IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
485BPOS, 2000-04-27
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form N-1


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No.       62  (File No. 2-47430)                 [X]
                                ------

                                                        2-29358
                                     and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No.             24        (File No. 811-1674)                   [X]
                      ---------


             IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B (Individual and Group)
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             200 AXP Financial Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55474
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                                 (612) 671-3678
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   Mary Ellyn Minenko - 200 AXP Financial Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55474
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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, 2000 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.

<PAGE>


<PAGE>
IDS LIFE VARIABLE
ANNUITY FUND B

              Individual Variable Annuity Contracts and
              Group Variable Annuity Contracts

   PROSPECTUS
   MAY 1, 2000

   IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B (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 qualified annuities
   offered by IDS Life:

   - three individual variable annuity contracts for use with tax-deferred
     retirement plans.

   - a group variable annuity contract for plans adopted by public school
     systems and certain tax-exempt organizations.

   A qualified annuity will not provide any necessary or additional tax
   deferral if it is used to fund a retirement plan that is already
   tax-deferred.

   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 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
   THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
   PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

   AN INVESTMENT IN THIS ANNUITY IS NOT A DEPOSIT OF A BANK OR FINANCIAL
   INSTITUTION AND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
   INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN
   THIS ANNUITY INVOLVES RISK INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

   IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
   200 AXP FINANCIAL CENTER
   MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55474
   (800) 862-7919

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                                                     PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 1
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS..........................     3
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS.........................     5
THE VARIABLE ANNUITY.........................     5
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE.........................     6
RISKS........................................     6
NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES.....................     7
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES.........................     7
PORTFOLIO MANAGER............................     8
INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS........................     8
BROKERAGE....................................     9
THE CONTRACTS................................     9
THE FIXED ACCOUNT............................    10
AUTOMATED TRANSFERS AND PARTIAL SURRENDERS...    10
MEASURING THE VALUE OF YOUR CONTRACT.........    11
VALUING FUND ASSETS..........................    12
WHEN WE CREDIT YOUR PURCHASE PAYMENTS........    12
THE INVESTMENT FACTOR........................    13
VALUING AN ACCUMULATION UNIT.................    13
VALUING AN ANNUITY UNIT......................    13
ANNUITY PAYMENT STARTING DATE................    14
TABLE OF SETTLEMENT RATES....................    15
ANNUITY PAYMENT PLANS........................    16
THE CHARGES YOU PAY..........................    18
SURRENDERING YOUR CONTRACT...................    20
SPECIAL RULES IF ANNUITANT DIES BEFORE THE
  ANNUITY PAYMENT STARTING DATE..............    21
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE GROUP VARIABLE
  ANNUITY CONTRACT...........................    22
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL INSTALLMENT CONTRACTS...    23
WHAT ABOUT YOUR TAXES?.......................    23
VOTING RIGHTS................................    24
MANAGEMENT...................................    26
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF IDS LIFE INSURANCE
  COMPANY ...................................    28
OTHER INFORMATION............................    29
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................    31

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2      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THE VARIABLE ANNUITY  -- IDS Life offers variable annuities 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 5).

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  -- This table shows important financial information you
will need to evaluate the Fund's performance (page 5).

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 is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve
its investment objective because any investment involves risk (page 6).

PORTFOLIO MANAGER  -- Anne Obermeyer, portfolio manager, manages the Fund.
(page 8).

INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS  -- The Fund is a segregated asset account of IDS Life
Insurance Company, a stock life insurance company. IDS Life manages the
investments of the Fund 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. Under 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 8).

CONTRACTS  -- This prospectus describes the following types of qualified
annuities:

- - A single payment deferred annuity that you can purchase by making an initial
  payment of at least $3,000 (page 9).

- - A single payment immediate annuity that you can purchase by making an initial
  payment of at least $3,000 (page 9).

- - A flexible installment deferred annuity that you can purchase by making 10 or
  more annual payments of at least $300 (page 9).

Each of the individual variable annuity contracts described above is for use
with tax-deferred retirement plans qualifying under Sections 401, 403, 408 or
408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As the
annuitant, you are the owner unless your application states otherwise.

- - A group variable annuity contract designed to provide benefits under annuity
  plans adopted by public school systems and certain tax-exempt organizations
  pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code. The contract is issued to the employer
  as owner and provides benefits to all group contract participants
  (participants) in the underlying annuity plan. Generally, IDS Life will not
  issue a contract to an employer unless there are at least five employees who
  are plan participants or who already own contracts based on the Fund. A
  participant makes an annual contribution. The contribution must be at least
  $300 per year if your retirement date is 10 years or more from your
  application date. If your retirement date is less than 10 years from your
  application date, the contribution must be large enough so that contributions
  total at least $3,000 by your retirement date.

A qualified annuity will not provide any necessary or additional tax-deferral if
it is used to fund a retirement plan that is already tax-deferred.

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                                                     PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 3
<PAGE>
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 for at least $50 (page 10).

CHARGES YOU PAY  -- IDS Life deducts a combined sales and administrative charge
from payments made into the Fund (page 18).

Additionally, IDS Life may deduct for premium taxes imposed on us by state or
local governments. 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. (page 19).

SURRENDERING YOUR CONTRACT  -- You can surrender all or part of your 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. IDS Life will give the accumulation units the accumulation
unit value it determines on the date IDS Life receives your request. However,
you can't surrender part of your contract if the remaining accumulation value is
less than $20. You cannot make any surrenders after annuity payments have
started. You will pay income tax on 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. In addition, the code may impose 20% income
tax withholding. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 restricts your right to receive a
distribution from a Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA).

You may lose money if you surrender your contract too soon because the
percentage that IDS Life deducts is higher in the earlier years.

A surrender by a participant in a tax-deferred retirement plan qualified under
Sections 401, 403, 408 or 408A of the Code may result in adverse tax
consequences. You should consult a tax advisor before making a surrender request
(page 20).

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION  -- According to current interpretations of federal
income tax law, generally there is no federal income tax on any increase in your
annuity's value until you receive a distribution. Under certain circumstances,
there may be a 10% IRS penalty tax on early withdrawal and 20% income tax
withholding on distributions (page 23).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For information about the Fund's history, organization and headquarters as well
as information about IDS Life and American Express Financial Corporation (AEFC),
see page 29.

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4      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM JAN. 1, 1990 TO DEC. 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,        1999       1998       1997       1996       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990
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<S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Accumulation unit
  value at beginning
  of year               $29.29     $24.71     $20.26     $16.55     $12.18     $12.69     $11.60     $10.87      $7.29       $7.14
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Income from
  investment
  operations:
Net investment
  income (loss)           (.29)      (.19)      (.16)      (.09)      (.03)       .03       (.02)      (.03)       .02         .07
Net gains (losses)
  (both realized and
  unrealized)             9.85       4.77       4.61       3.80       4.40       (.54)      1.11        .76       3.56         .08
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Total from
  investment
  operations              9.56       4.58       4.45       3.71       4.37       (.51)      1.09        .73       3.58         .15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation unit
  value at end of
  year                  $38.85     $29.29     $24.71     $20.26     $16.55     $12.18     $12.69     $11.60     $10.87       $7.29
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Total return*            32.64%     18.54%     21.96%     22.42%     35.88%     (4.00%)     9.42%      6.72%     49.03%      2.12%
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Ratios/Supplemental
  Data
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Total contract
  owner's equity at
  end of year (000
  omitted)            $908,999   $796,179   $758,172   $673,907   $613,941   $494,520   $534,556   $506,150   $500,877    $355,049
Ratio of operating
  expenses to
  average daily net
  assets                  1.40%      1.40%      1.40%      1.40%      1.40%      1.40%      1.40%      1.40%      1.41%      1.41%
Ratio of net
  investment income
  (loss) to average
  daily net assets        (.89%)     (.73%)     (.72%)     (.50%)     (.19%)      .25%      (.17%)     (.28%)      .26%       .93%
Portfolio turnover
  rate                       6%        16%        29%        12%        44%        61%        64%        74%        67%        56%
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</TABLE>

  *  Total return does not reflect payment of a sales charge.
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 $13.46 as of Dec. 31, 1999,
$10. 51 as of Dec. 31, 1998, $9.17 as of Dec. 31, 1997, $7.78 as of Dec. 31,
1996, $6.58 as of Dec. 31, 1995, $5.02 as of Dec. 31, 1994, $5.41 as of Dec. 31,
1993, $5.11 as of Dec. 31, 1992, $4.96 as of Dec. 31, 1991 and $3.46 as of
Dec. 31, 1990. The value of an annuity unit (assuming a 5% investment rate) was
$8.63 as of Dec. 31, 1999, $6.83 as of Dec. 31, 1998, $6.05 as of Dec. 31, 1997,
$5.21 as of Dec. 31, 1996, $4.47 as of Dec. 31, 1995, $3.46 as of Dec. 31, 1994,
$3.78 as of Dec. 31, 1993, $3.63 as of Dec. 31, 1992, $3.57 as of Dec. 31, 1991
and $2.53 as of Dec. 31, 1990.
The information in this table is 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 in the Fund's annual report, which you can obtain without charge if
it is not included with this prospectus.

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 many people think of an annuity, they think 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, you may receive smaller
annuity payments.

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                                                     PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 5
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. There is no
guarantee the Fund will achieve its investment objective because any investment
involves risk. IDS Life can change the Fund's investment objective 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.

The Fund may use derivative instruments from time to time. However, at this
time, the use of such instruments is not a principal strategy of the Fund.

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 letters of credit. The Fund may buy
short-term corporate notes and obligations rated in the top two classifications
or the equivalent by Standard and Poor's or Moody's.

RISKS

Please remember that you may lose money. Principal risks associated with an
investment in the Fund include:

- - Market Risk

- - Interest Risk

- - Foreign Risk

- - Liquidity Risk

MARKET RISK
The market may drop and you may lose money. Market risk may affect a single
issuer, sector of the economy, industry, or the market as a whole. The market
value of all securities may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and
unpredictably.

INTEREST RATE RISK
The risk of losses attributable to changes in interest rates. This term is
generally associated with, but not limited to, bond prices (when interest rates
rise, bond prices fall).

FOREIGN RISK
The following are all components of foreign risk:

COUNTRY RISK includes the political, economic, and other conditions of a
country. These conditions include lack of publicly available information, less
government oversight (including lack of accounting, auditing, and financial
reporting standards), the possibility of government-imposed restrictions, and
even the nationalization of assets.

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6      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
CURRENCY RISK results from the constantly changing exchange rate between local
currency and the U.S. dollar. Whenever the Fund holds securities valued in a
foreign currency or holds the currency, changes in the exchange rate add or
subtract from the value of the investment.

CUSTODY RISK refers to the process of clearing and settling trades. It also
covers holding securities with local agents and depositories. Low trading
volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets make trades harder to
complete and settle. Local agents are held only to the standard of care of the
local market. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold
securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent
evaluation. The less developed a country's securities market is, the greater the
likelihood of problems occurring.

LIQUIDITY RISK
Securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the Fund
would like. The Fund may have to lower the selling price, sell other
investments, or forego an investment opportunity.

NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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.

The Fund will not buy securities on margin (use borrowed money to buy
securities) or sell short. With short sales, an investor sells a security that
it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the
security. To complete the transaction, the investor must borrow the security to
make delivery to the buyer. The investor is obligated to replace the security
that was borrowed by purchasing it at the market price on the replacement date.
The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the investor
sold the security.

The Fund will not invest in illiquid securities if more than 10% of the Fund's
net assets would be invested in such securities

The Fund may invest its assets in an open-end management investment company
(another fund) 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 Board of Managers of the Fund can change the investment policies described
above without the consent of contract holders.

FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

The Fund observes the following fundamental investment restrictions, that cannot
change without approval by a vote of the contract holders:

- - The Fund will not borrow money or property except as a temporary measure for
  extraordinary or emergency purposes.

- - The Fund will not underwrite securities of other issuers, except as allowed by
  applicable law.

- - The Fund will not concentrate in any one industry.

- - 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.

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                                                     PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 7
<PAGE>
- - 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. The
  limitation will not apply to investments in securities issued by the U.S.
  government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Up to 25% of the Fund's total
  assets may be invested without regard to this 5% limitation.

- - The Fund will not purchase 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.

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

- - The Fund will not buy or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result
  of ownership of securities or other instruments. This will not prevent the
  Fund from 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

Anne Obermeyer joined American Express Financial Corporation in 1984 and serves
as portfolio manager. She was appointed to manage this fund and IDS Life
Variable Annuity Fund A (Fund A) in January 2000. She has assisted in the
management of several equity mutual funds and institutional portfolios since
1996.

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 AEFC have an Investment
Advisory Agreement that calls for IDS Life to pay AEFC a fee for serving as
investment advisor for the Fund. The fee is 0.25% of the Fund's average 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:

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

- - by a majority of the Board of Managers of the Fund who are not "interested
  persons" of IDS Life or AEFC.

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. AEFC 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.

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8      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
BROKERAGE

Under the Investment Management Agreement, IDS Life has responsibility for
making the Fund's investment decisions, for executing trades for the Fund's
portfolio and for negotiating any brokerage commissions. IDS Life intends to
direct AEFC to execute trades and negotiate commissions on its behalf. These
services are covered by the Investment Advisory Agreement between AEFC and IDS
Life. When AEFC acts on IDS Life's behalf for the Fund, it follows the rules
described here for IDS Life. The Fund paid total brokerage commissions for each
of the last three years as follows: $210,060 for 1999, $247,323 for 1998 and
$353,485 for 1997. IDS Life intends to continue to examine and consider ways 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 it might
not otherwise charge, 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 IDS Life believes will produce the best available price and most
favorable execution as described above. In transactions with a broker who acts
as principal, commissions generally are not stated separately, but are included
in the price of the securities.

AEFC 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, AEFC 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,
AEFC and American Express Company.

THE CONTRACTS

This prospectus describes the following types of qualified variable annuities:

- - SINGLE PAYMENT-DEFERRED ANNUITY. You make a single purchase payment. Annuity
  payments are deferred until some future date.

- - SINGLE PAYMENT-IMMEDIATE ANNUITY. You make a single payment. Annuity payments
  will begin within 60 days after IDS Life approves your application.

- - FLEXIBLE INSTALLMENT PAYMENT-DEFERRED ANNUITY. You make purchase payments in
  installments over one or more years. Annuity payments begin at some future
  date after you have paid all installments.

- - A GROUP VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT. This contract provides benefits under
  annuity plans adopted by public school systems and certain tax-exempt
  organizations pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code. The contract is a master
  contract issued to the employer as owner and provides benefits for all annuity
  plan participants. Generally IDS Life will not issue a contract to an employer
  unless there are at least five employees who are plan participants or who
  already own contracts based on the Fund. The annual contribution a participant
  makes must be at least equal to the larger of (1) an amount which, when
  multiplied by the

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                                                     PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 9
<PAGE>
  number of contract years between the application date and the retirement date,
  equals $3,000 or (2) $300 a year. A participant may increase the amount of
  this annual contribution within the limits provided by the Code. However, if
  the annual contribution is more than twice that of the very first annual
  contribution, IDS Life may place some further conditions on contributions. No
  contribution will be accepted that is not within the employee exclusion
  allowance provided by Section 403(b) of the Code. The contract provides
  several optional settlement modes that each plan participant may elect.
  However, if at the annuity starting date the accumulation value of the
  contract is less than $2,000, then the accumulation value may be paid in a
  lump sum.

THE FIXED ACCOUNT

The fixed account is an additional account to which you may allocate purchase
payments and contract values. It provides guaranteed values and interest rates
that IDS Life changes from time to time at its discretion. These rates will be
based on various factors including, but not limited to, the interest rate
environment, returns earned on investments backing these annuities, the rates
currently in effect for new and existing company annuities, product design,
competition and IDS Life's revenues and expenses. 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,
IDS Life limits transfers from the fixed account to the variable account 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:

- - automated transfers of contract values between the fixed account and variable
  account; or

- - automated partial surrenders of contract values.

Both services can be in effect at the same time. You can establish them 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. You can make the transfer or surrender 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.

For more information regarding surrenders, see page 20.

Under some contracts, applicable law may restrict automated partial surrenders.
When automated partial surrenders are in effect, additional purchase payments
may not be appropriate and, therefore, are not permitted.

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

10      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
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 IDS
Life follows the procedures IDS Life and its affiliates will not be liable for
any loss resulting from fraudulent requests. IDS Life will process your transfer
and/or variable surrender request on the valuation date (any normal business
day, Monday through Friday, that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open
after we receive it. 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. IDS Life will not allow a telephone surrender request
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 23).

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 annuity contract.
For this reason IDS Life uses a technique that involves "units." IDS Life
measures the performance of the Fund 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."

- - Accumulation units are used to measure the value of deferred annuity contracts
  during the period before IDS Life makes annuity payments to you.

<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>              <C>  <C>              <C>  <C>
                             number of your        value of one          total
                             accumulation       X  accumulation       =  accumulation
                             units                 unit                  value
</TABLE>

When you buy a deferred annuity contract, IDS Life will credit your purchase
payments as accumulation units to your contract.

- - Annuity units determine the value of each annuity payment. When you buy an
  immediate annuity contract, IDS Life will credit your purchase payment as
  annuity units to your account.

Under a deferred annuity contract, when annuity payments begin, IDS Life will
convert your accumulation value into annuity units. From then on, your annuity
payments are based on the current annuity unit value.

<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>              <C>  <C>              <C>  <C>
                                                                         value of one
                             number of your     X  annuity            =  annuity
                             annuity units         unit value            payment
</TABLE>

DATES WE REVALUE UNITS -- VALUATION DATE

IDS Life values your units at least once every seven days. At the present time,
IDS Life values your units each business day at the close of trading on the
NYSE. During an emergency, the Fund can suspend redemption. Those emergency
situations would occur if:

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

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 11
<PAGE>
- - Disposal of the Fund's securities is not reasonable, or it is not reasonably
  practical for the Fund to determine the fair value of its net assets, or

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

SPLITTING UNITS

IDS Life can split accumulation or annuity units. We will do so only 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 (when the NYSE closes,
normally 3 p.m. Central time) on one valuation date and ends with the close of
business on the next valuation date.

VALUING FUND ASSETS

We determine the net value of the Fund's assets at the start of each valuation
period by taking the total value of the Fund's assets and subtracting
liabilities. The net asset value per share generally changes each day. We value
the Fund's securities as follows:

- - We value securities traded on national securities exchanges 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.

- - We also value securities with readily available market quotations but without
  a listing on an exchange at the average between the last bid and the last
  asked price.

- - We value short-term securities maturing more than 60 days from the valuation
  date at the market price or approximate market value based on current interest
  rates. We value short-term securities maturing in 60 days or less but that
  originally had maturities of more than 60 days at the acquisition date on an
  amortized cost basis using the market value on the 61st day before maturity.
  We value short-term securities maturing in 60 days or less at the acquisition
  date 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.

- - We value securities and other assets without a ready market price at fair
  value. The Board of Managers is responsible for using valuation methods 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.

WHEN WE CREDIT YOUR PURCHASE PAYMENTS

IDS Life credits each purchase payment at the end of the valuation period during
which we receive it at our corporate office.

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

12      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
THE INVESTMENT FACTOR

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

- - First, we determine the investment income for the period by combining the
  Fund's income (interest and any dividends), net realized and unrealized
  capital gains or losses on investments and expenses.

- - Then, we determine the net investment rate 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

IDS Life uses accumulation units to measure the value of your contract during
the period before annuity payments begin. We determine the value of an
accumulation unit 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, we determine the net investment income. This is income minus
  expenses or $1,601.65 ($2,000 - $398.35).

- - Step 2. Next we determine the investment rate. 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, we determine the value of an accumulation unit 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 X1.001602).

VALUING AN ANNUITY UNIT

When you are ready to receive annuity payments, IDS Life exchanges your
accumulation units for annuity units. Annuity units measure each variable
annuity payment. To determine the value of an annuity unit, we multiply the
annuity unit value on the last valuation date 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.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 13
<PAGE>
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

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS. For deferred contracts paid for in annual installments or
with a single payment, you select the annuity payment starting date in your
application. You may 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.

You can only wait so long before annuity payments begin. The annuity payment
starting date must come before the annuitant's 75th birthday.

GROUP CONTRACTS. For group contracts, the participant elects the annuity
starting date and the annuity payment plan in the Statement of Participation.
The participant may change either election anytime not less than 30 days before
annuity payments start. 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.

Additionally, the annuity payment starting date must be no later than the
certificate anniversary nearest the annuitant's 75th birthday.

For all annuities except Roth IRAs, to avoid IRS penalty taxes, the retirement
date generally must be:

- - on or after the date the annuitant reaches age 59 1/2; and

- - for IRAs, by April 1 of the year following the calendar year when the
  annuitant reaches age 70 1/2; or

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

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

14      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
TABLE OF SETTLEMENT RATES

The Progressive Annuity Table in your contract shows the amount of the first
monthly payment for each $1,000 of contract value according to the adjusted age
and, when applicable, the sex of the annuitant.

Adjusted age is equal to the annuitant's birthday nearest the settlement date
minus any adjustments depending on the calendar year of birth of the annuitant
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      ADJUSTMENT FOR
  CALENDAR YEAR OF ANNUITANT'S BIRTH  MALE   FEMALE
  <S>                                 <C>    <C>
        Prior to 1920                    0       4
        1920 through 1939                1       5
        1940 through 1954                2       6
        1955 through 1969                3       7
        After 1969                       4       8
</TABLE>

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. IDS Life also has amended new contracts in order to assure
continued compliance by employers with the obligations imposed on them by the
Norris decision.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 15
<PAGE>
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:

- - PLAN A -- LIFE ANNUITY -- NO REFUND: We make monthly payouts until the
  annuitant's death. Payouts end with the last payout before the annuitant's
  death; we will not make any further payouts. This means that if the annuitant
  dies after we have made only one monthly payout, we will not make any more
  payouts.

- - PLAN B -- LIFE ANNUITY WITH FIVE, TEN OR 15 YEARS CERTAIN: We make monthly
  payouts for a guaranteed payout period of five, ten or 15 years that you
  elect. This election will determine the length of the payout period to the
  beneficiary if the annuitant should die before the elected period has expired.
  We calculate the guaranteed payout period from the retirement date. If the
  annuitant outlives the elected guaranteed payout period, we will continue to
  make payouts until the annuitant's death.

- - PLAN C -- LIFE ANNUITY -- INSTALLMENT REFUND: We make monthly payouts until
  the annuitant's death, with our guarantee that payouts will continue for some
  period of time. We will make payouts for at least the number of months
  determined by dividing the amount applied under this option by the first
  monthly payout, whether or not the annuitant is living.

- - PLAN D -- JOINT AND LAST SURVIVOR LIFE ANNUITY -- NO REFUND: We make monthly
  payouts while both the annuitant and a joint annuitant are living. If either
  annuitant dies, we will continue to make monthly payouts at the full amount
  until the death of the surviving annuitant. Payouts end with the death of the
  second annuitant.

RESTRICTIONS FOR SOME TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS  -- If your annuity was
purchased under a Section 401(k) plan, Section 403(b) plan (TSA), or as an IRA,
you must select a payment plan that provides for payments:

- - over the life of the annuitant;

- - over the joint lives of the annuitant and beneficiary;

- - for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the annuitant; or

- - for a period not exceeding the joint life expectancies of the annuitant and
  beneficiary.

A beneficiary of a variable annuity contract may ask for one lump-sum payment
under Plan B or Plan C. This payment may be subject to 20% income tax
withholding if made directly to a surviving spouse. IDS Life will not grant the
request if you asked us not to.

If you have not selected a plan by the annuity payment starting date, Plan B
with 120 guaranteed monthly payments will be used.

Contract values that you have allocated to the fixed account will provide
fixed-dollar payments while the remaining contract values will provide variable
annuity payments.

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

DETERMINATION OF MONTHLY ANNUITY PAYMENTS FOR DEFERRED CONTRACTS

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

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

16      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
IDS Life makes the computations using the table of settlement rates in your
contract unless we agree on an optional table. IDS Life uses a different table
if you elected a 3.5% assumed investment rate. We divide the amount of the first
payment by the annuity unit value to give the number of annuity units for your
contract.

IDS Life will determine each monthly payment after the first one by multiplying
the number of annuity units by the current annuity unit value. IDS Life will
compute payouts made by check on the valuation date on or right before the fifth
day before the annuity payment date. IDS Life will compute payouts made by a
transfer to another IDS fund account 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 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, IDS Life will pay
the value of the same number of annuity units each month.

DETERMINATION OF MONTHLY ANNUITY PAYMENTS FOR IMMEDIATE CONTRACTS

IDS Life multiplies the number of your annuity units by the value of one unit.
IDS Life determines the value of one unit on the valuation date on or right
before the seventh day before the annuity payment is due. The following example
shows how we determine the number of your annuity units:

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.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 17
<PAGE>
THE CHARGES YOU PAY

1) SALES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES

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

 SINGLE PAYMENT CONTRACTS, 1972 SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            TOTAL DEDUCTION
        PART OF THE      DEDUCTION  DEDUCTION FOR        TOTAL CHARGE       AS PERCENTAGE OF
      TOTAL PURCHASE     FOR SALES  ADMINISTRATIVE     AS PERCENTAGE OF        NET AMOUNT
          PAYMENT         CHARGE        CHARGE      TOTAL PURCHASE PAYMENT      INVESTED
    <S>                  <C>        <C>             <C>                     <C>
    First $1,500            13.0%          2.0%               15.0%               17.65%
    Next $48,500             3.0           1.0                 4.0                 4.17
    Over $50,000             1.5           0.5                 2.0                 2.04
</TABLE>

 FLEXIBLE INSTALLMENT PAYMENT CONTRACTS, 1972 SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            TOTAL DEDUCTION
        PART OF THE      DEDUCTION  DEDUCTION FOR        TOTAL CHARGE       AS PERCENTAGE OF
      TOTAL PURCHASE     FOR SALES  ADMINISTRATIVE     AS PERCENTAGE OF        NET AMOUNT
          PAYMENT         CHARGE        CHARGE      TOTAL PURCHASE PAYMENT      INVESTED
    <S>                  <C>        <C>             <C>                     <C>
    First $1,500            13.0%          2.0%               15.0%               17.65%
    Next $48,500             2.0           2.0                 4.0                 4.17
    Over $50,000             0.5           1.5                 2.0                 2.04
</TABLE>

 THE EFFECT OF THE DEDUCTIONS SHOWN ABOVE IS ILLUSTRATED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SALES AND ADMIN.  SALES AND ADMIN.
                                   DEDUCTION FOR    CHARGE AS A       CHARGE AS A
        $25 MONTHLY       TOTAL      THE SALES     PERCENTAGE OF     PERCENTAGE OF
         PURCHASE        PURCHASE   AND ADMIN.     TOTAL PURCHASE    AGGREGATE NET
         PAYMENTS        PAYMENTS     CHARGE          PAYMENTS      AMOUNT INVESTED
    <S>                  <C>       <C>            <C>               <C>
    1 Year                $  300      $   45            15.00%            17.65%
    5 Years                1,500         225            15.00             17.65
    10 Years               3,000         285             9.50             10.50
    15 Years               4,500         345             7.67              8.30
    20 Years               6,000         405             6.75              7.24
</TABLE>

 $100 MONTHLY PURCHASE PAYMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    <S>                  <C>             <C>                  <C>                     <C>
    1 Year                   $1,200            $  180                  15.00%                  17.65%
    5 Years                   6,000               405                   6.75                    7.24
    10 Years                 12,000               645                   5.38                    5.68
    15 Years                 18,000               885                   4.92                    5.17
    20 Years                 24,000             1,125                   4.69                    4.92
</TABLE>

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

18      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
 1971 SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          PART OF                                                           TOTAL DEDUCTION
         THE TOTAL       DEDUCTION  DEDUCTION FOR        TOTAL CHARGE       AS PERCENTAGE OF
         PURCHASE        FOR SALES  ADMINISTRATIVE     AS PERCENTAGE OF        NET AMOUNT
          PAYMENT         CHARGE        CHARGE      TOTAL PURCHASE PAYMENT      INVESTED
    <S>                  <C>        <C>             <C>                     <C>
    First $1,000              18%            2%                 20%               25.00%
    Next $49,000               3             1                   4                 4.17
    Over $50,000             1.5            .5                   2                 2.04
</TABLE>

 1969 SERIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          PART OF                                     TOTAL CHARGE    TOTAL DEDUCTION
         THE TOTAL       DEDUCTION  DEDUCTION FOR   AS PERCENTAGE OF  AS PERCENTAGE OF
         PURCHASE        FOR SALES  ADMINISTRATIVE   TOTAL PURCHASE      NET AMOUNT
          PAYMENT         CHARGE        CHARGE          PAYMENT           INVESTED
    <S>                  <C>        <C>             <C>               <C>
    First $1,000              18%            2%              20%            25.00%
    Next $49,000               2             2                4              4.17
    Over $50,000             1.5            .5                2              2.04
</TABLE>

The table below shows the deduction from your purchase payments for sales and
administrative charges for group contracts. The net amount invested is the total
purchase payments minus the deduction for sales and administrative charges.

 GROUP CONTRACT -- EMPLOYER PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          PART OF                                                           TOTAL DEDUCTION
         THE TOTAL       DEDUCTION  DEDUCTION FOR        TOTAL CHARGE       AS PERCENTAGE OF
         PURCHASE        FOR SALES  ADMINISTRATIVE     AS PERCENTAGE OF        NET AMOUNT
          PAYMENT         CHARGE        CHARGE      TOTAL PURCHASE PAYMENT      INVESTED
    <S>                  <C>        <C>             <C>                     <C>
    1st $10,000             3.75%          2.0%               5.75%                6.10%
    Next $40,000             2.0           2.0                 4.0                 4.17
    Excess over $50,000      0.5           1.5                 2.0                 2.04
</TABLE>

Under 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 $105,875 for 1999, $128,315 for 1998
and $146,651 for 1997. IDS Life may reduce or eliminate the sales and
administrative charge but only to the extent IDS Life anticipates that we will
incur lower sales and administrative expenses or perform fewer services.
Generally, this will occur with programs established by an employer for all
employees or for all employees in a class, under which employees do not
individually enroll in the program.

2) PREMIUM TAXES

Some state and local governments impose a premium tax on IDS Life in an amount
of up to 3.5%. If a state or local government requires IDS Life to pay a premium
tax on your contract, IDS Life may deduct it from your purchase payments or from
your contract's accumulation value.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 19
<PAGE>
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 $8,620,886 for 1999,
$7,728,057 for 1998 and $7,467,475 for 1997.

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.

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 $3,448,538 for 1999, $3,091,389 for 1998 and $2,987,154 for 1997.

5) TAX CHARGES

IDS Life is taxed as a life insurance company under Subchapter L of the Code.
IDS Life treats the Fund 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 you receive
annuity benefits.

SURRENDERING YOUR CONTRACT

You can surrender all or part of your deferred annuity contract any time before
the annuity payment starting date. Under certain contracts issued in connection
with optional retirement programs for employers of certain state supported
educational institutions, the contract holder must join in the request. There is
no surrender charge for either partial or full surrenders. You cannot surrender
the contract in whole or in part after annuity payments have started unless the
remaining payments are not dependent on life contingencies.

Immediate annuity contracts can be surrendered at any time as long as the
remaining payments are not dependent on life contingencies. See annuity payment
plans on page 16.

For a discussion of automated partial surrenders, see page 10.

There are special rules for a participant in the Texas Optional Retirement
Program (Texas ORP). The Texas ORP restricts the payment of program benefits to
participating employees prior to termination of employment. Accordingly, no
contract offered by this prospectus will be issued to fund participation in the
Texas ORP unless the purchaser instructs the company not to accept surrender of
the contract prior to termination of employment, retirement, death or total
disability of the participating employee.

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 at the next
accumulation unit value calculated after IDS Life receives your request 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

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

20      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
amount you surrender. IDS Life usually will mail a check 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.

A surrender by a participant in certain qualified tax-deferred retirement plans
may result in adverse tax consequences. Consult a qualified tax advisor before
requesting a surrender.

DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS. The Code imposes certain restrictions on an owner's
right to receive early distributions attributable to salary reduction
contributions from a contract purchased for a tax-deferred retirement plan
qualified under Section 403(b) of the Code as a TSA.

Distributions attributable to salary reduction contributions may be made from
the TSA contract only if the owner has attained age 59 1/2, has become disabled
as defined in the Code, has separated from the service of the employer that
purchased the contract, or upon the death of the owner. Additionally, if the
Owner should encounter a financial hardship (within the meaning of the Code), he
or she may receive a distribution of all contract values except those arising
from earnings on them. These restrictions apply to amounts credited to the
contract after Dec. 31, 1988. Even though a distribution may be permitted under
these rules (e.g., for hardship or after separation from service), it may
nonetheless be subject to a 10% tax (in addition to income tax) as a premature
distribution and 20% income tax withholding may be imposed (see page 23).

This restriction on the right to receive a distribution does not affect the
availability of the amount credited to the contract as of Dec. 31, 1988, and if
the contract has a loan provision, the right to receive a loan continues to
exist. The restrictions do not apply to transfers or exchanges of contract value
within the annuity or to another registered variable annuity contract or
investment vehicle available through the employer.

SPECIAL RULES IF THE ANNUITANT DIES BEFORE THE ANNUITY PAYMENT STARTING DATE

Under a single payment or flexible installment deferred annuity contract, if the
annuitant dies before annuity payments begin, the beneficiary will receive the
greater of:

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

- - the accumulation value of the contract.

Under the group variable contract, if the participant dies before annuity
payments begin, the beneficiary will receive the greater of:

- - the sum of all contributions made by the participant less surrenders; or

- - the accumulation value of the participant's account.

IDS Life will pay this death benefit in a lump sum at the end of the valuation
period during which its death claim requirements are fulfilled, unless an
election has been made to provide an annuity payable to the participant's
beneficiary. Payments made directly to a surviving spouse (instead of being
rolled over into an IRA) may be subject to 20% income tax withholding.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 21
<PAGE>
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE GROUP VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT

MODIFICATIONS:  From time to time, IDS Life may modify the group variable
annuity contract in order to conform the contract or give participants the
benefit of any federal or state law or any regulation of the U.S. Treasury
Department. Without the consent of the affected participant, no modification
will affect the amount or terms of an annuity purchased prior to the effective
date of the modification. We cannot make any modification without the contract
holder's approval prior to the fifth contract anniversary.

On or after this anniversary, IDS Life may make modifications to the contract
without the contract holder's consent. The effect of these modifications may
include the deductions from contributions for sales and administrative expense,
periodic deductions for mortality and expense assurances and investment
management, and the annuity settlement date. At least 90 days' notice of this
type of modification will be given to the contract holder. No modification made
after the fifth contract year will affect the rights of any participant who was
a participant prior to the effective date of the modification except for that
portion of the participant's contributions which exceeds twice the amount of the
first annual contribution. The amount in excess of twice the first annual
contribution will receive the benefit of the assurances given new entrants into
the plan in the year the excess is first received by IDS Life. These assurances
will continue so long as the participant continues to make such excess
contributions.

EXPERIENCE RATING: The group variable annuity contract provides for experience
rating at the discretion of IDS Life. If the charges made by IDS Life for
mortality and expense assurances exceed the expenses incurred, IDS Life may
allocate all, a portion, or none of the excess as an experience rating credit.
No experience rating credits have been paid to date. IDS Life will determine the
experience rating credit, if any, which accrues to any group variable annuity
contract annually upon each contract anniversary by IDS Life. IDS Life will
determine application of the credit accruing to any group variable annuity
contract in one of two ways:

- - by a reduction in the amount deducted from subsequent contributions; or

- - by the crediting of a number of additional accumulation units or annuity
  units, as applicable, equal in value to the amount of the credit due (such
  additional units shall be credited without the deduction imposed on
  contributions).

ASSIGNMENT PROHIBITED: No benefit or privilege under the contract may be sold,
assigned, transferred, discounted or pledged as collateral for a loan or as
security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose to any
person other than IDS Life.

SUSPENSION: IDS Life may suspend a group variable annuity contract upon at least
90 days' written notice to the contract holder if the contract holder has failed
to make any contributions during the contract year immediately preceding such
notice. A contract holder may suspend a contract upon written notice to IDS Life
at least 90 days in advance of the effective date of the suspension. Upon
suspension, IDS Life may refuse to accept further contributions. Suspension will
in no way affect the accumulation units or annuity units previously credited to
any participant.

TERMINATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS: Upon termination of contributions on behalf of a
participant for any reason prior to the retirement date, the participant may
elect to withdraw the value of, or leave his total account in force under the
contract until its value is withdrawn as a surrender, paid upon the death of the
participant, or used to provide an annuity for the participant. When a
participant's variable account is left in force under the contract, the account
will continue to reflect the net investment experience of the Fund except that
if the value of the participant's total account is less then $1,000, IDS Life
may fulfill its obligations with respect to a participant by payment of the
value in a lump sum.

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

22      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
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.

If you bought this annuity under an IRA program and cancel the contract within
seven days after the date of issuance, IDS Life will refund the greater of the
total amount of purchase payments, or the value of the net amount invested,
without reduction in either case for sales and contract administrative charges
and taxes.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR TAXES?

GROUP CONTRACT: If your plan is sponsored by a public school system or an
organization that is tax exempt pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, then
contributions made for the purchase of an annuity contract under Section 403(b)
are excludable from your gross income. Any annual contributions that exceed the
limits on contributions to a 403(b) contract are not excluded from your gross
income.

Once you begin to receive annuity payments, you will be taxed as provided in
Section 72 of the Code. Ordinarily, this means that your total annual annuity
payments are taxed as ordinary income. If you elect to receive a lump sum
payment rather than annuity payments, the entire amount received may be taxed as
ordinary income.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT: Generally, under present law, you are not taxed on any
increase in the value of the units credited to your individual annuity contract
until you receive payments. When payments from an annuity under a tax-deferred
retirement plan begin, they are taxed under Section 72 of the Code. Ordinarily,
this means that your total annual annuity payments are taxed as ordinary income.
If you elect to receive a lump sum payment rather than annuity payments, the
entire amount received may be taxed as ordinary income. Amounts received from
Roth IRAs may be received tax free if you meet certain distribution
requirements.

If you surrender part or all of your annuity, you will be taxed on the payment
you receive to the extent that the value of your contract exceeds your
investment in the contract. In general, this means that your surrender payment
will be taxed as ordinary income. In addition, your regular tax may be increased
by 10% of the portion of the distribution includable in income unless the
distribution is:

- - after you reach age 59 1/2;

- - because of your death (or the death of the primary annuitant if the owner is
  not an individual);

- - because you are disabled;

- - part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments over the life
  expectancy of the owner (or joint life expectancies of the owner and
  beneficiary); or

- - because you separate from service on account of early retirement after
  reaching age 55.

These are the major exceptions to the 10% additional tax. Consult your tax
advisor before taking any action.

In general, if you receive all or part of the contract value from a qualified
annuity (but not an IRA or Roth IRA), mandatory 20% federal income tax
withholding (and possibly state income tax withholding) will be imposed at the
time the payment is made. In

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 23
<PAGE>
addition, federal and state income tax and the 10% IRS penalty tax for early
withdrawals may apply to amounts properly includable in income. This mandatory
20% income tax withholding will not be imposed if:

- - instead of receiving the payment, you elect to have the payment rolled over
  directly to an IRA or another eligible tax-deferred retirement plan;

- - the payment is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made
  at least annually, over your life or life expectancy (or joint lives or life
  expectancies of you and your designated beneficiary) or made over a period of
  10 years or more; or

- - the payment is a minimum distribution required under the Code.

These are the major exceptions to the mandatory 20% income tax withholding.
Payments made to a surviving spouse instead of being directly rolled over into
an IRA also may be subject to 20% income tax withholding. For taxable
distributions that are not subject to the mandatory 20% withholding, federal
income tax and possibly state income tax will be withheld from the taxable part
of your distribution unless you elect otherwise.

Unlike life insurance proceeds, the death benefit under your annuity contract
(except a Roth IRA) 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
death benefit under a Roth IRA generally is not taxable as ordinary income to
the beneficiary.

IDS Life intends the contract 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 tax qualification, in spite of any other provisions of the
contract. IDS Life reserves the right to amend the contract to reflect any
clarifications that may be needed or are appropriate to maintain qualification
or to conform the contract to any applicable changes in the tax qualification
requirements. We will send you a copy of any amendments.

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

VOTING RIGHTS

The Fund grants and defines voting rights of contract holders and group plan
participants under its regulations. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act,
IDS Life may modify these voting rights without a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting units. Variable contract holders and group plan participants
can vote on:

- - any changes in fundamental investment restrictions;

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

- - the election of the Board of Managers; and

- - the acceptance of the Fund's independent auditors.

A variable contract holder or group plan participant with accumulation units has
a number of votes equal to the number of accumulation units owned. Under a
contract where annuity payments have started, IDS Life determines the number of
votes 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 or group plan participant is
entitled as we continue to make

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

24      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
annuity payments 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 or group plan participants. Cumulative voting is
not authorized.

U.S. Bank National Association (U.S. Bank) of St. Paul, MN, as custodian for
Keogh Act plans and for the IDS Incentive and Thrift Plan, was owner of record
of 1,230,430 units of the Fund on Dec. 31, 1999, constituting 5.4% of the voting
units. U.S. Bank votes these units in accordance with instructions from the
beneficial owners. If U.S. Bank fails to receive timely instructions from a
beneficial owner, it will vote these units in the same proportion as units voted
according to received instructions.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 25
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND

GUMER C. ALVERO*
Member of the Board of Managers
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN

Vice President -- General Manager of Variable Annuity Products Group. American
Express Financial Corporation since April 1998. Executive Assistant to
President/CEO from April 1996 to April 1998. Program Manager in Financial
Institution Group, April 1994 to April 1996.

RODNEY P. BURWELL
Member of the Board of Managers
Xerxes Corporation
7901 Xerxes Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN

Chairman, Xerxes Corporation (fiberglass storage tanks). Director Fairview
Corporation.

LORRAINE R. HART*
Vice President, Investments
200 AXP Financial Center
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 Treasurer
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN

Vice President and Treasurer of IDS Life since July 1996.

JEAN B. KEFFELER
Member of the Board of Managers
3424 Zenith Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN

Independent Management Consultant, Director, National Computer Systems.

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

26      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
RICHARD W. KLING*
Chairman of the Board of Managers and President
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN

Director of IDS Life Insurance Company since February 1984; President since
March 1994. Senior Vice President,
American Express Financial Corporation, since 1994; Director of IDS Life
Series Fund, Inc.

THOMAS R. MCBURNEY
Member of the Board of Managers
McBurney Management Advisors
1700 Foshay Tower
821 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN

President, McBurney Management Advisors. Director, The Valspar Corporation
(paints). Wenger Corporation, Allina, Space Center Enterprises and Greenspring
Corporation.

TIMOTHY S. MEEHAN*
Secretary
200 AXP Financial Center
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.

WILLIAM A. STOLTZMANN*
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
200 AXP Financial Center
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.

PHILIP C. WENTZEL*
Controller
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN

Vice President and Controller IDS Life. Vice President-Finance, Risk Management
Products, American Express Financial Corporation.

* 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 AEFC and do not receive remuneration from the Fund. The
officers and managers of the Fund aggregately hold less than 1% of the
outstanding voting units.

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 27
<PAGE>
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.

RICHARD W. KLING
Director since February 1984; President since March 1994. Senior Vice President,
American Express Financial Corporation, since May 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, American Express Financial Corporation, since January 1987. Vice
President and Chief Actuary of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.

PAULA R. MEYER
Director and Executive Vice President, Assured Assets since June 1998. Piper
Capital Management (PCM) President from October 1997 to May 1998. PCM Director
of Marketing from June 1995 to October 1997. PCM Director of Retail Marketing
from December 1993 to June 1995.

JAMES A. MITCHELL
Chairman of the Board since March 1994; Director since July 1984.

PAMELA J. MORET
Director since March 2000; Executive Vice President-Variable Assets since 1997;
Vice President-Retail Service Group, AEFC, from 1996 to 1997; Vice
President-Communications, AEFC, from 1993 to 1996.

BARRY J. MURPHY
Director and Executive Vice President, Client Service since March 1994; Senior
Vice President, American Express Financial Corporation since May 1994.

STUART A. SEDLACEK
Director since March 1994; Vice President, American Express Financial
Corporation, since September 1988.

OFFICERS OTHER THAN DIRECTORS
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.

PHILIP C. WENTZEL
Vice President and Controller IDS Life. Vice President-Finance, Risk Management
Products, American Express Financial Corporation.

* The address for all of the directors and principal officers is: 200 AXP
  Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474.

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

28      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
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.

ASSETS OF THE FUND

On Dec. 31, 1999, there were 12,284 outstanding contracts. The assets were
$950,122,988.

The Fund holds these assets 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 AXP Financial Center in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

OWNERSHIP OF IDS LIFE AND AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION

All of the capital stock of IDS Life is owned by AEFC. 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 AEFC, and
IDS Financial Services Inc.'s name was changed to American Express Financial
Advisors Inc. AEFC serves as investment advisor for the Fund. AEFC is an
investment advisor for a number of open-end investment companies and for its
subsidiaries. AEFC's headquarters is 200 AXP Financial Center, Minneapolis,
Minnesota.

OTHER AFFILIATIONS

IDS Life also distributes different variable annuity contracts not described in
this prospectus and variable life insurance policies.

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

IDS Life manages Fund B, Fund A and 16 mutual funds that are part of the
American Express Funds advised by American Express Financial Corporation. These
16 mutual funds are available for purchase only through variable annuity and
life insurance 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:

    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Blue Chip Advantage Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Bond Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Capital Resource Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Cash Management Fund

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 29
<PAGE>
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Diversified Equity Income Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Emerging Markets Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Extra Income Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Federal Income Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Global Bond Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Growth Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - International Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Managed Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - New Dimensions Fund-Registered Trademark-
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - S&P 500 Index Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Small Cap Advantage Fund
    AXP(SM) Variable Portfolio - Strategy Aggressive 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
Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2307.

The custodian has entered into a sub-custodian arrangement with Bank of New
York, New York, NY. As part of this arrangement, portfolio securities purchased
outside the United States may be held in custody and deposit accounts that have
been established 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.

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

30      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
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 1999 Annual Report to IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B contract holders,
are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference. No other portion of the Annual
Report, however, is incorporated by reference.

YEAR 2000

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of IDS Life and the Fund.
All of the major systems used by IDS Life and the Fund are maintained by AEFC
and are utilized by multiple subsidiaries and affiliates of AEFC. IDS Life's and
the Fund's businesses are heavily dependent upon AEFC's computer systems and
have significant interaction with systems of third parties.

A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business processes,
including those specific to IDS Life and the Fund, was conducted to identify the
major systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue. Steps were taken to
resolve potential problems including modification to existing software and the
purchase of new software. As of Dec. 31, 1999, AEFC had completed its program of
corrective measures on its internal systems and applications, including Year
2000 compliance testing. As of Dec. 31, 1999, AEFC had also completed an
evaluation of the Year 2000 readiness of other third parties whose system
failures could have an impact on IDS Life's and the Fund's operations.

AEFC's Year 2000 project also included establishing Year 2000 contingency plans
for all key business units. Business continuation plans, which address business
continuation in the event of a system disruption, are in place for all key
business units. As of Dec. 31, 1999, these plans had been amended to include
specific Year 2000 considerations.

In assessing its Year 2000 initiatives and the results of actual production
since Jan. 1, 2000, management believes no material adverse consequences were
experienced, and there was no material effect on IDS Life's and the Fund's
business, results of operations, or financial condition as a result of the Year
2000 issue.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

A number of lawsuits have been filed against life and health insurers in
jurisdictions in which IDS Life and AEFC do business involving insurers' sales
practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise agents and
other matters. IDS Life and AEFC, like other life and health insurers, from time
to time are involved in such litigation. On December 13, 1996, an action
entitled Lesa Benacquisto and Daniel Benacquisto vs. IDS Life Insurance Company
and American Express Financial Corporation was commenced in Minnesota state
court. The action was brought by individuals who replaced an existing IDS Life
insurance policy with a new IDS Life policy. The plaintiffs purport to represent
a class consisting of all persons who replaced existing IDS Life policies with
new policies from and after January 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. IDS Life and AEFC
filed an answer to the complaint on February 18, 1997, denying the allegations.
A second action, entitled Arnold Mork, Isabella Mork, Ronald Melchart and Susan
Melchart vs. IDS Life Insurance Company and American Express Financial
Corporation was commenced in the same court on March 21, 1997. In addition to
claims that are included in the Benacquisto lawsuit, the second action includes
an allegation of improper replacement of an existing IDS Life annuity contract.
A subsequent class action, Richard

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

                                                    PROSPECTUS -- MAY 1, 2000 31
<PAGE>
Thoresen and Elizabeth Thoresen vs. AEFC, American Partners Life Insurance
Company, American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, American Centurion Life
Assurance Company, IDS Life Insurance Company and IDS Life Insurance Company of
New York, was filed in the same court on October 13, 1998 alleging that the sale
of annuities in tax-deferred contributory retirement investment plans (e.g.
IRAs) was done through deceptive marketing practices, which IDS Life denies.
Plaintiffs in each of the above actions seek damages in an unspecified amount
and also seek to establish a claims resolution facility for the determination of
individual issues.

IDS Life is included as a party to a preliminary settlement of all three class
action lawsuits. We believe this approach will put these cases behind us and
provide a fair outcome for our clients. Our decision to settle does not include
any admission of wrong doing. We do not anticipate that this proposed
settlement, or any other lawsuits in which IDS Life is a defendant, will have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition.

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

32      IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B
<PAGE>
2 0 0 0         P R O S P E C T U S
IDS LIFE VARIABLE
ANNUITY FUND B

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

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55474
(800) 862-7919

                                                       S-6165 K (5/00)


<PAGE>


<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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, 1999 and 1998, 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, 1999. 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 auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. 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, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP
February 3, 2000
Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

                                                  IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-1
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, ($ THOUSANDS)                   1999         1998
<S>                                       <C>          <C>
 ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity, at amortized cost
    (fair value:
    1999, $7,105,743; 1998, $8,420,035)   $ 7,156,292  $ 7,964,114
    Available for sale, at fair value
    (amortized cost:
    1999, $13,703,137; 1998,
    $13,344,949)                           13,049,549   13,613,139
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           20,205,841   21,577,253
Mortgage loans on real estate               3,606,377    3,505,458
Policy loans                                  561,834      525,431
Other investments                             506,797      366,604
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total investments                      24,880,849   25,974,746
Cash and cash equivalents                      32,333       22,453
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers           327,168      262,260
Amounts due from brokers                          145          327
Other accounts receivable                      48,578       47,963
Accrued investment income                     343,449      366,574
Deferred policy acquisition costs           2,665,175    2,496,352
Deferred income taxes, net                    216,020           --
Other assets                                   33,089       30,487
Separate account assets                    35,894,732   27,349,401
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                              $64,441,538  $56,550,563
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits:
Fixed annuities                           $20,552,159  $21,172,303
Universal life-type insurance               3,391,203    3,343,671
Traditional life insurance                    226,842      225,306
Disability income and long-term care
  insurance                                   811,941      660,320
Policy claims and other policyholders'
  funds                                        24,600       70,309
Deferred income taxes, net                         --       16,930
Amounts due to brokers                        148,112      195,406
Other liabilities                             579,678      410,285
Separate account liabilities               35,894,732   27,349,401
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                          61,629,267   53,443,931
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies
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                    288,327      288,327
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
  income, net of tax:
Net unrealized securities (losses) gains     (411,230)     169,584
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings                           2,932,174    2,645,721
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholder's equity                  2,812,271    3,106,632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholder's
  equity                                  $64,441,538  $56,550,563
==================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

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

F-2      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ($ THOUSANDS)       1999         1998        1997
<S>                                       <C>          <C>         <C>
 REVENUES:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Premiums:
Traditional life insurance                $   53,790   $   53,132  $   52,473
Disability income and long-term care
  insurance                                  201,637      176,298     154,021
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums                               255,427      229,430     206,494
Policyholder and contractholder charges      411,994      383,965     341,726
Management and other fees                    473,108      401,057     340,892
Net investment income                      1,919,573    1,986,485   1,988,389
Net realized gain on investments              26,608        6,902         860
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues                             3,086,710    3,007,839   2,878,361
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Death and other benefits:
Traditional life insurance                    29,819       29,835      28,951
Universal life-type insurance and
  investment contracts                       118,561      108,349      92,814
Disability income and long-term care
  insurance                                   30,622       27,414      22,333
Increase in liabilities for future
  policy benefits:
Traditional life insurance                     7,311        6,052       3,946
Disability income and long-term care
  insurance                                   87,620       73,305      63,631
Interest credited on universal life-type
  insurance and investment contracts       1,240,575    1,317,124   1,386,448
Amortization of deferred policy
  acquisition costs                          332,705      382,642     322,731
Other insurance and operating expenses       335,180      287,326     276,596
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total benefits and expenses                2,182,393    2,232,047   2,197,450
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                   904,317      775,792     680,911
Income taxes                                 267,864      235,681     206,664
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                $  636,453   $  540,111  $  474,247
=============================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

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

                                                  IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-3
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            ACCUMULATED
                                                                                               OTHER
                                                        TOTAL                  ADDITIONAL  COMPREHENSIVE
                                                    STOCKHOLDER'S   CAPITAL     PAID-IN    (LOSS) INCOME,   RETAINED
THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 ($ THOUSANDS)      EQUITY        STOCK      CAPITAL      NET OF TAX     EARNINGS
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996                            $2,444,080     $3,000     $283,615     $  86,102     $2,071,363
Comprehensive income:
Net income                                               474,247         --           --            --        474,247
Unrealized holding gains arising during the year,
  net of deferred policy acquisition costs of
  ($7,714) and taxes of ($75,215)                        139,686         --           --       139,686             --
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in
  net income, net of tax of ($308)                           571         --           --           571             --
Other comprehensive income                               140,257         --           --       140,257             --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                                     614,504         --           --            --             --
Capital contribution from parent                           7,232         --        7,232            --             --
Cash dividends to parent                                (200,000)        --           --            --       (200,000)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997                             2,865,816      3,000      290,847       226,359      2,345,610
Comprehensive income:
Net income                                               540,111         --           --            --        540,111
Unrealized holding losses arising during the year,
  net of deferred policy acquisition costs of
  $6,333 and taxes of $32,826                            (60,964)        --           --       (60,964)            --
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in
  net income, net of tax of ($2,254)                       4,189         --           --         4,189             --
Other comprehensive loss                                 (56,775)        --           --       (56,775)            --
Comprehensive income                                     483,336         --           --            --             --
Other changes                                             (2,520)        --       (2,520)           --             --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends to parent                                (240,000)        --           --            --       (240,000)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998                             3,106,632      3,000      288,327       169,584      2,645,721

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998                            $3,106,632     $3,000     $288,327     $ 169,584     $2,645,721
Comprehensive income:
Net income                                               636,453         --           --            --        636,453
Unrealized holding losses arising during the year,
  net of deferred policy acquisition costs of
  $28,444 and taxes of $304,936                         (566,311)        --           --      (566,311)            --
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in
  net income, net of tax of $7,810                       (14,503)        --           --       (14,503)            --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive loss                                (580,814)        --           --      (580,814)            --
Comprehensive income                                      55,639         --           --            --             --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends to parent                                (350,000)        --           --            --       (350,000)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1999                            $2,812,271     $3,000     $288,327     $(411,230)    $2,932,174
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

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

F-4      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ($ THOUSANDS)       1999         1998         1997
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                $   636,453  $   540,111  $   474,247
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
  net cash provided by operating
  activities: Policy loans, excluding
  universal life-type insurance:
Issuance                                      (56,153)     (53,883)     (54,665)
Repayment                                      54,105       57,902       46,015
Change in amounts recoverable from
  reinsurers                                  (64,908)     (56,544)     (47,994)
Change in other accounts receivable              (615)     (10,068)       6,194
Change in accrued investment income            23,125       (9,184)     (14,077)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
  costs, net                                 (140,379)     (10,443)    (156,486)
Change in liabilities for future policy
  benefits for traditional life,
  disability income and long-term care
  insurance                                   153,157      138,826      112,915
Change in policy claims and other
  policyholders' funds                        (45,709)       1,964      (15,289)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)        79,796      (19,122)      19,982
Change in other liabilities                   169,395       64,902       13,305
(Accretion of discount), amortization of
  premium, net                                (17,907)       9,170       (5,649)
Net realized gain on investments              (26,608)      (6,902)        (860)
Policyholder and contractholder charges,
  non-cash                                   (175,059)    (172,396)    (160,885)
Other, net                                     (5,324)      10,786        7,161
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating
  activities                              $   583,369  $   485,119  $   223,914

 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
Purchases                                 $    (3,030) $    (1,020) $    (1,996)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and
  calls                                       741,949    1,162,731      686,503
Sales                                          66,547      236,963      236,761
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases                                  (3,433,128)  (4,100,238)  (3,160,133)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and
  calls                                     1,442,507    2,967,311    1,206,213
Sales                                       1,691,389      278,955      457,585
Other investments, excluding policy
  loans:
Purchases                                    (657,383)    (555,647)    (524,521)
Sales                                         406,684      579,038      335,765
Change in amounts due from brokers                182        8,073        2,647
Change in amounts due to brokers              (47,294)    (186,052)     119,471
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
  activities                                  208,423      390,114     (641,705)

 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity related to universal life-type
  insurance and investment contracts:
Considerations received                     2,031,630    1,873,624    2,785,758
Surrenders and other benefits              (3,669,759)  (3,792,612)  (3,736,242)
Interest credited to account balances       1,240,575    1,317,124    1,386,448
Universal life-type insurance policy
  loans:
Issuance                                     (102,239)     (97,602)     (84,835)
Repayment                                      67,881       67,000       54,513
Capital transaction with parent                    --           --        7,232
Dividends paid                               (350,000)    (240,000)    (200,000)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing
  activities                                 (781,912)    (872,466)     212,874
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents                                   9,880        2,767     (204,917)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
  of year                                      22,453       19,686      224,603
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  $    32,333  $    22,453  $    19,686
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.

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

                                                  IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-5
<PAGE>
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 (AEFC), 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, American Partners Life Insurance
Company and American Express Corporation.

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 significant intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
which vary in certain respects from reporting practices prescribed or permitted
by state insurance regulatory authorities (see Note 4).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States 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 reported as a separate
component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of the related
deferred policy acquisition costs effect and 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.

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

F-6      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
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 a 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 loan 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 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
judgment 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.

The Company may purchase and write index options to hedge the fee income earned
on the management of equity securities in separate accounts and the underlying
mutual funds. These index options are carried at market value and are included
in other investments or other liabilities, as appropriate. Gains or losses on
index options that qualify as hedges are deferred and recognized in management
and other fees in the same period as the hedged fee income.

The Company also uses index options to manage the risks related to a certain
annuity product that pay interest based upon the relative change in a major
stock market index between the beginning and end of the product's term.
Purchased options used in conjunction with this product are reported in other
investments and written options are included in other liabilities. The
amortization of the cost of purchased options, the proceeds of written options
and the changes in intrinsic value of the contracts are included in net
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.

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

                                                  IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-7
<PAGE>
Supplementary information to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the
years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1999      1998      1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes                         $214,940  $215,003  $174,472
Interest on borrowings                  4,521    14,529     8,213
</TABLE>

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. Under this method, profits are recognized 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, issue and administrative fees and surrender charges. 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 from underlying proprietary mutual funds and mortality and
expense risk fees received from the variable annuity and variable life insurance
separate accounts.

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 using
primarily the interest method. 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.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs requires the use of
assumptions including interest margins, mortality margins, persistency rates,
maintenance expense levels and, for variable products, separate account
performance. For universal life-type insurance and deferred annuities, actual
experience is reflected in the Company's amortization models monthly. As actual
experience differs from the current assumptions, management considers the need
to change key assumptions underlying the amortization models prospectively. The
impact of changing prospective assumptions is reflected in the period that such
changes are made and is generally referred to as an unlocking adjustment. During
1999, unlocking adjustments resulted in a net decrease in amortization of $56.8
million. Net unlocking adjustments in 1998 and 1997 were not significant.

LIABILITIES FOR FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS
Liabilities for universal-life type insurance and fixed and variable deferred
annuities are accumulation values.

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

F-8      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
Liabilities for equity indexed deferred annuities are determined as the present
value of guaranteed benefits and the intrinsic value of index-based benefits.

Liabilities for fixed annuities in a benefit status are based on established
industry mortality tables and interest rates ranging from 5% to 9.5%, depending
on year of issue.

Liabilities for future benefits on traditional life insurance are based on the
net level premium method, using anticipated mortality, policy persistency and
interest earning rates. Anticipated mortality rates are based on established
industry mortality tables. 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 range from 4% to 10%, depending on policy form, issue
year and policy duration.

Liabilities for future disability income and long-term care policy benefits
include both policy reserves and claim reserves. Policy reserves are based on
the net level premium method, using anticipated morbidity, mortality, policy
persistency and interest earning rates. Anticipated morbidity and mortality
rates are based on established industry morbidity and mortality tables.
Anticipated policy persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age, policy
duration and, for disability income policies, occupation class. Anticipated
interest rates for disability income and long-term care policy reserves are 3%
to 9.5% at policy issue and grade to ultimate rates of 5% to 7% over 5 to 10
years.

Claim reserves are calculated based on claim continuance tables and anticipated
interest earnings. Anticipated claim continuance rates are based on established
industry tables. Anticipated interest rates for claim reserves for both
disability income and long-term care range from 5% to 8%.

REINSURANCE
The maximum amount of life insurance risk retained by the Company is $750 on any
policy insuring a single life and $1,500 on any policy insuring a joint-life
combination. Beginning in 1999, the Company retains only 20% of the mortality
risk on new variable universal life insurance policies. Risk not retained is
reinsured with other life insurance companies, primarily on a yearly renewable
term basis. Long-term care policies are primarily reinsured on a coinsurance
basis. The Company retains all disability income and waiver of premium risk.
Beginning in 2000, the Company will retain all accidental death benefit risk.

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 AEFC 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 AEFC and its
subsidiaries that AEFC will reimburse subsidiaries for all tax benefits.

Included in other liabilities at December 31, 1999 and 1998 are $852 receivable
from and $26,291 payable to, respectively, AEFC 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 receives investment management fees from the proprietary
mutual funds used as investment options for variable annuities and variable life
insurance. The Company receives mortality and expense risk fees from the
separate accounts.

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

                                                  IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-9
<PAGE>
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 beneficiaries from the mortality assumptions implicit in the
annuity contracts. The Company makes periodic fund transfers to, or withdrawals
from, the separate account assets for such actuarial adjustments for variable
annuities that are in the benefit payment period. The Company also guarantees
that the rates at which administrative fees are deducted from contract funds
will not exceed contractual maximums.

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
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position
(SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use" became effective January 1, 1999. The SOP requires the
capitalization of certain costs incurred after the date of adoption to develop
or obtain software for internal use. Software utilized by the Company is owned
by AEFC and capitalized by AEFC. As a result, the new rule did not have a
material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted AICPA SOP 97-3, "Accounting by
Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments," providing
guidance for the timing of recognition of liabilities related to guaranty fund
assessments. The Company had historically carried a liability for estimated
guaranty fund assessment exposure. Adoption of the SOP did not have a material
impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities," which is effective January 1, 2001. This Statement
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all derivatives as either
assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair
value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on
the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. The ultimate
financial effect of adoption of the new rule will depend on the derivatives in
place at adoption and cannot be estimated at this time.

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.

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

F-10      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values of
investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 1999 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                   $   37,613   $   236     $  2,158   $   35,691
State and municipal
  obligations                        9,681       150           --        9,831
Corporate bonds and
  obligations                    5,713,475    91,571      113,350    5,691,696
Mortgage-backed securities       1,395,523     4,953       31,951    1,368,525
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $7,156,292   $96,910     $147,459   $7,105,743
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               GROSS       GROSS
                                 AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED     FAIR
AVAILABLE FOR SALE                 COST        GAINS       LOSSES       VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
U.S. Government agency
  obligations                   $    46,325   $   612     $  2,231   $    44,706
State and municipal
  obligations                        13,226       519          191        13,554
Corporate bonds and
  obligations                     7,960,352    60,120      560,450     7,460,022
Mortgage-backed securities        5,683,234     9,692      161,659     5,531,267
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities           13,703,137    70,943      724,531    13,049,549
Equity securities                     3,000        16           --         3,016
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $13,706,137   $70,959     $724,531   $13,052,565
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values of
investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 1998 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                   $   39,888   $  4,460    $    --    $   44,348
State and municipal
  obligations                        9,683        490         --        10,173
Corporate bonds and
  obligations                    6,305,476    447,752     27,087     6,726,141
Mortgage-backed securities       1,609,067     30,458        152     1,639,373
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $7,964,114   $483,160    $27,239    $8,420,035
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

                                                 IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-11
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               GROSS       GROSS
                                 AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED  UNREALIZED     FAIR
AVAILABLE FOR SALE                 COST        GAINS       LOSSES       VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
U.S. Government agency
  obligations                   $    52,043   $  3,324    $     --   $    55,367
State and municipal
  obligations                        11,060      1,231          --        12,291
Corporate bonds and
  obligations                     7,332,344    271,174     155,181     7,448,337
Mortgage-backed securities        5,949,502    151,511       3,869     6,097,144
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities           13,344,949    427,240     159,050    13,613,139
Equity securities                     3,000        158          --         3,158
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $13,347,949   $427,398    $159,050   $13,616,297
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities at
December 31, 1999 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities
will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          AMORTIZED      FAIR
HELD TO MATURITY                             COST       VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
Due in one year or less                   $  238,740  $  239,747
Due from one to five years                 2,996,713   3,012,721
Due from five to ten years                 1,922,199   1,893,918
Due in more than ten years                   603,117     590,832
Mortgage-backed securities                 1,395,523   1,368,525
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $7,156,292  $7,105,743
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           AMORTIZED      FAIR
AVAILABLE FOR SALE                           COST         VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>
Due in one year or less                   $   271,381  $   274,415
Due from one to five years                    595,747      592,533
Due from five to ten years                  4,936,041    4,669,573
Due in more than ten years                  2,216,734    1,981,761
Mortgage-backed securities                  5,683,234    5,531,267
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $13,703,137  $13,049,549
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

During the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, fixed maturities
classified as held to maturity were sold with amortized cost of $68,470,
$230,036 and $229,848, 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' credit worthiness.

Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1999 with proceeds of
$1,691,389 and gross realized gains and losses of $36,568 and $14,255,
respectively. Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1998 with
proceeds of $278,955 and gross realized gains and losses of $15,658 and $22,102,
respectively. Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1997 with
proceeds of $457,585 and gross realized gains and losses of $6,639 and $7,518,
respectively.

At December 31, 1999, bonds carried at $14,559 were on deposit with various
states as required by law.

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

F-12      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1999, investments in fixed maturities comprised 81 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 $3.7
billion which are rated by AEFC's internal analysts using criteria similar to
Moody's and S&P. A summary of investments in fixed maturities, at amortized
cost, by rating on December 31 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATING                                       1999         1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>
Aaa/AAA                                   $ 7,144,280  $ 7,629,628
Aaa/AA                                          1,920        2,277
Aa/AA                                         301,728      308,053
Aa/A                                          314,168      301,325
A/A                                         2,598,300    2,525,283
A/BBB                                       1,014,566    1,148,736
Baa/BBB                                     6,319,549    6,237,014
Baa/BB                                        348,849      492,696
Below investment grade                      2,816,069    2,664,051
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $20,859,429  $21,309,063
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1999, 90 percent of the securities rated Aaa/AAA are GNMA, FNMA
and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities. No holdings of any other issuer are
greater than one percent of the Company's total investments in fixed maturities.

At December 31, 1999, approximately 14 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:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   DECEMBER 31, 1999         DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                ON BALANCE   COMMITMENTS  ON BALANCE   COMMITMENTS
REGION                             SHEET     TO PURCHASE     SHEET     TO PURCHASE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
East North Central              $  715,998    $ 10,380    $  750,705    $ 16,393
West North Central                 555,635      42,961       491,006      81,648
South Atlantic                     867,838      23,317       839,233      21,020
Middle Atlantic                    428,051       1,806       476,448       6,169
New England                        259,243       4,415       263,761       2,824
Pacific                            238,299       3,466       195,851      16,946
West South Central                 144,607       4,516       136,841       1,412
East South Central                  43,841          --        46,029          --
Mountain                           381,148       9,380       345,379       8,473
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 3,634,660     100,241     3,545,253     154,885
Less allowance for losses           28,283          --        39,795          --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $3,606,377    $100,241    $3,505,458    $154,885
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

                                                 IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-13
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   DECEMBER 31, 1999         DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                ON BALANCE   COMMITMENTS  ON BALANCE   COMMITMENTS
PROPERTY TYPE                      SHEET     TO PURCHASE     SHEET     TO PURCHASE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Department/retail stores        $1,158,712    $ 33,829    $1,139,349    $ 59,305
Apartments                         887,538      11,343       960,808       9,272
Office buildings                   931,234      26,062       783,576      50,450
Industrial buildings               309,845       5,525       298,549      13,263
Hotels/motels                      103,625          --       109,185      14,122
Medical buildings                  114,045          --       124,369          --
Nursing/retirement homes            45,935          --        46,696          --
Mixed use                           66,893          --        65,151          --
Other                               16,833      23,482        17,570       8,473
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 3,634,660     100,241     3,545,253     154,885
Less allowance for losses           28,283          --        39,795          --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $3,606,377    $100,241    $3,505,458    $154,885
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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 it
the right to take possession of the property if the borrower fails to perform
according to the terms of the agreement. Commitments to purchase mortgages are
made in the ordinary course of business. The fair value of the mortgage
commitments is $nil.

At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company's recorded investment in impaired
loans was $21,375 and $24,941, respectively, with allowances of $5,750 and
$6,662, respectively. During 1999 and 1998, the average recorded investment in
impaired loans was $23,815 and $37,873, respectively.

The Company recognized $1,190, $1,809 and $2,981 of interest income related to
impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
respectively.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      1999     1998     1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>
Balance, January 1                   $39,795  $38,645  $37,495
Provision (reduction) for
  investment losses                   (9,512)   7,582    8,801
Loan payoffs                            (500)    (800)  (3,851)
Foreclosures and writeoffs            (1,500)  (5,632)  (3,800)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31                 $28,283  $39,795  $38,645
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1999, the Company had no commitments to purchase investments
other than mortgage loans.

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

F-14      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
Net investment income for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1999        1998        1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>
Interest on fixed maturities         $1,598,059  $1,676,984  $1,692,481
Interest on mortgage loans              285,921     301,253     305,742
Other investment income                  70,892      43,518      25,089
Interest on cash equivalents              5,871       5,486       5,914
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1,960,743   2,027,241   2,029,226
Less investment expenses                 41,170      40,756      40,837
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     $1,919,573  $1,986,485  $1,988,389
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      1999     1998     1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>
Fixed maturities                     $22,387  $12,084  $16,115
Mortgage loans                        10,211   (5,933)  (6,424)
Other investments                     (5,990)     751   (8,831)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
                                     $26,608  $ 6,902  $   860
- --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for the
years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1999       1998      1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>       <C>
Fixed maturities available for sale  $(921,778) $(93,474) $223,441
Equity securities                         (142)     (203)       53
</TABLE>

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.

The income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consists of the
following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1999      1998      1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>
Federal income taxes:
Current                              $178,444  $244,946  $176,879
Deferred                               79,796   (16,602)   19,982
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                      258,240   228,344   196,861
State income taxes-current              9,624     7,337     9,803
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense                   $267,864  $235,681  $206,664
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

                                                 IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-15
<PAGE>
Increases (decreases) to the income tax provision applicable to pretax income
based on the statutory rate are attributable to:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 1999              1998              1997
                           PROVISION  RATE   PROVISION  RATE   PROVISION  RATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>
Federal income taxes
  based on the statutory
  rate                     $316,511   35.0%  $271,527   35.0%  $238,319   35.0%
Tax-excluded interest and
  dividend income            (9,626)  (1.1)   (12,289)  (1.6)   (10,294)  (1.5)
State taxes, net of
  federal benefit             6,256    0.7      4,769    0.6      6,372    0.9
Affordable housing
  credits                   (31,000)  (3.4)   (19,688)  (2.5)   (20,705)  (3.0)
Other, net                  (14,277)  (1.6)    (8,638)  (1.1)    (7,028)  (1.0)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income taxes         $267,864   29.6%  $235,681   30.4%  $206,664   30.4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</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 December 31, 1999, 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.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1999      1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Policy reserves                           $733,647  $756,769
Unrealized loss on available for sale
  investments                              221,431        --
Investments, other                           1,873        --
Life insurance guaranty fund assessment
  reserve                                    4,789    15,289
Other                                           --     4,253
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets                  961,740   776,311
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs          740,837   698,471
Unrealized gain on available for sale
  investments                                   --    91,315
Investments, other                              --     3,455
Other                                        4,883        --
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities             745,720   793,241
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)     $216,020  $(16,930)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

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

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

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

F-16      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
aggregated $1,693,356 as of December 31, 1999 and $1,598,203 as of December 31,
1998 (see Note 3 with respect to the income tax effect of certain
distributions). In addition, any dividend distributions in 2000 in excess of
approximately $418,845 would require approval of the Department of Commerce of
the State of Minnesota.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        1999        1998        1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>
Statutory net income                 $  478,173  $  429,903  $  379,615
Statutory capital and surplus         1,978,406   1,883,405   1,765,290
</TABLE>

5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company loans funds to AEFC under a collateral loan agreement. The balance
of the loan was $nil at December 31, 1999 and 1998. 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.
Interest income on related party loans totaled $nil, $nil and $103 in 1999, 1998
and 1997, respectively.

The Company participates in the American Express Company Retirement Plan which
covers all permanent employees age 21 and over who have met certain employment
requirements. 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 $223, $211 and $201 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, 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 1999, 1998 and 1997 were $1,906, $1,503 and $1,245,
respectively.

The Company participates in defined benefit health care plans of AEFC 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 AEFC. AEFC expenses these benefits and allocates the
expenses to its subsidiaries. The Company's share of postretirement benefits in
1999, 1998 and 1997 was $1,147, $1,352 and $1,330, respectively.

Charges by AEFC for use of joint facilities, technology support, marketing
services and other services aggregated $485,177, $411,337 and $414,155 for 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively. Certain of these costs are included in deferred
policy acquisition costs.

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, traditional life insurance and universal
life-type insurance in force aggregated $89,271,957, $81,074,928 and $74,730,720
respectively, of which $8,281,576, $4,912,313 and $4,351,904 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 $76,970,
$66,378 and $60,495 and reinsurance recovered from reinsurers amounted to
$27,816, $20,982, and $19,042 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its
primary obligation to policyholders.

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

                                                 IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-17
<PAGE>
In January 2000, AEFC reached an agreement in principle to settle three
class-action lawsuits. The Company had been named as a co-defendant in all three
lawsuits. It is expected the settlement will provide $215 million of benefits to
more than 2 million class participants. The agreement in principle to settle
also provides for release by class members of all insurance and annuity market
conduct claims dating back to 1985 and is subject to a number of contingencies
including a definitive agreement and court approval. The settlement costs
allocated to the Company are included in the accompanying 1999 statement of
income and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
financial position or results from operations.

The Company is named as a defendant in various other lawsuits. The outcome of
any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty. In the opinion of management,
however, the ultimate resolution of these lawsuits, taken in aggregate should
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial
position.

The IRS routinely examines the Company's federal income tax returns and is
currently completing the audit for the 1990 through 1992 tax years. Management
does not believe there will be a material adverse effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position as a result of this audit.

7. LINES OF CREDIT

The Company has available lines of credit with its parent aggregating $200,000
($100,000 committed and $100,000 uncommitted). The interest rate for any
borrowings is established by reference to various indices plus 20 to 45 basis
points, depending on the term. Borrowings outstanding under this agreement were
$50,000 uncommitted at December 31, 1999 and $nil at December 31, 1998.

8. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company enters into transactions involving derivative financial instruments
to manage its exposure to interest rate risk and equity market 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 or equity market index.
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 risk related to derivative
financial instruments through established approval procedures, including setting
concentration limits by counterparty, 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 risk related to interest rate caps and floors and index options 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 risk.

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

F-18      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
The Company's holdings of derivative financial instruments are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 NOTIONAL   CARRYING    FAIR    TOTAL CREDIT
DECEMBER 31, 1999                 AMOUNT     AMOUNT    VALUE      EXPOSURE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
Assets:
  Interest rate caps            $2,500,000  $ 9,685   $ 12,773    $12,773
  Interest rate floors           1,000,000      602        319        319
  Options purchased                180,897   49,789     61,745     61,745
Liabilities:
  Options written                   43,262   (1,677)    (2,402)        --
Off balance sheet:
  Interest rate swaps            1,267,000       --    (17,582)        --
                                            -------   --------    -------
                                            $58,399   $ 54,853    $74,837
                                            =======   ========    =======
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 NOTIONAL   CARRYING    FAIR    TOTAL CREDIT
DECEMBER 31, 1998                 AMOUNT     AMOUNT    VALUE      EXPOSURE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
Assets:
  Interest rate caps            $3,400,000  $ 15,985  $  4,256    $ 4,256
  Interest rate floors           1,000,000     1,082    13,971     13,971
  Options purchased                110,912    24,094    29,453     29,453
Liabilities:
  Options purchased/written        265,454   (10,526)  (11,062)        --
Off balance sheet:
  Interest rate swaps            1,667,000        --   (73,477)        --
                                            --------  --------    -------
                                            $ 30,635  $(36,859)   $47,680
                                            ========  ========    =======
</TABLE>

The fair values of derivative financial instruments are based on market values,
dealer quotes or pricing models. The interest rate caps, floors and swaps expire
on various dates from 2000 to 2003. The purchased and written options expire on
various dates from 2000 to 2006.

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.

The Company also uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk related
to the level of fee income earned on the management of fixed income securities
in separate accounts and the underlying mutual funds. The amount of fee income
received is based upon the daily market value of the separate account and mutual
fund assets. As a result, changing interest rate conditions could impact the
Company's fee income significantly. The Company entered into interest rate swaps
to hedge anticipated fee income for 1999 related to separate accounts and mutual
funds which invest in fixed income securities. Interest was reported in
management and other fees.

The Company offers an annuity product that pays interest based upon the relative
change in a major stock market index between the beginning and end of the
product's term. As a means of hedging its obligation under the provisions of
this product, the Company purchases and writes options on the major stock market
index.

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

                                                 IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-19
<PAGE>
Index options are used to manage the equity market risk related to the fee
income that the Company receives from its separate accounts and the underlying
mutual funds. The amount of the fee income received is based upon the daily
market value of the separate account and mutual fund assets. As a result, the
Company's fee income could be impacted significantly by fluctuations in the
equity market. The Company entered into index option collars (combination of
puts and calls) to hedge anticipated fee income for 1999 and 1998 related to
separate accounts and mutual funds which invest in equity securities. Testing
demonstrated the impact of these instruments on the income statement closely
correlates with the amount of fee income the Company realizes. At December 31,
1999 deferred losses on purchased put and written call index options were $nil.
At December 31, 1998 deferred losses on purchased put and written call index
options were $2,933 and deferred gains on written call index options were
$7,435, respectively.

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 and liabilities
is significant. The fair value of the Company, therefore, cannot be estimated by
aggregating the amounts presented.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1999                      1998
                                 CARRYING       FAIR       CARRYING       FAIR
FINANCIAL ASSETS                   VALUE        VALUE        VALUE        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Investments:
  Fixed maturities (Note 2):
    Held to maturity            $ 7,156,292  $ 7,105,743  $ 7,964,114  $ 8,420,035
    Available for sale           13,049,549   13,049,549   13,613,139   13,613,139
  Mortgage loans on real
    estate (Note 2)               3,606,377    3,541,958    3,505,458    3,745,617
  Other:
    Equity securities (Note 2)        3,016        3,016        3,158        3,158
    Derivative financial
      Instruments (Note 8)           60,076       74,837       41,161       47,680
    Other                             2,258        2,258       28,872       28,872
Cash and cash equivalents
  (Note 1)                           32,333       32,333       22,453       22,453
Separate account assets (Note
  1)                             35,894,732   35,894,732   27,349,401   27,349,401
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1999                      1998
                                 CARRYING       FAIR       CARRYING       FAIR
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES              VALUE        VALUE        VALUE        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Future policy benefits for
  fixed annuities               $19,189,170  $18,591,859  $19,855,203  $19,144,838
  Derivative financial
    instruments (Note 8)              1,677       19,984       10,526       84,539
Separate account liabilities     31,869,184   31,016,081   25,005,732   24,179,115
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the carrying amount and fair value of future
policy benefits for fixed annuities exclude life insurance-related contracts
carried at $1,270,094 and $1,226,985, respectively, and policy loans of $92,895
and $90,115, respectively. The fair value of these benefits is based on the
status of the annuities at December 31, 1999 and 1998. The fair value of
deferred

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

F-20      IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
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 1999 and 1998.

At December 31, 1999 and 1998, 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 $4,025,548 and
$2,343,669, respectively.

10. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs having been written using
two digits rather than four to define a year. Any programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than 2000. This could result in the failure of major systems or miscalculations,
which could have a material impact on the operations of the Company. All of the
major systems used by the Company are maintained by AEFC and are utilized by
multiple subsidiaries and affiliates of AEFC. The Company's businesses are
heavily dependent upon AEFC's computer systems and have significant interaction
with systems of third parties.

A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business processes,
including those specific to the Company, was conducted to identify the major
systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue. Steps were taken to
resolve potential problems including modification to existing software and the
purchase of new software. As of December 31, 1999, AEFC had completed its
program of corrective measures on its internal systems and applications,
including Year 2000 compliance testing. As of December 31, 1999, AEFC had also
completed an evaluation of the Year 2000 readiness of other third parties whose
system failures could have an impact on the Company's operations.

AEFC's Year 2000 project also included establishing Year 2000 contingency plans
for all key business units. Business continuation plans, which address business
continuation in the event of a system disruption, are in place for all key
business units. At December 31, 1999, these plans had been amended to include
specific Year 2000 considerations.

In assessing its Year 2000 initiatives and the results of actual production
since January 1, 2000, management believes no material adverse consequences were
experienced, and there was no material effect on the Company's business, results
of operations, or financial condition as a result of the Year 2000 issue.

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

                                                 IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY F-21


<PAGE>


                           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, 1999, and December 31,
         1998.

         Consolidated  Statements  of Income for the years  ended  December  31,
         1999, 1998, and 1997.

         Consolidated  Statements  of  Stockholder's  Equity,  three years ended
         December 31, 1999.

         Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
         1999, 1998, and 1997.

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

         Report of Independent Auditors dated February 3, 2000.

(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.
         2-29358 filed on June 14, 1968,  and refiled  electronically  April 27,
         1994 as Exhibit 1 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 55, is incorporated
         herein by reference.

2.       Amended and Restated  Regulations of IDS Life Variable  Annuity Fund B,
         dated June 22, 1979, filed as Exhibit 2 to Registrant's  Post-Effective
         Amendment  No.  32 to  Registration  Statement  No.  2-29358  filed  on
         December 27,  1979,  and refiled  electronically  on 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.  2-29358  filed on December 27,
         1979, are incorporated herein by reference.

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.   43,   and   refiled
         electronically  April 27,  1994 as  Exhibit  5(a)  with  Post-Effective
         Amendment No. 55, is incorporated herein by reference.

5.(b)    Investment Management and Advisory Agreement between IDS Life Insurance
         Company and IDS Life  Variable  Annuity Fund B dated  January 12, 1984,
         filed as Exhibit 5(b) to Registrant's  Post-Effective Amendment No. 43,
         and  refiled  electronically  April  27,  1994  as  Exhibit  5(b)  with
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 55, is incorporated herein by reference.

<PAGE>

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.   43,   and   refiled
         electronically   April  27,  1994  as  Exhibit  6  with  Post-Effective
         Amendment No. 55, is incorporated herein by reference.

7.       None.

8.(a)    Custodian Agreement between Registrant,  IDS Life Insurance Company and
         American  Express Trust Company,  dated July 12, 1990, filed as Exhibit
         8(a)  to   Registrant's   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  52  to  this
         Registration   Statement,   filed   April   15,   1991,   and   refiled
         electronically  April 27,  1994 as  Exhibit  8(a)  with  Post-Effective
         Amendment No. 55, is incorporated herein by reference.

8.(b)    Custodian Agreement, dated May 13, 1999, between American Express Trust
         Company and The Bank of New York is incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit (g)(3) to IDS Precious Metals Fund, Inc. Post-Effective
         Amendment No. 33 to Registration Statement File No. 2-93745 filed on or
         about May 24, 1999.

9.       Not applicable.

10.      Opinion of counsel  and  consent to its use as to the  legality  of the
         securities registered is filed electronically herewith.

11.      Consent of Independent Auditors, filed electronically herewith.


Exhibits 12 through 15:  not applicable.

16.(a)   IDS Life Variable  Annuity Fund B Power of Attorney to sign  Amendments
         to  this   Registration   Statement  dated  April  20,  2000  is  filed
         electronically herewith.

16.(b)   IDS Life Insurance Company Power of Attorney to sign Amendments to this
         Registration  Statement  dated April 20,  2000 is filed  electronically
         herewith.


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

     Both the  Registrant  and IDS Life  Variable  Annuity  Fund A are  separate
accounts of IDS Life.  Consequently,  the securities and funds of the Registrant
and Fund A 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 Trust  Company.  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, 2000
                  Variable Annuities                   12,284

<PAGE>

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,
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 [sic ____. 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
         [sic  ____.  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 [sic ____. 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>

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

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

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

Name and Title                  Other company(s)             Address                      Title within other
                                                                                          company(s)
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Ronald G. Abrahamson,           American Express Client      200 AXP Financial Center     Director and Vice President
Vice President                  Service Corporation          Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

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

Douglas A. Alger,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Peter J. Anderson,              Advisory Capital             200 AXP Financial Center     Director
Director and Senior Vice        Strategies Group Inc.        Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Express Asset                                    Director and Chairman of
                                Management Group Inc.                                     the Board

                                American Express Asset                                    Director, Chairman of the
                                Management International,                                 Board and Executive Vice
                                Inc.                                                      President

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                 Director and President

                                IDS Futures Corporation                                   Director

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

Ward D. Armstrong,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Service                                  Vice President
                                Corporation

<PAGE>

                                American Express Trust                                    Director and Chairman of
                                Company                                                   the Board
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

John M. Baker,                  American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Trust                                    Senior Vice President
                                Company


<PAGE>

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

Joseph M. Barsky III,           American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Timothy V. Bechtold,            American Centurion Life      200 AXP Financial Center     Director and President
Vice President                  Assurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Executive Vice President

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

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

John C. Boeder,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

                                IDS Futures Corporation                                   Director and President

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

Douglas W. Brewers,             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Karl J. Breyer,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director, Corporate Senior      Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
Vice President

                                American Express Financial                                Director
                                Advisors Japan Inc.

                                American Express Minnesota                                Director
                                Foundation
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Cynthia M. Carlson,             American Enterprise          200 AXP Financial Center     Director, President and
Vice President                  Investment Services Inc.     Minneapolis, MN  55474       Chief Executive Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Service                                  Vice President
                                Corporation
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Mark W. Carter,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President and
Director, Senior Vice           Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Chief Marketing Officer
President and Chief Marketing
Officer

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Executive Vice President

<PAGE>

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

James E. Choat,                 American Centurion Life      200 AXP Financial Center     Executive Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Assurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Director, President and
                                Insurance Company                                         Chief Executive Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.

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

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

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                New Mexico Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                North Carolina Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Wyoming Inc.

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

<PAGE>

Kenneth J. Ciak,                AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Director and President
Vice President and General                                   Minneapolis, MN  55474
Manager

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and General
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Manager

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

Paul A. Connolly,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President - Retail
Vice President - Retail         Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Distribution Services
Distribution Services
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Colleen Curran,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Assistant    Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Assistant General Counsel
General Counsel

                                American Express Service                                  Vice President and Chief
                                Corporation                                               Legal Counsel
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Luz Maria Davis                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Douglas K. Dunning,             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Gordon L. Eid,                  American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President,
Director, Senior Vice           Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       General Counsel and Chief
President, General Counsel                                                                Compliance Officer
and Chief Compliance Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and Chief
                                Advisors Japan Inc.                                       Compliance Officer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and Vice President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and Vice President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and Vice President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

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

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and Vice President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and Vice President
                                Wyoming Inc.

                                IDS Real Estate Services,                                 Vice President
                                Inc.

                                Investors Syndicate                                       Director
                                Development Corp.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Robert M. Elconin,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Gordon M. Fines,                American Express Asset       200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President and
Vice President                  Management Group Inc.        Minneapolis, MN  55474       Chief Investment Officer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Douglas L. Forsberg,            American Centurion Life      200 AXP Financial Center     Director
Vice President                  Assurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Director, President and
                                Advisors Japan Inc.                                       Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Jeffrey P. Fox,                 American Enterprise Life     200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Corporate    Insurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55474       Controller
Controller

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Corporate Controller

<PAGE>

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

Peter A. Gallus                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President-Investment
Vice President-Investment       Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Administration
Administration
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Harvey Golub,                   American Express Company     American Express Tower       Chairman and Chief
Director                                                     World Financial Center       Executive Officer
                                                             New York, NY  10285

                                American Express Travel                                   Chairman and Chief
                                Related Services Company,                                 Executive Officer
                                Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

David A. Hammer,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Marketing    Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Marketing Controller
Controller

                                IDS Plan Services of                                      Director and Vice President
                                California, Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Teresa A. Hanratty              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       President-Field Management
President-Field Management
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Lorraine R. Hart,               AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                                               Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Centurion Life                                   Vice President
                                Assurance Company

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Vice President
                                Insurance Company

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and Vice
                                Insurance Company                                         President

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Vice President

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President

                                IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                Vice President

                                IDS Life Variable Annuity                                 Vice President
                                Funds A and B

                                Investors Syndicate                                       Director and Vice
                                Development Corp.                                         President

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

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

<PAGE>

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

Scott A. Hawkinson,             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Controller   Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Controller
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Janis K. Heaney,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Brian M. Heath                  American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President and
Director, Senior Vice           Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       General Sales Manager
President and General Sales
Manager
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Darryl G. Horsman,              American Express Trust       200 AXP Financial Center     Director and President
Vice President                  Company                      Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Asset                                    Vice President
                                Management International
                                Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Jeffrey S. Horton,              AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President, Treasurer
Vice President and Corporate                                 Minneapolis, MN  55474       and Assistant Secretary
Treasurer

                                American Centurion Life                                   Vice President and
                                Assurance Company                                         Treasurer

                                American Enterprise                                       Vice President and
                                Investment Services Inc.                                  Treasurer

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Vice President and
                                Insurance Company                                         Treasurer

                                American Express Asset                                    Vice President and
                                Management Group Inc.                                     Treasurer

                                American Express Asset                                    Vice President and
                                Management International                                  Treasurer
                                Inc.

                                American Express Client                                   Vice President and
                                Service Corporation                                       Treasurer

                                American Express                                          Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Treasurer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Treasurer

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and
                                Advisors Japan Inc.                                       Treasurer

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>

                                American Express Minnesota                                Vice President and
                                Foundation                                                Treasurer

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

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

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

                                American Partners Life                                    Vice President and
                                Insurance Company                                         Treasurer

                                IDS Cable Corporation                                     Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Treasurer

                                IDS Cable II Corporation                                  Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Treasurer

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

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Alabama Inc.                                              Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Arkansas Inc.                                             Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Massachusetts Inc.                                        Treasurer

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

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Ohio Inc.                                                 Treasurer

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President and
                                Wyoming Inc.                                              Treasurer

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President, Treasurer
                                                                                          and Assistant Secretary

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

                                IDS Life Series Fund Inc.                                 Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

<PAGE>

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

                                IDS Management Corporation                                Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Treasurer

                                IDS Partnership Services                                  Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Treasurer

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

                                IDS Real Estate Services,                                 Vice President and
                                Inc.                                                      Treasurer

                                IDS Realty Corporation                                    Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                IDS Sales Support Inc.                                    Vice President and
                                                                                          Treasurer

                                Investors Syndicate                                       Vice President and
                                Development Corp.                                         Treasurer

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

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

David R. Hubers,                AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Director
Director, President and Chief                                Minneapolis, MN  55474
Executive Officer

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

                                American Express Service                                  Director and President
                                Corporation

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Director

                                IDS Plan Services of                                      Director and President
                                California, Inc.

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

Debra A. Hutchinson             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

James M. Jensen,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and              Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Controller-Advice and
Controller-Advice and Retail                                                              Retail Distribution Group
Distribution Group

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President

<PAGE>

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

Marietta L. Johns,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Nancy E. Jones,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Service                                  Vice President
                                Corporation
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Ora J. Kaine,                   American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Linda B. Keene,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Richard W. Kling,               AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Director
Senior Vice President -                                      Minneapolis, MN  55474
Insurance Products

                                American Centurion Life                                   Director and Chairman of
                                Assurance Company                                         the Board

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Director and Chairman of
                                Insurance Company                                         the Board

                                American Express                                          Director and President
                                Corporation

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President -
                                Advisors Inc.                                             Insurance Products

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Arizona Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Director and President
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.

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

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

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

                                American Express Service                                  Vice President
                                Corporation

<PAGE>

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and Chairman of
                                Insurance Company                                         the Board

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director and Chairman of
                                                                                          the Board

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                New Mexico Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                North Carolina Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Director and President
                                Wyoming Inc.

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Director, Chief Executive
                                                                                          Officer and President

                                IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.                                Director and President

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

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

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

John M. Knight                  American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
                                Advisors                     Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Paul F. Kolkman,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Director and Executive
                                                                                          Vice President

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

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

<PAGE>

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

Claire Kolmodin,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Steve C. Kumagai,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Director and Senior Vice
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       President-Direct and
President-Direct and                                                                      Interactive Group
Interactive Group
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Kurt A Larson,                  American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Lori J. Larson,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Daniel E. Laufenberg,           American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and Chief
Vice President and Chief U.S.   Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       U.S. Economist
Economist
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Peter A. Lefferts,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Express Trust                                    Director
                                Company

                                IDS Plan Services of                                      Director
                                California, Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Douglas A. Lennick,             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Director and Executive
Director and Executive Vice     Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Vice President
President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Mary J. Malevich,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Fred A. Mandell,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President -
Vice President - Distribution   Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Distribution Channel
Channel Marketing                                                                         Marketing
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Timothy J. Masek                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Director     Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Director of Global Research
of Global Research
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Sarah A. Mealey,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Paula R. Meyer,                 American Enterprise Life     200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Insurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express                                          Director
                                Corporation

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and President
                                Insurance Company

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director and President

<PAGE>

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Director and Executive
                                                                                          Vice President

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

Shashank B. Modak               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Pamela J. Moret,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President -
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Investment Products
President - Investment
Products

                                American Express Trust                                    Vice President
                                Company

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Executive Vice President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Barry J. Murphy,                American Express Client      200 AXP Financial Center     Director and President
Director and Senior Vice        Service Corporation          Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Enterprise                                       Director
                                Investment Services, Inc.

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Director and Executive
                                                                                          Vice President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Mary Owens Neal,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President-Consumer
Vice President-Consumer         Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Marketing
Marketing
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Michael J. O'Keefe,             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

James R. Palmer,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Carla P. Pavone,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice
Vice President-Compensation     Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       President-Compensation
Services and ARD Product                                                                  Services and ARD Product
Distribution                                                                              Distribution

                                Public Employee Payment                                   Director and President
                                Company
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Thomas P. Perrine,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

<PAGE>

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

Susan B. Plimpton,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Ronald W. Powell,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Assistant    Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Assistant General Counsel
General Counsel

                                IDS Cable Corporation                                     Vice President and
                                                                                          Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Cable II Corporation                                  Vice President and
                                                                                          Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Management Corporation                                Vice President and
                                                                                          Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Partnership Services                                  Vice President and
                                Corporation                                               Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Plan Services of                                      Vice President and
                                California, Inc.                                          Assistant Secretary

                                IDS Realty Corporation                                    Vice President and
                                                                                          Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

James M. Punch,                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President - Branded
Vice President - Branded        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Platform Project
Platform Project
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Frederick C. Quirsfeld,         American Express Asset       200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President and
Director and Senior Vice        Management Group Inc.        Minneapolis, MN  55474       Senior Portfolio Manager
President

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

Rollyn C. Renstrom,             American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Rebecca K. Roloff,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Stephen W. Roszell,             Advisory Capital             200 AXP Financial Center     Director
Director and Senior Vice        Strategies Group Inc.        Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Express Asset                                    Director, President and
                                Management Group Inc.                                     Chief Executive Officer

                                American Express Asset                                    Director
                                Management International,
                                Inc.

                                American Express Asset                                    Director
                                Management Ltd.

<PAGE>

                                American Express Financial                                Senior Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                American Express Trust                                    Director
                                Company
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Erven A. Samsel,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.

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

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

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                New Mexico Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                North Carolina Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Wyoming Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Theresa M. Sapp                 American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

<PAGE>

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

Stuart A. Sedlacek,             AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Director
Director, Senior Vice                                        Minneapolis, MN  55474
President and Chief Financial
Officer

                                American Enterprise Life                                  Executive Vice President
                                Insurance Company

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

                                American Express Trust                                    Director
                                Company

                                American Partners Life                                    Director and Vice President
                                Insurance Agency

                                IDS Certificate Company                                   Director and President

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Executive Vice President
                                                                                          and Controller

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

Donald K. Shanks,               AMEX Assurance Company       200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Vice President                                               Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

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

Judy P. Skoglund,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Bridget Sperl,                  American Express Client      200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Service Corporation          Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

                                Public Employee Payment                                   Director and President
                                Company
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Lisa A. Steffes,                American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

William A. Stoltzmann,          American Enterprise Life     200 AXP Financial Center     Director, Vice President,
Vice President and Assistant    Insurance Company            Minneapolis, MN  55474       General Counsel and
General Counsel                                                                           Secretary

                                American Express                                          Director, Vice President
                                Corporation                                               and Secretary

<PAGE>

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

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

                                IDS Life Insurance Company                                Vice President, General
                                                                                          Counsel and Secretary

                                IDS Life Series Fund Inc.                                 General Counsel and
                                                                                          Assistant Secretary

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

James J. Strauss,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President and General      Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
Auditor
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Jeffrey J. Stremcha,            American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Barbara Stroup Stewart,         American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Keith N. Tufte                  American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Director     Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Director of Equity Research
of Equity Research
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Norman Weaver Jr.,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Arizona Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.

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

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

<PAGE>

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                New Mexico Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                North Carolina Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Wyoming Inc.
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Michael L. Weiner,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474

                                IDS Capital Holdings Inc.                                 Vice President

                                IDS Futures Brokerage Group                               Vice President

                                IDS Futures Corporation                                   Vice President, Treasurer
                                                                                          and Secretary

                                IDS Sales Support Inc.                                    Director, Vice President
                                                                                          and Assistant Treasurer
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Jeffry F. Welter,               American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President
Vice President                  Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Edwin M. Wistrand,              American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Vice President and
Vice President and Assistant    Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474       Assistant General Counsel
General Counsel

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President and Chief
                                Advisors Japan Inc.                                       Legal Officer
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------

Michael D. Wolf,                American Express Asset       200 AXP Financial Center     Executive Vice President
Vice President                  Management Group Inc.        Minneapolis, MN  55474       and Senior Portfolio
                                                                                          Manager

                                American Express Financial                                Vice President
                                Advisors Inc.

<PAGE>

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

Michael R. Woodward,            American Express Financial   200 AXP Financial Center     Senior Vice President
Director and Senior Vice        Advisors Inc.                Minneapolis, MN  55474
President

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Idaho Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Nevada Inc.

                                American Express Insurance                                Vice President
                                Agency of Oregon Inc.

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

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

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

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Alabama Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Arkansas Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Massachusetts Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                New Mexico Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                North Carolina Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Ohio Inc.

                                IDS Insurance Agency of                                   Vice President
                                Wyoming Inc.

                                IDS Life Insurance Company   P.O. Box 5144                Director
                                of New York                  Albany, NY 12205
- ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

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  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)      As to each director, officer or partner of the
                           principal underwriter:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                   <C>                                       <C>

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

Timothy V. Bechtold                   Executive Vice President, Risk            None
200 AXP Financial Center              Management Products
Minneapolis, MN  55474

David J. Berry                        Vice President                            None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Mark W. Carter                        Executive Vice President, Marketing       None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Robert M. Elconin                     Vice President                            None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Lorraine R. Hart                      Vice President, Investments               Vice President
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Jeffrey S. Horton                     Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant   Vice President and Treasurer
200 AXP Financial Center              Secretary
Minneapolis, MN  55474

David R. Hubers                       Director                                  None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

James M. Jensen                       Vice President, Insurance Product         None
200 AXP Financial Center              Development
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Richard W. Kling                      Director, Chief Executive Officer and     Manager, Chairman of the Board and
200 AXP Financial Center              President                                 President
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Paul F. Kolkman                       Director and Executive Vice President     None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Paula R. Meyer                        Director and Executive Vice President,    None
200 AXP Financial Center              Assured Assets
Minneapolis, MN  55474

<PAGE>

James A. Mitchell                     Director and Chairman of the Board        None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Pamela J. Moret                       Director and Executive Vice President,    None
200 AXP Financial Center              Variable Assets
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Barry J. Murphy                       Director and Executive Vice President,    None
200 AXP Financial Center              Client Service
Minneapolis, MN  55474

James R. Palmer                       Vice President, Taxes                     None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Stuart A. Sedlacek                    Director and Executive Vice President     None
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474

William A. Stoltzmann                 Vice President, General Counsel and       General Counsel and Assistant
200 AXP Financial Center              Secretary                                 Secretary
Minneapolis, MN  55474

Philip C. Wentzel                     Vice President and Controller             Controller
200 AXP Financial Center
Minneapolis, MN  55474
</TABLE>

Item 7.           LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

                  IDS Life Insurance Company
                  200 AXP Financial Center
                  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>

                                   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 B, certifies
that it  meets  all 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 27th day of April, 2000.


                        IDS LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY FUND B

                           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 27th day of April, 2000.

Signature                                            Title

/s/  Gumer C. Alvero*                                Member, Board of Managers
     Gumer C. Alvero

/s/  Rodney P. Burwell*                              Member, Board of Managers
     Rodney P. Burwell

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

/s/  Jeffrey S. Horton*                              Vice President and
     Jeffrey S. Horton                               Treasurer

/s/  Jean B. Keffeler*                               Member, Board of Managers
     Jean B. Keffeler

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

/s/  Thomas R. McBurney*                             Member, Board of Managers
     Thomas R. McBurney

<PAGE>

Signature                                            Title

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

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

/s/  Philip C. Wentzel*                              Controller
     Philip C. Wentzel


*Signed  pursuant to IDS Life  Variable  Annuity Fund B Power of Attorney  dated
April 20, 2000 filed electronically herewith as Exhibit 16(a), by:



/s/ Mary Ellyn Minenko
    Mary Ellyn Minenko

<PAGE>

                                   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 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 27th day of April, 2000.

                                                     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 27th day of April, 2000.

Signature                                            Title

/s/  James A. Mitchell**         Director and Chairman of the Board
     James A. Mitchell

/s/  Richard W. Kling**          Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
     Richard W. Kling

/s/  Jeffrey S. Horton**         Vice President, Treasurer and
     Jeffrey S. Horton           Assistant Secretary

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

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

/s/  Paula R. Meyer**            Director and Executive Vice
     Paula R. Meyer              President

/s/  Pamela J. Moret**           Director and Executive Vice
     Pamela J. Moret             President

<PAGE>

Signature                                       Title

/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

/s/  Philip C. Wentzel**                        Vice President and Controller
     Philip C. Wentzel


**Signed  pursuant to IDS Life  Insurance  Company Power of Attorney dated April
20, 2000 filed electronically herewith as Exhibit 16(b), by:



/s/  Mary Ellyn Minenko
     Mary Ellyn Minenko

<PAGE>

                                CONTENTS OF THIS
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 62
                 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 2-47430; 2-29358


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

The facing sheet.

Part I.

         Prospectus.

         Financial Statements.

Part II.

         Other Information.

         Signatures.

         Exhibits.



IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B
Registration No. 2-47430/811-1674

                   EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit  10:      Opinion of Counsel, dated April 27, 2000.

Exhibit  11:      Consent of Independent Auditors, dated April 24, 2000.

Exhibit  16(a):   IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B Power of Attorney, dated
                  April 20, 2000.

Exhibit  16(b):   IDS Life Power of Attorney, dated April 20, 2000.





April 27, 2000



IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B
     (Individual and Group)
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, Minnesota  55440-0010

Re:      Registration Statement on Form N-1
         File No: 2-47430 and 2-29358

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am  familiar  with the  establishment  of IDS  Life  Variable  Annuity  Fund B
("Account")   which  is  a  separate  account  of  IDS  Life  Insurance  Company
("Company")  established  by the  Company's  Board  of  Directors  according  to
applicable   insurance  law.  I  also  am  familiar  with  the  above-referenced
Registration  Statement  filed on behalf of the Account with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission.

I have made such  examination  of law and examined such documents and records as
in my judgment are necessary and  appropriate to enable me to give the following
option:

1.       The Account is a validly created and existing  separate  account of the
         Company and is duly authorized to issue the securities registered.

2.       The contracts issued by the Company when offered and sold in accordance
         with the  prospectus  contained in the  Registration  Statement  and in
         compliance  with  applicable  law, will be legally issued and represent
         binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

Sincerely,


/s/  Mary Ellyn Minenko
     Mary Ellyn Minenko
     Attorney at Law
     (612) 671-3678

MEM/NL/dwl



                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the use of our report dated February 3, 2000,  with respect to the
consolidated  financial  statements  of IDS Life  Insurance  Company  and to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated February 3, 2000, with respect to
the financial statements of IDS Life Variable Fund B, included in Post-Effective
Amendment  No. 62 to the  Registration  Statement  (Form N-1,  No.  2-47430  and
2-29358)  and  related  Prospectus  for the  registration  of IDS Life  Variable
Annuity Fund B interests to be offered by IDS Life Insurance Company.


                                                  /s/  Ernst & Young LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 24, 2000




                        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  and/or as an
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 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:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>                  <C>

                                                        1933 Act              1940 Act
                                                       Reg. Number          Reg. Number

IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A  (Fund A)               2-29081              811-1653

IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B  (Fund B)
     Individual  (Fund B Individual)                     2-29358              811-1674
     Group  (Fund B Group)                               2-47430              811-1674
</TABLE>


hereby  constitutes  and appoints  William A.  Stoltzmann,  Mary Ellyn  Minenko,
Eileen J. Newhouse,  Eric L. Marhoun,  and Timothy S. Meehan or any one of them,
as his or her  attorney-in-fact  and agent, to sign for him or her in his or her
name,  place and  stead any and all  further  filings,  applications  (including
applications for exemptive relief),  periodic reports,  registration  statements
for existing or future products (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 jurisdictions, and grants to each and all
of them the full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every act
required, necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.

Dated the 20th day of April, 2000.


/s/   Gumer C. Alvero
      Gumer C. Alvero
      Manager


/s/   Rodney P. Burwell
      Rodney P. Burwell
      Manager


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

<PAGE>

/s/   Jeffrey S. Horton
      Jeffrey S. Horton
      Vice President and Treasurer



Jean B. Keffeler
Manager


/s/   Richard W. Kling
      Richard W. Kling
      Manager, Chairman of the Board and President



/s/   Thomas R. McBurney
      Thomas R. McBurney
      Manager


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


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


/s/   Philip C. Wentzel
      Philip C. Wentzel
      Controller




                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

City of Minneapolis

State of Minnesota

         Each of the undersigned, as officers and/or directors, respectively, 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:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>                   <C>

                                                                       1933 Act              1940 Act
                                                                       Reg. Number           Reg. Number
IDS Life Variable Account 10
     IDS Life Flexible Portfolio Annuity (FPA)                         33-62407              811-07355

     American Express Retirement
         Advisor Variable AnnuitySM (RAVA)                             333-79311             811-07355

     American Express Retirement
         Advisor Variable AnnuitySM (RAVA-B3)                          333-79311             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 Variable Retirement and Combination
         Retirement Annuities (CRA)                                    2-73114               811-3217

     IDS Life Employee Benefit Annuity (EBA)                           33-52518              811-3217

     IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract (GVAC)                   33-47302              811-3217

     IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract
         (GVAC Fixed Account)                                          33-48701              N/A


IDS Life Insurance Company
     IDS Life Flexible Payment Market Value Annuity (FP-MVA)           33-50968              N/A

     IDS Life Guaranteed Term Annuity (GTA)                            33-28976              N/A

     Portfolio Guaranteed Term Annuity (PGTA)                          333-42793             N/A


IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
     Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy (VUL)             33-11165              811-4298

     Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life
         Insurance Policy (V2D)                                        33-62457              811-4298

     Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy (VUL-3)           333-69777             811-4298

     Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy (SPVL)              2-97637               811-4298

<PAGE>

IDS Life Variable Account for Smith Barney
     Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy                     33-5210               811-4652
     (SBS-SPVL)


IDS Life Account SBS
     Symphony Annuity (SYMPHONY)                                       33-40779              811-06315


IDS Life Account RE
     Real Estate Variable Annuity (REVA)                               33-13375              N/A
</TABLE>

hereby  constitutes  and appoints  William A.  Stoltzmann,  Mary Ellyn  Minenko,
Eileen J. Newhouse,  Bruce Kohn and Timothy S. Meehan or any one of them, as his
or her attorney-in-fact and agent, to sign for him or her in his name, place and
stead any and all filings,  applications  (including  applications for exemptive
relief),  periodic  reports,  registration  statements  for  existing  or future
products  (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 jurisdictions, and grants to any or all of them the full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act  required,  necessary  or
appropriate in connection therewith.


Dated the 20th day of April, 2000.

<PAGE>

/s/  Timothy V. Bechtold
     Timothy V. Bechtold
     Executive Vice President,
     Risk Management Products


/s/  Jeffrey S. Horton
     Jeffrey S. Horton
     Vice President, Treasurer
     and Assistant Secretary


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


/s/  Richard W. Kling
     Richard W. Kling
     Director, President
     and Chief Executive Officer


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

/s/  Paula R. Meyer
     Paula R. Meyer
     Director and Executive Vice President, Assured Assets


/s/  James A. Mitchell
     James A. Mitchell
     Director and Chairman of the Board


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


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


/s/  Stuart A. Sedlacek
     Stuart A. Sedlacek
     Director and Executive Vice President


/s/  Philip C. Wentzel
     Philip C. Wentzel
     Vice President and Controller




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