SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
485BPOS, 1999-04-30
Previous: COMTEC INTERNATIONAL INC, 8-K, 1999-04-30
Next: PRICE T ROWE TAX FREE SHORT INTERMEDIATE FUND INC, 24F-2NT, 1999-04-30



<PAGE>   1
                                                       1933 Act File No. 2-87072
                                                      1940 Act File No. 811-3875


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

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

         Pre-Effective Amendment No. _____                                 [   ]
         Post-Effective Amendment No. 20                                   [ x ]

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

         Amendment No. 18                                                  [ x ]


                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                          SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Name of Depositor)

                             1800 North Point Drive
                         Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Address of Depositor's Executive Offices and Zip Code)

                            Telephone (715) 346-6000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Depositor's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                               William M. O'Reilly
                               Sentry Life Insurance Company
                               1800 North Point Drive
                               Stevens Point, WI  54481  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)




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

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[X] on May 1,1999, pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] on ___________________, pursuant to paragraph(a)(1) of Rule 485


If appropriate, check the following box:

[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
    previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Individual Variable Annuity Contracts

<PAGE>   2


                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

                             (Required by Rule 495)


Item No.                                             Location
- --------                                             --------
                                     PART A

  1     Cover Page  ..............................  Cover Page

  2     Definitions  .............................  Definitions

  3     Synopsis .................................  Summary

  4     Condensed Financial Information  .........  Condensed Financial
                                                    Information

  5     General Description of Registrant,
        Depositor, and Portfolio Companies .......  The Company; The Variable
                                                    Account; Neuberger Berman
                                                    Advisers Management Trust

  6     Deductions and Expenses .................   Charges and Deductions

  7     General Description of Variable
        Annuity Contracts  .......................  The Contract

  8     Annuity Period  ..........................  Annuity Provisions

  9     Death Benefit  ...........................  The Contract; Annuity
                                                    Provisions

 10     Purchases and Contract Value .............  Purchases and Contract Value

 11     Redemptions  .............................  Purchases and Contract Value

 12     Taxes  ...................................  Federal Tax Status

 13     Legal Proceedings  .......................  Legal Proceedings

 14     Table of Contents of the Statement
        of Additional Information ................  Table of Contents of the
                                                    Statement of Additional
                                                    Information

                                     PART B

 15     Cover Page  ..............................  Cover Page

 16     Table of Contents  .......................  Table of Contents

 17     General Information and History ..........  The Company

 18     Services  ................................  Not Applicable

 19     Purchase of Securities Being Offered .....  Not Applicable

 20     Underwriters  ............................  Distribution of The Contract

 21     Calculation of Performance Data ..........  Yield Calculation for Liquid
                                                    Asset Subaccount

 22     Annuity Payments  ........................  Amount of Annuity Payments

 23     Financial Statements .....................  Financial Statements

                                     PART C

Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate
Item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement


<PAGE>   3


















                                     PART A


<PAGE>   4
                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


       Home Office:                         Annuity Service Office:
         1800 North Point Drive             P.O. Box 867
         Stevens Point, WI 54481            Stevens Point, WI 54481
                                            Telephone: (800) 533-7827

                 INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBLE PURCHASE PAYMENT DEFERRED
                           VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                                   ISSUED BY
                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
                                      and
                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

The individual flexible purchase payment deferred variable annuity contract (the
"Contract") described in this Prospectus provides for accumulation of Contract
Values and monthly annuity payments on a variable basis. The Contract is
designed for use by individuals in retirement plans on a qualified or
non-qualified basis. The Contract may be purchased for retirement plans that
receive favorable tax treatment such as individual retirement annuities,
tax-sheltered annuities and deferred compensation plans. 

Your purchase payments will be allocated to a segregated investment account of
Sentry Life Insurance Company which has been designated Sentry Variable Account
II (the "Variable Account"). The Variable Account invests in shares of Neuberger
Berman Advisers Management Trust. Through the Variable Account, you may invest
in the following Portfolios of Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust: 

    - Growth Portfolio               - Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio 
    - Liquid Asset Portfolio         - Balanced Portfolio

As the Owner of the Contract, you bear the complete investment risk for amounts 
you allocate to the Variable Account.

THE CONTRACT:

    - IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT
    - IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED
    - IS NOT ENDORSED BY ANY BANK OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY
    - IS NOT GUARANTEED AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO LOSS OF PRINCIPAL

This Prospectus provides basic information you should know about the Contract
before investing. Please keep this Prospectus for future reference. 

A Statement of Additional Information dated May 1, 1999, which is legally a part
of this Prospectus, contains further information about the Contract. It has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange, along with this Prospectus. You can
obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information at no charge by writing
or calling Sentry Equity Services, Inc., 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point,
WI 54481, (800)533-7827. The Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional
Information can be found on page 28 of this Prospectus.

This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an
offer to buy, the Contract in any jurisdiction in which such offer or
solicitation may not be lawfully made.

INQUIRIES: If you have any questions regarding the Contract, you should call or
write the Annuity Service Office at the telephone number or address given above.

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 

    THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ARE DATED 
    MAY 1, 1999.

<PAGE>   5

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Definitions...............................................................    4
Summary...................................................................    5
Fee Table.................................................................    6
Condensed Financial Information...........................................    8
Performance Information...................................................    8
Financial Statements......................................................    8
The Company...............................................................    9
The Variable Account......................................................    9
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust................................    9
  AMT Liquid Asset Investments............................................    9
  AMT Growth Investments..................................................    9
  AMT Limited Maturity Bond Investments...................................   10
  AMT Balanced Investments................................................   10
Variable Account Voting Rights............................................   10
Substitution of Securities................................................   10
Charges and Deductions....................................................   11
  Contingent Deferred Sales Charge........................................   11
  Reduction or Elimination of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge............   12
  Deduction for Mortality and Expense Risk Premium........................   12
  Deduction for Contract Maintenance Charge...............................   13
  Deduction for Premium Taxes and Other Taxes.............................   13
  Trust Expenses..........................................................   13
The Contract..............................................................   13
  Transfers...............................................................   14
  Telephone Transfers.....................................................   14
  No Default..............................................................   15
  Modification of the Contract............................................   15
  Contract Value..........................................................   15
  Ownership...............................................................   15
  Assignment..............................................................   15
  Beneficiary.............................................................   16
Annuity Provisions........................................................   16
  Income Date and Settlement Option.......................................   16
  Changing the Income Date................................................   16
  Changing the Settlement Option..........................................   16
  Settlement Options......................................................   16
  Mortality and Expense Guarantee.........................................   17
  Frequency of Annuity Payments...........................................   17
  Amount of Annuity Payments..............................................   17
  Additional Provisions...................................................   18
Death Benefit.............................................................   18
  Death of the Annuitant..................................................   18
  Death of the Contract Owner.............................................   19



                                       2
<PAGE>   6


                         TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Purchases and Contract Value..............................................   19
  Change in Purchase Payments.............................................   19
  Allocation of Purchase Payments.........................................   19
  Accumulation Units......................................................   20
  Distribution of Contract................................................   20
Surrenders................................................................   20
  Limitations on Withdrawals from 403(b) Annuities........................   21
  Texas Optional Retirement Program.......................................   21
Federal Tax Status........................................................   22
  General.................................................................   22
  Diversification.........................................................   22
  Contract Owner Control of Investments...................................   23
  Multiple Contracts......................................................   23
  Owner Other than Natural Person.........................................   23
  Tax Treatment of Assignments............................................   23
  Income Tax Withholding..................................................   24
  Tax Treatment of Withdrawals - Non-Qualified Contracts and
   Section 457 Contracts..................................................   24
  Qualified Plans.........................................................   25
  Tax Treatment of Withdrawals - Qualified Contracts......................   26
  Tax Sheltered Annuities - Withdrawal Limitations........................   27
  Section 457 - Deferred Compensation Plans...............................   28
Legal Proceedings.........................................................   28
Table of Contents of Statement of Additional Information..................   28


                                        3


<PAGE>   7



                                  DEFINITIONS

Following are definitions of terms used in this Prospectus.

Accumulation Unit            An accounting unit representing a share of 
                             ownership in the Variable Account during the years 
                             before annuity payments begin.

Annuitant                    The person upon whose continuation of life any 
                             annuity payment involving life contingencies
                             depends and to whom annuity payments will be made
                             during the income phase of the Contract.

Annuity Unit                 An accounting unit of measure used to calculate 
                             annuity payments during the income phase of the 
                             Contract.

Code                         Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company                      Sentry Life Insurance Company, 1800 North Point 
                             Drive, Stevens Point, WI  54481.

Contingent Owner             The Contingent Owner, if any, of the Contract must 
                             be the spouse of the Contract Owner named on the
                             application.

Contract Anniversary         The same month and day each year calculated from 
                             the date the Contract was first issued.

Contract Owner               The Contract Owner is named on the application, 
                             unless changed, and has all rights under the
                             Contract.

Contract Value               The dollar value of all amounts accumulated under 
                             the Contract as calculated on any valuation date.

Contract Year                A 12-month period beginning with the Contract issue
                             date and each Contract anniversary date thereafter.
   
Mutual Fund                  A Mutual Fund designated as an investment option 
                             for the Variable Account.

Income Date                  The date on which annuity payments begin.

Non-Qualified                A contract issued under a non-qualified plan. This 
Contract                     means that the contract does not receive favorable 
                             tax treatment under Sections 401, 403, 408 or 457 
                             of the Code.

Portfolio                    A segment of a Mutual Fund made up of a separate 
                             and distinct class of shares.

Qualified Contract           A contract that is issued under a tax-qualified 
                             plan. A qualified plan, generally a retirement
                             plan, is one that receives favorable tax treatment.

Subaccount                   A segment of the Variable Account that invests in a
                             Mutual Fund or Portfolio.

Valuation Date               The date on which the Company determines the value 
                             of the Contract. The Valuation Date is each day
                             that the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open
                             for business, which is Monday through Friday,
                             except for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day,
                             President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
                             Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
                             Christmas Day.

Valuation Period             The period beginning at the close of business on 
                             the NYSE on each Valuation Date and ending at the
                             close of business for the next succeeding Valuation
                             Date.

Variable Account             Sentry Variable Account II, a separate investment 
                             account of Sentry Life Insurance Company into which
                             you can allocate your net purchase payments. The
                             Variable Account is divided into Subaccounts.


                                  4


<PAGE>   8




                                     SUMMARY

THE CONTRACT
The Contract described in this Prospectus is an individual flexible purchase
payment deferred variable annuity contract. The Contract is intended for
retirement savings or other long-term investment purposes. "Flexible purchase
payments" means that you may choose to make purchase payments monthly, quarterly
or annually in whatever amount you choose, subject to certain minimum
requirements. A "deferred annuity contract" means that annuity payments do not
begin for a specified period (usually when you retire) or until you reach a
certain age. A "variable annuity" is one in which the Contract Values and
annuity payments may vary depending on the performance of the underlying
investment portfolios.

As with all deferred annuity contracts, the Contract has two phases: the
accumulation phase and the income phase. The accumulation phase is the period
during which you are making purchase payments. During the accumulation phase,
earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis, but are taxed as ordinary income if
you make a withdrawal. The income phase occurs when you begin receiving annuity
payments, usually when you retire.

Along with the investment experience of the Variable Account, the amount of your
purchase payments during the accumulation phase determines, in part, the amount
of the annuity payments you will receive during the income phase.

THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
You can allocate purchase payments to the Variable Account, which is a
segregated investment account of the Company. The Variable Account invests in
shares of Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the "Trust") at their net
asset value. As the Contract Owner, you bear the investment risk for the
purchase payments you select to be allocated to the Variable Account.

TEN-DAY FREE LOOK
Within 10 days (or longer in states where required) of the day you receive the
Contract, you may return it to the Company or to your sales representative. When
the Company receives the returned Contract, it will be voided as if it had never
been issued and you will receive a full refund of your purchase payments.

CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is no sales charge when you purchase the
Contract. However, if you surrender the Contract, the Company may impose a
contingent deferred sales charge. The contingent deferred sales charge ranges
from 0% to 6% depending on how long the Company has had your purchase payments.

Mortality and Expense Risk Premium. Each Valuation Period, the Company deducts a
mortality and expense risk premium from the Variable Account. The charge is
equal, on an annual basis, to 1.20% of the average daily net asset value of the
Variable Account.

Contract Maintenance Charge. The Company deducts an annual contract maintenance
charge of $30 from the Contract Value. The Company reserves the right to change
the amount of the contract maintenance charge at any time before the Income
Date. After the Income Date, the Company may deduct a contract maintenance
charge from your monthly annuity payment.

Premium Taxes. The Company will deduct for any premium taxes which must be paid
to a state or other governmental entity from the Contract Value. Currently,
premium taxes range from 0% to 4%.

TAXES
Your earnings in the Contract are not taxed until you take them out. If you take
money out before the Income Date, earnings come out first and are taxed as
income. If you are younger than 59 1/2 when you take money out, you may be
charged a 10% federal tax penalty on the earnings. The annuity payments you
receive during the income phase are considered partly a return of your original
investment. That part of each payment is not taxable as income.



                                       5
                               
<PAGE>   9


                                    FEE TABLE


CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

    - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of purchase payments) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      
      TIME BETWEEN WHEN PURCHASE PAYMENT 
      IS MADE AND DATE OF SURRENDER                                 PERCENTAGE 
      ----------------------------------                            ---------- 
<S>                                                                   <C>
      Less than 1 year..............................................   6% 
      At least 1 year, but less than 2 years........................   5% 
      At least 2 years, but less than 3 years.......................   4% 
      At least 3 years, but less than 4 years.......................   3% 
      At least 4 years, but less than 5 years.......................   2% 
      At least 5 years, but less than 6 years.......................   1% 
      At least 6 years..............................................   0%
</TABLE>

CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE

    - $30 per year

VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES

    - Mortality and Expense Risk Premium - 1.20% of daily net asset value

NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISER MANAGEMENT TRUST AND ADVISERS MANAGERS TRUST ANNUAL
EXPENSES(1) 
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of a Portfolio)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT      OTHER         TOTAL ANNUAL
PORTFOLIO              AND ADMINISTRATION FEES   EXPENSES(2)        EXPENSES
- ---------              -----------------------   -----------        --------
<S>                             <C>                <C>               <C>  
Liquid Asset(2)                 0.53%              0.35%             1.00%
Balanced                        0.85%              0.18%             1.03%
Growth                          0.83%              0.09%             0.92%
Limited Maturity Bond           0.65%              0.11%             0.76%
</TABLE>

(1)The Trust is divided into eight Portfolios, four of which are available with
the Variable Account. Each Portfolio invests all of its net investable assets in
a corresponding series of Advisers Managers Trust. The figures reported under
"Investment Management and Administration Fees" include the aggregate of the
administration fees paid by the Portfolio and the management fees paid by its
corresponding series. Similarly, "Other Expenses" include all other expenses of
the Portfolio and its corresponding series.

(2)Expenses reflect expense reimbursement. NB Management has undertaken to
reimburse the Liquid Asset Portfolio for certain operating expenses including
the compensation of NB Management and excluding certain other expenses that
exceed, in the aggregate, 1% of the Portfolio's average daily net asset value.
Absent such reimbursement, the "Total Annual Expenses" for the year ended
December 31, 1998 would have been 1.14% for the Liquid Asset Portfolio. This
expense reimbursement policy can be terminated with 60 days written notice and
there can be no assurance that it will be continued thereafter.

                                       6

<PAGE>   10

EXAMPLES

The following table shows the expenses that you, as a Contract Owner, would pay
on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets.

    (a) shows the amounts that you would pay at the end of each time period if
        you surrender the Contract.

    (b) shows the amounts that you would pay if you do not surrender the
        Contract.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   TIME PERIODS
                                    1 YEAR      3 YEARS     5 YEARS    10 YEARS
                                    ------      -------     -------    --------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>         <C>        <C> 
Growth Portfolio                    (a) $72       $ 97        $125       $245
                                    (b) $22       $ 67        $115       $245

Liquid Asset Portfolio              (a) $73       $100        $130       $257
                                    (b) $23       $ 70        $120       $257

Limited Maturity                    (a) $71       $ 94        $119       $232
Bond Portfolio                      (b) $21       $ 64        $109       $232

Balanced Portfolio                  (a) $73       $101        $132       $259
                                    (b) $23       $ 71        $122       $259
</TABLE>


                      EXPLANATION OF FEE TABLE AND EXAMPLES

1.       The purpose of the above table is to assist you in understanding the
         various costs and expenses that you will incur, either directly or
         indirectly. The table reflects expenses of the Variable Account, as
         well as the Trust.

2.       Premium taxes may apply; however, they are not reflected.

3.       The examples do not reflect that after the first Contract Year, you may
         make one surrender per Contract Year, on a non-cumulative basis, of up
         to 10% of the aggregate purchase payments (less any withdrawals) free
         from a contingent deferred sales charge, provided the value of the
         Contract prior to the surrender exceeds $10,000.

4.       Neither the fee table nor the examples include a transfer fee.
         Currently, there is no transfer fee, but the Company reserves the right
         to assess a transfer fee in the future.

5.       THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
         FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE
         SHOWN.




                                        7


<PAGE>   11

                         CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES

The following table sets forth the Accumulation Unit values for the periods
shown. This data has been taken from the Variable Account's financial
statements. The financial statements have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, independent accountant, whose audit report is
included in the Statement of Additional Information.

The following information should be read in conjunction with the Variable
Account's financial statements and related notes, which are included in the
Statement of Additional Information.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Year Ended
                                       1998       1997         1996       1995        1994    
                                       ----       ----         ----       ----        ----    
<S>                                <S>         <C>           <C>        <C>       <C>
LIQUID ASSET SUBACCOUNT            
Beginning of Period                $   17.361  $  16.779   $   16.247 $   15.653  $   15.311
End of Period                          17.954     17.361       16.779     16.247      15.653

Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                    140,566    115,558      145,387    162,165     217,211
GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Beginning of Period                $   50.557  $  39.662   $   36.783 $   28.257  $   30.098
End of Period                          57.716     50.557       39.662     36.783      28.257

Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                    750,025    780,148      847,224    938,909   1,049,256

LIMITED MATURITY BOND
 SUBACCOUNT
Beginning of Period                $   24.284  $  23.024   $   22.342 $   20.381  $   20.653
End of Period                          25.048     24.284       23.024     22.342      20.381

Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                    238,960    258,942      317,877    384,749     460,025

BALANCED SUBACCOUNT
Beginning of Period                $   20.399  $  17.283   $   16.367 $   13.382  $   14.010
End of Period                          22.613     20.399       17.283     16.367      13.382
Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                    499,567    482,578      519,312    550,216     618,542

<CAPTION>
                                                           Year Ended
                                       1993       1992         1991       1990        1989
                                       ----       ----         ----       ----        ----
<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
LIQUID ASSET SUBACCOUNT
Beginning of Period                $   15.127  $  14.825   $   14.207 $   13.368  $   12.459
End of Period                          15.311     15.127       14.825     14.207      13.368

Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                    270,994     414,153     544,747    646,044     502,722
GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Beginning of Period                $   28.524  $   26.357  $   20.558 $   22.662  $   17.711
End of Period                          30.098      28.524      26.357     20.558      22.662

Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                  1,156,057   1,231,668   1,363,149  1,375,719   1,503,684

LIMITED MATURITY BOND
 SUBACCOUNT
Beginning of Period                $   19.607  $   18.867  $   17.147 $   16.026  $   14.639
End of Period                          20.653      19.607      18.867     17.147      16.026

Number of Accum.
 Units Outstanding                    527,775     624,082     696,573    765,968     837,082

BALANCED SUBACCOUNT                                                               No Accumulation 
Beginning of Period                $   13.323  $   12.480  $   10.288 $   10.000  Unit Value for this
End of Period                          14.010      13.323      12.480     10.288  Period. Sales of the 
                                                                                  Contract in 
Number of Accum.                                                                  connection with this
 Units Outstanding                     654,95     565,977     284,777    164,053  Portfolio commenced
                                                                                  on September 17, 1990.
</TABLE>

                                                      
                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
                                                      
Periodically, the Company may advertise performance data for the Portfolios.
This data will show the change, as a percent, in the value of an Accumulation
Unit based on the investment performance over a period of time, usually a
calendar year. It is calculated by dividing the increase (decrease) in value for
the Accumulation Unit by the Accumulation Unit value at the beginning of the
period. Deductions for asset-based charges, contract maintenance charges, and
the operating expenses of the Portfolios will be reflected in the percentage
figure. A deduction for any contingent deferred sales charge will not be
reflected in the percentage figure. Deduction of a contingent deferred sales
charge would reduce any percentage increase or make greater any percentage
decrease.

Advertisements will also include average annual total return figures, which will
reflect deductions for contract maintenance charges, contingent deferred sales
charges, asset-based charges, and the operating expenses of the Portfolios.

The Company may also distribute sales literature that compares the percentage
change in Accumulation Unit values for a Portfolio against such market indices
as Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, or other management investment companies having similar investment
objectives to the Portfolio being compared.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

This Prospectus does not contain any financial statements. The Statement of
Additional Information contains financial statements for both the Company and
the Variable Account.



                                       8
<PAGE>   12

                                   THE COMPANY

The Company, meaning Sentry Life Insurance Company, is a stock life insurance
company incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin in 1958. Its home office is
located at 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It is authorized to
conduct annuity, life, accident and health insurance business in all states,
except New York, and in the District of Columbia. The Company is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company ("SIAMCO"). SIAMCO, a Wisconsin
corporation, is a property and casualty insurance company. Its home office is
also located at 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. SIAMCO owns
and controls, either directly or through subsidiary companies, a group of
insurance and related companies, including Sentry Life Insurance Company of New
York and Sentry Equity Services, Inc.

                              THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT

The Variable Account was established by the Company's Board of Directors on
August 2, 1983. It is a segregated asset account of the Company and is
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit investment
trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Registration of the Variable
Account does not mean that the Securities and Exchange Commission supervises the
management of the Variable Account or of the Company.

Income, gains and losses, whether or not realized, are, in accordance with the
Contract, credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to
other income, gains or losses of the Company. Company obligations arising out of
the Contract are general corporate obligations of the Company.

The assets of the Variable Account are the property of the Company. These
assets, equal to the reserves and other contract liabilities of the Variable
Account, cannot be charged with liabilities arising out of any other business of
the Company.

The Company does not guarantee the investment performance of the Variable
Account. The value of the Contract and the amount of the annuity payments will
vary with the value of the assets underlying the Variable Account.

The assets of the Variable Account are divided into Subaccounts within the
Variable Account.

                   NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the "Trust") is the funding vehicle
for the Contract. Each Portfolio of the Trust invests all of its net investable
assets in its corresponding series (each a "series") of Advisers Managers Trust
("Managers Trust"), an open-end management company. All series of Managers Trust
are managed by Neuberger Berman Management Inc. ("NB Management"). Each series
invests in securities according to an investment objective, policies and
limitations identical to those of its corresponding Portfolio. This
"master/feeder fund" structure is different from that of many other investment
companies which directly acquire and manage their own portfolios of securities.
For more information regarding this structure, see the Trust's Prospectus.

The Trust offers eight Portfolios, four of which are currently available in
connection with the Contract. In that the investment objective of each Portfolio
matches that of its corresponding series, the following information is presented
in terms of the applicable series of Managers Trust.

    AMT Liquid Asset Investments. The investment objective of this series is to
    provide the highest current income consistent with safety and liquidity. The
    series invests in high quality U.S. dollar-denominated money market
    instruments of U.S. and foreign issuers, including governments and their
    agencies and instrumentalities, banks and other financial institutions, and
    corporations, and may invest in repurchase agreements with respect to these
    instruments. An investment in the Liquid Asset Portfolio is neither insured
    nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

    AMT Growth Investments. This series seeks capital appreciation without
    regard to income by investing in securities believed to have the maximum
    potential for long-term capital appreciation. It does not seek to invest in
    securities that pay dividends or interest, and any such income is
    incidental. The series expects to be almost fully invested in common stocks,
    often of companies that may be temporarily out of favor in the market.


                                       9
<PAGE>   13

    AMT Limited Maturity Bond Investments. The investment objective of this
    series is to provide the highest current income consistent with low risk to
    principal and liquidity; and secondarily, total return. The series invests
    in a diversified Portfolio of fixed and variable rate debt securities and
    seeks to increase income and preserve or enhance total return by actively
    managing average Portfolio maturity in light of market conditions and
    trends. These are short-to-intermediate term debt securities. The series'
    dollar-weighted average Portfolio maturity may range up to five years.

    AMT Balanced Investments. The investment objective of this series is
    long-term capital growth and reasonable current income without undue risk to
    principal. The investment adviser anticipates that the series' investments
    will normally be managed so that approximately 60% of the series' total
    assets will be invested in common stocks and the remaining assets will be
    invested in debt securities. However, depending on the investment adviser's
    view regarding current market trends, the common stock portion of the
    series' investments may be adjusted downward to as low as 50% or upward to
    as high as 70%. At least 25% of the series' assets will be invested in
    fixed-income senior securities.

                         VARIABLE ACCOUNT VOTING RIGHTS

The Company is the legal owner (shareholder) of the Trust shares. However, the
Company believes that when a Portfolio solicits proxies in connection with a
vote of shareholders, it is required to obtain from you, and other affected
Contract Owners, instructions as to how to vote those shares.

If the Trust holds a shareholder meeting at which you are entitled to vote, you
will receive periodic reports relating to the Trust and/or the Portfolio(s) in
which you have an interest, proxy material, and a form on which you can give
voting instructions.

The Company will determine the number of shares that you will have a right to
vote as of a date chosen by it, which will not be more than 60 days prior to the
shareholder meeting. The Company will send you proxy material and the form for
giving voting instructions at least 14 days prior to the shareholder meeting.

For purposes of voting Trust shares held in the Variable Account at a
shareholder meeting of the Trust, your voting interest after the Income Date
decreases as the reserves underlying the Contract decrease.

In accordance with its view of present law, the Company will vote the shares of
the Trust held in the Variable Account in accordance with instructions received
from all persons having a voting interest in the Trust. The Company will vote
shares for which it has not received instructions in the same proportion as it
votes shares for which it has received instructions. The Company will vote its
own shares in the same proportion as it votes shares for which it has received
instructions.

If the applicable law with respect to voting rights is amended or if the
interpretation of the law changes, and it is determined that the Company has
authority to vote the shares of the Trust in its own right, it may elect to do
so.

Shares of the Trust are offered in connection with certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance policies of various insurance companies
which may or may not be affiliated with the Company. Shares of the Balanced
Portfolio are also sold directly to qualified plans. The Trust and Managers
Trust believe that offering their shares in this manner will not be
disadvantageous to you.

                           SUBSTITUTION OF SECURITIES

If a Subaccount is no longer available for investment by the Variable Account,
or if the Company's Board of Directors determines that further investment in a
Subaccount becomes inappropriate in view of the Variable Account's objectives,
the Company may substitute another Subaccount already available or that will
become available for investment by the Variable Account. However, the Company
may not make any substitution of securities in any Subaccount without the prior
approval, and subject to the requirements, of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                       10
<PAGE>   14

                             CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

At the time you purchase the Contract, the Company does not deduct a sales
charge. However, the Company deducts a contingent deferred sales charge if you
make a surrender of purchase payments within six years after you made them. The
Company does not deduct a contingent deferred sales charge after it has had a
purchase payment for more than six years.

The contingent deferred sales charge reimburses the Company for its expenses in
selling the Contract. If the charge does not cover all its sale expenses, the
Company may use the mortality and expense risk premium to make up any
difference.

If you surrender all or a portion of the Contract, the Company will calculate
the contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the surrender and will
deduct it from the Contract Value. In calculating the contingent deferred sales
charge

    - purchase payments will be allocated to the amount surrendered on a
      first-in-first-out basis;

    - in no event will the aggregate contingent deferred sales charge exceed 6%
      of the total purchase payments made.

The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge is calculated by

    (1) allocating purchase payments to the amount surrendered; and

    (2) multiplying each such allocated purchase payment by the appropriate
        percentage shown in the table below; and

    (3) adding the products of each multiplication in (2) above.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

           TIME BETWEEN WHEN PURCHASE
        PAYMENT IS MADE AND DATE OF SURRENDER           PERCENTAGE
        -------------------------------------           ----------
<S>                                                          <C>
        Less than 1 year...................................  6%
        At least 1 year, but less than 2 years ............  5%
        At least 2 years, but less than 3 years............  4%
        At least 3 years, but less than 4 years............  3%
        At least 4 years, but less than 5 years............  2%
        At least 5 years, but less than 6 years............  1%
        At least 6 years...................................  0%

</TABLE>

The contingent deferred sales charge percentage is based on the amount partially
surrendered and is deducted from the Contract Value remaining after the amount
requested is deducted.

    Example: Amount requested:                                    $1,000
             Assume 5% contingent deferred sales charge:          $   50
             Total amount withdrawn from Contract Value:          $1,050
             Amount you receive:                                  $1,000

If, after the surrender amount is deducted, the remaining Contract Value is
insufficient to pay the contingent deferred sales charge, the charge will be
deducted from the amount you request to be surrendered.

    Example: Amount requested:                                    $1,000
             Assume 5% contingent deferred sales charge:          $   50
             Total amount withdrawn from Contract Value:          $1,000
             Amount you receive:                                  $  950

The Company will determine the amount deducted from the Contract Value by
canceling Accumulation Units from each applicable Subaccount in the ratio that
the value of each Subaccount bears to the total Contract Value. If you prefer
some other method of Accumulation Unit cancellation, you must notify the Company
in writing beforehand.


                                       11
<PAGE>   15

For purposes of determining the amount of the contingent deferred sales charge,
surrenders will be attributed to purchase payments on a first-in-first-out
basis. You should note that this is contrary to the allocation method used for
determining tax obligations. For tax purposes, withdrawals are considered to
have come from the last money into the Contract. Thus, for tax purposes,
earnings are considered to come out first.

The Company will not deduct a contingent deferred sales charge under the
following circumstances:

    -  After the first Contract Anniversary date, you may make one surrender per
       Contract Year, on a non-cumulative basis, of up to 10% of the aggregate
       purchase payments (less any withdrawals) without a contingent deferred
       sales charge, provided the value of the Contract prior to the surrender
       exceeds $10,000.

    -  When purchase payments that have been held by the Company for more than
       six years are being withdrawn.

    -  When distributions under the Contract are made because of the death of
       the Contract Owner or Annuitant, or as annuity payments.

    -  At the Company's option pursuant to its current guidelines or procedures.

REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge may be reduced or eliminated
when the Contract is sold to individuals or to a group of individuals and
results in expense savings. The Company will determine if a group is entitled to
have the contingent deferred sales charge reduced or eliminated based on these
four factors:

    (1) The size and type of group. Generally, sales expenses for large groups
        are less than for small groups because more contracts can be issued to a
        large group with fewer sales contacts.

    (2) The total amount of purchase payments that will be received.
        Per-contract sales expenses are likely to be less on larger purchase
        payments than on smaller ones.

    (3) Any prior or existing relationship with the Company. Per-contract sales
        and administrative expenses are likely to be less when an established
        relationship exists. 

    (4) Other group factors may come to light that  warrant a reduction or 
        elimination of the contingent deferred sales charge.

The contingent deferred sales charge may be eliminated when the Contract is
issued to an officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its
affiliates. An employee's spouse and children under the age of 21 are also
included.

From time to time, the Company may modify both the amounts of reduction and the
criteria for qualification, but in no event will reduction or elimination of the
contingent deferred sales charge or of any other provision of the Contract be
permitted if it will be unfairly discriminatory to any person.

DEDUCTION FOR MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK PREMIUM

The mortality and expense risk premium is equal, on an annual basis, to 1.20% of
the average daily net asset value of the Variable Account. This charge
compensates the Company for all the insurance benefits provided by the Contract,
e.g., guarantee of annuity rates, the death benefit, for certain expenses of the
Contract, and for assuming the risk (expense risk) that the current charges will
be insufficient in the future to cover the cost of administering the Contract.
If the mortality and expense risk premium is insufficient, the Company will bear
the loss. The Company may use any profits from this charge to pay for the costs
of distributing the Contract.


                                       12
<PAGE>   16
DEDUCTION FOR CONTRACT MAINTENANCE CHARGE

The Company incurs expenses in administering and maintaining the Contract. As
reimbursement for these expenses, the Company deducts a contract maintenance
charge of $30 on each Contract Anniversary date from the Contract Value. The
Company does this by canceling Accumulation Units from each Subaccount in the
ratio that the value of each Subaccount bears to the total Contract Value.

Other information you should know about the contract maintenance charge:

   -     The current charge is $30 annually; however, prior to the Income Date,
         the Company has the right to change the amount.

   -     Once you begin receiving annuity payments, the Company may impose a
         contract maintenance charge if certain pay-out or settlement options
         are chosen. However, the amount of the charge after the Income Date
         will not change from the amount you were charged during the Contract
         Year immediately preceding the Income Date. If a charge is imposed
         after the Income Date, it will be deducted on a monthly basis and will
         reduce the amount of your annuity payment.

   -     If you surrender the Contract for its full surrender value, on other
         than the Contract Anniversary date, the Company will deduct the
         contract maintenance charge at the time of surrender. 

   -     The contract maintenance charge will be deducted whether or not you are
         making purchase payments.

   -     The Company does not profit from the contract maintenance charge.

DEDUCTION FOR PREMIUM TAXES AND OTHER TAXES

The Company will deduct for any premium taxes that are assessed because of the
Contract or the Variable Account from the Contract Value. State premium taxes
currently range from 0% to 4%. Some states assess premium taxes when purchase
payments are made; others assess premium taxes at the time of annuitization (at
the Income Date).

For those states assessing premium taxes when purchase payments are made, the
Company's current practice is to advance payment of the taxes and then deduct
that amount from the Contract Value at the Income Date or when you surrender the
Contract.

The amount of state or other governmental entity premium taxes is subject to
change by legislatures, administrative interpretations or judicial acts. The
amount of premium taxes also depends on your state of residence, the status of
the Company in that state, and the state's insurance tax laws.

Any income taxes resulting from the operation of the Variable Account are
deducted from the Contract Value. The Company does not currently anticipate that
income taxes will become payable.

The Company will deduct any withholding taxes as required by applicable law.

TRUST EXPENSES

There are other deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of Neuberger
Berman Advisers Management Trust which are described in the accompanying Trust
Prospectus.

                                  THE CONTRACT

The assets of the Variable Account are divided into Subaccounts within the
Variable Account. Each Subaccount invests in one Portfolio of the Trust. Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Company, your purchase payments will be
invested in one or more of the available Subaccounts which you selected when you
completed the application form. You may change your investment selection
prospectively without fee, penalty or other charge by providing written
instructions to the Company.

The Company may, from time to time, offer new investment options by adding
Mutual Funds and, when appropriate, Portfolios within a Mutual Fund. When new
Mutual Funds or Portfolios are added, you will be permitted to select the new
Mutual Funds or Portfolios, subject to terms and conditions imposed by the
Company.



                                       13
<PAGE>   17

TRANSFERS

You may transfer all or part of your Contract Value between investment options.
You may make only four transfers in any Contract Year prior to the Income Date.
After the Income Date, only one transfer may be made in any Contract Year.

Transfers are subject to the following conditions:


(1)      Requests for transfers must be in writing and must clearly state:

         -    the amount to be transferred; and

         -    the Mutual Fund or Portfolio the transfer is to be made from and
              the Mutual Fund or Portfolio the transfer is to be made to.

(2)      The minimum amount of any transfer is $250, or the remaining Contract
         Value in the Portfolio if it is less than $250.

(3)      No partial transfer will be made if the remaining Contract Value in the
         Portfolio will be less than $250.

(4)      Transfers are made using values determined as of the next Valuation
         Period after the Company receives a proper transfer request. However,
         you may not make transfers of your initial purchase payment until 30
         days after the Company receives it. In addition, you may not make a
         transfer if it is within seven calendar days of the date your first
         annuity payment is due.

(5)      Prior to the Income Date, you may make transfers from the Liquid Asset
         Portfolio and/or the Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio to the Growth
         Portfolio or the Balanced Portfolio on a pre-authorized basis. The
         transfers will only be made if you enter into a written agreement with
         the Company. These transfers will be made monthly, with a minimum
         transfer amount of $250 per month.

(6)      While the Company does not currently charge a transfer fee, it may do
         so in the future. In the event the Company imposes a transfer fee, you
         will be notified in advance. The amount of the transfer fee will not be
         guaranteed and the Company may change it at any time. The fee will be
         deducted from the amount transferred.

(7)      The Company reserves the right to terminate, suspend or modify the
         transfer privileges described above at any time and without notice to
         any person.

TELEPHONE TRANSFERS

Transfers by telephone are permitted if you follow these steps:

(1)      Check the "Yes" box in the telephone transfer section of the contract
         application form.

(2)      Call the Annuity Service Office at the telephone number listed on page
         1 of this Prospectus. Be prepared to give the customer service
         representative specific information about the Contract, including the
         Contract number, and your social security number and/or birth date. You
         may be required to provide additional information in order to verify
         that the request is genuine.

(3)      You must give specific detail to the customer service representative as
         to the amount to be transferred, the Portfolio the transfer is being
         made from, and the Portfolio the transfer is being made to.

Transfers requested by telephone before 3 p.m., C.S.T., will take effect that
day. Transfers requests received by telephone after 3 p.m. C.S.T. will take
effect on the next business day after the request is received.

To prevent losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transfer instructions, the
Company will use reasonable procedures to ensure that a telephone transfer
request is genuine. The Company will not be liable for losses incurred in
complying with a telephone transfer request it believes is genuine if reasonable
procedures were followed to confirm the legitimacy of the request.

The Company has the right to reject any telephone transfer request.



                                       14
<PAGE>   18

NO DEFAULT

Unless you surrender the Contract for the full surrender amount, the Contract
will remain in force until the Income Date and will not be in default even if no
additional purchase payments are made.

MODIFICATION OF THE CONTRACT

The Company cannot modify the Contract without your consent, except if
modifications are required by applicable law.

CONTRACT VALUE

The Contract Value is the sum of the values for each Subaccount. The value of
each Subaccount is determined by multiplying the number of Accumulation Units
attributable to the Subaccount by the value of one Accumulation Unit for the
Subaccount. 

     Example:  Number of Accumulation Units in Subaccount =  250 

               Value of one Subaccount Accumulation Unit  =  $10 

               250 x $10 = $2,500 Contract Value

OWNERSHIP

As the Contract Owner, you have all rights and may receive all benefits under
the Contract. During the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Income Date,
the Contract Owner is the person designated on the application, unless changed.
On and after the Income Date, the Contract Owner is the Annuitant. On and after
the death of the Annuitant, the beneficiary is the Contract Owner. 

As the Contract Owner, you may name a Contingent Contract Owner or a new
Contract Owner at any time. However, your spouse is the only person eligible to
be the Contingent Contract Owner. If you die, the Contingent Contract Owner
becomes the Contract Owner. By naming a new Contract Owner or a new Contingent
Contract Owner, any previous choice of Contract Owner or Contingent Contract
Owner will automatically be revoked.

In order to make a change in the Contract Owner or Contingent Contract Owner,
you must submit a dated and signed written request to the Company. The change
will be effective as of the date you signed the written request. A change in
Contract Owner or Contingent Contract Owner will not affect any payment made or
action taken by the Company prior to the time a request for change is received.
You should consult a tax adviser before you change the Contract Owner.

When a Non-Qualified Contract is owned by a non-natural person (e.g., a
corporation or certain other entities other than a trust holding the Contract as
an agent for a natural person), the Contract generally will not be treated as an
annuity for tax purposes.

ASSIGNMENT

You may assign the Contract at any time during the Annuitant's lifetime prior to
the Income Date. The Company is not bound by any assignment until it receives
written notice that the Contract has been assigned. The Company is not
responsible for the validity of any assignment and it will not be liable for any
payment or other settlement it makes in connection with the Contract before it
receives the assignment.

If the Contract is issued pursuant to a qualified plan, it may not be assigned,
pledged or transferred except under the provisions of applicable law.

ASSIGNMENT OF THE CONTRACT MAY BE A TAXABLE EVENT. You should consult your tax
adviser before assigning the Contract.



                                       15
<PAGE>   19

BENEFICIARY

You name the beneficiary on the application and, unless changed, that
beneficiary is entitled to receive the death benefit on your death or the death
of the Annuitant.

Unless you specify otherwise, the death benefit will be paid in equal shares, or
all to the survivor, as follows:

    (1)  to the primary beneficiary or beneficiaries who survive the Annuitant's
         or Contract Owner's (as applicable) death; or, if there are none,

    (2)  to the contingent beneficiary or beneficiaries who survive the
         Annuitant's or Contract Owner's (as applicable) death; or, if there are
         none,

    (3)  to the Contract Owner, or the Contract Owner's estate.

As the Contract Owner, you may change the beneficiary or beneficiaries or the
contingent beneficiary or beneficiaries at any time during the Annuitant's
lifetime. You must submit a signed and dated written request to the Company in
order to change the beneficiary. The change will take effect as of the date the
request is signed, but the Company will not be liable for any payment it makes
or action it takes before it records the change.

                               ANNUITY PROVISIONS

INCOME DATE AND SETTLEMENT OPTION

You will select an Income Date and a settlement option at the time you complete
the application. The Income Date is the date on which the Annuitant will start
receiving annuity payments. The settlement option determines the timing and, in
part, the amount of annuity payments.

The Income Date must fall on the first day of a calendar month and must be at
least one month after the date the Contract is effective. It may not be later
than the first day of the calendar month following the Annuitant's 85th
birthday, unless the Contract is issued pursuant to a qualified plan that
requires an earlier date.

CHANGING THE INCOME DATE

You may change the Income Date by submitting a signed and dated written notice
to the Company at least 30 days prior to the change. If you change the Income
Date, it must still fall on the first day of a calendar month. It cannot be
deferred beyond the first day of the calendar month following the Annuitant's
85th birthday, unless the Contract is issued pursuant to a qualified plan that
requires an earlier date.

CHANGING THE SETTLEMENT OPTION

You may change the settlement option at any time prior to the Income Date by
submitting a signed and dated written notice to the Company at least 30 days
prior to the Income Date. You may select another available settlement option, or
you may request an alternative option acceptable to the Company.

SETTLEMENT OPTIONS

The net proceeds under the Contract may be paid under one of the following
options, or an alternative option acceptable to the Company:

    OPTION 1 - LIFE ANNUITY

    Under this option, the Annuitant will receive a monthly annuity payment
    during the Annuitant's lifetime. Payments terminate upon the Annuitant's
    death. This means that even if the Annuitant dies after receiving only one
    or two annuity payments, the annuity payments will stop, regardless of how
    many purchase payments were made or the remaining Contract Value.




                                       16
<PAGE>   20




    OPTION 2 - LIFE ANNUITY WITH MONTHLY PAYMENTS GUARANTEED

    Under this option, the Annuitant will receive a monthly annuity payment
    during the Annuitant's lifetime, with the guarantee that if the Annuitant
    dies before 120 payments have been made, the remainder of the 120 payments
    will be made to the beneficiary.

    The beneficiary can elect to receive the remainder of the guaranteed annuity
    payments in monthly installments, or it can be paid in a lump sum. The lump
    sum payment will consist of the present value of the remaining guaranteed
    annuity payments as of the date the Company receives the notice of death,
    commuted at the assumed investment rate of 4%. The lump sum will be paid
    within seven days of receiving the request.

    OPTION 3 - JOINT AND LAST SURVIVORSHIP ANNUITY

    Under this option, the monthly annuity payments are made during the joint
    lifetime of the Annuitant and a second person and continue during the
    lifetime of the survivor. In other words, if the Annuitant dies first,
    payments continue during the second person's lifetime. It is possible to
    receive only one or two annuity payments if both the Annuitant and the
    second person die after the first or second payment is received.

IF NO SETTLEMENT OPTION IS SELECTED, OPTION 1 WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE APPLIED.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE GUARANTEE

The Company guarantees that the dollar amount of each annuity payment after the
first will not be affected by variations in mortality experience (the death
rate) or the expenses of the Company. The Company also guarantees certain death
benefits.

FREQUENCY OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

Annuity payments will be made in monthly installments. However, if the net
amount available under any settlement option is less than $5,000, the Company
has the right to pay the entire amount in a lump sum.

If the amount of a monthly annuity payment is or becomes less than $30, the
Company has the right to change the frequency of the annuity payments so that
each payment will be at least $30.

AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

A variable annuity is an annuity with payments that 

    -    are not predetermined as to dollar amount; and

    -    will vary in amount with the investment experience of the applicable
         Subaccounts.

At the Income Date, the Contract Value of the Subaccounts will be applied to the
applicable annuity tables contained in the Contract. The annuity table that is
used will depend on the settlement option you choose. The same Contract Value
amount applied to each settlement option may produce a different initial annuity
payment.

The actual dollar amount of the annuity payments depends on four things: 

    (1)  the Contract Value on the Income Date;

    (2)  the annuity table specified in the Contract;

    (3)  the settlement option selected; and

    (4)  the investment performance of the Portfolio(s) selected.

The annuity tables in the Contract are based on a 4% assumed investment rate. If
the actual net investment rate exceeds 4%, your monthly payments will increase.
Conversely, if the actual net investment rate is less than 4%, your monthly
payments will decrease. If a higher assumed interest rate were used, the initial
payment would be higher, but the actual net investment rate would have to be
higher in order for annuity payments to increase.



                                       17
<PAGE>   21

Your monthly annuity payment will be equal to the value of a fixed number of
annuity units each month. The value of a fixed number of annuity units will
reflect the investment performance of the Portfolio(s) selected, and the amount
of each annuity payment will vary accordingly. The Statement of Additional
Information contains information regarding annuity unit values.

Additional Provisions

    -    Before the Company makes any life annuity payment, you may be required
         to provide proof of the Annuitant's age. If the Annuitant's age has
         been misstated, the amount of the payment will be the amount that the
         purchase payments would have provided at the correct age. Once monthly
         life annuity payments have begun, any underpayments will be made up in
         one lump sum with the next annuity payment; overpayments will be
         deducted from future annuity payments until the total is repaid.

    -    You must return the Contract to the Company before a settlement option
         is paid. Before a death benefit is paid, a certified copy of the death
         certificate must be submitted to the Company.

    -    Where payment under the Contract is contingent on the recipient being
         alive on a certain date, the Company may require proof that the
         recipient is alive.

    -    The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that, under certain
         circumstances, there may be a violation of Title VII of the Civil
         Rights Act of 1964, as amended, when retirement benefits are determined
         on the basis of the recipient's sex. The annuity tables contained in
         the Contract are not based on the Annuitant's sex.

                                  DEATH BENEFIT
DEATH OF THE ANNUITANT

If the Annuitant who is not the Contract Owner dies before the Income Date, the
Company will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary. The amount of the death
benefit will be determined as of the Valuation Period next following the date
the Company receives

    (1)  a certified copy of the death certificate; AND
    (2)  an election to either receive the death benefit as a lump sum or under
         one of the settlement options.

If a lump sum payment is elected, the Company will pay it within seven days
after it receives the election and the death certificate. 

If the beneficiary does not elect a settlement option, the Company will pay the
death benefit in a lump sum.

If the beneficiary elects to have the death benefit paid under a settlement
option, the beneficiary has 60 days from the date the Company receives the death
certificate to select a settlement option. If no settlement option is selected
by the end of the 60-day period, the death benefit will be paid to the
beneficiary in a lump sum. The death benefit will be paid according to
applicable laws or regulations governing such payments.

The amount of the death benefit will be the greater of

    (1)  the sum of all purchase payments made, less surrendered amounts; or
    (2)  the Contract Value.

If the Annuitant dies on or after the Income Date, the death benefit, if any,
will be paid as provided for in the settlement option you selected. The Company
will require proof of the Annuitant's death.



                                       18
<PAGE>   22

DEATH OF THE CONTRACT OWNER

If the Contract is issued under a non-qualified plan, the death benefit will be
paid as follows:

If you, as the Contract Owner (regardless of whether you are the Annuitant), die
before the Income Date, the entire Contract Value must be distributed within
five years of the date of your death, unless:

    (1)  it is payable over the lifetime of a designated beneficiary with
         distributions beginning within one year of the date of your death; OR

    (2)  the Contingent Owner, if any, continues the contract is his or her own
         name. (The Contingent Owner must be your spouse.)

If the owner of the Contract is a non-natural person, for purposes of the death
benefit, the Annuitant will be treated as the Contract Owner and the death of
the Annuitant or a change of the Annuitant will be treated as the death of the
Contract Owner.

                          PURCHASES AND CONTRACT VALUE

You may purchase the Contract under a flexible purchase payment plan. You can
make purchase payments to the Company as frequently and in the amount you select
on the application. The initial purchase payment is due on the date the Contract
becomes effective. The Company has the right to reject any application or
purchase payment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Minimum Initial   Minimum Subsequent
                                    Purchase Payment    Purchase Payment
                                    ----------------    ----------------
<S>                                    <C>                   <C> 
Non-Qualified Contract                 $1,000                $100
Qualified Contract                     $1,000                $100
Contract issued under an               $   50                $ 50
employer-sponsored payroll
deduction plan
</TABLE>

The Company has the right to establish administrative policies that may decrease
the minimum purchase payment requirements.

CHANGE IN PURCHASE PAYMENTS

As the Contract Owner, you may elect to increase, decrease or change the
frequency or the amount of your purchase payments so long as you meet the
requirements set forth above.

ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS

You can allocate purchase payments to an appropriate Subaccount(s) within the
Variable Account. The Company converts purchase payments into Accumulation
Units. Purchase payments allocated to a Subaccount are divided by the value of
that Subaccount's Accumulation Unit for the Valuation Period during which the
allocation occurs to determine the number of Accumulation Units attributable to
the purchase payments.

    Example:   Amount of purchase payment                  =  $100

               Value of one Subaccount Accumulation Unit   =  $ 10

               $100 divided by $10=10  Accumulation Units

For initial purchase payments, if the application is in good order, the Company
will apply the purchase payment to the Variable Account and will credit the
Contract with Accumulation Units within two business days.

If the application is not in good order, the Company will attempt to get it in
good order or the application and the initial purchase payment will be returned
within five business days. Once the application is deemed to be in good order,
the Company will apply the purchase payment to the Variable Account and credit
the Contract with Accumulation Units within two business days.



                                       19
<PAGE>   23

For subsequent purchase payments, the Company will apply the purchase payments
to the Variable Account and will credit the Contract with Accumulation Units
during the next Valuation Period after the Valuation Period in which it receives
the purchase payment.

ACCUMULATION UNITS

Purchase payments are converted into Accumulation Units. The Company does this
by dividing the amount of the purchase payment you allocate to a Subaccount by
the Accumulation Unit value for that Subaccount.

Initially, the Company set the value of an Accumulation Unit at $10. For each
subsequent Valuation Period, the Company determines the Accumulation Unit value.
It does this by

    1.   determining the total amount of money invested in the particular
         Subaccount;

    2.   subtracting from that amount the mortality and expense risk premium and
         any other charges such as taxes the Company has deducted; and

    3.   dividing this amount by the number of outstanding Accumulation Units.

The value of an Accumulation Unit may increase or decrease from Valuation Period
to Valuation Period. It is affected by

    -    the investment performance of the Subaccount,
    -    expenses, and
    -    deduction of certain charges.

The value of an Accumulation Unit is determined each day that the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading. See the definition of "Valuation Date" on page 4
of this Prospectus.

DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACT

Sentry Equity Services, Inc. ("Sentry Equity"), 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens
Point, Wisconsin, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIAMCO, is the principal
underwriter of the Contract. The Contract is sold through licensed insurance
agents in states where the Contract may lawfully be sold. The agents are
registered representatives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 and are members of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Sentry Equity is paid first-year and renewal commissions, not to
exceed 4.7% of purchase payments, for its services in distributing the Contract.
Sentry Equity, in turn, pays all or a portion of these amounts to the selling
agent or agency.

                                   SURRENDERS

While the Contract is in effect, and before the earlier of the Income Date or
the Annuitant's death, the Company will allow you to make a surrender of all or
a portion of the Contract for its surrender value. You must submit a request in
writing to the Company for a surrender. The Company will pay the surrender
amount within seven days.

Surrenders will result in the cancellation of Accumulation Units from each
applicable Subaccount in the ratio that the value of each Subaccount bears to
the total Contract Value. If you would like some other method of cancellation to
be used, you must notify the Company beforehand in writing.

The surrender value will be the Contract Value for the next Valuation Period
following the Valuation Period during which the Company receives your written
request, reduced by the sum of:

    (1)  the total of any applicable premium taxes not previously deducted; PLUS

    (2)  any applicable contract maintenance charge; PLUS

    (3)  any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

Because of the potential tax consequences of a surrender, including possible tax
penalties, you should consult your tax adviser before making a surrender.



                                       20
<PAGE>   24

The Company may suspend the right to surrender or delay payment of a surrender
for more than seven days when:

    (1)  the New York Stock Exchange is closed on other than customary weekend
         and holiday closings;

    (2)  trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;

    (3)  an emergency exists and it is not reasonably practicable to dispose of
         the securities held in the Variable Account, or it is not reasonably
         practicable to determine the net asset value of the Variable Account;
         or

    (4)  during any other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission
         permits suspension of payments. 

The applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
will control as to whether conditions (2) or (3) exist.

LIMITATIONS ON SURRENDERS FROM 403(B) ANNUITIES

If the Contract is a 403(b) annuity with contributions made under a salary
reduction agreement (as defined in Section 403(b)(11) of the Code) withdrawals
can only be taken under certain circumstances. In order to take a withdrawal
from a 403(b) annuity, you must meet one the following conditions:

    -    be at least age 59 1/2;
    -    separate from the service of your employer;
    -    die;
    -    become disabled (as defined in the Code); or
    -    have a case of hardship.

Withdrawals for hardship are restricted to the portion of the Contract Value
represented by your contributions and does not include investment earnings. The
limitations on withdrawals were effective January 1, 1989, and apply only to:

    -    salary reduction contributions made after December 31, 1988;
    -    income attributable to such contributions; and
    -    income attributable to amounts held as of December 31, 1988.

These limitations will apply to all amounts (regardless of when or how
contributions were originally made) which are transferred or rolled over from a
TSA custodial account (as defined in the Code) into your account. The
limitations on withdrawals do not affect rollovers or transfers between certain
qualified plans. Tax penalties may also apply. You should consult your tax
adviser regarding any withdrawals from a 403(b) annuity.

TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM

If the Contract is issued to a participant in the Texas Optional Retirement
Program("ORP"), it will contain an ORP endorsement amending the Contract in two
ways. First, if for any reason the second year of the ORP participation is not
begun, the total amount of the State of Texas' first-year contribution will be
returned to the appropriate institution of higher education at its request.
Second, no benefits will be payable, through surrender or otherwise, unless the
participant dies, accepts retirement, terminates employment in all Texas
institutions of higher education, or attains the age of 70 1/2. The value of 
the Contract may, however, be transferred to other contracts or carriers during 
the period of ORP participation. A participant in ORP is required to obtain a
certificate of termination from the employer before the Contract can be
redeemed.



                                       21
<PAGE>   25

                               FEDERAL TAX STATUS

NOTE: The following discussion is based on the Company's understanding of
current federal income tax law applicable to annuities in general. The Company
cannot predict if changes to these laws will be made. You are cautioned to seek
tax advice as to possible changes. The Company does not guarantee the tax status
of the Contract. You bear the complete risk that the Contract may not be treated
as an annuity contract under federal income tax laws. You should also understand
that the following discussion is not exhaustive and that special rules not
discussed here may be applicable in certain situations. Moreover, no attempt has
been made to consider any applicable state or other tax laws.

GENERAL

Section 72 of the Code governs taxation of annuities in general. You will not be
taxed on the increases in value of the Contract until distribution occurs,
either as a lump sum payment or as annuity payments under the settlement option
selected. If you take a lump sum payment as a total surrender of the Contract
before the Income Date, you will be taxed on the portion of the lump sum payment
that exceeds the cost basis of the Contract. With a Non-Qualified Contract, the
cost basis generally equals the purchase payments, which have already been
taxed. With a Qualified Contract, there may be no cost basis. The taxable
portion of a lump sum payment is taxed at ordinary income tax rates. 

When the Annuitant starts receiving annuity payments on the Income Date, a
portion of each payment in excess of an exclusion amount is included in taxable
income. The exclusion amount for payments based on a variable settlement option
is determined by dividing the cost basis of the Contract (adjusted for any
period certain or refund guarantee) by the number of years over which the
annuity is expected to be paid. The annuity payments you receive after the
investment in the Contract has been recovered (i.e., when the total of the
excluded amount equals the investment in the Contract) are fully taxed. The
taxable portion is taxed at ordinary income tax rates.

You are urged to consult your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of any
type of distribution or payment under the Contract.

The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. For federal
income tax purposes, the Variable Account is not a separate entity from the
Company and its operations form a part of the Company.

DIVERSIFICATION

Section 817(h) of the Code imposes certain diversification standards on the
underlying assets of variable annuity contracts. The Code provides that a
variable annuity contract will not be treated as an annuity contract for any
period (and any subsequent period) when the investments are not adequately
diversified, as required by U.S. Treasury Department regulations.

If it is determined that the Contract does not meet the definition of an annuity
contract, you, as the Contract Owner, would be liable for federal income tax on
the earnings portion of the Contract prior to the receipt of the income. The
Code contains a safe harbor provision which provides that annuity contracts meet
the diversification requirements if, at the close of each quarter, the
underlying assets meet the diversification standards for a regulated investment
company and no more than 55% of the total assets consist of cash, cash items,
U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment
companies.

In 1989, the Treasury Department issued regulations that amplify the
diversification requirements for variable contracts contained in the Code and
provide an alternative to the safe harbor provision described above. Under the
regulations, an investment portfolio is deemed adequately diversified if

    -    no more than 55% of the value of the total assets of the portfolio is
         represented by any one investment;
    -    no more than 70% of the value of the total assets of the portfolio is
         represented by any two investments;
    -    no more than 80% of the value of the total assets of the portfolio is
         represented by any three investments; and


                                       22
<PAGE>   26

    -    no more than 90% of the value of the total assets of the portfolio is
         represented by any four investments.

For purposes of these regulations, all securities of the same issuer are treated
as a single investment. The Code provides that, for purposes of diversification,
each U.S. government agency or instrumentality is treated as a separate issuer.

The Company intends that the Mutual Funds underlying the Contract will be
managed by the investment advisers so as to comply with the diversification
requirements.

CONTRACT OWNER CONTROL OF INVESTMENTS

Currently, there is no official guidance as to whether, or under what
circumstances, control of the investments of the Variable Account by the
Contract Owner will cause the owner to be treated as the owner of the assets of
the Variable Account, thereby causing the Contract to lose its favorable tax
treatment.

The amount of Contract Owner control which may be exercised under the Contract
is different in some respects from the situations addressed in published rulings
issued by the Internal Revenue Service in which it was held that a policy owner
was not the owner of the assets of a separate account. It is unknown whether
these differences, such as the Contract Owner's ability to transfer among
investment choices or the number and type of investment choices available, would
cause the Contract Owner to be considered the owner of the assets of the
Variable Account.

In the event any forthcoming guidance or ruling sets forth a new position, the
guidance or ruling will generally be applied only prospectively. However, if the
ruling or guidance is not considered to set forth a new position, it may be
applied retroactively, resulting in the Contract Owner being determined to
retroactively be the owner of the assets of the Variable Account.

Due to the uncertainty in this area, the Company reserves the right to modify
the Contract in an attempt to maintain favorable tax treatment.

MULTIPLE CONTRACTS

Federal tax laws provide that multiple non-qualified annuity contracts that are
issued within a calendar year period to the same Contract Owner by one company
or its affiliates are treated as one annuity contract for purposes of
determining the tax consequences of any distribution. Such treatment may result
in adverse tax consequences including more rapid taxation of the distributed
amounts from the combination of contracts. For purposes of this rule, Contracts
received in a Section 1035 exchange will be considered issued in the year of the
exchange. You should consult your tax adviser before purchasing more than one
non-qualified annuity contract in any calendar year.

OWNER OTHER THAN NATURAL PERSON

Under Section 72(u) of the Code, the investment earnings on purchase payments
will be taxed currently to the Contract Owner if the Contract Owner is a
non-natural person, such as a corporation or certain other entities. A contract
held by a non-natural person will generally not be treated as an annuity for
federal income tax purposes.

However, this does not apply to a contract held by a trust or other entity as an
agent for a natural person, nor does it apply to a contract held by a qualified
plan. You should consult your own tax adviser before purchasing the Contract if
it is to be held by a non-natural person.

TAX TREATMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS

If you assign or pledge the Contract, there may be tax implications. You should
consult your tax adviser before assigning or pledging the Contract.



                                       23
<PAGE>   27

INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

All distributions under the Contract, or the portion of the distribution that is
included in your gross income, are subject to federal income tax withholding.
Generally, if you are receiving periodic payments, the withholding rate is the
same as for wages; for non-periodic payments, the withholding rate is 10%.
However, you may elect not to have taxes withheld or to have them withheld at a
different rate.

Effective January 1, 1993, certain distributions from retirement plans qualified
under Sections 401 or 403(b) of the Code that are not directly rolled over to
another qualified retirement plan, an individual retirement account, or an
individual retirement annuity, are subject to a mandatory 20% withholding for
federal income tax. The 20% withholding requirement generally does not apply to

    (1)  a series of substantially equal payments made at least annually for the
         life or life expectancy of the participant or joint and last survivor
         expectancy of the participant and a designated beneficiary, or
         distributions for a specified period of 10 years or more; or

    (2)  distributions that are required minimum distributions; or

    (3)  the portion of the distribution that is not includable in gross income
         (the return of any after-tax contributions); or

    (4)  hardship withdrawals.

You should consult your tax adviser regarding withholding requirements.

TAX TREATMENT OF WITHDRAWALS - NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS AND SECTION 457 CONTRACTS

Section 72 of the Code governs the treatment of distributions from annuity
contracts. It provides that if the Contract Value exceeds the aggregate purchase
payments made, any amount withdrawn under the Contract will be treated as first
coming from earnings and then, only after the earnings portion is exhausted, as
coming from the purchase payments. Earnings that are withdrawn must be included
in your gross income.

Section 72 further provides that a 10% penalty will apply to the earnings
portion of any distribution. However, the 10% penalty does not apply to amounts
received:

    (1)  after the taxpayer reaches age 59 1/2;

    (2)  after the Contract Owner's death;

    (3)  if the taxpayer is totally disabled (as defined in the Code);

    (4)  in a series of substantially equal periodic payments made at least
         annually during the taxpayer's lifetime (or expected lifetime) or for
         the joint lives (or joint live expectancies) of the taxpayer and his or
         her beneficiary;

    (5)  under an immediate annuity; or

    (6)  that are allocable to purchase payments made prior to August 14, 1982.

With respect to (4) above, if the series of substantially equal periodic
payments is modified before the later of your attaining age 59 1/2 or 5 years
from the date of the first periodic payment, then the tax for the year of the
modification is increased by an amount equal to the tax which would have been
imposed (the 10% penalty tax) but for the exception, plus interest for the tax
years in which the exception is used.

The Contract provides that if the Annuitant dies prior to the Income Date, the
death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary. Payments made upon the death of
the Annuitant who is not the Contract Owner do not qualify for the
death-of-contract-owner exception in (2) above and will be subject to the 10%
penalty, unless the beneficiary is at least age 59 1/2 or one of the other
exceptions to the penalty applies.


                                       24
<PAGE>   28

The above information applies to Qualified Contracts issued under Section 457 of
the Code, but does not apply to other Qualified Contracts. However, separate tax
withdrawal penalties and restrictions may apply to other Qualified Contracts
(see below).

QUALIFIED PLANS

The Contract offered by this Prospectus is suitable for use under various types
of qualified plans. The tax implications for participants in qualified plans
vary with the type of plan and the terms and conditions of each plan. You need
to be aware that benefits under a qualified plan may be subject to the terms and
conditions of the plan, regardless of the terms and conditions of the Contract.

Some retirement plans are subject to distribution and other requirements that
are not incorporated into the Company's administrative procedures. You are
responsible for determining that contributions, distributions and other
transactions with respect to the Contract comply with applicable law.

Following are general descriptions of the types of qualified plans that can be
used with the Contract. The descriptions are not comprehensive and are for your
general information only. Tax laws and regulations regarding qualified plans are
very complex and have different applications depending on individual facts and
circumstances. You should consult your tax adviser before purchasing the
Contract under a qualified plan.

If the Contract is issued pursuant to a qualified plan, it may contain special
provisions that are more restrictive than the Contract provisions described in
this Prospectus. Generally, if the Contract is issued under a qualified plan,
the Contract is not transferable except if it is surrendered or annuitized.
Various penalties and excise taxes may apply to purchase payments
(contributions) or distributions made in violation of applicable limits. Certain
withdrawal penalties and restrictions may apply to surrenders from a Qualified
Contract.

The Contract is no longer available in connection with H.R. 10 (Keogh) Plans or
corporate pension and profit-sharing plans. The information provided below is
being included to provide disclosure to owners of Contracts that were issued
under these types of plans.

    TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

    The Code permits the purchase of tax-sheltered annuities by public schools
    and certain charitable, educational and scientific organizations. Qualifying
    employers may make contributions to these annuities on behalf of their
    employees. The contributions are not included in the gross income of the
    employees until the employees receive distributions from the annuities. The
    amount of contributions is limited to certain maximums imposed by the Code.
    The Code also provides restrictions on transferability, distributions,
    nondiscrimination and withdrawals of tax-sheltered annuities. You should
    consult with your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences of investing in
    a tax-sheltered annuity.

    INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

    The Code permits eligible individuals to contribute to an individual
    retirement plan known as an "individual retirement annuity" or "IRA." Under
    applicable limits, you can contribute certain amounts to an IRA that can be
    deducted from your taxable income. There are also limits with respect to
    eligibility, contributions, transferability and distributions. Under certain
    conditions, distributions from other IRAs and other qualified plans may be
    rolled over or transferred on a tax-deferred basis into an IRA. If the
    Contract is to be used as an IRA, there are specific requirements imposed by
    the Code. In addition, the Company is required to give you additional
    informational disclosure if you purchase the Contract as an IRA. However,
    you should consult with your tax adviser regarding the tax consequences and
    suitability of investing in an IRA.



                                       25
<PAGE>   29

    Roth IRA. In 1998, a new type of IRA became available, known as a Roth IRA.
    Under a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but the
    earnings are distributed tax-free if certain conditions are met. This
    differs from a traditional IRA where contributions may be deducted from
    gross income and are taxed, along with the earnings, when they are
    distributed.

    Purchase payments for a Roth IRA are limited to a maximum of $2,000 per
    year. Lower maximum limits apply to individuals with adjusted gross incomes
    between $95,000 and $110,000 in the case of single taxpayers, between
    $150,000 and $160,000 in the case of married taxpayers filing a joint tax
    return, and between $0 and $10,000 in the case of married taxpayers filing
    separate tax returns. An overall $2,000 annual limit continues to apply to
    all of a taxpayer's IRA contributions, including Roth IRAs and non-Roth
    IRAs.

    Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are entirely free from federal
    income taxes. A distribution is qualified if the Roth IRA has been held for
    at least five years AND it meets one the following requirements:

    -    the distribution is made after age 59-1/2 or the taxpayer has died or 
         is disabled; OR

    -    the distribution is being used for a qualified first-time home
         purchase, subject to a $10,000 lifetime maximum, by the taxpayer, a
         spouse, child, grandchild, or ancestor.

    If the distribution is not qualified, the earnings portion of the
    distribution is taxed. Because distributions are treated as coming from
    contributions first, there is no tax until the contributions have been fully
    distributed. The 10% penalty tax and the regular IRA exceptions to the 10%
    penalty tax apply to taxable distributions from a Roth IRA.

    You may roll over amounts from one Roth IRA to another Roth IRA. You may
    also make a rollover contribution from a non-Roth IRA to a Roth IRA, unless
    you have adjusted gross income over $100,000 or if you are married and file
    a separate tax return. You must pay tax on any portion of the IRA being
    rolled over that represents earnings or a previously deductible IRA
    contribution.

    If you are considering a Roth IRA, you should consult with your tax adviser
    regarding the tax implications and suitability.

    PENSION AND PROFIT-SHARING PLANS

    The Code permits employers, including self-employed individuals, to
    establish various types of retirement plans for employees. Contributions to
    the plans for the benefit of employees are not included in the employees'
    gross income until distributed from the plan. The employees' tax liabilities
    may vary depending on the particular plan design. However, the Code places
    limits and restrictions on all plans with respect to such things as amount
    of allowable contributions; form, manner and timing of distributions;
    transfer of benefits; vesting and non-forfeiture of interests;
    nondiscrimination in eligibility and participation; and tax treatment of
    distributions, withdrawals and surrenders. You should consult your tax
    adviser regarding the tax consequences and suitability of investing in
    pension and profit-sharing plans.

TAX TREATMENT OF WITHDRAWALS - QUALIFIED CONTRACTS

In the case of a withdrawal from a Qualified Contract, a ratable portion of the
amount you receive is taxable, generally based on the ratio of your cost basis
to your total accrued benefit under the plan. Special tax rules may apply to
certain distributions from a Qualified Contract. The Code imposes a 10% penalty
on the taxable portion of any distribution from qualified retirement plans.

To the extent amounts are not includable in gross income because they have been
rolled over to an IRA or to another eligible qualified plan, no tax penalty is
imposed. The tax penalty will also not apply to the following:

    (1)  distributions made on or after age 59-1/2;

    (2)  distributions following death or disability;



                                       26
<PAGE>   30

    (3)  after separation from service, distributions that are part of
         substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually for the
         life (or life expectancy) of the Contract Owner or the Annuitant (as
         applicable) or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
         Contract Owner or Annuitant (as applicable) and the designated
         beneficiary;

    (4)  distributions after separation from service after age 55;

    (5)  under limited conditions, distributions made for amounts paid during
         the taxable year for medical care;

    (6)  distributions paid to an alternate payee pursuant to a qualified
         domestic relations order;

    (7)  under limited conditions, distributions from an IRA to purchase medical
         insurance;

    (8)  under limited conditions, distributions from an IRA for qualified
         higher education expenses; and 

    (9)  with limitations, distributions from an IRA for qualified first-time
         home purchases.

The exceptions in (4) and (6) above do not apply in the case of an IRA. The
exception in (3) above applies to an IRA without the requirement that there be a
separation from service. With respect to (3) above, if the series of
substantially equal periodic payments is modified before the later of your
attaining age 59-1/2 or 5 years from the date of the first periodic payment, 
then the tax for the year of the modification is increased by an amount equal 
to the tax which would have been imposed (the 10% penalty tax) but for the 
exception, plus interest for the tax years in which the exception is used.

Generally, if the Contract is issued under a qualified plan, annuity payments
must begin no later than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which you reach age 70-1/2 ; OR the calendar year in which you retire,
whichever is LATER.

Under a qualified plan, annuity payments must be made over a period not
exceeding your life expectancy or the life expectancies of you and your
designated beneficiary. If the required minimum distributions are not made, a
50% penalty tax is imposed on the amount not distributed.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES - WITHDRAWAL LIMITATIONS

If the Contract is a 403(b) annuity (also known as a tax-sheltered annuity) with
contributions made under a salary reduction agreement (as defined the Code)
withdrawals can only be taken under certain circumstances. In order to take a
withdrawal from a 403(b) annuity, you must meet one the following conditions:

    -    be at least age 59-1/2;
    -    separate from the service of your employer;
    -    die;
    -    become disabled (as defined in the Code); or
    -    have a case of hardship.

Withdrawals for hardship are restricted to the portion of the Contract Value
represented by your contributions and does not include investment earnings. The
limitations on withdrawals became effective January 1, 1989, and apply only to:

    -    salary reduction contributions made after December 31, 1988;
    -    income attributable to such contributions; and
    -    income attributable to amounts held as of December 31, 1988.

The limitations on withdrawals do not affect rollovers or transfers between
certain qualified plans. Tax penalties may also apply. You should consult your
tax adviser regarding any withdrawals from a 403(b) annuity.



                                       27
<PAGE>   31

SECTION 457 - DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

Under Section 457 of the Code, governmental and certain other tax-exempt
employers may establish deferred compensation plans, which may invest in annuity
contracts, for the benefit of their employees. As with qualified plans, the Code
establishes limits and restrictions on eligibility, contributions, and
distributions. Under a Section 457 plan, contributions made for the benefit of
employees will not be included in the employees' gross income until they are
distributed from the plan. Under a Section 457 plan, the plan assets remain
solely the property of the employer, subject only to the claims of the
employer's general creditors, until such time as they are available for
distribution to the employee or the employee's beneficiary. However, for plans
established after August 20, 1996, it is required that plan assets be held in
trust for the benefit of employees and not be subject to claims by the
employer's general creditors. After January 1, 1999, this requirement is
mandatory for all Section 457 plans.

                                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Neither the Variable Account nor the underwriter, Sentry Equity, is a party to
any legal proceedings. The Company is engaged in routine litigation which, in
the opinion of the Company, is not material in relation to the total capital and
surplus of the Company.







            TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ITEM                                                                     PAGE
- ----                                                                     ----
THE COMPANY..............................................................  3
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACT.............................................  3
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT...................................................  3
LEGAL OPINIONS...........................................................  3
YIELD CALCULATION FOR LIQUID ASSET SUB-ACCOUNT...........................  3
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION..................................................  4
ANNUITY PAYMENTS.........................................................  5
  Annuity Unit...........................................................  5
  Amount of Annuity Payments.............................................  5
  Net Investment Factor..................................................  5
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.....................................................  6







                                       28
<PAGE>   32
UNDERWRITER FOR THE CONTRACT
         Sentry Equity Services, Inc.
         Stevens Point, Wisconsin


LEGAL OPINIONS
         Blazzard, Grodd & Hasenauer, P.C.
         Westport, Connecticut

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
         For Sentry Life Insurance Company
         PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
         Chicago, Illinois


FOR NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS
 MANAGEMENT TRUST
         Ernst & Young L.L.P
         Boston, Massachusetts


INVESTMENT MANAGER, ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR FOR NEUBERGER BERMAN
 ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
         Neuberger Berman Management Inc.
         New York, New York


                               VARIABLE ACCOUNT II

The Variable Account is a segregated asset account registered as a unit
investment trust. The assets of the Account are the property of Sentry Life
Insurance Company.


                                   INVESTMENTS

Purchases applied to the Variable Account are invested in one or more of the
Portfolios of Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust. Currently, Neuberger
Berman Advisers Management Trust consists of eight separate Portfolios, the
following four of which are currently available in connection with the Contract
offered under the Prospectus:

                       -    Liquid Asset Portfolio

                       -    Growth Portfolio

                       -    Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio

                       -    Balanced Portfolio



                      [SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LOGO]

                            1800 North Point Drive
                            Stevens Point, WI 54481


<PAGE>   33











                                     PART B
<PAGE>   34
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


                 INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBLE PURCHASE PAYMENT DEFERRED
                           VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                   ISSUED BY
                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
                                      AND
                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


This is not a Prospectus. This Statement of Additional Information should be
read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the individual flexible purchase
payment deferred variable annuity contract which is referred to herein.

The Prospectus concisely presents information that a prospective investor should
know before investing. For a copy of the Prospectus, call or write the Company
at 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481, (800) 533-7827.

This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus are dated May 1,
1999.




     
<PAGE>   35



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM                                                                       PAGE
- ----                                                                       ----
THE COMPANY...............................................................  3
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACT..............................................  3
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT....................................................  3
LEGAL OPINIONS............................................................  3
YIELD CALCULATION FOR LIQUID ASSET SUB-ACCOUNT............................  3
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION...................................................  4
ANNUITY PAYMENTS..........................................................  5
  Annuity Unit............................................................  5
  Amount of Annuity Payments..............................................  5
  Net Investment Factor...................................................  5
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......................................................  6






                                       2
<PAGE>   36


                                   THE COMPANY

Sentry Life Insurance Company (the "Company") is a stock life insurance company
incorporated in 1958, pursuant to the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Its home
office is located at 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It is
licensed to conduct life, annuity and accident and health insurance business in
in all states, except New York, and the District of Columbia. The Company is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company ("SIAMCO"). SIAMCO
is a mutual insurance company incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin with
headquarters at 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. SIAMCO owns
and controls, either directly or through subsidiary companies, a group of
insurance and related companies, including Sentry Life Insurance Company of New
York and Sentry Equity Services, Inc.

                          DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACT

Sentry Equity Services, Inc. ("Sentry Equity"), 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens
Point, Wisconsin, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIAMCO, serves as the principal
underwriter of the Contract. The Contract is sold through licensed insurance
agents in those states where the Contract may be lawfully sold. The agents are
registered representatives of broker-dealers that are registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are members of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Sentry Equity will be paid first-year and renewal
commissions for its services in distributing the Contract, not to exceed 4.7% of
purchase payments. Sentry Equity will, in turn, pay all or a portion of these
amounts to a selling agent or agency. The Contract is sold on a continuous
basis.

Sentry Equity also acts as principal underwriter for Sentry Fund, Inc., an
open-end management investment company. Sentry Equity was paid underwriter
commissions in the aggregate for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 of $338,226,
$309,674, and $392,706, respectively. Of those amounts it retained $286,484,
$259,161, and $236,907, respectively.

                             INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT

The statutory financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1998 and
1997, and for the years then ended, and the financial statements of the Variable
Account as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the two years in the
period then ended, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 203 North
LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois, independent accountant, whose reports appear herein
and have been included in reliance on its authority as an expert in accounting
and auditing.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

Blazzard, Grodd & Hasenauer, P.C., Westport, Connecticut, has provided advice on
certain matters relating to the federal securities and income tax laws in
connection with the Contract.

                  YIELD CALCULATION OF LIQUID ASSET SUB-ACCOUNT

The Liquid Asset Subaccount of the Variable Account will calculate its current
yield based on the seven days ended on the date of calculation. For the seven
calendar days ended December 31, 1998, the annualized yield for the Liquid Asset
subaccount was 3.14%. 

The current yield of the Liquid Asset Subaccount is computed by determining the
net change (exclusive of capital changes) in the value of a hypothetical
pre-existing contract owner account having a balance of one Accumulation Unit of
the Subaccount at the beginning of the period, subtracting the mortality and
expense risk premium and contract maintenance charge, dividing the difference by
the value of the account at the beginning of the same period to obtain the base
period return and multiplying the result by (365/7).

Net investment income for yield quotation purposes will not include either
realized capital gains and losses or unrealized appreciation and depreciation,
whether reinvested or not.

The yields quoted should not be considered a representation of the yield of the
Liquid Asset Subaccount in the future since the yield is not fixed. Actual
yields will depend not only on the type, quality and maturities of the
investments held by the Liquid Asset Subaccount and changes in the interest
rates on such investments, but also on changes in the Liquid Asset Subaccount's
expenses during the period.




                                       3
<PAGE>   37

Yield information may be useful in reviewing the performance of the Liquid Asset
Subaccount and for providing a basis of comparison with other investment
alternatives. However, the Liquid Asset subaccount's yield fluctuates, unlike
bank deposits or other investments which typically pay a fixed yield for a
stated period of time. The yield information does not reflect the deduction of
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the surrender.
(See "Charges and Deduction - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the
Prospectus.)

                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The average annual total return figures and the cumulative total return figures
for the one- five- and ten-year periods to December 31, 1998, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                AVERAGE ANNUAL                  CUMULATIVE
                                 TOTAL RETURN                  TOTAL RETURN
                        ------------------------------ -----------------------------
                                             TEN YEARS                     TEN YEARS
                                             OR SINCE                      OR SINCE
                        ONE YEAR  FIVE YEARS INCEPTION ONE YEAR FIVE YEARS INCEPTION
<S>                     <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>   
Liquid Asset
 Portfolio               (1.82%)     2.84%     3.49%   (1.82%)    15.01%     40.94%
Limited Maturity
 Bond Portfolio          (3.56%)     2.11%     4.26%   (3.56%)    11.03%     51.82%
Growth Portfolio          8.48%     13.23%    12.09%    8.48%     86.11%    213.03%
Balanced Portfolio*       5.17%      9.46%     8.55%    5.17%     57.13%    145.36%
</TABLE>

*Date of inception is September 17, 1990.

The above figures include the deduction of a 1.20% Mortality and Expense Risk
Premium, a $30 contract maintenance charge and the investment management and
administration fees and other expenses paid by the Trust's Portfolios and their
corresponding series of Managers Trust. As of May 1, 1995, the fees paid to the
manager changed. The fees and the Trust's operating expenses are disclosed and
explained in the Fee Table in the Prospectus. The returns reported above also
reflect the deduction of the Contract's contingent deferred sales charge from
each Portfolio's one year total return, when such charge equals 5% of a
surrendered purchase payment, and from each Portfolio's five year total return,
when the charge equals 1% of a surrendered purchase payment.

The hypothetical value of a Contract purchased for the time periods described
above is determined by using the actual Accumulation Unit values for an initial
$1,000 purchase payment and deducting any applicable contract maintenance
charges and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge to arrive at the
ending hypothetical value. The average annual total return is then determined by
computing the fixed interest rate that a $1,000 purchase payment would have to
earn annually, compounded annually, to grow to the hypothetical value at the end
of the time periods described above, as the case may be. The formula used in
these calculations is:
                                         n
                                P (1 + T) = ERV

       WHERE:

       P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
       T = average annual total return
       n = number of years
     ERV = ending redeemable value at the end of the one- five- and ten year
           periods to December 31, 1998 (or fractional portion thereof), of a
           hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of each period
           presented to December 31, 1998.

The calculation of the cumulative total return for the Portfolios under the
Contract issued by the Company is not subject to a standardized formula. The
hypothetical value of a Contract purchased for the time periods described above
is determined by using the actual Accumulation Unit values for an initial $1,000
purchase payment and deducting any applicable contract maintenance charge and
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge to arrive at the ending
hypothetical value. The total return percentage is then determined by
subtracting the initial investment from the ending hypothetical value and
dividing the difference by the initial investment and expressing the result as a
percentage.



                                       4
<PAGE>   38

The cumulative total return quotation figures were calculated using the
following assumptions:

    (1)  The one-year figure assumes that values based on a $1,000 payment made
         on December 31, 1997, were redeemed on December 31, 1998.

    (2)  The five-year figure assumes that values based on a $1,000 payment made
         on December 31, 1993, were redeemed on December 31, 1998.

    (3)  For the Liquid Asset, Growth and Limited Maturity Bond portfolios, the
         ten-year figures assume that values based on a $1,000 payment made on
         December 31, 1988, were redeemed on December 31, 1998. For the Balanced
         portfolio, the figures for the period since inception assume that
         values based on a $1,000 payment on September 17, 1990, were redeemed
         on December 31, 1998.

ALL QUOTATION FIGURES ABOVE REPRESENT PAST PERFORMANCE OF EACH INVEST-
MENT OPTION. THE TOTAL RETURN FIGURES FLUCTUATE DAILY, SO THE ABOVE QUOTA-
TIONS ARE NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF FUTURE BENEFITS.

                                ANNUITY PAYMENTS
ANNUITY UNIT

Initially, the value of an Annuity Unit was set at $10. For each subsequent
Valuation Period, the Annuity Unit value is determined as follows:

    (1)  the Annuity Unit value for a Subaccount for the last Valuation Period
         is multiplied by the net investment factor for the Subaccount for the
         next Valuation Period;

    (2)  the result is divided by the assumed investment factor for that
         Valuation Period.

The net investment factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the
Annuity Unit value may increase or decrease.

AMOUNT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

    (1)  The dollar amount of the first annuity payment is divided by the value
         of an Annuity Unit as of the income date. This establishes the number
         of Annuity Units for each monthly payment. The number of Annuity Units
         remains fixed during the annuity payment period, subject to any
         transfers.

    (2)  The fixed number of Annuity Units is multiplied by the Annuity Unit
         value for the last Valuation Period of the month preceding the month
         for which the payment is due. This result is the dollar amount of the
         payment.

The total dollar amount of each annuity payment is the sum of all Subaccount
annuity payments less any applicable contract maintenance charge.

The Subaccount Annuity Unit value at the end of any Valuation Period is
determined by multiplying the Subaccount Annuity Unit value for the immediately
preceding Valuation Period by the quotient of (1) and (2), where:

    (1)  is the net investment factor for the Valuation Period for which the
         Subaccount Annuity Unit value is being determined; and

    (2)  is the assumed investment factor for such Valuation Period. The assumed
         investment factor adjusts for the interest assumed in determining the
         first annuity payment. Such factor for any Valuation Period shall be
         the accumulated value of $1.00 deposited at the beginning of such
         period at the assumed investment rate of 4%.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR
The net investment factor for any Subaccount for any Valuation Period is
determined by dividing (1) by (2) and subtracting (3) from the result where:

    (1)  is the net result of:

         (a)      the net asset value per share of the Mutual Fund or Portfolio
                  held in the Subaccount determined as of the current Valuation
                  Period; PLUS



                                       5
<PAGE>   39

         (b)      the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain
                  distribution made by the Mutual Fund or Portfolio held in the
                  Subaccount if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current
                  Valuation Period; PLUS OR MINUS

         (c)      a per share charge or credit, which is determined by the
                  Company, for changes in tax reserves resulting from investment
                  operations of the Subaccount;

    (2)  is the net result of:

         (a)      the net asset value per share of the Mutual Fund or Portfolio
                  held in the Subaccount determined as of the immediately
                  preceding Valuation Period; PLUS OR MINUS

         (b)      the per share charge or credit for any changes in tax reserve
                  for the immediately preceding Valuation Period; and

    (3)  is the percentage factor representing the mortality and expense risk
         premiums.

The net investment factor may be greater or less than one; therefore, the
Annuity Unit value may increase or decrease.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the Company included herein should be considered
only as bearing on the ability of the Company to meet its obligations under the
Contract.



                                       6
<PAGE>   40

                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
                           --------------------------

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997




                                       7
<PAGE>   41

[PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LETTERHEAD]



                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   AND
THE CONTRACT OWNERS OF
SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II:

In our opinion, the accompanying combined statement of assets and liabilities
and the related combined and separate statements of operations and changes in
net assets present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Sentry Variable Account II, and the Liquid Asset Portfolio, Growth
Portfolio, Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio and Balanced Portfolio thereof, at
December 31, 1998, the results of each of their operations and changes in each
of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements are the responsibility of Sentry Life Insurance Company's management;
our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at
December 31, 1998, by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable
basis for the opinion expressed above.


PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS L.L.P.


Chicago, Illinois
February 11, 1999


                                       8
<PAGE>   42



                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
                      STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                               December 31, 1998

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
ASSETS:

Investments at market value:

  Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust:

     Liquid Asset Portfolio, 2,514,730
        shares (cost $2,514,730)                  $ 2,514,730

     Growth Portfolio, 1,646,703
        shares (cost $39,250,355)                  43,291,814

     Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio, 433,176
        shares (cost $6,002,953)                    5,986,497

     Balanced Portfolio, 691,412
        shares (cost $10,732,929)                  11,297,678
                                                  -----------

        Total investments                          63,090,719

  Dividends receivable                                  9,167
                                                  -----------

        Total assets                               63,099,886

LIABILITIES:

Accrued expenses                                        5,461
                                                  -----------

NET ASSETS                                        $63,094,425
                                                  ===========
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements















                                       9
<PAGE>   43

SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 
For the Years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 SUB-ACCOUNTS INVESTING IN:
                                               -----------------------------
                                                       LIQUID ASSET                         GROWTH
                                                         PORTFOLIO                         PORTFOLIO
                                               -----------------------------     ------------------------------
                                                   1998             1997              1998            1997
                                               ------------     ------------     -------------    -------------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>          
Income:
  Dividends                                    $    115,086     $    104,541     $       --       $       --   
Expenses:
  Mortality and expense charges                      30,299           27,213          474,117          450,947
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Net investment income (loss)                         84,787           77,328         (474,117)        (450,947)
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Realized net investment gain (loss)                    --               --            588,794        1,540,740
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net            --               --         (5,211,880)       4,937,957
Capital gain distributions received                    --               --         10,487,400        2,948,192
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)
  on investments and capital
  gain distributions, net                              --               --          5,864,314        9,426,889
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Net increase in net assets
  from operations                                    84,787           77,328        5,390,197        8,975,942
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Purchase payments                                 1,292,248           94,695        3,248,943        1,192,713
Transfers between subaccounts, net                   25,234          (37,697)        (126,390)         115,753
Withdrawals                                        (879,099)        (561,881)      (4,612,799)      (4,384,625)
Contract maintenance fees                            (2,851)          (3,317)         (39,072)         (41,415)
Surrender charges                                    (2,826)          (2,360)         (13,884)         (19,220)
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
  derived from principal transactions               432,706         (510,560)      (1,543,202)      (3,136,794)
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets             517,493         (433,232)       3,846,995        5,839,148
Net assets at beginning of year                   2,006,216        2,439,448       39,441,707       33,602,559
                                               ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Net assets at end of year                      $  2,523,709     $  2,006,216     $ 43,288,702     $ 39,441,707
                                               ============     ============     ============     ============
</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

                                       10




<PAGE>   44





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Limited Maturity                       Balanced
       Bond Portfolio                        Portfolio                          Total
- -----------------------------     -----------------------------     -----------------------------
    1998             1997             1998             1997             1998             1997
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
<S>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>         
$    397,136     $    414,044     $    230,506     $    164,097     $  1,742,728     $    682,682

      74,360           80,334          125,291          113,868          704,067          672,362
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
     322,776          333,710          105,215           50,229           38,661           10,320
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
     (46,651)           2,573           28,391          213,070          570,534        1,756,383
     (82,604)          18,458         (721,893)         869,649       (6,016,377)       5,826,064
        --               --          1,619,027          421,183       12,106,427        3,369,375
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

    (129,255)          21,031          925,525        1,503,902        6,660,584       10,951,822
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

     193,521          354,741        1,030,740        1,554,131        6,699,245       10,962,142
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
     156,457          220,322        1,758,511          441,443        6,456,159        1,949,173
     105,524         (252,094)          (4,368)         174,038             --               --
    (750,978)      (1,343,699)      (1,315,396)      (1,281,938)      (7,558,272)      (7,572,143)
      (6,327)          (7,254)          (9,679)          (9,845)         (57,929)         (61,831)
        (795)          (2,672)          (7,543)          (8,821)         (25,048)         (33,073)
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------

    (496,119)      (1,385,397)         421,525         (685,123)      (1,185,090)      (5,717,874)
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
    (302,598)      (1,030,656)       1,452,265          869,008        5,514,155        5,244,268
   6,288,074        7,318,730        9,844,273        8,975,265       57,580,270       52,336,002
- ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
$  5,985,476     $  6,288,074     $ 11,296,538     $  9,844,273     $ 63,094,425     $ 57,580,270
============     ============     ============     ============     ============     ============

</TABLE>

                                       11








<PAGE>   45


                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                           Sentry Variable Account II

                         Notes to Financial Statements

                           December 31, 1997 and 1996

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1998 and 1997

1.  ORGANIZATION AND CONTRACTS

    The Sentry Variable Account II (the Variable Account) is a segregated
    investment account of the Sentry Life Insurance Company (the Company) and is
    registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit investment
    trust pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The
    Variable Account was established by the Company on August 2, 1983 and
    commenced operations on May 3, 1984. Accordingly, it is an accounting entity
    wherein all segregated account transactions are reflected. The financial
    statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
    accounting principles which permit management to make certain estimates and
    assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could
    differ from those estimates.

    The assets of the Variable Account are invested in one or more of the
    portfolios of Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the Trust) at the
    portfolio's net asset value in accordance with the selection made by the
    contract owners.

    A copy of the Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Annual Report is
    included in the Variable Account's Annual Report.

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS 

    Investments in the Trust are valued at the reported net asset values of such
    portfolios, which value their investment securities at fair value.

    SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

    Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date (the date the order
    to buy and sell is executed). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend
    date. The cost of investments sold and the corresponding investment gains
    and losses are determined on a specific identification basis.

    FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

    The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the provisions of the
    Internal Revenue Code. The operations of the Variable Account are part of
    the total operations of the Company and are not taxed as a separate entity.

    Under Federal income tax law, net investment income and net realized
    investment gains of the Variable Account which are applied to increase net
    assets are not taxed.







                                       12
<PAGE>   46

                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                           Sentry Variable Account II

                   Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3.  EXPENSES

    A mortality and expense risk premium is deducted by the Company from the
    Variable Account on a daily basis which is equal, on an annual basis, to
    1.20% (.80% mortality and .40% expense risk) of the daily net asset value of
    the Variable Account. This mortality and expense risk premium compensates
    the Company for assuming these risks under the variable annuity contract.
    The liability for accrued mortality and expense risk premium amounted to
    $5,461 at December 31, 1998.

    The Company deducts, on the contract anniversary date, an annual contract
    maintenance charge of $30, per contract holder, from the contract value by
    canceling accumulation units. If the contract is surrendered for its full
    surrender value, on other than the contract anniversary, the contract
    maintenance charge will be deducted at the time of such surrender. This
    charge reimburses the Company for administrative expenses relating to
    maintenance of the contract.

    There are no deductions made from purchase payments for sales charges at the
    time of purchase. However, a contingent deferred sales charge may be
    deducted in the event of a surrender to reimburse the Company for expenses
    incurred which are related to contract sales. Contingent deferred sales
    charges apply to each purchase payment and are graded from 6% during the
    first contract year to 0% in the seventh contract year.

    Any premium tax payable to a governmental entity as a result of the
    existence of the contracts or the Variable Account will be charged against
    the contract value. Premium taxes up to 4% are currently imposed by certain
    states. Some states assess their premium taxes at the time purchase payments
    are made; others assess their premium taxes at the time of annuitization. In
    the event contracts would be issued in states assessing their premium taxes
    at the time purchase payments are made, the Company currently intends to
    advance such premium taxes and deduct the premium taxes from a contract
    owner's contract value at the time of annuitization or surrender.








                                       13
<PAGE>   47



                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II
                           --------------------------
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

4.  NET ASSETS

    Net Assets are represented by accumulation units in the related Variable
    Account.

    At December 31, 1998 ownership of the Variable Account was represented by
    the following accumulation units and accumulation unit values:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           ACCUMULATION  ACCUMULATION
                                               UNITS      UNIT VALUE      VALUE
                                           ------------  ------------ -----------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>          <C>        
       Liquid Asset Portfolio                 140,566    $   17.95    $ 2,523,709
       Growth Portfolio                       750,025        57.72     43,288,702
       Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio        238,960        25.05      5,985,476
       Balanced Portfolio                     499,567        22.61     11,296,538
                                                                      -----------
          Total net assets                                            $63,094,425
                                                                      ===========

</TABLE>

    At December 31, 1997 ownership of the Variable Account was represented by
    the following accumulation units and accumulation unit values:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           ACCUMULATION  ACCUMULATION
                                              UNITS       UNIT VALUE     VALUE
                                           ------------  ------------ -----------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>          <C>        
       Liquid Asset Portfolio                 115,558    $   17.36    $ 2,006,216
       Growth Portfolio                       780,148    $   50.56    $39,441,707
       Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio        258,942    $   24.28    $ 6,288,074
       Balanced Portfolio                     482,578    $   20.40    $ 9,844,273
                                                                      -----------
          Total net assets                                            $57,580,270
                                                                      ===========
</TABLE>

5.  PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

    In 1998, purchases and proceeds on sales of the Trust's shares aggregated
    $24,882,854 and $13,922,844, respectively, and were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            LIQUID ASSET         GROWTH      LIMITED MATURITY      BALANCED
                              PORTFOLIO         PORTFOLIO     BOND PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO          TOTAL
                            ------------       -----------   ----------------     ----------       -----------
<S>                          <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>        
         Purchases           $3,392,077       $15,934,442       $  968,445        $4,587,890       $24,882,854
         Proceeds on sales    2,876,339         7,463,244        1,141,430         2,441,831        13,922,844

</TABLE>

    In 1997, purchases and proceeds on sales of the Trust's shares aggregated
    $9,252,852 and $11,592,525, respectively, and were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            LIQUID ASSET         GROWTH      LIMITED MATURITY      BALANCED
                             PORTFOLIO          PORTFOLIO     BOND PORTFOLIO      PORTFOLIO           TOTAL
                            ------------       -----------   ----------------     ----------       -----------
<S>                          <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>        
         Purchases           $1,524,938       $ 5,657,165       $  650,882        $1,419,867       $ 9,252,852
         Proceeds on sales    1,956,814         6,298,766       $1,703,235        $1,633,710       $11,592,525
</TABLE>

                                       14
<PAGE>   48


                          SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            REPORT ON AUDITS OF STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997











                                       15
<PAGE>   49

[PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LETTERHEAD]


                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

Board of Directors
Sentry Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying statutory-basis balance sheets of Sentry Life
Insurance Company (the Company) as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related statutory-basis statements of operations, changes in capital stock and
surplus and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to report
on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

As discussed more fully in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company
prepared these financial statements using accounting practices prescribed or
permitted by the insurance department of the State of Wisconsin, which practices
differ from generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We have only been
engaged by the Company to audit the accompanying financial statements on a
statutory basis of accounting. The Company is not required to prepare GAAP
financial statements and does not prepare GAAP financial statements. The effects
on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis of
accounting and GAAP, although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be
material. We are therefore required in the following paragraph to issue an
adverse opinion on GAAP.

In our opinion, because of the effects of the matter discussed in the preceding
paragraph, the financial statements referred to above do not present fairly, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the financial position
of Sentry Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, or the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended.

In our opinion, the statutory-basis financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities, and
capital stock and surplus of Sentry Life Insurance Company as of December 31,
1998 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
years then ended in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted
by the insurance department of the State of Wisconsin.

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the
statutory-basis financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying
supplemental schedule of assets and liabilities is presented to comply with the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners' annual statement instructions
and is not a required part of the statutory-basis financial statements. Such
information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit
of the statutory basis financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly
stated, in all material respects, in relation to the statutory-basis financial
statements taken as a whole.



PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS L.L.P.

Chicago, Illinois
February 12, 1999


                                       16
<PAGE>   50



                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                         STATUTORY-BASIS BALANCE SHEETS

                           DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              ASSETS                                    1998              1997
              ------                                    ----              ----
<S>                                                <C>               <C>           
              Investments:
                Bonds ............................ $1,118,191,869    $1,103,011,418
                Investments in subsidiaries ......      9,532,940         9,817,647
                Mortgage loans ...................         18,723            68,657
                Policy loans .....................     24,036,498        25,020,637
                Cash and short-term investments...     29,877,016        20,636,124
                                                   --------------    --------------
                       Total investments .........  1,181,657,046     1,158,554,483
              Accrued investment income ..........     18,681,577        18,231,430
              Premiums deferred and uncollected         4,474,663         4,377,983
              Due from affiliates ................           --           3,008,778
              Other assets .......................      1,177,498         6,099,831
              Assets held in separate accounts....    604,877,464       533,613,785
                                                   --------------    --------------
                       Total admitted assets ..... $1,810,868,248    $1,723,886,290
                                                   ==============    ==============
</TABLE>


      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory-basis
                             financial statements.

                                       17



<PAGE>   51


                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                   STATUTORY-BASIS BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

                           DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              LIABILITIES                                                             1998               1997
              -----------                                                             ----               ----
<S>                                                                              <C>               <C>           
              Future policy benefits:
                Life ........................................................    $  255,692,269    $  250,618,823
                Accident and health .........................................        15,440,434        14,967,065
                Annuity .....................................................       134,582,450       138,902,775
              Policy and contract claims ....................................         4,140,344         4,720,182
              Premium and other deposit funds ...............................       624,627,002       604,285,476
              Other policyholder funds ......................................        10,445,827        26,118,724
              Accounts payable and other liabilities ........................        11,177,061         3,477,182
              Federal income taxes accrued ..................................         9,417,827        11,555,703
              Asset valuation reserve .......................................         5,706,987         5,264,578
              Interest maintenance reserve ..................................         7,087,699         6,175,922
              Liabilities related to separate accounts ......................       603,897,819       528,643,523
                                                                                 --------------    --------------
                      Total liabilities .....................................    $1,682,215,719    $1,594,729,953
                                                                                 ==============    ==============

              CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS
              -------------------------
              Capital stock, $10 par value; authorized 400,000 shares; issued
                and outstanding 316,178 shares in 1998 and 1997 .............         3,161,780         3,161,780
              Paid-in surplus ...............................................        43,719,081        43,719,081
              Earned surplus, unappropriated ................................        81,771,668        82,275,476
                                                                                 --------------    --------------
                      Total capital stock and surplus .......................       128,652,529       129,156,337
                                                                                 --------------    --------------

                      Total liabilities, capital stock and surplus ..........    $1,810,868,248    $1,723,886,290
                                                                                 ==============    ==============
       </TABLE>

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory-basis
                             financial statements.

                                       18



<PAGE>   52



                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                    STATUTORY-BASIS STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1998                 1997
                                                                                   ----                 ----
<S>                                                                           <C>                  <C>          
       Premiums and other income:
          Premiums and annuity considerations .........................       $  76,847,662        $  74,408,562
          Other fund deposits .........................................          62,791,049           52,574,356
          Commissions and expense allowances on
                   reinsurance ceded ..................................          11,560,785           18,912,935
          Net investment income .......................................          93,544,822           91,589,939
          Other income ................................................           8,931,046            8,512,462
                                                                              -------------        -------------
                   Total premiums and other income ....................         253,675,364          245,998,254
                                                                              -------------        -------------
       Benefits and expenses:
          Policyholder benefits and fund withdrawals ..................         199,613,380          188,108,969
          Increase in future life policy benefits
                   and other reserves .................................          21,803,214            7,695,811
          Commissions .................................................           7,358,122           10,638,144
          Other expenses ..............................................          27,780,333           30,477,161
          Transfers from separate accounts, net .......................         (16,816,030)         (16,336,976)
                                                                              -------------        -------------
                   Total benefits and expenses ........................         239,739,019          220,553,109
                                                                              -------------        -------------
       Income before federal income tax expense
          and net realized losses on investments ......................          13,936,345           25,445,145
                   Federal income tax expense, less tax on net realized
                     losses and transfers to the IMR ..................           5,684,753            9,177,337
                                                                              -------------        -------------
       Income before net realized losses on investments ...............           8,251,592           16,267,808
                   Net realized losses on investments .................            (514,506)            (272,063)
                                                                              -------------        -------------
       Net income .....................................................       $   7,737,086        $  15,995,745
                                                                              =============        =============
</TABLE>



      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory-basis
                             financial statements.

                                       19


<PAGE>   53
                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

       STATUTORY-BASIS STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS

                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
                                -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1998                   1997
                                                             ----                   ----
<S>                                                     <C>                    <C>          
Capital stock, beginning and end of year .........      $   3,161,780          $   3,161,780
                                                        -------------          -------------
Paid-in surplus, beginning and end of year .......         43,719,081             43,719,081
                                                        -------------          -------------
Earned surplus,  unappropriated:
  Balance at beginning of year ...................         82,275,476             67,368,745
  Net income .....................................          7,737,086             15,995,745
  Change in non-admitted assets ..................             (4,430)                 1,850
  Change in liability for reinsurance ............             (9,348)                  (650)
  Change in asset valuation reserve ..............           (442,409)             6,192,639
  Dividend to stockholder ........................         (7,500,000)            (7,500,000)
  Change in net unrealized gains on investments...           (284,707)               217,147
                                                        -------------          -------------
  Balance at end of year .........................         81,771,668             82,275,476
                                                        -------------          -------------
       Total capital stock and surplus ...........      $ 128,652,529          $ 129,156,337
                                                        =============          =============
</TABLE>



      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory-basis
                             financial statements.

                                       20


<PAGE>   54



                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                    STATUTORY-BASIS STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
                                -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1998                   1997
                                                                              ----                   ----
<S>                                                                     <C>                    <C>          
Premiums and annuity considerations ...........................         $  76,630,869          $  74,046,843
Other fund deposits ...........................................            62,791,049             52,574,356
Other premiums, considerations and deposits ...................               165,851                170,518
Allowances and reserve adjustments received on
         reinsurance ceded ....................................            11,507,443             25,981,339
Investment income received (excluding realized gains
         and losses and net of investment expenses) ...........            90,358,325             88,152,129
Other income received .........................................            13,079,807              8,341,945
Life and accident and health claims paid ......................           (35,698,918)           (24,600,136)
Surrender benefits ............................................          (132,575,939)           (99,192,578)
Other benefits to policyholders paid ..........................           (48,180,669)           (46,821,006)
Commissions, other expenses, and taxes paid
         (excluding federal income taxes) .....................           (34,763,025)           (41,375,759)
Net transfers from separate accounts ..........................            16,492,034             16,364,694
Cash in receivable status from separate accounts ..............                  --               (4,318,844)
Changes in asset charges receivable ...........................                  --                    6,765
Dividends to policyholders paid ...............................              (317,700)              (316,156)
Federal income taxes paid .....................................            (8,853,213)            (9,002,003)
Net decrease in policy loans ..................................               984,139                368,610
                                                                        -------------          -------------
         Net cash from operations .............................            11,620,053             40,380,717
                                                                        -------------          -------------
Proceeds from investments sold, matured, or repaid:
         Bonds ................................................           147,260,947            101,049,805
         Mortgage loans .......................................                49,934                 82,308
         Tax on net capital gains .............................              (577,663)              (105,566)
                                                                        -------------          -------------
               Total investment proceeds ......................           146,733,218            101,026,547
                                                                        -------------          -------------
Other cash provided ...........................................            17,175,517             10,746,587
                                                                        -------------          -------------
               Total cash provided ............................           175,528,788            152,153,851
                                                                        -------------          -------------
Cost of investments acquired ..................................           157,699,531            146,935,141
Other cash applied:
         Dividend to stockholder ..............................             7,500,000              7,500,000
         Other applications, net ..............................             1,088,365              5,819,079
                                                                        -------------          -------------
               Total cash applied .............................           166,287,896            160,254,220
                                                                        -------------          -------------
               Net change in cash and short-term investments...             9,240,892             (8,100,369)
Cash and short-term investments:
         Beginning of year ....................................            20,636,124             28,736,493
                                                                        -------------          -------------
         End of year ..........................................         $  29,877,016          $  20,636,124
                                                                        =============          =============
</TABLE>

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory-basis
                             financial statements.

                                       21


<PAGE>   55


                         SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                 NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                -----------------


(1)      BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT STATUTORY-BASIS ACCOUNTING 
         POLICIES

         BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         Sentry Life Insurance Company (the Company) is a wholly-owned
         subsidiary of Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company (SIAMCO). The Company
         writes insurance products in all states except New York primarily
         through direct writers who market the Company's individual life
         insurance, annuities and group health and pension products. The Company
         also uses direct mail and third party administrators for the marketing
         of its group life and health products.

         The accompanying statutory-basis financial statements of the Company
         have been prepared in conformity with the accounting practices
         prescribed or permitted by the insurance department of the State of
         Wisconsin. Prescribed statutory accounting principles include a variety
         of publications of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
         (NAIC), as well as state laws, regulations, and general administrative
         rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all
         accounting practices not so prescribed. The Company does not employ any
         material permitted practices in the preparation of its statutory-basis
         financial statements.

         The accompanying statutory-basis financial statements have been
         prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles which
         require 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 these estimates.

    SIGNIFICANT STATUTORY ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    A.   INVESTMENT SECURITIES

         Investments are valued in accordance with the requirements of the NAIC.
         Bonds which qualify for amortization are stated at amortized cost;
         bonds not qualifying are carried at the lesser of amortized cost or
         NAIC market values. Under GAAP, bonds would be classified as either
         trading, available for sale, or held-to-maturity. Bonds classified as
         trading or as available for sale would be carried at market with
         unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, recognized as net
         income (trading securities) or as a direct surplus adjustment
         (available for sale). Common stock of the Company's unconsolidated
         subsidiary is carried at its underlying statutory capital and surplus.
         The change in the subsidiary's underlying equity between years is
         reflected as a change in unrealized gains (losses). Under GAAP, this
         entity's balance sheet and results of operations would be consolidated
         with the Company. Mortgage loans on real estate are carried at their
         aggregate unpaid principal balances. Policy loans are carried at the
         aggregate of unpaid principal balances plus accrued interest and are
         not in excess of cash surrender values of the related policies.
         Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost, which
         approximates market value. Investment income is recorded when earned.
         Market value adjustments, on investments carried at market, are
         reflected in earned surplus as unrealized gains (losses) on
         investments. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific
         identification method and are recorded directly in the statements of
         operations, net of federal income taxes and after transfers to the
         Interest Maintenance Reserve, as prescribed by the NAIC.

         Income on mortgage-backed securities is recognized using a constant
         effective yield based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated
         economic life of the securities. When actual prepayments differ
         significantly from anticipated prepayments, the effective yield is
         recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future
         payments. The net investment in the securities is adjusted to the
         amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied
         since the acquisition of the securities. This adjustment is reflected
         in net investment income.



                                       22
<PAGE>   56

                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

           NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


    B.   SEPARATE ACCOUNT BUSINESS AND LIABILITY FOR PREMIUM AND OTHER DEPOSIT
         FUNDS

         The Company issues group annuity contracts both to affiliated companies
         and others. The deposits received in connection with these contracts
         are placed in deposit administration funds and in separate accounts.
         The Company also issues variable annuity contracts and variable
         universal life contracts. Deposits for those contracts are also placed
         in separate accounts. A separate account is an accounting entity
         segregated as a discrete operation within an insurance company. The
         stockholder of the Company and its policyholders have no claim to
         assets held in the separate accounts. The contract holders are the only
         persons having rights to any assets in the separate accounts or to
         income arising from these assets. All separate and variable accounts
         held by the Company are non-guaranteed and represent funds where the
         benefit is determined by the performance of the investments held in the
         separate account. Assets are carried at market value and reserves are
         calculated using the cash value of the contract. All reserves fall into
         the category allowing discretionary withdrawals at market value. For
         the variable annuity contract, if it has been in effect at least six
         years, there is no surrender charge. For the variable universal life
         contract, there is a surrender charge through the ninth year. The
         admitted asset value of separate accounts consists primarily of common
         stock.

    C.   NON-ADMITTED ASSETS

         For statutory accounting purposes, certain assets designated as
         "non-admitted" (principally certain receivables) have been excluded
         from the statutory-basis balance sheets and charged to earned surplus.
         Under GAAP, such assets would be recognized at net realizable value.

         Non-admitted assets totaled $4,752 and $322 at December 31, 1998 and
         1997, respectively.

    D.   POLICY BENEFITS

         Liabilities for traditional life and limited-payment life contracts are
         computed using methods, mortality and morbidity tables and interest
         rates which conform to the valuation laws of the State of Wisconsin.
         The liabilities are primarily calculated on a modified reserve basis.
         The effect of using a modified reserve basis partially offsets the
         effect of immediately expensing acquisition costs by providing a policy
         benefit reserve increase in the first policy year which is less than
         the reserve increase in renewal years.

         Future policy benefits for life policies and contracts were primarily
         determined using the Commissioner's reserve valuation method with
         interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 6%. Additional statutory policy
         deficiency reserves have been provided where the valuation net premium
         exceeds the gross premiums.

         Future policy benefits for annuity contracts, primarily for individual
         and group deferred annuities, were primarily determined using the
         Commissioner's annuity reserve valuation method with interest rates
         ranging from 3% to 11%. Group Health reserves consist predominantly of
         long-term disability reserves representing present value of amounts not
         yet due calculated using standard disability tables and various
         interest rates.

         Reserves for universal life-type and investment contracts are based on
         the contract account balance, if future benefit payments in excess of
         the account balance are not guaranteed, or on the present value of
         future benefit payments when such payments are guaranteed.

         GAAP reserves are computed using mortality, withdrawal and interest
         rate assumptions that are based on Company experience.

    E.   INTEREST MAINTENANCE RESERVE (IMR)

         Realized investment gains and losses on bonds attributable to interest
         rate changes are deferred in the IMR account. The IMR is recorded as a
         liability and amortized into investment income over the approximate
         remaining maturities of the bonds sold. This policy for recognition of
         such realized gains and losses is prescribed by the NAIC in order to
         smooth the impact of such activity on the Company's earned surplus. For
         GAAP purposes, there is no such reserve.


                                       23

<PAGE>   57

                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


    F.   ASSET VALUATION RESERVE (AVR)

         The AVR mitigates fluctuations in the values of invested assets
         including bonds, stocks, mortgage loans, real estate and other invested
         assets. Changes in the AVR are included in policyholders' surplus. For
         GAAP purposes, a writedown, for other than temporary declines in value,
         is recognized as a realized loss on an individual asset basis.

    G.   REVENUE AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION

         Premiums for traditional life insurance policies and limited-payment
         contracts are taken into income when due. For investment contracts
         without mortality risk (such as deferred annuities and immediate
         annuities with benefits paid for a period certain) and contracts that
         permit the insured to make changes in the contract terms (such as
         universal life products), deposits are recorded as revenue when
         received. Under GAAP, deposits are recorded as increases to liabilities
         and revenue is recognized as mortality and other assessments are
         charged to policyholders.

         As the Company has no direct employees and does not own equipment, it
         utilizes services provided by employees and equipment of SIAMCO and
         occupies space in SIAMCO's office building. Accordingly, the Company
         participates in an expense allocation system with certain affiliated
         companies. Expenses of the Company consist of direct charges incurred
         and an allocation of expenses (principally salaries, salary-related
         items, rent, and data processing services) between certain affiliated
         companies. The Company recognized expenses of $29,212,951 and
         $31,900,482 for 1998 and 1997, respectively, under this allocation
         agreement.

    H.   ACQUISITION COSTS

         Costs directly related to the acquisition of insurance premiums, such
         as commissions and premium taxes, are charged to operations as
         incurred. Under GAAP, such acquisition costs would be capitalized and
         amortized over the policy periods.

    I.   FEDERAL INCOME TAX

         The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return
         of SIAMCO. Income taxes payable or recoverable are determined on a
         separate return basis by the Company in accordance with a written tax
         allocation agreement. Deferred federal income taxes are not provided
         for temporary differences between tax and financial reporting as they
         would be under GAAP. Additionally, federal income taxes are not
         provided for unrealized gains (losses) on investments.

    J.   PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

         The Company participates with SIAMCO and certain other affiliated
         companies in a defined benefit pension plan which covers substantially
         all of their employees. Generally, the companies' funding and
         accounting policies are to make the maximum contribution required under
         applicable regulations and to charge such contributions to expense in
         the year they are deductible for tax purposes. GAAP periodic net
         pension expense is based on the cost of incremental benefits for
         employee service during the period, interest on the projected benefit
         obligation, actual return on plan assets and amortization of actuarial
         gains and losses.

         In addition to providing the pension benefits, the Company, with SIAMCO
         and its affiliated subsidiaries, provides certain health care, dental
         and life insurance benefits to retired employees and their dependents.
         Substantially all of the employees may become eligible for those
         benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for the
         Companies. The expected costs of providing those benefits to employees
         and the employees' beneficiaries and covered dependents are accounted
         for on an accrual basis during the years that employees render service
         in accordance with NAIC policy. SIAMCO is amortizing its transition
         obligation, created upon the initial valuation of postretirement
         benefits, over a period of twenty years and a portion of the annual
         expense is allocated to the Company.





                                       24


<PAGE>   58
 
                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


(2)      INVESTMENTS

         The book value and estimated market value of bonds are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>       
                                                                           GROSS                 GROSS                  ESTIMATED
                                                    BOOK                 UNREALIZED            UNREALIZED                 MARKET
         AT DECEMBER 31, 1998                       VALUE                   GAINS                 LOSSES                  VALUE
                                                  ---------              -----------           -----------              ---------
<S>                                             <C>                    <C>                    <C>                     <C>           
         US Treasury securities and
           obligations of US Government
           corporations and agencies            $   44,847,324         $    3,875,945                      0          $   48,723,269
         Obligations of states and
           political subdivisions                      441,814                 92,159                      0                 533,973
         Corporate securities                      819,379,743             73,859,271             (3,201,476)            890,037,538
         Mortgage-backed securities                253,522,988             14,734,376                (20,123)            268,237,241
                                                --------------         --------------         --------------          --------------
           Total                                $1,118,191,869         $   92,561,751         $   (3,221,599)         $1,207,532,021
                                                ==============         ==============         ==============          ==============
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          GROSS                 GROSS                  ESTIMATED
                                                   BOOK                 UNREALIZED            UNREALIZED                 MARKET
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                               VALUE                   GAINS                 LOSSES                  VALUE
                                                 ---------              -----------           -----------              ---------
<S>                                            <C>                    <C>                    <C>                     <C>           
         US Treasury securities and
           obligations of US Government
           corporations and agencies            $   51,872,626         $    3,446,572         $         (609)         $   55,318,589
         Obligations of states and
           political subdivisions                      439,817                 99,564                      0                 539,381
         Corporate securities                      757,760,027             60,329,883             (1,178,355)            816,911,555
         Mortgage-backed securities                292,938,948             22,571,116               (553,953)            314,956,111
                                                --------------         --------------         --------------          --------------
           Total                                $1,103,011,418         $   86,447,135         $   (1,732,917)         $1,187,725,636
                                                ==============         ==============         ==============          ==============
</TABLE>

         Book value and estimated market value of bonds at December 31, 1998, by
         contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ
         from contractual maturities because certain issuers have the right to
         call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment
         penalties. Because most mortgage-backed securities provide for periodic
         payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in a separate
         category.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   ESTIMATED
                                                              BOOK                  MARKET
                                                              VALUE                  VALUE
                                                              -----                  -----
<S>                                                     <C>                    <C>           
         Due in one year or less                        $   18,650,144         $   19,101,785
         Due after one year through five years              66,661,672             69,833,730
         Due after five years through ten years            157,206,519            169,106,006
         Due after ten years                               622,150,546            681,253,259
                                                        --------------         --------------
           Subtotal                                        864,668,881            939,294,780
         Mortgage-backed securities                        253,522,988            268,237,241
                                                        --------------         --------------
           Total                                        $1,118,191,869         $1,207,532,021
                                                        ==============         ==============
</TABLE>

                                       25
<PAGE>   59
                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------

         The bond portfolio distribution by quality rating (primarily Moody's)
         at December 31, 1998 is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>   
               Aaa                         28.04%
               Aa                           5.35%
               A                           42.06%
               Baa                         22.98%
               Ba & below and not rated     1.57%
                                          ------ 
                                          100.00%
                                          ====== 
</TABLE>

         Generally, bonds with ratings Baa and above are considered to be
         investment grade.

         Proceeds from sales of bonds during 1998 and 1997, including maturities
         and calls, were $147,260,947 and $101,049,805, respectively. In 1998
         and 1997, respectively, gross gains of $3,633,126 and $1,525,602, and
         gross losses of $508,150 and $652,460 were realized on these sales
         before transfer to the IMR liability.

         At December 31, 1998 and 1997, investments carried at $4,335,822 and
         $4,384,747, respectively, were on deposit with various governmental
         agencies as required by law.

    (3)  UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

         The Company wholly owed Sentry Life Insurance Company of New York
         (SLONY) during 1998 and 1997. Condensed financial information regarding
         SLONY is shown as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SLONY
                                               -------------------------------
                                                  1998                 1997
                                               -----------         -----------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>        
         Investments                           $33,868,989         $35,406,623
         Total assets                           38,308,361          38,955,256
         Policy reserves and benefits           19,401,383          19,699,749
         Total liabilities                      28,775,421          29,137,609
         Statutory capital and surplus           9,532,940           9,817,647
         Premium income                          7,151,770           8,331,937
         Net investment income                   2,627,438           2,783,625
         Benefits and expenses                   8,687,989           9,917,561
         Net income                                659,539             764,439
</TABLE>

    (4)  NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)

         Sources of net investment income for 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1998                1997
                                                           -----------         -----------
<S>                                                        <C>                 <C>        
         Dividends received from affiliates                $   880,000         $   750,000
         Interest:
                  Bonds                                     89,112,233          87,232,271
                  Short-term investments                     1,111,775           1,124,220
                  Other investments                          1,676,371           1,763,787
                  Amortization of IMR                        1,119,458           1,113,741
                                                           -----------         -----------
                           Gross investment income          93,899,837          91,984,019
         Investment expense                                    355,015             394,081
                                                           -----------         -----------
                           Net investment income           $93,544,822         $91,589,939
                                                           ===========         ===========
</TABLE>


                                       26
<PAGE>   60
                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


         The components of net realized gains (losses) and changes in net
         unrealized gains (losses) on investments which are reflected in the
         accompanying statutory-basis financial statements are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               REALIZED                                 UNREALIZED
                                                   ---------------------------------         --------------------------------
                                                       1998                 1997                1998                  1997
                                                   -----------          ------------         -----------          -----------
<S>                                                <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>        
         Common stock of unconsolidated                   --                   --            $  (284,707)         $   217,147
           subsidiary
         Bonds                                       3,124,975              873,142                 --                   --
         Capital gains tax                          (1,608,247)            (577,663)                --                   --
                                                   -----------          -----------          -----------          -----------
         Pre-IMR capital gains, net of tax           1,516,728              295,479             (284,707)             217,147
         IMR capital gains transferred
           into the reserve net of taxes            (2,031,234)            (567,542)                --                   --
                                                   -----------          ------------         -----------          -----------
                                                   $  (514,506)         $  (272,063)         $  (284,707)         $   217,147
</TABLE>

    (5)  INCOME TAXES

         Federal income tax expense in the statutory-basis statements of
         operations differs from that computed based on the federal statutory
         corporate income tax rate of 35%. The reasons for these differences are
         as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1998                 1997
                                                                           -----------          -----------
<S>                                                                        <C>                  <C>        
         Federal income tax calculated at statutory rate
                  of 35% of income before federal income taxes and
                  net realized gains on investments                        $ 4,877,721          $ 8,905,800
         Accrual of bond discount                                             (937,906)            (633,561)
         Adjustment for deferred acquisition costs                             (33,295)              12,178
         Dividends received from subsidiaries                                 (308,000)            (262,500)
         Different basis used to compute future policy benefits              2,678,735            1,720,817
         Amortization of interest maintenance reserve                         (391,810)            (389,809)
         Other, net                                                           (200,692)            (175,588)
                                                                           -----------          -----------
                  Total                                                    $ 5,684,753          $ 9,177,337
                                                                           ===========          ===========
</TABLE>

         Under pre-1984 life insurance company income tax laws, a portion of a
         life insurance company's "gain from operations" was not subject to
         current income taxation but was accumulated, for tax purposes, in a
         memorandum account designated as the "policyholders' surplus account."
         The amounts included in this account are includable in taxable income
         of later years at rates then in effect if the life insurance company
         elects to distribute tax basis policyholders' surplus to stockholders
         as dividends or takes certain other actions. Any distributions are
         first made from another tax memorandum account known as the
         "stockholders' surplus account." The accumulation in the tax
         policyholders' surplus and stockholders' surplus accounts of the
         Company were $5,605,476 and $84,735,704, respectively, at December 31,
         1998.

         Federal income tax returns of SIAMCO have been examined through 1994
         and the Company and the Internal Revenue Service have reached agreement
         on all issues relating to 1994 and prior years. In the opinion of
         management, the Company has adequately provided for the possible effect
         of future assessments related to prior years.

    (6)  DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

         Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 (SFAS 107),
         "Disclosures about Fair Values of Financial Instruments," requires
         disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments,
         whether or not recognized in the balance sheets, for which it is
         practicable to estimate those values. SFAS 107 defines fair value of a
         financial instrument as the amount at which that instrument could be
         exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than
         in a forced or liquidated sale.

         The fair values presented on the next page represent management's best
         estimates and may not be substantiated by comparisons to independent
         markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate
         settlement of the instruments. Certain financial instruments and all
         nonfinancial instruments are exempt from the disclosure requirements of
         SFAS 107. Financial instruments which are exempt include life policy
         benefits with mortality or morbidity risk. Therefore, the aggregate
         fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of
         the Company.

                                       27
<PAGE>   61
                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


         For cash and short-term investments and accrued investment income, the
         carrying amount approximates fair value.

         The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair
         value of each class of financial instruments for which it is
         practicable to estimate that value:

         BONDS

         Estimated fair value is generally based on quotes provided by
         independent pricing services. If a quoted market price is not
         available, fair value is estimated by management based on the quoted
         market price of comparable instruments.

         POLICY LOANS

         Policy loans have no stated maturity dates; therefore, no reasonable
         estimate of fair value can be made. Interest rates range from 5 to 8
         percent.

         SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

         The fair value of the assets held in separate accounts and offsetting
         liabilities are estimated based on the fair value of the underlying
         assets.

         AGGREGATE RESERVES FOR INVESTMENT-TYPE CONTRACTS

         The fair value of investment-type insurance contracts is estimated by
         reducing the policyholder liability for applicable surrender charges.

         STRUCTURED SETTLEMENTS

         The fair value of the liability for structured settlements is estimated
         by discounting future cash flows using the current rates being offered
         for similar settlements.

         LIABILITY FOR PREMIUM AND OTHER DEPOSIT FUNDS

         The fair value for contracts with stated maturities is estimated by
         discounting future cash flows using current rates being offered for
         similar contracts. For those contracts with no stated maturity, the
         fair value is estimated by calculating the surrender value.

         The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as
         follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             STATEMENT              ESTIMATED
         AT DECEMBER 31, 1998                                  VALUE               FAIR VALUE
                                                           --------------         --------------
<S>                                                        <C>                    <C>           
         Assets:
                  Bonds                                    $1,118,191,869         $1,207,532,021
                  Assets held in separate accounts            604,877,464            604,877,464
         Liabilities:
                  Aggregate reserves for
                    investment-type contracts                  75,976,747             75,638,874
                  Structured settlements                       53,328,059             63,023,295
                  Liability for premium and
                    other deposit funds                       624,627,002            624,347,222
         Liabilities related to
                    separate accounts                         603,897,819            603,897,819

</TABLE>



                                       28
<PAGE>   62
                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             STATEMENT              ESTIMATED
         AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                                  VALUE                FAIR VALUE
                                                           --------------         -------------- 
<S>                                                        <C>                    <C>           
         Assets:
                  Bonds                                    $1,103,011,148         $1,187,725,636
                  Assets held in separate accounts            533,613,785            533,613,785
         Liabilities:
                  Aggregate reserves for
                    investment-type contracts                  80,815,675             80,386,603
                  Structured settlements                       52,717,040             59,537,099
                  Liability for premium and
                    other deposit funds                       604,285,476            603,300,638
         Liabilities related to
                    separate accounts                         528,643,523            528,643,523
</TABLE>

    (7)  PENSION AND 401K PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

         The Company participates with SIAMCO and certain other affiliated
         companies in a defined benefit pension plan which covers substantially
         all of their employees. The benefits are based on years of service, the
         average of the three highest of the last fifteen years of an employee's
         compensation and primary social security benefits, as defined in the
         plan. The Company is not a separately assignable entity for purposes of
         allocation of accumulated plan benefits or assets. The Company was
         allocated pension expense by SIAMCO of approximately $0 and $283,000 in
         1998 and 1997, respectively.

         The Company participates with SIAMCO and its affiliated subsidiaries in
         a qualified 401k Plan. Employees who meet certain eligibility
         requirements may elect to participate in the Plan. Participants must
         contribute at least one percent but no more than 16 percent of base
         compensation. Highly compensated employees may contribute a maximum of
         10 percent on a pre-tax basis. For non-highly compensated employees,
         the entire 16% may be deposited on a pre-tax basis. The Company matches
         up to 25% of employee contributions up to the first 6 percent of base
         salary deposited by an employee. The Company may make additional annual
         contributions to the Plan based on operating profit. The Company was
         allocated approximately $429,000 and $260,000 by SIAMCO for 401k Plan
         benefits in 1998 and 1997, respectively.

         In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, the Company, with SIAMCO
         and its affiliated subsidiaries, provides certain health care, dental
         and life insurance benefits to retired employees and their covered
         dependents. The retiree health care benefits allocated to the Company
         by SIAMCO were approximately $470,000 for 1998 and $445,000 for 1997.

    (8)  REINSURANCE

         The Company had entered into reinsurance contracts for participation in
         reinsurance pools and surplus protection for its wholly-owned
         subsidiaries. Assumed life in-force amounted to approximately 31% and
         30% of total in-force (before ceded reinsurance) at December 31, 1998
         and 1997, respectively.

         The Company has entered into reinsurance ceded contracts to limit the
         net loss potential arising from large risks. Generally, life benefits
         in excess of $250,000 and all group health liabilities, except for
         liabilities relating to SIAMCO's employee benefit plans, are ceded to
         reinsurers. The group health liabilities are ceded to SIAMCO.


                                       29
<PAGE>   63
                       SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

            NOTES TO STATUTORY-BASIS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                -----------------


         The Company cedes insurance to other insurers under various contracts
         which cover individual risks or entire classes of business. Although
         the ceding of insurance does not discharge the Company from its primary
         liability to policyholders in the event any reinsurer might be unable
         to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance agreements, it is
         the practice of insurers to reduce their balances for amounts ceded.
         The amounts included in the accompanying statutory-basis financial
         statements for reinsurance were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1998
                                                                 (000'S OMITTED)
                                                                 ---------------
                                                    AFFILIATED                      UNAFFILIATED
                                                    ----------                      ------------
                                            ASSUMED            CEDED           ASSUMED            CEDED
                                            -------            -----           -------            -----
<S>                                         <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>     
         Premiums                           $    306         $ 28,380         $  6,459          $  3,563
         Benefits                                372           43,926            6,539             1,634
         Commissions                              10           11,083               (3)              477
         Future Policy Benefits:
                  Life & Annuities                34             --                 18             1,213
                  Accident & Health             --            226,031              175               173
         Intercompany Receivable                --                333             --                --
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1997
                                                                 (000'S OMITTED)
                                                                 ---------------
                                                    AFFILIATED                      UNAFFILIATED
                                                    ----------                      ------------
                                            ASSUMED            CEDED           ASSUMED            CEDED
                                            -------            -----           -------            -----
<S>                                         <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>     
         Premiums                           $    306         $ 55,101         $  6,628          $  7,891
         Benefits                                  8           59,973            6,602             4,437
         Commissions                               5           17,718               (2)            1,195
         Future Policy Benefits:
                  Life & Annuities                34             --                 19             1,347
                  Accident & Health             --            232,386              291               159
         Intercompany Receivable                --                650             --                --
</TABLE>


    (9)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

         In the normal course of business, there are various legal actions and
         proceedings pending against the Company. In the opinion of management
         and legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
         have a material adverse impact on the Company's statutory-basis
         financial statements.

         State guaranty funds can assess the Company for losses of insolvent or
         rehabilitated companies. Mandatory assessments may be partially
         recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in some states.
         The Company believes that its ultimate cost for these assessments is
         not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
         statements.

    (10) OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

         The Company is the direct writer of certain employee benefit plans for
         SIAMCO. Premiums included in the accompanying statutory-basis
         statements of operations (net of ceded premiums) are approximately
         $25,742,000 and $20,360,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively.

         The Company has provided coverage in the form of annuity contracts as
         structured settlements for SIAMCO workers' compensation claims.
         Reserves for future policy benefits at December 31, 1998 and 1997
         included $53,328,059 and $52,717,040, respectively, relating to these
         contracts.

         Also, see Notes 7 and 8 for other related party transactions.

    (11) WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ANNUITY RESERVES AND DEPOSIT LIABILITIES

         Annuity reserves and deposits of approximately $1,286.0 million and
         $1,202.0 million in 1998 and 1997, respectively, are subject to
         withdrawal at the discretion of the annuity contract holders.
         Approximately 96% and 95%, respectively, carry surrender charges.

                                       30
<PAGE>   64






                          SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                 SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

                 AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998







                                       31


<PAGE>   65



                          SENTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                 SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998

                      SCHEDULE 1 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


The following is a summary of certain financial data included in other exhibits
and schedules subjected to audit procedures by independent auditors and utilized
by actuaries in the determination of reserves.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>           
         Investment Income Earned:
                  Government Bonds ............................................         $      322,647
                  Other bonds (unaffiliated) ..................................             88,789,586
                  Common stocks of affiliates .................................                880,000
                  Mortgage loans ..............................................                  4,509
                  Premium notes, policy loans and liens .......................              1,631,171
                  Short-term investments ......................................              1,111,775
                  Aggregate write-ins for investment income ...................                 40,691
                                                                                        --------------

                  Gross investment income .....................................         $   92,780,379
                                                                                        ==============

         Mortgage Loans - Book Value:
                  Residential mortgages .......................................         $       18,723
                                                                                        ==============

         Mortgage Loans By Standing - Book Value:
                  Good standing ...............................................         $       18,723
                                                                                        ==============

         Bonds and Stocks of Parents, Subsidiaries and Affiliates - Book Value:
                  Common stocks ...............................................         $    9,532,940
                                                                                        ==============

         Bonds and Short-Term Investments by Class and Maturity:

                  Bonds by Maturity - Statement Value
                    Due within one year or less ...............................         $   39,078,263
                    Over 1 year through 5 years ...............................            164,828,536
                    Over 5 years through 10 years .............................            263,873,963
                    Over 10 years through 20 years ............................            310,147,916
                    Over 20 years .............................................            340,263,191
                                                                                        --------------
                    Total by Maturity .........................................         $1,118,191,869
                                                                                        ==============
</TABLE>




                                       32



<PAGE>   66



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>           
                  Bonds by Class - Statement Value
                    Class 1 .........................................         $  798,070,889
                    Class 2 .........................................            304,364,338
                    Class 3 .........................................             15,756,642
                    Class 4 .........................................                      0
                    Class 5 .........................................                      0
                    Class 6 .........................................                      0
                                                                              --------------
                    Total by Class ..................................         $1,118,191,869
                                                                              ==============

                    Total Bonds Publicly Traded .....................         $1,111,613,198
                                                                              ==============
                    Total Bonds Privately Placed ....................         $    6,578,671
                                                                              ==============

         Short-Term Investments - Book Value ........................         $   29,877,016
                                                                              ==============
         Cash on Deposit ............................................         $            0
                                                                              ==============

         Life Insurance In Force (000's omitted):
                  Ordinary ..........................................         $    4,684,362
                                                                              ==============
                  Group Life ........................................         $    3,189,201
                                                                              ==============

         Amount of Accidental Death Insurance In Force Under Ordinary
         Policies (000's omitted) ...................................         $      116,889
                                                                              ==============

         Life Insurance Policies with Disability Provisions In Force:
                  Ordinary ..........................................                 21,189
                                                                              ==============
                  Group Life ........................................                    115
                                                                              ==============

         Supplementary Contracts In Force:
                  Ordinary - Not Involving Life Contingencies
                    Amount on Deposit ...............................         $            0
                                                                              ==============
                    Income Payable ..................................         $      390,642
                                                                              ==============

                  Ordinary - Involving Life Contingencies
                    Income Payable ..................................         $      195,275
                                                                              ==============
</TABLE>


                                       33



<PAGE>   67

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>           
         Annuities:
                  Ordinary
                    Immediate - Amount of Income Payable ..................         $    1,707,764
                                                                                    ==============
                    Deferred - Fully paid account balance .................         $   20,071,365
                                                                                    ==============
                    Deferred - Not fully paid account balance .............         $   89,150,724
                                                                                    ==============

                  Group
                    Amount of income payable ..............................         $    5,081,573
                                                                                    ==============
                    Fully paid account balance ............................         $    9,507,969
                                                                                    ==============
                    Not fully paid account balance ........................         $1,166,706,277
                                                                                    ==============

         Accident and Health Insurance - Premiums In Force:
                  Ordinary ................................................         $      157,622
                                                                                    ==============
                  Group ...................................................         $   36,000,900
                                                                                    ==============

         Deposit Funds and Dividend Accumulations:
                  Dividend Accumulations - Account Balance ................         $      349,083
                                                                                    ==============

         Claim Payments 1998:
                  Group Accident and Health Year  - Ended December 31, 199X
                    1998...................................................         $    2,665,883
                                                                                    ==============
                    1997...................................................         $    1,954,794
                                                                                    ==============
                    1996...................................................         $    1,606,833
                                                                                    ==============
                    1995 & prior ..........................................         $    7,612,173
                                                                                    ==============
                    Other Accident & Health
                    1998...................................................         $       16,632
                                                                                    ==============
                    1997...................................................         $       33,798
                                                                                    ==============
                    1996...................................................         $       15,336
                                                                                    ==============
                    1995 & prior ..........................................         $       89,013
                                                                                    ==============
</TABLE>


                                       34




<PAGE>   68
                                     PART C






<PAGE>   69


                                     PART C


                                OTHER INFORMATION



ITEM 24  Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (a) Financial Statements of Sentry Variable Account II

              Included in Part A:

                    Condensed Financial Information

              Included in Part B:

                    Report of Independent Accountant

                    Statement of Assets, Liabilities and 
                      Contract Owners' Equity, December 31, 1998

                    Statements of Operations and changes in Contract Owners'
                      Equity for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

                    Notes to Financial Statements, December 31, 1998 and 1997


              Financial Statements of Sentry Life Insurance Company

              Included in Part B

                    Report of Independent Accountant

                    Statutory-Basis Balance Sheets, December 31, 1998 and 1997


                    Statutory-Basis Statements of Operations for the years ended
                      December 31, 1998 and 1997

                    Statutory-Basis Statements of Changes in Capital Stock and
                      Surplus for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

                    Statutory-Basis Statements of Cash Flow for the years ended
                      December 31, 1998 and 1997

                    Notes to Statutory-Basis Financial Statements




<PAGE>   70

ITEM 24
          (b) Exhibits

              (1) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Sentry Life Insurance
                  Company*

              (2) Not Applicable

              (3)(i)   Principal Underwriter Agreement* 
              (3)(ii)  Registered Representatives Agreement* 
              (3)(iii) General Agent Agreement*

              (4)(i)   Individual Flexible Purchase Payment Deferred Variable 
                       Annuity Contract*
              (4)(ii)  Contract Amendment pursuant to Tax Reform Act of 1984*

              (5)      Application Form*

              (6)(i)   Articles of Incorporation of Sentry Life
                       Insurance Company*
              (6)(ii)  Bylaws*

              (7)      Not Applicable

              (8)(i)   Sales Agreement (Fund Participation Agreement)*
              (8)(ii)  Assignment and Modification Agreement**

              (9)      Opinion and Consent of Counsel

              (10)     Consent of Independent Accountants

              (11)     Not Applicable

              (12)     Agreement Governing Contribution to Sentry Variable 
                       Account II*

              (13)     Calculation of Performance Information

              (27)     Not applicable

       *          Exhibits (1), (3)(i), (3)(ii), (3)(iii), (4)(i), (4)(ii), (5),
                  (6)(i), (6)(ii),(8)(i), and (12) are incorporated herein by
                  reference to such exhibit in Registrant's Post-Effective
                  Amendment No. 17 to Form N-4 filed electronically on or about
                  April 30, 1997.

       **         Exhibit (8)(ii) is incorporated herein by reference to such 
                  exhibit in Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to
                  Form N-4 filed electronically on or about April 29, 1996.


ITEM 25   Directors and Officers of the Depositor

          The following persons are the officers and directors of Sentry Life
          Insurance Company. The principal business address for each director
          and officer of the Depositor is 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point,
          Wisconsin 54481.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Positions and Offices
               Name                             With Depositor   
               ----                          ---------------------   
<S>                                          <C>    
          Dale R. Schuh                      Director, Chairman of the Board and
                                             President
          William M. O'Reilly                Director and Secretary
          William J. Lohr                    Director and Treasurer
          Janet L. Fagan                     Director
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   71


ITEM 26  Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Depositor

The following is a description of all persons who might be considered to be
directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Depositor:

1.       The Depositor, a Wisconsin corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
         Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company ("Sentry Insurance"), a Wisconsin
         corporation.

2.       The following companies are also wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sentry
         Insurance:

         (a)      Middlesex Insurance Company ("Middlesex"), a Wisconsin
                  corporation;
         (b)      Dairyland Insurance Company ("Dairyland"), a Wisconsin
                  corporation;
         (c)      Sentry Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation;
         (d)      Parker Stevens Agency, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation;
         (e)      Parker Stevens Agency of Mass., Inc., a Massachusetts
                  corporation;
         (f)      Sentry Investment Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
         (g)      Sentry Equity Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
         (h)      Sentry Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation;
         (i)      Sentry Aviation Services, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation; and
         (j)      WAULECO, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation.

3.       Sentry Insurance is also affiliated with Sentry Insurance Foundation,
         Inc., a Wisconsin corporation.

4.       Sentry Insurance is also affiliated with Sentry Lloyd's of Texas, a
         Texas Lloyd's corporation.

5.       Patriot General Insurance Company, a Wisconsin corporation, is a
         wholly-owned subsidiary of Middlesex.

6.       Sentry Life Insurance Company of New York, a New York corporation, is a
         wholly-owned subsidiary of the Depositor.

7.       Dairyland County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, a Texas
         corporation, is affiliated with Dairyland.


ITEM 27  Number of Contract Owners

As of April 1, 1999, there were 1,787 qualified contract owners and 551
non-qualified contract owners.


ITEM 28  Indemnification

Under the Bylaws of Sentry Life Insurance Company, each director and officer of
the Company shall be indemnified by the Company against all costs and expenses
actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense
of any action, suit or proceeding in which he or she is made a party by reason
of his or her being or having been a director or officer of the Company, whether
or not he or she continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring
such costs or expense, except in relation to matters as to which he or she shall
be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable for gross negligence
or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duties as such director
or officer. This right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights
to which any director or officer may be entitled as a matter of law or
agreement.

Sentry Equity Services, Inc., the principal underwriter, is a Delaware
corporation. The Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 145, provides for
indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents as follows:

         145 INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS -(a) A
         corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a
         party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
         completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
         administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
         right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or
         was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or
         was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
         employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,



<PAGE>   72
         trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
         fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
         reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit
         or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the
         person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
         interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action
         or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct
         was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
         judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
         contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
         presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner
         which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
         best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
         action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's
         conduct was unlawful.

         (b) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
         threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
         action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
         judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a
         director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
         serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
         employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
         trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
         actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the
         defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in
         good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or
         not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no
         indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
         as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
         corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or
         the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
         application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
         all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
         entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or
         such other court shall deem proper.

         (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a
         corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense
         of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and
         (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter
         therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys'
         fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

         (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section
         (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
         authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
         indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper
         in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard
         of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such
         determination shall be made (1) by a majority vote of the directors who
         are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less
         than a quorum, or (2) if there are no such directors, or if such
         directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
         or (3) by the stockholders.

         (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or
         director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or
         investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation
         in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
         upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or
         officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that
         he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized
         in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by
         other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and
         conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.

         (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
         granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be
         deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
         indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any
         bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or


<PAGE>   73

         otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action
         in another capacity while holding such office.

         (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
         on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
         agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
         corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
         corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
         against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any
         such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
         corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such
         liability under this section.

         (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation" shall
         include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
         corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
         consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
         would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors,
         officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
         director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation,
         or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as
         a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
         partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in
         the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or
         surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent
         corporation if its separate existence had continued.

         (i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises"
         shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall
         include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any
         employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the
         corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee
         or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves
         services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to
         an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a
         person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
         to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an
         employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not
         opposed to the best interests of the corporation" as referred to in
         this section.

         (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
         granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when
         authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be
         director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of
         the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

         (k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction
         to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or
         indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw,
         agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or
         otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a
         corporation's obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys'
         fees).

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



<PAGE>   74

ITEM 29           Principal Underwriter

                  (a)      Sentry Equity Services, Inc., the Principal
                           Underwriter for the Contracts, also acts as Principal
                           Underwriter for:

                           Sentry Variable Account I
                           Sentry Variable Life Account I
                           Sentry Fund, Inc.

                  (b)      The following persons are the officers and directors
                           of Sentry Equity Services, Inc. The principal
                           business address for each director and officer of the
                           Principal Underwriter is 1800 North Point Drive,
                           Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Positions and Offices
                                    Name                         With Underwriter   
                                    ----                      ---------------------   
<S>                                                        <C>    
                           Dale R. Schuh                      Director and Chairman of the Board

                           Susan M. DeBruin                   President

                           Glen E. Scott Jr.                  Vice President

                           William M. O'Reilly                Director and Secretary

                           William J. Lohr                    Director and Treasurer
</TABLE>


                  (c)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Name of                  Net Underwriting
 Principal                    Discounts &    Compensation On      Brokerage
Underwriter                   Commissions      Redemption         Commissions    Compensation
- -----------                ----------------  ---------------      -----------    ------------
<S>                        <C>               <C>                  <C>            <C>      
Sentry Equity
Services, Inc.               $  155,799          $ 0.00            $ 0.00         $ 392,706
</TABLE>

ITEM 30           Location of Accounts and Records

                  As required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the
                  Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated
                  thereunder, Sentry Equity Services, Inc. and Sentry Life
                  Insurance Company maintain physical possession of the
                  accounts, books or documents of the Separate Account at 1800
                  North Point Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481.

ITEM 31           Management Services

                  Not Applicable.


ITEM 32           Undertakings

                  (a)      Registrant hereby undertakes to file a Post-Effective
                           Amendment to this Registration Statement as
                           frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited
                           financial statements in the Registration Statement
                           are never more than sixteen (16) months old for so
                           long as payments under the variable annuity contracts
                           may be accepted.

                  (b)      Registrant hereby undertakes to include either: (1)
                           as part of any application to purchase a contract
                           offered by the Prospectus, a space that an applicant
                           can check to request a Statement of Additional
                           Information, or (2) a postcard or similar written
                           communication affixed to or included in the
                           Prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for
                           a Statement of Additional Information.

                  (c)      Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver any Statement
                           of Additional Information and any financial statement
                           required to be made available under this Form
                           promptly upon written or oral request.
<PAGE>   75

                  (d)      Sentry Life Insurance Company ("Company") hereby
                           represents that the fees and charges deducted under
                           the Contracts described in the Prospectus, in the
                           aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services
                           rendered, the expenses to be incurred and the risks
                           assumed by the Company.

                                 REPRESENTATIONS

The Registrant hereby represents that it is relying upon a No Action Letter
issued to the American Council of Life Insurance dated November 28, 1988
(Commission ref. IP-6-88), and that the following provisions have been complied
with:

1.       Include appropriate disclosure regarding the redemption restrictions
         imposed by Section 403(b)(11) in each Registration Statement, including
         the Prospectus, used in connection with the offer of the contract;

2.       Include appropriate disclosure regarding the redemption restrictions
         imposed by Section 403(b)(11) in any sales literature used in
         connection with the offer of the contract;

3.       Instruct sales representatives who solicit participants to purchase the
         contract specifically to bring the redemption restrictions imposed by
         Section 403(b)(11) to the attention of the potential participants; and

4.       Obtain from each plan participant who purchases a Section 403(b)
         annuity contract, prior to or at the time of such purchase, a signed
         statement acknowledging the participant's understanding of: (1) the
         restrictions on redemption imposed by Section 403(b)(11), and (2) other
         investment alternatives available under the employer's Section 403(b)
         arrangement to which the participant may elect to transfer his or her
         contract value.

<PAGE>   76




                                   Signatures



As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets the requirements of Securities Act
Rule 485 (b) for effectiveness of this Registration Statement and has caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City of Stevens
Point, State of Wisconsin, on the 26th day of April, 1999.


                                   Sentry Variable Account II
                                   Registrant


                                   By: Sentry Life Insurance Company



                                   By: s/Dale R. Schuh                 
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                         Dale R. Schuh, Chairman of the Board,
                                           President and Director




                                   Sentry Life Insurance Company
                                   Depositor



                                   By:  s/Dale R. Schuh            
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                          Dale R. Schuh, Chairman of the Board
                                            President and Director




<PAGE>   77



As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.






s/Dale R. Schuh                                                  April 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------------
Dale R. Schuh, Chairman of the
Board, President and Director



s/William M. O'Reilly                                            April 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------------
William M. O'Reilly, Secretary and
Director



s/William J. Lohr                                                April 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------------
William J. Lohr, Treasurer and
Director



s/Janet L. Fagan                                                 April 26, 1999
- ------------------------------------------
Janet L. Fagan, Director







<PAGE>   78




                                   EXHIBITS TO

                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 20

                                       TO

                                    FORM N-4

                                       FOR

                           SENTRY VARIABLE ACCOUNT II

<PAGE>   79



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
- -------

99.B     9        Opinion and Consent of Counsel

99.B     10       Consent of Independent Accountant

99.B     13       Calculation of Performance Information


<PAGE>   1



                                    EXHIBIT 9

                         Opinion and Consent of Counsel
<PAGE>   2


[Letterhead of Blazzard, Grodd & Hasenauer, P.C.]


                                 April 16, 1999



Board of Directors
Sentry Life Insurance Company
1800 North Point Drive
Stevens Point, WI  54481

         Re:  Opinion of Counsel - Sentry Variable Account II


Gentlemen:

You have requested our Opinion of counsel in connection with the filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission of Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to a
Registration Statement on form N-4 for the Individual Deferred Variable Annuity
Contracts (the "Contracts") to be issued by Sentry Life Insurance Company and
its separate account, Sentry Variable Account II.

We have made such examination of the law and have examined such records and
documents as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render
the opinions expressed below.

We are of the following opinions:

1.   Sentry Variable Account II is a Unit Investment Trust as that term is
     defined in Section 4(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"),
     and is currently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
     pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Act.

2.   Upon the acceptance of purchase payments made by an Owner pursuant to a
     Contract issued in accordance with the Prospectus contained in the
     Registration Statement and upon compliance with applicable law, such an
     Owner will have a legally-issued, fully paid, non-assessable contractual
     interest under such Contract.

We consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption "Legal Opinions"
contained in the Statement of Additional Information which forms a part of the
Registration Statement.

You may use this opinion letter, or a copy thereof, as an exhibit to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement.

                             Sincerely,

                             BLAZZARD, GRODD & HASENAUER, P.C.

                             By: s/Lynn Korman Stone
                                ------------------------------------
                                   Lynn Korman Stone


<PAGE>   1










                                   Exhibit 10

                        Consent of Independent Accountant




<PAGE>   2

                     [LETTERHEAD OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS]




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the inclusion in Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the
Registration Statement of Sentry Variable Account II (the "Account") on Form N-4
(File No. 2-87072) in the Statement of Additional Information of:

         (1)   Our report dated February 11, 1999, on our audits of the
               financial statements of the Account; and

         (2)   Our report dated February 12, 1999, on our audits of the
               statutory-basis financial statements of Sentry Life Insurance
               Company.

We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption "Independent
Accountant" in the Statement of Additional Information.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


April 28, 1999



<PAGE>   1












                                   Exhibit 13

                     Calculation of Performance Information



<PAGE>   2
                           SEC Rule 482 - Total Return

 
                        SLIC Variable Annuity - One Year
                            Original Purchase - 12/31/97
                               Valuation Date - 12/31/98


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIQUID ASSET
============
                                                                              Units This      Total       
  Date         Transaction Type         Rate    Amount           Unit Value   Transaction   Units Held     Value
  ----         ----------------         ----    ------           ----------   -----------   ----------     -----
<S>            <C>                      <C>    <C>               <C>         <C>         <C>      
   12/31/97    Purchase                        1,000.00          17.361076      57.600      57.600      $1,000.00
   09/10/98    Contract Fee                       (2.28)         17.776652      (0.128)     57.472      $1,021.66
   12/31/98    Value before Surr. Chg.                           17.953784       0.000      57.472      $1,031.84
   12/31/98    Surrender Charg          0.05     (50.00)         17.953784      (2.785)     54.687      $  981.84
   12/31/98    Remaining Value                                   17.953784       0.000      54.687      $  981.84
</TABLE>





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Growth
======
                                                                              Units This      Total        Total
  Date        Transaction Type         Rate     Amount           Unit Value   Transaction   Units Held     Value
  ----        ----------------         ----     ------           ----------   -----------   ----------     -----
<S>           <C>                      <C>     <C>               <C>            <C>         <C>         <C> 
   12/31/97   Purchase                         1,000.00          50.556708      19.780      19.780      $1,000.00
   09/10/98   Contract Fee                        (5.05)         42.957465      (0.118)     19.662      $  844.64
   12/31/98   Value before Surr. Chg.                            57.716388       0.000      19.662      $1,134.83
   12/31/98   Surrender Charg          0.05      (50.00)         57.716388      (0.866)     18.796      $1,084.83
   12/31/98   Remaining Value                                    57.716388       0.000      18.796      $1,084.83
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Bond
====                                                                           Units This     Total        Total
  Date        Transaction Type         Rate     Amount           Unit Value   Transaction   Units Held     Value
  ----        ----------------         ----     ------           ----------   -----------   ----------     -----
<S>           <C>                      <C>     <C>               <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>      
   12/31/97   Purchase                         1,000.00          24.283747      41.180      41.180      $1,000.00
   09/10/98   Contract Fee                       (16.99)         24.976566      (0.680)     40.500      $1,011.54
   12/31/98   Value before Surr. Chg.                            25.048003       0.000      40.500      $1,014.43
   12/31/98   Surrender Charg          0.05      (50.00)         25.048003      (1.996)     38.503      $  964.43
   12/31/98   Remaining Value                                    25.048003       0.000      38.503      $  964.43
</TABLE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Balanced
========                                                                      Units This        Total      Total
  Date        Transaction Type         Rate     Amount           Unit Value   Transaction    Units Held    Value
  ----        ----------------         ----     ------           ----------   -----------    ----------    -----
<S>           <C>                      <C>     <C>               <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>
   12/31/97   Purchase                         1,000.00          20.399374      49.021      49.021      $1,000.00
   09/10/98   Contract Fee                        (5.68)         18.817781      (0.302)     48.719      $  916.79
   12/31/98   Value before Surr. Chg.                            22.612692       0.000      48.719      $1,101.67
   12/31/98   Surrender Charg          0.05      (50.00)         22.612692      (2.211)     46.508      $1,051.67
   12/31/98   Remaining Value                                    22.612692       0.000      46.508      $1,051.67
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
                                      SLIC
                         VA SEC Ave. Annual Total Return
                              P(1+t)Nth power = ERV
                                 Valuation Date    12/31/98


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Purchase        Years             Total Value of     Avg. Annual       Total
    Portfolio              Amount        Invested            Units Held        Total Return      Return
    ---------             --------       --------           --------------     ------------      ------
<S>                        <C>             <C>                  <C>               <C>           <C>  
    Liquid Asset           $1,000          1.00                   982             -1.82%        -1.82%
    Growth                 $1,000          1.00                 1,085              8.48%         8.48%
    Bond                   $1,000          1.00                   964             -3.56%        -3.56%
    Balanced               $1,000          1.00                 1,052              5.17%         5.17%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   5
                              SEC Rule 482 - Total Return


                              SLIC Variable Annuity - Five Years
                              Original Purcha              12/31/93
                              Valuation Date 12/31/98

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


   LIQUID ASSET
   ============                                                                    Units This         Total        Total
       Date      Transaction Type        Rate     Amount           Unit Value      Transaction      Units Held     Value
       ----      ----------------        ----     ------           ----------      -----------      ----------     -----
<S>              <C>                     <C>      <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>        <C>
     12/31/93    Purchase                         1,000.00          15.310831         65.313           65.313     $1,000.00
     09/10/94    Contract Fee                        (2.70)         15.508169         (0.174)          65.139     $1,010.19
     09/10/95    Contract Fee                        (2.61)         16.064606         (0.162)          64.977     $1,043.82
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                        (2.01)         16.611965         (0.121)          64.856     $1,077.38
     09/10/97    Contract Fee                        (1.90)         17.175889         (0.111)          64.745     $1,112.05
     09/10/98    Contract Fee                        (2.28)         17.776652         (0.128)          64.617     $1,148.67
     12/31/98    Value before Surr Chg.                             17.953784          0.000           64.617     $1,160.12
     12/31/98    Surrender Charg          0.01      (10.00)         17.953784         (0.557)          64.060     $1,150,12
     12/31/98    Remaining Value                                    17.953784          0.000           64.060     $1,150.12
</TABLE>


        




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


   Growth
   ======                                                                          Units This         Total       Total
       Date      Transaction Type        Rate     Amount           Unit Value      Transaction      Units Held    Value
       ----      ----------------        ----     ------           ----------      -----------      ----------    -----          
<S>              <C>                      <C>     <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>        <C>      
     12/31/93    Purchase                         1,000.00          30.098279         33.224           33.224     $1,000.00
     09/10/94    Contract Fee                        (6.74)         29.235922         (0.231)          32.994     $  964.61
     09/10/95    Contract Fee                        (6.37)         38.489914         (0.165)          32.828     $1,263.56
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                        (6.28)         36.333374         (0.173)          32.656     $1,186.49
     09/10/97    Contract Fee                        (5.99)         50.496420         (0.119)          32.537     $1,643.00
     09/10/98    Contract Fee                        (5.05)         42.957465         (0.118)          32.419     $1,392.66
     12/31/98    Value before Surr. Chg.                            57.716388          0.000           32.419     $1,871.13
     12/31/98    Surrender Charg          0.01      (10.00)         57.716388         (0.173)          32.246     $1,861.13
     12/31/98    Remaining Value                                    57.716388          0.000           32.246     $1,861.13
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Bond
   ====                                                                               Units This         Total        Total
       Date       Transaction Type        Rate        Amount          Unit Value      Transaction      Units Held     Value
       ----       ----------------        ----        ------          ----------      -----------      ----------     -----
       <S>        <C>                      <C>      <C>              <C>                 <C>             <C>         <C>      
       12/31/93   Purchase                          1,000.00         20.652913           48.419          48.419      $1,000.00
       09/10/94   Contract Fee                        (16.13)        20.446641           (0.789)         47.630      $  973.88 
       09/10/95   Contract Fee                        (16.56)        21.722485           (0.762)         46.868      $1,018.09
       09/10/96   Contract Fee                        (16.87)        22.401036           (0.753)         46.115      $1,033.02
       09/10/97   Contract Fee                        (16.93)        23.906974           (0.708)         45.407      $1,085.54
       09/10/98   Contract Fee                        (16.99)        24.976566           (0.680)         44.727      $1,117.12
       12/31/98   Value before Surr. Chg.                            25.048003            0.000          44.727      $1,120.31
       12/31/98   Surrender Charg          0.01       (10.00)        25.048003           (0.399)         44.327      $1,110.31
       12/31/98   Remaining Value                                    25.048003            0.000          44.327      $1,110.31
</TABLE>






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Balanced
   ========                                                                          
                                                                                       Units This         Total        Total
       Date       Transaction Type        Rate        Amount          Unit Value      Transaction       Units Held    Value
       ----       ---------------         ----        ------          ----------       -----------      ----------    -----
       <S>        <C>                      <C>      <C>              <C>                 <C>             <C>         <C>       
       12/31/93   Purchase                          1,000.00         14.010396           71.376          71.376      $1,000.00 
       09/10/94   Contract Fee                         (4.43)        13.714103           (0.323)         71.053      $  974.42
       09/10/95   Contract Fee                         (4.46)        16.661507           (0.268)         70.785      $1,179.38
       09/10/96   Contract Fee                         (4.84)        16.213209           (0.299)         70.486      $1,142.81
       09/10/97   Contract Fee                         (5.18)        20.302704           (0.255)         70.231      $1,425.88
       09/10/98   Contract Fee                         (5.68)        18.817781           (0.302)         69.929      $1,315.92
       12/31/98   Value before Surr. Chg.                            22.612692            0.000          69.929      $1,581.29
       12/31/98   Surrender Charg          0.01       (10.00)        22.612692           (0.442)         69.487      $1,571.29
       12/31/98   Remaining Value                                    22.612692            0.000          69.487      $1,571.29
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   7
                                      SLIC
                        A SEC Ave. Annual Total Return
                             P(1+t)Nth power = ERV
                                Valuation Date 12/31/98
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Purchase     Years        Total Value of    Avg. Annual      Total
    Portfolio      Amount     Invested       Units Held       Total Return     Return
    ---------      ------     --------       ----------       ------------     ------
<S>                <C>           <C>            <C>                 <C>        <C>   
 Liquid Asset      $1,000        5.00           1,150               2.84%      15.01%
 Growth            $1,000        5.00           1,861              13.23%      86.11%
 Bond              $1,000        5.00           1,110               2.11%      11.03%
 Balanced          $1,000        5.00           1,571               9.46%      57.13%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   8
                        SEC Rule 482 - Total Return

                        SLIC Variable Annuity - Ten Years
                        Original Purchase (3/1/89 Balanced Portfoli     12/31/88
                             Valuation Date    12/31/98
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  LIQUID ASSET
  ============                                                                           Units This      Total        Total
      Date       Transaction Type         Rate          Amount            Unit Value     Transaction   Units Held     Value
      ----       ----------------         ----          ------            ----------     -----------   ----------     -----
<S>              <C>                      <C>           <C>              <C>               <C>           <C>         <C> 
     12/31/88    Purchase                               1,000.00         12.458975         80.263        80.263      $1,000.00
     09/12/89    Contract Fee                              (2.69)        13.107002         (0.205)       80.058      $1,049.32
     09/11/90    Contract Fee                              (2.99)        13.953219         (0.214)       79.844      $1,114.08
     09/10/91    Contract Fee                              (3.72)        14.662450         (0.254)       79.590      $1,166.99
     09/10/92    Contract Fee                              (3.12)        15.057642         (0.207)       79.383      $1,195.32
     09/10/93    Contract Fee                              (2.80)        15.258026         (0.184)       79.199      $1,208.43
     09/10/94    Contract Fee                              (2.70)        15.508169         (0.174)       79.025      $1,225.54
     09/10/95    Contract Fee                              (2.61)        16.064606         (0.162)       78.863      $1,266.90
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                              (2.01)        16.611965         (0.121)       78.742      $1,308.06
     09/10/97    Contract Fee                              (1.90)        17.175889         (0.111)       78.631      $1,350.56
     09/10/98    Contract Fee                              (2.28)        17.776652         (0.128)       78.503      $1,395.52
     12/31/98    Value before Surr. Chg.                                 17.953784          0.000        78.503      $1,409.43
     12/31/98    Surrender Charge                           0.00         17.953784          0.000        78.503      $1,409.43
     12/31/98    Remaining Value                                         17.953784          0.000        78.503      $1,409.43
</TABLE>
     




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Growth
  ======                        
                                                                                           Units This     Total         Total
       Date      Transaction Type         Rate          Amount            Unit Value      Transaction   Units Held      Value
       ----      ----------------         ----          ------            ----------      -----------   ----------      -----       
<S>              <C>                      <C>           <C>              <C>               <C>           <C>         <C>
     12/31/88    Purchase                               1,000.00         17.711141         56.462        56.462      $1,000.00
     09/12/89    Contract Fee                              (6.48)        23.632300         (0.274)       56.187      $1,327.84
     09/11/90    Contract Fee                              (6.15)        20.218175         (0.304)       55.883      $1,129.86
     09/10/91    Contract Fee                              (7.80)        24.162236         (0.323)       55.560      $1,342.46
     09/10/92    Contract Fee                              (7.42)        26.222802         (0.283)       55.277      $1,449.53
     09/10/93    Contract Fee                              (7.01)        29.686989         (0.236)       55.041      $1,634.01
     09/10/94    Contract Fee                              (6.74)        29.235922         (0.231)       54.811      $1,602.44
     09/10/95    Contract Fee                              (6.37)        38.489914         (0.165)       54.645      $2,103.29
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                              (6.28)        36.333374         (0.173)       54.472      $1,979.17
     09/10/97    Contract Fee                              (5.99)        50.496420         (0.119)       54.354      $2,744.67
     09/10/98    Contract Fee                              (5.05)        42.957465         (0.118)       54.236      $2,329.85
     12/31/98    Value before Surr. Chg.                                 57.716388          0.000        54.236      $3,130.32
     12/31/98    Surrender Charge                           0.00         57.716388          0.000        54.236      $3,130.32
     12/31/98    Remaining Value                                         57.716388          0.000        54.236      $3,130.32
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   9

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Bond
====   
                                                                                       Units This      Total         Total
      Date       Transaction Type          Rate          Amount         Unit Value     Transaction   Units Held       Value
      ----       ----------------          ----          ------         ----------     -----------    ----------       -----
     <S>        <C>                        <C>          <C>              <C>               <C>           <C>         <C>      
     12/31/88    Purchase                               1,000.00         14.639353         68.309        68.309      $1,000.00
     09/12/89    Contract Fee                             (13.33)        15.631961         (0.853)       67.456      $1,054.47
     09/11/90    Contract Fee                             (12.65)        16.650894         (0.760)       66.697      $1,110.56
     09/10/91    Contract Fee                             (16.88)        18.039834         (0.936)       65.761      $1,186.32
     09/10/92    Contract Fee                             (16.22)        19.677253         (0.824)       64.937      $1,277.77
     09/10/93    Contract Fee                             (13.13)        20.708926         (0.634)       64.303      $1,331.64
     09/10/94    Contract Fee                             (16.13)        20.446641         (0.789)       63.514      $1,298.64
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                             (16.56)        21.722485         (0.762)       62.751      $1,363.11
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                             (16.87)        22.401036         (0.753)       61.998      $1,388.82
     09/10/97    Contract Fee                             (16.93)        23.906974         (0.708)       61.290      $1,465.26
     09/10/98    Contract Fee                             (16.99)        24.976566         (0.680)       60.610      $1,513.83
     12/31/98    Value before Surr. Chg.                                 25.048003          0.000        60.610      $1,518.15
     12/31/98    Surrender Charge                           0.00         25.048003          0.000        60.610      $1,518.15
     12/31/98    Remaining Value                                         25.048003          0.000        60.610      $1,518.15
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balanced
========                           
                                                                                          Units This     Total          Total
      Date       Transaction Type        Rate          Amount            Unit Value      Transaction   Units Held       Value
      ----       ----------------        ----          ------            ----------      -----------   ----------       -----
     <S>         <C>                     <C>           <C>                <C>            <C>             <C>         <C>      
     03/01/89    Purchase                              1,000.00            8.975613      111.413         111.413     $1,000.00
     09/11/89    Contract Fee                             (7.50)          10.376347       (0.723)        110.690     $1,148.56
     09/10/90    Contract Fee                             (0.50)          10.074228       (0.050)        110.641     $1,114.62
     09/10/91    Contract Fee                             (1.60)          11.539053       (0.139)        110.502     $1,275.09
     09/10/92    Contract Fee                             (3.24)          12.638701       (0.256)        110.246     $1,393.36
     09/10/93    Contract Fee                             (4.06)          13.887021       (0.292)        109.953     $1,526.92
     09/10/94    Contract Fee                             (4.43)          13.714103       (0.323)        109.630     $1,503.48
     09/10/95    Contract Fee                             (4.46)          16.661507       (0.268)        109.362     $1,822.14
     09/10/96    Contract Fee                             (4.84)          16.213209       (0.299)        109.064     $1,768.28
     09/10/97    Contract Fee                             (5.18)          20.302704       (0.255)        108.809     $2,209.11
     09/10/98    Contract Fee                             (5.68)          18.817781       (0.302)        108.507     $2,041.86
     12/31/98    Value before Surr Chg.                                   22.612692        0.000         108.507     $2,453.64
     12/31/98    Surrender Charg            0              0.00           22.612692        0.000         108.507     $2,453.64
     12/31/98    Remaining Value                                          22.612692        0.000         108.507     $2,453.64
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   10

                                      SLIC
                        VA SEC Ave. Annual Total Return
                             P(1+t)Nth power = ERV
                                 Valuation Date                        12/31/98


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Purchase     Years   Total Value of    Avg. Annual   Total
      Portfolio              Amount    Invested    Units Held     Total Return   Return
      ---------              ------    --------    ----------     ------------   ------
<S>                          <C>          <C>       <C>               <C>       <C>    
Liquid Asset                 $1,000       10.00     1,409              3.49%     40.94% 

Growth                       $1,000       10.00     3,130             12.09%    213.03%
                                                                                       
Bond                         $1,000       10.00     1,518              4.26%     51.82%

Balanced                     $1,000        8.29     2,213             10.05%    121.30%
    (Since Inception)                                                      
</TABLE>


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