PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
485BPOS, 1999-04-28
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<PAGE>

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1999
                                                              File No. 333-62811
===============================================================================



                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.   20549

                                      ----------

                                       FORM N-4

                  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SECURITIES ACT OF 1933       / /
                                                                             

                             Pre-Effective Amendment No.                    / /

                            Post-Effective Amendment No. 2                  /X/

                      REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT
                                  COMPANY ACT of 1940                       / /

                                   Amendment No. 27                         /X/

                                      ----------

                       Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III
                              (Exact Name of Registrant)

                                      ----------

                        THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                  (Name of Depositor)

                                   600 Dresher Road
                             Horsham, Pennsylvania  19044
                 (Address of Principal Executive Offices of Depositor)
                      Depositor's Telephone Number:  215-956-8000

                                      ----------

                                   Richard F. Plush
                         Vice President, Products and Programs
                        The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
                                   600 Dresher Road
                              Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044
                        (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                    Copy to:
Angela C. Goelzer                               C. Ronald Rubley
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP                     Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1800 M Street, N.W.                             1701 Market Street
Washington, DC  20036                           Philadelphia, PA  19103

                                      ----------

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

        ___     immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
        ___     on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
        ___     60 days after  filing  pursuant to  paragraph (a) of Rule 485
        _X_     on May 1, 1999  pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485


===============================================================================
<PAGE>



                                         CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   LOCATION IN STATEMENT OF
FORM N-4 ITEM NUMBER                        LOCATION IN PROSPECTUSES               ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------                        ------------------------               --------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                    <C>

Item  1.     Cover Page                     Cover Page                                        N/A

Item  2.     Definitions                    Glossary                                          N/A

Item  3.     Synopsis or Highlights         Cover Page; Expenses                              N/A

Item  4.     Condensed Financial            N/A                                               N/A
             Information


Item  5.     General Description            The Penn Mutual Life                              N/A
             of Registrant, Depositor       Insurance Company;
             and Portfolio Companies        The Separate Account

Item  6.     Deductions and Expenses        The Contract - What Charges                       N/A
                                            Do I Pay?

Item  7.     General Description            The Contract                                      N/A
             of Variable Annuity
             Contracts

Item  8.     Annuity Period Options         The Contract - What Types of                      N/A
                                            Annuity Payments May I Choose?

Item  9.     Death Benefit On Death         The Contract - What are the Death                 N/A
                                            Benefits Under My Contract?

Item 10.     Purchases and Contract         The Contract - How Do I Purchase                  N/A
             Value                          a Contract?
                                            The Separate Account -
                                            Accumulation Units

Item 11.     Redemptions                    The Contract - May I Withdraw Any                 N/A
                                            of My Money?

Item 12.     Taxes                          Federal Income Tax                                N/A
                                            Considerations

Item 13.     Legal Proceedings              N/A                                               N/A

Item 14.     Table of Contents of           Statement of Additional                           N/A
             Statement of Additional        Information Contents
             Information

Item 15.     Cover Page                     N/A                                               Cover Page

Item 16.     Table of Contents              N/A                                               Cover Page

Item 17.     General Information            N/A                                               N/A
             and History

</TABLE>
<PAGE>


                                         CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   LOCATION IN STATEMENT OF
FORM N-4 ITEM NUMBER                        LOCATION IN PROSPECTUSES               ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------                        ------------------------               --------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                    <C>

Item 18.     Services                       N/A                                    Administrative and
                                                                                   Recordkeeping
                                                                                   Services; Custodian;
                                                                                   Independent Auditors

Item 19.     Purchase of Securities         The Contract - How Do I Purchase       Distribution of
             Being Offered and Expenses     a Contract?                            Contracts
                                            The Contract - May I Transfer
                                            Money Among Subaccounts and
                                            the Fixed Interest Accounts?
                                            The Contract - What Charges Do
                                            I Pay?

Item 20.     Underwriters                   N/A                                    Distribution of
                                                                                   Contracts

Item 21.     Calculation of Performance     N/A                                    Performance Data
             Data

Item 22.     Annuity Payments               N/A                                    Variable Annuity
                                                                                   Payments

Item 23.     Financial Statements           N/A                                    Financial Statements



</TABLE>

<PAGE>



                                     PART A


                      Information Required in a Prospectus
<PAGE>


Prospectus
Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III
May 1, 1999

Pennant Select
==============

A Flexible Premium Variable and
Fixed Annuity

Penn Series Funds, Inc.
May 1, 1999

Investment Advisers:
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

OpCap Advisors
Independence Capital Management, Inc.
Vontobel USA, Inc.
RS Investment Management, Inc.

Neuberger Berman
Advisers Management Trust
May 1, 1999

Investment Adviser:
Neuberger Berman Management Incorporated

Fidelity Investments'
Variable Insurance Products Fund
Variable Insurance Products Fund II
April 30, 1999

Investment Adviser:
Fidelity Management & Research Company

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Universal Funds
May 1, 1999

Investment Adviser:
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management
<PAGE>
Prospectus -- May 1, 1999
Individual Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract -- Flexible Purchase Payments
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PENNANT SELECT
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19172 O TELEPHONE (800) 523-0650
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Prospectus describes an individual variable and fixed annuity contract
("Contract") offered by the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company ("Penn Mutual").
Please read it carefully and save it for future reference.

The Contract is an agreement between you and Penn Mutual. You agree to make one 
or more payments to us and we agree to make annuity and other payments to you at
a future date. The Contract:

o has a variable component, which means that your Variable Account Value and any
  variable payout will be based upon investment experience. 

o has a fixed component, which means that your Fixed Account Value and any fixed
  payout will be based on purchase payments accumulated with interest at a rate
  of not less than 3%.

o is tax-deferred, which means that you will not pay taxes until we begin to
  make annuity payments to you or you take money out. 

o allows you to choose to receive your annuity payments over different periods
  of time. 

Under the variable component of the Contract, you may direct us to invest your
payments in one or more of the following Funds through Penn Mutual Variable
Annuity Account III (the "Separate Account").

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.                 MANAGER
   Growth Equity Fund                   Independence Capital Management, Inc.
   Value Equity Fund                    OpCap Advisors
   Small Capitalization Fund            OpCap Advisors 
   Emerging Growth Fund                 RS Investment Management, Inc.
   Flexibly Managed Fund                T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 
   International Equity Fund            Vontobel USA, Inc. 
   Quality Bond Fund                    Independence Capital Management, Inc.
   High Yield Bond Fund                 T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
   Money Market Fund                    Independence Capital Management, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS
 MANAGEMENT TRUST                       MANAGER
   Balanced Portfolio                   Neuberger Berman Management Incorporated
   Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio      Neuberger Berman Management Incorporated
   Partners Fund Portfolio              Neuberger Berman Management Incorporated
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE 
 INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND                MANAGER
   Equity-Income Portfolio              Fidelity Management and Research Company
   Growth Portfolio                     Fidelity Management and Research Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE 
 INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II             MANAGER
   Asset Manager Portfolio              Fidelity Management and Research Company
   Index 500 Portfolio                  Fidelity Management and Research Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
 UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.                  MANAGER
   Emerging Markets Equity 
    (International) Portfolio           Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asset
                                          Management Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A PROSPECTUS FOR EACH OF THESE FUNDS ACCOMPANIES THIS PROSPECTUS.

Under the fixed component of the Contract, you may direct us to allocate money
to one or more of our Fixed Interest Accounts.

THE CONTRACT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT. YOU MAY PAY A DEFERRED
SALES CHARGE OF UP TO 7% ON EARLY WITHDRAWALS. IF YOU WITHDRAW MONEY BEFORE AGE
59 1/2, YOU MAY PAY A 10% ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX. THE CONTRACT IS NOT A BANK
DEPOSIT AND IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR DETERMINED WHETHER THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. IT IS
A CRIME FOR ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE.

<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU MAY RETURN YOUR CONTRACT WITHIN TEN DAYS OF RECEIPT FOR A FULL REFUND OF THE
CONTRACT VALUE (OR PURCHASE PAYMENTS, IF REQUIRED BY LAW). LONGER FREE LOOK
PERIODS APPLY IN SOME STATES.

You may obtain a Statement of Additional Information from us free of charge by
writing The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Customer Service Group,
Philadelphia, PA 19172. Or, you can call us at (800) 523-0650. The Statement of
Additional Information contains more information about the Contract. It is filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and we incorporate it by reference
into this Prospectus. The table of contents of the Statement of Additional
Information is at the end of this Prospectus. 

The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains this Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, material
incorporated by reference, and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission. 

<PAGE>

PROSPECTUS CONTENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GLOSSARY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLES OF FEES AND EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR 2000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
   Accumulation Units
   Voting Instructions
   Investment Options in the Separate Account
   Penn Series Funds, Inc.
   Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
   Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund
   Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund II 
   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Universal Funds, Inc.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CONTRACT
   How Do I Purchase a Contract?
   What Types of Annuity Payments May I Choose?
     Variable Annuity Payments
     Fixed Annuity Payments
   What Are the Death Benefits Under My Contract?  
     Enhanced Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
     Choosing a Lump Sum or Annuity
   May I Transfer Money Among Subaccounts and the Fixed Interest Accounts?
     Before the Annuity Date
     After the Annuity Date
     Dollar Cost Averaging
     Automatic Rebalancing
   May I Withdraw Any of My Money?
     Before the Annuity Date
     After the Annuity Date
     Systematic Withdrawals
     403(b) Withdrawals
   Deferment of Payments and Transfers
   What Charges Do I Pay?
     Administration Charges
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charge
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
     Free Withdrawals

                                       2
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Enhanced Variable Account Death Benefit
     Premium Taxes
   Performance Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNTS
   General Information
   Loans Under Section 403(b) Contracts
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
   Withdrawals and Death Benefits
   Annuity Payments
   Early Withdrawals
   Transfers
   Separate Account Diversification
   Qualified Plans
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------









                                       3
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glossary

ACCUMULATION PERIOD: A period that begins with your first purchase payment and
ends on the Annuity Date.

ACCUMULATION UNIT: A unit of measure used to compute the Variable Account Value
under the Contract prior to the Annuity Date.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: A reference to our administrative office means The Penn
Mutual Life Insurance Company, Administrative Office, 600 Dresher Road, Horsham,
Pennsylvania 19044.

ANNUITANT: The person during whose life annuity payments are made.

ANNUITY DATE: The date on which annuity payments start.

ANNUITY PAYOUT PERIOD: The period of time, starting on the Annuity Date, during
which we make annuity payments.

ANNUITY UNIT: A unit of measure used to calculate the amount of each variable
annuity payment.

BENEFICIARY: The person(s) named by the Contract Owner to receive the death
benefit payable upon the death of the Contract Owner or Annuitant.

CONTRACT: The combination variable and fixed annuity contract described in this
Prospectus.

CONTRACT OWNER: The person named in the Contract as the Contract Owner.

CONTRACT VALUE: The sum of the Variable Account Value and the Fixed Interest
Account Value.

FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNT VALUE: The value of amounts held under the Contract in
all Fixed Interest Accounts.

SEPARATE ACCOUNT: Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III, a separate account
of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, that is registered as a unit
investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT VALUE: The value of amounts held under the Contract in all
subaccounts of the Separate Account.

VALUATION PERIOD: The period from one valuation of Separate Account assets to
the next. Valuation is performed on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading.

WE OR US: "we" or "us" means The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, also
referred to in this Prospectus as Penn Mutual.

YOU: "you" means the Contract Owner or prospective Contract Owner.





                                       4
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Owner Transaction Expenses
  Sales Load Imposed on Purchase Payments                                None  
  Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ............        7% of purchase 
                                                        payments withdrawn(a)
  Transfer Fee ........................................                  None

MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION CHARGE .........                $40(B)

SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT VALUE)
  Mortality and Expense Risk Charge ...................                 1.20%
  Contract Administration Charge ......................                 0.15%
                                                                        -----
  Total Separate Account Annual Expenses ..............                 1.35%(c)
- ----------------
(a) The charge decreases each year to zero in the seventh year.
(b) You pay $40 or 2% of the Variable Account Value, whichever is less. You do
    not pay this charge if your Variable Account Value is more than $100,000. 
(c) You may purchase an Enhanced Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit rider with 
    your Contract. The current annual charge for this rider is 0.20% of the 
    Variable Account Value, and will never be more than 0.25%. See WHAT CHARGES
    DO I PAY? in this Prospectus. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.(A) 
UNDERLYING FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A % OF PORTFOLIO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             ADMINISTRATIVE
                                  MANAGEMENT  AND CORPORATE                           TOTAL
                                     FEES     SERVICE FEES ACCOUNTING    OTHER        FUND
                               (AFTER WAIVER)(AFTER WAIVER)   FEES      EXPENSES    EXPENSES
                               ------------- --------------  ------     --------    --------
<S>                            <C>           <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>
Growth Equity                       0.45%       0.15%        0.07%       0.09%        0.76%
Value Equity                        0.50%       0.15%        0.06%       0.05%        0.76%
Small Capitalization                0.50%       0.15%        0.08%       0.09%        0.82%
Emerging Growth (b)                 0.80%       0.15%        0.10%       0.10%        1.15%
Flexibly Managed                    0.50%       0.15%        0.05%       0.06%        0.76%
International Equity                0.75%       0.15%        0.08%       0.10%        1.08%
Quality Bond                        0.45%       0.15%        0.08%       0.09%        0.77%
High Yield Bond                     0.50%       0.15%        0.08%       0.09%        0.82%
Money Market                        0.40%       0.15%        0.08%       0.09%        0.72%
</TABLE>
- ----------------
(a) THESE EXPENSES ARE FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.
(b) THE TOTAL EXPENSES OF THE EMERGING GROWTH FUND WOULD HAVE BEEN 1.21% IF THE
    INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR OF THAT FUND HAD NOT WAIVED PART OF 
    THEIR FEES.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST(A)
UNDERLYING FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A % OF PORTFOLIO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)

                                         MANAGEMENT 
                                       ADVISORY AND 
                                      ADMINISTRATION   OTHER      TOTAL FUND 
                                           FEES       EXPENSES     EXPENSES
                                      --------------  --------    ----------
Limited Maturity Bond ..............       0.65%        0.11%        0.76% 
Balanced ...........................       0.85%        0.18%        1.03% 
Partners Fund.......................       0.80%        0.04%        0.84%
- ----------------

(a) NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST (THE "TRUST") IS DIVIDED INTO
    PORTFOLIOS ("PORTFOLIOS"). EACH PORTFOLIO INVESTS IN A CORRESPONDING SERIES
    ("SERIES") OF THE TRUST. THIS TABLE SHOWS THE CURRENT EXPENSES PAID BY EACH
    PORTFOLIO AND THE PORTFOLIO'S SHARE OF THE CURRENT EXPENSES OF ITS SERIES. 
    SEE "EXPENSES" IN THE TRUST'S PROSPECTUS.

                                       5
<PAGE>



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND(A)
UNDERLYING FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A % OF PORTFOLIO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)

                                           MANAGEMENT       OTHER     TOTAL FUND
                                              FEES         EXPENSES    EXPENSES
                                           ----------      --------   ----------
Equity-Income .......................        0.50%           0.07%       0.57% 
Growth   ............................        0.60%           0.06%       0.67% 
- ----------------
(a) THESE EXPENSES ARE FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. SOME OF THE BROKERAGE
    COMMISSIONS PAID BY THE FUND REDUCED THE EXPENSES SHOWN IN THIS TABLE.
    WITHOUT THIS REDUCTION, TOTAL EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 0.58% FOR THE EQUITY
    INCOME PORTFOLIO AND 0.68% FOR THE GROWTH PORTFOLIO.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II 
UNDERLYING FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A % OF PORTFOLIO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)

                                            MANAGEMENT       OTHER    TOTAL FUND
                                        FEES AFTER WAIVER  EXPENSES    EXPENSES
                                        -----------------  --------   ----------
Asset Manager (a) ....................        0.55%          0.08%       0.63% 
Index 500 (b) ........................        0.24%          0.04%       0.28% 
- ----------------
(a) THE EXPENSES PRESENTED ARE FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. SOME OF THE BROKERAGE
    COMMISSIONS PAID BY THE FUND REDUCED THE EXPENSES SHOWN IN THIS TABLE. 
    WITHOUT THIS REDUCTION, TOTAL EXPENSES WOULD HAVE BEEN 0.64% FOR THE ASSET
    MANAGER PORTFOLIO.

(b) THESE EXPENSES ARE FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. IF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT
    ADVISER HAD NOT VOLUNTARILY WAIVED PART OF ITS FEE, TOTAL EXPENSES WOULD 
    HAVE BEEN 0.35% FOR THE INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC. 
UNDERLYING FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES (AS A % OF PORTFOLIO AVERAGE NET ASSETS)

                                           MANAGEMENT        OTHER    TOTAL FUND
                                              FEES         EXPENSES    EXPENSES
                                           ----------      --------   ----------
Emerging Markets Equity (International)       1.25%          0.50%       1.75%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please review these tables carefully. They show the expenses that you pay
directly and indirectly when you purchase a Contract. Your expenses include
Contract expenses and the expenses of the Funds that you select. See the
prospectuses of Penn Series Funds, Inc., Neuberger Berman Advisers Management
Trust, Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund, Fidelity
Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund II and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Universal Funds, Inc. for additional information on Fund expenses.

You also may pay premium taxes. These tables and the examples that follow do not
show the effect of premium taxes. See WHAT CHARGES DO I PAY? in this Prospectus.


                                       6
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Examples of Fees and Expenses

The following examples show the total expenses that you would pay on each $1,000
invested.

You would pay the following expenses on each $1,000 invested (assuming a 5%
annual return) if you surrender your Contract after the number of years shown:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             ONE        THREE         FIVE        TEN
                                                             YEAR       YEARS        YEARS       YEARS
                                                             ----       -----        -----       -----
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Penn Series Growth Equity Fund                                $83        $114         $146        $251
Penn Series Value Equity Fund                                 $83        $114         $146        $251
Penn Series Small Capitalization Fund                         $84        $116         $149        $257
Penn Series Emerging Growth Fund                              $87        $125         $165        $290
Penn Series Flexibly Managed Fund                             $83        $114         $146        $251
Penn Series International Equity Fund                         $86        $123         $162        $283
Penn Series Quality Bond Fund                                 $83        $115         $146        $252
Penn Series High Yield Bond Fund                              $84        $116         $149        $257
Penn Series Money Market Fund                                 $83        $113         $144        $247
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio              $83        $114         $146        $251
Neuberger Berman Balanced Portfolio                           $86        $122         $159        $278
Neuberger Berman Partners Fund Portfolio                      $84        $117         $150        $259
Fidelity's Equity Income Portfolio                            $81        $109         $136        $231
Fidelity's Growth Portfolio                                   $82        $111         $141        $240
Fidelity's Asset Manager Portfolio                            $82        $110         $139        $237
Fidelity's Index 500                                          $79        $100         $122        $200
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Emerging Markets Equity 
 (International) Portfolio                                     $92       $142        $193         $347
</TABLE>

You would pay the following expenses on each $1,000 invested by the end of the
year shown (assuming a 5% annual return) if you do not surrender your Contract
or if you annuitize your Contract:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             ONE        THREE         FIVE        TEN
                                                             YEAR       YEARS        YEARS       YEARS
                                                             ----       -----        -----       -----
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Penn Series Growth Equity Fund                                $22         $68         $117        $251
Penn Series Value Equity Fund                                 $22         $68         $116        $251
Penn Series Small Capitalization Fund                         $23         $70         $120        $257
Penn Series Emerging Growth Fund                              $26         $80         $136        $290
Penn Series Flexibly Managed Fund                             $22         $68         $117        $251
Penn Series International Equity Fund                         $25         $78         $133        $283
Penn Series Quality Bond Fund                                 $22         $68         $117        $252
Penn Series High Yield Bond Fund                              $23         $70         $120        $257
Penn Series Money Market Fund                                 $22         $67         $115        $247
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio              $22         $68         $117        $251
Neuberger Berman Balanced Portfolio                           $25         $76         $130        $278
Neuberger Berman Partners Fund Portfolio                      $23         $70         $121        $259
Fidelity's Equity Income Portfolio                            $20         $62         $107        $231
Fidelity's Growth Portfolio                                   $21         $65         $111        $240
Fidelity's Asset Manager Portfolio                            $21         $64         $110        $237
Fidelity's Index 500                                          $17         $53          $92        $200
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Emerging Markets 
  Equity (International) Portfolio                            $32         $97         $166        $347
</TABLE>
- ----------------
The examples are based upon Fund data for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998. THESE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES. YOUR EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN WHAT IS
SHOWN.

                                       7
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

    The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. Penn Mutual is a Pennsylvania mutual
life insurance company chartered in 1847. We are located at 600 Dresher Road,
Horsham, PA 19044. Our mailing address is Philadelphia, PA 19172. We issue and
are liable for all benefits and payments under the Contract.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR 2000

    The services we provide, as well as services provided by other companies,
organizations and governmental entities generally, depend on the smooth
functioning of computer systems. Many computer systems in use today cannot
recognize the Year 2000, and may return to 1900 or some other date after
December 31, 1999. If not corrected, these systems could fail or create
erroneous results. We began addressing the Year 2000 problem actively in 1996.
The effort involves assessing all of our computers, computer programs, and
related equipment, making necessary changes, and assuring that all systems
process dates correctly. We believe that we have designed and implemented an
efficient process for identifying what needs to be changed. Although we cannot
give assurance that we will have no Year 2000 problem, we expect our computer
systems to perform satisfactorily in the Year 2000.

    Penn Mutual and the mutual funds that serve as investment options for the
Separate Account have relationships with investment advisers, broker-dealers,
transfer agents, custodians, and other service providers. We are contacting the
funds and their vendors and service providers to obtain reasonable assurances
that such service providers have taken appropriate measures to address the Year
2000 problem. Where practicable, we will assess and attempt to mitigate risks
that the organizations upon which we depend are not Year 2000 compliant. We
cannot, however, give assurance that failure of these firms to complete adequate
preparations in a timely manner will not have an adverse effect on the
Contracts.

   The Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act passed by Congress in
1998 encourages businesses and other organizations to provide information about
the readiness of their computer systems. The Act also provides certain
protections to these organizations against potential liability for what they say
about their readiness. We specifically designate the information about our
readiness as readiness disclosure under the protections of the Act. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT

   Penn Mutual established Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III (the
"Separate Account") on April 13, 1982. The Separate Account is registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust and is a
"separate account" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The
Separate Account is divided into subaccounts that invest in shares of different
mutual funds.

   o The income, gains and losses of Penn Mutual do not have any effect on the
     income, gains or losses of the Separate Account or any subaccount.

   o The Separate Account and its subaccounts are not responsible for the 
     liabilities of any other business of Penn Mutual.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNITS

   Your assets in the Separate Account are held as Accumulation Units of the
subaccounts that you select. We value Accumulation Units on each day the New
York Stock Exchange is open. When you invest in or transfer money to a
subaccount, you receive the Accumulation Unit price next computed after we
receive your purchase payment or transfer request at our administrative office.
In the case of the your first purchase payment, you receive the price next
computed after we accept your application to purchase a Contract.

   The value of an Accumulation Unit is $10 when a subaccount begins operation.
The value of an Accumulation Unit may vary, and is determined by multiplying its
last computed value by the net investment factor for the subaccount for the
current valuation period. The net investment factor measures (1) investment
performance of Fund shares held in the subaccount, (2) any taxes on income or
gains from investments held in the subaccount and (3) the mortality and expense
risk charge at an annual rate of 1.20% and contract administration charge at an
annual rate of 0.15% assessed against the subaccount.


                                       8
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

   You have the right to tell us how to vote proxies for the Fund shares in
which your purchase payments are invested. If the law changes and permits us to
vote the Fund shares, we may do so.

   If you are a Contract Owner, we determine the number of Fund shares that you
may vote by dividing your interest in a subaccount by the net asset value per
share of the Fund. If you are receiving annuity payments, we determine the
number of Fund shares that you may vote by dividing the reserve allocated to the
subaccount by the net asset value per share of the Fund. We may change these
procedures whenever we are required or permitted to do so by law.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT OPTIONS IN THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT 

The Separate Account currently has subaccounts that invest in the following 
Funds: 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.:

   GROWTH EQUITY FUND - seeks long term growth of capital and increase of future
income by investing primarily in common stocks of well established growth
companies;

   VALUE EQUITY FUND - seeks to maximize total return (capital appreciation and
income) primarily by investing in equity securities of companies believed to be
undervalued considering such factors as assets, earnings, growth potential and
cash flows;

   SMALL CAPITALIZATION FUND - seeks capital appreciation through investment in
a diversified portfolio of securities consisting primarily of equity securities
of companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion;

   EMERGING GROWTH FUND - seeks capital appreciation by investing primarily in
common stocks of emerging growth companies with above-average growth prospects;

   FLEXIBLY MANAGED FUND - seeks to maximize total return (capital appreciation
and income) by investing in common stocks, other equity securities, corporate
debt securities, and/or short term reserves, in proportions considered
appropriate in light of the availability of attractively valued individual
securities and current and expected economic and market conditions;

   INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND - seeks to maximize capital appreciation by
investing in a carefully selected diversified portfolio consisting primarily of
equity securities. The investments will consist principally of equity securities
of European and Pacific Basin countries;

   QUALITY BOND FUND - seeks the highest income over the long term consistent
with the preservation of principal through investment primarily in marketable
investment grade debt securities;

   HIGH YIELD BOND FUND - seeks high current income by investing primarily in a
diversified portfolio of long term high-yield/high-risk fixed income securities
in the medium to lower quality ranges; capital appreciation is a secondary
objective; such securities, which are commonly referred to as "junk" bonds,
generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher
rated securities (see accompanying Penn Series prospectuses);

   MONEY MARKET FUND - seeks to preserve capital, maintain liquidity and achieve
the highest possible level of current income consistent with these objectives,
by investing in high quality money market instruments; an investment in the Fund
is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government and there can be no
assurance that the fund will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of
$1.00 per share.

   Independence Capital Management, Inc., Horsham, Pennsylvania is investment
adviser to each of the Funds. OpCap Advisors, New York, New York, is investment
sub-adviser to the Value Equity and Small Capitalization Funds. T. Rowe Price
Associates, Baltimore, Maryland, is investment sub-adviser to the Flexibly
Managed and High Yield Bond Funds. Vontobel USA, Inc., New York, New York, is
investment sub-adviser to the International Equity Fund. RS Investment
Management, Inc., San Francisco, California, is investment sub-adviser to the
Emerging Growth Fund.


                                       9
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST:

   LIMITED MATURITY BOND PORTFOLIO - seeks highest current income consistent
with low risk to principal and liquidity, primarily by investing in a
diversified portfolio of limited maturity debt securities. A secondary objective
is capital appreciation.

   BALANCED PORTFOLIO - seeks long-term capital growth and reasonable current
income without undue risk to principal through investment of a portion of its
assets in common stock and a portion in debt securities.

   PARTNERS FUND PORTFOLIO - seeks capital growth by investing primarily in
common stocks of established companies, using the value oriented investment
approach. Neuberger Berman reserves the right to make changes in the investment
objective, but will notify shareholders thirty days in advance of any proposed
material change.

   Neuberger Berman Management Incorporated, New York, New York, is investment
adviser to the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio, the Balanced Portfolio and the
Partners Portfolio.

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

FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND:

   EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO - seeks reasonable income by investing primarily in
income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities, the fund will
also consider the potential for capital appreciation. The fund's goal is to
achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the securities comprising
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.

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

   Fidelity Management & Research Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is investment
adviser to the Equity-Income Portfolio and the Growth Portfolio.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II:

   ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO - seeks high total return with reduced risk over the
long-term by allocating its assets among domestic and foreign stocks, bonds and
short-term fixed income investments.

   INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO - seeks to match the total return of the S&P 500 while
keeping expenses low. The S&P 500 is an index of 500 common stocks, most of
which trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

   Fidelity Management & Research Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is investment
adviser to the Asset Manager Portfolio and the Index 500 Portfolio.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.:

   EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY (INTERNATIONAL) PORTFOLIO - seeks long term capital
appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of emerging market
country issuers. The Portfolio will focus on economies that are developing
strongly and in which the markets are becoming more sophisticated.

   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asset Management Inc., New York, New York, is
investment adviser to the Emerging Markets Equity (International) Portfolio.

   SHARES OF PENN SERIES ARE SOLD TO OTHER VARIABLE LIFE AND VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS OF PENN MUTUAL AND ITS SUBSIDIARY, THE PENN INSURANCE AND
ANNUITY COMPANY. SHARES OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST, FIDELITY
INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND AND VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
FUND II AND MORGAN STANLEY UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC. ARE OFFERED NOT ONLY TO
VARIABLE ANNUITY AND VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS OF PENN MUTUAL, BUT ALSO TO
SUCH ACCOUNTS OF OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES UNAFFILIATED WITH PENN MUTUAL AND, IN
THE CASE OF NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST AND MORGAN STANLEY DEAN
WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC., DIRECTLY TO QUALIFIED PENSION AND RETIREMENT
PLANS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE CONFLICTS INVOLVED WHEN THE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT INVESTS IN FUNDS OFFERED TO OTHER SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, SEE THE FUND
PROSPECTUSES.

READ THE PROSPECTUSES OF THESE FUNDS BEFORE INVESTING.



                                       10
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNTS

   Interests in the Company's general account are not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and the general account is not registered as an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The general account
and any interests held in the general account are not subject to the provisions
of these Acts. This Prospectus generally discusses only the variable portion of
the Contract. The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
reviewed the disclosure in this Prospectus relating to the Fixed Interest
Accounts. Disclosure regarding the Fixed Interest Accounts, however, may be
subject to generally applicable provisions of the federal securities laws
relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in this Prospectus.
See MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNT. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CONTRACT 

    An individual variable and fixed annuity contract may be an attractive
long-term investment vehicle for many people. Our Contract allows you to invest
in:
   o the Separate Account, through which you may invest in one or more of the
     available Funds of Penn Series Funds, Inc., Neuberger & Berman Advisers
     Management Trust, Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund,
     Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products Fund II and Morgan 
     Stanley Dean Witter Universal Funds, Inc. See THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT in this
     Prospectus.
   o one or more Fixed Interest Accounts. The Fixed Interest Accounts are 
     guaranteed and funded by Penn Mutual through its general account. See THE 
     FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNTS and MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED INTEREST
     ACCOUNTS in this Prospectus.

You decide, within Contract limits,

   o how often you make a purchase payment and how much you invest;
   o the Funds and/or Fixed Interest Accounts in which your purchase payments
     are invested; 
   o whether or not to transfer money among the available Funds and Fixed 
     Interest Accounts; 
   o the type of annuity that we pay and who receives it; 
   o the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to whom we pay death benefits; and 
   o the amount and frequency of withdrawals from the Contract Value.

Your Contract has:

   o an Accumulation Period, during which you make one or more purchase payments
     and we invest your payments as you tell us; and
   o an Annuity Payout Period, during which we make annuity payments to you. 
     Your Payout Period begins on your Annuity Date.

   We may amend your Contract at any time to comply with legal requirements.
State law may require us to obtain your approval for any Contract amendment. We
may, with approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the governing
state insurance department, substitute another mutual fund for any of the Funds
currently available.

   The Contract is available to individuals and institutions. The Contracts also
may be issued as individual retirement annuities under section 408(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") in connection with IRA rollovers and as
tax-deferred annuities under Section 403(b) of the Code (often referred to as
qualified Contracts).

   You may contact us by writing The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company,
Customer Service Group, Philadelphia, PA 19172. Or, you may call (800) 523-0650.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW DO I PURCHASE A CONTRACT?

   Our representative will assist you in completing an application and sending
it, together with a check for your first purchase payment, to our administrative
office. All subsequent purchase payments should be sent to our administrative
office. We usually accept an application to purchase a Contract within two
business days after we receive it. If you send us an incomplete application, we
will return your purchase payment to you within five business days unless you
ask us to keep it while you complete the application.

                                       11
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   The minimum purchase payment that we will accept is $5,000, although we may
decide to accept lower amounts. We will accept total purchase payments under
your Contract of up to $1 million. You must obtain our prior approval to make
total purchase payments in excess of $1 million.

   The principal underwriter of the Contracts is Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.,
600 Dresher Road, Horsham, PA 19044, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn Mutual.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT TYPES OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS MAY I CHOOSE?

   You may choose: (1) an annuity for a set number of years, (2) a life annuity,
(3) a life annuity with payments guaranteed for 10 or 20 years, (4) a joint and
survivor life annuity or (5) any other form of annuity that we may agree upon.
You may choose a variable annuity (except for a set number of years), a fixed
annuity, or a combination of both. You may choose a person other than yourself
to be the Annuitant. Currently, during the Annuity Payout Period, your variable
annuity may not be allocated to more than four subaccounts.

   VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS. The size of your variable annuity payments will
vary depending upon the performance of the investment options that you choose
for the Annuity Payout Period. Your payments also will depend on the size of
your investment, the type of annuity you choose, the expected length of the
annuity period, and the annuity purchase rates and charges in your Contract.

   When you purchase a variable annuity, you will pick an assumed interest rate
of 3% or 5%. If the annual net investment return during the annuity payout
period is greater than the rate chosen, your annuity payments will increase. If
the annual net investment return is less, your payments will decrease. Choosing
a higher assumed interest rate would mean a higher first annuity payment but
more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments. Choosing a lower
assumed interest rate would have the opposite effect.

   During the Variable Annuity Payout Period, you (or your Beneficiary in the
event of death) may transfer your Annuity Unit Values among four subaccounts of
the Separate Account that you choose on the Annuity Date. You may not select
other subaccounts after the Annuity Date.

   FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS. The size of your fixed annuity payments will not
change. The size of these payments is determined by a number of factors,
including the size of your investment, the form of annuity chosen, the expected
length of the annuity period, and a guaranteed 3% rate of return.

   OTHER INFORMATION. Unless you tell us otherwise:

   o you will receive a life annuity with payments guaranteed for 10 years. Tax
deferred annuities under Section 403(b) of the Code will receive a joint and
survivor annuity.

   o the annuity will be split between fixed and variable in the same
proportions as your Contract Value on the Annuity Date, except if your Contract
Value is allocated to more than four subaccounts, the variable portion will be
allocated to the Money Market subaccount until you give us instructions to
allocate to not more than four subaccounts.

    o your annuity payments will begin on the later of (1) the first day of the
next month after the Annuitant's 95th birthday or (2) 10 years after the
contract date, unless state law requires an earlier Annuity Date. The Annuity
Date under the Contract must be on the first day of a month.

    You may change the Annuity Date or your annuity option by giving us written
notice at our administrative office at least 30 days prior to the current
Annuity Date. If your Contract Value is less than $5,000, we may pay you in a
lump sum. We usually make annuity payments monthly, starting with the Annuity
Date, but we will pay you quarterly, semiannually or annually, if you prefer. If
necessary, we will adjust the frequency of your payments so that payments are at
least $50 each. For information on the treatment of annuity payments, see
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS in this Prospectus. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT ARE THE DEATH BENEFITS UNDER MY CONTRACT? 

    You may designate a Beneficiary in your application. If you fail to
designate a Beneficiary, your Beneficiary will be your estate. You may change
the Beneficiary at any time before your death or the death of the Annuitant,
whichever occurs first.


                                       12
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   If you die before the Annuity Date and you are not the Annuitant, we will pay
your Beneficiary the Contract Value as of the date our administrative office
receives proof of death and other information required to process the payment.
If you are the Annuitant, we will pay your Beneficiary the death benefit
described in the next paragraph.

   If the Annuitant dies before the Annuity Date, we will pay a death benefit
equal to the sum of the Variable Account death benefit and the Fixed Interest
Account death benefit as of the date we receive proof of death and other
information required to process the payment. The Variable Account death benefit
is the greater of: (1) the Variable Account Value or; (2) all purchase payments
allocated and transfers made to the Variable Account, less withdrawals and
amounts transferred out. The Fixed Interest Account death benefit is the Fixed
Interest Account Value.

   We generally pay the death benefit within seven days after we receive proof
of death and all required information.

   ENHANCED GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFIT. If the Annuitant is 75 years of
age or less, you may purchase an enhanced guaranteed minimum death benefit as
part of your Contract. The enhanced guaranteed minimum death benefit is paid in
place of the Variable Account death benefit, if it is greater, and if the
Annuitant dies before the Annuity Date and before age 90. We offer two different
enhanced guaranteed minimum death benefits. You may purchase either, but only at
the time you purchase your Contract.

   The guaranteed minimum death benefit - step-up: This is the highest Variable
Account Value on the current or prior contract anniversary dates, adjusted as
follows. For this purpose, the Variable Account Value on an anniversary date
will be adjusted upward by the amount of any purchase payments allocated and
transfers made to the Variable Account after the anniversary date, and before
the next anniversary date, and adjusted downward by an amount that is in the
same proportion that the Variable Account Value was decreased by transfers and
withdrawals (including any deferred sales charge) after the anniversary date and
before the next anniversary date.

   The guaranteed minimum death benefit - rising floor: This is the sum of all
purchase payments allocated and transfers made to the Variable Account, minus a
reduction for any withdrawals or transfers made from the Variable Account (as
described below), plus interest at 5%, calculated as follows. Interest is
reflected for the periods amounts are held in the Variable Account, but not for
any period after the Annuitant attains 80 years of age. If a withdrawal or
transfer is made from the Variable Account prior to death, the guaranteed
minimum death benefit will be reduced by an amount that is in the same
proportion that the amount withdrawn or transferred from the Variable Account
(including any contingent deferred sales charge) was to the Variable Account
Value on the date of the withdrawal or transfer.

   The enhanced guaranteed minimum death benefit will terminate if you withdraw
or transfer the full Variable Account Value from your Contract. For information
on the cost of the enhanced guaranteed minimum death benefits, see WHAT CHARGES
DO I PAY? In this Prospectus.

   CHOOSING A LUMP SUM OR ANNUITY. Your Beneficiary has one year from your death
to choose to receive the death benefit in a lump sum or as an annuity.

   o The Beneficiary has only 60 days to make this election if the death benefit
is paid upon death of an Annuitant other than you.

   o If the Beneficiary chooses a lump sum, he or she may ask us to postpone
payment of the lump sum for up to five years (until paid out, the death benefit
will be allocated to subaccounts of the Separate Account and/or Fixed Interest
Accounts as directed by the Beneficiary).

   o If the Beneficiary chooses an annuity, we will begin annuity payments no
later than one year from the date of death. Payments will be made over the
Beneficiary's life or over a period not longer than the Beneficiary's life
expectancy.

   o If an election is not made within one year of the date of death of the
Contract Owner or within 60 days of the death of an Annuitant other than you,
the death benefit will be paid to the Beneficiary in a lump sum.

   If your Beneficiary is your surviving spouse, he or she may become the
Contract Owner rather than receive the death benefit. If there is more than one
surviving Beneficiary, they must choose their portion of the death benefit in
accordance with the above options. If the Annuitant dies on or after the Annuity
Date, the death benefit payable, if any, will be paid in accordance with your
choice of annuity.

   For information on the tax treatment of death benefits, see FEDERAL INCOME
TAX CONSIDERATIONS in this Prospectus.


                                       13
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY I TRANSFER MONEY AMONG SUBACCOUNTS AND THE FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNTS?

   BEFORE THE ANNUITY DATE. You may transfer amounts from one subaccount of the
Separate Account to another subaccount of the Separate Account. Within Contract
limits, you also may transfer from the subaccounts of the Separate Account to
the One Year Fixed Interest Account. You may not transfer amounts from the
subaccounts of the Separate Account to the Six Month Fixed Interest Account. You
may transfer from the One Year Fixed Interest Account to the Variable Account
only at the completion of the interest period or within 25 days thereafter. You
may transfer from the Six Month Fixed Interest Account to the Variable Account
as described under "Dollar Cost Averaging" below or 100% at any time.

   AFTER THE ANNUITY DATE. You may transfer amounts from one subaccount of the
Separate Account to another. Transfers are limited to the four subaccounts
selected at the time of annuitization. Upon your death or the death of the
Annuitant, a Beneficiary who is receiving annuity payments may transfer amounts
among the subaccounts of the Separate Account.

   o Transfers will be based on values at the end of the valuation period in
which the transfer request is received at our administrative office.

   o The minimum amount that may be transferred is $250 or, if less, the amount
held in the subaccount or Fixed Interest Account. In the case of partial
transfers, the amount remaining in the subaccount or Fixed Interest Account must
be at least $250.

   o A transfer request must be received at our administrative office and all
other administrative requirements for transfer must be met to make the transfer.
Neither we nor the Separate Account will be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone that we reasonably believe to be genuine. We require
certain personal identifying information to process a request for transfer made
over the telephone.

   DOLLAR COST AVERAGING. Dollar cost averaging is a way to invest in which
securities are purchased at regular intervals in fixed dollar amounts so that
the cost of the securities gets averaged over time and possibly over market
cycles. You can have a fixed percentage of your purchase payments transferred
monthly or quarterly from one account to other accounts to achieve dollar cost
averaging. These transfers may be made only from one of the following accounts:
Money Market Subaccount, Limited Maturity Bond Subaccount, Quality Bond
Subaccount, or the Six Month Fixed Interest Account. You may do this for up to
60 months with a maximum of 6 months for the Six Month Fixed Interest Account,
or until you tell us to change or cancel the dollar cost averaging. If you stop
dollar cost averaging during a six month period, any money left in the Six Month
Fixed Interest Account will be transferred into the One Year Fixed Interest
Account. If you stop dollar cost averaging at the end of a six month period, you
may ask us to transfer money left in the Six Month Fixed Interest Account to the
One Year Fixed Interest Account.

   AUTOMATIC REBALANCING. Automatic Rebalancing is a way to transfer money from
those subaccounts that have increased in value to those subaccounts that have
decreased in value. Over time, this may help you to sell high and buy low,
although there can be no assurance of this. If you have a Contract Value of at
least $10,000 you may elect to have your investments in subaccounts of the
Separate Account automatically rebalanced. We will transfer funds under your
Contract on a quarterly (calendar) basis among the subaccounts to maintain a
specified percentage allocation among your selected variable investment options.

   Dollar cost averaging and automatic rebalancing may not be in effect at the
same time.

   For tranfers other than dollar cost averaging and automatic rebalancing, we
reserve the right to charge a fee, although we have no present intention of
doing so.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY I WITHDRAW ANY OF MY MONEY?

   Before the Annuity Date and the death of the Contract Owner or Annuitant, you
may withdraw all or part of your Contract Value. We base your withdrawal on your
Contract Value next determined after we receive a proper written request for
withdrawal at our administrative office (and the Contract, in case of a full
withdrawal). We normally will pay you within seven days. You may pay tax when
you make a withdrawal, including an additional 10% tax under certain
circumstances. See FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS.

   o The minimum withdrawal is $500. If it is your first withdrawal in a
Contract Year, the minimum withdrawal is the Free Withdrawal Amount if less than
$500. The Free Withdrawal Amount is equal to 15% of the purchase payments as of
the date of the request.


                                       14
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   o You may make a partial withdrawal only if the amount remaining in the
contract is at least $5,000 and the balance remaining in each subaccount or a
fixed interest account is at least $250.

   o If you do not tell us otherwise, the withdrawal will be taken pro rata from
the variable subaccounts; if the partial withdrawal exhausts your Variable
Account Value, then any remaining withdrawal will be taken from a fixed interest
account beginning with the fixed interest account with the shortest interest
period.

   SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS. If your Contract Value is at least $25,000 and you
have not made a Free Withdrawal in the current contract year, you can make
systematic withdrawals. These are regular payments that we make to you on a
monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. It is a convenient way for you
to withdraw a limited percentage of purchase payments without incurring a
contingent deferred sales charge. The total amount that you withdraw in a
Contract Year cannot exceed your Free Withdrawal Amount, and the minimum amount
of each withdrawal payment is $100. Your payments will begin on the next
withdrawal date after we receive your request. See FREE WITHDRAWALS below. For
information on the tax treatment of withdrawals, see FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS in this Prospectus.

   403(B) WITHDRAWALS. There are restrictions on withdrawals from Contracts
qualifying under Section 403(b) of the Code. Generally, withdrawals may be made
only if the Contract Owner is over the age of 59 1/2, leaves the employment of
the employer, dies, or becomes disabled as defined in the Code. Withdrawals
(other than withdrawals attributable to income earned on purchase payments) may
also be possible in the case of hardship as defined in the Code. The
restrictions do not apply to transfers among subaccounts and may also not apply
to transfers to other investments qualifying under Section 403(b). For
information on the tax treatment of withdrawals under Section 403(b) Contracts,
see FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS in this Prospectus. 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERMENT OF PAYMENTS AND TRANSFERS

   We reserve the right to defer a withdrawal, a transfer of Contract Value, or
annuity payments funded by the Separate Account if: (a) the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (b)
trading on the Exchange is restricted; (c) an emergency exists that makes it
impractical for us to dispose of securities held in the Separate Account or to
determine the value of its assets; or (d) the Securities and Exchange Commission
by order so permits for the protection of investors. Conditions described in (b)
and (c) will be decided by, or in accordance with rules of, the Commission. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT CHARGES DO I PAY?

   The following discussion explains the Contract charges that you pay. You also
pay expenses of the Funds that you select as investment options in the Separate
Account. See the prospectuses of the Funds for information on Fund expenses.

   ADMINISTRATION CHARGES:

   These charges reimburse us for administering the Contract and the Separate
Account.

   o We deduct from your Variable Account Value an annual contract
administration charge that is the lesser of $40 or 2% of your Variable Account
Value. You will not pay this charge if your Variable Account Value is more than
$100,000. To pay this charge, we cancel Accumulation Units credited to your
Contract, pro rata among the subaccounts in which you invest.

   o We deduct from the net asset value of the Separate Account a daily
administration charge that will not exceed an effective annual rate of 0.15%.

   For transfers among investment options other than dollar cost averaging and
automatic rebalancing, we reserve the right to charge for making the transfer,
although we have no present intention of doing so.

   MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE:

   We deduct from the net asset value of the Separate Account a daily mortality
and expense risk charge that will not exceed an effective annual rate of
1.20%.This charge compensates us for the mortality-related guarantees we make
under the Contract (e.g., the death benefit and the guarantee that the annuity
factors will never be decreased even if mortality experience is substantially
different than originally assumed), and for the risk that our administration
charges will be insufficient to cover administration expenses over the life of
the Contracts. The mortality and expense risk charge is paid during both the
accumulation and variable annuity pay-out phases of the Contract.


                                       15
<PAGE>

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   CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE:

   This charge pays for our sales expenses. Sales expenses that are not covered
by the deferred sales charge are paid from the surplus of the Company, which may
include proceeds from the mortality and expense risk charge.

   You pay this charge only if you withdraw a purchase payment within seven
years of the effective date of payment. The following table shows the schedule
of the contingent deferred sales charge that will be applied to withdrawal of a
purchase payment, after allowing for the free withdrawals which are described in
the next subsection. Purchase payments will be treated as withdrawn on a
first-in, first-out basis.

      NUMBER OF FULL CONTRACT
   YEARS SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT                 APPLICABLE CHARGE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               0                                        7%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               1                                        7%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               2                                        6%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               3                                        5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               4                                        4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               5                                        3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               6                                        1.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               7+                                       0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   The contingent deferred sales charge may be reduced on Contracts sold to a
trustee, employer or similar party pursuant to a retirement plan or to a group
of individuals, if such sales are expected to involve reduced sales expenses.
The amount of reduction will depend upon such factors as the size of the group,
any prior or existing relationship with the purchaser or group, the total amount
of purchase payments and other relevant factors that might tend to reduce
expenses incurred in connection with such sales. The reduction will not unfairly
discriminate against any Contract Owner.

   FREE WITHDRAWALS:

   SEVEN-YEAR-OLD PURCHASE PAYMENTS. You may withdraw any purchase payment that
was made more than 7 years before the withdrawal without incurring a contingent
deferred sales charge.

   ANNUAL WITHDRAWALS OF 15% OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS. On the last day of the first
contract year and once each contract year thereafter, you may withdraw, without
incurring a contingent deferred sales charge, up to 15% of total purchase
payments as of the date of the request. You may take a free withdrawal on a
single sum basis or systematically, but not both. The free withdrawal amount
will be applied to purchase payments on a first-in, first-out basis. With
respect to any withdrawal in excess of the free withdrawal limit in a contract
year, the contingent deferred sales charge schedule set forth above will apply
to the remainder of the purchase payments so withdrawn on a first-in, first-out
basis. This free withdrawal applies only to the first withdrawal request made in
a contract year and the amount is not cumulative from year to year.

   MEDICALLY RELATED WITHDRAWAL. Subject to state law, after the first contract
year and before the Annuity Date, you may withdraw, without incurring a
contingent deferred sales charge, all or part of your Contract Value if certain
medically related contingencies occur. This free withdrawal is available if you
are: (1) first confined in a nursing home or hospital while this Contract is in
force and remain confined for at least 90 days in a row; or (2) first diagnosed
as having a fatal illness (an illness expected to result in death within 2 years
for 80% of diagnosed cases) while this Contract is in force. The precise terms
and conditions of this benefit are set forth in the Contract. It is not
available if your age at issue is greater than 75. The medically related
contingencies that must be met for free withdrawal vary in some states.

   DISABILITY RELATED WITHDRAWAL. You may withdraw, without incurring a
contingent deferred sales charge, part or all of your Contract Value if you (you
or the Annuitant for qualified Contracts) become totally disabled as defined in
the Contract.

   OTHER WITHDRAWALS:

There is no contingent deferred sales charge imposed upon minimum distributions
under qualified contracts which are required by the Code.


                                       16
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ENHANCED GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFIT (OPTIONAL):

   If you purchase an Enhanced Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit as part of your
Contract, we will deduct a guaranteed minimum death benefit charge from the
Variable Account Value. The charge is currently 0.20% of the average annual
Variable Account Value, but may be raised to a maximum rate of 0.25% at the
discretion of Penn Mutual. The charge will be made on each Contract anniversary
and at any time the Variable Account Value is withdrawn or transferred in full.
The charge will be deducted by canceling Accumulation Units credited to your
Contract, with the charge allocated pro rata among the subaccounts comprising
the Variable Account Value.

   PREMIUM TAXES:

   Some states and municipalities impose premium taxes on purchase payments
received by insurance companies. Generally, any premium taxes payable will be
deducted upon annuitization, although we reserve the right to deduct such taxes
when due in jurisdictions that impose such taxes on purchase payments.
Currently, state premium taxes on purchase payments range from 0% to 3 1/2%.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

   We may advertise total return performance and annual charges in accumulation
unit values. 

    Information on total return performance will include average annual rates of
total return for one, five and ten year periods, or lesser periods depending on
how long the underlying Fund has been available through a subaccount of the
Separate Account. Average annual total return figures will show the average
annual rates of increase or decrease in investments in the subaccounts, assuming
a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period, withdrawal of
the investment at the end of the period, and the deduction of all applicable
fund and Contract charges. We also may show average annual rates of total
return, assuming investment on the inception date of the underlying Fund, other
amounts invested at the beginning of the period and no withdrawal at the end of
the period. Average annual total return figures which assume no withdrawals at
the end of the period will reflect all recurring charges, but will not reflect
the contingent deferred sales charge (if applicable, the contingent deferred
sales charge would reduce the amount that may be withdrawn under the Contracts).

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED INTEREST ACCOUNTS 

GENERAL INFORMATION

   You may allocate or transfer money to our One Year Fixed Interest Account.
The interest rate that you earn on money in this account is set at the time you
invest and will not vary during the one year period. The rate will never be less
than 3%.

   If you participate in our dollar cost averaging program, you may allocate
money to our Six Month Fixed Interest Account. The interest rate that you earn
is set at the time that you invest and will not vary during the six month
period. The rate will never be less than 3%. If you stop dollar cost averaging
before your money has been in this account six months, your money will be
transferred to the One Year Fixed Interest Account unless you specify a
different investment option.

   You may transfer money in the Fixed Interest Accounts to subaccounts of the
Separate Account, subject to the fixed interest account provisions of your
Contract. If you do not withdraw or reallocate money in the One Year Fixed
Interest Account within 25 days after the end of an interest period, we will
treat it as a new allocation to the One Year Fixed Interest Account. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOANS UNDER SECTION 403(B) CONTRACTS

   If your Contract qualifies under Section 403(b) of the Code, and if state law
permits, you may be able to borrow against money that you have invested in a
Fixed Interest Account. Review your Contract loan endorsement or consult our
representative for a complete description of the terms of the loan privilege,
including minimum and maximum loan amounts, repayment terms, and restrictions on
prepayments.

   When you borrow, an amount equal to your loan will be transferred, as
collateral, from your Separate Account subaccounts to an account in our general
account called the "Restricted Account." Amounts transferred to the Restricted
Account currently earn interest at a rate of 1 1/2 percentage points less than
the rate of interest that we charge you on the loan. The lowest possible
interest that you could earn on your Restricted Account assets is 2 1/2
percentage points less than the rate charged on the loan. On your Contract
Anniversary, the accrued interest in the Restricted Account will be transferred
to your Separate Account subaccounts in accordance with your current payment
allocation instructions.


                                       17
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Loan repayments are due quarterly. When you repay part of your loan, we
transfer an amount equal to the principal portion of the repayment from the
Restricted Account to the Money Market subaccount. You may then transfer amounts
from the Money Market subaccount to the other investment options offered under
the Contract.

   If you are in default, we will report the default to the Internal Revenue
Service as a taxable distribution and, if you are then under age 59 1/2, as a
premature distribution that may be subject to a 10% penalty.We will repay the
loan by withdrawing the amount in default, plus interest and any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge, from your Separate Account subaccounts in
accordance with your Loan Request and Agreement. If Section 403(b) prevents us
from doing this, your outstanding loan balance will continue to accrue interest
and the amount due will be withdrawn when a withdrawal becomes permissible.
While a loan balance is outstanding, any withdrawal or death benefit proceeds
must first be used to pay the loan.

   Loans are subject to the terms of your Contract, your Section 403(b) plan and
the Code, and, in the case of plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, the ERISA regulations on plan loans, all of which may
impose restrictions. We reserve the right to suspend, modify or terminate the
availability of loans. Where there is a plan fiduciary, it is the responsibility
of the fiduciary to ensure that any Contract loans comply with plan
qualification requirements, including ERISA. 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

   The following is a general summary of some federal income tax considerations.
It is based on the law in effect on the date of this Prospectus, which may
change, and does not address state or local tax laws. For further information,
you should consult qualified tax counsel.

   You pay no federal income tax on increases in the value of your Contract
until money is distributed to you or your beneficiary as a withdrawal, death
benefit or an annuity payment.

   WITHDRAWALS AND DEATH BENEFITS. You may pay tax on a withdrawal, and your
beneficiary may pay tax on a death benefit. The taxable portion of these
payments generally will be the amount by which the payment exceeds your cost.
Thus, you or your Beneficiary generally will have taxable income to the extent
that your Contract Value exceeds your purchase payments. Ordinary income tax
rates apply. If you designate a Beneficiary who is either 37 1/2 years younger
than you or your grandchild, you may obtain Generation Skipping Transfer Tax
treatment under Section 2601 of the Code.

   In the case of a nonqualified Contract and death of an Annuitant who was not
the Contract Owner, an election to receive the death benefit in the form of
annuity payment must be made within 60 days. If such election is not made, the
gain from the Contract will generally be taxed as a lump sum payment, as
described in the preceding paragraph.

   ANNUITY PAYMENTS. The taxable portion of an annuity payment generally is
determined by a formula that establishes the ratio of the cost basis of the
Contract (as adjusted for any refund feature) to the expected return under the
Contract. The taxable portion, which is the amount of the annuity payment in
excess of the cost basis, is taxed at ordinary income tax rates.

   Subject to certain exceptions, a Contract must be held by or on behalf of a
natural person in order to be treated as an annuity contract under federal
income tax law and to be accorded the tax treatment described in the preceding
paragraphs. If a contract is not treated as an annuity contract for federal
income tax purposes, the income on the Contract is treated as ordinary income
received or accrued by the Contract Owner during the taxable year.

    EARLY WITHDRAWALS. An additional income tax of 10% may be imposed on the
taxable portion of an early withdrawal or distribution unless one of several
exceptions apply. Generally, there will be no additional income tax on

   o early withdrawals that are part of a series of substantially equal periodic
     payments (not less frequently than annually) made for life (or life 
     expectancy) of the taxpayer or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies)
     of the taxpayer and a Beneficiary;

   o withdrawals made on or after age 59 1/2;

   o on distributions made after death;

   o withdrawals attributable to total and permanent disability.

   TRANSFERS. You may pay tax if you transfer your Contract to someone else. If
the transfer is for less than adequate consideration, the taxable portion would
be the Contract Value at the time of transfer over the investment in the
Contract at such time. This rule does not apply to transfers between spouses or
to transfers incident to a divorce.


                                       18
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Separate Account Diversification. Section 817(h) of the Code provides that
the investments of a separate account underlying a variable annuity contract
which is not purchased under a qualified retirement plan or certain other types
of plans (or the investments of a mutual fund, the shares of which are owned by
the variable annuity separate account) must be "adequately diversified" in order
for the Contract to be treated as an annuity contract for tax purposes. The
Treasury Department has issued regulations prescribing such diversification
requirements. The Separate Account, through each of the available funds of the
Penn Series Funds, Inc., Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust, Variable
Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II, and Morgan Stanley
Universal Funds, Inc. intends to comply with those requirements. The
requirements are briefly discussed in the accompanying prospectuses for the
underlying funds.

   The Treasury Department has stated in published rulings that a variable
contract owner will be considered the owner of separate account assets if the
contract owner possesses incidents of ownership in those assets, such as the
ability to exercise investment control over the assets. If a variable contract
owner is treated as owner of separate account assets, income and gain from the
assets would be includable in the variable contract owner's gross income. In
1984 the Treasury Department announced that it would provide guidance, by way of
regulation or ruling, on the "extent to which Policyholders may direct their
investments to particular subaccounts without being treated as owners of
underlying assets." As of the date of this Prospectus, no ruling or regulation
has been issued.

   QUALIFIED PLANS. The Contracts may be used in connection with certain
retirement plans that qualify for special tax treatment under the Code. The
plans include rollover individual retirement annuities qualified under Section
408(b) of the Code (referred to as IRAs) and certain tax deferred annuities
qualified under Section 403(b) of the Code. Qualified Contracts have special
provisions in order to be treated as qualified under the Code.

   For some types of qualified retirement plans, there may be no cost basis in
the Contract. In this case, the total payments received may be taxable. Before
purchasing a contract under a qualified retirement plan, the tax law provisions
applicable to the particular plan should be considered.

   Distribution must generally commence from individual retirement annuities and
from contracts qualified under Section 403(b) no later than the April 1
following the calendar year in which the Contract Owner attains age 70 1/2.
Failure to make such required minimum distributions may result in a 50% tax on
the amount of the required distribution.

   Generally, under a nonqualified annuity or rollover individual retirement
annuity qualified under Section 408(b), unless the Contract Owner elects to the
contrary, any amounts that are received under the Contract that the Company
believes are includable in gross income for tax purposes will be subject to
mandatory withholding to meet federal income tax obligations. The same treatment
will apply to distributions from a Section 403(b) annuity that are payable as an
annuity for the life or life expectancy of one or more individuals, or for a
period of at least 10 years, or are required minimum distributions. Other
distributions from a qualified plan or a Section 403(b) annuity are subject to
mandatory withholding, unless an election is made to receive the distribution as
a direct rollover to another eligible retirement plan.

    This general summary of federal income tax does not address every issue that
may affect you. You should consult qualified tax counsel.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   The consolidated financial statements of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
Company and the financial statements of the Separate Account at December 31,
1998 and for the year then ended appear in the Statement of Additional
Information. The consolidated financial statements of Penn Mutual should be
considered only as bearing upon Penn Mutual's ability to meet its obligations
under the Contracts.

   New subaccounts of the Separate Account have been established under the
Contracts subsequent to December 31, 1998. No amounts were allocated to the
subaccounts as of December 31, 1998. There are, therefore, no unit values for
the subaccounts at December 31, 1998.

                                       19
<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTENTS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS                                      B-
   First Variable Annuity Payments                             B-
   Subsequent Variable Annuity Payments                        B-
   Annuity Units                                               B-
   Value of Annuity Units                                      B-
   Net Investment Factor                                       B-
   Assumed Interest Rate                                       B-
   Valuation Period                                            B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE DATA                                               B-
   Average Annual Total Return                                 B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE AND RECORDKEEPING SERVICES                      B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS                                      B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTODIAN                                                      B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS                                           B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGAL MATTERS                                                  B-

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                           B-



                                       20
<PAGE>




























                                                         (logo) Penn
                                                                Mutual
                                                          A better way of life

                                                          The Penn Mutual
                                                          Life Insurance Company
                                                          Philadelphia, PA 19172



<PAGE>



                                     PART B


                       Information Required in a Statement

                            of Additional Information




<PAGE>

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- MAY 1, 1999


                                                                           LOGO


Penn Mutual Variable Account III
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19172 o Telephone (800) 523-0650

This statement of additional information is not a prospectus. It should be read
in conjunction with the current Prospectus for the Pennant Select Contract,
dated May 1, 1999. The Contract is funded through Penn Mutual Variable Account
III (referred to as the "Separate Account"). To obtain a prospectus you may
write to The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company (the "Company"), Customer
Service Group, Philadelphia, PA 19172. Or you may call (800) 523-0650. Terms
used in this statement of additional information have the same meaning as the
Prospectus.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                               <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS ......................................................  B-2
 First Variable Annuity Payments ...............................................  B-2
 Subsequent Variable Annuity Payments ..........................................  B-2
 Annuity Units .................................................................  B-2
 Value of Annuity Units ........................................................  B-2
 Net Investment Factor .........................................................  B-2
 Assumed Interest Rate .........................................................  B-3
 Valuation Period ..............................................................  B-3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE DATA ...............................................................  B-3
 Average Annual Total Return ...................................................  B-3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE AND RECORDKEEPING SERVICES ......................................  B-8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS ......................................................  B-8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTODIAN ......................................................................  B-8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ...........................................................  B-8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGAL MATTERS ..................................................................  B-8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ...........................................................  B-8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

                           VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS


FIRST VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT

     When a variable annuity is effected, we will first deduct applicable
premium taxes, if any, from the Contract Value. The dollar amount of the first
monthly annuity payment will be determined by applying the net Contract Value
to the annuity table set forth in the contract for the annuity option chosen.
The annuity tables show the amount of the first monthly income payment under
each annuity option for each $1,000 of value applied, based on the Annuitant's
age at the Annuity Date. The annuity tables are based on the Annuity 2000 Basic
Table with interest rates at 3% or 5%.

SUBSEQUENT VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     The dollar amount of subsequent variable annuity payments will vary in
accordance with the investment experience of the subaccount(s) of the Separate
Account applicable to the annuity. Each subsequent variable annuity payment
will equal the number of annuity units credited, multiplied by the value of the
annuity unit for the valuation period. The Company guarantees that the amount
of each subsequent annuity payment will not be affected by variations in
expense or mortality experience.

ANNUITY UNITS

     For each subaccount selected, the number of annuity units is the amount of
the first annuity payment allocated to the subaccount divided by the value of
an annuity unit for the subaccount on the Annuity Date. The number of your
annuity units will not change as a result of investment experience.

VALUE OF ANNUITY UNITS

     The value of an annuity unit for each subaccount was arbitrarily set at
$10 when the subaccount was established. The value may increase or decrease
from one valuation period to the next. For a valuation period, the value of an
annuity unit for a subaccount is the value of an annuity unit for the
subaccount for the last prior valuation period multiplied by the net investment
factor for the subaccount for the valuation period. The result is then
multiplied by a factor to neutralize an assumed interest rate of 3% or 5%, as
applicable, built into the annuity tables.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

     For any subaccount, the net investment factor for a valuation period is
determined by dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c):

WHERE (A) IS:

     The net asset value per share of the mutual fund held in the subaccount,
as of the end of the valuation period

     PLUS

   The per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions by the
   mutual fund if the "ex- dividend" date occurs in the valuation period

     PLUS OR MINUS

   A per share charge or credit, as we may determine as of the end of the
   valuation period, for provision for taxes (if applicable).

WHERE (B) IS:

     The net asset value per share of the mutual fund held in the subaccount as
of the end of the last prior valuation period

     PLUS OR MINUS

     The per share charge or credit for provision for taxes as of the end of
the last prior valuation period (if applicable).

WHERE (C) IS:

   The sum of the mortality and expense risk charge and the daily
   administration charge. On an annual basis, the sum of such charges equals
   1.35% of the daily net asset value of the subaccount.


                                      B-2
<PAGE>

ASSUMED INTEREST RATE

     Assumed interest rates of 3% or 5% are included in the annuity tables in
the contracts. A higher assumption would mean a higher first annuity payment
but more slowly rising or more rapidly falling subsequent payments. A lower
assumption would have the opposite effect. If the actual net investment rate on
an annual basis is equal to the assumed interest rate you have selected,
annuity payments will be level.


VALUATION PERIOD

     Valuation period is the period from one valuation of underlying fund
assets to the next. Valuation is performed each day the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading.


                               PERFORMANCE DATA


AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

     The performance data in the following tables include average annual total
return of subaccounts of the Separate Account computed in accordance with the
standard formula and limitations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and average annual total return and cumulative total return
information based upon different hypothetical assumptions.


                                      B-3
<PAGE>

Table 1 Average Annual Total Return On $1,000 Investment -- Computed as
Prescribed by the SEC

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   FROM           TEN           FIVE           ONE
                                                                INCEPTION        YEARS         YEARS           YEAR
                                                 INCEPTION       THROUGH         ENDED         ENDED          ENDED
FUND (MANAGER)                                     DATE*         12/31/98       12/31/98      12/31/98       12/31/98
- ---------------------------------------------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Growth Equity (a)                                 6/01/83       13.91%        14.96%        17.66%          31.22%
     (Independence Capital)
Value Equity (a)                                  3/17/87       12.36%        13.04%        16.99%           1.45%
     (OpCap)
Small-Cap Fund                                    5/01/95        8.83%         n/a           n/a           (15.95%)
     (OpCap)
Emerging Growth Fund (a)                          5/01/95       39.01%         n/a           n/a            25.68%
     (RS Investment Management)
Flexibly Managed (a)                              7/31/84       13.26%        11.26%        10.42%         ( 1.79%)
     (T. Rowe Price)
International Equity (a)                         11/02/92       12.52%         n/a           8.07%          10.04%
     (Vontobel)
Quality Bond (a)                                  3/17/87        6.66%         7.35%         4.91%           1.99%
     (Independence Capital)
High Yield Bond (a)                               8/06/84        8.77%         8.20%         6.08%         ( 3.00%)
     (T. Rowe Price)
Balanced Portfolio (b)                             5/1/93        9.89%         n/a           9.18%           3.85%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (b)                5/1/93        3.40%         n/a           3.01%         ( 3.37%)
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Partners Fund Portfolio (b)                        5/1/97       13.06%         n/a           n/a           ( 3.54%)
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Equity-Income Portfolio (c)                        5/1/95       18.32%         n/a           n/a             3.34%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Growth Portfolio (c)                               5/1/95       25.85%         n/a           n/a            29.20%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Asset Manager Portfolio (d)                        5/1/95       15.32%         n/a           n/a             6.52%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Index 500 (d)                                      5/1/97       23.08%         n/a           n/a            18.85%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Emerging Markets Equity (International) (e)        5/1/97      (23.23%)        n/a           n/a           (29.91%)
     (Morgan Stanley Dean Witter)
 
</TABLE>

- -----------
*   DATE THE UNDERLYING FUND WAS FIRST OFFERED THROUGH A SUBACCOUNT OF THE
SEPARATE ACCOUNT.
(A) PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
(B) NEUBERGER AND BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
(C) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
(D) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
(E) MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

Table 2 Average Annual Total Return On $1,000 Investment -- Assumes No
      Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Investment on Inception Date of the
      Underlying Fund

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   FROM           TEN           FIVE           ONE
                                                                INCEPTION        YEARS         YEARS           YEAR
                                                 INCEPTION       THROUGH         ENDED         ENDED          ENDED
FUND (MANAGER)                                     DATE*         12/31/98       12/31/98      12/31/98       12/31/98
- ---------------------------------------------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Growth Equity (a)                                06/01/83       13.91%        14.96%        18.26%          39.53%
     (Independence Capital)
Value Equity (a)                                 03/17/87       12.36%        13.04%        17.60%           7.88%
     (OpCap)
Small-Cap Fund                                   03/01/95        9.63%           n/a           n/a         (10.61%)
     (OpCap)
Emerging Growth Fund (a)                         05/01/97       44.22%           n/a           n/a          33.65%
     (RS Investment Management)
Flexibly Managed (a)                             07/31/84       13.26%        11.26%        10.99%           4.43%
     (T. Rowe Price)
International Equity (a)                         11/01/92       12.76%           n/a         8.63%          17.02%
     (Vontobel)
Quality Bond (a)                                 03/17/87        6.66%         7.35%         5.46%           8.46%
     (Independence Capital)
High Yield Bond (a)                              08/06/84        8.77%         8.20%         6.63%           3.15%
     (T. Rowe Price)
Balanced Portfolio (b)                           02/28/89        9.64%           n/a         9.74%          10.44%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (b)              09/10/84        6.32%         5.17%         3.55%           2.76%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Partners Fund Portfolio (b)                      03/22/94       17.92%           n/a           n/a           2.58%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Equity-Income Portfolio (c)                      10/09/86       12.72%        13.91%        16.99%           9.90%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Growth Portfolio (c)                             10/09/86       15.64%        17.66%        19.90%          37.39%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Asset Manager Portfolio (d)                      09/06/89       11.29%           n/a        10.09%          13.27%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Index 500 (d)                                    08/27/92       19.40%           n/a        21.87%          26.38%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Emerging Markets Equity (International) (e)      10/01/96      (13.83%)          n/a           n/a        (25.47%)
     (Morgan Stanley Dean Witter)
 
</TABLE>

- -----------
*   REPRESENTS THE DATE THE UNDERLYING FUND WAS ESTABLISHED.
(A) PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
(B) NEUBERGER AND BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
(C) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
(D) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
(E) MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.

                                      B-5
<PAGE>

Table 3 Average Annual Total Return On $10,000 Investment -- Assumes No
      Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Investment on the Inception Date of
      Underlying Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   FROM           TEN           FIVE           ONE
                                                                INCEPTION        YEARS         YEARS           YEAR
                                                 INCEPTION       THROUGH         ENDED         ENDED          ENDED
FUND (MANAGER)                                     DATE*         12/31/98       12/31/98      12/31/98       12/31/98
- ---------------------------------------------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Growth Equity (a)                                06/01/83       14.01%        15.10%        18.45%          39.75%
  (Independence Capital)
Value Equity (a)                                 03/17/87       12.50%        13.18%        17.76%           8.09%
     (OpCap)
Small-Cap Fund                                   03/01/95        9.80%           n/a           n/a         (10.40%)
     (OpCap)
Emerging Growth Fund (a)                         05/01/97       44.42%           n/a           n/a          33.86%
     (RS Investment Management)
Flexibly Managed (a)                             07/31/84       13.35%        11.40%        11.17%           4.65%
     (T. Rowe Price)
International Equity (a)                         11/01/92       12.93%           n/a         8.83%          17.23%
     (Vontobel)
Quality Bond (a)                                 03/17/87        6.82%         7.51%         5.66%           8.67%
     (Independence Capital)
High Yield Bond (a)                              08/06/84        8.90%         8.36%         6.83%           3.36%
     (T. Rowe Price)
Balanced Portfolio (b)                           02/28/89        9.79%           n/a         9.93%          10.65%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio (b)              09/10/84        6.45%         5.34%         3.75%           2.97%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Partners Fund Portfolio (b)                      03/22/94       18.08%           n/a           n/a           2.79%
     (Neuberger & Berman)
Equity-Income Portfolio (c)                      10/09/86       12.86%        14.05%        17.15%          10.11%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Growth Portfolio (c)                             10/09/86       15.76%        17.78%        20.08%          37.60%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Asset Manager Portfolio (d)                      09/06/89       11.45%           n/a        10.28%          13.48%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Index 500 (d)                                    08/27/92       19.57%           n/a        22.04%          26.59%
     (Fidelity Investments)
Emerging Markets Equity (International) (e)      10/01/96      (13.52%)          n/a           n/a         (25.25%)
     (Morgan Stanley Dean Witter)
 </TABLE>
- -----------
*   REPRESENTS THE DATE THE UNDERLYING FUND WAS ESTABLISHED.
(A) PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
(B) NEUBERGER AND BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
(C) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
(D) VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
(E) MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.

                                      B-6
<PAGE>

     Average annual total returns in Table 1 are computed by finding the
average annual compounded rates of return over the periods shown that would
equate the initial amount invested to the withdrawal value, in accordance with
the following formula: P(1 + T) n = ERV. In the formula, P is a hypothetical
investment payment of $1,000; T is the average annual total return; n is the
number of years; and ERV is the withdrawal value at the end of the periods
shown. The computation assumes that the contract charge is allocated equally
across all available subaccounts by an average Contract Owner and that the
Contract Value is of average size. The returns are computed according to the
formula and assumptions prescribed by the SEC.

     Average annual rates of total return in Tables 2 and 3 are computed by
finding the average annual compounded rates of return over the periods shown
that would equate the initial amount invested to the Contract account value at
the end of the periods shown, in accordance with the following formula: P(1 +
T) n = FV. In the formula, P is a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in Table 2
and $10,000 in Table 3; T is the average annual total return; n is the number
of years; and FV is the Contract Value. The computations assume that no
withdrawals were made at the end of the periods, and therefore do not reflect
the contract's contingent deferred sales charge which declines from 7% to 0%
over seven years. The computation assumes that the contract charge is allocated
across all available subaccounts by an average contract owner and that the
contract value is of average size. The returns also show investment performance
from the inception date of the Fund, which may predate the date the Separate
Account began investing in the Fund. The returns are based upon hypothetical
assumptions which are not prescribed by the SEC.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     The performance information set forth above is for past performance of the
Funds, assuming the subaccounts of the Separate Account had invested in the
Funds from the date the underlying Fund was first available through a
subaccount of the Separate Account or the date the underlying Fund was
established. The performance information is not an indication or representation
of future performance.


                                      B-7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE AND RECORDKEEPING SERVICES

     The Company performs all data processing, recordkeeping and other related
services with respect to the Contracts and the Separate Accounts.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS

     Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Penn
Mutual Life Insurance Company ("Penn Mutual"), serves as principal underwriter
of the Contracts. The address of Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. is 600 Dresher
Road, Horsham, PA 19044.

     The Contracts will be distributed by Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. through
broker-dealers. Total commissions on purchase payments made under the Contract
will not exceed 7% and trailer commissions based on a percentage of Contract
Value may be paid. The offering of the Contracts is continuous, and the Company
does not anticipate discontinuing the offering of the Contract, although we
reserve the right to do so.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTODIAN

     The Company is custodian of the assets held in the Separate Account.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     Ernst & Young LLP serves as independent auditors of The Penn Mutual Life
Insurance Company and Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III. Their offices
are located at 2001 Market Street, Suite 4000, Philadelphia, PA.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGAL MATTERS

     Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has provided advice on certain matters
relating to the federal securities laws and the offering of the Contracts.
Their offices are located at 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The consolidated financial statements of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
Company and the financial statements of the Separate Account at December 31,
1998 and for the year then ended appear in the Statement of Additional
Information. The consolidated financial statements of Penn Mutual should be
considered only as bearing upon Penn Mutual's ability to meet its obligations
under the Contracts.

     New subaccounts of the Separate Account have been established under the
Contracts subsequent to December 31, 1998. No amounts were allocated to the
subaccounts as of December 31, 1998. There are, therefore, no unit values for
the subaccounts at December 31, 1998.


                                      B-8
<PAGE>

               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and Contract Owners of Penn Mutual
Variable Annuity Account III

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Penn
Mutual Variable Annuity Account III (comprising, respectively, Money Market
Fund, Quality Bond Fund, High Yield Bond Fund, Growth Equity Fund, Value Equity
Fund, Flexibly Managed Fund, International Equity Fund, Small Capitalization
Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Balanced Portfolio, Limited Maturity Bond
Portfolio, Partners Portfolio, Capital Appreciation Portfolio, Equity Income
Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, Asset Manager Portfolio, Index 500 Portfolio, and
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio) as of December 31, 1998, and the related
statement of operations and statements of changes in net assets for each of
periods indicted therein. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the management of Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our
procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1998,
by correspondence with the transfer agents. 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of each of the respective
portfolios constituting the Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III at
December 31, 1998, the results of their operations and changes in their net
assets for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.






Philadelphia, Pennsylvania                       ERNST & YOUNG LLP
April 2, 1999

                                      B-9
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES -- DECEMBER 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  MONEY           QUALITY        HIGH YIELD     GROWTH EQUITY
                                               TOTAL          MARKET FUND++     BOND FUND++     BOND FUND++        FUND++
                                         -----------------   ---------------   -------------   -------------   --------------
<S>                                      <C>                 <C>               <C>             <C>             <C>
Investment in Common Stock
 Number of Shares ....................                          29,226,007        3,531,561       4,932,997        5,192,077
 Cost ................................    $  997,139,079       $29,226,007      $36,316,362     $46,980,987     $107,364,728
Assets:
 Investments at market value .........    $1,223,619,652       $29,226,007      $36,728,233     $45,334,241     $160,331,330
 Dividends receivable ................           115,690           115,690               --              --               --
Liabilities:
 Due to (from) The Penn Mutual
   Life Insurance Company ............           421,701           (25,724)          11,770          15,896           66,829
                                          --------------       -----------      -----------     -----------     ------------
Net Assets ...........................    $1,223,313,641       $29,367,421      $36,716,463     $45,318,345     $160,264,501
                                          ==============       ===========      ===========     ===========     ============
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                MONEY           QUALITY         HIGH YIELD       GROWTH EQUITY
                                               TOTAL        MARKET FUND++     BOND FUND++      BOND FUND++          FUND++
                                          --------------   ---------------   -------------   ---------------   ----------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>               <C>             <C>               <C>
Investment Income:
 Dividends ............................    $ 22,196,411       $1,164,353      $ 1,661,348     $  3,575,971       $    107,422
Expense:
 Mortality and expense risk
   charges ............................      14,451,169          300,924          420,725          560,207          1,750,208
                                           ------------       ----------      -----------     ------------       ------------
 Net investment income (loss) .........       7,745,242          863,429        1,240,623        3,015,764         (1,642,786)
                                           ------------       ----------      -----------     ------------       ------------
Realized and Unrealized Gains
 (Losses) on Investments:
Realized gains (losses) from
 redemption of fund shares ............         890,703               --            1,912           (3,290)           534,595
Capital gains distributions ...........      90,233,970               --        1,081,936               --         16,777,825
                                           ------------       ----------      -----------     ------------       ------------
Net realized gains (losses) from
 investment transactions ..............      91,124,673               --        1,083,848           (3,290)        17,312,420
Net change in unrealized
 appreciation/depreciation of
 investments ..........................      31,850,409               --          469,323       (1,514,889)        29,742,092
                                           ------------       ----------      -----------     ------------       ------------
Net realized and unrealized gains
 (losses) on investments ..............     122,975,082               --        1,553,171       (1,518,179)        47,054,512
                                           ------------       ----------      -----------     ------------       ------------
Net increase (decrease) in
 net assets resulting from
 operations ...........................    $130,720,324       $  863,429      $ 2,793,794     $  1,497,585       $ 45,411,726
                                           ============       ==========      ===========     ============       ============
</TABLE>

- -----------
++         INVESTMENT IN PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
++++       INVESTMENT IN NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
++++++     INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
++++++++   INVESTMENT IN FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS
            I AND II
++++++++++ INVESTMENT IN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.



   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                      B-10
<PAGE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      FLEXIBLY                              SMALL           EMERGING
  VALUE EQUITY        MANAGED        INTERNATIONAL     CAPITALIZATION        GROWTH
     FUND++            FUND++        EQUITY FUND++         FUND++            FUND++
- ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ----------------   --------------
<S>               <C>               <C>               <C>                <C>
     9,698,894       18,571,284         4,435,929          1,469,303          829,633
 $ 146,389,313     $304,396,066       $60,456,004        $19,240,367      $12,098,508
 $ 217,158,244     $340,040,217       $81,532,380        $18,821,773      $14,460,495
            --               --                --                 --               --
        80,934          122,232            30,165              6,425            6,150
 -------------     ------------       -----------        -----------      -----------
 $ 217,077,310     $339,917,985       $81,502,215        $18,815,348      $14,454,345
 =============     ============       ===========        ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       FLEXIBLY                               SMALL            EMERGING
  VALUE EQUITY          MANAGED        INTERNATIONAL     CAPITALIZATION         GROWTH
     FUND++             FUND++         EQUITY FUND++         FUND++             FUND++
- ----------------   ----------------   ---------------   ----------------   ---------------
<S>                <C>                <C>               <C>                <C>
  $  2,711,886      $   9,667,960      $    749,841        $   118,336       $        --
     2,747,364          4,371,907         1,002,331            232,311           115,686
  ------------      -------------      ------------        -----------       -----------
       (35,478)         5,296,053          (252,490)          (113,975)         (115,686)
  ------------      -------------      ------------        -----------       -----------
      (253,955)           470,070           572,081            (73,896)          (20,414)
    17,723,221         34,454,748         2,613,424            307,141             2,258
  ------------      -------------      ------------        -----------       -----------
    17,469,266         34,924,818         3,185,505            233,245           (18,156)
    (1,405,794)       (24,572,191)        9,485,903         (2,387,287)        2,702,071
  ------------      -------------      ------------        -----------       -----------
    16,063,472         10,352,627        12,671,408         (2,154,042)        2,683,915
  ------------      -------------      ------------        -----------       -----------
  $ 16,027,994      $  15,648,680      $ 12,418,918       ($ 2,268,017)      $ 2,568,229
  ============      =============      ============        ===========       ===========
</TABLE>

   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

                                      B-11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES -- DECEMBER 31, 1998 (CONT'D.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               LIMITED                              CAPITAL
                                             BALANCED       MATURITY BOND        PARTNERS        APPRECIATION
                                          PORTFOLIO++++     PORTFOLIO++++     PORTFOLIO++++     PORTFOLIO++++++
                                         ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ----------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Investment in Common Stock
 Number of Shares ....................       1,569,682           453,975         1,158,926          1,568,981
 Identified Cost .....................     $24,116,435        $6,481,863       $22,808,452        $14,586,463
Assets:
 Investments at market value .........     $25,648,596        $6,273,938       $21,938,469        $14,152,208
 Dividends receivable ................              --                --                --                 --
Liabilities:
 Due to (from) The Penn Mutual
   Life Insurance Company ............           9,544             2,105             7,983              5,890
                                           -----------        ----------       -----------        -----------
Net Assets ...........................     $25,639,052        $6,271,833       $21,930,486        $14,146,318
                                           ===========        ==========       ===========        ===========
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 (CONT'D.)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                LIMITED                              CAPITAL
                                              BALANCED       MATURITY BOND        PARTNERS        APPRECIATION
                                           PORTFOLIO++++     PORTFOLIO++++     PORTFOLIO++++     PORTFOLIO++++++
                                          ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ----------------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Investment Income:
 Dividends ............................    $    535,041        $ 343,516       $     42,364        $        --
Expense:
 Mortality and expense risk
   charges ............................         300,387           76,053            202,308            200,676
                                           ------------        ---------       ------------        -----------
 Net investment income (loss) .........         234,654          267,463           (159,944)          (200,676)
                                           ------------        ---------       ------------        -----------
Realized and Unrealized Gains
 (Losses) on Investments:
 Realized gains (losses) from
   redemption of fund shares ..........         (46,570)           4,432            (19,925)            (7,274)
 Capital gains distributions ..........       3,758,025               --          1,334,479            897,971
                                           ------------        ---------       ------------        -----------
 Net realized gains (losses) from
   investment transactions ............       3,711,455            4,432          1,314,554            890,697
 Net change in unrealized
   appreciation/depreciation of
   investments ........................      (1,522,453)         (90,968)        (1,132,139)        (1,315,911)
                                           ------------        ---------       ------------        -----------
 Net realized and unrealized
   gains (losses) on investments              2,189,002          (86,536)           182,415           (425,214)
                                           ------------        ---------       ------------        -----------
 Net increase (decrease) in net
   assets resulting from
   operations .........................    $  2,423,656        $ 180,927       $     22,471       ($   625,890)
                                           ============        =========       ============        ===========
 
</TABLE>

- -----------
++         INVESTMENT IN PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
++++       INVESTMENT IN NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
++++++     INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC.
++++++++   INVESTMENT IN FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS
            I AND II
++++++++++ INVESTMENT IN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.


   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                      B-12
<PAGE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              EMERGING
   EQUITY INCOME             GROWTH            ASSET MANAGER           INDEX 500           MARKETS EQUITY
 PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++++
- -------------------   -------------------   -------------------   -------------------   --------------------
<S>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
      2,821,444             1,951,799               754,546               256,571               384,256
    $57,982,108           $61,686,131           $12,229,496           $30,768,653            $4,011,136
    $71,721,096           $87,577,214           $13,702,561           $36,240,594            $2,732,056
             --                    --                    --                    --                    --
         27,927                33,764                 4,917                13,879                 1,015
    -----------           -----------           -----------           -----------            ----------
    $71,693,169           $87,543,450           $13,697,644           $36,226,715            $2,731,041
    ===========           ===========           ===========           ===========            ==========
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              EMERGING
   EQUITY INCOME             GROWTH            ASSET MANAGER           INDEX 500           MARKETS EQUITY
 PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++     PORTFOLIO++++++++++
- -------------------   -------------------   -------------------   -------------------   --------------------
<S>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>                   <C>
    $   818,947          $    276,373           $   283,624           $   124,449            $   14,980
        838,185               875,493               139,895               286,451                30,058
    -----------          ------------           -----------           -----------            ----------
        (19,238)             (599,120)              143,729              (162,002)              (15,078)
    -----------          ------------           -----------           -----------            ----------
       (105,681)             (133,956)              (15,231)               (6,289)               (5,906)
      2,914,489             7,229,334               850,874               288,245                    --
    -----------          ------------           -----------           -----------            ----------
      2,808,808             7,095,378               835,643               281,956                (5,906)
      3,216,502            15,492,226               416,857             5,006,490              (739,423)
    -----------          ------------           -----------           -----------            ----------
      6,025,310            22,587,604             1,252,500             5,288,446              (745,329)
    -----------          ------------           -----------           -----------            ----------
    $ 6,006,072          $ 21,988,484           $ 1,396,229           $ 5,126,444           ($  760,407)
    ===========          ============           ===========           ===========            ==========
</TABLE>

   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                      B-13
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
AND 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               TOTAL
                                               --------------------------------------
                                                      1998                1997
                                               ------------------  ------------------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...............    $    7,745,242      $   10,673,323
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions ...................        91,124,673          52,434,365
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...............        31,850,409          80,424,769
                                                 --------------      --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ..................       130,720,324         143,532,457
                                                 --------------      --------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..........................       300,859,955         267,822,906
 Surrender benefits .........................       (86,895,748)        (77,835,445)
 Net Transfers ..............................      (144,859,060)       (104,394,903)
 Death Benefits .............................        (5,130,027)         (5,546,379)
 Contract administration charges ............          (960,359)           (867,185)
 Deferred sales charges .....................        (1,159,997)           (941,155)
 Annuity benefits ...........................        (6,283,330)         (4,608,091)
                                                 --------------      --------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
 variable annuity activities ................        55,571,434          73,629,748
                                                 --------------      --------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ....       186,291,758         217,162,205
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..........................     1,037,021,883         819,859,678
                                                 --------------      --------------
 End of year ................................    $1,223,313,641      $1,037,021,883
                                                 ==============      ==============
<CAPTION>
                                                          MONEY MARKET                       QUALITY BOND
                                                             FUND++                             FUND++
                                               ----------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                     1998              1997              1998             1997
                                               ----------------  ----------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                            <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...............   $      863,429    $      868,851    $  1,240,623     $  1,305,261
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions ...................               --                --       1,083,848          (62,983)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...............               --                --         469,323          690,652
                                                --------------    --------------    ------------     ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ..................          863,429           868,851       2,793,794        1,932,930
                                                --------------    --------------    ------------     ------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..........................       43,970,396        34,757,734      12,828,873        5,555,275
 Surrender benefits .........................       (6,521,246)       (9,401,752)     (2,749,714)      (3,121,924)
 Net Transfers ..............................      (30,458,666)      (26,472,847)     (5,801,159)      (4,767,816)
 Death Benefits .............................         (146,334)          (79,929)       (323,546)        (447,151)
 Contract administration charges ............          (15,517)          (16,669)        (23,415)         (24,971)
 Deferred sales charges .....................          (62,744)          (66,903)        (40,919)         (26,092)
 Annuity benefits ...........................         (158,174)         (128,331)       (310,029)        (364,470)
                                                --------------    --------------    ------------     ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
 variable annuity activities ................        6,607,715        (1,408,697)      3,580,091       (3,197,149)
                                                --------------    --------------    ------------     ------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ....        7,471,144          (539,846)      6,373,885       (1,264,219)
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..........................       21,896,277        22,436,123      30,342,578       31,606,797
                                                --------------    --------------    ------------     ------------
 End of year ................................   $   29,367,421    $   21,896,277    $ 36,716,463     $ 30,342,578
                                                ==============    ==============    ============     ============
 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              HIGH YIELD
                                                             BOND FUND++
                                                   --------------------------------
                                                         1998             1997
                                                   ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   $  3,015,764     $  2,776,213
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................         (3,290)          57,619
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................     (1,514,889)       2,285,110
                                                    ------------     ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................      1,497,585        5,118,942
                                                    ------------     ------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................     11,805,678       10,878,709
 Surrender benefits .............................     (3,764,322)      (3,014,970)
 Net Transfers ..................................     (5,718,830)      (4,748,376)
 Death Benefits .................................       (216,584)        (353,295)
 Contract administration charges ................        (33,874)         (32,949)
 Deferred sales charges .........................        (42,634)         (41,927)
 Annuity benefits ...............................       (451,818)        (263,827)
                                                    ------------     ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from variable annuity activities .          1,577,616        2,423,365
                                                    ------------     ------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........      3,075,201        7,542,307
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................     42,243,144       34,700,837
                                                    ------------     ------------
 End of year ....................................   $ 45,318,345     $ 42,243,144
                                                    ============     ============

<CAPTION>
                                                          GROWTH EQUITY FUND++                VALUE EQUITY FUND++
                                                   ----------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                         1998              1997              1998             1997
                                                   ----------------  ----------------  ---------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   ($  1,642,786)     ($   946,700)    ($     35,478)   $     171,478
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................      17,312,420        12,252,124        17,469,266       11,178,890
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................      29,742,092        12,401,882        (1,405,794)      26,725,711
                                                     ------------       -----------      ------------    -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................      45,411,726        23,707,306        16,027,994       38,076,079
                                                     ------------       -----------      ------------    -------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................      19,386,206        14,771,345        31,610,352       39,960,196
 Surrender benefits .............................     (11,279,745)       (9,992,279)      (16,621,269)     (13,261,992)
 Net Transfers ..................................      (8,257,183)       (5,743,584)      (17,458,000)      (8,211,820)
 Death Benefits .................................        (520,878)         (432,200)         (864,575)      (1,000,702)
 Contract administration charges ................        (117,047)         (116,728)         (161,845)        (142,233)
 Deferred sales charges .........................        (106,395)          (96,532)         (185,128)        (141,327)
 Annuity benefits ...............................        (410,717)         (232,640)       (1,052,517)        (750,028)
                                                     ------------       -----------      ------------    -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from variable annuity activities .          (1,305,759)       (1,842,618)       (4,732,982)      16,452,094
                                                     ------------       -----------      ------------    -------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........      44,105,967        21,864,688        11,295,012       54,528,173
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................     116,158,534        94,293,846       205,782,298      151,254,125
                                                     ------------       -----------      ------------    -------------
 End of year ....................................    $160,264,501       $116,158,534     $217,077,310    $ 205,782,298
                                                     ============       ============     ============    =============
</TABLE>

- -----------
*          FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1997 (DATE FUND BECAME AVAILABLE FOR 
           INVESTMENT TO CONTRACT OWNERS) TO DECEMBER 31, 1997.
++         INVESTMENT IN PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
++++       INVESTMENT IN NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
++++++     INVESTMENTS IN AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC. (TCI
           PORTFOLIOS, INC.'S NAME CHANGED TO AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE 
           PORTFOLIOS, INC. AS OF MAY 1, 1997)
++++++++   INVESTMENT IN FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS
            II AND II
++++++++++ INVESTMENT IN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.

   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                      B-14
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
AND 1997 (CONT'D.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                FLEXIBLY
                                                             MANAGED FUND++
                                                   ----------------------------------
                                                         1998              1997
                                                   ----------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   $   5,296,053     $   5,425,606
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................      34,924,818        19,611,037
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................     (24,572,191)       16,726,884
                                                    -------------     -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................      15,648,680        41,763,527
                                                    -------------     -------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................      51,119,838        58,888,377
 Surrender benefits .............................     (24,701,353)      (21,762,080)
 Net Transfers ..................................     (33,470,654)      (19,473,960)
 Death Benefits .................................      (1,865,231)       (2,171,468)
 Contract administration charges ................        (297,618)         (287,496)
 Deferred sales charges .........................        (314,220)         (275,949)
 Annuity benefits ...............................      (2,389,329)       (1,873,395)
                                                    -------------     -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........     (11,918,567)       13,044,029
                                                    -------------     -------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........       3,730,113        54,807,556
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................     336,187,872       281,380,316
                                                    -------------     -------------
 End of year ....................................   $ 339,917,985     $ 336,187,872
                                                    =============     =============

<CAPTION>
                                                             INTERNATIONAL                 SMALL CAPITALIZATION
                                                             EQUITY FUND++                        FUND++
                                                   ---------------------------------  -------------------------------
                                                         1998              1997            1998             1997
                                                   ----------------  ---------------  --------------  ---------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>              <C>             <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   ($     252,490)   $  1,386,098     ($   113,975)   ($    84,438)
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................        3,185,505       2,495,757          233,245       1,049,563
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................        9,485,903       2,281,822       (2,387,287)      1,463,910
                                                     -------------    ------------      -----------     -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................       12,418,918       6,163,677       (2,268,017)      2,429,035
                                                     -------------    ------------      -----------     -----------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................       10,523,913      15,267,035        7,163,274       9,987,455
 Surrender benefits .............................       (5,911,352)     (5,349,569)      (1,305,281)       (929,941)
 Net Transfers ..................................      (10,270,675)     (6,781,095)      (2,355,711)     (1,369,531)
 Death Benefits .................................         (272,835)       (237,872)         (46,045)       (106,697)
 Contract administration charges ................          (73,241)        (73,305)         (17,860)        (11,878)
 Deferred sales charges .........................          (92,237)        (72,607)         (24,968)         (9,920)
 Annuity benefits ...............................         (309,264)       (274,746)         (51,104)        (27,558)
                                                     -------------    ------------      -----------     -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........       (6,405,691)      2,477,841        3,362,305       7,531,930
                                                     -------------    ------------      -----------     -----------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........        6,013,227       8,641,518        1,094,288       9,960,965
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................       75,488,988      66,847,470       17,721,060       7,760,095
                                                     -------------    ------------      -----------     -----------
 End of year ....................................    $  81,502,215    $ 75,488,988      $18,815,348     $17,721,060
                                                     =============    ============      ===========     ===========
 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             EMERGING
                                                           GROWTH FUND++
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                        1998           1997*
                                                   --------------  -------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   ($   115,686)   ($  15,096)
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................        (18,156)      321,999
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................      2,702,071      (340,083)
                                                     -----------     ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................      2,568,229       (33,180)
                                                     -----------     ---------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................      9,803,496     4,773,188
 Surrender benefits .............................       (303,992)      (62,413)
 Net Transfers ..................................     (1,828,444)     (414,030)
 Death Benefits .................................         (8,772)           --
 Contract administration charges ................         (7,172)         (624)
 Deferred sales charges .........................         (6,090)         (787)
 Annuity benefits ...............................        (17,597)       (7,467)
                                                     -----------     ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........      7,631,429     4,287,867
                                                     -----------     ---------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........     10,199,658     4,254,687
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................      4,254,687            --
                                                     -----------     ---------
 End of year ....................................    $14,454,345     $4,254,687
                                                     ===========     ==========
<CAPTION>
                                                               BALANCED                     LIMITED MATURITY
                                                            PORTFOLIO++++                  BOND PORTFOLIO++++
                                                   --------------------------------  ------------------------------
                                                         1998             1997             1998            1997
                                                   ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  -------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   $    234,654     $    100,421     $     267,463    $  237,192
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................      3,711,455        1,039,436     $       4,432        10,303
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................     (1,522,453)       2,360,126           (90,968)       26,677
                                                    ------------     ------------     -------------    ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................      2,423,656        3,499,983           180,927       274,172
                                                    ------------     ------------     -------------    ----------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................      4,708,127        3,659,563         2,811,758     1,780,086
 Surrender benefits .............................     (1,459,064)      (1,445,846)         (579,485)     (685,437)
 Net Transfers ..................................     (2,543,550)      (2,735,929)       (1,594,229)     (891,379)
 Death Benefits .................................        (90,973)        (234,335)          (37,669)      (73,242)
 Contract administration charges ................        (20,547)         (20,492)           (4,237)       (4,089)
 Deferred sales charges .........................        (33,142)         (31,195)           (8,272)       (4,872)
 Annuity benefits ...............................       (145,035)        (132,766)          (58,661)      (36,318)
                                                    ------------     ------------     -------------    ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........        415,816         (941,000)          529,205        84,749
                                                    ------------     ------------     -------------    ----------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........      2,839,472        2,558,983           710,132       358,921
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................     22,799,580       20,240,597         5,561,701     5,202,780
                                                    ------------     ------------     -------------    ----------
 End of year ....................................   $ 25,639,052     $ 22,799,580     $   6,271,833    $5,561,701
                                                    ============     ============     =============    ==========
</TABLE>

- -----------
*          FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1997 (DATE FUND BECAME AVAILABLE FOR
           INVESTMENT TO CONTRACT OWNERS) TO DECEMBER 31, 1997.
++         INVESTMENT IN PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
++++       INVESTMENT IN NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
++++++     INVESTMENTS IN AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC. (TCI
            PORTFOLIOS, INC.'S NAME CHANGED TO AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE 
            PORTFOLIOS, INC. AS OF MAY 1, 1997)
++++++++   INVESTMENT IN FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS
            I AND II
++++++++++ INVESTMENT IN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.

   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

                                      B-15
<PAGE>

PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
 AND 1997 (CONT'D.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PARTNERS                   CAPITAL APPRECIATION
                                                           PORTFOLIO++++                  PORTFOLIO++++++
                                                   -----------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                        1998           1997*           1998             1997
                                                   --------------  -------------  --------------  ----------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   ($   159,944)   ($  28,275)    ($   200,676)   ($     281,031)
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................      1,314,554         1,377          890,697          (242,067)
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................     (1,132,139)      262,156       (1,315,911)         (562,269)
                                                     -----------     ---------      -----------     -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................         22,471       235,258         (625,890)       (1,085,367)
                                                     -----------     ---------      -----------     -------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................     16,825,601     8,417,570        1,967,452         4,600,249
 Surrender benefits .............................       (636,970)     (127,161)      (1,284,123)       (2,129,250)
 Net Transfers ..................................     (2,421,858)     (244,197)      (5,680,990)      (10,307,667)
 Death Benefits .................................        (37,624)           --          (24,305)          (42,762)
 Contract administration charges ................        (10,943)         (950)         (20,497)          (29,637)
 Deferred sales charges .........................        (10,334)       (1,745)         (31,644)          (45,296)
 Annuity benefits ...............................        (58,006)      (20,626)         (41,725)          (72,368)
                                                     -----------     ---------      -----------     -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........     13,649,866     8,022,891       (5,115,832)       (8,026,731)
                                                     -----------     ---------      -----------     -------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........     13,672,337     8,258,149       (5,741,722)       (9,112,098)
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................      8,258,149            --       19,888,040        29,000,138
                                                     -----------     ---------      -----------     -------------
 End of year ....................................    $21,930,486     $8,258,149     $14,146,318     $  19,888,040
                                                     ===========     ==========     ===========     =============
<CAPTION>
                                                             EQUITY INCOME
                                                           PORTFOLIO++++++++
                                                   ---------------------------------
                                                         1998              1997
                                                   ----------------  ---------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................    ($    19,238)    $     16,502
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................       2,808,808        2,991,946
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................       3,216,502        7,434,103
                                                      -----------     ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................       6,006,072       10,442,551
                                                      -----------     ------------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................      19,104,376       20,275,870
 Surrender benefits .............................      (4,228,476)      (2,822,385)
 Net Transfers ..................................      (5,399,857)      (3,908,648)
 Death Benefits .................................        (297,915)        (200,039)
 Contract administration charges ................         (55,951)         (40,423)
 Deferred sales charges .........................         (72,716)         (39,449)
 Annuity benefits ...............................        (427,304)        (253,800)
                                                      -----------     ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........       8,622,157       13,011,126
                                                      -----------     ------------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........      14,628,229       23,453,677
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................      57,064,940       33,611,263
                                                      -----------     ------------
 End of year ....................................     $ 71,693,169    $ 57,064,940
                                                      ============    ============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                GROWTH
                                                          PORTFOLIO++++++++
                                                   --------------------------------
                                                         1998             1997
                                                   ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................   ($   599,120)    ($   326,222)
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................      7,095,378        1,202,712
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................     15,492,226        8,116,417
                                                     -----------      -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................     21,988,484        8,992,907
                                                     -----------      -----------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................     23,254,838       18,702,331
 Surrender benefits .............................     (4,004,288)      (3,085,102)
 Net Transfers ..................................     (6,920,426)      (6,992,841)
 Death Benefits .................................       (261,573)        (147,166)
 Contract administration charges ................        (71,268)         (55,184)
 Deferred sales charges .........................        (99,279)         (74,954)
 Annuity benefits ...............................       (245,272)        (125,244)
                                                     -----------      -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........     11,652,732        8,221,840
                                                     -----------      -----------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........     33,641,216       17,214,747
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................     53,902,234       36,687,487
                                                     -----------      -----------
 End of year ....................................    $ 87,543,450     $ 53,902,234
                                                     ============     ============
<CAPTION>
                                                             ASSET MANAGER                       INDEX 500
                                                           PORTFOLIO++++++++                PORTFOLIO ++++++++
                                                   ---------------------------------  -------------------------------
                                                         1998              1997             1998            1997*
                                                   ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................    $    143,729      $    97,473     ($   162,002)    ($   34,323)
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................         835,643          459,956          281,956           1,410
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................         416,857          625,879        5,006,490         465,450
                                                     ------------      -----------      -----------      ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................       1,396,229        1,183,308        5,126,444         432,537
                                                     ------------      -----------      -----------      ----------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................       5,224,201        3,737,528       26,942,238       8,905,076
 Surrender benefits .............................        (557,255)        (467,149)        (918,820)       (159,993)
 Net Transfers ..................................        (891,784)        (528,705)      (3,321,795)       (611,399)
 Death Benefits .................................         (46,723)         (19,521)         (68,425)             --
 Contract administration charges ................         (10,316)          (7,431)         (16,392)         (1,585)
 Deferred sales charges .........................         (13,295)         (10,039)         (14,007)         (1,208)
 Annuity benefits ...............................         (92,217)         (36,991)         (59,823)         (6,133)
                                                     ------------      -----------      -----------      ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........       3,612,611        2,667,692       22,542,976       8,124,758
                                                     ------------      -----------      -----------      ----------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........       5,008,840        3,851,000       27,669,420       8,557,295
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................       8,688,804        4,837,804        8,557,295              --
                                                     ------------      -----------      -----------      ----------
 End of year ....................................    $ 13,697,644      $ 8,688,804      $ 36,226,715     $ 8,557,295
                                                     ============      ===========      ============     ===========
</TABLE>
- -----------
*          FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1997 (DATE FUND BECAME AVAILABLE FOR
           INVESTMENT TO CONTRACT OWNERS) TO DECEMBER 31, 1997.
++         INVESTMENT IN PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
++++       INVESTMENT IN NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
++++++     INVESTMENTS IN AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC. (TCI
            PORTFOLIOS, INC.'S NAME CHANGED TO AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE 
            PORTFOLIOS, INC. AS OF MAY 1, 1997)
++++++++   INVESTMENT IN FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS
            I AND II
++++++++++ INVESTMENT IN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.


   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                      B-16
<PAGE>

PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
   AND 1997 (CONT'D.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            EMERGING MARKETS
                                                          PORTFOLIO++++++++++
                                                    --------------------------------
                                                         1998             1997*
                                                    --------------   ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Operations:
 Net investment income (loss) ...................    ($   15,078)      $     4,313
 Net realized gains (losses) from
  investment transactions .......................         (5,906)           65,286
 Net change in unrealized appreciation/
  depreciation of investments ...................       (739,423)         (539,658)
                                                      ----------       -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
 resulting from operations ......................       (760,407)         (470,059)
                                                      ----------       -----------
Variable Annuity Activities:
 Purchase payments ..............................      1,809,338         2,905,319
 Surrender benefits .............................        (68,993)          (16,202)
 Net Transfers ..................................       (465,249)         (191,079)
 Death Benefits .................................            (20)               --
 Contract administration charges ................         (2,619)             (541)
 Deferred sales charges .........................         (1,973)             (353)
 Annuity benefits ...............................         (4,738)           (1,383)
                                                      ----------       -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets result-
 ing from variable annuity activities ...........      1,265,746         2,695,761
                                                      ----------       -----------
 Total increase (decrease) in net assets ........        505,339         2,225,702
Net Assets:
 Beginning of year ..............................      2,225,702                --
                                                      ----------       -----------
 End of year ....................................     $ 2,731,041      $ 2,225,702
                                                      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

- -----------
*          FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1997 (DATE FUND BECAME AVAILABLE FOR
           INVESTMENT TO CONTRACT OWNERS) TO DECEMBER 31, 1997.
++         INVESTMENT IN PENN SERIES FUNDS, INC.
++++       INVESTMENT IN NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
++++++     INVESTMENTS IN AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE PORTFOLIOS, INC. (TCI
            PORTFOLIOS, INC.'S NAME CHANGED TO AMERICAN CENTURY VARIABLE 
            PORTFOLIOS, INC. AS OF MAY 1, 1997)
++++++++   INVESTMENT IN FIDELITY INVESTMENTS' VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS
             I AND II
++++++++++ INVESTMENT IN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.






















   THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                      B-17
<PAGE>

PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 1998

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The significant accounting policies of Penn Mutual Variable Annuity
Account III (Account III) are as follows:

     GENERAL -- Account III was established by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
Company (Penn Mutual) under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Insurance Law.
Account III is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
as a unit investment trust. Account III offers units to variable annuity
contract owners to provide for the accumulation of value and for the payment of
annuities. The preparation of the accompanying financial statements requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported values of
assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1998 and the reported amounts from
operations and annuity activities during 1998 and 1997. Actual results could
differ from those estimates. Certain 1997 amounts have been reclassified to
conform with 1998 presentation. As of January 1, 1999, Commander and Pennant
Select variable annuity contracts became available. These additions represent
no risk to the accompanying financial statements.

     INVESTMENTS -- Assets of Account III are invested in shares of Penn Series
Funds, Inc. (Penn Series): Money Market, Quality Bond, High Yield Bond, Growth
Equity, Value Equity, Flexibly Managed, International Equity, Small
Capitalization and Emerging Growth Funds; Neuberger Berman Advisers Management
Trust (AMT): Limited Maturity Bond, Balanced and Partners Portfolios; American
Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. (ACI): Capital Appreciation Portfolio;
Fidelity Investments' Variable Insurance Products (Fidelity): Equity Income,
Growth, Asset Manager and Index 500 Portfolios; and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Universal Funds, Inc. (Morgan Stanley): Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio. Penn
Series, AMT, ACI, Fidelity and Morgan Stanley are open-end diversified
management investment companies. The investment in shares of these funds or
portfolios are carried at market value as determined by the underlying net
asset value of the respective funds or portfolios. Dividend income is recorded
on the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade
date basis.

     FEDERAL INCOME TAXES -- Penn Mutual is taxed under federal law as a life
insurance company. Account III is part of Penn Mutual's total operations and is
not taxed separately. Under existing federal law, no taxes are payable on
investment income and realized gains of Account III.

     DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS -- Under the provisions of Section 817(h) of
the Internal Revenue Code, a variable annuity contract other than a contract
issued in connection with certain types of employee benefit plans will not be
treated as an annuity contract for federal tax purposes for any period for
which the investments of the segregated asset account on which the contract is
based are not adequately diversified. The Code provides that the "adequately
diversified" requirement may be met if the underlying investments satisfy
either a statutory safe harbor test or diversification requirements set forth
in regulations issued by the Secretary of Treasury. The Internal Revenue
Service has issued regulations under 817(h) of the Code. Penn Mutual believes
that Account III satisfies the current requirements of the regulations, and it
intends that Account III will continue to meet such requirements.


                                      B-18
<PAGE>

NOTE 2. PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENTS

     The following table shows aggregate cost of shares purchased and proceeds
from sales of each fund or portfolio for the year ended December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PURCHASES          SALES
                                               --------------   --------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>
Money Market Fund ..........................    $ 30,432,569     $ 23,045,084
Quality Bond Fund ..........................      10,882,705        5,085,192
High Yield Bond Fund .......................      11,023,018        6,468,898
Growth Equity Fund .........................      27,266,027       13,409,715
Value Equity Fund ..........................      32,277,856       18,324,692
Flexibly Managed Fund ......................      60,707,211       32,903,505
International Equity Fund ..................       6,429,367       10,517,433
Small Capitalization Fund ..................       5,352,813        1,798,157
Emerging Growth Fund .......................       8,570,511        1,047,959
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio ............       2,621,373        1,824,894
Balanced Portfolio .........................       7,473,949        3,064,907
Partners Portfolio .........................      16,217,272        1,388,054
Capital Appreciation Portfolio .............       1,398,973        5,819,404
Equity Income Portfolio ....................      16,047,593        4,523,656
Growth Portfolio ...........................      23,369,223        5,071,622
Asset Manager Portfolio ....................       5,401,429          792,639
Index 500 Portfolio ........................      23,991,511        1,311,578
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio ..........       1,579,778          328,561
                                                ------------     ------------
Total ......................................    $291,043,178     $136,725,950
                                                ============     ============
</TABLE>

NOTE 3. CONTRACT CHARGES

     Operations are charged for mortality and expense risks assumed by Penn
Mutual as determined daily at an annual rate of 1.25% of the average value of
Account III. As reimbursement for expenses incurred in administering the
contract, Penn Mutual receives $30 per year from each annuity contract prior to
the contract's date of maturity. The $30 charge is waived on certain contracts.

     If a policy is surrendered within the first 11 years, a contingent
deferred sales charge may be assessed. This charge will be deducted before any
surrender proceeds are paid. See original contract documents for special
charges assessed.


                                      B-19
<PAGE>

NOTE 4. UNIT VALUES

     As of December 31, 1998, the accumulation units and accumulation unit
values are as follows:

                                                 ACCUMULATION     ACCUMULATION
                                                     UNITS         UNIT VALUE
                                                --------------   -------------
Diversifier II Variable Annuity Contract
Money Market Fund ...........................      1,449,199        $ 20.27
Quality Bond Fund ...........................      1,665,664        $ 22.04
High Yield Bond Fund ........................      1,308,094        $ 34.64
Growth Equity Fund -- Qualified .............      1,752,036        $ 67.51
Growth Equity Fund -- Non-Qualified .........        626,895        $ 66.96
Value Equity Fund ...........................      5,273,048        $ 41.17
Flexibly Managed Fund .......................      5,766,014        $ 58.95
International Equity Fund ...................      3,822,847        $ 21.32
Small Capitalization Fund ...................      1,306,650        $ 14.40
Emerging Growth Fund ........................        781,196        $ 18.50
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio .............        509,381        $ 12.31
Balanced Portfolio ..........................      1,488,257        $ 17.23
Partners Portfolio ..........................      1,716,964        $ 12.77
Capital Appreciation Portfolio ..............      1,153,673        $ 12.26
Equity Income Portfolio .....................      3,820,796        $ 18.76
Growth Portfolio ............................      3,722,268        $ 23.52
Asset Manager Portfolio .....................        801,557        $ 17.09
Index 500 Portfolio .........................      2,350,293        $ 15.41
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio ...........        406,394        $  6.72




















                                      B-20
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Penn Mutual
Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and
the related consolidated income statements, statements of changes in equity,
and statements of cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated
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. The financial statements of the Company for the year ended December
31, 1996 were audited by other auditors whose report dated January 31, 1997
expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of The
Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years
then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


                                            /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 29, 1999
 


                                      B-21
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,                                                         1998            1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
ASSETS
Debt securities, at fair value ....................................    $ 5,500,924     $5,427,652
Equity securities, at fair value ..................................          4,161         12,502
Mortgage loans on real estate .....................................         38,828         52,996
Real estate, net of accumulated depreciation ......................         15,791         22,358
Policy loans ......................................................        638,376        642,989
Short-term investments ............................................          1,024         43,470
Other invested assets .............................................         98,571         88,928
                                                                       -----------     ----------
 TOTAL INVESTMENTS ................................................      6,297,675      6,290,895
Cash and cash equivalents .........................................         24,468         37,064
Investment income due and accrued .................................        104,208        103,072
Deferred acquisition costs ........................................        399,742        384,542
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers ...............................         69,583         63,211
Broker/dealer receivables .........................................        793,522        526,797
Other assets ......................................................         94,179         92,203
Separate account assets ...........................................      2,302,937      1,869,094
                                                                       -----------     ----------
 TOTAL ASSETS .....................................................    $10,086,314     $9,366,878
                                                                       ===========     ==========
LIABILITIES
Reserves for payment of future policy benefits ....................    $ 2,761,319     $2,770,015
Other policyholder funds ..........................................      2,835,081      2,973,434
Policyholders' dividends payable ..................................         30,532         35,273
Broker/dealer payables ............................................        488,783        333,104
Accrued income tax payable: .......................................
 Current ..........................................................         34,853         17,476
 Deferred .........................................................        107,781         75,096
Other liabilities .................................................        383,744        283,666
Separate account liabilities ......................................      2,302,937      1,869,094
                                                                       -----------     ----------
 TOTAL LIABILITIES ................................................      8,945,030      8,357,158
                                                                       -----------     ----------
EQUITY
Retained earnings .................................................        944,145        857,711
Accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized gains .........        197,139        152,009
                                                                       -----------     ----------
 TOTAL EQUITY .....................................................      1,141,284      1,009,720
                                                                       -----------     ----------
  TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY ....................................    $10,086,314     $9,366,878
                                                                       ===========     ==========
</TABLE>

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

                                      B-22
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                             1998            1997            1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>
REVENUES
Premium and annuity considerations ..................................    $  171,354      $  195,220      $  199,821
Policy fee income ...................................................       114,681         102,398          89,349
Net investment income ...............................................       444,697         460,206         475,315
Net realized capital gains/(losses) .................................         3,912           9,655         (10,078)
Broker/dealer fees and commissions ..................................       331,285         290,005         241,068
Other income ........................................................        16,491          11,851          11,544
                                                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
 TOTAL REVENUE ......................................................     1,082,420       1,069,335       1,007,019
                                                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Benefits paid to policyholders and beneficiaries ....................       455,036         480,234         462,412
Policyholder dividends ..............................................        61,369          67,412          67,596
Increase/(decrease) in liability for future policy benefits .........       (12,356)        (11,972)         42,652
General expenses ....................................................       211,770         202,731         178,554
Broker/dealer sales expense .........................................       180,255         160,730         132,724
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs ..........................        42,223          43,223          46,137
                                                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
 TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES ........................................       938,297         942,358         930,075
                                                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Income Before Income Taxes ..........................................       144,123         126,977          76,944
                                                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Income taxes:
 Current ............................................................        49,509          50,061          37,944
 Deferred ...........................................................         8,180           3,851          (9,919)
                                                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
  NET INCOME ........................................................    $   86,434      $   73,065      $   48,919
                                                                         ==========      ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

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

                                      B-23
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       OTHER
                                                                   COMPREHENSIVE     RETAINED        TOTAL
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                       INCOME        EARNINGS        EQUITY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   ----------   -------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>          <C>
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 1996 ....................................      $ 158,941       $735,727     $  894,668
Comprehensive Income
 Net income for 1996 ..........................................             --         48,919         48,919
 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax .........................
 Unrealized depreciation of securities, net of reclassification
   adjustment .................................................        (73,211)            --        (73,211)
                                                                                                  ----------
Comprehensive Loss ............................................                                      (24,292)
                                                                                                  ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 ..................................         85,730        784,646        870,376
Comprehensive Income
 Net income for 1997 ..........................................             --         73,065         73,065
 Other comprehensive income, net of tax .......................
 Unrealized appreciation of securities, net of reclassification
   adjustment .................................................         66,279             --         66,279
                                                                                                  ----------
Comprehensive Income ..........................................                                      139,344
                                                                                                  ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 ..................................        152,009        857,711      1,009,720
Comprehensive Income
 Net income for 1998 ..........................................             --         86,434         86,434
 Other comprehensive income, net of tax .......................
 Unrealized appreciation of securities, net of reclassification
   adjustment .................................................         45,130             --         45,130
                                                                                                  ----------
Comprehensive Income ..........................................                                      131,564
                                                                                                  ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 ..................................      $ 197,139       $944,145     $1,141,284
                                                                     =========       ========     ==========
</TABLE>

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

                                      B-24
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                                   1998              1997              1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                                          <C>               <C>               <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income ...............................................................    $     86,434      $     73,065      $     48,919
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
   Capitalization of policy acquisition costs ............................         (72,356)          (64,427)          (60,234)
   Amortization of deferred acquisition costs ............................          42,223            43,223            46,137
   Policy fees on universal life and investment contracts ................        (120,315)         (104,342)          (89,349)
   Interest credited on universal life and investment contracts ..........         146,081           160,417           171,051
   Depreciation and amortization .........................................           4,750            18,682            11,613
   Premiums due and other receivables ....................................          (1,293)           (7,291)             (105)
   Realized capital (gains)/losses .......................................          (3,912)           (9,655)           10,078
   (Increase)/decrease in accrued investment income ......................          (1,136)               60             6,474
   (Increase)/decrease in amounts due from reinsurers ....................          (6,372)           (4,329)          (14,200)
   Increase/(decrease) in future policy benefit reserves .................          (8,696)          (13,358)           58,697
   Increase/(decrease) in income tax payable .............................          25,622            (4,526)            7,798
   Other, net ............................................................           3,805            (6,693)           39,625
                                                                              ------------      ------------      ------------
     NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES ...........................          94,835            80,826           236,504
                                                                              ------------      ------------      ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Sale of investments:
   Debt securities available for sale ....................................       1,837,209         1,235,274           927,905
   Equity securities .....................................................          35,496            20,374            25,413
   Real estate ...........................................................           9,937            87,875            40,209
   Other .................................................................          18,074            14,355            15,284
Maturity and other principal repayments:
   Debt securities available for sale ....................................         496,283           472,474           278,290
   Mortgage loans ........................................................           2,357            61,813           156,643
Cost of investments acquired:
   Debt securities available for sale ....................................      (2,315,067)       (1,772,007)       (1,427,048)
   Equity securities .....................................................         (26,390)          (15,268)          (11,752)
   Mortgage loans ........................................................              --                --           (36,155)
   Real estate ...........................................................            (293)          (15,600)           (8,542)
   Other .................................................................         (17,917)          (15,503)           (8,789)
Change in policy loans, net ..............................................           4,613            13,084             1,234
(Increase)/decrease in short-term investments, net .......................          42,446            (5,955)           51,290
Purchases of furniture and equipment, net ................................          (9,446)           (4,116)           (6,449)
                                                                              ------------      ------------      ------------
     NET CASH (USED)/PROVIDED BY INVESTING
      ACTIVITIES .........................................................          77,302            76,800            (2,467)
                                                                              ------------      ------------      ------------
 
</TABLE>

                                  -continued-






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

                                      B-25
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                         1998           1997           1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Deposits for universal life and investment contracts .............    $  589,070     $  653,233     $  625,816
Withdrawals from universal life and investment contracts .........      (605,821)      (552,311)      (567,697)
Transfers to separate accounts ...................................      (147,708)      (236,008)      (269,735)
Issuance/(repayment) of debt .....................................        90,772         24,842        (18,424)
(Increase)/decrease in net broker dealer receivables .............      (111,046)       (47,632)           296
                                                                      ----------     ----------     ----------
    NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES ........................      (184,733)      (157,876)      (229,744)
                                                                      ----------     ----------     ----------
    NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ....................       (12,596)          (250)         4,293
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ........................................
   Beginning of the year .........................................        37,064         37,314         33,021
                                                                      ----------     ----------     ----------
   End of the year ...............................................    $   24,468     $   37,064     $   37,314
                                                                      ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>



























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

                                      B-26
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996 (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company was founded and commenced business
in 1847 as a mutual life insurance company. The Company concentrates primarily
on the sale of individual life insurance and annuity products. The primary
products that the Company currently markets are traditional whole life, term
life, universal life, variable life, immediate annuities and deferred
annuities, both fixed and variable. The Company markets its products through a
network of career agents, independent agents, and independent marketing
organizations. The Company is also involved in the broker-dealer business which
offers a variety of investment products and services and is conducted through
the Company's non-insurance subsidiaries. The Company sells its products in all
fifty states and the District of Columbia. The Company is pursuing the sale of
its disability income line of business. This business had total assets of
$226,672 as of December 31, 1998 and premium and annuity considerations of
$16,739 for the year then ended.

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and include the
accounts of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, its wholly owned life
insurance subsidiary, The Penn Insurance and Annuity Company ("PIA"), and
non-insurance subsidiaries (principally broker/dealer and investment advisory
subsidiaries) (the "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of
financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes
to the consolidated financial statements.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     As of January 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. (SFAS) 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." SFAS No.
130 establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income
and its components in the financial statements. The initial application of SFAS
No. 130, required the reclassification of prior-year financial statements to
reflect the components of comprehensive income.

     During 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits," which revised disclosures
about pension and other postretirement benefit plans. As SFAS No. 132 does not
change the measurement or recognition of these plans, its adoption had no
impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

     In June 1998, The FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 requires all derivatives to
be recognized in the statement of financial position as either assets or
liabilities and measured at fair value. The corresponding derivative gains and
losses should be reported based on hedge relationships that exist. Changes in
the fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges or that do not
meet the hedge accounting criteria in SFAS No. 133, are required to be reported
in earning. SFAS No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
1999. Adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to have a material effect on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.

INVESTMENTS

     Debt securities (bonds, notes, redeemable preferred stocks and
mortgage-backed securities) which might be sold prior to maturity are
classified as available for sale. These securities are carried at fair value,
with the change in unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive
income. Interest on debt securities is credited to income as it is earned. Debt
securities are amortized using the scientific method. These assumptions are
consistent with the current interest rate and economic environments. The
retrospective adjustment method is used to value all securities.

     Equity securities are classified as available for sale and carried at fair
value. Dividends on equity securities are credited to income on their
ex-dividend dates.

     The Company regularly evaluates the carrying value of debt and equity
securities based on current economic conditions, past credit loss experience
and other circumstances of the investee. A decline in a security's fair value
that is deemed to be other than temporary is treated as a realized loss and a
reduction in the cost basis of the security.


                                      B-27
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

     Mortgage loans on real estate are stated at unpaid principal balances, net
of unamortized discounts and valuation allowances. Valuation allowances on
impaired loans are based on the present value of expected future cash flows
discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or the collateral
value if the loan is collateral dependent. However, if foreclosure is or
becomes probable, the measurement method used is collateral value.

     Investment real estate, which the Company has the intent to hold, is
carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and valuation reserves. The
Company establishes valuation reserves for investment real estate when declines
in value are deemed to be other then temporary based on an analysis of
discounted future cash flows. Properties held for sale are carried at the lower
of depreciated cost or fair value less selling costs. Valuation reserves are
established for properties held for sale when the fair value less estimated
selling costs is below depreciated cost. Real estate acquired through
foreclosure is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated
selling costs at the time of foreclosure. Depreciation is calculated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the real estate.

     Policy loans are carried at the unpaid principal balances.

     Short-term investments include securities purchased with a maturity date
of 90 days to less than one year. Short-term investments are valued at cost.

     Other invested assets primarily include venture capital limited
partnerships which are carried at fair value.

     Realized gains and losses are determined by specific identification and
are included in income on the trade date, net of amortization of deferred
acquisition costs. Unrealized gains and losses, net of appropriate taxes and
amortization of deferred acquisition costs, are accounted for as a separate
component of other comprehensive income.

     The Company utilizes various financial instruments, such as interest rate
swaps, financial futures and structured notes, to hedge against interest rate
fluctuation. Most of these investments are recorded as accounting hedges using
a valuation method consistent with the valuation method of the assets hedged.
Gains and losses on these instruments are deferred and recognized in the
Consolidated Income Statements over the remaining life of the hedged security.
Changes in the fair value of these instruments are reported as unrealized gains
or losses. Realized gains or losses are recognized when the hedged securities
are sold.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments
and other debt securities with a maturity of 90 days or less when purchased.

OTHER ASSETS

     Property and equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.
Amortization of leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line
method over the lesser of the term of the leases or the estimated useful life
of the improvements. Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property and
equipment and leasehold improvements was $49,816 and $44,329 at December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively. Related depreciation and amortization expense was
$8,586, $8,183 and $7,510 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

     Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the businesses acquired over
the fair value of their net assets. These costs are amortized on a
straight-line basis over not more than 40 years and are included in other
assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unamortized goodwill amounted to
$16,126 and $16,932 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Goodwill
amortization was $806, $808 and $909 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS

     Costs of acquiring new insurance and annuity contracts, which vary with
and are primarily related to the production of new business, have been deferred
to the extent that such costs are deemed recoverable from future gross profits.
Such costs include commissions, certain costs of policy issuance and
underwriting, and certain variable agency expenses.


                                      B-28
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

     Deferred acquisition costs related to participating traditional and
universal life insurance policies and annuity products without mortality risk
that include significant surrender charges are being amortized over the lesser
of the estimated or actual contract life in proportion to estimated gross
profits arising principally from interest, mortality and expense margins and
surrender charges. The effects on amortization of deferred acquisition costs of
revisions to estimated gross profits are reflected in earnings in the period
such estimated gross profits are revised. Deferred acquisition costs are
reviewed to determine that the unamortized portion of such costs is recoverable
from future estimated gross profits. Certain costs and expenses reported in the
consolidated income statements are net of amounts deferred.

SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

     Separate Account assets and liabilities represent segregated funds
administered and invested by the Company primarily for the benefit of variable
life insurance policyholders and annuity and pension contractholders, including
certain of the Company's benefit plans. The value of the assets in the Separate
Accounts reflects the actual investment performance of the respective accounts
and is not guaranteed by the Company. The carrying value for Separate Account
assets and liabilities approximates the estimated fair value of the underlying
assets.

INSURANCE LIABILITIES AND REVENUE RECOGNITION

     PARTICIPATING TRADITIONAL LIFE AND LIFE CONTINGENT ANNUITY PRODUCTS

     Future policy benefits include reserves for participating traditional life
insurance and life contingent annuity products and are established in amounts
adequate to meet the estimated future obligations of the policies in force.
Liabilities for participating traditional life products are computed using the
net level premium method, using assumptions for investment yields, mortality,
morbidity and withdrawals, which are consistent with the dividend fund interest
rate and mortality rates used in calculating cash surrender values. Interest
rate assumptions used in the calculation of the liabilities for participating
traditional life products ranged from 2.25% to 4.5%. Premiums are recognized as
income when due. Death and surrender benefits are reported in expense as
incurred.

     Liabilities for life contingent annuity products are computed by
estimating future benefits and expenses. Assumptions are based on Company
experience projected at the time of policy issue, with provision for adverse
deviations. Interest rate assumptions range from 2.25% to 13.25%. Premiums are
recognized as income as they are received. Death and surrender benefits are
reported in expense as incurred.

     UNIVERSAL LIFE PRODUCTS AND OTHER ANNUITY PRODUCTS

     Other policyholder funds represent liabilities for universal life and
investment-type annuity products. The liabilities for these products are based
on the contract account value which consists of deposits received from
customers and investment earnings on the account value, less administrative and
expense charges. The liability for universal life products is also reduced by
mortality charges. Liabilities for the non-life contingent annuity products are
computed by estimating future benefits and expenses. Assumptions are based on
Company experience projected at the time of policy issue. Interest rate
assumptions range from 2.0% to 11.25%.

     Contract charges assessed against account value for universal life and
investment-type annuities are reflected as policy fee income in revenue.
Interest credited to account values and universal life benefit claims in excess
of fund values are reflected as benefit expense.

     POLICYHOLDERS' DIVIDENDS

     The majority of the Company's insurance products have been issued on a
participating basis. As of December 31, 1998, participating insurance expressed
as a percentage of insurance in force is 92%, and as a percentage of premium
income is 89%. The amount of policyholders' dividends to be paid is approved
annually by the Board of Trustees. The aggregate amount of policyholders'
dividends is calculated based on actual interest, mortality, morbidity and
expense experience for the year and on management's judgment as to the
appropriate level of equity to be retained by the Company. The carrying value
of this liability approximates the earned amount and fair value at December 31,
1998.


                                      B-29
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

BROKER/DEALER REVENUE RECOGNITION

     Broker-dealer transactions in securities and listed options, including
related commission revenue and expense, are recorded on a settlement-date
basis. There would be no material effect on the financial statements if such
transactions were recorded on a trade-date basis.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

     The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its life
and non-life insurance subsidiaries. Federal income taxes are charged or
credited to operations based upon amounts estimated to be payable or
recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are established to reflect the impact of
temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized
for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes.
These deferred tax assets or liabilities are measured by using the enacted tax
rates expected to apply to taxable income in the period in which the deferred
tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or realized.

REINSURANCE

     In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit its exposure
to loss on any single insured and to recover a portion of benefits paid by
ceding reinsurance to other insurance enterprises or reinsurers under excess
coverage and coinsurance contracts. The Company has set its retention limit for
acceptance of risk on life insurance policies at various levels up to $1,250.

     Insurance liabilities are reported before the effects of reinsurance.
Reinsurance receivables (including amounts related to insurance liabilities)
are reported as assets. Estimated reinsurance receivables are recognized in a
manner consistent with the liabilities related to the underlying reinsured
contracts.

2. INVESTMENTS:

DEBT SECURITIES

     The following tables summarize the Company's investment in debt
securities, including redeemable preferred stocks. All debt securities are
classified as available for sale and are carried at estimated fair value.
Amortized cost is net of cumulative writedowns for other than temporary
declines in value of $3,056 and $1,208 as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                December 31, 1998
                                                          -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Gross          Gross         Estimated
                                                             Amortized      Unrealized     Unrealized         Fair
                                                               Cost            Gains         Losses           Value
                                                          --------------   ------------   ------------   --------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government and agency
 securities ...........................................    $    13,109      $   1,271        $    --      $    14,380
States and political subdivisions .....................         12,094          2,216             --           14,310
Foreign governments ...................................         24,920          3,323             --           28,243
Corporate securities ..................................      3,058,066        299,489          4,956        3,352,599
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities ............      2,006,891         86,271          4,399        2,088,763
                                                           -----------      ---------        -------      -----------
Total bonds ...........................................      5,115,080        392,570          9,355        5,498,295
Redeemable preferred stocks ...........................          2,696             --             67            2,629
                                                           -----------      ---------        -------      -----------
   TOTAL ..............................................    $ 5,117,776      $ 392,570        $ 9,422      $ 5,500,924
                                                           ===========      =========        =======      ===========
</TABLE>

                                      B-30
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                December 31, 1997
                                                          -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Gross          Gross         Estimated
                                                             Amortized      Unrealized     Unrealized         Fair
                                                               Cost            Gains         Losses           Value
                                                          --------------   ------------   ------------   --------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government and agency
 securities ...........................................    $   107,539      $   6,302        $    --      $   113,841
States and political subdivisions .....................         12,085            569             --           12,654
Foreign governments ...................................         20,397          3,049             --           23,446
Corporate securities ..................................      2,854,234        218,145          6,748        3,065,631
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities ............      2,133,758         76,160            757        2,209,161
                                                           -----------      ---------        -------      -----------
Total bonds ...........................................      5,128,013        304,225          7,505        5,424,733
Redeemable preferred stocks ...........................          3,085             --            166            2,919
                                                           -----------      ---------        -------      -----------
   TOTAL ..............................................    $ 5,131,098      $ 304,225        $ 7,671      $ 5,427,652
                                                           ===========      =========        =======      ===========
 
</TABLE>
     The following tables summarize the amortized cost and estimated fair value
of debt securities, including redeemable preferred stocks, as of December 31,
1998 by contractual maturity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Amortized        Estimated
                                                            Cost          Fair Value
                                                       --------------   --------------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>
Years to Maturity:
One or less ........................................    $   279,580      $   294,068
After one through five .............................        357,684          369,099
After five through ten .............................        566,864          631,968
After ten ..........................................      1,904,061        2,114,397
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities .........      2,006,891        2,088,763
                                                        -----------      -----------
  Total bonds ......................................      5,115,080        5,498,295
Redeemable preferred stocks ........................          2,696            2,629
                                                        -----------      -----------
  TOTAL ............................................    $ 5,117,776      $ 5,500,924
                                                        ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

     Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain
borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties. Mortgage and other asset-backed securities are presented
separately in the maturity schedule due to the potential for prepayment. The
weighted average life of these securities is 7.1 years.

     At December 31, 1998, the Company held $2,088,763 in mortgage and other
asset-backed securities. The structured securities portfolio consists of
commercial and residential mortgage pass-through holdings totaling $1,865,556
and securities backed by credit card receivables, auto loans, home equity and
manufactured housing loans totaling $223,207. These securities follow a
structured principal repayment schedule and are of high credit quality.
Securities totaling $1,512,963 are rated AAA and include $20,394 of
interest-only tranches that were retained from the securitization of the
Company's mortgage loan portfolio.

     At December 31, 1998, the largest industry concentration of the Company's
portfolio was investments in the finance industry of $624,768 representing 11%
of the total debt portfolio.

     Proceeds during 1998, 1997 and 1996 from sales of available-for-sale
securities were $1,931,269, $1,353,112 and $927,905, respectively. Gross gains
and gross losses realized on those sales were $37,324 and $35,257,
respectively, during 1998, $21,799 and $8,990, respectively, during 1997 and
$15,932 and $6,899, respectively, during 1996.

     The Company's investment portfolio of debt securities is predominantly
comprised of investment grade securities. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, debt
securities with amortized cost totaling $192,724 and $198,943, respectively,
were less than investment grade. At December 31, 1998 the Company held
securities with a carrying value of $9,170 which are to be restructured
pursuant to commenced negotiations. At December 31 1997, the Company did not
hold any securities which were either in default as to principal and/or
interest payments, were to be restructured pursuant to commenced negotiations
or were in situations where the borrowers went into bankruptcy subsequent to
acquisition. The Company did not hold any debt securities which were non-income
producing for the preceding twelve months as of December 31, 1998 and 1997.

                                      B-31
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

EQUITY SECURITIES

     During 1998, 1997 and 1996, the proceeds from sales of equity securities
amounted to $18,487, $20,374 and $25,413, respectively. The gross gains and
gross losses realized on those sales were $3,095 and $239, $975 and $239 and
$1,369 and $247 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

MORTGAGE LOANS

     On August 29, 1996, the Company securitized the majority of its mortgage
loan portfolio by transferring the loans to a trust which qualifies as a REMIC
(Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit) under the Internal Revenue Code.
Prior to transferring the loans with a principal value of $781,564 and a book
value of $780,942, the loans were written down to a fair market value of
$755,559, and the related reserve of $25,285 was released. The trust issued
sixteen classes of Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates with a total
par value of $781,564. The certificates evidence the entire beneficial
ownership interest in the trust. The cash flow from the mortgages will be used
to repay the certificates over an average life of 4.28 years. The actual date
on which the principal amount of the notes may be paid in full could be
substantially earlier or later based on performance of the mortgages. The cash
flows of the assets of the trust will be the sole source of payments on the
notes. The Company has not guaranteed these certificates or the mortgage loans
held by the trust. As a result of this transaction, the Company recognized a
loss of $98 upon the transfer of the mortgages to the trust, representing the
difference between the fair market value of the certificates and the book value
of the mortgage loans transferred to the trust.

     The Company retained the highest quality classes of certificates with a
par value of $715,126 and a fair market value of $734,326 at the time of the
securitization. As of December 31, 1998, the par value and fair value of these
securities were $460,753 and $475,699, respectively. As of December 31, 1997,
the par value and fair value of these securities were $570,130 and $597,248,
respectively. The Company sold the lowest rated classes of certificates with a
par value of $66,438 and a fair market value of $24,838.

     The mortgage loans which were not included in the securitization and were
retained by the Company had a book value of $171,555 with a related reserve of
$21,907 and an estimated fair value of $153,405 on the date of the
securitization. Loans which the Company intended to dispose of within a period
of 6 to 24 months were written down to their estimated net realizable value.
These loans had a book value of $99,817 and an estimated net realizable value
of $81,310 at the time of the securitization. The writedown of $18,507 was
fully offset by a release in mortgage loss reserve. As of December 31, 1998 and
1997, the Company held $0 and $12,368 of these loans, respectively. The Company
intended to hold mortgage loans with a book value of $71,738 on the date of the
securitization through their remaining terms. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
the Company continued to hold $42,628 and $44,428 of these mortgages,
respectively. The Company discontinued the origination of commercial mortgage
loans in 1996.

     The following tables summarize the carrying value of mortgage loans, by
property type and geographic concentration, at December 31.

                                    1998           1997
                                ------------   -----------
Property Type
Office buildings ............     $  9,204      $ 20,012
Retail ......................        5,553         7,862
Dwellings ...................       24,741        25,237
Other .......................        3,130         3,685
Valuation allowance .........       (3,800)       (3,800)
                                  --------      --------
  TOTAL .....................     $ 38,828      $ 52,996
                                  ========      ========

 

                                      B-32
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

                                   1998         1997
                                ----------   ----------
Geographic Concentration
Northeast ...................    $ 10,273     $ 23,313
Midwest .....................       5,728        5,922
South .......................      12,075       12,502
West ........................      14,552       15,059
Valuation allowance .........      (3,800)      (3,800)
                                 --------     --------
  TOTAL .....................    $ 38,828     $ 52,996
                                 ========     ========

     The following table presents changes in the mortgage loan valuation
allowance for the years presented:

                                         1998         1997
                                      ----------   ----------
Balance at January 1 ..............    $ 3,800      $ 3,400
Provision .........................         --          400
Charge-offs .......................         --           --
                                       -------      -------
  BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31 ..........    $ 3,800      $ 3,800
                                       =======      =======

     As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company's mortgage loan portfolio
contained no loans delinquent over 60 days or in foreclosure and there were no
non-income producing mortgage loans for the preceding twelve months.

     During 1998 and 1997, the Company did not restructure the terms of any
outstanding mortgages. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the mortgage loan
portfolio included $2,555 and $2,834, respectively, of restructured mortgage
loans. Restructured mortgage loans include commercial loans for which the basic
terms, such as interest rate, maturity date, collateral or guaranty have been
changed as a result of actual or anticipated delinquency. Restructures do not
include mortgages refinanced upon maturity at or above current market rates.
Gross interest income on restructured mortgage loans on real estate that would
have been recorded in accordance with the original terms of such loans amounted
to $258 and $298 in 1998 and 1997, respectively. Gross interest income from
these loans included in net investment income totaled $236 and $262 in 1998 and
1997, respectively.

     At December 31, 1998, no loans were considered to be impaired. At December
31, 1997, the recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired
was $12,368 that, as a result of writedowns, did not have a valuation
allowance. The average recorded investment in impaired loans during the year
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 was approximately $6,184 and $38,096,
respectively. During 1998 and 1997, $163 and $1,454 was received, respectively,
on these impaired loans which was applied to the outstanding principal balance
or will be applied to principal at the date of foreclosure.

REAL ESTATE
     The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Company's real
estate holdings at December 31.

                                           1998          1997
                                       -----------   -----------
Investment .........................    $ 19,111      $ 19,999
Properties held for sale ...........       1,914         7,828
Less: Valuation allowance ..........      (5,234)       (5,469)
                                        --------      --------
  TOTAL ............................    $ 15,791      $ 22,358
                                        ========      ========

     At December 31, 1998 and 1997, accumulated depreciation on real estate
amounted to $6,218 and $6,498, respectively. Depreciation expense on real
estate totaled $1,071, $5,709 and $6,488 for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively. During 1997, the Company sold its largest real
estate investment for $65,007 cash to an unrelated buyer. At the date of the
sale, this property had a carrying value of $61,914, net of related reserves,
resulting in a gain of $3,093. During 1996, the Company wrote down the
statement value of this property by $16,000 to its estimated fair value, based
on changes in future valuation assumptions.


                                      B-33
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

OTHER

     Investments on deposit with regulatory authorities as required by law were
$7,104 and $7,106 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

     As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company's investments included
$475,699 and $597,248, respectively, of the tranches retained from the 1996
securitization of the Company's commercial mortgage loan portfolio. These
investments represented 42% and 59% of equity at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

3. INVESTMENT INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS:

     The following table summarizes the sources of investment income, excluding
investment gains/(losses), for the year ended December 31.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1998           1997           1996
                                        ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>
Debt securities .....................    $ 395,628      $ 390,852      $ 356,669
Equity securities ...................          206          1,371          1,313
Mortgages ...........................        4,268         12,098         62,454
Real estate .........................        2,903         17,519         24,143
Policy loans ........................       39,760         40,921         40,580
Short-term investments ..............        2,029          2,426          6,052
Other invested assets ...............       11,330         21,268         14,665
Cash and cash equivalents ...........            3              2             44
                                         ---------      ---------      ---------
Gross investment income .............      456,127        486,457        505,920
 Less: Investment expenses ..........       11,430         26,251         30,605
                                         ---------      ---------      ---------
Investment income, net ..............    $ 444,697      $ 460,206      $ 475,315
                                         =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>

     The following table summarizes net realized capital gains/(losses) on
investments for the year ended December 31. Net realized capital gains/(losses)
include decreases in valuation allowances of $235, $3,154 and $44,164 in 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1998          1997           1996
                                                        -----------   -----------   --------------
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Debt securities .....................................    $    110      $ 12,991       $   10,412
Equity securities ...................................       2,856           417            1,122
Mortgage loans ......................................         210           280           (2,821)
Real estate .........................................       4,148          (684)         (22,356)
Other ...............................................      (2,109)         (811)           3,565
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs ..........      (1,303)       (2,538)              --
                                                         --------      --------       ----------
Realized gains/(losses) .............................    $  3,912      $  9,655       $  (10,078)
                                                         ========      ========       ==========
</TABLE>

 

                                      B-34
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

     The following table summarizes the change in unrealized gains and losses
for investments carried at fair value which are reflected in other
comprehensive income for the year ended December 31.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1998          1997             1996
                                                    -----------   ------------   ---------------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>            <C>
Unrealized gains/(losses):
 Debt securities ................................    $  86,594     $ 160,850       $  (149,259)
 Equity securities ..............................       (2,092)          408              (582)
 Other ..........................................       (2,091)      (14,581)           (1,545)
                                                     ---------     ---------       -----------
                                                        82,411       146,677          (151,386)
                                                     ---------     ---------       -----------
Less:
 Deferred policy acquisition costs ..............      (12,841)      (45,043)           38,324
 Deferred income taxes ..........................      (24,440)      (35,355)           39,851
                                                     ---------     ---------       -----------
Net change in unrealized gains/(losses) .........    $  45,130     $  66,279       $   (73,211)
                                                     =========     =========       ===========
</TABLE>

     The following table sets forth the reclassification adjustment required to
avoid double-counting in comprehensive income items that are included as part
of net income for a period that also had been part of other comprehensive
income in earlier periods:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1998          1997           1996
                                                                         -----------   -----------   --------------
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
Reclassification Adjustments
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) arising during period ..............    $ 53,576      $ 71,797       $  (57,160)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income .........       8,446         5,518           16,051
                                                                          --------      --------       ----------
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, net of
 reclassification adjustment .........................................    $ 45,130      $ 66,279       $  (73,211)
                                                                          ========      ========       ==========
</TABLE>

     Reclassification adjustments reported in the above table for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are net of income tax expense of $7,679,
$4,519 and $13,350, respectively, and $5,815, $2,875 and $8,740, respectively,
relating to the effects of such amounts on deferred acquisition costs.


                                      B-35
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

4. FAIR VALUE INFORMATION:

     The following table summarizes the carrying value and estimated fair value
of the Company's financial instruments as of December 31, 1998 and 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1998                              1997
                                               -------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                  Carrying           Fair           Carrying           Fair
                                                    Value            Value            Value            Value
                                               --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
 Debt securities
   Available for sale ......................    $ 5,500,924      $ 5,500,924      $ 5,427,652      $ 5,427,652
 Equity securities
   Common stock ............................            158              158            3,051            3,051
 Non-redeemable preferred stocks ...........          4,003            4,003            9,451            9,451
 Mortgage loans ............................         38,828           42,678           52,996           57,224
 Policy loans ..............................        638,376          605,144          642,989          606,681
 Cash and cash equivalents .................         24,468           24,468           37,064           37,064
 Short-term investments ....................          1,024            1,024           43,470           43,470
 Separate account assets ...................      2,302,937        2,302,937        1,869,094        1,869,094
 Other invested assets .....................         98,571           98,571           88,928           88,928
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:
 Investment-type contracts
   Individual annuities ....................    $ 1,108,274      $ 1,143,373      $ 1,225,192      $ 1,260,639
   Guaranteed investment contracts .........         39,571           40,556           59,809           61,456
   Other group annuities ...................        113,974          115,422          147,061          148,257
   Other policyholder funds ................      1,573,262        1,573,262        1,541,372        1,541,372
                                                -----------      -----------      -----------      -----------
 Total policyholder funds ..................      2,835,081        2,866,627        2,973,434        3,011,724
 Policyholders' dividends payable ..........         30,532           30,532           35,273           35,273
 Separate account liabilities ..............      2,302,937        2,302,937        1,869,094        1,869,094
 
</TABLE>

     The estimated fair values for the Company's investments in debt and equity
securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. In situations
where market prices are not readily available, primarily private placements,
fair values are estimated using a formula pricing method based on fair values
of securities with similar characteristics. The estimated fair value of
currently performing mortgage loans is estimated by discounting the cash flows
associated with the investment, using an interest rate currently offered for
similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Loans with similar
credit quality, characteristics and time to maturity are aggregated for
purposes of discounted cash flow analysis. Assumptions regarding credit risk,
cash flows and discount rates are determined using the available market and
borrower-specific information. The estimated fair value for non-performing
loans is based on the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate, which
is based on recent appraisals or other estimation techniques. The estimated
fair value of policy loans is calculated by discounting estimated future cash
flows using interest rates currently being offered for similar loans. Loans
with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and
separate account assets approximate their fair values. The estimated fair
values for the venture capital limited partnerships are based on values
determined by the partnerships' managing general partners. The resulting
estimated fair values may not be indicative of the value which could be
negotiated in an actual sale.

     The fair values of the Company's liabilities for individual annuities,
guaranteed investment contracts and certain group annuities are estimated by
discounting the cash flows associated with the contracts, using an interest
rate currently offered for similar contracts with maturities similar to those
remaining for the contracts being valued. The statement value for certain of
the other group annuities approximates their fair value due to the nature of
the contracts. The statement values of other policyholder funds, policyholders'
dividends payable and separate account liabilities approximate their fair
values.


                                      B-36
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

     Currently, disclosure of estimated fair values is not required for all the
Company's assets and liabilities. Therefore, presentation of the estimated fair
value of a significant portion of assets without a corresponding valuation of
liabilities associated with insurance contracts can be misinterpreted. The
estimated fair values of liabilities under all of the Company's contracts are
considered in the overall management of interest rate risk. The continuing
management of the relationship between the maturities of the Company's
investments and the amounts due under insurance contracts reduces the Company's
exposure to changing interest rates.

     The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its interest-sensitive
products. The Company's investment strategy is designed to minimize interest
risk by managing the durations and anticipated cash flows of the Company's
assets and liabilities.

     To minimize exposure and reduce risk from exchange and interest rate
fluctuations in the normal course of business, the Company enters into interest
rate swap programs for purposes other than trading. As of December 31, 1998 and
1997, the Company had interest rate swaps with aggregate notional amounts equal
to $95,000 and $105,000, respectively, with average unexpired terms of 8 and 19
months, respectively. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of
fixed and floating rate interest payment obligations without an exchange of the
underlying notional principal amounts. During the term of the swap, the net
settlement amount is accrued as an adjustment to interest income. Gross
unrealized gains and losses, which represent fair value based on dealer-quoted
prices, were $2,248 and $0, respectively, at December 31, 1998 and $5,164 and
$0, respectively, at December 31, 1997. These fair values represent the amount
at risk if the counterparties default and the amount that the Company would
receive to terminate the contracts, taking into account current interest rates
and, where appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the counterparties.

     In the normal course of business, the Company loans securities under
arrangements in which collateral is obtained in amounts greater than the
current market value of loaned securities. This collateral is held in the form
of cash, cash equivalents or securities issued or guaranteed by the United
States Government. The Company is at risk to the extent the value of loaned
securities exceeds the value of the collateral obtained. The Company controls
this risk by requiring collateral of the highest quality and requiring that
additional collateral be deposited when the market value of loaned securities
increases in relation to the collateral held or the value of the collateral
held decreases in relation to the value of the loaned securities. The Company
had loaned securities outstanding of $38,144 and $155,356 as of December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively.

5. INCOME TAXES:

     The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for
income taxes whereby current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized utilizing currently enacted tax laws and rates. Deferred taxes are
adjusted to reflect tax rates at which future tax liabilities or assets are
expected to be settled or realized.


                                      B-37
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

     Deferred income taxes reflect the impact for financial statement reporting
purposes of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The significant temporary
differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities at
December 31 relate to the following:

                                                  1998          1997
                                              -----------   -----------
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
 Future policy benefits ...................    $  92,909     $ 88,172
 Dividend award ...........................       10,255       11,970
 Allowances for investment losses .........        4,232        3,667
 Employee benefit liabilities .............       29,762       27,979
 Other ....................................       18,677       24,728
                                               ---------     --------
   Total deferred tax asset ...............      155,835      156,516
                                               ---------     --------
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
 Deferred acquisition costs ...............      135,248      127,495
 Unrealized investment gains ..............      105,993       81,553
 Other ....................................       22,375       22,564
                                               ---------     --------
   Total deferred tax liability ...........      263,616      231,612
                                               ---------     --------
NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY ................    $ 107,781     $ 75,096
                                               =========     ========

     The federal income taxes attributable to consolidated net income are
different from the amounts determined by multiplying consolidated net income
before federal income taxes by the expected federal income tax rate. The
difference between the amount of tax at the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35%
and the consolidated tax provision is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1998          1997          1996
                                                      -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>
Tax expense at 35% ................................    $ 50,443      $ 44,442      $ 26,930
Increase/(decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
 Differential earnings amount .....................       2,681         6,942           500
 Other ............................................       4,565         2,528           595
                                                       --------      --------      --------
Federal income tax expense/(benefit) ..............    $ 57,689      $ 53,912      $ 28,025
                                                       ========      ========      ========
</TABLE>

     As a mutual life insurance company, the Company is subject to Internal
Revenue Code provisions which require mutual, but not stock, life insurance
companies to include the Differential Earnings Amount (DEA) in each year's
taxable income. This amount is computed by multiplying the Company's average
taxable equity base by a prescribed rate, which is intended to reflect the
difference between stock and mutual companies' earnings rates.

     The Internal Revenue Service has examined the Company's income tax returns
through the year 1994. Management believes that an adequate provision has been
made for potential assessments.


                                      B-38
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

6. BENEFIT PLANS:

     The following table summarizes the funded status and accrued benefit cost
for the Company's defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefit plans:

     As of December 31,

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Pension Benefits                   Other Benefits
                                                      -------------------------------   -------------------------------
                                                           1998             1997             1998             1997
                                                      --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Benefit obligation ................................     $  (90,428)      $  (84,051)      $  (26,439)      $  (31,413)
Fair value of plan assets .........................         53,349           42,783               --               --
                                                        ----------       ----------       ----------       ----------
Funded Status .....................................     $  (37,079)      $  (41,268)      $  (26,439)      $  (31,413)
                                                        ==========       ==========       ==========       ==========
Accrued benefit cost recognized in the consolidated
 balance sheet ....................................     $  (22,530)      $  (23,527)      $  (44,558)      $  (45,143)
</TABLE>

     The weighted-average assumptions used to measure the actuarial present
value of the projected benefit obligation were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Pension Benefits           Other Benefits
                                           -----------------------   -----------------------
                                              1998         1997         1998         1997
                                           ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Discount rate ..........................   6.75%        7.00%            6.75%        7.00%
Expected return on plan assets .........   8.00%        8.00%              --           --
Rate of compensation increase ..........   5.50%        5.50%            5.00%        5.50%
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1998, the assumed health care cost trend rate used in
measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 8% in 1999,
grading to 5% in the year 2004. At December 31, 1997, the assumed health care
cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation was 8.5% in 1998, grading to 5.0% in the year 2004. The assumed
health care cost trend rate used at December 31, 1996 in measuring the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 8.5% in 1997, grading to 5.0%
in the year 2004. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant
effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.

     The contributions made and the benefits paid from the plan were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Pension Benefits          Other Benefits
                                                 -----------------------   ---------------------
                                                    1998         1997        1998        1997
                                                 ----------   ----------   --------   ----------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>
Benefit cost recognized in consolidated income
 statement ...................................    $ 5,692      $ 5,917      $  831     $ 1,515
Employer contribution ........................      6,687        3,006       1,415       2,191
Plan participants' contribution ..............         --           --          --          --
Benefits paid ................................      3,229        3,085       1,415       2,191
</TABLE>

     The Company maintains four defined contribution pension plans for
substantially all of its employees and full-time agents. For two plans,
designated contributions of up to 6% or 8% of annual compensation are eligible
to be matched by the Company. Contributions for the third plan are based on
tiered earnings of full-time agents. The last plan, which covers employees of a
subsidiary, are determined on a discretionary basis by the Board of Directors
of that subsidiary. For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the
expense recognized for these plans was $9,526, $8,345 and $6,092, respectively.
The estimated fair value of the defined contribution plans' assets at December
31, 1998 and 1997 was $260,706 and $229,378, respectively.


                                      B-39
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

7. REINSURANCE:

     The Company has assumed and ceded reinsurance on certain life and annuity
contracts under various agreements. Reinsurance permits recovery of a portion
of losses from reinsurers, although the Company remains primarily liable as the
direct insurer on all risks reinsured. The Company evaluates the financial
strength of potential reinsurers and continually monitors the financial
condition of present reinsurers to ensure that amounts due from reinsurers are
collectible. The table below highlights the amounts shown in the accompanying
financial statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Assumed        Ceded to
                                          Gross        from Other        Other             Net
                                         Amount         Companies      Companies         Amount
                                     --------------   ------------   -------------   --------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1998:
 Life Insurance in Force .........    $32,066,821      $5,115,520     $5,954,701      $31,227,640
 Premiums ........................        166,708          10,586          5,940          171,354
 Benefits ........................        457,239          15,710         17,913          455,036
 Reserves ........................      5,594,712           1,688         62,198        5,534,202
DECEMBER 31, 1997:
 Life Insurance in Force .........    $31,027,764      $5,217,856     $4,620,599      $31,625,021
 Premiums ........................        190,754          11,189          6,723          195,220
 Benefits ........................        492,857          14,293         26,916          480,234
 Reserves ........................      5,741,456           1,993         59,322        5,684,127
 
</TABLE>

     During 1996, the Company had gross premiums of $196,897, assumed premiums
of $12,745 and ceded premiums of $9,821 and gross benefits of $293,270, assumed
benefits of $16,466 and ceded benefits of $16,808. Reinsurance receivables with
a carrying value of $55,119 and $50,617 were associated with a single reinsurer
at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

     The Company and its subsidiaries are respondents in a number of
proceedings, some of which involve extra-contractual damage in addition to
other damages. In addition, insurance companies are subject to assessments, up
to statutory limits, by state guaranty funds for losses of policyholders of
insolvent insurance companies. In the opinion of management, the outcome of the
proceedings and assessments are not likely to have a material adverse effect on
the financial position of the Company.

     The Company, in the ordinary course of business, extends commitments
relating to its investment activities. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had
outstanding commitments totaling $19,413 relating to these investment
activities. The fair value of these commitments approximates the face amount.

9. STATUTORY INFORMATION:

     State insurance regulatory authorities prescribe or permit statutory
accounting practices for calculating net income and capital and surplus which
differ in certain respects from generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP). The significant differences relate to deferred acquisition costs, which
are charged to expenses as incurred; federal income taxes, which reflect
amounts that are currently taxable; and benefit reserves, which are determined
using prescribed mortality, morbidity and interest assumptions, and which, when
considered in light of the assets supporting these reserves, adequately provide
for obligations under policies and contracts. In addition, the recording of
impairments in the value of investments generally lags recognition under GAAP.

     The combined insurance companies' statutory capital and surplus at
December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $495,212 and $435,861, respectively. The
combined insurance companies' net income, determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices, for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, was $83,676 $63,613 and $25,905, respectively.


                                      B-40
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)

10. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED):

     The services provided by the Company depend on the smooth functioning of
computer systems. Many computer systems in use today cannot recognize the Year
2000, but revert to 1900 or some other date, due to the manner in which dates
were encoded and calculated earlier in this century. If not corrected, many
computer applications could fail or create erroneous results by or at the Year
2000. Failure of computer systems could affect pricing, account services, and
the handling of investment transactions, among other things. The Company began
preparing for the Year 2000 actively in 1996. The effort involves assessing all
computers, computer programs and related equipment, making necessary changes
and ensuring that all systems process dates correctly. The Company believes
that it has designed and implemented an efficient process for identifying what
needs to be changed and is working to correct and test systems that research
shows will be affected by dates in the Year 2000 and beyond. The Company
expects its computer systems to be Year 2000 compliant.

     The Company has relationships with vendors and other service providers
that are not affiliated with the Company. As part of its plan, the Company is
contacting vendors and service providers to obtain assurances that such service
providers have taken appropriate measures to address the Year 2000 issue. The
Company will assess and attempt to mitigate risks where outside service
providers are not Year 2000 ready. However, there is no assurance that the
failure of outside service providers to complete adequate preparations in a
timely manner, which results in systems interruptions or other consequences,
will not have an adverse effect, directly or indirectly, on the Company.

     The cost of addressing the Year 2000 issue is significant but not material
to the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company will
continue to incur costs in addressing the Year 2000, but does not anticipate
that the costs will be material going forward.

     The foregoing statements are designated Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure
within the meaning of The Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act
(P.L. 105-271,S.2392).


                                      B-41

<PAGE>



                                     PART C

                                Other Information



<PAGE>



ITEM 24.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)   Financial Statements included in Part B:

      Financial Statements of Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III:

      Report of Independent Auditors
      Statements of Assets and Liabilities - December 31, 1998
      Statement of Operations - for the year ended December 31,
      1998 Statements of Changes in Net Assets - for the years
      ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 Notes to Financial
      Statements

      Consolidated Financial Statements of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
      Company:

      Report of Independent Auditors
      Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 1998 and 1997
      Statements of Operations and Surplus for the years
             ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
      Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1998,
             1997, and 1996
      Notes to Financial Statements

(b)   Exhibits

      1.     (a)     Resolutions of Executive Committee of
                     Board of Trustees of The Penn Mutual Life
                     Insurance Company authorizing the
                     establishment of the Registrant. Previously
                     filed as Exhibit 1(a) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998 (Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by
                     reference.

             (b)     Resolution of Executive Committee of Board of Trustees of
                     the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company authorizing
                     investments of the Registrant.  Previously filed as
                     Exhibit 1(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the 
                     Registration Statement on April 28, 1999 (File No. 
                     333-62825 and Accession No. 0000950116-99-000834) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

      2.             Not applicable

      3.     (a)     Sales Support Agreement between The Penn
                     Mutual Life Insurance Company and Horner,
                     Townsend & Kent, Inc., a wholly-owned
                     subsidiary of Penn Mutual. Previously filed
                     as Exhibit 3(a) to Pre-Effective Amendment
                     No. 1 to this

                                       C-1

<PAGE>

                     Registration Statement on November 30, 1998 
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-002055) and 
                     incorporated herein by reference.

             (b)     Form of Distribution Agreement between The
                     Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and
                     Horner, Townsend & Kent, Inc., a
                     wholly-owned subsidiary of Penn Mutual.
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 3(b) to
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to this
                     Registration Statement on November 30, 1998
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-002055) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

             (c)     Form of Agent's Agreement relating to
                     broker-dealer supervision. Previously filed
                     as Exhibit 3(c) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998 (Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (d)     Form of Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement (for
                     broker-dealers licensed to sell variable
                     annuity contracts and/or variable life
                     insurance contracts under state insurance
                     laws). Previously filed as Exhibit 3(d) to
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to this
                     Registration Statement on November 30, 1998
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-002055) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

             (e)     Form of Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement (for
                     broker-dealers with affiliated corporations
                     licensed to sell variable annuity contracts
                     and/or variable life insurance contracts
                     under state insurance laws. Previously filed
                     as Exhibit 3(e) to the Post-Effective
                     Amendment to the Registration Statement on
                     April 28, 1999 (File No. 333-62825 and
                     Accession No. 0000950116-99-000834) and incorporated herein
                     by reference.

             (f)     Form of Addendum (Form 98-1) to
                     Broker-Dealer Selling Agreement. Previously
                     filed as Exhibit 3(f) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998 (Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

      4.     (a)     Individual Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract 
                     (Form VAA-98).  Previously filed as Exhibit 4(a) to 
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to this Registration 
                     Statement on November 30, 1998 (File No. 333-62825 
                     and Accession No. 0001036050-98-002055) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

             (b)     Rider -- Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit -- 
                     Rising Floor (GDBRF-98).  Previously filed as 
                     Exhibit 4(b) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to 
                     this Registration Statement on November 30, 1998 
                     (File No. 333-62825 and Accession No. 0001036050-
                     98-002055) and incorporated herein by reference.


                                       C-2

<PAGE>




             (c)     Rider -- Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit --
                     Step Up (GDBSU-98). Previously filed as
                     Exhibit 4(c) to Pre-Effective Amendment No.
                     1 to this Registration Statement on November
                     30, 1998 (File No. 333-62825 and Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-002055) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (d)     Endorsement No. 1534-96 to Individual
                     Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract.
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 4(d) to this
                     Registration Statement on September 3, 1998
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-001504) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

             (e)     Endorsement No. 1542-97 to Individual
                     Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract.
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 4(e) to this
                     Registration Statement on September 3, 1998
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-001504) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

             (f)     Endorsement No. 1536-98 to Individual
                     Variable and Fixed Annuity Contract.
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 4(f) to
                     Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
                     Registration Statement on February 24, 1999
                     (Accession No. 0000950116-99-000291) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.

      5.             Application (Form PM5790) for Individual Variable
                     Annuity Contract.  Previously filed as Exhibit 5 
                     to this Registration Statement on September 3, 1998 
                     (File No. 333-62825 and Accession No. 0001036050-98-
                     001504) and incorporated herein by reference.

      6.     (a)     Charter of The Penn Mutual Life
                     Insurance Company (May 1983). Previously
                     filed as Exhibit 6(a) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998 (Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (b)     By-laws of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
                     Company, as amended through February 21,
                     1997. Previously filed as Exhibit 6(b) to
                     this Registration Statement on September 3,
                     1998 (Accession No. 0001036050-98-001504)
                     and incorporated herein by reference.

      7.             None

      8.     (a)(1)  Form of Sales Agreement between
                     The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
                     and Neuberger & Berman Advisers
                     Management Trust. Previously filed as
                     Exhibit 8(b)(1) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-001504) and
                     incorporated herein by reference.


                                       C-3

<PAGE>




             (a)(2)  Form of Assignment and Modification
                     Agreement between Neuberger & Berman
                     Management Incorporated, Neuberger &
                     Berman Advisers Management Trust,
                     Advisers Managers Trust and The Penn
                     Mutual Life Insurance Company.
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 8(b)(2) to
                     this Registration Statement on September
                     3, 1998 (Accession No.
                     0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (a)(3)  Amendment to Fund Participation Agreement 
                     between The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company 
                     and Neuberger & Berman Advisers Management Trust.
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 8(b)(3) to 
                     Post-Effective Amendment No.5 to the Registration
                     Statement of Penn Mutual Variable Life Account I
                     on April 30, 1997 (File No. 33-54662 and Accession
                     No. 0000950109-97-003328) and incorporated herein
                     by reference.

             (b)     Form of Sales Agreement between The Penn
                     Mutual Life Insurance Company and Penn
                     Series Funds, Inc. Previously filed as
                     Exhibit 8(c) to this Registration Statement
                     on September 3, 1998 (Accession No.
                     0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (c)     Form of Participation Agreement between The
                     Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Variable
                     Insurance Products Fund and Fidelity
                     Distributors Corporation. Previously filed
                     as Exhibit 8(d) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998 (Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (d)     Form of Participation Agreement between The
                     Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, Variable
                     Insurance Products Fund II and Fidelity
                     Distributors Corporation. Previously filed
                     as Exhibit 8(e) to this Registration
                     Statement on September 3, 1998 (Accession
                     No. 0001036050-98-001504) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (e)     Participation Agreement between The Penn Mutual
                     Life Insurance Company, Morgan Stanley Universal 
                     Funds, Inc., Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc. 
                     and Miller Andersen & Sherrerd LLP.  Previously 
                     filed as Exhibit 8(f) to Post-Effective Amendment 
                     No. 2 to the Registration Statement of PIA Variable
                     Annuity Account I on April 30, 1998 (File 
                     No. 33-83120 and Accession No. 0000950109-97-003327)
                     and incorporated herein by reference.

      9.             Opinion and Consent of Franklin L. Best,
                     Esq., Associate General Counsel of The Penn
                     Mutual Life Insurance Company.

                                       C-4

<PAGE>




                     Previously filed as Exhibit 9 to Pre-Effective
                     Amendment No. 1 to this Registration Statement 
                     on November 30, 1998 (Accession No. 0001036050-
                     98-002055) and incorporated herein by reference.

      10. (a) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. Filed herewith.

             (b)     Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.  Filed herewith.

      11. Not applicable.

      12. Not applicable.

      13.            Schedule of Computation of Performance
                     Quotations. Filed herewith.

      14.    (a)     Powers of Attorney of Trustees (except
                     Ms. Bloch and Messrs. Notebaert and Rock).
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 14(a) to
                     Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the
                     Registration Statement on Form N-4 of Penn
                     Mutual Variable Annuity Account III on April
                     29, 1997 (File No. 2-77283 and Accession No.
                     00001021408-97- 000161) and incorporated
                     herein by reference.

             (b)     Powers  of Attorney of Edmond F. Notebaert and 
                     Robert H. Rock.  Previously filed as Exhibit 14(b)
                     to Post Effective Amendment No. 24 to the 
                     Registration Statement on Form N-4 of
                     Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III on 
                     April 24, 1998 (File No. 2-77283 and Accession
                     No. 000095109-98-002717) and incorporated herein
                     by reference.

             (c)     Power of Attorney of Ms. Julia Chang Bloch.  
                     Previously filed as Exhibit 14(c) to this 
                     Registration Statement on September 3, 1998
                     (Accession No. 0001036050-98-001504) and 
                     incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 25.      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR

              The following table sets forth the names of the officers and
              trustees of the Depositor who are engaged directly or indirectly
              in activities relating to the Registrant or the variable annuity
              contracts offered by the Registrant and the executive officers of
              the Depositor.


              ROBERT E. CHAPPELL                   ANN M. STROOTMAN
              Chairman of the Board and Chief      Vice President and Controller
              Executive Officer and Member of
              the Board of Trustees


                                       C-5

<PAGE>




        DANIEL J. TORAN                       ROBERT P. DAVIS
        President and Chief Operating         Vice President and Chief Actuary
        Officer and Member of the Board of
        Trustees

        NANCY S. BRODIE                       FREDERICK M. ROCKOVAN
        Executive Vice President and Chief    Vice President, Insurance Service
        Financial Officer

        LARRY L. MAST                         RICHARD F. PLUSH
        Executive Vice President, Sales and   Vice President, Products and
        Marketing                             Programs

        PETER M. SHERMAN                      JAMES MCELWAIN
        Executive Vice President and          Assistant Vice President,
        Chief Investment Officer              Retirement and Investment Sales
                                              Operations

        HAROLD E. MAUDE, JR.                  STEVEN M. HERZBERG
        Senior Vice President,                Assistant Vice President
        Independence Financial Network        and Treasurer

        JOHN M. ALBANESE                      LAURA RITZKO
        Senior Vice President, Customer       Secretary
        Service and Information Systems

        The business address of the director and officers is The Penn
        Mutual Life Insurance Company, Philadelphia, PA 19172.

ITEM 26.   PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR OR
           REGISTRANT

                      PENN MUTUAL WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                STATE OF
CORPORATION                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS                  INCORPORATION
- -----------                 ------------------                  -------------

The Penn Insurance and      Life Insurance and Annuities        Delaware
Annuity Company
Independence Capital        Investment Adviser                  Pennsylvania
Management, Inc.
Penn Janney Fund, Inc.      Investments                         Pennsylvania
Independence Square         Holding Company                     Pennsylvania
Properties, Inc.


                                      C-6
<PAGE>

                                                                STATE OF
CORPORATION                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS                  INCORPORATION
- -----------                 ------------------                  -------------

The Pennsylvania Trust      Trust Company                       Pennsylvania
Company


                      INDEPENDENCE SQUARE PROPERTIES, INC.
                            WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                STATE OF
CORPORATION                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS                  INCORPORATION
- -----------                 ------------------                  -------------

INDEPRO CORPORATION         Real Estate Investment              Delaware
WPI Investment Company      Real Estate Investment              Delaware
Hornor, Townsend & Kent,    Registered Broker-Dealer and        Pennsylvania
Inc.                        Investment Adviser
Penn Tallahassee            Real Estate Investment              Florida
Corporation
JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT     Registered Broker-Dealer and        Delaware
INC.                        Investment Adviser


                                    INDEPRO CORPORATION
                                 WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                STATE OF
CORPORATION                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS                  INCORPORATION
- -----------                 ------------------                  -------------

Indepro Property Fund I     Real Estate Investment              Delaware
Corporation
Indepro Property Fund II    Real Estate Investment              Delaware
Corporation
Commons One Corporation     Real Estate Investment              Delaware
West Hazleton, Inc.         Real Estate Investment              Delaware



                                       C-7

<PAGE>



                               JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT, INC.
                                 WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                STATE OF
CORPORATION                 PRINCIPAL BUSINESS                  INCORPORATION
- -----------                 ------------------                  -------------

Addison Capital             Investment Adviser                  Pennsylvania
Management, Inc.
JMS Resources, Inc.         Oil and Gas Development             Pennsylvania
JMS Investor Services, Inc. Insurance Sales                     Delaware

ITEM 27.      NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS

              As of March 31, 1999, there were 162 owners of Contracts issued
              under tax retirement plans and 0 owners of Contracts issued other
              than under tax qualified retirement plans.

ITEM 28.      INDEMNIFICATION

              Section 6.2 of the By-laws of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
              Company provides that, in accordance with the provisions of the
              Section, the Company shall indemnify trustees and officers against
              expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, excise
              taxes and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
              incurred in connection with actions, suits and proceedings, to the
              extent such indemnification is not prohibited by law, and may
              provide other indemnification to the extent not prohibited by law.
              The By-laws are filed as Exhibit 6(b) to Post-Effective Amendment
              No. 12 to this Registration Statement and are incorporated in this
              Post-Effective Amendment by reference.

              Pennsylvania law (15 Pa. C.S.A. ss.ss. 1741-1750) authorizes 
              Pennsylvania corporations to provide indemnification to directors,
              officers and other persons.

              Penn Mutual owns a directors and officers liability insurance
              policy covering liabilities directors and officers of Penn Mutual
              and its subsidiaries may incur in acting as directors and
              officers.

              Selling Agreements entered into by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance
              Company ("Penn Mutual") and its subsidiary, Hornor, Townsend &
              Kent, Inc. ("HTK") with securities brokers and insurance agents
              generally provide for indemnification of Penn Mutual and HTK and
              their directors and officers in the event of liability resulting
              from unauthorized acts of the brokers and insurance agents.

              Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
              Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
              controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
              provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in
              the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
              indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
              and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event

                                       C-8

<PAGE>



              that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
              than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
              a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
              successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
              by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
              the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
              the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
              controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
              jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
              against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed
              by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 29.      PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

              Hornor Townsend & Kent, Inc. serves as principal underwriters of 
              the securities of the Registrant.

              Hornor Townsend & Kent, Inc. serves as principal underwriter for 
              Addison Capital Shares, Inc., a registered investment company.

              HORNOR, TOWNSEND & KENT, INC. - DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

              John J. Gray, Director and Chairman of the Board
              Larry L. Mast, Director
              Nina M. Mulrooney, Director
              Norman T. Wilde, Jr., Director
              Daniel J. Toran, Director
              Ronald C. Zimmerman, President and Chief Executive Officer
              Michael D. Sweeney, Assistant Vice President, Director of 
               Compliance and Secretary
              Edward G. Pecelli - Assistant Vice President, Director of 
               Sales and Marketing
              Laura M. Ritzko, Assistant Secretary
              Henry S. Buck, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
              Barbara S. Wood, Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
              Joseph R. Englert, Assistant Vice President, Director 
               of Operations
              Franklin L. Best, Jr., Counsel
              Constance Flaville, Assistant Secretary

              The principal business address of Messrs. Gray and Wilde is
              Janney, Montgomery, Scott Inc., 1801 Market Street, Philadelphia,
              Pennsylvania. The principal business address of Mses. Mulrooney
              and Ritzko and Messrs. Mast, Toran and Best is The Penn Mutual
              Life Insurance Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19172. The
              principal business address of the other directors and officers is
              Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc., 600 Dresher Road, Horsham,
              Pennsylvania.

              As of December 31, 1998, no commissions or other compensation was
              paid to a principal underwriter in respect to contracts issued on
              this registration statement.


                                       C-9

<PAGE>



ITEM 30.      LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

              The name and address of the person who maintains physical
              possession of each account, book or other documents required by
              Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:

              The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
              600 Dresher Road
              Horsham, Pennsylvania  19044

ITEM 31.      MANAGEMENT SERVICES

              See "Administrative and Recordkeeping Services" in Part B of this
              Registration Statement.

ITEM 32.      UNDERTAKINGS

              The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company hereby undertakes:

              (a)    to file a post-effective amendment to this Registration
                     Statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the
                     audited financial statements in the Registration Statement
                     are never more than 16 months old for so long as payments
                     under the variable annuity contracts may be accepted;

              (b)    to include either (1) as part of any application to
                     purchase a contract or account offered by the prospectus, a
                     space that an applicant can check to request a statement of
                     additional information, or (2) a post card or similar
                     written communication affixed to or included in the
                     prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for a
                     statement of additional information;

              (c)    to deliver any statement of additional information and any
                     financial statements required to be made available under
                     Form N-4 promptly upon written or oral request.

                     Restrictions on withdrawals under Section 403(b) Contracts
                     are imposed in reliance upon, and in compliance with, a
                     no-action letter issued by the Chief of the Office of
                     Insurance Products and Legal Compliance of the Securities
                     and Exchange Commission to the American Council of Life
                     Insurance on November 28, 1988.

                     The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company represents that the
                     fees and charges deducted under the Individual Variable and
                     Fixed Annuity Contract, in the aggregate, are reasonable in
                     relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to
                     be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Registrant.


                                      C-10

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


         As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets the requirements of
Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment
No.1 of this Registration Statement and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment
to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Horsham and Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania on this 26th day of April, 1999.


                               PENN MUTUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT III
                                         (Registrant)


                               By:  THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                        (Depositor)


                               By:  /s/ Robert E. Chappell
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                        Robert E. Chappell
                                        Chairman of the Board of Trustees
                                        and Chief Executive Officer


         As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment #2 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following
persons, in the capacities indicated, on the day of April, 1999.


Signature                                    Title
- ---------                                    -----


/s/ Robert E. Chappell                       Chairman of the Board of Trustees
- -----------------------------                and Chief Executive Officer
Robert E. Chappell                           


/s/ Nancy S. Brodie                          Executive Vice President and
- -----------------------------                Chief Financial Officer
Nancy S. Brodie                              

*JULIA CHANG BLOCH                           Trustee

*JAMES A. HAGEN                              Trustee

*PHILLIP E. LIPPINCOTT                       Trustee

*JOHN F. MCCAUGHAN                           Trustee

*ALAN B. MILLER                              Trustee

*EDMOND F. NOTEBAERT                         Trustee

*ROBERT H. ROCK                              Trustee

*DANIEL J. TORAN                             Trustee

*NORMAN T. WILDE, JR.                        Trustee

*WESLEY S. WILLIAMS, JR.                     Trustee


*By: /s/ Robert E. Chappell
    ----------------------------------------
         Robert E. Chappell, attorney-in-fact

                                      C-11

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


      EX.99 B 10.      (a)  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

      EX.99 B 10.      (b)  Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

      EX. 99 B 13.          Schedule of Computation of Performance Quotations.



































                                      C-12



<PAGE>
                                                                    EX-99.B10(a)

               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent Auditors"
in the Statement of Additional Information, and to the use of our report dated
January 29, 1999 accompanying the financial statements of the Penn Mutual Life 
Insurance Company for the year ended December 31, 1998, and to the use of our 
report dated April 2, 1999 accompanying the financial statements of Penn Mutual
Variable Annuity Account III for the year ended December 31, 1998 in the 
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-62811 on 
Form N-4 of Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 20, 1999



<PAGE>
                                                                    EX-99.B10(b)


                      [MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LETTERHEAD]






April 20, 1999




Board of Trustees
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Philadelphia, PA  19172

Re:      Penn Mutual Variable Annuity Account III (the "Separate Account")
         SEC Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No.  333-62811)



Dear Ladies and Gentleman:

We hereby consent to the reference of our name under the caption "Legal Matters"
in the Statement of Additional Information filed as part of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to the above referred Registration Statement on Form N-4 under
the Securities Act of 1933 on behalf of the Separate Account and as Amendment
No. 27 to the Separate Account's Registration Statement under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Pennant Select                   Table 1  - 1 Year Calculations        
                                                   Beginning    Beginning     Ending      Ending       Ending  
      Fund Name                       Begin Date   Unit Value     Value        Date     Unit Value     Value     Charges    Return 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                   <C>   <C>      <C>        <C>          <C>   <C>     <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>    
Emerging Growth Fund                  12/31/97       $7.54      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.09    $1,256.82    $82.01     25.68% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Asset Manager                12/31/97       $8.83      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.02    $1,065.20    $69.89      6.52% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Equity Income                12/31/97       $9.12      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.04    $1,033.43    $67.88      3.34% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Growth                       12/31/97       $7.27      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.00    $1,291.97    $84.23     29.20% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Index 500                    12/31/97       $7.91      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.02    $1,188.45    $77.69     18.85% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Flexibly Managed Fund                 12/31/97       $9.53      $1,000.00    12/31/98       $9.98      $982.06    $64.63     -1.79% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Growth Equity Fund                    12/31/97       $7.17      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.03    $1,312.17    $85.51     31.22% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
High Yield Bond Fund                  12/31/97       $9.65      $1,000.00    12/31/98       $9.98      $970.02    $63.87     -3.00% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
International Equity Fund             12/31/97       $8.36      $1,000.00    12/31/98       $9.80    $1,100.45    $72.12     10.04% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
MS Emerging Markets International     12/31/97      $13.10      $1,000.00    12/31/98       $9.79      $700.85    $46.84    -29.91% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger Berman Balanced             12/31/97       $9.11      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.08    $1,038.53    $68.20      3.85% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity     12/31/97       $9.72      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.01      $966.28    $63.63     -3.37% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger Berman Partners             12/31/97       $9.74      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.01      $964.59    $63.52     -3.54% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Quality Bond Fund                     12/31/97       $9.21      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.01    $1,019.89    $67.02      1.99% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Small Capitalization Fund             12/31/97      $11.18      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.02      $840.54    $55.67    -15.95% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Value Equity Fund                     12/31/97       $9.28      $1,000.00    12/31/98      $10.04    $1,014.50    $66.68      1.45% 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>                                                  



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                            Table 2  - 1 Year Calculations
                                        Beginning     Beginning     Ending    Ending       Ending
     Fund Name                          Begin Date   Unit Value     Value      Date      Unit Value     Value     Charges     Return
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>   <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>   <C>     <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>   
Emerging Growth Fund                     12/31/97       $7.54     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.09    $1,336.48    $2.35      33.65%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Asset Manager                   12/31/97       $8.83     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.02    $1,132.73    $2.35      13.27%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income                   12/31/97       $9.12     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.04    $1,098.96    $2.35       9.90%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                          12/31/97       $7.27     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.00    $1,373.85    $2.35      37.39%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                       12/31/97       $7.91     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.02    $1,263.79    $2.35      26.38%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                    12/31/97       $9.53     $1,000.00   12/31/98       $9.98    $1,044.34    $2.35       4.43%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                       12/31/97       $7.17     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.03    $1,395.34    $2.35      39.53%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                     12/31/97       $9.65     $1,000.00   12/31/98       $9.98    $1,031.53    $2.35       3.15%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund                12/31/97       $8.36     $1,000.00   12/31/98       $9.80    $1,170.21    $2.35      17.02%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS Emerging Markets International        12/31/97      $13.10     $1,000.00   12/31/98       $9.79      $745.34    $2.35     -25.47%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced                12/31/97       $9.11     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.08    $1,104.38    $2.35      10.44%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity        12/31/97       $9.72     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.01    $1,027.56    $2.35       2.76%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Partners                12/31/97       $9.74     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.01    $1,025.76    $2.35       2.58%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                        12/31/97       $9.21     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.01    $1,084.56    $2.35       8.46%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Capitalization Fund                12/31/97      $11.18     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.02      $893.86    $2.35     -10.61%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                        12/31/97       $9.28     $1,000.00   12/31/98      $10.04    $1,078.83    $2.35       7.88%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                   Table 3  - 1 Year Calculations
                                                   Beginning      Beginning     Ending     Ending       Ending
       Fund Name                      Begin Date   Unit Value       Value        Date    Unit Value      Value     Charges  Return
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>   <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>   <C>    <C>       <C>           <C>     <C>   
Emerging Growth Fund                  12/31/97        $7.54      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.09    $13,385.93    $2.35   33.86%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Asset Manager                12/31/97        $8.83      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.02    $11,348.48    $2.35   13.48%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income                12/31/97        $9.12      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.04    $11,010.72    $2.35   10.11%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                       12/31/97        $7.27      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.00    $13,759.68    $2.35   37.60%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                    12/31/97        $7.91      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.02    $12,659.05    $2.35   26.59%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                 12/31/97        $9.53      $10,000.00    12/31/98      $9.98    $10,464.57    $2.35    4.65%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                    12/31/97        $7.17      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.03    $13,974.52    $2.35   39.75%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                  12/31/97        $9.65      $10,000.00    12/31/98      $9.98    $10,336.48    $2.35    3.36%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund             12/31/97        $8.36      $10,000.00    12/31/98      $9.80    $11,723.28    $2.35   17.23%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS Emerging Markets International     12/31/97       $13.10      $10,000.00    12/31/98      $9.79     $7,474.54    $2.35  -25.25%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced             12/31/97        $9.11      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.08    $11,064.98    $2.35   10.65%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity     12/31/97        $9.72      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.01    $10,296.74    $2.35    2.97%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Partners             12/31/97        $9.74      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.01    $10,278.80    $2.35    2.79%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                     12/31/97        $9.21      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.01    $10,866.73    $2.35    8.67%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Capitalization Fund             12/31/97       $11.18      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.02     $8,959.76    $2.35  -10.40%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                     12/31/97        $9.28      $10,000.00    12/31/98     $10.04    $10,809.44    $2.35    8.09%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                                    Table 1  - 5 Year Calculations
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Beginning        Beginning            Ending         
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Fund Name                          Begin Date          Unit Value         Value               Date          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                    <C>             <C>                  <C> 
Flexibly Managed Fund                              31-Dec-93             $5.87          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                                 31-Dec-93             $4.29          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                               31-Dec-93             $7.16          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund                          31-Dec-93             $6.41          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced                          31-Dec-93             $6.27          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity                  31-Dec-93             $8.32          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                                  31-Dec-93             $7.59          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                                  31-Dec-93             $4.43          $1,000.00           12/31/98   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                           {RESTUBED TABLE FOR ABOVE]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Ending             Ending 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Fund Name               Unit Value           Value             Charges             Return       
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>                  <C>                <C>    
Flexibly Managed Fund                       $9.98          $1,642.11            $54.78             10.42% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                         $10.03          $2,255.53            $70.83             17.66% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                        $9.98          $1,343.76            $46.97              6.08% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund                   $9.80          $1,474.20            $50.39              8.07% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced                  $10.08          $1,551.50            $52.41              9.18% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity          $10.01          $1,160.07            $42.17              3.01% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                          $10.01          $1,271.16            $45.07              4.91% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                          $10.04          $2,192.60            $69.19             16.99% 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                               Table 2  - 5 Year Calculations
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Beginning    Beginning      Ending       Ending      Ending          
                 Fund Name        Begin Date  Unit Value     Value         Date       Unit Value     Value      Charges   Return
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>   
Fidelity Asset Manager             12/31/93     $6.13      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.02     $1,617.23    $11.75    10.09%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income             12/31/93     $4.54      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.04     $2,192.67    $11.75    16.99%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                    12/31/93     $4.00      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.00     $2,479.43    $11.75    19.90%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                 12/31/93     $3.70      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.02     $2,689.77    $11.75    21.87%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund              12/31/93     $5.87      $1,000.00     12/31/98        $9.98     $1,685.14    $11.75    10.99%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                 12/31/93     $4.29      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.03     $2,314.61    $11.75    18.26%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund               12/31/93     $7.16      $1,000.00     12/31/98        $9.98     $1,378.99    $11.75     6.63%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund          12/31/93     $6.41      $1,000.00     12/31/98        $9.80     $1,512.84    $11.75     8.63%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced          12/31/93     $6.27      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.08     $1,592.16    $11.75     9.74%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity  12/31/93     $8.32      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.01     $1,190.48    $11.75     3.55%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                  12/31/93     $7.59      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.01     $1,304.48    $11.75     5.46%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                  12/31/93     $4.43      $1,000.00     12/31/98       $10.04     $2,250.04    $11.75    17.60%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                   Table 3  - 5 Year Calculations
                                                   Beginning    Beginning     Ending      Ending        Ending
       Fund Name                      Begin Date  Unit Value      Value        Date     Unit Value      Value     Charges   Return
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>   <C>      <C>       <C>           <C>   <C>     <C>       <C>           <C>       <C>   
Fidelity Asset Manager                12/31/93       $6.13     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.02    $16,315.64    $11.75    10.28%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income                12/31/93       $4.54     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.04    $22,078.00    $11.75    17.15%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                       12/31/93       $4.00     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.00    $24,973.71    $11.75    20.08%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                    12/31/93       $3.70     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.02    $27,080.67    $11.75    22.04%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                 12/31/93       $5.87     $10,000.00    12/31/98       $9.98    $16,983.99    $11.75    11.17%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                    12/31/93       $4.29     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.03    $23,331.97    $11.75    18.45%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                  12/31/93       $7.16     $10,000.00    12/31/98       $9.98    $13,918.16    $11.75     6.83%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund             12/31/93       $6.41     $10,000.00    12/31/98       $9.80    $15,267.48    $11.75     8.83%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced             12/31/93       $6.27     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.08    $16,058.31    $11.75     9.93%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity     12/31/93       $8.32     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.01    $12,020.15    $11.75     3.75%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                     12/31/93       $7.59     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.01    $13,168.47    $11.75     5.66%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                     12/31/93       $4.43     $10,000.00    12/31/98      $10.04    $22,654.64    $11.75    17.76%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select         Table 1  - 10 Year Calculations
                                           Beginning    Beginning   Ending      Ending      Ending
     Fund Name                Begin Date   Unit Value      Value      Date    Unit Value     Value     Charges   Return
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>   <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>   <C>    <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>   
Flexibly Managed Fund         12/31/88        $3.39     $1,000.00   12/31/98     $9.98     $2,908.18    $2.35     11.26%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund            12/31/88        $2.45     $1,000.00   12/31/98    $10.03     $4,036.08    $2.35     14.96%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund          12/31/88        $4.46     $1,000.00   12/31/98     $9.98     $2,200.44    $2.35      8.20%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund             12/31/88        $4.84     $1,000.00   12/31/98    $10.01     $2,034.01    $2.35      7.35%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund             12/31/88        $2.90     $1,000.00   12/31/98    $10.04     $3,407.83    $2.35     13.04%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                Table 2  - 10 Year Calculations
                                                  Beginning   Beginning     Ending       Ending     Ending
      Fund Name                      Begin Date   Unit Value    Value        Date      Unit Value    Value      Charges    Return
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>   <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>   <C>     <C>      <C>            <C>      <C>   
Fidelity Equity Income               12/31/88        $2.69    $1,000.00     12/31/98      $10.04   $3,679.26      $2.35    13.91%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                      12/31/88        $1.94    $1,000.00     12/31/98      $10.00   $5,089.33      $2.35    17.66%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                12/31/88        $3.39    $1,000.00     12/31/98       $9.98   $2,908.18      $2.35    11.26%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                   12/31/88        $2.45    $1,000.00     12/31/98      $10.03   $4,036.08      $2.35    14.96%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                 12/31/88        $4.46    $1,000.00     12/31/98       $9.98   $2,200.44      $2.35     8.20%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity    12/31/88        $5.94    $1,000.00     12/31/98      $10.01   $1,656.51      $2.35     5.17%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                    12/31/88        $4.84    $1,000.00     12/31/98      $10.01   $2,034.01      $2.35     7.35%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                    12/31/88        $2.90    $1,000.00     12/31/98      $10.04   $3,407.83      $2.35    13.04%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select        Table 1  - Since Inception Calculations
                                                Beginning    Beginning      Ending      Ending     Ending
         Fund Name                  Begin Date  Unit Value     Value         Date     Unit Value    Value     Charges     Return
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                  <C>   <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>   
Emerging Growth Fund                 05/01/97       $5.46    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.09   $1,732.41   $112.10     39.01%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
MS Emerging Markets International    05/01/97      $14.62    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98       $9.79     $629.37    $36.30    -24.23%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Asset Manager Portfolio     05/01/95       $5.88    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.02   $1,687.63     $2.35     15.32%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Equity Income Portfolio     05/01/95       $5.37    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.04   $1,854.41     $2.35     18.32%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Growth Equity Portfolio     05/01/95       $4.27    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.00   $2,326.12     $2.35     25.85%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Fidelity Index 500                   08/27/97       $7.45    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.02   $1,322.30    $19.46     23.08%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Flexibly Managed Fund                07/31/84       $1.63    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98       $9.98   $6,024.59     $2.35     13.26%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Growth Equity Fund - qualified       06/01/83       $1.30    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.03   $7,617.84     $2.35     13.91%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
High Yield Bond Fund                 08/06/84       $2.92    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98       $9.98   $3,359.68     $2.35      8.77%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
International Equity Fund            11/01/92       $4.62    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98       $9.80   $2,070.03    $29.11     12.52%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger Berman Balanced            05/01/93       $5.84    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.08   $1,707.59     $2.35      9.89%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity    05/01/93       $8.16    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.01   $1,208.64     $2.35      3.40%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Neuberger Berman Partners            05/01/97       $7.85    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.01   $1,227.34    $45.63     13.06%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Quality Bond Fund                    03/17/87       $4.59    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.01   $2,139.60     $2.35      6.66%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Small Capitalization                 05/01/95       $6.98    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.02   $1,364.24    $63.01      8.83%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Value Equity Fund                    03/17/87       $2.50    $1,000.00    31-Dec-98      $10.04   $3,957.29     $2.35     12.36%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                                  Table 2  - Since Inception Calculations
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Beginning       Beginning            Ending          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Fund Name                         Begin Date           Unit Value        Value               Date           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                  <C>             <C>                <C> 
Emerging Growth Fund                             05/01/97              $5.46         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Asset Manager                           09/06/89              $3.64         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income                           10/09/86              $2.28         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                                  10/09/86              $1.67         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                               08/27/92              $3.22         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                            07/31/84              $1.63         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                               06/01/83              $1.30         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                             08/06/84              $2.92         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund                        11/01/92              $4.62         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS Emerging Markets International                10/01/96             $13.57         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced                        02/28/89              $4.01         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity                09/10/84              $4.08         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Partners                        03/22/94              $4.52         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                                03/17/87              $4.59         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Capitalization Fund                        03/01/95              $6.99         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                                03/17/87              $2.50         $1,000.00           12/31/98    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                           [RESTUBED TABLE FOR ABOVE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Ending            Ending                                            
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Fund Name                        Unit Value          Value               Charges           Return       
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>                   <C>              <C>    
Emerging Growth Fund                              $10.09         $1,842.16              $2.35            44.22% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Asset Manager                            $10.02         $2,711.65              $2.35            11.29% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income                            $10.04         $4,327.33              $2.35            12.72% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                                   $10.00         $5,915.54              $2.35            15.64% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                                $10.02         $3,082.31              $2.35            19.40% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                              $9.98         $6,024.59              $2.35            13.26% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                                $10.03         $7,617.84              $2.35            13.91% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                               $9.98         $3,359.68              $2.35             8.77% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund                          $9.80         $2,096.79              $2.35            12.76% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS Emerging Markets International                  $9.79           $715.39              $2.35           -13.83% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced                         $10.08         $2,474.90              $2.35             9.64% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity                 $10.01         $2,403.39              $2.35             6.32% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Partners                         $10.01         $2,198.96              $2.35            17.92% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                                 $10.01         $2,139.60              $2.35             6.66% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Capitalization Fund                         $10.02         $1,423.10              $2.35             9.63% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                                 $10.04         $3,957.29              $2.35            12.36% 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pennant Select                       Table 3  - Since Inception Calculations
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Beginning     Beginning      Ending     Ending     Ending
              Fund Name              Begin Date  Unit Value      Value         Date    Unit Value    Value       Charges   Return
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>       <C>         <C>           <C>       <C>   
Emerging Growth Fund                  05/01/97     $5.46       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.09    $18,464.52     $2.35     44.42%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Asset Manager                09/06/89     $3.64       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.02    $27,472.29     $2.35     11.45%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Equity Income                10/09/86     $2.28       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.04    $43,936.27     $2.35     12.86%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Growth                       10/09/86     $1.67       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.00    $59,960.52     $2.35     15.76%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fidelity Index 500                    08/27/92     $3.22       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.02    $31,097.89     $2.35     19.57%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexibly Managed Fund                 07/31/84     $1.63       $10,000.00    12/31/98     $9.98    $60,981.49     $2.35     13.35%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Equity Fund                    06/01/83     $1.30       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.03    $77,266.20     $2.35     14.01%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield Bond Fund                  08/06/84     $2.92       $10,000.00    12/31/98     $9.98    $34,171.17     $2.35      8.90%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Equity Fund             11/01/92     $4.62       $10,000.00    12/31/98     $9.80    $21,166.04     $2.35     12.93%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS Emerging Markets International     10/01/96    $13.57       $10,000.00    12/31/98     $9.79     $7,212.97     $2.35    -13.52%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Balanced             02/28/89     $4.01       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.08    $25,079.12     $2.35      9.79%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Limited Maturity     09/10/84     $4.08       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.01    $24,475.15     $2.35      6.45%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neuberger Berman Partners             03/22/94     $4.52       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.01    $22,136.25     $2.35     18.08%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quality Bond Fund                     03/17/87     $4.59       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.01    $21,773.91     $2.35      6.82%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Capitalization Fund             03/01/95     $6.99       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.02    $14,319.13     $2.35      9.80%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value Equity Fund                     03/17/87     $2.50       $10,000.00    12/31/98    $10.04    $40,151.59     $2.35     12.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>                                                                


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