FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT /IA/
497, 1997-05-01
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<PAGE>
 
PROSPECTUS                                                          MAY 1, 1997
 
                             FIDELITY INCOME PLUS
 
                     THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
                     INDIVIDUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                                   ISSUED BY
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                      ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICE OFFICE:
              FINANCIAL MARKETS DIVISION - VARIABLE ANNUITY DEPT.
                           4333 EDGEWOOD ROAD, N.E.
                            CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52499
 
 The individual variable annuity contracts (the "Contracts") described in this
Prospectus are offered under the name "Fidelity Income Plus" by PFL Life In-
surance Company (the "Company") to individuals who desire to accumulate capi-
tal on a long-term tax-deferred basis for retirement or other long-term pur-
poses. The Contracts may only be purchased on a non-tax qualified basis. The
Contracts provide for monthly annuity payments on a variable or fixed basis,
commencing at a future date selected by the owner of the Contract. The Con-
tract may be purchased with a minimum initial Purchase Payment of $5,000.
 After the deduction of applicable charges, payments made to purchase the Con-
tracts ("Purchase Payments") become assets of the Fidelity Variable Annuity
Account (the "Variable Account"), a segregated investment account of the Com-
pany. Net Purchase Payments may be allocated to one or more of thirteen sub-
accounts of the Variable Account (the "Sub-accounts"). The assets of the Sub-
accounts are currently invested in shares of the Variable Insurance Products
Fund (VIP), the Variable Insurance Products Fund II (VIP II), and the Variable
Insurance Products Fund III (VIP III) (the "Funds"). VIP currently offers five
Portfolios: Money Market, High Income, Equity-Income, Growth, and Overseas.
VIP II currently offers five Portfolios: Investment Grade Bond, Asset Manager,
Asset Manager Growth, Contrafund and Index 500. VIP III currently offers three
Portfolios: Balanced, Growth Opportunities and Growth & Income. The value of
each Contract prior to the date upon which the first annuity payment is to be
made (the "Annuity Commencement Date") and the amount of Variable Annuity Pay-
ments thereafter will depend upon the investment performance of the assets of
the Variable Account.
 Following the date selected by the Contract Owner, Annuity Payments may com-
mence under one of the Annuity Options provided in the Contracts. Prior to the
Annuity Commencement Date, the Contracts are redeemable, in whole or in part,
at their then current value.
 This Prospectus sets forth the information about the Variable Account that a
prospective investor should know before investing. Additional information
about the Variable Account has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in a Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 1997, which
information is incorporated by reference, and is available without charge by
calling Fidelity Investments at 1-800-544-2442. The table of contents of the
Statement of Additional Information appears on page 26 of this Prospectus.
 
 
                                     INC-1
<PAGE>
 
                 For further information please call Fidelity Investments.
                 For Sales Information
                       Nationwide (toll-free):     800-544-2442
                 For Service and Account Information
                       Nationwide (toll-free):     800-634-4672
  This Prospectus Must Be Accompanied Or Preceded By A Current Prospectus For
the Variable Insurance Products Fund, the Variable Insurance Products Fund II,
                 and the Variable Insurance Products Fund III.
THE CONTRACT IS NOT A DEPOSIT OR OBLIGATION OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY,
ANY BANK OR DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION, AND THE CONTRACT IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED
BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. THE CONTRACT
INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVEST-
ED.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCU-
RACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
           THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
                  The date of this Prospectus is May 1, 1997
                 This Contract is not available in all States
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR OTHER PERSON
IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNEC-
TION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON.
 
                                  DEFINITIONS
ACCUMULATION UNIT -- An accounting unit of measure used in calculating the
Contract Value.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICE OFFICE -- Financial Markets Division - Variable An-
nuity Dept., 4333 Edgewood Road N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499-0001.
ANNUITANT -- The person entitled to receive Annuity Payments after the Annuity
Commencement Date and during whose life any Annuity Payments involving life
contingencies will continue.
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE -- The date, which can only be the first day of a
calendar month, upon which Annuity Payments are to commence.
ANNUITY OPTION -- A method of receiving a stream of Annuity Payments.
ANNUITY PURCHASE VALUE -- An amount equal to the Contract Value for the Valua-
tion Period which ends immediately preceding the Annuity Commencement Date,
reduced by any applicable premium or similar taxes.
ANNUITY UNIT -- An accounting unit of measure used in the calculation of the
amount of the second and each subsequent Variable Annuity Payment.
BENEFICIARY -- The person who has the right to the death benefit set forth in
the Contract.
CODE -- The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
                                     INC-2
<PAGE>
 
COMPANY -- PFL Life Insurance Company.
CONTINGENT CONTRACT OWNER -- A person appointed by the Contract Owner to suc-
ceed to ownership of the Contract in the event of the death of the Contract
Owner before the Annuity Commencement Date.
CONTRACT -- One of the variable annuity contracts offered by this Prospectus.
CONTRACT OWNER -- The person who may exercise all rights and privileges under
the Contract. The Contract Owner during the lifetime of the Annuitant and
prior to the Annuity Commencement Date is the person designated as the Con-
tract Owner in the application or a Contingent Contract Owner; the Contract
Owner on and after the Annuity Commencement Date is the Annuitant; and the
Contract Owner after the death of the Annuitant is the Beneficiary.
CONTRACT VALUE -- The sum of the value of all Accumulation Units credited to a
Contract for any particular Valuation Period.
DATE OF ISSUE -- The date the Contract is issued, as shown on the Contract
Schedule Page.
DUE PROOF OF DEATH -- A certified copy of a death certificate, a certified
copy of a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction as to the finding of
death, or a written statement by the attending physician or any other proof
satisfactory to the Company will constitute Due Proof of Death.
ELIGIBLE FUNDS -- Mutual funds, shares of which currently may be purchased for
the Variable Account.
FMR -- Fidelity Management & Research Company, the investment advisor to the
Funds.
FIDELITY INSURANCE -- Fidelity Insurance Agency, Inc., through which the Con-
tracts are distributed.
FIDELITY BROKERAGE -- Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc., which is the princi-
pal underwriter for the contracts, and through which the Contracts are dis-
tributed.
FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS -- Payments made pursuant to an Annuity Option which do
not fluctuate in amount.
FORMERLY ELIGIBLE FUNDS -- Mutual funds, shares of which were purchased for
the Variable Account prior to September 25, 1981.
NET INVESTMENT FACTOR -- An index applied to measure the investment perfor-
mance of a Sub-account from one Valuation Period to the next.
NET PURCHASE PAYMENT -- A Purchase Payment less any applicable charges, such
as the initial administrative charge and any premium taxes.
PURCHASE PAYMENT -- An amount paid to the Company by the Contract Owner or on
the Contract Owner's behalf as consideration for the benefits provided by the
Contract.
SUB-ACCOUNT -- A segregated account within the Variable Account which invests
in a portfolio of an Eligible Fund.
VALUATION PERIOD -- The period of time from one determination of Accumulation
Unit and Annuity Unit values to the next subsequent determination of values.
Such determination shall be made as of the close of trading on the New York
Stock Exchange on each day that the Exchange is open for trading.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT -- Fidelity Variable Annuity Account, a separate account es-
tablished by the Company and registered as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 to which Net Purchase Payments under the Con-
tracts are allocated.
VARIABLE ANNUITY -- An annuity with Variable Annuity Payments which vary as to
dollar amount in relation to the investment performance of specified Sub-ac-
counts within the Variable Account.
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS -- Payments made pursuant to an Annuity Option which
fluctuate based on the investment performance of selected Sub-accounts.
 
                                     INC-3
<PAGE>
 
                   QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE CONTRACT
 Note: The following section contains brief questions and answers about the
Contract. Reference should be made to the body of this Prospectus for more de-
tailed information. "You" or "your" refers to the Contract Owner, "we," "us"
or "our" refers to the Company.
 
  1. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT?
 The Contract seeks to allow you to accumulate funds on a tax-deferred basis
and to receive Annuity Payments based on the investment experience of the as-
sets underlying the Contract. The Contract may only be purchased on a non-tax
qualified basis for use with retirement plans and other long-term investment
objectives. The Contract Owner can allocate Net Purchase Payments to one or
more Sub-accounts of the Fidelity Variable Annuity Account (the "Variable Ac-
count"), each of which will invest in a corresponding portfolio of the Vari-
able Insurance Products Fund, the Variable Insurance Products Fund II and the
Variable Insurance Products Fund III ("VIP," "VIP II," "VIP III" or the
"Funds"). Because Variable Annuity Payments and Contract Values depend on the
investment experience of the selected Sub-accounts, the Contract Owner bears
the entire investment risk under this Contract.
 
  2. WHAT IS AN ANNUITY?
 An annuity provides for a stream of Annuity Payments beginning on the Annuity
Commencement Date. The Contract Owner may select from a number of Annuity Op-
tions, including Annuity Payments for the life of an Annuitant (or an Annui-
tant and another person, the "Joint Annuitant") with or without a guaranteed
number of Annuity Payments. Annuity Payments which remain the same throughout
the payment period are referred to in this Prospectus as "Fixed Annuity Pay-
ments." Annuity Payments which vary in accordance with the investment experi-
ence of the Sub-account selected by the Contract Owner are referred to in this
Prospectus as "Variable Annuity Payments." (See "Annuity Options," p. 22.)
 
  3. WHAT INVESTMENTS SUPPORT THE CONTRACTS?
 Currently, Purchase Payments made under the Contracts will be invested
through the Variable Account exclusively in shares of the Funds, which are mu-
tual funds advised by Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR"). The
Funds currently have thirteen Portfolios that are available under the Con-
tracts. VIP currently offers five Portfolios: Money Market, High Income, Equi-
ty-Income, Growth, and Overseas. VIP II currently offers five Portfolios: In-
vestment Grade Bond, Asset Manager, Asset Manager Growth, Contrafund and Index
500. VIP III currently offers three Portfolios: Balanced, Growth Opportunities
and Growth & Income. Each of the thirteen Sub-accounts of the Variable Account
invests in the corresponding Portfolio of the Funds. The assets of each Port-
folio are held separately from other Portfolios and each has distinct invest-
ment objectives and policies (see "The Variable Insurance Products Fund, the
Variable Insurance Products Fund II, and the Variable Insurance Products Fund
III," p. 13) which are described in the accompanying Prospectuses for the
Funds.
 
  4. HOW ARE PURCHASE PAYMENTS ALLOCATED?
 Net Purchase Payments are allocated in accordance with the Contract Owner's
instructions. Any allocation of the initial Net Purchase Payment must be of at
least $1,000 to each Sub-account selected. Allocations of subsequent Net Pur-
chase Payments may be made in any manner, so long as any contribution to a
Sub-account is at least $500. Allocations of subsequent Net Purchase Payments
may be changed by sending written notice to the Administrative and Service Of-
fice or if
 
                                     INC-4
<PAGE>
 
you have previously authorized it, by telephone. (See "Allocation and Reallo-
cation of Net Purchase Payments," p. 17.)
 
  5. CAN I TRANSFER VALUES AMONG THE SUB-ACCOUNTS?
 A Contract Owner may reallocate the Contract Value allocated to a particular
Sub-account to one or more other Sub-accounts at any time either in writing
or, if you have previously authorized it, by telephone. (See "Allocation and
Reallocation of Net Purchase Payments," p. 17.)
 
  6. HOW CAN I GET TO MY MONEY IF I NEED IT?
 All or part of the Contract Value under the Contract may be withdrawn before
the earlier of the Annuitant's death or the Annuity Commencement Date. The
amount of the cash withdrawal payment will be equal to the Contract Value at
the end of the Valuation Period during which the election becomes effective,
or the lesser amount requested. None of the amount surrendered will be subject
to a surrender charge. (See "Surrenders," p. 18.) Withdrawals may be taxable
and subject to a 10% penalty tax. (See "Surrenders," p. 18 and "Federal Tax
Matters," p. 24.)
 
  7. WHAT ARE THE CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
 There is no sales charge under the Contract. We deduct a daily charge equal
to a percentage of the value of the net assets in the Variable Account for the
mortality risks assumed by us. The effective annual rate of this charge is
0.8%. (See "Charges for Mortality Risk," p. 19.) WE GUARANTEE THAT THIS CHARGE
WILL NOT BE INCREASED.
 The Company also deducts an annual administrative charge from the Contract
Value of each Contract to cover the costs of administering the Contract. The
annual administrative charge currently is $35. (See "Administrative Charge,"
p. 19.) This charge could increase in the future.
 Premium taxes are deducted from Purchase Payments or Contract Values depend-
ing upon when they are incurred by the Company. (See "Deductions for Taxes" p.
20.)
 The Contract Values also reflect the charges, fees and expenses of the Fund.
(See "The Variable Insurance Products Fund, the Variable Insurance Products
Fund II and the Variable Insurance Products Fund III Expenses," p. 20.) See
also the Expense Data Summary on page 7.
 
  8. WHAT ANNUITY INCOME OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACT?
 The Contract Owner, or the person selected by the Contract Owner (the Annui-
tant), may receive Annuity Payments on a variable basis or a fixed basis. The
Contract Owner has flexibility in choosing the Annuity Commencement Date.
 Four Annuity Options are included in the Contract: (1) life annuity; (2)
joint and survivor annuity; (3) life annuity with 120 or 240 monthly payments
guaranteed; and (4) cash or unit refund life annuity. All of these are offered
as either "Fixed Annuity Options" or "Variable Annuity Options."
 Fixed Annuity Payments will always be for the same specified amount. However,
the amount of Variable Annuity Payments will increase or decrease according to
the investment experience of the particular Sub-account(s) selected. (See "An-
nuity Options," p. 22.)
 
  9. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ANNUITANT DIES BEFORE THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE?
 In the event that the Annuitant dies prior to the Annuity Commencement Date,
the Death Benefit is calculated and is payable, upon receipt of notice of
death, Due Proof of Death, and an election as to how the proceeds should be
paid, to the Beneficiary selected by the Contract Owner. The named Beneficiary
may be changed at any time before the Annuitant's death; the Annuitant named
in the Contract, however, may not be changed. The Death Benefit is not reduced
by the application of any
 
                                     INC-5
<PAGE>
 
surrender charge. The Death Benefit may be paid as either a lump sum cash ben-
efit or under an Annuity Option (See "Death Benefit," p. 20.)
 
 10. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CONTRACT OWNER DIES BEFORE THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT
DATE?
 If the Contract Owner is a different person than the Annuitant, in the event
that the Contract Owner dies prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, his en-
tire interest in the Contract will be distributed to the Contingent Contract
Owner if one is appointed, or to the estate of the Contract Owner. The Con-
tract Owner may appoint or change the Contingent Contract Owner at any time
prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. Regardless of whether the Contract
Owner is a different person than the Annuitant, upon the death of the Contract
Owner, the value of the Contract must be distributed pursuant to rules pre-
scribed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Special rules apply
where the beneficiary of the Contract Owner's estate is the surviving spouse
of the deceased Contract Owner. (See "IRS Required Distributions," p. 21.)
 
 11. CAN THE CONTRACT BE RETURNED AFTER IT IS DELIVERED?
 The Contract contains a provision for a Right to Return the Contract, which
permits cancellation by returning the Contract to us, along with a written no-
tice of revocation, at our Administrative and Service Office within 10 days of
receipt of the Contract. In the event of cancellation, we will return all Pur-
chase Payments made under the Contract within ten days after we receive notice
of cancellation.
 
 12. WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MY CONTRACT?
 Any question about procedures of your Contract will be answered by our Admin-
istrative and Service Office. For service and account information, call toll
free, 800-634-4672. For information and assistance regarding sales informa-
tion, please call, toll free, 800-544-2442.
 
                                     INC-6
<PAGE>
 
                       FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
 
 The charges and deductions under the Contracts, including the Portfolios'
fees and expenses, are summarized in the following table.
 
                                   FEE TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

EXPENSE DATA               VIP       VIP       VIP                              VIP II   VIP II
CONTRACT OWNER            MONEY      HIGH    EQUITY-     VIP         VIP      INVESTMENT  ASSET
TRANSACTION EXPENSES     MARKET     INCOME   INCOME     GROWTH    OVERSEAS    GRADE BOND MANAGER
<S>                      <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>        <C>
 Sales Load on Purchase
   Payments                 0         0         0         0           0           0         0
 Deferred Sales Load        0         0         0         0           0           0         0
 Surrender Fees             0         0         0         0           0           0         0
 Annual Contract Fee     __________________  $35 Per Contract ________________________________
 Transfer Fee               0         0         0         0           0           0         0
VARIABLE ACCOUNT
(as a percentage of
  contract value)
 Mortality and Expense
   Risk Fees              0.80%      0.80%    0.80%      0.80%      0.80%        0.80%    0.80%
 Account Fees and
   Expenses                 0         0         0         0           0           0         0
                          ----       ----     ----       ----       ----         ----     ----
 Total Variable Account
   Annual Expenses        0.80%      0.80%    0.80%      0.80%      0.80%        0.80%    0.80%
                          ====       ====     ====       ====       ====         ====     ====
VIP, VIP II AND VIP III
FUNDS
ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of
  average net assets)
 Management Fee           0.21%      0.59%    0.51%      0.61%      0.76%        0.45%    0.64%
 Other Expenses           0.09%      0.12%    0.07%      0.08%      0.17%        0.13%    0.10%
                          ----       ----     ----       ----       ----         ----     ----
 Total Fund Annual
   Expenses               0.30%      0.71%    0.58%*     0.69%*     0.93%*       0.58%    0.74%*
                          ====       ====     ====       ====       ====         ====     ====
<CAPTION>
                         VIP II
EXPENSE DATA              ASSET              VIP II                VIP III     VIP III
CONTRACT OWNER           MANAGER    VIP II    INDEX    VIP III     GROWTH      GROWTH &
TRANSACTION EXPENSES     GROWTH   CONTRAFUND   500     BALANCED OPPORTUNITIES   INCOME
<S>                      <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>        
 Sales Load on Purchase
   Payments                 0         0         0         0           0           0
 Deferred Sales Load        0         0         0         0           0           0
 Surrender Fees             0         0         0         0           0           0
 Annual Contract Fee     __________________   $35 Per Contract _______________________
 Transfer Fee               0         0         0         0           0           0
VARIABLE ACCOUNT
(as a percentage of
  contract value)
 Mortality and Expense
   Risk Fees              0.80%      0.80%    0.80%      0.80%      0.80%        0.80%
 Account Fees and
   Expenses                 0         0         0         0           0           0
                          ----       ----     ----       ----       ----         ----
 Total Variable Account
   Annual Expenses        0.80%      0.80%    0.80%      0.80%      0.80%        0.80%
                          ====       ====     ====       ====       ====         ====
VIP, VIP II AND VIP III
FUNDS
ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of
  average net assets)
 Management Fee           0.65%      0.61%    0.13%      0.48%      0.61%        0.50%
 Other Expenses           0.22%      0.13%    0.15%      0.24%      0.16%        0.20%
                          ----       ----     ----       ----       ----         ----
 Total Fund Annual
   Expenses               0.87%*     0.74%*   0.28%**    0.72%*     0.77%*       0.70%
                          ====       ====     ====       ====       ====         ====
</TABLE>
- -----------
*  A portion of the brokerage commissions that the funds pay is used to reduce
   fund expenses. In addition, Balanced and Growth Opportunities have entered
   into arrangements with their custodians whereby interest earned on
   uninvested cash balances is used to reduce custodian expense. Including
   these reductions, the total operating expenses presented in the table would
   have been .56% for Equity-Income Portfolio, .67% for Growth Portfolio, .92%
   for Overseas Portfolio, .73% for Asset Manager Portfolio, .71% for
   Contrafund Portfolio, .85% for Asset Manager Growth Portfolio, .76% for
   Growth Opportunities Portfolio, and .71% for Balanced Portfolio.
** FMR agreed to reimburse a portion of Index 500 Portfolio's expenses during
   the period. Without this reimbursement, the fund's management fee, other
   expenses and total expenses would have been .28%, .15% and .43% respectively.
 
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<PAGE>
 
EXAMPLES
 An Owner would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a
5% annual return on assets:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
<S>                                      <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
VIP Money Market Subaccount               $12     $36    $ 63     $139
VIP High Income Subaccount                $16     $49    $ 84     $185
VIP Equity-Income Subaccount              $14     $45    $ 78     $170
VIP Growth Subaccount                     $16     $48    $ 83     $182
VIP Overseas Subaccount                   $18     $56    $ 96     $208
VIP II Investment Grade Bond Subaccount   $14     $45    $ 78     $170
VIP II Asset Manager Subaccount           $16     $50    $ 86     $188
VIP II Asset Manager Growth Subaccount    $17     $54    $ 93     $202
VIP II Contrafund Subaccount              $16     $50    $ 86     $188
VIP II Index 500 Subaccount               $11     $36    $ 62     $136
VIP III Balanced Subaccount               $16     $49    $ 85     $186
VIP III Growth Opportunities Subaccount   $16     $51    $ 88     $191
VIP III Growth & Income Subaccount        $19     $58    $100     $216
</TABLE>
 
 The above tables are intended to assist the Owner in understanding the costs
and expenses that will be borne, directly or indirectly. These include the ex-
penses of the VIP, VIP II and VIP III Funds. See "Charges and Deductions," p.
5 and the VIP, VIP II, and VIP III prospectuses. In addition to the expenses
listed above, premium taxes may be applicable.
 
 THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EX-
PENSES, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESSER THAN THOSE SHOWN. The
figures and data for the VIP, VIP II, and VIP III Funds Annual Expenses are
for 1996 and have been provided by FMR, and while the Company does not dispute
these figures, the Company does not guarantee their accuracy. Examples for
formerly eligible Sub-accounts may be found in Appendix A to this Prospectus.
 
 In these examples, the $35 Annual Service Charge is reflected as a charge of
0.039% based on an average Policy Value of $88,935.
 
 
                                     INC-8
<PAGE>
 
                        CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 The Accumulation Unit Values and the number of Accumulation Units outstanding
for each Sub-account:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           VIP MONEY MARKET SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $2.307819               $2.413358            51,936,943.182
1995          2.196945                2.307819            48,392,069.066
1994          2.124046                2.196945            65,884,206.476
1993          2.073920                2.124046            38,531,933.669
1992          2.011998                2.073920            46,920,555.357
1991          1.911406                2.011998            52,846,585.564
1990          1.783014                1.911406            61,584,581.853
1989          1.646165                1.783014            49,315,212.043
1988          1.545254                1.646165            46,119,586.661
1987          1.463177                1.545254            44,988,833.709
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           VIP HIGH INCOME SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $2.904665               $3.285775            18,704,131.149
1995          2.427652                2.904665            19,488,862.806
1994          2.485444                2.427652            17,337,052.330
1993          2.078934                2.485444            26,114,121.248
1992          1.703009                2.078934            20,668,821.606
1991          1.269032                1.703009             9,450,159.190
1990          1.310687                1.269032             6,894,970.437
1989          1.380187                1.310687            10,504,655.711
1988          1.244613                1.380187            12,374,735.048
1987          1.239420                1.244613            10,524,351.054
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          VIP EQUITY-INCOME SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $2.951686               $3.346303            68,119,423.617
1995          2.202346                2.951686            81,601,359.509
1994          2.073414                2.202346            74,571,142.757
1993          1.768091                2.073414            70,574,621.050
1992          1.523641                1.768091            49,654,509.443
1991          1.168338                1.523641            22,551,293.495
1990          1.390307                1.168338            15,320,204.431
1989          1.194265                1.390307            17,192,667.422
1988          0.978927                1.194265            12,203,910.523
1987          1.001137                0.978927            11,135,126.597
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     INC-9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              VIP GROWTH SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $3.331228               $3.790532            38,326,955.306
1995          2.480539                3.331228            43,498,210.261
1994          2.500812                2.480539            37,916,994.644
1993          2.111765                2.500812            37,369,691.127
1992          1.947218                2.111765            37,625,493.719
1991          1.348850                1.947218            24,177,587.154
1990          1.540465                1.348850            15,340,498.596
1989          1.181690                1.540465             9,534,230.020
1988          1.028662                1.181690             6,262,868.956
1987          1.001140                1.028662             6,695,752.199
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              VIP OVERSEAS SUB-ACCOUNT
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
        at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996          $1.747454               $1.962599            18,498,493.052
1995           1.605980                1.747454            18,307,714.844
1994           1.591344                1.605980            35,747,520.597
1993           1.168866                1.591344            36,890,355.495
1992           1.319600                1.168866             4,705,928.756
1991           1.229709                1.319600             4,170,995.265
1990           1.261608                1.229709             4,324,803.282
1989           1.007020                1.261608             2,450,169.365
1988           0.938767                1.007020             1,829,968.620
1987*          1.000000                0.938767             1,908,059.653
</TABLE>
*Operations commenced January 27, 1987
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      VIP II INVESTMENT GRADE BOND SUB-ACCOUNT
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
        at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996          $1.669036               $1.708442             9,681,784.561
1995           1.433937                1.669036            10,019,780.574
1994           1.501802                1.433937             8,539,290.351
1993           1.364252                1.501802            11,685,281.879
1992           1.289396                1.364252             7,725,407.154
1991           1.115679                1.289396             8,683,076.207
1990           1.059709                1.115679             3,887,531.807
1989*          1.000000                1.059709             1,710,458.331
</TABLE>
*Operations commenced June 5, 1989
 
 
                                     INC-10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          VIP II ASSET MANAGER SUB-ACCOUNT
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
        at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996          $1.823774               $2.073401            37,212,616.412
1995           1.571804                1.823774            45,933,251.411
1994           1.687107                1.571804            76,955,562.944
1993           1.404870                1.687107            90,364,012.115
1992           1.265768                1.404870            27,180,037.717
1991           1.041041                1.265768            12,676,645.581
1990*          1.000000                1.041041               989,833.209
</TABLE>
*Operations Commenced May 29, 1990
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      VIP II ASSET MANAGER GROWTH SUB-ACCOUNT
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
        at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996          $1.009935               $1.201587            7,788,605.432
1995*          1.000000               1.009935             2,178,270.748
</TABLE>
*Period from September 5, 1995 through December 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           VIP II CONTRAFUND SUB-ACCOUNT
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
        at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996          1.017954                $1.224976            42,901,139.435
1995*         1.000000                1.017954             20,570,759.262
</TABLE>
*Period from September 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            VIP II INDEX 500 SUB-ACCOUNT
       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
        at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996          $1.096624               $1.336134            23,088,441.156
1995*          1.000000               1.096623              8,432,120.348
</TABLE>
*Period from September 5, 1995 through December 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         VIP III BALANCED SUB-ACCOUNT*
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
      at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>  <C>                     <C>                     <C>
</TABLE>
*Had not commenced operations as of December 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES SUB-ACCOUNT*
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
      at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>  <C>                     <C>                     <C>
</TABLE>
*Had not commenced operations as of December 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      VIP III GROWTH & INCOME SUB-ACCOUNT*
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
      at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>  <C>                     <C>                     <C>
</TABLE>
*Had not commenced operations as of December 31, 1996.
 
                                     INC-11
<PAGE>
 
                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 The financial statements of the Variable Account and the Company and the in-
dependent auditors' reports thereon are in the Statement of Additional Infor-
mation.
 
                  PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE FIDELITY
                           VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
 
THE COMPANY
 PFL Life Insurance Company (the "Company") is a stock life insurance company
organized under the laws of the State of Iowa on April 19, 1961. The Company
offers a complete line of life insurance, annuities, and accident and health
insurance. It is currently authorized to sell variable annuities in the Dis-
trict of Columbia and Guam and in all states other than New York. The Company
is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc., 4333 Edgewood Road
N.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499, which is, in turn, an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of AEGON N.V., Mariahoeveplein 50, P.O. Box 202, 2501 CE The Hague,
The Netherlands, a holding company organized under the laws of The Nether-
lands.
 
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
 The Fidelity Variable Annuity Account (the "Variable Account") was estab-
lished by an affiliate (Pacific Fidelity Life Insurance Company) under Cali-
fornia insurance law on August 24, 1979. On March 31, 1991, the Company ac-
quired the assets (and liabilities) of that affiliate, including the Variable
Account. As of December 31, 1996 the Company had assets of approximately $7.9
billion.
 The Variable Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion (the "Commission") as a unit investment trust pursuant to the provisions
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and meets the definition of a separate
account under federal securities laws. Such registration does not involve su-
pervision of the management of the Variable Account or the Company by the Com-
mission.
 Under Iowa insurance law, the income, gains or losses of the Variable Account
are credited to or charged against the assets of the Variable Account without
regard to the other income, gains or losses of the Company. Although the as-
sets maintained in the Variable Account will not be charged with any liabili-
ties arising out of any other business conducted by the Company, all obliga-
tions arising under the Contracts, including the promise to make annuity pay-
ments, are general corporate obligations of the Company.
 Currently, the Company invests the assets of the Variable Account that sup-
port the Contracts in shares of one or more mutual funds (the "Eligible
Funds") that have been approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Shares of
the Eligible Funds will be purchased at net asset value. Currently, the only
Eligible Funds are the Variable Insurance Products Fund, the Variable Insur-
ance Products Fund II, and the Variable Insurance Products Fund III (the
"Funds"), but other mutual funds may be added or withdrawn as permitted by
law. The Variable Account currently offers thirteen sub-accounts that invest
exclusively in corresponding portfolios of the Funds: VIP currently offers
five Portfolios: Money Market, High Income, Equity-Income, Growth, and Over-
seas; VIP II currently offers five Portfolios: Investment Grade Bond, Asset
Manager, Asset Manager Growth, Contrafund, and Index 500, and VIP III cur-
rently offers three Portfolios: Balanced, Growth Opportunities and Growth &
Income (the "Sub-accounts"). Additional sub-accounts may be established at the
Company's discretion.
 
                                    INC-12
<PAGE>
 
 The Company does not guarantee the investment performance of the Variable Ac-
count. The Contract Value and the amount of Variable Annuity Payments depend
on the investment performance of the assets of the Funds. Because each Con-
tract Owner bears the full investment risk associated with the Variable Ac-
count, there can be no assurance concerning the amount of Variable Annuity
Payments under the Contract.
 Prior to September 25, 1981, the assets of certain sub-accounts of the Vari-
able Account were invested in mutual funds (the "Formerly Eligible Funds")
other than the Funds. Contracts funded by these sub-accounts, which invest in
the Formerly Eligible Funds, are no longer offered, and no additional assets
of the Variable Account will be invested in shares of the Formerly Eligible
Funds. The following is a list of the Formerly Eligible Funds, which corre-
spond to these sub-accounts of the Variable Account: Fidelity Daily Income
Trust; Fidelity Cash Reserves; Fidelity Government Securities Fund, Ltd.; and
Fidelity Capital and Income Fund. Further information about the Formerly Eli-
gible Funds can be found in the Formerly Eligible Funds' individual fund pro-
spectuses. The remaining assets of the Variable Account are currently invested
exclusively in shares of the Funds.
 
THE VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II, AND
                     VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
 
 The available Sub-accounts of the Variable Account invest exclusively in
shares of the Funds. The Funds are diversified, open-end management investment
companies organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts. The Variable Insurance
Product Fund was established on November 13, 1981, and was formerly known as
Fidelity Cash Reserves II. The Variable Insurance Products Fund II was estab-
lished on March 21, 1988. The Variable Insurance Products Fund III was estab-
lished on July 14, 1994, and prior to December 30, 1996 was known as the Fi-
delity Advisor Annuity Fund.
 Certain information concerning the Funds is set forth below. More detailed
information may be found in the Funds' current prospectuses which accompany or
precede this Prospectus and the Funds' current Statements of Additional Infor-
mation. The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to
each Fund's prospectus and Statement of Additional Information wherein more
detailed information may be found.
 Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") provides investment advice and
administrative services to the Funds pursuant to an agreement under which each
Portfolio pays FMR a monthly fee. FMR also provides investment advice and ad-
ministrative services to the Formerly Eligible Funds for a fee similar to the
ones applicable to the Portfolios of the Funds. The Variable Insurance Prod-
ucts Fund currently offers five Portfolios: Money Market Portfolio; High In-
come Portfolio; Equity-Income Portfolio; Growth Portfolio; and Overseas Port-
folio. The Variable Insurance Products Fund II currently offers five portfo-
lios that are available under the Contracts: the Investment Grade Bond Portfo-
lio (formerly known as the Short-Term Portfolio), Asset Manager Portfolio, As-
set Manager Growth, Contrafund, and Index 500. The Variable Insurance Products
Fund III currently offers three Portfolios: Balanced, Growth Opportunities and
Growth & Income. The thirteen Portfolios offered by the Funds provide a range
of investment alternatives that vary according to the different investment ob-
jectives described in the Funds' prospectuses and summarized below. The assets
of each Portfolio are separate from the others, and each Portfolio has sepa-
rate investment objectives and policies. As a result, each Portfolio operates
as a separate investment fund, and the
 
                                    INC-13
<PAGE>
 
investment performance of one Portfolio has no effect on the investment per-
formance of any other Portfolio. Each of the Portfolios may not be available
for investment in every state.
 VIP MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain as high a level of current income
as is consistent with preserving capital and liquidity. The Portfolio will in-
vest only in high-quality U.S. dollar dominated money market instruments of
domestic and foreign insurers. The Portfolio seeks to maintain a constant net
asset value of $1.00 per share although no assurances can be given that such
constant net asset value will be maintained. The Portfolio's shares are nei-
ther insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
 VIP HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain a high level of current income by
investing primarily in high-yielding, lower rated, fixed-income securities. In
choosing these securities, growth of capital also will be considered. The
Portfolio may invest without limitation in lower-quality debt securities,
sometimes called "junk bonds" which carry greater risk than other debt securi-
ties. See the Funds' prospectus for a description of these risks.
 VIP EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks reasonable income by investing primarily in
income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities, the Portfo-
lio will also consider the potential for capital appreciation. The Portfolio's
goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the securities
comprising the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks.
 VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks to achieve capital appreciation through the pur-
chase of common stocks, although the Portfolio's investments are not re-
stricted to any one type of security. Capital appreciation may also be found
in other types of securities, including bonds and preferred stocks.
 VIP OVERSEAS PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital primarily through
investments in foreign securities. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its invest-
ment objective by investing at least 65% of the Portfolio's assets in securi-
ties of companies from at least three different countries outside of North
America. The Overseas Portfolio expects to invest most of its assets in secu-
rities of companies located in developed countries in these general areas: The
Americas (other than the United States), the Far East and Pacific Basin, Scan-
dinavia and Western Europe. Generally, the investment in securities of foreign
companies will involve greater risks than are present in domestic investments.
 VIP II INVESTMENT GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO seeks as high a level of current in-
come as is consistent with the preservation of capital by investing in invest-
ment-grade fixed income securities. Its dollar weighted average maturity will
be ten years or less. The Portfolio will not invest in securities rated below
Baa by Moody's Investor's Service, Inc. or rated below BBB by Standard &
Poor's Corporation and unrated securities judged by FMR to be of equivalent
quality.
 VIP II ASSET MANAGER PORTFOLIO seeks high total return with reduced risk over
the long term by allocating its assets among domestic and foreign stocks,
bonds and short-term fixed income instruments.
 VIP II ASSET MANAGER: GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks maximum total return over the
long term by allocating its assets among an aggressive mix of domestic and
foreign stocks, bonds and short-term fixed income instruments.
 VIP II CONTRAFUND PORTFOLIO seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
in equity securities of companies considered undervalued or out-of-favor by
the Fund's advisor.
 VIP II INDEX 500 PORTFOLIO seeks to provide investment results that corre-
spond to the total return (i.e. the combination of capital changes and income)
of common stocks publicly traded in the United States. In seeking this objec-
tive, the portfolio attempts to duplicate the composition and total return of
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index.
 
                                    INC-14
<PAGE>
 
 VIP III BALANCED PORTFOLIO seeks both income and growth of capital by invest-
ing in a broad selection of stocks, bonds, and convertible securities. When
FMR's outlook is neutral, it will invest approximately 60% of the fund's as-
sets in equity securities, and will always invest at least 25% of the fund's
assets in fixed-income securities.
 VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO seeks capital growth by investing in a
wide range of common stocks, convertible and foreign securities and bonds that
may offer long-term growth potential.
 VIP III GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks high total return through a combina-
tion of current income and capital appreciation by investing mainly in equity
securities. The fund may also invest in equity securities that are not paying
current dividends, but offer potential for capital appreciation of future in-
come.
 
THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY OF THE FUNDS' PORTFOLIOS WILL ACHIEVE ITS IN-
VESTMENT OBJECTIVE.
 The Funds' prospectuses should be read carefully before any decision is made
concerning the allocation of Purchase Payments to a particular Portfolio. The
Funds are not limited to selling their shares to the Variable Account and are
permitted to accept investments from any separate account of an insurance com-
pany. Since the Portfolios of the Funds are available to registered separate
accounts offering variable annuity products of the Company, as well as vari-
able annuity and variable life products of other insurance companies, there is
a possibility that a material conflict may arise between the interests of the
Variable Account and one or more of the separate accounts of another partici-
pating insurance company. In the event of a material conflict, the affected
insurance companies agree to take any necessary steps, including removing
their separate accounts from the Funds, to resolve the matter. See the Funds'
prospectuses for further details.
 
PERFORMANCE
 Performance information for the variable Sub-accounts may appear in reports
and advertising to current and prospective Contract Owners. The performance
information is based on historical investment experience of the Sub-accounts
and the Portfolios and does not indicate or represent future performance.
 Total returns are based on the overall dollar or percentage change in value
of a hypothetical investment. Total return quotations reflect changes in Port-
folio share price, the automatic reinvestment by the separate account of all
distributions and the deduction of applicable administrative and mortality
charges.
 An average annual total return reflects the hypothetical annually compounded
return that would have produced the same cumulative total return if the per-
formance had been constant over the entire period. Because average annual to-
tal returns tend to smooth out variations in Sub-account's returns, you should
recognize that they are not the same as actual year-by-year results.
 The Money Market Sub-account may advertise its current and effective yield.
Current yield reflects the income generated by an investment in the Sub-ac-
count over a 7-day period. Effective yield is calculated in a similar manner
except that income earned is assumed to be reinvested. This income is
annualized and shown as a percentage. Yields do not take into account capital
gains or losses. The standard quotations of yield reflect the administrative
and mortality charges.
 Additional information regarding yields and total returns calculated using
the standard formats briefly summarized above is contained in the Statement of
Additional Information, a copy of which may be obtained from PFL.
 
                                    INC-15
<PAGE>
 
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS OF INVESTMENTS
 If the shares of the Funds or the Formerly Eligible Funds should no longer be
available for investment or, if in the judgment of the Company's management,
further investment in the Eligible Funds' share should become inappropriate in
view of the purposes of the Contract, then the Company may substitute shares
of another fund for shares already purchased, or to be purchased in the fu-
ture, under the Contract. No substitution of securities in any sub-account may
take place except to the extent permitted by law. To the extent required by
the Investment Company Act of 1940, substitutions of shares attributable to a
Contract Owner's interest in a sub-account will not be made until the Contract
Owner has been notified of the change and prior approval of the Securities and
Exchange Commission is obtained.
 New sub-accounts may be established when, in the sole discretion of the Com-
pany, marketing, tax, investment or other conditions so warrant. Any new sub-
accounts will be made available to existing Contract Owners on a basis to be
determined by the Company. Each additional sub-account will purchase shares in
a Portfolio of the fund or in another mutual fund or investment vehicle. The
Company may also eliminate one or more sub-accounts if, in its sole discre-
tion, marketing, tax, investment or other conditions so warrant.
 In the event of any such substitution or change, the Company may, by appro-
priate endorsement, make such changes in the Contracts as may be necessary or
appropriate to reflect such substitutions or change. Furthermore, if deemed to
be in the best interests of persons having voting rights under the Contracts,
the Variable Account may be operated as a management company under the 1940
Act or any other form permitted by law, or it may be deregistered under such
Act in the event such registration is no longer required.
 
                                 THE CONTRACTS
 
PURCHASE OF THE CONTRACTS
 The Contracts may be purchased by mailing in a completed, signed application
to the Company, along with a check for the initial investment. Purchase Pay-
ments are payable at the Administrative and Service Office of the Company des-
ignated on the cover page. The initial Purchase Payment must be at least
$5,000. Subsequent Purchase Payments must be at least $500. Except for these
limitations, there are no restrictions on the amount or frequency of Purchase
Payments under a Contract.
 If an application is complete upon receipt, the Contract Owner will receive a
Contract based on the price next determined after the application and initial
Purchase Payment are received. If an incomplete application is received, the
Company will notify the applicant by phone or mail to request the information
necessary to complete the application. Once the application is completed, the
Contract Owner will receive a Contract based on the price next determined af-
ter the application was made complete. If, after five days, the application
remains incomplete, the Company will return the applicant's initial Purchase
Payment unless it obtains the applicant's permission to retain the initial
Purchase Payment pending completion of the application.
 A Contract shall automatically be continued in full force during the lifetime
of the Annuitant until the Annuity Commencement Date or until the Contract is
surrendered. Unless the Contract Owner has surrendered the Contract, Purchase
Payments may be made at any time during the life of the Annuitant and before
the Annuity Commencement Date.
 
 
                                    INC-16
<PAGE>
 
ALLOCATION AND REALLOCATION OF NET PURCHASE PAYMENTS
 Net Purchase Payments are allocated among the Sub-accounts of the Variable
Account that have been selected by the Contract Owner. The Purchase Payment,
less the administrative charge deducted upon payment, and less any deduction
for premium taxes, equals the Net Purchase Payment. Upon allocation to a Sub-
account, Net Purchase Payments are converted into Accumulation Units of the
Sub-account. The number of Accumulation Units to be credited is determined by
dividing the dollar amount allocated to each Sub-account by the value of a Ac-
cumulation Unit for that Sub-account as next determined after the Purchase
Payment is received at the Administrative and Service Office, or in the case
of the initial Purchase Payment, when the Contract application is completed,
whichever is later.
 Contract Owners (or their designated account executive) can make transfers
and/or change the allocation of subsequent premium payments by telephone if
the "Telephone Transfer/Reallocation Authorization" box in the application has
been checked or telephone transfers have been subsequently authorized in writ-
ing. PFL and/or the Administrative and Service Office will not be liable for
following instructions communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes
to be genuine. However, PFL and/or the Administrative and Service Office will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by tel-
ephone are genuine. If PFL and/or the Administrative and Service Office fails
to do so, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. All telephone requests will be recorded on voice recorder equip-
ment for the protection of the Contract Owner. A Contract Owner, when making
telephone requests may be required to provide their social security number
and/or other information for identification purposes.
 Telephone requests must be received at the Administrative and Service Office
no later than 3:00 p.m. Central Standard time in order to assure same day
pricing of the transaction.
 The telephone transaction privilege may be discontinued at any time as to
some or all Contracts and PFL may require written confirmation of a transac-
tion request.
 When a reallocation is requested, the redemption of the requested amount from
out of the Sub-account and Portfolio in which the amount had been invested
will always be effected as of the end of the Valuation Period in which the re-
quest is received at our Administrative and Service Office. That amount will
generally be credited to the new Sub-account and Portfolio at the same time.
However, when (1) you are making a transfer to any Portfolio that accrues div-
idends on a daily basis and (2) the equity portfolio from which the transfer
is being made is in an illiquid position due to substantial redemptions or
transfers that require it to sell portfolio securities in order to make funds
available, then the crediting of the amount transferred to the new Sub-account
may be delayed until the Portfolio from which the transfer is being made ob-
tains liquidity through the earlier of the Portfolio's receipt of proceeds
from sales of Portfolio securities, new contributions by contract Owners, or
otherwise, but no longer than seven days. During this period, the amount
transferred will be uninvested.
 There are currently thirteen Sub-accounts, each corresponding to one of the
thirteen Portfolios of the Funds, each representing a different investment al-
ternative. (See "The Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance
Products Fund II, and Variable Insurance Products Fund III" p. 13.) In allo-
cating the initial Purchase Payment among the Sub-accounts, the Contract Owner
must allocate a minimum contribution of $1,000 to each Sub-account selected.
Subsequent Net Purchase Payments may be allocated among the Sub-accounts in
any manner, so long as any contribution to a selected Sub-account is at least
$500. A Contract Owner may subsequently reallocate the value of a designated
number of Accumulation Units of a Sub-account then credited
 
                                    INC-17
<PAGE>
 
to a Contract, into an equal value of Accumulation Units of one or more other
Sub-accounts. The reallocation shall be based on the relative value of the Ac-
cumulation Units of the Sub-accounts at the end of business on the day the re-
quest is received by the Company.
 On the Date of Issue of the Contract, the Contract Value equals the value of
the Net Purchase Payment. Thereafter, the Contract Value is determined by mul-
tiplying the number of Accumulation Units of each Sub-account credited to the
Contract by the current value of an Accumulation Unit for that Sub-account.
The number of Accumulation Units is increased by any Net Purchase Payments and
decreased by the annual administrative charge, any premium taxes deducted and
any full or partial surrenders.
 
VALUE OF ACCUMULATION UNITS
 The Accumulation Units of each Sub-account of the Variable Account are valued
separately. The value of Accumulation Units may change each Valuation Period
according to the investment performance of the shares purchased by each Sub-
account and the deduction of certain charges.
 A Valuation Period is the period beginning at the close of trading on the New
York Stock Exchange on each Valuation Date and ends at the close of trading on
the next succeeding Valuation Date. A Valuation Date is each day that the New
York Stock Exchange is open for business.
 The value of an Accumulation Unit in a Sub-account for any Valuation Period
equals the value of the Accumulation Unit as of the immediately preceding Val-
uation Period, multiplied by the Net Investment Factor for that Sub-account
for the Valuation Period for which the Accumulation Unit value is being calcu-
lated. The Net Investment Factor is a number representing the change in the
value of Sub-account assets on successive Valuation Dates due to investment
income, realized or unrealized capital gains or losses, deductions for taxes,
if any, and deductions for the Mortality Risk Charge.
 
SURRENDERS
 At any time before the Annuity Commencement Date and during the lifetime of
the Annuitant, the Contract Owner may elect to surrender all or any portion of
the Contract Value in exchange for a cash withdrawal payment from the Company.
Any such election shall be in writing in such form as the Company may require
and shall specify the amount of the cash withdrawal payment. At the Contract
Owner's request, the Company will provide a form to request a surrender and to
notify the Company of the Contract Owner's election whether to have federal
income taxes withheld. Such an election will be effective on the date that it
is received by the Company at its Administrative and Service Office.
 The amount of the cash withdrawal payment will be equal to the Contract Value
at the end of the Valuation Period during which the election becomes effec-
tive, or the lesser amount requested. The cash withdrawal payment will result
in the liquidation of Accumulation Units with an aggregated value equal to the
dollar amount of the cash withdrawal payment. Unless instructed to the con-
trary, the Company will liquidate Accumulation Units of all Sub-accounts
within the Variable Account in the same proportion that the cash withdrawal
payment bears to the Contract Value.
 Any cash withdrawal payment will be paid within seven (7) days from the date
the surrender request becomes effective, except as the Company may be permit-
ted to defer such payment in accordance with the Investment Company Act of
1940. (See "Suspension of Payment," p. 27.) Payments under the Contract of any
amounts derived from Purchase Payments made by check, may be delayed until
such time as the check has cleared your bank. If at the time that the Contract
Owner makes a partial or full surrender request, he or she has not provided
the Company with a
 
                                    INC-18
<PAGE>
 
written election not to have federal income taxes withheld, the Company must
by law withhold such taxes from the taxable portion of any full or partial
surrender and remit that amount to the federal government. Moreover, the In-
ternal Revenue Code provides that a 10% penalty tax may be imposed on certain
early surrenders. (See "Federal Tax Matters," p. 24.)
 
RIGHT TO RETURN THE CONTRACT
 The Contract Owner may cancel the Contract within ten (10) days after it is
delivered to the Contract Owner by delivering or mailing the Contract and a
written notice of revocation to the Company at its Administrative and Service
Office. In the event of cancellation, the Company will return all Purchase
Payments made under the Contract within seven (7) days after it receives writ-
ten notice of cancellation and the returned Contract.
 
                               CONTRACT CHARGES
 
 No deduction for sales charges is made from Purchase Payments or upon surren-
der. As more fully described below, charges under the contracts are assessed
(1) against the initial Purchase Payments and annually thereafter from the
Contract Value for administrative expenses, and (2) against the assets of the
Variable Account for the assumption of mortality risk. Premium taxes, if any,
are deducted from the Purchase Payment or the Contract Value at the time they
are incurred by the Company and the Company reserves the right to make deduc-
tions from the Variable Account for income tax liabilities resulting from the
operation of the Variable Account.
 Costs of distributing the Contracts will be paid from the Company's general
assets. These assets may include proceeds from the mortality charge described
below. The Company incurs certain costs, including the obligation to pay cer-
tain insurance commissions in connection with the distribution of the Con-
tracts.
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE
 The Company performs the administrative services for the Contracts and the
Variable Account. These services include issuance of the Contracts, mainte-
nance of records concerning the Contracts, and valuation services. An adminis-
trative charge to cover these expenses is deducted from the initial Purchase
Payment and annually thereafter from the Contract Value. The current annual
administrative charge is $35.00.
 When the Contract Owner makes the initial investment in the Contract, a pro
rata portion of the annual charge for the current year will be deducted from
the Purchase Payments. Annually thereafter, on the last day of each year, the
annual charge for the next calendar year will be deducted. No part of the an-
nual charge will be refunded upon termination of a Contract. In the states of
Pennsylvania and South Carolina the annual charge will never exceed $35.00 for
Contracts issued in connection with the delivery of this Prospectus.
 PRIOR TO THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE IS NOT
GUARANTEED AND, SUBJECT TO LIMITS IMPOSED BY STATE LAW, MAY CHANGE OVER THE
YEARS THE CONTRACT IS IN FORCE.
 
CHARGES FOR MORTALITY RISK
 The mortality risk assumed by the Company arises from the contractual obliga-
tion to continue to make annuity payments to each Annuitant regardless of how
long the Annuitant lives and regardless of how long all Annuitants as a group
live. Although Variable Annuity Payments made to Annuitants will vary in ac-
cordance with the investment performance of the Funds (or the Formerly Eligi-
ble
 
                                    INC-19
<PAGE>
 
Funds), they will not be affected by the mortality experience of persons re-
ceiving such payments or of the general population. This assures each Annui-
tant that neither the longevity of fellow Annuitants nor an improvement in
life expectancy generally will have an adverse effect on the Variable Annuity
Payments received under the Contracts. The Company assumes this mortality risk
by virtue of annuity payment rates incorporated in the Contract. These rates
cannot be changed. (See "Statement of Additional Information -- Annuity Pay-
ment Rates," p. 6.)
 For assuming this mortality risk, the Company deducts from the daily net as-
set value of the Variable Account an amount, computed on a daily basis, which
is equal to an effective annual rate of 0.8%. If this amount is insufficient
to cover the actual costs, the loss will be borne by the Company; conversely,
if the amount deducted proves more than sufficient, the excess will be a
profit to the Company. To the extent that this charge results in a profit to
the Company, such profit will be available for use by the Company for, among
other things, the payment of distribution, sales and other expenses. The level
of this charge is guaranteed and will not change. A mortality risk charge is
assessed during the annuity phase for all options including those that do not
carry a life contingency.
 
DEDUCTIONS FOR TAXES
 Any premium taxes or other similar taxes (herein collectively referred to as
"premium taxes") levied by any governmental entity as a result of the exist-
ence of the Contracts will be deducted from Contract Values when incurred.
Premium taxes are generally levied at the Annuity Commencement Date. As of the
date of this prospectus, the current range of state premium taxes is from 0.0%
to 3.5%.
 The Company does not expect to incur any federal income tax liability attrib-
utable to investment income or capital gains retained as part of the reserve
under the Contracts. Based on these expectations, no charge is being made cur-
rently to the Variable Account for corporate federal income taxes which may be
attributable to Variable Account. However, if the tax laws change such that
there is tax liability, the Company may review from time to time the need to
make a charge for any taxes attributable to the income of the Variable Ac-
count.
 Under present laws, the Company does not incur state or local taxes (other
than premium taxes), and therefore, does not charge for these taxes. If there
is a change in state or local tax laws, charges for such taxes, if any, at-
tributable to the Variable Account may be made.
 
THE VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II AND
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III EXPENSES
 The value of the assets in the Variable Account will reflect the value of the
Funds' (or the Formerly Eligible Fund) shares and, therefore, the fees and ex-
penses paid by the Funds (or the Formerly Eligible Fund). A complete descrip-
tion of the expenses and deductions from the portfolios are found in the indi-
vidual Fund prospectuses.
 
                          BENEFITS UNDER THE CONTRACT
 
DEATH BENEFIT
 In the event of the death of the Annuitant prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Company, upon receipt of Due Proof of Death of the Annuitant, will
pay a death benefit to the Beneficiary designated by the Contract Owner. If
the death of the Annuitant occurs on or after the Annuity Commencement Date,
no death benefit will be payable under the Contract except as may be provided
under the Annuity Option elected.
 
                                    INC-20
<PAGE>
 
 The death benefit payable in the event of the death of the Annuitant prior to
the Annuity Commencement Date is equal to the Contract Value. The Accumulation
Unit values used in determining the amount of death benefit will be the values
for the next subsequent Valuation Period following the date all of the items
listed below have been received by the Company: written notice of death of the
Annuitant; Due Proof of Death of the Annuitant; and an election to pay the
proceeds as a single cash payment or under an Annuity Option.
 If no election as to how the proceeds should be paid was made by the Contract
Owner prior to the Annuitant's death, the Beneficiary may elect one of the An-
nuity Options or a lump sum cash payment within 90 days after the Company re-
ceives notification of death. To comply with federal tax law, however, the
Beneficiary must choose an Annuity Option within 60 days after the lump sum
first became payable in order to receive favorable tax treatment.
 
IRS REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS
 For Contracts issued on or after January 19, 1985, federal tax law requires
that if the Contract Owner or any Joint Contract Owner dies before the Annuity
Commencement Date, the entire value of the Contract must generally be distrib-
uted within five (5) years of the date of death of the Contract Owner or the
Joint Contract Owner. Special rules may apply to spouses of the deceased own-
er. See the Statement of Additional Information for a detailed description of
these rules.
 
                               ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE
 Unless the Annuity Commencement Date is changed, Annuity Payments under a
Contract will begin on the Annuity Commencement Date which is selected by the
Contract Owner at the time the Contract is applied for. The Annuity Commence-
ment Date may be changed from time to time by the Contract Owner by written
notice to the Company, provided that notice of each change is received by the
Company at its Administrative and Service Office at least thirty (30) days
prior to the then current Annuity Commencement Date. Except as otherwise per-
mitted by the Company, a new Annuity Commencement Date must be a date which
is: (1) at least thirty (30) days after the date notice of the change is re-
ceived by the Company; (2) the first day of a month; and (3) not later than
the first day of the first month following the Annuitant's 75th birthday. Cur-
rently, the Company permits the new Annuity Commencement Date to begin as late
as the first day of the first month following the Annuitant's 85th birthday.
The Annuity Commencement Date may also be changed by the Beneficiary's elec-
tion of the Annuity Option after the Annuitant's death.
 
ELECTION OF ANNUITY OPTIONS
 During the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Contract Owner may elect any one of the Annuity Options described in
this Prospectus. The Contract Owner may also change any election, but written
notice of any election or change of election must be received by the Company
at its Administrative and Service Office at least thirty (30) days prior to
the Annuity Commencement Date. If no election is in effect on the thirtieth
day prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, Annuity Option 3 for a life annu-
ity with 120 monthly payments guaranteed will be deemed to have been elected
on a variable basis. At such time as one of the Annuity Options under the Con-
tract may become operative, a supplementary agreement will be issued by the
Company setting forth the terms of the option elected.
 During the lifetime of the Annuitant, the Contract Owner may elect that all
or any part of the Death Benefit be applied under any one of the Annuity Op-
tions listed in the Contract or in any other
 
                                    INC-21
<PAGE>
 
manner agreeable to the Company. If no election as to the Annuity Option has
been selected by the Contract Owner at the time of death of the Annuitant,
such an election may be made by the Beneficiary.
 
ANNUITY OPTIONS
 Annuity payments may be made under any one of the Annuity Options described
below or in any other manner agreeable to the Company. Annuity payments will
be made on either a fixed basis or a variable basis as selected by the Con-
tract Owner (or the Beneficiary, after the Annuitant's death). The effect of
choosing a Fixed Annuity Option is that the amount of each payment will be set
on the Annuity Commencement Date and will not change. If a Fixed Annuity Op-
tion is selected, the Contract Value will be transferred to the general ac-
count of the Company, and the annuity payments will be fixed in amount and du-
ration by the fixed annuity provisions selected and the age and sex of the An-
nuitant. For further information, contact the Company at its Administrative
and Service Office.
 The Contract provides four Annuity Options which are described below; howev-
er, the Contract Owner may not select more than one. All of these are offered
as either "Fixed Annuity Options" or "Variable Annuity Options." Under Annuity
Options 1 and 2, it would be possible for only one annuity payment to be made
if the Annuitant(s) were to die before the due date of the second annuity pay-
ment, only two annuity payments if the Annuitant(s) were to die before the due
date of the third annuity payment, and so forth. Therefore, under Annuity Op-
tions 1 and 2 the Contract Value may not be returned.
 ANNUITY OPTION 1 -- Life Annuity: This option provides monthly payments dur-
ing the lifetime of the Annuitant ceasing with the last payment due prior to
the death of the Annuitant. This option offers the highest level of monthly
payments because no further payments are payable after the death of the Annui-
tant and there is no provision for a death benefit payable to a Beneficiary.
 ANNUITY OPTION 2 -- Joint and Survivor Annuity: This option provides monthly
payments during the joint lifetime of the Annuitant and designated second per-
son and during the lifetime of the survivor. As in the case of Annuity Option
1, there is no guaranteed number of payments and there is no provision for a
death benefit payable to a Beneficiary under this option.
 ANNUITY OPTION 3 -- LIFE ANNUITY WITH 120 OR 240 MONTHLY PAYMENTS GUARANTEED:
This option provides monthly payments during the lifetime of the Annuitant and
in any event for one hundred twenty (120) or two hundred forty (240) months
certain as elected. In the event of the death of the Annuitant under this op-
tion, the Contract provides that any guaranteed monthly payments will be paid
to the Beneficiary during the remaining months of the term selected, provided
that the Beneficiary may, at any time, elect to receive the discounted value
of the remaining payments, if any, in one sum. The discounted value for Fixed
or Variable Annuity Payments will be based on interest compounded annually at
the applicable assumed interest rate used in determining the first annuity
payment. (See "Determination of Annuity Payments," p. 23.) Upon the death of a
Beneficiary receiving annuity benefits under this option, the present value of
the guaranteed number of payments remaining after the Company receives notice
of the death of the Beneficiary, computed at the applicable assumed interest
rate shall be paid in a lump sum to the estate of the Beneficiary. Such pres-
ent value is computed as of the Valuation Period during which notice of the
death of the Beneficiary is received by the Company at its Administrative and
Service Office.
 ANNUITY OPTION 4 -- Cash or Unit Refund Life Annuity: This option provides
monthly payments during the lifetime of the Annuitant terminating with the
last payment due prior to the death
 
                                    INC-22
<PAGE>
 
of the Annuitant. An additional payment will be made to the Beneficiary which
for a Variable Annuity will equal the Annuity Unit value as of the date that
notice of death of the Annuitant in writing is received by the Company at its
Administrative and Service Office, multiplied by the excess, if any, of (a)
over (b) where (a) is the Contract Value applied at the Annuity Commencement
Date under this option, divided by the Annuity Unit Value as of the Annuity
Commencement Date, and (b) is the product of the number of Annuity Units rep-
resented by each Variable Annuity Payment paid to the Annuitant and the number
of Variable Annuity Payments made. For Fixed Annuity Payments, the Annuity
Unit Value shall be $1. Therefore, (a) is the Contract Value as of the Annuity
Commencement Date, while (b) is the sum of all Fixed Annuity Payments made.
 
DETERMINATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 On the Annuity Commencement Date the Contract's Annuity Purchase Value will
be applied to provide for Annuity Payments under the selected annuity option
as specified. The Annuity Purchase Value will be equal to the Contract Value
for the Valuation Period which ends immediately preceding the Annuity Com-
mencement Date, reduced by an applicable premium or similar taxes.
 Fixed Annuity Payments are determined by the Annuity Payment rates based on
the current assumed rate of interest as determined by the Company at the Annu-
ity Commencement Date. The assumed interest rate may be changed upon the
Company's discretion; however, the minimum guaranteed interest rate is 3.5%.
If, at the time the annuity payments begin, the Contract Owner has not pro-
vided the Company with a written election not to have federal income taxes
withheld, the Company must by law withhold such taxes from the taxable portion
of such annuity payments and remit that amount to the federal government.
 The dollar amount of the first Variable Annuity Payment will be determined in
accordance with the annuity payment rates based on the assumed interest rate
selected by the Annuitant. Under the Contract, the Annuitant has some flexi-
bility in choosing the assumed rate of interest to be used in connection with
the Variable Annuity Payments. The Annuitant may choose among interest rates
offered by the Company at the Annuity Commencement Date. Currently, the Com-
pany offers assumed interest rates of 3.5% and 7.5%.
 If the Annuitant chooses a higher assumed interest rate, as compared to
choosing the lowest rate offered, Variable Annuity Payments would start at a
higher level but would increase more slowly and decrease more rapidly. There-
fore, election of a higher assumed rate of interest would result in a higher
first monthly Variable Annuity Payment, but would increase the possibility of
reduced future payments during the periods when net investment performance of
the Sub-account did not exceed the higher assumed rate of interest.
 All Variable Annuity Payments other than the first are calculated using Annu-
ity Units which are credited to the Contract. The number of Annuity Units to
be credited in respect of a particular Sub-account is determined by dividing
that portion of the first Variable Annuity Payment attributable to that Sub-
account by the Annuity Unit value of that Sub-account for the Valuation Period
which ends immediately preceding the Annuity Commencement Date. The number of
Annuity Units of each particular Sub-account credited to the Contract then re-
mains fixed. The dollar amount of each Variable Annuity Payment after the
first may increase, decrease or remain constant, and is equal to the sum of
the amounts determined by multiplying the number of Annuity Units of each par-
ticular Sub-account credited to the Contract by the Annuity Unit value for the
particular Sub-account for the Valuation Period which ends immediately preced-
ing the due date of each subsequent payment. Furthermore, after the Annuity
Commencement Date, the Contract Owner may reallocate all or part
 
                                    INC-23
<PAGE>
 
of the values held in one Sub-account to one or more other Sub-accounts. (See
Statement of Additional Information -- "Reallocation of Contract Values after
the Annuity Commencement Date", p. 5.)
 
ADJUSTMENT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 If the Contract Value on the Annuity Commencement Date is less than $5,000,
the Company may pay such value in one sum in lieu of the payments otherwise
provided for. If the Contract Value is not less than $5,000, but the payments
provided for would be or become less than $50, the Company may change, at its
discretion, the frequency of payments to such intervals as will result in pay-
ments of at least $50.
 
                              FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
 
INTRODUCTION
 THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS GENERAL AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE.
 The Contracts are designed for use by individuals in retirement plans which
will not be qualified plans under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The ultimate effect of federal income taxes
on the Contract Value, on Variable Annuity Payments and on the economic bene-
fit to the Contract Owner, Annuitant or Beneficiary depends on the tax status
of both the Company and the individual concerned. The discussion contained
herein is general in nature and is not intended as tax advice. Each person
concerned should consult a competent tax adviser. No attempt is made to con-
sider any applicable state or other tax laws. The discussion contained herein
reflects the Company's understanding of current federal income tax laws appli-
cable to the Company and to variable annuity contracts used in connection with
retirement plans which are not qualified plans under the Code. Moreover, the
discussion herein is limited to a consideration of the taxation of variable
annuity contracts funded by investments in shares of the Funds. The discussion
contained herein does not attempt to discuss the tax treatment applicable to
variable annuity contracts funded by investments in shares of the Formerly El-
igible Funds which is different from the treatment discussed herein. No repre-
sentation is made regarding the likelihood of continuation of current federal
income tax laws or the current interpretations by the Internal Revenue Serv-
ice. THE COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE ANY GUARANTEE REGARDING ANY TAX STATUS, FEDER-
AL, STATE OR LOCAL, OF ANY CONTRACT OR ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING THE CON-
TRACTS.
 
TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL
 THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION ASSUMES THAT THE CONTRACTS WILL QUALIFY AS AN ANNU-
ITY CONTRACT FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL IN-
FORMATION DISCUSSES SUCH QUALIFICATIONS.
 An annuity Contract Owner generally is not taxed on increases in the value of
a Contract until distribution occurs, either in the form of a cash payment re-
ceived by withdrawing all or part of the cash value or as annuity payments un-
der the annuity option elected. For this purpose, the assignment or pledge of,
or the agreement to assign or pledge, any portion of the value of a Contract
will be treated as a distribution. The taxed portion of a distribution (in the
form of a lump sum payment or an annuity) is taxed as ordinary income. Howev-
er, for purchase payments made after February 28, 1986, an owner of a Contract
who is not a natural person (subject to limited exceptions) generally will be
taxed on any increase in the Contract's Contract value during the
 
                                    INC-24
<PAGE>
 
taxable year, even if no distribution occurs. There are, however, exceptions
to this rule which you may wish to discuss with your tax counsel. The follow-
ing discussion applies to Contracts owned by natural persons.
 Except as provided below, in the case of a partial withdrawal under a Con-
tract, amounts received are first treated as taxable income to the extent that
the Contract Value of the Contract immediately before the withdrawal exceeds
the "investment in the contract" at that time. Any additional amount withdrawn
is not taxable. However, in the case of a withdrawal under a Contract issued
before August 14, 1982, and allocable to an "investment in the contract" made
before that date, amounts received are treated as taxable income only to the
extent that they exceed the "investment in the contract." Upon a full surren-
der of the Contract, amounts received in excess of the "investment in the con-
tract" will be treated as taxable income. The "investment in the contract"
generally equals the portion, if any, of any Purchase Payment paid by or on
behalf of an individual under a Contract which is not excluded from the indi-
vidual's gross income.
 Although the tax consequences may vary depending on the form of annuity se-
lected under the Contract, the recipient of an Annuity Payment under a Con-
tract generally is taxed on the portion of such payment that exceeds the "in-
vestment in the contract." For Variable Annuity Payments, the taxable portion
is determined by a formula that establishes a specific dollar amount of each
payment that is not taxed. The dollar amount is determined by dividing the
"investment in the contract" by the total number of expected periodic pay-
ments. For Fixed Annuity Payments, in general, there is no tax on the amount
of each payment which represents the same ratio that the "investment in the
contract" bears to the total expected value of the Annuity Payment for the
term of the payment; however, the remainder of each Annuity Payment is tax-
able. For individuals whose Annuity Commencement Date is after December 31,
1986, any distribution received subsequent to the investment in the Contract
being recovered will be fully taxable.
 There may be imposed a penalty tax on distributions equal to ten percent
(10%) of the amount treated as taxable income. The penalty tax is not imposed
in certain circumstances, which generally include: (1) distributions received
on or after owner's age 59 1/2, death of the owner, or disability of the own-
er; (2) distributions received in substantially equal installments as a life
annuity (subject to special "recapture" rules if the series of payments is
subsequently modified), and (3) distributions allocable to the "investment in
the contract" and attributable earnings thereon before August 14, 1982.
 
DEATH BENEFIT.
 
 Amounts may be distributed from a Contract because of the death of an Annui-
tant or Contract Owner. Generally, such amounts are includable in the income
of the recipient as follows: (i) if distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed
in the same manner as a full withdrawal, as described above, or (ii) if dis-
tributed under an annuity option, they are taxed in the same manner as annuity
payments, as described above. For these purposes, the investment in the Con-
tract is not affected by the Owner's or Annuitant's death. That is, the in-
vestment in the Contract remains the amount of any Purchase Payments paid
which were not excluded from gross income.
 The Company will withhold and remit to the U.S. Government a part of the tax-
able portion of each distribution made under a Contract unless the Contract
Owner or Annuitant notifies the Company at or before the time of the distribu-
tion that he or she chooses not to have any amounts withheld.
 
                                    INC-25
<PAGE>
 
 All non-qualified, deferred annuity contracts issued by the same company (or
an affiliated company) to the same owner during any calendar year shall be
treated as one annuity contract, and "aggregated" for purposes of determining
the amount includable in gross income.
 The foregoing comments about the federal income tax consequences under Con-
tracts issued by the Company are not exhaustive, and special rules apply in
other situations not discussed in this Prospectus. The discussion herein also
reflects the Company's understanding of current law. No assurance can be given
that the present deferred tax treatment of variable annuity contracts will re-
main unaffected by future actions of Congress. Accordingly, a prospective pur-
chaser should consult a qualified tax adviser.
 
PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION
 In past years, legislation has been proposed in the U.S. Congress that would
have adversely modified the federal taxation of certain annuities. For exam-
ple, one such proposal would have changed the tax treatment of non-qualified
annuities that did not have "substantial life contingencies" by taxing income
as it is credited to the annuity. Although as of the date of this Prospectus
Congress was not actively considering any legislation regarding the taxation
of annuities, there is always the possibility that the tax treatment of annui-
ties could change by legislation or other means (such as IRS regulations, rev-
enue rulings, judicial decisions, etc.). Moreover, it is also possible that
any change could be retroactive (that is, effective prior to the date of the
change).
 
                              GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
OWNERSHIP OF THE CONTRACT
 The Contract shall belong to the Contract Owner upon issuance of the Contract
after completion of an application and delivery of the initial Purchase Pay-
ment. Prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, the Contract Owner shall be the
person so designated in the application. A Contract Owner may appoint another
person (the "Contingent Contract Owner") to succeed to ownership of the Con-
tract in the event of the death of the Contract Owner prior to the Annuity
Commencement Date. The Contract Owner may appoint or change the Contingent
Contract Owner or Beneficiary at any time prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date. All Contract rights and privileges may be exercised by the Contract
Owner without the consent of the Beneficiary or any other person. Such rights
and privileges may be exercised only during the lifetime of the Annuitant and
prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, except as otherwise provided in the
Contract. The Annuitant becomes the Contract Owner on and after the Annuity
Commencement Date. The Beneficiary becomes the Contract Owner on the death of
the Annuitant.
 
ASSIGNMENT
 During the lifetime of the Annuitant, the Contract Owner may assign any
rights or benefits provided by the Contract. An assignment will not be binding
on the Company until a copy has been filed at its Administrative and Service
Office. The rights and benefits of the Contract Owner and Beneficiary are sub-
ject to the rights of the assignee. The Beneficiary may not assign any payment
under the Contract before the payment becomes due.
 
BENEFICIARY
 The Beneficiary designation contained in the application will remain in ef-
fect until changed. The interest of any Beneficiary is subject to the particu-
lar Beneficiary surviving the Annuitant. The Contract Owner may change or re-
voke the designation of a Beneficiary at any time while the
 
                                    INC-26
<PAGE>
 
Annuitant is living by filing with the Company a written beneficiary designa-
tion or revocation in such form as the Company may require. The change or rev-
ocation will not be effective and binding upon the Company until it is re-
ceived by the company at its Administrative and Service Office. The Annuitant
named in the Contract, however, may not be changed.
 
AMENDMENTS
 The Company reserves the right to amend the Contracts to meet the require-
ments of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or other applicable federal or
state laws or regulations. No contract may be modified by the Company without
the consent of the Contract Owner except as may be required by applicable law.
 
SUSPENSION OF PAYMENT
 The Company reserves the right to suspend or postpone the date of any payment
of death benefits or cash withdrawals (1) for any period during which the New
York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary week-end and holiday
closings) or during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted
as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission; (2) for any period
during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of securities
held in any separate account is not reasonably practicable, or it is not rea-
sonably practicable to fairly determine the value of such assets; or (3) for
such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order per-
mit for the protection of security holders or as may be permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
NON-PARTICIPATING
 The Contracts are non-participating. No dividends are payable and the Con-
tracts will not share in the profits or surplus earnings of the Company.
 
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX
 If the age or sex of the Annuitant or Designated Annuitant has been misstat-
ed, the Company will change the annuity benefit payable to that which the Pur-
chase Payments would have purchased for the correct age or sex. The dollar
amount of any underpayment made by the Company shall be paid in full with the
next payment due such person or the Beneficiary. The dollar amount of any
overpayment made by the Company due to any misstatement shall be deducted from
payments subsequently accruing to such person or the Beneficiary. The age of
the Annuitant or Designated Annuitant may be established at any time by the
submission of proof satisfactory to the Company.
 
                           DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS
 
 The Contracts will be sold by licensed insurance agents in those states where
the Contracts may be lawfully sold. Such agents will be registered representa-
tives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
which are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The
Contracts will be distributed through Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc. ("Fi-
delity Brokerage") and Fidelity Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Fidelity Insurance"),
which are affiliated with FMR. Fidelity Brokerage, the principal underwriter
of the Contracts, is a member of the National Association of Securities Deal-
ers, Inc. Fidelity Distributors Corporation ("Fidelity Distributors"), an af-
filiate of FMR, was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts on July 18,
1960, is also the distributor of funds in the Fidelity Family of Funds and
other funds advised by FMR and funds advised by other companies. The principal
business address of Fidelity Brokerage, Fidelity Insurance and Fidelity Dis-
tributors is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
 
                                    INC-27
<PAGE>
 
 The Company has agreed to pay insurance commissions to Fidelity Insurance for
its services as an insurance general agent in distributing the Contracts which
will equal 0.55% on an annual basis of the daily net asset value of the Vari-
able Account. Fidelity Insurance may appoint subagents to whom it will pay a
portion of its commissions.
 
                           VOTING RIGHTS AND REPORTS
 
 In accordance with its view of present applicable law, the Company will vote
the Funds' shares and the Formerly Eligible Fund shares held in the Variable
Account at regular and special meetings of shareholders of the Funds and the
Formerly Eligible Funds in accordance with instructions received from persons
having a voting interest in the Variable Account. However, if the Investment
Company Act of 1940 or any regulation thereunder should be amended or if the
present interpretation thereof should change, and as a result the Company de-
termines that it is permitted to vote such shares in its own right, it may
elect to do so.
 Prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, the Contract Owner exercises the vot-
ing rights under the Contract. After the Annuity Commencement Date, the person
having the voting interest shall be the person then entitled to receive Vari-
able Annuity Payments. Prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, the number of
votes which a person has the right to cast will be determined by applying such
person's percentage interest in a Sub-account to the total number of votes at-
tributable to the Sub-account. After the Annuity Commencement Date, the number
of votes attributable to a Contract is determined by applying the percentage
interest reflected by the reserve for such Contract by the total number of
votes attributable to the Sub-account. After the Annuity Commencement Date the
votes attributable to a Contract decrease as such percentage interest de-
creases. Voting instructions will be solicited by written communications prior
to the date of the meeting at which votes are to be cast.
 Shares of the Funds and Formerly Eligible Funds held in a Sub-account as to
which no timely instructions are received or as to which Contract Owners do
not have an interest will be voted by the Company in proportion to the voting
instructions which are received with respect to all Contracts participating in
that Sub-account. Voting instructions to abstain on any item to be voted upon
will be applied on a pro rata basis to reduce the votes eligible to be cast.
Each person having a voting interest in a Sub-account will receive proxy mate-
rial, reports and other material relating to the Funds and the Formerly Eligi-
ble Funds. In addition, every person having voting rights will receive such
reports or prospectuses concerning the Variable Accounts as may be required by
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933. The Company
will also send such statements reflecting transactions involving the Contract
as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
 
                               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
 No material legal proceedings are pending against the Variable Account, the
Company, its subsidiaries or Fidelity Brokerage.
 
                                    INC-28
<PAGE>
 
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
<S>                                                                        <C>
PFL Life Insurance Company................................................   3
The Contracts.............................................................   3
 Reallocation of Contract Values After the Annuity Commencement Date......   3
 Accumulation Units.......................................................   3
 Illustration of Accumulation Unit Value Calculations.....................   4
 Reinvestment of Fund Distributions.......................................   4
Contract Charges..........................................................   5
 Administrative Charge....................................................   5
 Charges for Mortality Risk...............................................   5
Benefits Under the Contract...............................................   5
 Death Benefit............................................................   5
 IRS Required Distribution................................................   6
Annuity Payments..........................................................   6
 Annuity Unit Value.......................................................   6
 Annuity Payment Rates....................................................   6
 Illustration of Calculations for Annuity Unit Value and Variable Annuity
   Payments...............................................................   6
 Performance..............................................................   7
 Total Return.............................................................   8
 Yields...................................................................   9
Federal Tax Matters.......................................................   9
 Tax Treatment of the Company.............................................   9
 Diversification Requirements.............................................  10
 Owner Control............................................................  10
Distribution of the Contracts.............................................  10
Custody of Assets.........................................................  11
State Regulation..........................................................  11
Records and Reports.......................................................  11
Independent Auditors......................................................  11
Other Information.........................................................  11
Financial Statements......................................................  12
</TABLE>
 
                                     INC-29
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX A
 
  FORMERLY ELIGIBLE SUB-ACCOUNTS -- THESE SUB-ACCOUNTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE
                                 FOR INVESTMENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     FIDELITY DAILY INCOME TRUST SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $ 3.09412               $3.252838             114,662.042
1995          2.921185                3.094122             131,063.459
1994          2.812357                2.921185             190,668.116
1993          2.736044                2.812357             158,275.684
1992          2.641072                2.736044             243,997.001
1991          2.495176                2.641072             268,694.048
1990          2.313482                2.495176             339,345.456
1989          2.120570                2.313482             323,342.240
1988          1.977108                2.120570             351,832.648
1987          1.860549                1.977108             411,855.441
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        FIDELITY CASH RESERVES SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $ 3.10811               $3.268738              23,164.006
1995          2.934039                3.108117              23,192.241
1994          2.822897                2.934039              27,720.506
1993          2.742508                2.822897              29,444.337
1992          2.643311                2.742508              47,677.285
1991          2.493319                2.643311              60,818.839
1990          2.312283                2.493319              88,660.193
1989          2.122897                2.312283             102,882.970
1988          1.979215                2.122897             108,627.416
1987          1.859726                1.979215             171,381.094
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              FIDELITY GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND, LTD. SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $ 4.61802               $     N/A                   0.000
1995          3.911039                4.618027               8,068.949
1994          4.009576                3.911039               8,076.564
1993          3.676253                4.009576               8,085.472
1992          3.404732                3.676253               8,094.201
1991          2.934545                3.404732               8,103.722
1990          2.678442                2.934545               8,114.001
1989          2.376907                2.678442               8,125.927
1988          2.236112                2.376907               8,138.994
1987          2.213017                2.236112              24,310.778
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     INC-30
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   FIDELITY CAPITAL AND INCOME FUND SUB-ACCOUNT
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulation Unit Value Accumulation Unit Value Number of Accumulation
       at Beginning of Year       at End of Year       Units at End of Year
<S>   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
1996         $6.74430                $7.515932              21,049.298
1995         5.777672                 6.744302              25,993.308
1994         6.060768                 5.777672              35,622.255
1993         4.850494                 6.060768              43,008.701
1992         3.785099                 4.850494              70,510.002
1991         2.912437                 3.785099              94,291.263
1990         3.029998                 2.912437             112,223.477
1989         3.130904                 3.029998             140,750.477
1988         2.782925                 3.130904             175,640.223
1987         2.748078                 2.782925             184,937.624
</TABLE>
 
                                     INC-31
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                          PAGE
DEFINITIONS...............................................................    2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE CONTRACT..................................    4
EXPENSE DATA SUMMARY......................................................    7
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION...........................................    9
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......................................................   12
PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT......   12
 The Company..............................................................   12
 The Variable Account.....................................................   12
THE VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND AND VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
 II.......................................................................   13
 Additions, Deletions or Substitutions of Investments.....................   16
THE CONTRACTS.............................................................   16
 Purchase of the Contracts................................................   16
 Allocation and Reallocation of Net Purchase Payments.....................   17
 Value of Accumulation Units..............................................   18
 Surrenders...............................................................   18
 Right to Return the Contract.............................................   19
CONTRACT CHARGES..........................................................   19
 Administrative Charge....................................................   19
 Charges for Mortality Risk...............................................   19
 Deductions for Taxes.....................................................   20
 The Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II
  and Variable Insurance Products Fund III Expenses.......................   20
BENEFITS UNDER THE CONTRACT...............................................   20
 Death Benefit............................................................   20
 IRS Required Distributions...............................................   21
ANNUITY PAYMENTS..........................................................   21
 Annuity Commencement Date................................................   21
 Election of Annuity Options..............................................   21
 Annuity Options..........................................................   22
 Determination of Annuity Payments........................................   23
 Adjustment of Annuity Payments...........................................   24
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS.......................................................   24
 Introduction.............................................................   24
 Taxation of Annuities in General.........................................   24
 Death Benefit............................................................   25
 Proposed Tax Legislation.................................................   26
GENERAL PROVISIONS........................................................   26
 Ownership of the Contract................................................   26
 Assignment...............................................................   26
 Beneficiary..............................................................   26
 Amendments...............................................................   27
 Suspension of Payment....................................................   27
 Non-Participating........................................................   27
 Misstatement of Age or Sex...............................................   27
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS.................................................   27
VOTING RIGHTS AND REPORTS.................................................   28
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.........................................................   28
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.......................................   29
</TABLE>
FIDELITY
INCOME
PLUS
 
PROSPECTUS
MAY 1, 1997
 
                                     INC-32
<PAGE>
 
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
                             FIDELITY INCOME PLUS
 
                     THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
 
                  STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE
                     INDIVIDUAL VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
 
                                  Offered by
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                           4333 Edgewood Road, N.E.
                         Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499-0001
 
  This Statement of Additional Information supplements the information found
in the current Prospectus for the Individual Variable Annuity Contracts
("Contract") offered by PFL Life Insurance Company. You may obtain a copy of
the Prospectus dated May 1, 1997, without charge by calling Fidelity
Investments; for Sales information call toll free 800-544-2442; for Service
and Account information call toll free 800-634-4672. Terms used in the current
Prospectus for the Contract are incorporated in this Statement.
 
Dated May 1, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PROSPECTUS
                                                                PAGE    PAGE
                                                                ---- ----------
<S>                                                             <C>  <C>
PFL Life Insurance Company.....................................   3      12
The Contracts..................................................   3      16
  Reallocation of Contract Values After the Annuity Commence-
   ment Date...................................................   3
  Accumulation Units...........................................   3      18
  Illustration of Accumulation Unit Value Calculations.........   4
  Reinvestment of Fund Distributions...........................   4
Contract Charges...............................................   5      19
  Administrative Charge........................................   5      19
  Charges for Mortality Risk...................................   5      19
Benefits Under the Contract....................................   5      20
  Death Benefit................................................   5      20
  IRS Required Distribution....................................   6      21
Annuity Payments...............................................   6      21
  Annuity Unit Value...........................................   6
  Annuity Payment Rates........................................   6
  Illustration of Calculations for Annuity Unit Value and
   Variable Annuity Payments...................................   6
  Performance..................................................   7
  Total Return.................................................   8
  Yields.......................................................   9
Federal Tax Matters............................................   9      24
  Tax Treatment of the Company.................................   9
  Diversification Requirements.................................  10
  Owner Control................................................  10
Distribution of the Contracts..................................  10      27
Custody of Assets..............................................  11
State Regulation...............................................  11
Records and Reports............................................  11
Independent Auditors...........................................  11
Other Information..............................................  11
Financial Statements...........................................  12
</TABLE>    
 
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
  PFL Life Insurance Company ("Company") is a stock life insurance company
incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa on April 19, 1961 under the
name "NN Investors Life Insurance Company, Inc." On January 1, 1991, the name
was changed from NN Investors Life Insurance Company, Inc. to PFL Life
Insurance Company. All of its products, including life insurance, annuities,
and accident and health insurance, have been approved by the various states
where offered.
 
  All of the stock of the Company is indirectly owned by AEGON USA, Inc., an
insurance holding company, which is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of
AEGON, N.V., a holding company organized under the laws of The Netherlands and
engaged, through subsidiaries and associated companies, mainly in the
insurance and financial services industries.
 
                                 THE CONTRACTS
 
REALLOCATION OF CONTRACT VALUES AFTER THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE
 
  After the Annuity Commencement Date, the Contract Owner may reallocate the
value of a designated number of Annuity Units of a Sub-account, then credited
to a Contract, into an equal value of Annuity Units of one or more other Sub-
accounts. The reallocation shall be based on the relative value of the Annuity
Units of the Sub-accounts at the end of the Valuation Date on the next payment
date. The request must be in writing to our Administrative and Service Office.
There is no charge assessed in connection with such reallocation. The Company
reserves the right to limit the number of times a reallocation of Contract
Value may be made in any given calendar year.
 
ACCUMULATION UNITS
 
  Upon allocation to the selected Sub-account, Net Purchase Payments are
converted into Accumulation Units of the Sub-account. The number of
Accumulation Units to be credited is determined by dividing the dollar amount
allocated to each Sub-account by the value of an Accumulation Unit for that
Sub-account as next determined after the Purchase Payment is received at the
Administrative and Service Office or, in the case of the initial Purchase
Payment, when the Contract application is completed, whichever is later. The
value of an Accumulation Unit was arbitrarily established at $1 at the
inception of each Sub-account. Thereafter, the value of Accumulation Unit is
determined as of the close of trading on each day the New York Stock Exchange
is open for business.
 
  An index (the "Net Investment Factor") which measures the investment
performance of a Sub-account during a Valuation Period is used to determine
the value of an Accumulation Unit for the next subsequent Valuation Period.
The Net Investment Factor may be greater or less than or equal to one;
therefore, the value of an Accumulation Unit may increase, decrease or remain
the same from one Valuation Period to the next. The Contract Owner bears this
investment risk. The Net Investment Performance of a Sub-account and deduction
of certain charges affect the Accumulation Unit Value.
 
  The Net Investment Factor for any Sub-account for any Valuation Period is
determined by dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result. For
purposes of this calculation:
 
    (a) is the net result of:
 
      (1) the net asset value per share of the shares 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 distribution
    made with respect to the shares held in the Sub-account if the ex-
    dividend date occurs during the current Valuation Period, plus or minus
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
      (3) a per share credit or charge for any taxes determined by the
    Company to have resulted from the investment operations of the Sub-
    account and for which it has created a reserve;
 
    (b) is the net asset value per share of the shares held in the Sub-
  account determined as of the end of the immediately preceding Valuation
  Period.
 
    (c) is the charge for mortality risk during the Valuation Period equal on
  an annual basis to 0.8% of the daily net asset value of the Sub-account.
 
             ILLUSTRATION OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE CALCULATIONS
 
      FORMULA AND ILLUSTRATION FOR DETERMINING THE NET INVESTMENT FACTOR
 
  Net Investment Factor = A + B - C - E
                        D
 
Where: A =  The Net Asset Value of an Underlying Fund share as of the end of
            the current Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................... = $11.57
 
      B =   The per share amount of any dividend or capital gains distribution
            since the end of the immediately preceding Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................... = 0
 
      C =   The per share charge or credit for any taxes reserved for at the
            end of the current Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................... = 0
 
      D =   The Net Asset Value of an Underlying Fund share at the end of the
            immediately preceding Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................... = $11.40
 
      E =   The daily deduction for mortality risk, which totals 0.8% on an
            annual basis.
            On a daily basis................................. = 0.00002183
 
Then, the Net Investment Factor = 11.57 + 0 - 0 - 0.00002183 = 1.01489045
                            11.40
 
FORMULA AND ILLUSTRATION FOR DETERMINING ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE
 
Accumulation Unit Value = A X B
 
   Where:   The Accumulation Unit Value for the immediately preceding
      A =   Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................... = $1.347125
 
      B =   The Net Investment Factor for the current Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................... = 1.01489045
 
Then, the Accumulation Unit Value = $1.347125 X 1.01489045
                          = $1.367184
 
REINVESTMENT OF FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Funds and the Formerly Eligible Funds have as a policy the current
distribution of income and capital gains. However, under the Contracts, there
is an automatic reinvestment of such distributions in the Funds.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                               CONTRACT CHARGES
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE
 
  The Company performs the administrative services for the Contracts. These
services include issuance of the Contracts, maintenance of records concerning
the Contracts, and certain valuation services.
 
CHARGES FOR MORTALITY RISK
   
  A mortality risk charge equal to an annual charge of 0.8% of the daily net
asset value of the Variable Account is deducted daily.     
 
                          BENEFITS UNDER THE CONTRACT
 
DEATH BENEFIT
 
  During the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Contract Owner may elect to have the Contract Value applied under
any one of the Annuity Options. If no election of a method of settlement of
the death benefit by the Contract Owner is in effect on the date of death of
the Annuitant, the Beneficiary may elect (a) to receive the death benefit in
the form of a cash payment; or (b) to have the Contract Value applied under
one of the Annuity Options subject to the distribution after death rules
described below in the case of Contracts issued after January 18, 1985; or (c)
continue the Contract as the new Contract Owner/Annuitant if the contract was
issued after January 18, 1985, and the Beneficiary was the surviving spouse of
the Annuitant at the time of death. If settlement of the death benefit under
an Annuity Option is elected, the Annuity Commencement Date shall be the date
specified in the election but no later than ninety (90) days after receipt by
the Company of notification of the death of the Annuitant. Either election
described above may be made by filing with the Company a written election in
such form as the Company may require. Any election of a method of settlement
of the death benefit by the Contract Owner will become effective on the date
it is received by the Company at its Administrative and Service Office. Any
election of a method of settlement of the death benefit by the Beneficiary
will become effective on the later of: (a) the date the election is received
by the Company at its Administrative and Service Office: and (b) the date
notification of death and due proof of the death of the Annuitant is received
by the Company. If an election by the Beneficiary is not received by the
Company within ninety (90) days following the date notification of the death
of the Annuitant is received by the Company at its Administrative and Service
Office, the Beneficiary will be deemed to have elected a cash payment as of
the last day of the ninety (90) day period.
 
  If the death benefit is to be paid in cash to the Beneficiary, payment will
be made within seven (7) days of the date the election is deemed to become
effective. If the death benefit is to be paid to the Contract Owner or the
Contract Owner's estate, payment will be made within seven (7) days of the
date Due Proof of Death is received by the Company. Payment will be made in
accordance with any applicable laws and regulations governing payment of death
benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may be permitted to defer
such payment in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
  The taxable portion of a lump sum payment of the death benefit is subject to
tax at ordinary income rates. If the Beneficiary elects to receive the death
benefit under an Annuity Option within sixty (60) days after the death benefit
becomes payable in a lump sum, the Beneficiary will recognize such ordinary
income as payments are received. However, if the election is not made within
sixty (60) days after the lump sum first became payable, the entire death
benefit will be subject to tax in the current tax year, irrespective of
whether the death benefit is actually received as a lump sum or as a series of
payments under an Annuity Option elected.
 
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
IRS REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION
 
  If the Contract Owner or any Joint Contract Owner of the Contract dies
before the entire interest in the Contract is distributed, the value of the
Contract must be distributed to the designated beneficiary as described in
this section so that the Contracts qualify as annuities under the Internal
Revenue Code.
 
  For Contracts issued after January 18, 1985, if the death occurs on or after
the Annuity Commencement Date, the remaining portion of such interest will be
distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used
as of the date of death. If the death occurs before the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Contract Value generally must be paid out to the beneficiary within
five years after the death. However, if an Annuity Option is elected by the
beneficiary, the Contract Value may be distributed as an annuity over the
lifetime of the beneficiary, as long as the distribution does not extend
beyond the life expectancy of the beneficiary and the distribution begins
within one year after the Contract Owner's (or Joint Contract Owner's) death.
If any portion of the Contract Owner's interest is payable to (or for the
benefit of) the surviving spouse of the Contract Owner, the Contract may be
continued with the surviving spouse as the new Contract Owner. For Contracts
issued before January 19, 1985, the Contract Value will be paid out in
accordance with the Annuity Option elected by the beneficiary.
 
                               ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
 
  The amount of Variable Annuity Payments will vary with Annuity Unit Values.
Annuity Unit Values rise if the net investment performance of the Sub-account
exceeds the assumed interest rate, which is selected by the Annuitant upon the
Annuity Commencement Date. Conversely, Annuity Unit Values fall if the net
investment performance of the Sub-account is less than the assumed rate.
 
  The Annuity Unit Value of each Sub-account is arbitrarily established at
$1.00 for the first Valuation Period of the particular Sub-account. The
Annuity Unit Value for the particular Sub-account for any Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Annuity Unit Value for the particular Sub-
account for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net Investment
Factor for the particular Sub-account for the current Valuation Period, and
then multiplying that product by a factor to neutralize the assumed interest
rate used to establish the annuity payment rate found in the Contract.
 
ANNUITY PAYMENT RATES
 
  The Contract contains Annuity Payment Rates for each Annuity Option
described in the Prospectus. The rates show, for each $1,000 applied, the
dollar amount of the first monthly Variable Annuity Payment when this payment
is based on the minimum guaranteed interest rate of 3.5% per year. The dollar
amount of subsequent Variable Annuity Payments will depend upon changes in
applicable Annuity Unit Values.
 
  The Annuity Payment Rates vary according to the Annuity Option elected and
the sex and adjusted age of the Annuitant at the Annuity Commencement Date.
The Contract also contains a table for determining the adjusted age of the
Annuitant.
 
              LLUSTRATION OF CALCULATIONS FOR ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
                         AND VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
          FORMULA AND ILLUSTRATION FOR DETERMINING ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
 
Annuity Unit Value = A x B x C
 
   Where:
      A =   Annuity Unit Value for the immediately preceding Valuation Period.
            Assume........................................ = $1.097696
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
      B =   Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period for which the
            Annuity Unit Value is being calculated.
            Assume......................................... = 1.005200
 
      C =   A factor to neutralize the assumed interest rate of 3% built into
            the Annuity Tables used.
            Daily factor equals............................ = 0.999906
 
Then, the Annuity Unit Value is: $1.097696 x 1.005200 x 0.999906 = $1.103300
 
 
              FORMULA AND ILLUSTRATION FOR DETERMINING AMOUNT OF
                    FIRST MONTHLY VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT
 
First Monthly Variable Annuity Payment =  A  x B
                               $1,000
 
   Where:   The Annuity Purchase Value as of the Annuity Commencement Date.
      A =   Assume......................................... = $15,000.00
 
      B =   The Annuity purchase rate per $1,000 based upon the option
            selected, the sex and adjusted age of the Annuitant according to
            the tables contained in the Contract.
            Assume......................................... = $6.10
 
Then, the first Monthly Variable Annuity Payment = $15,000 x $6.10 = $91.50
                                      $1,000
 
        FORMULA AND ILLUSTRATION FOR DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF ANNUITY
          UNITS REPRESENTED BY EACH MONTHLY VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT
 
Number of Annuity Units = A
                    B
 
   Where:   The dollar amount of the first monthly Variable Annuity Payment.
      A =   Assume......................................... = $91.50
 
      B =   The Annuity Unit Value for the Valuation Date on which the first
            monthly payment is due.
            Assume......................................... = $1.103300
 
Then, the number of Annuity Units =  $91.50  = 82.933019
                           $1.103300
 
PERFORMANCE
 
  Performance information for any Sub-account may be compared, in reports and
advertising to: (1) the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks ("S &
P 500"), Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"), Donoghue's Money Market
Institutional Averages; (2) other variable annuity separate accounts or other
investment products tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Morningstar, or the
Variable Annuity Research and Data Service, widely used independent research
firms which rank mutual funds and other investment companies by overall
performance, investment objectives, and assets; and (3) the Consumer Price
Index (measure for inflation) to assess the real rate of return from an
investment in a Contract. Unmanaged indices may assume the
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
reinvestment of dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for annuity
charges and investment management costs.
 
  Performance information may be quoted numerically or in a table, graph, or
similar illustration. Reports and advertising may also contain other
information including (i) the ranking of any Sub-account derived from rankings
of variable annuity separate accounts or other investment products tracked by
Lipper Analytical Services or by rating services, companies, publications or
other persons who rank separate accounts or other investment products on
overall performance or other criteria, and (ii) the effect of tax deferred
compounding on a Sub-account's investment returns, or returns in general,
which may be illustrated by graphs, charts, or otherwise, and which may
include a comparison, at various points in time, of the return from an
investment in a Contract (or returns in general) on a tax-deferred basis
(assuming one or more tax rates) with the return on a taxable basis.
   
  The table below provides performance results for each Sub-account through
12/31/96. The performance information is based on the historical investment
experience of the Sub-accounts and of the Portfolios. It does not indicate or
represent future performance.     
 
TOTAL RETURN
 
  Total returns quoted in advertising reflect all aspects of a Sub-account's
return, including the automatic reinvestment by the separate account of all
distributions and any change in the Sub-account's value over the period.
Average annual returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in
value of a hypothetical historical investment in the Sub-account over a stated
period, and then calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that
would have produced the same result if the rate of growth or decline in value
had been constant over the period. For example, a cumulative return of 100%
over ten years would produce an average annual return of 7.18%, which is the
steady rate that would equal 100% growth on a compounded basis in ten years.
While average annual returns are a convenient means of comparing investment
alternatives, investors should realize that the Sub-account's performance is
not constant over time, but changes from year to year, and that average annual
returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the actual year-to-year
performance of a Sub-account.
   
  Table 1 shows the average annual total return on a hypothetical investment
in the Sub-accounts for the last year, three years, five years, and from the
date that the Portfolios began operations, assuming that the Contract was
surrendered December 31, 1996. For any Portfolio in existence ten years or
more, figures are shown for a ten year period rather than for the life of the
Portfolio. The average annual total returns shown in Table 1 are computed by
finding the average annual compounded rates of return over the periods shown
that would equate the initial amount invested to the withdrawal value, in
accordance with the following formula: P(1+T) = ERV where P is a hypothetical
investment payment of $1,000, T is the average annual total return, n is the
number of years, and ERV is the withdrawal value at the end of the periods
shown. The returns reflect the mortality charge (.80% on an annual basis) and
the administrative charge.     
 
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
   
Table 1: Average Annual Total Return for Period Ending on 12/31/96     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                             SUB-ACCOUNT
                              1 YEAR 3 YEAR 5 YEAR  LIFE    INCEPTION DATE
                              ------ ------ ------ ------   --------------
<S>                           <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>
VIP MONEY MARKET*              4.52%  4.30%  3.64%  5.05%**    03/31/82
VIP HIGH INCOME               12.73%  9.59% 13.89% 10.12%**    09/11/85
VIP EQUITY INCOME             13.33% 17.25% 16.95% 12.73%**    10/08/86
VIP GROWTH                    13.75% 14.82% 14.16% 14.15%**    10/08/86
VIP OVERSEAS                  12.27%  7.19%  8.19%  6.95%      01/27/87
VIP II INVESTMENT GRADE BOND   2.86%  4.34%  5.72%  7.25%      06/05/89
VIP II ASSET MANAGER          13.64%  7.06% 10.30% 11.62%      05/29/90
VIP II INDEX 500              28.74%  N/A    N/A   24.30%      09/01/95
VIP II ASSET MANAGER GROWTH   18.94%  N/A    N/A   14.88%      09/05/95
VIP II CONTRAFUND             20.30%  N/A    N/A   16.44%      09/01/95
VIP III BALANCED               N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A          N/A
VIP III GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A          N/A
VIP III GROWTH & INCOME        N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A          N/A
</TABLE>    
 
Total returns are historical and include change in unit price and the
automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Principal, investment
returns (except Money Market Portfolio) and yields will fluctuate and there is
no guarantee you will receive back your original principal. Average Annual
Total Returns and Yield include all insurance contract charges: 0.8% annuity
mortality risk charge and $35 annual administrative charge.
   
In these examples, the $35 Annual Service Charge is reflected as a charge of
0.039% based on an average Policy Value of $88,935.     
 
* The underlying Money Market Portfolio seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share
  price, however, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so. An
  investment in the Portfolio is not insured by the U.S. government.
 
** Figure is for 10 years.
       
YIELDS
   
  Yields quoted in advertising for the Money Market Sub-account reflect the
change in value of a hypothetical investment in the Sub-account over a stated
period of time, not taking into account capital gains or losses. Yields are
annualized and stated as a percentage. Current yield for the Money Market Sub-
account reflects the income generated by a Sub-account over a 7-day period.
Current yield is calculated by determining the net change, exclusive of
capital changes, in the value of a hypothetical account having one
Accumulation Unit at the beginning of the period adjusting for the
administrative charge, and dividing the difference by the value of the account
at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return, and
multiplying the base period return by (365/7). The resulting yield figure is
carried to the nearest hundredth of a percent. Effective yield for the Money
Market Sub-account is calculated in a similar manner to current yield except
that investment income is assumed to be reinvested throughout the year at the
7-day rate. Effective yield is obtained by taking the base period returns as
computed above, and then compounding the base period return by adding 1,
raising the sum to a power equal to (365/7) and subtracting one from the
result, according the formula Effective Yield = [(Base Period Return + 1)]-1.
Since the reinvestment of income is assumed in the calculation of effective
yield, it will generally be higher than current yield. For the 7-day period
ending on 12/31/96 the Money Market Sub-account had a current yield of 4.46%
and an effective yield of 4.55%.     
 
                              FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
 
TAX TREATMENT OF THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under Subchapter L of the
Code. Since the Variable Account is not an entity separate from the Company
and its operations form a part of the Company, it will not be taxed separately
as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code. Investment
income and realized net capital gains on the assets of the Variable Account
are reinvested and are taken into account in determining Contract Values. As a
result, such investment income and realized net capital gains are
automatically retained as part of the reserves under the Contract. Under
existing federal income tax law, the Company believes
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
that Variable Account investment income and realized net capital gains should
not be taxed, to the extent that such income and gains are retained as part of
the reserves under the Contracts.
 
DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 
  Section 817(h) of the Code provides in substance that Section 72 of the Code
will not apply and the Company will not be treated as the owner of the assets
of the Company's segregated account unless the investments made by the
segregated account are "adequately diversified" in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the Treasury. If the segregated account is not "adequately
diversified," any increase in the value of a variable annuity contract will be
taxed to the contract owner currently.
 
  The Variable Account, through the Funds, intends to comply with the
diversification requirements under Section 817(h) as prescribed by the
Treasury. Although the Company does not control the Funds, it believes that
FMR, as the manager of the investments of each of the Funds' Portfolios, will
comply with the diversification rules set forth in the Regulations.
Accordingly, the Company believes that it will be treated as the owner of the
segregated account assets invested in shares of the Funds and the Contracts
issued by the Company will be taxed as annuities under Section 72 of the Code.
 
OWNER CONTROL
 
  In certain circumstances, owners of variable annuity contracts may be
considered the owners for Federal income tax purposes, of the assets of the
separate account used to support their contracts. In those circumstances,
income and gains from the separate account assets would be includable in the
variable annuity contractowner's gross income. The IRS has stated in published
ruling that a variable contractowner will be considered the owner of separate
account assets if the contractowner possesses incidents of ownership in those
assets, such as the ability to exercise investment control over the assets.
The Treasury Department has also announced, in connection with the issuance of
regulations concerning investment diversification, that those regulations "do
not provide guidance concerning the circumstances in which investor control of
the investments of a segregated asset account may cause the investor, rather
than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets in the
account." This announcement also stated that guidance would be issued by way
of regulations or rulings on the "extent to which policyholders may direct
their investments to particular subaccounts without being treated as owners of
the underlying assets."
 
  The ownership rights under the Contract are similar to, but different in
certain respects from, those described by the Service in rulings in which it
was determined that contractowners were not owners of separate account assets.
For example, the Contract Owner has the choice of one or more Subaccounts in
which to allocate premiums and Contract values, and may be able to transfer
among Subaccounts more frequently than in such rulings, or if a Subaccount is
too narrow in its investment strategy (e.g., a fund that invests only in gold
or stock of gold mining companies), or if Contract Owners have too many
subaccount options to select. These differences could result in the Contract
Owner being treated as the owner of the assets of the Variable Account. In
addition, PFL does not know what standards will be set forth, if any, in the
regulations or rulings which the Treasury Department has stated it expects to
issue. PFL therefore reserves the right to modify the Contract as necessary to
attempt to prevent the Contract Owner from being considered the owner of a pro
rata share of assets of Variable Account.
 
                         DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS
 
  The Contracts are offered to the public through brokers licensed under the
federal securities laws and state insurance laws. The offering of the
Contracts is continuous and the Company does not anticipate discontinuing the
offering of the Contracts. However, the Company reserves the right to
discontinue the offering of the Contracts.
 
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
   
  The Contracts will be distributed through Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc.,
the principal underwriter of the Contracts, and Fidelity Insurance Agency,
Inc., which are affiliated with FMR. During 1996, the amount paid to Fidelity
Insurance Agency, Inc. for its services as a general insurance agency was
$4,136,279. Amounts paid for these services in 1995 and 1994 were $3,398,244
and $3,511,300, respectively.     
 
 
                               CUSTODY OF ASSETS
 
  The assets of each of the Sub-accounts are held by the Company. The assets
of the Variable Account and each of the Sub-accounts thereunder are kept
physically segregated and held separate and apart from the general account
assets of the Company. The Company maintains records of all purchases and
redemptions of shares of the Fund held by each of the Sub-accounts. Additional
protection for the assets of the Variable Account is afforded by the Company's
fidelity bond presently in the amount of $5 million covering the acts of
officers and employees of the Company.
 
                               STATE REGULATION
 
  The Company is subject to the laws of Iowa governing insurance companies and
to regulation by the Iowa Division of Insurance. An annual statement in a
prescribed form is filed with the Division of Insurance each year covering the
operation of the Company for the preceding year and its financial condition as
of the end of such year. Regulation by the Division of Insurance includes
periodic examination to determine the Company's contract liabilities and
reserves so that the Division of Insurance may certify the items are correct.
The Company's books and accounts are subject to review by the Division of
Insurance at all times and a full examination of its operations is conducted
periodically by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In
addition, the Company is subject to regulation under the insurance laws of
other jurisdictions in which it may operate.
 
                              RECORDS AND REPORTS
 
  All records and accounts relating to the Variable Account will be maintained
by the Company. As presently required by the Investment Company Act of 1940
and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Company will mail to all Contract
Owners at their last known address of record, at least semi-annually, reports
containing such information as may be required under that Act or by any other
applicable law or regulation. The Company will also mail to Contract Owners
confirmation of each financial transaction and semi-annual Account Statements
reflecting the Contract Value of a particular Contract.
 
                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   
  The financial statements of PFL Life Insurance Company at December 31, 1996
and 1995, and for each of three years in the period ended December 31, 1996,
and the financial statements of The Fidelity Variable Annuity Account at
December 31, 1996 and for each of the two years in the period then ended,
included in this Statement of Additional Information have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 3400, Des
Moines, Iowa, 50309-2764.     
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
  A Registration statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the
Contracts discussed in this Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Not all of the information set forth in the Registration amendments and
exhibits thereto has been included in this Statement of Additional
Information. Statements contained in this Statement of Additional Information
concerning the content of the Contracts and other legal instruments are
intended to be summaries. For a complete statement of the terms of the
documents, reference should be made to the instruments filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  The values of the interest of Contract Owners in the Variable Account will
be affected solely by the investment results of the selected Sub-account(s).
The financial statements of the Company as contained herein should be
considered only as bearing upon the Company's ability to meet its obligations
to Contract Owners under the Contracts, and they should not be considered as
bearing on the investment performance of the Sub-accounts.
 
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CONTRACT OWNERS OF
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT,
PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY:
 
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of The Fidelity Variable
Annuity Account (comprising, respectively, the Money Market, High Income,
Equity Income, Growth, Overseas, Investment Grade Bond, Asset Manager, Asset
Manager Growth, Contrafund, Index 500, Fidelity Daily Income Trust, Fidelity
Government Securities Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Capital and Income Fund, and
Fidelity Cash Reserves subaccounts) as of December 31, 1996, and the related
statements of operations and changes in contract owners' equity for the
periods indicated therein. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Variable Account's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our
procedures included confirmation of mutual fund shares owned as of December
31, 1996, by correspondence with the mutual funds' transfer agent. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of each of the respective
subaccounts constituting The Fidelity Variable Annuity Account at December 31,
1996, and the results of their operations and changes in their contract
owners' equity for the periods indicated therein in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                      Ernst & Young LLP
 
Des Moines, Iowa
January 31, 1997
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
BALANCE SHEET (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
December 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      MONEY       HIGH      EQUITY
                                      MARKET     INCOME     INCOME     GROWTH
                            TOTAL   SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT
                           -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSETS
Cash.....................  $     26       24        --         --           1
Investments in mutual
 funds, at current market
 value (Note 2):
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund--Money
   Market Portfolio......   125,318  125,318        --         --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund--High
   Income Portfolio......    61,458      --      61,458        --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund--Equity
   Income Portfolio......   227,948      --         --     227,948        --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund--Growth
   Portfolio.............   145,279      --         --         --     145,279
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund--
   Overseas Portfolio....    36,305      --         --         --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund II--
   Investment Grade Bond
   Portfolio.............    16,541      --         --         --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund II--
   Asset Manager
   Portfolio.............    77,157      --         --         --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund II--
   Asset Manager Growth
   Portfolio.............     9,359      --         --         --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund II--
   Contrafund Portfolio..    52,553      --         --         --         --
  Variable Insurance
   Products Fund II--
   Index 500 Portfolio...    30,849      --         --         --         --
  Fidelity Daily Income
   Trust.................       372      --         --         --         --
  Fidelity Capital and
   Income Fund...........       158      --         --         --         --
  Fidelity Cash
   Reserves..............        76      --         --         --         --
                           --------  -------     ------    -------    -------
  Total Investments in
   Mutual Funds..........   783,373  125,318     61,458    227,948    145,279
                           --------  -------     ------    -------    -------
 Total Assets............  $783,399  125,342     61,458    227,948    145,280
                           ========  =======     ======    =======    =======
LIABILITIES AND CONTRACT
 OWNERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
 Contract terminations
  payable................         1      --         --         --         --
                           --------  -------     ------    -------    -------
 Total Liabilities.......         1      --         --         --         --
Contract Owners' Equity:
Deferred annuity
 contracts terminable by
 owners (Notes 3 and 6)..   783,398  125,342     61,458    227,948    145,280
                           --------  -------     ------    -------    -------
 Total Liabilities and
  Contract Owners'
  Equity.................  $783,399  125,342     61,458    227,948    145,280
                           ========  =======     ======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FIDELITY   FIDELITY
                                    ASSET                            DAILY    CAPITAL AND  FIDELITY
            INVESTMENT   ASSET     MANAGER                           INCOME     INCOME       CASH
 OVERSEAS   GRADE BOND  MANAGER     GROWTH   CONTRAFUND INDEX 500    TRUST       FUND      RESERVES
SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT
- ----------  ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
     --          --         --        --          --         --         1         --         --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       --          --         --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       --          --         --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       --          --         --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       --          --         --
  36,305         --         --        --          --         --       --          --         --
     --       16,541        --        --          --         --       --          --         --
     --          --      77,157       --          --         --       --          --         --
     --          --         --      9,359         --         --       --          --         --
     --          --         --        --       52,553        --       --          --         --
     --          --         --        --          --      30,849      --          --         --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       372         --         --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       --          158        --
     --          --         --        --          --         --       --          --          76
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---         ---        ---
  36,305      16,541     77,157     9,359      52,553     30,849      372         158         76
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---         ---        ---
  36,305      16,541     77,157     9,359      52,553     30,849      373         158         76
  ======      ======     ======     =====      ======     ======      ===         ===        ===
     --            1        --        --          --         --       --          --         --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---         ---        ---
     --            1        --        --          --         --       --          --         --
  36,305      16,540     77,157     9,359      52,553     30,849      373         158         76
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---         ---        ---
  36,305      16,541     77,157     9,359      52,553     30,849      373         158         76
  ======      ======     ======     =====      ======     ======      ===         ===        ===
</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
Year Ended December 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                        MONEY       HIGH      EQUITY
                                        MARKET     INCOME     INCOME     GROWTH
                              TOTAL   SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT
                             -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                          <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
 (LOSS)
Income:
 Dividends.................  $ 41,026    6,128      5,172     11,005     10,237
Expenses (Note 5):
 Administrative fee........       296       49         22         89         57
 Mortality and expense
  risk charge..............     6,017      933        466      1,889      1,210
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
   Net investment income
    (loss).................    34,713    5,146      4,684      9,027      8,970
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
NET REALIZED & UNREALIZED
 CAPITAL GAIN (LOSS) FROM
 INVESTMENTS
Net realized capital gain
 from sales of investments:
 Proceeds from sales.......   751,141  240,470    113,076     98,353    145,038
 Cost of investments
  sold.....................   702,357  240,470    111,308     74,116    130,990
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
Net realized capital gain
 from sales of
 investments...............    48,784      --       1,768     24,237     14,048
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
Net change in unrealized
 appreciation/depreciation
 of investments:
 Beginning of the period...    66,352      --       2,015     44,061     12,225
 End of the period.........    66,967      --       2,581     39,562      7,486
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
Net change in unrealized
 appreciation/depreciation
 of investments............       615      --         566     (4,499)    (4,739)
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
Net realized and unrealized
 capital gain (loss) from
 investments...............    49,399      --       2,334     19,738      9,309
                             --------  -------    -------     ------    -------
INCREASE (DECREASE) FROM
 OPERATIONS................  $ 84,112    5,146      7,018     28,765     18,279
                             ========  =======    =======     ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
 
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    FIDELITY   FIDELITY
                                    ASSET                            DAILY    GOVERNMENT  FIDELITY    FIDELITY
            INVESTMENT   ASSET     MANAGER                           INCOME   SECURITIES CAPITAL AND    CASH
 OVERSEAS   GRADE BOND  MANAGER     GROWTH   CONTRAFUND INDEX 500    TRUST    FUND, LTD. INCOME FUND  RESERVES
SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT
- ----------  ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
     920         896      5,429       465         253        484       20        --           13          4
      14           5         37         3          13          7      --         --          --         --
     301         133        630        38         286        131      --         --          --         --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
     605         758      4,762       424         (46)       346       20        --           13          4
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
  49,100      10,166     23,100     9,763      29,493     32,431       81         36          34        --
  45,839      10,128     21,596     9,429      27,232     31,103       81         35          30        --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
   3,261          38      1,504       334       2,261      1,328      --           1           4        --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
   1,760         717      5,333       (23)         32        234      --           2          (4)       --
   2,111         234      9,001        48       4,494      1,454      --         --           (4)       --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
     351        (483)     3,668        71       4,462      1,220      --          (2)        --         --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
   3,612        (445)     5,172       405       6,723      2,548      --          (1)          4        --
  ------      ------     ------     -----      ------     ------      ---        ---         ---        ---
   4,217         313      9,934       829       6,677      2,894       20         (1)         17          4
  ======      ======     ======     =====      ======     ======      ===        ===         ===        ===
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, Except as Noted
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   MONEY
                                                                  MARKET
                                                TOTAL           SUBACCOUNT
                                           -----------------  ----------------
                                             1996     1995     1996     1995
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
OPERATIONS
 Net investment income (loss)............  $ 34,713   22,353    5,146    6,192
 Net realized capital gain (loss)........    48,784   44,390      --       --
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation..............       615   62,917      --       --
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 Increase (decrease) from operations.....    84,112  129,660    5,146    6,192
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
 Net contract purchase payments..........    19,236   22,440    3,536    3,470
 Transfers between funds.................       --       --    17,795  (20,233)
 Contract terminations, withdrawals, and
  other deductions.......................   (39,567) (69,091) (12,815) (22,493)
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 Increase (decrease) from contract
  transactions...........................   (20,331) (46,651)   8,516  (39,256)
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 Net increase (decrease) in contract
  owners' equity.........................    63,781   83,009   13,662  (33,064)
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
 Beginning of period.....................   719,617  636,608  111,680  144,744
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 End of period...........................  $783,398  719,617  125,342  111,680
                                           ========  =======  =======  =======
<CAPTION>
                                                                   ASSET
                                                ASSET             MANAGER
                                               MANAGER            GROWTH
                                              SUBACCOUNT        SUBACCOUNT
                                           -----------------  ----------------
                                                                        
                                             1996     1995     1996     1995 /1/
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>
OPERATIONS
 Net investment income (loss)............  $  4,762    1,582      424       82
 Net realized capital gain (loss)........     1,504    3,000      334      (23)
 Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/depreciation..............     3,668    9,527       71      (23)
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 Increase (decrease) from operations.....     9,934   14,109      829       36
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
CONTRACT TRANSACTIONS
 Net contract purchase payments..........       928    1,021      525       45
 Transfers between funds.................   (12,356) (37,186)   5,971    2,120
 Contract terminations, withdrawals, and
  other deductions.......................    (5,121) (15,131)    (166)      (1)
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 Increase (decrease) from contract
  transactions...........................   (16,549) (51,296)   6,330    2,164
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 Net increase (decrease) in contract
  owners' equity.........................    (6,615) (37,187)   7,159    2,200
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
 Beginning of period.....................    83,772  120,959    2,200      --
                                           --------  -------  -------  -------
 End of period...........................  $ 77,157   83,772    9,359    2,200
                                           ========  =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
/1/Period from September 5, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
   1995.
/2/Period from September 1, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
   1995.
 
                See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    HIGH             EQUITY                                            INVESTMENT
   INCOME            INCOME            GROWTH           OVERSEAS       GRADE BOND
 SUBACCOUNT        SUBACCOUNT        SUBACCOUNT        SUBACCOUNT      SUBACCOUNT
- ---------------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------------  --------------
 1996     1995    1996     1995     1996     1995     1996    1995     1996    1995
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
<S>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
 4,684    2,608    9,027   11,754    8,970     (553)    605       52     758     368
 1,768    3,235   24,237   15,463   14,048   22,367   3,261     (371)     38     641
   566    3,610   (4,499)  32,361   (4,739)  12,555     351    3,390    (483)  1,231
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
 7,018    9,453   28,765   59,578   18,279   34,369   4,217    3,071     313   2,240
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
 1,146    2,542    4,151    6,476    3,338    5,014     813      759     335     266
  (565)   5,666  (36,951)  26,450  (15,213)  18,973     647  (26,175)    188   3,593
(2,750)  (3,140) (8,879)  (15,873)  (6,026)  (7,509) (1,364)  (3,073) (1,019) (1,621)
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
(2,169)   5,068  (41,679)  17,053  (17,901)  16,478      96  (28,489)   (496)  2,238
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
 4,849   14,521  (12,914)  76,631      378   50,847   4,313  (25,418)   (183)  4,478
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
56,609   42,088  240,862  164,231  144,902   94,055  31,992   57,410  16,723  12,245
- ------   ------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  ------  ------
61,458   56,609  227,948  240,862  145,280  144,902  36,305   31,992  16,540  16,723
======   ======  =======  =======  =======  =======  ======  =======  ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 FIDELITY      FIDELITY       FIDELITY
                                   DAILY      GOVERNMENT     CAPITAL AND      FIDELITY
                                  INCOME      SECURITIES       INCOME           CASH
 CONTRAFUND       INDEX 500        TRUST      FUND, LTD.        FUND          RESERVES
 SUBACCOUNT      SUBACCOUNT     SUBACCOUNT    SUBACCOUNT     SUBACCOUNT      SUBACCOUNT
- --------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------   ------------
                        
 1996   1995/2/  1996   1995/2/  1996   1995   1996    1995   1996    1995    1996   1995
- ------  ------  ------  ------  -----  -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
<S>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>
   (46)    230     346     (12)   20      26    --        2     13      18       4      4
 2,261      (3)  1,328      65   --      --       1     --       4      16     --     --
 4,462      32   1,220     234   --      --      (2)      3    --       (3)    --     --
- ------  ------  ------  ------  ----   -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
 6,677     259   2,894     287    20      26     (1)      5     17      31       4      4
- ------  ------  ------  ------  ----   -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
 3,121   2,487   1,343     360   --      --     --      --     --      --      --     --
22,391  18,199  18,103   8,652   (10)    --     --      --     --      (59)    --     --
  (576)     (5)   (738)    (52)  (43)   (177)   (36)    --     (34)     (3)    --     (13)
- ------  ------  ------  ------  ----   -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
24,936  20,681  18,708   8,960   (53)   (177)   (36)    --     (34)    (62)    --     (13)
- ------  ------  ------  ------  ----   -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
31,613  20,940  21,602   9,247   (33)   (151)   (37)      5    (17)    (31)      4     (9)
- ------  ------  ------  ------  ----   -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
20,940     --    9,247     --    406     557     37      32    175     206      72     81
- ------  ------  ------  ------  ----   -----  -----   -----  -----   -----   -----  -----
52,553  20,940  30,849   9,247   373     406    --       37    158     175      76     72
======  ======  ======  ======  ====   =====  =====   =====  =====   =====   =====  =====
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE NOTED)
December 31, 1996
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization--The Fidelity Variable Annuity Account ("Variable Account") is a
segregated investment account of PFL Life Insurance Company ("PFL Life"), an
indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc. ("AUSA"), a holding
company. AUSA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of AEGON nv, a holding
company organized under the laws of The Netherlands.
 
The Asset Manager Growth subaccount commenced operations on September 5, 1995.
The Contrafund and Index 500 subaccounts commenced operations on September 1,
1995.
 
The Variable Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
as a Unit Investment Trust pursuant to provisions of the Investment Company Act
of 1940.
 
Investments--Net purchase payments received by the Variable Account are
invested in the portfolios of the eligible mutual funds, Variable Insurance
Products Fund and Variable Insurance Products Fund II ("VIPF II"), as selected
by the contract owner. Transfers into the subaccounts of the eligible Funds are
permitted from the formerly eligible funds. Investments are stated at the
closing net asset values per share as of December 31, 1996. Realized capital
gains and losses from sale of shares in the mutual funds are determined on the
first-in, first-out, 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. Unrealized gains or losses from investments
in the mutual funds are credited or charged to contract owners' equity.
 
Dividend Income--Dividends received from the mutual fund investments are
reinvested to purchase additional mutual fund shares.
 
2. INVESTMENTS
 
A summary of the mutual fund investment at December 31, 1996 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  NET ASSET
                                        NUMBER      VALUE
                                       OF SHARES  PER SHARE    MARKET
                                         HELD    (IN DOLLARS)  VALUE     COST
                                       --------- ------------ -------- --------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>          <C>      <C>
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Money Market........................   125,318     $ 1.00    $125,318 $125,318
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 High Income.........................     4,909      12.52      61,458   58,877
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Equity Income.......................    10,839      21.03     227,948  188,386
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Growth..............................     4,665      31.14     145,279  137,793
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Overseas............................     1,927      18.84      36,305   34,194
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Investment Grade Bond...............     1,351      12.24      16,541   16,307
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Asset Manager.......................     4,557      16.93      77,157   68,156
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Asset Manager Growth................       714      13.10       9,359    9,311
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Contrafund..........................     3,174      16.56      52,553   48,059
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Index 500...........................       346      89.13      30,849   29,395
Fidelity Daily Income Trust..........       372       1.00         372      372
Fidelity Capital and Income Fund.....        17       9.36         158      162
Fidelity Cash Reserves...............        76       1.00          76       76
                                                              -------- --------
                                                              $783,373 $716,406
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
3. CONTRACT OWNERS' EQUITY
A summary of deferred annuity contracts terminable by owners at December 31,
1996 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ACCUMULATION
                                                        UNIT
                                       ACCUMULATION    VALUE         TOTAL
      SUBACCOUNT                       UNITS OWNED  (IN DOLLARS) CONTRACT VALUE
      ----------                       ------------ ------------ --------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Money Market........................     51,937     $2.413358      $125,342
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 High Income.........................     18,704      3.285775        61,458
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Equity Income.......................     68,119      3.346303       227,948
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Growth..............................     38,327      3.790532       145,280
Variable Insurance Products Fund--
 Overseas............................     18,498      1.962599        36,305
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Investment Grade Bond...............      9,682      1.708442        16,540
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Asset Manager.......................     37,213      2.073401        77,157
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Asset Manager Growth................      7,789      1.201587         9,359
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Contrafund..........................     42,901      1.224976        52,553
Variable Insurance Products Fund II--
 Index 500...........................     23,088      1.336134        30,849
Fidelity Daily Income Trust..........        115      3.252838           373
Fidelity Capital and Income Fund.....         21      7.515932           158
Fidelity Cash Reserves...............         23      3.268738            76
                                                                    --------
                                                                    $783,398
                                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
A summary of changes in contract owners' account units follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           MONEY       HIGH      EQUITY                         INVESTMENT    ASSET
                           MARKET     INCOME     INCOME     GROWTH    OVERSEAS  GRADE BOND   MANAGER
                         SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Units outstanding at
 1/1/95.................   65,884     17,337     74,571     37,917     35,748      8,539      76,955
Units purchased.........    1,538        960      2,496      1,618        466        170         617
Units redeemed and
 transferred............  (19,030)     1,192      4,534      3,963    (17,906)     1,311     (31,639)
                          -------     ------    -------     ------    -------     ------     -------
Units outstanding at
 12/31/95...............   48,392     19,489     81,601     43,498     18,308     10,020      45,933
Units purchased.........    1,502        370      1,349        940        443        200         485
Units redeemed and
 transferred............    2,043     (1,155)   (14,831)    (6,111)      (253)      (538)     (9,205)
                          -------     ------    -------     ------    -------     ------     -------
Units outstanding at
 12/31/96...............   51,937     18,704     68,119     38,327     18,498      9,682      37,213
                          =======     ======    =======     ======    =======     ======     =======
<CAPTION>
                                                           FIDELITY   FIDELITY   FIDELITY
                           ASSET                            DAILY    GOVERNMENT CAPITAL AND  FIDELITY
                          MANAGER                           INCOME   SECURITIES   INCOME       CASH
                           GROWTH   CONTRAFUND INDEX 500    TRUST    FUND, LTD.    FUND      RESERVES
                         SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Units outstanding at
 1/1/95.................      --         --         --         191          8         36          28
Units purchased.........       46      2,482        341        --         --         --          --
Units redeemed and
 transferred............    2,132     18,089      8,091        (60)       --         (10)         (5)
                          -------     ------    -------     ------    -------     ------     -------
Units outstanding at
 12/31/95...............    2,178     20,571      8,432        131          8         26          23
Units purchased.........      480      2,899      1,094        --         --         --          --
Units redeemed and
 transferred............    5,131     19,431     13,562        (16)        (8)        (5)        --
                          -------     ------    -------     ------    -------     ------     -------
Units outstanding at
 12/31/96...............    7,789     42,901     23,088        115        --          21          23
                          =======     ======    =======     ======    =======     ======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
4. TAXES
Operations of the Variable Account form a part of PFL Life, which is taxed as a
life insurance company under Subchapter L of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"). The operations of the Variable Account are accounted
for separately from other operations of PFL Life for purposes of federal income
taxation. The Variable Account is not separately taxable as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code and is not otherwise taxable
as an entity separate from PFL Life. Under existing federal income tax laws,
the income of the Variable Account, to the extent applied to increase reserves
under the variable annuity contracts, is not taxable to PFL Life.
 
5. ADMINISTRATIVE AND MORTALITY RISK CHARGE
Administrative charges include an annual charge of $35 per contract. Charges
for administrative fees to the variable annuity contracts are an expense of the
Variable Account.
 
PFL Life deducts a daily charge equal to an annual rate of 0.80% of the value
of the contract owners' individual account of the eligible funds as a charge
for assuming the mortality risk.
 
6. NET ASSETS
At December 31, 1996 contract owners' equity was comprised of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      MONEY       HIGH      EQUITY                          INVESTMENT    ASSET
                                      MARKET     INCOME     INCOME     GROWTH     OVERSEAS  GRADE BOND   MANAGER
                           TOTAL    SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Unit transactions,
 accumulated net
 investment income and
 realized capital
 gains..................  $716,431   125,342     58,877    188,386     137,794     34,194     16,306     68,156
Adjustment for
 appreciation
 (depreciation) to
 market value...........    66,967       --       2,581     39,562       7,486      2,111        234      9,001
                          --------   -------     ------    -------     -------     ------     ------     ------
Total Contract Owners'
 Equity.................  $783,398   125,342     61,458    227,948     145,280     36,305     16,540     77,157
                          ========   =======     ======    =======     =======     ======     ======     ======
<CAPTION>
                                                           FIDELITY   FIDELITY
                           ASSET                            DAILY    CAPITAL AND  FIDELITY
                          MANAGER                           INCOME     INCOME       CASH
                           GROWTH   CONTRAFUND INDEX 500    TRUST       FUND      RESERVES
                         SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT SUBACCOUNT  SUBACCOUNT
                         ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        
Unit transactions,
 accumulated net
 investment income and
 realized capital
 gains..................     9,311    48,059     29,395        373         162         76
Adjustment for
 appreciation
 (depreciation) to
 market value...........        48     4,494      1,454        --           (4)       --
                          --------   -------     ------    -------     -------     ------
Total Contract Owners'
 Equity.................     9,359    52,553     30,849        373         158         76
                          ========   =======     ======    =======     =======     ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
THE FIDELITY VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
7. PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments were as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 OR COMMENCEMENT OF
                                            OPERATIONS TO DECEMBER 31
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                           1996                   1995
                                  ---------------------- ----------------------
                                   PURCHASES    SALES     PURCHASES    SALES
                                  ---------------------- ----------------------
<S>                               <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
Variable Insurance Products
 Fund--Money Market.............  $  254,066  $  240,470 $  167,885  $  201,362
Variable Insurance Products
 Fund--High Income..............     115,569     113,076     86,734      78,936
Variable Insurance Products
 Fund--Equity Income............      65,599      98,353     85,312      56,298
Variable Insurance Products
 Fund--Growth...................     136,043     145,038    121,271     105,005
Variable Insurance Products
 Fund--Overseas.................      49,786      49,100     31,688      60,191
Variable Insurance Products Fund
 II--Investment Grade Bond......      10,423      10,166     21,723      19,043
Variable Insurance Products Fund
 II--Asset Manager..............      11,269      23,100      7,515      57,258
Variable Insurance Products Fund
 II--Asset Manager Growth.......      16,517       9,763      3,622       1,376
Variable Insurance Products Fund
 II--Contrafund.................      54,378      29,493     21,244         328
Variable Insurance Products Fund
 II--Index 500..................      51,483      32,431     11,106       2,156
Fidelity Daily Income Trust.....          48          81         25         178
Fidelity Government Securities
 Fund, Ltd......................         --           36          5           2
Fidelity Capital and Income
 Fund...........................          12          34         19          62
Fidelity Cash Reserves..........           4         --           4          14
                                  ----------  ---------- ----------  ----------
                                  $  765,197  $  751,141 $  558,153  $  582,209
                                  ==========  ========== ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
 PFL Life Insurance Company
 
  We have audited the accompanying statutory-basis balance sheets of PFL Life
Insurance Company as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related statutory-
basis statements of operations, changes in capital and surplus, and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. Our audits
also included the accompanying statutory-basis financial statement schedules
required by Article 7 of Regulation S-X. These financial statements and
schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company presents its
financial statements in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or
permitted by the Insurance Division, Department of Commerce, of the State of
Iowa, which practices differ from generally accepted accounting principles.
The variances between such practices and generally accepted accounting
principles also are described in Note 1. The effects on the financial
statements of these variances are not reasonably determinable but are presumed
to be material.
 
  In our opinion, because of the effects of the matters described in the
preceding paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present
fairly, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the
financial position of PFL Life Insurance Company at December 31, 1996 and
1995, or the results of its operations or its cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1996.
 
  Also, in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of PFL Life Insurance
Company at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996 in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the
Insurance Division, Department of Commerce, of the State of Iowa. Also, in our
opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in
relation to the basic statutory-basis financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

    
Des Moines, Iowa                                        Ernst & Young, LLP     
 
February 21, 1997
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS--STATUTORY BASIS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                            ----------------------------------
                                               1996        1995        1994
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
  Premiums and other considerations, net
   of reinsurance:
    Life..................................  $  204,872  $  114,704  $  148,954
    Annuity...............................     725,966     921,452   1,067,406
    Accident and health...................     227,862     232,738     230,889
  Net investment income...................     428,337     392,685     343,880
  Amortization of interest maintenance 
   reserve................................       2,434       4,341       2,871
  Commissions and expense allowances on
   reinsurance ceded......................      73,931      77,071      94,635
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                             1,663,402   1,742,991   1,888,635
Benefits and expenses:
  Benefits paid or provided for:
    Life and accident and health 
    benefits..............................     147,024     146,346     141,632
    Surrender benefits....................     512,810     498,626     392,064
    Other benefits........................     101,288      88,607      73,306
    Increase in aggregate reserves for
     policies and contracts:
      Life................................     140,126      50,071      82,062
      Annuity.............................     188,002     528,330     569,341
      Accident and health.................      26,790      17,694      22,144
      Other...............................      19,969      16,017      11,223
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                             1,136,009   1,345,691   1,291,772
  Insurance expenses:
    Commissions...........................     177,466     200,706     215,635
    General insurance expenses............      57,282      57,623      52,166
    Taxes, licenses and fees..............      13,889      15,700      15,368
    Transfer to separate account..........     171,785      42,981     243,806
    Other expenses........................         526         760       1,014
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                               420,948     317,770     527,989
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                             1,556,957   1,663,461   1,819,761
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Gain from operations before federal income
 taxes and net realized capital losses on
 investments..............................     106,445      79,530      68,874
Federal income tax expense................      41,177      33,335      23,858
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Gain from operations before net realized
 capital losses on investments............      65,268      46,195      45,016
Net realized capital losses on investments
 (net of related federal income taxes and
 amounts transferred to interest 
 maintenance reserve).....................      (3,503)    (18,096)     (3,624)
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income................................  $   61,765  $   28,099  $   41,392
                                            ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                        BALANCE SHEETS--STATUTORY BASIS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31
                                                          ---------------------
                                                             1996       1995
                                                          ---------- ----------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
ADMITTED ASSETS
Cash and invested assets:
  Cash and short-term investments........................ $   50,737 $   79,852
  Bonds..................................................  4,773,433  4,613,334
  Stocks:
    Preferred............................................      3,097      9,336
    Common (cost: 1996--$23,212; 1995--$19,061)..........     32,038     24,866
    Affiliated entities (cost: 1996--$14,893; 
    1995--$14,661).......................................      6,934      6,794
  Mortgage loans on real estate..........................    911,705    680,414
  Real estate, at cost less accumulated depreciation
   ($11,338 in 1996; $12,493 in 1995):
    Home office properties...............................     10,372     20,403
    Properties acquired in satisfaction of debt..........     12,260      2,648
    Investment properties................................     35,922     40,453
  Policy loans...........................................     54,214     52,675
  Other invested assets..................................     16,343     13,557
                                                          ---------- ----------
  Total cash and invested assets.........................  5,907,055  5,544,332
Premiums deferred and uncollected........................     16,345     17,026
Accrued investment income................................     70,401     68,065
Receivable from affiliates...............................     53,900     79,913
Federal income taxes recoverable.........................      4,018      9,776
Transfers from separate accounts.........................     38,528        --
Other assets.............................................     31,215     32,803
Separate account assets..................................  1,844,515  1,418,157
                                                          ---------- ----------
  Total admitted assets.................................. $7,965,977 $7,170,072
                                                          ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL AND SURPLUS
Liabilities:
  Aggregate reserves for policies and contracts:
    Life................................................. $  736,100 $  596,039
    Annuity..............................................  4,408,419  4,220,274
    Accident and health..................................    139,269    114,884
  Policy and contract claim reserves:
    Life.................................................      7,369      6,225
    Accident and health..................................     66,988     70,517
  Other policyholders' funds.............................    126,672    105,371
  Remittances and items not allocated....................     64,064    123,710
  Asset valuation reserve................................     54,851     43,921
  Interest maintenance reserve...........................     23,745     26,376
  Other liabilities......................................     70,663     67,070
  Payable to affiliates..................................      4,975        --
  Separate account liabilities...........................  1,844,515  1,418,157
                                                          ---------- ----------
  Total liabilities......................................  7,547,630  6,792,544
Commitments and contingencies
Capital and surplus:
  Common stock, $10 par value, 500 shares authorized, 266
   issued and outstanding................................      2,660      2,660
  Paid-in surplus........................................    154,129    154,129
  Unassigned surplus.....................................    261,558    220,739
                                                          ---------- ----------
  Total capital and surplus..............................    418,347    377,528
                                                          ---------- ----------
  Total liabilities and capital and surplus.............. $7,965,977 $7,170,072
                                                          ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
         STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL AND SURPLUS--STATUTORY BASIS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       TOTAL
                                         COMMON PAID-IN  UNASSIGNED CAPITAL AND
                                         STOCK  SURPLUS   SURPLUS     SURPLUS
                                         ------ -------- ---------- -----------
<S>                                      <C>    <C>      <C>        <C>
Balance at January 1, 1994.............. $2,660 $ 99,129  $212,982   $314,771
  Capital contribution..................    --    15,000       --      15,000
  Net income for 1994...................    --       --     41,392     41,392
  Net unrealized capital losses.........    --       --    (25,350)   (25,350)
  Increase in non-admitted assets.......    --       --       (248)      (248)
  Decrease in asset valuation reserve...    --       --      6,040      6,040
  Dividend to stockholder...............    --       --    (20,900)   (20,900)
  Surplus effect of ceding commissions
   associated with the sale of a 
   division.............................    --       --        184        184
  Amendment of reinsurance agreement....    --       --        391        391
  Decrease in liability for reinsurance
   in unauthorized companies............    --       --        505        505
  Prior period adjustment...............    --       --     (3,444)    (3,444)
                                         ------ --------  --------   --------
Balance at December 31, 1994............  2,660  114,129   211,552    328,341
  Capital contribution..................    --    40,000       --      40,000
  Net income for 1995...................    --       --     28,099     28,099
  Net unrealized capital losses.........    --       --     (7,574)    (7,574)
  Decrease in non-admitted assets.......    --       --         50         50
  Increase in asset valuation reserve...    --       --     (5,946)    (5,946)
  Surplus effect of ceding commissions
   associated with the sale of a 
   division.............................    --       --         35         35
  Cancellation of reinsurance 
   agreement............................    --       --        585        585
  Amendment of reinsurance agreement....    --       --        419        419
  Transfer of subsidiary investment to
   stockholder..........................    --       --     (3,250)    (3,250)
  Change in reserve valuation 
   methodology..........................    --       --       (501)      (501)
  Increase in liability for reinsurance
   in unauthorized companies............    --       --     (2,730)    (2,730)
                                         ------ --------  --------   --------
Balance at December 31, 1995............  2,660  154,129   220,739    377,528
  Net income for 1996...................    --       --     61,765     61,765
  Net unrealized capital gains..........    --       --      2,351      2,351
  Increase in non-admitted assets.......    --       --       (148)      (148)
  Increase in asset valuation reserve...    --       --    (10,930)   (10,930)
  Dividend to stockholder...............    --       --    (20,000)   (20,000)
  Prior period adjustment...............    --       --      5,025      5,025
  Surplus effect of sale of a division..    --       --       (384)      (384)
  Surplus effect of ceding commissions
   associated with the sale of a 
   division.............................    --       --         29         29
  Amendment of reinsurance agreement....    --       --        421        421
  Decrease in liability for reinsurance
   in unauthorized companies............    --       --      2,690      2,690
                                         ------ --------  --------   --------
Balance at December 31, 1996............ $2,660 $154,129  $261,558   $418,347
                                         ====== ========  ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--STATUTORY BASIS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                            ----------------------------------
                                               1996        1995        1994
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
SOURCES OF CASH
Premiums and other considerations, net of
 reinsurance..............................  $1,240,748  $1,353,407  $1,548,030
Net investment income.....................     431,456     398,051     339,856
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                             1,672,204   1,751,458   1,887,886
Life and accident and health claims.......    (147,556)   (140,798)   (137,602)
Surrender benefits and other fund
 withdrawals..............................    (512,810)   (498,626)   (392,064)
Other benefits to policyholders...........    (101,254)    (88,519)    (73,237)
Commissions, other expenses and other
 taxes....................................    (248,321)   (278,241)   (288,384)
Net transfers to separate accounts........    (210,312)    (42,981)   (243,806)
Dividends to policyholders................        (844)       (940)     (1,155)
Federal income taxes, excluding tax on
 capital gains and IRS settlements........     (35,551)    (32,905)    (39,864)
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash provided by operations...........     415,556     668,448     711,774
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or
 repaid:
  Bonds and preferred stocks..............   2,112,831   1,757,229   1,430,339
  Common stocks...........................      27,214      20,338      12,941
  Mortgage loans on real estate...........      74,351      36,550      43,495
  Real estate.............................      18,077      23,203       9,536
  Other proceeds..........................      22,567         381         189
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Total cash from investments...............   2,255,040   1,837,701   1,496,500
Capital contribution......................         --       40,000      15,000
Dividend from subsidiary..................         --          --       10,000
Cash received from ceding commissions
 associated with the sale of a division...          45          55         284
Increase in remittances and items not
 allocated................................         --       88,295      16,177
Other sources.............................      19,381      12,758      24,855
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Total sources of cash.....................   2,690,022   2,647,257   2,274,590
APPLICATIONS OF CASH
Cost of investments acquired:
  Bonds and preferred stocks..............  $2,270,105  $2,294,195  $2,043,615
  Common stocks...........................      29,799      23,284      11,228
  Mortgage loans on real estate...........     324,381     192,292     160,068
  Net increase in policy loans............       1,539         877       3,202
  Real estate.............................         222      10,188      14,801
  Other invested assets...................       5,169       2,670         664
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Total investments acquired................   2,631,215   2,523,506   2,233,578
Dividends to stockholder..................      20,000         --       20,900
Cash paid associated with the sale of a
 division.................................         539         --          --
Repayment of intercompany notes and
 receivables, net.........................         --       48,070         365
Cash paid in conjunction with an amendment
 of a reinsurance agreement...............       5,812         --          --
Decrease in remittances and items not
 allocated................................      59,646         --          --
Cash paid in conjunction with sales of a
 division.................................         123         --          --
Other applications, net...................       1,802      29,887       3,820
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Total applications of cash................   2,719,137   2,601,463   2,258,663
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Net change in cash and short-term
 investments..............................     (29,115)     45,790      15,927
Cash and short-term investments at
 beginning of year........................      79,852      34,062      18,135
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and short-term investments at end of
 year.....................................  $   50,737  $   79,852  $   34,062
                                            ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Organization
 
  PFL Life Insurance Company ("the Company") is a stock life insurance company
and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First AUSA Life Insurance Company ("First
AUSA"), which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEGON USA, Inc.
("AEGON"). AEGON is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEGON nv, a holding company
organized under the laws of The Netherlands. Effective June 1, 1995, the
Company transferred the common stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Equity
National Life Insurance Company ("Equity National"), to its stockholder, First
AUSA. Equity National was then merged with Life Investors Insurance Company of
America, a subsidiary of First AUSA. The financial statements presented herein
are prepared on the statutory accounting principles basis for the Company
only; as such, the accounts of the Company's subsidiary, Equity National, are
not consolidated with those of the Company.
 
  In connection with the sale of certain affiliated companies, the Company has
assumed various blocks of business from these former affiliates through
mergers. In addition, the Company has canceled or entered into several
coinsurance and reinsurance agreements with affiliates and non-affiliates. The
following is a description of those transactions:
 
    During 1996, the Company sold its North Richland Hills, Texas health
  administrative operations known as The Insurance Center. The transaction
  resulted in the transfer of substantially all employees and office
  facilities to United Insurance Companies, Inc. ("UICI"). All inforce
  business will continue to be shared by UICI and the Company and its
  affiliates through the existing coinsurance agreements. After a short
  transition period, all new business produced by United Group Association,
  an independent insurance agency, will be written by the insurance
  subsidiaries of UICI and will not be shared with the Company and its
  affiliates through coinsurance arrangements. As a result of the sale, the
  Company transferred $123 in assets, substantially all of which was cash,
  and $70 of liabilities. The difference between the assets and liabilities
  of $(53) plus a tax credit of $19 was charged directly to unassigned
  surplus.
 
    Effective December 31, 1995, the Company canceled a coinsurance agreement
  with its parent, First AUSA. As a result of the cancellation, the Company
  transferred $825 of assets and $1,712 of liabilities. The difference
  between the assets and liabilities, net of a tax effect of $302 was
  credited directly to unassigned surplus.
 
    On January 1, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement with a non-
  affiliate reinsurer to increase the reinsurance ceded by 2 1/2% each year
  (primarily group health business). As a result, the Company transferred
  $3,881 in assets and $4,080 in liabilities during 1994. The difference
  between the assets and liabilities of $199, plus a tax credit of $192, was
  credited directly to unassigned surplus. During 1995, the Company
  transferred $4,303 in assets and liabilities of $4,467. The difference
  between the assets and liabilities of $164, plus a tax credit of $255, was
  credited directly to unassigned surplus. During 1996, the Company
  transferred $5,991 in assets, including $5,812 of cash and short-term
  investments and liabilities of $6,146. The difference between the assets
  and liabilities of $155, plus a tax credit of $266 was credited directly to
  unassigned surplus.
 
    During 1993, the Company sold the Oakbrook Division (primarily group
  health business). The initial transfer of risk occurred through an
  indemnity reinsurance agreement. The policies will then be assumed by the
  reinsurer by novation as state regulatory and policyholder approvals are
  received. In addition, the Company will receive from the third party
  administrator a ceding commission of one percent of the premiums collected
  between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1996. As a result of the sale, in
  1994, the Company received $284 for ceding commissions; the commissions net
  of the related tax effect of $100 was
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  credited directly to unassigned surplus. During 1995, the Company received
  $55 for ceding commissions; the commissions net of the related tax effect
  of $20 was credited directly to unassigned surplus. During 1996, the
  Company received $45 for ceding commissions; the commissions net of the
  related tax effect of $(16) was charged directly to unassigned surplus.
  During 1996, the Company paid $539 in association with this sale; the
  proceeds, net of a tax credit of $189, were charged directly to unassigned
  surplus.
 
 Nature of Business
 
  The Company sells individual non-participating whole life, endowment and term
contracts, as well as a broad line of single fixed and flexible premium annuity
products. In addition, the Company offers group life, universal life, and
individual and specialty health coverages. The Company is licensed in 49 states
and the District of Columbia. Sales of the Company's products are primarily
through an independent insurance agency of The Insurance Center, the Company's
agents, and financial institutions.
 
 Basis of Presentation
 
  The preparation of financial statements of insurance companies requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in
the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
 
  Significant estimates and assumptions are utilized in the calculation of
aggregate policy reserves, policy and contract claim reserves, guaranty fund
assessment accruals and valuation allowances on investments. It is reasonably
possible that actual experience could differ from the estimates and assumptions
utilized which could have a material impact on the financial statements.
 
  The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the basis of
accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Division,
Department of Commerce, of the State of Iowa, which practices differ in some
respects from generally accepted accounting principles. The more significant of
these differences are as follows: (a) bonds are generally reported at amortized
cost rather than segregating the portfolio into held-to-maturity (reported at
amortized cost), available-for-sale (reported at fair value), and trading
(reported at fair value) classifications; (b) acquisition costs of acquiring
new business are charged to current operations as incurred rather than deferred
and amortized over the life of the policies; (c) policy reserves on traditional
life products are based on statutory mortality rates and interest which may
differ from reserves based on reasonable assumptions of expected mortality,
interest, and withdrawals which include a provision for possible unfavorable
deviation from such assumptions; (d) policy reserves on certain investment
products use discounting methodologies utilizing statutory interest rates
rather than full account values; (e) reinsurance amounts are netted against the
corresponding asset or liability rather than shown as gross amounts on the
balance sheet; (f) deferred income taxes are not provided for the difference
between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities;
(g) net realized gains or losses attributed to changes in the level of interest
rates in the market are deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the
bond or mortgage loan, rather than recognized as gains or losses in the
statement of operations when the sale is completed; (h) declines in the
estimated realizable value of investments are provided for through the
establishment of a formula-determined statutory investment reserve (carried as
a liability) changes to which are charged directly to surplus, rather than
through recognition in the statement of operations for declines in value, when
such declines are judged to be other than temporary; (i) certain assets
designated as "non-admitted assets" have been charged to surplus rather than
being reported as assets; (j) revenues for universal life and investment
products consist of premiums received rather than policy charges for the cost
of insurance, policy administration charges, amortization of policy initiation
fees and surrender charges assessed; (k) pension expense is recorded as amounts
are paid; (l) adjustments to federal
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
income taxes of prior years are charged or credited directly to unassigned
surplus, rather than reported as a component of expense in the statement of
operations; (m) gains or losses on dispositions of business are charged or
credited directly to unassigned surplus rather than being reported in the
statement of operations; and (n) a liability is established for "unauthorized
reinsurers" and changes in this liability are charged or credited directly to
unassigned surplus. The effects of these variances have not been determined by
the Company.
 
  The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) currently is in
the process of recodifying statutory accounting practices, the result of which
is expected to constitute the only source of "prescribed" statutory accounting
practices. Accordingly, that project, which is expected to be completed in
1997, will likely change, to some extent, prescribed statutory accounting
practices and may result in changes to the accounting practices that the
Company uses to prepare its statutory-basis financial statements.
 
 Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all
highly liquid investments with remaining maturity of one year or less when
purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
 Investments
 
  Investments in bonds (except those to which the Securities Valuation Office
of the NAIC has ascribed a value), mortgage loans on real estate and short-term
investments are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and
accrual of discounts. Amortization is computed using methods which result in a
level yield over the expected life of the security. The Company reviews its
prepayment assumptions on mortgage and other asset backed securities at regular
intervals and adjusts amortization rates prospectively when such assumptions
are changed due to experience and/or expected future patterns. Investments in
preferred stocks in good standing are reported at cost. Investments in
preferred stocks not in good standing are reported at the lower of cost or
market. Common stocks of affiliated and unaffiliated companies, which may
include shares of mutual funds (money market and other), are carried at market.
Real estate is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation. Depreciation
is computed principally by the straight-line method. Policy loans are reported
at unpaid principal. Other invested assets consist principally of investments
in various joint ventures and are recorded at equity in underlying net assets.
Other "admitted assets" are valued, principally at cost, as required or
permitted by Iowa Insurance Laws.
 
  Realized capital gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific
identification and are recorded net of related federal income taxes. The Asset
Valuation Reserve (AVR) is established by the Company to provide for
anticipated losses in the event of default by issuers of certain invested
assets. These amounts are determined using a formula prescribed by the NAIC and
are reported as a liability. The formula for the AVR provides for a
corresponding adjustment for realized gains and losses, net of amounts
attributed to changes in the general level of interest rates. Under a formula
prescribed by the NAIC, the Company defers, in the Interest Maintenance Reserve
(IMR), the portion of realized gains and losses on sales of fixed income
investments, principally bonds and mortgage loans, attributable to changes in
the general level of interest rates and amortizes those deferrals over the
remaining period to maturity of the security.
 
  Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. The Company does not
accrue income on bonds in default, mortgage loans on real estate in default
and/or foreclosure or which are delinquent more than twelve months, or real
estate where rent is in arrears for more than three months. Further, income is
not accrued when collection is uncertain. At December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
the Company excluded investment income due and accrued of $1,541, $2,272 and
$4,622, respectively, with respect to such practices.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
  The Company entered into an interest-rate cap agreement on Five Year Constant
Maturities Treasury futures to hedge the exposure of increasing interest rates.
The cash flows from the interest rate cap will help offset losses that might
occur from disintermediation resulting from a rise in interest rates. The
Company paid a one-time premium to receive the difference between the reference
rate and the strike rate after a two-year delay. The cost is included in
interest expense ratably during the life of the agreement. Income received as a
result of the cap agreement will be recognized in investment income as earned.
Unamortized cost of the agreements is included in other assets.
 
 Aggregate Policy Reserves
 
  Life, annuity and accident and health benefit reserves are developed by
actuarial methods and are determined based on published tables using
statutorily specified interest rates and valuation methods that will provide,
in the aggregate, reserves that are greater than or equal to the minimum
required by law.
 
  The aggregate policy reserves for life insurance policies are based
principally upon the 1941, 1958 and 1980 Commissioners' Standard Ordinary
Mortality and American Experience Mortality Tables. The reserves are calculated
using interest rates ranging from 2.00 to 6.00 percent and are computed
principally on the Net Level Premium Valuation and the Commissioners' Reserve
Valuation Methods. Reserves for universal life policies are based on account
balances adjusted for the Commissioners' Reserve Valuation Method.
 
  Deferred annuity reserves are calculated according to the Commissioners'
Annuity Reserve Valuation Method including excess interest reserves to cover
situations where the future interest guarantees plus the decrease in surrender
charges are in excess of the maximum valuation rates of interest. Reserves for
immediate annuities and supplementary contracts with and without life
contingencies are equal to the present value of future payments assuming
interest rates ranging from 2.50 to 11.25 percent and mortality rates, where
appropriate, from a variety of tables.
 
  Accident and health policy reserves are equal to the greater of the gross
unearned premiums or any required midterminal reserves plus net unearned
premiums and the present value of amounts not yet due on both reported and
unreported claims.
 
 Policy and Contract Claim Reserves
 
  Claim reserves represent the estimated accrued liability for claims reported
to the Company and claims incurred but not yet reported through the statement
date. These reserves are estimated using either individual case-basis
valuations or statistical analysis techniques. These estimates are subject to
the effects of trends in claim severity and frequency. The estimates are
continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new
information becomes available.
 
 Separate Account
 
  Assets held in trust for purchases of variable annuity contracts and the
Company's corresponding obligation to the contract owners are shown separately
in the balance sheets. The assets in the separate account are valued at market.
Income and gains and losses with respect to the assets in the separate account
accrue to the benefit of the policyholders. The Company received variable
contract premiums of $227,864, $133,386 and $308,305 in 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. All variable account contracts are subject to discretionary
withdrawal by the policyholder at the market value of the underlying assets
less the current surrender charge.
 
 Reclassifications
 
  Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1995 and 1994 financial
statements to conform to the 1996 presentation.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
2. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information
about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statutory-basis
balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. SFAS No.
119, Disclosures about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of
Financial Instruments, requires additional disclosure about derivatives. In
cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on
estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques
are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount
rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair
value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparisons to independent markets
and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the
instrument. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 and No. 119
exclude certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from
their disclosure requirements and allow companies to forego the disclosures
when those estimates can only be made at excessive cost. Accordingly, the
aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value
of the Company.
 
  The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating
its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
 
    Cash and short-term investments: The carrying amounts reported in the
  balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values.
 
    Investment securities: Fair values for fixed maturity securities
  (including redeemable preferred stocks) are based on quoted market prices,
  where available. For fixed maturity securities not actively traded, fair
  values are estimated using values obtained from independent pricing
  services or, in the case of private placements, are 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 values for equity securities other than insurance subsidiaries are
  based on quoted market prices. Fair value for the Company's insurance
  subsidiary is the statutory net book value of that subsidiary.
 
    Mortgage loans and policy loans: The fair values for mortgage loans are
  estimated utilizing discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates
  reflective of current market conditions and the risk characteristics of the
  loans. The fair value of policy loans are assumed to equal their carrying
  value.
 
    Investment contracts: Fair values for the Company's liabilities under
  investment-type insurance contracts are estimated using discounted cash
  flow calculations, based on interest rates currently being offered for
  similar contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining for the
  contracts being valued.
 
    Interest rate cap: Estimated fair value of the interest rate cap is based
  upon the latest quoted market price.
 
  Fair values for the Company's insurance contracts other than investment
contracts are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of
liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the
Company's overall management of interest rate risk, which minimizes exposure
to changing interest rates through the matching of investment maturities with
amounts due under insurance contracts.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
  The following sets forth a comparison of the fair values and carrying values
of the Company's financial instruments subject to the provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 and No. 119:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    DECEMBER 31
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                            1996                  1995
                                    --------------------- ---------------------
                                     CARRYING              CARRYING
                                      VALUE    FAIR VALUE   VALUE    FAIR VALUE
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
   ADMITTED ASSETS
   Bonds..........................  $4,773,433 $4,867,770 $4,613,334 $4,824,635
   Preferred stocks...............       3,097      7,133      9,336     12,275
   Common stocks..................      32,038     32,038     24,866     24,866
   Affiliated common and preferred
    stock.........................       6,934      6,934      6,794      6,794
   Mortgage loans on real estate..     911,705    922,010    680,414    714,399
   Policy loans...................      54,214     54,214     52,675     52,675
   Cash and short-term        
    investments...................      50,737     50,737     79,852     79,852
   Interest rate cap..............       6,797      6,975      7,971      7,250
   Separate account assets........   1,844,515  1,844,515  1,418,157  1,418,157
   LIABILITIES
   Investment contract          
    liabilities...................   4,532,568  4,398,630  4,323,188  4,310,505
   Separate account annuities.....   1,803,057  1,803,057  1,417,842  1,417,842
</TABLE>
 
3. INVESTMENTS
 
  The carrying value and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities
were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                GROSS      GROSS    ESTIMATED
                                    CARRYING  UNREALIZED UNREALIZED    FAIR
                                     VALUE      GAINS      LOSSES     VALUE
                                   ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
   DECEMBER 31, 1996
   Bonds:
     United States Government and
      agencies.................... $  136,450  $  3,301   $   180   $  139,571
     State, municipal and other
      government..................     59,644     1,906       177       61,373
     Public utilities.............    147,918     5,616     1,020      152,514
     Industrial and            
      miscellaneous...............  1,958,681    64,710     8,105    2,015,286
     Mortgage-backed securities...  2,470,740    43,896    15,610    2,499,026
                                   ----------  --------   -------   ----------
                                    4,773,433   119,429    25,092    4,867,770
   Preferred stocks...............      3,097     4,036       --         7,133
                                   ----------  --------   -------   ----------
                                   $4,776,530  $123,465   $25,092   $4,874,903
                                   ==========  ========   =======   ==========
   DECEMBER 31, 1995
   Bonds:
     United States Government and
      agencies.................... $  117,054  $  5,808   $   135   $  122,727
     State, municipal and other
      government..................     46,236     3,109         2       49,343
     Public utilities.............    156,342     9,578     1,092      164,828
     Industrial and 
      miscellaneous...............  1,781,149   112,074     7,146    1,886,077
     Mortgage-backed securities...  2,512,553    93,420     4,313    2,601,660
                                   ----------  --------   -------   ----------
                                    4,613,334   223,989    12,688    4,824,635
   Preferred stocks...............      9,336     3,348       409       12,275
                                   ----------  --------   -------   ----------
                                   $4,622,670  $227,337   $13,097   $4,836,910
                                   ==========  ========   =======   ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  The carrying value and estimated fair value of bonds at December 31, 1996,
by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from
contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay
obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        CARRYING  ESTIMATED FAIR
                                                         VALUE        VALUE
                                                       ---------- --------------
   <S>                                                 <C>        <C>
   Due in one year or less............................ $  202,775   $  204,980
   Due after one year through five years..............    896,912      921,711
   Due after five years through ten years.............    954,555      977,421
   Due after ten years................................    248,451      264,632
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                        2,302,693    2,368,744
   Mortgage and other asset-backed securities.........  2,470,740    2,499,026
                                                       ----------   ----------
                                                       $4,773,433   $4,867,770
                                                       ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
  A detail of net investment income is presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                     --------------------------
                                                       1996     1995     1994
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
   Interest on bonds and notes...................... $364,356 $342,182 $294,145
   Dividends on equity investments..................    1,436    1,822   12,091
   Interest on mortgage loans.......................   69,418   52,702   42,385
   Rental income on real estate.....................    9,526   10,443    9,360
   Interest on policy loans.........................    3,273    3,112    3,182
   Other investment income..........................    1,799    1,803      282
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   Gross investment income..........................  449,808  412,064  361,445
   Investment expenses..............................   21,471   19,379   17,565
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   Net investment income............................ $428,337 $392,685 $343,880
                                                     ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
  Proceeds from sales and maturities of debt securities and related gross
realized gains and losses were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                            ----------------------------------
                                               1996        1995        1994
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
   <S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>
   Proceeds................................ $2,112,831  $1,757,229  $1,430,339
                                            ==========  ==========  ==========
   Gross realized gains.................... $   19,876  $   19,721  $   15,411
   Gross realized losses...................    (19,634)    (34,399)    (33,044)
                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
   Net realized gains (losses)............. $      242  $  (14,678) $  (17,633)
                                            ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  At December 31, 1996, investments with an aggregate carrying value of
$5,825,802 were on deposit with regulatory authorities or were restrictively
held in bank custodial accounts for the benefit of such regulatory authorities
as required by statute.
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
  Realized investment gains (losses) and changes in unrealized gains (losses)
for investments are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          REALIZED
                                                ------------------------------
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                ------------------------------
                                                  1996       1995      1994
                                                ---------  --------  ---------
   <S>                                          <C>        <C>       <C>
   Debt securities............................  $     242  $(14,678) $ (17,633)
   Short-term investments.....................       (197)       24       (309)
   Equity securities..........................      1,798       504      1,322
   Mortgage loans on real estate..............     (5,530)   (1,053)    (2,186)
   Real estate................................      1,210    (1,908)    (2,858)
   Other invested assets......................         12      (970)        14
                                                ---------  --------  ---------
                                                   (2,465)  (18,081)   (21,650)
   Tax effect.................................     (1,235)    7,878      7,236
   Transfer to interest maintenance reserve...        197    (7,891)    10,790
                                                ---------  --------  ---------
   Net realized losses........................  $  (3,503) $(18,096) $  (3,624)
                                                =========  ========  =========
<CAPTION>
                                                    CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
                                                ------------------------------
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                ------------------------------
                                                  1996       1995      1994
                                                ---------  --------  ---------
   <S>                                          <C>        <C>       <C>
   Debt securities............................  $(115,867) $355,560  $(322,346)
   Equity securities..........................      2,929   (16,379)   (23,202)
                                                ---------  --------  ---------
   Change in unrealized appreciation 
    (depreciation)............................  $(112,938) $339,181  $(345,548)
                                                =========  ========  =========
</TABLE>
 
  Gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses on equity securities were
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31
                                                      -------------------------
                                                       1996     1995     1994
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
   Unrealized gains.................................. $ 9,590  $ 6,833  $20,244
   Unrealized losses.................................  (8,723)  (8,895)  (5,927)
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   Net unrealized gains (losses)..................... $   867  $(2,062) $14,317
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  During 1996, the Company issued mortgage loans with interest rates ranging
from 6.83% to 8.75%. The maximum percentage of any one mortgage loan to the
value of the underlying real estate at origination was 85%. Mortgage loans
with a carrying value of $4,027 were non-income producing for the previous
twelve months. Accrued interest of $852 related to these mortgage loans was
excluded from investment income. The Company requires all mortgage loans to
carry fire insurance equal to the value of the underlying property.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
  During 1996, 1995 and 1994, mortgage loans of $13,163, $1,644 and $799,
respectively, were foreclosed and transferred to real estate. At December 31,
1996 and 1995, the Company held a mortgage loan loss reserve in the asset
valuation reserve of $5,432 and $6,168, respectively. The mortgage loan
portfolio is diversified by geographic region and specific collateral property
type as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          GEOGRAPHIC
                         DISTRIBUTION
                         -------------
                          DECEMBER 31
                         -------------
                         1996    1995
                         -----   -----
<S>                      <C>     <C>
South Atlantic..........    26%     26%
Mountain................    10      12
W. South Central........    12      14
Pacific.................    13      17
E. North Central........    15      13
E. South Central........     9       5
W. North Central........     6       6
Middle Atlantic.........     6       3
New England.............     3       4
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        PROPERTY TYPE
                        DISTRIBUTION
                        --------------
                          DECEMBER 31
                        --------------
                         1996    1995
                        -----    -----
<S>                     <C>      <C>
Retail..................    37%    31%
Apartment...............    14     20
Office..................    34     29
Industrial..............     3      4
Other...................    12     16
</TABLE>
 
  At December 31, 1996, the Company had the following investments (excluding
U. S. Government guaranteed or insured issues) which individually represented
more than ten percent of capital and surplus and the asset valuation reserve:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITY OR ISSUER                              CARRYING VALUE
   ---------------------------------                              --------------
   <S>                                                            <C>
   Bonds:
     Citibank....................................................     70,661
</TABLE>
 
4. REINSURANCE
 
  The Company reinsures portions of risk on certain insurance policies which
exceed its established limits, thereby providing a greater diversification of
risk and minimizing exposure on larger risks. The Company remains contingently
liable with respect to any insurance ceded, and this would become an actual
liability in the event that the assuming insurance company became unable to
meet its obligation under the reinsurance treaty.
 
  Reinsurance assumption and cession treaties are transacted primarily with
affiliates. Premiums earned reflect the following reinsurance assumed and
ceded amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996        1995        1994
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
   <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
   Direct premiums.......................... $1,457,450  $1,591,531  $1,857,446
   Reinsurance assumed......................      1,796       2,356       1,832
   Reinsurance ceded........................   (300,546)   (324,993)   (412,029)
                                             ----------  ----------  ----------
   Net premiums earned...................... $1,158,700  $1,268,894  $1,447,249
                                             ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The Company received reinsurance recoveries in the amount of $168,155,
$167,287 and $148,414 during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. At December
31, 1996 and 1995, estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers that have
been deducted from policy and contract claim reserves totaled $63,226 and
$65,503, respectively. The aggregate reserves for policies and contracts were
reduced for reserve credits for reinsurance ceded at December 31, 1996 and
1995 of $2,737,441 and $2,920,034, respectively.
 
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  At December 31, 1996, amounts recoverable from unauthorized reinsurers of
$73,434 (1995--$70,516) and reserve credits for reinsurance ceded of $55,035
(1995--$48,992) were associated with a single reinsurer and its affiliates.
The Company holds collateral under these reinsurance agreements in the form of
trust agreements totaling $120,477 at December 31, 1996 that can be drawn on
for amounts that remain unpaid for more than 120 days.
 
5. INCOME TAXES
 
  For federal income tax purposes, the Company joins in a consolidated tax
return filing with certain affiliated companies. Under the terms of a tax-
sharing agreement between the Company and its affiliates, the Company computes
federal income tax expense as if it were filing a separate income tax return,
except that tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards are determined on
the basis of the consolidated group. Additionally, the alternative minimum tax
is computed for the consolidated group and the resulting tax, if any, is
allocated back to the separate companies on the basis of the separate
companies' alternative minimum taxable income.
 
  Federal income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the
statutory federal income tax rate to gain from operations before taxes and
realized capital losses for the following reasons:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      1996     1995     1994
                                                     -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
   Computed tax at federal statutory rate (35%)..... $37,256  $27,835  $24,106
   Tax reserve adjustment...........................   2,211    2,405    1,150
   Excess tax depreciation..........................    (384)    (365)    (406)
   Deferred acquisition costs--tax basis............   5,583    4,581    7,378
   Prior year over accrual..........................    (499)    (306)    (644)
   Dividend received deduction......................    (454)     (56)  (3,513)
   Charitable contribution..........................     --       --    (3,935)
   Other items--net.................................  (2,536)    (759)    (278)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
   Federal income tax expense....................... $41,177  $33,335  $23,858
                                                     =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  Prior to 1984, as provided for under the Life Insurance Company Tax Act of
1959, a portion of statutory income was not subject to current taxation but
was accumulated for income tax purposes in a memorandum account referred to as
the policyholders' surplus account. No federal income taxes have been provided
for in the financial statements on income deferred in the policyholders'
surplus account ($20,387 at December 31, 1996). To the extent dividends are
paid from the amount accumulated in the policyholders' surplus account, net
earnings would be reduced by the amount of tax required to be paid. Should the
entire amount in the policyholders' surplus account become taxable, the tax
thereon computed at current rates would amount to approximately $7,135.
 
  The Company's federal income tax returns have been examined and closing
agreements have been executed with the Internal Revenue Service through 1987.
During 1996, there was a $5,025 prior period adjustment to the tax accrual.
This included a $2,100 writeoff of an intangible asset for tax purposes, and a
federal income tax refund of $1,829 for tax years 1984-1986 and related
interest of $1,686, net of a tax effect of $590. An examination is underway
for years 1988 through 1995.
 
6. POLICY AND CONTRACT ATTRIBUTES
 
  Participating life insurance policies are issued by the Company which
entitle policyholders to a share in the earnings of the participating
policies, provided that a dividend distribution, which is determined annually
based
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
on mortality and persistency experience of the participating policies, is
authorized by the Company. Participating insurance constituted approximately
1.0% and 1.2% of ordinary life insurance in force at December 31, 1996 and
1995, respectively.
 
  A portion of the Company's policy reserves and other policyholders' funds
(including separate account liabilities) relate to liabilities established on
a variety of the Company's products that are not subject to significant
mortality or morbidity risk; however, there may be certain restrictions placed
upon the amount of funds that can be withdrawn without penalty. The amount of
reserves on these products, by withdrawal characteristics are summarized as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      DECEMBER 31
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                               1996                1995
                                        ------------------- -------------------
                                                   PERCENT             PERCENT
                                          AMOUNT   OF TOTAL   AMOUNT   OF TOTAL
                                        ---------- -------- ---------- --------
   <S>                                  <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>
   Subject to discretionary withdrawal
    with market value adjustment......  $   20,800     0%   $      699    --%
   Subject to discretionary withdrawal
    at book value less surrender
    charge............................     794,881     9       733,796     8%
   Subject to discretionary withdrawal
    at market value...................   1,803,057    20     1,390,156    16%
   Subject to discretionary withdrawal
    at book value (minimal or no
    charges or adjustments)...........   6,284,876    69     6,395,719    74%
   Not subject to discretionary      
    withdrawal provision..............     174,416     2       139,330     2%
                                        ----------   ---    ----------   ---
                                         9,078,030   100     8,659,700   100%
   Less reinsurance ceded.............   2,677,432           2,866,160
                                        ----------          ----------
   Total policy reserves on annuities
    and deposit fund liabilities......  $6,400,598          $5,793,540
                                        ==========          ==========
</TABLE>
 
  A reconciliation of the amounts transferred to and from the separate
accounts is presented below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996     1995     1994
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   <S>                                               <C>      <C>      <C>
   Transfers as reported in the summary of 
    operations of the separate accounts statement:
     Transfers to separate accounts................. $227,864 $133,386 $308,305
     Transfers from separate accounts...............   75,172  104,219   76,133
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   Net transfers to separate accounts...............  152,692   29,167  232,172
   Reconciling adjustments--charges for investment
    management, administration fees and contract
    guarantees......................................   19,093   13,814   11,634
                                                     -------- -------- --------
   Transfers as reported in the summary of 
    operations of the life, accident                  
    and health annual statement..................... $171,785 $ 42,981 $243,806
                                                     ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
  Reserves on the Company's traditional life products are computed using mean
reserving methodologies. These methodologies result in the establishment of
assets for the amount of the net valuation premiums that are anticipated to be
received between the policy's paid-through date to the policy's next
anniversary date. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, these assets (which are
reported as premiums deferred and uncollected) and the amounts of the related
gross premiums and loadings, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       GROSS   LOADING    NET
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   <S>                                                <C>      <C>      <C>
   DECEMBER 31, 1996
   Life and annuity:
     Ordinary direct first year business............. $ 2,657  $ 1,865  $   792
     Ordinary direct renewal business................  23,307    7,180   16,127
     Group life direct business......................   1,788    1,195      593
     Reinsurance ceded...............................  (1,706)    (438)  (1,268)
                                                      -------  -------  -------
                                                       26,046    9,802   16,244
   Accident and health:
     Direct..........................................     104      --       104
     Reinsurance ceded...............................      (3)     --        (3)
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   Total accident and health.........................     101      --       101
                                                      -------  -------  -------
                                                      $26,147  $ 9,802  $16,345
                                                      =======  =======  =======
   DECEMBER 31, 1995
   Life and annuity:
     Ordinary direct first year business............. $ 3,151  $ 2,223  $   928
     Ordinary direct renewal business................  24,250    7,792   16,458
     Group life direct business......................   1,537      779      758
     Reinsurance ceded...............................  (1,362)    (141)  (1,221)
                                                      -------  -------  -------
                                                       27,576   10,653   16,923
   Accident and health:
     Direct..........................................   1,296      --     1,296
     Reinsurance ceded...............................  (1,193)     --    (1,193)
                                                      -------  -------  -------
   Total accident and health.........................     103      --       103
                                                      -------  -------  -------
                                                      $27,679  $10,653  $17,026
                                                      =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had insurance in force
aggregating $69,251 and $87,010, respectively, in which the gross premiums are
less than the net premiums required by the standard valuation standards
established by the Insurance Division, Department of Commerce, of the State of
Iowa. The Company established policy reserves of $1,252 and $1,417 to cover
these deficiencies at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
  In 1994, the NAIC enacted a guideline to clarify reserving methodologies for
contracts that require immediate payment of claims upon proof of death of the
insured. Companies were allowed to grade the effects of the change in
reserving methodologies over five years. A direct charge to surplus of $501
was made for the year ended December 31, 1995, related to the change in
reserve methodology.
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
7. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
 
  Generally, an insurance company's ability to pay dividends is limited to the
amount that their net assets, as determined in accordance with statutory
accounting practices, exceed minimum statutory capital requirements. However,
payment of such amounts as dividends may be subject to approval by regulatory
authorities.
 
  The Company paid dividends to its parent of $20,000 and $20,900 in 1996 and
1994, respectively. No dividends were paid in 1995.
 
8. RETIREMENT AND COMPENSATION PLANS
 
  The Company's employees participate in a qualified benefit pension plan
sponsored by AEGON. The Company has no legal obligation for the plan. The
Company recognizes pension expense equal to its allocation from AEGON. The
pension expense is allocated among the participating companies based on the
FASB No. 87 expense as a percent of salaries. The benefits are based on years
of service and the employee's compensation during the highest five consecutive
years of employment. Pension expense aggregated $1,056, $942 and $966 for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The plan is
subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Employee
Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974.
 
  The Company's employees also participate in a contributory defined
contribution plan sponsored by AEGON which is qualified under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Employees of the Company who customarily
work at least 1,000 hours during each calendar year and meet the other
eligibility requirements, are participants of the plan. Participants may elect
to contribute up to fifteen percent of their salary to the plan. The Company
will match an amount up to three percent of the participant's salary.
Participants may direct all of their contributions and plan balances to be
invested in a variety of investment options. The plan is subject to the
reporting and disclosure requirements of the Employee Retirement and Income
Security Act of 1974. Expense related to this plan was $297, $465 and $411 for
the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
  AEGON sponsors supplemental retirement plans to provide the Company's senior
management with benefits in excess of normal pension benefits. The plans are
noncontributory and benefits are based on years of service and the employee's
compensation level. The plans are unfunded and nonqualified under the Internal
Revenue Service Code. In addition, AEGON has established incentive deferred
compensation plans for certain key employees of the Company. AEGON also
sponsors an employee stock option plan for individuals employed at least three
years and a stock purchase plan for its producers, with the participating
affiliated companies establishing their own eligibility criteria, producer
contribution limits and company matching formula. These plans have been
accrued or funded as deemed appropriate by management of AEGON and the
Company.
 
  In addition to pension benefits, the Company participates in plans sponsored
by AEGON that provide postretirement medical, dental and life insurance
benefits to employees meeting certain eligibility requirements. Portions of
the medical and dental plans are contributory. The expenses of the
postretirement plans calculated on the pay-as-you-go basis are charged to
affiliates in accordance with an intercompany cost sharing arrangement. The
Company expensed $184, $164 and $169 for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Company shares certain offices, employees and general expenses with
affiliated companies.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
                          PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--STATUTORY BASIS (CONTINUED)
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
  The Company receives data processing, investment advisory and management,
marketing and administration services from certain affiliates. During 1996,
1995 and 1994, the Company paid $17,028, $14,214 and $11,820, respectively,
for these services, which approximates their costs to the affiliates.
 
  Payable to affiliates and intercompany borrowings bear interest at the
thirty-day commercial paper rate of 5.5% at December 31, 1996. During 1996,
1995 and 1994, the Company paid net interest of $174, $71 and $23,
respectively, to affiliates.
 
  During 1995 and 1994, the Company received capital contributions of $40,000
and $15,000, respectively, in cash from its parent and during 1994 received a
dividend of $10,000 from its subsidiary, Equity National, which was included
in net investment income.
 
  During 1995, the Company sold real estate with a book value of approximately
$13,270 to an affiliated entity in exchange for a short-term note receivable.
No gain was recognized on this sale. This note accrued interest at 5.65% and
matured during 1996.
 
  During the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company restructured demand
notes and accrued interest of $13,250 and $745, respectively, related to an
affiliate. The Company received 9,750 shares of preferred stock from the
affiliate for satisfaction of debt. The Company realized a loss of $8,695
related to this transaction. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, the preferred
stock related to this affiliate was deemed to have no value and an unrealized
loss of $4,555 was recognized in 1995.
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  The Company is a party to legal proceedings incidental to its business.
Although such litigation sometimes includes substantial demands for
compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to contract liability, it is
management's opinion, after consultation with counsel and a review of
available facts, that damages arising from such demands will not be material
to the Company's financial position.
 
  The Company is subject to insurance guaranty laws in the states in which it
writes business. These laws provide for assessments against insurance
companies for the benefit of policyholders and claimants in the event of
insolvency of other insurance companies. Assessments are charged to operations
when received by the Company except where right of offset against other taxes
paid is allowed by law; amounts available for future offsets are recorded as
an asset on the Company's balance sheet. Potential future obligations for
unknown insolvencies are not determinable by the Company. The future
obligation has been based on the most recent information available from the
National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations
(NOLHGA). The Company has established a reserve of $21,774 and $21,747 and an
offsetting premium tax benefit of $8,752 and $9,457 at December 31, 1996 and
1995, respectively, for its estimated share of future guaranty fund
assessments related to several major insurer insolvencies. During 1994, $3,444
was charged to surplus as prior period adjustments to provide for this net
reserve plus certain assessments paid that related to several major insurer
insolvencies prior to 1992. The guaranty fund expense was $2,617, $5,859 and
$4,054 for December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      SCHEDULE I
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
       SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS--OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                AMOUNT AT WHICH
                                                      MARKET     SHOWN IN THE
          TYPE OF INVESTMENT              COST (1)    VALUE    BALANCE SHEET (2)
          ------------------             ---------- ---------- -----------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
FIXED MATURITIES
Bonds:
  United States Government and govern-
   ment agencies and authorities.......  $1,533,581 $1,554,339    $1,533,510
  States, municipalities and political
   subdivisions........................       4,918      5,360         4,919
  Foreign governments..................      55,633     56,013        54,725
  Public utilities.....................     150,346    152,514       147,918
  All other corporate bonds............   3,046,090  3,099,544     3,032,361
Redeemable preferred stock.............       3,097      7,133         3,097
                                         ---------- ----------    ----------
Total fixed maturities.................   4,793,665  4,874,903     4,776,530
EQUITY SECURITIES
Common stocks:
  Banks, trust and insurance...........       7,120      9,777         9,777
  Industrial, miscellaneous and all
   other...............................      16,092     22,261        22,261
                                         ---------- ----------    ----------
Total equity securities................      23,212     32,038        32,038
Mortgage loans on real estate..........     911,705                  911,705
Real estate............................      46,294                   46,294
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of
 debt..................................      12,260                   12,260
Policy loans...........................      54,214                   54,214
Other long-term investments............       9,546                    9,546
Cash and short-term investments........      50,737                   50,737
                                         ----------               ----------
Total investments......................  $5,901,633               $5,893,324
                                         ==========               ==========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Original cost of equity securities and, as to fixed maturities, original
    cost reduced by repayments.
(2) Amount differs from cost as certain bonds have been adjusted to reflect
    other than temporary decline in value charged to surplus, as prescribed by
    the NAIC.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
 
                                                                    SCHEDULE III
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                      SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              FUTURE POLICY          POLICY AND
                                              BENEFITS AND  UNEARNED  CONTRACT
                                                EXPENSES    PREMIUMS LIABILITIES
                                              ------------- -------- -----------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>      <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
Individual life..............................  $  734,350   $   --     $ 7,240
Individual health............................      39,219     8,680     13,631
Group life and health........................      78,418    14,702     53,486
Annuity......................................   4,408,419       --         --
                                               ----------   -------    -------
                                               $5,260,406   $23,382    $74,357
                                               ==========   =======    =======
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
Individual life..............................  $  594,274   $   --     $ 6,066
Individual health............................      24,225     7,768     11,863
Group life and health........................      67,994    16,662     58,813
Annuity......................................   4,220,274       --         --
                                               ----------   -------    -------
                                               $4,906,767   $24,430    $76,742
                                               ==========   =======    =======
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
Individual life..............................  $  544,087   $    --    $ 7,298
Individual health............................      16,649     6,487      8,643
Group life and health........................      60,207    17,680     57,959
Annuity......................................   3,693,388       --         --
                                               ----------   -------    -------
                                               $4,314,331   $24,167    $73,900
                                               ==========   =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NET INVESTMENT BENEFITS, CLAIMS LOSSES OTHER OPERATING
PREMIUM REVENUE     INCOME*     AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES    EXPENSES*    PREMIUMS WRITTEN
- ---------------  -------------- ----------------------- --------------- ----------------
<S>              <C>            <C>                     <C>             <C>
$  202,082          $ 66,538          $  197,526           $ 38,067              --
    55,871             5,263              32,903             29,511         $ 55,678
   174,781            12,877             105,459            122,953          171,320
   725,966           343,659             800,121            230,417              --
- ----------          --------          ----------           --------
$1,158,700          $428,337          $1,136,009           $420,948
==========          ========          ==========           ========
  $111,918          $ 49,929          $   97,065           $ 37,933              --
    47,692             4,091              25,793             26,033         $ 47,690
   187,832            11,665             106,065            139,640          184,545
   921,452           327,000           1,116,768            114,164              --
- ----------          --------          ----------           --------
$1,268,894          $392,685          $1,345,691           $317,770
==========          ========          ==========           ========
  $146,328          $ 43,025          $  124,736           $ 42,309              --
    38,811             3,983              22,323             22,707         $ 38,797
   194,704            10,531             108,400            143,645          192,034
 1,067,406           286,341           1,036,313            319,328              --
- ----------          --------          ----------           --------
$1,447,249          $343,880          $1,291,772           $527,989
==========          ========          ==========           ========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based
  on a number of assumptions and estimates, and the results would change if
  different methods were applied.
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE IV
 
                           PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                                  REINSURANCE
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 ASSUMED             PERCENTAGE
                                      CEDED TO    FROM               OF AMOUNT
                             GROSS      OTHER     OTHER      NET      ASSUMED
                             AMOUNT   COMPANIES COMPANIES   AMOUNT     TO NET
                           ---------- --------- --------- ---------- ----------
<S>                        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
 1996
Life insurance in force..  $4,863,416 $477,112  $ 30,685  $4,416,989     .7%
                           ========== ========  ========  ==========    ===
Premiums:
  Individual life........  $  204,144 $  3,858  $  1,796  $  202,082     .9%
  Individual health......      68,699   12,828       --       55,871    --
  Group life and health..     390,296  215,515       --      174,781    --
  Annuity................     794,311   68,345       --      725,966    --
                           ---------- --------  --------  ----------    ---
                           $1,457,450 $300,546  $  1,796  $1,158,700     .2%
                           ========== ========  ========  ==========    ===
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
 1995
Life insurance in force..  $4,594,434 $468,811  $ 22,936  $4,148,559     .6%
                           ========== ========  ========  ==========    ===
Premiums:
  Individual life........  $  113,934 $  3,841  $  1,825  $  111,918    1.6%
  Individual health......      60,309   12,617       --       47,692    --
  Group life and health..     408,097  220,265       --      187,832    --
  Annuity................   1,009,191   88,270       531     921,452    .05%
                           ---------- --------  --------  ----------    ---
                           $1,591,531 $324,993  $  2,356  $1,268,894     .2%
                           ========== ========  ========  ==========    ===
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
 1994
Life insurance in force..  $4,713,817 $468,811  $112,054  $4,357,060    2.6%
                           ========== ========  ========  ==========    ===
Premiums:
  Individual life........  $  148,702 $  3,639  $  1,265  $  146,328     .9%
  Individual health......      50,303   11,492       --       38,811    --
  Group life and health..     412,200  217,496       --      194,704    --
  Annuity................   1,246,241  179,402       567   1,067,406    .05%
                           ---------- --------  --------  ----------    ---
                           $1,857,446 $412,029  $  1,832  $1,447,249     .1%
                           ========== ========  ========  ==========    ===
</TABLE>
 
                                       47


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