IDS LIFE INSURANCE CO
POS AM, 1998-04-21
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<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-1

                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 7
                     TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-48701

                                      Under

                           The Securities Act of 1933

                           IDS Life Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

                                    Minnesota
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                       63
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

                                   41-0823832
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                    IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
                                 (612) 671-3131
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                 including area code, of registrant's principal
                               executive offices)

                           Mary Ellyn Minenko, Counsel
                           IDS Life Insurance Company
                 IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0534
                                 (612) 671-3678
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

It is proposed that this filing become effective on May 1, 1998.

If any of the  Securities  being  registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act of
1933, check the following box. [X]

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Calculation of Registration Fee
<S>                                 <C>               <C>                    <C>                      <C>   
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- -------------------
                                                                                     Proposed
Title of each class                                          Proposed                maximum
of securities to be                  Amount to be      maximum offering        aggregate offering         Amount of
     registered                         registered         price per unit                price         registration fee
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- -------------------

Interests in the Fixed                    N/A
Account of the Group,
Unallocated Fixed/Variable
Annuity Contracts for
Qualified Retirement
Plans
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                     PART I.

                       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Attached hereto and made a part hereof is the Prospectus dated May 1, 1998.

<PAGE>

                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                       Registration Statement on Form S-1

                              Cross-Reference Sheet
                     Pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 501(b)

Form S-1 Item Number and Caption                 Located in Prospectus;
                                                          Caption

1.     Forepart of the Registration
       Statement and Outside Front
       Cover Page of Prospectus........................Outside Front Cover

2.     Inside Front and Outside Back
       Cover Pages of Prospectus.......................Table of Contents

3.     Summary Information, Risk Factors
       and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
       Charges.........................................Summary or, as to ratio
                                                       of earnings to fixed
                                                       charges, Not Applicable

4.     Use of Proceeds.................................The variable accounts;
                                                       The fixed account

5.     Determination of Offering Price.................Not Applicable

6.     Dilution........................................Not Applicable

7.     Selling Security Holders........................Not Applicable

8.     Plan of Distribution............................Distribution of Contracts

9.     Description of Securities to Be
       Registered......................................The variable accounts;
                                                       The fixed account

10.    Interests of Named Experts and
       Counsel.........................................Not Applicable

11.    Information with Respect to the
       Registrant......................................About IDS Life;
                                                       Additional Information
                                                       about IDS Life

12.    Disclosure of Commission Position
       on Indemnification for Securities
       Act Liabilities.................................See Item 14 in Part II

<PAGE>

IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract

   
Prospectus
May 1, 1998
    

The Group Variable Annuity Contract is a group, unallocated deferred
fixed/variable annuity contract (the contract) offered by IDS Life Insurance
Company (IDS Life) a subsidiary of American Express Financial Corporation
(AEFC). This contract is designed to fund employer group retirement plans (the
plans) that qualify as retirement programs under Sections 401 (including 401(k))
and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The
contracts provide for the accumulation of values on a fixed and/or variable
basis. Retirement payments are made on a fixed basis.

   
New Group Variable Annuity Contracts are not currently being offered.
    

IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ

   
Sold by: IDS Life Insurance Company, IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010
Telephone: 800-437-0602.
    

This prospectus contains the information about the variable accounts that you
should know before investing. Refer to "The variable accounts" in this
prospectus.

   
The prospectus is accompanied or preceded by the Retirement Annuity Mutual Fund
prospectus for IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund, IDS Life International Equity
Fund, IDS Life Capital Resource Fund, IDS Life Managed Fund, IDS Life Special
Income Fund, IDS Life Moneyshare Fund, IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund, IDS Life
Global Yield Fund and IDS Life Income Advantage Fund. Please read these
documents carefully and keep them for future reference.
    

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

   
IDS Life is not a bank or financial institution and the securities it offers are
not deposits or obligations of, backed or guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or
financial institution nor are they insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other agency.
    

<PAGE>

A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) (incorporated by reference into this
prospectus) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is available
without charge by contacting IDS Life at the telephone number above or by
completing and sending the order form on the last page of this prospectus.
The table of contents of the SAI is on the last page of this prospectus.

<PAGE>

Table of contents

Key terms

The Group Variable Annuity Contract in brief

Expense summary

Condensed financial information

Financial statements

Performance information

The variable accounts

The funds
IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund IDS Life International Equity Fund IDS Life
Capital Resource Fund IDS Life Managed Fund IDS Life Special Income Fund IDS
Life Moneyshare Fund IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund IDS Life Global Yield Fund
IDS Life Income Advantage Fund

The fixed account

Buying the annuity
How to make purchase payments

Charges
Contract administrative charge
Mortality and expense risk fee
Withdrawal charge
Premium taxes

Valuing the investment
Number of units
Accumulation unit value
Net investment factor
Factors that affect variable account accumulation units

<PAGE>

Making the most of your annuity Transferring money between accounts How to
request a transfer or a withdrawal

Cash withdrawals, loans and conversions
Withdrawal policies
Loans
Receiving payout when the owner requests a withdrawal
Special withdrawal provisions
Conversion

Changing ownership

Contract transfer, termination and
 market value adjustment

The annuity payout period
Annuity payout plans

Taxes

Voting rights
       

Other contractual provisions

Distribution of contracts

Recordkeeper

Additional information about IDS Life

Directors and executive officers

Executive compensation

Security ownership of management

Legal proceedings and opinion

Experts

Appendix

<PAGE>

IDS Life financial information

About IDS Life

Periodic reports
Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

<PAGE>

Key terms

These terms can help you understand details about your annuity.

Annuity - A contract purchased from an insurance company that offers
tax-deferred growth of the investment until earnings are withdrawn.

Accumulation unit - A measure of the value of each variable account before
annuity payouts begin.

Annuity payouts - A fixed amount paid at regular intervals to a payee.

Close of business - When the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closes, normally
3:00 p.m. Central Time.

Code - Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Contract anniversary - An anniversary of the effective date of this Contract.

Contract value - The total value of your annuity before any applicable
withdrawal charge, market value adjustment, contract administrative charge or
any other applicable charge has been deducted.

Contract year - A period of 12 months, starting on the effective date of your
contract and on each anniversary of the effective date.

Fixed account - An account to which you may allocate purchase payments. Amounts
allocated to this account earn interest at rates that are declared periodically
by IDS Life.

IDS Life - In this prospectus, "we," "us," "our" and "IDS Life" refer to IDS
Life Insurance Company.

Mutual funds (funds) - Nine IDS Life Retirement Annuity mutual funds, each with
a different investment objective. (See "The funds.") You may allocate your
purchase payments into variable accounts investing in shares of any or all of
these funds.

Owner (you, your) - The plan sponsor or trustee of the Plan.

<PAGE>

Participant - An eligible employee or other person who is entitled to benefits
under the Plan.

Plan - The retirement Plan under which the Contract is issued and which meets
the requirements of Code Sections 401 (including 401(k)) or 457.

Purchase payments - Payments made to IDS Life for an annuity.

Retirement date - The date when a participant's annuity payouts are scheduled to
begin.

Valuation date - Any normal business day, Monday through Friday, that the New
York Stock Exchange is open. The value of each variable account is calculated at
the close of business on each valuation date.

Valuation period - The interval of time commencing at the close of business on
each valuation date and ending at the close of business on the next valuation
date. Close of business is normally 3 p.m.
(Central time).

Variable accounts - Separate accounts to which you may allocate purchase
payments; each invests in shares of one mutual fund. (See "The variable
accounts.") The value of your investment in each variable account changes with
the performance of the particular fund.

Withdrawal charge - A deferred sales charge that may be applied if the owner
takes a total or partial withdrawal or the contract is transferred or
terminated.

The Group Variable Annuity Contract in brief

Purpose: The Group Variable Annuity Contract is used for plans that meet the
requirements of Code sections 401 (including 401(k)) and 457.

Accounts: The owner can elect to have contract values accumulate in any or all
of:

o        nine variable accounts, each of which invests in mutual funds with a
         particular investment objective. The value of each variable account
         varies with the performance of the particular fund. We cannot guarantee
         that the value at the retirement date will equal or exceed the total of
         purchase payments allocated to the variable accounts. (p.)

o        one fixed account, which earns interest at rates that are adjusted
         periodically by IDS Life.(p.)

<PAGE>

Buying the annuity: A financial advisor will help the owner complete and submit
an application. Applications are subject to acceptance at our Minneapolis
office. Generally, payments may be made annually, semiannually, quarterly or
monthly or any other frequency we accept.

Transfers:  Subject to certain  restrictions,  you may redistribute  investments
among accounts without charge at any time while the contract is in force. (p.)

Cash Withdrawals,  Loans and Conversions:  The owner may withdraw all or part of
the contract's value at any time.  Withdrawals may be subject to charges and tax
penalties and may have tax  consequences.  Total withdrawals may be subject to a
market value adjustment. (p.)

The owner also may request a withdrawal for the purpose of funding loans for
participants. A withdrawal for a loan is not subject to withdrawal charges.
However, we reserve the right to deduct withdrawal charges from the remaining
contract value to the extent of any unpaid loans at the time of a total
withdrawal of contract value or at contract transfer or termination. (p.)

If a participant terminates employment, the owner may direct us to withdraw a
part of the contract value so that the participant can purchase an individual
deferred annuity contract from us. No withdrawal charges will apply at the time
of withdrawal for this conversion. (p.)

Contract Transfer, Termination and Market Value Adjustment: The owner may direct
us to  withdraw  the total  contract  value and  transfer  that value to another
funding agent. (p.)

Under certain circumstances, we may terminate the contract. (p.)

If the value of the fixed account is canceled due to total withdrawal, contract
transfer or contract termination, a market value adjustment may be imposed in
addition to applicable contract charges. The amount of the market value
adjustment approximates the gain or loss resulting from our sale of assets
purchased by the purchase payments. (p.)

   
Annuity payouts: The owner can direct us to begin retirement payouts to a payee
under an annuity payout plan that begins on the participant's retirement date.
The owner may choose from a variety of plans, or the owner and IDS Life can
mutually agree on other payout arrangements. The annuity payout plan selected
must meet the requirements of the plan. Payouts will be made on a fixed basis.
(p.)
    

<PAGE>

Taxes: Generally there is no federal income tax to participants on contributions
to the contract made by the owner or on increases in the contract's value until
distributions are made (under certain circumstances, tax penalties and other tax
consequences may apply.) IDS Life is taxed as a life insurance company under the
Code. The income and capital gains of the variable accounts, to the extent
applied to increase reserves under the contract, are not taxable to IDS Life.
(p.)

Charges: The Group Variable Annuity Contract is subject to a $125 per quarter
($500 annual) contract administrative charge. We reserve the right to increase
this charge, but it will never exceed $1,000 per year. We also deduct a 1%
mortality and expense risk charge and a withdrawal charge. Currently there are
no premium taxes under this contract, but certain state and local governments
may impose premium taxes when the owner selects an annuity payout plan. (p.)

Changing ownership: In general, ownership of the contract may not be 
transferred. (p.)

Prohibited investments: The owner will not offer under the plan as a funding
vehicle to which future contributions may be made: (1) guaranteed investment
contracts; (2) bank investment contracts; (3) annuity contracts; or (4) funding
vehicles providing a guarantee of principal. (p.)

Recordkeeper - Any person or entity authorized by the owner to administer
recordkeeping services for the plan and participants must be approved by IDS
Life. (p.)

Expense summary

   
The purpose of this table is to help the owner understand the various costs and
expenses associated with the Group Variable Annuity Contract.
    

Owner Expenses
Withdrawal Charge:
(as a percentage of amount withdrawn)

Contract Year                       Percentage
- -------------                       ----------
         1                              6%
         2                              6%
         3                              5%
         4                              4
         5                              3
         6                              2
         7                              1
    8 and later                         0

Annual contract administrative charge                $500
                                                     ($125 per quarter)

<PAGE>

Separate account annual expense
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the underlying fund)

Mortality and expense risk fee  1%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
Annual operating expenses of underlying mutual funds (Management fees and other
expenses deducted as a percentage of average net assets)
    

<S>              <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>

                  IDS Life      IDS Life     IDS Life                  IDS Life                 IDS Life    IDS Life     IDS Life
                  Aggressive  International  Capital      IDS Life     Special    IDS Life      Growth       Global        Income
                    Growth       Equity      Resource     Managed      Income     Moneyshare    Dimensions     Yield      Advantage

   
Management fees       0.60%       0.83%        0.60%       0.59%        0.60%        0.51%       0.63%        0.84%       0.62%

Other expenses        0.07        0.11         0.07        0.05         0.07         0.06        0.08         0.07        0.03

Total *               0.67%       0.94%        0.67%       0.64%        0.67%        0.57%       0.71%        0.91%       0.65%

*Annualized operating expenses of underlying mutual funds at Dec. 31, 1997.
    
Example:* The owner would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming 5% annual return and withdrawal at the end of each time period:

                  IDS Life      IDS Life     IDS Life                 IDS Life                 IDS Life    IDS Life     IDS Life
                  Aggressive  International  Capital     IDS Life     Special     IDS Life      Growth     Global        Income
                    Growth       Equity      Resource    Managed      Income      Moneyshare  Dimensions     Yield      Advantage
   
1 year             $ 90.75     $ 93.33      $ 90.75     $ 90.47      $ 90.75      $ 89.23     $ 91.14      $ 93.04     $ 90.56

3 years            $134.24     $142.01      $134.24     $133.37      $134.24      $129.62     $135.39      $141.15     $133.66

5 years            $180.50     $193.52      $180.50     $179.05      $180.50      $172.72     $182.44      $192.08     $179.53

10 years           $241.37     $269.47      $241.37     $238.20      $241.37      $224.36     $245.58      $266.38     $239.25
    
The owner would pay the following expenses on the same investment assuming no
withdrawal or selection of an annuity payout plan at the end of each time
period:

                  IDS Life      IDS Life     IDS Life                 IDS Life                 IDS Life    IDS Life     IDS Life
                  Aggressive  International  Capital     IDS Life     Special     IDS Life      Growth     Global        Income
                    Growth       Equity      Resource    Managed      Income      Moneyshare  Dimensions     Yield      Advantage
   
1 year             $ 18.55     $ 21.32      $ 18.55     $ 18.25      $ 18.55      $ 16.91     $ 18.96      $ 21.01     $ 18.35

3 years            $ 57.43     $ 65.81      $ 57.43     $ 56.49      $ 57.43      $ 52.43     $ 58.67      $ 64.88     $ 56.80

5 years            $ 98.78     $112.89      $ 98.78     $ 97.21      $ 98.78      $ 90.35     $100.88      $111.33     $ 97.73

10 years           $214.11     $242.93      $214.11     $210.86      $214.11      $196.66     $218.43      $239.76     $211.94
    
This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be more or less than those shown.

   
* In this example, the $500 annual contract administrative charge is
approximated as a 0.137% charge based on our average contract size.
    
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Condensed Financial Information (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following tables give per-unit  information  about the financial  history of
each variable account.

Year Ended Dec. 31,
                                1997       1996       1995      1994    1993    1992      1991     1990    1989    1988

                        Account F (investing in shares of Capital Resource Fund)

<S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>  
Accumulation unit              $6.67      $6.25      $4.94     $4.93   $4.82   $4.67     $3.22    $3.23   $2.57   $2.31
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $8.21      $6.67      $6.25     $4.94   $4.93   $4.82     $4.67    $3.22   $3.22   $2.57
at end of period

Number of accumulation       556,866    628,555    641,903   576,724 488,632 402,977   309,984  242,767 204,645 186,639
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%   1.00%   1.00%     1.00%    1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
expense to average

                        Account IZ1 (investing in shares of International Equity Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.49      $1.38      $1.25     $1.29   $0.98   $1.00        --       --      --      --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.52      $1.49      $1.38     $1.25   $1.29   $0.98        --       --      --      --
at end of period

Number of accumulation     1,168,353  1,220,486  1,088,874   913,364 405,536  69,874        --       --      --      --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ration of operating             1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%   1.00%   1.00%       --       --      --      --
expense to average
net assets

                        Account JZ1 (investing in shares of Aggressive Growth Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.68      $1.46      $1.12     $1.21   $1.08   $1.00        --       --      --      --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.88      $1.68      $1.46     $1.12   $1.21   $1.08        --       --      --      --
at end of period

Number of accumulation     1,168,829  1,172,793  1,007,976   780,423 347,336 115,574        --       --      --      --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ration of operating             1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%   1.00%   1.00%       --       --      --      --
expense to average
net assets


                        Account G (investing in shares of Special Income Fund)

Accumulation unit              $4.86      $4.59      $3.80     $3.99   $3.48   $3.21     $2.76    $2.67   $2.48   $2.27
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $5.25      $4.86      $4.59     $3.80   $3.99   $3.48     $3.21    $2.76   $2.67   $2.48
at end of period

Number of accumulation       316,789    362,167    393,697   361,640 405,429 330,000   270,858  236,926 222,248 175,878
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%   1.00%   1.00%     1.00%    1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
expense to average
net assets

                        Account H (investing in shares of Moneyshare Fund)

Accumulation unit              $2.36      $2.27      $2.18     $2.12   $2.09   $2.04     $1.95    $1.82   $1.69   $1.59
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $2.46      $2.36      $2.27     $2.18   $2.12   $2.09     $2.04    $1.95   $1.82   $1.69
at end of period

Number of accumulation        87,255     89,644    102,568    84,475  74,935 102,277   126,489  139,005 108,690  63,005
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%   1.00%   1.00%     1.00%    1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
expense to average
net assets

Simple yield2                   4.10%      3.77%      3.97%     4.16%   1.89%   1.76%     3.26%    6.25%   6.81%   7.30%

Compound yield2                 4.18%      3.84%      4.05%     4.24%   1.90%   1.77%     3.31%    6.44%   7.04%   7.57%

                        Account N (investing in shares of Managed Fund)

Accumulation unit              $2.97      $2.56      $2.09     $2.21   $1.98   $1.86     $1.45    $1.42   $1.14   $1.06
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $3.51      $2.97      $2.56     $2.09   $2.21   $1.98     $1.86    $1.45   $1.42   $1.14
at end of period

Number of accumulation     1,178,735  1,197,162  1,212,021 1,127,834 910,254 650,797   496,554  400,961 331,315 325,918
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%   1.00%   1.00%     1.00%    1.00%   1.00%   1.00%
expense to average
net assets


                        Account KZ3 (investing in shares of Global Yield Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.07      $1.00         --        --      --      --        --       --      --      --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.10      $1.07         --        --      --      --        --       --      --      --
at end of period

Number of accumulation        65,609     24,878         --        --      --      --        --       --      --      --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%        --        --      --      --        --       --      --      --
expense to average
net assets

                        Account LZ3 (investing in shares of Income Advantage Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.05      $1.00         --        --      --      --        --       --      --
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.18      $1.05         --        --      --      --        --       --      --
at end of period

Number of accumulation       175,024     59,939         --        --      --      --        --       --      --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%        --        --      --      --        --       --      --
expense to average
net assets


                        Account MZ3 (investing in shares of Growth Dimensions Fund)

Accumulation unit              $1.11      $1.00         --        --      --      --        --       -- 
value at beginning
of period

Accumulation unit value        $1.37      $1.11         --        --      --      --        --       --
at end of period

Number of accumulation       831,259    350,598         --        --      --      --        --       --
units outstanding at end
of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of operating              1.00%      1.00%        --        --      --      --        --       --
expense to average
net assets


1 Accounts IZ and JZ commenced operations on Jan. 13, 1992.
2 Net of annual  contract  administrative  charge and  mortality and expense 
risk fee. 
3 Accounts KZ, LZ and MZ commenced operations on April 30, 1996.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

Financial statements

   
The SAI dated May 1, 1998, contains:

o  complete audited financial statements of the variable accounts including:
   - statements of net assets as of Dec. 31, 1997;
   - statements of operations for the year ended Dec. 31, 1997, and
   - statements of changes in net assets for the years ended Dec. 31, 1997 and 
     Dec. 31, 1996, except for IDS Life Accounts KZ, LZ and MZ which are for 
     the year ended Dec. 31, 1997 and the period April 30, 1996 (commencement
     of operations) to Dec. 31, 1996.
    

This prospectus contains:

   
o  complete audited financial statements for IDS Life  including:
   - consolidated balance sheets as of Dec. 31, 1997 and Dec. 31, 1996; and
   - related consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity and
     cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
     Dec. 31, 1997.
    

Performance information

Performance information for the variable accounts may appear from time to time
in advertisements or sales literature. In all cases, such information reflects
the performance of a hypothetical investment in a particular account during a
particular time period. Calculations are performed as follows:

Simple yield - Account H (investing in IDS Life Moneyshare Fund): Income over a
given seven-day period (not counting any change in the capital value of the
investment) is annualized (multiplied by 52) by assuming that the same income is
received for 52 weeks. This annual income is then stated as an annual percentage
return on the investment.

Compound yield - Account H : Calculated like simple yield, except that, when
annualized, the income is assumed to be reinvested. Compounding of reinvested
returns increases the yield as compared to a simple yield.

Yield - For accounts investing in income funds: Net investment income (income
less expenses) per accumulation unit during a given 30-day period is divided by
the value of the unit on the last day of the period. The result is converted to
an annual percentage.

<PAGE>

Average annual total return: Expressed as an average annual compounded rate of
return of a hypothetical investment over a period of one, five and 10 years (or
up to the life of the account if it is less than 10 years old). This figure
reflects deduction of all applicable charges, including the contract
administrative charge, mortality and expense risk fee and withdrawal charge,
assuming a withdrawal at the end of the illustrated period. Optional average
annual total return quotations may be made that do not reflect a withdrawal
charge deduction (assuming no withdrawal).

Aggregate total return: Represents the cumulative change in the value of an
investment over a specified period of time (reflecting change in an account's
accumulation unit value). The calculation assumes reinvestment of investment
earnings and reflects the deduction of all applicable charges, including the
contract administrative charge, mortality and expense risk fee and withdrawal
charge, assuming a withdrawal at the end of the illustrated period. Optional
aggregate total return quotations may be made that do not reflect a withdrawal
charge deduction (assuming no withdrawal]). Aggregate total return may be shown
by means of schedules, charts or graphs.

Performance information should be considered in light of the investment
objectives and policies, characteristics and quality of the fund in which the
account invests and the market conditions during the given time period. Such
information is not intended to indicate future performance. Because advertised
yields and total return figures include all charges attributable to the annuity,
which has the effect of decreasing advertised performance, account performance
should not be compared to that of mutual funds that sell their shares directly
to the public. (See the SAI for a further description of methods used to
determine yield and total return for the accounts.)

If you would like additional information about actual performance, contact your
financial advisor.

The variable accounts

Purchase payments can be allocated to any or all of the variable accounts that
invest in shares of the following funds:

                                         IDS Life Account       Established

IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund                JZ               Sept. 20, 1991
IDS Life International Equity Fund             IZ               Sept. 20, 1991
IDS Life Capital Resource Fund                 F                May 13, 1981
IDS Life Managed Fund                          N                April 17, 1985
IDS Life Special Income Fund                   G                May 13, 1981
IDS Life Moneyshare Fund                       H                May 13, 1981
IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund                MZ               April 2, 1996
IDS Life Global Yield Fund                     KZ               April 2, 1996
IDS Life Income Advantage Fund                 LZ               April 2, 1996

<PAGE>

Each variable account meets the definition of a separate account under federal
securities laws. Income, capital gains and capital losses of each account are
credited or charged to that account alone. No variable account will be charged
with liabilities of any other account or of our general business. Each variable
account's net assets are held in relation to the contracts described in this
prospectus as well as other variable annuity contracts that we issue that are
not described in this prospectus. All obligations arising under the contracts
are general obligations of IDS Life.

All variable accounts were established under Minnesota law and are registered
together as a single unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the 1940 Act). This registration does not involve any supervision of our
management or investment practices and policies by the SEC.

The funds

IDS Life Aggressive Growth Fund
Objective: capital appreciation. Invests primarily in common stock of small- and
medium-size  companies.  The fund also may invest in warrants or debt securities
or in large well-established  companies when the portfolio manager believes such
investments offer the best opportunity for capital appreciation.

IDS Life International Equity Fund
Objective: capital appreciation. Invests primarily in common stock of foreign
issuers and foreign securities convertible into common stock. The fund also may
invest in certain international bonds if the portfolio manager believes they
have a greater potential for capital appreciation than equities.

IDS Life Capital Resource Fund
Objective: capital appreciation. Invests primarily in U.S. common stocks and 
other securities convertible into common stock, diversified over many different
companies in a variety of industries.

IDS Life Managed Fund
Objective:  maximum total investment  return.  Invests  primarily in U.S. common
stocks,  securities  convertible  into  common  stock,  warrants,  fixed  income
securities   (primarily   high-quality   corporate   bonds)   and   money-market
instruments.  The fund  invests  in many  different  companies  in a variety  of
industries.

IDS Life Special Income Fund
Objective:  to provide a high level of current income while conserving the value
of  the   investment  for  the  longest  time  period.   Invests   primarily  in
high-quality, lower-risk corporate bonds issued by many different companies in a
variety of industries and in government bonds.

<PAGE>

IDS Life Moneyshare Fund
Objective: maximum current income consistent with liquidity and conservation of
capital. Invests in high-quality money market securities with remaining
maturities of 13 months or less. The fund also will maintain a dollar-weighted
average portfolio maturity not exceeding 90 days. The fund attempts to maintain
a constant net asset value of $1 per share.

IDS Life Growth Dimensions Fund
Objective:  long-term growth of capital.  Invests  primarily in common stocks of
U.S. and foreign companies showing potential for significant growth.

IDS Life Global Yield Fund
Objective:  high total  return  through  income and growth of  capital.  Invests
primarily in a non-diversified  portfolio of debt securities of U.S. and foreign
issuers.

IDS Life Income Advantage Fund
Objective:  high current income,  with capital growth as a secondary  objective.
Invests in long-term, high-yielding,  high-risk debt securities below investment
grade issued by U.S. and foreign corporations.

More comprehensive information regarding each fund is contained in the fund
prospectus. You should read the fund prospectus and consider carefully, and on a
continuing basis, which fund or combination of funds is best suited to your
long-term investment needs. There is no assurance that the investment objectives
of the funds will be attained nor is there any guarantee that the contract value
will equal or exceed the total purchase payments made. Some funds may involve
more risk than others--please monitor your investments accordingly.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued final regulations relating to the
diversification requirements under Section 817(h) of the Code. Each mutual fund
intends to comply with these requirements.

The U.S. Treasury and the IRS have indicated that they may provide additional
guidance concerning how many variable accounts may be offered and how many
exchanges among variable accounts may be allowed before the owner is considered
to have investment control and thus is currently taxed on income earned within
variable account assets. We do not know at this time what the additional
guidance will be or when action will be taken. We reserve the right to modify
the contract, as necessary, to ensure that the owner will not be subject to
current taxation as the owner of the variable account assets.

We intend to comply with all federal tax laws to ensure that the contract
continues to qualify as an annuity for federal income tax purposes. We reserve
the right to modify the contract as necessary to comply with any new tax laws.

<PAGE>

   
IDS Life is the investment manager and AEFC is the investment advisor for each
of the funds. American Express Asset Management International Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of AEFC, is the sub-investment advisor for IDS Life
International Equity Fund. The investment manager and advisors cannot guarantee
that the funds will meet their investment objectives. Please read the Retirement
Annuity Mutual Fund prospectus for complete information on investment risks,
deductions, expenses and other facts you should know before investing. It is
available by contacting IDS Life at the address or telephone number on the front
of this prospectus, or from your financial advisor.
    

The fixed account

Purchase payments may also be allocated to the fixed account. The cash value of
the fixed account increases as interest is credited to the account. Purchase
payments and transfers to the fixed account become part of the general account
of IDS Life, the company's main portfolio of investments. Interest is credited
daily and compounded annually. We may change the interest rates from time to
time.

In addition, a market value adjustment is imposed on the fixed account if the
owner cancels the value of the fixed account due to total withdrawal, contract
transfer or contract termination. The amount of the market value adjustment
approximates the gain or loss resulting from sale by IDS Life of assets
purchased with purchase payments. (See "Market value adjustment.")

Buying the annuity

A financial advisor will help the owner prepare and submit an application and
send it along with the initial purchase payment to our Minneapolis office.
Please remember that investment performance, expenses and deduction of certain
charges affect accumulation unit value.

When applying, you can select

o        the account(s) in which to invest
o        how to make purchase payments

If the application is complete, we will process it and apply the purchase
payments to your account(s) within two business days after we receive it at our
Minneapolis office. If the application is accepted, we will send the owner a
contract. If we cannot accept the application within five business days, we will
decline it and return the payment unless the parties agree otherwise. We will
credit additional purchase payments to the contract's account(s) at the next
close of business after we receive and accept your payments at our Minneapolis
office.

<PAGE>

How to make purchase payments

1        By letter

Send your check along with your name and account number to:

Regular mail:

IDS Life Insurance Company
P.O. Box 74
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0074

Express mail:

IDS Life Insurance Company
733 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55402

2        By scheduled payment plan

A financial advisor can help set up:

o        participant salary reduction

Charges

Contract administrative charge
This fee is for establishing and maintaining your records. We deduct $125 from
the contract value at the end of each contract quarter (each three-month period
measured from the effective date of your contract). We deduct this charge on a
pro-rata basis from the fixed and variable accounts. Annual charge: $500. We
reserve the right to increase the contract administrative charge in the future,
but we guarantee that it will never exceed $250 per quarter ($1,000 per year).

Mortality and expense risk fee
This fee is to cover the mortality risk and expense risk and is applied daily to
the variable accounts and reflected in the unit values of the accounts. The
variable accounts pay this fee at the time that dividends are distributed from
the funds in which they invest. Annually, the fee totals 1% of the variable
accounts' average daily net assets. Approximately two-thirds of this amount is
for our assumption of mortality risk and one-third is for our assumption of
expense risk. This fee does not apply to the fixed account.

<PAGE>

Mortality risk arises because of our guarantee to make annuity payouts according
to the terms of the contract, no matter how long a specific participant lives
and no matter how long the entire group of IDS Life annuitants live. If, as a
group, IDS Life annuitants outlive the life expectancy we have assumed in our
actuarial tables, then we must take money from our general assets to meet our
obligations. If, as a group, IDS Life annuitants do not live as long as
expected, we could profit from the mortality risk fee.

Expense risk arises because the contract administrative charge cannot be
increased above $1,000 per year and may not cover our expenses. Any deficit
would have to be made up from our general assets.

We may use any profits realized from the mortality and expense risk fee for any
proper corporate purpose, including, among others, payment of distribution
(selling) expenses. We do not expect that the withdrawal charge, discussed in
the following paragraphs, will cover sales and distribution expenses.

Withdrawal charge

If the owner withdraws part or all of the contract, a withdrawal charge may
apply. This withdrawal charge represents a percentage of the amount withdrawn as
follows:

           Withdrawal Charge as
             Percent of
             Contract Year                         Amount Withdrawn
             -------------                         ----------------
                   1                                       6%
                   2                                       6
                   3                                       5
                   4                                       4
                   5                                       3
                   6                                       2
                   7                                       1
                   8 and later                             0

In the case of partial withdrawal, the withdrawal charge is deducted from the
contract value remaining after the owner is paid the amount requested.

<PAGE>

Example of withdrawal charge:

Owner requests $1,000 partial withdrawal, and the withdrawal charge is 5%:

      1,000 partial withdrawal       = $1,052.63
                 .95

Total amount withdrawn...............................$   1,052.63
                                                     x       0.05
Total withdrawal charge..............................$      52.63

There are no withdrawal charges for withdrawals on behalf of a participant if
the participant:

o attains age 59 1/2;
o purchases an immediate annuity under the annuity payout plans of this contract
after separation from service; o retires under the plan after age 55; o becomes
disabled (as defined by the Code); o dies; o encounters financial hardship as
permitted under the plan and the Code; o receives a loan as requested by the
owner; o converts contract value to an individual retirement annuity or other
qualified annuity offered by IDS life as requested by the owner.

Under no circumstance will withdrawal charges exceed 8.5% of aggregate purchase
payments made.

Possible group reductions: In some cases lower sales and administrative expenses
may be incurred or we may perform fewer services. In such cases, we may be able
to reduce or eliminate certain contract charges. However, we expect this to
occur infrequently.

Premium taxes

Currently, there are no premium taxes under this contract. However, a charge
will be made by IDS Life against the contract value for any state and local
premium taxes to the extent the taxes are payable in connection with the
purchase of an annuity contract under the annuity payout plans.

<PAGE>

Valuing the investment

Here is how the accounts are valued:

Fixed account: The amounts allocated to the fixed account are valued directly in
dollars and equal the sum of your purchase payments, plus interest earned, less
any amounts withdrawn or transferred (including the contract administrative
charge).

Variable accounts: Amounts allocated to the variable accounts are converted into
accumulation units. Each time the owner makes a purchase payment or transfers
amounts into one of the variable accounts, a certain number of accumulation
units are credited to the contract for that account. Conversely, each time the
owner takes a partial withdrawal, transfers amounts out of a variable account or
is assessed a contract administrative charge, a certain number of accumulation
units are subtracted from the contract.

The accumulation units are the true measure of investment value in each account
during the accumulation period. They are related to, but not the same as, the
net asset value of the underlying fund. The dollar value of each accumulation
unit can rise or fall daily depending on the performance of the underlying
mutual fund and on certain fund expenses. Here is how unit values are
calculated:

Number of units
To calculate the number of accumulation units for a particular account, we
divide the investment by the current accumulation unit value.

Accumulation unit value
The current accumulation unit value for each variable account equals the last
value times the account's current net investment factor.

Net investment factor:

   
o Determined by adding the underlying mutual fund's current net asset
  value per share, plus per share amount of any current dividend or
  capital gain distribution; then
o dividing that sum by the previous net asset value per share; and
o subtracting the percentage factor representing the mortality and expense risk
fee from the result.
    

Because the net asset value of the underlying mutual fund may fluctuate, the
accumulation unit value may increase or decrease. The owner bears this
investment risk in a variable account.

<PAGE>

Factors that affect variable account accumulation units
Accumulation units may change in two ways; in number and in value. Here are the
factors that influence those changes:

The number of accumulation units owned may fluctuate due to:

o        additional purchase payments allocated to the variable account(s);
o        transfers into or out of the variable account(s);
o        partial withdrawals;
o        withdrawal charges; and/or
o        contract administrative charges.

Accumulation unit values may fluctuate due to:

o changes in underlying mutual fund(s) net asset value; o dividends distributed
to the variable account(s); o capital gains or losses of underlying mutual
funds; o mutual fund operating expenses; and/or o mortality and expense risk
fees.

Making the most of the annuity

   
Transferring money between accounts
The owner may transfer money from one account, including the fixed account, to
another before the annuity payouts begin. We will process your transfer request
at the next close of business after we receive it. There is no charge for
transfers. Before making a transfer, the owner should consider the risks
involved in switching investments.
    

We may suspend or modify transfer privileges at any time. Any restriction
imposed by the plan will apply.

How to request a transfer or a withdrawal

A transfer or withdrawal request can be made by letter or we can agree to
another method. Send the plan name, account number, Social Security Number or
Taxpayer Identification Number and signed request for a transfer or withdrawal
to:

Regular mail:
IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55440-0010

<PAGE>

Express mail:
IDS Life Insurance Company
733 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN  55402

   
As owner, you may withdraw all or part of the annuity contract value at any time
by  sending  a written  request  or by any other  method  we  accept.  For total
withdrawals,  we will  compute  the value of the  contract  at the next close of
business  after we  receive  the  request.  We may ask the owner to  return  the
contract.  The owner may have to pay withdrawal  charges (see "Charges") and IRS
taxes and penalties (see "Taxes").
    

Cash Withdrawals, loans and conversions

Withdrawal policies

o  If the owner requests a total withdrawal, payment will equal the total
   contract value less the contract administrative charge, any applicable
   premium tax and withdrawal charge.

o  The owner or the recordkeeper must state the reason for a partial withdrawal.

o  If the contract has a balance in more than one account and request for
   a partial withdrawal is made, we will withdraw money from all the
   accounts in the same proportion as the value in each account correlates
   to the total contract value, unless requested otherwise.

o  For total withdrawals from the fixed account, a market value adjustment
   may apply. (See "Contract transfer, termination and market value
   adjustment" below.)

Loans

The owner may request withdrawals for the purpose of funding loans for
participants. At the time of the loan request, the owner must specify from which
accounts the withdrawal for the loan should be made. The amount and terms of the
loan must be in accordance with the applicable requirements of the plan and the
Code. IDS Life assumes no responsibility for the validity of the loan or whether
the loan complies with such applicable requirements.

Withdrawals for the purpose of funding a loan under the plan will not be subject
to withdrawal charges when the loan is made. However, we reserve the right to
deduct any such withdrawal charges from the remaining contract value to the
extent of any unpaid loans at the time of a total withdrawal of the contract
value or at contract transfer or termination. (See "Charges.")

<PAGE>

Receiving payout when the owner requests a withdrawal

By regular or express mail

o    Payable to owner

o    Normally mailed to address of record within seven days after receiving the
     request. However, we may postpone the payout if:

                - the withdrawal amount includes a purchase payment check that
                has not cleared - the NYSE is closed, except for normal holiday
                and weekend closings - trading on the NYSE is restricted,
                according to SEC rules
                - an emergency, as defined by SEC rules, makes it impractical to
                sell securities or value the net assets of the accounts - the
                SEC permits us to delay payment for the protection of security
                holders.

Special withdrawal provisions

o        The rights of any person to any benefits under the plans under which
         these contracts are issued will be subject to the terms and conditions
         of the plans themselves, regardless of the terms and conditions of the
         contract issued in connection with the plans.

o        IDS Life reserves the right to defer the payment of amounts withdrawn
         from the fixed account for a period not to exceed six months from the
         date we receive the request for withdrawal.

o        Since contracts offered will be issued in connection with plans that
         meet the requirements of Code Sections 401 (including 401(k)) and 457,
         reference should be made to the terms of the particular plan for any
         further limitations or restrictions on cash withdrawals.

o        A withdrawal charge will be deducted from the amount withdrawn subject
         to certain limitations and exceptions. (See "Charges.") A cash
         withdrawal is also subject to federal income taxes and may incur
         federal tax penalties. The tax consequences of a cash withdrawal
         payment should be carefully considered. (See "Taxes.")

<PAGE>

Conversion

In the event of a participant's termination of employment or for other reasons
that meet the requirements of the plan and the Code and which are acceptable to
us, the owner may elect to transfer, on the participant's behalf, part of the
contract value to an individual deferred annuity contract then offered by IDS
Life. This individual contract will be qualified as an individual retirement
annuity under Section 408 or will qualify under other applicable sections of the
Code. Such contract will be in a form then customarily issued by us for business
under such qualified plans. No withdrawal charges will apply at the time of such
conversion.

Changing ownership

Ownership of the contract may not be transferred except to:

o   a trustee or successor trustee of a pension or profit sharing trust that is
qualified under the Code; or

o   as otherwise permitted by laws and regulations governing the plans under
which the contract is issued.

Subject to the provisions above, the contract may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, discounted or pledged as collateral for a loan or as security for
the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose to any person except
IDS Life.

Contract transfer, termination and market value adjustment

Withdrawals by owner for transfer of funds
The owner may direct IDS Life to withdraw the total contract value and transfer
that value to another funding agent. All applicable contract charges including
withdrawal charges will be payable by the owner and will be deducted from the
first payout unless the total contract value is transferred to a plan offered by
IDS Life or its affiliates. (See "Charges.")

The owner must provide IDS Life with a written request to make such a
withdrawal. This written request must be sent to our Minneapolis office and must
specify the initial withdrawal date and payee to whom the payouts are to be
made.

<PAGE>

At the owner's option, we will pay the contract value less any applicable
charges in annual installments or in a lump sum as follows:

1. The contract value may be paid in five annual installments beginning on the
initial withdrawal date and then on each of the next four anniversaries of such
date as follows:

            % of Then Remaining
            Installment Payment                   Contract Value Balance
            -------------------                   ----------------------
                     1                                     20%
                     2                                     25
                     3                                     33
                     4                                     50
                     5                                    100

No additional withdrawals for benefits or other transfers of contract values
will be allowed and no additional purchase payments will be accepted after the
first withdrawal payment is made. We will continue to credit interest to any
contract value balance remaining after an installment payment at the interest
crediting rate then in effect for the fixed account.

2. The contract value may be paid in a lump sum. Any amount attributable to the
fixed account value will be based on the market value of such balance. The
market value will be determined by us by applying the formula described below
under "Market value adjustment." We will make lump sum payments according to the
provisions of the above section titled "Receiving a payment when you request a
withdrawal."

Market value adjustment - A market value adjustment (MVA) applies only when we
pay out the fixed account value in a lump sum when:

o   the owner withdraws the total contract value to transfer that value to
    another funding vehicle;

o   the owner makes a total withdrawal of the fixed account contract value; or

o   we terminate the contract as described below. (See "Contract termination.")

The MVA will be applied to the amount being withdrawn from the fixed account
after deduction of any applicable contract administrative charge and withdrawal
charge. (See "Charges.")

<PAGE>

The MVA will reflect the relationship between the current interest rate being
credited to new purchase payments allocated to the fixed account and the rate
being credited to all prior purchase payments. The MVA is calculated as follows:

MVA = fixed account value x (A - B) x C

Where:

A        = the weighted average interest rate (in decimal form) being credited
         to all fixed account purchase payments made by the owner at the time of
         termination, rounded to 4 decimal places;

B        = the interest rate (in decimal form) being credited to new purchase
         payments to the contract at the time of termination or total
         withdrawal, rounded to 4 decimal places; and

C        = the annuity factor, which represents the relationship between the
         contract year and the average duration of underlying investments from
         the following table:

                         Contract Year                          Annuity Factor
                              1-3                                     6.0
                              4-6                                     5.0
                              7+                                      4.0

For an example showing an upward and downward MVA, please see Appendix A.

No MVA applies if:

o   the owner makes a partial withdrawal of the fixed account contract value;

o   installment payments are made when the owner withdraws the total
    contract value to transfer that value to another funding vehicle or we
    terminate the contract; or

o   the owner transfers contract values from the fixed account to the
    variable accounts as described above under "Transfer money between
    accounts."

<PAGE>

Contract termination
We reserve the right upon 30 days' written notice to the owner to declare a
contract termination date that will be any date on or after the expiration of
the 30-day notification period.

A contract termination date may be declared if:

o        The owner adopts an amendment to the plan that causes the plan to be
         materially different from the plan originally in existence when the
         contract was purchased. To be "materially different," the amendment
         must cause a substantial change in the level of the dollar amounts of
         purchase payments or contract benefits to be paid by us;

o        The plan fails to qualify or becomes disqualified under the appropriate
         sections of the Code;

o        The owner offers under the plan as a funding vehicle to which future
         contributions may be made a guaranteed investment contract, bank
         investment contract, annuity contract or funding vehicle providing a
         guarantee of principal. See "Prohibited Investments;" or

o        The owner changes to a recordkeeper that is not approved by us.

If we waive our rights to terminate the contract under any provision of this
section at any time, such waiver will not be considered a precedent and will not
prohibit us from exercising the right to terminate this contract, for the
reasons noted above, at any future time.

Procedures at contract termination
On the contract termination date, we will withdraw any outstanding charges,
including any contract administrative charges, from the contract value. A
withdrawal charge may apply and be payable by the owner on account of any
termination under this provision and will be deducted from the first termination
payment. (See "Charges.")

At the owner's option, we will pay the contract value in a lump sum or in annual
installment payouts according to the table under "Withdrawals by owner for
transfer of funds" above. A lump sum payout will be subject to an applicable MVA
to the fixed account value. If the owner does not select an option, we will pay
the contract value to you under the installment option.

<PAGE>

The annuity payout period

When a plan participant reaches his or her retirement date, the owner of the
contract may select one of the annuity payout plans outlined below or the owner
and IDS Life will mutually agree on other payout arrangements. No withdrawal
charges are deducted under the payout plans listed below.

Retirement payouts will be made on a fixed basis. We will make these retirement
payouts under a supplemental fixed immediate annuity in the form customarily
offered by us at the time of purchase.

Annuity payout plans
The owner may choose any one of these annuity payout plans by giving us written
instructions at least 30 days before contract values are to be used to purchase
the payout plan.

o Plan A - Life annuity - no refund: Monthly payouts are made until the
annuitant's death. Payouts end with the last payout before the annuitant's
death; no further payouts will be made. This means that if the annuitant dies
after only one monthly payout has been made, no more payouts will be made.

   
o Plan B - Life annuity with five, 10 or 15 years certain: Monthly payouts are
made for a guaranteed payout period of five, 10 or 15 years that you elect. This
election will determine the length of the payout period to the beneficiary if
the annuitant should die before the elected period has expired. The guaranteed
payout period is calculated from the retirement date. If the annuitant outlives
the elected guaranteed payout period, payouts will continue until the
annuitant's death.
    

o Plan C - Life annuity - installment refund: Monthly payouts are made until the
annuitant's death, with our guarantee that payouts will continue for some period
of time. Payouts will be made for at least the number of months determined by
dividing the amount applied under this option by the first monthly payout,
whether or not the annuitant is living.

o Plan D - Joint and last survivor life annuity - no refund: Monthly payouts are
made while both the annuitant and a joint annuitant are living. If either
annuitant dies, monthly payouts continue at the full amount until the death of
the surviving annuitant. Payouts end with the death of the second annuitant.

   
o Plan E - Payouts for a specified period: Monthly payouts are made for a
specific payout period of 10 to 30 years that you elect. Payouts will be made
only for the number of years specified whether the annuitant is living or not.
Depending on the time period selected, it is foreseeable that an annuitant can
outlive the payout period selected. In addition, a 10% IRS penalty tax could
apply under this payout plan. (See "Taxes.")
    

<PAGE>

Restrictions on payout options:

Since the contract is issued in connection with plans that meet the requirements
of code section 401 (including 401(k)) and 457, the payout schedule must meet
the applicable requirements of the particular plan and of the code, including
the distribution and incidental death benefit requirements. In general, the plan
must provide for retirement payouts:

o        over the life of the participant;
o        over the joint lives of the participant and a designated beneficiary;
o        for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the participant; or
o        for a period not exceeding the joint life expectancies of the 
         participant and a designated beneficiary.

If monthly payouts would be less than $20: We will calculate the amount of
monthly payouts at the time the immediate annuity is purchased to provide
retirement payouts. If the calculations show that monthly payouts would be less
than $20, we have the right to pay the contract value to the owner in a lump
sum.

Taxes

Tax treatment of IDS Life and the variable accounts: IDS Life is taxed as a life
insurance company under the Code. Although the operations of the variable
accounts are accounted for separately from other operations of IDS Life for
purposes of federal income taxation, the variable accounts are not taxable as
entities separate from IDS Life. Under existing federal income tax laws, the
income and capital gains of the variable accounts, to the extent applied to
increase reserves under the contracts, are not taxable to IDS Life.

Taxation of annuities in general: Generally, there is no tax to a participant on
contributions made by the owner to the contract or on any increases in the value
of the contract. However, when distribution to a participant occurs, the
distribution will be subject to taxation (except contributions that were made
with after-tax dollars).

<PAGE>

Penalties: If participants receive amounts from the contract before reaching age
59-1/2, they may have to pay a 10% IRS penalty on the amount includable in their
ordinary income. However, this penalty will not apply to any amount received by
the participant or designated beneficiary:

o   because of the participant's death;
o   because the participant becomes disabled (as defined in the Code); 
o   if the distribution is part of a series of substantially equal periodic
    payments after separation from service, made at least  annually, over the
    participant's life or life expectancy (or joint lives or life expectancies
    of the participant and designated beneficiary);
o   if the participant retires under the plan during or after the year he or she
    attains age 55; or 
o   if the payout is a 457 plan distribution.

Other penalties or exceptions may apply if distributions are made from the
annuity before your plan specifies that payouts can be made.

Withholding: If the participant receives a distribution, mandatory 20% income
tax withholding generally will be imposed at the time the payout is made. Any
withholding that is done represents a prepayment of the participant's tax due
for the year and the participant will take credit for such amounts when filing
an annual tax return. This mandatory withholding will not be imposed if: o
instead of receiving the distribution check, the participant elects to have the
distribution rolled over directly to an IRA or another eligible plan;

o        the payout is one in a series of substantially equal periodic payouts,
         made at least annually, over the participant's life or life expectancy
         (or the joint lives or life expectancies of the participant and
         designated beneficiary) or over a specified period of 10 years or more;
o        the payout is a minimum distribution required under the Code; or
o        the payout is a 457 plan distribution.

Payouts made to a surviving spouse instead of being directly rolled over to an
IRA may also be subject to 20% income tax withholding.

   
If a distribution is made to the participant from a contract offered under a
Section 457 plan (deferred compensation plan of state and local governments and
tax-exempt organizations), withholding is computed using payroll methods,
depending upon the type of payment.
    

<PAGE>

Elective withholding: If the distribution is not subject to mandatory
withholding as described above, the participant can elect not to have any
withholding occur. To do this we must be provided with a valid Social Security
Number or Taxpayer Identification Number.

If this election is not made and if the payout is part of an annuity payout
plan, the amount of withholding generally is computed using payroll tables.
Please send us a statement of how many exemptions to use in calculating the
withholding. If the distribution is any other type of payment (such as a partial
or full withdrawal), withholding is computed using 10% of the taxable portion.

Some states also impose withholding requirements similar to the federal
withholding described above. If this should be the case, any payments from which
federal withholding is deducted may also have state withholding deducted.

The withholding requirements may differ if payment is being made to a non-U.S.
citizen or if the payment is being delivered outside the United States.

Important: Our discussion of federal tax laws is based upon our understanding of
these laws as they are currently interpreted. Federal tax laws or current
interpretations of them may change. For this reason and because tax consequences
are complex and highly individual and cannot always be anticipated, please
consult a tax advisor regarding any questions about taxation of the annuity
contract.

Tax qualification

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

Voting rights

The contract owner or other authorized party with investments in the variable
account(s) may vote on important mutual fund policies. We will vote fund shares
according to the instructions we receive.

The number of votes is determined by applying the percentage interest in each
variable account to the total number of votes allowed to the account.

<PAGE>

We calculate votes separately for each account not more than 60 days before a
shareholders' meeting. Notice of these meetings, proxy materials and a statement
of the number of votes to which the voter is entitled, will be sent.

We will vote shares for which we have not received instructions in the same
proportion as the votes for which we have received instructions. We also will
vote the shares for which we have voting rights in the same proportion as the
votes for which we have received instructions.
       

Other contractual provisions

Modification

Upon notice to the owner, the contract may be modified by IDS Life if such
modification:

o        is necessary to make the contract or the variable accounts comply with
         any law or regulation issued by a governmental agency to which we or
         the variable accounts are subject;
o        is necessary to assure continued qualification of the contract under
         the Code or other federal or state laws relating to retirement
         annuities or annuity contracts;
o        is necessary to reflect a change in the variable accounts; or
o        provides additional accumulation options for the variable accounts.

In the event of any such modification, we may make appropriate endorsement to
the contract to reflect such modification.

Prohibited investments
While the contract is in force, and prior to any withdrawal or contract
termination, the owner will not offer under the plan as a funding vehicle to
which future contributions may be made any of the following: o guaranteed
investment contracts; o bank investment contracts; o annuity contracts with
fixed and/or variable accounts; or o funding vehicles providing a guarantee of
principal.

IDS Life reserves the right to terminate the contract if one or more of these
prohibited investments is offered.

Proof of condition or event
Where any payments under the contract depend on the recipient being alive and/or
being a certain age on a given date, or depend on the occurrence of a specific
event, IDS Life may require proof satisfactory to it that such a condition has
been met prior to making the payment.

<PAGE>

Distribution of contracts

IDS Life is the principal underwriter for the contracts. We are registered with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1934 Act) as a broker-dealer
and are a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

We may enter into distribution agreements with certain broker-dealers registered
under the 1934 Act. We will pay a maximum commission of 7% for the sale of a
contract. In addition, we may pay a service commission when the owner maintains
the contract in force.

Recordkeeper

We provide a contract to fund plans that meet the requirements of Code Sections
401 (including 401(k)) and 457. We do not provide any administrative or
recordkeeping services in connection with the Plan. We will rely on information
and/or instructions provided by the Plan administrator and/or recordkeeper in
order to properly administer the contract. For this reason, any person or entity
authorized by the owner to administer recordkeeping services for the Plan and
participants must be approved by IDS Life.

Additional information about IDS Life

Selected financial data
The following selected financial data for IDS Life and its subsidiaries should
be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Years ended Dec. 31, (thousands)
                                    1997            1996           1995            1994           1993
<S>                            <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>   

   
Premiums                        $   206,494    $   182,921     $   161,530    $   144,640     $   127,245

Net investment income             1,988,389      1,965,362       1,907,309      1,781,873       1,783,219

Net gain (loss) on investments          860           (159)         (4,898)        (4,282)         (6,737)

Other                               682,618        574,341         472,035        384,105         304,344

Total revenues                  $ 2,878,361    $ 2,722,465     $ 2,535,976    $ 2,306,336     $ 2,208,071

Income before income taxes      $   680,911    $   621,714     $   560,782    $   512,512     $   412,726

Net income                      $   474,247    $   414,576     $   364,940    $   336,169     $   270,079

Total assets                    $52,974,124    $47,305,981     $42,900,078    $35,747,543     $33,057,753
    
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

   
Management's discussion and analysis of consolidated financial condition and 
results of operations

Results of operations

1997 compared to 1996:

Consolidated net income increased 14% to $474 million in 1997, compared to $415
million in 1996. Earnings growth resulted primarily from increases in management
fees and policyholder and contractholder charges. These increases reflect higher
average insurance and annuities in force during 1997.

Consolidated income before income taxes totaled $681 million in 1997, compared
with $622 million in 1996. In 1997, $179 million was from the life, disability
income and long-term care insurance segment, compared with $161 million in 1996
and $502 million was from the annuity segment, compared with $461 million in
1996.

Total premiums received decreased to $5.2 billion in 1997, compared with $6.1
billion in 1996. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in sales of fixed
annuities in 1997.

Total revenues increased to $2.9 billion in 1997, compared with $2.7 billion in
1996. The increase is primarily due to increases in net investment income,
policyholder and contractholder charges, and management fees. Net investment
income, the largest component of revenues, increased slightly from the prior
year, reflecting slight increases in investments owned and investment yields.

Policyholder and contractholder charges, which consist primarily of cost of
insurance charges on universal life-type policies, increased 13% to $342 million
in 1997, compared with $303 million in 1996. This increase reflects increased
total life insurance in force which grew 12% to $75 billion at Dec. 31, 1997.

Management and other fees increased 26% to $341 million in 1997, compared with
$271 million in 1996. This is primarily due to an increase in separate account
assets, which grew 25% to $23 billion at Dec. 31, 1997, due to market
appreciation and sales. The Company provides investment management services for
the mutual funds used as investment options for variable annuities and variable
life insurance. The Company also receives a mortality and expense risk fee from
the separate accounts.

Total benefits and expenses increased slightly to $2.2 billion in 1997. The
largest component of expenses, interest credited to policyholder accounts for
universal life-type insurance and investment contracts, remained steady at $1.4
billion. DAC increased to $323 million compared to $279 million in 1996. These
increases were due primarily to increased aggregate amounts in force.
    
<PAGE>
   
1996 compared to 1995:

Consolidated net income increased 14% to $415 million in 1996, compared to $365
million in 1995. Earnings growth resulted primarily from increases in management
fees and policyholder and contractholder charges partially offset by a slight
decrease in investment margins. These increases reflect increased average
insurance and annuities in force during 1996. Investment margins were below
prior year levels primarily due to increasing interest credited rates throughout
1996.

Consolidated income before income taxes totaled $622 million in 1996, compared
with $561 million in 1995. In 1996, $161 million was from the life, disability
income and long-term care insurance segment, compared with $125 million in 1995.
In 1996, $461 million was from the annuity segment, compared with $440 million
in 1995.

Total premiums received increased to $6.1 billion in 1996, compared with $5.0
billion in 1995. This increase is primarily due to an increase in sales of
variable annuities in 1996.

Total revenues increased to $2.7 billion in 1996, compared with $2.5 billion in
1995. The increase is primarily due to increases in net investment income,
policyholder and contractholder charges, and management fees. Net investment
income, the largest component of revenues, increased from the prior year,
reflecting a slight increase in investments owned.

Policyholder and contractholder charges, which consist primarily of cost of
insurance charges on universal life-type policies, increased 18% to $303 million
in 1996, compared with $256 million in 1995. This increase reflects increased
total life insurance in force which grew 13% to $67 billion at Dec. 31, 1996.

Management and other fees increased 26% to $271 million in 1996, compared with
$216 million in 1995. This is primarily due to an increase in separate account
assets, which grew 24% to $19 billion at Dec. 31, 1996, due to market
appreciation and sales. The Company provides investment management services for
the mutual funds used as investment options for variable annuities and variable
life insurance. The Company also receives a mortality and expense risk fee from
the separate accounts.

Total benefits and expenses increased slightly to $2.1 billion in 1996. The
largest component of expenses, interest credited to policyholder accounts for
universal life-type insurance and investment contracts, increased to $1.4
billion. This was due to increased aggregate amounts in force and an increase in
average interest credited rates.
    
<PAGE>
   
Risk management

The Company primarily invests in fixed income securities over a broad range of
maturities for the purpose of providing fixed annuity clients with a competitive
rate of return on their investments while minimizing risk, and to provide a
dependable and targeted spread between the interest rate earned on investments
and the interest rate credited to clients' accounts. The Company does not invest
in securities to generate trading profits.

The Company has an investment committee that holds regularly scheduled meetings
and, when necessary, special meetings. At these meetings, the committee reviews
models projecting different interest rate scenarios and their impact on
profitability. The objective of the committee is to structure the investment
security portfolio based upon the type and behavior of products in the liability
portfolio so as to achieve targeted levels of profitability.

Rates credited to clients' accounts are generally reset at shorter intervals
than the maturity of underlying investments. Therefore, margins may be
negatively impacted by increases in the general level of interest rates. Part of
the committee's strategy includes the purchase of some types of derivatives,
such as interest rate caps and swaps, for hedging purposes. These derivatives
protect margins by increasing investment returns if there is a sudden and severe
rise in interest rates, thereby mitigating the impact of an increase in rates
credited to clients' accounts.

The amount of the fee income the Company receives is based upon the daily market
value of the separate account and mutual fund assets. As a result, the Company's
fee income could be impacted significantly by a decline in the equity markets.
Another part of the committee's strategy is to enter into index option collars
(combinations of puts and calls) for hedging purposes. These derivatives protect
fee income by providing option income when there is a significant decline in the
equity markets, which mitigates the impact of the corresponding decline in
separate account and mutual fund assets. The Company finances the cost of this
protection through selling a portion of the upside potential from an increasing
market through written options.

Liquidity and capital resources

The liquidity requirements of the Company are met by funds provided by premiums,
investment income, proceeds from sales of investments as well as maturities and
periodic repayments of investment principal.

The primary uses of funds are policy benefits, commissions and operating
expenses, policy loans, dividends and investment purchases.
    
<PAGE>
   
The Company has an  available  line of credit with its parent  aggregating  $100
million.  The line of credit is used strictly as short-term sources of funds. No
borrowings  were  outstanding  under the agreement at Dec. 31, 1997. At Dec. 31,
1997, outstanding reverse repurchase agreements totaled $163 million.

At Dec. 31, 1997, investments in fixed maturities comprised 83% of the Company's
total invested assets. Of the fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 40% is
invested in GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities which are considered
AAA/Aaa quality.

At Dec. 31, 1997, approximately 11% of the Company's investments in fixed
maturities were below investment grade bonds. These investments may be subject
to a higher degree of risk than the investment grade issues because of the
borrower's generally greater sensitivity to adverse economic conditions, such as
recession or increasing interest rates, and in certain instances, the lack of an
active secondary market. Expected returns on below investment grade bonds
reflect consideration of such factors. The Company has identified those fixed
maturities for which a decline in fair value is determined to be other than
temporary, and has written them down to fair value with a charge to earnings.

At Dec. 31, 1997, net unrealized appreciation on fixed maturities held to
maturity included $445 million of gross unrealized appreciation and $17 million
of gross unrealized depreciation. Net unrealized appreciation on fixed
maturities available for sale included $399 million of gross unrealized
appreciation and $37 million of gross unrealized depreciation.

At Dec. 31, 1997,  the Company had an  allowance  for losses for mortgage  loans
totaling $39 million and for real estate investments totaling $6 million.

The economy and other factors have caused an increase in the number of insurance
companies that are under regulatory supervision. This circumstance has resulted
in an increase in assessments by state guaranty associations to cover losses to
policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated companies. Some assessments can be
partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain
states. The Company established an asset for guaranty association assessments
paid to those states allowing a reduction in future premium taxes over a
reasonable period of time. The asset is being amortized as premium taxes are
reduced. The Company has also estimated the potential effect of future
assessments on the Company's financial position and results of operations and
has established a reserve for such potential assessments. The Company has not
adopted Statement of Position 97-3 providing guidance when an insurer should
recognize a liability for guaranty fund assessments. The SOP is effective for
fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 1998. Adoption will not have a material
impact on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
    
<PAGE>
   
In the first quarter of 1998, the Company paid a $60 million dividend to its
parent. In 1997, dividends paid to its parent were $200 million.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has established risk-based
capital standards to determine the capital requirements of a life insurance
company based upon the risks inherent in its operations. These standards require
the computation of a risk-based capital amount which is then compared to a
company's actual total adjusted capital. The computation involves applying
factors to various statutory financial data to address four primary risks: asset
default, adverse insurance experience, interest rate risk and external events.
These standards provide for regulatory attention when the percentage of total
adjusted capital to authorized control level risk-based capital is below certain
levels. As of Dec. 31, 1997, the Company's total adjusted capital was well in
excess of the levels requiring regulatory attention.

Year 2000 issue

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

A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business processes,
including those specific to the Company, has been conducted to identify the
major systems that could be affected by the Year 2000 issue. Steps are being
taken to resolve any potential problems including modification to existing
software and the purchase of new software. These measures are scheduled to be
completed and tested on a timely basis. AEFC's goal is to complete internal
remediation and testing of each system by the end of 1998 and to continue
compliance efforts through 1999.

AEFC is evaluating the Year 2000 readiness of advisors and other third parties
whose system failures could have an impact on the Company's operations. The
potential materiality of any such impact is not known at this time.
    
<PAGE>

Segment information

   
The Company's operations consist of two business segments: Individual and group
life, disability income and long-term care insurance; and fixed and variable
annuity products designed for individuals, pension plans, small businesses and
employer-sponsored groups. The Company is not dependent upon any single customer
and no single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in 1997, 1996 or
1995. Additionally, no single distributor accounted for more than 10% of
premiums received in 1997, 1996 or 1995. (See Note 10, Segment information, in
the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements".)
    

Reinsurance

   
Reinsurance arrangements are used to reduce exposure to large losses. The
maximum amount of risk retained by IDS Life on any one life is $750,000 of life
and waiver of premium benefits plus $50,000 of accidental death benefits. The
excesses are reinsured with other life insurance companies. At Dec. 31, 1997,
traditional life and universal life-type insurance in force aggregated $75
billion, of which $4 billion was reinsured.
    

Reserves

In accordance with the insurance laws and regulations under which IDS Life
operates, it is obligated to carry on its books, as liabilities, actuarially
determined reserves to meet its obligations on its outstanding life and health
insurance policies and annuity contracts. Reserves for policies and contracts
are based on mortality and morbidity tables in general use in the United States.
These reserves are computed amounts that, with additions from premiums to be
received, and with interest on such reserves compounded annually at assumed
rates, will be sufficient to meet IDS Life's policy obligations at their
maturities or in the event of an insured's death. In the accompanying financial
statements, these reserves are determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. (See Note 1, "Liabilities for future policy benefits," in
the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.")

Investments

   
Of IDS Life's consolidated total investments of $27 billion at Dec. 31, 1997, 
34% was invested in mortgage-backed securities, 48% in corporate and other
bonds, 14% in primary mortgage loans on real estate, 2% in policy loans and the
remaining 2% in other investments.
    

<PAGE>

Competition

   
IDS Life is engaged in a business that is highly competitive due to the large
number of stock and mutual life insurance companies and other entities marketing
insurance products. There are over 1,700 stock, mutual and other types of
insurers in the life insurance business. Best's Insurance Reports, Life-Health
edition, 1997, assigned IDS Life one of its highest classifications, A+
(Superior).
    

Employees

   
As of Dec. 31, 1997, IDS Life and its subsidiaries had 303 employees; including
245 employed at the corporate office in Minneapolis, MN, 8 employed at the
American Centurion Life Assurance Company, located in Albany, NY and 50 employed
at IDS Life Insurance Company of New York, located in Albany, NY.
    

Properties

IDS Life occupies office space in Minneapolis, MN, which is rented by its
parent, AEFC. IDS Life reimburses AEFC for rent based on direct and indirect
allocation methods. Facilities occupied by IDS Life and our subsidiaries are
believed to be adequate for the purposes for which they are used and are well
maintained.

State Regulation

IDS Life is subject to the laws of the State of Minnesota governing insurance
companies and to the regulations of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. An
annual statement in the prescribed form is filed with the Minnesota Department
of Commerce each year covering our operation for the preceding year and its
financial condition at the end of such year. Regulation by the Minnesota
Department of Commerce includes periodic examination to determine IDS Life's
contract liabilities and reserves so that the Minnesota Department of Commerce
may certify that these items are correct. The Company's books and accounts are
subject to review by the Minnesota Department of Commerce at all times. Such
regulation does not, however, involve any supervision of the account's
management or the company's investment practices or policies. In addition, IDS
Life is subject to regulation under the insurance laws of other jurisdictions in
which it operates. A full examination of IDS Life's operations is conducted
periodically by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Under insurance guaranty fund laws, in most states, insurers doing business
therein can be assessed up to prescribed limits for policyholder losses incurred
by insolvent companies. Most of these laws do provide however, that an
assessment may be excused or deferred if it would threaten an insurer's own
financial strength.

<PAGE>

Directors and executive officers*

The directors and principal executive officers of IDS Life and the principal
occupation of each during the last five years is as follows:

Directors

David R. Hubers
Born in 1943

Director since September 1989; president and chief executive officer, AEFC,
since August 1993, and director since January 1984. Senior vice president,
Finance and chief financial officer, AEFC, from January 1984 to August 1993.

Richard W. Kling
Born in 1940

   
Director since February 1984; president since March 1994. Executive vice
president, Marketing and Products, from January 1988 to March 1994. Senior vice
president, AEFC, since May 1994. Director of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc. and
chairman of the board of managers and president of IDS Life Variable Annuity
Funds A and B.
    

Paul F. Kolkman
Born in 1946

Director since May 1984; executive vice president since March 1994; vice
president, Finance, from May 1984 to March 1994; vice president, AEFC, since
January 1987. Vice president and chief actuary of IDS Life Series Fund, Inc.

James A. Mitchell
Born in 1941

Chairman of the board since March 1994; director since July 1984; chief
executive officer since November 1986; president from July 1984 to March 1994;
executive vice president, AEFC, since March 1994; director, AEFC, since July
1984; senior vice president, AEFC, from July 1984 to March 1994.

Barry J. Murphy
Born in 1951

Director and executive vice president, Client Service, since March 1994; senior
vice president, AEFC, since May 1994; senior vice president, Travel Related
Services (TRS), a subsidiary of American Express Company, from July 1992 to
April 1994; vice president, TRS, from November 1989 to July 1992.

<PAGE>

Stuart A. Sedlacek
Born in 1957

Director and executive vice president, Assured Assets, since March 1994; vice
president, AEFC, since September 1988.
       

Officers other than directors

   
Jeffrey S. Horton
Born in 1961

Vice president and treasurer since December 1997; vice president and corporate
treasurer, AEFC, since December 1997; controller, American Express Technologies
- - Financial Services, AEFC, from July 1997 to December 1997; controller, Risk
Management Products, AEFC from May 1994 to July 1997; director of finance and
analysis, Corporate Treasury, AEFC, from June 1990 to May 1994.
    
William A. Stoltzmann
Born in 1948

   
Vice president, general counsel and secretary since 1989; vice president and
assistant general counsel, AEFC, since November 1985. Vice president, general
counsel and secretary, American Enterprise Life Insurance Company, American
Partners Life Insurance Company.
    

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

<PAGE>

Executive compensation

   
Executive officers of IDS Life also may serve one or more affiliated companies.
The following table reflects cash compensation paid to the five most highly
compensated executive officers as a group for services rendered in 1997 to IDS
Life and its affiliates. The table also shows the total cash compensation paid
to all executive officers of IDS Life, as a group, who were executive officers
at any time during 1997.
    

Name of individual                                             Cash
or number in group          Position held                      compensation

   
Five most highly                                                $8,616,958
compensated executive
officers as a group:
    

James A. Mitchell          Chairman of the Board 
                           and Chief Exec. Officer

Richard W. Kling           President

Stuart A. Sedlacek         Exec. Vice President,
                           Assured Assets

   
Pamela J. Moret            Exec. Vice President,
                           Variable Assets
    

Barry J. Murphy            Executive Vice President,
                           Client Service

   
All executive officers as a group                              $12,523,043
(10)
    

Security ownership of management

IDS Life's directors and officers do not beneficially own any outstanding shares
of stock of the company. All of the outstanding shares of stock of IDS Life are
beneficially owned by its parent, AEFC. The percentage of shares of AEFC owned
by any director, and by all directors and officers of IDS Life as a group, does
not exceed 1% of the class outstanding.

<PAGE>

Legal proceedings and opinion

   
A number of lawsuits have been filed against life and health insurers in
jurisdictions in which IDS Life and its subsidiaries do business involving
insurers' sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly
supervise agents, and other matters. In December 1996, an action of this type
was brought against IDS Life and its parent, AEFC. A second action was filed in
March 1997. The plaintiffs purport to represent a class consisting of all
persons who replaced existing IDS Life policies with new IDS Life policies from
and after January 1, 1985. The complaint puts at issue various alleged sales
practices and misrepresentations, alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and
alleged violations of consumer fraud statutes. Plaintiffs seek damages in an
unspecified amount and seek to establish a claims resolution facility for the
determination of individual issues.
    

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

   
Legal matters in connection with federal laws and regulations affecting the
issue and sale of the contracts described in this prospectus and the
organization of IDS Life, its authority to issue contracts under Minnesota law
and the validity of the forms of the contracts under Minnesota law have been
passed on by counsel to IDS Life.
    

Experts

   
The consolidated financial statements of IDS Life Insurance Company at Dec. 31,
1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended Dec. 31,
1997, appearing in this prospectus and registration statement have been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon
appearing elsewhere herein and in the registration statement, and is included in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
    

<PAGE>

Appendix

1.       Assume: contract effective date of October 1, 1993
         contract termination date of July 1, 1998
         contract year at termination is 5

          Purchase Payments    Initial      Current     Accumulation
Year                           Rate         Rate        Account Value

1             $10,000          6.50%        6.25%           $12,560
2               8,000          6.00         6.25              9,870
3              12,000          6.25         6.25             13,960
4              15,000          7.50         6.75             16,660
5              20,000          6.50         6.50             20,640

Total Accumulation Account Value               =  $       73,690
Withdrawal Charge = .03 x 73,690               =           2,211
Fixed Account Value = 73,690 - 2,211           =          71,479
Weighted Average Interest Rate                 =          6.433%
Interest Rate on New Purchase Payments         =           6.750

MVA = $71,479 x (.06433 - .06750) x 5.0        =  $   (1,132.94)

Market Value = 71,479 - 1,132.94               =       70,346.06

2.       Assume: contract effective date of January 15, 1994 contract
         termination date of September 20, 1996 contract year at termination is
         3

         Purchase Payments    Initial         Current      Accumulation
Year                          Rate            Rate         Account Value

1            $15,000          7.00%           6.25%            $17,710
2             20,000          6.50            6.00              22,140
3             25,000          5.50            5.50              25,910

Total Accumulation Account Value                 =  $       65,760
Withdrawal Charge = .05 x 65,760                 =           3,288
Fixed Account Value = 65,760 - 3,288             =          62,472
Weighted Average Interest Rate                   =          5.870%
Interest Rate on New Purchase Payments           =           5.250

MVA = $62,472 x (.05870 - .05250) x 6            =  $     2,323.96

Market Value = 62,472 + 2,323.96                 =       64,795.96

<PAGE>

IDS Life financial information

The financial statements shown below are those of the insurance company and not
those of any other entity. They are included in the prospectus for the purpose
of informing investors as to the financial condition of the insurance company
and its ability to carry out its obligations under its variable contracts.



<PAGE>


Report of Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company



We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of IDS  Life
Insurance  Company (a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of American  Express  Financial
Corporation)  as of  December  31,  1997 and 1996 and the  related  consolidated
statements of income,  stockholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended  December 31, 1997.  These  financial  statements 
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of IDS Life Insurance
Company at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.




Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 5, 1998


<PAGE>

IDS Life Financial Information


                          IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                    Dec. 31,     Dec. 31,
ASSETS                                                1997         1996  
                                                         (thousands)
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Held to maturity, at amortized cost (Fair value:
1997, $9,743,410; 1996, $10,521,650)              $9,315,450       $10,236,379
Available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost:
1997, $12,515,030; 199, $11,008,622)              12,876,694        11,146,845
Mortgage loans on real estate                      3,618,647         3,493,364
Policy loans                                         498,874           459,902
Other investments                                    318,591           251,465
Total investments                                 26,628,256        25,587,955
Cash and cash equivalents                             19,686           224,603
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers                  205,716           157,722
Amounts due from brokers                               8,400            11,047
Other accounts receivable                             37,895            44,089
Accrued investment income                            357,390           343,313
Deferred policy acquisition costs                  2,479,577         2,330,805
Deferred income taxes, net                                --            33,923
Other assets                                          22,700            37,364
Separate account assets                           23,214,504        18,535,160
Total assets                                     $52,974,124       $47,305,981
                                                   =========         =========

<PAGE>

                          IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)


                                                   Dec. 31,        Dec. 31
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                1997             1996    
                                                          (thousands)


Liabilities:
Future policy benefits:
Fixed annuities                                  $22,009,747      $21,838,008
Universal life-type insurance                      3,280,489        3,177,149
Traditional life insurance                           213,676          209,685
Disability income and long-term care insurance       533,124          424,200
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds          68,345           83,634
Deferred income taxes, net                            61,582               --
Amounts due to brokers                               381,458          261,987
Other liabilities                                    345,383          332,078
Separate account liabilities                      23,214,504       18,535,160
Total liabilities                                 50,108,308       44,861,901
Stockholder's equity:
Capital stock, $30 par value per share;
100,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding      3,000            3,000
Additional paid-in capital                           290,847          283,615
Net unrealized gain on investments                   226,359           86,102
Retained earnings                                  2,345,610        2,071,363
Total stockholder's equity                         2,865,816        2,444,080
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity       $52,974,124      $47,305,981
                                                   =========        =========
See accompanying notes.


<PAGE>

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

 
                                                           Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                      1997        1996       1995
                                                               (thousands)
<S>                                               <C>          <C>            <C>     
Revenues:
Premiums:
Traditional life insurance                        $  52,473    $  51,403      $ 50,193
Disability income and long-term care insurance      154,021      131,518       111,337

Total premiums                                      206,494      182,921       161,530

Policyholder and contractholder charges             341,726      302,999       256,454
Management and other fees                           340,892      271,342       215,581
Net investment income                             1,988,389    1,965,362     1,907,309
Net realized gain (loss) on investments                 860         (159)       (4,898)

Total revenues                                    2,878,361    2,722,465     2,535,976

Benefits and expenses:
Death and other benefits:
Traditional life insurance                           28,951       26,919        29,528
Universal life-type insurance
and investment contracts                             92,814       85,017        71,691
Disability income and
long-term care insurance                             22,333       19,185        16,259
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for
future policy benefits:
Traditional life insurance                            3,946        1,859        (1,315)
Disability income and
long-term care insurance                             63,631       57,230        51,279

Interest credited on universal life-type
insurance and investment contracts                1,386,448    1,370,468     1,315,989
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs   322,731      278,605       280,121
Other insurance and operating expenses              276,596      261,468       211,642

Total benefits and expenses                       2,197,450    2,100,751     1,975,194

Income before income taxes                          680,911      621,714       560,782

Income taxes                                        206,664      207,138       195,842

Net income                                       $  474,247   $  414,576    $  364,940
                                                   ========     ========       ======= 
 
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

                             IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                          Three years ended Dec. 31, 1997
                                    (thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                            Additional  Net Unrealized
                                 Capital     Paid-In     Gain (Loss) on   Retained
                                  Stock      Capital    on Investments    Earnings     Total

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

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

Balance, Dec. 31, 1996           $3,000      $283,615      $ 86,102     $2,071,363  $2,444,080
Net income                           --            --            --        474,247     474,247
Change in net unrealized
gain (loss) on investments           --            --       140,257             --     140,257
Capital contribution from parent     --         7,232            --             --       7,232
Cash dividends                       --            --            --       (200,000)   (200,000)

Balance, Dec. 31, 1997           $3,000      $290,847      $226,359     $2,345,610  $2,865,816
                                  =====       =======       =======      =========    ========

See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                             IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                       Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                  1997         1996          1995
                                                             (thousands)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>           <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                     $ 474,247    $ 414,576     $ 364,940
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Policy loan issuance, excluding universal
life-type insurance                              (54,665)     (49,314)      (46,011)
Policy loan repayment, excluding universal
life-type insurance                               46,015       41,179        36,416
Change in amounts recoverable from reinsurers    (47,994)     (43,335)      (34,083)
Change in other accounts receivable                6,194       (4,981)       12,231
Change in accrued investment income              (14,077)       4,695       (30,498)
Change in deferred policy acquisition
costs, net                                      (156,486)    (294,755)     (196,963)
Change in liabilities for future policy
benefits for traditional life,
disability income and
long-term care insurance                         112,915       97,479        85,575
Change in policy claims and other
policyholders' funds                             (15,289)      27,311         6,255
Change in deferred income tax provision (benefit) 19,982      (65,609)      (33,810)
Change in other liabilities                       13,305       46,724        (6,548)
(Accretion of discount)
amortization of premium, net                      (5,649)     (23,032)      (22,528)
Net realized (gain) loss on investments             (860)         159         4,898
Policyholder and contractholder
charges, non-cash                               (160,885)    (154,286)     (140,506)
Other, net                                         7,161      (10,816)        3,849

Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities                                     $ 223,914    $ (14,005)     $  3,217
</TABLE>
 

<PAGE>

                             IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                         Years ended Dec. 31,
                                                  1997             1996          1995
                                                               (thousands)
<S>                                             <C>            <C>          <C>          
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities held to maturity:
Purchases                                       $     (1,996)  $  (43,751)  $ (1,007,208)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls          686,503      759,248        538,219
 Sales                                               236,761      279,506        332,154
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Purchases                                         (3,160,133)  (2,299,198)    (2,452,181)
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls        1,206,213    1,270,240        861,545
Sales                                                457,585      238,905        136,825
Other investments, excluding policy loans:
Purchases                                           (524,521)    (904,536)      (823,131)
Sales                                                335,765      236,912        160,521
Change in amounts due from brokers                     2,647      (11,047)         7,933
Change in amounts due to brokers                     119,471      140,369       (105,119)

Net cash used in investing activities               (641,705)    (333,352)    (2,350,442)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity related to universal life-type insurance
and investment contracts:
Considerations received                            2,785,758    3,567,586      4,189,525
Surrenders and death benefits                     (3,736,242)  (4,250,294)    (3,141,404)
Interest credited to account balances              1,386,448    1,370,468      1,315,989
Universal life-type insurance policy loans:
Issuance                                             (84,835)     (86,501)       (84,700)
Repayment                                             54,513       58,753         52,188
Capital contribution from parent                       7,232        4,801             --
Dividends paid                                      (200,000)    (165,000)      (180,000)

Net cash provided by financing activities            212,874      499,813      2,151,598

Net (decrease) increase in cash and
cash equivalents                                    (204,917)     152,456       (195,627)

Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of year                                    224,603       72,147        267,774

Cash and cash equivalents at
end of year                                         $ 19,686    $ 224,603      $  72,147
                                                     =======     ========       ========
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

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

1.    Summary of significant accounting policies
      ------------------------------------------

      Nature of business

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

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

      Basis of presentation

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

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

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

      Investments

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


<PAGE>

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

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

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

<PAGE>


1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------

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

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

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

      During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company purchased and wrote index
      options to protect against significant declines in fee income as a
      result of a decrease in the market value of its managed assets.  These
      options were marked-to-market through the income statement.

      During 1997, the Company purchased and wrote index options to hedge
      1998 management fee and other income from separate accounts and the
      underlying mutual funds.  These index options are carried at market
      value and are included in other investments.  Gains or losses on these
      instruments are deferred and recognized in management and other fees in
      the same period as the hedged fee income.

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

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

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


<PAGE>

      Supplementary information to the consolidated statements of cash flows
      for the years ended December 31 is summarized as
      follows:
                                           1997           1996      1995
                                           ----           ----      ----
       Cash paid during the year for:
         Income taxes                    $174,472       $317,283  $191,011
         Interest on borrowings             8,213          4,119     5,524


<PAGE>

1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------

      Recognition of profits on annuity contracts and insurance policies

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

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

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

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

      Deferred policy acquisition costs

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

      Liabilities for future policy benefits

      Liabilities for universal life-type insurance and deferred annuities
      are accumulation values.

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


<PAGE>

      Liabilities for future benefits on traditional life insurance are based
      on the net level premium method, using anticipated mortality, policy
      persistency and interest earning rates.  Anticipated mortality rates
      are based on established industry mortality tables.  Anticipated policy
      persistency rates vary by policy form, issue age and policy duration
      with persistency on cash value plans generally anticipated to be better
      than persistency on term insurance plans.  Anticipated interest rates
      range from 4% to 10%, depending on policy form, issue year and policy
      duration.


<PAGE>

1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------

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

      Claim reserves are calculated based on claim continuance tables and
      anticipated interest earnings.  Anticipated claim continuance rates are
      based on a national survey.  Anticipated interest rates for claim
      reserves for both disability income and long-term care range from 6% to
      8%.

      Reinsurance

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

      Federal income taxes

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

      Included in other liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 are $12,061
      and $33,358, respectively, receivable from American Express Financial
      Corporation for federal income taxes.

      Separate account business

      The separate account assets and liabilities represent funds held for
      the exclusive benefit of the variable annuity and variable life
      insurance contract owners.  The Company receives investment
      management fees from the proprietary mutual funds used as investment
      options for variable annuities and variable life insurance.  The
      Company receives mortality and expense risk fees from the  separate
      accounts.


<PAGE>

1.    Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
      ------------------------------------------

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

      Reclassification

      Certain 1996 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
      1997 presentation.

2.    Investments
      -----------

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

      The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values
      of investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at December
      31, 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                        <C>          <C>      <C>         <C>       
       U.S. Government agency obligations  $41,932      $ 2,950  $       --  $   44,881
       State and municipal obligations       9,684          568          --      10,252
       Corporate bonds and obligations   7,280,646      415,700       9,322   7,687,024
       Mortgage-backed securities        1,983,188       25,976       7,911   2,001,253
                                         ---------       ------       -----   ---------
                                        $9,315,450     $445,194     $17,233  $9,743,410
                                         =========      =======      ======   =========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                       <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>    
       U.S. Government agency obligations $   65,291   $    4,154  $       --      $69,445
       State and municipal obligations        11,045        1,348          --       12,393
       Corporate bonds and obligations     5,308,129      232,761      30,198    5,510,692
       Mortgage-backed securities          7,130,565      160,478       6,879    7,284,164
                                           ---------      -------       -----    ---------
       Total fixed maturities             12,515,030      398,741      37,077   12,876,694
       Equity securities                       3,000          361          --        3,361
                                          ----------      -------      ------   ----------
                                         $12,518,030     $399,102     $37,077  $12,880,055
                                          ==========      =======      ======   ==========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------

      The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values
      of investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at December
      31, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

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


      The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities at
      December 31, 1997 by contractual maturity are shown below.  Expected
      maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
      may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call
      or prepayment penalties.

<PAGE>

                                        Amortized         Fair
       Held to maturity                   Cost           Value
       ----------------                 ---------      --------

       Due in one year or less        $   356,597      $360,956
       Due from one to five years       1,536,239     1,619,875
       Due from five to ten years       4,337,547     4,577,552
       Due in more than ten years       1,101,879     1,183,774
       Mortgage-backed securities       1,983,188     2,001,253
                                        ---------     ---------
                                       $9,315,450    $9,743,410
                                        =========     =========

                                        Amortized        Fair
       Available for sale                 Cost           Value
                                        ---------        -----

       Due in one year or less          $ 162,663    $  164,012
       Due from one to five years         633,339       679,561
       Due from five to ten years       2,418,162     2,517,098
       Due in more than ten years       2,170,301     2,231,859
       Mortgage-backed securities       7,130,565     7,284,164
                                       ----------    ----------
                                      $12,515,030   $12,876,694
                                       ==========    ==========
<PAGE>


2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------

      During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, fixed
      maturities classified as held to maturity were sold with amortized cost
      of $229,848, $277,527 and $333,508, respectively.  Net gains and losses
      on these sales were not significant.  The sale of these fixed
      maturities was due to significant deterioration in the issuers' credit
      worthiness.

      Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during 1997 with proceeds
      of $457,585 and gross realized gains and losses of $6,639 and $7,518,
      respectively.  Fixed maturities available for sale were sold during
      1996 with proceeds of $238,905 and gross realized gains and losses of
      $571 and $16,084, respectively. Fixed maturities available for sale
      were sold during 1995 with proceeds of $136,825 and gross realized
      gains and losses of $nil and $5,781, respectively.

      At December 31, 1997, bonds carried at $14,351 were on deposit with
      various states as required by law.

      At December 31, 1997, investments in fixed maturities comprised 83
      percent of the Company's total invested assets.  These securities are
      rated by Moody's and Standard & Poor's (S&P), except for securities
      carried at approximately $2.7 billion which are rated by American
      Express Financial Corporation internal analysts using criteria similar
      to Moody's and S&P.  A summary of investments in fixed maturities, at
      amortized cost, by rating on December 31 is as follows:
 
          Rating                   1997            1996
       ---------                 ---------      ---------
       Aaa/AAA                $ 9,195,619     $ 9,460,134
       Aaa/AA                          --           2,870
       Aa/AA                      232,451         241,914
       Aa/A                       246,792         192,631
       A/A                      2,787,936       2,949,895
       A/BBB                    1,200,345       1,034,661
       Baa/BBB                  5,226,616       4,531,515
       Baa/BB                     475,084         768,285
       Below investment grade   2,465,637       2,063,096
                                ---------       ---------
                              $21,830,480     $21,245,001
                               ==========      ==========

      At December 31, 1997, 95 percent of the securities rated Aaa/AAA are
      GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities.  No holdings of any
      other issuer are greater than one percent of the Company's  total
      investments in fixed maturities.

      At December 31, 1997, approximately 14 percent of the Company's
      invested assets were mortgage loans on real estate.  Summaries of
      mortgage loans by region of the United States and by type of real
      estate are as follows:


<PAGE>

                                 December 31, 1997          December 31, 1996
                              ------------------------   -----------------------
                              On Balance   Commitments   On Balance  Commitments
           Region               Sheet      to Purchase     Sheet     to Purchase
       -------------          ----------   ------------  ----------  -----------
       East North Central   $  748,372     $  32,462    $  777,960     $  19,358
       West North Central      456,934        14,340       389,285        29,620
       South Atlantic          922,172        14,619       891,852        35,007
       Middle Atlantic         545,601        15,507       553,869        17,959
       New England             316,250         2,136       310,177        14,042
       Pacific                 184,917         3,204       190,770         4,997
       West South Central      125,227            --       105,173        11,246
       East South Central       60,274            --        75,176            --
       Mountain                297,545        28,717       236,597        11,401
                             ---------       -------     ---------       -------
                             3,657,292       110,985     3,530,859       143,630
       Less allowance for
       losses                   38,645            --        37,495            --
                             ---------       -------     ---------       -------
                            $3,618,647      $110,985    $3,493,364      $143,630
                             =========       =======     =========       =======

<PAGE>


2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------

                                 December 31, 1997          December 31, 1996
                            ------------------------   -------------------------
                            On Balance   Commitments   On Balance    Commitments
         Property type         Sheet     to Purchase      Sheet      to Purchase
       ---------------      ----------   -----------   ----------    -----------
       Department/retail    
       stores              $1,189,203      $  27,314    $1,154,179     $  68,032
       Apartments           1,089,127         16,576     1,119,352        23,246
       Office buildings       716,729         34,546       611,395        27,653
       Industrial buildings   295,889         21,200       296,944         6,716
       Hotels/motels          101,052             --        97,870         6,257
       Medical buildings       99,979          9,748        67,178         8,289
       Nursing/retirement
       homes                   72,359             --        88,226         1,877
       Mixed Use               71,007             --        73,120            --
       Other                   21,947          1,601        22,595         1,560
                            ---------        -------     ---------        ------
                            3,657,292        110,985     3,530,859       143,630
       Less allowance for
       losses                  38,645             --        37,495            --
                             ---------       -------     ---------       -------
                           $3,618,647       $110,985    $3,493,364      $143,630
                            =========        =======     =========       =======

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

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company's recorded investment in
      impaired loans was $45,714 and $79,441, respectively, with allowances
      of $9,812 and $16,162, respectively.  During 1997 and 1996, the average
      recorded investment in impaired loans was $61,870 and $74,338,
      respectively.

      The Company recognized $2,981, $4,889 and $5,014 of interest income
      related to impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
      and 1995 respectively.


<PAGE>

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

                                          1997          1996        1995 
                                         ------        ------      ------ 
       Balance, January 1               $37,495       $37,340     $35,252
       Provision for investment losses    8,801        10,005      15,900
       Loan payoffs                      (3,851)       (4,700)    (11,900)
       Foreclosures                      (3,800)       (5,150)     (1,350)
       Other                                 --            --        (562)
                                         ------        ------      -------

       Balance, December 31             $38,645       $37,495     $37,340
                                         ======        ======      ======

      At December 31, 1997, the Company had commitments to purchase
      investments other than mortgage loans for $234,485.  Commitments to
      purchase investments are made in the ordinary course of business.  The
      fair value of these commitments is $nil.


<PAGE>

2.    Investments (continued)
      -----------

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

                                            1997           1996         1995
                                          ---------      ---------    ---------
       Interest on fixed maturities      $1,692,481     $1,666,929   $1,656,136
       Interest on mortgage loans           305,742        283,830      232,827
       Other investment income               25,089         43,283       35,936
       Interest on cash equivalents           5,914          5,754        5,363
                                          ---------      ---------    ---------
                                          2,029,226      1,999,796    1,930,262
       Less investment expenses              40,837         34,434       22,953
                                          ---------      ---------    ---------
                                         $1,988,389     $1,965,362   $1,907,309
                                          =========      =========    =========

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

                                     1997         1996         1995
                                    ------        -----        -----
       Fixed maturities           $ 16,115      $ 8,736     $  9,973
       Mortgage loans               (6,424)      (8,745)     (13,259)
       Other investments            (8,831)        (150)      (1,612)
                                   -------        -----      -------
                                  $    860      $  (159)    $ (4,898)
                                   =======        ======       ======

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

                                      1997           1996         1995 
                                     -------        -------      ------- 
       Fixed maturities available
         for sale                   $223,441      $(231,853)    $811,649
       Equity securities                  53            (52)       3,118

3.    Income taxes
      ------------

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

      The income tax expense consists of the following:

                                    1997           1996         1995
       Federal income taxes:
       Current                    $176,879       $260,357     $218,040
       Deferred                     19,982        (65,609)     (33,810)
                                   -------        --------     -------
                                   196,861        194,748      184,230
       State income taxes-current    9,803         12,390       11,612
                                   -------        -------      -------
       Income tax expense         $206,664       $207,138     $195,842
                                   =======        =======      =======


<PAGE>

3.    Income taxes (continued)
      ------------

      Increases (decreases) to the federal tax provision applicable to pretax
      income based on the statutory rate are attributable to:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     1997               1996               1995
                               ----------------    ---------------   ---------------
                               Provision   Rate    Provision  Rate   Provision  Rate
                               ---------   ----    ---------  ----   ---------  ----
<S>                             <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>  
      Federal income
        taxes based on
        the statutory rate      $238,319   35.0%    $217,600  35.0%   $196,274  35.0%
      Increases (decreases)
      are attributable to:
      Tax-excluded interest
        and dividend income      (10,294)  (1.5)      (9,636) (1.5)     (8,524) (1.5)
      State Taxes, net of federal
         benefit                   6,372    0.9        8,053   1.3       7,548   1.3
      Low income housing
        credits                  (20,705)  (3.0)      (5,090) (0.8)       (861) (0.2)
      Other, net                  (7,028)  (1.0)      (3,789) (0.7)      1,405   0.3
                                 -------   -----     -------  ----     -------  ----
      Federal income taxes      $206,664   30.4%    $207,138  33.3%   $195,842  34.9%
                                 =======   ====      =======  ====     =======  ====
</TABLE>

      A portion of life insurance company income earned prior to 1984 was not
      subject to current taxation but was accumulated, for tax purposes, in a
      policyholders' surplus account.  At December 31, 1997, the Company had
      a policyholders' surplus account balance of $20,114.  The
      policyholders' surplus account is only taxable if dividends to the
      stockholder exceed the stockholder's surplus account or if the Company
      is liquidated.  Deferred income taxes of $7,040 have not been
      established because no distributions of such amounts are contemplated.

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

                                                  1997          1996
                                                  ----          ----
       Deferred tax assets:
       Policy reserves                          $748,204      $724,412
       Life insurance guarantee
          fund assessment reserve                 20,101        29,854
       Other                                       9,589         2,763
                                                 -------       -------
       Total deferred tax assets                 777,894       757,029
                                                 -------       -------


<PAGE>

       Deferred tax
       liabilities:
       Deferred policy acquisition costs        700,032      665,685
       Unrealized gain on investments           121,885       48,486
       Investments, other                        17,559        8,935
                                                -------      -------
       Total deferred tax liabilities           839,476      723,106
                                                -------      -------
       Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets   $(61,582)    $ 33,923
                                                 ======       ======

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


<PAGE>

4.    Stockholder's equity
      --------------------

      Retained earnings available for distribution as dividends to the parent
      are limited to the Company's surplus as determined in accordance with
      accounting practices prescribed by state insurance regulatory
      authorities.  Statutory unassigned surplus aggregated $1,468,677 as of
      December 31, 1997 and $1,261,592 as of December 31, 1996 (see Note 3
      with respect to the income tax effect of certain distributions).  In
      addition, any dividend distributions in 1998 in excess of approximately
      $331,480 would require approval of the Department of Commerce of the
      State of Minnesota.

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

                                           1997          1996          1995
                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
       Statutory net income             $  379,615    $  365,585    $  326,799
       Statutory capital and surplus     1,765,290     1,565,082     1,398,649
       surplus

5.    Related party transactions
      --------------------------

      The Company loans funds to American Express Financial Corporation under
      a collateral loan agreement.  The balance of the loan was $nil and
      $11,800 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  This loan can be
      increased to a maximum of $75,000 and pays interest at a rate equal to
      the preceding month's effective new money rate for the Company's
      permanent investments.  Interest income on related party loans totaled
      $103, $780 and $1,371 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

      The Company purchased a five year secured note from an affiliated
      company which was redeemed in 1996.  The interest rate on the note was
      8.42 percent.  Interest income on the above note totaled $1,637 and
      $1,937 in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
      The Company participates in the American Express Company Retirement
      Plan which covers all permanent employees age 21 and over who have met
      certain employment requirements.  Employer contributions to the plan
      are based on participants' age, years of service and total compensation
      for the year.  Funding of retirement costs for this plan complies with
      the applicable minimum funding requirements specified by ERISA.  The
      Company's share of the total net periodic pension cost was $201, $174
      and $155 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

      The Company also participates in defined contribution pension plans of
      American Express Company which cover all employees who have met certain
      employment requirements.  Company contributions to the plans are a
      percent of either each employee's eligible compensation or basic
      contributions.  Costs of these plans charged to operations in 1997,
      1996 and 1995 were $1,245, $990 and $815, respectively.


<PAGE>

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


<PAGE>

5.    Related party transactions (continued)
      --------------------------

      Charges by AEFC for use of joint facilities, marketing services and
      other services aggregated $414,155, $397,362 and $377,139 for 1997,
      1996 and 1995, respectively.  Certain of these costs are included in
      deferred policy acquisition costs.  In addition, the Company rents its
      home office space from AEFC on an annual renewable basis.

6.    Commitments and contingencies
      -----------------------------

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, traditional life insurance and universal
      life-type insurance in force aggregated $74,730,720 and $67,274,354,
      respectively, of which $4,351,904 and $3,875,921 were reinsured at the
      respective year ends.  The Company also reinsures a portion of the
      risks assumed under disability income and long-term care policies.
      Under all reinsurance agreements, premiums ceded to reinsurers amounted
      to $60,495, $48,250 and $39,399 and reinsurance recovered from
      reinsurers amounted to $19,042, $15,612, and $14,088 for the years
      ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  Reinsurance
      contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary obligation to
      policyholders.

      A number of lawsuits have been filed against life and health insurers
      in jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries do business
      involving insurers' sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure
      to properly supervise agents, and other matters.  In December 1996, an
      action of this type was brought against the Company and its parent,
      AEFC.  A second action was filed in March, 1997.  The plaintiffs
      purport to represent a class consisting of all persons who replaced
      existing Company policies with new Company policies from and after
      January 1, 1985.  The complaint puts at issue various alleged sales
      practices and misrepresentations, alleged breaches of fiduciary duties
      and alleged violations of consumer fraud statutes.  Plaintiffs seek
      damages in an unspecified amount and seek to establish a claims
      resolution facility for the determination of individual issues.  The
      Company and its parent believe they have meritorious defenses to the
      claims raised in the lawsuit.  The outcome of any litigation cannot be
      predicted with certainty.  In the opinion of management, however,  the
      ultimate resolution of the above lawsuit and others filed against the
      Company should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
      consolidated financial position.

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

7.    Lines of credit
      ---------------

      The Company has an available line of credit with its parent aggregating
      $100,000.  The rate for the line of credit is the parent's cost of
      funds, ranging from 20 to 45 basis points over the established index.
      Borrowings outstanding under this agreement were $nil at
      December 31, 1997 and 1996.


<PAGE>

8.    Derivative financial instruments
      --------------------------------

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


<PAGE>

8.    Derivative financial instruments (continued)
      --------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

                                 Notional     Carrying      Fair    Total Credit
       December 31, 1997          Amount       Amount       Value     Exposure
       -----------------         --------     --------      -----   ------------
       Assets:
         Interest rate caps   $ 4,600,000    $ 24,963    $ 15,665    $ 15,665
         Interest rate floors   1,000,000       1,561       4,551       4,551
         Put index options        221,984      11,120      11,120      11,120
       Liabilities:
         Call index options       221,984      (8,273)     (8,273)         --
       Off balance sheet:
         Interest rate swaps    1,267,000          --     (45,799)         --
                                ---------      ------      ------      ------
                                              $29,371    $(22,736)    $31,336
                                               ======      ======      ======

                                 Notional      Carrying     Fair    Total Credit
       December 31, 1996          Amount        Amount      Value     Exposure
       Assets:
         Interest rate caps    $4,000,000   $ 16,227      $  7,439   $  7,439
         Interest rate floors   1,000,000      2,041         4,341      4,341
       Off balance sheet:
         Interest rate swaps    1,000,000         --       (24,715)        --
                                ---------     ------       --------    ------
                                             $18,268      $(12,935)   $11,780
                                              ======        ======     ======


<PAGE>

      The fair values of derivative financial instruments are based on market
      values, dealer quotes or pricing models.  The interest rate caps and
      floors expire on various dates from 1998 to 2003.  The interest rate
      swaps expire on various dates from 2000 to 2003.  All put and call
      options expire in 1998.

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


<PAGE>

8.    Derivative financial instruments (continued)
      --------------------------------

      Index options are used to manage the equity market risk related to the
      fee income that the Company receives from its separate accounts and the
      underlying mutual funds.  The amount of the fee income received is
      based upon the daily market value of the separate account and mutual
      fund assets.  As a result, the Company's fee income could be impacted
      significantly by changing economic conditions in the equity market.
      The Company entered into index option collars (combination of puts and
      calls) to hedge anticipated fee income for 1998 related to separate
      accounts and mutual funds which invest in equity securities. Testing
      has demonstrated the impact of these instruments on the income
      statement closely correlates with the amount of fee income the Company
      realizes.  In the event that testing demonstrates that this correlation
      no longer exists, or in the event the Company disposes of the index
      options collars, the instruments will be marked-to-market through the
      income statement.  At December 31, 1997, deferred gains on purchased
      put index options were $11,120 and deferred losses on written call
      index options were $8,273.

9.    Fair values of financial instruments
      ------------------------------------

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

                                                 1997                         1996
                                         ------------------          ---------------------
                                         Carrying      Fair          Carrying        Fair
       Financial Assets                   Amount       Value          Amount         Value
       ----------------                  --------     ------         -------         -----
<S>                                    <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>        
       Investments:
         Fixed maturities (Note 2):
           Held to maturity            $9,315,450   $9,743,410     $10,236,379  $10,521,650
           Available for sale          12,876,694   12,876,694      11,146,845   11,146,845
         Mortgage loans on
           real estate (Note 2)         3,618,647    3,808,570       3,493,364    3,606,077
         Other:
           Equity securities (Note 2)       3,361        3,361           3,308        3,308
           Derivative financial
             instruments (Note 8)          37,644       31,336          18,268       11,780
           Other                           82,347       85,383          63,993       66,242
       Cash and
         cash equivalents (Note 1)         19,686       19,686         224,603      224,603
       Separate account assets
         (Note 1)                      23,214,504   23,214,504      18,535,160   18,535,160


<PAGE>

       Financial Liabilities
         Future policy benefits
           for fixed annuities         20,731,052   19,882,302      20,641,986   19,721,968
           Derivative financial
             instruments (Note 8)          (8,273)     (54,072)             --      (24,715)
         Separate account liabilities  21,488,282   20,707,620      17,358,087   16,688,519
</TABLE>



<PAGE>

9.    Fair values of financial instruments (continued)
      ------------------------------------

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the carrying amount and fair value of
      future policy benefits for fixed annuities exclude life
      insurance-related contracts carried at $1,185,155 and $1,112,155,
      respectively, and policy loans of $93,540 and $83,867, respectively.
      The fair value of these benefits is based on the status of the
      annuities at December 31, 1997 and 1996.  The fair value of deferred
      annuities is estimated as the carrying amount less any applicable
      surrender charges and related loans.  The fair value for annuities in
      non-life contingent payout status is estimated as the present value of
      projected benefit payments at rates appropriate for contracts issued in
      1997 and 1996.

      At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the fair value of liabilities related to
      separate accounts is estimated as the carrying amount less any
      applicable surrender charges and less variable insurance contracts
      carried at $1,726,222 and $1,177,073, respectively.

10.   Segment information
      -------------------

      The Company's operations consist of two business segments; first,
      individual and group life insurance, disability income and long-term
      care insurance, and second, annuity products designed for individuals,
      pension plans, small businesses and employer-sponsored groups.  The
      consolidated condensed statements of income for the years ended
      December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 and total assets at December 31, 1997,
      1996 and 1995 by segment are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               1997           1996            1995
<S>                                       <C>            <C>             <C>        
       Net investment income:
       Life, disability income
         and long-term care insurance     $   269,874    $   262,998     $   256,242
       Annuities                            1,718,515      1,702,364       1,651,067
                                            ---------      ---------       ---------
                                          $ 1,988,389    $ 1,965,362     $ 1,907,309
                                            =========      =========       =========
       Premiums, charges and fees:
       Life, disability income
         and long-term care insurance     $   514,838    $   448,389     $   384,008
       Annuities                              374,274        308,873         249,557
                                              -------        -------         -------
                                          $   889,112    $   757,262     $   633,565
                                              =======        =======         =======
       Income before income taxes:
       Life, disability income
         and long-term care insurance     $   178,717    $   161,115     $   125,402
       Annuities                              501,334        460,758         440,278
       Net gain (loss) on investments             860           (159)         (4,898)
                                              -------        -------         -------
                                          $   680,911    $   621,714     $   560,782
                                              =======        =======         =======

<PAGE>

       Total assets:
       Life, disability income
         and long-term care insurance     $ 8,193,796    $ 7,028,906     $ 6,195,870
       Annuities                           44,780,328     40,277,075      36,704,208
                                           ----------     ----------      ----------
                                          $52,974,124    $47,305,981     $42,900,078
                                           ==========     ==========      ==========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

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

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

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

11.   Year 2000 Issue (unaudited)
      ---------------

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

      A comprehensive review of AEFC's computer systems and business
      processes, including those specific to the Company, has been conducted to
      identify the major systems that could be affected by the Year 2000
      issue.  Steps are being taken to resolve any potential problems including
      modification to existing software and the purchase of new software.  These
      measures are scheduled to be completed and tested on a timely basis.
      AEFC's goal is to complete internal remediation and testing of each
      system by the end of 1998 and to continue compliance efforts through
      1999.

      AEFC is evaluating the Year 2000 readiness of advisors and other third
      parties whose system failures could have an impact on the Company's
      operations.  The potential materiality of any such impact is not known at
      this time.



About IDS Life

The Group Variable Annuity Contract is issued by IDS Life, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of AEFC, which itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American
Express Company, a financial services company headquartered in New York City.

IDS Life is a stock life insurance company organized in 1957 under the laws of
the State of Minnesota and located at IDS Tower 10, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0010.
We conduct a conventional life insurance business in the District of Columbia
and all states except New York.

American  Express  Financial  Advisors  Inc.  offers  mutual  funds,  investment
certificates and a broad range of financial management services. IDS Life offers
insurance and annuities.

   
American  Express  Financial  Advisors Inc.  serves  individuals  and businesses
through  its  nationwide  network  of more than 175  offices  and more than 8600
financial advisors.
    

Other subsidiaries provide investment management and related services for
pension, profit-sharing, employee savings and endowment funds of businesses and
institutions.

Periodic reports

We will send the owner quarterly, or more frequently as the Code may require, a
statement showing the number, type and value of accumulation units credited to
the contract. This statement will be accurate as of a date not more than two
months prior to the date of mailing. In addition, every person having voting
rights will receive any required reports or prospectuses. We also will send any
statements that may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations
showing contract restrictions.

<PAGE>

Table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information

Performance information.........................................
Rating agencies.................................................
Principal underwriter...........................................
Independent auditors............................................
Prospectus......................................................
Financial statements -
 .........IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N,
 .........KZ, LZ and MZ

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please check the appropriate box to receive a copy of the Statement of
Additional Information for:

_____ IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract

_____ IDS Life Retirement Annuity Mutual Funds

Please return this request to:

IDS Life Insurance Company
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN  55420

Your name _______________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City ______________________  State ______________ Zip ___________

<PAGE>
                                    PART II.

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

         The expenses of the issuance and distribution of the interests in the
Fixed Account of the Contract to be registered, other than commissions on sales
of the Contracts, are to be borne by the registrant.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

         Section 300.083 of Minnesota Law provides in part that a corporation
organized under such law shall have power to indemnify anyone made, or
threatened to be made, a party to a threatened, pending or completed proceeding,
whether civil or criminal, administrative or investigative, because he is or was
a director or officer of the corporation, or served as a director or officer of
another corporation at the request of the corporation. Indemnification in such a
proceeding may extend to judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in, as
well as to reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and disbursements. In
a civil proceeding, there can be no indemnification under the statute, unless it
appears that the person seeking indemnification has acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the corporation and its shareholders and unless such person has received no
improper personal benefit; in a criminal proceeding, the person seeking
indemnification must also have no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.

         Article IX of the By-laws of the IDS Life Insurance Company requires
the IDS Life Insurance Company to indemnify directors and officers to the extent
indemnification is permitted as stated by the preceding paragraph, and contains
substantially the same language as the above-mentioned Section 300.083.

         Article IX, paragraph (2), of the By-laws of the IDS Life Insurance
Company provides as follows:

         "Section 2. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party, by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of this Corporation, or is or was
serving at the direction of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
wherever brought, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of
Minnesota, as now existing or hereafter amended, provided that this Article
shall not indemnify or protect any such director, officer, employee or agent
against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence, in the performance of his duties or by reason of his reckless
disregard of his obligations and duties."

         The parent company of IDS Life Insurance Company maintains an insurance
policy which affords liability coverage to directors and officers of the IDS
Life Insurance Company while acting in that capacity. IDS Life Insurance Company
pays its proportionate share of the premiums for the policy.

<PAGE>

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

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

         .........None

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)      Exhibits

3.1      Copy of Certificate of Incorporation of IDS Life Insurance Company
         dated July 23, 1957, filed electronically as Exhibit 3.1 to
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration No. 33-48701 is
         incorporated herein by reference.

3.2      Copy of By-laws of IDS Life Insurance Company, filed electronically as
         Exhibit 3.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration No.
         33-48701 is incorporated herein by reference.

4.1      Form of Group Deferred Variable Annuity Contract, Form 34660, filed
         electronically as Exhibit 4.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to
         Registration No. 33-48701 is incorporated herein by reference.

5.       Opinion of Counsel dated Sept. 14, 1992 regarding legality of 
         Contracts, filed electronically as Exhibit 5 to Post-Effective
         Amendment No. 2 to Registration No. 33-48701 is incorporated herein
         by reference.

22.      List of Subsidiaries, filed electronically as Exhibit 22 to
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration No. 33-48701 is 
         incorporated herein by reference.

23.      Consent of Independent Auditors, filed electronically herewith.

24.      Power of Attorney dated August 19, 1997, filed electronically herewith.

24.1     Power of Attorney dated April 9, 1998, filed electronically herewith.

(b)      Financial Statement Schedules.

27.      Schedule I        -   Consolidated Summary of Investments Other than 
                               Investments in Related Parties
         Schedule III      -   Supplementary Insurance Information

<PAGE>

         Schedule IV       -   Reinsurance
         Schedule V        -   Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
         Report of Independent Auditors dated February 5, 1998

         All other schedules to the consolidated financial statements required
         by Article 7 of Regulation S-X are not required under the related
         instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

Item 17. Undertakings

Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

         (i)      To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
                  Securities Act of 1933;

         (ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
                  the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
                  recent post-effective amendment thereof which, individually or
                  in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                  information set forth in the registration statement;

         (iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan
                  of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
                  statement or any material change to such information in the
                  registration statement.

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

<PAGE>

                                                    SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, IDS Life Insurance
Company has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on behalf of
the Registrant by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in this City of
Minneapolis, and State of Minnesota on the 14th day of April 1998.

                                             IDS Life Insurance Company
                                                      (Registrant)

                                             By IDS Life Insurance Company

                                             By /s/   James A. Mitchell
                                                      James A. Mitchell


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on the 14th day of April, 1998.

Signature                                            Title

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

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

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

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

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

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

/s/  Stuart A. Sedlacek*                             Director
     Stuart A. Sedlacek

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


*Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney dated August 19, 1997, filed 
electronically herewith.

**Signed pursuant to Power of Attorney dated April 9, 1998, filed electronically
herewith.




- -----------------------------
Mary Ellyn Minenko

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (GVAC)
Registration Number 33-48701/811-3217

EXHIBIT INDEX 

23.  Consent of Independent Auditors

24.  Power of Attorney dated August 19, 1997

24.1 Power of Attorney dated April 9, 1998

27.  Financial Statements Schedules/Report of Independent Auditors




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our reports dated February 5, 1998 on the consolidated financial
statements and schedules of IDS Life Insurance Company included in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No.
33-48701) and related Prospectus for the registration of group variable annuity
contract interests to be offered by IDS Life Insurance Company.




Ernst & Young
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 14, 1998



                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

City of Minneapolis

State of Minnesota

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

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

hereby constitutes and appoints William A. Stoltzmann, Mary Ellyn Minenko,
Eileen J. Newhouse, Sherilyn K. Beck, Colin Lancaster, Bruce Kohn and Timothy S.
Meehan or any one of them, as her or his attorney-in-fact and agent, to sign for
her or him in her or his name, place and stead any and all filings, applications
(including applications for exemptive relief), periodic reports, registration
statements for existing or future products of existing separate accounts (with
all exhibits and other documents required or desirable in connection therewith),
other documents, and amendments thereto and to file such filings, applications,
periodic reports, registration statements, other documents, and amendments
thereto with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any necessary states,
and grants to any or all of them the full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act required or necessary in connection therewith.



         Dated the 19th day of August, 1997.


/s/  David R. Hubers                                          August 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------
     David R. Hubers
     Director


/s/  Richard W. Kling                                         August 18, 1997
 -----------------------------------
     Richard W. Kling
     Director and President


/s/  Paul F. Kolkman                                          August 19, 1997
- ------------------------------------
     Paul F. Kolkman
     Director and Executive Vice
     President


/s/  James A. Mitchell                                        August 15, 1997
- ------------------------------------
     James A. Mitchell
     Director, Chairman of the
     Board and Chief Executive Officer


/s/  Barry J. Murphy                                          August 14, 1997
- ------------------------------------
     Barry J. Murphy
     Director and Executive Vice
     President, Client Service


/s/  Stuart A. Sedlacek                                       August 19, 1997
- ------------------------------------
     Stuart A. Sedlacek
     Director and Executive Vice
     President, Assured Assets


/s/  Melinda S. Urion                                         August 14, 1997
- ------------------------------------
     Melinda S. Urion
     Director, Executive Vice
     President and Controller


                           IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

City of Minneapolis

State of Minnesota

         Each of the undersigned, as principal financial officer and controller,
respectively, of IDS Life Insurance Company on behalf of the below listed
registrants that previously have filed registration statements and amendments
thereto pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940 with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                  <C>                  <C>   

                                                                       1933 Act              1940 Act
                                                                       Reg. Number           Reg. Number
IDS Life Variable Account 10
     IDS Life Flexible Portfolio Annuity                               33-62407              811-07355
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
     IDS Life Flexible Annuity                                         33-4173               811-3217
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
     IDS Life Variable Retirement and Combination
     Retirement Annuities                                              2-73114               811-3217
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
     IDS Life Employee Benefit Annuity                                 33-52518              811-3217
IDS Life Accounts F, IZ, JZ, G, H, N, KZ, LZ and MZ
     IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract                          33-47302              811-3217
IDS Life Insurance Company
     IDS Life Group Variable Annuity Contract (Fixed Account)          33-48701              N/A
IDS Life Insurance Company
     IDS Life Guaranteed Term Annuity                                  33-28976              N/A
IDS Life Insurance Company
     IDS Life Flexible Payment Market Value Annuity                    33-50968              N/A
IDS Life Insurance Company
     Portfolio Guaranteed Term Annuity                                 333-42793             N/A
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
     Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy                   33-11165              811-4298
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
     Flexible Premium Survivorship Variable Life
     Insurance Policy                                                  33-62457              811-4298
IDS Life Variable Life Separate Account
     Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy                     2-97637               811-4298
IDS Life Variable Account for Smith Barney
     Single Premium Variable Life Insurance Policy                     33-5210               811-4652
IDS Life Account SBS
     Symphony Annuity                                                  33-40779              812-7731
IDS Life Account RE
     Real Estate Variable Annuity                                      33-13375              N/A
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund A                                       2-29081               811-1653
IDS Life Variable Annuity Fund B                                       2-47430               811-1674
</TABLE>

hereby constitutes and appoints William A. Stoltzmann, Mary Ellyn Minenko,
Eileen J. Newhouse, Sherilyn K. Beck, Colin Lancaster, Bruce Kohn and Timothy S.
Meehan or any one of them, as his attorney-in-fact and agent, to sign for him in
his name, place and stead any and all filings, applications (including
applications for exemptive relief), periodic reports, registration statements
for existing or future products of existing separate accounts (with all exhibits
and other documents required or desirable in connection therewith), other
documents, and amendments thereto and to file such filings, applications,
periodic reports, registration statements, other documents, and amendments
thereto with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any necessary states,
and grants to any or all of them the full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act required or necessary in connection therewith.



Dated the 9th day of April, 1998.




/s/  Jeffrey S. Horton                                        April 8, 1998
- ------------------------------------
     Jeffrey S. Horton
     Vice President, Treasurer
     and Assistant Secretary




/s/  Philip C. Wentzel                                        April 9, 1998
- ------------------------------------
     Philip C. Wentzel
     Vice President and Controller




<PAGE>

Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
IDS Life Insurance Company

We have audited the  consolidated  financial  statements  of IDS Life  Insurance
Company as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the
period  ended  December  31,  1997,  and have  issued our report  thereon  dated
February 5, 1998 (included elsewhere in this Registration Statement). Our audits
also included the financial statement schedules listed in the index to financial
statement  schedules of this  Registration  Statement.  These  schedules are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits.

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



                                                              
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 5, 1998




<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE I - CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES ($ thousands)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997



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

Type of Investment                                 Cost                 Value        Amount at which
                                                                                       shown in the
                                                                                       balance sheet
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                     <C>           <C>           
Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (a)                    $    1,829,112          $ 1,846,833   $    1,829,112
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions                     9,684               10,252            9,684
        All other corporate bonds (b)             7,476,654            7,886,325        7,476,654
                                               ------------           ----------       ----------
              Total held to maturity              9,315,450            9,743,410        9,315,450

    Available for sale:
        United States Government and
          government agencies and
          authorities (c)                         6,798,425            6,944,942        6,944,942
        States, municipalities and
           political subdivisions                    11,045               12,393           12,393
        All other corporate bonds (d)             5,705,560            5,919,359        5,919,359
                                               ------------           ----------       ----------
              Total available for sale           12,515,030           12,876,694       12,876,694

Mortgage loans on real estate                     3,618,647            XXXXXXXXX        3,618,647
Policy loans                                        498,874            XXXXXXXXX          498,874
Other investments                                   318,591            XXXXXXXXX          318,591
                                               ------------                            ----------

              Total investments              $   26,266,592          $ XXXXXXXXX     $ 26,628,256
                                               ============           ==========       ==========

(a) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $1,787,180 and $1,801,952,
           respectively.
(b) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $196,008 and $199,301,
           respectively.
(c) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $6,733,134 and $6,875,498,
           respectively.
(d) - Includes mortgage-backed securities with a cost and market value of $397,431 and $408,667,
           respectively.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION ($
thousands)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

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

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

<S>             <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>               
Annuities       $ 1,453,441  $ 22,009,747 $      -    $ 35,007  $       -  $1,718,515   $  1,720     $229,729     $262,680       N/A



Life, DI, and
Long-term Care
Insurance         1,026,136     4,027,289        -     33,338     206,494     269,874    209,955       93,002       13,916       N/A


- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total           $ 2,479,577  $ 26,037,036 $      -    $ 68,345  $ 206,494 $ 1,988,389  $ 211,675     $322,731     $276,596       N/A

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on various assumptions and estimates.

</TABLE>
<PAGE>


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

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

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

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



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

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

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

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on various assumptions and estimates.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

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

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

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

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



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


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

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

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Allocations of net investment income and other operating expenses are based on various assumptions and estimates.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE IV - REINSURANCE ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Column A            Column B      Column C       Column D       Column E    Column F
 
                           Gross amount  Ceded to other Assumed from         Net    % of amount
                                          companies   other companies      Amount  assumed to net
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<S>                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>  
For the year ended
  December 31, 1997
 
Life insurance in force  $ 73,119,122   $ 4,351,904    $ 1,611,596    $ 70,378,814    2.29%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Premiums:
  Life insurance         $     55,094   $     3,124    $       503    $     52,473    0.96%
  DI & LTC insurance          196,799        42,778             --         154,021    0.00%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums           $    251,893   $    45,902    $       503    $    206,494    0.24%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
For the year ended
  December 31, 1996

Life insurance in force  $ 65,571,173   $ 3,875,921    $ 1,703,181    $ 63,398,433    2.69%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Premiums:
  Life insurance         $     54,111   $     3,253    $       545    $     51,403    1.06%
  DI & LTC insurance          164,561        33,043             --         131,518    0.00%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums           $    218,672   $    36,296    $       545    $    182,921    0.30%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
For the year ended
  December 31, 1995
 
Life insurance in force  $ 57,895,180   $ 3,771,204    $ 1,788,352    $ 55,912,328    3.20%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Premiums:
  Life insurance         $     53,089   $     2,648    $      (248)   $     50,193   -0.49%
  DI & LTC insurance          137,016        25,679             --         111,337    0.00%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total premiums           $    190,105   $    28,327    $      (248)   $    161,530   -0.15%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SCHEDULE V - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ($ thousands)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
      Column A                Column B       Column C                        Column D       Column E
 
                                                  Additions
                                                  ---------
                             Balance at                    Charged to
Description                  Beginning     Charged to     Other Accounts-   Deductions-  Balance at End
                             of Period   Costs & Expenses    Describe        Describe *     of Period
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>             <C>               <C>            <C>           <C>    
For the year ended
  December 31, 1997
- ----------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans    $37,495         $8,801            $0             $7,651        $38,645
Reserve for Other Investments $3,963          $2,100            $0                 $0         $6,063
 
For the year ended
  December 31, 1996
- ----------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans    $37,340        $10,005            $0             $9,850        $37,495
Reserve for Other Investments $4,713           ($750)           $0                 $0         $3,963
 
For the year ended
  December 31, 1995
- ----------------------------
Reserve for Mortgage Loans    $35,252        $15,900            $0            $13,812       $37,340
Reserve for Other Investments $7,515         ($2,802)           $0                 $0        $4,713
 
 
* 1997, 1996 and 1995 amounts represent $7,651, $9,850, and $13,812, respectively, for loan
  payoffs and foreclosures.
</TABLE>




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