AMERICAN VARIABLE INSURANCE SERIES
497, 1999-10-14
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<PAGE>

                               American Variable
                               Insurance Series

                                Class 2 Shares

                                  Prospectus




                                 JULY 1, 1999


The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these
securities. Further, it has not determined that this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


<PAGE>

  OTHER FUND INFORMATION

  Annual/Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

  Contains additional information about the Series including financial
  statements, investment results, portfolio holdings, a statement from
  portfolio management discussing market conditions and the Series'
  investment strategies that significantly affected each fund's per-
  formance during its latest fiscal year, and the independent accoun-
  tants' report (in the annual report).

  Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

  Contains more detailed information on all aspects of the Series, in-
  cluding the Series financial statements.

  A current SAI has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Com-
  mission ("SEC") and is incorporated by reference into this prospec-
  tus. The SAI and other related materials about the Series are avail-
  able for review or to be copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in
  Washington, D.C. (1-800-SEC-0330) or on the SEC's Internet Web site
  at http://www.sec.gov.

  Code of Ethics

  Includes a description of the Series personal investing policy.

  To request a free copy of any of the documents above, write to:

    Secretary of the Series
    333 South Hope Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90071




<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
The Series consists of 11 funds, each representing a separate fully managed di-
versified portfolio of securities. The three funds available in Lincoln CVUL
are:

  Growth Fund
  Growth-Income Fund
  High-Yield Bond Fund

The Series offers two classes of fund shares: Class 1 shares and Class 2
shares. This prospectus offers only Class 2 shares and is for use with Con-
tracts that make Class 2 shares available. The Board of Trustees may establish
additional funds and classes in the future. The investment objective(s) and
policies of each fund are discussed below. More information on the funds is
contained in the Series' statement of additional information.

Shares of the Series are currently offered only to separate accounts of various
insurance companies to serve as the underlying investment for both variable an-
nuity and variable life insurance contracts ("Contracts"). All such shares may
be purchased or redeemed by the separate accounts without any sales or redemp-
tion charges at net asset value. Due to differences in tax treatment or other
considerations, the interest of various Contract owners participating in a fund
might at some time be in conflict. The Board of Trustees will monitor the Se-
ries' operations for any material conflicts and determine what action, if any,
should be taken.

                                       1

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth Fund

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

The fund seeks to make your investment grow by investing primarily in common
stocks of companies that appear to offer superior opportunities for growth of
capital. The fund may also invest up to 10% of its assets in equity securities
of issuers domiciled outside the U.S. and not included in the Standard & Poor's
500 Composite Index. The fund is designed for investors seeking capital appre-
ciation through stocks. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspec-
tive and be able to tolerate potentially wide price fluctuations.

The prices of equity securities held by the fund may decline in response to
certain events, including those directly involving companies whose securities
are owned in the fund, adverse conditions affecting the general economy, over-
all market declines, world political, social and economic instability and cur-
rency fluctuations. Investments outside the U.S. may be affected by these
events to a greater extent and may also be affected by differing securities
regulations and administrative difficulties such as delays in clearing and set-
tling portfolio transactions. The growth oriented, equity-type securities gen-
erally purchased by the fund may involve large price swings and potential for
loss.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser, Capital
Research and Management Company, to make decisions about the fund's portfolio
securities. The basic investment philosophy of Capital Research and Management
Company is to seek undervalued securities that represent good long-term invest-
ment opportunities. Securities may be sold when they are judged to no longer
represent good long-term value.

You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss is greater
if you invest for a shorter period of time. Your investment in the fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insur-
ance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or person.

Investment Results

The following information provides an indication of the risks associated with
investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's investment results from
year to year. Past results are not an indication of future results.

Here are the fund's results calculated on a calender year basis. (If insurance
separate account fees were included, results would have been lower.)

     89      90     91     92     93     94     95     96     97     98
    30.79   -4.67  32.90  10.48  16.00   0.23  32.90  13.07  29.79  35.24

The fund's year-to-date return for the three months ended March 31,1999 waws
7.73%.

The fund's highest/lowest quarterly results during this time period were:

4Highest  29.99% (quarter ended December 31, 1998)
4Lowest -17.08% (quarter ended September 30, 1990)

                                       2

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus

For periods ended December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average
Annual                        Lipper Capital
Total                S&P 500   Appreciation
Return       Fund/1/ Index/2/ Fund Index/3/  CPI/4/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>     <C>      <C>            <C>
One Year     35.24%   28.52%      19.90%     1.61%
 ................................................................................
Five Years   21.46%   24.02%      16.26%     2.37%
 ................................................................................
Ten Years    18.83%   19.16%      15.71%     3.12%
 ................................................................................
Lifetime/5/  17.45%   18.43%      14.26%     3.24%
</TABLE>

/1/These fund results were calculated according to a standard formula required
  for all stock and bond funds.

/2/The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index represents primarily U.S. stocks.
  This index is unmanaged and does not reflect sales charges, commissions or
  expenses.

/3/The Lipper Capital Appreciation Fund Index represents funds that seek growth
  of capital but do not necessarily emphasize investments in rapidly growing,
  high P/E companies. Sales charges and commissions are not reflected in the
  results of the underlying funds.

/4/The Consumer Price Index is a measure of inflation and is computed from data
  supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

/5/The fund began investment operations on February 8, 1984.

                                       3

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth-Income Fund

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

The fund seeks to make your investment grow and provide you with income over
time by investing primarily in common stocks or other securities which demon-
strate the potential for appreciation and/or dividends. The fund may also in-
vest up to 10% of its assets in securities of issuers domiciled outside the
U.S. and not included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index. The fund is
designed for investors seeking both capital appreciation and income.

The prices of equity securities may decline in response to certain events in-
cluding those directly involving companies whose securities are owned in the
fund, adverse conditions affecting the general economy, overall market declines
world political, social and economic instability, and currency fluctuations.
Investments outside the U.S. may be affected by these events to a greater ex-
tent and may also be affected by differing securities regulations, higher
transaction costs, and administrative difficulties such as delays in clearing
and settling portfolio securities.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser, Capital
Research and Management Company, to make decisions about the fund's portfolio
securities. The basic investment philosophy of Capital Research and Management
Company is to seek undervalued securities that represent good long-term invest-
ment opportunities. Securities may be sold when they are judged to no longer
represent good long-term value.

You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss is greater
if you invest for a shorter period of time. Your investment in the fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insur-
ance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or person.

Investment Results

The following information provides an indication of the risks associated with
investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's investment results from
year to year. Past results are not an indication of future results.

Here are the fund's results calculated on a calender year basis. (If insurance
separate account fees were included, results would have been lower.)

     89      90     91     92     93     94     95     96     97     98
    25.02   -2.87  23.69   7.62  11.97   1.79  32.63  18.41  25.54  18.09

The fund's year-to-date return for the three months ended March 31,1999 waws
2.30%.

The fund's highest/lowest quarterly results during this time period were:

4Highest  18.85% (quarter ended December 31, 1998)
4Lowest -11.93% (quarter ended September 30, 1990)

                                       4

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus

For periods ended December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average
Annual                        Lipper Growth
Total                S&P 500   and Income
Return       Fund/1/ Index/2/ Fund Index/3/ CPI/4/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>     <C>      <C>           <C>
One Year     18.09%   28.52%     13.58%     1.61%
 ................................................................................
Five Years   18.84%   24.02%     17.83%     2.37%
 ................................................................................
Ten Years    15.67%   19.16%     15.54%     3.12%
 ................................................................................
Lifetime/5/  15.82%   18.43%     15.20%     3.24%
</TABLE>

/1/These fund results were calculated according to a standard formula required
  for all stock and bond funds.

/2/The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index represents primarily U.S. stocks.
  This index is unmanaged and does not reflect sales charges, commissions or
  expenses.

/3/The Lipper Growth and Income Fund Index represents funds that combine a
  growth-of-earnings orientation and an income requirement for level and/or
  rising dividends. Sales charges and commissions are not reflected in the re-
  sults of the underlying funds.

/4/The Consumer Price Index is a measure of inflation and is computed from data
  supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

/5/The fund began investment operations on February 8, 1984.

                                       5

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High-Yield Bond Fund

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

The fund seeks to provide you with a high level of current income and second-
arily capital appreciation by investing primarily in lower quality debt securi-
ties (rated Ba and BB or below by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard
& Poor's Corporation or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality),
including those of non-U.S. issuers. The fund may also invest in equity securi-
ties and securities that have both equity and debt characteristics that provide
an opportunity for capital appreciation. The fund is designed for investors
seeking a high level of current income and who are able to tolerate greater
credit risk and price fluctuations than funds investing higher quality bonds.

The value of debt securities held by the fund may be affected by factors such
as changing credit ratings, interest rates, and effective maturities. For exam-
ple, the values of lower quality and longer maturity bonds will be subject to
greater credit risk and price fluctuations than higher quality and shorter ma-
turity bonds. In addition, values of bonds in the fund's portfolio generally
will decline when interest rates rise and vice versa. The value of non-U.S. se-
curities can decline in response to currency fluctuations, political, social
and economic instability, differing securities regulations, and administrative
difficulties such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions. In
addition, the prices of equity securities may decline in response to certain
events, including those directly involving securities owned in the fund, ad-
verse conditions affecting the general economy, or overall market declines.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser, Capital
Research and Management Company, to make decisions about the fund's portfolio
securities. The basic investment philosophy of Capital Research and Management
Company is to seek undervalued securities that represent good long-term invest-
ment opportunities. Securities may be sold when they are judged to no longer
represent good long-term value.

You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss is greater
if you invest for a shorter period of time. Your investment in the fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insur-
ance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or person.

                                       6

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus

Investment Results

The following information provides an indication of the risks associated with
investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's investment results from
year to year. Past results are not an indication of future results.

Here are the fund's results calculated on a calender year basis. (If insurance
separate account fees were included, results would have been lower.)

     89      90     91     92     93     94     95     96     97     98
    10.03    3.40  26.10  12.07  16.05  -6.83  21.42  12.91  12.08   0.27

The fund's year-to-date return for the three months ended March 31,1999 waws
1.80%

The fund's highest/lowest quarterly results during this time period were:

4Highest  10.29% (quarter ended March 31, 1991)
4Lowest -8.42% (quarter ended September 30, 1998)

For periods ended December 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average                                  Salomon
Annual                                    Smith
Total                  CS First Boston    Barney
Return       Fund/1/ High Yield Index/2/ Index/3/ CPI/4/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>     <C>                 <C>      <C>
One Year      0.27%         0.58%          8.71%  1.61%
 ................................................................................
Five Years    7.50%         8.16%          7.30%  2.37%
 ................................................................................
Ten Years    10.35%        10.74%          9.31%  3.12%
 ................................................................................
Lifetime/5/  11.71%         N/A           10.28%  3.24%
</TABLE>

/1/These fund results were calculated according to a standard formula required
  for all stock and bond funds.

/2/The Credit Suisse First Boston High Yield Index is a trader-priced portfolio
  constructed to mirror the high yield debt market (revisions to the index are
  effected weekly). This index is unmanaged does not reflect sales charges,
  commissions or expenses.

/3/The Salomon Smith Barney Broad Investment-Grade Bond Index represents a mar-
  ket capitalization-weighted index that includes Treasury, Government-
  sponsored, mortgage, and investment grade fixed-rate corporate bonds (BBB-
  /Baa3) with a maturity of one year or longer. This index is unmanaged and
  does not reflect sales charges, commissions or expenses.

/4/The Consumer Price Index is a measure of inflation and is computed from data
  supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

/5/The fund began investment operations on February 8, 1984.

                                       7

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
Cash Position

The funds may also hold cash or money market instruments of any issuer to any
extent deemed appropriate. The size of the funds' cash position will vary and
will depend on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and
redemptions of fund shares. A larger cash position could detract from the
achievement of the funds' objectives, but it also provides greater liquidity to
meet redemptions or to make additional investments, and it would reduce the
fund's exposure in the event of a market downturn.

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio changes will be made without regard to the length of time particular
investments may have been held. The funds do not anticipate their portfolio
turnover to exceed 100% annually. The funds' portfolio turnover rate would
equal 100% if each security in the funds' portfolios were replaced once per
year. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction
costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions, and may result in
the realization of net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to
shareholders. Debt securities are generally traded on a net basis and usually
neither brokerage commissions nor transfer taxes are involved. See the "Finan-
cial Highlights" for the funds' portfolio turnover for each of the last five
years.

YEAR 2000

The date-related computer issue known as the "Year 2000 problem" could have an
adverse impact on the quality of services provided to the Series and its share-
holders. However, the Series understands that its key service providers --
including the investment adviser and its affiliates -- are taking steps to ad-
dress the issue. In addition, the Year 2000 problem may adversely affect the
issuers in which the funds invest. For example, issuers may incur substantial
costs to address the problem. They may also suffer losses caused by corporate
and governmental data processing errors. The Series and its investment adviser
will continue to monitor developments relating to this issue.

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

Investment Adviser

Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management
organization founded in 1931, serves as investment adviser to the Series and
other mutual funds, including those in The American Funds Group. Capital Re-
search Management Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Com-
panies, Inc., is headquartered at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Capital Research Management Company manages the investment portfolios and busi-
ness affairs of the Series.

The total management fee paid by each fund, as a percentage of average net as-
sets, for the previous fiscal year amounted to the following: Global Growth
Fund -- .69%; Global Small Capitalization Fund -- .79%; Growth Fund -- .40%;
International Fund -- .57%; Growth-Income Fund -- .35%; Asset Allocation
Fund -- .44%; Bond Fund -- .51%; High-Yield Bond Fund -- .50%; U.S.
Government/AAA-Rated Securities Fund -- .50%; and Cash Management Fund -- .44%.
Capital Research and Management Company has received no compensation for the
New World Fund because it had not commenced operations during the most recent
fiscal year.

Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies have
adopted a personal investing policy that is consistent with the recommendations
contained in the May 9, 1994 report issued by the Investment Company Insti-
tute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing. This policy has been incorporated
into the Series' code of ethics.

Multiple Portfolio Counselor System

Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple portfolio
counselors in managing mutual fund assets. Under this system the portfolio of a
fund is divided into segments which are managed by individual counselors. Coun-
selors decide how their respective segments will be invested (within the limits
provided by a fund's objective(s) and policies and by Capital Research and Man-
agement Company's investment committee). In addition, Capital Research and Man-
agement Company's research professionals may make investment decisions with re-
spect to a portion of the fund's portfolio. The primary portfolio counselors
for each of the funds are listed on the next two pages.

                                       8

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Approximate Years
                                                                                    of Experience as
                                                                                     an Investment
                                                                                      Professional
                                                                                     (including the
                                                                                    last five years)
                                               ................................

                                                         Years of Experience       With Capital
                                                        as Portfolio Counselor     Research and
                                                     (and Research Professional,    Management
  Portfolio Counselors                                      if applicable)          Company or  Total
     for the Series           Primary Title(s)              (approximate)           Affiliates  Years
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <C>                   <C>                          <S>                           <C>          <C>
  James K. Dunton       President of the Series.     Growth-Income Fund -- 15           37        37
                        Senior Vice President and    years (since the fund began
                        Director, Capital Research   operations)
                        and Management Company
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Abner D. Goldstine    Senior Vice President of     Asset Allocation Fund -- 10        32        47
                        the Series. Senior Vice      years (since the fund began
                        President and Director,      operations)
                        Capital Research and         Bond Fund -- 3 years (since
                        Management Company           the fund began operations)
                                                     High-Yield Bond Fund -- 1
                                                     year
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Alan N. Berro         Vice President of the        Growth-Income Fund -- 3             8        13
                        Series. Senior Vice          years (plus 6 years as a
                        President, Capital Research  research professional prior
                        Company*                     to becoming a portfolio
                                                     counselor for the fund)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Claudia P. Huntington Vice President of the        Growth-Income Fund -- 5            22        25
                        Series. Senior Vice          years (plus 5 years as a
                        President, Capital Research  research professional prior
                        and Management Company       to becoming a portfolio
                                                     counselor for the fund)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Robert W. Lovelace    Vice President of the        Global Small Capitalization        14        14
                        Series, Senior Vice          Fund -- 1 year (since the
                        President, Capital Research  fund began operations)
                        and Management Company       Global Growth Fund -- 2
                                                     years (since the fund began
                                                     operations)
                                                     International Fund -- 4
                                                     years
                                                     New World Fund -- less than
                                                     1 year (since the fund
                                                     began operations)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Donald D. O'Neal      Vice President of the        Global Growth Fund -- 2            14        14
                        Series. Senior Vice          years (since the fund began
                        President, Capital Research  operations) Growth Fund --
                        and Management Company        8 years (plus 4 years as a
                                                     research professional prior
                                                     to becoming a portfolio
                                                     counselor for the fund)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  John H. Smet          Vice President of the        Bond Fund -- 3 years (since        16        17
                        Series. Vice President,      the fund began operations)
                        Capital Research and         U.S. Government Fund -- 7
                        Management Company           years
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Susan M. Tolson       Vice President of the        High-Yield Bond Fund -- 4           9        11
                        Series. Vice President and   years (plus 3 years as a
                        Director, Capital Research   research professional prior
                        Company*                     to becoming a portfolio
                                                     counselor for the fund)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Timothy D. Armour     Chairman and Chief           Asset Allocation Fund -- 3         16        16
                        Executive Officer, Capital   years
                        Research Company*
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  David C. Barclay      Vice President and           High-Yield Bond Fund -- 6          11        18
                        Director, Capital Research   years
                        and Management Company       New World Fund -- less than
                                                     1 year (since the fund
                                                     began operations)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Martial Chaillet      Senior Vice President and    Global Growth Fund -- 2            27        27
                        Director, Capital Research   years (since the fund began
                        Company*                     operations)
                                                     International Fund -- 6
                                                     years
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Gordon Crawford       Senior Vice President and    Global Small Capitalization        28        28
                        Director, Capital Research   Fund -- 1 year (since the
                        and Management Company       fund began operations)
                                                     Growth Fund -- 5 years
                                                     (plus 5 years as a research
                                                     professional prior to
                                                     becoming a portfolio
                                                     counselor for the fund)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Mark E. Denning       Director, Capital Research   Global Small Capitalization        17        17
                        and Management Company       Fund -- 1 year (since the
                                                     fund began operations)
                                                     New World Fund -- less than
                                                     1 year (since the fund
                                                     began operations)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  James E. Drasdo       Senior Vice President and    Growth Fund -- 12 years            22        27
                        Director, Capital Research
                        and Management Company
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Alwyn Heong           Vice President, Capital      International Fund -- 3             7        11
                        Research Company*            years
                                                     New World Fund -- less than
                                                     1 year (since the fund
                                                     began operations)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Thomas H. Hogh        Vice President -- Capital    U.S. Government Fund -- 1           9        12
                        International Research,      year
                        Inc.*
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Carl M. Kawaja        Vice President, Capital      New World Fund -- less than         8        12
                        Research Company*            1 year (since fund began
                                                     operations)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Robert G. O'Donnell   Senior Vice President and    Growth-Income Fund -- 9            24        27
                        Director, Capital Research   years (plus 1 year as a
                        and Management Company       research professional prior
                                                     to becoming a portfolio
                                                     counselor for the fund)
</TABLE>

                                       9

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Approximate Years
                                                                                  of Experience as
                                                                                   an Investment
                                                                                    Professional
                                                                                   (including the
                                                                                  last five years)
                                               ................................

                                                       Years of Experience       With Capital
                                                      as Portfolio Counselor     Research and
       Portfolio                                   (and Research Professional,    Management
  Counselors for the                                      if applicable)          Company or  Total
        Series              Primary Title(s)              (approximate)           Affiliates  Years
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <C>                 <C>                          <S>                           <C>          <C>
  Victor M. Parachini Senior Vice President,       Asset Allocation Fund -- 3         24        37
                      Capital Research and         years
                      Management Company
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  John W. Ressner     Executive Vice President     U.S. Government Fund -- 1          11        11
                      and Director --Capital       year
                      Research Company*
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Gregory W. Wendt    Senior Vice President and    Global Small Capitalization        12        12
                      Director, Capital Research   Fund -- 1 year (since the
                      Company*                     fund began operations)
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.
</TABLE>


PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES

Shares of the Series are currently offered only to insurance company separate
accounts which fund the Contracts. All such shares may be purchased or redeemed
by the separate accounts at net asset values, without any sales or redemption
charges. Such purchases and redemptions are made subsequent to corresponding
purchases and redemptions of units of the separate accounts without delay.

Share Price

Each fund calculates its share price, also called net asset value, as of 4:00
p.m. New York time, which is the normal close of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange, every day the Exchange is open. If a market price for a particular
security is not available, a fund will determine the appropriate price for the
security. Shares of the funds will be purchased or sold at the net asset value,
next determined after receipt of requests from the appropriate insurance compa-
ny. Certain of the funds invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges which
trade on Saturdays or other U.S. business holidays. Since the funds typically
do not calculate their net asset values on Saturdays or other U.S. business
holidays, the value of the funds' redeemable securities may be affected on days
when shareholders do not have access to the funds.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Class 2 shares pay .25% of average net assets annually, pursuant to a Plan of
Distribution or "12b-1 plan." Class 2 shares are available through various
variable annuity and life insurance contracts. Amounts paid under the 12b-1
plan are used by insurance company contract issuers to cover the expense of
certain contract owner services. Class 2 shares pay only their proportionate
share of Series expenses plus 12b-1 plan expenses. Since these fees are paid
out of a fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the
cost of an investment.

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

Dividends and Distributions

It is the Series' policy to distribute to the shareholders (the insurance com-
pany separate accounts) all of its net investment income and capital gains re-
alized during each fiscal year.

Each fund of the Series intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company"
under the Internal Revenue Code. In any fiscal year in which a fund so quali-
fies and distributes to shareholders its net investment income and realized
capital gains, the fund itself is relieved of federal income tax.

See the applicable Contract prospectus for information regarding the federal
income tax treatment of the Contracts and distributions to the separate ac-
counts.

                                       10

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the funds'
results for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results
for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate than
an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a fund (assuming re-
investment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been au-
dited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the funds' finan-
cial statements, are included in the statement of additional information, which
is available upon request.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Income From Investment Operations                               Less Distributions
<CAPTION>
          IncomeRatios/SupplementalFDatarom Investment Operations

                              Net gains or
       Net asset               losses on                Dividends                              Net asset
Year    value,      Net     securities (both Total from (from net  Distributions                value,
ended  beginning investment   realized and   investment investment (from capital     Total      end of   Total
11/30   of year    income     unrealized)    operations  income)      gains)     distributions   year    return
       Net assets,  Ratio of    Ratio of
Year   end of year  expenses   net income  Portfolio
ended      (in     to average  to average  turnover
11/30   millions)  net assets  net assets    rate

<S>    <C>       <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       <C>
Global Growth Fund/1/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1997    $10.00      $.06          $ .59         $ .65     $(.03)          --         $(.03)     $10.62    6.45%/2/
1998     10.62       .13           2.43          2.56      (.14)      $ (.02)         (.16)      13.02   24.26
<S>    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Global Growth Fund/1/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1997       $ 80       .44%/2/     .80%/2/   13.22%/2/
1998        132       .75        1.14       25.56
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     10.00       .03            .60           .63      (.02)          --          (.02)      10.61    6.28/2/
1998     10.61       .10           2.44          2.54      (.11)        (.02)         (.13)      13.02   24.06
 Class 2/3/
1997         46       .57/2/      .56/2/    13.22/2/
1998        124      1.00         .87       25.56

Global Small Capitalization Fund/4/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1998    $10.00      $.07          $(.92)        $(.85)    $(.04)          --         $(.04)      $9.11   (8.31)%/2/
Global Small Capitalization Fund/4/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1998        $55       .51%/2/     .86%/2/   28.20%/2/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2
1998     10.00       .04           (.91)         (.87)     (.03)          --          (.03)       9.10   (8.49)/2/
 Class 2
1998         17       .64/2/      .63/2/    28.20/2/

Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $32.34      $.24         $  .69        $  .93     $(.24)      $(1.09)       $(1.33)     $31.94    2.92%
1995     31.94       .33          10.63         10.96      (.29)        (.80)        (1.09)      41.81   35.35
1996     41.81       .24           5.17          5.41      (.29)       (3.40)        (3.69)      43.53   14.32
1997     43.53       .27           9.61          9.88      (.27)       (3.02)        (3.29)      50.12   24.57
1998     50.12       .19          10.91         11.10      (.17)       (6.14)        (6.31)      54.91   25.27
Growth Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994     $2,027       .49%        .78%      29.58%
1995      3,154       .47         .92       35.47
1996      3,860       .44         .61       30.88
1997      4,671       .42         .59       45.14
1998      5,313       .41         .38       49.91
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     40.59       .11           9.51          9.62      (.12)          --          (.12)      50.09   23.73/2/
1998     50.09       .08          10.90         10.98      (.05)       (6.14)        (6.19)      54.88   24.97
 Class 2/3/
1997         75       .37/2/      .08/2/    45.14
1998        310       .66         .15       49.91

International Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $12.40      $.25          $1.04         $1.29     $(.20)      $ (.22)       $ (.42)     $13.27   10.48%
1995     13.27       .34           1.02          1.36      (.33)        (.41)         (.74)      13.89   10.78
1996     13.89       .28           1.96          2.24      (.31)        (.29)         (.60)      15.53   16.66
1997     15.53       .25           1.18          1.43      (.27)        (.62)         (.89)      16.07    9.52
1998     16.07       .22           2.21          2.43      (.28)       (1.65)        (1.93)      16.57   16.94
International Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994     $1,405       .80%       2.03%      19.66%
1995      1,703       .75        2.64       24.66
1996      2,370       .69        1.99       32.08
1997      2,612       .67        1.56       50.12
1998      2,593       .66        1.36       34.08
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     15.86       .13            .23           .36      (.16)          --          (.16)      16.06    2.20/2/
1998     16.06       .20           2.19          2.39      (.24)       (1.65)        (1.89)      16.56   16.63
 Class 2/3/
1997         48       .53/2/      .34/2/    50.12
1998        126       .91        1.03       34.08

Growth-Income Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $26.01      $.68          $ .14         $ .82     $(.65)      $ (.88)       $(1.53)     $25.30    3.21%
1995     25.30       .73           7.20          7.93      (.73)       (1.03)        (1.76)      31.47   33.14
1996     31.47       .71           5.55          6.26      (.74)       (1.26)        (2.00)      35.73   21.02
1997     35.73       .73           6.78          7.51      (.72)       (2.55)        (3.27)      39.97   22.92
1998     39.97       .67           4.60          5.27      (.68)       (3.83)        (4.51)      40.73   14.77
Growth-Income Fund
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994     $2,740       .47%       2.72%      29.26%
1995      3,953       .44        2.70       26.91
1996      5,249       .41        2.26       31.27
1997      6,430       .38        2.01       37.55
1998      6.704       .36        1.74       42.72
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     34.10       .37           5.82          6.19      (.35)          --          (.35)      39.94   18.18/2/
1998     39.94       .58           4.60          5.18      (.59)       (3.83)        (4.42)      40.70   14.49
 Class 2/3/
1997        157       .35/2/      .93/2/    37.55
1998        564       .61        1.02       42.72

</TABLE>

                                       11

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  American Variable Insurance Series / Prospectus
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Income From Investment Operations                               Less Distributions
<CAPTION>
          IncomeRatios/SupplementalFDatarom Investment Operations

                              Net gains or
       Net asset               losses on                Dividends  Distributions               Net asset
Year    value,      Net     securities (both Total from (from net      (from                    value,
ended  beginning investment   realized and   investment investment   realized        Total      end of   Total
11/30  of period   income     unrealized)    operations  income)      gains)     distributions   year    return
       Net assets,  Ratio of     Ratio of
Year   end of year  expenses    net income   Portfolio
ended      (in     to average   to average   turnover
11/30   millions)  net assets   net assets     rate

<S>    <C>       <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       <C>
Asset Allocation Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $12.01      $.51          $(.57)       $(.06)      $(.52)      $(.18)        $(.70)     $11.25    (.54)%
1995     11.25       .50           2.69         3.19        (.50)       (.17)         (.67)      13.77   29.45
1996     13.77       .53           1.89         2.42        (.53)       (.48)        (1.01)      15.18   18.65
1997     15.18       .55           1.94         2.49        (.54)       (.97)        (1.51)      16.16   17.90
1998     16.16       .58           1.27         1.85        (.57)       (.87)        (1.44)      16.57   12.32
<S>    <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Asset Allocation Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994      $ 637         .53%       4.55%       36.13%
1995        870         .52        4.11        39.89
1996      1,141         .49        3.88        50.62
1997      1,393         .47        3.63        34.14
1998      1,497         .45        3.63        27.97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     14.43       .29           1.69         1.98        (.26)         --          (.26)      16.15   13.80/2/
1998     16.15       .53           1.28         1.81        (.53)       (.87)        (1.40)      16.56   12.05
 Class 2/3/
1997         42         .40/2/     1.81/2/     34.14
1998        173         .70        3.39        27.97

Bond Fund/5/
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1996    $10.00      $.40           $.16         $.56       $(.25)         --         $(.25)     $10.31    5.74%/2/
1997     10.31       .63            .30          .93        (.62)         --          (.62)      10.62    9.36
1998     10.62       .67           (.15)         .52        (.65)      $(.12)         (.77)      10.37    5.12
Bond Fund/5/
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1996       $ 77         .52%/2/    6.18%/2/    32.83%/2/
1997        132         .55        6.63        52.93
1998        186         .54        6.89        61.54
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     10.11       .35            .46          .81        (.31)         --          (.31)      10.61    8.09/2/
1998     10.61       .65           (.15)         .50        (.63)       (.12)         (.75)      10.36    4.85
 Class 2/3/
1997         12         .44/2/     3.50/2/     52.93
1998         45         .78        6.62        61.54

High-Yield Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $15.17     $1.27         $(2.07)       $(.80)     $(1.23)      $(.25)       $(1.48)     $12.89   (5.71)%
1995     12.89      1.32           1.10         2.42       (1.32)         --         (1.32)      13.99   19.81
1996     13.99      1.28            .54         1.82       (1.30)         --         (1.30)      14.51   13.75
1997     14.51      1.29            .43         1.72       (1.27)         --         (1.27)      14.96   12.45
1998     14.96      1.26          (1.04)         .22       (1.25)       (.16)        (1.41)      13.77    1.44
High-Yield Bond Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994       $390         .54%       9.37%       38.46%
1995        534         .54       10.12        31.73
1996        662         .53        9.27        44.81
1997        765         .51        8.92        50.22
1998        715         .51        8.66        65.80
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     14.28       .69            .61         1.30        (.63)         --          (.63)      14.95    9.20/2/
1998     14.95      1.25          (1.06)         .19       (1.22)       (.16)        (1.38)      13.76    1.18
 Class 2/3/
1997         21      .43/2/        4.92/2/     50.22
1998         68         .76        8.60        65.80

U.S. Government/AAA-Rated Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $12.15      $.76         $(1.30)       $(.54)      $(.74)      $(.07)        $(.81)     $10.80   (4.58)%
1995     10.80       .82            .71         1.53        (.81)         --          (.81)      11.52   14.73
1996     11.52       .83           (.24)         .59        (.82)         --          (.82)      11.29    5.49
1997     11.29       .76           (.07)         .69        (.80)         --          (.80)      11.18    6.49
1998     11.18       .68            .26          .94        (.69)         --          (.69)      11.43    8.72
U.S. Government/AAA-Rated Securities Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994       $463         .54%       6.69%       45.21%
1995        542         .54        7.37        30.11
1996        512         .53        7.33        30.45
1997        471         .52        6.73        53.80
1998        537         .51        6.11        89.25
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     10.83       .38            .33          .71        (.37)         --          (.37)      11.17    6.65/2/
1998     11.17       .68            .24          .92        (.67)         --          (.67)      11.42    8.46
 Class 2/3/
1997          7         .44/2/     3.45/2/     53.80
1998         32         .75        5.68        89.25

Cash Management Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994    $11.02      $.37           $.02         $.39       $(.32)         --         $(.32)     $11.09    3.59%
1995     11.09       .63           (.02)         .61        (.59)         --          (.59)      11.11    5.65
1996     11.11       .54            .01          .55        (.54)         --          (.54)      11.12    5.09
1997     11.12       .57           (.01)         .56        (.55)         --          (.55)      11.13    5.21
1998     11.13       .57           (.01)         .56        (.56)         --          (.56)      11.13    5.17
Cash Management Fund
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 1
1994       $221         .49%       3.60%          --
1995        193         .49        5.37           --
1996        240         .47        4.94           --
1997        226         .47        4.99           --
1998        250         .46        5.07           --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class 2/3/
1997     11.07       .28            .03          .31        (.26)         --          (.26)      11.12    2.87/2/
1998     11.12       .55           (.02)         .53        (.53)         --          (.53)      11.12    4.92
 Class 2/3/
1997         14         .41/2/     2.80/2/        --
1998         34         .70        4.75           --
</TABLE>

/1/Commenced operations April 30, 1997.

/2/Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, not
  representative of a full year.

/3/Shares offered for sale commencing April 30, 1997.

/4/Commenced operations on April 30, 1998.

/5/Commenced operations January 2, 1996.

No information is presented for the New World Fund since it had no investment
operations as of April 1, 1999.

                                       12



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