairman and Chief
                                        World Financial Center       Executive Officer
                                        New York, New York  10285
American Express Travel                                            Chairman and Chief
  Related Services Company, Inc.                                     Executive Officer

Morris Goodwin Jr., Vice President and Corporate Treasurer

American Centurion Life Assurance Co.                              Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
American Enterprise Investment          IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
  Services Inc.                         Minneapolis, MN  55440       Treasurer
American Enterprise Life Insurance                                 Vice President and
  Company                                                            Treasurer
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President and
                                                                     Corporate Treasurer
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
American Express Minnesota Foundation                              Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
American Express Tax & Business                                    Vice President and
  Services Inc.                                                      Treasurer
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Aircraft Services Corporation                                  Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Cable Corporation                                              Director, Vice President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Cable II Corporation                                           Director, Vice President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                          Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Certificate Company                                            Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Deposit Corp.                                                  Director, President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Futures Corp.                                                  Director
IDS Futures III Corp.                                              Director
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer


<PAGE>



PAGE 46
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS International, Inc.                                            Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                         Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A&B                                Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Management Corporation                                         Director, Vice President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Partnership Services Corporation                               Director, Vice President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                              Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.                                Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Real Estate Services, Inc                                      Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
IDS Realty Corporation                                             Director, Vice President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Sales Support Inc.                                             Director, Vice President
                                                                     and Treasurer
IDS Securities Corporation                                         Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                              Vice President and
                                                                     Treasurer
National Computer Systems, Inc.         11000 Prairie Lakes Drive  Director
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440

NCM Capital Management Group, Inc.      2 Mutual Plaza             Director
                                        501 Willard Street
                                        Durham, NC  27701
Sloan Financial Group, Inc.                                        Director

David A. Hammer, Vice President and Marketing Controller

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Marketing Controller
IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                              Director and Vice President


<PAGE>



PAGE 47
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Lorraine R. Hart, Vice President--Insurance Investments

American Enterprise Life                IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Investments
  Insurance Company                     Minneapolis, MN  55440
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President-Insurance
                                                                     Investments
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Director and Vice
                                                                     President-Investments
AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Vice President-Investments
IDS Certificate Company                                            Vice President-Investments
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President-Investments
IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                         Vice President-Investments
IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B                            Vice President-Investments
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company                            Vice President-Investment
                                                                     Officer
Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                              Director and Vice
                                                                     President-Investments

Janis K. Heaney, Vice President--Incentive Compensation

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Incentive
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Compensation

Scott A. Hawkinson, Vice President--Assured Assets Product Development and Management

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Assured
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assets Product
                                                                     Development & Management

James G. Hirsh, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assistant General Counsel
IDS Securities Corporation                                         Director, Vice President
                                                                     and General Counsel

Darryl G. Horsman, Vice President--Product Development and Technology, American Express
Institutional Retirement Services

American Express Trust Company          IDS Tower 10               Director and President
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440

Kevin P. Howe, Vice President--Government and Customer Relations and Chief Compliance Officer

American Enterprise Investment          IDS Tower 10               Vice President and Chief
  Services Inc.                         Minneapolis, MN  55440       Compliance Officer
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President-
                                                                     Government and
                                                                     Customer Relations and
                                                                     Chief Compliance Officer



<PAGE>



PAGE 48
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

American Express Service Corporation                               Vice President and Chief
                                                                     Compliance Officer
IDS Securities Corporation                                         Vice President and Chief
                                                                     Compliance Officer

David R. Hubers, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Chairman, Chief Executive
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Officer and President
American Express Service Corporation                               Director and Executive Vice
                                                                     President
AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Director
IDS Aircraft Services Corporation                                  Director
IDS Certificate Company                                            Director
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director
IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                              Director and President
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.                                Director

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

Marietta L. Johns, Director and Senior Vice President--Field Management

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Field Management

James E. Kaarre, Vice President--Marketing Promotions

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Marketing
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440                                      Promotions

Matthew N. Karstetter, Vice President--Investment Accounting

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Investment
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440                                      Accounting

Linda B. Keene, Vice President--Market Development

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Market Development

G. Michael Kennedy, Vice President--Investment Services and Investment Research

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Investment
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Services and Investment
                                                                     Research

Susan D. Kinder, Director and Senior Vice President--Human Resources

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Human Resources
American Express Minnesota Foundation                              Director




<PAGE>



PAGE 49
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Richard W. Kling, Director and Senior Vice President--Products

American Centurion Life Assurance Co.                              Director
American Enterprise Life Insurance Co.  IDS Tower 10               Director and Chairman of
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       the Board
American Express Financial Advisors                                Senior Vice President-
                                                                     Risk Management Products
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Director and President
American Express Service Corporation                              Vice President
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Director and Chairman of
                                                                     the Board
AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Director and Chairman of
                                                                     the Board
IDS Certificate Company                                            Director and Chairman of
                                                                     the Board
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Director and President
IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Director and President
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Director and President
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Director and President
IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Director and President
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Director and President
IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Director and President
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director and President
IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                         Director and President
IDS Life Variable Annuity Funds A and B                            Director and Chairman of
                                                                     the Board and President
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.                                Director and Chairman of
                                                                     the Board
IDS Life Insurance Company              P.O. Box 5144              Director, Chairman of the
   of New York                          Albany, NY  12205            Board and President

Paul F. Kolkman, Vice President--Actuarial Finance

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Actuarial Finance
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director and Executive
                                                                     Vice President
IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                         Vice President and Chief
                                                                     Actuary
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company                           Director

Claire Kolmodin, Vice President--Service Quality

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Service Quality

Steven C. Kumagai, Director and Senior Vice President--Field Management and Business Systems

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Director and Senior Vice
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       President-Field
                                                                     Management and Business
                                                                     Systems




<PAGE>



PAGE 50
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Edward Labenski, Jr., Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Senior Portfolio
                                                                     Manager
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Senior Vice President

Kurt A. Larson, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Senior Portfolio Manager

Lori J. Larson, Vice President--Variable Assets Product Development

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Variable
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assets Product
                                                                     Development
IDS Cable Corporation                                              Director and Vice President
IDS Cable II Corporation                                           Director and Vice President
IDS Futures Brokerage Group                                        Assistant Vice President-
                                                                     General Manager/Director
IDS Futures Corporation                                            Director and Vice President
IDS Futures III Corporation                                        Director and Vice President
IDS Management Corporation                                         Director and Vice President
IDS Partnership Services Corporation                               Director and Vice President
IDS Realty Corporation                                             Director and Vice President

Ryan R. Larson, Vice President--IPG Product Development

American Centurion Life Assurance Co.                              Director and
                                                                     Vice President-Product
                                                                     Development
American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       IPG Product Development
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President-
                                                                     Annuity Product
                                                                     Development

Daniel E. Laufenberg, Vice President and Chief U.S. Economist

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Chief U.S. Economist

Richard J. Lazarchic, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Senior
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Portfolio Manager

Peter A. Lefferts, Director and Senior Vice President--Corporate Strategy and Development

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Corporate Strategy and
                                                                     Development
American Express Trust Company                                     Director
IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                              Director
Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                              Director


<PAGE>



PAGE 51
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Douglas A. Lennick, Director and Executive Vice President--Private Client Group

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Director and Executive
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Vice President-Private
                                                                     Client Group

Jonathan S. Linen, Director


Mary J. Malevich, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Senior Portfolio
                                                                     Manager

Fred A. Mandell, Vice President--Field Marketing Readiness

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Field
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Marketing Readiness

William J. McKinney, Vice President--Field Management Support

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Field
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Management Support

Thomas W. Medcalf, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Senior
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Portfolio Manager

William C. Melton, Vice President-International Research and Chief International Economist

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       International Research
                                                                     and Chief International
                                                                     Economist

James A. Mitchell, Director and Executive Vice President--Marketing and Products

American Enterprise Investment          IDS Tower 10               Director
  Services Inc.                         Minneapolis, MN  55440
American Express Financial Advisors                                Executive Vice President-
                                                                     Marketing and Products
American Express Service Corporation                               Senior Vice President
American Express Tax and Business                                  Director
  Services Inc.
AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Director
IDS Certificate Company                                            Director
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director, Chairman of
                                                                     the Board and Chief
                                                                     Executive Officer
IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                              Director
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.                                Director



<PAGE>



PAGE 52
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

William Miller, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and Senior
                                        Minneapolis, MN 55440        Portfolio Manager

Pamela J. Moret, Vice President--Retail Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Retail
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Services
American Express Trust Company          IDS Tower 10               Vice President
                                        Minnepolis, MN  55440

Barry J. Murphy, Director and Senior Vice President--Client Service

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Client Service
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director and Executive
                                                                     Vice President-Client
                                                                     Service

Mary Owens Neal, Vice President--Mature Market Segment

American Express Financial Advisors Inc. IDS Tower 10              Vice President-
                                         Minneapolis, MN  55440      Mature Market Segment

Robert J. Neis, Vice President--Technology Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Technology Services

James R. Palmer, Vice President--Taxes

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Taxes
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440
IDS Aircraft Services Corp.                                        Vice President
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President-Taxes

Carla P. Pavone, Vice President--Specialty Service Teams and Emerging Business

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Specialty
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Service Teams and
                                                                     Emerging Business

Susan B. Plimpton, Vice President--Segmentation Development and Support

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President--
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Segmentation Development
                                                                     and Support

Ronald W. Powell, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assistant General Counsel
IDS Cable Corporation                                              Vice President and
                                                                     Assistant Secretary



<PAGE>



PAGE 53
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

IDS Cable II Corporation                                           Vice President and
                                                                     Assistant Secretary
IDS Management Corporation                                         Vice President and
                                                                     Assistant Secretary
IDS Partnership Services Corporation                               Vice President and
                                                                    Assistant Secretary
IDS Plan Services of California, Inc.                              Vice President and
                                                                     Assistant Secretary
IDS Realty Corporation                                             Vice President and
                                                                     Assistant Secretary

James M. Punch, Vice President--Geographical Service Teams

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Geographical
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Service Teams

Frederick C. Quirsfeld, Vice President--Taxable Mutual Fund Investments

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President--
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Taxable Mutual Fund
                                                                     Investments
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Vice President

Debra J. Rabe, Vice President--Financial Planning

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Financial
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Planning

ReBecca K. Roloff, Vice President--Private Client Group

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Private
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Client Group

Stephen W. Roszell, Vice President--Advisory Institutional Marketing

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Advisory
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Institutional Marketing
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            President and Chief
                                                                     Executive Officer
IDS International, Inc.                                            Director
IDS Fund Management Limited                                        Director

John P. Ryan, Vice President and General Auditor

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and General
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Auditor

Erven A. Samsel, Director and Senior Vice President--Field Management

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Field Management
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region



<PAGE>



PAGE 54
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region
IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Vice President-
                                                                     New England Region

Stuart A. Sedlacek, Vice President--Assured Assets

American Centurion Life Assurance Co.                              Director and Chairman
                                                                     and President
American Enterprise Life Insurance Co.  IDS Tower 10               Director and Executive
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Vice President, Assured
                                                                     Assets
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President-
                                                                     Assured Assets
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Director and President
IDS Certificate Company                                            Director and President
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director and Executive
                                                                     Vice President, Assured
                                                                     Assets
Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                              Director and Chairman of
                                                                     the Board and President

Donald K. Shanks, Vice President--Property Casualty

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440     Property Casualty
IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.                                Senior Vice President

F. Dale Simmons, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager, Insurance Investments

American Enterprise Life Insurance Co.  IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Real
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Estate Loan Management
American Express Financial Advisors                                Vice President-Senior
                                                                     Portfolio Manager,
                                                                     Insurance Investments
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Vice President-Real
                                                                     Estate Loan Management
AMEX Assurance Co.                                                 Vice President
IDS Certificate Company                                            Vice President-Real
                                                                     Estate Loan Management
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President-Real
                                                                     Estate Loan Management
IDS Partnership Services Corporation                               Vice President
IDS Real Estate Services Inc.                                      Director and Vice President
IDS Realty Corporation                                             Vice President
IDS Life Insurance Company of New York  Box 5144                   Vice President and
                                        Albany, NY  12205            Assistant Treasurer



<PAGE>



PAGE 55
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

Judy P. Skoglund, Vice President--Human Resources and Organization Development

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Human
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Resources and
                                                                     Organization Development

Ben C. Smith, Vice President--Workplace Marketing

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Workplace Marketing

William A. Smith, Vice President and Controller--Private Client Group

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Controller-Private
                                                                     Client Group

Bridget Sperl, Vice President--Human Resources Management Services

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Human
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Resources Management
                                                                     Services

William A. Stoltzmann, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assistant General Counsel
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Director, Vice President,
                                                                     General Counsel and
                                                                     Secretary
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Vice President, General
                                                                     Counsel and Secretary
American Enterprise Life Insurance      P.O. Box 534               Director, Vice President,
  Company                               Minneapolis, MN  55440       General Counsel
                                                                     and Secretary

James J. Strauss, Vice President--Corporate Planning and Analysis

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Corporate Planning and
                                                                     Analysis

Jeffrey J. Stremcha, Vice President--Information Resource Management/ISD

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Information
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Resource Management/ISD

Barbara Stroup Stewart, Vice President--Corporate Reengineering

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Corporate
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Reengineering




<PAGE>



PAGE 56
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

John R. Thomas, Director and Senior Vice President--Information and Technology

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Information and
                                                                     Technology

Melinda S. Urion, Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

American Enterprise Life                IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
  Insurance Company                     Minneapolis, MN  55440       Controller
American Express Financial Advisors                                Senior Vice President and
                                                                     Chief Financial Officer
American Express Trust Company                             Director
American Partners Life Insurance Co.                               Director and Vice President
IDS Life Insurance Company                                         Director, Executive Vice
                                                                     President and Controller

Wesley W. Wadman, Vice President--Senior Portfolio Manager

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Senior Portfolio Manager
IDS Advisory Group Inc.                                            Executive Vice President
IDS Fund Management Limited                                        Director and Vice Chairman
IDS International, Inc.                                            Senior Vice President

Norman Weaver Jr., Director and Senior Vice President--Field Management

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President--
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Field Management
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Vice President-Southeast
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Vice President-Pacific
                                                                     Region

Michael L. Weiner, Vice President--Tax Research and Audit

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Tax Research
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       and Audit
American Express Service Corporation                              Assistant Treasurer
IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                          Vice President
IDS Futures Brokerage Group                                        Vice President
IDS Futures Corporation                                            Vice President, Treasurer
                                                                     and Secretary



<PAGE>



PAGE 57
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

IDS Futures III Corporation                                        Vice President, Treasurer
                                                                     and Secretary

Lawrence J. Welte, Vice President--Investment Administration

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Investment Administration
IDS Securities Corporation                                         Director, Executive Vice
                                                                     President and Chief
                                                                     Operating Officer

Jeffry F. Welter, Vice President--Equity and Fixed Income Trading

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Equity
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       and Fixed Income Trading

William N. Westhoff, Director, Senior Vice President--Global Investments

American Enterprise Life Insurance      IDS Tower 10               Director
  Company                               Minneapolis, MN  55440
American Express Financial Advisors                                Senior Vice President and
                                                                     Global Chief Investment
                                                                     Officer
IDS Fund Management Limited                                        Director
IDS International, Inc.                                            Director
IDS Partnership Services Corporation                               Director and Vice President
IDS Real Estate Services Inc.                                      Director, Chairman of the
                                                                     Board and President
IDS Realty Corporation                                             Director and Vice President
Investors Syndicate Development Corp.                              Director

Edwin M. Wistrand, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Assistant General Counsel

Michael R. Woodward, Director and Senior Vice President--Field Management

American Express Financial Advisors     IDS Tower 10               Senior Vice President-
                                        Minneapolis, MN  55440       Field Management
American Express Insurance Agency of Nevada Inc.                   Vice President-
                                                                     North Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Alabama Inc.                               Vice President-
                                                                     North Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Arkansas Inc.                              Vice President-
                                                                     North Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Massachusetts Inc.                         Vice President-
                                                                     North Region
IDS Insurance Agency of New Mexico Inc.                            Vice President-
                                                                     North Region

IDS Insurance Agency of North Carolina Inc.                        Vice President-
                                                                     North Region
IDS Insurance Agency of Ohio Inc.                                  Vice President-
                                                                     North Region



<PAGE>



PAGE 58
Item 5. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (American Express Financial
Corporation)(cont'd)

IDS Insurance Agency of Wyoming Inc.                               Vice President-
                                                                     North Region
IDS Life Insurance Company              Box 5144                   Director
  of New York                           Albany, NY  12205

</TABLE>



<PAGE>



PAGE 59
                              PART II. OTHER INFORMATION (Continued)

Item 6.    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

           (a)  IDS Life is the  Principal  underwriter  for IDS  Life  Variable
                Annuity  Fund A,  IDS  Life  Variable  Annuity  Fund B, IDS Life
                Accounts  F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ,  LZ, AND MZ, IDS Life  Account
                RE, IDS Life  Account  MGA and IDS Life  Account  SBS,  IDS Life
                Variable Account 10, IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account and
                IDS Life Variable Account for Smith Barney.

Item 6(b). Principal Underwriter (IDS Life Insurance Company)

Name and Principal       Position and Offices           Positions and Offices
Business Address         with Underwriter               with Registrant

Timothy V. Bechtold      Vice President-Risk            None
IDS Tower 10               Management Products
Minneapolis, MN  55440

David J. Berry           Vice President                 None
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Robert M. Elconin        Vice President                 None
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Morris Goodwin Jr.       Vice President and Treasurer   Vice President and
IDS Tower 10                                              Treasurer
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Lorraine R. Hart         Vice President-Investments     Vice President,
IDS Tower 10                                              Investments
Minneapolis, MN  55440

David R. Hubers          Director                       None
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440

James M. Jensen          Vice President-Insurance       None
IDS Tower 10               Product Development
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Richard W. Kling         Director and President         Chairman of the
IDS Tower 10                                              Board of Managers
Minneapolis, MN  55440                                    and President

Paul F. Kolkman          Director and Executive         None
IDS Tower 10               Vice President
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Ryan R. Larson           Vice President                 None
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440




<PAGE>
Item 6(b). Principal Underwriter (IDS Life Insurance Company)(cont'd)

James A. Mitchell        Director, Chairman of          None
IDS Tower 10               the Board and Chief
Minneapolis, MN  55440     Executive Officer

Name and Principal       Position and Offices           Positions and Offices
Business Address         with Underwriter               with Registrant

Barry J. Murphy          Director and Executive         None
IDS Tower 10               Vice President-
Minneapolis, MN  55440     Client Service

James R. Palmer          Vice President-Taxes           None
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Stuart A. Sedlacek       Director and Executive         None
IDS Tower 10               Vice President-Assured
Minneapolis, MN  55440     Assets

F. Dale Simmons          Vice President-                None
IDS Tower 10               Real Estate
Minneapolis, MN  55440     Loan Management

William A. Stoltzmann    Vice President, General        General Counsel and
IDS Tower 10               Counsel and Secretary          Assistant Secretary
Minneapolis, MN  55440

Melinda S. Urion         Director, Executive            None
IDS Tower 10               Vice President and
Minneapolis, MN  55440     Controller

Item 7.        LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

               IDS Life Insurance Company
               IDS Tower
               Minneapolis, Minnesota

Item 8.        MANAGEMENT SERVICES

               Not Applicable.

Item 9.        DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES

               Not Applicable.

Item 10.       UNDERTAKINGS

               (a) and (b) These undertakings were filed in Registrant's
               initial Registration Statement.

               (c) The sponsoring insurance company represents that the fees and
               charges  deducted  under  the  contract,  in the  aggregate,  are
               reasonable  in relation to the  services  rendered,  the expenses
               expected to be incurred,  and the risks  assumed by the insurance
               company.


<PAGE>



PAGE 61
                                            SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant IDS Life Variable  Annuity Fund A, certifies
that it meets all of the  requirements for  effectiveness  of this  Registration
Statement  pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly
caused this Amendment to its  Registration  Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned  thereunto duly authorized,  in the city of Minneapolis,  and
State of Minnesota on the 18th day of April, 1997.


                                   IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND A

                                   By:  /s/ Richard W. Kling**
                                            Richard W. Kling**
                                            Chairman of the Board
                                            of Managers


Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933,  this Amendment to
the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 18th day of April, 1997.

Signature                              Title

/s/ Edward Landes**                    Member, Board of Managers
    Edward Landes

/s/ Carl N. Platou**                   Member, Board of Managers
    Carl N. Platou

/s/ Gordon H. Ritz**                   Member, Board of Managers
    Gordon H. Ritz

/s/ Richard W. Kling**                 Chairman of the Board
    Richard W. Kling                   of Managers and President

/s/ Lorraine R. Hart                   Vice President, Investments
    Lorraine R. Hart

/s/ Jeffery S. Horton**                Vice President and
    Jeffery S. Horton                  Controller

/s/ Timothy S. Meehan                  Secretary
    Timothy S. Meehan

/s/ Morris Goodwin Jr.**               Vice President and Treasurer
    Morris Goodwin Jr.

/s/ William A. Stoltzmann**            General Counsel and
    William A. Stoltzmann              Assistant Secretary



<PAGE>



PAGE 62
** Signed  pursuant to IDS Life Variable  Annuity Fund A Board of Managers Power
of Attorney dated March 25, 1997 filed electronically  herewith as Exhibit 17(b)
to this Registration Statement:



by
         Mary Ellyn Minenko



<PAGE>



PAGE 63
                                            SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, IDS Life Insurance  Company,  on behalf of the  Registrant,
certifies  that it  meets  all of the  requirements  for  effectiveness  of this
Amendment  to its  Registration  Statement  pursuant  to Rule  485(b)  under the
Securities  Act of 1933 and has duly caused this  Amendment to its  Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on  its  behalf  by  the  undersigned  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the city of Minneapolis,  and State of Minnesota on the 18th day
of April, 1997.


                                         IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                       By:  /s/ Richard W. Kling*
                                                Richard W. Kling
                                                President


Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933,  this Amendment to
the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 18th day of April, 1997.

Signature                              Title

/s/ James A. Mitchell*                Chairman of the Board
    James A. Mitchell                 and Chief Executive
                                      Officer

/s/ Richard W. Kling*                 Director and President
    Richard W. Kling

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

/s/ Paul F. Kolkman*                  Director and Executive Vice
    Paul F. Kolkman                   President

/s/ Barry J. Murphy*                  Director and Executive Vice
    Barry J. Murphy                   President, Client Service

/s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek*               Director and Executive Vice
    Stuart A. Sedlacek                President, Assured Assets

/s/ Melinda S. Urion*                 Director, Executive Vice
    Melinda S. Urion                  President and Controller


*  Signed  pursuant  to  Power  of  Attorney,   dated  March  12,  1997,   filed
electronically herewith as Exhibit 17(a).



by
        Mary Ellyn Minenko



<PAGE>



PAGE 64
                                         CONTENTS OF THIS
                                  POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 60
                               TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 2-29081

This Post-Effective Amendment comprises the following papers and documents.

The facing sheet.

Part I.

        Cross Reference Sheet.

        Prospectus.

        Financial Statements.

Part II.

        Other Information.

        Signatures.





<PAGE>



PAGE 1
EXHIBIT INDEX

IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A
Registration No. 2-29081/811-1653

Exhibit 11:           Consent of Independent Auditors.

Exhibit 12:           Financial Statement Schedules and Report.

Exhibit 16:           Financial Data Schedule.

Exhibit 17(a):        IDS Life Insurance Company POA.

Exhibit 17(b):        Board of Managers POA.





<PAGE>



PAGE 1








                                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the use of our reports dated February 7, 1997 on the  consolidated
financial  statements  and  schedules  of IDS  Life  Insurance  Company  and the
incorporation by reference of our report dated February 3, 1997 on the financial
statements of IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A in  Post-Effective  Amendment No.
60 to the Registration  Statement (Form N-1, No. 2-29081) and related Prospectus
for the registration of IDS Life Variable Account Fund A interests to be offered
by IDS Life Insurance Company.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 18, 1997





<PAGE>



<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE I - CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES ($ thousands)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column A                                  Column B         Column C           Column D

Type of Investment                          Cost            Value         Amount at which
                                                                            shown in the
                                                                           balance sheet
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>                 <C>       
Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (a)             $    2,085,280  $      2,060,778  $        2,085,280
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions              9,685            10,097               9,685
        All other corporate bonds          8,141,414         8,450,775           8,141,414
                                        -------------   ---------------   -----------------
              Total held to maturity      10,236,379        10,521,650          10,236,379

    Available for sale:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (b)                  6,925,876         6,960,002           6,960,002
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions             11,032            12,368              12,368
        All other corporate bonds          4,071,714         4,174,475           4,174,475
                                        -------------   ---------------   -----------------
              Total available for sale    11,008,622        11,146,845          11,146,845

Mortgage loans on real estate              3,493,364         XXXXXXXXX           3,493,364
Policy loans                                 459,902         XXXXXXXXX             459,902
Other investments                            251,465         XXXXXXXXX             251,465
                                        -------------                     -----------------

              Total investments       $   25,449,732  $      XXXXXXXXX  $       25,587,955
                                        =============                     =================

(a) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $2,041,278 and $2,017,119,
           respectively.
(b) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $6,847,932 and $6,879,547,
           respectively.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Column A     Column B      Column C  Column D    Column E    Column F   Column G    Column H    Column I      Column J  Column K

    Segment      Deferred      Future    Unearned  Other policy  Premium      Net       Benefits,  Amortization    Other    Premiums
                  policy       policy    premiums   claims and  revenue    investment   claims,     of deferred  operating  written
                 acquisition  benefits,              benefits                income    losses and    policy       expenses
                   cost        losses,                payable                          settlement   acquisition
                              claims and                                                 expenses     costs
                                loss
                               expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>           <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Annuities     $  1,398,025  $ 21,838,008 $       -  $    50,137  $        -  $1,702,364  $    2,724  $   189,645  $ 180,942    N/A



Life, DI, and
Long-term 
Care Insurance      932,780    3,811,034          -       33,497     182,921     262,998     187,486       88,960     80,526   N/A

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

Total         $  2,330,805  $ 25,649,042 $       -  $    83,634  $  182,921  $1,965,362  $  190,210  $   278,605  $ 261,468    N/A

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Column A      Column B     Column C    Column D    Column E    Column F   Column G    Column H    Column I    Column J  Column K

    Segment      Deferred     Future       Unearned  Other policy  Premium      Net       Benefits,  Amortization Other     Premiums
                  policy      policy       premiums   claims and  revenue    investment   claims,     of deferred operating  written
                 acquisition benefits,                benefits                income     losses and    policy     expenses
                   cost       losses,                 payable                            settlement   acquisition
                              claims and                                                  expenses     costs
                               loss
                               expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>            <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>
Annuities      $ 1,227,169 $ 21,404,836 $       -  $     28,191  $       -  $1,651,067  $    2,693  $   189,626  $  166,191     N/A



Life, DI, 
and Long-term 
Care Insurance     798,556    3,613,253          -        28,132    161,530     256,242     164,749       90,495      45,451    N/A


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

Total          $ 2,025,725 $ 25,018,089 $       -  $     56,323  $ 161,530  $1,907,309  $  167,442  $   280,121  $  211,642     N/A

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Column A        Column B    Column C    Column D    Column E    Column F  Column G    Column H    Column I      Column J  Column K

   Segment       Deferred     Future      Unearned  Other policy  Premium     Net       Benefits,  Amortization   Other     Premiums
                  policy      policy      premiums   claims and  revenue   investment   claims,     of deferred  operating   written
                 acquisition benefits,              benefits                income     losses and    policy       expenses
                   cost       losses,                payable                           settlement   acquisition
                             claims and                                                 expenses     costs
                               loss
                              expenses
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>            <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>
Annuities      $ 1,150,585 $ 19,361,979 $       - $    23,888  $        - $1,534,826  $   (5,762) $   194,060  $  131,515      N/A



Life, DI, and
Long-term Care
Insurance         714,739    3,346,931          -      26,180     144,640    247,047     134,128       86,312      78,586      N/A


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

Total          $ 1,865,324 $ 22,708,910 $       - $    50,068  $  144,640 $1,781,873  $  128,366  $   280,372  $  210,101      N/A

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE IV - REINSURANCE ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Column A              Column B       Column C        Column D      Column E    Column F

                             Gross amount  Ceded to other   Assumed from      Net     % of amount
                                            companies     other companies   Amount   assumed to net
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                        <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>  
For the year ended
  December 31, 1996

Life insurance in force    $  65,571,173  $   3,875,921  $     1,703,181  $63,398,433       2.69%
===================================================================================================

Premiums:
  Life insurance           $      54,111  $       3,253  $           545  $   51,403        1.06%
  DI & LTC insurance             164,561         33,043               --     131,518        0.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums             $     218,672  $      36,296  $           545  $  182,921        0.30%
===================================================================================================

For the year ended
  December 31, 1995

Life insurance in force    $  57,895,180  $   3,771,204  $     1,788,352  $55,912,328       3.20%
===================================================================================================

Premiums:
  Life insurance           $      53,089  $       2,648  $          (248) $   50,193       -0.49%
  DI & LTC insurance             137,016         25,679               --     111,337        0.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums             $     190,105  $      28,327  $          (248) $  161,530       -0.15%
===================================================================================================

For the year ended
  December 31, 1994

Life insurance in force    $  50,814,651  $   3,246,608  $     1,851,916  $49,419,959       3.75%
===================================================================================================

Premiums:
  Life insurance           $      51,219  $       3,354  $           319  $   48,184        0.66%
  DI & LTC insurance             114,049         17,593               --      96,456        0.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums             $     165,268  $      20,947  $           319  $  144,640        0.22%
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Column A           Column B        Column C                       Column D      Column E

                                                  Additions
                                                -------------
                                 Balance at                       Charged to
              Description         Beginning      Charged to     Other Accounts- Deductions-  Balance at End
                                  of Period   Costs & Expenses     Describe      Describe *    of Period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                  <C>                   <C>               <C>          <C>       <C>    
For the year ended
  December 31, 1996
- ------------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans           $37,340               $155              $0           $0        $37,495
Reserve for Other Investments         $4,713              ($750)             $0           $0         $3,963

For the year ended
  December 31, 1995
- ------------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans           $35,252             $1,088              $0      ($1,000)       $37,340
Reserve for Other Investments         $7,515            ($2,802)             $0           $0         $4,713

For the year ended
  December 31, 1994
- ------------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans           $35,020               $232              $0           $0        $35,252
Reserve for Fixed Maturities         $22,777           ($16,777)             $0       $6,000             $0
Reserve for Other Investments        $10,700            ($3,185)             $0           $0         $7,515

* 1995 amount represents a reserve on mortgage loans which were transferred from an affiliate. 
  1994 amount represents a direct writedown of the related investments in fixed maturities.
</TABLE>





<PAGE>


Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company

We have audited the  consolidated  financial  statements  of IDS Life  Insurance
Company as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the
period  ended  December  31,  1996,  and have  issued our report  thereon  dated
February 7, 1997 (included elsewhere in this Registration Statement). Our audits
also included the financial  statement  schedules  listed in Item 1(b)12 of this
Registration Statement.  These schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.

In our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedules  referred to above,  when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.



Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 7, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                          7
<CIK>                      0000049706
<NAME>                     IDS Life Insurance Company
<MULTIPLIER>               1000
<CURRENCY>                 U.S. DOLLAR
       
<S>                                       <C>    
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    YEAR
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         11146845
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        10236379
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          10521650
<EQUITIES>                                       3308
<MORTGAGE>                                    3493364
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   70290
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               25587955
<CASH>                                         224603
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1803
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                        2330805
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               47305981
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              25649042
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                 0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                      0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                           83634
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                     0
<COMMON>                                         3000
                               0
                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                    2144080
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 47305981
                                     182921
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1965362
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                              (159)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                 574341
<BENEFITS>                                    1560678
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                    278605
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           261468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                621714
<INCOME-TAX>                                   207138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            414576
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   414576
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  24192
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             88549
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                              86354
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                    0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 26387
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                             0
        

</TABLE>




<PAGE>



PAGE 1
                                    IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                         POWER OF ATTORNEY

City of Minneapolis

State of Minnesota

        Each of the undersigned,  as directors of IDS Life Insurance  Company on
behalf of the below listed  registrants that previously have filed  registration
statements and amendments thereto pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933 and the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission:

                                                        1933 Act     1940 Act
                                                        Reg. Number  Reg. Number
IDS Life Variable Account 10
  IDS Life Flexible Portfolio Annuity                   33-62407     811-07355
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
  IDS Life Flexible Annuity                             33-4173      811-3217
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
  IDS Life Variable Retirement and Combination
  Retirement Annuities                                  2-73114      811-3217
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
  IDS Life Employee Benefit Annuity                     33-52518     811-3217
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
  IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract              33-47302     811-3217
IDS Life Insurance Company
  IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract
  (Fixed Account)                                       33-48701        N/A
IDS Life Insurance Company
  IDS Life Guaranteed Term Annuity                      33-28976        N/A
IDS Life Insurance Company
  IDS Life Flexible Payment Market Value Annuity        33-50968        N/A
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
  Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy       33-11165      811-4298
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
  Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable
  Life Insurance Policy                                 33-62457      811-4298
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
  Single Premium Variable Life
  Insurance Policy                                      2-97637       811-4298
IDS Life Variable Account for Smith Barney
  Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy         33-5210       811-4652
IDS Life Account SBS
  Symphony Annuity                                      33-40779      812-7731
IDS Life Account RE
IDS Life Real Estate Variable Annuity                   33-13375        N/A
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A                        2-29081       811-1653
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B                        2-47430       811-1674


hereby constitutes and appoints William A. Stoltzmann, Mary Ellyn
Minenko, Eileen J. Newhouse, Sherilyn K. Beck, Colin Lancaster,
Bruce Kohn and Timothy S. Meehan or any one of them, as her or his
attorney-in-fact and agent, to sign for her or him in her or his
name, place and stead any and all filings, applications (including



<PAGE>



PAGE 2
applications for exemptive relief),  periodic reports,  registration  statements
(with all exhibits  and other  documents  required or  desirable  in  connection
therewith),  other documents,  and amendments  thereto and to file such filings,
applications,  periodic reports,  registration statements,  other documents, and
amendments  thereto  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  and  any
necessary states,  and grants to any or all of them the full power and authority
to do and  perform  each and every  act  required  or  necessary  in  connection
therewith.

     Dated the 12th day of March, 1997.



/s/ David R. Hubers                             March 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    David R. Hubers
    Director


/s/ Richard W. Kling                            March 12, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    Richard W. Kling
    Director and President


/s/ Paul F. Kolkman                             March 11, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    Paul F. Kolkman
    Director and Executive Vice
    President


/s/ James A. Mitchell                           March 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    James A. Mitchell
    Director, Chairman of the
    Board and Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Barry J. Murphy                             March 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    Barry J. Murphy
    Director and Executive Vice
    President, Client Service


/s/ Stuart A. Sedlacek                          March 7, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    Stuart A. Sedlacek
    Director and Executive Vice
    President, Assured Assets


/s/ Melinda S. Urion                            March 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------
    Melinda S. Urion
    Director, Executive Vice
    President and Controller





<PAGE>



PAGE 1
                                 IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND A
                                 IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B

                                         POWER OF ATTORNEY

City of Minneapolis

State of Minnesota

Each of the undersigned,  as a member of the Board of Managers or officer of IDS
Life Variable  Annuity Funds A & B, which are open-end,  diversified  investment
companies  organized as segregated asset accounts of IDS Life Insurance  Company
that  previously  have filed  registration  statements  and  amendments  thereto
pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940 with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  File Numbers
2-29081 and 811-1653 and 2-47430,  2-29358 and 811- 1674,  respectively,  hereby
constitute and appoint William A.  Stoltzmann,  Mary Ellyn Minenko,  Sherilyn K.
Beck,  Colin  Lancaster  and  Timothy S.  Meehan or any one of them,  as his/her
attorney-in-fact and agent, to sign for him/her in his/her name, place and stead
any and all further filings,  applications (including applications for exemptive
relief), periodic reports,  registration statements (with all exhibits and other
documents required or desirable in connection  therewith),  other documents,  an
amendments  thereto  and  to  such  filings,  applications,   periodic  reports,
registration  statements,  other  documents,  and  amendments  thereto  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission,  and any necessary states, and grants to any
or all of them the full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
required or necessary in connection therewith.

Dated the 25th day of March, 1997.


/s/  Richard W. Kling              /s/  Jeffrey S. Horton
     Richard W. Kling                   Jeffrey S. Horton



/s/  Edward Landes                 /s/  Morris Goodwin Jr.
     Edward Landes                      Morris Goodwin Jr.



/s/  Lorraine R. Hart              /s/  William A. Stoltzmann
     Lorraine R. Hart                   William A. Stoltzmann



/s/  Carl N. Platou                /s/  Timothy S. Meehan
     Carl N. Platou                     Timothy S. Meehan



/s/  Gordon H. Ritz
     Gordon H. Ritz


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