NACO VARIABLE ACCOUNT OF NATIONWIDE LIFE INS CO
485BPOS, 1996-04-29
Previous: NATIONWIDE INVESTING FOUNDATION, SC 13D/A, 1996-04-29
Next: NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORP, 10-K/A, 1996-04-29



<PAGE>   1

              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                '33 Act Registration No.33-33425
                                                '40 Act Registration No.811-5999


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, DC. 20549
                                      
                                   FORM N-4

                    REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                 ACT OF 1933
   
                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 8  [X]

                                      and

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                        INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

                                 AMENDMENT NO. 9       [X]
    
                            NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                            ---------------------
                          (Exact Name of Registrant)

                      NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                             (Name of Depositor)

                  ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                  -----------------------------------------
       (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

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

    GORDON E. McCUTCHAN, SECRETARY, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

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

It is Proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate space)
   
/ /      immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
/X/      on May 1, 1996, pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
/ /      60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
/ /      on (date), pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
 
The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of securities by a prior
registration statement in accordance with Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.  Pursuant to Paragraph (a)(3) thereof, a non-refundable
fee in the amount of $500 has been paid to the Commission. Registrant filed its
Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 on February
15, 1996.
    





                                        1 of 93
   
<PAGE>   2
                             NACO VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
N-4 ITEM                                                                                      PAGE
Part A INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
<S>                <C>                                                                       <C>
Item  1.             Cover page   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        3
Item  2.             Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        4
Item  3.             Synopsis or Highlights   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       12
Item  4.             Condensed Financial Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       13
Item  5.             General Description of Registrant, Depositor,       
                     and Portfolio Companies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       16
Item  6.             Deductions and Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       17
Item  7.             General Description of the Variable Annuity Contract   . . . . . .       21
Item  8.             Annuity Period   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       22
Item  9.             Death Benefit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       22
Item 10.             Purchases and Contract Value   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       21
Item 11.             Redemptions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       21
Item 12.             Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       27
Item 13.             Legal Proceedings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       27
Item 14.             Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information   . .       27

Part B INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                                                 
Item 15.             Cover Page   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       32
Item 16.             Table of Contents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       32
Item 17.             General Information and History  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       32
Item 18.             Services   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       32
Item 19.             Purchase of Securities Being Offered   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       32
Item 20.             Underwriters   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       33
Item 21.             Calculation of Performance   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       33
Item 22.             Annuity Payments   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       35
Item 23.             Financial Statements   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       36

Part C OTHER INFORMATION
                     
Item 24.             Financial Statements and Exhibits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       76
Item 25.             Directors and Officers of the Depositor  . . . . . . . . . . . . .       78
Item 26.             Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
                     with the Depositor or Registrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       80
Item 27.             Number of Contract Owners  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       89
Item 28.             Indemnification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       89
Item 29.             Principal Underwriters   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       89
Item 30.             Location of Accounts and Records   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       90
Item 31.             Management Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       90
Item 32.             Undertakings   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       90
</TABLE>
    


                                   2 of 93


<PAGE>   3
                       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                  Home Office
                                P. O. Box 16766
                              One Nationwide Plaza
                              Columbus, Ohio 43216
                    1-800-545-4730, (T.T.Y. 1-800-848-0833)

                    GROUP FLEXIBLE FUND RETIREMENT CONTRACTS
                     ISSUED BY THE NACO VARIABLE ACCOUNT OF
                       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   
         The Group Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts (the "Contract" or
"Contracts") described in this prospectus are designed for use in connection
with deferred compensation Plans adopted by Member Counties under the NACo
Program. Such Plans generally qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section
457 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code"). The assets of such Plans are part of
the general assets of the Member County, subject to the claims of the Member
County's creditors. The Participants have a contractual claim against the Member
County for the benefits promised by such Plans. The Participants are generally
not subject to tax until Distributions are received from the Plan. Purchase
Payments made at any time by or on behalf of any Participant must be at
least $20 per month.

         Purchase Payments are allocated to the NACo Variable Account. The NACo
Variable Account is a unit investment trust with 28 Sub-Accounts of unit values,
each reflecting investment results of a different management investment company.
Amounts equivalent to the obligations of Nationwide Life Insurance Company ("the
Company") under each Sub-Account willbe invested in the specified management
investment company (see Appendix of Participating Underlying Mutual Funds).

         This prospectus provides you with the basic information you should
know about the Group Flexible Fund Retirement Contracts issued by the
NACo Variable Account before investing. You should read it and keep it for 
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 1996
containing further information about the Contracts and the NACo Variable
Account has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can
obtain a copy without charge from Nationwide Life by calling the number listed
above, or writing P.O.  Box 16766, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216.  

    
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.  
   
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1996, IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION APPEARS ON PAGE 25 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1996.
    


                                      1


                                   3 of 93
<PAGE>   4
                               GLOSSARY OF TERMS
   
ACCUMULATION UNIT - A statistical index measuring the net investment results of
each Sub-Account of the NACo Variable Account.  It is the unit of measurement
used to determine the value of a Contract and each Participant Account.

ACTUARIAL RISK FEE - The charge made for mortality and expense risk and
administration of the NACo Variable Account. It is computed on a daily basis
and is equal to an annual rate of 0.95% of the daily net asset value of the
NACo Variable Account.

ANNUITANT - The person actually receiving annuity payments and upon whose
continuation of life any annuity payment involving life contingencies depends.

ANNUITIZATION - The date on which annuity payments are actually received.

ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE - The date on which annuity payments are scheduled to
commence.

BENEFICIARY - The person named on the application to receive certain benefits
under the Contract upon the death of the designated Annuitant.  The Beneficiary
can be changed by the Contract Owner as set forth in the Contract.

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

COMPANY - Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY - The person named on the application to be the
Beneficiary if the named Beneficiary is not living at the time of the death of
the designated Annuitant.

CONTRACT - The group flexible fund retirement contract issued by the Company to
the Owner under which the Company invests Purchase Payments made by the Owner
and assists the Owner in making retirement income payments at specified dates.

CONTRACT DATE - The Contract Date is the date shown on the Contract.

CONTRACT YEAR - Each period starting with either (1) the Contract Date or (2) a
Contract Anniversary. The Contract Year ends immediately prior to the next
Contract Anniversary.

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY - An anniversary of the Contract Date.

DISTRIBUTION - Any payment by the Company of part or all of the Contract Value
under the Contract.

GENERAL ACCOUNT - An account comprised of all assets of the Company other than
those in any segregated asset account (the NACo Variable Account).

MEMBER COUNTY - A county which is a member of the National Association of
Counties ("NACo") or an entity approved by the President of NACo for
participation under the NACo Program.

MUTUAL FUND - The registered management investment company, specified on the
Contract application, in which the assets of a Sub-Account of the Variable
Account will be invested.

NACO PROGRAM - The deferred compensation program established and administered
pursuant to Section 457 of the Code for the benefit of Member Counties of NACo.

NACO VARIABLE ACCOUNT - A segregated investment account established by the
Company in which amounts equivalent to the Company's obligations under the
Contract are held for all Participants, and for those Participants during
retirement who have annuitized.

OWNER - The Member County to which the Contract is issued.
    

                                      2


                                   4 of 93


<PAGE>   5
   
    PARTICIPANT - An eligible employee, member, or other person who is entitled
    to benefits under the Plan. Such persons are determined and reported to the
    Company by the Owner.

    PARTICIPANT ACCOUNT - An account established for each Participant in which
    all financial transactions occurring with respect to a Participant, other
    than the purchase and payment of an annuity, are recorded.

    PARTICIPANT ACCOUNT YEAR - For each Participant, this is each one year
    period starting with either the Participant Effective Date or a Participant
    Anniversary, as reported to the Company by the Owner or its authorized
    representative.

    PARTICIPANT ANNIVERSARY - An anniversary of the Participant Effective Date.

    PARTICIPANT EFFECTIVE DATE - For each Participant, this is the first date
    Accumulation Units are credited to the Participant's Account on behalf of
    such Participant under the Contract.

    PLAN - A Member County's Code Section 457 deferred compensation plan
    established and administered under the auspices of the NACo Program. The
    Plan document is referred to in the contract schedule as the Plan.
    The assets of the Plan are part of the general assets of the Member County,
    subject to the claims of the Member County's creditors. The Participants
    have a contractual claim against the Member County for the benefits
    promised by the Plan.

    PURCHASE PAYMENTS - Amounts paid to the Company, pursuant to the Contract,
    in order to provide retirement income benefits.

    RETIRED PARTICIPANT - A Participant for whom payments under an Optional
    Retirement Income Form are being made.

    SUB-ACCOUNTS - Separate and distinct divisions of the NACo Variable Account
    to which specific underlying Mutual Fund shares are allocated and for which
    Accumulation Units are separately maintained.

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

    VALUATION PERIOD - The period of time commencing at the close of business
    of the New York Stock Exchange and ending at the close of business for the
    next succeeding Valuation Date.
        



                                      3

                                   5 of 93
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
                              -----------------
   
<S>                                                                                                                     <C>
GLOSSARY OF TERMS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     5
SYNOPSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    11
NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14
THE NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14
        Voting Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14
PERIODIC REPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14
NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DEDUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    15
        Contingent Deferred Sales Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    15
        Mortality and Expense Risks and Administration Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    15
        Premium Taxes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16
        Experience Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16
        Expenses of the NACo Variable Account  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS . . . . . . . . .                                                                              16
        Purpose of the Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16
        Modification of the Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17
        Exchange Privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17
        Assignments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17
        Suspension and Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    17
        Application of Purchase Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    18
        Additional Purchase Payment Prior to Commencement of Annuity Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    18
        Crediting Accumulation Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    18
        NACo Variable Account Accumulation Unit Value  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    18
        Allocation of Purchase Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    19
        Valuation of an Account  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    19
        Redemption of Participant Accounts (Termination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    19
DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS (RETIREMENT PERIOD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Retirement Income Payments   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Election of Income Form and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Allocation of Retirement Income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Fixed Dollar Annuity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Minimum Payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Death Benefit Before Retirement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20
        Optional Retirement Income Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    21
        Death of Retired Participant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    21
        Withdrawal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    21
        Frequency of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    21
        Determination of Payments Under Options A1 and A2  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22
        Determination of Payments Under Options B1 and B2  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22
        Determination of Amount of Variable Monthly Payments For First Year  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22
        Determination of Amount of Variable Monthly Payments For the Second  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
          and Subsequent Years   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22
        Alternate Assumed Interest Rate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22
GENERAL INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    23
        Substitution of Securities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    23
        Performance Advertising  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    23
        Contract Owner Inquiries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    24
        Net Investment Factor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    24
        Valuation of Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25
        Federal Tax Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25
        Contracts Issued Under the New York Model Plan   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    26
</TABLE>
    


                                      4

                                   6 of 93
<PAGE>   7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         SUMMARY OF CONTRACT EXPENSES
    PARTICIPANT TRANSACTION EXPENSES
   
    <S>                                                                                <C>       <C>
          Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge1   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           4    %
                                                                                          -----   
          (as a percentage of Purchase Payments)

    ANNUAL CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE2   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $   0
                                                                                          -----   
    NACO VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
    (as a percentage of average account value)

          Mortality and Expense Risk Fees   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        0.50    %
                                                                                          -----   
          Administration Charge   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        0.45    %
                                                                                          -----   
          Total NACo Variable Account Annual Expenses   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        0.95    %
                                                                                          -----   
</TABLE>
    
   1 Imposed only when it is applicable (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
     Charge").

   2 Effective July 1, 1992, the Annual Contract Fee was eliminated.
   
         If total assets of a Plan under the NACo Program as of December 31 of 
    each year exceed $10 million, the 0.45% Administration charge and the total
    NACo Variable Account Annual Expense ("Actuarial Risk Fee") will be  
    reduced on a sliding scale on May 1 of each year as follows:
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================================= 
                                       ADMINISTRATION CHARGE
       ASSETS                   (AS A PORTION OF THE ACTUARIAL RISK FEE)              TOTAL ACTUARIAL RISK FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                       <C>                                <C>
Greater  than  $10  million  but less                     0.40%                              0.90% 
than or equal to $25 million
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Greater than  $25 
million  but  less                                        0.30%                              0.80% 
than or equal to $50 million
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Greater than $50
million                                                   0.20%                              0.70%
================================================================================================================= 
</TABLE> 
   
         This sliding scale shall be effective upon the latter of May 1, 1996
    or the date of state insurance department regulatory approval, provided
    such approval is received on or before March 1, 1996.  If such approval is
    received after March 1, 1996, then the Administration Charge and Actuarial
    Risk Fee shall be determined as of December 31 of such calendar year and
    reduced according to the sliding scale, if applicable, effective the next
    succeeding May 1.  For new Contracts after the effective date of the
    sliding scale, the Administration Charge and Actuarial Risk Fee shall be
    determined in accordance with the above table at the issuance of the
    Contract and thereafter each year at the time and in the manner described
    above.
    



                                           5

                                        7 of 93
<PAGE>   8
   
UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES(1)
(as a percentage of underlying Mutual Fund average net assets)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Management         Other             Total
                                                                                                         Underlying
                                                                                                         Mutual Fund
                                                                          Fees           Expenses      Annual Expenses
                  <S>                                                <C>               <C>              <C>
                  The Bond Fund of America(SM) , Inc.(2)                 0.35%            0.34%             0.69%
                  The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.                   0.75%            0.37%             1.12%
                  The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class Y              0.98%            0.21%             1.19%
                  Federated U.S. Government Securities: 2-5 Years        0.40%            0.18%             0.58%
                  Institutional Shares
                  Fidelity Equity-Income Fund                            0.44%            0.24%             0.68%
                  Fidelity Capital & Income Fund                         0.70%            0.30%             1.00%
                  Fidelity Contrafund                                    0.70%            0.27%             0.97%
                  Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund                              0.75%            0.22%             0.97%
                  Fidelity OTC Portfolio                                 0.51%            0.30%             0.81%
                  Fidelity Puritan Fund                                  0.52%            0.77%             1.29%
                  The Investment Company of America(R)(2)                0.26%            0.34%             0.60%
                  MAS Funds Fixed Income Portfolio                       0.38%            0.11%             0.49%
                  MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund-Class A(2)            0.43%            0.54%             0.97%
                  MFS(R) High Income Fund-Class A(2)                     0.45%            0.65%             1.10%
                  Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund-Class        0.31%            0.52%             0.83%
                  A(2)
                  Nationwide(R) Fund                                     0.50%            0.13%             0.63%
                  Nationwide(R) Growth Fund                              0.50%            0.16%             0.66%
                  Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund                        0.45%            0.17%             0.62%
                  Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund                       0.72%            0.12%             0.84%
                  Putnam Investors Fund-Class A(2)                       0.61%            0.38%             0.99%
                  Putnam Voyager Fund -Class A                           0.53%            0.54%             1.07%
                  SEI Index Funds - S & P 500 Index Portfolio(2)         0.15%            0.10%             0.25%
                  Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.-Class A(2)                  0.49%            0.51%             1.00%
                  Short-Term Investments Trust-Treasury                  0.63%            0.26%             0.89%
                  Portfolio - Institutional Class
                  T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund(R)              0.69%            0.20%             0.89%
                  Templeton Foreign Fund(2)-Class 1                      0.63%            0.52%             1.15%
                  Twentieth Century Growth Investors                     1.00%            0.00%             1.00%
                  Twentieth Century Ultra Investors                      1.00%            0.00%             1.00%
</TABLE>

1 The Mutual Fund expenses shown above are assessed at the underlying Mutual
  Fund level and are not direct charges against the NACo Variable Account assets
  or reductions from Contract values. These underlying Mutual Fund expenses are
  taken into consideration in computing each underlying Mutual Fund's net asset
  value, which is the share price used to calculate the NACo Variable Account's
  unit value.   There are no front-end load fees (sales charges) at the
  underlying  Mutual Fund level.  The management fees and other expenses, some
  of which are subject to fee waivers or expenses reimbursement, are more fully
  described in the prospectus for each underlying Mutual Fund.  The information
  relating to the underlying Mutual Fund expenses was provided by the 
  underlying Mutual Fund and was not independently verified by the Company.  

2 A 12b-1 fee is included in the calculation of "Other Expenses."
    

                                      6

                                   8 of 93
<PAGE>   9
                                    EXAMPLE
   

The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be incurred
under this Contract assuming total NACo Variable Account annual expenses of
0.95%, a $1,000 initial Purchase Payment and 5% annual return on assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            If you surrender your Contract
                                                                              at the end of the applicable
                                                                                      time period
                                                                      1 Yr.       3 Yrs.       5 Yrs.      10 Yrs.
     <S>                                                              <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
     The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc.                                 57           93          132         240
     The  Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.                              62          107          155         287
     The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class V                          62          109          159         295
     Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 years -             56           89          124         223
     Institutional Shares
     Fidelity Equity-Income Fund                                        57           93          131         239
     Fidelity Capital & Income Fund                                     60          103          149         274
     Fidelity Contrafund                                                60          102          147         271
     Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund                                          60          102          147         271
     Fidelity OTC Portfolio                                             58           97          138         253
     Fidelity Puritan Fund                                              64          112          164         305
     The Investment Company of America(R)                               56           90          127         230
     MAS Funds Fixed Income Portfolio                                   55           87          121         217
     MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund-Class A                           60          102          147         271
     MFS(R) High Income Fund-Class A                                    62          106          154         285
     Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund-Class A                  59           98          139         256
     Nationwide(R) Fund                                                 57           91          129         233
     Nationwide(R) Growth Fund                                          57           92          130         237
     Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund                                    56           91          128         232
     Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund                                   59           98          141         258
     Putnam Investors Fund-Class A                                      60          103          148         273
     Putnam Voyager Fund-Class A                                        61          105          152         282
     SEI Index Funds - S & P 500 Index Portfolio                        53           79          108         189
     Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.-Class A                                 60          103          149         274
     Short-Term Investments Trust - Treasury Portfolio -                59          100          143         262
     Institutional Class
     T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund(R)                          60          100          144         264
     Templeton Foreign Fund - Class 1                                   62          108          157         290
     Twentieth Century Growth Investors                                 60          103          149         274
     Twentieth Century Ultra Investors                                  60          103          149         274

</TABLE>
    


                                                       (continued on next page)



                                           7

                                        9 of 93
<PAGE>   10
                              EXAMPLE (CONTINUED)

The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be
incurred under this Contract assuming total NACo Variable Account annual
expenses of 0.95%, a $1,000 initial Purchase Payment and 5% annual return on
assets.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                If you do not surrender your Contract
                                                                     at the end of the applicable
                                                                              time period
                                                             1 Yr.        3 Yrs.       5 Yrs.      10 Yrs.

<S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc.                             17           53           92          200
The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.                           22           67          115          247
The Evergreen Total Return Fund -Class V                       22           69          119          255
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 years-          16           49           84          183
Institutional Shares
Fidelity Equity-Income Fund                                    17           53           91          199
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund                                 20           63          109          234
Fidelity Contrafund                                            20           62          107          231
Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund                                      20           62          107          231
Fidelity OTC Portfolio                                         18           57           98          213
Fidelity Puritan Fund                                          24           72          124          265
The Investment Company of America(R)                           16           50           87          190
MAS Funds Fixed Income Portfolio                               15           47           81          177
MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund-Class A                       20           62          107          231
MFS(R) High Income Fund-Class A                                22           66          114          245
Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund-Class A              19           58           99          216
Nationwide(R) Fund                                             17           51           89          193
Nationwide(R) Growth Fund                                      17           52           90          197
Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund                                16           51           88          192
Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund                               19           58          101          218
Putnam  Investors Fund-Class A                                 20           63          108          233
Putnam Voyager Fund-Class A                                    21           65          112          242
SEI Index Funds - S & P 500 Index Portfolio                    13           39           68          149
Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.-Class A                             20           63          109          234
Short-Term Investments Trust - Treasury Portfolio -            19           60          103          222
Institutional Class
T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund(R)                      20           60          104          224
Templeton Foreign Fund - Class 1                               22           68          117          250
Twentieth Century Growth Investors                             20           63          109          234
Twentieth Century Ultra Investors                              20           63          109          234

</TABLE>
    

                                                       (continued on next page)


                                      8
                                      
                                   10 of 93

<PAGE>   11

                              EXAMPLE (CONTINUED)
   
    The following chart depicts the dollar amount of expenses that would be
    incurred under this Contract assuming a total NACo Variable Account annual
    expenses of 0.95%, $1,000 initial Purchase Payment and 5% annual return on
    assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            If you annuitize your Contract
                                                                        at the end of the applicable time period
                                                                      1 Yr.       3 Yrs.       5 Yrs.      10 Yrs.
     <S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
     The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc.                                 17          53            92         200
     The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.                               22          67           115         247
     The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class V                          22          69           119         255
     Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 years -             16          49            84         183
     Institutional Shares
     Fidelity Equity-Income Fund                                        17          53            91         199
     Fidelity Capital & Income Fund                                     20          63           109         234
     Fidelity Contrafund                                                20          62           107         231
     Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund                                          20          62           107         231
     Fidelity OTC Portfolio                                             18          57            98         213
     Fidelity Puritan Fund                                              24          72           124         265
     The Investment Company of America(R)                               16          50            87         190
     MAS Funds Fixed Income Portfolio                                   15          47            81         177
     MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund-Class A                           20          62           107         231
     MFS(R) High Income Fund-Class A                                    22          66           114         245
     Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund-Class A                  19          58            99         216
     Nationwide(R) Fund                                                 17          51            89         193
     Nationwide(R) Growth Fund                                          17          52            90         197
     Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund                                    16          51            88         192
     Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund                                   19          58           101         218
     Putnam Investors Fund-Class A                                      20          63           108         233
     Putnam Voyager Fund-Class A                                        21          65           112         242
     SEI Index Funds - S & P 500 Index Portfolio                        13          39            68         149
     Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.-Class A                                 20          63           109         234
     Short-Term Investments Trust - Treasury Portfolio -                19          60           103         222
     Institutional Class
     T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund(R)                          20          60           104         224
     Templeton Foreign Fund - Class 1                                   22          68           117         250
     Twentieth Century Growth Investors                                 20          63           109         234
     Twentieth Century Ultra Investors                                  20          63           109         234

</TABLE>
    


         This Example should not be considered a representation of past or
    future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown.

         The purpose of the preceding tables is to assist the Participant in
    understanding the various costs and expenses that a Participant will bear
    directly or indirectly when investing in the Contract. The table
    reflects expenses of the NACo Variable Account as well as the underlying
    Mutual Fund investment options. For a more detailed explanation of these
    expenses, see "NACo Variable Account Charges, Purchase Payments, and Other
    Deductions." For more and complete information regarding expenses paid out
    of the assets of a particular underlying Mutual Fund, see the underlying
    Mutual Fund's prospectus.  In addition to the expenses shown above,
    deductions for premium taxes may also be applicable, depending upon the
    jurisdiction in which the Contract is sold (see "Premium Taxes").


                                      9


                                   11 of 93
<PAGE>   12
                                    SYNOPSIS

   
        The Contracts  described in this prospectus are designed for use in 
connection with deferred compensation plans adopted by Member Counties under the
NACo Program. Such Plans qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 457
of the Code. The Participants are generally not subject to federal income tax on
amounts deferred under such plans until Distributions are received from the
Plan. Purchase Payments made at any time by or on behalf of any Participant     
must be at least $20 per month.

        Purchase Payments under the Contracts are placed in the NACo Variable 
Account. The NACo Variable Account is a unit investment trust with 28
Sub-Accounts of unit values, each reflecting investment results of a different
management investment company. Amounts equivalent to the obligations of the
Company under each Sub-Account will be invested in the specified management
investment company (see "Appendix of Participating Funds").

        The Company does not deduct a sales charge from Purchase Payments made
for these Contracts. However, in the event of the termination of this Contract
and directions from the Owner to the Company to withdraw all or part of the
account value of the Contract, the Company will, with certain exceptions, deduct
from the Contract Value, on a per Participant basis, a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge ("CDSC") equal to not more than 4% of the lesser of the total of all
Purchase Payments made prior to the date of the request for withdrawal, or the
amount withdrawn.  Absent Contract termination by the Owner, the CDSC provision
will not apply and therefore any full or partial withdrawals made on behalf of a
Participant will not be subject to any CDSC. The CDSC, when applicable, is
imposed to permit the Company to recover sales expenses which have been advanced
by the Company (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

        Any applicable premium taxes can be deducted and will be charged 
against the Contracts. If any such premium taxes are payable at the time
Purchase Payments are made, the premium tax deduction will be made from the
Contract prior to allocation to any underlying Mutual Fund option (see
"Premium Taxes").

        A daily deduction is made from the NACo Variable Account in an amount
equivalent to an annual rate up to of 0.95% of the daily net asset value of the
NACo Variable Account for the Company's contractual promises to accept the
mortality and expense risks and for administration of the NACo Variable Account
(see "Mortality and Expense Risks and Administration").  In addition, the
investment companies whose shares are purchased by the NACo Variable Account
make certain deductions from their assets.

        The Contracts provide that the mortality basis, minimum death benefits
and the deductions made from Purchase Payments, Participants' Accounts, the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges, and Actuarial Risk Fees may be changed by the
Company after the first Contract Year (see "Modification of the Contract").
    


                                      10


                                   12 of 93



<PAGE>   13
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Accumulation Unit Values  (For  an accumulation unit outstanding throughout the
period)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Number of
                                    Accumulation        Accumulation        Accumulation
                                     Unit Value          Unit Value            Units
                                    At Beginning           At End        Outstanding At The
       Underlying Mutual Fund         Of Period           Of Period      End Of The Period     Year
      <S>                             <C>               <C>                <C>              <C>
      The Bond Fund of                1.741422            2.039710           6,578,720         1995
      America(SM), Inc.               1.850918            1.741422           5,740,929         1994
                                      1.637181            1.850918           5,644,051         1993
                                      1.484255            1.637181           4,185,113         1992
                                      1.338732            1.484255           3,262,200         1991*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      The Dreyfus Third               1.663803            2.238323           9,402,637         1995
      Century Fund, Inc.              1.814915            1.663803           9,817,673         1994
                                      1.740666            1.814915          10,291,485         1993
                                      1.723855            1.740666           8,918,980         1992
                                      1.503652            1.723855           4,654,790         1991*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      The Evergreen                   1.419467            1.741651           2,635,928         1995
      Total Return Fund -             1.531292            1.419467           3,343,918         1994
      Class V                         1.368966            1.531292          10,220,011         1993 
                                      1.256090            1.368966           8,701,160         1992 
                                      1.146614            1.256090           7,977,105         1991*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Federated U.S.                  1.062969            1.195751           2,344,091         1995
      Government                      1.094086            1.062969           1,802,090         1994
      Securities Fund: 2-5            1.031362            1.094086           1,501,568         1993
      years -                         1.000000            1.031362             359,089         1992
      Institutional Shares            
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fidelity Capital &              3.210584            3.712491             818,785         1995
      Income Fund                     3.397953            3.210584             900,127         1994
                                      2.746533            3.397953           1,009,928         1993
                                      2.165417            2.746533           1,100,291         1992
                                      1.972198            2.165417           1,260,909         1991*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fidelity Contrafund             0.974545            1.315600          86,483,728         1995
                                      0.994981            0.974545          59,048,072         1994
                                      1.000000            0.994981          17,300,194         1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fidelity Equity-Income          3.424310            4.471070          41,090,717         1995
      Fund                            3.448520            3.424310          37,439,255         1994 
                                      2.869860            3.448520          30,564,448         1993 
                                      2.526472            2.869860          25,417,028         1992 
                                      2.283309            2.526472          24,200,256         1991*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund       0.960039            1.301185          63,751,788         1995
                                      0.987051            0.960039          43,410,162         1994
                                      1.000000            0.987051           9,307,585         1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fidelity OTC Portfolio          1.371346            1.371346           3,611,136         1995
                                      1.000000            1.001544             414,031         1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fidelity Puritan Fund           0.959935            1.154955          11,375,851         1995
                                      1.000000            0.959935           3,191,039         1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      The Investment                  1.157835            1.498194          21,189,283         1995
      Company of America(R)           1.167040            1.157835          15,911,747         1994
                                      1.055548            1.167040           9,316,764         1993
                                      1.000000            1.055548           1,904,764         1992
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      MAS Funds Fixed Income          0.980782            1.156444             461,663         1995
      Portfolio                       1.000000            0.980782              16,059         1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Massachusetts Investors         7.034148            8.942612             877,034         1995
      Growth Stock Fund-Class A       7.613442            7.034148             876,723         1994
                                      6.714892            7.613442             837,196         1993
                                      6.368639            6.714892             711,003         1992
                                      5.100857            6.368639             559,059         1991*

</TABLE>
    
*Period from July 1, 1991 (the date Participant accounts of the NACo Program
 were transferred from the Nationwide DC Variable Account to the NACo Variable
 Account and the NACo Variable Account commenced operations exclusive to the
 NACo Program). 
                                                       (Continued on next page)



                                      11

                                   13 of 93
<PAGE>   14
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION  (continued)
Accumulation Unit Values  (For  an accumulation unit outstanding throughout the
period)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Accumulation        Accumulation          Number of
                                     Unit Value          Unit Value       Accumulation Units
                                    At Beginning           At End          Outstanding At The
       Underlying Mutual Fund         Of Period           Of Period       End Of The Period    Year
      <S>                          <C>                 <C>              <C>                 <C>
      MFS(R) Growth                   4.589533            6.114190           2,209,754         1995
      Opportunities Fund-Class A      4.834037            4.589533           2,656,048         1994
                                      4.200054            4.834037           6,486,767         1993
                                      3.936838            4.200054           6,897,026         1992
                                      3.656615            3.936838           7,710,706         1991*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      MFS(R) High                     4.265493            4.949752           1,898,625         1995
      Income Fund- Class A            4.422523            4.265493           1,736,718         1994
                                      3.739642            4.422523           1,666,484         1993
                                      3.225557            3.739642           1,036,199         1992
                                      2.894993            3.225557             817,803         1991*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Nationwide(R)                   9.468045           12.191058           2,755,666         1995
      Fund                            9.502760            9.468045           2,754,540         1994
                                      8.985447            9.502760           2,950,704         1993
                                      8.810680            8.985447           3,032,348         1992
                                      7.837093            8.810680           2,238,323         1991*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Nationwide(R)                   2.092009            2.667201           2,409,384         1995
      Growth Fund                     2.081399            2.092009           2,602,594         1994 
                                      1.887524            2.081399           6,293,504         1993 
                                      1.792687            1.887524           5,507,203         1992 
                                      1.498853            1.792687           4,283,563         1991*

      Nationwide(R) Money             2.654661            2.774433          15,458,252         1995
      Market Fund**                   2.583387            2.654661          14,664,113         1994
                                      2.542721            2.583387          15,887,549         1993
                                      2.487178            2.542721          17,431,451         1992
                                      2.437912            2.487178          20,546,392         1991*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Neuberger & Berman              0.955773            1.250781           7,940,457         1995
      Guardian                        1.000000            0.955773             907,272         1994 
      Fund                            8.297318           11.305164           2,260,621         1995 
      Putnam Investors                8.652501            8.297318           2,145,377         1994 
      Fund-Class A                    7.410567            8.652501           1,975,963         1993 
                                      6.934213            7.410567           1,682,860         1992 
                                      6.383603            6.934213           1,597,104         1991*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Putnam Voyager                  1.982311            2.752130          27,203,903         1995
      Fund-Class A                    1.992379            1.982311          19,751,850         1994
                                      1.698751            1.992379          12,946,038         1993
                                      1.563079            1.698751           5,917,563         1992
                                      1.256187            1.563079           1,655,847         1991*
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Seligman Growth                 7.020585            8.934609             616,776         1995
      Fund, Inc.-Class A              7.370495            7.020585             582,039         1994
                                      6.989639            7.370495             538,601         1993
                                      6.340967            6.989639             364,304         1992
                                      5.483042            6.340967             308,224         1991*
 
</TABLE>
  * Period from July 1, 1991 (the date Participant accounts of the NACo
    Program were transferred from the Nationwide DC Variable Account to the
    NACo Variable Account and the NACo Variable Account commenced operations
    exclusive to the NACo Program).

  **The 7-day yield on the Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund as of December 31,
    1995 was 4.23%.

     
                                                       (Continued on next page)



                                      12

                                   14 of 93
<PAGE>   15
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
Accumulation Unit Values (For an accumulation unit outstanding throughout the
period)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Accumulation        Accumulation          Number of
                                     Unit Value          Unit Value       Accumulation Units
                                    At Beginning           At End          Outstanding At The
   Underlying Mutual Fund             Of Period           Of Period       End Of The Period    Year
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>                <C>               <C>
Short-Term Investments Trust -        1.066889            1.119630            1,524,715        1995
Treasury                              1.034183            1.066889            1,223,255        1994
Portfolio - Institutional             1.012172            1.034183              500,957        1993
Class***                              1.000000            1.012172              246,584        1992
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Stock     0.929695            1.025854           10,412,582        1995
Fund(R)                               1.000000            0.929695            4,482,375        1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Templeton Foreign Fund - Class 1      0.944596            1.040054           16,316,118        1995
                                      1.000000            0.944596            6,972,585        1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twentieth Century                     3.359891            4.005400           37,362,979        1995
Growth Investors                      3.443124            3.359891           38,748,520        1994
                                      3.350122            3.443124           41,912,416        1993
                                      3.533694            3.350122           43,106,409        1992
                                      2.571846            3.533694           31,955,054        1991*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twentieth Century Ultra               0.926489            1.263551           79,405,506        1995
Investors                             0.970411            0.926489           59,484,505        1994
                                      1.000000            0.970411           21,036,904        1993

</TABLE>
  *Period from July 1, 1991 (the date Participant accounts of the NACo Program
   were transferred from the Nationwide DC Variable Account to the NACo Variable
   Account and the NACo Variable Account commenced operations exclusive to the
   NACo Program).

***The 7-day yield on the Short-Term Investments Trust  - Treasury Portfolio as
   of December 31, 1995 was 4.68%.
    


                                      13


                                   15 of 93

<PAGE>   16
                       NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   
         Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the "Company") is a stock life
    insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Ohio in March,
    1929. The Company is a member of the "Nationwide Insurance Enterprise",
    with it's home office at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215.  The
    Company offers a complete line of life insurance, including annuities and
    accident and health insurance. It is admitted to do business in all states,
    the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

                           THE NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT

         The NACo Variable Account was established by the Company on September
    7, 1988, pursuant to the provisions of Ohio law. The NACo Variable Account
    has been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit
    investment trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of
    1940. Such registration does not involve supervision of the management of
    the NACo Variable Account or the Company by the Securities and Exchange
    Commission.

         The net Purchase Payments applied to the NACo Variable Account are
    invested in shares of the underlying Mutual Funds available under the terms
    of the Contract. The NACo Variable Account is divided into 28 Sub-Accounts
    of Accumulation Units, each of which represents a separate underlying
    Mutual Fund (see "Appendix Participating Funds" for a description of the
    investment objective of each underlying Mutual Fund).

         Each Sub-Account in the NACo Variable Account is administered and
    accounted for as a part of the separate account, but the income, capital
    gains or losses of each Sub-Account are credited to or charged against the
    assets held for that Sub-Account in accordance with the terms of each
    Contract, without regard to other income, capital gains or losses of any
    other Sub-Account, or arising out of any other business the Company may
    conduct. The assets within each Sub-Account are not chargeable with
    liabilities arising out of the business conducted by any other Sub-Account,
    nor will the NACo Variable Account as a whole be chargeable with
    liabilities arising out of any other business the Company may conduct.

    VOTING RIGHTS

         The NACo Variable Account will be owner of record of all underlying
    Mutual Fund shares purchased by the respective account until such
    underlying Mutual Fund shares are sold, but all securities will be held for
    the benefit of the Owners of the Contracts. In accordance with its view of
    present applicable law, the Company will vote the shares of the underlying
    Mutual Funds held in the NACo Variable Account at regular and special
    meetings of the shareholders of the underlying Mutual Funds in accordance
    with instructions received from the Owners. The Company or its designee
    will mail to each Owner at its last known address all periodic reports and
    proxy material of the applicable underlying Mutual Fund, and a form with
    which to give voting instructions. Any underlying Mutual Fund shares as to
    which no timely instructions are received will be voted by the Company in 
    the same proportion as the instructions received from all persons 
    furnishing timely instructions. An Owner's voting rights may decrease 
    with the cancellation of Accumulation Units to make annuity payments.

                                PERIODIC REPORTS

         The Company or its designee will, semi-annually, provide to each
    person covered by a Contract, a Statement of Assets, Liabilities and
    Contract Owners' Equity and a Statement of Operations and Changes in
    Contract Owners' Equity of the NACo Variable Account. Each Participant and
    Retired Participant will also be informed, periodically, of the number of
    Accumulation Units credited to his or her account as well as the total
    account value.

         The current prospectus of the NACo Variable Account will be made
    available to Participants through the Owner. In addition, the Owner may,
    under the terms of the Plan, have an obligation to furnish additional
    information to Participants, such as:  a notice of any changes in the Plan,
    or tax status of the Plan and the financial condition of the Owner as it
    relates to obligations under the Plan.


    

                                      14

                                   16 of 93
<PAGE>   17
   
NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT CHARGES, PURCHASE PAYMENTS, AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS 
    
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

        No deduction for a sales charge is made from the Purchase Payments 
for these Contracts. However, a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC"), when
it is applicable, will be used to cover expenses relating to the sale of the
Contracts, including compensation paid to sales personnel, the costs of
preparation of sales literature, and other promotional activity. The Company
attempts to recover its Distribution costs relating to the sale of the Contracts
from a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Any shortfall will be borne by the
Company from surplus held in its General Account, which may indirectly include
portions of the Actuarial Risk Fee, since the Company intends to generate
a profit from this fee.

        If the Owner terminates the Contract in accordance with the section 
entitled "Suspension And Termination" and directs the Company to withdraw all or
part of the Contract Value, the Company will assess a CDSC against the amount
withdrawn, by deducting an amount from each Participant's Account as indicated
below. For purposes of the CDSC, withdrawals under a Contract come first from
the Purchase Payments which have been on deposit under the Contract for the     
longest time period.

        For withdrawals made through December 31, 1997, the CDSC will be the 
        lesser of (i) and (ii) below, where:

        (i)    is the lesser of 4% of the Purchase Payments made on behalf of a
               Participant prior to the date of the withdrawal, or 4% of the
               amount withdrawn; and
      
        (ii)   is the lesser of the applicable percentage set forth in the table
               below multiplied by the Purchase Payments made on behalf of a
               Participant prior to the date of withdrawal, or the applicable
               percentage set forth below multiplied by the amount withdrawn.

        For withdrawals made after December 31, 1997, the CDSC will be the 
        lesser of (iii) and (iv) below, where: 

        (iii)  is the lesser of 2% of the Purchase Payments made on behalf of 
               a Participant prior to the date of the withdrawal, or 2% of 
               the amount withdrawn; and

        (iv)   is the lesser of the applicable percentage set forth in the table
               below multiplied by the Purchase Payments made on behalf of a
               Participant prior to the date of withdrawal, or the applicable
               percentage set forth below multiplied by the amount withdrawn.

        Notwithstanding the above, the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge will 
not apply to any withdrawals made on or after January 1, 2001.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Number of Completed
             Contingent Deferred                                Years of Participation
           Sales Charge Percentage                             (Beginning July 1, 1985)
           -----------------------                             ------------------------
                   <S>                                               <C>
                     4%                                              1 Through 12
                     3%                                                   13
                     2%                                                   14
                     1%                                                   15
                     0%                                              16 And After
</TABLE>
   
        Years of participation credited toward the CDSC schedule set forth 
above may only be those earned beginning with the date a Participant's first
deferral was deposited in the Contracts.  

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISKS AND ADMINISTRATION CHARGES

        The Contracts contain purchase rates applicable at and after 
retirement. These purchase rates may be used to determine the retirement income
payments to be made by the Owner to Participants in accordance with the terms of
the Plan. However, the Owners have contracted with the Company to provide
retirement income payments.

        Under the terms of the Contracts, the Company assumes the risk that the
actuarial estimate of mortality rates among Retired Participants may prove
erroneous and amounts set aside for retirement income benefits on the basis of
such estimate may prove inadequate.

        For the Company's contractual promise to accept these risks and for the
administrative costs associated with the NACo Variable Account, the Contracts
provide for the daily deduction of an Actuarial Risk Fee (see "Glossary of
Terms"). The deduction is based on the daily value of the applicable NACo
Variable Account Sub-Account, and is equivalent to 0.95% on an annual basis
(0.10% for the mortality risk, 0.40% for the expense risk, and 0.45% for
administration of the NACo Variable Account). The 0.45% administration portion
of the Actuarial Risk Fee has been
    
                                      15

                                   17 of 93
<PAGE>   18

   
    set at a level to recover no more than the actual cost associated with
    administering the Contracts. If this Actuarial Risk Fee is insufficient to
    cover the actual cost of the mortality risk, the expense risk, or the
    administrative costs, the loss will be borne by the Company.  Conversely,
    if the Actuarial Risk Fee proves more than sufficient, the excess will be a
    profit to the Company. If total assets of a Plan under the NACo Program
    exceed $10 million, as of the specified date each year, the 0.45%
    Administrative portion of the Actuarial Risk Charge will be reduced on a
    sliding scale correspondingto total assets of a plan under the NACo Program
    (see "Summary of Contract Expenses"). This reduction reflects the lower
    cost per Participant to administer larger asset pools.

    PREMIUM TAXES

         The Company will charge against the Contract Value the amount of any
    premium taxes levied by a state or any other governmental entity upon
    annuity considerations received by the Company. Premium taxes currently 
    imposed by certain states range from 0% to 3.5%. The Company is currently 
    not deducting such taxes from an Owner's Contract Value at the time of 
    Annuitization, but reserves the right to deduct such taxes when incurred. 
    Retirement Income Payments may be reduced or Accumulation Units canceled 
    to provide for premium taxes assessed.

    EXPERIENCE CREDITS

         The Contracts described herein are participating where permitted by law
    in the state of issue. A participating Contract provides the right to
    participate in the Distribution of surplus of the Company. In the event that
    Actuarial Risk Fees collected under this Contract accrue to the Company in
    excess of an amount deemed necessary at the sole discretion of the Company's
    Board of Directors, such excess may be allocated to the Contract by
    purchasing additional Accumulation Units and crediting such additional units
    to the Participant Accounts. There have not been any Experience Credits to
    date. The Company cannot offer any assurance that there will be Experience
    Credits in the future.  

    EXPENSES OF THE NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT

         The NACo Variable Account's total expenses for the fiscal year ended
    December 31, 1995 were 0.95% of the average net assets on an annualized
    basis. Deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of the
    underlying Mutual Funds are described in each underlying Mutual Fund's
    prospectus.

                          DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS

    PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACTS

         The Contracts described in this prospectus are Group Flexible Fund
    Retirement Contracts designed to fund deferred compensation plans adopted
    by Member Counties under the NACo Program established under Section 457 of
    the Code. A single group Contract is issued to the Owner, covering all
    present and future participating employees. The Company will issue a
    certificate to the Owner for delivery to each Retired Participant or other
    person for whom an Optional Retirement Income Form is purchased, setting
    forth in substance the benefits to which such person is entitled. In
    addition, if any applicable law requires, the Company will issue a
    descriptive certificate to the Owner for delivery to any such person
    required by law to receive such certificate, setting forth in substance the
    benefits to which such person is entitled. For purposes of determining
    benefits payable under the Plan, an individual accumulation account is
    established for each Participant. The frequency of Purchase Payments is
    normally monthly but can be adjusted to fit the payroll practices of the
    Owner. Purchase Payments made at any time by or on behalf of any
    Participant must be at least $20 per month.

         The basic objectives of the Contracts are to provide each Participant
    with an initial retirement income payment, which will tend to reflect the
    changes which have occurred in the cost of living during pre-retirement
    years (without the necessity of increased Purchase Payments to keep pace 
    with any increase in the cost of living which might occur during those 
    years), and to provide subsequent retirement income payments which will 
    tend to vary with the cost of living changes during his or her retired 
    lifetime. The Company seeks to accomplish these objectives by applying 
    purchase rates contained in the Contract to the amounts accumulated 
    through investment in underlying Mutual Funds. Notwithstanding the 
    foregoing, there is no assurance that these objectives will be attained. 
    Historically, the value of a diversified portfolio of common stocks held 
    for an extended period of time has tended to rise during periods of 
    inflation.  There has, however, been no exact correlation, and for some 
    periods, the prices of securities have declined while the cost of living 
    was rising.
    

                                      16


                                   18 of 93
<PAGE>   19
MODIFICATION OF THE CONTRACT

         Contract provisions with respect to the mortality basis, minimum death
benefits, and the deductions made from Purchase Payments, Participant Accounts,
the Contingent Deferred Sales Charges, if applicable, and Actuarial Risk Fees
may not be changed prior to the first Contract Anniversary. These same
provisions may not be changed except as they apply to Participants entering the
Contract after the effective date of such change.

         Other than as set forth above, the Company reserves the right to
change all other provisions of the Contract by giving notice to the Owner not
less than 90 days before the effective date of the change.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

         The Company will permit the Owner, or the Participant if the Plan so
provides, to exchange amounts among the Sub-Accounts as frequently as permitted
by the Plan, subject to the limits and rules set by each underlying Mutual
Fund. For those Contracts where the Owner has elected an exchange privilege,
there will be no charge for exchanges among the Sub-Accounts.

         The Company will also permit the Participant to utilize the Telephone
Exchange Privilege, for exchanging amounts among Sub-Accounts, if forms are
executed by the Contract Owner and Participant agreeing with certain
restrictions applicable to such privilege.

         Telephone exchange requests must be received by the Company by the
close of the New York Stock Exchange in order to receive that day's closing
Sub-Accounts price. A telephone exchange request may not be revoked once
instructions have been recorded and accepted. If the Participant is unable to
execute an exchange request by telephone (for example, during times of unusual
market activity), the Participant might consider placing the exchange order by
mail. The Company will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instruction
communicated by telephone are genuine.  Such procedures may include any or all
of the following, or such other procedures as the Company may, from time to
time, deem reasonable:  requesting identifying information, such as name,
contract number, Social Security Number, and/or personal identification number;
tape recording all telephone transactions; and providing written confirmation
thereof to the Owner or Participant and any agent of record, at the last
address of record. Failure to follow reasonable procedures may result in the
Company's liability for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone
transfers.  However, any losses incurred pursuant to actions taken by the
Company in reliance on telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine
shall be borne by the Participant.  The Company may determine to withdraw the
Telephone Exchange Privilege, upon 30 days' written notice to Contract Owners
and Participants.
   
         On the date the Company receives an exchange request in good order,
which includes all of the information necessary for processing the request, the
Company will transfer the amount to be converted. Such transfers will be based
on the Accumulation Unit Values of the affected Sub-Accounts if received at the
Company's home office by  the close of the New York Stock Exchange on a day on
which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. If the exchange request
is received after  the close of the New York Stock Exchange on any day, or on a
day the New York Stock Exchange is closed for business, the transfer will be
based on the next business day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open.

         For those Plans which provide this Contract and Nationwide's Group
Fixed Fund Retirement Contract, the Owner, or the Participant if the Plan so
provides, may exchange Accumulation Units between any Sub-Account of the NACo
Variable Account and the Group Fixed Fund Retirement Contract. Exchanges from
the deposit fund to any Sub-Account of the NACo Variable Account will be
subject to the limitations of the Group Fixed Fund Retirement Contract.
Exchanges will be effected when received in good order by the Company at its
home office.
    
ASSIGNMENTS

         The Contract belongs to the Owner. All contractual rights and
privileges may be exercised by the Owner, subject to any rights specifically
reserved in the Plan for Participants as a group or as individuals. The
Contract may not be assigned.

SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION

         The Contract may be suspended at the option of the Company on written
notice to the Owner if (a) the Owner has failed to remit to the Company any
Purchase Payment specified in the Plan, or (b) if the Company does not accept
an amendment to the Plan, filed with the Company by the Owner, which in the
Company's opinion would adversely affect its administrative procedures or
financial experience, or both, with respect to the Contract. The Owner may
suspend the Contract  upon 90 days' written notice to the Company. Suspension
of the



                                      17

                                   19 0f 93



<PAGE>   20
   
    Contract will become effective as of the ninety-first (91st) day following
    receipt of written notice by the Company.  Suspension of the Contract shall
    mean only that no further Purchase Payments will be accepted by the Company
    except by mutual consent, and all other terms of the Contract shall continue
    to apply.  After suspension of the Contract has become effective, the Owner
    may, upon 30 days' written notice, terminate the Contract. Termination of
    the Contract will become effective as of the 31st day following receipt of
    written notice by the Company.  Upon termination of the Contract, the
    Company will pay to the Owner the redemption value, subject to applicable
    charges, plus the balance of the annual premiums transferred from the NACo
    Variable Account to the General Account for payment of variable retirement
    income benefits under retirement Options B1 and B2 (see "Optional
    Retirement Income Forms").  Payment of redemption values may be suspended
    when redemption of underlying Mutual Fund shares is suspended as provided
    in the section entitled "Redemption of Participant Accounts (Termination)."
    Payment of any amounts under this section will be subject to any applicable
    CDSC (see "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge").

    APPLICATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

                 Nationwide Life shall receive Purchase Payments from the Owner
    in accordance with the requirements of the Plan. Net Purchase Payments
    received on behalf of Participants will be applied by the Company to 
    purchase Accumulation Units of Sub-Accounts in the NACo Variable Account in
    accordance with the instructions of the Owner. Purchase Payments made at
    any time by or on behalf of each Participant must be at least $20 per
    month. Payments must be no less than monthly, unless agreed to by the
    Company.

                 An initial Purchase Payment will be priced not later than 2
    business days after receipt of an order to purchase, if the application of
    the Participant and all information necessary for processing the purchase
    order are complete upon receipt by the Company. The Company may retain the
    Purchase Payment for up to 5 business days while attempting to complete an
    incomplete application. If the application cannot be made complete within 5
    business days, the Owner will be informed of the reasons for the delay and
    the Purchase Payment will be returned immediately unless the Owner consents
    to the Company retaining the Purchase Payment until the application of the
    Participant is made complete.  Upon completion of such incomplete
    application, the Purchase Payment will be priced within 2 business days.

                 Purchase Payments will not be priced on days when the New York
    Stock Exchange is not open for business.

    ADDITIONAL PURCHASE PAYMENT PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

                 The Owner shall have the right to make one additional Purchase
    Payment in respect to a Participant for the purpose of increasing
    retirement income payments. Notice of such payment shall be given to the
    Company at the time the notice to distribute is given, and such additional
    Purchase Payment must be made no later than the last business day prior to
    the date upon which retirement income payments are to commence. All such
    additional Purchase Payments shall be subject to any applicable premium
    taxes. The annuity rates provided under this Contract at the time of issue
    shall be applicable to the entire value, including any such additional
    Purchase Payment, of such account which does not exceed five times the
    Purchase Payments allocated to such account prior to the date notice to
    distribute is given. Any excess amount may be applied at annuity rates then
    offered by the Company for contracts of the same type as this Contract.

    CREDITING ACCUMULATION UNITS

                 When a Purchase Payment is received by the Company, the net
    Purchase Payment for each Sub-Account is applied separately to provide
    Accumulation Units which are credited to a Participant Account in
    accordance with the instructions of the Owner. The number of Accumulation
    Units credited to each receipt Participant Account for each Sub-Account is
    determined by dividing the net Purchase Payment allocated to that
    Sub-Account for that Participant by the value of the Accumulation Unit for
    that Sub-Account next computed following of the Purchase Payment by the
    Company. The net Purchase Payment for each Participant is the total
    Purchase Payment for that Participant less any taxes then payable.

    NACO VARIABLE ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE

                 The value of an Accumulation Unit for each Sub-Account was
    established at a value equal to the accumulation unit value of the
    corresponding Sub-Account of the Nationwide DC Variable Account on January
    2, 1990. The DC Variable Account is a segregated investment account of the
    Company in which Member Counties formerly held Contracts. The value of an
    Accumulation Unit for each new Sub-Account added to the NACo Variable
    Account after January 2, 1990, will be established at $1.00 as of the date
    underlying Mutual Fund shares are available for purchase for that
    Sub-Account. The value of Accumulation Units for any Sub-Account for any
    subsequent business day is determined by multiplying the value for the
    preceding business day by the Net Investment Factor for that Sub-Account for
    the period since that day. A business day is any day on which the
        

                                      18

                                   20 of 93
<PAGE>   21

   
New York Stock Exchange is open for trading or any other day during which there
is a sufficient degree of trading of the underlying Mutual Fund shares that the
current net asset value of their Accumulation Units might be materially
affected.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

             The Owner or Participant must specify the proportion of the
Purchase Payments to be applied to provide benefits under any Sub-Account of
the NACo Variable Account. The Company will permit the Owner, or the
Participant if the Plan so permits, to change the allocation percentages among
Sub-Accounts for subsequent Purchase Payments, provided that no change may be
made which would result in an amount less than 1% of the payment being
allocated to any Sub-Account for any Participant. The Company will permit such
allocation changes as frequently as permitted by the Plan. A change in
allocation percentages will not affect Accumulation Units of any Sub-Account
resulting from Purchase Payments made before the change.

VALUATION OF AN ACCOUNT

         The sum of the value of all Accumulation Units credited to the
Participant Account in respect of the Participant is the Participant Account
Value. Purchase Payments are allocated among the Sub-Accounts of the NACo
Variable Account in accordance with the instructions of the Owner.

         The value of a Participant's Account on any day can be determined by
multiplying the total number of Accumulation Units credited to the account for
each Sub-Account by the current Accumulation Unit Value for that Sub-Account in
respect of the Participant. Each Participant and the Owner will be advised
periodically of the number of Accumulation Units credited to his or her account
for each Sub-Account, the current Accumulation Unit Values, and the total value
of his or her account. Such reports to Participants are for informational
purposes only and should not be interpreted to mean that a Participant has any
rights with respect to his or her account beyond that provided by the Owner in
accordance with the terms of the Plan.  

         The Participant and Owner should review the information in these 
reports carefully.  All errors or corrections must be reported to the Company
immediately to assure proper crediting to the Contract and appropriate
Sub-Accounts.  The Company will assume all transactions are accurate unless the
Participant or the Owner notifies the Company otherwise within 30 days after
receipt of the report.

REDEMPTION OF PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS (TERMINATION)

             The Owner's right to redeem (terminate) Participant Accounts,
either fully or partially, will be governed by the terms of the Plan which the
Contract is issued to fund. It should be recognized that the value of the
investment on redemption can be more or less than its cost. All such payments
will be made by the Company to the Owner. It is the Owner's obligation to
distribute such payments to a Participant.  The Company may undertake the
obligation on behalf of the Owner to distribute such payments directly to a
Participant by agreement with the Owner.  To the extent permitted by the Plan,
a Participant Account may be redeemed fully or partially at any time prior to
the date Retirement Income Payments commence for the Participant under either
Option B1 or B2.  No partial redemption will directly affect future
requirements to make Purchase Payments for that Participant nor his or her
retirement date. If the Contract is terminated by the Owner, all Participant
Accounts in the NACo Variable Account will be redeemed to the extent permitted
by the Plan, and such Participant Accounts will be subject to any applicable
CDSC. However, absent Contract termination by the Owner, the CDSC provision
will not apply and therefore any full or partial redemptions made on behalf of
a Participant will not be subject to any CDSC (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge").

             A request for a partial redemption of a Participant Account
containing more than one Sub-Account of Accumulation Units must specify the
allocation of the partial redemption among the Sub-Accounts of Accumulation
Units. However, if no such direction is contained in the request for a partial
redemption,  the Company may pro-rate the redemption among the applicable
Sub-Accounts of Accumulation Units.  Upon receipt at the Company's home office
of a written request for a full or partial redemption of a Participant Account,
the Company will determine the value of the number of Accumulation Units
redeemed at the Accumulation Unit Value next computed following receipt of such
written request by the Company. Payment of any such amount will be made to the
Owner with reasonable promptness, and in any event, within 7 days of the date
the request is received by the Company. Payment of redemption values may be
suspended when redemption of the underlying Mutual Fund shares is suspended
(i) during any period in which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, or (ii)
in the event that the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order direct
for the protection of Owners or Participants. Instead of a lump sum
Distribution of a full or partial redemption, the Owner, or Participant if
permitted by the Plan, may elect to have that amount paid out in installments
under Option A1 or A2, subject to the minimums applicable to these options.

    

                                      19

                                   21 of 93

<PAGE>   22
           DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS (RETIREMENT PERIOD)

    RETIREMENT INCOME PAYMENTS
   

                     The period during which a Participant Account is paid out
    in periodic installments is known as the Distribution period.  Because
    periodic Distributions will normally be made after the Participant retires,
    the Distribution period is also called the retirement period. All such
    periodic Distributions will be made by the Company to the Owner. It is the
    Owner's obligation to pay such amounts to a Participant. The Company may
    undertake the obligation on behalf of the Owner to pay such amounts
    directly to a Participant by agreement with the Owner. Retirement Income
    Payments under Options B1 and B2 are determined on the basis of (i) the
    mortality tables specified in the Contract, (ii) the adjusted age of the
    Retired Participants, (iii) the type of Retirement Income Payment option(s)
    selected, and (iv) in the case of variable payments, the investment
    performance of the specific NACo Variable Account Sub-Account elected.
    While the Company may be obligated to make variable Retirement Income
    Payments under the Contract, the amount of each such payment is not
    guaranteed. The dollar amount of variable payments will reflect investment
    gains and losses, and investment income of the NACo Variable Account
    Sub-Account on which they are based, but they will not be affected by 
    adverse mortality experience or by an increase in the Company's expenses
    above the amount provided for in the Contracts.

    ELECTION OF INCOME FORM AND DATE

                     The Contracts provide for Retirement Income Payments to
    begin on the date and under the retirement options elected in accordance
    with the Plan. At least one month prior to a Participant's retirement date,
    the Contract Owner may by written election to the Company at its home
    office, elect any one of the retirement income options described in this
    prospectus. The Plan may restrict changes in election of retirement income
    options. Retirement date means the date retirement income commences for a
    Participant and is specified in the Plan.

    ALLOCATION OF RETIREMENT INCOME

                     At retirement, Accumulation Units in a Participant's
    Account may be used to purchase a Fixed Dollar Annuity for the Participant.
    For Participants electing Options A1 or A2 as described in this prospectus,
    Accumulation Units in a Participant's Account of any Sub-Account in the
    NACo Variable Account will be used to provide variable Retirement Income
    Payments as described further in this prospectus.
    
    FIXED DOLLAR ANNUITY

                     A Fixed Dollar Annuity is an annuity with payments which
    are guaranteed as to dollar amount during the retirement period. The first
    fixed dollar payment will be determined by applying the General Account
    Contract value to the applicable Annuity Table in accordance with the
    Optional Retirement Income Form elected. This will be done at the
    retirement date. Fixed Dollar Annuity payments after the first will not
    be less than the First Fixed Dollar Annuity payment. The availability of
    Fixed Dollar Annuity Contracts under a particular Plan is subject to the
    election of the Owner.

    MINIMUM PAYMENT
   

                     If the present value of the Participant's accrued benefit
    at the time of retirement is less than $3,500, the Company shall have the
    right to make a lump sum Distribution to such Retired Participant.

    DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE RETIREMENT

                     In the event a Participant dies before his or her
    retirement income commences, a death benefit equal to the value of such
    Participant Account,on the date due proof of death is received in writing
    by the Company will be paid as provided by the Plan. If the Plan so
    provides, a Beneficiary may elect either to receive such value in a lump sum
    or to apply it under any of the Optional Retirement Income Forms contained
    in this Contract, subject to the minimums applicable to such optional
    forms. Monthly payments due under such options may be fixed, variable, or a
    combination of fixed and variable.
    

                                     20



                                  22 of 93
<PAGE>   23
OPTIONAL RETIREMENT INCOME FORMS

             The availability of the following Optional Retirement Income Forms
is subject to the election of the Owner.

   
             OPTION A1-Payments for a Designated Period. Payments are made
monthly for any specified number of years not exceeding 30 years. The amount of
each variable payment will be determined by multiplying (a) by (b) where (a) is
the Accumulation Unit Value for the date the payment is made and (b) is the
number of Accumulation Units applied under this option divided by the number of
payments selected.  Exchanges between the investment options are permitted
subject to limitations outlined in the Company's Group Fixed Fund Retirement
Contract.  A period certain payment period of less than 5 years for a
Participant who has less than a minimum of 5 Participant Account Years would
result in imposition of the applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.

             OPTION A2-Payments of a Designated Amount. Payments are made
monthly in equal installments (not less than $25 per month) until the amount
applied, adjusted each business day for investment results, is exhausted. The
final installment will be the sum remaining with the Company.  Payments under
this option which result in a payment period of less than 5 years for a
Participant who has less than 5 Participant Account Years would result in
imposition of the applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
    
             OPTION B1-Life Income with Payment Certain. Payments are made
monthly during the lifetime of an individual with payments made for a period
certain of 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, or 360 months as elected. If the individual
dies before the end of the period certain, level payments will continue to the
Designated Beneficiary during the remainder of the period certain.

             OPTION B2 - Joint and Survivor Life Income.  Payments are made
monthly during the joint lifetime of an individual and another named
individual.  Payments will continue to be made as long as either is living.
This option will permit the choice of 100%, 75%, 66 2/3%, or 50% of the
original payment amount to be paid to the Beneficiary.   Payments will stop
with the last payment due prior to the death of the Beneficiary. If the
Beneficiary predeceases the designated Annuitant, then payments continue at
100% to the designated Annuitant.
   
             OTHER FORMS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS - With the consent of the
Company, the amount due on Distribution may be applied on any other mutually
agreeable basis.
    
             Exchanges processed while Participants are receiving payments
under Option A1 may change the number of Accumulation Units remaining. In this
event, the payment amount must be recalculated.
   
             On the date on which retirement income payments under Option B1 or
B2 or any other retirement income payment measured by a life or lives commence
in respect of a Participant, all Accumulation Units (or the number thereof
appropriate to the election made) in any Sub-Account will be canceled.

DEATH OF RETIRED PARTICIPANT

             If any Retired Participant dies while receiving payments, any
death benefit payable will be determined in accordance with the retirement
income form elected. Calculation of the present value of any remaining payments
certain for purposes of making a lump sum payment will be based on the same
assumed investment rate used by the Company in determining the payments certain
prior to the death of the Retired Participant.
    
WITHDRAWAL

             If permitted by the Plan, any amount remaining under Option A1 or
A2 may be withdrawn, or if that amount is at least $5,000, it may be applied
under either Option B1 or B2, subject to the minimum payment requirements
described previously. Unless prohibited by the Plan, a Beneficiary receiving
payments certain under Option B1 after the death of a Retired Participant may
elect at any time to receive the present value at the current dollar amount of
the remaining number of payments certain in a single payment, calculated on the
basis of the assumed investment rate used in computing the amount of the
previous payments.

FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT

             At the election of the Retired Participant, and with the consent
of the Owner, payments made under any option may be made annually,
semi-annually, or quarterly instead of monthly. Any change in frequency of
payments must be on the anniversary of the commencement of Retirement Income
Payments.


                                     21


                                  23 of 93

<PAGE>   24
    DETERMINATION OF PAYMENTS UNDER OPTIONS A1 AND A2

                     Monthly payments under Options A1 and A2 will be determined
    in the manner set forth in the description of the options. As each payment
    is made under either of these options, a number of Accumulation Units 
    equal in value to the payment will be canceled.

    DETERMINATION OF PAYMENTS UNDER OPTIONS B1 AND B2

                     Variable monthly payments under Options B1 and B2 will be
    determined annually and will remain level throughout the year. Each year, as
    of the anniversary of the commencement of Retirement Income Payments, a new
    variable monthly payment will be determined and that new payment will
    remain level for that year. An adjusted age is used to determine the amount
    of monthly payment for each year. Such adjusted age may not be the same as
    the actual age of the Retired Participant.

    DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF VARIABLE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR FIRST YEAR
   
                 In determining the amount of Retirement Income Payments under
    Options B1 and B2, the value held on behalf of a Participant is determined
    by multiplying the number of Accumulation Units in each Sub-Account for
    that account by the Accumulation Unit value for that Sub-Account on the
    last business day of the second calendar week immediately preceding the
    date on which the first payment is due.

                 The first year variable monthly payment for each Sub-Account is
    determined by dividing the value of the Accumulation Units of that
    Sub-Account in the Participant Account by the amount required to provide $1
    per month (the purchase rate).

                 Once the first year's variable monthly payment amount has been
    determined for a Participant, the Company will deduct the annual premium
    from the Participant Account. This deduction is made by canceling a number
    of Accumulation Units in the Participant Account equal in value to the
    annual premium. The allocation of the annual premium between Sub-Account 
    will be in such relationship as the monthly payments from each Sub-Account
    have to each other.

                 The annual premium is calculated so that if there are no
    partial redemptions (and therefore no underlying Mutual Fund dividends have
    been taken in cash) the payee will receive level annual payments if the net
    investment factor, on an annual basis, is equal to the Assumed Investment
    Rate plus an amount equal to the annual administrative charge. Payments for
    subsequent years will be smaller than, equal to, or greater than the
    payments received during the initial year, depending on whether the actual
    net investment result on an annual basis of a Sub-Account is smaller than,
    equal to, or greater than the Assumed Investment Rate.  

    DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF VARIABLE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE SECOND 
    AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS

                 As of the first anniversary of the commencement of Retirement
    Income Payments, the second year variable monthly payments will be
    determined in exactly the same manner as for the first year, using the
    purchase rates in the Contract for the Retired Participant's age as then
    determined under the terms of the Contract. As in the first year, an annual
    premium will be deducted and transferred to the General Account from which
    Account the Company will make the Retirement Income Payments. Subsequent
    annual determinations will be made in the same manner.

                 Upon the death of any Retired Participant, the Participant
    Account will be reduced by the number of Accumulation Units not required
    to provide further payments during the remainder of a period certain, if 
    any, or to a contingent Retired Participant. Any Accumulation Units so 
    canceled will either remain in the NACo Variable Account or be transferred
    to the Company's General Account, depending on the Company's obligation.

    ALTERNATE ASSUMED INVESTMENT RATE

                 The Contracts include purchase rates based on a 3.5% rate. If
    not prohibited by the laws and regulations of the states in which this
    Contract is issued, an Owner may elect on the Contract Date to have all
    variable benefits payable for all Participants determined on an Assumed
    Investment Rate of 5%. The Assumed Investment Rate basis in the Contract is
    used merely to determine each year's monthly payment from investment
    experience of any of the NACo Variable Account Sub-Accounts. The choice of
    the Assumed Investment Rate affects the pattern of retirement income
    payments. A higher Assumed Investment Rate will produce a higher initial
    payment, but a more slowly rising series of subsequent payments (or a more
    rapidly falling series of subsequent payments) than a lower Assumed
    Investment Rate.
    


                                     22


                                  24 of 93
<PAGE>   25
         Although a higher initial payment would be received under a higher 
Assumed Investment Rate, there is a point in time after which payments under a
lower Assumed Investment Rate would be greater, assuming payment continues 
after that point in time.
   
         The objective of a variable retirement Contract is to provide level
payments during periods when the economy is relatively stable and to reflect as
increased payments only the excess of investment results flowing from inflation
or an increase in productivity. The achievement of this objective will depend
in part upon the validity of the assumption that the net investment result, on
an annual basis, of a Sub-Account equals the Assumed Investment Rate during
periods of stable prices.
    
                             GENERAL INFORMATION
SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES
   
        If the shares of any underlying Mutual Fund should no longer be 
available for investment by the NACo Variable Account or, if in the judgment of
the Company's management, further investment in such underlying Mutual Fund
shares should become inappropriate in view of the purposes of the Contract, the
Company may substitute shares of another underlying Mutual Fund for underlying
Mutual Fund shares already purchased or to be purchased in the future by
Purchase Payments under the Contract.

        From time to time it may become necessary for the Company to substitute
underlying Mutual Fund shares for reasons relating to the historical investment
performance of the underlying Mutual Funds.  The Company, in consultation with
NACo and NACo's advisers, has developed standards for substituting underlying
Mutual Funds that consistently experience poor investment performance over
time. These standards involve comparing the performance of each underlying
Mutual Fund within the NACo Variable Account to the performance of all other
mutual funds within the underlying Mutual Fund's same risk category. Underlying
Mutual Funds within the same risk category are underlying Mutual Funds with
similar investment objectives and policies, and similar volatilities of
investment return.

        In no event will any substitution of securities in the NACo Variable 
Account take place without prior approval of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, and under such requirements as it may impose.

PERFORMANCE ADVERTISING

        The Company may from time to time advertise several types of historical
performance for the Sub-Accounts of the NACo Variable Account. A "yield" and
"effective yield" may be advertised for the Nationwide Money Market Fund and
the Short-Term Investments Trust Treasury Portfolio Sub-Account. "Yield" is a
measure of the net dividend and interest income earned over a specific
seven-day period (which period will be stated in the advertisement) expressed
as a percentage of the offering price of the Sub-Accounts' units. Yield is an
annualized figure, which means that it is assumed that the Sub-Account
generates the same level of net income each week over a 52-week period. The
"effective yield" is calculated similarly but includes the effect of assumed
compounding calculated under rules prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The effective yield will be slightly higher than yield due to this
compounding effect.

        The Company may also advertise for the Sub-Account standardized 
"average annual total return", calculated in a manner prescribed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and non-standardized "total return."
"Average annual total return" will show the percentage rate of return of a
hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 for rolling calendar quarters and
will cover, at least the most recent one, five and ten year periods, or for a
period from inception to date if the underlying Mutual Fund held in the
Sub-Account has not been in existence for one of the prescribed periods. This
calculation reflects the deduction of all applicable charges made to the
Contracts except for premium taxes, which may be imposed by certain states.
Non-standardized "total return" will be calculated in a similar manner as will
average annual total return except total return will not reflect the deduction
of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, which, if reflected,
would decrease the level of performance shown.

        The Company may also from time to time advertise the performance of the
Sub-Accounts of the NACo Variable Account relative to the performance of other
variable annuity sub-accounts or mutual funds with similar or different
objectives, or the investment industry as a whole.

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


                                     23


                                  25 of 93



<PAGE>   26
         Normally these rankings and ratings are published by independent
    tracking services and publications of general interest including, but not
    limited to: Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger,
    Morningstar, Donoghue's, magazines such as Money, Forbes, Kiplinger's
    Personal Finance Magazine, Financial World, Consumer Reports, Business
    Week, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, National Underwriter;
    rating services such as LIMRA, Value, Best's Agent Guide, Western Annuity
    Guide, Comparative Annuity Reports; and other publications such as the Wall
    Street Journal, Barron's, Investor's Daily, and Standard & Poor's Outlook.
    In addition, Variable Annuity Research & Data Service (The VARDS Report) is
    an independent rating service that ranks over 500 variable annuity
    underlying Mutual Funds based upon total return performance.  These
    rating services and publications rank the performance of the underlying
    Mutual Funds against all mutual funds over specified periods and against
    mutual funds in specified categories.  The rankings may or may not include
    the effects of sales or other charges.

         The Company is also ranked and rated by independent financial rating
    services, among which are Moody's, Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best Company.
    The purpose of these ratings is to reflect the financial strength or
    claims-paying ability of the Company.  The ratings are not intended to
    reflect the investment experience or financial strength of the NACo Variable
    Account.  The Company may advertise these ratings from time to time.
    In addition, the Company may include in certain advertisements, endorsements
    in the form of a list of organizations, individuals or other parties which
    recommend the Company or the Contract.  Furthermore, the Company may
    occasionally include in advertisements comparisons of currently taxable and
    tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax brackets, or
    discussions of alternative investment vehicles and general economic
    conditions.
   
         ALL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND COMPARATIVE MATERIAL ADVERTISED
    BY THE COMPANY IS HISTORICAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPRESENT OR 
    GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS.  THE OWNER'S OR PARTICIPANT'S ACCOUNT VALUE AT
    REDEMPTION MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAT ORIGINAL COST.
    
         The Statement of Additional Information contains more detailed
    information about the performance calculations, including actual examples
    for each type of performance advertised.  

    CONTRACT OWNER INQUIRIES

         Owner and Participant inquiries may be directed to Nationwide Life
    Insurance Company by writing P. O. Box 16766, One Nationwide Plaza,
    Columbus, Ohio 43216, or calling 1-800-545-4730, T.T.Y. 1-800-848-0833.

    NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

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

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

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

         (3) a per share charge or credit, if any, for any taxes reserved for
             which is determined by the Company to have resulted from the
             investment operations of the Sub-Account.

     (b)     is the net of

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

         (2) the per share charge or credit for any taxes reserved for in the
             immediately preceding Valuation Period.  

     (c)  is a factor representing the daily Actuarial Risk Fee deducted from 
          the NACo Variable Account. Such factor is equal to an annual rate of
          0.95% of the daily net asset value of the NACo Variable Account.

         For underlying Mutual Funds that credit dividends on a daily basis and
    pay such dividends once each month or quarter (such as money market funds
    and certain bond funds), the Net Investment Factor allows for the monthly
    or quarterly reinvestment of these daily dividends.

         The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than one, therefore,
    the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease. It should be
    noted that changes in the Net Investment Factor may not be directly
    proportional to changes in the net asset value of underlying Mutual Fund
    shares, because of the deduction for the Actuarial Risk Fee and the effect 
    of the various purchase and sale transactions on any particular day.
    
                                     24

                                  26 of 93
<PAGE>   27

VALUATION OF ASSETS
   

        Underlying Mutual Fund shares in the NACo Variable Account will be 
purchased and valued at their net asset value (daily bid price exclusive of any
sales charges). An underlying Mutual Fund's net asset value per share is
determined by dividing the value of the total assets of the underlying Mutual
Fund, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding, with no charge for
sales expense.

FEDERAL TAX STATUS

        The following description of the federal tax status of these Contracts
is not exhaustive, and special rules are provided with respect to situations
not discussed herein. For complete information, consult a qualified tax
advisor. The Company does not make any guarantee regarding the tax status of
any Contract or any transaction involving the Contracts.

        For federal income tax purposes, the operations of the NACo Variable 
Account form a part of the Company's operations.  Under existing federal income
tax law, no taxes are payable by the Company on the investment income of the
NACo Variable Account to the extent it is credited to the Owners under the
Contracts.  The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under Part One,    
Subchapter L, of the Code.

        Income and capital gains of the NACo Variable Account would normally 
be taxable to Owners whether or not taken by the Owners in cash.  However, the
Contracts are issued only to organizations exempt from federal income
tax.
    
        The amounts received by the Participant under the Plan normally 
represent the accumulation of Purchase Payments which were not previously
included in the Participant's gross income, and therefore any such amounts
should be included in gross income of a Participant or Beneficiary when
such amounts are received.

        It is the responsibility of each Owner to determine that its Plan is
established and administered in accordance with the applicable provisions of
the Code.

CONTRACTS ISSUED UNDER THE NEW YORK MODEL PLAN
   
        The following Contract amendments are required by the Rules and 
Regulations of the New York State Deferred Compensation Board in order to
market the Contracts to governmental employers for use in funding public
employee deferred compensation plans in the State of New York.
    
        Throughout the prospectus, references to "annuity" payments are 
modified to "benefit" payments.
   
        The "Suspension and Termination" provisions are amended to permit a 
Participant to "freeze" his or her account and maintain the account on deposit
with the Company notwithstanding the Contract Owner's termination of its
contractual relationship with the Company. These accounts shall remain the
exclusive property of the Contract Owner, subject to the claims of its
general creditors.

        All references throughout the prospectus to Life Income Options B1 and
B2 are deleted.  All references to "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" are 
deleted.

                              LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine 
litigation incidental to the business to which Nationwide Life Insurance
Company, or the NACo Variable Account, are parties or to which any of their
property is the subject.
    
        The General Distributor, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., is not 
engaged in any litigation of any material nature.

            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                                                                            Page
<S>                                                                                                       <C>
General Information and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
Purchase of Securities Being Offered  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
Underwriters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
Calculation of Performance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
Annuity Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
</TABLE>

    

                                      25



                                   27 of 93
<PAGE>   28
                                   APPENDIX
                             PARTICIPATING FUNDS
   
    THE COMPANY MAY LIMIT THE NUMBER OF UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS SELECTED BY
    OWNER, AND ALL UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNDER YOUR PLAN.

    A SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES IS CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH
    UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND BELOW.  MORE DETAILED INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND IN
    THE CURRENT PROSPECTUS FOR EACH UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND.  SUCH A PROSPECTUS
    FOR THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUND OR FUNDS BEING CONSIDERED SHOULD ACCOMPANY
    THIS PROSPECTUS AND SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION HEREWITH.  A COPY OF EACH
    PROSPECTUS MAY BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE FROM NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE
    COMPANY, P. O. BOX 16766, ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43216,
    1-800-545-4730 (TDD 1-800-848-0833) 
    

    FEDERATED U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND: 2-5 YEARS - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

             The investment objective of the  Fund is current income.  The Fund
    pursues this investment objective by investing in U.S. government
    securities with remaining maturities of five years or less.

    FIDELITY CONTRAFUND

             The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation by
    investing in securities that its manager believes are undervalued due to an
    overly pessimistic appraisal by the public.  Although the Fund will usually
    be invested primarily in common stocks and securities convertible into
    common stock, the percentage of its assets invested in other securities may
    vary.

    FIDELITY EQUITY-INCOME FUND

             The investment objective of the Fund is to obtain reasonable
    income from a portfolio consisting primarily of income-producing equity
    securities. The Fund seeks a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the
    securities comprising the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks.
    In pursuing this objective, the Fund will also consider the potential for
    capital appreciation.

    FIDELITY MAGELLAN(R) FUND

             The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation by
    investing primarily in common stock and securities convertible into common
    stock.  The Fund may also invest in foreign securities, which involves
    additional risks.  The Fund may also invest in stock index futures and
    options both of which can be volatile investments.

    FIDELITY OTC PORTFOLIO

             The investment objective of the Fund is to seek capital
    appreciation by investing primarily in securities traded on the over-the
    counter (OTC) securities market.  Securities traded on the OTC include,
    among others, industrial corporations, financial services institutions,
    public utilities, and transportation companies, common and preferred
    stocks, securities convertible into common stock, warrants and similar
    rights, and debt securities, and obligations of the federal government.
    The fund does not place any weight on dividend and interest income unless
    it believes this income will have a favorable influence on the market value
    of a security.

    FIDELITY PURITAN FUND

             The investment objective of the Fund seeks to obtain as much income
    as possible, consistent with the preservation and conservation of capital,
    by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of securities, including
    common stocks, preferred stocks, and bonds.  While emphasis on income is an
    important objective, this does not preclude growth in capital since some
    securities offering a better than average yield may also possess some
    growth possibilities.

    MAS FUNDS FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO

             The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve above-average
    total return over a market cycle of three of five years, consistent with
    reasonable risk, by investing in a diversified portfolio of U. S.
    government securities, corporate bonds (including bonds rated below
    investment grade commonly referred to as "junk bonds"), foreign fixed-income
    securities and mortgage-backed securities of domestic issuers and other
    fixed-income securities.  The portfolio's average weighted maturity will
    ordinarily be greater than five years.



                                      26

                                   28 of 93
<PAGE>   29

MFS  HIGH INCOME FUND - CLASS A

    The investment objective of the Fund is high current income by investing
primarily in a professionally managed diversified portfolio of fixed income
securities, some of which may involve equity features.  Securities offering the
high current income sought by this Fund are ordinarily in the lower rating
categories of recognized rating agencies or are unrated and generally involve
greater volatility of price and risk of principal and income than securities in
the high rating categories.  Capital growth, if any, is a consideration
incidental to the investment objective of high current income.

NATIONWIDE(R) FUND

    The investment objective of the Fund is to obtain a total return from a
flexible combination of  current income and capital appreciation.  Primary
emphasis is given to common stocks, but investments may also include
convertible issues, bonds and money market instruments.

NATIONWIDE(R) MONEY MARKET FUND

    The investment objective of the Fund is to provide as high a level of
current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital and
maintenance of liquidity, through investment in a diversified portfolio of high
quality money market instruments maturing in 397 days or less.  These
instruments include, but are not limited to, U.S. Government and Agency
obligations, obligations of large commercial and foreign banks, certificates of
deposit of large savings associations, taxable or partly taxable obligations of
state, county and local governments, highly rated commercial paper, highly
rated corporate obligations, and repurchase agreements in any of the above.

NEUBERGER & BERMAN GUARDIAN FUND

    The Fund seeks capital appreciation through investments generally in
dividend-paying issues of established companies that its investment officers
believe are well managed.  The emphasis of the Fund's investments is on common
stock.  The Fund diversifies its holdings among different industries and
different companies in light of conditions prevailing at any given time.
Current income is a secondary objective.

PUTNAM INVESTORS FUND - CLASS A

    The investment objective of the Fund is long-term growth of capital and any
increased income resulting from such growth.  The Fund is designed  for
investors seeking long-term growth of capital from a portfolio consisting
primarily of common stocks.  The Fund's management emphasizes investment in
quality growth stocks.  

PUTNAM VOYAGER FUND - CLASS A

    The investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation.  The Fund
invests primarily in common stocks believed by the Fund's Investment Manager,
Putnam Management, to have potential for capital appreciation significantly
greater than the market average.  The Fund is designed for investors willing to
assume above-average risk in return for above-average capital growth potential.
   
SEI INDEX FUNDS - S & P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO

    The S & P Index Portfolio seeks to provide investment results that
correspond to the aggregate price and dividend performance of the securities in
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index which is comprised of 500
selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange.  The investment objective is a fundamental policy of the Portfolio.
There can be no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment
objective.
    
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS TRUST - TREASURY PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

    The investment objective of the Portfolio is the maximization of current
income to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and
maintenance of liquidity.  The Portfolio seeks to achieve its objective by
investing in a portfolio consisting of direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury
and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations.  The instruments
purchased by the Portfolio will have maturities of 397 days or less.

T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND(R)

    The Fund's objective is long-term growth of capital through investments
primarily in common stocks of established, non-U.S. Companies.

                                      27


                                   29 of 93

<PAGE>   30
    TEMPLETON FOREIGN FUND - CLASS 1

             The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital growth
    through a flexible policy of investing in stocks and debt obligations of
    companies and governments outside the United States.  Any income realized
    will be incidental.

    TWENTIETH CENTURY ULTRA INVESTORS

             The investment objective of the Fund is capital growth by
    investing primarily in common stocks that are considered by management to
    have better-than-average prospects for appreciation.  It is management's
    intention that the portfolio will generally consist of common stocks of
    medium-sized and smaller companies.  
   
    THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR OWNERS WHOSE 
    PREDECESSOR NATIONWIDE DCVA CONTRACT WAS ISSUED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1987:
    
    FIDELITY CAPITAL & INCOME FUND (FORMERLY, "FIDELITY HIGH INCOME FUND")

             The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to provide a
    combination of income and capital growth by investing primarily in debt
    instruments and common and preferred stocks, with a focus on lower-quality
    debt securities and securities of companies with uncertain financial
    positions.
   
             Effective on and after July 1, 1991, the Company shall no longer
    permit Owners or Participants to make additional Purchase Payments or to
    exchange Contract values into the Fidelity Capital & Income Fund
    Sub-Account.  However, Contract values held in the Fidelity Capital &
    Income Fund Sub-Account as of July 1, 1991 may continue to be invested in
    that Sub-Account.  Unless the Company is notified otherwise, any Purchase
    Payments or exchanges which the Owner or Participant directs the Company to
    invest in the Fidelity Capital & Income Fund Sub-Account on and after July
    1, 1991 shall instead be automatically invested in the Nationwide Money
    Market Fund Sub-Account.

             The Company has determined that further investment in the Fidelity
    Capital & Income Fund Sub-Account is not in the best interests of the
    Owners and Participants in view of the Fund's adoption, effective for
    shares purchased on and after February 1, 1991, of a redemption fee equal to
    1.5% of the net asset value of any Fund shares redeemed which are held less
    than twelve months.  Any redemption fees which the Fund may assess against
    Fund shares held by the Company in the NACo Variable Account which were 
    purchased from February 1, 1991 to July 1, 1991 shall be paid by the
    Company from surplus and shall not be paid, directly or indirectly, by 
    Contract Owners, Participants or NACo Va.

    THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR NEW CONTRACTS
    ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 1993: 
    
    THE EVERGREEN TOTAL RETURN FUND - CLASS V

             The investment objective of the Fund is current income and capital
    appreciation.  The Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stocks,
    securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, and fixed
    income securities.  The Fund's objective is to maximize the "total return"
    on its portfolio of investments.  

    MFS(R) GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND - CLASS A (FORMERLY "MFS(R) CAPITAL 
    DEVELOPMENT FUND")

             The investment objective of the Fund is growth of capital.
    Dividend income, if any, is incidental to the objective of capital growth.
    To achieve this objective, a flexible approach toward types of companies as
    well as types of securities is maintained by the Fund, depending upon the
    economic environment and the relative attractiveness of the various
    securities markets.

    NATIONWIDE(R) GROWTH FUND

             The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term
    capital appreciation without emphasis on current return.  Major emphasis in
    the selection of securities is placed on companies which have capable
    management, and are in fields where social and economic trends,
    technological developments, and new processes or products indicate a
    potential for greater than average growth.
   
    THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO ALL CONTRACT
    OWNERS ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1994:
    
    THE BOND FUND OF AMERICA(SM), INC.

             The Fund's investment objective is to provide as high a level of
    current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund
    invests substantially all of its assets in marketable corporate debt
    securities,


                                      28


                                   30 of 93
<PAGE>   31
U.S. Government securities, mortgage-related securities, other asset-backed
securities and cash or money market instruments.  Normally, at least 65% of the
Fund's assets will be invested in bonds.

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA(R), INC.

The investment objectives are long-term growth of capital and income.  The Fund
strives to accomplish these objectives through constant supervision, careful
selection and broad diversification. In the selection of securities for
investment, the possibilities of appreciation and potential dividends are
given more weight than current yield.  The Fund ordinarily invests principally
in common stocks.  However, assets may also be held in securities convertible
into common stocks, straight debt securities (rated in the top three quality
categories by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investor Service, Inc.
or determined to be of equivalent quality by Capital Research and Management
Company), cash equivalent quality by Capital Research and Management Company),
cash or cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, or nonconvertible
preferred stocks.
   

THE FOLLOWING UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THOSE CONTRACTS
ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 1996:

THE DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND, INC.

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

MASSACHUSETTS INVESTORS GROWTH STOCK FUND - CLASS A

        The investment objective of the Fund is the long-term growth of 
capital and future income rather than current income.  

SELIGMAN GROWTH FUND, INC. - CLASS A

        The investment objective of the Fund is longer-term growth in capital 
value and an increase in future income.  Fund assets have been invested 
primarily in common stocks with the inherent investment risks tempered by 
portfolio diversification.  

TWENTIETH CENTURY GROWTH INVESTORS

        The investment objective of the Fund is capital growth through 
investment in securities which the management considers to have better-than-
average prospects for appreciation.  It is management's intention that the
portfolio will generally consist of common stocks of large established
companies.
    


                                      29


                                   31 of 93



<PAGE>   32
                   STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
   
                                 MAY 1, 1996
    
                        GROUP FLEXIBLE FUND RETIREMENT
                         CONTRACTS ISSUED BY THE NACO
                             VARIABLE ACCOUNT OF
                      NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   
             This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It
    contains information in addition to and more detailed than set forth the
    prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated May
    1, 1996.  The prospectus may be obtained from Nationwide Life Insurance
    Company, P. O. Box 16766, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43216, or by
    calling 1-800-545-4730, (T.T.Y. 1-800-848-0833).
    
                  TABLE  OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Page
    <S>                                              <C>
    General Information and History . . . . . . . . .  1
    Services  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
    Purchase of Securities Being Offered  . . . . . .  1
    Underwriters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
    Calculation of Performance  . . . . . . . . . . .  2
    Annuity Payments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
    Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
</TABLE>

    GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
   
             The NACo Variable Account is a separate investment account of
    Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the "Company"). The Company is a member
    of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise and all of the Company's common stock
    is owned by Nationwide Corporation.  Nationwide Corporation is a holding
    company.  All of its common stock is held by Nationwide Mutual Insurance
    Company (95.2%) and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company (4.8%).

    SERVICES

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

             All assets of the NACo Variable Account are held in custody for
    safekeeping by the Company.  The assets of each Sub-Account will be kept
    physically segregated and held separate and apart from assets of other
    Sub-Accounts and from assets of any other firm, person, or corporation. The
    Company will maintain a record of all and redemption for shares of the
    underlying Mutual Fund held in each Sub-Account.

             The Company, or affiliates of the Company may have entered into
    agreements with either the investment adviser or distributor for several of
    the underlying Mutual Funds.  The agreements relate to administrative
    services furnished by the Company or an affiliate of the Company and
    provide for an annual fee based on the average aggregate net assets of the
    Variable Account (and other separate accounts of the Company or
    life insurance company subsidiaries of the Company) invested in particular
    underlying Mutual Funds.  These fees in no way affect the net asset value of
    the underlying Mutual Funds or fees paid by the Contract Owner.
    
             The financial statements and schedules herein have been included
    in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
    certified public accountants, Two Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215,
    and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

    PURCHASE OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

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


                                      1


                                   32 of 93
<PAGE>   33
   
    For those Plans which provide this Contract and Nationwide's Group Fixed
Fund Retirement Contracts, the Owner or the Participant, if the Plan so
provides, may exchange Accumulation Units between any Sub-Account of the NACo
Variable Account and the deposit and of the Group Fixed Fund Retirement
Contract Exchanges from the deposit fund to any Sub-Account of the NACo
Variable Account will be subject to the limitations of the Group Fixed Fund
Retirement Contract Exchanges will be effected when received in good order by
the Company at its Home Office.
    
UNDERWRITERS

    The Contracts, which are offered continuously, are distributed by
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS"), One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus,
Ohio 43215, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. No underwriting commissions
are paid by Nationwide Life to NFS.

CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE
   
    Any current yield quotations of the Nationwide Money Market Fund and the
Short-Term Investments Trust Treasury Portfolio Sub-Accounts, subject to Rule
482 of the Securities Act of 1933, shall consist of a seven calendar day
historical yield, carried at least to the nearest hundredth of a percent.  The
yield shall be calculated by determining the net change, exclusive capital
changes in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of
one accumulation unit at the beginning of the base period, subtracting a
hypothetical charge reflecting deductions from Contract Owner accounts, and
dividing the net change in account value by the value of the account at the
beginning of the period to obtain a base period return, and multiplying the
base period return by (365/7) or (366/7) in a leap year. As of December 31,
1995, the Nationwide Money Market Fund and the Short-Term Investments Trust
Treasury Portfolio Sub-Accounts seven-day current yield were 4.23% and 4.68%
respectively. The Nationwide Money Market Fund and the Short-Term Investments
Trust Treasury Portfolio Sub-Accounts' effective yield is computed similarly
but includes the effect of assumed compounding on an annualized basis of the
current yield quotations of the Sub-Accounts, and for the period ending
December 31, 1995 were 4.32% and 4.79%, respectively.

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

    All performance advertising shall include quotations of average annual
total return, calculated in accordance with a standard method prescribed by
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to facilitate comparison with
total return quoted by other variable annuity separate accounts.  Average
annual total return advertised for a specific period is found by first taking a
hypothetical $1,000 investment in each of the Sub-Accounts' units on the first
day of the period at the offering price, which is the Accumulation Unit Value
per unit ("initial investment") and computing the ending redeemable value
("redeemable value") of that investment at the end of the period.  The
redeemable value is then divided by the initial investment and this quotient is
taken to the Nth root (N represents the number of years in the period) and 1 is
subtracted from the result which is then expressed as a percentage, carried to
at least the nearest hundredth of a percent. Average annual total return
reflects the deduction of a 0.95% Actuarial Risk Charge. The redeemable value
also reflects the effect of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
that may be imposed at the end of the period (see "Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge" located in the prospectus.) No deduction is made for premium taxes
which may be assessed by certain states.  Non-standardized total return is
calculated in a manner similar to average annual total return except the total
return does not reflect the deduction of any applicable Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge, which, if reflected,  would decrease the level of the performance
advertised.

    The average annual total return and total return quotations will be current
to the last day of the calendar quarter preceding the date on which an
advertisement  is submitted for publication.  The standardized average annual
total return figures will be based on rolling calendar quarters and will cover,
at least, periods of one, five, and ten years, or a period covering the time a
underlying Mutual Fund held in the Sub-Account has been in existence, if the
underlying Mutual Fund has not been in existence for one of the
    



                                      2


                                   33 of 93



<PAGE>   34
   
    prescribed periods. The non-standardized total return will cover the
    cumulative current calendar year and the most recently completed calendar
    year, and periods of three, five and ten years on a rolling calendar quarter
    basis. For those underlying Mutual Funds which have not been held as
    Sub-Accounts within the NACo Variable Account for one of the quoted
    periods, the standardized average annual total return and nonstandardized
    total return quotations will show the investment performance such
    underlying Mutual Funds would have achieved (reduced by the applicable
    charges) had they been held as Sub-Accounts within the NACo Variable
    Account for the period quoted.

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

             Below are quotations of average annual total return and total
    return, calculated as described above, for each of the non-money market
    Sub-Accounts available within the NACo Variable Account.

            SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY -- NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                    STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Sub-Account Options                                    1 Year To       5 Years To       10 Years To
                                                                            12/31/95         12/31/95          12/31/95
                     <S>                                                     <C>              <C>              <C>
                     The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc.                      13.13%            9.96%             8.60%
                     The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.                    30.53%           11.67%            10.35%
                     The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class V               18.70%           10.52%             8.15%
                     Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5           8.49%            5.97%             6.80%
                     years - Institutional Shares
                     Fidelity Capital & Income Fund                          11.63%           16.70%             9.99%
                     Fidelity ContraFund                                     31.00%           22.53%            18.18%
                     Fidelity Equity-Income Fund                             26.57%           17.38%            11.88%
                     Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund                               31.53%           18.84%            16.22%
                     Fidelity OTC Portfolio                                  32.92%           18.62%            14.56%
                     Fidelity Puritan Fund                                   16.32%           15.14%            11.84%
                     The Investment Company of America(R)                    25.40%           13.16%            12.98%
                     MAS Funds Fixed Income Portfolio                        13.91%            9.47%             8.97%
                     MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund-Class A                29.22%           13.01%            10.04%
                     MFS(R) High Income Fund-Class A                         12.04%           17.33%             8.01%
                     Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund-ClassA        23.13%           15.04%            11.98%
                     Nationwide(R) Fund                                      24.76%           11.78%            12.19%
                     Nationwide(R) Growth Fund                               23.49%           14.47%            11.57%
                     Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund                          0.51%            2.42%             4.42%
                     Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund                        26.87%           17.83%            13.64%
                     Putnam Investors Fund-Class A                           32.25%           15.28%            12.67%
                     Putnam Voyager Fund-Class A                             34.83%           20.89%            17.05%
                     Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.-Class A                      23.26%           13.67%            11.74%
                     Short-Term Investments Trust-Treasury Portfolio-         0.94%            2.95%             4.86%
                     Institutional Class
                     T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund(R)                6.34%           10.03%            13.71%
                     Templeton Foreign Fund - Class 1                         6.11%           10.32%            14.09%
                     Twentieth Century Growth Investors                      15.21%           13.19%            13.02%
                     Twentieth Century Ultra Investors                       32.38%           23.48%            18.55%

</TABLE>
    


                                      3

                                   34 of 93
<PAGE>   35
   
            SUB-ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY -- NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                         NON-STANDARDIZED TOTAL RETURN
           (The above return figures quoted below do not reflect the
         deduction of any applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charges)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Sub-Account Options                              Year Ended    3 Years To   5 Years To   10 Years To
                                                                        12/31/95      12/31/95     12/31/95      12/31/95
                      <S>                                                <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
                      The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc.                 17.13%         7.60%       10.50%         8.79%
                      The Dreyfus Third Century(R)  Fund, Inc.           34.53%         8.74%       12.18%        10.52%
                      The Evergreen Total Return Fund- Class V           22.70%         8.36%       11.06%         8.35%
                      Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5     12.49%         5.05%        6.60%         7.02%
                      years - Institutional Shares
                      Fidelity Capital & Income Fund                     15.63%        10.57%       17.13%        10.15%
                      Fidelity Contrafund                                35.00%        16.73%       22.89%        18.27%
                      Fidelity Equity-Income Fund                        30.57%        15.93%       17.80%        12.03%
                      Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund                          35.53%        17.63%       19.24%        16.32%
                      Fidelity OTC Portfolio                             36.92%        12.38%       19.02%        14.68%
                      Fidelity Puritan Fund                              20.32%        13.47%       15.59%        11.99%
                      The Investment Company of America(R)               29.40%        12.38%       13.65%        13.11%
                      MAS Funds Fixed Income Portfolio                   17.91%         7.63%       10.02%         9.15%
                      MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund-Class A           33.22%        13.33%       13.49%        10.21%
                      MFS(R) High Income Fund-Class A                    16.04%         9.80%       17.75%         8.21%
                      Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund-         27.13%        10.02%       15.49%        12.12%
                      Class A
                      Nationwide(R) Fund                                 28.76%        10.71%       12.28%        12.33%
                      Nationwide(R) Growth Fund                          27.49%        12.22%       14.93%        11.71%
                      Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund                     4.51%         2.95%        3.14%         4.69%
                      Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund                   30.87%        13.91%       18.25%        13.77%
                      Putnam Investors Fund-Class A                      36.25%        15.12%       15.73%        12.80%
                      Putnam Voyager Fund-Class A                        38.83%        17.45%       21.26%        17.15%
                      Seligman Growth Fund, Inc.-Class A                 27.26%         8.53%       14.14%        11.89%
                      Short-Term Investments Trust-Treasury               4.94%         3.42%        3.65%         5.12%
                      Portfolio - Institutional Class
                      T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund(R)          10.34%        14.62%       10.57%        13.83%
                      Templeton Foreign Fund - Class 1                   10.11%        14.06%       10.86%        14.22%
                      Twentieth Century Growth Investors                 19.21%         6.14%       13.67%        13.15%
                      Twentieth Century Ultra Investors                  36.38%        16.25%       23.82%        18.63%
</TABLE>
    

ANNUITY PAYMENTS

  See "Distribution of Participant Accounts (Retirement Period)" located in the
prospectus.


                                      4


                                   35 of 93


<PAGE>   36

<PAGE>   1
                          Independent Auditors' Report

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

        We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and
contract owners' equity of NACo Variable Account as of December 31, 1995, and
the related statements of operations and changes in contract owners' equity
and schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the three year
period then ended. These financial statements and schedules of changes in unit
value are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules of changes in
unit value based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and schedules of
changes in unit value are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned as of December 31, 1995, by correspondence with the custodian and the
transfer agents of the underlying mutual funds. An audit also includes assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the financial statements and schedules of changes in
unit value referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of NACo Variable Account as of December 31, 1995, and the
results of its operations and its changes in contract owners' equity and the
schedules of changes in unit value for each of the years in the three year
period then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                      KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Columbus, Ohio
February 6, 1996


<PAGE>   2
                             NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
          STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                             <C>
ASSETS:
Investments at market value:
The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc. (BdFdAm)
  966,726 shares (cost $13,210,009) .........................................................   $ 13,418,163
The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc. (Dry3dCen)
  2,554,050 shares (cost $20,068,031) .......................................................     21,045,369
The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class Y (EvTotRet)
  230,460 shares (cost $4,576,110) ..........................................................      4,590,762
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years -Institutional Shares (FedUSGvt)
  262,206 shares (cost $2,729,803) ..........................................................      2,802,984
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund (FidCapIn)
  331,847 shares (cost $2,576,964) ..........................................................      3,039,718
Fidelity Contrafund (FidContr)
  2,992,441 shares (cost $99,264,483) .......................................................    113,772,601
Fidelity Equity-Income Fund (FidEqInc)
  4,843,463 shares (cost $142,151,275) ......................................................    183,712,549
Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund (FidMgln)
  964,729 shares (cost $72,728,212)..........................................................     82,947,379
Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FidOTC)
  163,266 shares (cost $5,074,525) ..........................................................      4,951,862
Fidelity Puritan Fund (FidPurtn)
  772,356 shares (cost $12,178,275) .........................................................     13,137,773
The Investment Company of America(R) (InvCoAm)
  1,468,962 shares (cost $28,004,047) .......................................................     31,744,268
MAS Funds - Fixed Income Portfolio (MASFIP)
  45,283 shares (cost $534,869) .............................................................        533,884
MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund - Class A (MFSGrOpp)
  987,782 shares (cost $10,841,194) .........................................................     11,794,119
MFS(R) High Income Fund - Class A (MFSHiInc)
  1,814,362 shares (cost $9,333,551) ........................................................      9,398,396
Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund - Class A (MFSGrStk)
  737,796 shares (cost $8,261,283) ..........................................................      7,842,774
Nationwide(R) Fund (NWFund)
  1,907,625 shares (cost $30,186,873) .......................................................     33,593,274
Nationwide(R) Growth Fund (NWGroFd)
  521,177 shares (cost $5,600,082) ..........................................................      6,426,114
Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund (NWMyMkt)
  43,083,744 shares (cost $43,083,744) ......................................................     43,083,744
Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund (NBGuard)
  431,214 shares (cost $9,920,957) ..........................................................      9,930,869
Putnam Investors Fund - Class A (PutInvFd)
  2,968,148 shares (cost $24,804,430) .......................................................     25,555,752
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Putnam Voyager Fund - Class A (PutVoyFd)
  4,909,187 shares (cost $58,941,231) .............................................     74,865,100
Seligman Growth Fund, Inc. - Class A (SelGroFd)
  1,055,610 shares (cost $5,643,080) ..............................................      5,510,283
Short-Term Investments Trust -Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class (AIMTreas)
  1,707,142 shares (cost $1,707,142) ..............................................      1,707,142
T. Rowe Price International Funds, Inc. - International Stock Fund(R) (TRIntStk)
  873,375 shares (cost $10,159,948) ...............................................     10,681,375
Templeton Foreign Fund - Class I (TemForFd)
  1,848,460 shares (cost $17,201,870) .............................................     16,968,860
Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. - Growth Investors (TCGroInv)
  7,717,862 shares (cost $164,229,994) ............................................    149,649,339
Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. - Ultra Investors (TCUltra)
  3,842,555 shares (cost $86,573,461) .............................................    100,329,109
                                                                                      ------------
     Total investments ............................................................    983,033,562
Accounts receivable ...............................................................      1,759,794
                                                                                      ------------
     Total assets .................................................................    984,793,356
Accounts payable ..................................................................        201,236
                                                                                      ------------
Contract owners' equity ...........................................................   $984,592,120
                                                                                      ============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Units      Unit Value   
                                                           ----------    --------   
Contract owners' equity represented by:
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>         <C>        
The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc......................     6,578,720   $2.039710    $13,418,681
The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc....................     9,402,637    2.238323     21,046,139
The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class Y..............     2,635,928    1.741651      4,590,867
Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years-
  Institutional Shares.................................     2,344,091    1.195751      2,802,949
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund.........................       818,785    3.712491      3,039,732
Fidelity Contrafund....................................    86,483,728    1.315600    113,777,993
Fidelity Equity-Income Fund............................    41,090,717    4.471070    183,719,472
Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund..............................    63,751,788    1.301185     82,952,870
Fidelity OTC Portfolio.................................     3,611,136    1.371346      4,952,117
Fidelity Puritan Fund..................................    11,375,851    1.154955     13,138,596
The Investment Company of America(R)...................    21,189,283    1.498194     31,745,657
MAS Funds - Fixed Income Portfolio.....................       461,663    1.156444        533,887
MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund - Class A.............     2,209,754    6.114190     13,510,856
MFS(R) High Income Fund - Class A......................     1,898,625    4.949752      9,397,723
Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund - Class A....       877,034    8.942612      7,842,975
Nationwide(R) Fund.....................................     2,755,666   12.191058     33,594,484
Nationwide(R) Growth Fund..............................     2,409,384    2.667201      6,426,311
Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund........................    15,458,252    2.774433     42,887,884
Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund.......................     7,940,457    1.250781      9,931,773
Putnam Investors Fund - Class A........................     2,260,621   11.305164     25,556,691
Putnam Voyager Fund - Class A..........................    27,203,903    2.752130     74,868,678
Seligman Growth Fund, Inc. - Class A...................       616,776    8.934609      5,510,652
Short-Term Investments Trust -Treasury Portfolio -         
  Institutional Class..................................     1,524,715    1.119630      1,707,117
T. Rowe Price International Funds, Inc. -
  International Stock Fund(R)..........................    10,412,582    1.025854     10,681,789
Templeton Foreign Fund - Class I.......................    16,316,118    1.040054     16,969,644
Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. - Growth Investors...    37,362,979    4.005400    149,653,676
Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. - Ultra Investors....    79,405,506    1.263551    100,332,907
                                                           ==========    ========   ============
                                                                                    $984,592,120
                                                                                    ============
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   5
                               NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
        STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995            1994             1993
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
<S>                                                         <C>              <C>              <C>       
Investment activity:
  Reinvested capital gains and dividends ................   $  73,174,649      49,662,440      38,723,891
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
                                                            
  Gain (loss) on investments:
    Proceeds from redemptions of mutual fund shares .....      94,814,984     109,813,731      74,574,481
    Cost of mutual fund shares sold .....................     (90,332,356)   (103,752,916)    (65,493,558)
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
    Realized gain (loss) on investments .................       4,482,628       6,060,815       9,080,923
    Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments .....     121,289,385     (63,425,619)     (2,630,142)
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
      Net gain (loss) on investments ....................     125,772,013     (57,364,804)      6,450,781
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
         Net investment activity ........................     198,946,662      (7,702,364)     45,174,672
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
Equity transactions:
  Purchase payments received from contract owners .......     211,743,850     172,770,344     125,959,842
  Redemptions ...........................................     (59,225,086)    (50,702,236)    (36,871,944)
  Adjustments to maintain reserves ......................         130,249          (9,107)         39,775
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
        Net equity transactions .........................     152,649,013     122,059,001      89,127,673
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
Expenses: Contract charges (note 2)......................      (7,716,253)     (5,555,163)     (4,339,264)
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
Net change in contract owners' equity ...................     343,879,422     108,801,474     129,963,081
Contract owners' equity beginning of period .............     640,712,698     531,911,224     401,948,143
                                                            -------------    ------------     -----------
Contract owners' equity end of period ...................   $ 984,592,120     640,712,698     531,911,224
                                                            =============    ============     ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>   6
                             NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

    (a) Organization and Nature of Operations

    The NACo Variable Account (NACoVA) was established pursuant to a resolution
of the Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the Company) on
September 7, 1988, and has been registered as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. The NACoVA was introduced for exclusive use by
Member Counties for deferred compensation Plans adopted under the National
Association of Counties (NACo) Program.

    The Company offers group flexible fund retirement contracts through the
Account. The primary distribution for the contracts is through an affiliated
sales organization.

    (b) The Contracts

    The Group Flexible Retirement Contracts are offered for purchase in
connection with deferred compensation Plans adopted by Member Counties under the
NACo Program. Participants in the contracts may invest in any of the following
fund sub-accounts:

      The Bond Fund of America(SM), Inc. (BdFdAm) (only available for certain
        contracts issued beginning July 1, 1994)

      The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc. (Dry3dCen)

      The Evergreen Total Return Fund - Class Y (EvTotRet) (not available for
        contracts issued on or after October 1, 1993)

      Federated U.S. Government Securities Fund: 2-5 Years - Institutional
        Shares (FedUSGvt) (formerly Federated Intermediate Government Trust)

      Fidelity Capital & Income Fund (FidCapIn) (not available for contracts
        issued on or after January 1, 1987)

      Fidelity Contrafund (FidContr)

      Fidelity Equity-Income Fund (FidEqInc)

      Fidelity Magellan(R) Fund (FidMgln)

      Fidelity OTC Portfolio (FidOTC)

      Fidelity Puritan Fund (FidPurtn)

      The Investment Company of America(R) (InvCoAm) (only available for certain
        contracts issued beginning July 1, 1994)

      MAS Funds-Fixed Income Portfolio (MASFIP)

      MFS(R) Growth Opportunities Fund -- Class A (MFSGrOpp) (not available for
        contracts issued on or after October 1, 1993)

      MFS(R) High Income Fund -- Class A (MFSHiInc)

      Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund -- Class A (MFSGrStk)

      Nationwide(R) Fund (NWFund) (managed for a fee by an affiliated investment
        advisor)

      Nationwide(R) Growth Fund (NWGroFd) (managed for a fee by an affiliated
        investment advisor) (not available for contracts issued on or after
        October 1, 1993)

      Nationwide(R) Money Market Fund (NWMyMkt) (managed for a fee by an
        affiliated investment advisor)

      Neuberger & Berman Guardian Fund (NBGuard)

      Putnam Investors Fund - Class A (PutInvFd)

      Putnam Voyager Fund - Class A (PutVoyFd)

      Seligman Growth Fund, Inc. -- Class A (SelGroFd)

      Short-Term Investments Trust - Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class 
        (AIMTreas)

      T. Rowe Price International Funds, Inc. - International Stock Fund(R)
        (TRIntStk)

      Templeton Foreign Fund - Class I (TemForFd)

      Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. - Growth Investors (TCGroInv)

      Twentieth Century Investors, Inc. - Ultra Investors (TCUltra)

     All of the above funds were being utilized as of December 31, 1995.

     The contract owners' equity is affected by the investment results of each
fund, equity transactions by contract owners and certain expenses (see note 2).
The accompanying financial statements include only contract owners'

<PAGE>   7
purchase payments pertaining to the variable portions of their contracts and
exclude any purchase payments for fixed dollar benefits, the latter being
included in the accounts of the Company.

     (c) Security Valuation, Transactions and Related Investment Income

     The market value of the underlying mutual funds is based on the closing net
asset value per share at December 31, 1995. The cost of investments sold is
determined on the specific identification basis. Investment transactions are
accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and
dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

     (d) Federal Income Taxes

     Operations of the NACoVA form a part of, and are taxed with, operations of
the Company which is taxed as a life insurance company under the Internal
Revenue Code. The assets in this account are held pursuant to contracts with
entities which are exempt from federal income tax. Because of this exemption, no
taxes need be provided for investment income or realized and unrealized capital
gains. Annuity payouts and withdrawal payments are taxable as wages when
received by the participants.

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

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

(2) Expenses

     No deduction for a sales charge is made from the purchase payments for
these contracts. However, if an owner terminates the contract and directs the
Company to withdraw all or part of the contract value held in the Account for
less than sixteen (16) years, the Company will, with certain exceptions, assess
a contingent deferred sales charge by deducting an amount from each participants
account. This charge will be equal to not more than 4% in the first year,
declining to 1% in the fifteenth year, of the lesser of all purchase payments
made on behalf of a participant prior to the date of withdrawal, or the amount
withdrawn. No sales charges are deducted on redemptions used to purchase units
in the fixed investment options of the Company. Sales charges may be reduced or
eliminated upon negotiated conversion of the contracts to other investment
programs offered by the Company or its affiliates.

     The following administrative charges are deducted by the Company: a
mortality risk charge, an expense risk charge and an administration charge
assessed through the daily unit value calculation equal to an annual rate of
0.10%, 0.40% and 0.45%, respectively.

     Contract owners may negotiate an exchange privilege with the Company. The
exchange privilege provides for transfers of units among the various investment
options for each participant's account. The number of transfers allowed, and any
administrative charges associated therewith, are subject to negotiation between
the contract owner and the Company.

<PAGE>   8
(3) Schedule I

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

        - Beginning unit value - Jan. 1

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

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

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

        - Ending unit value - Dec. 31

        - Percentage increase (decrease) in unit value.

<PAGE>   9

                                                                      SCHEDULE I

                             NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT
                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    BdFdAm    Dry3dCen   EvTotRet   FedUSGvt   FidCapIn   FidContr   FidEqInc    FidMgln    FidOTC
                                  ---------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------    -------   --------
<S>                               <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1995
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $1.741422   1.663803   1.419467   1.062969   3.210584    .974545   3.424310    .960039   1.001544
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends             .148075    .156545    .092352    .070177    .338236    .102679    .262606    .075533    .078671
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)            .168396    .436477    .244789    .073378    .197671    .249364    .821416    .276728    .302706
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                 (.018183)  (.018502)  (.014957)  (.010773)  (.034000)  (.010988)  (.037262)  (.011115)  (.011575)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $2.039710   2.238323   1.741651   1.195751   3.712491   1.315600   4.471070   1.301185   1.371346
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                17%         35%       23%        12%        16%        35%        31%        36%        37%
===================================================================================================================================

1994
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $1.850918   1.814915   1.531292   1.094086   3.397953    .994981   3.448520    .987051   1.000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends             .138760    .233019    .106153    .053776    .285090    .007092    .333965    .038465    .008959
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)           (.231366)  (.367765)  (.204194)  (.074693)  (.440620)  (.018188)  (.325363)  (.056248)  (.004289)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                 (.016890)  (.016366)  (.013784)  (.010200)  (.031839)  (.009340)  (.032812)  (.009229)  (.003126)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $1.741422   1.663803   1.419467   1.062969   3.210584    .974545   3.424310    .960039   1.001544
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                (6)%        (8)%       (7)%        (3)%       (6)%       (2)%       (1)%      (3)%       0%(b)
===================================================================================================================================

1993
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $1.637181   1.740666   1.368966   1.031362   2.746533   1.000000   2.869860   1.000000      **
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends             .178726    .132238    .165734    .047079    .275431    .064787    .126727    .056812
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)            .052059   (.041442)   .010622    .025861    .406133   (.067472)   .482324   (.067438)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                 (.017048)  (.016547)  (.014030)  (.010216)  (.030144)  (.002334)  (.030391)  (.002323)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $1.850918   1.814915   1.531292   1.094086   3.397953    .994981   3.448520    .987051
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                13%         4%         12%        6%         24%     (1)%(b)      20%       (1)%(b)
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

 *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:
    (a)  Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance charge
         discussed in note 2; and
    (b)  This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
**  This investment option was not available.



<PAGE>   10
                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED
                             NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE
 
                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   FidPurtn    InvCoAm     MASFIP    MFSGrOpp   MFSHiInc    MFSGrStk
                                  ---------    --------   --------   --------   --------   ---------
<S>                               <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1995
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $ .959935    1.157835    .980782   4.589533   4.265493    7.034148
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends             .060993     .093079    .073523    .768242    .403605    1.177905
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)            .144010     .259870    .112302    .807886    .325361     .807395
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                 (.009983)   (.012590)  (.010163)  (.051471)  (.044707)   (.076836)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $1.154955    1.498194   1.156444   6.114190   4.949752    8.942612
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                20%         29%        18%        33%        16%         27%
====================================================================================================

1994
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1   $1.000000    1.167040   1.000000   4.834037   4.422523    7.613442
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends             .059967     .067770    .029902    .376509    .374437     .717173
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)           (.096987)   (.065957)  (.046046)  (.576664)  (.490350)  (1.229319)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                 (.003045)   (.011018)  (.003074)  (.044349)  (.041117)   (.067148)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31     $ .959935    1.157835    .980782   4.589533   4.265493    7.034148
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)              (4)%(b)       (1)%     (2)%(b)     (5)%       (4)%        (8)%
====================================================================================================

1993
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1       * *     $1.055548      * *     4.200054   3.739642    6.714892
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends                         .072592               .528137    .354624    1.133243
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)                        .049402               .148725    .367761    (.168690)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                             (.010502)             (.042879)  (.039504)   (.066003)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31                 $1.167040              4.834037   4.422523    7.613442
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                            11%                   15%        18%         13%
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      NWFund     NWGroFd    NWMyMkt
                                    ---------   --------   --------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>        <C>
1995
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1      9.468045   2.092009   2.654661
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends               .820350    .282003    .145674
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)             2.003431    .316217    .000000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                   (.100768)  (.023028)  (.025902)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31       12.191058   2.667201   2.774433
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                  29%        27%        5%
===================================================================

1994
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1      9.502760   2.081399   2.583387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends               .927943    .079372    .096188
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)             (.873192)  (.049054)   .000000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                   (.089466)  (.019708)  (.024914)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31        9.468045   2.092009   2.654661
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                   0%         1%         3%
===================================================================

1993
  Beginning unit value - Jan. 1      8.985447   1.887524   2.542721
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Reinvested capital
    gains and dividends               .679906    .073989    .065160
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Unrealized gain (loss)             (.077647)   .138601    .000000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Contract charges                   (.084946)  (.018715)  (.024494)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ending unit value - Dec. 31        9.502760   2.081399   2.583387
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percentage increase (decrease)
    in unit value* (a)                   6%         10%        2%
===================================================================
</TABLE>

 *  An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

    (a)   Contract charges do not include the annual contract maintenance 
    charge discussed in note 2; and
    (b)  This investment option was not utilized for the entire year indicated.
**  This investment option was not available.



<PAGE>   11


                                                           SCHEDULE I, CONTINUED

                             NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT

                       SCHEDULES OF CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE

                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NBGuard       PutInvFd      PutVoyFd      SelGroFd      AIMTreas      TRIntStk
                                      ----------       --------      --------      --------      --------      --------
<S>                                   <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
1995
     Beginning unit value - Jan. 1     $ .955773       8.297318      1.982311      7.020585      1.066889       .929695
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Reinvested capital
        gains and dividends              .054385       1.391197       .146629       .931537       .063099       .030917
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Unrealized gain (loss)              .251433       1.710170       .645332       1.057625      .000000       .074337
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Contract charges                   (.010810)      (.093521)     (.022142)     (.075138)     (.010358)     (.009095)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ending unit value - Dec. 31       $1.250781      11.305164      2.752130      8.934609      1.119630      1.025854
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Percentage increase (decrease) in unit
       value* (a)                             31%            36%           39%           27%            5%           10%
=======================================================================================================================

1994
     Beginning unit value - Jan. 1     $1.000000       8.652501      1.992379      7.370495      1.034183      1.000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Reinvested capital
        gains and dividends              .019568        .771381       .083642       .708203       .042627       .057013
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Unrealized gain (loss)             (.060786)     (1.046752)     (.075428)     (.990524)      .000000      (.124310)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Contract charges                   (.003009)      (.079812)     (.018282)     (.067589)     (.009921)     (.003008)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ending unit value - Dec. 31       $ .955773       8.297318      1.982311      7.020585      1.066889       .929695
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Percentage increase (decrease)
        in unit value* (a)                (4)%(b)            (4)%          (1)%          (5)%           3%           (7)%(b)
=======================================================================================================================

1993
     Beginning unit value - Jan. 1          * *       $7.410567      1.698751      6.989639      1.012172           * *
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Reinvested capital
        gains and dividends                            1.260334       .072965      1.309602      .031750
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Unrealized gain (loss)                             .057997       .237532      (.863222)     .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Contract charges                                  (.076397)     (.016869)     (.065524)     (.009739)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ending unit value - Dec. 31                      $8.652501      1.992379      7.370495      1.034183
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Percentage increase (decrease)
        in unit value* (a)                                   17%           17%           5%             2%
=======================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
                                        TemForFd    TCGroInv    TCUltra
                                        --------    --------    -------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>         <C>
1995
     Beginning unit value - Jan. 1       .944596    3.359891    .926489
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Reinvested capital
        gains and dividends              .065652     .555289    .059786
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Unrealized gain (loss)              .039222     .127077    .287821
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Contract charges                   (.009416)   (.036857)  (.010545)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ending unit value - Dec. 31        1.040054    4.005400   1.263551
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Percentage increase (decrease) in unit 
        value* (a)                            10%         19%        36%
=======================================================================

1994
     Beginning unit value - Jan. 1      1.000000    3.443124    .970411
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Reinvested capital
        gains and dividends              .067522     .498592    .029006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Unrealized gain (loss)             (.119861)   (.549338)  (.064074)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Contract charges                   (.003065)   (.032487)  (.008854)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ending unit value - Dec. 31         .944596    3.359891    .926489
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Percentage increase (decrease)
        in unit value* (a)                 (6)%(b)        (2)%       (5)%
=======================================================================

1993
     Beginning unit value - Jan. 1           * *    3.350122   1.000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Reinvested capital
        gains and dividends                          .384659    .000000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Unrealized gain (loss)                         (.260224)  (.027302)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Contract charges                               (.031433)  (.002287)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Ending unit value - Dec. 31                    3.443124    .970411
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Percentage increase (decrease)
        in unit value* (a)                                 3%        (3)%(b)
=======================================================================
</TABLE>
*    An annualized rate of return cannot be determined as:

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

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

**   This investment option was not available.

See note 3.



<PAGE>   37

<PAGE>   1


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


The Board of Directors
Nationwide Life Insurance Company:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation) and
subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits
of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial
statement schedules as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based
on our audits.

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

Participating insurance and the related surplus are discussed in note 12. The
Company and its counsel are of the opinion that the ultimate ownership of the
participating surplus in excess of the contemplated equitable policyholder
dividends belongs to the shareholder. The accompanying consolidated financial
statements are presented on such basis.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial
statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.

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

In 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 109,  Accounting for
Income Taxes and SFAS No. 106,  Employers'  Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions.


                                                   KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Columbus, Ohio
February 26, 1996



<PAGE>   2
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                           December 31, 1995 and 1994

                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        ASSETS                                                1995               1994
                                        ------                                          -----------------   ----------------   
<S>                                                                                             <C>               <C>         
Investments (notes 5, 8 and 9): 
  Securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
     Fixed maturities (cost $13,438,630 in 1995; $8,318,865 in 1994)                       $ 14,167,377        8,045,906
     Equity securities (cost $27,362 in 1995; $18,372 in 1994)                                   33,718           24,713
   Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $3,602,310 in 1994)           -            3,688,787
   Mortgage loans on real estate                                                              4,786,599        4,222,284
   Real estate                                                                                  239,089          252,681
   Policy loans                                                                                 370,908          340,491
   Other long-term investments                                                                   67,280           63,914
   Short-term investments (note 13)                                                              45,732          131,643
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
                                                                                             19,710,703       16,770,419
                                                                                            -----------      -----------

Cash                                                                                             10,485            7,436
Accrued investment income                                                                       239,881          220,540
Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             1,094,195        1,064,159
Deferred Federal income tax                                                                        --             36,515
Other assets                                                                                    795,169          790,603
Assets held in Separate Accounts (note 8)                                                    18,763,678       12,222,461
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
                                                                                            $40,614,111       31,112,133
                                                                                            ===========      ===========

                         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
                         ------------------------------------

Future policy benefits and claims (notes 6 and 8)                                            18,200,128       16,321,461
Policyholders' dividend accumulations                                                           353,554          338,058
Other policyholder funds                                                                         71,155           72,770
Accrued Federal income tax (note 7):

   Current                                                                                       34,064           13,126
   Deferred                                                                                     238,877                -  
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
                                                                                                272,941           13,126
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
Other liabilities                                                                               284,143          235,778
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts (note 8)                                            18,763,678       12,222,461
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
                                                                                             37,945,599       29,203,654
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
Shareholder's equity (notes 3, 4, 5, 7, 12 and 13):
   Capital shares, $1 par value.  Authorized 5,000 shares, issued and
     outstanding 3,815 shares                                                                    3,815             3,815
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                   673,782          622,753
   Retained earnings                                                                          1,606,607        1,401,579
   Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net                              384,308         (119,668)
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
                                                                                              2,668,512        1,908,479
                                                                                            -----------      -----------
Commitments and contingencies (notes 9 and 15)

                                                                                            $40,614,111       31,112,133
                                                                                            ===========      ===========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                       Consolidated Statements of Income

                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1995            1994            1993     
                                                                                 ---------------  --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>          <C>           <C>
Revenues (note 16):

   Traditional life insurance premiums                                                 $  274,957      209,538       215,715
   Accident and health insurance premiums                                                 509,658      324,524       312,655
   Universal life and investment product policy charges                                   307,676      239,021       188,057
   Net investment income (note 5)                                                       1,482,980    1,289,501     1,204,426
   Realized gains (losses) on investments  (notes 5 and 13)                                   836      (16,384)      113,673
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                                                        2,576,107    2,046,200     2,034,526
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------
Benefits and expenses:

   Benefits and claims                                                                  1,656,287    1,279,763     1,236,906
   Provision for policyholders' dividends on participating policies (note 12)              48,074       46,061        53,189
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                       93,044       94,744       102,134
   Other operating costs and expenses                                                     458,970      352,402       329,396
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                                                        2,256,375    1,772,970     1,721,625
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------
      Income before Federal income tax expense and cumulative effect of
        changes in accounting principles                                                 319,732      273,230       312,901
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------

Federal income tax expense (note 7):

   Current                                                                                103,464       79,847        75,124
   Deferred                                                                                 3,790        9,657        31,634
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                                                          107,254       89,504       106,758
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------

      Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles                 212,478      183,726       206,143

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net (note 3)                            --           --         5,365
                                                                                       ----------   ----------    ----------

      Net income                                                                       $  212,478      183,726       211,508
                                                                                       ==========   ==========    ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Unrealized
                                                                                           gains (losses)
                                                             Additional                    on securities        Total
                                                 Capital      paid-in        Retained      available-for-   shareholder's
                                                  shares      capital        earnings        sale, net          equity
                                                -----------   -----------   ----------- ----------------- ---------------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>
1993:

   Balance, beginning of year                     $   3,815      311,753    1,024,150          90,524       1,430,242
   Capital contributions                                 --      111,000           --              --         111,000
   Dividends paid to shareholder                         --           --      (17,805)             --         (17,805)
   Net income                                            --           --      211,508              --         211,508
   Unrealized losses on equity securities, net           --           --           --         (83,777)        (83,777)
                                                 ----------   ----------    ----------     ----------      ----------
   Balance, end of year                          $    3,815      422,753    1,217,853           6,747       1,651,168
                                                 ==========   ==========    =========      ==========      ==========

1994:

   Balance, beginning of year                         3,815      422,753    1,217,853           6,747       1,651,168
   Capital contribution                                  --      200,000           --              --         200,000
   Net income                                            --           --      183,726              --         183,726
   Adjustment for change in accounting for
      certain investments in debt and equity
      securities, net (note 3)                           --           --           --         216,915         216,915
   Unrealized losses on securities available-
      for-sale, net                                      --           --           --        (343,330)       (343,330)
                                                 ----------   ----------   ----------      ----------      ---------- 
   Balance, end of year                          $    3,815      622,753    1,401,579        (119,668)      1,908,479
                                                 ==========   ==========   ==========      ==========      ========== 
 
1995:

   Balance, beginning of year                         3,815      622,753    1,401,579        (119,668)      1,908,479
   Capital contribution (note 13)                        --       51,029           --          (4,111)         46,918
   Dividends paid to shareholder                         --           --       (7,450)             --          (7,450)
   Net income                                            --           --      212,478              --         212,478
   Unrealized gains on securities available-
       for-sale, net                                     --           --           --         508,087         508,087
                                                 ----------   ----------   ----------      ----------      ----------
   Balance, end of year                          $    3,815      673,782    1,606,607         384,308       2,668,512
                                                 ==========   ==========   ==========      ==========      ========== 
                                                


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1995            1994            1993      
                                                                               --------------    ------------     -----------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
  Cash flows from operating activities:

   Net income                                                                    $   212,478        183,726        211,508
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
      activities:

         Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs                        (349,456)      (264,434)      (191,994)
         Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            93,044         94,744        102,134
         Amortization and depreciation                                                10,319          6,207         11,156
         Realized losses (gains) on invested assets, net                                 717         15,949       (113,648)
         Deferred Federal income tax expense (benefit)                                 4,023         (2,166)        (6,006)
         Increase in accrued investment income                                       (19,341)       (29,654)        (4,218)
         Increase in other assets                                                     (3,227)      (112,566)      (549,277)
         Increase in policy liabilities                                              198,200      1,038,641        509,370
         Increase in policyholders' dividend accumulations                            15,496         15,372         17,316
         Increase in accrued Federal income tax payable                               20,938            832         16,838
         Increase in other liabilities                                                48,365         17,826         26,958
         Other, net                                                                  (20,556)       (19,303)       (11,745)
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    ------------
            Net cash provided by operating activities                                211,000        945,174         18,392
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:

   Proceeds from maturity of securities available-for-sale                           706,442        579,067             --
   Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale                               131,420        247,876         247,502
   Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities held-to-maturity                       633,173        516,003       1,192,093
   Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities                                                 --             --          33,959
   Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans on real estate                         215,134        220,744         146,047
   Proceeds from sale of real estate                                                  48,477         46,713          23,587
   Proceeds from repayments of policy loans and sale of other invested assets         79,620        134,998          59,643
   Cost of securities available-for-sale acquired                                 (2,232,047)    (2,569,672)        (12,550)
   Cost of fixed maturities held-to-maturity acquired                               (669,449)      (675,835)     (2,016,831)
   Cost of mortgage loans on real estate acquired                                   (821,078)      (627,025)       (475,336)
   Cost of real estate acquired                                                      (10,970)       (15,962)         (8,827)
   Policy loans issued and other invested assets acquired                            (92,904)      (118,012)        (76,491)
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    ------------
            Net cash used in investing activities                                 (2,012,182)    (2,261,105)      (887,204)
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:

   Proceeds from capital contributions                                                46,918        200,000        111,000
   Dividends paid to shareholder                                                      (7,450)            --        (17,805)
   Increase in universal life and investment product account balances              3,202,135      3,640,958      2,249,740
   Decrease in universal life and investment product account balances             (1,523,283)    (2,449,580)    (1,458,504)
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
            Net cash provided by financing activities                              1,718,320      1,391,378        884,431
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                 (82,862)        75,447         15,619

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                                         139,079         63,632         48,013
                                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year                                           $    56,217        139,079         63,632
                                                                                 ===========    ===========    ===========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   6
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
                 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                       December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993

                               (000's omitted)


(1)   ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

      Nationwide Life Insurance Company (NLIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of
      Nationwide Corporation (Corp.). Wholly-owned subsidiaries of NLIC include
      Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company (NLAIC) (formerly known as
      Financial Horizons Life Insurance Company), West Coast Life Insurance
      Company (WCLIC), Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau and
      subsidiaries (ELICW), National Casualty Company (NCC) and Nationwide
      Financial Services, Inc. (NFS).  NLIC and its subsidiaries are
      collectively referred to as "the Company."
                        
      NLIC, NLAIC, WCLIC and ELICW are life and accident and health insurers
      and NCC is a property and casualty insurer. The Company is licensed in
      all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto
      Rico. The Company offers a full range of life insurance, health insurance
      and annuity products through exclusive agents, brokers and other
      distribution channels and is subject to competition from other insurers
      throughout the United States. The Company is subject to regulation by the
      Insurance Departments of states in which it is licensed, and undergoes
      periodic examinations by those departments.
        
      The following is a description of the most significant risks  facing      
      life and health insurers and how the Company mitigates those risks:
        
         LEGAL/REGULATORY RISK is the risk that changes in the legal or
         regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create
         additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its
         products. That is, regulatory initiatives designed to reduce insurer
         profits, new legal theories or insurance company insolvencies through
         guaranty fund assessments may create costs for the insurer beyond
         those currently recorded in the consolidated financial statements. The
         Company mitigates this risk by offering a wide range of products and
         by operating throughout the United States, thus reducing its exposure
         to any single product or jurisdiction, and also by employing
         underwriting practices which identify and minimize the adverse impact
         of this risk.
        
         CREDIT RISK is the risk that issuers of securities owned by the
         Company or mortgagors on mortgage loans on real estate owned by the
         Company will default or that other parties, including reinsurers,
         which owe the Company money, will not pay. The Company minimizes this
         risk by adhering to a conservative investment strategy, by maintaining
         sound reinsurance and credit and collection policies and by
         providing for any amounts deemed uncollectible.
        
         INTEREST RATE RISK is the risk that interest rates will change and
         cause a decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. This change
         in rates may cause certain interest-sensitive products to become
         uncompetitive or may cause disintermediation. The Company mitigates
         this risk by charging fees for non-conformance with certain policy
         provisions, by offering products that transfer this risk to the
         purchaser, and/or by attempting to match the maturity schedule of its
         assets with the expected payouts of its liabilities. To the extent
         that liabilities come due more quickly than assets mature, an insurer
         would have to borrow funds or sell assets prior to maturity and
         potentially recognize a gain or loss.
        
(2)   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      The significant accounting policies followed by the Company that
      materially affect financial reporting are summarized below. The
      accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
      accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which
      differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by
      regulatory authorities. See note 4.



<PAGE>   7

              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

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

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

(a) CONSOLIDATION POLICY

    The December 31, 1995 consolidated financial statements include the
    accounts of NLIC and its wholly owned subsidiaries NLAIC, WCLIC, ELICW, NCC
    and NFS. The December 31, 1994 and 1993 consolidated financial statements
    include the accounts of NLIC, NLAIC, WCLIC, NCC and NFS. The December 31,
    1994 consolidated balance sheet also includes the accounts of ELICW, which
    was acquired by NLIC effective December 31, 1994. See Note 13. All
    significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

(b) VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED GAINS AND LOSSES

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

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

    Real estate is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and valuation
    allowances. Other long-term investments are carried on the equity basis,    
    adjusted for valuation allowances.

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

    In March, 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
    STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 121 - ACCOUNTING FOR THE
    IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF
    (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on
    long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are
    present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those
    assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. SFAS 121 also addresses
    the accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of.
    The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
    1995 and earlier application is permitted. Previously issued consolidated
    financial statements shall not be restated. The Company will adopt SFAS 121 
    in 1996 and the impact on the consolidated financial statements is not
    expected to be material. 


<PAGE>   8

              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

(c) REVENUES AND BENEFITS

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

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

    ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE: Accident and health insurance premiums
    are recognized as revenue over the terms of the policies. Policy claims are
    charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred.

(d) DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS

    The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions, certain
    expenses of the policy issue and underwriting department and certain
    variable agency expenses have been deferred. For traditional life and
    individual health insurance products, these deferred policy acquisition
    costs are predominantly being amortized with interest over the premium
    paying period of the related policies in proportion to the ratio of actual
    annual premium revenue to the anticipated total premium revenue. Such
    anticipated premium revenue was estimated using the same assumptions as
    were used for computing liabilities for future policy benefits. For
    universal life and investment products, deferred policy acquisition costs
    are being amortized with interest over the lives of the policies in
    relation to the present value of estimated future gross profits from
    projected interest margins, asset fees, cost of insurance, policy
    administration and surrender charges. For years in which gross profits are
    negative, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized based on the
    present value of gross revenues. Deferred policy acquisition costs are
    adjusted to reflect the impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed
    maturity securities available-for-sale as described in note 2(b).

(e) SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

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

(f) FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS

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

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


<PAGE>   9
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

    Future policy benefits and claims for collectively renewable long-term
    disability policies (primarily discounted at 5.2%) and group long-term
    disability policies (primarily discounted at 5.5%) are the present value of
    amounts not yet due on reported claims and an estimate of amounts to be
    paid on incurred but unreported claims. The impact of reserve discounting
    is not material. Future policy benefits and claims on other                 
    group health insurance policies are not discounted.
        
(g) PARTICIPATING BUSINESS

    Participating business represents approximately 45% (45% in 1994 and
    48% in 1993) of the Company's ordinary life insurance in force, 72% (72% in
    1994 and 1993) of the number of policies in force, and 39% (41% in 1994 and
    45% in 1993) of life insurance premiums. The provision for policyholder
    dividends is based on current dividend scales. Future dividends are
    provided for ratably in future policy benefits based on dividend scales in
    effect at the time the policies were issued. Dividend scales are approved
    by the Board of Directors.

    Income attributable to participating policies in excess of policyholder
    dividends is accounted for as belonging to the shareholder. See note 12.

(h) FEDERAL INCOME TAX

    NLIC, NLAIC, WCLIC and NCC file a consolidated Federal income tax
    return with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NMIC), the majority
    shareholder of Corp. Through 1994, ELICW filed a consolidated Federal
    income tax return with Employers Insurance of Wausau A Mutual Company.
    Beginning in 1995, ELICW files a separate Federal income tax return.

    In 1993, the Company adopted STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
    STANDARDS NO. 109 - ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES, which required a change
    from the deferred method of accounting for income tax of APB Opinion 11 to
    the asset and liability method of accounting for income tax. Under the
    asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
    recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences
    between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and
    liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax
    credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
    using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
    which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
    Under this method, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
    change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
    enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to
    reduce the deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

    The Company has reported the cumulative effect of the change in method
    of accounting for income tax in the 1993 consolidated statement of income.
    See note 3.

(i) REINSURANCE CEDED

    Reinsurance premiums ceded and reinsurance recoveries on benefits and
    claims incurred are deducted from the respective income and expense
    accounts. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance ceded are reported
    on a gross basis.

(j) CASH EQUIVALENTS

    For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company
    considers all short-term investments with original maturities of three
    months or less to be cash equivalents.


<PAGE>   10
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

         (k) RECLASSIFICATION

             Certain items in the 1994 and 1993 consolidated financial
             statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1995
             presentation.

(3)      CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

         Effective January 1, 1994, the Company changed its method of
         accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities in
         connection with the issuance of STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
         STANDARDS NO. 115 - ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND
         EQUITY SECURITIES. As of January 1, 1994, the Company classified fixed
         maturity securities with amortized cost and fair value of $6,593,844
         and $7,024,736, respectively, as available-for-sale and recorded the
         securities at fair value. Previously, these securities were recorded
         at amortized cost. The effect as of January 1, 1994 has been recorded  
         as a direct credit to shareholder's equity as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           <S>                                                                  <C>
           Excess of fair value over amortized cost of fixed maturity
             securities available-for-sale                                      $ 430,892
           Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                        (97,177) 
           Deferred Federal income tax                                           (116,800) 
                                                                                ---------  
                                                                                $ 216,915 
                                                                                =========  

         During 1993, the Company adopted accounting principles in connection
         with the issuance of two accounting standards by the FASB. The effect
         as of January 1, 1993, the date of adoption, has been recognized in
         the 1993 consolidated statement of income as the cumulative effect of
         changes in accounting principles, as follows:

           Asset/liability method of recognizing income tax (note 2(h))         $ 26,344 
           Accrual method of recognizing postretirement benefits other  
             than pensions (net of tax benefit of $11,296) (note 11)             (20,979)  
                                                                                --------   
                                                                                $  5,365 
                                                                                ======== 
 </TABLE>

(4)      BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
         with GAAP. Annual Statements for NLIC and NLAIC, WCLIC, ELICW and NCC,
         filed with the Department of Insurance of the State of Ohio (the
         Department), California Department of Insurance, Wisconsin Insurance
         Department and Michigan Bureau of Insurance, respectively, are prepared
         on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by such
         regulatory authorities. Prescribed statutory accounting practices
         include a variety of publications of the National Association of
         Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as state laws, regulations and
         general administrative rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices
         encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed. The Company has  
         no material permitted statutory accounting practices.

         The statutory capital shares and surplus of NLIC as reported to
         regulatory authorities as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was
         $1,363,031, $1,262,861 and $992,631, respectively. The statutory net
         income of NLIC as reported to regulatory authorities for the years
         ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $86,529, $76,532 and
         $185,943, respectively.                  


<PAGE>   11
 LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

(5)      INVESTMENTS

         An analysis of investment income by investment type follows for the 
         years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995             1994            1993
                                                            -------------     ------------    ------------     
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
   Gross investment income:
    Securities available-for-sale:
     Fixed maturities                                         $  772,589         674,346              --
     Equity securities                                             1,436             550           7,230
    Fixed maturities held-to-maturity                            232,692         193,009         800,255
    Mortgage loans on real estate                                410,965         376,783         364,810
    Real estate                                                   39,222          40,280          39,684
    Short-term investments                                        12,249           6,990           5,080
    Other                                                         61,701          42,831          33,832
                                                              ----------      ----------      ----------
          Total investment income                              1,530,854       1,334,789       1,250,891
   Less investment expenses                                       47,874          45,288          46,465
                                                              ----------      ----------      ----------
          Net investment income                               $1,482,980       1,289,501       1,204,426
                                                              ==========      ==========      ==========
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995             1994           1993      
                                                           ---------------   -------------  --------------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>              <C>
    Securities available-for-sale:     
     Fixed maturities                                         $  6,792            (7,120)              --
     Equity securities                                           3,435             1,427          129,728
    Fixed maturities                                                --                --           20,225
    Mortgage loans on real estate                               (7,312)          (20,462)         (28,241)
    Real estate and other                                       (2,079)            9,771           (8,039)
                                                              --------          --------         --------
                                                              $    836           (16,384)         113,673
                                                              ========          ========         ========
</TABLE>


         The components of unrealized gains (losses) on securities 
         available-for-sale, net, were as follows as of December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1995             1994     
                                                                            ---------------   -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>
    Gross unrealized gains (losses)                                           $ 735,103         (266,618)
    Adjustment to deferred policy acquisition costs                            (143,851)          82,525
    Deferred Federal income tax                                                (206,944)          64,425
                                                                              ---------        ---------
                                                                              $ 384,308         (119,668)
                                                                              =========        ========= 
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995             1994            1993     
                                                            ---------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
    Securities available-for-sale:
     Fixed maturities                                         $ 1,001,706       (703,851)           --
     Equity securities                                                 15         (1,990)      (128,837)
    Fixed maturities held-to-maturity                              86,477       (421,427)       223,392
                                                              -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                              $ 1,088,198     (1,127,268)        94,555
                                                              ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   12
 LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                                                 
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Gross         Gross
                                                           Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated
                                                              cost          gains         losses       fair value
                                                         --------------  ------------ ------------- ---------------
<S>                                                        <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>
 Fixed maturities:

  U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
    government corporations and agencies                   $   438,109        36,714            (53)       474,770
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions               9,742         1,252             (1)        10,993
  Debt securities issued by foreign governments                162,442         9,641            (66)       172,017
  Corporate securities                                       8,902,494       524,796        (30,561)     9,396,729
  Mortgage-backed securities                                 3,925,843       196,645         (9,620)     4,112,868
                                                             ---------   -----------    -----------    -----------
      Total fixed maturities                                13,438,630       769,048        (40,301)    14,167,377
 Equity securities                                              27,362         6,441            (85)        33,718
                                                            ----------   -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                           $13,465,992       775,489        (40,386)    14,201,095
                                                           ===========   ===========    ============   ===========
</TABLE>


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale 
and fixed maturities held-to-maturity were as follows as of December 31, 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Gross         Gross
                                                           Amortized     unrealized     unrealized     Estimated
                                                              cost          gains         losses       fair value
                                                         -------------  ------------- ------------- ---------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>
SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE 
 Fixed maturities:
  U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S.
      government corporations and agencies                    $  393,156        1,794       (18,941)      376,009
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions                 2,202           55           (21)        2,236
  Debt securities issued by foreign governments                  177,910          872        (9,205)      169,577
  Corporate securities                                         4,201,738       50,405      (128,698)    4,123,445
  Mortgage-backed securities                                   3,543,859       18,125      (187,345)    3,374,639
                                                              ----------    ----------    ----------    ---------
        Total fixed maturities                                 8,318,865       71,251      (344,210)    8,045,906
 Equity securities                                                18,372        6,637          (296)       24,713
                                                              ----------    ----------    ----------    ---------
                                                              $8,337,237       77,888      (344,506)    8,070,619
                                                              ==========    =========     ==========    =========

FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions           $   11,613           92           (255)       11,450
  Debt securities issued by foreign governments                  16,131          111            (39)       16,203
  Corporate securities                                        3,661,043       34,180       (120,566)    3,574,657
                                                              ----------    ----------    ----------    ---------
                                                             $3,688,787       34,383       (120,860)    3,602,310
                                                              ==========    ==========    ==========    =========
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   13
                                       
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                       
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities
available-for-sale as of December 31, 1995, by contractual maturity, are shown
below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because
borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call
or prepayment penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Amortized          Estimated
                                                      cost            fair value
                                                    -----------       ------------
                                                       
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>
FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
- --------------------------------------------
Due in one year or less                             $   641,490         647,639
Due after one year through five years                 5,365,703       5,623,126
Due after five years through ten years                2,477,457       2,609,262
Due after ten years                                   1,028,137       1,174,482
                                                    -----------     -----------
                                                      9,512,787      10,054,509
Mortgage-backed securities                            3,925,843       4,112,868
                                                    -----------     -----------
                                                    $13,438,630      14,167,377
                                                    ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale during 1995 and 1994
were $131,420 and $247,876, respectively, while proceeds from sales of
investments in fixed maturity securities during 1993 were $33,959. Gross gains
of $7,197 ($3,406 in 1994 and $2,413 in 1993) and gross losses of $2,309
($21,866 in 1994 and $39 in 1993) were realized on those sales.

During 1995, the Company transferred fixed maturity securities classified as
held-to-maturity with amortized cost of $27,929 to available-for-sale
securities due to evidence of a significant deterioration in the issuer's
creditworthiness.  The transfer of those fixed maturity securities resulted in
a gross unrealized loss of $4,285.

As permitted by the FASB's Special Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF
STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY
SECURITIES, issued in November, 1995, the Company transferred all of its fixed
maturity securities previously classified as held-to-maturity to
available-for-sale. As of December 14, 1995, the date of transfer, the fixed
maturity securities had amortized cost of $3,705,644, resulting in a gross
unrealized gain of $171,531.

Investments that were non-income producing for the twelve month period
preceding December 31, 1995 amounted to $28,958 ($11,513 for 1994) and
consisted of $8,228 (none in 1994) in fixed maturity securities, $14,740
($11,111 in 1994) in real estate and $5,990 ($402 in 1994) in other long-term
investments.

Real estate is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation of $30,931 in
1995 ($29,275 in 1994) and valuation allowances of $26,250 in 1995 ($27,330 in
1994).

Other long-term investments are presented net of valuation allowances of $457
as of December 31, 1995. There were no such valuation allowances as of December
31, 1994.

As of December 31, 1995, the recorded investment of mortgage loans on real
estate considered to be impaired (under STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
STANDARDS NO. 114, ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN as amended
by STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 118, ACCOUNTING BY CREDITORS
FOR IMPAIRMENT OF A LOAN - INCOME RECOGNITION AND DISCLOSURE) was $44,995,
which includes $23,975 of impaired mortgage loans on real estate for which the
related valuation allowance was $5,276 and $21,020 of impaired mortgage loans
on real estate for which there was no valuation allowance. During 1995, the
average recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans on real estate was
approximately $22,621 and interest income recognized on those loans was $416,
which is equal to interest income recognized using a cash-basis method of
income recognition.

<PAGE>   14
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

    Activity in the valuation allowance account for mortgage loans on real 
    estate is summarized for the year ended December 31, 1995:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995
                                                              --------
    <S>                                                        <C>
    Allowance, beginning year                               $ 47,892
         Additions charged to operations                       7,653
         Direct write-downs charged against the allowance     (4,850)
                                                            -------- 
    Allowance, end of year                                  $ 50,695
                                                            ========
</TABLE>

    Foresclosures of mortgage loans on real estate were $37,187 in 1994 and
    mortgage loans on real estate in process of foreclosure or in-substance
    foreclosed as of December 31, 1994 totaled $19,878, which approximated fair
    value.

    Fixed maturity securities with an amortized cost of $13,982 and $11,137 as
    of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, were on deposit with various
    regulatory agencies as required by law.


(6) FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS AND CLAIMS

    The liability for future policy benefits for investment contracts represents
    approximately 82% and 81% of the total liability for future policy benefits 
    as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The average interest rate 
    credited on investment product policies was approximately 6.5%, 6.5% and 
    7.0% for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

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

       INTEREST RATES:  Interest rates vary as follows:
       
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   Health
          Year of issue                         Life Insurance                                    insurance
          --------------      ------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------                     
           <S>                <C>                                                                 <C>        
           1995               7.6%, not graded - permanent contracts with loan provisions         4.5%
                              7.7%, not graded - all other contracts
           1984-1994          6.0% to 10.5%, not graded                                           5.0% to 6.0%
           1966-1983          6.0% to 8.1%, graded over 20 years to 4.0% to 6.6%                  3.5% to 6.0%
           1965 and prior     generally lower than post 1965 issues                               3.5% to 4.0%
</TABLE>


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

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



<PAGE>   15
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

    Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses is
    summarized for the years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1995           1994            1993      
                                                                     ----------    ----------    ---------
      <S>                                                             <C>            <C>         <C>
      Balance, beginning of year                                      $ 637,998      592,180      760,209 
         Less reinsurance recoverables                                  438,761      430,720      547,683 
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
               Net balance, beginning of year                           199,237      161,460      212,526 
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
      Incurred related to:         
         Current year                                                   425,907      273,299      309,721 
         Prior years                                                    (17,203)     (26,156)     (26,248)
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
            Total incurred                                              408,704      247,143      283,473 
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
      Paid related to:      
         Current year                                                   290,605      175,700      208,978 
         Prior years                                                    111,353       73,889      125,561 
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
            Total paid                                                  401,958      249,589      334,539 
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
      Unpaid claims of acquired companies                                 2,542       40,223         --   
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
               Net balance, end of year                                 208,525      199,237      161,460 
         Plus reinsurance recoverables                                  491,321      438,761      430,720 
                                                                      ---------    ---------    --------- 
      Balance, end of year                                            $ 699,846      637,998      592,180 
                                                                      =========    =========    ========= 
</TABLE>

    Reinsurance recoverables include amounts from affiliates, as discussed in 
    note 13, of $477,912, $430,936, $430,278 and $534,983 as of December 31, 
    1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.

    The provision for claims and claim adjustment expenses for prior years
    decreased in each of the three years ended December 31, 1995 due to
    lower-than-anticipated costs to settle accident and health insurance claims.


(7) FEDERAL INCOME TAX

    The tax effects of temporary  differences that give rise to significant 
    components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of December 31, 
    1995 and 1994 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1995            1994
                                                                                     --------       --------           
      <S>                                                                           <C>            <C>  
      Deferred tax assets:
       Future policy benefits                                                       $ 179,916      124,044
       Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale                                      --         95,536
       Liabilities in Separate Accounts                                               129,120       94,783
       Mortgage loans on real estate and real estate                                   26,062       25,632
       Other policyholder funds                                                         7,752        7,137
       Other assets and other liabilities                                              47,215       57,528
                                                                                    ---------    ---------
         Total gross deferred tax assets                                              390,065      404,660
                                                                                    ---------    ---------
      Deferred tax liabilities:   
       Deferred policy acquisition costs                                              312,616      317,224
       Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale                                   266,184         --  
       Equity securities available-for-sale and other            
          long-term investments                                                         3,431        3,620
       Other                                                                           46,711       47,301
                                                                                    ---------    ---------
         Total gross deferred tax liabilities                                         628,942      368,145
                                                                                    ---------    ---------
                                                                                    $(238,877)      36,515
                                                                                    =========    =========
</TABLE>


 

<PAGE>   16
                                
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

     The Company has determined that valuation allowances are not necessary as
     of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 based on its analysis of future 
     deductible amounts. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, 
     management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion
     of the total gross deferred tax assets will not be realized. All future 
     deductible amounts can be offset by future taxable amounts or recovery of
     Federal income tax paid within the statutory carryback period. In 
     addition, for future deductible amounts for securities available-for-sale, 
     affiliates of the Company which are included in the same consolidated 
     Federal income tax return hold investments that could be sold for capital 
     gains that could offset capital losses realized by the Company should 
     securities available-for-sale be sold at a loss.

<TABLE>
     Total Federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1995, 
     1994 and 1993 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. 
     Federal income tax rate to income before tax as follows:
                                                                                                           
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995                      1994                    1993       
                                                         ----------------------   ----------------------   ----------------------
                                                                Amount     %            Amount     %            Amount      %
                                                         ---------------  -----   --------------  ------   -------------  -------
      <S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>
      Computed (expected) tax expense                        $ 111,906    35.0       $  95,631    35.0      $ 109,515     35.0 
      Tax exempt interest and dividends                                                                                    
         received deduction                                       (137)   (0.1)           (194)   (0.1)        (2,322)    (0.7)
      Current year increase in U.S. Federal                                                                                
         income tax rate                                            --      --              --      --          1,704      0.5 
      Other, net                                                (4,515)   (1.4)         (5,933)   (2.1)        (2,139)    (0.7)
                                                             ---------    ----       ---------    ----      ---------     ----
            Total (effective rate of each year)              $ 107,254    33.5       $  89,504    32.8      $ 106,758     34.1 
                                                             =========    ====       =========    ====      =========     ====

</TABLE>


     Total Federal income tax paid was $75,309, $87,576 and $58,286 during the 
     years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

     Prior to 1984, the Life Insurance Company Income Tax Act of 1959 as 
     amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (DRA), permitted the deferral 
     from taxation of a portion of statutory income under certain       
     circumstances. In these situations, the deferred income was accumulated in
     the  Policyholders' Surplus Account (PSA).  Management considers the
     likelihood  of distributions from the PSA to be remote; therefore, no
     Federal income  tax has been provided for such distributions in the
     consolidated financial  statements. The DRA eliminated any additional
     deferrals to the PSA. Any  distributions from the PSA, however, will
     continue to be taxable at the  then current tax rate. The balance of the
     PSA was approximately $35,344 as  of December 31, 1995.

(8)  DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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



<PAGE>   17
                                      
              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

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

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

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

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

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


         SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES: The fair value of
         assets held in Separate Accounts is based on quoted market prices. The
         fair value of liabilities related to Separate Accounts is the
         amount payable on demand.

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>   18

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

    Carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments
    subject to SFAS 107 and policy reserves on life insurance contracts were
    as follow as of December 31, 1995 and 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      
                                                     1995                          1994
                                           --------------------------   -------------------------
                                             Carrying      Estimated      Carrying     Estimated
                                              amount       fair value      amount      fair value
                                           -----------    -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>
ASSETS
- ------
Investments:
   Securities available-for-sale:
      Fixed maturities                     $14,167,377    14,167,377     8,045,906     8,045,906
      Equity securities                         33,718        33,718        24,713        24,713
   Fixed maturities held-to-maturity              --            --       3,688,787     3,602,310
   Mortgage loans on real estate             4,786,599     5,169,805     4,222,284     4,173,284
   Policy loans                                370,908       370,908       340,491       340,491
   Short-term investments                       45,732        45,732       131,643       131,643
Cash                                            10,485        10,485         7,436         7,436
Assets held in Separate Accounts            18,763,678    18,763,678    12,222,461    12,222,461

LIABILITIES
- -----------
Investment contracts                        13,561,943    13,221,724    12,189,894    11,657,556
Policy reserves on life insurance contacts   3,695,814     3,659,074     3,170,085     2,934,384
Policyholders' dividend accumulations          353,554       353,554       338,058       338,058
Other policyholder funds                        71,155        71,155        72,770        72,770
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts    18,763,678    18,224,933    12,222,461    11,807,331
</TABLE>


(9) ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DISCLOSURES
    -------------------------------------------- 

    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK: The Company is a party to
    financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of
    business through management of its investment portfolio. These financial
    instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans. These
    instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess
    of amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.

    Commitments to fund fixed rate mortgage loans on real estate are agreements
    to lend to a borrower, and are subject to conditions established in the
    contract.   Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other
    termination clauses and may require payment of a deposit. Commitments
    extended by the Company are based on management's case-by-case credit
    evaluation of the borrower and the borrower's loan collateral. The
    underlying mortgage property represents the collateral if the commitment is
    funded. The Company's policy for new mortgage loans on real estate is to
    lend no more than 80% of collateral value. Should the commitment be funded,
    the Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the
    borrower is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments less
    the net realizable value of the collateral. The contractual amounts also
    represent the cash requirements for all unfunded commitments. Commitments on
    mortgage loans on real estate of $361,974 extending into 1996 were
    outstanding as of December 31, 1995.

    SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK: The Company grants mainly
    commercial  mortgage loans on real estate to customers throughout the United
    States. The Company has a diversified portfolio with no more than 20% (22%
    in 1994) in any geographic area and no more than 2% (2% in 1994) with any
    one borrower.


<PAGE>   19

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

    The summary below depicts loans by remaining principal balance as of
    December 31, 1995 and 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Apartment
                                                            Office    Warehouse     Retail     & other      Total
                                                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
1995:
 East North Central                                      $ 140,732     110,361     534,814     184,201     970,108
 East South Central                                         23,978      15,653     183,790      84,588     308,009
 Mountain                                                     --        18,940     144,156      48,727     211,823
 Middle Atlantic                                           124,079      72,201     183,562      18,383     398,225
 New England                                                 9,594      39,526     153,644           1     202,765
 Pacific                                                   190,628     239,687     395,914     107,650     933,879
 South Atlantic                                            101,904      74,731     458,355     279,692     914,682
 West North Central                                        134,866      14,205      81,521      37,586     268,178
 West South Central                                         69,143      99,618     194,717     272,323     635,801
                                                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                          $ 794,924     684,922   2,330,473   1,033,151   4,843,470
                                                          =========   =========   =========   =========            
     Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                      56,871  
                                                                                                          ---------
                Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                 $4,786,599     
                                                                                                          =========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Apartment
                                                            Office    Warehouse     Retail     & other      Total
                                                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
1994:
 East North Central                                      $ 109,233     103,499     540,686     191,489     944,907
 East South Central                                         24,298      10,803     127,845      76,897     239,843
 Mountain                                                    3,150      13,770     140,358      39,682     196,960
 Middle Atlantic                                            61,299      53,285     140,847      30,111     285,542
 New England                                                10,536      43,282     139,131           4     192,953
 Pacific                                                   195,393     210,930     397,911      68,768     873,002
 South Atlantic                                             87,150      81,576     424,150     210,354     803,230
 West North Central                                        127,760      11,766      80,854       4,738     225,118
 West South Central                                         51,013      84,796     184,923     194,788     515,520
                                                          ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                                          $ 669,832     613,707   2,176,705     816,831   4,277,075
                                                          =========   =========   =========   =========            
   Less valuation allowances and unamortized discount                                                        54,791
                                                                                                          ---------
        Total mortgage loans on real estate, net                                                         $4,222,284     
                                                                                                          =========
</TABLE>


(10)  PENSION PLAN
      ------------

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

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


<PAGE>   20

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

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

    Pension costs charged to operations by the Company during the years ended   
    December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were $14,105, $10,451 and $6,702,
    respectively.

    The Company's net accrued pension expense as of December 31, 1995 and       
    1994 was $1,376 and $1,836, respectively.

    The net periodic pension cost for the Nationwide Insurance Companies and    
    Affiliates Retirement Plan as a whole for the years ended December 31,
    1995, 1994 and 1993 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995          1994          1993
                                                              ---------     ---------     ---------
     <S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>
     Service cost (benefits earned during the period)         $  64,524        64,740        47,694
     Interest cost on projected benefit obligation               95,283        73,951        70,543
     Actual return on plan assets                              (249,294)      (21,495)     (105,002)
     Net amortization and deferral                              143,353       (62,150)       20,832
                                                               ---------     ---------     ---------
                                                              $  53,866        55,046        34,067
                                                               =========     =========     =========
</TABLE>
                       
    Basis for measurements, net periodic pension cost:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    1995          1994          1993               
                                                                 ---------     ---------     ---------             
     <S>                                                           <C>           <C>           <C>                 
     Weighted average discount rate                                7.50%         5.75%         6.75%               
     Rate of increase in future compensation levels                6.25%         4.50%         4.75%               
     Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets              8.75%         7.00%         7.50%               
</TABLE>                                                              
                                                                    
    Information regarding the funded status of the Nationwide Insurance
    Enterprise Retirement Plan as a whole as of December 31, 1995 
    (post-merger) and the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates 
    Retirement Plan as of December 31, 1995 (pre-merger) and 1994 follows:
        
     <TABLE>                                                                  
     <CAPTION>                                                          
                                                                   Post-merger     Pre-merger                      
                                                                      1995           1995           1994           
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------       
     <S>                                                           <C>            <C>            <C>               
          Accumulated benefit obligation:                                                                          
                                                                                                                   
          Vested                                                   $ 1,236,730      1,002,079        914,850       
          Nonvested                                                     26,503          8,998          7,570       
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------       
                                                                   $ 1,263,233      1,011,077        922,420       
                                                                   ===========    ===========    ===========       
                                                                                                                   
     Net accrued pension expense:                                                                                  
        Projected benefit obligation for services rendered                                                         
           to date                                                 $ 1,780,616      1,447,522      1,305,547       
        Plan assets at fair value                                    1,738,004      1,508,781      1,241,771       
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------       
           Plan assets (less than) in excess of  projected                                                         
              benefit obligation                                       (42,612)        61,259        (63,776)      
        Unrecognized prior service cost                                 42,845         42,850         46,201       
        Unrecognized net (gains) losses                                (63,130)       (86,195)        39,408       
        Unrecognized net obligation (asset) at transition               41,305        (19,841)       (21,994)                     
                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------       
                                                                   $   (21,592)        (1,927)          (161)      
                                                                   ===========    ===========    ===========       
     </TABLE>                                                           
                                                                        

<PAGE>   21

              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
            (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)
                                      
            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

     Basis for measurements, funded status of plan:
                                                                     
      <TABLE>                                                        
      <CAPTION>                                                    
                                                          Post-merger       Pre-merger                                   
                                                             1995             1995              1994                     
                                                        ---------------  ---------------   ---------------               
     <S>                                                    <C>               <C>              <C>                       
     Weighed average discount rate                           6.00%             6.00%            7.50%                     
     Rate of increase in future compensation levels          4.25%             4.25%            6.25%                     
                                                                              
     </TABLE>                                                          
                                                                    
                                                                   
     Assets of the Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Retirement Plan are invested
     in group annuity contracts of NLIC and ELICW. Prior to the merger, the     
     assets of the Nationwide Insurance Companies and Affiliates Retirement 
     Plan were invested in a group annuity contract of NLIC.       
                                                                               
(11) POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS                                
     -------------------------------------------                               
                                                                             
     In addition to the defined benefit pension plan, the Company, together
     with other affiliated companies, participates in life and health care 
     defined benefit plans for qualifying retirees. Postretirement life and 
     health care benefits are contributory and generally available to full 
     time employees who have attained age 55 and have accumulated 15 years of 
     service with the Company after reaching age 40.  Postretirement health 
     care benefit contributions are adjusted annually and contain cost-sharing 
     features such as deductibles and coinsurance. In addition, there are caps
     on the Company's portion of the per-participant cost of the postretirement 
     health care benefits. These caps can increase annually, but not more than
     three  percent. The Company's policy is to fund the cost of health care
     benefits in amounts determined at the discretion of management. Plan 
     assets are invested primarily in group annuity contracts of NLIC.       

     Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of STATEMENT
     OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NO. 106 - EMPLOYERS' ACCOUNTING FOR 
     POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS (SFAS 106), which requires the
     accrual method of accounting for postretirement life and health care 
     insurance benefits based on actuarially determined costs to be recognized 
     over the period from the date of hire to the full eligibility date of 
     employees who are expected to qualify for such benefits.            
                                                                      
     The Company elected to immediately recognize its estimated accumulated
     postretirement benefit obligation as of January 1, 1993. Accordingly, a 
     noncash charge of $32,275 ($20,979 net of related income tax benefit) was
     recorded in the 1993 consolidated statement of income as a cumulative 
     effect of a change in accounting principle. See note 3. The adoption of    
     SFAS 106, including the cumulative effect of the change in accounting
     principle, increased the expense for postretirement benefits by $35,277 
     to $36,544 in 1993. Certain affiliated companies elected to amortize their
     initial transition obligation over periods ranging from 10 to 20 years.    
                                                                      
     The Company's accrued postretirement benefit expense as of 
     December 31, 1995 and 1994 was $51,490 and $36,001, respectively, and the
     net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPPBC) for 1995 and 1994 was 
     $8,269 and $4,627, respectively.                                           
                                                                                
     The amount of NPPBC for the plan as a whole for the years ended 
     December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was as follows:                     
                                                                      
     <TABLE>                                                          
     <CAPTION>                                                          
                                                                                   1995            1994          1993            
                                                                                 --------        --------      --------  
     <S>                                                                         <C>             <C>           <C>       
     Service cost - benefits attributed to employee service during the year      $  6,235           8,586         7,090  
     Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                14,151          14,011        13,928  
     Actual return on plan assets                                                  (2,657)         (1,622)         --    
     Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates               2,966             568           568  
     Net amortization and deferral                                                 (1,619)          1,622          --    
                                                                                 --------        --------      --------  
                                                                                 $ 19,076          23,165        21,586  
                                                                                 ========        ========      ========  
     </TABLE>                                                                  


<PAGE>   22

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

       Information regarding the funded status of the plan as a whole as of
       December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:                         
                                                                      
       <TABLE>                                                  
       <CAPTION>                                          
                                                                                     1995          1994                            
                                                                                   ---------    ---------                          
       <S>                                                                         <C>          <C>                                
       Accrued postretirement benefit expense:                                                                                     
          Retirees                                                                 $  88,680       76,677                          
          Fully eligible, active plan participants                                    28,793       22,013                          
          Other active plan participants                                              90,375       59,089                          
                                                                                   ---------    ---------                          
             Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO)                    207,848      157,779                          
          Plan assets at fair value                                                   54,325       49,012                          
                                                                                   ---------    ---------                          
             Plan assets less than accumulated postretirement benefit obligation    (153,523)    (108,767)                         
          Unrecognized transition obligation of affiliates                             1,827        6,577                          
          Unrecognized net gains                                                      (1,038)     (41,497)                         
                                                                                   ---------    ---------                          
                                                                                   $(152,734)    (143,687)                         
                                                                                   =========    =========                          
       </TABLE>                                                     
                                                                   
                                                                      
       Actuarial assumptions used for the measurement of the APBO as of    
       December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the NPPBC for 1995, 1994 and 1993 were 
       as follows:                                                    
                                                                       
       <TABLE>                                                     
       <CAPTION>                                                     
                                                          1995          1995          1994          1994          1993             
                                                          APBO         NPPBC          APBO          NPPBC         NPPBC            
                                                       -----------   -----------   ------------  ------------  ------------        
           <S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>               
           Discount rate                                 6.75%            8%            8%            7%            8%             
           Assumed health care cost trend rate:                                                                                    
               Initial rate                                11%           10%           11%           12%           14%             
               Ultimate rate                                6%            6%            6%            6%            6%             
               Uniform declining period                  12 Years      12 Years      12 Years      12 Years      12 Years          
       </TABLE>                                               
                                                                   
       The health care cost trend rate assumption has an effect on the amounts 
       reported. For the plan as a whole, a one percentage point increase in 
       the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the APBO as of 
       December 31, 1995 by $641 and the NPPBC for the year ended December 31,
       1995 by $107.                                                    
                                                                      
(12)   REGULATORY RISK-BASED CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS AND DIVIDEND 
       RESTRICTIONS                                             
       -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          
       Each insurance company's state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based 
       capital requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for 
       determining the amount of risk-based capital specify various weighting 
       factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of 
       activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance 
       is determined by a ratio of the company's regulatory total adjusted 
       capital, as defined by the NAIC, to its authorized control level 
       risk-based capital, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific 
       trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of
       which requires specified corrective action. NLIC and each of its 
       insurance subsidiaries exceed the minimum risk-based capital 
       requirements.                                                            
                                                                    
       In accordance with the requirements of the New York statutes, the 
       Company has agreed with the Superintendent of Insurance of that state 
       that so long as participating policies and contracts are held by 
       residents of New York, no profits on participating policies and 
       contracts in excess of the larger of (a) ten percent of such profits or
       (b) fifty cents per year per thousand dollars of participating life 
       insurance in force, exclusive of group term, as of the year-end shall 
       inure to the benefit of the shareholder. Such New York statutes
       further provide that so long as such agreement is in effect, such 
       excess of profits shall be exhibited as "participating policyholders' 
       surplus" in annual statements filed with the Superintendent and shall 
       be used only for the payment or apportionment of dividends to 
       participating policyholders at least to the extent required by statute 
       or for the purpose of making up any loss on  participating policies.
                                                                       
<PAGE>   23

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

      In the opinion of counsel for the Company, the ultimate ownership of the
      entire surplus, however classified, of the Company resides with the
      shareholder, subject to the usual requirements under state laws and
      regulations that certain deposits, reserves and minimum surplus be
      maintained for the protection of the policyholders until all policy
      contracts are discharged.
                
      Based on the opinion of counsel with respect to the ownership of its
      surplus, the Company is of the opinion that the earnings attributable to
      participating policies in excess of the amounts paid as dividends to
      policyholders belong to the shareholder rather than the policyholders,
      and such earnings are so treated by the Company.
                
      The amount of shareholder's equity other than capital shares was
      $2,664,697, $1,904,664 and $1,647,353 as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and
      1993, respectively. The amount thereof not presently available for
      dividends to the shareholder due to the New York restrictions was
      $1,503,241, $929,934 and $954,037 as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
      respectively.
                
      Ohio law limits the payment of dividends to shareholders. The maximum
      dividend that may be paid by the Company without prior approval of the
      Director of the Department is limited to the greater of statutory gain
      from operations of the preceding calendar year or 10% of statutory
      shareholder's surplus as of the prior December 31. Therefore, $2,468,687
      of shareholder's equity, as presented in the accompanying consolidated
      financial statements, is so restricted as to dividend payments in 1996.
                
      Each of NLIC's insurance company subsidiaries are limited in their
      payment of dividends by the state insurance department of their
      respective state of domicile. As of December 31, 1995, the maximum amount
      of shareholder's equity available for dividend payment to NLIC in 1996 by
      its insurance company subsidiaries without prior approval are:
                
      <TABLE>
      <S>                                             <C>
      Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company   $10,143
      West Coast Life Insurance Company                13,153
      Employers Life Insurance Company of Wausau       10,132
      National Casualty Company                            --  
                                                      -------
                                                      $33,428
                                                      ======= 
</TABLE>
        

(13)  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
      ----------------------------

      On March 1, 1995, Corp. contributed all of the outstanding shares of
      Farmland Life Insurance Company (Farmland) to NLIC, which then merged
      Farmland into WCLIC effective June 30, 1995. The contribution resulted in
      a direct increase to consolidated shareholder's equity of $46,918. The
      contribution of Farmland has been accounted for in a manner similar to a
      pooling of interests and accordingly, Farmland's results are included in
      the consolidated statements of income beginning January 1, 1995. However,
      prior period consolidated financial statements have not been restated due
      to the impact of Farmland being immaterial.
                
      Effective December 31, 1994, NLIC purchased all of the outstanding shares
      of ELICW from Wausau Service Corporation (WSC) for $155,000. NLIC
      transferred fixed maturity securities and cash with a fair value of
      $155,000 to WSC on December 28, 1994, which resulted in a realized loss
      of $19,239 on the disposition of the securities. The purchase price
      approximated both the historical cost basis and fair value of net assets
      of ELICW. ELICW has and will continue to share home office, other
      facilities, equipment and common management and administrative services
      with WSC.
        
      Certain annuity products are sold through three affiliated companies
      which are also subsidiaries of Corp. Total commissions and fees paid to
      these affiliates for the three years ended December 31, 1995 were
      $57,969, $50,470 and $44,577, respectively.
        


<PAGE>   24

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

      The Company shares home office, other facilities, equipment and common
      management and administrative services with affiliates.
        
      The Company participates in intercompany repurchase agreements with
      affiliates whereby the seller will transfer securities to the buyer at a
      stated value. Upon demand or a stated period, the securities will be
      repurchased by the seller at the original sales price plus a price
      differential. Transactions under the agreements during 1995 and
      1994 were not material. 

      During 1993, the Company sold equity securities with a market value
      $194,515 to NMIC, resulting in a realized gain of $122,823. With the
      proceeds, the Company purchased securities with a market value of
      $194,139 and cash of $376 from NMIC.                         

      Intercompany reinsurance contracts exist between NLIC and NMIC, NLIC and
      WCLIC, NLIC and NCC, WCLIC and NMIC and WCLIC and ELICW as of December
      31, 1995. These contracts are immaterial to the consolidated financial
      statements.    

      NCC participates in several 100% quota share reinsurance agreements with
      NMIC and Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the minority
      shareholder of Corp. As a result of these agreements, the following
      assets and (liabilities) are included in the consolidated financial
      statements as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 for reinsurance ceded:
        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1995          1994      
                                                                        -----------   -----------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>
      Reinsurance recoverable                                           $ 590,379       541,289 
      Unearned premium reserves                                          (112,467)     (110,353) 
      Liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expense           (477,912)     (430,936)
</TABLE>                                                                

      The ceding of reinsurance does not discharge the original insurer from
      primary liability to its policyholder. The insurer which assumes the
      coverage assumes the related liability and it is the practice of insurers
      to treat insured risks, to the extent of reinsurance ceded, as though
      they were risks for which the original insurer is not liable. Management
      believes the financial strength of NMIC reduces to an acceptable level
      any risk to NCC under these intercompany  reinsurance agreements.        

      ELICW assumes certain accident and health insurance business from
      Employers Insurance of Wausau A Mutual Company, an affiliate. During
      1995, total premiums assumed by ELICW under the reinsurance
      agreement were $150,622.                

      The Company and various affiliates entered into agreements with
      Nationwide Cash Management Company (NCMC) and California Cash Management
      Company (CCMC), both affiliates, under which NCMC and CCMC act as common
      agents in handling the purchase and sale of short-term securities for the
      respective accounts of the participants. Amounts on deposit with NCMC and
      CCMC were $21,644 and $92,531 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
      respectively, and are included in short-term investments on the
      accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(14)  BANK LINES OF CREDIT
      --------------------

      As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, NLIC had $120,000 of confirmed but
      unused bank lines of credit which support a $100,000 commercial paper
      borrowing authorization.
        
(15)  CONTINGENCIES
      -------------

      The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. In the opinion of
      management, the effects, if any, of such lawsuits are not expected to be
      material to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
        
<PAGE>   25

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Corporation)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

(16)  SEGMENT INFORMATION
      -------------------

      The Company operates in the long-term savings, life insurance and
      accident and health insurance lines of business in the life insurance and
      property and casualty insurance industries. Long-term savings operations
      include both qualified and non-qualified annuity contracts issued to both
      individuals and groups. Life insurance operations include whole life,
      universal life, variable universal life and endowment and term life
      insurance issued to individuals and groups. Accident and health insurance
      operations also provide coverage to individuals and groups. Corporate
      primarily includes investments, and the related investment income, which
      are not specifically allocated to one of the three operating segments. In
      addition, realized gains and losses on all general account investments
      are reported as a component of the corporate segment.
        
      During 1995, the Company changed its reporting segments to better reflect
      the way the businesses are managed. Prior periods have been restated to
      reflect these changes.
        
      The following table summarizes the revenues and income (loss) before
      Federal income tax expense and cumulative effect of changes in accounting
      principles for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 and
      assets as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, by business segment.
        
      <TABLE>                                                       
      <CAPTION>                                                 
                                                                                      1995           1994           1993      
                                                                                 ------------    ------------   ------------  
      <S>                                                                        <C>               <C>          <C>           
      Revenues:                                                                                                               
           Long-term savings                                                     $  1,406,241       1,125,013      1,048,045  
           Life insurance                                                             502,885         452,795        432,343  
           Accident and health insurance                                              532,383         345,545        339,764  
           Corporate                                                                  134,598         122,847        214,374  
                                                                                 ------------    ------------   ------------  
                                                                                 $  2,576,107       2,046,200      2,034,526  
                                                                                 ============    ============   ============  
                                                                                                                              
      Income (loss) before Federal income tax expense and                                                                     
          cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles:                                                              
           Long-term savings                                                          129,475          95,530         47,966  
           Life insurance                                                              63,169          46,119         36,383  
           Accident and health insurance                                              (12,521)         13,221         15,041  
           Corporate                                                                  139,609         118,360        213,511  
                                                                                 ------------    ------------   ------------  
                                                                                 $    319,732         273,230        312,901  
                                                                                 ============    ============   ============  
      Assets:                                                                                                                 
           Long-term savings                                                       34,634,892      25,815,273     20,695,598  
           Life insurance                                                           3,675,581       3,231,651      2,897,574  
           Accident and health insurance                                              307,643         291,296        297,200  
           Corporate                                                                1,995,995       1,773,913      1,515,989  
                                                                                 ------------    ------------   ------------  
                                                                                 $ 40,614,111      31,112,133     25,406,361  
                                                                                 ============    ============   ============  
                                                                                                                              

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   26



                                                                      Schedule I
                                                                     -----------

               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
       Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties
                               December 31, 1995
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------  ------------------
                                                                         Column B         Column C           Column D
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------  ---------------
                                                                                                         Amount at which
                                                                                                           shown in the
                                                                                                           consolidated
                                                                           Cost         Market value      balance sheet
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------- -------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>
Fixed maturities available-for-sale:                                
   Bonds and notes:                                                 
      U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities          $  3,913,961         4,116,744          4,116,744
      States, municipalities and political subdivisions                       9,742            10,993             10,993
      Foreign governments                                                   162,442           172,016            172,016
      Public utilities                                                    2,053,701         2,146,000          2,146,000
      All other corporate                                                 7,298,784         7,721,624          7,721,624
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------- -------------------
          Total fixed maturities available-for-sale                      13,438,630        14,167,377         14,167,377   
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------- -------------------
Equity securities available-for-sale:
   Common stocks:
      Industrial, miscellaneous and all other                                26,037            32,474             32,474
   Non-redeemable preferred stock                                             1,325             1,244              1,244   
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------- -------------------
          Total equity securities available-for-sale                         27,362            33,718             33,718   
                                                                     ----------------- ---------------- -------------------

Mortgage loans on real estate                                             4,838,432                            4,786,599*
Real estate:
   Investment properties                                                    213,340                              171,739*
   Acquired in satisfaction of debt                                          82,930                               67,350*
Policy loans                                                                370,908                              370,908
Other long-term investments                                                  73,190                               67,280#
Short-term investments                                                       45,732                               45,732   
                                                                     -----------------                  -------------------
          Total investments                                             $19,090,524                           19,710,703   
                                                                     =================                  ===================
</TABLE>


*        Difference from Column B is primarily due to accumulated depreciation
         and valuation allowances due to impairments on real estate and
         valuation allowances due to impairments on mortgage loans on real
         estate. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations and note 5 to the consolidated
         financial statements.

#        Difference from Column B is primarily due to operating losses of
         investments in limited partnerships.


See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>   27
                                      
                                      
                                                                   Schedule III
                                                                   ------------
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Supplementary Insurance Information
                        December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------ ---------------
             Column A                  Column B          Column C            Column D           Column E          Column F    
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------ ---------------
                                       Deferred       Future policy                           Other policy
                                        policy      benefits, losses,                          claims and
             Segment                 acquisition        claims and      Unearned premiums   benefits payable      Premium
                                        costs         loss expenses            (1)                 (2)            revenue
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------ ---------------
<S>                                <C>            <C>                  <C>                  <C>                <C>
1995: Long-term savings                $   668,784          14,847,449                                    455               -
      Life insurance                       416,209           2,494,344                                408,990         274,957
      Accident and health                  
       insurance                             9,202             858,335                                 15,264         509,658
      Corporate                                  -                   -                                      -               -  
                                    -------------- ---------------------                    ------------------ ---------------
             Total                      $1,094,195          18,200,128                                424,709         784,615 
                                    ============== =====================                    ================== ===============

1994: Long-term savings                    663,696          13,300,015                                    240               -
      Life insurance                       387,486           2,245,375                                397,174         209,538
      Accident and health              
       insurance                            12,977             776,071                                 13,414         324,524
      Corporate                                  -                   -                                      -               -   
                                    -------------- ---------------------                    ------------------ ---------------
             Total                      $1,064,159          16,321,461                                410,828         534,062 
                                    ============== =====================                    ================== ===============

1993: Long-term savings                    506,243          11,308,024                                  1,262               -
      Life insurance                       291,683           2,047,844                                378,788         215,715
      Accident and health              
       insurance                            14,018             736,387                                 14,595         312,655
      Corporate                                  -                   -                                      -               -    
                                    -------------- ---------------------                    ------------------ ---------------
             Total                     $   811,944          14,092,255                                394,645         528,370 
                                    ============== =====================                    ================== ===============
                                   
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------  -----------------  --------------
             Column A                  Column G          Column H            Column I           Column J          Column K    
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------ ---------------
                                         Net                                Amortization           Other
                                      investment    Benefits, claims,       of deferred          operating 
             Segment                    income          losses and            policy              expenses         Premiums
                                         (3)       settlement expenses   acquisition costs          (3)             written
- ----------------------------------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------ ---------------

1995: Long-term savings                 $1,124,207           1,009,632             51,998             210,525
      Life insurance                       202,285             267,123             34,124              94,461
      Accident and health              
       insurance                            22,725             379,532              6,922             153,984         473,513       
      Corporate                            133,763                   -                  -                   - 
                                    -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
             Total                      $1,482,980           1,656,287             93,044             458,970 
                                    ============== ==================== =================== ==================

1994: Long-term savings                    945,318             807,756             56,236             171,038
      Life insurance                       183,933             237,125             33,394              90,535
      Accident and health                                                                                            
       insurance                           21,020             234,882              5,114              90,829         315,688
      Corporate                            139,230                   -                  -                   - 
                                    -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
             Total                      $1,289,501           1,279,763             94,744             352,402 
                                    ============== ==================== =================== ==================

1993: Long-term savings                    897,639             800,385             43,291             157,046
      Life insurance                       178,978             227,786             35,220              89,496
      Accident and health                                                                                            
       insurance                            27,108             208,735             23,623              82,854        263,117
      Corporate                            100,701                   -                  -                   - 
                                    -------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
             Total                      $1,204,426           1,236,906            102,134             329,396 
                                    ============== ==================== =================== ==================

<FN>
(1)  Unearned premiums are included in Column C amounts.        (3)  Allocations of net investment income and certain general
(2)  Column E agrees to the sum of the consolidated balance          expenses are based on a number of assumptions and
     sheet captions, "Policyholders' dividend                        estimates, and reported operating results would
     accumulations" and "Other policyholder funds".                  change by segment if different methods were applied.
</TABLE>

See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>   28


                                                                     Schedule IV
                                                                     -----------
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  Reinsurance
                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Percentage
                                                        Ceded to         Assumed from                         of amount
                                   Gross amount      other companies   other companies      Net amount      assumed to net 
                                ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ---------------
<S>                    <C>         <C>                    <C>                  <C>            <C>                 <C>
1995:
Life insurance in force              $51,613,116          6,865,011            742,451        45,490,556           1.6%    
                                =================== ================== ================= ================== ===============

Premiums:
   Life insurance                        281,687             12,817              6,087           274,957           2.2%
   Accident and health                   
     insurance                           427,943             73,131            154,846           509,658          30.4%
                                ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ---------------
          Total                    $     709,630             85,948            160,933           784,615          20.5%    
                                =================== ================== ================= ================== ===============
1994:
Life insurance in force              $46,262,595          5,289,259            819,799        41,793,135           2.0%    
                                =================== ================== ================= ================== ===============
Premiums:
   Life insurance                        209,918              7,551              7,171           209,538           3.4%
   Accident and health                   
     insurance                           389,573             69,095              4,046           324,524           1.2%
                                ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ---------------
          Total                    $     599,491             76,646             11,217           534,062           2.1%    
                                =================== ================== ================= ================== ===============

1993:
Life insurance in force              $39,417,116          4,352,071            180,739        35,245,784           0.5%    
                                =================== ================== ================= ================== ===============
Premiums:
   Life insurance                        218,764              6,161              3,112           215,715           1.4%
   Accident and health                   
     insurance                           398,289             88,506              2,872           312,655           0.9%
                                ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ---------------
          Total                    $     617,053             94,667              5,984           528,370           1.1%    
                                =================== ================== ================= ================== ===============
</TABLE>


See accompanying independent auditors' report.

<PAGE>   29


                                                                      Schedule V
                                                                      ----------
               NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                (000's omitted)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------------------- ------------- -------------
                    Column A                         Column B               Column C               Column D      Column E   
- ------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------------------- ------------- -------------
                                                    Balance at     Charged to                                   Balance at
                                                   beginning of     costs and      Charged to     Deductions      end of  
Description                                           period        expenses     other accounts      (1)          period  
- ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>                  <C>       <C>           <C>
1995:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities       $     -         10,153               -         10,153             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage  loans on real        
  estate                                                47,892          7,653               -          4,850        50,695
Valuation allowances - real estate                      27,330         (1,080)              -              -        26,250
Valuation allowances - other long-term                
  investments                                                -            457               -              -           457


1994:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities         6,680         (6,680)              -              -             -
Valuation  allowances  - mortgage loans on real         
  estate                                                42,350         21,672               -         16,130        47,892
Valuation allowances - real estate                      31,357         (4,027)              -              -        27,330


1993:
Valuation allowances - fixed maturity securities         5,746            934               -              -         6,680
Valuation  allowances - mortgage loans on real        
  estate                                                31,872         28,241               -         17,763        42,350
Valuation allowances - real estate                      35,471         (4,114)              -              -        31,357
Valuation allowances - other long-term           
  investments                                              700           (700)              -              -             -

<FN>

(1)  Amounts represent direct write-downs charged against the valuation
     allowance.

</TABLE>


See accompanying independent auditors' report.


<PAGE>   38

Part C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
    <S>            <C>                                                                    <C>
               (a)    Financial Statements:                                                    Page

                  (1) Financial statements and schedule included in
                      Prospectus (Part A):
   

                      Condensed Financial Information                                             13

                  (2) Financial statements and schedule included in Part B:                       36

                      Those financial statements and schedule required by
                      Item 23 to be included in Part B have been incorporated
                      therein by reference to the Prospectus (Part A).

               Nationwide NACo Variable Account:

                      Independent Auditors' Report.                                               36

                      Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Contract Owners'
                      Equity as of December 31, 1995.                                             37

                      Statements of Operations and Changes in Contract
                      Owners' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1995,
                      1994 and 1993.                                                              40

                      Notes to Financial Statements.                                              41

                      Schedules of Changes in Unit Value.                                         44

               Nationwide Life Insurance Company:                                                 

                      Independent Auditors' Report.                                               47

                      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995
                      and 1994.                                                                   48

                      Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
                      December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.                                           49

                      Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the
                      years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.                               50

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
                      ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993.                                     51

                      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                  52

                      Schedule I - Summary of Investments - Other 
                      Than Investments in Related Parties                                         72

                      Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information                          73

                      Schedule IV - Reinsurance                                                   74

                      Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                              75

</TABLE>
    




                                        76 of 93
<PAGE>   39
Item 24.  (b) Exhibits

 (1) Resolution of the Depositor's Board of Directors authorizing the
     establishment of the Registrant, adopted September 7, 1988. --Filed
     previously with pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration 
     statement, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 (2) Not Applicable

 (3) Underwriting or Distribution contract between the Registrant and Principal
     Underwriter. --Filed previously with pre-effective Amendment No.  1 to the
     registration statement, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 (4) The form of the variable annuity contract. --Filed previously with
     pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement, and hereby
     incorporated by reference.

 (5) Variable Annuity Application. --Filed previously with pre-effective
     Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement, and hereby incorporated by
     reference.

 (6) Articles of Incorporation of Depositor. --Filed previously with
     pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement, and hereby
     incorporated by reference.

 (7) Not Applicable

 (8) Not Applicable

 (9) Opinion of Counsel. --Filed previously with pre-effective Amendment 
     No. 1 to the registration statement, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(10) Not Applicable

(11) Not Applicable

(12) Not Applicable

(13) Performance Advertising Calculation Schedule. --Filed previously with
     pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement, and hereby
     incorporated by reference.



                                   77 of 93

<PAGE>   40
Item 25.     DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL                POSITIONS AND OFFICES
   BUSINESS ADDRESS                    WITH DEPOSITOR
  <S>                                 <C>
  Lewis J. Alphin                        Director
  519 Bethel Church Road                 
  Mount Olives, NC  28365                
     
  Keith W. Eckel                         Director
  1647 Falls Road                        
  Clarks Summit, PA 18411                
    
  Willard J. Engel                       Director
  1100 East Main Street                  
  Marshall, MN 56258                     
                                         
  Fred C. Finney                         Director
  1558 West Moreland Road
  Wooster, OH 44691

  Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.              Director
  600 South Washington Street
  Butler, PA  16001
   
  Joseph J. Gasper                       President and Chief Operating Officer
  One Nationwide Plaza                               and Director
  Columbus, OH  43215
    
  Henry S. Holloway                      Chairman of the
  1247 Stafford Road                          Board
  Darlington, MD  21034
   
  D. Richard McFerson                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-
  One Nationwide Plaza                   Nationwide Insurance Enterprise
  Columbus, OH  43215                    and Director
    
  David O. Miller                        Director
  115 Sprague Drive
  Hebron, Ohio  43025

  C. Ray Noecker                         Director
  2770 State Route 674 South
  Ashville, OH 43103

  James F. Patterson                     Director
  8765 Mulberry Road
  Chesterland, OH  44026



</TABLE>


                                   78 of 93

<PAGE>   41
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL               POSITIONS AND OFFICES
   BUSINESS ADDRESS                 WITH DEPOSITOR
 <S>                                     <C>
                           
 Arden L. Shisler                        Director
 1356 North Wenger Road
 Dalton, OH  44618
    
 Robert L. Stewart                       Director
 88740 Fairview Road
 Jewett, OH  43986

 Nancy C. Thomas                         Director
 10835 Georgetown Street NE              
 Louisville, OH  44641                   
                                         
 Harold W. Weihl                         Director
 14282 King Road
 Bowling Green, OH  43402

 Gordon E. McCutchan                     Executive Vice President,
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Law and Corporate Services
 Columbus, OH  43215                     and Secretary
   
 Robert A. Oakley                        Executive Vice President-
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Chief Financial Officer
 Columbus, Ohio  43215

 James E. Brock                          Senior Vice President -
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Life Company Operations
 Columbus, OH  43215
    
 W. Sidney Druen                         Senior Vice President and General
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Counsel and Assistant Secretary
 Columbus, OH  43215

 Harvey S. Galloway, Jr.                 Senior Vice President-Chief Actuary-
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Life, Health and Annuities
 Columbus, OH  43215

 Richard A. Karas                        Senior Vice President - Sales -
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Financial Services
 Columbus, OH  43215

 Michael D. Bleiweiss                    Vice President-
 One Nationwide Plaza                    Deferred Compensation
 Columbus, OH  43215

</TABLE>


                                   79 of 93

<PAGE>   42
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME AND PRINCIPAL                    POSITIONS AND OFFICES
   BUSINESS ADDRESS                         WITH DEPOSITOR
  <S>                                <C>
  Matthew S. Easley                         Vice President -
  One Nationwide Plaza                      Annuity and Pension Actuarial
  Columbus, OH  43215

  Ronald L. Eppley                          Vice President-
  One Nationwide Plaza                      Pensions
  Columbus, OH  43215

  Timothy E. Murphy                         Vice President-
  One Nationwide Plaza                      Strategic Marketing
  Columbus, Ohio  43215

  R. Dennis Noice                           Vice President-
  One Nationwide Plaza                      Individual Investment Products
  Columbus, OH  43215

  Joseph P. Rath                            Vice President -
  One Nationwide Plaza                      Associate General Counsel
  Columbus, OH  43215
</TABLE>

    Item 26.     PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE
                   DEPOSITOR OR REGISTRANT.  
*      Subsidiaries for which separate financial statements are filed 

**     Subsidiaries included in the respective consolidated financial statements

***    Subsidiaries included in the respective group financial statements 
       filed for unconsolidated subsidiaries 

****   other subsidiaries





                                   80 of 93
<PAGE>   43
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NO. VOTING
                                                                   SECURITIES
                                                  STATE          (SEE ATTACHED
                                             OF ORGANIZATION     CHART) UNLESS
                    COMPANY                                        OTHERWISE         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                   INDICATED
  <S> <C>                                     <C>                <C>           <C>
      Affiliate Agency of Ohio, Inc.            Ohio                             Life Insurance Agency

      Affiliate Agency, Inc.                    Delaware                         Life Insurance Agency

      Allnations, Inc.                          Ohio                             Promotes cooperative insurance corporations
                                                                                 worldwide

      American Marine Underwriters, Inc.        Florida                          Underwriting Manager

      Auto Direkt Insurance Company             Germany                          Insurance Company

      The Beak and Wire Corporation             Ohio                             Radio Tower Joint Venture

      California Cash Management Company        California                       Investment Securities Agent

      Colonial County Mutual insurance          Texas                            Insurance Company
      Company

      Colonial Insurance Company of             California                       Insurance Company
      California
   
      Columbus Insurance Brokerage and          Germany                          Insurance Broker
      Service GMBH
    
      Companies Agency Insurance Services       California                       Insurance  Broker
      of California

      Companies Agency of Alabama, Inc.         Alabama                          Insurance Broker

      Companies Agency of Idaho, Inc.           Idaho                            Insurance Broker

      Companies Agency of Illinois, Inc.        Illinois                         Acts as Collection Agent for Policies placed
                                                                                 through Brokers

      Companies Agency of Kentucky, Inc.        Kentucky                         Insurance Broker

      Companies Agency of Massachusetts,        Massachusetts                    Insurance Broker
      Inc.

      Companies Agency of New York, Inc.        New York                         Insurance Broker

      Companies Agency of Pennsylvania,         Pennsylvania                     Insurance Broker
      Inc.

      Companies Agency of Phoenix, Inc.         Arizona                          Insurance Broker
   
      Companies Agency of Texas, Inc.           Texas                            Insurance Broker

      Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,        Texas                            Insurance Broker
      Inc.
    
      Companies Agency, Inc.                    Wisconsin                        Insurance Broker

      Companies Annuity Agency of Texas,        Texas                            Insurance Broker
      Inc.

      Countrywide Services Corporation          Delaware                         Products Liability, Investigative and Claims
                                                                                 Management Services

      Employers Insurance of Wausau A           Wisconsin                        Insurance Company
      Mutual Company

  **  Employers Life Insurance Company of       Wisconsin                        Life Insurance Company
      Wausau

</TABLE>



                                   81 of 93

<PAGE>   44
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NO. VOTING
                                                                   SECURITIES
                                                   STATE          (SEE ATTACHED
                                              OF ORGANIZATION     CHART) UNLESS
                     COMPANY                                        OTHERWISE     PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                    INDICATED
  <S>  <C>                                     <C>                 <C>          <C>
       F & B, Inc.                                 Iowa                           Insurance Agency

       Farmland Mutual Insurance Company           Iowa                           Insurance Company
   
       Financial Horizons Distributors             Alabama                        Life Insurance Agency
       Agency of Alabama, Inc.

       Financial Horizons Distributors             Ohio                           Insurance Agency
       Agency of Ohio
    
       Financial Horizons Distributors             Oklahoma                       Life Insurance Agency
       Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.
   
       Financial Horizons Distributors             Texas                          Life Insurance Agency
       Agency of Texas, Inc.
    

   *   Financial Horizons Investment Trust         Massachusetts                  Investment Company

       Financial Horizons Securities               Oklahoma                       Broker Dealer
       Corporation

       Gates, McDonald & Company                   Ohio                           Cost Control Business
   
       Gates, McDonald & Company of Nevada         Nevada                         Self-Insurance Administration Claims
    
                                                                                  Examinations and Data Processing Services
       Gates, McDonald & Company of New            New York                       Workers Compensation Claims Administration
       York, Inc.

       Greater La Crosse Health Plans,             Wisconsin                      Writes Commercial Health and Medicare
       Inc.                                                                       Supplement Insurance

       InHealth Agency, Inc.                       Ohio                           Insurance Agency

       InHealth Management Systems, Inc.           Ohio                           Develops and operates Managed Care Delivery

       Insurance Intermediaries, Inc.              Ohio                           Insurance Broker and Insurance Agency

       Key Health Plan, Inc.                       California                     Pre-paid health plans
   

       Landmark Financial Services of New          New York                       Life Insurance Agency
       York, Inc.

       Leben Direkt Insurance Company              Germany                        Life Insurance Company
    
       Lone Star General Agency, Inc.              Texas                          Insurance Agency

  **   MRM Investments, Inc.                       Ohio                           Owns and operates a Recreational Ski

  **   National Casualty Company                   Michigan                       Insurance Company

   
       National Casualty Company of                Great Britain                  Insurance Company
       America, Ltd.
    
  **   National Premium and Benefit                Delaware                       Insurance Administrative Services
       Administration Company

       Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance           Iowa                           Insurance Company
       Company

       Nationwide Cash Management Company          Ohio                           Investment Securities Agent

       Nationwide Communications, Inc.             Ohio                           Radio Broadcasting Business

       Nationwide Community Urban                  Ohio                           Redevelopmentof blighted areas within the

       Redevelopment Corporation                                                  City of Columbus, Ohio
</TABLE>



                                   82 of 93
                                       
<PAGE>   45

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   STATE          (SEE ATTACHED
                                              OF ORGANIZATION     CHART) UNLESS
                     COMPANY                                        OTHERWISE           PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                    INDICATED
<S> <C>                                       <C>                <C>           <C>
     Nationwide Corporation                      Ohio                           Organized for the purpose of acquiring,
                                                                                holding, encumbering, transferring, or
                                                                                otherwise disposing of shares, bonds, and
                                                                                other evidences ofindebtedness, securities,
                                                                                and contracts of other persons,
                                                                                associations, corporations, domestic or
                                                                                foreign and to form or acquire the control
                                                                                of other corporations

     Nationwide Development Company             Ohio                            Owns, leases and manages commercial real
                                                                                estate

     Nationwide Financial Institution           Delaware                        Insurance Agency
     Distributors Agency, Inc.

**   Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.        Ohio                            Registered Broker-Dealer, InvestmentManager
                                                                                and Administrator

     Nationwide General Insurance               Ohio                            Insurance Company
     Company
   
     Nationwide HMO, Inc.                       Ohio                            Health Maintenance Organization
    
 *   Nationwide Indemnity Company               Ohio                            Reinsurance Company

     Nationwide Insurance Enterprise            Ohio                            Membership Non-Profit Corporation
     Foundation

     Nationwide Insurance Golf                  Ohio                            Membership Non-Profit Corporation
     Charities, Inc.

     Nationwide Investing Foundation            Michigan                        Investment Company

 *   Nationwide Investing                       Massachusetts                   Investment Company
     Foundation II
   
     Nationwide Investment Services             Oklahoma                        Registered Broker-Dealer in Deferred
     Corporation                                                                Compensation Market
    
     Nationwide Investors Services, Inc.        Ohio                            Stock Transfer Agent

 **  Nationwide Life and Annuity                Ohio                            Life Insurance Company
     Insurance Company

 **  Nationwide Life Insurance Company          Ohio                            Life Insurance Company
   
     Nationwide Lloyds                          Texas                           Texas Lloyds Company
    
     Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance           Ohio                            Insurance Company
     Company

     Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company        Ohio                            Insurance Company

     Nationwide Property and Casualty           Ohio                            Insurance Company
     Insurance Company

 **  Nationwide Property Management,            Ohio                            Owns, leases, manages and deals in Real
     Inc.                                                                       Property

 *   Nationwide Separate Account Trust          Massachusetts                   Investment Company

     NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Alabama                         Life Insurance Agency
     of Alabama, Inc.
</TABLE>



                                   83 of 93

<PAGE>   46
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             NO. VOTING
                                                             SECURITIES
                                             STATE          (SEE ATTACHED
                                        OF ORGANIZATION     CHART) UNLESS
               COMPANY                                        OTHERWISE         PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                              INDICATED
 <S>                                     <C>                <C>             <C>
   
 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Arizona                            Life Insurance Agency
 of Arizona, Inc.
    
 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Massachusetts                      Life Insurance Agency
 of Massachusetts, Inc.
   
 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Montana                            Life Insurance Agency
 of Montana, Inc.

 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Nevada                             Life Insurance Agency
 of Nevada, Inc.
    
 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Ohio                               Life Insurance Agency
 of Ohio, Inc.

 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Oklahoma                           Life Insurance Agency
 of Oklahoma, Inc.

 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Texas                              Life Insurance Agency
 of Texas, Inc.
   
 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services         Wyoming                            Life Insurance Agency
 of Wyoming
    
 NEA Valuebuilder Investor Services,        Delaware                           Life Insurance Agency
 Inc.
   
 NEA Valuebuilder Services Insurance        Massachusetts                      Life Insurance Agency
 Agency, Inc.
    
 Neckura General Insurance Company          Germany                            Insurance Company

 Neckura Holding Company                    Germany                            Administrative Service for Neckura Insurance
                                                                               Group

 Neckura Insurance Company                  Germany                            Insurance Company


 Neckura Life Insurance Company             Germany                            Life Insurance Company

 NWE, Inc.                                  Ohio                               Special Investments

 PEBSCO of Massachusetts Insurance          Massachusetts                      Markets and Administers Deferred
 Agency, Inc.                                                                  Compensation Plans for Public Employees

 PEBSCO of Texas, Inc.                      Texas                              Markets and Administers Deferred
                                                                               Compensation Plans for Public Employees

 Pension Associates of Wausau, Inc.         Wisconsin                          Pension plan administration, recordkeeping
                                                                               and consulting and compensation consulting

 Public Employees Benefit Services          Delaware                           Marketing and Administration of Deferred
 corporation                                                                   Employee Compensation Plans for Public
                                                                               Employees

 Public Employees Benefit Services          Alabama                            Markets and Administers Deferred
 Corporation of Alabama                                                        Compensation Plans for Public Employees

 Public Employees Benefit Services          Arkansas                           Markets and Administers Deferred
 Corporation of Arkansas                                                       Compensation Plans for Public Employees

 Public Employees Benefit Services          Montana                            Markets and Administers Deferred
 Corporation of Montana                                                        Compensation Plans for Public Employees



</TABLE>


                                       84 of 93
<PAGE>   47
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NO. VOTING
                                                                    SECURITIES
                                                   STATE          (SEE ATTACHED
                                              OF ORGANIZATION     CHART) UNLESS
                     COMPANY                                        OTHERWISE            PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                    INDICATED
  <S>  <C>                                     <C>                <C>          <C>
       Public Employees Benefit Services          New Mexico                       Markets and Administers Deferred
       Corporation of New Mexico                                                   Compensation Plans for Public Employees

       Scottsdale Indemnity Company               Ohio                             Insurance Company

       Scottsdale Insurance Company               Ohio                             Insurance Company

       SVM Sales GmbH, Neckura Insurance          Germany                          Sales support for Neckura Insurance Group
       Group

       Wausau Business Insurance Company          Illinois                         Insurance Company

       Wausau General Insurance Company           Illinois                         Insurance Company
   
       Wausau Insurance Company (U.K.)            United Kingdom                   Insurance and Reinsurance Company
       Limited
    
       Wausau International Underwriters         California                        Special Risks, Excess and Surplus Lines
                                                                                   Insurance Underwriting Manager

  **   Wausau Preferred Health Insurance         Wisconsin                         Insurance and Reinsurance Company
       Company

       Wausau Service Corporation                Wisconsin                         Holding Company

       Wausau Underwriters Insurance             Wisconsin                         Insurance Company
       Company

  **   West Coast Life Insurance Company         California                        Life Insurance Company


</TABLE>


                                                85 of 93


<PAGE>   48
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NO. VOTING SECURITIES
                                                               (SEE ATTACHED CHART)        
                                                 STATE           UNLESS OTHERWISE           
                   COMPANY                  OF ORGANIZATION         INDICATED                       PRINCIPAL BUSINESS
                                                                                                                      
 <S> <C>                                       <C>          <C>                            <C>
 *   MFS Variable Account                        Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   NACo Variable Account                       Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide DC Variable                      Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account
   
 *   Nationwide Life Separate Account            Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
     No. 1                                                    Account
    
 *   Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
     Account                                                  Account

 *   Nationwide VA Separate Account-A            Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity    Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Separate Account

 *   Nationwide VA Separate Account-B            Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity    Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Separate Account

     Nationwide VA Separate Account-C            Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity    Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Separate Account

 *   Nationwide VA Separate Account-Q            Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity    Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Separate Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account-II              Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account-3               Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account-4               Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account-5               Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide Fidelity Advisor                 Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
     Variable Account                                         Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account-6               Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide Variable Account-8               Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Annuity Contracts
                                                              Account

 *   Nationwide VL Separate                      Ohio         Nationwide Life and Annuity    Issuer of Life Insurance
     Account-A                                                Separate Account               Contracts

 *   Nationwide VLI Separate Account             Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                              Account                        Contracts

 *   Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                              Account                        Contracts

 *   Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3           Ohio         Nationwide Life Separate       Issuer of Life Insurance
                                                              Account                        Contracts

</TABLE>




                                       86 of 93
<PAGE>   49

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                        (left side}
 ______________________
| NATIONWIDE INSURANCE |            
| GOLF CHARITIES, INC. |
|                      |
|     MEMBERSHIP       |
|     NONPROFIT        |
|    CORPORATION       |
|______________________|
<S>                                      <C>                                           <C>
 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
|                               EMPLOYERS INSURANCE OF WAUSAU                                    |         
|                                    A MUTUAL COMPANY                                            |       
|                                      (EMPLOYERS)                                               |_________________________________
|                         Contribution Note          Cost                                        |_________________________________
|                         -----------------          ----                                        |         
|                         Casualty                   $400,000,000                                |              
|________________________________________________________________________________________________|              
                 |                                    |
    _____________|_________________      _____________|__________________       _____________________       __________________
   |      WAUSAU INSURANCE CO.     |    |        WAUSAU SERVICE          |     |                     |     |                  |
   |        (U.K.) LIMITED         |    |      CORPORATION (WSC)         |     |                     |     |                  |
   |                               |    |                                |     |  NATIONWIDE  LLOYDS |     |    COMPANIES     |
   |  Common Stock:   8,506,800    |    |   Common Stock:   1,000        |     |                     |     |                  |
   |  -------------   Shares       |    |   -------------   Shares       |_____|                     |_____|    AGENCY OF     |
   |                               |    |                                |_____|                     |_____|                  |
   |                  Cost         |    |                   Cost         |     |                     |     |    TEXAS, INC.   |
   |                  ----         |    |                   ----         |     |    A TEXAS LLOYDS   |     |                  |
   |  Employers--                  |    |   Employers--                  |     |                     |     |                  |
   |  100%            $15,683,300  |    |   100%            $106,763,000 |     |                     |     |                  |
   |_______________________________|    |________________________________|     |_____________________|     |__________________|
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |        WAUSAU BUSINESS       |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  10,900,000   |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 -----        |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $21,800,000  |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS    |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  8,750        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                  Cost        |
                                                        |    |                  ----        |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%        $44,560,006 |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       GREATER LA CROSSE      |
                                                        |    |       HEALTH PLANS, INC.     |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  3,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-33.3%      $861,761     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF ALABAMA, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $100         |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |











                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF KENTUCKY, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  ------------   Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |     OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.    |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $100         |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |     OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.   |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF NEW YORK, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF PHOENIX, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |         OF IDAHO, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |     COUNTRYWIDE SERVICES     |
                                                        |    |          CORPORATION         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  100          |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $145,852     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |










                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |         WAUSAU GENERAL       |
                                                        |    |       INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  200,000      |                    
                                                        |____|  ------------   Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $31,000,000  |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |     WAUSAU INTERNATIONAL     |
                                                        |    |         UNDERWRITERS         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $10,000      |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |      INSURANCE SERVICES      |
                                                        |    |        OF CALIFORNIA         |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |____|  Common Stock:  1,000        |                    
                                                        |    |  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $1,000       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |      
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |        AMERICAN MARINE       |
                                                        |    |       UNDERWRITERS, INC.     |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  20           |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $248,222     |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________
                                                        |    |       COMPANIES AGENCY       |
                                                        |    |       OF ILLINOIS, INC.      |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  250          |                    
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |
                                                        |    |                              |
                                                        |    |                 Cost         |
                                                        |    |                 ----         |
                                                        |    |  WSC-100%       $2,500       |
                                                        |    |______________________________|                             
                                                        |
                                                        |     ______________________________      _____________________________
                                                        |    |    COMPANIES AGENCY, INC.    |    |     PENSION ASSOCIATES      |  
                                                        |    |                              |    |       OF WAUSAU, INC.       |
                                                        |    |                              |    |                             |
                                                        |    |  Common Stock:  100          |    |  Common Stock:  1,000       |
                                                        |____|  -------------  Shares       |____|  -------------  Shares      |
                                                             |                              |    |                             |
                                                             |                 Cost         |    |  Companies        Cost      |
                                                             |                 ----         |    |  Agency, Inc.     ----      |
                                                             |  WSC-100%       $10,000      |    |  (Wisconsin) --   $10,000   |
                                                             |______________________________|    |  100%                       |  
                                                                                                 |_____________________________|
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   50


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                (right side)
<S>                                         <C>                                  <C>             <C>
                                                                                            _________________________________
                                                                                           |                                 |
                                                                                           |       NATIONWIDE INSURANCE      |
                                                                                           |      ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION      |
                                                                                           |                                 | 
                                                                                           |            MEMBERSHIP           |
                                                                                           |            NONPROFIT            |
                                                                                           |           CORPORATION           |
                                                                                           |_________________________________|      
                                                       
    _________________________________________                                               ___________________________
   |                                         |                                             |                           |
___|           NATIONWIDE MUTUAL             |_____________________________________________|     NATIONWIDE MUTUAL     |
___|           INSURANCE COMPANY             |_____________________________________________|  FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY   |
   |              (CASUALTY)                 |                                             |          (FIRE)           |
   |_________________________________________|                                             |___________________________|        
                  |                 ||  |________________________________________________________________        |
                  |                 ||  |                                                                |       |
    ______________|_______________  ||  |    _____________________________                  _____________|_______|______________
   |                              | ||  |   |                             |                |                                    |
   |      ALLNATIONS, INC.        | ||  |   |      NATIONWIDE GENERAL     |                |            NATIONWIDE              |
   |                              | ||  |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY      |                |            CORPORATION             |
   | Common Stock:  2,936         | ||  |   |                             |                |                                    |
   | -------------  Shares        | ||  |   | Common Stock: 20,000 Shares |                | Common Stock:           Control    |
   |                   Cost       | ||  |___| -------------               |                | -------------           -------    |
   |                   ----       | ||  |   |                             |                | $13,642,432             100%       |
   | Casualty-26%     $88,320     | ||  |   |                Cost         |                |                                    |
   | Fire-26%         $88,463     | ||  |   |                ----         |                |          Shares      Cost          |
   | Preferred Stock: 1,466 Shares| ||  |   | Casualty-100%    $5,944,422 |                |          -----       ----          | 
   | ----------------             | ||  |   |_____________________________|                |  Casualty  12,992,922 $751,352,485 |
   |                  Cost        | ||  |                                                  |  Fire         649,510   24,007,936 |
   |                  ----        | ||  |                                                  |                                    | 
   | Casualty-6.8%    $100,000    | ||  |                                                  |           (See Page 2)             |
   | Fire-6.8%        $100,000    | ||  |                                                  |____________________________________|
   |______________________________| ||  |                                                  
                                    ||  |                                                 
    _________________________       ||  |    _____________________________  
   |                         |      ||  |   |                             |
   |      FARMLAND MUTUAL    |      ||  |   |     NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     |                  
   |     INSURANCE COMPANY   |      ||  |   |        AND CASUALTY         |                  
   |                         |      ||  |   |      INSURANCE COMPANY      |
   | Guaranty Fund           |______||  |   |                             |
   | -------------           |_______|  |   | Common Stock: 60,000 Shares |
   | Certificate             |          |   | -------------               |
   | -----------             |          |   |                   Cost      |
   |                         |          |   |                   ----      |
   |                Cost     |          |   | Casualty-100%    $6,000,000 |
   |                ----     |          |   |_____________________________|
   | Casualty       $500,000 |          |   
   |_________________________|          |    _____________________________
                   |                    |   |                             |
                   |                    |   |      COLONIAL INSURANCE     |
    _______________|___________         |   |    COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA    |     
   |          F & B, INC.      |        |   |         (COLONIAL)          |
   |                           |        |   |                             |
   | Common Stock:    1 Share  |        |___| Common Stock: 1,750 Shares  |
   | -------------             |        |   | -------------               |
   |                           |        |   |                 Cost        |
   |                   Cost    |        |   |                 ----        |
   |                   ----    |        |   | Casualty-100%   $11,750,000 |
   | Farmland Mutual-  $10     |        |   |_____________________________|
   | 100%                      |        |
   |___________________________|        |    _____________________________        __________________________ 
        ____________________________    |   |                             |      |                          |
       |                            |   |   |         SCOTTSDALE          |      |    NATIONAL PREMIUM &    | 
       |   NATIONWIDE AGRIBUSINESS  |   |   |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |      |  BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION  |
       |     INSURANCE COMPANY      |   |   |                             |      |         COMPANY          |
       |                            |   |   | Common Stock: 30,136 Shares |      |                          |
       | Common Stock:  1,000,000   |___|___| -------------               |______| Common Stock: 10,000     |
       | -------------  Shares      |   |   |                             |      | ------------  Shares     |
       |                            |   |   |                Cost         |      |                          | 
       |                            |   |   |                ----         |      |                   Cost   |
       |                            |   |   | Casualty-100%  $150,000,000 |      |                   ----   |                    
       | Casualty-99.9% $26,714,335 |   |   |_____________________________|      | Scottsdale-100%  $10,000 |
       |                            |   |                                        |__________________________|
       | Other Capital:             |   |
       | --------------             |   |
       | Casualty-Ptd.  $   713,567 |   |
       |____________________________|   |
                                        |       
                                              
                                             
                                              



                                                 
                                           
                                              
                                             
                                             
                                                                 
                                             
                                                                                                                                   






                                        |
                                        |
                                        | 
                                        |    _____________________________                       ______________________________
                                        |   |      NECKURA HOLDING        |                     |           NECKURA            |
                                        |   |     COMPANY (NECKURA)       |                     |      INSURANCE COMPANY       |
                                        |   |                             |                     |                              |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 10,000 Shares |                     | Common Stock: 6,000 Shares   |
                                        |___| -------------               |_____________________| -------------                |
                                        |   |                             |               |     |                              |
                                        |   |                 Cost        |               |     |               Cost           |
                                        |   |                 ---         |               |     |               ----           |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%   $87,943,140 |               |     | Neckura-100%  DM 6,000,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|               |     |______________________________|   
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |        NECKURA LIFE         |
                                        |                                                 |     |      INSURANCE COMPANY      |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 4,000 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |_____| -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                  Cost       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                  ----       |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 15,825,681 |   
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |      NECKURA GENERAL        |
                                        |                                                 |     |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1,500 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |_____| ------------                |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |               Cost          |
                                        |                                                 |     |               ----          |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 1,656,925  |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 | 
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |      COLUMBUS INSURANCE     |
                                        |                                                 |     |    BROKERAGE AND SERVICE    |
                                        |                                                 |     |            GmbH             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1 Share       |
                                        |                                                 |_____| -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |                Cost         |
                                        |                                                 |     |                -----        |
                                        |                                                 |     |  Neckura-100%   DM 51,639   |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |                                                 |      _____________________________
                                        |                                                 |     |        AUTO DIREKT          |
                                        |                                                 |     |     INSURANCE COMPANY       |
                                        |                                                 |     |                             |
                                        |                                                 |     | Common Stock: 1,500 Shares  |
                                        |                                                 |     | -------------               |
                                        |                                                 |_____|                             |
                                        |                                                 |     |               Cost          |
                                        |                                                 |     |               ----          |
                                        |                                                 |     | Neckura-100%  DM 1,643,149  |
                                        |                                                 |     |_____________________________|
                                        |                                                 |
                                        |    _____________________________                |      ____________________________
                                        |   |          NATIONWIDE         |               |     |         SVM SALES          |
                                        |   |    DEVELOPMENT COMPANY      |               |     |           GmbH             |
                                        |   |                             |               |     |                            |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 99,000 Shares |               |     | Common Stock: 50 Shares    |
                                        |   | -------------               |               |_____| -------------              |
                                        |   |                             |                     |                            |
                                        |___|                Cost         |                     |              Cost          |
                                        |   |                ---          |                     |              ----          |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $15,100,000  |                     | Neckura-100%  DM 50,000    |
                                        |   | Other Capital:              |                     |____________________________|
                                        |   | --------------              |
                                        |   | Casualty-Ptd.  $ 2,796,100  | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |


















                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |          SCOTTSDALE         |
                                        |   |      INDEMNITY COMPANY      |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |___| Common Stock: 50,000 Shares |
                                        |   | -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $8,800,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        | 
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         NATIONWIDE          |
                                        |   |     INDEMNITY COMPANY       |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 28,000 Shares |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $294,529,000 |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________        __________________________
                                        |   |          LONE STAR          |      |   COLONIAL COUNTY MUTUAL |
                                        |   |     GENERAL AGENCY, INC.    |      |     INSURANCE COMPANY    |
                                        |   |                             |      |                          |
                                        |   | Common Stock:  1,000 Shares |______| Surplus Debentures:      |
                                        |___| -------------               |______| -------------------      |
                                        |   |                             |      |                          |
                                        |   |                Cost         |      |          Cost            |
                                        |   |                ----         |      |          ----            |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $5,000,000   |      | Colonial $500,000        |
                                        |   |_____________________________|      | Lone Star 150,000        |
                                        |                                        |__________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         NATIONWIDE          |
                                        |   |      COMMUNITY URBAN        |
                                        |   |       REDEVELOPMENT         |
                                        |   |        CORPORATION          |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 10 Shares     |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $1,000       |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |         INSURANCE           |
                                        |   |    INTERMEDIARIES, INC.     |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 1,615 Shares  |
                                        |___| -------------               |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $1,615,000   |
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________
                                        |   |      NATIONWIDE CASH        |
                                        |   |    MANAGEMENT COMPANY       |
                                        |   |                             |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 100 Shares    |
                                        |   | -------------               |
                                        |___|                             |
                                        |   |                Cost         |
                                        |   |                ----         |
                                        |   | Casualty-90%   $9,000       |
                                        |   | NW Fin Serv-    1,000       |
                                        |   | 10%                         | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|
                                        |
                                        |
                                        |    _____________________________  
                                        |   |       CALIFORNIA CASH       | 
                                        |   |     MANAGEMENT COMPANY      | 
                                        |   |                             | 
                                        |   | Common Stock:  90 Shares    | 
                                        |___| -------------               | 
                                        |   |                             | 
                                        |   |                Cost         | 
                                        |   |                ----         | 
                                        |   | Casualty-100%  $9,000       | 
                                        |   |_____________________________|        
                                        |                                   
                                                                           











                                        |                                   
                                        |    _____________________________       __________________________
                                        |   |          NATIONWIDE         |     |       THE BEAK AND       |
                                        |   |     COMMUNICATIONS, INC.    |     |     WIRE CORPORATION     |
                                        |   |                             |     |                          |
                                        |   | Common Stock: 14,750 Shares |     | Common Stock: 750 Shares |
                                        |___| -------------               |_____| -------------            |
                                            |                             |     |                          |
                                            |                Cost         |     |           Cost           |
                                            |                ----         |     |           ----           |
                                            | Casualty-100%  $11,510,000  |     | NW Comm-  $531,000       |
                                            |                             |     | 100%                     |
                                            | Other Capital:              |     |__________________________|
                                            | --------------              |
                                            | Casualty-Ptd.     1,000,000 |
                                            |_____________________________|
    

<FN>
                                                                                          Subsidiary Companies     - Solid Line
                                                                                          Contractual Association  - Double Line

                                                                                                          December 31, 1995
                                                                                                                     Page 1
</TABLE>

                                   87 of 93
<PAGE>   51
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (left side)
<S>                                       <C>                                            <C>
                                           _______________________________________
                                          |                                       |
                                          |          EMPLOYERS INSURANCE          |___________________________________________
                                          |              OF WAUSAU                |___________________________________________
                                          |           A MUTUAL COMPANY            |
                                          |_______________________________________|













                                                                                                        __________________________
                                                                                                       |
                                                                                           ____________|_________________
                                                                                          |   NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE  |
                                                                                          |      COMPANY (NW LIFE)       |
                                                                                          |Common Stock: 3,814,779 Shares|
                                                                                          | -------------                |
                                                                                          |                              |
                                                                                          | NW Corp.-    Cost            |
                                                                                          | 100%         ----            |
                                                                                          |              $950,226,915    |
                                                                                          |______________________________|
                     _________________________________________________________________________________| 
        ____________|_____________               ___________|_______________       |        ______________________________       
       |        NATIONWIDE        |             |     NATIONAL CASUALTY     |      |       |      NATIONWIDE LIFE AND     |
       | FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. |             |       COMPANY (NC)        |      |       |   ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY  |
       |     (NW FIN. SERV.)      |             | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |      |       |                              |
 ______|Common Stock: 7,676 Shares|             | -------------             |      |       | Common Stock: 66,000 Shares  |
 | ____|-------------             |             |                           |      |_______| -------------                |
 | |   |               Cost       |             |               Cost        |      |       | NW Life-       Cost          |
 | |   |               ----       |             |               ----        |      |       | 100%           ----          |
 | |   | NW Life-100% $5,996,261  |             | NW Life-100%  $66,132,811 |      |       |               $58,070,003    |
 | |   |__________________________|             |___________________________|      |       |______________________________|
 | |    __________________________               ___________|_______________       |        ________________________________ 
 | |   |         NATIONWIDE       |             |                           |      |       |        WEST COAST LIFE         |   
 | |   |  INVESTOR SERVICES, INC. |             |                           |      |       |       INSURANCE COMPANY        |
 | |   |  Common Stock: 5 Shares  |             |   NCC OF AMERICA, INC.    |      |       | Common Stock:  1,000,000 Shares|
 | |___|  -------------           |             |         (INACTIVE)        |      |_______| -------------                  |
 | |   |  NW Fin. Serv.-100%      |             |                           |      |       |                                |
 | |   |                  Cost    |             |          NC-100%          |      |       |                     Cost       |
 | |   |                  ----    |             |                           |      |       |                     ----       |
 | |   |                  $5,000  |             |                           |      |       | NW Life-100%    $133,809,265   |
 | |   |__________________________|             |___________________________|      |       |________________________________|
 | |    __________________________               ______________________________    |        ____________________________  
 | |   |        NATIONWIDE        |            | EMPLOYERS LIFE INSURANCE CO. |    |       |   NATIONWIDE PROPERTY     | 
 | |   |        INVESTING         |            |     OF WAUSAU (ELIOW)        |    |       |    MANAGEMENT, INC.       | 
 | |   |        FOUNDATION        |            |                              |    |       | Common Stock: 59 Shares   | 
 | |___|                          |      ______| Common Stock: 250,000 Shares |____|_______| ------------              | 
 |  ___|                          |      |     | -------------  Cost          |    |       |                 Cost      | 
 | |   |                          |      |     |                ----          |    |       |                 ----      |
 | |   |                          |      |     | NW Life-100%   $155,000,000  |    |       |  NW Life-100%  $1,907,896 |
 | |   |   COMMON LAW TRUST       |      |     |______________________________|    |       |__________________________ |
 | |   |__________________________|      |                                         |                  |               
 | |                                     |       _____________________________     |        __________|_______________ 
 | |    __________________________       |      |       WAUSAU PREFERRED      |    |       |   MRM INVESTMENTS, INC.   |
 | |   |        NATIONWIDE        |      |      |     HEALTH INSURANCE CO.    |    |       |                           |
 | |   |        INVESTING         |      |      |                             |    |       | Common Stock: 1 Share     |
 | |___|        FOUNDATION II     |      |______| Common Stock: 200 Shares    |    |       | ------------              |
 |  ___|                          |      |      | -------------               |    |       |                           |
 | |   |                          |      |      |                  Cost       |    |       |                 Cost      |
 | |   |                          |      |      |                  ----       |    |       |  Nat. Prop.     ----      |
 | |   |    COMMON LAW TRUST      |      |      |  ELIOW -- 100%  $57,413,193 |    |       |  Mgmt.-100%    $550,000   |
 | |   |__________________________|      |      |_____________________________|    |       |___________________________|
 | |                                     |                                         |                                  
 | |                                     |       _____________________________     |       ___________________________ 
 | |    __________________________       |      |    KEY HEALTH PLAN, INC.    |    |      |          NWE, INC.        |
 | |   |       NATIONWIDE         |      |      |                             |    |      |                           |
 | |   |    SEPARATE ACCOUNT      |      |______| Common Stock:  1,000 Shares |    |______| Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
 | |   |          TRUST           |             | -------------               |           | ------------              |
 | |___|                          |             |                  Cost       |           |                 Cost      | 
 |  ___|                          |             |                  ----       |           |                 ----      | 
 | |   |    COMMON LAW TRUST      |             | ELIOW-80%        $2,700,000 |           |  NW Life-100% $35,971,375 | 
 | |   |                          |             |_____________________________|           |___________________________| 
 | |   |__________________________|                                                                                     
 | |                                                                                      
 | |    __________________________                                                                
 | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |                                           
 | |   |    INVESTMENT TRUST      |    
 | |___|                          |    
 |_____|                          |    
       |    COMMON LAW TRUST      |    
       |__________________________|    
</TABLE>                                                                       
                                                 
<PAGE>   52

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (middle)

<S>                              <C>                        <C>                                      <C>
                                 _______________________________________
                                |                                       |
________________________________|          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |___________________________________________________________
________________________________|          INSURANCE COMPANY            |___________________________________________________________
                                |              (CASUALTY)               |
                                |_______________________________________|
                                                    |               _______________________________________________________________
                                  __________________|______________|___       
                                 |  NATIONWIDE CORPORATION (NW Corp)   |      
                                 | Common Stock:     Control:          |
                                 | -------------     -------           |
                                 |  13,642,432         100%            |                        
                                 |                                     |
                                 |           Shares       Cost         |                 
                                 |           ------       ----         |
                                 | Casualty   12,992,922  $751,352,485 |
                                 | Fire          649,510    24,007,936 |
                                 |_____________________________________|
                                                    |
____________________________________________________|______________________________________________________________________________
                   |                                                    |                                          |
        ___________|_________________                      _____________|_____________                 ____________|______________
       | PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BENEFIT     |                   |      GATES, McDONALD      |               |    NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL   |
       |SERVICES CORPORATION (PEBSCO) |                   |      & COMPANY (GATES)    |               |  INSTITUTION DISTRIBUTORS |
 ______| Common Stock: 236,494 Shares |                   | Common Stock: 254 Shares  |               |      AGENCY, INC. (NFIDAI)|
|  ____| -------------                |                   | -------------             |___       _____| Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|
| |    |               Cost           |                   |                           |   |     |  ___| -------------             |
| |    | NW Corp.-     ----           |                   |               Cost        |   |     | |   |               Cost        |
| |    | 100%          $ 7,830,936    |                   |               ----        |   |     | |   | NW Corp.      ----        |
| |    |______________________________|                   | NW Corp.-     $25,683,532 |   |     | |   | 100%          $19,501,000 |
| |                                                       | 100%                      |   |     | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                       |___________________________|   |     | |
| |                                                                                       |     | |
| |                                                        ___________________________    |     | |                                
| |     ____________________________                      |  GATES, McDONALD & COMPANY|   |     | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |     PEBSCO SECURITIES      |                     |     OF NEW YORK, INC.     |   |     | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |    |           CORP.            |                     | Common Stock: 3 Shares    |   |     | |   |     DISTRIBUTORS AGY.     |
| |____| Common Stock: 5,000 Shares |                     | -------------             |___|     | |   |      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |
| |    | -------------              |                     |                           |   |     | |___|Common Stock: 10,000 Shares|
| |    |                  Cost      |                     |                Cost       |   |     | |   |-----------                |
| |    |                  ----      |                     |                ----       |   |     | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |     PEBSCO-100%  $25,000   |                     | Gates-100%     $106,947   |   |     | |   |               ----        |
| |    |____________________________|                     |                           |   |     | |   | NFIDAI-100%    $100       |
| |                                                       |___________________________|   |     | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                       |     | |                                
| |                                                                                       |     | |                                
| |                                                        ___________________________    |     | |                                
| |     ____________________________                      |  GATES, McDONALD & COMPANY|   |     | |                                
| |    |          PEBSCO OF         |                     |         OF NEVADA         |   |     | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |           ALABAMA          |                     |                           |   |     | |   |    LANDMARK FINANCIAL     |
| |    |Common Stock: 100,000 Shares|                     |   Common Stock: 40 Shares |___|     | |   |        SERVICES OF        |
| |____|-------------               |                     |                           |         | |   |       NEW YORK, INC.      |
| |    |                   Cost     |                     |   Gates-100%    Cost      |         | |___|Common Stock: 10,000 Shares|
| |    |                   ----     |                     |                 ----      |         | |   |-------------              |
| |    |  PEBSCO-100%      $1,000   |                     |                 $93,750   |         | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |____________________________|                     |___________________________|         | |   |               ----        |
| |                                                                                             | |   | NFIDAI-100%    $10,100    |
| |                                                                                             | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ____________________________                                                            | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF          |                                                           | |                                
| |    |         ARKANSAS           |                                                           | |    ___________________________ 
| |    | Common Stock: 50,000 Shares|                                                           | |   |    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |____| -------------              |                                                           | |   |      SECURITIES CORP.     |
| |    |                  Cost      |                           ________________________________|_|___|Common Stock: 10,000 Shares|
| |    |                  ----      |                          |  AFFILIATE AGENCY, INC.   |    | |   |-------------              |
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $500      |                          |                           |    | |   |               Cost        |
| |    |____________________________|                          |  Common Stock: 100 Shares |    | |   |               ----        |
| |                                                            |                           |    | |   | NFIDAI-100%   $153,000    |
| |                                                            |   NFIDAI-100%   Cost      |    | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                            |                 ----      |    | |                                
| |     ___________________________                            |                 $100      |    | |                                
| |    | PEBSCO OF MASSACHUSETTS   |                           |___________________________|    | |                                
| |    |  INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.   |                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |____| Common Stock: 1,000 Shares|                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    | -------------             |                                                            | |   |     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| |    |                   Cost    |                                                            | |___|        DISTRIBUTORS       |
| |    |                   ----    |                                                            |  ___|       AGENCY OF OHIO,     |
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $1,000   |                                                            | |   |            INC.           |
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |                                                                                             | |                                












| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    |         MONTANA           |                                                            | |___|     FINANCIAL HORIZONS    |
| |____| Common Stock: 500 Shares  |                                                            |  ___|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |
| |    | -------------             |                                                            | |   |     OF OKLAHOMA, INC.     |
| |    |                  Cost     |                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |    |                  ----     |                                                            | |                              
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $500     |                                                            | |                           
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |                           
| |                                                                                             | |                                
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |                                
| |    |         PEBSCO OF         |                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |    |         NEW MEXICO        |                                                            | |   |                           |
| |    |                           |                                                            | |___|    FINANCIAL HORIZONS     |
| |____|Common Stock: 1,000 Shares |                                                            |  ___|    DISTRIBUTORS AGENCY    |
| |    |-------------              |                                                            | |   |       OF TEXAS, INC.      |
| |    |                   Cost    |                                                            | |   |___________________________|
| |    |                   -----   |                                                            | |                                
| |    | PEBSCO-100%      $1,000   |                                                            | |                                
| |    |___________________________|                                                            | |    ___________________________ 
| |                                                                                             | |   |                           |
| |     ___________________________                                                             | |___|         AFFILIATE         |
| |____|                           |                                                            |_____|         AGENCY OF         |
|______|         PEBSCO OF         |                                                                  |         OHIO, INC.        |
       |        TEXAS, INC.        |                                                                  |                           |
       |___________________________|                                                                  |___________________________|
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
</TABLE>
                                                    
<PAGE>   53
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE                                           (right side)
<S>                     <C>                             <C>                                      
                       _______________________________________
                      |                                       |
______________________|          NATIONWIDE MUTUAL            |
______________________|        FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY         |
                      |               (FIRE)                  |
                      |_______________________________________|
________________________________________|                                                  










                                                    
____________________________________________________________________
                        |                        |                  |
           _____________|_____________           |      ____________|______________
          |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |    NATIONWIDE HMO, INC.   |
          |  INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.  |          |     |         (NW HMO)          |
          |           (NEA)           |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
   _______| Common Stock: 500 Shares  |          |_____| ------------              |
  |  _____| -------------             |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               ----        |
  | |     | NW Corp.-     ----        |          |     | NW Corp.-                 |
  | |     | 100%          $5,000      |          |     | 100%          $14,603,732 |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                   
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________ 
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |    INHEALTH MANAGEMENT    |
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |     |       SYSTEMS, INC.       |
  | |_____|      OF ALABAMA, INC.     |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
  | |     | Common Stock: 500 Shares  |          |_____| -------------             |
  | |     | -------------             |          |     |                           |
  | |     |               Cost        |          |     |               Cost        |
  | |     |               ----        |          |     | NW HMO        ----        |
  | |     | NEA-100%      $5,000      |          |     | INC.-100%   $25,149       |
  | |     |___________________________|          |     |___________________________|
  | |                                            |                                  
  | |      ___________________________           |      ___________________________ 
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          |     |         INHEALTH          |
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          |     |        AGENCY, INC.       |
  | |     |      OF MONTANA, INC.     |          |     | Common Stock: 100 Shares  |
  | |_____| Common Stock: 500 Shares  |          |_____| -------------             |
  | |     | -------------             |                |               Cost        |
  | |     |               Cost        |                | NW HMO        ----        |
  | |     |               -----       |                | INC.-99%   $116,077       |
  | |     | NEA-100%      $500        |                |___________________________|
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |_____|       OF NEVADA, INC.     |          
  | |     | Common Stock:  500 Shares |          
  | |     | -------------  Cost       |          
  | |     |                ----       |          
  | |     | NEA-100%       $500       |          
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |_____|        OF OHIO, INC.      |          
  | |     | Common Stock:  100 Shares |          
  | |     | -------------  Cost       |          
  | |     |                ----       |          
  | |     | NEA-91%        $5,000     |          
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |     |     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |_____|      OF WYOMING, INC.     |          
  | |     | Common Stock:  500 Shares |          
  | |     | -------------  Cost       |          
  | |     |                ----       |          
  | |     | NEA-100%       $500       |          
  | |     |___________________________|          
  | |                                            
  | |      ___________________________           
  | |     |                           |          
  | |     |      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |          
  | |_____|     INVESTOR SERVICES     |          
  | |     |       OF TEXAS, INC.      |          
  | |     |                           |          
  | |     |___________________________|          









  | |                                                               
  | |      ___________________________        
  | |     |                           |       
  | |_____|      NEA VALUEBUILDER     |       
  |_______|     INVESTOR SERVICES     |       
          |      OF OKLAHOMA, INC.    |       
          |                           |       
          |___________________________|       
                                              






Subsidiary Companies     --  Solid Line
Contractual Association  --  Double Line

December 31, 1995

</TABLE>
                                    Page 2


                                   88 of 93
<PAGE>   54
Item 27.  Number of Contract Owners

    The number of  Owners of Contracts as of February 29, 1996 was 2,622.

Item 28.  Indemnification

    Provision is made in the Company's Amended Code of Regulations and
    expressly authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio,
    for indemnification by the Company of any person who was or is a party or
    is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
    action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
    investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director,
    officer or employee of the Company, against expenses, including attorneys'
    fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
    reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or
    proceeding, to the extent and under the circumstances permitted by the
    General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
    of 1933 ("Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
    controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company
    has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
    Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
    the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Item 29. Principal Underwriter
         (a) Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. ("NFS") acts as general
             distributor for the Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account,
             Nationwide DC Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account-II,
             Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6,
             Nationwide Variable Account-8, Nationwide VA Separate Account-A,
             Nationwide VA Separate Account-B, Nationwide VA Separate
             Account-C, Nationwide VL Separate Account-A, Nationwide VLI
             Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3, NACo
             Variable Account and the Nationwide Variable Account, all of which
             are separate investment accounts of the Company or its affiliates.

             NFS also acts as principal underwriter for the Nationwide
             Investing Foundation, Nationwide Separate Account Trust, Financial
             Horizons Investment Trust, and Nationwide Investing Foundation II,
             which are open-end management investment companies.

         (b)           NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                            DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
POSITIONS AND OFFICES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS                                     WITH UNDERWRITER
 <S>                                                       <C>
   
 Joseph J. Gasper                                                    President and Director
 One Nationwide Plaza
 Columbus, Ohio  43215

 D. Richard McFerson                                                 Chairman of the Board of Directors and
 One Nationwide Plaza                                                Chairman and
 Columbus, OH  43215                                                 Chief Executive Officer--Nationwide
    
 Gordon E. McCutchan                                                 Insurance Enterprise and Director
 One Nationwide Plaza                                                Executive Vice President-Law and 
 Columbus, OH  43215                                                 Corporate Services and Director  
   
 Robert A. Oakley                                                    Executive Vice President - Chief Financial
 One Nationwide Plaza                                                Officer and Director
 Columbus, Ohio  43215

 Robert J. Woodward                                                  Executive Vice President - Chief
 One Nationwide Plaza                                                Investment Officer and Director
 Columbus, Ohio 43215
    
 W. Sidney Druen                                                     Senior Vice President and
 One Nationwide Plaza                                                General Counsel and
 Columbus, OH  43215                                                 Assistant Secretary


</TABLE>

                                        89 of 93

<PAGE>   55
          (b)                    NATIONWIDE  FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.      
                                      DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
<TABLE>
 <S>                                                       <C>
 James F. Laird, Jr.                                              Vice President and General
 One Nationwide Plaza                                             Manager
 Columbus, OH  43215

 Peter J. Neckermann                                              Vice President
 One Nationwide Plaza
 Columbus, OH  43215

 Harry S. Schermer                                                Vice President - Investments
 One Nationwide Plaza
 Columbus, OH  43215

 Rae I. Mercer                                                    Secretary
 One Nationwide Plaza
 Columbus, OH  43215
   
 William G. Goslee                                                Treasurer
 One Nationwide Plaza
 Columbus, Ohio  43215
    

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    (c)          NAME OF           NET UNDERWRITING        COMPENSATION ON
                 PRINCIPAL           DISCOUNTS AND          REDEMPTION OR       BROKERAGE
                 UNDERWRITER         COMMISSIONS            ANNUITIZATION      COMMISSIONS        COMPENSATION
                 -----------         -----------            -------------      -----------        ------------
                 <S>                 <C>                      <C>                 <C>               <C>
                 Nationwide                N/A                      N/A                 N/A               N/A
                 Financial
                 Services,
                 Inc.

</TABLE>

    Item 30.  Location of Accounts and Records
   
             Robert O. Cline
             Nationwide Life Insurance Company
             One Nationwide Plaza
             Columbus, OH 43215
    
    Item 31.  Management Services

             Not Applicable

    Item 32.  Undertakings

             The Registrant hereby undertakes to:

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

             (b)     include either (1) as part of anyapplication to purchase a
                     contract offered by the prospectus, a space thatan
                     applicant can check to request a Statement of Additional
                     Information, or (2) a post card or similar written
                     communication affixed to or included in the prospectus
                     that the applicant can remove to send for a Statement of
                     Additional Information; and

             (c)     deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any
                     financial statements required to be made available under
                     this Form promptly upon written or oral request.





                                        90 of 93
<PAGE>   56

                                  PROSPECTUS


NACo National Association of Counties

Counties Care for America




                                     Group
                                 Flexible Fund
                                   Retirement
                                   Contracts
                                   offered by
                                   NATIONWIDE
                                 Life Insurance
                                    Company
                       through its NACo Variable Account

                                  MAY 1, 1996



                                   91 of 93
<PAGE>   57
   
    ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT
                                   SCHEDULES




    The Board of Directors of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and
    Contract Owners' of NACo Variable Account:


    The audits referred to in our report on Nationwide Life Insurance Company
    (the Company) dated February 26, 1996, included the related financial
    statement schedules as of December 31, 1995, and for each of the years in
    the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, included in the registration
    statement.  These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of
    the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
    these financial statement schedules based on our audits.  In our opinion,
    such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the
    basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in
    all material respects the information set forth therein.

    We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference
    to our firm under the heading "Services" in the Statement of Additional
    Information.




                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


    Columbus, Ohio
    April 26, 1996

    




                                        92 of 93
<PAGE>   58
                                   SIGNATURES
   
    As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant, NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT certifies that it meets the
requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of the
Post-Effective Amendment and has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to be
signed on its behalf in the City of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 26th
day of April, 1996.

    
   


                              NACo VARIABLE ACCOUNT  
                              ---------------------------------
                              (Registrant)
                              NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              ---------------------------------
                              (Depositor)
                              By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
                              ---------------------------------
                              Joseph P. Rath,
                              Vice President and
                              Associate General Counsel

    
   
        As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on the 26th day of April, 1996.
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         SIGNATURE                                  TITLE
<S>                                    <C>                              <C>
LEWIS J. ALPHIN                                   Director
- -------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin
   
KEITH W. ECKEL                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel
    
WILLARD J. ENGEL                                  Director
- -------------------------------
Willard J. Engel

FRED C. FINNEY                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Fred C. Finney

CHARLES L. FUELLGRAF, JR.                         Director
- -------------------------------
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Jr.
   
JOSEPH J. GASPER                                  President/Chief Operating Officer and Director
- -------------------------------
Joseph J. Gasper
    
HENRY S. HOLLOWAY                                 Chairman of the Board and Director
- -------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway
   
D. RICHARD MCFERSON                               Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Nationwide
- -------------------------------                   Insurance Enterprise and Director
D. Richard McFerson                               
    
DAVID O. MILLER                                   Director
- -------------------------------
David O. Miller

C. RAY NOECKER                                    Director
- -------------------------------
C. Ray Noecker
   
ROBERT A. OAKLEY                                  Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer
- -------------------------------
Robert A. Oakley
    
JAMES F. PATTERSON                                Director                         By /s/ JOSEPH P. RATH
- -------------------------------                                                 -------------------------
James F. Patterson                                                                   Joseph P. Rath
                                                                                    Attorney-in-Fact  
ARDEN L. SHISLER                                  Director                                             
- -------------------------------
Arden L. Shisler

ROBERT L. STEWART                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Robert L. Stewart

NANCY C. THOMAS                                   Director
- -------------------------------
Nancy C. Thomas

HAROLD W. WEIHL                                   Director
- -------------------------------
Harold W. Weihl
</TABLE>
                                   93 of 93

<PAGE>   59
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned as
directors and/or officers of NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Ohio
corporation, which has filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended,
various Registration Statements and amendments thereto for the registration
under said Act of Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with the MFS Variable Account, Nationwide Variable Account, Nationwide Variable
Account-II, Nationwide Variable Account-3, Nationwide Variable Account-4, 
Nationwide Variable Account-5, Nationwide Variable Account-6, Nationwide 
Fidelity Advisor Variable Account, Nationwide Multi-Flex Variable Account and 
Nationwide Variable Account-8; and the registration of fixed interest rate
options subject to a market value adjustment offered under some or all of the
aforementioned individual Variable Annuity Contracts in connection with the
Nationwide Multiple Maturity Separate Account, and the registration of Group
Flexible fund Retirement Contracts in connection with the Nationwide DC
Variable Account, Nationwide DCVA III, and the NACo Variable Account; and the
registration of Group Common Stock Variable Annuity Contracts in connection
with Separate Account No. 1; and the registration of variable life insurance
policies in connection with the Nationwide VLI Separate Account, Nationwide 
VLI Separate Account-2, Nationwide VLI Separate Account-3 of Nationwide Life
Insurance Company, hereby constitutes and appoints D. Richard McFerson, Joseph
J. Gasper, Gordon E. McCutchan, W. Sidney Druen, and Joseph P. Rath, and each
of them with power to act without the others, his/her attorney, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his/her name, place and stead,
in any and all capacities, to approve, and sign such Registration Statements
and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of
said corporation thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and
thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  This instrument
may be executed in one or more counterparts.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have herewith set their names and
seals as of this 4th day of April, 1996.

/s/ Lewis J. Alphin                    /s/ David O. Miller                  
- -------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
Lewis J. Alphin, Director              David O. Miller, Director            
                                                                            
/s/ Keith W. Eckel                     /s/ C. Ray Noecker                   
- -------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
Keith W. Eckel, Director               C. Ray Noecker, Director             
                                                                            
/s/ Willard P. Engel                   /s/ Robert A. Oakley                 
- -------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
Willard P. Engel, Director             Robert A. Oakley, Executive Vice     
                                       President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Fred C. Finney                                                          
- -------------------------------------  /s/ James F. Patterson                
Fred C. Finney, Director               -------------------------------------
                                       James F. Patterson, Director          
/s/ Charles L. Fuellgraf                                                    
- -------------------------------------  /s/ Arden L. Shisler                 
Charles L. Fuellgraf, Director         -------------------------------------
                                       Arden L. Shisler, Director           
/s/ Joseph J. Gasper                                                        
- -------------------------------------  /s/ Robert L. Stewart                
Joseph J. Gasper, President and Chief  -------------------------------------
Operating Officer and Director         Robert L. Stewart, Director          
                                                                            
/s/ Henry S. Holloway                  /s/ Nancy C. Thomas                 
- -------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
Henry S. Holloway, Chairman of the     Nancy C. Thomas, Director            
Board, Director                                                             
                                       /s/ Harold W. Weihl                  
/s/ D. Richard McFerson                -------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------  Harold W. Weihl, Director            
D. Richard McFerson, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer-Nationwide
Insurance Enterprise and Director




© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission